In "Eat, Pray, Love," the movie based on the inspirational 2006 memoir, which hits theaters August 13, Julia Roberts plays bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert. In case you've been away from Earth these past few years, Gilbert ditches her miserable, crying-in-the-bathroom New York married life for a soul-searching, newly-single-girl journey through India, Italy and Indonesia.
If, like me (a soul-sucked Manhattan writer myself), you watched the trailer and were all "OMG, I'm sooo pre-rebirth Elizabeth," but definitely do not identify with the financial reality of a year abroad, fear not: Thanks to a little phenom called cross-promotional marketing, EPL-inspired products are everywhere.
So, even if you can't afford a plane ticket to Bali, you can definitely spring for one of the three new "Eat, Pray, Love" scents. Or the prayer shawl. Or the ... goat pillows. Trust us, the products get even better (and worse) after the jump. Read on.
The Sue Wong "Eat, Pray, Love"–Inspired Fall 2010 CollectionWhoa. Who is this scowling coven of Russian escorts, and what are they doing in Bollywood? OK, I'm being mean. I think the problem I have with this photo is that you can't tell if these clothes are actually wearable when the styling is so exaggerated. Like, chignons AND crazy necklaces AND hands clasped in prayer? Even the makeup is distracting me. The pieces look OK as separates on the website, but I'm still not convinced. Besides, everyone knows that when your depression ends you're supposed to STOP wearing pajama pants. NEXT.
Verdict: All kinds of Wong.
How Much We Eat, Pray, Love It:

The Cost Plus World Market "Eat, Pray Love" CollectionThe selection is huge and covers fashion, home accessories, etc. I liked the scarves, but what really got me was the silliest of the home stuff, like this happy, ceramic elephant, which is also a teapot. I think I love my espresso machine, but it GROWLS at me, you know? Hmm. Is this a breakthrough moment? If so, I'm stocking up on goat pillows.
Verdict: Something for everyone. Nothing that growls.
How Much We Eat, Pray, Love It:




Home Shopping Network "Eat, Pray, Love" JewelryThese handmade rings from Bali are boho-pretty and vaguely Olsen twin-ish since they've all been photographed on one hand. It's just a photo preview from one of the channel's blogs: The actual 72-hour "Eat, Pray, Love" shopping bonanza doesn't broadcast until Friday, August 6. (Text "MOVIE" to HSNtv [47688] for reminders sent to your cell.) I'm into big rings AND turquoise, but personally I'd pass on the Buddha. Face jewelry sort of creeps me out.
Verdict: We like. Not enough to sign up for annoying cell phone alerts, but like.
How Much We Eat, Pray, Love It:




The Lancome "Eat, Pray, Love" Juicy Tubes Lip Gloss Discovery Set
You're probably not supposed to be thinking about how you look while you're discovering yourself, but personally, when I look like death I feel like death -- and Juicy Tubes make everything better! This kit has three shades -- one bronze, one coral, one cherry -- and all have extra-warm undertones designed to make skin look healthier. Which is crucial, because the glow from my computer screen is definitely not packed with vitamin D. This is also an HSN exclusive; read more here.
Verdict: Love, love, love.
How Much We Eat, Pray, Love It:






The Fresh "Eat, Pray, Love" Fragrance Collection
Ah, the sweet scent of cross-promotional marketing! Fresh was hand-picked by Sony Pictures to create these three perfumes, which -- cynicism aside -- are actually really, really nice. (Yes, I have sniffed them myself.) Eat is predictably edible-smelling, with vanilla undertones that make it my favorite; Pray definitely borrows directly from church-y incense; Love is the ultra-girlie floral with lots of jasmine. If you know Fresh, you know that they really put in the extra work to make unique perfumes (not every beauty company does), so when you find one you love, you're obsessed.
Verdict: Meet, spray, love. In that order. Definitely worth checking out.
How Much We Eat, Pray, Love It:




Cat Marnell was a beauty editor before she became a blogger. Her perfume collection would scary any average mortal.













Comments:
Add a comment
Sunday 25 July
By GrannyW
Am I the only one that is infuriated by the blatant display of vulgar materialism? EPL would be "fun" for anyone who had the financing to troop off to India and other exotic places to contemplate my inner self! How does one simply leave responsibilities and fly away? The only thing to result from such navel gazing is 1) a stiff neck and 2) a boring topic of conversation! EPL is the epitome of wasteful self-indulgence! What a selfish indulgence that whole thing is. It's so far from reality it's shameful.
Reply
Sunday 25 July
By crazed
Why is any credence being given to a movie that was admittedly based on a lie??????????? Why was this womans lie book "better" than that of author that Oprah ripped to shreds on her show? A lie is a lie...except when you get away with it, and it is played by a famous actress and someone/s make a lot of money on it. Eat/Pray/Love when it flops at the theater...which it most likely won't.
Monday 26 July
By paige
I think if a person has the funds to travel and go soul searching, why shouldnt they? After all it is her money (that she worked for) so its her to spend it as she wishes. You say it would be fun for anyone with he money to do so....and then bash her for it. So because YOU dont have the money to do it....no one should. Got it.
Monday 26 July
By Paige
Granny.... You say that it would be fun for anyone who had the money to do this and then you bash her because she does have the money ( money she worked for by the way) to travel and exp. new things. She isnt claiming to be special. She simply took a trip and wrote a book ( Which was her JOB). So if you dont have the money to do the same well then NO ONE should! Sounds like jealousy to me.
Thursday 05 August
By Donna
I am with you girl. EAT PRAY AND LOVE WORSHIP YOURSELF !! The rest is just the rest kinda like worshipping false idols.
Tuesday 27 July
By halabalu
Thank you Granny W. I am sick of hearing about how wonderful E.Gilbert and her book are. She sounds like a spoiled rich girl to me. Any of jus could do what she did.....if we had the money. Having money to finance extravagant self indulgence does not make one special. And then all the money she is making from the commercialism of her book......
Reply
Sunday 25 July
By Shirley
I spent the month of March in Bali and was very excited to look at the collection of clothing for Bali's wonderful styles. None of the ones shown reflected the culture of Bali. Very disappointing as the girls/women there looked absolutely wonderful in their styles.
Reply
Sunday 25 July
By Fedup
Eat/Pray/Love it when this film...admittedly based on fabrication, flops at the theater. Why is this woman's lie more compelling, and God forbid one that inspires us to achieve her lie through consumerism, than any other lie? Why id Oprah not rip her to shreds on her show as she did the male author a few years ago? My daughter bought me the book at the time that Oprah promoted it. It will be in my next tag sale...soon, and with my daughter's blessing.
Monday 26 July
By Jennifer
Ladies, what am I missing. I read the book... why do a few of you state that this book a lie? What am I missing?
Reply
Thursday 05 August
By Bec
I read the book and have not heard anything about it being a lie.... what am I missing out on, if anything????
Thursday 05 August
By JOOLZ
go visit some of the places she RUDLY Interupted in Bali and what she did to the people in this 3rd world country ....I KNOW DR WYAN AND I KNOW THE TRUTH I KNOW KETUT LIAR THE MEDICINE MAN They will tell you different ... I have been at Wyans and see what that women has done to her FOR REALL.. ....I am a westener living in Bali and I know MORE OF THE FACTS ... WHILE SHE SITS PRETTY MAKING MONEY OFF OF POOR PEOLE IN THE 3RD WORLD COUNTRIES ...and the trail she left behind her ... appauling ...MONEY HUNGRY JOURNALIST
Wednesday 04 August
By Sarah
I'd like to point out that the "goat pillows" link takes you to an image of pillows with cows. Yep. They may not look like most American cows, but they're definitely not goats. The drop down menu on the Cost Plus website? Also lists them as cow pillows.
Reply
Thursday 05 August
By Sally
Get your facts straight. Goats are NOT a part of this. Also, Julia needs a hit. Where is she in all of this...at home, spending the $ she made touring the world....So props to whatever studio it is that is making noise about the movie, merchandise and all. Without the tie-ins, no one would know about the movie. It's called Marketing - look it up.
Wednesday 04 August
By bobby
im not surprised at all i mean all movies have ridiculous merchandise just because this movie is supposed to be inspirational and has julia roberts in it everyone's paying attention... it's nothing new people its what has always happened to be honest
Reply
Wednesday 04 August
By HB
You mean...people are actually allowed to write books that are (gasp!) UNTRUE???? AND OPRAH SUPPORTS IT??? WHAT??? And then some hot shot movie company would dare to so blatantly flaunt these lies in our faces? Well...how dare they! I don't want to see someone chasing their dreams or (God forbid) finding happiness...nope..I want pathetic, boring everyday, real-life misery 24/7!
I guess I'm going to have to read the book *and* see the movie now so I can b**ch about it on the internet too!
Reply
Wednesday 04 August
By FlyingJ
I read the book, and I'm not buying. Book is another in a long list of "all about me" trash, so I won't be seeing movie or even looking at the silly merchandise.
I so hate to see such drivel make a profit. But all of you who think it is the author's and movie makers' and scent producors' rights to make money, go ahead and spend, spend, spend.
Thursday 05 August
By Becka
Right on! Hahah! Some bitter whiners sulking because their lives are so wretchedly boring.
Wednesday 04 August
By MJO
Not interested in such a disgustingly, material promotion in this economy. Why do we allow ourselves to be raped like this!
Reply
Wednesday 04 August
By jack martin
Love the story. Have been to all the places she visited. I PRAY Roberts will revisit them with me so I can EAT & LOVE her which will enhance the movie for me. Don't forget, this whole thing is a "me" thing!
Reply
Monday 06 September
By Bex
You guys are all hatin cuz the woman had the money to travel the world and discover herself. The movie is meant to be inspirational. It's about discovering yourself. If I ever have the money to do that believe me I'll be soul searching in every country all over the freakin globe.
Reply