don't forget to enter...loft's "my perfect summer getaway"

Who doesn't love the opportunity to win something amazing, with very little effort.

Loft has rolled out their new summer arrivals, and to celebrate they're giving every Loft lover the chance to win an uber fabulous vacay!?

Enter Loft’s My Perfect Summer Getaway Sweepstakes for the chance to win an unforgettable summer vacation for two...inspired by LOFT’s design team’s favorite destinations...plus 8 other prizes, including a $1,000 LOFT gift card!

Entering is about as easy as putting on those wedge sandals...just ‘like’ Loft’s Facebook page at facebook.com/LOFT.

Hurry though, time's running out...only 3 days left to enter!!!

nordstrom's awesome 2 for 1 deal on mascara

In case you're in dire need to stock up on some department store mascara, now's your chance.

Nordstrom is doing a buy 2 get 1 free mascara deal online and and in-store.

The only caveat is that for the free mascara you have to pick from a list of eight brands and it must be of equal or lesser value than your lowest price mascara.

Got that?

They're also doing $5 shipping with every $50 beauty purchase...which in my opinion is a great deal because you'll eat up about that much in gas driving to the store anyway.

Click here for more info, see what mascaras they carry, and get all the promo codes.

Happy Mascara-ing!!!

eucerin daily skin balance skin-fortifying body lotion and hand creme

The past two weeks have been INSANE to say the least.

All kinds of melodrama have been playing out over here and for some reason it's really been hard to find some time to myself, so that I could actually sit down and type something here.

Ugh!!!

Especially since I'm not one of those people who can just switch it off and be all like "hey...my life is really busy and I'm going slowly crazy, but try this new lipstick I just checked out."

?????

Huh?

In the midst of all of the ridiculousness, there has been testing of products and me thinking need to post on this once I can figure out how to pry toddler from my left leg.

Generally though, there are products that make it easy to come up with a post.

Especially when said products are amazing.

Case in point?

The two gems you see above.

Both are inexpensive, yet powerful enough to get the job done.

Period.

They both claim to last all-day and are designed to enhance the skin’s health while they help balance its natural pH level.

They're also supposed to strengthen the skin’s barrier and defend against environmental stressors.

All I know is that they work.

They made my skin feel buttery soft all day and I really didn't feel the need to reapply.

After using the hand cream, my hands felt amazing and continued that feeling even after washing.

Perfect.

You can pick up each for under $10 on amazon.com, as well as all food, drug and mass merchandisers nationwide.


disclosure: samples were provided

beauty buys under $10...aveeno living color shampoo and conditioner

Unlike Demi Moore, I actually admit that I have to color my hair to hide a few grays.

I mean, isn't she like in her late 40's or something and she "allegedly" has not a single gray hair in sight?

And she claims that she never colors her hair, yet her hair color has changed here and there over the years?

Puh-leese.

Keep it real Demi.

You look good.

Admit that you watch what you eat and you work out like a fiend to maintain your physique.

Admit that you do color your hair...probably in your own bathroom...and let us know what shade it is.

Seriously.

Help a sista out.

Anyway...back to moi.

I do color my hair, or have it colored if I'm on the lazy side and don't feel like wiping dye off of every blessed surface after coloring said hair.

In order to make the color last, it's positively essential to use products for color treated hair.

Nothing like washing money down the drain...am I right?

I recently checked out the new shampoos and conditioners from Aveeno and l-o-v-e what they did to my tresses.

We're talking soft, shiny, conditioned, and gaw-geous people.

Plus they smell great.

You can choose between shampoo and conditioner for fine hair and medium/thick.

I used the medium/thick and felt it worked well and didn't weigh anything down.

Muy importante.

The big test?

After washing and a little bit of a towel dry/dabbing, I blew my hair dry sans any leave-in or any other product.

The result?

No static. 

No flyaways.

No tangles.

Just beautiful shine, volume, and well managed tresses.

All for under $10 for each.

What's not to love about that?

Find them at any drug store or mass market retailer.

For more info, head on over to aveeno.com.

disclosure: a sample was provided

too faced cosmetics new contest/giveaway

Totally fun giveaway/contest going on right now over at toofaced.com.

All you have to do is find their lovable little pooch London the Chihuahua on toofaced.com.

When you spot him, click on his face to enter to win one of fourteen $50 toofaced.com eGiftCards!

Winners will be announced on Facebook and Twitter daily.

Just head on over now and check it out!

Be sure to hurry though, the contest ends 5/25/11.

be and d sample sale

In case you're wondering, if I lived in or anywhere near NYC, I'd totally go to this.

Just saying.

skintimate skin therapy

I'm pretty sure I've said this already, but the shower in our new home does not allow for an easy shaving experience.

There's no place to prop your leg in order to get the ideal shaving angle.

The other night, I had to balance myself on my one leg, then lift my other leg up and use my tiptoes to brace against the wall.

Can you picture that?

Very precarious, but I was finally able to shave my legs properly and evenly.

Oh well.

Being that I have to do some crazy yoga poses to even rid myself of the hairs on my calves, it's even harder to get soap to stay on so I can then use my razor.

Enter the product above.

Skintimate Skin Therapy in Baby Soft is a new addition to my shower routine and I'm actually loving it.

It comes out like a thick, thick, creamy gel, which then turns into a thick, thick, thick, creamy-foamy shaving cream, that stays put.

So once it's on, I'm able to shave my legs with nary a nick.

The best part?

When I'm finished, the Vitamin E and baby oil part of the formula goes to work making my skin feel even softer and smoother.

Hydrated skin + nick free and smooth legs = a happier me.

It just does.

To find out more info on this and other Skintimate products, head on over to skintimate.com.


disclosure: a pr sample was provided

summer beauty essentials

With summer right around the corner, it's time to get yourself together and grab the essentials.

Here's a little video action to get you started.

Take notes...

chanel cruise show beauty 2011/2012

So this arrived in my inbox the other day.

Normally I check these out and then move on, but I stopped when I saw the above pic.

I. love. this. look.

It's the look you're after when you go to a cosmetics counter and offer up your face for a makeover.

You want this look.

The skin looks natural.

The lips and eyes are perfection.

I even love the hair.

Don't get me started on the blonde crop...love. it.

Anyway...I'll stop ranting and raving so you can find out exactly what products where used here to achieve these looks.

All makeup is by Chanel of course.

2011/ 2012 Cruise Show Beauty

Peter Philips, Creative Director of Chanel Makeup used the following products to create the runway beauty looks:

Skin prepared with Hydramax + Active Nourishing Cream for Dry Skin

Face:
Complexion Perfection Lumiere Long-Wear Flawless Fluid Makeup SPF 10 (available October 2011)
Poudre Universelle Libre Natural Finish Loose Powder
Eclat Lumiere Highlighting Face Pen
Correctour Perfection Long Lasting Concealer

Cheeks:
Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Espiègle

Eyes:
Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eyeshadow in Prélude (available July 2011)
Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long Lasting Eyeliner in Ebène
Le Crayon Khol Intense Eye Pencil in Clair
Crayon Sourcils (available July 2011)
Inimitable Waterproof Mascara in Black
Recourbe Cils De Chanel Precision Eyelash Curler (available August 2011)

Lips:        
Soin Tendre Levres Hydrating Lip Treatment

Nails:      
Le Vernis Nail Colour in Beige Pétale - on the hands
Le Vernis Nail Colour in Jade Rose - on the feet with Limited Edition Beaute Des Top Coat Velvet (available November 2011)

Photo credit belongs to Vincent Lappartient.

Find out more info on Chanel products at chanel.com.

marc jacobs splash cocktail collection

Ladies, it is a MUST that you check out this new scent collection from Marc Jacobs.

Like a you-need-to-get-yourself-to-a-store-and-smell-it-for-yourself-now must.

First of all, you have three different fragrances to choose from...each "inspired by the first sip of a refreshing cocktail on a sunny summer day".

Admit it, you so want a cocktail right now don't you?

Ginger

Top Notes: fresh cut ginger, coriander,

Middle Notes: cognac oil, bourbon, granadilla, rhubarb

Base Notes: sandalwood

Cranberry

Top Notes: cranberry, tangerine

Middle Notes: honeysuckle, red currant

Base Notes: icy musks, exotic woods

Curacao

Top Notes: Lime, blood orange

Middle Notes: violet, apricot, pear

Base Notes: white moss

Let me just state this for the record, the bottles are HUGE.

Gargantuan huge people...they last a lifetime.

They come with an optional spray top or you can just use it as a splash (it also comes with a screw on top).

Either way, the scents are light enough to throw some on and not worry about reeking of perfume.

Who wants to be that chick?

All three smell delicious and are perfect for warmer weather.

I found myself spritzing each one on different days, depending on my mood.

For some reason, Ginger and Cranberry called to me quite often.

But, don't dismiss Curacao.

Curacao is that amazing blend that reminds me of my husband, in this awesome I-just-spritzed-on-his-cologne-because-I-wanted-to-smell-like-him-all-day kinda way.

I. love. that. smell.

By the way, it's a smell that's not to be confused with smarmy-guy-in-nightclub-who-positively-bathed-in-some-cheap-cologne.

Uh-uh.

Who wants to smell like that guy?

Find the collection at Macy's stores, as well as online for $68 each and see for yourself.


disclosure: pr samples were provided

enter now...glamour's 31 days of beauty freebies!

Glamour’s 31 days of beauty freebies is here!

Starting today, May 10, there will be glam stuff up for grabs every single day for a month.

From May 10 through June 9 you can enter to win a new must-have beauty product daily at glamour.com/contest.

The 31 days of beauty giveaway includes brands you're sure to love like; Anastasia Beverly Hills, Caudalie, Chantecaille, Frederic Fekkai, L’Occitane, La Prairie, Mally Beauty, Patricia Wexler M.D. Dermatology, Tarte and many more.

So, whatcha waiting for?

Head on over now!!

i'm so loving...the frida maxi dress

I adore it when a higher-end designer does a less expensive line and doesn't sacrifice style in the process.

Nieves Lavi (whose frocks are worn by celebs like Sarah Jessica Parker, Eva Mendes, and Kelly Ripa) has just launched their new, more affordable label...Libellule by Nieves Lavi!

The maxi above is the first offering and it's too perfect for spring/summer don't you think?

It's got that easy breezy feel of a dress that you can just throw on with some flat sandals and your hair up in a messy pony.

Or, in my case, a messy cropped do...still working the short hair over here.

Oh, and don't forget the ginormous sunglasses.

Totally necessary.

The Frida Maxi Dress is sold exclusively at Anthropologie stores nationwide and online and retails for just $148!

robert verdi's mother's day gift tips

In case you're a late gift giver (um...VERY late gift giver really) here's some last minute gift ideas from the uber fabulous Robert Verdi.

While it's too late to order these goodies online and get them there today, you can still swing by your local mall and pick up something amazing before you stop at your mom's house.

I mean...seriously...save yourself the major guilt trip and don't arrive empty handed.



Robert Verdi's Ultimate Mother's Day Gift Guide from Robert Verdi on Vimeo.

21 drops

So, it's been a little while since you've heard from me.

My apologies.

There are a couple of good reasons though.

For one, I got hit by the allergy bus and that is no picnic...believe me.

Also, Big L has been working non-stop and THAT'S been no picnic either.

Plus, I'm one of those people who can only multi-task so much.

Seriously.

I really don't know how some people do it and don't fall into a heaping pile of sobbing mess at the end of the day.

Or maybe they do and just don't tell anybody.

Moving on.

A sample of one of the above landed at my doorstep a little while back.

I tried Equalize, which is said to ground, support, and balance.

Because I am a person who totally needs to be grounded, supported, and balanced, I applied this stuff like it was going out of style.

Not hard to do, especially because it smells pretty darn good and it has a roller applicator.

Love those.

Okay, before I go any further, you have to understand that these products are all based on aromatherapy.

Hence the smell good comment above.

Aromatherapy (according to wiki!) is a form of alternative medicine that uses volatile plant materials, known as essential oils, and other aromatic compounds for the purpose of altering a person's mind, mood, cognitive function or health.


Aside from good old Wikipedia, the 21 Drops website has a more involved page that actually tells you how aromatherapy works.

Totally worth checking that out, because there was no way I was going to be able to explain that all here.

I'm good, but I'm not that good.

All of the essential oils used for 21 Drops, are also all 100% natural, organic, or something called wild crafted.

They also come in cute little glass containers, that have a really cool rubbery coverings and an easy to use roller-ball applicator.

Perfect for popping in your bag and applying on the run.

Quite sure that you're wondering...did it work?

The answer is...well...yes.

I know it sounds crazy, but even though I was feeling under the weather, when I would think to apply this I would feel calmer and cooler.

Two things that are positively ESSENTIAL when your kids are running around the house, screaming and yelling at the top of their little lungs.

They may be tiny, but my kids can really create some major chaos.

Ma-jor.

Using this stuff actually kept me from losing it and gave me the chance to regroup and take a little break from the crazy.

That is worth the cost of admission in my book.

Find out more info at 21drops.com.


disclosure: a press sample was provided

mia wasikowska's gorgeous look at the met ball

I have to admit that I totally had to Google this actress' name because I did not have one clue as to who she was.

That's what endless repeats of Dora and SpongeBob will do to you.

Anywho, she looks amazing and I'm in love with her makeup...all natural and sweet.

Perfection.

Her makeup was done by celebrity makeup artist Amy Nadine for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala.

Yours truly has the 411 on what was used...all tarte products btw.

Read on...

Nadine's Overall Inspiration:
After seeing Mia's exquisite Thakoon dress detailed with intricate rosettes, I knew I wanted to create a soft, ultra-feminine, ethereal look in pretty, rosy-peach shades on her eyes, cheeks and lips.

Complexion and Cheeks:
To begin, Amy evened out Mia's complexion with tarte's smooth operator tinted moisturizer in agent 04
Then using tarte's kabuki brush, she contoured her cheeks, temples and hairline with tarte's park ave princess mineral powder bronzer.
Next, she swirled tarte's Amazonian clay 12-hour blush in blissful, a warm rosy peach, on the apples of her cheeks and topped it off with tarte's provocateur Amazonian clay shimmering powder for instant radiance and a subtle sheen
She set the look with tarte's smooth operator Amazonian clay finishing powder

Eyes:
Amy shaded Mia's entire lid with tarte's lock & roll 12-hour eyeshadow in rose gold, a shimmering rose-tinged gold, then highlighted Mia's crease with tarte's lock & roll 12-hour eyeshadow in quartz, a shimmering muted pink. She used the rollers and her fingers to blend up and out.
For extra drama, she coated her lashes with tarte's lights, camera, lashes! clinically-proven natural mascara in black

Lips:
To complete Mia's look, Amy used tarte's LipSurgence™ natural lip luster in glisten (peach) on her pout.

Find all of these products at Sephora stores, as well as online at sephora.com and tartecosmetics.com.

follow bobbi brown on facebook....now!!!

In case you aren't following Bobbi Brown on Facebook, I suggest you do so immediately.

Just a couple of hours ago, Bobbi herself gave the products you can use to get Kate's look from the Royal Wedding.

She even included a face chart, so you can see where everything goes.

There's also a post on there which let's us all know that Bobbi Brown makeup artist Hannah Martin "provided makeup artistry assistance to members of the bridal party for the Royal Wedding."

Pretty cool if you ask me.

Click here to follow Bobbi on Facebook.


P.S. That's Bobbi's newest Tinted Moisturizer in an Oil Free formula.  I'm totally going to try and check this out at my local Bobbi Brown counter asap!!

kate middleton's bridal makeup...for less

Okay, it's taken me a while to get back to normal over here.

I've been really sick from allergies and a sinus infection, not to mention the fact that it was spring break for my 5 year old (which btw I really don't think a 5 year old pre-k attendee needs a break from going to school four days a week 3 hours a day...are you with me on this?) so that meant it was me and the kids and no husband because he was working pretty much the entire week.

Yay me.

Needless to say, while I did watch the Royal Wedding, I did not watch the event live.

I totally dvr'd it.

This woman needed her sleep.

I'm sure you've been bombarded with coverage of everything from her dress (as soon as I saw her dress I was like uh....hellooo...that is soooooo Grace Kelly), to her hair, to her makeup.

While Kate apparently did her makeup herself (I've heard rumors that she might have used Bobbi Brown cosmetics btw...thanks US mag online!!) there's enough tutorials and instructions out there to get you the same results yourself.

Here's a product rundown from Revlon that popped up in my inbox and can deliver you the colors you want at a bargain basement price!

Read on...

Face:

Revlon Cream Blush in Berry Flirtatious ($9.75) A botanical-based cream formula with natural, skin-enhancing ingredients – including green tea extract, gingko, biloba, ginseng, and grape seed extract protects and heals as it adds radiant color 

Revlon ColorStay Makeup as Foundation ($13.99)- Loose powder that holds the healthy, hydrating benefits of coconut water for luminous skin with a smoother texture 

Eyes:

ColorStay Liner in Black Brown ($7.39) offers precise definition with ability to apply a thin of a thick line that will stay for up to 16 hours 

GrowLuscious Mascara Waterproof in Black ($7.49) Helps lashes look instantly longer and lusher as the formula helps lashes grow stronger with each use 

Revlon CustomEyes Shadow in Sweet Innoncence ($8.99)  The silky, lightweight formula containing jojoba and shea butter glides effortlessly on lids and blends easily to offer the greatest versatility to achieve any desired look. 

Lips:

Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in Petal ($8.99) Revlon ColorBurst Lipstick- Elasticolor™ technology distributes rich color pigments evenly over lips and allows the formula to move comfortably with lips – like a second skin 

ColorBurst Lipgloss in Rosegold ($7.99) Revlon ColorBurst Lipgloss uses Elasticolor™ technology to distribute rich color pigments evenly over lips while conditioning and improving the texture with moisturizers and antioxidants such as sweet almond oil and vitamin E 

Also, here's some really great closeup shots of the wedding day and a truly fabulous makeup tutorial on You Tube.