BEAUTY INDULGENCE: NAIL GARDEN

Escape to a peaceful oasis of beauty nestled amongst the hills of Los Angeles - Nail Garden. A state-of-the-art, deluxe nail spa where your everyday worries are dissolved into a blissful series of lush treatments & services delivered by a talented team of friendly & remarkably attentive technicians.


The atmosphere inspires total relaxation with a sanctuary that features natural nail care products and organic decor: eco-friendly cork flooring, preserved trees, painted skies, tranquil waterfalls and fountains throughout.  The natural environment helps to awaken the senses and rejuvenate the mind, body & spirit.

During my initial visit, I received a warm welcome at the reception desk and was delighted by the soothing surroundings, scents of aromatherapy and the sounds of running water.  An endless selection of non-toxic, formaldehyde-free nail colors were on display by OPI and Zoya (keeping with the eco-conscious theme of the salon). I was immediately ushered over to my treatment station: an uber-contemporary pedicure chair where the royal treatment began.

The Indulgent Bliss Spa Manicure/Pedicure combo was the sweetest escape.  This Maybach of treatments included an exfoliating pineapple sea salt scrub, hot antioxidant oil/lotion, therapeutic massage, a mint cooling masque, warm towel wraps {around my arms/legs/hands & feet}, and ended with a hot paraffin wax treatment to soften my hands & feet.  I luxuriated in it all, melting into the chair while my neck and back were massaged simultaneously! 


In addition to a complete menu of natural nail treatments and nail enhancements, Nail Garden also offers a full range of Waxing Services, Eyelash Extensions, Eyebrow Tinting and soon, Foot Spa Detox, Henna Tattooing & Tanning services will be added to the list!


Three convenient locations in Studio City, Sherman Oaks and Burbank will allow you every opportunity to transform your weekly manicure & pedicure into a heavenly experience - a luxurious retreat from the hustle & bustle of life and an opportunity to pamper yourself in exquisite fashion! A favorite beauty hideaway of many celebrities & Hollywood insiders, the impeccable level of service, eco-friendly environment and indulgent treatments truly make this salon unique!


Mention The Roni Report and receive 10% off all services! http://www.nailgarden.com/ .






LTLY,




Roni♥

COVETING C.Z. FALCONER

We all know that feeling we get the moment we've laid eyes on a gorgeous and luxuriously decadent item of clothing ...the dramatic gasp, the cheshire-cat-grin while caressing it and trying it on, the knowing nod that screams that you just KNOW that this was meant to be, and then the uncontrollable obsession with the item that will usually follow. This is precisely what happened to me on one fine day, when I first became aquainted with breakout luxe loungewear line, C.Z. Falconer.

C.Z. Falconer once found herself fresh out of college and in a hedge-fund analyst position in San Francisco, far away from the glitz & glamour of the fashion world! She headed off to New York where she made a name for herself over the past decade as a major player in the fashion industry working for the likes of fashion giants Ralph Lauren, Coach, Kate Spade and Guess, where she held roles on the product development and design sides of the business. She later returned to her native California, where she would later launch her own line.

In 2009, after years of searching for what she always thought was an obvious need in fashion, Falconer decided to take matters into her own hands to create the line that she was so desperate to find – the perfect collection of luxury loungewear. The collection was going to be comfortable, yet luxurious – the perfect option for women looking for key pieces that were a cross between the laid back look of everyday LA-style and chic European vacation-wear.   In the back of her mind, was cashmere that could be worn year-round and beautiful resort pieces that would travel easily while globetrotting to fabulous destinations! With this one simple idea,  a namesake niche lifestyle brand made it's debut in the independent fashion label mecca of Los Angeles!

"It all began with a group of friends, a large dining room table, some champagne, and a dream. The dream was to create a lifestyle brand that channeled elements of European jet set sophistication, blended with Californian poolside glamour."

C.Z. turned to her friends and things that they all love for the inspiration behind the label - fabulous parties, stylish travel, swimming in fancy pools, french polynesia, luxurious loungewear, delicious cashmere, soft velour, flowy see-through numbers we can wear over our bikinis, foreign languages, palm springs, gstaad, harem pants & apres-ski.

All sorts of delights {with really clever little names} can be found in the debut collection, which includes harem pants, butter soft leggings with ruching at the ankles {Athena Legging}, zip-front hooded sweaters, vests & ponchos {a long-waisted zip front version is affectionately named the "Barbarella Deep-Throat Zippie"}, teeny tiny little shorts, a swimwear Cover-Up Tunic and more -might I add, all in the softest lightweight cashmere with gold-toned logo hardware on the zippers and straps! Adorable! The color palette offering is uncomplicated with black (basic), milk (white) , honey (natural) and berry (pink/red) selections available.

The showstopper of this collection is the Emmanuelle Halter Suit - an unbelievable wide legged, plunging neckline, halter jumpsuit{shown above in black}! I went absolutely beserk when the stylist for a fashion show I was doing{the sweet & talented Melinda Tarbell}, pulled it out for me!! It felt so wonderful on, that I could barely bring myself to take it off after the show! I was already envisioning lounging around the house in it, wearing it out, and even wearing it to bed! It's DELICIOUS, super sexy, glides when you walk, and has an amazing view from the rear {it's backless}!  The honey color is my favourite.  I can't wait to see what C.Z. has up her sleeve next!

Visit C.Z. Falconer on the web at www.czfalconer.com !

{Available at Pink Lagoon in Solana Beach, California. }

LTLY,

Roni♥

LUXURIOUS SIGNATURE SCENTS AT HOME

Home should be a place of refuge, comfort, nourishment and pleasure.  Furnishings, art and personal items help to define our space, but one key element provides a finishing & personalized touch:  fragrance.

I am addicted to ANTICA FARMACISTA - a Seattle based purveyor of fine fragrances for the home.  Their warm, elegant and luxurious Home Ambiance collection of scents will add an immediate air of sophistication to any abode. The exquisite packaging includes a delicate apothecary bottle filled with fragrance oil, and white birch reeds which are rotated in the bottle as often as desired to infuse the scent that is released.  The Room Fragrance collection includes Room and Linen sprays and beautiful soy/paraffin wax candles in corresponding scents as an alternative or an addition to the Home Ambiance line.

The deliciously unique fragrances in the collection are lust-worthy:

*Ingredients are listed for my favourites although I want to try them all!

• 
  
  Casablanca: {Pure essence of Casablanca Lily blended with the exotic Ylang Ylang and subtle notes of clove.}
  
  
  
• 
  
  Amber: {Warm & harmonious subtle wood essence enhancing the natural sweetness of Amber.}
  
  
  
• 
  
  Green Fig {Fico Verde}: {Green notes of cut grass, luscious fruits, soft violet and wild fig.}
  
  
  
• 
  
  Champagne: {Satsuma citrus balanced with floral notes of muguet, sensuous apricot, nectarine and passionfruit complemented by sugared black currant and mellow accents of sweet vanilla.}
  
  
  
• 
  
  No. II. {New for Fall/Holiday 2009!}: Sicilian mandarin, French verbena & blood orange meet the traditional holiday spice scents of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and spruce. Earthy neroli softens the citrus and spice.}
  
  
  
• Aria {Air}
• Cedar & Lemon
• Santorini
• Acqua {Water}
• Grapefruit
• Magnolia, Orchid and Mimosa
• Pomegranate and Currant
• Peonia, Gardenia and Rosa
• Vanilla, Mandarin and Bourbon
• Tuberose, Hyacinth, Lily of the Valley
• Orange Blossom, Lilac & Jasmine

CASABLANCA is my absolute favourite of them all, and is one of the signature scents in my home.  Kept on the console in my foyer {and on the dresser in my bedroom} this soft, feminine scent {inspired by the Casablanca Lily} gives home the feel of a posh villa in the French Riviera! 

Created exclusively for Fall/Holiday 2009, Number 11 is a contemporary twist on classic fragrances reminiscent of holiday luxury. Presented in beautiful red packaging, this spicy scent is a gorgeous version of a classic holiday favourite!

An exquisite cut crystal decanter {shown above} is available in all fragrances of The Home Ambiance collection as an alternative to the apothecary style bottle.  Available in both 250ml and 500ml sizes, this would make the perfect gift!

Antica Farmacista also features Antica for the Body - a line that includes Perfume, Body Moisturizer, Bath & Shower Wash, and Hand Wash in the same fragrances as the home collections.

{Special Holiday Offer Exclusive to The Roni Report!}

Receive a complimentary 100 ml. Magnolia, Orchid and Mimosa Home Ambiance fragrance with any online purchase! 

Visit http://www.anticafarmacista.com/, and enter Offer Code: anticarrep09 at the Checkout ! Offer good through December 15, 2009!

LTLY,


Roni♥

MASERATI'S GRAN TURISMO LANDS IN B.HILLS

Tuesday night, Maserati hosted an exclusive event in Beverly Hills to celebrate the Gran Turismo Convertible's unveiling.  The prototype is the only one available in the world, and made it's global debut in Frankfurt, Germany.  It is currently touring Southern California throughout November.  Elegant and magnificent, with two-toned red and cream interior trim, the Gran Turismo will look fabulous when it hits LA streets!

LTLY,


Roni♥

The 2010 Porsche Panamera

Porsche has always had that certain "New England Prep" meets "Trust Fund Baby" meets "middle-aged-guy-having-mid-life-crisis" sort of flavor to it, in my opinion {I'm referring to the Carrera}.  Add to that, luxe sports car flair, German craftsmanship and a uniqueness to it.  Then came along the Porsche Cayenne - which I absolutely adore, and which convinced me that a Porsche could actually be a car that I would drive.  {In fact, the Cayenne is about to become my next automobile very shortly}!  Now, Porsche has taken things to an entirely different level...

Meet the 2010 Porsche Panamera. 

A four-door luxury sedan.

It's being presented as an alternative to the Mercedes CLS63 AMG, the Lamborghini Estoque, the Aston Martin Rapide and my baby girl... the Maserati Quattroporte.  Porsche is also hopeful that {considering the current state of the economy} the Panamera might be considered as a less expensive option to the Bentley Continental Flying Spur or Mercedes S63 AMG. 

I'll take it in the custom Cognac Metallic {with the Mahogany as 2nd choice}.

Priced at $89,000 - $135,000.

Lovely. I'm all about a good car!

LTLY,

Roni♥

CHIC BEACH

Summer =

• Endless Sunshine
• Lazy Days
• Exotic Vacations
• The French Riviera
• Fabulous appearances at the beach
• Sexy pool parties
• A cruise on someone or another's boat
• Glamorous Swimsuits
• Vintage-inspired, oversized sunglasses
• Floppy Hats
• Cute tote-bags and an often overlooked accessory that we should discuss...
• The Beach Towel! Luxurious, large, fluffy, soft, and super-colorful - my favourite choices! Let's peek at some must-haves!
  
  

Hermes, a leader in classic luxury, gives great horse & saddle! This beach towel captures their iconic equestrian spirit! It's all yours for $530.

Pucci is always giving good towel. This "Orchidea" print in plush velour mirrors the multicolored, graphic style of their design house.









More fun from Pucci (above). This year's "STAR" - printed plushness... and what is this? A matching tunic? Four stars for Pucci. Love it!

Another color-wonder to love, Sir Paul Smith, whose brilliant, rainbow-licious flavored signature stripes feel so Willy Wonka-ish! Striped beach towel above, fab bikini, below.




2009 was a big year for Matthew Williamson (beach towel below) - with 2 successful H&M collaborations under his belt, he is just unstoppable and without a doubt, has reached household- name status! Another master of color infused with great design, he gifted H&M'ers with beach towels to go with the other fun pieces in his Spring and Summer collections!




Missoni is always pure perfection. My favorite family from Italy features beautiful patterns and colors for the beach....

Leopard printed ("Ipanema") and butterfly ("Jamelia")rainbows?? Terrific!

How clever of Lacoste! This "Chemise" beach towel caught me completely off-guard! Yes, we do expect them to do great cotton pique polo style shirts, but an uber-cool beach towel? Completely unexpected. Even more unexpected, was the fact that this beach towel features a "stack" of folded polos in rainbow flavors! An excellent option for the man in your life.{above}

Josie Natori... a name synonymous with cute pajamas, has entered into the beach towel game!
This "Geisha" towel is just divine! Natori hit the mark with this!

See you at the beach!

LTLY,








Roni♥

REALLY GOOD BAG GAME

Bag lust.

I was already so in love with exclusive luxury goods purveyor Goyard, and was quite thrilled to see a new clutch situation happening... Audrina Patridge from MTV's The Hills brought her A-game in the bag department... she was spotted rocking the Goyard Bois Chevron Pochette Clutch in this fabulous orange hue!

Very fun. Unfortunately, she didn't score so high in the jumpsuit department. I am the official jumpsuit enthusiast, however, not so enthusiastic about this one.

The Bois Chevron Pochette is also shown here in black. This is SO rockable!

LTLY,

Roni♥