After I shared my own skincare journey last year, I interviewed Kendall, Karen and Fernanda about their own journeys and skincare routines. Despite our varying skin types, there were many similarities. There were also many insightful comments from readers. I learned about new products and skin care methods, some of which I followed up on right away. So last month I went to my annual dermatologist appointment with a list of questions in hand. I have been seeing the same dermatologist since he sorted my dry skin issues a few years ago. I was very curious to hear his responses. 

First things first. I had my millions of moles checked out like I do every year. They are in good shape, but I do need to be extra conscious of the sun and it’s harmful effects. Apparently, I have negligible sun damage, so thank you Mum for being persistently disciplined about making me apply sunblock from a very young age. You did my skin a greater service than you could possibly imagine.

Next, the countless spider veins on my legs were expertly examined. They are not hazardous to my health, although a little unsightly when compared to the unblemished skin tone that is so highly sought after in the beauty world. I could have them removed by cosmetic surgery, but I’m at peace with baring my spider veins when wearing skirts, dresses and long shorts. It is what it is and I’m grateful that a medical procedure is not at all compulsory.

My facial skin care routine was next on the list. Impruv cleansers and moisturizers were previously recommended by the same dermatologist and I have been satisfied with their products. Unfortunately, they have been discontinued. So upon further recommendation I switched to using “Cera Ve” products for dry skin, which I can purchase at a drug store. So far, so good.

I then asked about incorporating a vitamin C serum and retinol cream into my skincare routine because both products came up so favourably in the skincare discussion series. My dermatologist was all for adding the vitamin C serum and suggested a few alternatives. I ended up purchasing a serum from the skincare clinic across the hall from his office because it is prescription strength and highly recommended. It was expensive, but does last up to 4 months. I use it each morning and have definitely noticed an improved dewy texture on my skin. 

My dermatologist was less thrilled about adding the retinol cream. He was positive about its anti-aging effects, but he thought it would dry out my skin type. He suggested that I experiment by applying the cream every three days, so I also came home with a tester tube of retinol cream. I applied as recommended, but things did not go well. My skin itched, burned and peeled after three uses. It also looked and felt extremely dry, taking a week to recover to it’s normal texture. Retinol cream and my skin are not a match made in heaven so I will not be using it again. 

For now, I’m cleansing and moisturizing, applying vitamin C serum and sunblock daily. I exfoliate once a week with a facial scrub and apply a prescriptive cream to my extra dry skin areas as needed. Although I ordered an electronic cleansing brush, I decided against it because it felt too rough against my skin. I’m also back in the habit of drinking hot green tea a few times a day along with teapots full of caffeinated earl grey. 

That’s my updated skincare routine until I visit my dermatologist for another annual in February next year. Have you updated your skincare routine since our skincare series last year? If so, what changes have you made, or are you thinking of making? Are you happy with your current skin care routine?

These days you can wear any colour on your toenails. From soft nudes and white, to black, and every bright, pastel, neon and mid tone in-between, in both solid or patterned designs. But I’m sure you have a colour preference for your toenail polish. 

You are on Team Light Toenail Polish if you prefer to wear soft colours like pearly whites, silver, neutral nude tones and pastels on your toenails. You are on Team Dark Toenail Polish if you prefer to wear brights like neon, red, orange, blue, green, purple, and dark shades like plum, burgundy and black.

I’ve never worn shades of red, pink, purple or orange on my toenails. I used to frequently wear blue and green toenail polish up until a couple of years ago, when I switched over to soft colours like silver, pearly white and a matte light grey. I now prefer the look of toenail polish that creates a low colour contrast against my pale skin tone. I guess I needed a change. 

Over to you. Are you Team Light Toenail Polish or Team Dark Toenail Polish. Tell us why and no batting for both sides. 

I am truly envious if you are experiencing mild weather at the moment, because Spring in Seattle is usually quite awful. It is cold, wet and grey, and feels like Winter all the way through to May. 

Thing is, although our weather is still very Wintery, wearing Winter wardrobe items at this time of year feels boring and drab. I desperately want to change things up by wearing Spring fashion as I imagine warmth and sunshine. As someone who feels the chill at the drop of a hat, I am practiced at staying warm even as I sport a Spring appropriate look.

The trick is to stay warm and covered in lighter and brighter colours, and crisper fabrications. Here are my favourite ways of achieving a toasty Spring look: 

• Sport a coloured or light coloured trench coat or wool coat: Think brights, mid tones, muted colours, pastels, metallic and light neutrals instead of black and grey. Finding a trench coat with a warm lining is a plus. I still wear my cream, citron and tomato red wool coats in the Spring. I also have warm weight quilted cream and citron trench coats that are workhorses right up until June.
• Sport a leather jacket in Spring colours: On-trend Spring colours mean brights, mid tones, pastels and light neutrals. 
• Sport knitwear in Spring colours: Keep the warmth but change up the colours by lightening and brightening up. Emerald and shades of orange are particularly on trend for Spring.
• Sport jeans and trousers in Spring colours and patterns: Patterned trousers and jeans are huge. Keep the weights of the trousers and jeans fairly thick because lightweight silk and cotton bottoms will not keep you warm. 
• Sport a handbag in Spring colours: A bright, light, metallic or pastel toned handbag salutes the Spring season in spite of the cold temperatures. 
• Wear more white: My white jeans come out to play in March on the less nasty Spring days. I wear them tucked into black or cognac boots, or with taupe or animal print booties. I also like to wear grey and black tops and black leather jackets with white bottoms at this time of year. Grey, navy, brown and black looks magically more Spring-appropriate when mixed with white. 
• Wear Spring weight scarves: Chunky wooly scarves look very Winter-y, so swap them out for silkier and cotton-rich versions. Wearing them in Spring colours is an even better idea.
• Wear more pattern: I tend to crave pattern in the Spring and Summer because I associate the vibe quite strongly with those seasons. Bust out a fresh floral! Mix your patterns! But stay warm by covering up in the ways I suggested above.
• Wear warm footwear in Spring colours: It’s too cold for ballet flats so I wear white, light and bright tall boots and booties with hose or socks. I’ll also wear back and white oxfords because the white makes them feel more Spring-like. 
• Wear nude knee-highs with flats: You’ll look bare-legged in toasty style when sporting trendy items like slipper flats, oxfords, colour blocked shoes and loafers with your nude hose and trousers or jeans. 
• Wear cotton twill hats: Less Winter-y than wool and more in the spirit of Spring.
• Wear shorts with boots: Weather permitting this is a great look for Spring, with long or shorter shorts. Keep the colours Spring-like. 
• Layer under crisp silky blouses: I love to break out my sheer long sleeved blouses and denim shirts in the Spring time, so I layer underneath them with camisoles or a secret long sleeved t-shirt. 
• Wear nude hose: I layer nude hose under nude fishnets when I wear Spring dresses and on-trend full skirts with light coloured boots or booties. Nude hose will also do the trick.
• Rock a fun umbrella: It helps chase away the blues. 

Sometimes I wear Winter clothing combinations and footwear on dismal Spring days and that’s that. But for the most part I make the effort to look like I refreshed my style for the changing season because it makes me feel refreshed and energized. 

Do you have cold and dismal weather in the Spring? How do you transition your look into Spring without freezing your buns off?

With British film The Queen we are wrapping up our very first YLF Book Club reading list. Grande dame Helen Mirren shines as Queen Elizabeth II in this compelling drama depicting the first days after Princess Diana’s death in 1997.

We’re chatting about the movie as we speak in today’s kick-off thread. Do stop by and let us know what you think.

It’s been absolutely wonderful seeing so many of you dive straight in and help us get the Book Club off to such a fantastic start. Your insightful and thought-provoking comments are invaluable, and we’re thrilled that Parisian Chic even inspired several forum members to start the next leg of their style journey. Fab stuff!

Now it’s on to round two. But first… the big reveal. In last week’s vote you had the final say about what we’ll be reading and watching next. A few favourites emerged very quickly and for a while it was a neck-and-neck race. Here are our three winners – we’ve already added the kick-off dates so you can pencil them in right away:  

• A Guide to Elegance (20 April 2012): Retro style guide with tips on how to achieve timeless elegance.
• The Devil Wears Prada (25 May 2012): How to survive as personal assistant to a tyrannical boss in the cutthroat fashion magazine industry.
• The Handmaid’s Tale (29 June 2012): The chilling tale of Offred, a handmaid in the totalitarian Republic of Gilead.

Three very different titles in completely different genres. How do you feel about the new selection? 

We can’t wait to get cracking on our second reading list. Thanks again everyone for all your marvelous suggestions!