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Thursday, December 22, 2011

My December Birchbox



I was excited with my November Birchbox, so to see this month's, I was hoping there would be more holiday-goodness. The products they selected were interesting but the sizes of the samples were so small! (Maybe I need to practice minimalism?) Really hope the January box for the New Year will be spectacular!! Here's what I got this month:

1) Ageless perfume sample- smells pretty good. Updating my perfume sample in my bag for emergency spritzes.
2) EBOOST- it's a powder that if you add water, it becomes an energy/immunity drink. Saving this for.. after New Year's!
3) Benefit's the POREfessional- haven't tried this yet either but I am looking forward to testing this. My skin has been too dry in the morning to even use a pore minimizer/mattifier.
4) ShowStoppers- 2 black strips of tape. Haven't found the need to use this since I have clear tape already.. will use this next month though for a party dress. :)
5) Jouer & birchbox's hot pink lip gloss- super bright pink and festive for the holiday party.. Huge fan of Jouer products, so glad to see they made this special color just for Birchbox subscribers. As always, Jouer's formula is spot-on!
6) NUXE Shimmer Oil- this is my favorite in the box. It gives your skin an Oscar-winning glow and makes my skin look so sheen! loveee this! And a little goes a long way.. go shimmer into 2012!


Have you not joined Birchbox yet? Join today to get your monthly beauty box of goodies!

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Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Keep your Head Warm this Winter with Scala Pronto's Winter Cloche hats!


During the winter, I like to keep my head & ears warm with a wooly hat. It's also helps if the hat is cute and fashionable. :) This winter, I got to try the Scala Pronto Cloche hat which is affordable and simple ageless. It's a classic look and comes in a variety of colors for all your outfits. It's incredibly soft- made of wool knit- and has a great silhouette for every person's face shape and complexion.

Until the end of the year, you can get a cloche hat 20% off for $24 (orig. $30) using promo code: "SCALAPRONTO" at womens-hats.com. There's also free ground shipping so you can get yourself a (late) holiday/New Year's gift for yourself or friends!


(Disclaimer: I received this product from this company's PR agency to test, try and share my thoughts with my readers.)

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November Birchbox with BaubleBar!


(Note: I got this box back in November.. realized I didn't post! Forgive me :D )

I got another Birchbox in November! I've had this subscription for several months now and some months are definitely better than others. This month, I particularly enjoyed it because it had a lovely surprise- a BaubleBar bracelet! It's a black beaded bracelet, valued at $20, and is a cute to wear everyday. This box contained much more Useful products and I was definitely pleased. My new fave is the Klorane eye makeup remover which was great during my Thanksgiving travels.

* chocolate sample..delicious! It was firecracker flavored so it was popping all over. Wish it was a bigger sample though..
* Klorane eye makeup remover- perfect size and removed my eyemakeup well. (I was using only non-waterproof makeup)
* LaROCCA Body polish..fan of all body scrubs and this one was pretty good. Saving this for travel though since it is in a cute sample jar.
* ZOYA Nail polish.. Fun festive green color in a small bottle..again great for travel and touchups!
* Oscar Blandi protein mist spray.. I liked this spray. Made my hair more manageable and felt stronger!
* bauble bar bracelet.. Cute jewelry in a little pouch. Great to carry other accessories too.

Overall, I realized that I have been using more of the products in the boxes during travel because they are so handy to take with in my travel baggy. (I literally use a gallon sized ziploc to stash my liquids.) Hope birchbox continues to bring quality samples and hope they put at least 5 or 6!!! Definitely like the variety and there's always at least 2-3 I use consistently. :)

Have you not joined Birchbox yet? Join today to get your monthly beauty box of goodies!



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Monday, December 19, 2011

Kristin McGee's Body by Bethenny DVD Review


Last month, I won Kristin McGee's daily giveaway on Twitter and scored a Body by Bethenny DVD! Kristin aka @thebendigirl on Twitter, has been doing daily giveaways on Twitter and FB since November, giving away her favorite products- Fila gear, DVDs, food/tea/workout snacks. I was lucky enough to score this DVD and been using it every week since I got it.

If you know Bethenny, aka the Skinny Girl, she's very quirky and has a fun attitude! In this DVD, you get to experience Bethenny's go-to workout that helps her get those sculpted arms. It's a 40-minute yoga routine and includes bonus segments- 10 minute strength, 5 minute booty workout and even a cooking segment. There's also a pamphlet inside to get some sample recipes from Bethenny's Skinnygirl Dish book.

The 40 minute basic yoga program will give you a great workout- with several warrior poses, downward dogs, and even a challenging plow pose at the end- which I love! It's all about "having no ego" in yoga so this is a great workout that I do weekly. I'm a fan of Kristin McGee- been following her workouts since I got the MTV Yoga/Pilates DVDs when it first came out! If only I had been practicing those DVDs daily back then... but I'm starting to get back into my routine, so I'm glad I will be adding this DVD to my collection!

If you haven't tried this DVD yet, check out acacialifestyle.com for more! They also have free 20 minute segment workout videos to enjoy for free!

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Avon Holiday Foot Works...it works!


This holiday season, give your feet some TLC.. you've been walking on it all year and if you don't take care of it, your heels may be rough and dry during this winter season. Avon has a Holiday Foot Works Berry Mint kit that contains the essentials to keep your feet soft:

• Soak, 3.4 fl. oz.
• Moisturizing Cream, 3.4 fl. oz.
• Scrub, 3.4 fl. oz.
• Foot File


How to use this kit:
The Soak has a berry/mint aroma that instantly lifts your feet's spirit! The mint is refreshing, yet subtle, so you'll get a nice blend. This soak helps clean your feet while it is literally soaking in the water. While your skin is softened, the Scrub helps exfoliate any dead skin cells around your heel area. Best to use the Foot file to lift any remaining dead skin cells. Again, the scrub is berry minty which reinforces the scent of the soak. When complete, dry feet and follow with the Moisturizing cream. This takes about 15 minutes, but it's worth your time and energy! Your feet will thank you afterwards! :)


Overall, I'm pleased with the results of the kit. It comes with all the essentials and best of all the berry mint scent is not overwhelming! It feels refreshing and my toes are ready for a new year! :)
(Disclaimer: I received this product from this company's PR agency to test, try and share my thoughts with my readers.)

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Sunday, December 18, 2011

Influenster's Holiday VoxBox


I am so glad to have joined Influenster this year. They have given me the opportunity to discover so many new products in their VoxBoxes and we all know how much I love to try new things.. :) The size of the box is smaller this time but the box was still packed with fun goodies! Here's what I got:

1) Montagne Jeunesse- Strawberry Souffle mask
2) Softsoap- 2 bars in Coconut Scrub
3) Larabar- in Cherry Pie
4) Mentos Pure Fresh Gum
5) New York Color Cosmetics Liquid Lip Shine in "Nude York City"
6) imPRESS Press-on Manicure By Broadway Nails
7) BONUS: Garden Botanika Lash Primer

Super excited to try them all, but I am mostly excited to try the Softsoap Coconut Scrub! Coconut smells so good and I just finished up my current barsoap (also has scrubby exfoliants) so can't wait to see how that compares. Also, can't wait to eat my Larabar! These are yummy, healthy snacks when I'm looking for a sweet treat! Stay tuned for more in-depth reviews!

Have you joined Influenster.com yet?
If you believe you're an influencer among your group of friends, like to try new products and share with your pals, and/or just want to check out this community, go to www.influenster.com and sign up!

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November GoGoGirlfriend box


My second GoGoGirlfriend box has arrived! I had hoped to get this in November but due to the Thanksgiving holidays and influx of orders I bet they had recently, it was a bit delayed. They have even stopped accepting new customers, but hopefully soon after the new year they will be able to let new people join the program!! (Sign up to be notified here.)

The products in this month's box were not as full as my first one but I am still content. There were 6 items in there, but I'm hoping they will continue to go back to their full-er versions! Here's what I got:

* Camille Beckman Mango 5-piece Gift set- This is actually 5 products in 1- so it was fun to try an assortment of products, such as their hand cream, body wash, etc. I had already received the handcream in the previous box so it was fun to get another one.

* ELF eye crease shadow brush- I already have a lot of brushes but another one wouldn't hurt. The value of this is only a buck though. Overall, their brushes are pretty decent for only a dollar.

* Dolve & Gabbana fragrance in Light Blue- A fragrance sample- they're great to have in your purse or on a night out. It's a nice fragrance, so I'm glad I have it.

* Crystal Essence Towelettes in Pomegranate- I haven't tried this but it's supposed to be a natural odor prevention/towelette. It's a one-time use, individually packed so great to use after a yoga class!

* Oluv Fresh Face & Body Scrub- This is one of my fave items in here! I'm addicted to scrubs/exfoliation products and found this scrub to be gentle even on my face.

* Blossoms eyeshadow- This green colored shadow is not normally a shade I would wear everyday, but it's subtle enough to wear on occasions. A little goes a long way with mineral eyeshadow so this full-size product will last a long time! Excited to add this to my collection!



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Thursday, December 15, 2011

How-to: Gorgeous Eye Makeup Looks for Holiday Parties

TotalBeauty.com
Gorgeous Eye Makeup Looks for Your Holiday Parties

Got an office holiday party or a coffee date with your crush? These new looks are perfect for every occasion


Gorgeous Eye Makeup Looks for Your Holiday Parties

This is a TotalBeauty.com eye makeup article

Just because your makeup is "office appropriate" doesn't mean it has to be boring. Whatever the festive occasion, we've got new, stunning looks that are sure to snag you the attention you deserve.

Get the looks

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Scunci Linziclips Review- NEW!




I've been wearing claw clips on my hair since I can remember... They are useful to pull my hair back on my face and I loved using them for the half up/half down look too. They were easy to use but I always knew I had this clip on my hair. I recently tried the mini and midi sizes of the new scUnci Linziclips and I'm so impressed! They feel weightless and lie flat against your head. Its design has a flat bottom which means the claws do not stick out to gnaw at your scalp.

My hair's probably used to the claw's grabbing already, but when I used the new Linziclips, I felt like I wasn't even wearing a clip. It really feels amazing and it comes in a a variety of colors and designs! The mini sizes are great for pulling my bangs away from my face and the midi size is great for a ponytail. ScUnci has some great choices and excited about their next new product!!

Check out the site to see how to wear the clip in several fun ways below:



(Disclaimer: I received this product from this company's PR agency to test, try and share my thoughts with my readers.)

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Monday, December 12, 2011

Get yourself a Boyfriend... perfume set!


Whether you have a boyfriend or not this holiday season, you can definitely wear Kate Walsh's Boyfriend perfume. Hearing about this scent recently via a Fragrance twitter party- whether celebrity endorsed perfumes are actually any good- and from a friend's rave, I knew I had to check this out. It's a floral fragrance with the combination of muguet, dark plum, myrrh, and night blooming jasmine. It also has an amber and woody musk which makes its scent smell like a guy but also maintaining its femininity. I actually was quite impressed with this celebrity perfume and I'm definitely going to rave about it to all my pals!

The Boyfriend fragrance comes in various packaging- rollers, sprays, and even this deluxe Boyfriend Kit with an adorable makeup case! I personally like mini-sprays so I can keep it in my purse at all times!

This $95 kit contains:
- 0.5oz Eau de Parfum
- 0.16oz Pulse Point Oil Mini
- 1.oz Dry Oil Mini
- 1.6oz Body Crème Mini
- Votive

If you can't afford it, add it to your wishlist! :)

(Disclaimer: I received a sample from this company's PR agency to test, try and share my thoughts with my readers.)

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Tuesday, December 06, 2011

ONE Bath and Body products - Available at Ulta!


ONE Bath and Body products is now available at ULTA Beauty stores across the US. TO celebrate their launch, they are offering visitors to the website, free music download to 5 artists:
Elisa Victoria
Erika Jayne
The M.I.D.S
Tori Kelly
Allison Jayne

The artists are new, at least to me, and their music is pretty soothing to listen to. Great if you're taking a bath with a ONE bath Fizzer or bath salts! And perfect for relaxing!

Check out my review on their Lotion Massage Bar!

If you want to get a free download, check out www.OneBathandBody.com and click the “ONE Artist of the Month” tab to check out the artists and their music!





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Stocking Stuffers with Bee-utiful Treats from Burt's Bees


It's that time of year again.. holiday parties, gift exchanges, and we all know it can be a tough when your wallet has shrunk this year. To stay merry, Burt's Bees came out with these great stocking stuffers at a very affordable price- $4.99!

Each set comes with either a lip balm or a hand salve/cuticle cream.

There are 4 different sets to choose from:
1) Açaí Berry:
* Rejuvenating Lip Balm with Açaí Berry (0.15 oz.)
* Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream (0.30 oz.)
2) Beeswax:
* Beeswax Lip Balm (0.15 oz.)
* Hand Salve (0.30 oz.)
3) Mango Butter:
* Nourishing Lip Balm with Mango Butter (0.15 oz.)
* Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream (0.30 oz.)
4) Pomegranate:
* Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil (0.15 oz.)
* Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream (0.30 oz.)

The set shown above is the Pomegranate one- huge fan of the fruit and scent!! The lip balm is lightly fruity scented and incredibly moisturizing for the winter. The lemon butter cuticle cream is also perfect for keeping your cuticles protected in the winter. For just a few bucks, you'll bring a smile to your friend or family member's face.


(Disclaimer: I received this product from this company's PR agency to test, try and share my thoughts with my readers.)

Check out more blogs @ TotalBeauty.com

Monday, December 05, 2011

Holiday Potpourris from Thymes!




I've been a huge fan of Thymes since the end of last year when I discovered their Agave Nectar Collection. This holiday, I'm excited to try out their NEW potpourris collection in amazing scents such as Bitter Orange & Cedar (woody), Magnolia Fig & Vetiver (green), Juniper Berry & Sandalwood (woody), and Frasier Fir (more green).

If you're looking to make your home smell more like the holidays, nothing says it more than the winter greens, wreaths, and the scent of a fresh Christmas tree! These potpourris are perfect to place in your home- such as the hallways, living room, or even bathroom! Afterall, you do want to balance out all the home baking right?

I recommend the Frasier Fir scent ($28 USD), which is more green. It consists of "fragrant birch and jack pinecones, natural cedar tips, red cassurina pods and green apple pods." Smells like you just took a walk in the forest and back!

Thymes also has available this gorgeous silver, ceramic bowl for your potpourri. The Potpourri bowl ($26 USD) is 11 inches in diameter so it's sizable.

Check out more Frasier Fir products at Thymes.com here.



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Sunday, December 04, 2011

FreeBeautyEvents.com - December's Monthly Contest

One of my go-to sites when I'm looking for free beauty events in the area is a site, lierally named- FreeBeautyEvents.com. They have an assorted listing of national beauty events in drugstores including a Walgreens SaturDate with Coty fragrances on December 17.



They have a blog where you can enter to win and sample beauty products weekly as well as a monthly contest! The products vary month to month and this month, it's all about getting your hair styled and ready for the Holidays (and everyday!) as well as moisturizing your skin with new Caress Body Washes! Enter today!

Each prize pack consists of (10 prizes total!):
* Fekkai Sheer Hold Hairspray
* got2b Powder’ful Volumizing Styling Powder;
* Caress Body Wash, Exfoliating Burnt Brown Sugar & Karite Butter;
* Caress Body Wash, Moisturizing Daily Silk.


(Disclaimer: I received this product from this company to test, try and share my thoughts with my readers.)

Check out more blogs @ TotalBeauty.com

November EcoEmi box



I got my November EcoEmi box and I am sad that it will be my last one for now...As much as I really love their boxes, the monthly $15 charge doesn't really justify the products in there. I do like that it introduces me to new green brands though, so I will continue to check their site to see which products they feature. If I really like something, I may just get it! Anyway, the November box was cute and my favorite was their shampoo and conditioner sample.

In my box:
* Organic Excellence Wild Mint Shampoo & Conditioner Minty fresh! I can probably get about 4-5 uses from here.
* Dark chocolate sample by Sweet Riot It actually expired in mid-November, but I'm sure it still tastes fine. Haven't yet though...
* Eye shadow sample in Earths Beauty Gold glittery color which will be lovely for the holidays! nice sample size
* Ugandan Shea Butter Hand Cream By: Planet Botanicals- In Moringa scent, it's lavender smells soothing and the formula is moisturizing so I wish they gave more! This barely covered one use!
* Foot Cream Candy Mint By: Deep Steep I'ma huge fan of masks, especially clay masks. Excited to try this one out!
* Vanilla & Sweet Orange Mist Spray By: Hugo Naturals definitely love the smell of sweet orange and vanilla! Great to have on my bedside to wake up in the morning.
* Keeki Ooh La La Lip Shimmer By: Keeki Pure and Simple a pretty red shimmery rouge! Love the lip products in my past few boxes and they even noted that there won't be any more for a while so we can keep using them. Hehe.
* Foot Cream Candy Mint By: Deep Steep This is perfect for keeping my toes pepperminty and revived. I'm saving this one for travel!
* Also a Pin Button By: Soul Flower which is cute and can use to decorate my ecofriendly tote bag.

While I enjoyed the products so far, I won't be getting any of these boxes for a while.. Need to finish my stash first I can sign up again! :)



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Saturday, December 03, 2011

How-to: Highlights for your Hair Color

TotalBeauty.com
Best Highlights for Your Specific Hair Color

Find out which shades complement your hair color best


Best Highlights for Your Specific Hair Color

This is a TotalBeauty.com hair color article

How do you know which highlights will match your hair color? What's the difference between highlights and lowlights? We answer all of your coloring questions here and tell you exactly which shades suit your hair color best.

Get tips

Thursday, December 01, 2011

Holiday Tips- Decorate your Nails for the Holidays


Sally Hansen's salon effects nail polish strips are going festive this month! Treat your nails to these limited edition patterns as they are a fun, festive way to get into the holiday spirit! I have tried these strips before and it definitely takes time and patience but they're well worth it! How else can you get these patterns? Each kit comes with 16 strips and if you have small nails, you can even get two wearings out of each kit!

Can you believe it is already December? :)


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Wednesday, November 30, 2011

November Giveaway: Conair Spin Air Brush


Happy November!!
*Contest is now over! Congratulations to Siilenti! Please send me an email with your contact info!*

Back in August, I reviewed the Conair Spin Air Brush- a multi-functional tool to dry your hair as well as volumize it with curls! They are hosting a giveaway for my readers and ONE lucky winner will receive the Conair Spin Air Brush! Giveaway ends on November 30th, 2011, 11:59 EST.

Enter by leaving a comment (on this post) letting me know what you're thankful for this Thanksgiving!! Must follow me either on my blog/twitter, as the winner will be posted early December !

Read my complete review here.


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Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Beauty Countdown- TotalBeauty.com

TotalBeauty.com
Your Step-by-Step Beauty Countdown

Consider this your beauty calendar with all the expert tips you need to look picture perfect come your special day


Your Step-by-Step Beauty Countdown

This is a TotalBeauty.com beauty tips article

Whether you have a wedding to attend, a high school reunion, or another big event, we've got all of your beauty to-dos neatly laid out in a timeline. This way, you'll know what to do (and when to do it) to make sure you look your best.

See calendar

Monday, November 21, 2011

NYC's Winter Wonderland event by John Frieda Styling Tools by Conair

Fa-la-la-la-laaa-lalalala! Yes it's Thanksgiving this week and when I'm enjoying my feast on Thursday, I know it means that it's officially winter & the holidays. It's my favorite time of year when I get to enjoy spending time cozying up with a hot chocolate and blanket near the fireplace. It's also great because there's lots of great activities to do, such as ice-skating!



Next Wednesday, November 30, join John Frieda Styling Tools by Conair at the Celsius Lounge at Bryant Park for ice skating, hair makeovers including blowouts, and some delicious treats! The first 40 people will get FREE skate rentals so get there early! :)

Have you entered my
giveaway to win a Conair Spin Air Brush yet? :)

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Sunday, November 20, 2011

Adore Me- Monthly Lingerie Subscription


If you've been following my blog for a while, you'll know that I have been loving the monthly gift subscription offers out there. I started with BirchBox, and quickly joined others that features beauty products and/or ecofriendly products as well. There's always something new and I recently learned about AdoreMe.com which focuses on lingerie!

Similar to the "-mints" websites, Adore Me is the first lingerie subscription service out there. For about $40 a month, you get a complete lingerie set based on your style quiz answers. You can choose from either bra/panty sets, babydolls & slips. AdoreMe stylists will recommend sets they think will work for you get to choose a set each month. For $39.99 a month, it's a great deal to pick your fave lingerie!

Take the quiz and get started today!




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Saturday, November 19, 2011

GoGoGirlfriend- Monthly Beauty Subscription box


I recently joined the GoGoGirlfriend program- similar to Birchbox, BlissmoBox, etc.- where you get a monthly box of goodies for a monthly fee. GoGoGirlfriend has two membership options- Premium members get the box monthly and Regular members get their box every 2 months. I saw how full these boxes were from previous months- filled with at least 8-10 decent sized products for a similar cost of other subscriptions. Variety and the utility of the products are key when deciding whether I should continue with these subscriptions and so far I will be sticking with GoGoGirlfriend. :) Subscribe today!!


My first box contained lots of great products 11- to be exact:
* Camille Beckman Hand Therapy Mango Beach Great scent and really moisturizes my hand. I keep this in my coat pocket always.
* Comodynes Easy Peeling New Face Effect
* E.L.F. Eyelash Curler My curler was a bit tilted but works okay.. gets the job done!
* E.L.F. Nail Polish Fall Favorites
* Modella Cosmetic Bag Cute bag to stuff my essentials and samples :)
* MyChelle Skin Care Sample
* Natural Cherry Almond Soap Love this natural, shea butter soap. Moisturizing and smells nice too!
* Seche Vite Nail Top Coat
* So Soft - Fiber Optic Blush Brush My new fave brush! It's wispy and perfect for applying finishing powder or just a light dusting of highlighter on my cheeks.
* Urban Decay Eye Shadow I got this in a dark pewter color, perfect for creating a smoky eye!
* Zhena's Gypsy Tea Coconut Chai YUMMY- I'm obsessed with tea and this is the perfect flavor when you want to warm up.





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Friday, November 18, 2011

Give yourself a (facial) Boost!


We all need a little boost in our lives- the extra oomph here and there to help with our goals. This applies to our skin & beauty routine as well. If your face has been feeling a bit blah lately, I recommend checking out the new facial mask by Somme Institute called Boost. It's a gentle mask that actually warms up when it's left on your skin, due to a key ingredient zeolite. I usually leave a thin layer of the mask on for about 4-5 minutes or when it hardens. I also replace cleansing w/ a mask sometimes to save some time.

The Boost mask is great for my combination skin b/c it contains kaolin to absorb the oil on my face. What makes this mask unique is its patented technology and it uses pumpkin enzymes to help with with cellular regeneration. I haven't tried any other mask before that has this warm, pumpkin pie scent! It really smells like the holidays- Thanksgiving anyone?


Overall, I enjoyed using this mask because my face looks and feels a lot more energized and refreshed. Along with weekly exfoliation, this facial mask will help you get that boost come winter time! Available at select online retailers and Somme Institute here.

(Disclaimer: I received this product from this company to test, try and share my thoughts with my readers.)

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Wednesday, November 16, 2011

How-to: 7 Chic Hairstyles in 7 Minutes

TotalBeauty.com
7 Chic Hairstyles You Can Do in 7 Minutes

We dared one woman to wear a new hairstyle every day of the week -- see how she did


7 Chic Hairstyles You Can Do in 7 Minutes

This is a TotalBeauty.com hairstyles article

Sick of wearing your hair in a ponytail yet again? Us too, which is why we dared one woman to come up with a different hairstyle every day of the week. The catch? She couldn't spend more than 10 minutes trying to make it work. Did she succeed?

Find out

How-to: Get Rid of Dry & Flaky Skin

TotalBeauty.com
Get Rid of Dry, Flaky Skin with These 9 New Moisturizers

Is dry, cracked, and peeling skin keeping you down? Fight the cold winds with these amazing skin savers


Get Rid of Dry, Flaky Skin with These 9 New Moisturizers

This is a TotalBeauty.com skin care products article

We welcome the cooler weather and being outside in all its glory, but our skin doesn't exactly respond in the same kind of joyous way. To protect our skin from the season's cold, dry weather, we're using these super-hydrating lotions. Now you can have smooth, soft skin all year round.

See lotions now

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

October's GOOD BlissMoBox!!


I got my GOOD, GOOD, REALLY GOOD BlissMoBox! (It was curated by GOOD and this box had some amazing goodies!) Check out my previous post on BlissMoBox and see why I had to get their subscription!
I decided to get this box b/c it was 1) limited edition - only 50 boxes available & 2) unique items I probably wouldn't have gotten myself. It may not look like a lot but all of these items are incredibly useful and have made my life a whole lot better.
GOOD Blissmobox items include:
1) My miiR water bottle- BPA free and I have stopped using water bottles altogether since using this.
2) A box of RUNA tea- organic guayusa spice- saving this when it gets a bit colder
3) A gift cert to use at PACT- organic cotton undies/shirts/socks! Excited to order mine soon!
4) A 3-pack notebook set by SCOUT books (for me to scribble my thoughts)
5) Reusable Bamboo Utensil Set- contains fork, knife, spoon, & chopsticks! This is my perfect for my lunches! :) More at go-toware.com !


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Tuesday, November 08, 2011

TotalBeauty.com: Tips that are Ruining Your Hair

TotalBeauty.com
14 Tips That Are Ruining Your Hair

It's always good to get advice -- unless it's bad advice. See the hair care tips that are actually messing up your mane


14 Tips That Are Ruining Your Hair

This is a TotalBeauty.com hair care article

We get bad advice all the time, whether it's from our stockbrokers or our best friends or our own mothers. But when your hairdresser is doling out bad tips like Halloween candy, it's time to call in the big hitters. We've asked the pros to dish on the hair care tips that are actually ruining your hair. They'll shock you.

See them now

Quiz: What's Your Best Eyeshadow Color?

TotalBeauty.com
What's Your Best Eyeshadow Color?

You don't have to play the guessing game with your eye makeup anymore thanks to this advice. Take this quiz now!


What's Your Best Eyeshadow Color?

This is a TotalBeauty.com eye makeup article

Are you getting sick of reaching for your usual brown shadow and black liner? Take this quiz to find out what makeup colors are the most flattering for your eyes now.

See your colors

Monday, November 07, 2011

Holiday Gift Guide #2: Stay Stress-free with PepUp Mint Tspheres


In the start of my Fall Fitness Adventure (aka checking out studios and taking fitness class), I checked out the NamasDay event at ExhaleSpa in New York earlier in September. Although I wasn't able to take the free yoga class, I did get to check out the event they had in their shop area- including yummy drinks, rejuvenating beauty treatments and a fun pop-up shop! As part of the event, we all got in our bags one of the best discovery this season- Tspheres! These tiny aromatherapy balls are infused with peppermint and jojoba oil that can be used on your face/neck and even feet. The peppermint oil is strong to help with any headaches you may have and pressing the ball on certain areas of your face can also relieve tension.

Each Pep Up Tspheres package comes with instructions, two balls and some peppermint spray to help infuse the balls again after a wash. You can use these during a break at work or when traveling. These are super for the holidays- when it can be quite stressful! If you take about 10 minutes everyday for yourself and massage your face or feet, you will feel a lot better. Perfect for yourself or to a stress-out pal! :)

You can get yours at your local Exhale Spa or at www.tspheres.com. Tshperes also come in larger sizes too for your lower back, etc.



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Sunday, November 06, 2011

Pink Moment Boutique- Eco-friendly monthly Gift Boxes


I've been on a monthly gift box subscription kick lately- discovering so many companies that have dabbled into the monthly commerce business. My faves are always the one that appeal to my tastes- eco-friendly products- food, beauty, or just plain useful stuff! Through Twitter, I found another company called Pink Moment Boutique, based in California, which focuses on eco-friendly samples. For about $12-$14/month, depending on your subscription length, you can enjoy 8-10 samples from brands such as EarthScience beauty, Method, Seventh Generaiton, Ecover, Eden, and much more!


I was given a November box to check out and was very happy to see how the variety of the products. Although most are one-time use samples, the natural deodorant, lip moisturizer and Ecover all purpose cleaner, I can definitely keep using for a while. For the price of another well-known Beauty box subscription of the same price range, you really get a lot more value!

I am definitely excited to try the Earth Science Deep Conditioning Masque in Olive & Avocado. This treatment will help repair, strengthen and nourish your hair, especially now that in the fall, almost winter, I will blowdry my hair more often.


Like what you see for November's gift bag? Join Pink Moment Boutique here.
Here's a close up of the products that I received.....
The bottom.
1) Loose tea leaves from Teamotions in Lemon Vanilla Green Tea- I'm a huge fan of green tea!
2) Method Laundry Detergent - 1 single use packet- I have used this before and definitely like the scent Fresh Air.. clothes smell great!
3) Earth Science Deep Conditioning Masque
4) MoistStik- a moisturizing lip balm with coconut oil, peppermint oil- great for the winter!
5) Naturally Fresh Deodorant Crystal- another useful item in here! Perfect size for the gym back too.
6) ECOVER All purpose cleaner- time to scrub a dub and clean!

Samples on the top..
1) Already mentioned the tea and Method Laundry detergent in above photo
2) Calms Forte- sleep aid capsules- if you have sleepiness and tension. I don't so I won't be trying this out.
3) Barlean's Organic Oils- Total Omega Swirl- in Pomegranate and Blueberry- I believe this organic omega oils can be taken alone or add it to a drink or something. It's a supplement so if you're looking into adding more omegas, you may want to try this.



(Disclaimer: I received this product from this company to test, try and share my thoughts with my readers.)

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Saturday, November 05, 2011

Staying Glowing this Winter with Caudalie!


Can you believe it's already November? Time flies when you're busy! October's been a packed month- keeping myself busy and fit! (Been incorporating workout classes into my schedule which I am loving.) It's important to also continue keeping your skin clean, clear and beautiful!

To keep my skin moisturized and glowing, I have been using the Caudalie Tinted Moisturizer in Fair/Medium. I've been getting less sun so using this product has made it easy to keep my skin smooth while giving it a natural glowing look. I love how this moisturizer makes my skin feel and all Caudalie products that I have tried have a very light scent that smells good! They have some great spa products, including the Shower Gel that I bought for their Fashion's Night Out special, and it's such a treat! The bevy of samples, from firming serums to face masks have been so fun to use.
If you're looking for that healthy glow this winter, be sure to check out the Caudalie Fresh Complexion Tinted Moisturizer!
(Disclaimer: I received this product from this company to test, try and share my thoughts with my readers.)

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Friday, November 04, 2011

Better Beauty Salon with WellAndGoodNYC.com & HGO Lab


Last week, I attended the Better Beauty Salon at the WellAndGoodNYC headquarters to learn about tips/tricks to green your beauty routine. Along with Well&Good's co-founder Melisse, Hope Gillerman from HGO Lab talked about her own journey to developing her line. We also tested some of her skincare products, including her face wash, facial oil and balm. Afterwards, we went to the counter to play more with her essential oil blend products to help you gain more energy, relaxation, and rest. Included in our gift bags were also samples!! I'm a personal fan of essential oils and love incorporating them into my own skincare routine. Have you made the switch yet?



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Sunday, October 30, 2011

My October EcoEmi box!


My second EcoEmi box is here! It arrived about two days ago and was excited to get this again! It was perfectly themed for Halloween- with cute pumpkin confetti- and lots of great Fall items for me to use into November.

They all came in this reusable PLUSH velvet bag which I will be using to carry my beauty items in my bag. It's super soft and great for organizing my knickknacks.


As you can see there's a combination of beauty & food items which is why EcoEmi is such a treat to get. Once I took pictures for this posting, all the foodie items were placed into my bag to bring to work (all except for the mulling spice which I placed in my kitchen.) Beauty items include another lip balm from Crazy Rumors in a Peppermint Lemongrass flavor, soap sample in Almond Spice (not pictured) from Herbaria, and shampoo/conditioner and hair styling cream samples from a brand called Neuma. I already used the shampoo/conditioner and it smells peppermint-y!! There's also a mini candle in a Sweet Orange/Clove Bud from Big Dipper WaxWorks. The candle must've froze because I can easily remove it from the jar.


Food Samples include...
- A tea packet in Peach Blossom
- Vegan Organic Bar (can't wait to taste this!)
- Vegan organic Mulling Spice- blend of cloves, cinnamond and other yummy spices to make a cider
- Gin Gin Ginger candy- pack of 6 individually wrapped candies inside.

SO there you have it, another delicious and homey October box. Although it came pretty late in the month, I am eager to use this into November. Excited for my upcoming boxes later this year as they are appropriately Holiday themed!! :)

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Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Meet Diane von Furstenberg in NYC's Sephora in Soho on October 27


Fashion designer, Diane von Furstenberg is launching her new fragrance, named Diane, and will be at NYC's Sephora Soho Thursday, October 27th from 6-8 PM. Here's your chance to meet the legend herself when you purchase her scent, as well as get her autograph! This floral scented fragrance contains notes from Frangipani, Violet, Patchouli, Musks and Myrrh.

I haven't tried this but Sephora is still having their Friends & Family discount, so now's a great time to snatch a bottle here! :)



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Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Pretty City's Beauty Sample Sale - Event Recap



Every year I go to the Beauty Sample Sale hosted by PrettyCity.com and SHAPE magazine in the Fall. The first time I attended the event, I was super excited to see the vendors and learn more about their products. They also have this really fun Spin the Wheel booth sponsored by SHAPE magazine so you can win a cool prize. That is always fun! Of course there's always yummy snacks and drinks to enjoy. It's a great event to go with your girlfriends and even meet new friends.

As a VIP, I got to attend the event an hour earlier than general admission. This was perfect to mingle and see everything without the crowds.


First step, was to grab a glass of the Naked Grape- delicious vino for the evening. After checking out the Cosmedicine, getting shampoo & conditioner bottles (NOT samples!) from ARROJO, spinning the SHAPE magazine Spin 'n Win wheel and got the Rescue Balm, and getting a relaxing massage to ease tension on my shoulders. The extra full goody bag contained lots of goodies as well to take home!

Want to see picures??







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