Thursday, May 31, 2012

The Only Swimsuit You'll Ever Need

Even though I've been frequenting the gym (yes, I know...me at the gym. It's true, I promise), I still have issues with my tummy. My boyfriend says it's perfect blah blah blah, but I don't buy it.  I have the a few bikinis that look okay, but not fabulous.

One-piece suits are the way to go.  Not only are they more flattering, they're actually in style! This Luxe Tortoise Keyhole Tank swimsuit from JCrew is my fave find so far. The ruching is beautiful and totally covers you up in style.  It hides anything you don't want on display, but in an elegant way.

I'm also a fan of the halter tie.  It makes the retro-style suit look a bit more modern (as does the keyhole), and is generally a good look for every body type.

The suit comes in a few different colors--the teal is my fave--but, black is classic and always flattering and super gorgey.

Each suit, originally priced at $105, is currently marked down to $59.99! A little on the pricey side, but def worth it, as this is a suit you can wear year after year.  Since it's a sale item, make sure to rush and get the suit now before they run out of your size!!  

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Scent-sational: VS Love is Heavenly GIVEAWAY!!!



Oh Victoria's Secret, how I love thee. You've yet to come out with a fragrance that I don't immediately become obsessed with.

Their latest scent, Love is Heavenly, really is heavenly. First of all, I'm a sucker for packaging (per usual) and I absolutely love the retro style of the bottle and lotion. Super pretty.

The fragrance is incredible.  It's a romantic blend of water lily, mandarin flower, and luminous musk.  Enticing, no? All I can say is that it's totally boyfriend approved and is perfect for the spring to summer transition.  It smells fresh and clean with a dash of the floral scent that you've come to love from Victoria's Secret.  Really a win-win.

Speaking of winning, I actually have a duo of the fab scent to give away to a crazily lucky reader!

The giveaway includes a 1oz. bottle of the Love is Heavenly Eau de Parfum, and a 6.7 fl oz. Love is Heavenly Body Lotion.  Using both together really intensifies the scent and makes it last all day!

Look below to enter this $62 value giveaway!


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclosure: This post contains a sample product sent for consideration by a PR company. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me. 

Monday, May 28, 2012

Shimmer and Shine!

Since my skin is ridiculously pale, I have to get creative when it comes to making it look pretty.  None of the self-tanning products out there work for me, as I have outrageously pink undertones in my skin. Even the slow daily bronzing lotions look super fake on me.

So, I basically look for products that have a little shimmer in them to give my skin a glowy look.  Unfortunately, most of the products that have shimmer also tend to have chunks of glitter, or just irritate my sensitive skin.  I've even resorted to mixing my normal lotion with loose shimmer, but that's just annoying and super time consuming.

Enter Sally Hansen Salon's Airbrush Shimmer.  I've always seen the product in the past, but only noticed the bronzing ones.  I even tried out the "light glow" spray and had horrible results.  But this shimmer spray simply adds a little golden glow to skin and makes it look fabulous!  I absolutely love it.

You'd think that with a spray like this, blending would be a problem, but the product actually stays wet for a few minutes, so you have time to rub it in.  After that, it takes only a couple minutes to dry, so it's perfect for a quick skin refresher.

Each spray-on shimmer is around $7.


Sunday, May 27, 2012

Get a Perfect Pout

Oh Eyes Lips Face, how I love thee!  Their products are amazing, and yet somehow manage to be incredibly inexpensive.

My latest love? Their Pout Perfecter.  It's absolutely fabulous.  The color is a light pink with tons of fine pearlescent shimmer mixed in.  I have to emphasize the fact that the shimmer is not chunky glitter and doesn't give lips a disco ball look.  It's simply a classy shimmer that makes lips look gorgeous.

I've been wearing the gloss on its own, and love love love it, but you can also layer it on top of any lipstick you've got to give it an even prettier look.  The gloss gives the illusion of a fuller, glowy set of lips.

The best part--each gloss is only $3!

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Estee Lauder Gift With Purchase!


Huzzah! Estee Lauder is offering up this fabbity-fab gift with purchase to anyone who spends $35 or more on skincare or foundation products.

I'm totally obsessed with GWPs. This one is particularly enticing, as I really love Estee Lauder products.  Their skincare collection is amazing and doesn't irritate my skin like many other brands do.  And the makeup is natural and of the best quality.

So here's what comes in the set:

  • Your choice of a moisturizer
  • Pure Color Crystal Lipstick in Tiramisu
  • Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara in Black
  • Soft Clean Creme Cleanser
  • Soft Clean Silky Hydrating Lotion
  • A large comb
  • A fantastic beach tote


The products are all great, but personally I'm a huge fan of the beach bag.  Plus the comb is perfect for summer.  I don't know about you ladies, but my hair tends to get super tangled when I take trips to the beach and a good comb is key to having pretty, tangle-free locks.

This offer is only available for a limited time and is only available online.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Payless Pre-Summer Sale


Payless already sells amazing shoes for us ladies who don't have hundreds to spend on footwear.  But for the next few days, they're having a HUGE sale on top of their already low prices!

These adorable Pippa Flower Sandals are a mere $11.99, and they come in five fab colors! They're perfect for nearly any occasion--you can dress them up and wear them with a pretty summer dress, or dress them down and pair them with some jean capris and a solid tee.  Either way, your feet will look super cute.

I'm also totally in love with these Jupiter Platform Sandals.  I've had my eye on them for a while, but just didn't really have the extra cash to buy them.  But now that they're on sale for under $15, I think I can pull it off! I really love the bright colors used. Pink and purple are my absolute faves.  The adjustable strap is perfect for people like me who have tiny feet, and the platform makes the heel look much higher than it is (translation: less pain).  If you're not loving the colors, the sandals come in some other solid hues, and my all-time go-to favorite, leopard print!

The sale is only going on till Monday, so act fast!

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Fashion Faux Pas: the Electronic Bra

I have an issue with products that claim to increase breast size. It's usually a huge waste of money--nothing ever happens.  Sure, sometimes you can talk yourself into it and convince yourself that they look fuller.  But they don't.

The latest chest-growing product is the Bosom Max Massaging Bra.  It actually comes in a set with a few lotions and stuff, but the bra itself really intrigued me.

Basically, it's a vibrating bra.  You can adjust the frequency (three speeds!!!), and wearing it is supposed to increase circulation and stimulate the breast tissue.

Umm...this is the most ridiculous product I've seen in a while.  I fail to see how a vibrating bra can add bulk to your breasts.  It just seems crazy.  And it's not like you can just wear it around in public.  You'd have to schedule time during the day in which you stay home in order to get enough boob vibrating time.

Am I the only one who finds this hilariously stupid?! Ladies, love the body you have.  Being flat-chested and confident is way better than wearing an electric bra. I promise.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

The Prettiest Nail Pens Out There


Just in case you haven't noticed, I've become obsessed with nail polish and nail art over the course of the past few months or so.  I'm constantly looking for something new and different to try out, and Laqa's Nail Polish Pens really tickle my fancy.

I'm always a sucker for packaging, and the boxes that the pens come in are totally gorgey.  I also love nail pens in general, but often have a hard time with them (especially the ones that you have to squeeze).  These polish pens click like a real pen to release the polish.  It's a lot less messy than any other nail polish, and the colors are super pretty.

Each color has a unique name, like Incestuous, Pimpin', Squid Ink, and Fancypants, just to name a few. I love fun names for nail polishes and will often buy a polish solely based on its name, just so I can talk about it. There's just something about a great name that makes anything more appealing.

I'm absolutely in love with these nail polish pens! Each pen is about $15, which is kinda steep, but the quality is definitely there.  The pens are also great for painting your nails on the go!

Looking for a gift? This super cute Whip It Giftbox includes two colored polish pens, a topcoat pen, and two remover pads for under $50.

Monday, May 21, 2012

The Most Convenient Lip Gloss EVER!

I've admitted in the past to owning over 100 lip glosses. Well, now let's just say the number is a bit higher...probably closer to 250. I know. It's ridiculous.

BUT, the latest addition to my collection, the super convenient Smile Shimmer Lip Gloss by Willa, is amazing.  I love love love the clip.  I know it's kind of a small detail, but I've been hooking this gloss onto my purse for easy access, and it's been crazily helpful.  My bag is usually such a mess and filled to the brim with everything you could ever imagine.  So having access to lip gloss without having to dump out my entire purse is pretty much life-saving.

In the past, I have owned lip glosses that clip onto things.  It's not like it's some sort of new technology. But usually, the gloss itself sucks.  It's like they trade quality for functionality. That's not the case with this gloss.  I'd even love it sans clip.  It comes in three colors and flavors--clear mint, watermelon, and mandarin.  I'm partial to the mandarin hue, myself, as it gives lips a little burst of a coral-ish peachy color.  That said, the other glosses are fab as well.

The colors are all quite sheer, but not to the point where the color isn't noticeable.  It gives off just enough color to make your lips look like your own lips, only better.  That's a really great way to go for summer, when you don't want to look like you've slathered on a thick lipstick.

I also really love the feel of the gloss.  It feels buttery, smooth, and isn't sticky at all.  Basically, it's the perfect lip gloss out there.

It's not very pricey either. You can try it out yourself for $6.50.

Disclosure: This post contains a sample product sent for consideration by a PR company. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me. 

Sunday, May 20, 2012

You've Done it Again, Target!


A little over a month ago, I raved about a fabulous pair of leopard print flats I got on sale at Target.  I didn't think I'd find anything else as amazing there in the near future, but it's happened yet again!

I was perusing the shoe department halfheartedly, and stumbled upon a ton of shoes on clearance.  At first, I was understandably skeptical.  Most of the shoes were either ugly, or didn't come in a size small enough for me.  But after about 45 minutes of rummaging through shoes, I found these brill Patent Peep Toe Wedges in my size!

They're super adorable--you really can't have enough black shoes.  Especially when they're peep toe wedges.  I don't know about all you ladies out there, but I generally wear open-toed shoes year round.  Even if you're not like me, the pair will get you through spring, summer and fall.

Now I actually bought these shoes for under $9.  I'm not sure why the website doesn't reflect that, but there were a bunch of these particular wedges at the Target near me, so it's definitely worth checking out! I mean finding an awesome pair of shoes for $9 isn't typical, so run to the store stat!

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Fashion Faux Pas: Wearing a Saran Wrap Headband

You've got to be kidding me.

Designer Angel Sanchez decided to pair his gorgeous wedding attire with these hideous saran wrap headbands for his show during Bridal Fashion Week.

Needless to say, I was shocked. And quite upset.

I realize that runway fashion isn't necessarily meant for the real world, but honestly even for the runway, it's a bit much.

The only plus side to this "trend" is that you can simply run to the grocery store and pick up a roll of saran wrap to get the look.  And I suppose that it could come in handy on rainy days...but that's just not enough for me.

You can literally go to the dollar store and find a simple black headband that would look a million times better than this ridiculousness.

If I ever see anyone sporting this look, chances are I will strangle them with their own saran wrap monstrosity.

That is all.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Super Shimmery Hair Tip

I've always loved ELF (Eyes Lips Face), because they've got oodles of great makeup products that are crazily cheap, yet are of the best quality.

I recently tried out their fabulous Shimmer Sheets.  They come in a few different colors--I tried the bronze and the pink.  Now, their intended purpose is for use on your face and body, which the sheets are great for, but I found another fab use.

If you take a couple Shimmer Sheets and rub them through your hair, it adds just enough shimmer to make your hair look healthy and shiny, without looking like a disco ball. They also help soak up grease, so you can go a little longer between washing.

My advice is to carry around some of these sheets with you at all times, since you can use them for practically anything!

Each pack of 20 is a mere $3. So stock up and try out all the colors!

Friday, May 11, 2012

Beauty Boo-Boo: $62,000 Lipstick

Gorgeous or not, spending more than $40 on lipstick really isn't in my budget. And that's basically because it would be a total waste of money, since I can get a pretty amazing lipstick for under $40.

Guerlain has come out with the most ridiculously priced lipstick that I've ever heard of.  Their Kiss Kiss Gold and Diamonds Lipstick is currently selling for $62,000.

Seriously?!  I just can't imagine anyone shelling out that kind of money for lipstick.  You could buy and entire new designer wardrobe, complete with a really fab makeup set with that money. Or even do something halfway responsible.

Granted, the lipstick has an 18 carat yellow gold outer shell and 199 diamonds (umm...why not 200??!) That amount of bling simply should not be wasted on lipstick.

The craziest thing is that the actual lipstick itself is exactly like their normal Kiss Kiss Lipstick, which retails for $33.  Even the packaging looks similar.

This is quite honestly the biggest waste of money ever.  But if for some ungodly reason, you happen to have $62,000 to throw away, you can make a private appointment at a Guerlain boutique.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Love it! Denim-Hued Nail Polish

I am absolutely OBSESSED with Maybelline's latest Color Show Nail Polish.

There are bunches of colors, but what I really like are their two denim-inspired colors. I tried Styled Out, which was the darker of the two, and loved the result.  The color is actually a bit darker than it is in the picture--it actually looks like denim.

What I love about it, is that you can wear this polish anytime you wear jeans!  Since it matches the blue on your denim, it's practically a neutral shade. At the same time, blue is super hot right now and gives a great punch of color.

I also found that I only needed one medium-thick coat for the polish to be completely opaque.  The brush is also a bit thicker than most, which makes it super easy to apply.

Maybelline has tried the nail polish thing in the past (and they actually still sell their old line), and I was never really impressed.  But this new line (and the denim color specifically), is right up there with salon quality polish.

The best part is that you can buy a bottle for under $3.  I can't find a site to buy them online because they are so new, but I saw this color at Walgreens, and I imagine anywhere that sells Maybelline cosmetics should have the line by the end of the month at the latest!

Disclosure: This post contains a sample product sent for consideration by a PR company. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me. 

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Fashion Faux Pas: Robbing a Gas Station in a Pink Jumpsuit

The other day, there was a robbery in my city.  This happens every now and then.  What made it different?  The robber was wearing a bright pink jumpsuit!!

Umm...first of all, it's never okay to wear a pink jumpsuit. Anywhere. Even in your own home.

Secondly, if you're going to rob a store, wear something that isn't a brightly-colored fashion disaster! A nice black outfit, perhaps? Anything would be better than this.

I realize that I'm focused on the outfit more than the actual crime, but I just can't understand why this woman decided to go with this particular look.  Did she honestly look in the mirror and say to herself, 'gosh this is the perfect outfit to wear while I publicly rob a store during daylight hours'?

My advice: stay as far away from pink jumpsuits as you possibly can.  And if you're planning on robbing a store (not that I recommend it), stop by Walmart or something and get a black outfit.

Thanks.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Gorgey Gift for Mom--ON SALE!

If you're still looking for that perfect gift for your mom, look no further!

These gorgeous Diamond Hoop Earrings are stunning.  I can't think of anyone who wouldn't love these! They're delicate, yet bold at the same time.  The earrings are timeless and can be worn no matter what the trend is.

The best part? They're currently on sale for under $30! AND you get free shipping AND free gift packaging!!

Not bad, right?

They're so pretty that I might just get myself a pair (or two, as they come in three colors!)

Monday, May 7, 2012

Want Your Man to Be More Like Ken? Check This Out!

I've written so much stuff about Barbie over the past few years, but it's always been about products for women.

I just found this fabulous I Love Ken book that promises to make men a bit more like the lovable Ken--but in a hilarious way.  Your man can learn how to be the best red carpet escort, and even learn what gifts are great to give ladies!

Now I'm not saying this is a real man manual. It's more of a cute and funny look at how Ken makes his relationship with Barbie work.  So really, it's great for any Barbie lover to read and share with their main squeeze.

You can get a copy on sale for $12.

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Pamper Your Mom for Mother's Day!



This Mother's Day, why not give the gift that every woman wants?  To be totally pampered!

Yes to Carrots has some amazing products and gift sets that are perfect for the occasion.  They're also offering up oodles of sales for a limited time, so now's the time to buy!

I've tried out nearly all the products in the line, and I have to say that they are all incredible.  It's very difficult for me to find good skincare products, as I have eczema and severely sensitive skin (thanks dad, for being Scottish)!  But the products in this line don't irritate my skin at all, and in fact make my skin look glowing and feeling refreshed.

My fave products are the Yes to Cucumbers collection.  They have a fab Ultimate Calming Facial kit (on sale for $24.99), and all the products in the set are amazing.

The trio includes:

  • Daily Calming Moisturizer
  • Soothing Eye Gel
  • Facial Towelettes
I'm actually quite obsessed with the Facial Towelettes.  They're almost completely made from natural ingredients and just make my face feel fresh after use.  Much as I love makeup, washing my face every night is a huge pain, so these towelettes make the job super easy.  

I'm also a fan of their anti-aging products, Yes to Blueberries.  Again, the products feel great on my skin and the scent is subtle, yet pretty.  This collection has a Brightening Bundle on sale for $24.99 as well.  

The set includes:
  • Daily Repairing Moisturizer
  • Brightening Facial Towelettes
The products are both perfect for anyone who wants anti-aging products that not only assist with the aging process, but freshen up their face. 

If you haven't tried any of the Yes to Carrots products, now's the time to do it!

Disclosure: This post contains a sample product sent for consideration by a PR company. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me. 

Friday, May 4, 2012

Why, HELLO Kitty!


By now, most of you should know that I am OBSESSED with all things Hello Kitty related.  I just think that she's the absolute cutest thing in the word!


So when I found these adorable Hello Kitty inspired Meow Sunglasses, I basically had a seizure of delight!  I mean, while wearing these bad boys, you can have all the benefits of looking Hello Kitty-esque, while looking stylish.  


I think that the little bow and whiskers are purrrfect (hahaha I'm hilarious).  The sunglasses aren't overdone, which is usually a bit of an issue with novelty accessories.  They're just a super cute accessory that everyone should own.


Each pair is under $10--not bad, right??! LOVE it!

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Lipstick That Stays Put!


I've tried a lot of lipsticks in my 26 years, and have yet to find one that actually lasts.  I've tried the rubbery ones, the glosses that claim to stay on all day, and have often resorted to lip stains just so that my lips have constant color.

So I was understandably skeptical when I tried out Maybelline's latest Superstay 14 Hour Lipstick.  But I actually liked it a lot.  It comes in some absolutely fab colors.  I tried out Ravishing Rouge for a burst of color, and Pout on Pink for a more subtle look.  Both hues looked great, but I really liked the lighter pink best for everyday wear.

Now I have a little bad news.  The lipstick does not last for 14 hours.  It's a pretty ridiculous claim and I really didn't expect it to be true.  I'd say it lasts for about six, which is actually pretty good.  Throughout the day while I was testing them, I went around doing my regular daily routine.  So the color lasted through me eating, writing for hours, and even lasted throughout an entire gym workout!  I'd say that's pretty impressive.  I mean, with this amazing lipstick, you really only need to apply it twice or so a day.  That's loads better than my normal habit of constantly applying up to 30 times a day.

I also really liked the way the lipstick felt on my lips.  Most long-lasting lip products are quite drying, feel mask-esque, or even like a layer of plastic.  This stuff felt fairly light--just like a normal lipstick with some staying power!

It's definitely Sassy Fashionista approved! You can get your own tube (or a few!) for under $10 each.






Disclosure: This post contains a sample product sent for consideration by a PR company. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me. 

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

She Wore An Itsy, Bitsy, Teentie, Weenie, Yellow Polka-Dot Bikini!

Yes, ladies...it's that time again.  Time to go out and fine a super cute and flattering swimsuit.  Ugh...I know.  My beach body is nowhere near ready for beach time.  But since it's rapidly approaching, I might as well find something cute!

Luckily, Victoria's Secret has oodles of swimsuits that help enhance what you like about your bod, while covering up what you hate.

I found this fabulous bikini and I'm honestly in LOVE with it!  I mean, I did do a dance to the famous song  (she wore an itsy, bitsy, teentie, weenie, yellow polka-dot bikini!) when I was little so I might be a little biased.  But still--it's perfect for my body type.  the swimsuit also comes in about 25 other colors and patterns if yellow isn't your thing.

I love that the bottom has ties on the sides (much easier to adjust and no chance of a muffin top)!  And the top covers up enough, while still showing a tasteful amount of cleavage.  Huzzah!

Another bonus?  The top has a removable push-up padding.  That's a big deal to me, as whenever I put on a swimsuit, my chest seems to deflate.  I need that extra support.

You can purchase the Liya Push-up Halter Top and matching bottoms for under $50 combined.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Is Your Manicure Illegal?

I'm a super crazy nail polish junkie.  I probably own well over 100 polishes.  I'd say that about half of them are neon hues.


Well, apparently neon polish is illegal!! It's been all over the runways, and I've been hearing that neon colors are trendy for summer...but certain nail polishes being illegal? It just sounds crazy to me.


“Neon polish is actually illegal to produce in the US,” says Jan Arnold, co-founder and creative director of CND Colours. “So if you see a neon shade in the store, it’s imported—or your polish hue is just really bright, not a true neon, making it easier to pull off.”


Crazy, right?!


So basically anytime you buy a bright neon hue, it's either imported or illegal.  I honestly had no idea!


What do you fashionistas think about this breaking news?

Blog Archive





reviews Blogs




Any redistribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited without prior written permission.





© 2007-2018 Alana Finnie - All Rights Reserved