WINNER Hello Autumn

Congratulations to Kayla, winner of our HELLO AUTUMN Giveaway. Her photos of how she celebrates fall made us wish we had a true autumn season in Los Angeles! Apple donuts, fresh-pressed cider and picking pumpkins? How fun!! We hope she and every one of you have a wonderful last few weeks of October. We know we'll be stuffing ourselves full of pumpkin soon. In fact, anyone have a good recipe for pumpkin cookies?

Thanks to everyone who submitted entries. It was a tough decision as there was plenty of creativity and lots of lovely photos!

A DAY IN THE LIFE Sephora Cluster Training

What a treat it was to meet our Sephora friends from throughout Southern California in a night of hands-on training with our products, plenty of Moroccan food and drinks, and of course, our REM Pen challenge which asked everyone to get creative and go crazy! Having them come to our offices to see how grassroots we really are and to see that there are kind and good people behind our company really makes them feel like they understand the whole vision behind Josie Maran Cosmetics.We were so happy to have them over for a night of Luxury with a Conscience and we welcome them back anytime!

Thanks Sephora!

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY Movement

I get asked a lot about my fitness routine. Well, if you're a mother and you work like I do, you'll probably relate to this answer: running around in life, of course! I do workout on Workout Wednesdays at the office and I like to go to the gym every now and then, but I primarily stay healthy by simply moving. I think a lot of people guilt themselves if they don't make it to that cardio class or get on the treadmill. . .but I say, just find a way to shake it up a little. Why not dance while making dinner? Or go outside to run around with your kids? Here's a few calorie burning fun activities that will make you forget you're working out, but will help you keep fit. (These are calories burned in an hour for a 150 lb. person on average). What about you? How do you move while not at the gym?

Cooking: 180 calories
Surfing: 207 calories
Table tennis: 270 calories
Bicycling: 270 calories
Kayaking: 342 calories
Gardening: 369 calories
Dancing: 378 calories
Hiking: 405 calories

Oh, and these photos are dug up from the archives. I was almost 10 years younger then!

JOSIE'S PICKS Pie Making

What can feel more like the season than getting your hands dirty by making pies with family? My mom, Roberta, can whip up a pretty mean apple pie and while I've tasted a few, hers just can't be beat. She also makes the best cheesecake in the world, but I'll have to get her to give us the secret before I can share the recipe.

As an ode to autumn, here are my picks for pie making—a few new eco finds, a few vintage finds, all perfect for turning ingredients into lovely, yummy pies. In the comments, send me your links for your favorite organic apple pie recipes!

1. Eco-Friendly Wood Cutting Boards 2. Organic Cotton Apron 3. Organic Pie Spices 4. Vintage Flour Sifter 5. Vintage Apple Slicer 6. Clay Pie Pan

HELLO AUTUMN Giveaway

Hello friends! Recently, Rumi (my sweet daughter), the family and I went to a hoedown at her school complete with dancing, hay bales and plenty of festive food. It got me thinking, how do y'all (I said that after being there awhile) celebrate the season? Do you pick pumpkins? Bake apple pies? Jump around in the leaves? I want to know!

Send me your photos showing me how you get festive for fall and you could win my Fall Magic Marker Cheek and Lip Stain Trio and a Fall Argan Eye Shadow Trio of your choice! Send 3-4 high res photos with an explanation of how you say hello autumn no later than Thursday, October 13. The winner will be featured on the blog on Friday, October 14! Submit entries HERE.

Happy weekend!

GET THE LOOK Diane Von Furstenberg Fall 2011

If you've been keeping an eye out, you may notice a bold lip everywhere for autumn. A compliment to rich browns, warm grays and hues of gold, a true red lip and a dark dust of shadow can elevate your outfit and bring out your classic beauty. Finish with a clean brow and soft line of charcoal eyeliner and you're date-ready, girls-night-out ready or simply ready to look chic running out and about. Who says you can't be naturally gorgeous and perfectly polished all at the same time?

1. Start with unclean hair (think day old) as you want some texture to the look. Pull back hair in a loose ponytail using your fingers to give it a bit of a messy look at the crown. If you have longer bangs, twist them  to the side and secure with a bobby pin. Have fringe? Leave it down to frame your face. Finish with a drop of  Argan Oil Hair Serum through your ends.

2. After you've applied your Argan Tinted Moisturizer or Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation, take the Argan Eye Shadow in Iron and sweep along your top lash line focusing on blending out to the outer corners.  Follow with lining above your eyelashes using the Argan Magic Marker Liquid Eyeliner. Finish with one coat of GOGO Mascara.

3. For polished brows, use the Argan Magic Brows Brow Marker and fill in brows using short strokes.

4. Finally, using the Magic Marker Lip and Cheek Stain in Flamenco, color in lips carefully by first lining them and then filling in focusing on the center of the lips for a perfect cherry red stain. 

ECO STYLE Maiyet

We're not the only company that strives to be both luxurious and global-minded. Maiyet, a newly launched high end fashion line, is headed by Paul Van Zyl who formerly worked against apartheid in South Africa. Using his love for global policy, he's found a way to partner with artisans in many countries like India and Kenya to create beautiful, luxurious clothing that will then create development in the place of origin. Truly Luxury with a Conscience! You can see his whole line from fashion week here.

A DAY IN THE LIFE October QVC Filming

While the JMC offices experienced the "fall" weather (a few clouds) of Los Angeles, Josie played among the autumn foliage while in Pennsylvania for her QVC shoots. Luckily, we can all feel a bit of the season with our new Fall Favorites kits which you can get here. One of our favorites? The Fall Magic Marker Lip & Cheek Stain Trio which adds warm hues of amber and maple to your face.

JOSIE'S TIPS Argan Self Tanning Cream

Now that autumn has arrived, you're probably finding that you're not spending so many (sunblock covered) hours outdoors. The days are shorter and sweaters are everywhere! But this doesn't mean you can't have a healthy glow. My Argan Self Tanning Cream is perfect to get sunkissed sans harmful rays because autumn or not, as my mom always told me, one of the best aging secrets is to avoid too much exposure anyway.

Here are my sun-free tanning tips:

-Start by exfoliating your skin with a homemade scrub. You can mix one part Epsom salt and one part 100% Pure Argan Oil for a depuffing skin conditioner, or organic essential oil or honey and rock sugar which acts as a very rich emollient. 

-One you've rinsed and dried your skin, use the 100% Pure Argan Oil all over your body, focusing on elbows and knees.

-Making crosshatch motions, rub the Argan Self Tanning Cream over body (think front and back and side to side), going around (or skimming over) knees and elbows, and around face. Once finished, wash hands immediately.

-Color will become more noticeable over a week's time.

WINNER What's In Your Kitchen Giveaway

Congratulations to Francine, winner of our WHAT'S IN YOUR KITCHEN Giveaway. Her recipe entry of natural peanut butter rice treats is simple, family-friendly and as you can see, delicious! We can't wait to test it out in the office.

Natural Peanut Butter Rice Treats
Ingredients
7 cups puffed brown rice
1 1/2 cups crunchy organic peanut butter (no sugar or salt)
2/3 cup agave nectar
1 1/2 tablespoon pure vanilla extract  
 
Directions
Prepare a 9 x 9 pan by criss-crossing wax paper with a 5 inch overlap on each side.
 
Pour the puffed rice into a large bowl, set aside. Melt the peanut butter and agave nectar over low heat (or microwave 1-2 minutes) until liquid. Stir together well then add the vanilla extract. Continue stirring until all ingredients are well incorporated.
 
Combine the peanut butter mixture with the puffed rice and mix well (until the rice is well coated). Pour into the prepared pan. Fold over the wax paper overhang and press down hard to firm up the treats.
 
Refrigerate treats for a few hours before cutting into squares.