Beach Must Haves

After writing up my June favorites (sadly I shortened that list and it was still so long!) I realized summer products aside, everyone needs different products for the beach! I mean, there's no fun in going to the beach without looking fabulous, right?

I just went to the beach last week, and here's what I did:
Prep: Yes, unfortunately unlike the shows Laguna Beach and The O.C, I cannot just frolic down to the beach without a second thought. (although, I WISH I could!)
-Hair removal. I personally get waxed (legs, bikini, etc.) which requires a bit more time (since I need to get an appt and whatnot) in comparison to shaving or using nair, veet, etc. There's always the at-home waxing kits which I resort to when needed! Whatever your poison of choice, some hair needs to be removed  before baring that bikini!
-Deodrant. A must have before the beach, I even pack one with me in my bag--I'm a huge fan of Dove.
-SPF. Sunscreen is a MUST, I apply before (30 mins prior to sun exposure) and reapply as needed while I'm at the beach. I use Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 100+ before and use Stella SPF 30+ Sunscreen Towelette by Tocca for touch ups at the beach. So handy to keep in my bag because each wipe is wrapped individually! 
Face: no one wants to cake on foundation, concealer, etc. before going to the beach! Beach makeup is all about the bare minimum while still looking fabulous!
After SPF application, I use Laura Mercier's foundation primer and then even out my skin with Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer, oil-free, SPF 20. I use my fingers to apply so the product can really warm up to my skin, and I always remind myself to take my tinted moisturizer down to my neck! I curl my eyelashes with the Shu Uemura eyelash curler (my absolute favorite) and use my Bobbi Brown lip gloss (which I believe is discontinued) in Rose Tea, love it because it has SPF 15 (lip balm/lip gloss with SPF is a must for the beach!). You can always add a waterproof mascara or a creme eyeshadow, but I prefer not to.
Now, off to the beach!
xoxo

June Favorites

I'll keep it short and sweet: here are my absolute favorite, tried and true products for the month of June! (actually probably a little longer than just June..)

Photo Finish Foundation Primer, original/colorless--Smashbox ($36) *I finally gave into the hype, and I must say this helps my skin look flawless for proper foundation application!
High Definition Healthy FX Foundation SPF 15--Smashbox ($38) *light enough to wear in the day time, plus it has SPF, and vitamins?! This foundation actually benefits skin!
High Definition Concealer-- Smashbox ($18) *paired with powerflage (see below), under eye circles have met their match.
Powderflage Set--Benefit ($28) *personally, I hate the brush it comes with--I use a crease brush! Setting my under eye concealer with this=no creases the whole day. LOVE.
Stella SPF 30+ Sunscreen Towelette-- Tocca ($28) *one towelette takes care of my SPF needs, head to toe.
Chloé Eau de Parfum Spray-- Chloé ($60) *smells AMAZING. Enough said. I'll definitely use it throughout the year.

Pop-Up Travel Brush - Signature Black & Red--Sephora Collection ($8) *I've needed something to tame the tangles that summer weather brings to my hair and this is perfect! The added mirror and compact design is a total plus--there's different designs as well!
No 'Zit' Sherlock Complete Acne System-- bliss ($32) *with probiotics and gentle on my skin while taming breakouts? Say no more.

Scorcher Nail Lacquer-- MAC, Back to the Beach Collection ($12) *Love the bright color for summer days and nights! It's wearable on hands and feet, I love.
Marine Life highlight Powder-- MAC, Back to the Beach Collection (sold out on maccosmetics.com) *yes, I admit the seahorse design dragged me in, but it is a perfect summer blush!

Mia™ Skin Cleansing System - Pink--Clarasonic ($149) *see post below, this is a lifetime favorite!

 

 

 

 

 

Clearer skin, here I come! (thanks to my Clarasonic Mia!)

I've never been incredibly tech savvy...but I can maneuver my way around the basics. I love, love, love my iPhone 3GS, my macbook, and iPod touch (wow, apple ad much?! haha). However, as times are changing, technology has made it's way into the beauty world--and I am LOVING it.
Enter my new tech-beauty love, the Clarasonic Mia:

For $149 (at Sephora) you receive a Clarisonic Mia One Speed Brush, international pLink™ charger for worldwide use, sensitive Brush Head, and 1.0 oz Gentle Hydro Cleanser. At this point in the game, Clarasonic has a loyal following so we've all heard the basics about this product, just in case you missed out here's what a Clarasonic Mia is--From the creators of the Sonicare® toothbrush comes the Clarisonic® Mia set, featuring the handy to-go sized version of the original, groundbreaking Clarisonic Brush. Sonic technology first changed the way we clean our teeth, now it's changing how we cleanse our skin. The sonic frequency moves Clarisonic's soft, gentle brush back and forth at more than 300 times per second, thoroughly clearing pores and skin surface.--via Sephora online

I purchased my Clarasonic Mia in pink (to support the Breast Cancer Foundation) from Sephora in late May and I have to admit, cleansing my face hasn't been the same since. Yes, $149 is a pretty steep price to pay (I definitely debated on this purchase for a while) so let's get down to the nitty-gritty to see if it's actually worth it.
Here are the promises:
-Removes makeup six times better than traditional methods.
-Clears pores and reduces the appearance of pore size.
-Cleanses so thoroughly that skincare products absorb better.
-Creates noticeably healthier looking skin.
Yes, yes, yes, and YES! The Clarasonic Mia is wonderful at removing makeup, it deep cleans thus making my pores less visible (which I love!), I have noticed that my cleanser/moisturizer feel better on my skin, and lastly it just leaves a more smooth, radiant texture--resulting in a healthier complexion. Honestly, looking back I have no idea how I cleaned my face before! Even my bff, who loves the Clarasonic Mia as well, left it back home for a week and she noticed that her face did not feel nearly as clean.
Bottom line: I definitely think the Clarasonic Mia is worth every penny. I use the sensitive brush head, but there is a normal one available as well. There are different types of Clarasonics, the Mia being the most affordable and the smallest one of the bunch. There is only one speed (those who have the other Clarasonics claim that this one speed is enough), there is no timer that beeps/vibrates to let you know to move on to the next part of your face, and the Mia automatically stops after 60 seconds. I think the normal Clarasonic or Pro models are definitely a luxury--but I find my Mia to be perfect! I can throw it my bag for sleepovers at the bf's place/going to the gym with no problems.
The Clarasonic Mia is available at Sephora and the Mia as well as other models are available at Nordstrom.
Visit www.clarasonic.com to learn more about all the Clarasonic products and which one will suit your lifestyle the best!
Happy cleansing!
xoxo

Spring Feet

Even though the weather has been all out of sorts lately (i.e raining for the half the day), I still have been looking at all the pretty shoes (emphasis on sandals) spring and summer allow me to wear. As we know from a previous post, heels and I definitely do not go hand in hand, so any reason to slip on flats is a green light in my book!
My boyfriend's roommate complimented me on my yellow nail polish (LOVE bright pedicures in spring!) from the China Glaze up, up and away collection-- Happy Go Lucky. It's a great yellow creme color but still delivers the vibrancy of a bright yellow. Bless his soul, his compliments are always a bit on the awkward side--however he said that I "kept it fresh" which I believe from a guy is a compliment...my boyfriend however is not a fan of bright colors on nails haha. Another great nail color for spring is the bright green Four Leaf Clover from the China Glaze up, up and away collection. Basically as much as I adore neutral and muted colors, spring is the one time of year that I love bright nails--definitely the perfect accessory!
Now for sandals, to compliment the perfect pedicure--of course.

These Via Spiga 'Deana' Sandals ($198) I love because it gives off the Greek-esque vibe. Definitely on the more romantic boho-chic side--denim shorts or a mini skirt would look fabulous with these. 

 DV by Dolce Vita 'Saint' Sandal ($69.95); the perfect rocker vibe chic sandal. I love that it's not too dainty and would look fab paired with a leather jacket and skinny jeans or a floral printed dress. The shape of the straps is thick enough to grab your attention--but not too over the top. Plus, in my experience Dolce Vitas are always super comfy!

Sam Edelman 'Hazel' Thong Sandal($119.95). These are by far my favorite! Well I love them all..but still. The cage-like detailing semi reminds me of the Jimmy Choos I spotted in Fall! The stones are absolutely gorgeous and I love all the colors the sandals come in! 

Seychelles 'Get Outta Town' Sandal($79.95). Plain and simple, love the braid detailing and coverage of the sandal. It's more on the refined side compared to the other sandals I loved--not over the top trendy. The nude color is the perfect addition to my shoe closet!












All of these sandals are available at nordstrom.com, happy shopping!
xoxo

Los Angeles to Manhattan--Earmuffs.

Here is my first investment for my big move-- Burberry earmuffs. My bff reassures me that I definitely need earmuffs, and if I need earmuffs, they might as well be Burberry right?!

Image credit: http://michiganfashionista.blogspot.com/2008/11/christmas-gifts-part-3-little-luxuries.html

These are the pair I found at Nordy's, and I must say they are pretty adorable! Plus they'll go with my iconic Burberry scarf in khaki and my other Burberry scarf in baby pink! I am a little dissapointed they don't make the iconic checkered design on the earmuffs (maybe because it's out of season?) but at the same time, these are more wearable. 

At $125, it is a bit much for earmuffs...however, my ears will thank me for the soft cashmere keeping them warm, and adding more Burberry to my wardrobe makes me happy :)

Truth: I am a hair snob.

I guess my childhood haircuts got the best of me-- yes, I was one of those girls that had the bowl haircut. My mom was always really big on short hair, and a couple of times she cut my bangs herself (WORST IDEA EVER) and I suffered through my junior high years + ninth grade with absolutely dreadful hair. At that age, I never understood that curly hair should NOT be brushed a lot (hello, frizz) and how to style my hair appropriately--to say the least.

 

Image credit: http://greeensheeep.blogspot.com/2008/12/hairs-scoop.html

After that, I became obsessed with having nice hair. I would literally cry whenever I got a haircut and put TONS of products of my hair to make it look nice--I have now learned the error of my ways. In any case, going to reputable hair salons (even if it means paying more) is definitely one of the things I am anal about. I meet with my stylist in advance, discuss haircut/coloring/etc and describe exactly what I want to a T. Needless to say, I have become a hair snob. I mainly use Kerastase and Schwarzkopf hair products, a CHI turbo blow dryer,  and HAI flat irons (repurchased once).
About 8 months ago, I decided to take the plunge and find a new flat iron (I didn't absolutely LOVE my HAI one) so I decided to buy a Sedu Pro Ionic Ceramic Tourmaline Flat Iron after seeing the amazing reviews on folica.com. It was definitely an upgrade from HAI; the Sedu left my hair incredibly shiny, straightened much faster than the HAI, did not pull at any of my hair, and was a bit lighter as well (the bigger plates were also a plus!). After talking to a friend about our flat irons, she showed me her GHD flat iron and I fell in looooove (this was like a month after buying my Sedu, of course). Ever since, I've been researching the GHD brand and heard NOTHING but good things about it, but just haven't been able to justify spending almost $300 after I just spent $120 on a perfectly good Sedu.
I received a 20% off coupon from folica.com (I love coupons) via e-mail and decided to impulsively buy the GHD Precious Limited Edition MKIV Styler. 

 

 (I got the one without the blow dryer--instead I got the GHD heat protection spray and conditioning spray. But everything else is the same!)

First off, the set is absolutely GORGEOUS--the flat iron itself is black with silver detailing with a carrying case to match! At $255, it was a bit steep but I can honestly say it has been one of the best hair investments I've made in a long time. This flat iron not only straightens, it can curl, create waves, and even crimp hair! Another Plus, it straightens my hair in literally 1/4 of the time it takes me with my Sedu (my hair is ridiculously shiny too)! GHD also has a youtube channel where they show you how to use your GHD flat iron to create different hairstyles. All in all, I LOVE this flat iron and the brand itself--they stand behind their product with a 2 year warranty which is hard to find with most flat irons.

Bottom line: If you're on the hunt for a new flat iron/curling iron and can splurge--I highly recommend the GHD-- you will not be disappointed! Just make sure wherever you purchase your GHD that it is authentic--I used folica.com. Plus, folica has discount codes every so often--what more can you ask for?!

Bloomingdales Friends and Family--now through March, 28th!

20% off on almost all regular priced AND sale purchases for Women, Men, Kids, and Home!
Use Promo Code: FFMARCH
at www.bloomingdales.com

So far, I've decided on a pair of Tory Burch reva ballet flats in patent leather (the normal leather would not go well in east coast weather)! I love designers on sale. It makes my shopping that much more exciting!

happy shopping!
xoxo

The Warehouse Sale is back in town!

When: 3/20-3/21, 10am-4pm
Where: Smash Box Studios Stage #1, 1011 N. Fuller Ave., West Hollywood 90046.
Why?: Save 50%-80% on designer jeans and apparel for both men and women! Brands seen previously at this sale: True Religion, Ed Hardy, Monarchy, Taverniti, BCBG, Kasil, Denim of Virtue, Citizens of Humanity, Junk Food.

Definitely one of my favorite sales--if you're in the area you should definitely check it out!

Plus, RSVP to get in FREE!
www.thewarehousesale.com

Natural Beauty: Do It Yourself

I remember last year, my roommate and I created a concoction out of yogurt, eggs, olive oil, mayonnaise, and whatever else we saw fit in our fridge for an at-home hair mask. It wasn't completely horrible, but we clearly had no idea what we were doing (we didn't even measure things out haha).

Here are some tried and true DIY hair care recipes, enjoy :)

Got split-ends? Try this:

• Combine 1 can coconut milk (it gives hair tons of shine!), 1 mashed avacado, and 1/4 cup honey in a bowl.
• Slather the mixture on dry hair, focusing on split and damaged ends. Top with a plastic shower cap.
• Blast your hair with heat from your blow-dryer for about 5 minutes. Then allow the mask to soak in for an additional 30 minutes.
• Rinse well but don't shampoo! Style as usual.

Dark colored hair? Try this:

Not only does coffee satisfy our much needed caffiene fix, it also intensifies darker shades to make hair really shine!

• Brew any type of plain nonflavored coffee and let it cool.
• Pour enough coffee over dry hair until hair is completely soaked, then comb through.
• Cover your head with a plastic shower cap and let the rinse set for about 20-30 minutes.
• Rinse well then shampoo. Give your hair a final rinse with cold water to maximize shine!

Frizzy hair, meet your match! :

• Mix 1 banana, 1/4 cantaloupe (without the rind), 2 tbsp yogurt, and 1 tbsp olive oil together in a blender.
• Apply mixture to damp unwashed hair, and comb through from roots to ends.
• Allow it to sink in for 15 to 20 minute, then rinse well. Shampoo and condition your hair, style as usual.

Enjoy!
xoxo

Los Angeles to Manhattan.

I'm moving to MANHATTAN! As excited as I was when I found out (and still am!) I am now equally as stressed and flustered. I live in LA, I think 60 degrees is cold and anything below 50 is when I just don't even go outside. Yeah, I'm screwed. Not only that--but do people in Manhattan even wear uggs?! I'm going to go ahead and assume not...now, I leave around mid August, and more than anything I'm worried about my wardrobe (of course).
So, what better way to organize my thoughts/rants/wants/needs than to start a series of posts of what I'm buying for the move?! Luckily I've always loved the New York chic look (hello Gossip Girl!) so a lot of my wardrobe is good to go! However, I'll probably turn into a popsicle since none of my pieces are actually for a real winter.
Things off the top of my head that I need:
1. Sleek leather jacket. I have a leather jacket--but it's more puffy (which is great for warmth so yay!) and I need something thin, sleek, and chic.
2. Trench coat. I need this ASAP. I have been looking around forever for the perfect trench (unfortunately I cannot bring myself to buy the Burberry one that I adore) and I just haven't been able to find one. When I do, definitely getting one in both khaki and black.
3. Plush fleece lined tights. I actually need everything from Plush. If I take my tights/leggings, I'll freeze the second I'm off the plane.
4. Leather gloves. I never really wear gloves, and when I do--they're cashmere. As much as I love my cashmere gloves, leather looks way more professional and I can actually keep them on while doing whatever I need to do.

This list will inevitably get longer--so much shopping, so little time.

MAC 'Give Me Liberty of London' Collection

First off, love love LOVE the packaging! Which was pretty much a given..but still, I felt it needed to be said.
Moving on...
The main reason I have been anticipating this collection (I normally don't wait around for make-up collections) is the Blue India nail polish. I fell in absolute LOVE upon seeing the color online and HAD to have it stat! The collection released today in-stores but was online at nordy's a couple of days ago. See one of my favorite nail polish bloggers swatch and talk about it here along with the Vestral White nail polish (which I wasn't a huge fan of). I just got Blue India on my nails and I am in tooootal LOVE (my boyfriend even loved it!) and am debating on buying another bottle already!

I also picked up a beauty powder in Shell Pearl which makes a great highlighter/blush, a tinted lipglass in Frankly Fresh and a lipstick in Peachstock.

The rest of the collection was a little too "trendy" (i.e colors I would rarely wear) so I tried to stay with things that I'll actually use on a normal basis--but the collection is definitely worth a peek! Check it out here or go to any MAC counters before they sell out!

My hate/LOVE/hate relationship with high heels

In my elementary school years, there was a teacher who exuded fabulous-ness. She was always well put together, incredibly gorgeous, and had the most amazing high heels (I should also mention that she played basketball in her heels--she was our coach). Not only was her wardrobe to die for (yes, I was incredibly impressionable at that age) she made everything seem so effortless! Running, walking, dancing, basketball, she did it ALL IN HEELS. Upon entering my teen years, I had high heels, but they ALWAYS hurt. I have always wanted to be that fabulous woman who did it all in heels--long work days, long nights out, lunch with the girls, etc. and yet now at the age of 23, I still have not become that woman. le sigh.
My boyfriend constantly pokes fun at me when I wear heels--he tells me that I walk like a chicken and that I walk incredibly slow (in his defense both of these comments are true). However I still adore high heels, and fling quite a bit of money in attaining them as well. I can't help it--legs look AMAZING in high heels and for nights out, they are basically a must. So what is a girl like me to do? Being the avid google-er that I am, I googled my query and came up with a few tips:

1. Start small and work your way up: instead of heading straight for the 4 inch stilletos, try thicker heels (i.e wedges) and smaller heel height--maybe 2-3 inches.

2. Inserts are your friend, use them. There's a reason there are so many heel inserts/cushions out on the market--because us women know heels hurt! I personally like the gel inserts (they massage your feet!) but it's all about personal preference, find what works for you!

3. Take smaller steps: try taking baby steps and walk heel to toe. Definitely don't fall onto the balls of your feet--keep control of your stride and ease gently from your heels to the balls of your feet.

4. Practice makes perfect: walking in your heels for a couple of days before the actual night/day you have to wear them is probably the best way to prepare.

5. Take a time-out: when you're wearing heels, take breaks and sit down every so often (esp. if your feet hurt) but whatever you do--don't take them off! Your feet swell, thus, getting them back in your heels will be an uphill battle. Plus, it'll probably hurt way more after.

Hopefully I can take my own advice and actually survive a night in all my pretty shoes. Mom was totally right, beauty is pain.

Have your cake, and beautify with it too!

Who doesn't love cake? Well now, with Cake Beauty, there's more to love about this sweet treat (minus the calories)!
What is Cake Beauty?

A pinch of innovation, a dash of creativity, and a generous serving of the world's finest quality ingredients are whipped into every Cake Beauty creation. Enjoy a truly guilt-free indulgence with 100% paraben-free formulas that help reveal your best skin ever. Shea butter, coconut oil, and even whole milk are some of the natural emollients used to nourish the skin, delivering spa-like results you can feel. With award-winning favorites like Satin Sugar Refreshing Hair & Body Powder, or Milk Made Velveteen Hand Creme, customers come back for extra helpings of Cake Beauty not only for the results, but for addicting scents like sweet vanilla frosting, or energizing spearmint. Unique textures, like their exfoliating hand oil, turns an at-home manicure into a downright indulgence. After all, you deserve the best. Treat yourself to Cake Beauty. (via Sephora's website)


My favorites from the line? The Milk Made Smoothing Hand & Cuticle Buffer ($16), it exfoliates and hydrates my hands in a matter of seconds and is perfect to use before at-home manicures or when your hands need some extra lovin'. Another plus? The scent is vanilla/raspberry which is absolutely amazing! Another note-worthy product, the Milk Made Hand Crème ($16) which smells delish as well (notes of vanilla and raspberry) and is not greasy at all! 


I can't wait to try more from the Cake Beauty line--so far I looooove!

Vitamins do a body good.

When thinking vitamins, it's easy to get overwhelmed--there's just WAY TOO MANY (thank the lords for women's mulit-vitamins).

When I was younger, I remember my mom having vitamin E capsules that she would pierce with a pin and apply the gel-like substance to any scars she had. In all honesty, I only remember this because of how cool I thought it [piercing the capsule and what not] was haha. Anywhoo, while roaming CVS waiting for daddy's perscriptions I saw the Nature Made vitamin E capsules and decided to pick them up. I've been using the liquid-gel (yes, I secretly think it's super awesome to pierce the capsule) now for about 2 weeks on my under eyes, eyelashes, lips, and cuticles/hands before bed and I am LOVING the results. After doing some research, I realized vitamin E plays a role in anti-aging (ie making fine lines less noticable--score!) My hands are softer, lips are smoother, and under eyes are way more hydrated! The biggest con about my new found love for vitamin E it how messy it is to apply, it's actually quite difficult and somewhat sticky. In any case, I don't mind it that much since no one sees me while I'm sleeping anyways. Haha.
I am not a nutritionist/health care professional/etc. I'm just sharing my own experiences/research! 

Rachel Pally Sample Sale! 2/19-2/21/2010

Who doesn't LOVE Rachel Pally?!

I love getting the sample sale e-mails from Rachel Pally--true, it is past material, but the pieces I picked up last year are staples for my wardrobe! I got a bubble skirt and a bunch of different tops. In any case, a celeb favorite (and mine as well), this sample sale is not one to be missed!

Check out the details below!

Let me know if you pick anything up--I'll be away for the weekend with the boyfriend but hopefully I can swing by :)

happy shopping! xoxo

Keeping Up With Bebe--Kardashian Style.

Confession: I am a reality television junkie. 

In my defense, I have some standards when it comes to reality tv...wait--is it even possible to have standards? Whatever. In any case--yes, reality shows do top my list. I blame Laguna Hills (when it first started) for getting me addicted, from there of course I had to follow lovable "LC" turned "Lauren" to her spinoff show "The Hills". From then onward, it was a snowball effect. I now proudly watch "Keeping Up With The Kardashians", "Jersey Shore"(seriously SO funny), "Kell on Earth", etc. this list goes on and on, so I'll spare the details.

Anywhoo, (before I forget the actual point of this post) I never really knew who Kim Kardashian was before her reality show--I did however know her father (Robert Kardashian) as a Lawyer from the O.J Simpson case. Ever since she lost some weight, people have been buzzing about her like no other! She's easily one of the biggest socialites at the moment in my book. Although Monica Rose is her stylist (who I absolutely adore) Kim and her sisters (Khloe and Kourtney) do have a flair for fashion (they also own DASH boutique) and have recently launched a line for bebe! The Kardashian/bebe collaboration has been huge so far! And even though I was a bit sketch--the line has a lot of promising pieces. Think shoulder-pads, classy, vintage yet modern (weird I know, go with me). Most of all, a lot of the pieces are just flat out simple and sexy. bebe has always been one of my faves--check out the Kardashian/bebe line here! Here were some of my favorites-- sorry for the small pictures, click the links to see them enlarged and shop the collection!

Kardashians by bebe One Shoulder Pleated Dress  ($129) this was by far my favorite! The shoulder pad seems like a bit much, but this dress fits like a glove, and the structure is glam to the max. 

Kardashians by bebe Sexy Zip Top ($59)This picture doesn't do this top justice at all--it's SO hot in person. It fits like a dream (which is something I noticed with the whole line, come to think of it) and it has that rock'n'roll-ish edge to it. I'm sold. 

Kardashians by bebe Knit Cutout Dress ($98)

 Although I haven't seen this dress in person yet--but it just exudes class (for lack of a better adjective). I can't wait to go in to see what it looks like on! Plus, it's rare that a white dress looks that fabulous on me--I'm crossing my fingers!

Kardashians by bebe Side Shine Dress ($98). The contradiction of this dress is actually what caught my eye. The shoulder is padded and the leatherette/jersey combo is just so...unusual. It's rockable to a casual dinner-date or to a party. Dare I even say--lunch? I don't even know. It's just edgy, simple, and plain out awesome. Paired with my favorite black leather booties, this is gorgeous.

Overall, the Kardashians by bebe line is definitely good in my book. They even have a show at New York Fashion Week! And by the looks of things--the pieces are selling like hotcakes online! Shop it online here, or visit the bebe store closest to you! Let me know what you get :)

happy shopping!

xoxo

Reason to Shop: Free Shipping at Sephora this Weekend!

For all orders over $25 (I guess there had to be some catch). Enter code: "TOUCHDOWN" at checkout!

I've been dying to try the Living Proof Full Thickening Cream ($24, 3.7 oz). On Sephora's website--customers have given it 4.4 out of 5 stars! I am a bit sketch with this particular brand, Living Proof Straight Making No Frizz Styling Cream was an epic fail on my hair. It made my hair feel weird (for lack of a better word) after application. It definitely was not soft and smooth by any means. However, I have high hopes for the thickening cream since I've heard such great things about it!

The NARS Spring 2010 collection is to die for in my opinion! I need to have it...all. The colors are absolute perfection. Even though I have way too many purple nail polishes, Purple Rain ($16) seems to have that extra oomph while still not being too over powering.  The nude pink lipstick, Cruising ($24) seems so gorgeous! I've been looking for a great nude lip (with a subtle pink) so hopefully this looks just as fab on lips as it does in the pictures!

I'm always willing to try a new moisturizer and bliss has come out with a new one! Triple Oxygen + C Energizing Cream (1.7 oz, $54) has a lot of people talking already. It claims that it is "a lightweight gel-cream that hydrates, brightens, and instantly revives dull, stressed skin" (via Sephora's website).

Clearly, I could exceed the $25 with much ease. I suppose it just gives me a reason to shop? Like my mom says, shopping is cheaper than therapy--and way more fun!

Happy Shopping fashionistas!

xoxo

oh skin, why must you betray me so?

Especially at the age of 2-3. yikes.
I believe I've mentioned about my skin being pretty good through my teen years; no acne or any other big problems, but now I believe I am starting to pay my dues. My skin has been going all sorts of crazy lately! My mom even bought me the be.gorgeous vitamins from GNC because she even noticed how uncharacteristic it is for my skin to be behaving in such an awful way. I tried LUSH, as I told you all here, in hopes that going natural would help my skin. Well in my follow-up, like I said, I wasn't too pleased with the results. Although the cleansers are great (angels on bare skin leaves my skin incredibly soft and ocean salt gives me a nice exfoliate every once in a while) nothing was really helping this new acne I was developing on my forehead, chin, and on the sides of my nose. The worst (as of now) is my forehead and chin. I tried the Clinique 3-step routine as well, and that did not work at ALL.
Irritated (mentally and physically) once again, I ventured off to find something new. My worst case scenario was going to proactiv, even though I know how damaging and drying it can be to skin, I really just wanted to get rid of all these bumps! Then I came across Burt's Bees Acne Solutions and dashed over to MUA to see the reviews on it. To my surprise, it had amazing reviews! Since the prices were incredibly reasonable (considering my other skincare products) I was more than willing to give it a go. Here's what I picked up: 

Natural Acne Solutions Purifying Gel Cleanser
at $10 for 5 fl oz. I didn't have much to complain about! It's 99.4% natural, lathers up nicely, and leaves my skin feeling squeaky clean. Here's what Burt's Bees has to say: This soothing natural cleanser is clinically proven to help wash away acne causing bacteria, excess oil and impurities without over-drying or irritating skin. Salicylic acid, derived naturally from willow bark extract, penetrates pores to help reduce acne and prevent future breakouts. Evening primrose and beet root extracts also help soothe acne prone skin resulting in clear and healthy-looking skin, naturally. Dermatologist tested. Noncomedogenic.

 Natural Acne Targeted Spot Treatment
$10.00, the same price as the cleanser, but only for 0.26 fl oz. I was a bit hesistant, but it is 100% natural and I wanted to test it out either way--so I took the plunge and now I'm so glad I did! It is a bit hard to apply (it's liquid so I press my finger against the opening, turn the bottle over--think applying perfume-- and then I dab the liquid on my forehead, nose, and chin.) but it works like a dream. It dried up my pimples, bumps, etc., and really is a great treatment. Here's what Burt's Bees has to say: This natural acne spot treatment is clinically proven to reduce and improve the appearance of blemishes without irritating skin. Salicylic acid, derived naturally from willow bark extract, penetrates pores to help reduce acne and prevent future breakouts. Meanwhile tea tree, calendula, yarrow and parsley extracts help soothe skin and reduce redness and Borage Extract promotes healthy skin resulting in clear and smooth skin, naturally. Dermatologist tested. Noncomedogenic.  

There's also a scrub, moisturizer, and other products that are part of the Natural Acne Solutions line, but I only bought these 2. Overall, these two products are now a must have for me! I've been using them for the past 3 weeks, and my skin has gotten significantly better! I always forget that sometimes drugstore brands outdo department store brands in some cases, and I'm so glad I got reminded! If you decide you want to give Burt's Bees products a try (their chapsticks/lip balms are great as well!) try to buy them from a drugstore (CVS, Wallgreens, etc) because at most beauty supply stores, the price will be hiked up just a tad.

It's natural, Earth friendly, and actually works?! What's not to love?

Beginning to Run...finally.

 

image credit: google images

I have ALWAYS been intimidating by the thought of running. With my new regimen, I told myself (and all of you) I would try to run 2 miles a week (outdoors), which unfortunately did not happen. Insert sigh here. Yesterday, I was determined to conquer my fear of running! On my trip to the gym, instead of heading straight to the elliptical--I hopped on a treadmill.
Luckily the night before I found an article on fitsugar for beginner treadmill-ing and decided to give it a go! I followed this plan (pasted below via fitsugar) for the most part--however, I added 10 minutes (I just continued the same intervals) and a total workout of 50 minutes!
According to the treadmill, for a 130lb person my 50 minute workout burned 292 calories, and my total distance was 3.36 miles. It was definitely invegorating, however tough to get through. I definitely think one of the reasons I was able to tack on 10 minutes to the original workout was because Scream 2 was on tv at the time. Nonetheless, my legs are sore today which means I did get a workout! It was a bit disappointing to see that I only burned 292 calories--but I'm trying to focus less on the number the machines give me and more so on how I feel. I highly recommend any of you who are trying to get started on the treadmill to give this a whirl! Remember, cater it to your own fitness level and read the article here at fitsugar!

Time	Speed	Incline
0:00-5:00	3.0	1.0
5:00-10:00	3.5	1.0
10:00-12:00	5.5	1.0
12:00-16:00	3.5	1.0
16:00-18:00	5.5	1.0
18:00-22:00	3.5	1.0
22:00-24:00	5.8	1.0
24:00-28:00	3.5	1.0
28:00-30:00	5.8	1.0
30:00-35:00	3.5	1.0 35:00-40:00 3.0 1.0

You Spin Me Right Round, Baby...

right round like a record, baby right round round round.

My last post (which was way too long ago) was about my new fitness routine and embarking on new ways to exercise. I am pleased to say that I have kept up with my spin classes (2x a week!) and I absolutely LOVE it. My legs feel stronger than ever (and I've always had decently muscular legs) and as weird as it sounds they actually feel firmer. score!

Here are some of the pointers I've picked up thus far:
1. Take a class that matches you--you know your own boundaries better than any instructor would! One of the things I love about spin is that you control your resistance, so only push yourself as hard as you can.
2. Probably one of the more important things I've learned: make sure your bike is set up correctly! Have the instructor double check it for you if it's your first time; incorrect posture can lead to injury so beware!
3. A big part of enjoying the class is having a pepped up instructor with an awesome playlist. If you aren't enjoying your instructor, try finding another class with another instructor because it really is a huge component of the class! In essence, the instructors are like your personal trainers.
4. Stretch before and stay hydrated! You should have a warm up period in the beginning of your class as well.
5. Take a towel, trust me, you'll need it.
6. There are special shoes you can buy for spinning like these which are about $124.00. The bottoms of the shoes attach to the peddles of the bike rather than slipping your normal sneakers through the strap. Personally, I do just fine with my nikes but a good amount of people in my class have these!

Challenge yourself, have fun, and be ready to sweat!
xoxo

Cheers to 2010! Resolutions galore, hopefully this year they'll stick.

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and rang in the new year in a fabulous way!

Around this time-- the gym is overly crowded, reebok easytones are sold out constantly (le sigh), and everyone is looking for some way to reinvent themselves--myself included. I go to the gym regularly (I try to go everyday) and attempt to eat sensibly--but those cupcakes get the best of me every so often. So this year, I have decided to break out of my regular pattern of jumping on the elliptical and working out mindlessly and incorporate some other activities.
Here they are:
1. Barry's Bootcamp-- I purchased 6 classes and after January 15th, I'm going to go once a week! This class is a celeb favorite for toning up quick, and I heard it quite literally kicks your butt.
2. Pilates-- Classes and/or DVD. Pilates is one of the few forms excercise that I saw amazing results with! Granted I did pilates in addition to a cardio/gym regemine, but my abs looked phenomenal. My goal is to do pilates 3x a week!
3. Spin Class-- Lo Bosworth (from The Hills) swears by spin and says it's the best way to loose weight. Maybe once a week? Not too sure yet, my first class is tomorrow!
4. Jogging/Running outdoors-- I've always been scared to run (it's intimidating!) but I'm setting a goal of 2 miles a week, hopefully I can do it!

In addition to fitness, of course, healthy eating habits should be maintained. The diet that worked best for me was a low fat diet-- I ate a lot of fruits and veggies, tons of water, fat free yogurt, etc.  Nowadays, I find it difficult to be that dedicated, hopefully my picking it up in the fitness area will help out! Tips I've picked up thus far are to not eat after 7 pm and drink a full glass of water before eating (our brains can confuse thirst for hunger) in addition, I'm trying to not eat as much processed food and go the more organic route.

Non-health related resolutions? to be happy, dedicated, determined, and mindful towards life and those around me!

How about you? Any exciting resolutions?