My Skin Savior: Midnight Recovery Concentrate

At the ripe old age of 22, I have come to the conclusion that it is always a good idea in invest in skincare. I have struggled with my skin for many years (mostly blemishes and the subsequent pigmentation with a bit of dehydration). For the longest time, I tried to stick with drugstore brands. I was convinced that there was not a "high end" or "luxury" skincare brand that I could afford. However, I have come to find that there are a number of skincare brands that use quality ingredients that are well within my budget.

I follow a group of beauty bloggers and ALL of them, at one point or another, raved about the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate. This little blue bottle touts claims of restoring your skin's appearance and leaving your complexion smoother and more radiant by morning. It uses pure botanical oils which gives it a wonderful fresh scent. Out of curiosity, I googled the product and held my breath as the page loaded the price.

And I was pleasantly surprised. The 1 oz bottle is $46.00 and the 1.7 oz bottle is $70.00. I know that that might still sound expensive to some of you but trust me when I say it is worth it. I usually get the 1 oz bottle and it lasts me MONTHS. I had my first bottle for about a month or two before it spilled in my travel bag and was completely emptied. It's safe to say I was devastated and may or may not have kept the plastic baggy and wiped all of the remnants out with cotton swabs. This stuff is that good. Now that I have a fresh bottle, I apply three or four drops (depending on the condition of my skin) to my moisturizer before applying it in the evening.

As for the claims it makes, they have all held true. My skin was noticeably more radiant and hydrated after just a few days of using the product. I have had a poor experience with serums in the past and was concerned my skin would react poorly again. But there were no bumps or irritation in sight and my skin has continued to improve. It doesn't irritate my incredibly sensitive skin and does not make me break out (My diet on the other hand...). I included the picture above, hyper-pigmentation and all, to show the healthy glow that this product gives my skin. When you struggle with blemishes and dehydration like I do, it can be incredibly difficult to actually achieve healthy skin beneath the imperfections.

All in all this product is a big win in my book! The scent is light and fresh and it feels glorious on the skin AND it does what it says it does. What more could a girl ask for? In fact, I have fallen in love with Kiehl's as a whole since I started using this concentrate. I now use a Kiehl's moisturizer and eye cream and am looking to purchase their facial SPF for the summer.

Let me know in the comments if you have any "holy grail" skin products or brands that you love! Thanks for reading and don't be shy- get in touch!

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

Hello, Parsel

As many of you know, this blog is still growing and developing. I am always looking for ways to improve upon Fashionably M. French and am fully aware of just how far I still have to go before I get this baby where I'd like it to be. Recently, in doing my research, I found this neat little thing called Parsel. Parsel is a platform that allows little old bloggers like me to have a one stop shop for my readers. 

WHAT THIS MEANS:

• This means that instead of going through each post and clicking individual links to items you are interested in, they will all be in one place! Simply head over to the shop tab and you can either browse collections or all products at once. 
• Parsel is a secure platform and allows you to check out right on the shop page. You can add items from various retailers and still just have one smooth check-out process.
• If an item is out-of-stock, Parsel will get in touch and refund your payment. Parsel also takes care of things if you would like to return or cancel an order as well!
• Yes- I will be receiving a small portion of any sales made through Parsel. But not to worry, that doesn't change the pricing! (see below)
• All of this and more can be found on the Parsel FAQ page here. 

WHAT THIS DOES NOT MEAN:

• You are not obligated to shop the tab simply because it is there. There is never any pressure to purchase any of the items I mention. I have only implemented Parsel to make things easier for you guys! 
• Parsel does not up the charge for their shoppers- the price you see in the Parsel shop is the same price as the retailer selling the item. 

After looking into it, I determined that Parsel would be the perfect addition to Fashionably M. French. If I ever mention a specific product in a post, that item will more than likely be available in my Parsel shop. As I have not personally bought anything through a Parsel shop, I only have the reviews from other bloggers to rely on. So far so good, but if you have any concerns feel free to get in touch! This will be a learning experience for all  of us. Happy shopping! x

Valentine's Day Treat :: Yogurt Covered Strawberries

In the spirit of being prepared and planning ahead, I have already begun looking over holidays and special days in the year. First up is Valentine's Day. This is the time of year when we all see our single friends post about their anti-Valentine's parties a la "Valentine's Day" and those in relationships begin to upload sappy photos to Instagram and gush about their love life. I am proud to say that I have found a happy medium. I am in my third year of a wonderful loving relationship but I spare everyone on social media from having to read about it all of the time.

Last Valentine's Day, Golan and I thought we would go out and have an absurd amount of food at one of our favorite pizza places nearby (Hellooooo, garlic knots!). Turns out that this particular establishment had decided to create an entirely new menu for Valentine's Day. Not only did they not disclose this vital piece of information when we made the reservation, but they didn't even have pizza available! Not that that mattered much because, after being seated, we waited almost half an hour and were never greeted or even given a glass of water. Needless to say, we decided to leave and try to find another place to eat. We were dressed for the occasion after all and determined to have a romantic evening. Fast forward another hour and we had driven across town and had called all of our favorites with no luck. We ended up eating at Red Robin. We had to eat somewhere or things would have gotten ugly. The food was less than spectacular and our evening ended in the mall food court downing Ben and Jerry's ice cream.

After last year's fiasco, Golan and I have decided to stay in this Valentine's Day. What's better than a Netflix marathon, comfy pajamas and yummy treats? Yeah, I couldn't think of anything either. We have been taking the whole "New Year New You" thing pretty seriously and that means sticking to our clean eating. I would love nothing more than to sit down with a spoon in a big tub of icing but that doesn't exactly look good in my food log. So I decided to try something new! Say hello to one of my new favorite desserts: Yogurt Covered Strawberries. 

This was very much a trial and error process. I tried to make some of the strawberries look like hearts (only some of them were successful) and I thought I would stack one on top of the other (those ended up looking very phallic which might be great for a bachelorette party but not for a cozy night in with my boyfriend). Eventually I just settled for cutting the tops off and popping them on a stick. I loved the way these simple ones turned out and had fun experimenting with different ideas. Get creative and see what you can come up with! I would love to see what your creative minds can think of so please share what you make on Instagram and Twitter. Now, on to the actual recipe.

Voila! Now you can enjoy these super simple treats any time. I recommend taking them out of the freezer to thaw a little before eating them. Golan didn't wait to eat one and he chomped down on a little brick of ice. Let me know if you have any healthy recipes for Valentine's Day. Also, be sure to post your photos of this recipe on Instagram and Twitter and tag me! I would love to see what you all do. 

Please be sure to subscribe via Bloglovin' and follow the Fashionably M. French Facebook page for regular updates. Thanks for reading! xo

All of the little bits and bobs used in this post were found at Target. I went a little mad in their dollar section located at the front. I found the white paper straws with pink hearts, the bronze metal pail, the "Happy Valentine's Day" stamp, the lace heart stamp all for under five dollars! This is not sponsored - I couldn't find links online to any of these items anyways. I just thought I would throw that in here just in case any of you wanted to take a look! <3 

My Life Styled :: #CosmopolitanChic

Vegas- you either love it or you hate it. But what many people fail to realize is that the wild partying and stories akin to The Hangover only make up one side of the city. I am most definitely not a party girl. I get nervous in crowds, lightheaded after one sip of a well made drink and, quite frankly, can't stand it when strange men try to talk to me. I had always just accepted the fact that Vegas would never be a place for me.

That was until I spoke with someone who was just like me and LOVED their trip to Vegas. I realized that Vegas has so much more to offer than a quick weekend you wish you could forget. Think spas, shopping, amazing restaurants and unique shows. This was a relief because I must confess that I have planned my "Vegas Trip" wardrobe in my head way too many times to not actually go and enjoy it myself. It's all about versatile pieces that you can transition from one activity to the next.

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas seems like a great place to stay. I would be able to enjoy everything on my check list without leaving the hotel! I could keep things casual and relaxing with one of their many restaurants or their in-house spa. I could also choose from three pool facilities, awesome modern art exhibits, and shopping. The unique New York-style towers are located right off of the strip- perfect in case I decide to venture out.

So in honor of all of those daydreams and imagined trips, I have styled a few looks that would be perfect for a quick weekend at The Cosmopolitan.

Day 1 :: Boulevard Pool + Secret Pizza

#ComsopolitanChic :: Boulevard Pool by mefrench featuring a black fedora hat

To kick off my weekend, I would begin by relaxing poolside with a great book. Of the three pools available at The Cosmopolitan, The Boulevard Pool sounded just right. With an atmosphere inspired by an upscale yacht club, cabanas and a full menu at the Overlook Grill, I could settle in for hours on end. I would want to keep things sleek and chic in a bold colored bikini, aviators and a hat. After I have had my fill of glamour and luxury, I would throw on this ruched maxi dress and set off in search of Secret Pizza, a standing-room only pizza shop hidden within The Cosmopolitan!

Day 1:: P3 Studio

#CosmopolitanChic :: P3 Studio by mefrench featuring vintage wedge shoes

While I might not be interested in the traditional Vegas nightlife, I was thrilled to find such a unique experience for an evening out. The glass walls and intimate setting allow you to really connect with the artist at work inside the studio. You even have the option of stepping inside and interacting with the artist! There is a rotation of artists-in residence so you can do your research and plan around the artist you want to see. P3 studio is also partnered with a non-profit, Art Production Fund. I couldn't think of a cooler way to spend my night!

Day 2 :: Sahra Spa & Hammam + Va Bene Caffe + The Shops at The Cosmopolitan

#CosmopolitanChic :: Sahra Spa, Va Bene Caffe, The Shops by mefrench featuring seychelles shoes

My second day would begin with (surprise, surprise) more relaxing at the Sahra Spa and Hammam. The spa boasts 50,000 square feet of pure relaxation and over 28 treatment rooms that draw from the serenity of the desert. I would then throw on a simple yet chic ensemble like the one shown above. The clean silhouette and fairly neutral color palette make for a fresh look that is suitable for all of my activities of the day. My next stop would be Va Bene Caffe. This little gem offers fresh pastries, paninis, salad and gelato. Let's be honest, who doesn't want to do a little re-toxing after a spa session? I would then burn off those calories with some retail therapy in The Shop at the Cosmopolitan. 

Day 2 :: Drinks and a Show

#CosmopolitanChic :: Drinks & A show by mefrench featuring a pink dress

If you can't let loose on your last night in Vegas, then when can you? My first stop of the evening would be the Vesper Bar (named after Bond's infamous drink). This outfit channels that powerful Bond girl with the sexy back, red lip and sleek heels. After I've had my fill with about half a drink, Golan and I would make our way to The Chelsea to catch a killer show. Fingers crossed for Bruno Mars still being around!

With the holidays approaching and the semester coming to an end, all I can think about is a good vacation. How would you plan your trip to Vegas? Let me know in the comments! Also, be sure to check out The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas for some stellar deals and a unique experience. Stay updated by following the Fashionably M. French Facebook page as well as my Twitter and Instagram! Feel free to get in touch- I'd love to hear from you! x

I was asked by the people at Vegas.com if I would show how I would style my ideal weekend in Vegas at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. That being said, all opinions and suggestions are my own. Thanks!