As a middle schooler over 20 years ago, I remember flipping through magazine pages and being mesmerized by the Benetton ads. They always seemed so big, colorful and happy!
I think I wanted to live in the World of Benetton, which seemed such a perfect place to be compared to my preteen angst. Ha!
But my first Benetton purchase didn't happen until I was a freshman in high school. The family went to England to visit my Aunt, and I was so excited to go shopping in a country many of my friends had never been to. Things were different and I loved it! Back to my first Benetton purchase: three wool cardigans in solid black, navy and red.
Most of my growing up years were in Texas. It was hot so I mostly wore my Benetton prizes hung around my shoulders or tied around my waist. I wore those things to death! Ok, not literally - they held up amazingly well and I even remember wearing those cardigans in college and beyond. I just donated them a couple of years ago, only because they had been so stretched out from constantly being an accessory tied around my waist. Please don't fret though! The cardigans have been repeatedly replaced by fresh, new Benetton cardigans over the years in lots of fancy colors and patterns.
That was the United Colors of Benetton then.
The above video shows the current Spring/Summer 2011 Benetton collection now. I still love the clothes, especially because they tend to fit me really well right off the rack. And the sleeves are always long enough! Yay! There are so many looks I want from this collection...very difficult to even pick a favorite! BTW, w
hen was the last time you were in a Benetton store?
Ok...only one sad note here. Benetton you closed your store in Columbus, OH! Very tragic because I used to visit all the time and the sales staff was especially nice and helpful. Luckily with my job (and living in Chicago and Dallas) I can shop in other stores...all is not lost...
I think it's going to make my blogging life easier and so much more fun! I realize not everyone will be as into as I am so instead of posting each set, I've added a Polyvore tab to check at your leisure. Every once in awhile I'll post one that I'm especially fond of.
...since everyone may not know, if you click on the links under the set it will take you to the site and give you all the specific shopping information for each piece...voila!
I will be using Polyvore more in regular posts to feature inspiring items and things I'm lusting after. For today I went virtual shopping!
Theodora & Callum makes some beautiful scarves, but I really like some of the jewelry and this tote is so fun and just happens to be in a color I love. J.Crew is one of my staples, and I thought this dress looks amazing as is, but would also look great with a jacket/blazer and some colorful shoes. I want the whole Tory Burchoutfit! I don't know if I would wear the earrings with it, but I definitely have loads of other things I could pair them with. The candle is from Barneys...at $225 it's a wish list item for me but it is just so pretty. The blouse, skirt and bracelet are a mish-mash, but I thought they created a feminine look that could be recreated using items from other stores (if so desired).
Item of the Day!! Arcona Magic White Ice, $38/1oz @ SkincareRX.com, drugstore.com
It is a very hydrating gel chock-full of pure botanical extracts and antioxidants that are cold pressed to maximize activeness of ingredients. It also does not contain binders, fillers, sulfates, perfumes or dyes.
Full ingredient list:
Agua (Distilled Water), Hamamelis Virginiana Extract (Witch Hazel), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract (Cranberry), Camellia Sinensis Extract (White Tea), Totara Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract (Apple), Allantoin, Beta Carotene (Vitamin A), Panthenol (Vitamin B-5), Ascorbic Acid Ester (Vitamin C), Tocotrienols (Vitamin E), Grapefruit Seed Extract (Citrus Grandis).
I usually don't put the full ingredient list in my reviews, but for the Magic White Ice I wanted you to see how pure of a product it really is, especially if you are into natural skincare. It feels so good going on...like a cool, gentle mist that will keep you hydrated all day. I have some super duper dry areas on my face so in those places I do layer CeraVe Cream on top (most people won't need to do this step, but keep in mind I am a Flight Attendant and it's a killer on my skin sometimes). I've tried so many moisturizers and have yet to find one that adequately quenches my skin like the Magic White Ice. Even with heavier creams that I would layer with other creams, I would still feel an oh-so-slight dehydrating itch during the day. Now I feel properly moisturized and my skin hasn't felt this wonderful in a long time.
This is also one of the most lightweight products I have ever tried - only 2 pumps cover my entire face, neck and upper chest area. I've been using my starter bottle for a month with both day/night usage and the bottle is maybe half empty. It's amazing that it can work for so many different skin types from dry to oily to aging to acne-prone. Time to put away those heavy winter creams and lighten up with some Magic!