RENT DESIGNER DUDS for the HOLIDAYS!

Vera Wang

Yes, you can flaunt this years HOT designer dresses and accessories! This is a fabulous concept turned successful business. At Rent the Runway fabulous folk, that can't afford to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on an Artemis chiffon gown or a masquerade sequin number, can RENT them for up to 8 days!

This is an awesome option for an upcoming wedding, high school reunion or even just a special night out with your man. You can even rent your bridesmaids dresses! Everyone needs to feel fabulous once in a while and what better way than Badgley Mischka dress or a Kenneth Jay Lane cuff! If you want to dress to impress or simply feel sexy you can now treat yourself without going broke.

Check it out here!

Groupon~ 88% off Body Contouring!!!

GROUPON is at it again! A must share!

Synergy Laser Esthetic Solutions – Downtown New Rochelle

                                        FROM $95, a $500 VALUE- %81 DISCOUNT

                                   CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS OR TO PURCHASE!!!

                                                                                                                                             ~the %99

Gorgeous Coffee Table Books~

A coffee table is not complete without a few stunning books to thumb through as you relax or to arouse talk among your guests! Chic coffee table books are a classy way to incorporate beauty into your home and make wonderful gifts for all occasions. Since I always have budget in mind, I've collected a list of beautiful books at beautiful prices! As an added bonus, some of the coffee table books I have featured donate all or part of the proceeds to charity!!

THE BEAUTY BOOK for Brain Cancer
This book is filled with images of top celebs, musicians and models! All money raised go to brain cancer research through two charities called SNOG and HEADRUSH.

Hue by Kelly Wearstler
Like a work of art this book shows us, with brilliant images, a designer's inspiring use of color and texture. Buy with the link provided and 33% of the proceeds will go to Best Friends Animal Society!

CHANEL collections and creations
The seductive, House of Chanel, opens it's fashion vault.

American Fashion Designers At Home
"The ultimate voyeuristic journey." - Rima Suqi
This book brings us on a private tour of the most FAMOUS designer's homes.

Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People by Amy Sedaris
Just a little humour in the mix! If you are an Amy Sedaris fan, I think you'll especially love this!

DIGNITY: In Honor of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Stunning images capture indigenous people in transition over the span of three decades. Photographs by Dana Gluckstein
A portion of the proceeds go to Amnesty International.

FRENCH ESSENCE: Ambience, Beauty and Style in Provence
Give your coffee table un avant-goût de la france, with lovely images that will transport you Provence.

Naked: The Nude in America by Bram Dijkstra
Nude American art, photography and pop-culture. Broad spectrum representation of nudity across American culture.

There are plenty more fab books to style your coffee tables. Please feel free to contribute to the collection by leaving a comment! I would love your input!

~xoxo

This Year's Snug Text-cessory!

I saw a pair of sleek, functional texting gloves in an Avon catalogue and later on the Today Show and I thought.. these are THE text-cessory of the year! Gloves designed to keep your hands snug AND texting-capable, are soo smart and can be super fashionable! What's more, many of these gloves can be found well under $20, so they make for great stocking stuffers and Secret Santa gifts. With the universal use of touchscreen technology, you are bound to draw a texter from the office pool. Here I've listed my fave inexpensive text-friendly glove finds! I mean.. Aren't these absolutely necessary?!?

                                                                UNDER $20

                                                             
                                                   Texting Gloves with Silver Top Layer

ISOTONER for your little textress

AVON~ unisex

                                                           AEO~ simple stripes, more colors

Etsy~ Handmade

fun2no FASHIONS~ cute fingerless gloves

OVER $20

Marmot for your man

Fair Indigo~ Eco-friendly

Wizgloves~ Dalmation design 

The North Face~ also available for men

              Click Here for a roundup of more tech savvy gloves!       

 Happy Texting!

Let's Get Something Straight... your pearly whites!

                                                           SWEET GROUPON DEAL                                           
        

When we feel that funny little emotion we like to call happiness, something even funnier happens to our face. Think about it.. our eyes widen, our cheeks raise and our lips turn up at the corners, and like drawing the stage curtains we reveal our character. Well, actually we reveal our teeth but in America, that's one very important debut. Our ideal of beauty is a bit more cookie cutter than, say Europe. We have historically leaned towards perfection but I'd like to think that it's changing.. slowly.

Nevertheless, our chompers can tell quite a bit about who we are, where we came from and what matters to us. You've seen the pearly white caps of a movie star, or the lovely, little overlapping incisor, or even the piano with missing keys (so to speak). It's Beauty 101; We make assumptions based on physical appearance. It's simply easier to judge a book by it's cover, than it is to read the whole thing. That sounds awful and it is, but that's the logic that we have adapted to.

I think that the dissatisfaction that people feel when they analyze their attributes in the mirror comes from a misalignment of sorts. Not just a dental misalignment (terrible), but a misalignment between who they think that they are and who they think that they look like. That's the main idea bounced around the medi-spa's and the plastic surgeon's offices, right? We want our outside to match our inside (assuming you're happy with your inside).

You know I looove Groupon and when I see beauty deals that speak to me in some way, I have to pass them on! This Invisalign deal, via GROUPON, from  Westchester Smile Design is something to get all worked up about! If I didn't spend 4 yrs. in braces I'd be all over this (I'm sure).

Click Here ~ 61% 0ff Complete Invisalign Treatment $7,700 value for $2,999!! Can I get a whaat!?!

Say, "Goooo GROUPON!!!" And smile, because you're beautiful <3

Beauty-ful Charities

                                                                            

There is no doubt that we are a consumerist society. No matter where you are positioned in this economic chain, it is difficult not to look down upon our gluttonous tendencies. Truth is, it's hard not to want, when there is so much to be had.

I do believe that, minus the questionable characters, most of us want to help others. We want to see suffering relieved and the hungry fed. Whether or not your intentions are solely altruistic or you just want to feel like a "good" person, it has become very easy to give AND get at the same time. Though it is an uncomfortable thought that we need such incentive to give.. it works. And for those struggling to help themselves, it is a very realistic proposition.

In my book, whatever it is that lays the soil for charity, must be embraced. Here I list fabulous beauty related products that donate generous portions of the proceeds to charitable organizations. Tis the season for giving, right? Why not shop for gifts that stretch passed your circle?

JEWELRY~ Ovarian Cancer Research Fund

The Beauty Book~ for Brain Cancer

AVON~ Many great charities to choose from

PETA~Vegan products

TARGET~ Shop Pink

Rett Syndrome~ Pretty halters for horses

Treasure House Fashions

SOMEDAY by Justin Bieber

and many more.. Google away!  xoxo

Pantene Beautiful Lengths Charity

Avoid Retail Combat! Shop Online for Black Friday!

In lieu of the long lines, crowds and hysteria (ie. pepper spray, yea, really) that one must face when hitting the malls and department stores for Black Friday, grab a latte or a glass of Pinot and SHOP ONLINE! As someone who suffers from rack-rifling overload, I highly suggest the alternative. If you've already braved the crowds and, maybe, even enjoyed it : /, good for you! For the rest of us.. I have a few suggestions. The following websites are offering insane discounts, without the insanity!

FABULOUS BLACK FRIDAY DEALS!!

AVON (need a sercret Santa gift? gifts for employees? Avon is perfect, shocking prices!)

ideeli  beauty, jewelry, bed and bath, activewear, cashmere!

COACH Gifts $100-$200

Black Fly Day Sale Blue Fly~ Haute for the Holiday

Rue La La Signing up is truly worth every second!

THE OUTNET Fashionable Fashion Outlet (free shipping offers!)

Amazon Check out the fab Beauty deals!

Overstock A FAVE! Always great deals, free shipping offers!

Beyond the Rack Couture, free shipping offers.

Keep you're slippers on and take it easy! Happy Shopping!

CHEERS!

Inexpensive Little Things that Pamper You

Tis the season for being grateful for all that we have, and acknowledging all of the little things that make our lives complete. Despite my love for all things beautiful, my values come from a place rooted deeper than my makeup bag. I believe that the most powerful choice that we can make in our lives is to be kind. We should strive to be kind in the face of all things. If we all made this conscious effort and practiced kindness everyday.. well, you can only imagine how our reality would be altered.

THAT SAID, It's awfully fun to talk beauty, so I won't hold out a moment longer. I would like to share with you all of the little things in my beauty bag (yes, I know) that I could not live without. The bonus for me is, these little things are all UNDER $10!

Cuticle Stone
These little buggers are so modern and so "why doesn't everyone have one?!" These thin stone sticks and their pointy edge tip, gently rub cuticles off with little effort. I first discovered this cuticle removing tool at a ritzy salon that offered me a free birthday manicure. I was wowed by how well it worked but when they told me that I could buy one for $20, I was wowed again and not in a good way. One trip to my local beauty supply/costume store later and I found the same stone stick on sale for $4.50! I felt like I hit the jackpot! Later I googled "cuticle stone" and found that there are actually tons of inexpensive stones for purchase. Click Cuticle Stone and you'll find a great web page with tons of stones, as low as $2.50!

Maybelline New York Baby Lips
This cute, girly, flashback to Junior High lip balm makes me feel young.. but not too young. It doesn't contain glitter or taste like bubble gum and dry out your lips. In fact the formula is totally adult! It has like, 8-hr hydration.. and.. like.. SPF 20, and 6 super cute choices. But all teeny-bopness aside, it really smooths out my lips and they look visibly plumped and healthy. I bought the Pink Punch and it has a subtle berry scent and a pouty pink color. The colorful little wands, themselves, make a statement and for a little over $3.00 (yep 3 dollars) you can buy them all! Now that I couldn't do in Junior High.

Good to Go
Essie knows nails and Essie knows color. My most recent color crush is "wicked". I got it just after my latest fling with "merino cool", but I'll get back with MC one if these days ; ) My biggest issue with nail polish is waiting for it to dry. I don't have a salon nail drier so I would sit through an entire movie or marathon The Office while waiting. Just when I would think, they have to be dry.. I always, I mean always put dings and dents in my finish! I was actually ready to give up and limit myself to the fast-drying polishes when I found Essie's "good to go"! Good to go is a clear top coat that dries your polish within minutes. It's made for people that can't (or don't want to) sit around for hours to avoid the inevitable #%&# moment. Since it acts as a top coat you can apply whenever, to freshen up your mani.

Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets
I have combination skin and by late afternoon my t-zone starts to shine. Running into the ladies room to blot my face with tp was once part of my daily routine. Tp can absorb some oil but it also takes your makeup with it. I've also tried the old-school, paper blotting sheets that are laced with white powder, and though they help with the shine, you're left looking like you blotted with flour. I was doing some pre-wedding (someone else's) browsing at CVS, when I found Clean and Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets. These little sheets look like plastic but they are super smooth to the touch. They soak up every trace of oil without budging your makeup! There quite futuristic really. That is the only way that I can describe them since I'm can't even begin to fathom their structural make-up. All I know is that I've signed a contract with them. Btw, I have also bought the store brand version and shh.. they work just as good.

CareOne Deep Cleansing & Makeup Remover Towelettes- Here's the deal. I can't even find a link to give you for these guys but I have bought them twice now at Stop & Shop. Makeup removing towelettes can be crazy expensive! I had a "whaa?!?" moment when I heard one of the Kardashians women utter something about $50 for a pack on their reality show. I'm not a huge fan of disposable products that are intended to be used daily. I actually picked these up at the register (something like $2 or $3 for 15), when I was preparing for a snow storm and possible power outage. We did, in fact, lose power and I was able to put my little cleansing sheet to use. To my surprise, I actually felt pampered by the little moist towelette. All of my expectations,(ie. stickiness, leftover makeup), were squashed. It was nice and it was soo easy *sigh*.

Cheers!

VERSACE FOR H&M

Ohhh Versace.. thank you for gracing us with your fashion wisdom, flare and affordability. We shall welcome your adventurous trek across the tracks, with open arms!  ~ the 99%

The iconic Italian label Versace, designed by Donatella Versace, represents fashion in all it's glory. It is in-your-face glamour and it holds back nothing. A designer label such as Versace can be quite dizzying when you are not familiar with "high fashion". To the shock of many designers, celebs and fashionistas, many people don't know anything about Versace... or Oscar de la Renta, Valentino and Manolo Blahnik (unless you're a Carrie Bradshaw fan). And why should we when a pair of Versace skinny's are 795 bucks, ahem.. my rent.

Let's get real about this.. high fashion designers aren't talking to me (and most of you). They are putting on a big show for an elite group. The door is marked "private party~ pick up your $5.00 magazine on the way out". I own no judgment nor jealousy. That's just the way it has always been.

Well, it seems that designers are starting to think outside the box, or rather "outside the pocket". With fashion marriages such as Missoni for Target, Jimmy Choo's limited edition diffusion collection for H&M in 2009 and now Versace for H&M, a whole new market is being reached by offering more affordable prices. I'm certain that collaborations like this not only meet demand, giving consumers what they want and can't otherwise afford, but also gives younger generations a little taste for fashion that they can mature with. This is a brilliant tactic considering we are in economic hardship, yet optimistically, won't be forever. Once the 20-somethings start earning a sweet living they will have a palette for high fashion and may start knocking on the elite door.

If you've already professed your love to Versace, I'm sure you're thrilled. If you have only heard of Versace then take a peek, you might like what you see and if you don't.. revisit those loud prints periodically. Fashion can be like your favorite artist's new album.. sometimes you have to scrunch your forehead at it a few times until it clicks.

Time to Clean Your Makeup Brushes!!!

Be honest.. when was the last time you cleaned your makeup brushes?? If you clean them every 7 to 10 days then you are probably in good shape, unless the product you are using is leaving a residue. If you aren't washing your brushes... well, have you taken microbiology?? I would be afraid to see what's under that microscope.

I'm not ashamed to admit that I didn't start cleaning my brushes until a few years ago. I'm certainly not a slob, I simply never put any thought into it. I also always used the cheapest brushes I could find which I discovered don't all clean very well. So, in line with my increasing maturity ; ) I have since switched to earth-friendly Eco Tools (still very inexpensive but impressive quality). Eco Tools has a large and varied collection of bamboo brushes that use cruelty free Taklon bristles and other natural and recycled materials AND they donate 1% of their annual revenue to environmental causes (now that's a 1% I care to hear about)! They are super soft, so makeup grabs them perfectly. They also clean really well, with absolutely no affect on the integrity of the bristles.

These brushes get a lot of action. As a woman who wears makeup daily, I find that my brushes really need a bath by day 7. I'm also acne prone and found that when I keep my brushes clean, I have less breakouts. To get the best application, you also want to avoid layers of oil and makeup on your brushes because this may "rough up" your finish.

Expensive brush cleansers... why?? I guess I just don't get this one. If you know something I don't than I will happily stand corrected (well maybe not happily since I like my cheap alternative). Every cosmetic company has their own version of the makeup brush cleanser and prices average $13-$20. Some are designed to be convenient daily spray cleansers, quick drying or deep cleaning. The general idea is to kill unwanted bacteria and have them dry when you are ready to use them again. I'm sure these products are fabulous, however, for a mere $4 I bought a bottle of  Neutrogena Shampoo~ Anti-residue Formula intended for my hair, and started using it to clean my brushes. This shampoo is made to remove dulling residue from you hair and it will do the same for your makeup brushes. You only need a dollop and it works great and washes out fast. Squeaky clean! Just remember to clean your brushes at night so they will be dry for your morning application!

Love a sweet deal <3

Enjoy Instant Gratification~ Food your Skin is Sooo Hungry for!!

After a summer of dodging damaging sun rays, I was on a quest to find a skin care routine that would offer me some forgiveness. When I looked in the mirror I saw years of sun damage at its best. Uneven tone, dark spots and a general ruggedness seemed to be magnified by my attempts to mask it with foundation and concealer products.

After exfoliating and moisturizing with true determination, I saw a segment on the Today Show that featured skin brightening FOODS! I'm always down for a beauty challenge so I quickly ventured to the produce isle for a handful of recommended face loving foods. There are many foods that contain essential nutrients that directly support healthy skin but I was looking for instant gratification!

Here are the top foods that brightened my skin within days:

Carrots- Wow! After eating 1 to 2 gigantic carrots per day for about 3 days, I noticed a gigantic difference in my complexion! My face was full of color. It was like the vibrant carrot color traveled directly to my face (in a good way)! Carrots are beauty vessels for beta-carotene that is converted by the body to Vit. A. It enables the skin to produce new skin cells allowing your new, fresh and youthful skin to pop!

Oranges and tomatoes- After my carrot trial I switched to oranges. I ate super juicy oranges for about a week and a couple tomatoes here and there. As someone who eats far too little fruit, I was surprised to feel better. My mood and energy were elevated and seemed to project right through my skin. Oranges and tomatoes are packed with Vit. C which increases production of collagen and elastin that serve to prevent aging skin. I honestly don't know if my skin was brighter or if my perception of the world was brighter but it made me feel beautiful <3

Salmon- Now, though I have not tried this program (simply because I can't afford this much salmon), I'm mentioning it because it's supposed to work. On the above mentioned Today Show clip, the speaker was extremely enthusiastic about his 3 day salmon diet. He promised that in 3 days of eating (now don't quote me on the measurements) about 6 oz. of salmon, 2 or 3 times a day for 3 days, you will see miraculous skin brightening results! An extreme diet (and not recommended to do regularly), it sounds like a great pre-wedding/pre-reunion program. Salmon is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids that are supposed to be your skin's bff.

So the moral of the story is.. physical beauty starts with the fruits of Mother Nature's labor <3

Seriously Sexy Pout~ The Complete Makeover!

Lips, lips, lips... the signature of  vitality and youth... of  fertility and abundance... an invitation for lust and a tool for love. Our lips tell all and all I will tell with my tried and true complete lip makeover.  

Fact: I'm obsessed with full, plump, pouty lips.

Fact: I can not afford expensive lip injections (until Groupon throws a deal at us ; D).

Fact: There are a few awesome drugstore products that I have combined for a super effective, at home, lip plumping system (and trust me, I have tried everything).

Step 1: At night, alternate between two products- Vitamin E (you can use the oil straight from a gel vit. capsule or the rollar ball kind found at health food stores and drugstores) and Sally Hansen PM Lip Plumper. Vit. E has a fast acting rejuvenating effect and the plumper really works. Use on separate nights, not together.

Step 2: In the am, apply a generous amount of vaseline to lips and dampen a wash clothe with super warm water. Rub the warm clothe onto lips in a circular motion for approximately 30 seconds to 2 minutes depending on how long you have neglected your pout.

Step 3: For this step decide if you feel like flaunting some color or if you'd like to go for a more natural look. If it's a pop of color you desire, take the PM Lip Plumper and dab a small amount to lips. Rub in well with your finger. Now take a fat lip pencil in your desired shade and apply (full-circle including corners of mouth), leaving about 2 or 3 millimeters bare between lip color and lip line. Now you can rub lips together, pushing the color towards to edge of lips, allowing it to spill over natural lip line just slightly (1 or 2 millimeters). This technique allows for a gradual lightening of color towards the edge of  the lip line, for a more natural look. Now, top with Infallible Never Fail Plumping Lip Gloss in a similiar shade (or whatever combination works for you). Don't forget your top lip! Use the perfectly shaped wand to apply the color from the center of the top lip all the way to the corners. Follow with the bottom lip. You may pierce lips together to set your color but I don't recommend rubbing them around because this disrupts the fabulous finish that Infallible creates.

If you are facing a more casual day you may want a more natural look. After the vaseline/exfoliation step, apply Sally Hansen Lip Inflation Plumping Treatment. Offered in about 4 natural shades, this products feel cool and tingly and noticably plumps lips instantly. For super thin lips you may want to prep your lips with a little nude liner along the "cupid's bow" and center of lower lip line.

Voila! It takes minutes and if you make it part of your daily routine, your lips will look fuller over time. After about a month or so of  using this combo of products, I was actually getting comments about how my lips were looking fuller. My mom (who was unaware of my lip product obsession) actually said to me, and I quote, "Your lips look huge!".

I'm not going to lie, if I had an opportunity to get a lip filler injection, I would. I have read about Juvederm and it's suppossed to last a year! But at $500 a pop, such medi-spa procedures aren't realistic for many people. I swear by my system and for about 25 bucks, you can't go wrong!   ~xoxo

Drugstore Products:
Sally Hansen PM Lip Plumper
Infallible Never Fail Plumping Lip Gloss
Sally Hansen Lip Inflation Plumping Treatment
Jason Natural Products Vitamin E oil 5000 IU# 
Vaseline: Couple bucks just about anywhere.

Gooo Groupon!

 

Synergy Laser Esthetic Solutions – Downtown New Rochelle

One or Three Fractional-Resurfacing Treatments (Up to 67% Off)

http://www.groupon.com/r/uu35447210

Thank you Groupon!

                                ~the 99%

BEWARE OF IMPOSTERS!!

I almost don't even want to get into this because it makes me soo mad.. but  I will because you deserve to be warned. I have no qualms with Craigslist. In fact I got a really great summer internship through a Craigslist ad. Fact remains, when you are dealing with a huge population of strangers, you run the risk of being had. There are the obvious precautions you must take when dealing with strangers like meet them in a public place, bring a friend and don't mail money. Though believe me that it isn't always that easy to know if what you are buying is authentic, especially when buying "designer" handbags.

My story starts with a few friendly emails between me and a woman selling a "Coach" handbag- used once. She was asking for $40 which seemed like a great deal for the size and seemingly great shape it was in. My interest in the sale was primarily to resell it on Ebay. At the time, I thought that it would be a great way to start up an Ebay store and establish selling credibility.

Now, I am in no way an expert on designer handbags. I have never owned one or even bothered browsing them in stores. Just one of those things where I would rather not fall for something I can't afford. Needless to say, I had a difficult time trying to pin whether or not it was authentic even after online research, Ebay's "how to spot a fake" and extensive browsing at the Coach website. What I did learn is that it can be very hard to spot a fake, even for those familiar with their fave designer. Fraudulent companies are making very impressive designer replicas and they just keep getting better. Truth is, very often people buy these bags thinking that they are real, use them for a while, and when they try to resell them they find out they are imposters.

I'll save you all of the ugly details but long story short; I bought the bag, Coach told me it was fake, the seller said, "sorry, a sales, a sale is final." I sent her a link to Coach's "report counterfeits" web page and left it alone. While this was going on I was also pending a transaction with a woman selling a "LV Globe Shopper Tote" in black and canvas. After a pleasant discussion with a LV Rep I learned that the black and canvas version was never made. When I confronted the seller, she never replied. I can only assume that she decided to wait for the next sucker to bite.

In conclusion, I have decided not to purchase anymore handbags from Craigslist. I suggest that if you want authentic, you find authentic distributors.

Resources:
How to spot a fake Coach
How to spot a fake Louis Vuitton
Coach counterfeit education
How to spot a fake Gucci

Couture on the Cheap

                                                                     

There was a time when I wouldn't even consider shopping for designer duds. Couture is a thing of fashion magazines and runways, 5th Ave. and Rodeo Dr. Well, it seems that the door to couture has not been completely slammed in our face. We do not have to feel like.. the unlikely, "pretty woman" type, when we browse the virtual aisles from our laptop or the crowded aisles of an outlet store. Sure there are designers selling untouchable little gems (an LV Rep told me there is no such thing as a "sale item" at Louis Vuitton) but many designers have made themselves more accessible to the 99.

Numerous websites feature tons of designer threads at surprisingly slashed prices. Ok, when a $5000 handbag is slashed down to $2500 I'm not in the market, though I still can't help but say, "Wow! What a deal.." It's easy to feel that way when the "50% OFF" is clarified for you in red. I am however, fooling myself if I think that that is a "Deal".. for me.. in the big picture. That is more like a.. I'm going to lose my car and get evicted kind of deal. The point is that you will still see some high prices on these sites but they are among a huge range of prices that let a lot more fashion hungry people in on the fun, so to speak.

Two weeks ago I found my own little gem on Overstock.com  It was later featured on the Today Show ; D

These are the Top 4 sites that have been wowing me! They do "limited time" sales that usually last 3 or 4 days but there are new ones all the time. You do have to "sign up" but they're free and they just want your email address. Worth the extra mail.

hautelook.com
ideeli.com
bluefly.com
gilt.com
Happy shopping pretty women <3

Groupon, how I love thee..

Dear Groupon,

Thank you for allowing me to treat myself to things I could not otherwise afford. I would like to introduce you to all of my friends so they can too.

"Gooo collective buying power!"

Love~
the 99%

Here's a mani/pedi in Ridgefield, CT for $27!
Click Here

I HEART Bobbie Thomas!!

Bobbie Thomas, a.k.a. Professional Girlfriend, is RAD and here's why..

Bobbie, whom you may know from "Bobbie's Buzz" on the Today Show, is a fashion editor and beauty expert who has taken on a unique role as a "professional gf". Bobbie says, "You can be sexy and smart." She is the go-to for the latest beauty picks and fashion tips. She is not only up on the latest fashion trends but she has a sense of style that emphasizes having fun with beauty. She's fun and cute and seems to be liked by everyone. My favorite thing about Bobbie is that she speaks to all women, not just celebs or people with big wallets. She's creative and innovative and emphasizes things like "DIY" or do-it-yourself projects and bloggers. She also does fun stuff like "weekly Win It" and "Swag Bag" Contests!

Some Bobbie links:
Watch videos
Bobbie's website
Bobbie's fb

"Did you do something to your hair? It looks great!"

"Why, thank you!"

It is a well known beauty fact, that one subtle change to your appearance, can yeild huge results. For example, a simple eyebrow shaping can pull together your whole look, making your face appear cleaned up and well-rested.

I have recently pinned, quite literally, a HUGE improvement to my wispy hair. No, it doesn't entail chemicals, magic potions or bankrupting salon services and maintenance. CLIP IN HAIR EXTENSIONS!! I realize that these have been around quite a while but until recently, you would have to dish out some serious cash if you didn't want to look like you glued a horse's mane to your scalp! Note: I can only vouch for extensions intended for caucasion hair because I am not familiar with African American hair products. Celebs pay thousands in the salon to get hair extensions done and the weekly to monthly maintenance costs are equally as sinful. Even us regular folk can expect to pay between $50-$250+ for at home extensions.

Let's just say, it has always been a far off dream of mine to have the thick, gorgeous hair I see in beauty magazines. Well, I dream no more because I found a great set of synthetic hair extensions for only $24.99!
They are by Jessica Simpson Hairdo.

These babies are super easy to use (they have these brilliant little invisible clips) and they blend in beautifully! You can comfortably wear them daily. I'm in love!!!

Going to a Wedding?

Last summer I attended the wedding of a good friend of my boyfriends. It was lovely in every way and the bride was smashing! I'm not big on photos.. of myself. I ALWAYS find something wrong with them and usually avoid them all together. Since my boyfriend was a groomsman I knew that showing up in a few photos was inevitable so I went on a search for some photo-friendly makeup.

I came across the awesome product- Revlon PhotoReady. This is a translucent finishing powder that creates a natural matte finish that gives you an airbrushed look in photos! It works so well to smooth out any areas or features that you aren't in love with or that seem to be magnified in photos. It leaves no heavy make-up look at all and you can barely feel it! I make sure to always use it when I know I will be running into the flash of a lense and on those days that I feel like I need a little extra smoothing out.

Revlon carries a full line of PhotoReady cosmetics including foundation and concealer. This was a bit more than I like to spend on a single makeup product (about $11.50ish) but for a wedding, it's soo worth it! PhotoReady collection

Hair Color Oops!

My friends and family will all agree that I am obsessed with beauty products. My hair, especially, is an ongoing "project". It is the venue in which I funnel my compulsive tendencies. If it could talk, mine would have some crazy stories to tell. I have tried numerous drug store hair dyes and have (more than once) spent my last dollar on the perfect (and not so perfect) shade at salons. Though I do believe that all of this "trial and error" has given me an abundance of wisdom that I can now share with you.

Up until a couple months ago, I was doing pretty good. My hair has grown to the length (about 4 inches passed my shoulders) that I have desired for a long time. Despite the comfort of knowing that it was on the road to recovery (from years of processing), I decided to be daring (or, admittedly, a bit reckless after a few cocktails). I went to a local salon set up by a friend, under the impression that I was going to get some forgiveness on the bill (I didn't). It was spur of the moment (never a good idea) and the color of the moment was "dark brown with a violet undertone". I know.. beautiful in theory.. beautiful on some women.. but not so much on me. Let's just say after a long night, a hangover and multiple shampoos, I cried on and off for 3 hours, at least. My poor (and so supportive) boyfriend had to ride the rollercoaster with me. I haven't drank since.

After the traumatic "event" I went back to the salon for correction, visited another stylist and Googled for more options. What all of the advice given to me boiled down to was that I had to accept it. I had to leave it alone and let it fade on it's own account. Well I'm sitting here, writing this blog, with a much improved version of my hair. This is how I did it.. Color Oops!

This stuff is amazing! I couldn't believe my eyes. It COMPLETELY removed my "permanent" hair color AND my hair feels soft and damage-free. Color Oops contains no bleach or ammonia (I was told by professional stylists that bleach was the only way to remove the color). I recommend that you read about how it works (brilliant!) if you are looking for correction. Of course, since my hair was processed with permanent color, my base color was not what it used to be. The box suggests that you will likely want to re-dye it after color removal, which I did. I used a gentle 28 shampoo (HerbaShine). I'm so pleased with the results! What a find!!

NOTE: I do not work for any of the product companies I have mentioned and do not officially recommend the use of any of the products without a professional opinion or further research.