Those who know me well can attest to the fact that when I love something I tell the world. A favorite TV show, wine, boutique—friends, family and people on the street will eventually hear about it. So when Lisa and I received an invite to check out the new L'OCCITANE store at the Lehigh Valley Mall I couldn't have been more excited.
I have to admit that although I have loved the L'OCCITANE brand for a few years now (they make fantastic gifts because they have such gorgeous packaging—wrapping paper not necessary!) I was never entirely sure how to pronounce it. I took French all through middle and high school but retained very little because I spent most classes chatting in the back of the room (in English, of course) with my friend, Sophia. That said, it took store manager Bobbi Spence to help me out—it's pronounced lock-see-tan.
The store is so attractive in that simple, sophisticated style that's associated with anything French. The bright yellow façade definitely makes it stand out among the other shops in the outdoor Lifestyle Center so you can't miss it. Bobbi tells us that the store is decorated entirely in French materials—from the textured plaster walls to the amazing azure blue titles; it certainly doesn't feel like you're in the Valley when you're there.
I've always been a huge fan of their verbena and lavender scents so smelling them was a sensory pleasure, but I also discovered some new products to add to my favorite list. For one, their Cleansing Milk is to-die-for. I was a bit skeptical of a facial cleanser that removes makeup and impurities sans water, but if you have insanely dry skin like I do this product is a miracle. Dare I say it, this may be the product that breaks my addiction to Vaseline—maybe! The benefit of switching to L'OCCITANE products is that they're made from West African Shea Butter, which is seriously better for skin than petroleum jelly.
Which leads me to another new favorite—the Shea Butter hand cream and lip balm in their limited edition Rose Petals scent (Note: this is not a flowery granny rose but rather a delicate whiff of fresh flowers). I could get used to this kind of pampering!
