holiday hair with pantene and tippi shorter

Are you the hostess with the mostest?

Is your house spot-on ready for the holiday party, but your do' just ain't cutting it?

Well fear no more, Celebrity Stylist, Tippi Shorter has given me the steps to create an easy holiday bun for hair that is shoulder length or longer.

It takes minutes to do and will leave you looking all effortless and chic in no time.

Read on...

Here’s a quick, festive style for a night out. Play around with the look and see what works best for you. You can always try a deep side part, or pull hair straight back for more lift on top. You can also leave strands flowing in front for a more feminine, romantic touch. Have fun with this look, and happy holidays! - Tippi Shorter


Start your style with clean hair, blow dry with a paddle brush.

Once hair is dry, separate into two sections front and back from ear to ear.

Clip the front out of the way and secure the back into a low ponytail.

Unclip, and use a 1 inch curling iron to curl the top section of hair.

Add a little serum (like the Pantene Pro-V Smooth Serum) to your hands and run fingers through hair to separate the curls and add shine definition.

Gently pull the hair back toward the ponytail and secure with hairpins.

Wrap the hair under the ponytail to create a bun full of voluminous curls.

Finish with a light hold hairspray to hold the style and seal frizz...and you're done!


Here's a little bonus, just for you.

A little recipe to spice up your party.

Totally works with your new do.

Spiced Candied Pecans

from

Padma Lakshmi’s

Tangy Tart Hot and Sweet:

A World of Recipes for Every Day

These nuts are a sweet and savory snack that can be made hot on the spot with just a few minutes in the oven…The pecans will keep in plastic bags, once cooled, for up to 2 weeks, and are great sprinkled on top of spinach or arugula salads as well. -Padma

You'll need...

· 1 cup of whole pecans

· 1/4 cup maple syrup

· 1/4 teaspoon chili powder

Then you...

Preheat oven to 375 and line baking sheet with foil.

 Arrange the pecans on the baking sheet in a single layer.

Try to keep the individual nuts from touching each other.

In a small bowl, whisk the maple syrup and chili powder together with a fork.

Now drizzle the syrup over the pecans.

Try to coat the nuts completely by sliding them around on the baking sheet so all the syrup is used.

Place in the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the syrup has just begun to brown or blacken;

don’t let the nuts burn.

Remove and immediately arrange the pecans on a dish, making sure they do not touch one another;

if you leave them in a pile, they will cool into a brittle.

Serves 2

FYI I am soooo making this tonight.

la mer the hand treatment

So, clearly I've been on a little blogging hiatus.

Did you miss me?

No?

Wow.  Thanks.  Thanks a lot.

Anyway...

Did you get anything great for Christmas?

Maybe you did, or maybe you didn't.

Or maybe you got one or two of my favorite gifts of all...gift cards.

Nothing brings a tear of joy to my eye faster than a gift card.

A fact of which you'd figure that my mother-in-law would have figured out by now.

Just saying.

In case you did get one or two and you're looking for something lux, yet you want to keep your lux under the $100 mark, La Mer The Hand Treatment ($70) is something to check out.

Yes.

I know.

It's definitely a splurge as far as hand cremes go, but such a treat for your dry hands during the colder months.

It's rich, so you don't need a lot to work...and your hands don't feel all greasy after rubbing it in.

Keep it on your nightstand, or keep it in your makeup bag for on-the-go application.

My dry hands are drinking it up right now.  Between the freezing cold, the frequent hand washing and the constant use of hand sanitizer, my hands could easily be as dry as a bone.

This keeps the dryness at bay.

And that's what makes this worth a splurge...or at least a look-see next time you're at the La Mer counter.

Find it at cremedelemer.com as well as specialty department stores.

REVIEW: Skincare Blues? Erno Laszlo Has Your Fix

Lazuline (adj.): having the color of lapis lazuli, a light shade of blue

Lazuline is the hue of LASZLO BLUE FIRMARINE SPF 30 and of its star ingredient, Spirulina Maxima. A fresh water blue-green algae, Spirulina is rich in essential fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. The latest from the legendary skincare line of Erno Laszlo, this daily face cream delivers intensive nutrition to the skin -- improving hydration and giving skin a healthier appearance with new firmness and bounce.

80 years ago, Dr. Erno Laszlo proved that although our skin is complex, the most effective remedies for it often come from the simplest, most elemental sources. The Erno Laszlo brand continues this tradition with the launch of Laszlo Blue Firmarine SPF 30, harnessing the power Spirulina Maxima—a sustainable fresh water micro-algae that boasts over 70 essential vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants. When this ingredient is combined with other actives in Laszlo Blue Firmarine, this daily firming face cream delivers intensive nutrition to the skin. For slightly dry to slightly oily skin, age 30+.

Features and Benefits

•Feeds new collagen growth, enhancing skin firmness and bounce
•Provides essential fatty acids, anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals that feed and nurture the skin’s microenvironment
•Natural phyto-nutrient pigments (chlorophyll and phycocyanin) contribute to the product’s lazuline hue as they regenerate damaged cells and soothe inflammation
•Protects with Vitamins E, C and A, Organic Green Tea, Multi-Mineral Complex and mineral-rich Deep Sea Water
•Boosts the skin’s immunity (anti-viral, anti-bacterial)
•Integrates SPF 30 for year-round protection from sun and free-radical damage
•Assimilates quickly into the epidermis, effectively hydrating and nurturing tired skin
•Lush texture and subtle, calming scent
•Dermatologist tested, allergy tested, irritation tested, clinically tested, non-acnegenic



REVIEW:
This is a soothing light blue cream with an almost spongy elasticity in texture, having a light, fresh marine scent and providing the perfect amount of nurturing to aging skin. Though it possesses an SPF 30, the product is a bit too rich for my normal to combination-oily skin, even though it is 40+ in years, a testament to the decadence of this product. This has fast become a go-to moisturizer for night-time repair. The cream with its whipped-like element, glides smoothly across skin and blends into skin effortlessly leaving a not-to-be-missed glow of health. I notice a firming affect but it's not a tight feeling, more of a resiliency in texture and appearance, if that makes any sense. There's a definite youthfulness, a noticeable youthfulness to my skin after use. In addition, whether it's the light blue color of the cream or the ingredients therein, my skin is definitely brightened by this product, a result I appreciate more and more as the years wear on. And all of these effects + exquisite moisturization are still there in the morning ... a big plus! A bit pricey at $195 a jar, but soooo worth the luxury.

The cream is packaged in an elegant, minimalist styled sheer blue cubed jar, a nice touch. Laszlo Blue Firmarine SPF 30: SRP $195 / 1.7 oz / 50 ml. Available at the Erno Laszlo Institute and Erno Laszlo counters at fine specialty stores including Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Holt Renfrew.

merry christmas from me!

Merry Christmas my lovelies!

Hopefully you don't live in the same neighborhood as this guy.



Can you just imagine trying to fall sleep during that?

Anyway...

Here's to a fabulous holiday that brings you all you want and more!

last minute gift ideas....selections for the man in your life

Clearly if I'm ever given the chance to try out men's grooming products, it's not going to be me who tests them out.

That duty falls completely on the shoulders of Big L...my husband.

He's pretty good about trying things out, but tends to fall a little behind on getting that info to me.

Big time procrastinator...just between me and you.

Anyway, here's a sampling of a few of his fave products as of late.

Jock Soap Best Shave Ever ($39)

He pretty much liked everything in this little set.

Wasn't a big fan of the brush though.

The two products he really really liked the most?

The Tall Drink Aftershave Balm For Sensitive Skin and the Pow Right in the Kisser SPF 15 Lip Balm.

Kiehl's Ultimate Man Collection ($48.50)

This one has everything that Big L uses the most.

The White Eagle Shave Cream, Facial Fuel and Wash, as well as Scrub Soap are standbys in our medicine cabinet.  He actually loves the Hand Salve too, though he'd never ever admit it.

At this point, you 're going to have to go to an actual Kiehl's freestanding store or department stores that sell Kiehl's.  I'd call first though to make sure that this specific set was still available.

The Art of Shaving This Fusion Chrome Collection Power Shave Set ($150)

The Mercedes of shaving goodies.

Big L hasn't actually tried this one, but I checked this out in a nearby Art of Shaving store.  It's very expensive, but to me it's just one of those gifts that a person just wouldn't pick up for themselves.

A little luxury for the hubby/brother/boyfriend/best guy friend in your life.

If the price is a little up there for you, just buy something like The Art of Shaving Unscented Shaving Cream ($22) and one of their less expensive (but still divine) Pure Badger Shaving Brushes ($55).

Find it at Art of Shaving freestanding stores, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and other select retailers.

still have last minute shopping to do and have zero time for mall shopping?

I've done a little checking around and there are stores offering 2nd day or next day shipping, but only two are offering rush delivery for FREE!!!

And you're never going to guess who.

Give up?

Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.

Now, before you balk and say how expensive they are, understand that they carry a ton of department store beauty brands and their prices are comparable to other stores.

So, need some perfume or some makeup goodies?

Click on over.

How about some cute clothes from Juicy and Splendid?
 
Check them out.

Now there are some terms and conditions involved...like you have to have your order placed by December 23, 2009 at 11:59am CT for both and some other important stuff...but we're talking FREE rush shipping at any price!

Too fabulous for words.

Make sure you check out each site for more info and promo codes, because each has a different one.

what product has rachel zoe and demi moore all abuzz?

Demi Moore and her stylist (the fabulous) Rachel Zoe on the set of Moore's photo shoot for the Harper's Bazaar April cover...testing out the new Helena Rubinstein Lash Queen Mascara...



For a limited time, with each purchase of All You've Ever Wanted at select Macy's, buyers will receive one tube of the Lash Queen Mascara!

A cool opportunity when you consider that it's currently not available anywhere worldwide.

On a side note...was anyone else concerned about the vigorous mascara brush pumping going on in the video?

Just wondering.

Find the scent at Macy's and macys.com.  The mascara will only be offered in-store at select Macy's, so you might want to give yours a call before you trek out there.

REVIEW: Lancome La Laque Fever Lipshine

Must admit, I didn't give Lancome the credit they have proven to me time and time again they deserve. I was skeptical that their La Laque Fever would truly be long-lasting, like the claim it is. Surprise!

Lancôme LA LAQUE FEVER is a lasting full color lipshine that delivers an elixir of vibrant, concentrated color and unprecedented shine in one gliding stroke. From the moment of application, densely pixilated pearls combine with unique polymers to give multidimensional shine that truly holds to your lips. No touch-ups needed for 6 hours! That's their claim.

Added bonus: The soft-sculpt applicator precisely designs fuller lips for sensual lip contours.

I knew I'd like the lipshine as I'm always completely satisfied with Lancome's lip products, their lipsticks, glosses and Juicy Tubes are always in my handbag, desk drawer, makeup bags and atop my vanity. What I didn't count on was that the formula would truly deliver long-lasting results, and it does! This is a pleasantly, almost subtly tropical, scented product, which applies like a densely pigmented liquid lipstick. Additionally, you can actually feel the difference in the formula. It's not at all sticky, yet more substantial in texture than a true "gloss". A shade you must-try is their Pink Dimension, which is a rosy-pink shimmer that literally flatters any skin tone - cool, warm, fair and the richest shades of color.

What's even more lovely, is that if you like to mix your shades, as I do, you can create a plethora of different colors (add-in a different lipstick, gloss, plumper, line your lips with a pencil, what have you, any brand) and still bank on the long-lasting effects of La Laque Fever with the blended shade you create. The tilted, fuller soft applicator provides jut the right amount of product to lips and assists in shaping both top and bottom. It's ingenious!

Lancome La Laque Fever Lipshines, award-winning by the way, retail for $26 each and are available in 20+ shades. For more information or to purchase for yourself or a beloved beauty lover, visit Lancome online; also available at Sephora and other retailers.



beauty bit: Looking for a discount alternative to Lancome La Laque Fever? L'Oreal Infallible Plumping Lipgloss in #106 Plumped Pink at $9.99 a tube is a sweetly priced dupe, in my opinion, and is available at drugstores and mass merchandisers. The Lancome product is by far superior in terms of pigmentation and color payoff, but the L'Oreal gloss gives nice color, a similar wide-angled full applicator, and the same long-lasting effect. The texture and feel of these two glosses are very similar. Enjoy. xo

5 minutes, 5 questions with lianne farbes...the makeup girl

So honored am I to have had the chance to interview the fabulous Makeup Girl herself...Lianne Farbes!

If you haven't visited her blog, The Makeup Girl, what's stopping you?

She was one of the pioneers of the beauty blogging world, starting up her blog in 2006. She also has years of experience as a makeup artist and model!

Plus, look at her, she's GORGEOUS!!!

So without further adieu, here you go...

1. What beauty trends are you loving for winter?

I always say this every year but dark liner always works for me. I try to switch it up with whatever the hot color is which is purple for sure this year. Shimmery cheeks, I do bronzer under the cheekbone and a brighter shimmer color on the apples of the cheeks. Looks natural, pretty and contoured without looking "all contoured". I also am really digging the MAC greasepaint sticks. LOVE them.


2. Can you give my readers a quick beauty trick or tip that you swear by? 

Yep, spoons in the freezer. I keep two teaspoons in the freezer at all times for puffy eye emergencies. I even went to Target and bought two random spoons that are my freezer spoons. Something about the cold and the metal that reduces swelling/puffiness immediately.


3. What's in your makeup bag right now? 

Ha!!! Really? You cought me on a heavy day this is the weekend bag. Okay here we go:

* Dior Color reviver lip balm
* MAC studio fix
* Cover Girl Outlast lipstain in cinnamon
* Clinique cream shaper for eyes in chocolate lustre/cocoa shimmer
* LORAC brow pencil in brunette
* Cover Girl Exact Eyelights mascara in black pearl
* NARS pencil sharpener
* NARS the multiple in Palm Beach
* NARS creamy shadow in Savage
* NARS lip gloss/stain duo in stolen kisses/pampa
* Bobbi Brown lip gloss in fudge
* Bobbi Brown Shimmering nudes eye palette
* Tweezerman slant tip tweezers
* MAC 239 brush
* MAC 188 brush
* MAC Grand duo mineralize blush
* MAC greasepaint stick in black
* MAC shadestick in gentle lentil
* BillyB Beauty brushes #13 & #8
* Tricia Sawyer smoke & mirrors
* mini ceramic nail file
* Blinc eye drops
* Rohto V eye drops


4. If you could makeover any celeb, who would it be and what would you do? 

Oh wow.....I think I would do Amy Winehouse. First, I'd give her some food. I'd probably have to drug her (which she wouldn't have a problem with, obviously LOL) and give her milkshakes and protein powder intravenously. Then I would cut all her hair off and give her a pixie do like Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby. Makeup would be really dark smokey eyes, shimmery cheeks and nude lips.


5. What's your favorite beauty splurge...how about your fave drugstore find? 

Beauty splurge...3Lab M Cream (the best) and drugstore find CG exact eyelights mascara I ADORE but the best thing at the drugstore are those little Queen Helene mask packets. I buy 3-4 at a time and use them on the weekends.


Love her!

Thanks Lianne!

last minute gift ideas...stila mini lip glaze collection

 It's still not to late to give the gift of lippies!

I love Stila Lip Glazes and this Mini Lip Glaze Collection by Stila ($25) is too cute.  It contains four best-selling classics and four new limited edition shades.

Perfectly sized to fit in the most compact clutch, these mini must-have glosses come in colors to compliment every holiday look. The set features four NEW limited edition shades (Marmalade, Pinkie Twinkle, Plum Fairy and Candy) and four best-selling classics (Starfruit, Kitten, Cranberry and Blackberry).

All at great mini sizes to throw in a makeup bag.

You can find it at stilacosmetics.com, but I provided a link to the Sephora site too because they're offering a free shipping upgrade (today is the last day though) that will guarantee it gets there by Christmas.  Check the site for more details...sephora.com.

Free Express Delivery at Philosophy - Last Day!

These fab lil'gift sets below are along those I think are extra special. The scents are divine, the formulas superb and the love that comes along with each .... priceless! Enjoy express shipping on your philosophy purchases when $85 or more through today.

party girl
pomegranate bubbly scented gift set $35
freshen up before the big night out. philosophy's party girl is a must-have for the girl who wants to feel energized and beautiful. it includes pomegranate bubbly exfoliating shower gel 4 oz., body lotion 4 oz. and lip shine .5 oz. in a giftable, reusable bag. our exfoliating shower gel gently cleanses and polishes to reveal smoother, softer skin. plus, our body lotion provides extra skin-softening benefits and a gorgeous glow. top it off with shimmery, glossy looking lips, and you're good to go for the party.

cinnamon buns
holiday ornament inspired shower gel - only $6
the perfect trimming for seasonal gatherings. philosophy's cinnamon buns shower gel ornament is a unique, festive gift. this high-foaming shampoo, bath and shower gel helps cleanse and soften skin and hair and smells absolutely delicious. 2 oz size.

the cocktail party
3-piece shower gel set $30
philosophy cordially invites you to our cocktail party. shake up your shower with our new cocktail party shower gel collection that includes three 6 oz. bottles of our famous 3-in-1 shampoo, bath, and shower gels. senorita margarita, mimosa, and melon daiquiri shower gel scents have been invited to this bash and they are bringing along their extra creamy, cool, and frothy attitudes. your shower will never be quite the same once you experience these delectable happy hour treats!

amazing grace
4-piece gift set $36
philosophy's best-selling fragrance, amazing grace, was created to make a woman feel infinitely clean and beautifully feminine. this amazing grace gift set gives you the opportunity to layer the amazingly clean, infinitely feminine scent of amazing grace from head to toe. the amazing grace gift set contains our 4 oz. amazing grace perfumed shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath, 4 oz. perfumed conditioner, 4 oz. perfumed firming body emulsion and 6 oz hot salt body scrub.

the birthday girl
5-piece gift set $35 ... almost sold out!
philosophy gives the birthday girl something adorable. philosophy girls have hands and feet that are truly well kept and hair and skin that give the smell of clean a new meaning. as for lips, one dose of kiss me and you're a lifetime user. the new age of beauty is here for the birthday girl. the birthday girl gift set comes in cute travel tote and includes: 2 oz. amazing grace perfumed shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath, 2 oz. purity made simple one-step facial cleanser, 1 oz. time on your hands exfoliating hand cream, 1 oz. soul owner exfoliating foot cream, and .5 oz. vanilla birthday cake highly emollient lip shine.

unconditional love
unconditional love layering collection $50
enduring, magical love to wrap hearts in happiness. philosophy's unconditional love layering collection was created to make you feel surrounded by love and happiness, which makes this layering set the perfect holiday gift for the people you love unconditionally. it includes perfumed shampoo, bath & shower gel 8 oz., perfumed body butter 2 oz. and spray fragrance 1.7 oz. in a charming, giftable keepsake box.

amazing grace
amazing grace layering collection $50
give gracefully this holiday season. amazing grace is philosophy's best-selling fragrance, and the amazing grace layering collection is the ideal gift for someone who wants to smell amazingly clean and beautifully feminine. it includes perfumed shampoo, bath & shower gel 8 oz., perfumed body butter 2 oz. and spray fragrance 2 oz. in a beautiful, giftable keepsake box.

bring on the bubbles
pink bubbly shower gel and lip shine duo $20
be the life of the party! bring on the bubbles includes pink bubbly high-foaming shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath 8 oz. and pink bubbly very emollient flavored lip shine .5 oz. lather up with our gentle, moisturizing, 3-in-1 formula for a cheerful way to cleanse and condition your skin. pink bubbly flavored lip shine is delicious and provides a sheer pink shine with a bit of shimmer. philosophy's bring on the bubbles set is the perfect gift for the fun, girly girl who loves a good party; it also makes for the perfect party favor for your friends.

inner grace
trial size trio $38
experience the sophisticated, yet understated scent of philosophy's inner grace. the trial size kit contains a trio of inner grace essentials that are just the right amount to get you hooked. try layering the fragrance by using the inner grace shampoo, bath and shower gel 4 oz., inner grace perfumed body emulsion 4 oz. and the inner grace fragrance .5 oz.

Inner Grace and Amazing Grace are my two favorite philosophy fragrances! I absolutely love them, having known the experiene I can no longer live without them. (Philosophy, you're never allowed to stop making these two fragrances for as long as I live ... you're free to stop after I'm dead, but you've got a good 40 + years longer to produce them!)

Need an idea for a sweet gift for a preteen niece ... here it is! She'll appreciate you starting her on the road to being a "philosphy girl'.

i think you are wonderful

mandarin orange & cherry shower gel duo $20

often the best gift you can give is given for no specific occasion, for no reason, unprompted, and unexpected. philosophy has a sweet way for you to let someone know you are thinking of them. thinking of you includes a delicious duo of mandarin orange and cherry scented 3-in-1 shampoo, shower gel and bubble baths. these guilt-free indulgences make for the ultimate shower or bubble bath. it's the perfect way to let someone know you care.

Shop philosophy for more fabulous deals now and don't forget to enter code: express at checkout for your free expedited delivery.

meet lancome's artist extraordinaire sandy linter...

Did you dig yourself out yet?

No?

Well, if you haven't and you live in the New Jersey area, you might want to pick up that shovel.

This Tuesday, December 22nd, legendary makeup artist Sandy Linter will be at the Lancôme boutique in the Mall at Short Hills, New Jersey!

Sandy, who has done celebs people, will be hosting one-on-one appointments from 10am to 6pm. The fee is a pre-pay of $175 and it's all redeemable in Lancôme products. You need to call 973-258-0790 to reserve a spot though.

Here's the address and telephone number again, just in case you need it...

The Lancôme Boutique

The Mall at Short Hills

1200 Morris Turnpike

Short Hills, NJ 07078

973-258-0790

The only thing I ask is, if you do attend this, please please send in a photo of yourself all done-up-Linter-style afterwards.  I will totally post your pic on the blog!

clinique holiday collection... black tie violets holiday 2009

I adore Clinique for always keeping up with the trends, but making their picks one of the more affordable department store lines.

This collection I'm loving for the fact that it's all purple-y and stuff.

Purple was my color back in the day...when you could literally do your whole room up in purple and not a soul would blink, or think you were nuts.

I mean, I was twelve people.

Anywho...here's some of my faves from their new holiday color collection Black Tie Violets.

Brush-On Cream Liner ($14.50) I've checked out their gel liners before and loved them.  This one has some fabulous potential in their limited edition shade of Violet Luxe. 

Different Lipstick ($14) Who doesn't love Clinique’s Different Lipstick? Their new shade A Different Grape is actually the inspiration behind this collection’s colour story.  Wear it alone, add a little over some balm for a stain effect, or use liner to really make a dramatic pout.

Full Potential Lips Plump and Shine ($17.50) Any gloss always gets my attention.  Loving these three colors..Bloomberry (Limited Edition), Double Plum (Limited Edition), Luscious Lilac.

Powder Brush ($30) Made of natural hair, it's available with a limited edition metalized handle.  A great size for powder, bronzer, or blush.  Features Clinique's unique anti-bacterial technology.


Find yours at Clinique counters nationwide and at clinique.com.

baby it's freaking freezing outside

It's fa-fa-fa-freezing here in Virginia.

We have (at least) 2 feet of snow...at least.

Every weather report says something different, but I think that the snow probably won't end until later tonight.

That's my prediction and I'm sticking to it.

Big L and little l were out in the snow shoveling and playing around.  Made them homemade hot chocolate once they came back in.

Drying my son off is as close as I plan on getting in the chilly stuff.

Just planning on doing some blogging stuff, maybe shopping online, and making some cookies or other goodies.

Either way, I'm totally not going outside today.

What's the weather like where you are?

beauty buys under $10 - pond's wet cleansing towelettes

So amazing at literally taking-the-day-off of your face.  Each towellete removes makeup, mascara, and grime leaving your mug clean without any need for rinsing...although you can if you're anal (like me).

I use these when I'm feeling totally lazy because they work in a snap.  The packaging also makes them great for travel too.

Find yours for about $3 at drugstore.com.

elke all natural brow scrub

It was seriously a major honor to have Elke work on mine and Christine's brows during fashion week of 2008.

Ma-jor.

During that visit...in her chic NYC apartment btw...she talked to us about using a scrub on our brows to help grow them out.

She told us that using said scrub on our brows once a night would help to encourage growth better than anything else out there.

There was even little wink-wink hints that she had something "in the works" that would be perfect for scrubbing the delicate eye area.

This is it.

Elke All Natural Brow Scrub ($16) is spot-on for someone who wants to grow out their brows quickly and naturally.

Right now...and this might probably be a little tmi...I'm breast feeding little e and I'm totally paranoid to not use anything on my skin that might contain crazy/harmful ingredients.

No need to worry about that here.  Elke's scrub is all natural, cruelty free and even certified vegan.

Love that.

Plus it smells like coconuts.

Adore that.

Use it at night once a week for about 2-3 weeks and you should start to see results.  I did it and saw hair growth around a week or so and needed to get them done around week three.

It's gentle enough to leave your eyebrow area feeling conditioned, but effective enough to keep it smooth too.

Something definitely worth checking out.

Find it at elkevonfreudenberg.com/store.

gift ideas for under $50...elizabeth grant

I personally think this is pretty genius...an Elizabeth Grant Advent Calendar 2009 ($40) that features skin care and other beauty goodies, instead of chocolate.

Which...fyi...I would totally end up opening up those little doors and eat those little candies before I was supposed to.

Don't judge me.

Even though Christmas is right around the corner, it's still not too late to take advantage of this unique gift.

You get 25 itsy travel/trial sized versions of Grant's favorite selections (one to open for each day of December) in little red numbered boxes and little festive numbered bags to put them in.  Each product is the perfect size for stuffing in your carry-on, your desk, your makeup bag...the possibilities are endless.

Then, next year, once all of the little goody bags are empty...stuff them full of candies for the kids. They'll love it!

Find yours at elizabethgrant.com.

real life gift guide...home scents edition

Altru Collection

The exotic scents and patterns on the packaging help to evoke special memories of places around the world known for their beauty and artistic contribution. The brand supports the In a Perfect World Foundation, and each of the aromatic and exotic scents are named after a core value or attribute that one might find in a “perfect world”. Choose from soy blend candles, interior fragrance oils, incense sticks and incense accessories.

Find yours at Neiman Marcus and altrubygamillah.com.

Burn Voyage Candles

If you can’t get away this holiday season, recreate the experience at home with these beautifully scented candles that give the gift of immediate transport to the exotic place of your dreams. Stunningly encased in a high sheen metallic wood grain patterned box, Burn Voyage candles offer a stylish compliment to any space. Each captivating scent provides comfort and luxury whether given as a gift, tucked into a suitcase or placed with love in a favorite room.

Find yours at studiobeautymix.com.

Godiva Home Fragrance Collection

Godiva Chocolatier unveils a new way to indulge in the sensorial decadence of its chocolate – the Godiva Home Fragrance Collection. These scented candles of deep chocolate-colored wax infused with cocoa butter are the brand’s first foray into the home fragrance category in its over 80 year history. Led by Laura Slatkin, the collection was developed by combining the talents of the fragrance industry’s master perfumers with the expertise of Godiva’s master chef chocolatiers. With packaging reminiscent of Godiva’s iconic gold ballotins, these ready-to-gift candles are available in both travel and full sizes and the sumptuous scents are sure to please each and every chocolate connoisseur. The collection includes the following fragrances: Milk Chocolate Truffle, Raspberry Ganache, White Chocolate Magnolia, Peppermint Bark, Black Almond Truffle.

Find yours at Neiman Marcus, Belk, Dillard’s and select stores.

i am so insanely proud of myself!

Yes...yes...I know.

I've been a little lacking on the posting.  Please don't hate me.  Still recovering from the blahs from last week and I've been sick.  A-freakin-gain.

Plus don't even get me started on the fact that my mother-in-law is coming to spend Christmas with us.  Don't even.

Fa-la-la-la-la...la-la-la...ugh.

Anyway.

Notice anything different?

Anything?

Anything at all?

Okay...let me help you out a little.

I am totally teaching myself how to change up my blog!!!

While I'm not an expert...and probably will never be...I am cruising around the web and learning how to do different things.

Like...

Hopefully I did this right and you should be able to see funky "handwritten" font for blog posts, date, and sidebar titles!  Totally did that using fonts and helpful tips from kevinandamanda.com.  A totally cute site worth a visit!  Yay!

and...

Because of the whole FTC thing, I've been doing my disclaimer underneath every post and it's starting to look tired.

I LOVED what Beauty Addict and All About the Pretty did (with the magical hovering mouse thingy) and I couldn't figure out how to do it until I did some sleuthing online. Now all you have to do is hover over a link with your mouse and a little box should pop up that tells you if I bought it or the product was sent to me by a rep...try it by hovering over the links in this post!  Go ahead...I'll wait.  Neat...right?  Plus you can still click through to the site if you want still!! Double yay!!

and...

I added a signature to all my posts..well all of the new posts that are going up and I also did away with the annoying underlining when you hover with the mouse over a link too.  Hated those.  So triple yay!!!

and finally...

I redid my header and it looks okaaayyyy so I'm still going to be working on that so much better...right?  plan on trying to figure out how to add more things...like tabs and whatnot...plus I'll be adding new features.  So you'll be seeing a lot of changes soon as well as more regular posting.

So stay tuned!

tarte 40% off friends and family discount...last day!

If you haven't taken advantage of this yet...what's stopping you?

and the winner is....

Well, first let me tell you how I came up with a winner.

What I did was assign all of the comments a number 1-13 and then had random.org generate a winning number. 

That winner is comment number 3 which is...

Lee5458!!!

Congrats!

You've won your choice of Health
 Drops
 from
 Functionalab
!

All you have to do now is send an email to mommyjpresents@gmail.com with your name and mailing address, as well as choice of drops.  You have from now until Monday, December 14 at 11pm to do so.  Failure to send on that info by that time voids your entry and I'll have to choose another winner...okay?

Just in case you need a reminder, you get to pick either of these...

• Focus

Helps
 maintain
 the
 normal
 brain
 functions
 that
 lead
 to
 mental
 alertness,
 clarity
 and

memory

• Immune
Helps 
support
 the
 body’s
 natural
 immune
 system.


• Detox
A
 collection
 of
 phyto nutrients that
 help 
support 
the
 body’s
 natural
 detoxification 
systems.


• Antiox
Delivers the polyphenol content equivalent to 15 cups of green tea per serving.




A big thank you to everyone who entered!  Please stay tuned for another giveaway to be announced soon!

real life gift guide...beauty tools edition

Oral-B Pulsonic Sonic Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush

At first you're probably thinking...a toothbrush?  For the holidays?  Wha?
Just work with me here. 
It's great because it's not something most recipients will go out of their way to buy, normally.
The slim design is easy to store and use for travel.
It cleans your teeth like a dream and it even has a sensitive teeth setting...something that I have been using on the regular ever since my dentist informed me that I've been brushing waaayyy too hard.
It's on sale now for about $54 at amazon.com, but here's a little something that I found over at the Oral-B site.  It's a $15 mail in rebate form good for any Oral-B ProfessionalCare or Pulsonic Electric Toothbrush. The only clincher is you need to buy one before December 31, 2009 and send in the info by then as well.  Click here for more details on that.

H2Pro Presto 1 Inch Flat Iron

Truly the mack daddy of flat irons.
Knocks it out of the park with its ability to straighten my hair quickly and easily.
Plus my hair still feels soft and not dry (a problem with some flats).
Another cool thing?
A turbo trigger that releases a burst of power when straightening, curling, or flipping.  Every time you clamp your flat iron down the turbo trigger is released.
Love that.
It's definitely a splurge...but sooooo worth it in my opinion.

Sonia Kashuk® Double Duty Brush Set

The perfect brush set for a beginning makeup addict.
Also great for someone who travels a lot and hates to bring along their ridiculously expensive other brushes for fear they might lose them (totally lost a fave Chanel brush this way once).
While a $22 price tag makes it a nice stocking stuffer, why not add one of her palettes for a fabulous gift that comes in under $50?

lancome genifique eye

This is just one of those you-have-to-try-it-to-believe-it products.  It's claim is seven days...as in you'll see results in seven days.  I was shocked that it took a little less than that to actually see improvement in my under eye area.  There's also less puffiness and my circles (while never crazy-dark) definitely look brighter.

The price might be a tad on the splurge side for some ($59) but it's gel-cream texture allows you to get away with out having to use a ton to feel hydrated.

Totally worth a look-see while out shopping for the holidays.

Find it at your local Lancome counter and lancome-usa.com.

sorry....

Just wanted to put something up really quick to say sorry for my lack of posts.  It's been one hellofa week and I'm trying to get it together enough to get some posts up.

Thank you guys for always coming back and hanging in there...because it really means a lot to me.

xoxo

The Skinny on Skincare Sample Sales. Yes!

The Skinny is a skincare lover's dream come true!

I've been dying to tell you about this wonderful opportunity to purchase luxury skincare on sale at The Skinny. Recently, they featured products from Organic Apoteke (you all know how I adore Organic Apoteke) and some products were actually more than 50% off retail. I couldn't believe it when I saw the prices. The key is, you really have to seek your treasure when the notice of sale first comes out, as popular items are likely to sell out quickly. This is what happened to me when I went to purchase a bottle of Organic Apoteke's luxurious and highly coveted Rejuvenating Face Cream. Shoot : ( [Note to The Skinny: PLEASE bring back more Organic Apoteke! xo]

Well, you really need to know more. Here's the skinny on The Skinny:
The Skinny is a members-only site offering exclusive deals on top-shelf skin care products. They also give the Skinny on each brand through educational videos, personalized recommendations for your skin type and areas of concern, and access to their upcoming events from brands like Bare Escentuals, Dermaquest, Lisa Hoffman and Perricone MD.

Each week, The Skinny debuts a new shopping event with a luxury brand at up to 70% off retail!
Each shopping event begins with an invitation email to their members. You'll receive an overview of the brand, and a selection of products they think you'll like based on your skin type and preferences. Click on the link in your email to visit the shopping event, where you can watch educational videos, learn about the brand's story, and take a closer look at all the products on sale. Shopping events last one week, or until sold out.

Currently, The Skinny is featuring skincare by Tammy Fender, "the secret behind Palm Beach's happiest, healthiest complexions," (Vogue). I'm looking at the product selection right now, and the prices are again unbelievably discounted. Her Epi-Peel facial in a jar, which normally retails for $80 is available to members at $48 and her multi-vitamin in a jar, the Antioxidant Creme Neroli and Orange is offered for $57 (regularly priced at $95).

So how do you become a member and receive an invitation to this must-experience skincare lover's paradise? Members are allowed to invite guests. As a happy and satisfied member, I'm delighted to extend to you a personal invitation. xo

Invitation to The Skinny

Enjoy, my darlings! xo

REVIEW: Sam Villa's SLEEKR Flat Iron

You know a styling tool is worth its weight in gold when your teenaged daughter tries to steal it from you. This is exactly what's happened with my Sam Villa SLEEKR. I think I got to use it one time (in fact, I know it was only once) before she'd claimed it as her own and found a place for it atop her vanity. Her best friend, these two are joined at the hip, inquired of me just the other day, "Can you tell my mom where she can get a straightener like Caroline's, please? I want one for Christmas."

Caroline (my daughter, left) and her friend Brett-Ashley (right): both girls used the Sam Villa SLEEKR for the dance you see them posed for above.

Hmmmm ... you don't say. One like "Caroline's", huh. Great! Another drool worthy beauty item lost forever to the teenage diva I've inevitably created. Well, she's a lovey, and not at all the indulgent fiend I've made her out to be, so I'm sure she'd allow me to borrow her SLEEKR if I wanted to use it, right Baby? (still waiting for response ... lol)

Ok, the story here is this flat iron is everything it's made out to be and then some. Where other irons I've tried have struggled to compare to my good ole CHI, this one rises to the occasion and delivers a performance worthy of a standing ovation. In fact, my lil' boo actually likes it better than the CHI she thinks is hers (I'm not giving it up, though; hell I need something to use, right).

Here are the deets:

SLEEKR Features and Benefits

$249.95/retail price

· Curved plates ensure non-snagging of hair regardless of angle of use or technique.
· Hybrid flexible plates ensure even compression
· Reduced diameter of handle provides easy control for all hand sizes.
· Unique temperature control band eliminates uncomfortable and oddly placed switches.
· Targeted temperature technology provides 3 pre-set temperatures (375F/392F/410F) including a special Color Treated setting to minimize color fading (I loooooove this feature!!!)
· Advanced ceramic heater reaches target temperatures in under 60 seconds.
· Extra long professional cord allows for freedom of movement
· Snag-free plates
· Ceramic Plates for even heat distribution across entire plate
· Tourmaline Coating on Sleekr® for extra shine and smoothness



backstage NY Fashion Week, October 2009

“Really good idea having the setting for color treated hair on the SLEEKR. Especially if a non-hairstylist is using them, so not to burn their hair. They are great to hold and use. Also, the swivel cord is handy if you are using the irons to wave with. I really enjoyed using them at fashion week. –Jenny Balding, Redken Session Stylist and Redken Expert.

Not only can the SLEEKR be used for straightening, but in Sam Villa style, this styling tool also allows you to create fresh textures in waves and curls, all with a smoothness to be envied by even the most discerning of hollywood glamour buffs. Here's one of his techniques to mimic; he suggests using Redken products (I adore Redken products too; they are superior in quality):


Ribbon Curls - A curl with a sense of laziness, more relaxed and not too coiffed. The idea is to stretch hair with heat – due to the placement and wrap technique of the hair, when it bounces back, it is curled. Think of the ribbons on gifts that are stretched with a scissor and then curl up once released.

1. Take a medium size section 1” in length and ½” in width and prep with Redken Iron Silk 07 ultra straightening spray
2. Hold section in left hand
3. Hold SLEEKR in right hand with the iron vertical and palm facing head
4. Pinch section at base, as you pinch, fold hand so palm faces you (still holding the section with left hand)
5. Slowly slide iron down to the end of the hair shaft ad release hair – it will spring into a ribbon curl.
6. Finish with Redken workforce 09 flexible volumizing spray


Needless to say, my daughter and I are completely delighted with Sam Villa's SLEEKR and can highly recommend it to you for its straightening ability, smooth results, and diverse uses. It's gone everywhere we've gone the last few overnight trips and I suspect it's got lots more travelling it its future!

Sam Villa Signature Series products are available at The Redken Gallerie (212)984-5027. Learn more about Sam Villa online and shop for the SLEEKR, his other impeccable styling tools and education pieces there as well.