Smoking & Fashion :

A love story that never ended. Fashion magazine is the last place you can see hot smokers blowing on your face, as nowadays you see more the I-am-missing-throat-4fingers-and-3toes smokers in picture also because in French the tuxedo is called smoking and it is for sure one of my favorite outfit for a woman, sooo fucking sexy !!!!

And what did I noticed first when I was at the Alexander McQueen exhibition at the Met ? His very first serie of smokings…

Alors les filles on assorti son paquet de Saint Laurent à aon smoking (in case you didn’t know the “inventor” behind the smoking for woman, and this awesome pack design by the fantastic Marc Atlan):

Double smoking baby : it can’t get better than that !!

I am telling you cigarette is the ultimate fashion accessory, check out the latest VOGUE (and guess from which country it is …)

Madame Lolo - Bright Life, Big City

One thing that I noticed and fully embraced the minute I’ve started living in NYC is the way we people of nyc take over the streets here, and make them as their own living room.
Not sure if it is due to the small size of a typical New York apartment or  maybe it is due to the weather : after 6 months of hibernation during the winter, you just wanna enjoy the concrete jungle and its dirty streets even though the summer are insanely hot!! Or maybe it is just the pleasure of  sitting on stoops that makes up for the pain of climbing the steps…

Anyhow, on summer nights,  it is a habit I really enjoy, with my girls, or by myself , or just stooping in my block with my neighbors and all of  a sudden, the Big Apple turns into a really small village.. How Magic is that ?

Madame Lolo - Bright Life, Big City

Hats are everywhere this summer ladies, and it is trend that I really enjoy, and the we shall fully embrace for several reasons :

1. ONE SIZE FITS ALL … you feel me ? For once I don”t have to worry how fat girls looks in hats ( contrary to skinny jeans, micro-shorts, mini skirts , leggings, and multi-layers style…)

2. It is the MOST EFFICIENT WAY to cover your party (work in my case) all night face, your biggest pimples issues, and for my American ladies your “bad hair day”.

3. STYLE  U UP : no matter what you wear ( and trust my experience) put a hat on, and all of  a sudden, you become “OMG soooo Stylish !!!!”

Note : all styles of head accessories works this summer, with the exception of :

- Bandanas : unlees you are from New Jersey, and still a fan of Gun and Roses this is an absolute no-no

- Visor caps : Hello Jackie Collins.…

Plus with hats, I can play around easy on Madame Lolo’s avatar

Madame Lolo - Bright Life, Big City

Welcome to New York the Shopping Mecca ! Here is a short list of shopping spots for the ladies handpicked by yours truly

View Shop And The City in a larger map

And finally some tips to make your shopping experience even better :

• Do not wear heels, you are going to walk like never before here, so dear Frenchies use your Converse, dear Italians rock your Puma’s.
• Duane Reade is your friend: I can guarantee you , you’ll buy something in it from Tooth whitening, to shampoos, to nail polish or Cinnamon Chewing-gum.
• Free WiFI at any Starbuck’s & Apple Store : useful stops if you came with your iPhone or iPad
• Choose one neighborhood  per day and stick to it : NYC is very dense but huge at the same time, there is no way you gonna see everything in a day or 2. just pick one and enjoy!
• Time Square is over-rated : If you must go just pass by and take a couple of pictures, stop by the M&M’s store with your kids and move on!.

Madame Lolo - Bright Life, Big City

In the home country of Barbie, Pamela Anderson, Jessica Simpson, and many other insignificant blondes,

I thought I should give some credits to the original, and spicy ones that mostly came from Europe:

★From Italy : Monica Vitti  ★ From Austria : Romy Schneider  ★ From France : Brigitte Bardot

Madame Lolo - Bright Life, Big City

Sometimes in life, you are blessed with serendipity, and it is from my experience that I have the luck to randomly meet more that extraordinary people jut like that.
Marc Atlan is of course one of them. I didn’t know him until I met him ( duh!!!) but I realized afterwards that I have liked and bought almost every single items he has designed:
I frenetically wear and search the web for my favorite fragrance Helmut Lang Eau de Parfum (discontinued 10 years ago)
If I had pictured a pack of cigarettes in a post it would be with the Yves Saint Laurent one.

Marc Atlan is one of the most consistent designer, all his creations are noticeably stamped by his talent yet, stays always minimalist and uber-clean at the service of the iconic brand ( YSL, Helmut Lang, James Perse, Comme des Garcons, Prada, … )
And recently, for the first time, Marc designed and created his own perfume: Petite Mort that condensed in my opinion all of the essence of Marc:

From the concept ( the most sexual scent you could imagine) to the execution and design bien sur, this is a true UNIQUE and powerful creation inspired by one Woman, of course she had to be some woman, one of kind…

Petite Mort captures the emotion and excitation (literally) of a Woman, l’émoi d’une Femme in French:

Madame Lolo - Bright Life, Big City

As A true Geekette and street art lover, I could resist posting this NYC discovery : Lego and street art mixed together.

It all started yesterday when I went to the Social Media Week kickoff Party at the NY Public Library,  when i saw this on the wall:

and after a little research I found out that there was many like this spread all over the city:

Central Park:

It is actually a global project and featured in many cities such as Tel aviv, Berlin, Amsterdam, and much more.

I have no idea who is behind it but I think it’s pretty cool - Visit their site http://www.dispatchwork.info/

And if you can find legos in NYC Concrete Jungle , why not get Concrete Lego ? Found on Etsy

Madame Lolo - Bright Life, Big City

As much as I am addicted to some French beauty products such as Bioderma Crealine, there is some great stuff here as well that I would recommend you to buy and bring back to your home country.

1. ROSEBUD LIP BALM $6

You can find this cult non greasy lip balm almost anywhere, from Ricky’s to Duane Reade & Sephora.
A must-have for all the dry lips out there, perfect for a glossy effect, non sticky, a great base/moisturizer to get the perfect red lips!

2. MAX FACTOR COUTURE MASCARA $9

It is now hard to find as they are discontinuing it, but by far the mascara I have had in years ! I owe this discovery to Maud Laceppe, Rock-Star Make-up artist

3. MOROCCAN OIL Hair treatment $40

I love the smell (non ca sent pas le couscous boulettes…), works great on damp hairs or dry, and a can’t do without for extremely bleached hairs like mine !

4.Crest 3D White Whitestrips Professional Effects

Well so Effective that I have never used the whole box ( or is it that I am too lazy to do so ???) You can find them at almost any drugstore in NYC ( Duane Reade, CVS, etc)

5. OPI  & ESSIE NAIL POLISH

You can of course find them in France now, but number one they are cheaper here around $6, and 2 I doubt you have all the crazy collections like the OPI Glee collection, or even Shreck…

If you want a classic natural color go for ” Sugar Daddy” by Essie, I know a few that are totally addicted to this sheer color.

And if you need the perfect red go for OPI “Big Apple Red” after all, you are in NYC no ?

6. Per-fekt Skin Perfection Gel $57

The make-up trick that smooth out and photoshop your skin …

Madame Lolo - Bright Life, Big City

Madame Lolo - Bright Life, Big City

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Obsession of the Month

So I have fallen in love with this total look :

1. Red Leather Pants
2. Leopard Jacket
3. White Shirt
4. Heavy Eye-Liner
5. F@#k-All_Night Hairs

For number 3, 4 & 5 no issues there, easy to find …

But an alternative to the Dolce & Gabbana leopard Jacket , and Balmain Red Leather pants had to be found !

So here are my trophées :

Zara Leopard Jacket — $129

Take it a size smaller it runs big, and it looks nice when fitted

H&M Red Leather Pants with zippers — $149

Et Voila ! Now I just need to buy Kate Moss’ face & Body at a discounted plastic Surgeon Clinic , and I am all set !!

Madame Lolo - Bright Life, Big City