Glamour to GO!

I love little makeup palettes because I always need to have makeup with me at all times. I realize that I may be slightly crazy. Be that as it may, Too Faced has basically read my mind.

The Glamour To Go 2 Pocket Palette by Too Faced has everything you need for beauty touch ups on the go. The set includes 8 universally flattering eye shadows, 4 lip glosses, and a shimmery blush.

The best part? The whole palette folds up and is about the size of a credit card. Not bad, if I do say so myself. It retails for $19.50, which is quite a steal for such gorgey products!

Go Commando!

Oh my. There is now a way to go commando without...going commando! Commandos has come out with Go Commandos Patches. I haven't tried them yet--I'm more of a cute panty gal, but rumor has it, they're pretty fabulous.

They are absorbent fabric patches that you attach to the inside seam of pants, jeans or tights. They act as a replacement to underwear and leave no panty lines or uncomfortable chafing (the pads are incredibly soft, you hardly notice them at all). It's almost like attaching a pantyliner to the inside of your jeans, minus the uncomfortableness. They also stay in place quite well, whereas a pantyliner won't. They even come in organic cotton.

Unfortunately, there is a downside. Cost-wise, they're a steep $16 - $18 for a package of 8.

Beauty Myths Uncovered

Now we've all heard various beauty "tips", but are they really tips after all? I found a list of 10 beauty myths that are not only false, but plain old ridiculous!

1) Does Chocolate Cause Acne? NO. Extensive research shows this is simply not true.

2) Are Organic or Natural Products Better for Skin? Not always! Many organic skincare products have a short shelf life and can harm skin if the product is expired. Other organic products are made from fruits which can irritate skin and cause allergies.

3) Should Concealer Be Lighter Than Your Skin Tone? Don't buy concealer that's a shade or two lighter than your skin tone or you may end up with that lovely "reverse raccoon" look. Not attractive.

4) Can You Use a Body Lotion on Your Face? No. Lotion formulated for the body can be drying or can irritate the more sensitive skin on your face. Your body's skin is thicker and tougher than the skin on your face so companies can get away with putting fragrances and cheaper ingredients in a body lotion.

5) Is It Unsanitary to Use His Razor? Not at all. Go ahead, raid his bathroom cabinet if you're in a pinch.

6) Best Way to Spritz Perfume: Spray First, Then Walk Into the Mist? This is actually NOT the best way to apply perfume. Walking into the mist means you're coating your clothes with fragrance and not yourself! Since fragrance is formulated to work with the heat of your body, it's best to apply perfume to pulse points -- wrists, back of the knees, the base of the throat and just behind the earlobes.

7) Never, Ever Tweeze Above the Brow. This is tricky because many women try doing this themselves. PLEASE, for the love of God, pay a professional to do this for you! You will look more polished and great eyebrows really help frame the face.

8) She Did Your Makeup, Are You Obligated to Buy Everything? We've all been there--who doesn't love a complimentary makeover at a beauty counter? Consider how much time you took up of the salesperson. If you asked for a consult and took up a lot of her time asking questions and for more makeup, then you should consider buying something as a courtesy. But if she nabbed you to try a liner or lipstick and you didn't like it, thank her and move on.

9) Toner is a Must for Any Skincare Regimen. False. Why? These days, cleansers do a good enough job removing excess oils and dirt from skin, you don't need an added astringent. Plus, toners can be drying to skin so the only people who would benefit from an astringent are those who suffer from extremely oily skin.

10) Can You Prevent Stretch Marks With Lotion? Not really. Sorry, ladies! Stretch marks are caused by weight gain or weight loss. The best thing to do is apply some self tanner to camouflage and hope for the best!

Pick your Pretty!

I have an addiction. And I'm not ashamed of it.

I LOVE gift sets from department stores. I'm a huge sucker for miniature sized products, be they makeup, skincare products, or anything in between. And now what Christmas is over, I think it's just about time to treat myself to a gorgey gift bag full of goodies.

Clinique has a new divine bag filled to the brim with their most popular products. The "Pick your Pretty" gift sets come in two different collections: Pink Perfection and Plum Sensation.

Each kit contains:
-Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief, 1.7 oz
-7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula, 1.7 oz
-High Impact Mascara in Black, .17 oz
Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss, .17 oz
-Exclusive Colour Surge Eyeshadow QuadBlushing
-Blush Powder Blush with brush
-Clinique Hair Brush
-Canvas Tote

Again, the colors do vary depending on which collection you choose. So here's the deal: the 8-piece collections are $32.50 with a purchase of $25 or more. Not to shabby, considering that the products on their own cost a steep $84!

The promotion is going on while supplies last--but I'm sure they'll be flying off the shelves, so get yourself over to your local Clinique counter stat!!!

Free Gift with Purchase!!

Oh Ulta, how I love thee. Currently, Ulta is offering a special free gift with purchase. I'm always such a sucker for those anyway, and this is no exception. With any $25 purchase, you can get a divine gift set for free (valued at $20). The best part? You can choose from three different sets: The Women's Trend pack, The Women's Classic pack, or The Men's pack. So, you can get whichever pack tickles your fancy. Each pack is full of various deluxe samples and is really quite the steal.

Hooray for free stuff!

O My! O-Gloss Lips!

I recently decided to give Smashbox's O-Gloss a try due to the fab reviews I've been reading. And now I am officially in love.

The gloss is intuitive--it seems to have a mind of its own. When first applied, it goes on clear. After a couple minutes, you have your perfect lip gloss in your very own perfect pink!

Because I am super fair-skinned (read: transparently white), I generally cannot wear lip gloss that supposedly works for every skin tone. This gloss is much different. On me, the shade ended up being a very sheer raspberry pink. This is great to wear on its own, or to layer on top of your fave lipstick.

The gloss retails for $22 and lasts for a while; definitely worth the price. Enjoy!

Holiday Sparkle

I'm obsessed with palettes. I don't know what it is--I just love having so many products in one little compact. And it helps when the compact is super cute.

Cargo came out with an absolutely divine fabric compact that is filled to the brim with holiday-inspired beauty products. Together, they create a shimmery look that is perfect for an eve out on the town. Included in the set is:
-4 x 0.085 oz Holiday Nights Eye Shadow Quad
- 0.317 oz Blush
- 0.041 oz Boogie Nights Eye Pencil in Silver
- 0.078 oz Face & Body Sparkle

Retailing at $25, it's a pretty great deal. It makes the perfect gift for just about anyone (even yourself)! An added bonus? The makeup is held in a removable insert so you can use the gorgey box for whatever you choose!

It's in the Stars

Ever wonder what to buy for yourself, or a friend? Beauty.com offers a great beauty horoscope complete with fabbity fab beauty buy suggestions for each sign.

So, what's your sign?

Oodles of Makeup

Oh Sephora, how I love thee! This season's Ultimate Blockbuster palette tickles my fancy. It has all the essentials for eyes, face, and lips--pretty much all you need for complete classic beauty. The gorgey kit includes 71 eyeshadow shades (0.04 oz each), 13 cream eyeshadow shades (0.03 oz each), 5 blushes (0.19 oz each), 1 compact powder (0.19 oz), 60 lip glosses (0.03 oz each), one lip liner, one eyeliner, 4 brushes, 3 sponge-tipped applicators, and a fab black case that's just as classy as you are.

What's not to love? Oh and did I mention that the palette is actually a $320 value? Because it is. Yet, all you have to pay is a mere $48. Not bad if I do say so myself.

Fashion Faux Pas: Denim Suits

This one's for the guys out there. Denim suits are not, nor have they ever been, fashionable.

I went to a career fair this week and obviously someone did not get the memo. Clad in a full denim suit (which I'm fairly sure was homemade), this lovely fellow tried to further his career by making the rounds to all of the businesses' booths. Needless to say, he did not get even one great response...at least as far as I can tell.

So for all the guys out there, stop wearing denim suits (or even blazers for that matter) and try dressing like a normal human being. How about a nice charcoal suit? Giving up the denim suit immediately increases your chances of getting a job by 200%. It's a fact. I promise. That is all.

Wear Love, Not War

Harajuku Lovers has a great new line of fragrances that truly embrace...well, love! Actually, there are oodles of emotion choices but love is obviously the best. I mean, the perfume bottle alone is cute enough to just display anywhere.

Luckily, the scent is pretty much amazing as well and stays true to its' name. Spritz some Love on and be prepared for the consequences. The scent is reminiscent of a floral bouquet, with notes of pink pomelo, rose, and creamy vanilla orchid. What's not to...love? The scent is perfect for a night of seduction, or even just a night on town.

The perfume retails for $25 (for .33 oz), which is really quite a steal if you ask me.

Seeing Green?

Let me start by saying that I have green eyes. As a common rule, you aren't supposed to wear eyeshadow that is the same color as your eyes...Or so I'd heard. That said, I tried on a delightful eye shadow from The Body Shop that just happened to be Peacock Green (I was talked into it) and got oodles of compliments a I left the store. And no, these people were not paid to compliment me. I asked. And no money was exchanged.

The lesson? Don't rule out any eye shadow shades. You never know what might enhance your eyes and make you look even more gorgey than you already are.

Fashion Faux Pas: Toadily Insane?

While in a beauty supply store, i saw a couple wearing matching t-shirts with this graphic on them.

I understand that people wear stupid shirts. But these people were talking about the hair salon that they both operated together...now am I "Toadily Insane" or is this just simply unacceptable? I vote unacceptable. Toadily.

Body-ful Treat

I'm a sucker for gifts with purchases; I simply cannot resist them. The Body Shop's new Gorgeous Gift is no exception. With any purchase ( I suggest the Raspberry Born Lippy Balm), you get the gift for a mere $10.

Included in the set is:
Aloe Soothing Day Cream - 15 ml
Aloe Soothing Night Cream - 15 ml
New! Total Energy Enlivening Body Gel - 50 ml
Mini Hi-Shine Lip Treatment - Mauve Dream - 6 ml

The bag itself is super cute and can be used either as a makeup bag or a clutch for going out. What's not to love?

Bright Tights

It's now officially Fall. Time to break out the tweed blazers, pack away the capri pants, and move on. Luckily, Fall fashion doesn't need to be boring.

Last year, we saw a lot of black opaque tights and leggings. This year, is a bit more wild. Jewel tones like plum and deep teal are the new black, as far as I'm concerned. No nonsense has some great affordable pairs in gorgeous colors. I'd love to wear these opaque raspberry tights with a black skirt for an unexpected pop. What do you think, ladies? Ready to Fall into color? That was a bad pun. Sorry. Don't take it out on the fab tights.

Counting Sheep?

Bath and Body Works is one of my all-time fave stores. Recently, they've come out with a whole line of lambie goodies...slippers, key chains, and even this gorgeous sleep mask.

Their Sweetest, Softest Lambie Sleep Mask on Earth (real name, by the way) retails for $10 online and in stores. The back of the mask is fully lined with silk and literally is the comfiest mask on earth! Not to mention cute as a button. So, stop counting sheep at night and cozy up with this luxurious sleep mask for a nap anytime.

Itsy Bitsy Flat Iron

If you know me, then you know that I love all things little and pink. BaByliss' new pink Pro Nano Titanium Mini Flat Iron is my new fave beauty tool.

It measures 6" in length and heats up to 430 degrees F. It's too small to really use on your whole heard, but is just perfect to throw in your purse, or overnight bag, for quick touch ups.

The flat iron retails for $28.99 on BeautyChoice.com and also comes in blue for those of you who are tired of the pink craze.

Bonjour, Gorgeous!

I know that I just wrote about nail polish, but I just had to fill you ladies in on the latest Fall collection from OPI, FRANCE.

Most of the colors in the collection are matte and include deep plum hues (perfect for toe nails, or fingernails for the brave). A great way to try out the line is to buy the Cafe Cuties Mini Pack, which comes with three of the most gorgey shades: Louvre Me Louvre Me Not, Parlez-vous OPI?, and Eiffel for This Color. In the pack, you also get a mini RapiDry Top Coat which I highly recommend.

The beauty shop that I work at is rapidly selling out of these packs, so move quickly! I found a website that retails the mini kits for $9.95, which isn't bad for the great colors you get. These hues are great transition colors for the season change and can also work for Winter. Enjoy, and work on your french accent! Au revoir!

Princesses Rule!

Okay, so I'm hugely into nail polish these days and I probably own well over 50 bottles of 'em. I fully realize that I am crazy.

I thought I'd share with you guys one of my fave pink shades, Princesses Rule! by OPI. It's pretty neutral and goes on quite sheer so you don't have to worry about tiny little nicks on your nails. The color is actually a bit more glittery than the picture shows and it literally reminds me of when I was 6 and wanted to be a princess. Actually, I still want to be a princess, but that is beside the point.

The nail polish retails for $5.49 on amazon.com--that was the cheapest that I could find--and one bottle will last you forever. Long live princesses!

Foxy Locks

So, I have a new job working at a beauty supply store and have fallen in love with multiple products. By far, my absolute fave has been The Foxy 5 collection by TIGI. I'm a huge fan of most of their products anyway, but this kit is nothing short of amazing.

The set retails for about $60, but if you were to buy each product separately it would cost double or more. Each gorgeous kit contains Foxy Shampoo, Conditioner, Contour Cream, Hi-Def Curls Spray & Mousse. My hair is usually what I refer to as "wavy frizz grossness" and I frequently flat iron my hair daily to avoid having a 'fro. That's fine and dandy, but takes a ton of time and can do serious damage to your hair. This kit literally made my hair look like a curly-haired goddess (not to brag) and the look lasted through quite a busy day.

The best part is that, depending on what look you want to achieve, you can mix and match the products. For just a little volume and wavy hair, you can skip the spray and mouse. Or, add in some of your own fave curling products to the mix. The possibilities are endless and anyone who has even the slightest wave to their hair will truly benefit from these products.

An added bonus? Everything smells super yummy!

Secret Beauty Stash

Oh, Victoria's Secret--how I love thee.

Their latest Beauty Rush Mini Bag is perfect for a night on the town. The bag itself is 6"L x 3 1/2"H; small enough to keep with you at all times, and large enough to stash a few of your night-out necessities.

Included in this gorgeybag is a .24 oz. Body Mist in Appletini (yum!) and a Full-size Lip Gloss in Strawberry Fizz (flattering on almost every skin tone). There's even enough room for your cell phone, and a mini pack of breath mints!

At $12, this set is definitely a steal.

Drunk Chic: the New Heroin Chic?

In a shockingly frank observation, it seems that the trend of "Drunk Chic" is taking over the world of fashion. The picture to the left is merely one example of this (note the lovely half-opened-eye look). Is this our generation's version of Heroin Chic? Quite arguably a safer route than heroin, drinking hard liquor is this summer's hottest accessory.

Do I agree with the look? Not completely. Is it a fashion faux-pas? No. But as we all know, style changes. One day you are "in", and the next you are "out". There are no warnings (do we really need another season of bold plaid pants?)

This Summer, just grab a fruity alcoholic beverage and go with the flow. The upside is that if you lose your purse, you have an excuse. The downside is that you might also look like an idiot.

Oh, You're Making me Blush!

My latest blog about New York Color reminded me about the blush I just bought from them a little while ago at Rite Aid. Despite the fact that I just wrote a blog about how awesome the NYC website is, their latest blush is not on there. It is also not on the Rite Aid website. So I'm starting to think that I'm going crazy and I have the one and only of this product.

Anyway, New York Color came out with this great product, Blush Gleamer. I only saw it in one shade--First Sunrise--but that doesn't mean that there aren't more out there.

It's more of a face brightener than a blush (for most people), but since I am very fair skinned I wear it as a blush and it looks fab.

The compact combines a few different shades of pinks and some "gleamer", which I can only describe as a really fine glitter (I hate to use that word). There is very little of this in the blush, and on the skin it mainly serves to highlight and freshen up skin.

Hopefully this product will be online at some point, so I can post a link. Until then, I suppose you'll all just have to check out your local Rite Aid. Sorry, ladies!

Who Knew? Drugstore Beauty Tips

I'm always a fan of drugstore makeup--i don't discriminate. If there is a brand of makeup out there, I probably own at least one of their products. New York Color (NYC) is no exception. They've always been my go-to brand for trying new lip gloss shades or bright nail polish (both, by the way, are great quality).

Even though I've always loved them, I never thought to look up their website. It's actually really good. You can find stores that sell the brand, get a heads up on new products they're coming out with, and my favorite: beauty tips!

The tips section changes depending on the season and actually gives some valuable information. The website is much more than simply an ad for the company--it's a great site to browse around on. Check it out, and if you haven't tried the brand hop over to the drugstore!

Dancing is Totally Fashionable

I know that I don't usually write about things that aren't ridiculously stylish, but I simply have to do a bit of advertising for one of my bestest friends in the world. I used to dance back in high school (and a little after that), and my friend actually went to school for it and is totally making something of herself in the dancing world. And I think that is totally radical and fashionable in it's own way. (And doesn't she just look amazing in the picture to the left?!? She's def a fashion icon).

Soooo, moving on... the best dancer I know, Katie Hill, just opened up her very own dance studio and is teaching about a million classes there. She's literally amazing. The studio is in Bristol, NH and classes are very affordable.

FOR INFO
Call: 603-387-1650
Email: katie@dancingfeetstudios.com

You can also visit her studio's website--it has oodles of info about the goings on. Check it out: http://www.dancingfeetstudios.com.

Like I said, she's definitely the best dancer I know and she's taught tons of classes in the past at different studios. I highly recommend checking out the website and taking lessons from her. she pretty much rocks at life <3.

Ciao lovies! Stay fabbity fab!

Embarrassing, but True: My Makeup Collection

I don't think that very many people own more makeup than I do. The picture to the left is almost every item of makeup I own (mind you, this is after a huge spring cleaning I did a month or so ago), and it doesn't even include my 50 or so lip products.

I don't know whether to be proud or ashamed! I'm addicted to makeup. There, I said it. Do they have AA for makeup addicts?

Bright Pink Peep Toes

Well, it's BOGO season at Payless and of course I've been stalking the Payless stores by me looking for something that tickles my fancy.

I'm so tired of plain black pumps, and pink is my absulitley fave color, so I figured that this time around I'd go for a patent "leather" strappy peep toe. Payless' Hollis Peep Toe jumped out at me right when I walked into the store. I knew that I had to have them. Even though they are a tough color to match, I think that these shoes will go with a lot more than most people would think. I can see wearing these with some denim carpis and pretty much any tee or tank top as long as I throw on some sort of pink accessory (even pink stud earrings). I also love the idea of wearing a monochromatic black outfit and then adding a punch of color with these bad boys.

Either way, they're available for a mere $22.99, and don't forget that it's BOGO season (Buy One Get One half off) until the end of July!

Bring Some Bling to the Beach

Fusion Beauty has a new limited edition lip plumper. And I think I'm in love.

The new LipFusion Micro-Injected Collagen Lip Plump Color Shine comes in one shade at the moment--Beach Baby. The color is pretty much the perfect pink for any skin tone. It looks natural, but still gives lips a fresh pink plumped look that is perfect for summertime and lounging at the beach.

The part that I'm most excited about? The wand. It is actually glammed up with pink crystal studs. This is the type of thing that I would keep even after I used all of the product. It's like an art piece!


Unfortunately, there is a downside for us frugal beauties. The plumper is $49. I know, I know...It's kind of steep for a lip gloss. But how cute is it??!! Check your couch cushions for spare change. Maybe you'll find a $50.

The Perfect Summer Top

Oh summer. I love it so much, but sometimes it's hard to look pulled together when the weather is approaching 90 degrees and everything is humid and sticky. It can get pretty gross.

That's why I love Forever 21's Alicia Rose Tunic. Flowy tops are always more comfortable when the weather is less than ideal, and they flatter nearly everyone. A top like this can work for almost any occasion. Pair it with some denim capris and flip flops for day, or wear with a pair of jeans (dark wash) and heels for night.

This gorgey top is $24.80 and can be bought in stores or online.

Big, Pink, and Fluffy

Pink is my favorite color (could you tell?) In my mind, every single product available, with the exception of weird eye shadows, should be pink.

So you can probably see why I'm in love with this huge kabuki brush by IsaDora. It's perfect to use for adding a touch of shimmer to your face or body. And just think of how cute it'll look on your bathroom sink!

Since my skin is practically see-through it's so white, I usually can't use bronzers without looking ridiculous. So I generally go for a light gold or silver shimmer powder to lightly apply above my cheekbones, over my shoulders, and down the center of my legs. It makes my skin look as close to flawless as possible. Plus the rest of you normal girls who have regular color skin can do this too with bronzers and whatnot.

Anyway, the brush is $19 and is very well-made so it'll last you practically forever. And did I mention that it's pink?

Double Duty Lipgloss

I love great combo products that you can just keep in your purse for on the go fix-ups. Tarte's new enbrightenmint lip gloss ($26) is pretty much amazing. One end holds a dazzling shade of lip gloss in either radient red or pearly pink (both shades are super flattering for most skintones). The other side has BriteSmile To Go--a tooth whitener that you can use throughout the day (just don't overdo it).

The whitener has proven to whiten up to 8 shades in just 14 days and also doubles as a minty breath refresher. Tarte's gloss, like all of their others, is awesome as well. Both shades have blue undertones, which help your teeth look even whiter, and both are mint-infused.

If you think it can't get any better, read this: with the purchase of every Tarte's enbrightenmint, you’ll be supporting Sambazon’s Sustainable Acai Project , which helps to preserve the Amazon Rainforest.

How can you refuse?

UPDATE!

You can now leave comments on this blog. I disabled them before because I wasn't sure if I wanted to know what you guys think of the blogs I write. I know, I know...cowardly of me.

Now I'm prepared! Let me know what you think about a product I recommend, or share a funny story, or just say hi. Write whatever you want (within reason, of course). BUT if you leave a bitchy comment, be prepared to get one back from me!

Ciao all you gorgey gals!

-Alana

From Day to Night: Pastel Eyes

It's always a bit tricky to glam up your makeup during that frantic after work/pre-going out moments. I've tried everything (and failed several times) until I realized that updating your eyeshadow is the key. And it isn't as hard as it may sound--especially with a palette that has all the right colors for both looks like Kevyn Aucoin's Essential Eye Shadow Palette in #6 ($55). This kit really have everything you need for an entire day of fab lookin' eyes.

In the morning, start off by applying an eye shadow base (or do what I do and apply a light layer of concealer to your eyelid). Next, brush the lightest blue shade (top left) over your entire lid--from lashes to brow. Apply the shade beneath it (light grey-green) only on your lash line and outer corner of your eye. This is a pastel smokey eye. Add a swipe of mascara, a pinch of blush, and maybe some lip gloss and you're set for work.

When 5pm comes around, you can brush on either the royal purple shade, or the blue/black shade (depending on how daring you are) as an eyeliner for the top lid only. You can get as crazy as you want, or keep it simple. Either way, it will pump up your look from day to night with little effort and it won't ruin your day makeup--it will merely enhance it. Not bad, huh?

For Those of us Who Love Punctuation

When I was in high school, my journalism teacher told me that I used commas too frequently. I hated her. I showed the paper she had referenced to one of my other writing teachers who told me that I used commas correctly. They are to be used at your own discretion whenever you take a mental breath in a sentence. Later on, I was telling someone the story and very loudly--I had a bit of a Freudian slip I guess--I said, "I OVERUSE CONDOMS!!!" and I don't think I'll ever get past that. Quite embarrassing.

So you can see that commas and I go way back. Which is why I think a comma necklace is the best thing since sliced bread. Made by FinnishDesignShop, the necklace costs 75 Euros (roughly $116). That's pretty pricey in my book, so I'm hoping that other designers take note (hint hint: Target) so that I can always be safe and have a condom, whoops I mean COMMA with me at all times.

The Skinny on Skinny Headbands

Cheesy blog title, I know.

Last summer, thick headbands were all the rage--especially those designed to look like scarves that you'd just tied around your head. I think that those are classic for the most part, especially if you own a black or white one. But this season, skinny headbands are all the rage.

The benefit of wearing a skinny headband is that you don't have to limit your other accessories. The headband doesn't steal the spotlight, so it's okay to pair it with a pair of cute earrings or a necklace.

Ann Taylor has a great zebra print headband that would go great with some gold hoop earrings (which, by the way, are always in style). The headband retails for $12, but I suggest that you check out your local dollar store before shelling out more than $10. I've seen tons of them by me and I probably own more than is socially acceptable. But they are all fabbity fab, so it's okay as far as I'm concerned...

Flip Flops--Bad for your Feet?

Say it ain't so! An article from Newsweek broke my heart when she wrote of the woes flip flops can induce. I probably own more flip flips than any other shoes, just because i don't think they ever go out of style and they're much more comfy than heels.

Dr. Justin Shroyer, a doctoral student in biomechanics at Auburn, found that the toes take a beating every time you flip or flop. "When you wear flip-flops, you kind of scrunch your toes to keep the flip-flop on your foot," Shroyer says. That constant pressure often adds up to throbbing and tenderness in the toes. "The body is an amazing machine," Shroyer explains. "When you do one thing, other things turn off and on. By engaging the muscles that scrunch your toes, you are turning off the muscles that would bring your toes up."

Wearing flip flops can also cause more stress on the body due to this--that could mean a higher risk of muscle and joint pain in the legs.

This is pretty scary stuff. I can already feel my toes cramping up just thinking about it!

Lela Rose for Payless

Payless has been doing awesomely as far as getting great designers in their stores. Lela Rose is back for a second round (you might recall the late Summer/early Fall collection from 2007). This time around, the shoes are just as adorable.

My fave? The Peggy Wedge Sandal. These are great wedges to have because they can be worn nearly year round. Hell, I'd wear these puppies in the middle of a snow storm, they're so cute.

The sandals come in navy or tan, both of which are classic colors that match practically anything, and they retail for a mere $24.99. What's not to love?

Bye-Bye Visible Bra Strap!

I truly looove Summertime. I do. But one thing that is so irritating is the fact that my bra straps constantly hang out the sides of whatever tank top I wear (especially those cute little embellished racer back ones I've been seeing around).

Embrace has found the solution! They've created a "fully detachable bra accessory that converts any bra into a cross back style". They come in one size only, but they are easy to adjust since you just slip them over your bra straps and adjust those to whatever suits you.

In stores, the product is only available in Canada--BUT you can order online at the Embrace website ($8.50 Canadian dollars each).

Nordstrom's Summer Gift with Purchase!

Ladies, there is nothing I love more than a free gift with purchase. I honestly wait for special emails to enter my inbox and alert me of a new beauty tote filled with goodies. It's rather sad--I know.

Right now, Nordstrom is offering a spectacular gift when you spend $100 on any beauty or fragrance products. I know that may seem a bit steep, but why not kill two birds with one stone and find a nice cologne for your dad (Father's Day is this weekend) or stock up on some of your beauty basics.

Here's the breakdown of what comes in the gorgey tote:
Anastasia Brow Gel
Anthony Logistics for Men® Self-Tanner with Anti-Aging Complex
Clarins Sunscreen Soothing Cream SPF 20 (0.28 oz.)
Cover FX 'Skin Prep FX' Treatment & Priming Serum sample
Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel (0.1 oz.)
Freeze 24.7® IceCrystals™
Anti-Aging Prep & Polish sample
Hanae Mori 'Butteryfly' Eau de Parfum (0.04 oz.)
John Varvatos Eau de Parfum (0.05 oz.)
KORRES Natural Products Guava Body Butter (0.85 oz.)
Lancôme Hypnôse Custom Volume Mascara (0.07 oz.)
Laura Mercier Eye Colour in Sandstone (0.03 oz.)
Origins 'A Perfect World™' White Tea Skin Guardian (0.17 oz.)
PHYTO Phytodéfrisant Botanical Hair Relaxing Balm (0.5 oz.)
TanTowel Self-Tan Towelette (1 application)

Not too bad, huh? The deal is available on the Nordstrom website or in their stores until supplies run out.

Beach Bag Essentials

Now that beach time is here (as far as I'm concerned) I thought it'd be a good time to make sure that our beach bags are up to par.

First off--J.Crew has a great simple tote that makes a great beach bag; the Small Madaket tote. for $39.50, you can have one of your very own. But you can get similar beach bags pretty much anywhere. Even Walmart has a large mix of 'em.

So here are a few of the most important things that I think every gal should have in her beach bag:

1) Sunscreen for your face. Stila has a great one out now. Their sheer color tinted moisturizer SPF 30 ($36) is tinted and you can choose from oodles of shades. I'd even use this as part of my normal makeup routine since even walking in the sun makes my pale skin go crazy. But you can throw a tube in your bag and refresh whenever you get the urge. Don't forget to bring a mirror to avoid any mishaps!

2) Of course, you obviously need a body sun screen. La Fresh Sunscreen SPF30 sells travel-size packets of sun screen, so you don't have to lug around a huge bottle.$4.50 will get you 4 individual full-body packs of sun screen.

3) A small pallette of makeup is always a good idea. Mainly, you only need a bit of concealer and mascara, but for the bold, there are many tiny pallettes just for this occasion. Hard Candy has s Take Out Makeup Kit that has everything you need to touch up your makeup. The kit has 6 Lip Glosses, plus two lips brushes. It also includes 8 eye shadows, mascara, eye liner, bronzer blush, and every brush you might need to apply all of the makeup. You can get this at Sephora (my home away from home) or on Sephora's website.

4) Last, but not least, make sure to pack a couple bottles of water to keep yourself hydrated, and help your skin look fabbity fabulous,

Of course there are about a million other things that I pack: magazines, books, my ipod, a digital camera (hey, you never know what you'll see!), and a bunch more that I can;t even recall at the moment. Simply use this list as a starting p0int and add your own beach bag items that you might need during the day.

I'm so ready to pack up my beach bag and run to the nearest lake by me, but alas I cannot as I've spent a ton of money just a few days ago. But that's a story for another time.

TTFN! (ta ta for now!)

Orange you Glad it's almost Summertime?

Summer is the best time to experiment with nail polish hues. Personally, if I'm taking a large risk, I'll stick to painting only my toe nails to avoid potential humiliation.

Orange is a huge color for summer. Most skin tones can pull it off and Jaffa 3 Free nail lacquer by Butter London has created a great shade of orange that I can't wait to try out.

I know it looks scary, but just think: Your pretty little toe nails could be painted bright orange while you and your true love smooch while watching the sunset. Talk about a perfect match!

The polish retails for $12. It's described as being "A juicy orange colour, seedless, but potent as Hell." So I'll leave it up to you to decide whether or not to take the risk.

Beauty Boo-Boo: Red Mascara

Call me old fashioned, but red mascara just isn't in my beauty routine. For most people (especially with lighter skin tones--or practically see-through like me) red tends to make you look like you've been crying all day. I mean, there is a reason why we don't see too many red eye shadows out there, right?

Well Vincent Longo (who I usually am a huge fan of) has decided that red is the new black apparently and I just don't get it! The Vibrant Eye Waterproof Mascara by Vincent Longo is a mascara much like the others offered on the site--clump free, waterproof, and all-around good quality. There are a number of decent colors on the site. Why not try an electric blue? It makes the whites of your eyes appear clear and fab.

So anyway, if you're in the mood to look like you have pink eye for a day, you can pick up the mascara for $24 on the Vincent Longo website. But I do not approve!

Lip Gloss with Some Sass

Tinted lip gloss is a great way to have some color on your lips without looking like a clown. My latest true lippy love is Bigelow Mentha Lip Tint - Magenta by C.O. Bigelow. The magenta tint is the most natural. It literally adds just a little sass (or, okay...punch of color) to your pucker.

The best part is that it tingles while you wear it. The gloss is minty fresh and totally fab. You can buy it at Bath and Body Works, or C.O. Bigelow's site for &7.50. In fact, Bath and Body Works is offering a special--buy 2 C.O. Bigelow products, get one free--plus a groovy tee shirt for $5. Not bad, eh?

Claires...makeup?!?

I have a confession to make: I love Claire's. I know that it is geared towards tweens. I get it. But the other day, I checked out their makeup selection (which I had no idea even existed) and was pretty my floored when I found out how awesome the products are.

My main squeeze? Claire's metallic eye shadows. For $5.50 you get 10 glam shades of highly-pigmented glam color. I gave 'em a test run today and was quite impressed. The only downside is that you cannot order online. So look for a local Claire's by you and give them a try--you won't be disappointed!

Show Off your Mood

This is the hardest tote to find, but I'm literally in love with it. The Loop NYC parcel HAPPY Sad stripe Mood Bow bag tote is practically sold out everywhere...but I happened to snag one at TJMaxx for $12 (!!!). Now I can let everyone know when I have my bitch face on, or when I'm having a good day. What could be better?

The only other place I could find the bag is on ebay. There are only 4 days left in the sale and the "Buy it Now" price is $26.99. I have a feeling it's going to go quickly, so pick up the pace and login to your ebay account!

Clutch onto THIS!

Over-sized clutches are huge this season. They work for day or night and can surprisingly carry a lot of your necessities (since they are practically the size of a regular handbag).

GUESS had a great one out, their Opus Cut-Out Clutch. It is 10" X 6"--pretty generously sized for a clutch. The sexy satin and fab animal print create a unique look.

I'm afraid to say that this isn't the cheapest clutch in the world... it retails for a steep $69.99. Well, that's steep for me--if any of your gals can afford it, go for it! As for me, I'll be in search of a cheaper version and I'll keep you all posted.

Fresh-Faced Beauty

Okay, I swear that this is the last blog I will write about The Body Shop for a while (maybe), but I'm really obsessed with this product. I got a sample of The Body Shop's Aloe Soothing Day Cream and was instantly addicted.

This is the type of cream that you apply before putting on makeup in the morn. It is thick enough to hydrate, but thin enough to apply makeup over it. It absorbs fairly quickly. The main ingredient is Aloe Vera, which of course is great for the skin. The cream is even recommended for sensitive skin (like me! hooray!!) and it did not irritate my skin at all.

The cream retails for about $14 and the jar lasts a while--a little goes a long way.

Hot Bod

The Body Shop. Oh, how I love thee. I know that I constantly salivate every time I write a blog about them, but I can’t help it. My latest fix? The cute little makeup bag complete with deluxe samples that is $5 when you buy $21.50 worth of merchandise! Not bad, huh? Another added bonus—buy any two makeup products, and you get a free powder brush (retail value $26). I spent $30 when I went in this past weekend, and I walked out with at least $60 worth of beauty goodies.

I didn’t know this before, but they even do free makeovers there—just show up bare faced (scary—I know) and the fab gals at the Body Shop will have you lookin’ good in no time.

Pretty amazing, huh?

The only troubling part is that these offers are not available online (hence the lack of linkage). Go to The Body Shop's website to find a store close to you.

VS Limited Edition Diamonds Collection!!!

If you haven't figured it out by now, you've been hiding under a rock. I love makeup. I own more makeup than is socially acceptable and I actually hide a lot of it from my boyfriend (don't tell him!)--in fact, I have so much that I have to rotate it. Some makeup goes into "storage" and others come out for a week or so and then the cycle begins again!

Anyway, Victoria's Secret is one of my all-time fave stores. I can buy everything I need there (other than jeans)--bras, panties, perfume, tops, makeup...the list is endless! VS has a great new Limited Edition Diamonds Collection. The Limited-edition Diamond Eye Duo holds two gorgey diamond-infused shades--one for intense luster, another for soft sparkle. Both shades capture and reflect light and make your eyes glow! It comes in a few different colors, but Black Diamond is my fave. The cost of one of these fab compacts is $14. The shadow lasts for a while, so it is well worth the money.

Another product in the collection is the Limited-edition Diamond Lip Glimmer. The tube looks so pretty with the gradual shades blended. Mixed together, each gloss makes a unique, flattering color for everyone. The shimmer in the gloss is perfect--shimmery, but not crazy glitter either. This lovely little lippy is $12.