For the fashionista in all of us

Check out A Mom In Red High Heels' blog entry on How to Wear Brightly Colored Heels.
She features "High Tea" by Naughty Monkey pumps with coordinating outfits. AMIRHH is so genius! I would so rock the turquoise heels with the Banana Republic coral, cap sleeved, ruched trim top and the Martin fit wide leg khaki pants...with a bronzed eye, chocolate liner, a little Benefit Cosmetic's Glamazon on the cheeks and lips with Lip Fusion lip gloss in "Fresh" to top it off, of course.

Attention What Not To Wear Fans

I'm a huge Stacy and Clinton fan, but have to admit one of the most exciting parts of the show is the hair a makeup segment. We all know we can bring a little Carmindy home with us, with her makeup line created with Sally Hansen, but now we can bring Nick home in a bottle. Nick Arrojo is debuting his own haircare line, aptly named Arrojo, at Space Space NK stores, (also available on-line). Price points are $13 for Shampoo and $15 for Conditioner with styling products that run the gamut. I'll be picking up the moisturising shampoo and conditioner post haste!

And, for those of you living in the NJ/NYC area check out a Space NK store near you-- it's a good time. My personal favorite is their SoHo location...ahhh...a Sunday in SoHo...a little brunch at Bathalzar, a hot chocolate pedi, and maybe a triple oxygen facial, at Bliss, a little shopping at Space NK and Lush, and my life is complete...SIGH....

Mmm... the sweet smell of feet

I'm not sure what happened in the creation of me, but somehow I got stuck with the stinky, sweaty, feet gene. To say the least it's a pretty unsexy trait to have, (I would say "as woman", but it's pretty damn unsexy for a man too). The summer, of course, is when it's at its worst. Sometimes, with the sweat, even wearing flip-flops can be a disaster--the bottoms of my feet have sweat so much that I have slid off my Havaianas and twisted an ankle and scraped up a hip. Now, I know there are some alternative therapies out there for this, but at this point in time injecting Botulism into my soles kind of scares me. What I discovered, that is truly fabulous, was right on the self at my friendly, neighborhood, Target. Sally Hansen's Vanilla Lavender All Day Foot Spray. Not only does it have a yummy, non-medicinal smell, it stops the sopping sweating mess that are my feet, with a very natural ingredient and antiseptic: tea tree oil. I not only use this product on the bottom of my feet, but also in my socks and shoes, and sometimes even my gym bag.

My only tip/trick for this product would be to be very careful of not letting the spray coat newly polished toes, as it dulls the shine off the top coat quickly. To protect my pedi, before spraying, I rub or brush a little Solar Oil onto each of my little piggies...baby oil would work in a pinch as well.

And speaking of "your WHERE"...

I was perusing yet another cosmetic site, (spalook.com), and checking out some boscia Peppermint Blotting Linens, when what should I see out of the corner of my eye but "Customers who purchased this also bought..." Naturally, my cosmetic whoring ADD kicks in and I scroll down the page, but what I landed on what not something I expected. A product called SweetSpot Labs On-The-Go Wipettes Singles.


Wait. Is that a drawing of a woman's lower half ? Huh? This is a cosmetic site right? People who are looking for a product to blot the oil and sweat off their forehead are also looking for that???


Sure enough this product is one of the latest in the demand for Vajay-jay chic accouterments or "Intimate Grooming Escensuals", as they like to be referred to. SweetSpot Labs'®, (yes, it’s a real lab), is a complete intimate grooming collection of luxury care intended for your “sweetest spot”, not just limited to on-the-go wipes, but also offers cleansers, balancing mists, “bidet in a bottle” and Spa Waxing Protocol Kits, that are formulated and pH balanced specifically for optimum vulvar health. Products contain mild ingredients specially chosen to blend with soothing botanicals, and are absent of alcohol. That means less risk of burning, yeast infections and UTIs, which is precisely why Shari Creed started her wildly popular company. She was among the thousands of women frustrated by constant urinary tract infections, and other womanly issues, but was unable to find a solution that didn’t involve living in a state of chronic discomfort, so she turned her sights on a more organic and holistic approach and looked for a way to develop products that were more appropriate and nurturing for a woman’s body.

The thing is, as a little taken a back as I was at first, it's actually a product I would consider using. I mean, who hasn't had an issue with a cleanser that wasn't quite so sensitive in "that area" and left you with an unhappy, irritated, vagina? And, I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who has on occasion, in anticipation of a romp or rendezvous, maybe spritzed a little somethin' somethin' in that general vicinity. I'm totally game for this. I'm also kind of digging the Chic Earth Mother vibe the company's got going on, with copy that reads “You're at the door to paradise and procreation”. The site almost makes you feel like your mother or grandmother is talking to you about “sweet spot” health, but not in that cheesy 80’s, mother and daughter, walking in a field, dicussing that “not so fresh feeling”, commercial, kind of way. Oh, and I’m absolutely dying to see this product featured on The Big Idea if not just for Donny Deutsch’s expression/response alone. Check this company out today! Your Sweet Spot will thank you for it.

You put WHAT? On your WHERE?

Do you remember the episode from SATC where Samantha discovered a gray hair down there and decided to dye her nether regions? The color didn't develop quite as expected and she called Carrie into the bathroom, at Brady's 1st birthday party no less, to cry over her "Bozo The Clown" bush. It's too bad she didn't know about Betty. Betty products are especially formulated color dyes "for the hair down there" and come in classic Blonde, Auburn and Brunette shades. But for those ladies whose taste run on the wild side, Betty also has shades in "Fun", a hot pink hue, and "Malibu", a blue shade that's being marketed to brides-to-be...yes, brides...get it?..."something blue"?...Ha Ha...it's like your own little private naughty joke...gotta love the creator's sense of humor, but I digress...

Ya know, I've botched an at-home dye job...or two...in my time, and even though I'd like to think with my age and experience I've kind of got the whole process down pat now, I'm still not quite sure my "Betty" is ready. And, I'm not quite sure what J would think if I came to bed with a hot pink "landing strip", but I have to admit I am kind of curious... a tad intrigued....and I'm that girl that will usually try anything once...hmmm...only $19.99?

Hmmm...People's Hottest Bachelors 2008

Okay, I'll give him that his abs and pecs are absolutely wicked, but the rest, for me, ehhh. And, call me not open-minded, but didn't he cheat on his wife or soon-to-be wife (the Doritos Girl)? That's a major deal breaker in my book. And the other thing that throws me for a loop...he stars in A Chorus Line? Huh?...I just don't get it. What were you thinking People?

2 minutes and out the door

Here's my routine and product pics for those days you sleep through the alarm or are so engrossed with the kids you didn't realize what time it was...

1. Sunscreen on face, neck, chest, arms...you get the idea (I usually use Korres Watermelon Face Cream Sunscreen, but in a hurry I use my Nutrogena Sunblock Stick)


2. Bobbi Brown tinted moisturizer with SPF 15 slathered on face


3. Benefit Lemon-aid, (a soft yellow correcting cream that helps redness and discoloration on eyelids disappear) quickly swept over lid from lower lash line to brow bone


4. Becca's Beach Tint, (a soft watermelon pink blendable crème stain) smudged into apples of cheeks, and quickly blended into crease of eyes and rubbed in lips


5. Too Face Caribbean in a Compact in Snow Bunny - (a light bronzer for fair skin gals with just the slightest hint of pink quartz shimmer), quickly swept, using Sugar's Body Brush, where the sun would naturally hit you--I also like to sweep a little under my cheek bones to give a bit of definition.


6. Sue Devitt's Eye Intensifier pencil - (My fav is Surat, a bronzey-taupe), smudged on upper and lower lash line (the velvety smooth texture of this chubby pencil make this effortless)


7. Two quick swipes of Bare Escentuals Big Tease Mascara


8. Throw on headband, grab keys and/or kids and run out the door...

* Hung over? Didn't get enough sleep? Use a navy liner on top lash line only, (I like Bobbi Brown's Long-Wear Gel Liner in Cobalt Ink), followed by a blue mascara, (like Benefits' Bad Gal Blue), and add a pinch more pink to the cheeks, (B.E.'s blush in Kiss is perfect)...and off you go.

Laura Mercier Flawless Face Kit now available pre-launch at Sephora

This is huge! Laura Mercier, the queen of the "flawless face", is now offering a Flawless Face Kit ($65) only at Sephora. The kit contains:

• 1oz tinted moisturizer
• 1oz foundation primer
• Undercover pot (2 concealers and loose powder)
• Powder puff and foundation sponge
• Two brushes (which look suspiciously like LM's secret camouflage brushes)
• Clear zip case (Hmmm...clear zip case and 1oz sizes...sounds like this handy kit will also work in your carry on bag)

The kit comes in two shades Nude (for light to medium skin) and Sand (for medium - tan skin), and is available pre-launch, (yes, you can get first dibs), to all Sephora Insiders. Not a Sephora Insider? Click here to sign up. It takes only a few seconds and not only will you get the skinny on pre-launches and the new must have products, but you can customize your preferences for tailored makeup and skin care recommendations, as well...oh and did I mention you get rewarded for shopping???? What are you waiting for? Sign up!

Monday evenings just got exciting again

I don't know about you, but I'm super psyched for the return of Weeds and the premier of Secret Diary of a Call Girl. Ahhh...adult content shows, (that are actually worth watching)...I can hardly wait for Nancy Botwin and Belle to rescue me from my preschooler appropriate programming hell. And hello, who else has an emerging girl crush on Billie Piper?

On a side note: I'm soooo loving the pinup inspired publicity photos. They're vintage, fun and kitchy without being tacky, as well as, sexy and really make a woman look like, well, a woman. This style of photography has really taken off in my area. More and more women are booking shoots with local pinup photographers and it's not uncommon for a group of girlfriends to book a shoot together. Over a year or two ago, my gal pal M and I booked a spring shoot with Bombs Over Betty Photography, and the February before that, another girlfriend of ours booked a Valentine themed shoot with BOB. It's actually kind of liberating. You walk in with your insecurities and bad body concept and end up leaving feeling totally sexy and confident, if only for the next few hours, (hey--10 minutes of feeling that way is worth it). With the hair, makeup, vintage corsets and stockings, the camaraderie of women of all shapes and sizes, and a photographer that is totally into you, it's easy to forget, or not care, that you're walking around half naked, as my friend M had to remind me during our shoot that was on location, outside, in a neighborhood near a major intersection--Ooops, my bad! If you're in the Baltimore Metro area, or hell even PA or VA--it's worth the drive--check out Bombs Over Betty or Atomic Cheesecake...it will be a fabulously good time!

A little goomin' for the baby daddy in your life

Along with the prerequisite tie and gift card to Home Depot, here are some fabulous tried and true gifts for the slightly metro male in your life...and for those of you that have the more "retro-sexual" guy, it never hurts to drop a little hint, hint...

1. Lush's Woosh Shower Jelly, ($12) - This block of jelly, (yes, block of jelly--It's like a shower jello jiggler for adults), is an invigorating, citrusy and clean, yet still very masculine body wash, well, er, jelly. Your man can use his testosterone as he sees fit by ripping off chunks of the gel--with his bare hands--or squishing it in between his toes while he washes himself to clean-dom come.



2. Kiehl's Groom with Silk Creme, ($17) - Is your guy so retro he scoffs at pomade and his stomach churns at the thought of transforming paste? Well then start him off with this cult classic. It leaves the hair soft but non-greasy and has just this slightest smidge of hold. This product is also good for those guys who don't regularly use conditioner, which uh, would be most of them.



3. Kiehl's Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream, ($15) - Another one from the Kiehl's line and one of their most popular products. A luxurious shave cream spiked with menthol and camphor that not only helps promote a close shave but leaves the skin in amazing condition post shave.

In the immortal words of Britney Spears...

Oops! I did it again.
UGH--Self tanner woes! Why? Why? Why? Why can't I just get the application perfect without messing up when it comes to my ankles and feet? Why couldn't I just be happy using the Sublime Glow?...Why did I step up to the Sublime Self Tanning Lotion? I always get myself into trouble when I use more than a "subtle shade enhancer". I know better. Damn you, Gods O' Bronze! You seduced me with promises of golden, sun-kissed skin within 4-6 hours,(... and the delusional thinking that the darker coloring might make me look 10lbs thinner, but that's another story), and now you've left me with streaky feet and the backs of ankles that look like I've played in mud and haven't washed for days. Agh!

Now I'm off to hit the tub with my friend Mr. Pumice Stone to see if I can undo some of this damage...

Potentially Amazing Product Alert

Fekkai's Summer Hair - Zero Humidity Control
($22, Sephora)
The claim: "Fear no humidity from day to night with this spay on antidote for frizz-prone hair that seals the cuticle to stay sleek."

Whaa???? Really??? With my naturally curly, frizz-a-licious, white girl 'fro, (that I spend entirely way too much time straightening), and Baltimore's humidity, I have to try this!

Here's hoping to a miracle in a bottle--I will report back my findings very soon!

Something you should be wearing everyday but you're probably not

Did you know even if you use makeup with an SPF you would need to use at least two tablespoons worth of the product to receive any of the sun protecting benefits? Wow--that's a lot of foundation / tinted moisturizer/powder/schlack--especially if you live in a humidity filled climate, (Can we say major meltdown?). So what's a girl on a perfect skin quest to do? Wear a good broad spectrum sunscreen everyday. Yes, under your spf'd makeup and yes, I know, this is not something you haven't heard before. Right now I'm loving Korres Watermelon Sunscreen Face Cream SPF 30 ($28, Sephora). It is a tad rich, and contains a bit of titanium dioxide, so you definitely have to work it in and let your skin soak it up a bit before applying your barrage of cosmetics, but the extra time spent in my opinion is worth it. I love this cream! I skip my moisturizer and just use this product because of its richness, and it doesn't irritate my sensitive skin--even the delicate skin around my puffy, dark circles, ahem, I mean eyes. And, hey did I mention it's organic--BONUS!

Now, I know that some of you, a.) just don't have nearly enough time let anything soak in and, b.) may not want to spend $28 plus shipping on a 1.69oz tube of sunscreen, (even if it does last a long time), because we're inching closer to recession and that $28 needs to go into savings--I hear ya sister. In such cases I would also highly recommend, the old faithful, Oil of Olay (yes, Olay...if it was good enough for grandma and has stood the test of time, it's good enough for you). The one I really dig is Olay Complete All Day UV Defense Moisture Lotion (about $9, in most drugstores). It's light, non-greasy, designed for sensitive skin and has great UV protection with a bit zinc oxide thrown in for good measure. This product doesn't really need any soakin' in time just slather this on and go.

PS- Don't forget to slather some SPF on your hands, neck, décolleté, and ears!

...And we're back!

Okay, okay, I haven't been so good about keeping up with this blog. Shame on me. Just a tiny blip, promise. I'll be back to posting post-haste!
~S