Author: awrensays
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It’s Cyber Monday. Keep calm and save your money
As much as I enjoy shopping, I am going to give you the advice that I need myself. Be mindful of what appears to be a deal. Right now, and in the week prior, many retailers are running promos. You likely have seen sitewide discounts, gift card events, gifts with purchase abound. Do yourself and…
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Quick admonition about sunscreen: Why aren’t you wearing it?
If you are into skincare, it doesn’t matter how much you spend on your products if you refuse to spend any of that on sunscreen. At this point, most of us know that sun exposure can lead to premature skin aging. On top of that, some of the ingredients you may be using to treat…
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Byredo Blanche, when you’re looking for a good clean fresh scent
On first spray of Byredo’s Blanche, I thought, “This smells nice.” But since I am trying, mightily, to get better at understanding fragrances, I tried to go deeper. “Is it clean linen, with maybe white florals, a touch of citrus?” Here are the actual notes: Byredo Blanche $200 for 50 mL Notes: Top: Aldehyde, rose…
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Just say no was good advice. Let’s bring that back
I am constantly guilty of this: I don’t tell people, “No,” nearly as often as I should. I don’t say what I really want to for fear of what someone else will think. I don’t tell them what I actually want or feel. I agree to do things I don’t really want to do, because…
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Just wondering why brands are trying so hard to incorporate street art (to the point of stealing it)
Back in April, the street artist Futura, won a case against NorthFace. The outdoor brand had a campaign called Future Light, featuring an atom-like drawing as the logo for their new product. Futura argued the campaign infringed on his copyright as it was eerily similar to the atoms he uses in his art and his…
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At the heart of the Bansky and Guess controversy is trademarks
I could start this philosophically, asking, “Does anyone really own art?” Because that is the question here. Somehow, in ways unknown to me now, the group Brandalised secured the rights to use Banksy’s art. This group then provided Guess the right to use that work on a clothing capsule. Neither of these groups are affiliated…
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A long gone YSL fragrance and the champagne trademark dispute
Almost 30 years ago now in 1993, Yves Saint Laurent released a fragrance, Champagne. It was meant to evoke the spirit of a bubbly woman. It was a fruity chypre, with notes of nectarine, anise, mint, and rose, and more. It quickly became a top seller in Europe. They embarked on a $3 million advertising…
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The one big thing missing from Amazon’s Luxury Stores
While I was in school in a remote town with no car, Amazon, that online retailer with products galore was a beacon of hope. Everything I needed would show up at my doorstep: Books, snacks, tools, furniture, and more, all despite my transportation woes. But as time went on and I got a car, I…
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Testing out the Elemis Ultra Smart Pro-Collagen Enviro-Adapt Day Cream
At $295 per jar, I am glad that I didn’t fall head over heels for the Elemis Ultra Smart Pro-Collagen Enviro-Adapt Day Cream. This is a thick cream designed to help maturing skin become more resilient and adapt to differing conditions throughout the day. I only had a deluxe sample to work with. I wasn’t…
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Love on first spray: Mizensir Très Chère
When I sprayed Très Chère by Mizensir, I immediately enjoyed it without being able to explain why. Is that even a fragrance description? Is it floral, is it sweet, or is it just a blend of who knows what, done very well. It was beautiful. My first day trying this, I just did a quick…
A Wren Says 