spin pins

I love the look of a simple chingnon, however I lack the skill and patience to delicately place dozens of bobby pins into my hair and move gingerly through the rest of my day.

I have recently discovered Goody Spin Pins and effortlessly chic hairstyles are looking a whole lot different now.

Pins come in two colors and are very affordable. Look for them at your drugstore.

P.S. They won a Good Housekeeping VIP Award in the Most Innovative Products category.

insider

I've got someone on the inside. Someone with exposure to a vast range of cosmetics, she is my go to girl, she has not let me down.

With my inside advice I have found found four of my all-time favorite cosmetic products. I can't imagine using anything else. Enough said, here are the products I LOVE and why:

Guerlain 'Lingerie de Peau' Invisible Skin-Fusion Foundation



- truly feels like lingerie for your skin
- doesn't look or feel like you have make up on
- a little goes a very long way
- smells lovely
- lasts all day


NARS Lip Lacquer
Color: Chelsea Girls



- magically makes lips look fuller
- looks great on everyone (I don't know how this is possible but it is true)
- long lasting
- not sticky
- apparently what Kim Kardashian wears...if you're into that
- beautiful alone or overtop of other colors


Trish McEvoy Lash Curling Mascara



- long wearing (as in wear it to bed and wake up looking like it did the morning before when you put it on)
- water resistant but comes off easily
- fun to remove (you have to experience this)
- no flaking, no grey circles under your eyes...ever...for real


Trish McEvoy Intense Eye Pencil



- slides on like silk, no uncomfortable sratching or pulling on your eye lids
- because of it's gel consistency, it goes on easily and stays in place once it is set
- black formula has a light shimmer to soften

As those of you who know me well would have guessed, all of these products are available at Nordstrom.

rosewater and glycerin

Highly recommended by several people, I have started using a Rosewater with Glycerin formula on my skin at bedtime. Both rosewater and glycerin independently have outstanding benefits for the skin, and the scent is lovely in the evening. At less than $7 a bottle it is a great value for your skin.


{heritage products formula available at whole foods}

hairbrained idea

I have reached a new level of obsessive compulsive behavior...matching hairbrushes and combs. It does make me happy when I see them all nicely organized in the drawer...sick.

(In case you feel the need to do the same, Krembs is my favorite and highly recommended by my stylist)

shower power

A few weeks ago Josh and I were at Target shopping to some new shower gel, the shower gel in question was for the man of the house, so we went to find an appropriately masculine scent for him to use on his shower puff. During our survey of the offerings, we came across the Dove Men+ Care Active Clean Dual Sided Shower Tool. Wow, sounds serious doesn't it? We laughed as we read about it's intense scrubbing power, and ability to build the perfect amount of lather. Clearly this was not some pathetic puff, real men need tools. Josh promptly and proudly added one to the basket.

sun pill

Everyone who knows me knows that I am sun-phobic and have been so for years...part vanity, part precaution. I am always on the look out for new preventative measures.

Last week I read about Sun Pill. Have you heard about this? Seems like it would be a useful layer of protection if it actually works. It makes sense that you could protect your skin from the inside out, no? This might be a question for the dermatologist...hmmm.

I like the idea of the Sun Pill, however I also enjoyed the idea of the Thigh Master and the lottery but they haven't seemed to pay off.

they're real!

For all the make up products I have tried in my life, I have never found a mascara that I absolutely love, until recently. My darling Melissa told me I had to try Bobbi Brown's Extreme Party Mascara. I have to admit that I did not jump on the task, I was quite skeptical.

Turns out it really is the best mascara (no question) that I have ever used. It adds impressive volume and length (like artificial lashes) and the best part is that there is no clumping or flaking...ever. You can add layer on layer and it goes on smooth, in fact it was made so that you can even re-apply. Totally worth the money, totally worth the drive, totally worth a shipping charge.

liquid assets

I seem to have caught my breath and will resume a regular blogging schedule this week.

Being on the road for 8 days gave me a list of reasons why I should have once of these Pitotubes travel sets to protect my liquid assets. They are by far the best looking refillable travel bottles I have ever seen. You can purchase a stylish mesh bag to keep your bottles in, coordinating jars for your creamy potions and sheets of labels (love that!).

my travel philsophy

I have found that having a few small luxuries while traveling makes ones circumstance a more pleasant experience. The Travel Agent kit by Philosophy would be a welcome addition.

getting some winks

I am sensitive to light while sleeping so I have been using an eye mask for the last couple of months, however I think it is time for an upgrade. I have my eyes on the Bucky 40 Blinks Sleep Mask.

It claims to be smudge free, not such a concern at night, but would be perfect for travel. No lady wants to look like she is doing the walk of shame while deplaning.

rosebud salve

I have read and heard about Smith's Rosebud Salve for years. I finally decided to give it a try and I can see now why it has been a favorite of many for over 100 years. This multi-purpose lip balm provides a beautiful shine without feeling sticky or waxy. It is a great travel companion as it doubles as a moisturizer for cuticles and dry skin, as well as treatment for chapped skin and minor burns. The light rosy scent isn't so bad either.

fresh

Since trying a sample of Fresh's Fig Apricot Bath and Shower Gel, I have decided that I would like to smell like it all the time.

got milk?

I can't wait for my new Tokyo Milk solid perfumes to arrive. Did you know you can use a little in your hair too? I am so excited to try them!

the play by play

Last week I hit the road for work. Part of traveling so much for work means that you have to become good at self entertainment.

My first evening away, I treated myself to a picture show. I saw The Blind Side, and I absolutely loved it. The story is moving, inspiring, but best of all it is a true story.



Then I headed over to the Nordstrom and treated myself to a couple things. First up, a Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Color in Blue Raspberry. This is by far my most favorite lipstick right now. It is nice and moist...perfect for winter wear.



I have had my eye on the Donna Karan Cashmere Mist deoderant for a while, and decided to finally try it. I don't know what took me so long. Wow! It has a soft scent and works really well...for those of you still doing your shopping, this would be a great stocking stuffer.



A successful evening out, and back to the hotel for a rest.

cool tools

The ladies must-have toolbox is here.

mwah!

Searching for a long lasting lip color so I can kiss my sweetie as much as I want on our big day...any suggestions?

layers

I am a new fan of Jo Malone frangrances. Part of the concept behind it is the idea of layering fragrances. You can collect and combine them to seasonally changes your scent or mix things up a little.

I started with Nectarine Blossom and Honey Cologne...mmmm.

lemon fresh

A few months ago we started using Oxyfresh Lemon Power Rinse mouthwash. I never enjoyed using mouthwash until we discovered this.

It is natually flavored using a blend of essential oils...lemon, orange, grapefruit, bergamot, lime, peppermint...yum.

bare minerals

I recently started using Bare Minerals and it is positively the best makeup I have ever used. It makes skin look radiant and flawless. I am so impressed that is has temporarily diverted my attention from Botox. You need this!

get buff

I had forgotten how much I love the Red Flower Wild Cherry Blossom Rice Buff until I came across it again in a shop the other day.

A fancy little something in the shower is a nice way to greet or finish your day.