The Velvet Doll

bobbi brown shimmer brick, take me away...

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Swartz) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 22:10:00 +0000

The Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick. It is like a mythical creature that you hear about but never have been able to come in contact with... My latest issue of Elle says that it is Katie Holmes favorite thing (that must mean something, somewhere??). As the snow comes down in sheets across my dull, pale skin here in the Midwest, I realize that it is meant to be.

I need this thing that is shimmery and may make me look glowing and alive. At any cost.

I say at any cost because at $42, it is not inexpensive, but I will pay just about anything to not look like a zombie at this point. I also have purchased numerous knock offs, attempting to achieve a glowing, sun-kissed complexion. So why not just get the real deal? I hear that it last forever when the colors are swirled and applied with a kabuki brush..

I will give it a whirl.

obsession: tramp shower gel by LUSH

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Swartz) — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 19:34:00 +0000

I never understood women's love of bath products until the day I fell in love with LUSH. After experiencing a bath with handmade, highly concentrated products from LUSH Cosmetics, you too will understand why someone (me) would pay $10 for a bath bomb, a.k.a. - something that you put in a bathtub that dissolves and then is gone forever. It is worth the money though dammit!

But I don't always have time to lounge around in a tub full of pink, silky bath bomb infused water, much to my serious dismay, so occasionally I shower. Recently I realized that even though I am forced to stand while bathing, I can still enjoy it it. That is, with my new $28 shower gel from LUSH called Tramp! Why would I pay over $30 for a shower gel (don't forget about shipping - Tramp is only available online)?

Because:

1. It is called Tramp, which is funny

2. It is almost 17oz, so it's not like they're being stingy

3. Their website said I would emerge from my shower smelling like an enchanted forest

Sold. To me. For way to much money to spend on shower gel.

Really though, I cannot even begin to truly express my amorous for this shower gel. It makes your skin extremely soft, and they were not lying, I do smell like an enchanted forest after I use it. Somewhere between an enchanted forest and a very clean hippie...

Love. I never knew that I could feel this way about a bath product. I usually reserve this level of obsession over a product for lip products. That's how I know this stuff is the real deal. Everyone needs a Tramp in their shower!

why make cookies when you can make chocolate dipped chips

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Swartz) — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 23:06:00 +0000

I do not like to bake. All those ingredients, the mess, the calories. . .

But I was on Pinterest ~~for eight hours~~ the other day, and ran across an image of chocolate-dipped chips and thought, I can handle that! Since you really don't have to cook anything. At all.

Just melt half of a bag of chocolate chips in the microwave (about 1 1/2 minutes then stir, otherwise the chocolate will burn and be disgusting and lumpy, which is not good) then dip your kettle chips into it and place them on a cookie sheet. While they are still hot, sprinkle with, ya know, whatever. Sprinkles, those silver beads they insist you can eat but will likely kill you, glitter - anything goes. Then sprinkle with sea salt and viola! Attractive dessert type thing.

Look how lovely they look placed in a white bowl! Do not try and be low-cal with this. The chunkier and crunchier the chip the better they stand up to the chocolate and the better they taste. That means you need fat, so no reduced fat crap, or those weird baked things. Kettle. Chips.

These pair nicely with a bottle of zinfandel. Or merlot. Or anything else you feel like drinking a bottle of.

get glossy with fekkai and a very special holiday promo

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Swartz) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 17:40:00 +0000

Me and my hair have very rarely gotten along. It is curly, I wish that it were straight, it wants to be brown, I want it to be almost white-blond, or occasionally black. These things have made our relationship rocky, to say the very least. There are certain beauty products that I will skimp on (there is no need for $15 nail polish remover people!), but when it comes to my hair I am extremely loyal to my brand, and don't mind spending a little more for products that contain amazing ingredients and do what they say they will do.

About two years ago I was introduced to the Brilliant Glossing Collection from Frederic Fekkai. The first thing that I noticed about the line was how gorgeous the packaging is! I am a total sucker for packaging - I mean, who wants unattractive haircare products lining their tub?? Not me.

This line also smells amazing, which of course leaves your hair smelling amazing. It is formulated with olive oil using an encapsulated technology that leaves hair shiny from root to tip. No other product line has ever left my hair feeling so soft and looking so healthy. The capsules are regenerated when you run a brush or comb throughout your hair during the day as well, increasing shine and bringing out that lovely, fresh smell again. I use the entire line, but I especially could not live without the Glossing Cream, which makes my curly hair soft and defined on the days that I am lazy and don't straighten my mane, an occurrence that has become more and more frequent since I found this line. This line is a must for anyone that has processed, dry or curly hair. Did I mention that it smells amazing?

Fekkai is currently running a very special holiday promotion: Spend $50 and receive 10% off your entire order and receive an exclusive holiday headband (while supplies last) with the promo code HEADBAND.

don't just cleanse your face, deep cleansing oil your face with DHC

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Swartz) — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:19:00 +0000

I have ~~bitched about~~ addressed the issue of having to deal with extremely dry, uncomfortable skin here a few times, but seriously, this year it is out of control. I decided, for some reason still not truly clear to me, to go back to school this fall. That has meant sitting in classrooms containing air possibly from 1970, with no windows in sight and massive amounts of dry heat coming from air ducts that have likely not been cleaned since 1970.

Now I am grossed out.

Anyway, a friend suggested that I try Deep Cleansing Oil by DHC, a brand that I had not really ever considered, or heard a lot about. Having grown up with very oily skin (oh, those were the days...), the idea of rubbing oil all over my face in order to clean it freaked me out. I was convinced that my face would immediately rebel, break out, maybe fall off, I dunno...

But no. This product is saving my life right now. Okay, dramatic, but it is saving my skin. I had become so dry that it was taking a handful of moisturizer immediately prior to foundation to get it to go on without cracking. After a few weeks of using Deep Cleansing Oil I am happy to say I am crack-free.

The cleanser contains olive fruit and rosemary leaf oil. It has a very light, pleasant oder. You can apply it directly to your face dry, which is best for removing makeup, or use a tiny bit of water with it to create a foam. I apply about a quarter-sized amount dry and then wet my Clarisonic, run that over my face and rinse. Unless I have doused myself in mascara, which does happen, this will remove all of my eye make up. If I am covered in liner and mascara (again, very likely), I apply a little of the oil to a cotton ball and massage my eyes with that first and then proceed with my normal cleansing routine.

Purchase the huge 6.7oz bottle - don't be chicken and go with the sad little one. You will not regret it. If nothing else this is an amazing eye-makeup remover, and at under $30 a steal. Before making a purchase of any kind online, always Google something like "product name coupon code" and check Retailmenot and other such sites for discount codes. DHC offers 20% off coupons fairly regularly.

Smart girls never pay full-price for price for retail. That way you save money and can buy more shoes!

leopard cameo scarf by candystore collective

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Swartz) — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 17:55:00 +0000

Happy Thanksgiving! I decided to forgo Black Friday and just start shopping November 1st. There have been so many great sales in the last few weeks that I couldn't resist purchasing a few things for myself. I figure that if I am nicely dressed, I will have an easier time buying things for others. Or...ya know. Something along those lines that justifies me shopping for me.

I had never heard of Candystore Collective, but a fellow bloggy friend claimed an offer that they had posted (damn you Facebook offers!) so I of course had to check it out. 30% off is basically free, so that is a discount that I do not take lightly.

It is not an inexpensive site, but they have a very nice assortment of clothing, jewelry and accessories that you don't see everywhere. With my 30% of I purchased this lovely black, white and grey cameo scarf. I love that it goes with almost anything, is very lightweight and after my discount was under $30. I received my order quickly in the mail a few weeks ago and have worn the scarf with everything from a grey sweat outfit (I was running errands and it was cold - don't judge) to a pencil skirt and platforms.

Use the code above on your first order to get 30% off! I have had an issue with this promo code, but if you follow them on Facebook they often post codes for 30 or 40% off (FREE!!).

Don't eat to much and happy shopping!

caress endless kiss body wash is silky goodness

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Swartz) — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 17:41:00 +0000

I've always been very picky about bath products. I have never been a fan of the bath and shower gels that make you smell like a giant fruit basket or a giant field of lavender (although that is a very lovely mental picture). I was excited to try Endless Kiss Silkening Body Wash as soon as I heard that it contained sandalwood and vanilla fragrance, two of my favorites.

This is a very hydrating and creamy wash. It does not foam up a lot, which to me is a good sign because that usually means that a product is not full of soap and fillers. I have been putting a handful of this in my bath while it is running so that the entire bath smells like sandalwood goodness and then shaving with it. Endless Kiss does not leave a film on your skin and a soft scent remains for a while when after your bath, but nothing overwhelming. I will definitely be repurchasing this body wash!

Caress products can be found at Walmart, CVS, Walgreens and many other retailers. Their body washes run around $6 for 18 oz.

Product provided by the company

all candles should be voluspa candles

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Swartz) — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 07:00:00 +0000

I am in love with Voluspa Candles. Not just because they have names like "crisp champagne" and make your entire home smell delishes, but also due to the face that they burn forever, don't give off that odd black smoke that some candles do and come in extremely attractive containers. Packaging is everything. To those of us that shop to much.

They are not inexpensive (they run around $16), but to me if a candle looks and smells amazing it is worth a few extra dollars, especially since these burn for quit some time. I say that because I went to purchase candles at Target the other day and most of there candles were at least $10, were not in cute containers and had fragrance names like "piney winter fig" ??. Maybe I need to start a candle company if people will purchase a $10 candle that smells like piney fruit.

Another plus - once the candle has burned out, stick the container in the freezer so that you can easily tap of any remains of wax with a knife and then wash it in the dishwasher. They are gorgeous and perfect for housing jewelry, knick-knacks, or, from what I hear, exactly two pounds of peanut M&Ms.

You will feel way better about having a two pound bag of M&Ms if it it is housed in an attractive container. Trust me.

get glowing skin with this very simple green smoothie

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Swartz) — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 17:45:00 +0000

Tis the season for sad, dry skin again - or at least that's how my skin is looking. I have mentioned before how much I love a book on all things health and beauty that I love called The Beauty Detox Solution, which can be purchased on Amazon for around $15 I believe. One of the things that Kimberly, the author and a registered dietitian, recommends is drinking a "Glowing Green Smoothie" (her name for a smoothie, that is green, obvs). I have been drinking one at least four times a week as a substitute for lunch (I drink a lot of it) and have noticed a huge difference not only in my skin, but also in how I feel throughout the day when I have one.

There is an official recipe here, but you can really create any variation of this that you want. The mane thing is to make the majority of the smoothie something green. I prefer spinach over kale because it really doesn't have a lot of flavor, so you taste your somewhat tastier ingredients instead of, ya know, raw kale.

I make mine in a Magic Bullet, which is freakin amazing for smoothies, soups, pesto; pretty much anything that you would do with a blender, this baby will do the same and THEN act as your cup. Totally worth the $20 - also found on Amazon.

Recipe (My Version):

About 2 cups of spinach

A banana

The juice from half of a lemon

A third of a cup of plain greek yogurt

Half a cup of chopped pineapple (about 6 good-sized cubed pieces)

A handful of fresh mint

A tablespoon of cinnamon

About 5 ice cubes

I add cinnamon because it is good for blood pressure, but if you are anti cinnamon don't worry about it. You can also get all holiday-themed with it and add a few table spoons of pumpkin pie filling (but watch the sugar and I would buy organic). If you are making a large batch of this to drink over a few days the lemon juice is important because without it the juice may start to oxidize and change color and not taste as fresh. I also like to add any kind of melon that is in season if I have some on hand or frozen strawberries or blueberries to change it up a bit.

Yum, now I am hungry....enjoy!

arm candy from gypsy warrior

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Swartz) — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 02:02:00 +0000

I am a huge fan of everything on Gypsy Warrior website, but I am especially fond of their jewelry. They have an ever-changing collection of gorgeous pieces at extremely reasonable prices (like between $15 and $45, or as I like to call it, free).

I ordered this pink skull bracelet a few days ago and it showed up yesterday and has been on my arm ever since. It is adjustable, which I love, and looks amazing with my watch and a few silver bangles. The Pink Skull Bangle is $18 and you need it!! Well, maybe need is not the right way to put it...have to have it? Should order one or you may regret it forever? Either way, it's kind of amaze and my new favorite thing.

I hope everyone is having a happy Saturday! I'm trying to find the will power to get my apartment decorated for my favorite holiday, Halloween. For now I guess having a skull around my wrist will have to do.

dr lipp nipple balm for lips - no, really

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Swartz) — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 03:45:00 +0000

My obsession for lip products runs deep. While others are out there searching for the latest and greatest mascara or foundation, I am in constant search of anything that will allow me to apply the most ridiculously nude, matte lip color without looking..well, ridic.

This nipple balm, which from here on out I will refer to as a lip balm (because I haven't used it on my nipples - yet) does just that. For $14.50 at Sephora, this 100% natural lip balm makes lips ridiculously soft and smooth, without being sticky or smelling obnoxious. Actually, it has virtually no smell, something that I personally love in a lip balm. Who wants to spray pricey cologne just to end up smelling like a giant strawberry? Not I.

I think the greatest thing about Dr. Lip Nipple Balm For Lips is that it is the first lip balm I have applied at night and that actually gives you amazingly soft lips by morning, without ending up on your pillow, or in your hair. Or all over your face. You get it.

The company uses medical-grade lanolin in the balm that is known to smooth and heal dry lips, cuticles, patches of eczema, and yes, it even can make your nipples softer! Apparently. Again, not how I have used it.

Bonus: Their website is extremely cute and has an icon that you can click on which explains the whole nipple situation that is simply labeled "Nipples". Trust me - you will find yourself wanting to click on it once you see it. Or maybe it's just me? Either way, may lips feel and look kind of amazing...

*Product provided by the company

i'm kind of obsessed with buxom lip polish

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Swartz) — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 16:57:00 +0000

At one point in time I thought that Chanel Glossimers were the only lip glosses in the world worth spending over $20 on. Then one day I picked up a Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Polish because I was in dire need of a nude for the evening and happened to be by a Sephora and a store associate told me they were her favorite. So I bought one, applied it, the skies parted, my lips looked amazing, birds sang....

So that may be a teeny bit overly dramatic, but I was extremely impressed by the formulation of Buxom's lip polish as well as their color range (not that it matters much to me - I buy a wide variety of nudes, almost exclusively). The best part is, they are only around $19! FREE! These have amazing staying power and one tube, which is 0.14oz, lasts me about 3 months; that is with a minimum of twice daily applications. Minimum as in if I were sick in bed and only was able to feebly lift arm twice to apply lip gloss. Realistically, let's say probably more like five times a day.

Pictured here is one of their makeup sets that was offered last Christmas, so sorry, but I don't think it is available any longer. They have sets often though that offer the chance to try several colors for a little bit of a discount, as well as another product such as an eye liner or mascara. I usually start with a set that carries smaller sizes of products when trying a new brand. I believe right now Buxom has one available called the Passport Collection that has a gloss, mascara, shadow and blush in a travel case that's a great deal. Google it.

I went ahead and swatched the gloss because even though Laura isn't available it is a very close dupe for Buxom'x Big Healthy lip cream in Berry Blast (available at Sephora dot com). Although I usually stick with varying shades of nude, I have worn this all summer and feel like it is the perfect pop of color when wearing just foundation, bronzer and a little mascara. The Lip Tarnish swatched on the bottom is an almost exact match for one also available at Sephora called Candy Pink. I use the Lip Tarnish as a liner, fill in my lips and then go over it with the Lip Polish.

In fact, I think I will go do that right now!

dove intensive repair daily treatment conditioner

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Swartz) — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 23:59:00 +0000

Summer can wreak some serious damage on hair, between the pool, sun and all of the elements that you come in contact with being outdoors. There are many ways to protect your hair such as wearing a hat and trying to stay out of chlorine, but sometimes damage is inevitable. It seems like no matter how great I am feeling about my hair in April, come July I am watching it break off as I brush it no matter what I do to try and keep it healthy.

I have been using Dove's Intensive Repair Daily Treatment Conditioner now for about two weeks and can really feel a difference in my hair! Many people use to only trust salon brands of shampoo and conditioner; however, many companies have proved that you can get a quality product from your drugstore. I definitely think that this is one of them.

Dove Intensive Conditioner has a dual-action formula that contains patented micro moisture serum to deeply penetrate the hair and fiber actives that seal damaged cuticles and repair hair. I have especially damaged hair due to my bi-monthly tendency to dye my hair either white-blond or almost black, so I need something that is thick and nourishing for my hair - especially on the days that I am straightening it since I blow it out first and then use a flat iron. I have been using my normal shampoo and then putting the Dove Intensive Repair Daily Treatment Conditioner on and leaving it on while I shave (for about 2 minutes). My hair immediately feels so much softer when I rinse this product out, not to mention the fact that it smells amazing!

Dove products are available online at many retailers, as well as in drugstores nationwide. Interested in a Dove coupon and the chance to be entered to win a $1,000 Spafinder gift card? Follow the links below for more information!

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Be sure to visit Dove^®Hair.com to get a coupon for $1.50 off Dove Hair Therapy products.

better than a BB cream: aveeno positively ageless correcting tinted moisturizer spf 30

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Swartz) — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 15:21:00 +0000

Everyone has been so crazed over BB creams in the last year that I feel like we have forgotten about how amazing a great tinted moisturizer can be. Although I have tried several of the BB creams and they do a pretty good job of giving coverage while also having (usually) some anti-aging properties to them, many of them also come with a somewhat ashy undertone color-wise. I also personally have dry skin, so the dry, airy consistency of many of them made my skin look dull.

Not to mention the $60 price tag that comes with many of the top BB creams.

(no flash and natural light)

So now that I have talked smack on BB creams, let me tell you about my new love: Aveeno Positively Ageless Corrective Tinted Moisturizer. The product shown above is the light to medium - I believe this comes in one other color that is a bit darker. This managed to work though for me throughout the summer as my skin changed from sadly pale to a tiny bit of color and even works if I use a fake tanning product.

Aveeno Corrective Tinted Moisturizer not only covers flaws and hydrates, it also contains their patented Active Naturals Natural Shiitake Complex as well as vitamin C in order to improve skin's appearance over time. This product has a creamy consistency without being oily that goes on smoothly. I use it every morning after washing my face and find it to be hydrating enough that I don't need a moisturizer under it. And if that isn't enough to make you run to Target immediately to purchase it, Positively Ageless Corrective Tinted Moisturizer also has an SPF of 30 and is under $20.

It is like Aveeno is forcing you to have even, healthy, protected skin.

This product was provided to me by the company. The container is 1.7oz and a little of this product goes a long way; I received this in May and have barely made a dent in it even though I use it every morning! Don't forget to apply to your neck and hands as well - aging occurs there too!

i know you've already heard, but essie vermillionaire is one of the greatest polishes on earth

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Swartz) — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 21:12:00 +0000

So even though you can find 18,000 pictures of this truly amazing polish online, here is one more for you!

This is, in my correct opinion, one of the most versatile polishes out there. In a lot of the pictures I have seen of it the color comes across as a lot more orange than I actually think that it looks on. It is hard to capture it in a picture and I think (after around 20 tries) that I finally was able to get a picture that shows this as a true orange-red coral. So pretty. I honestly reach for this color one out of every 3 times I paint my nails. Does that make sense? What I mean is I use it a TON.

This color looks amazing on just about any skin tone and works for any season, just adding to its pure awesomeness. Essie polish also dries very quickly, so If I am getting ready to go out and not feeling very fancy this polish is a quick way to feel, well, more polished?

I am wearing two coats of Essie Vermillionaire with Seche Vite base and top coat. Get it. You need it.

fall must-have: jeffrey campbell venice hidden wedge

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Swartz) — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 20:26:00 +0000

I am not what you would ever refer to as "sporty"; I did catch some of the Olympics, but that was only to check out the Ralph Lauren uniforms that people were complaining about. I do, however, love jeans. I get tired of the jean/boot combo, sometimes heels are not appropriate, I certainly am not going to sport Nikes if I am not going to the gym...so what the hell do you wear when trying to be somewhat casual but not boring, dressy without a heel, somewhat sporty without a (gasp) sneaker...?

I suggest the Jeffrey Campbell Venice Hidden Wedge. This the sneaker that sneakers would make if they could make themselves. Right? Sneakers would want to be sleek looking, made of luxurious suede and at least three inches tall if they had a choice. The Venice Wedge is all of those things and comes in navy, tan, olive (shown above) and black. They retail for around $160, which is not bad at all considering most running shoes are around the same price and don't even make you look taller, WTF.

I have seen these at Nordstom, Singer22 and Nasty Gal online, but grab them fast because they are having a hard time keeping them in stock!

the panda pen: the most expensive cotton swab around

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Swartz) — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 17:39:00 +0000

Okay, so it's not exactly a cotton swab, but still.

I was flipping through Nylon magazine the other day (which has a great beauty section, something I would not have guessed) when I spotted this little contraption by De-Coy called Panda Pen. At first glance it sounds amazing, seeing as how it has the word "panda" in its name and claims to magically correct eye makeup. However; upon further investigation (I looked up the website) this thing is a $30 eye makeup remover dispenser. You even have to rub the product around to remove excess makeup with your own finger. Your. Own. Finger. Thirty dollars later.

So I guess I won't be purchasing this, which makes me sad, mostly because I really like to purchase things. If you're concerned that I may be overreacting check out the video on the website of the product "in action". Or I can just sum it up for you: a girl that may or may not be wearing eye liner clicks the Panda Pen to, I assume, dispense product, rubs it under her eyes and then uses a finger to remove the eyeliner that apparently only she can see.

Seriously.

I wanted to love you Panda Pen. Oh well. I think I will stick with my Q-tips. Thank god it's not the Unicorn Pen. I would not have been able to resist a Unicorn Pen...

kate spade gets classy with the cobble hill satchel

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Swartz) — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 17:12:00 +0000

I know this may sound like blasphemy to many, but I um...have never never been a fan of Kate Spade. In fact, I think that a lot of her stuff is kind of tacky.

There, I said it.

Recently, however, I fell madly in love with the Cobble Hill Satchel (especially in this gorgeous kelly green color). It retails for $348 at Nordstom and comes with a detachable shoulder strap. My issue with Kate Spade merchandise of the past was the price tag mixed with the quality. I just couldn't wrap my mind around spending four of five hundred dollars on a cloth patterned bag. I can also be very boring when it comes to clothing - I own at least twenty black boat-necked tops - but I just prefer a really good quality leather handbag in a classic color if I am going to spend that kind of money.

This may be a necessity for fall. How soon is too soon to start asking for Christmas presents without sounding like a total jerk? August?

Tip: I never buy anything before Googling it. Just look up the brand and style (in this case I entered "Kate Spade Cobble Hill Satchel") and hit shopping under the search options. You can often find what you're looking for for less on sites like Zappos, Endless or Amazon. I also always check the website RetailMeNot for coupon codes and free shipping offers before making an online purchase.

le curler, lancome's latest beauty innovation and perfect lashes in 3 steps

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Swartz) — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 21:27:00 +0000

Check out the latest innovation in lashes from Lancome! This video demonstrates how to get amazing curled lashes in 3 easy steps!

if angels wear platforms then they must wear the ASOS halo platform

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Swartz) — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 18:03:00 +0000

Somewhere in heaven right now there are angels admiring each others ASOS Halo Platforms, their opaque nude upper and gold tiled wedge...

These shoes are seriously pretty fabulous. They manage to look retro and fun while making your legs look longer in the way that only a nude shoe can, all while extending you upwards almost five inches. Magical. Lightweight and comfortable, these babies are only $82.85 (they couldn't just make them $80? Oh well.) and ship for free on the ASOS site to the US if you spend a total of $150, which is not hard to do.

I'm convinced that these would look amazing with tights as well, making them technically multi-season shoes, making the cost + usage = practically free. I may be losing money if I DON'T purchase these as soon as possible.

my skin is loving youthH20

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Swartz) — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 18:38:00 +0000

Although it is not unusual for me to have ~~three~~ a glass of wine throughout the week, I limit myself to one cup of coffee a day, don't really drink soda and down water like I run five miles daily (I do not). I also try to eat healthy, juice at least once a month and workout three times a week due to my firm belief that how you take care of your body is evident on your face.

I am always up for trying new things to add to my (somewhat) healthy lifestyle, so when the kind folks at youthH20 gave me the chance to try a month for free I was ecstatic! YouthH20 is an "Age Defying Energy Shot" full of vitamin C, vitamins B12 and B6, Niacin, Folic Acid and other natural antioxidants. The idea is to take the 2oz shot five times a week for 3 weeks, take a week off and then start the process again. At the end of two to three weeks the company states that you will feel more energy, have improved collagen production and boosted immunity and metabolism.

I have been taking youthH20 for about 3 weeks now an absolutely notice a difference in my energy throughout the day. I also tend to have a lot of redness and flushing throughout the day and have noticed that it is much less frequent when I drink my daily shot. I love the fact that this product is free of caffeine as well.

The shot is much easier to drink when cold, and I actually sometimes put it in 16oz of purified water and drink it like that. While it is not inexpensive at around $50 a month, if you take into consideration the fact that nastyass (sp? Nasty-ass?) Red Bull is awful for you and costs around $4 for a single can, $50 for 15 shots is not bad at all. Your skin will thank you.

Side note: if you happen to drink err...a few glasses of wine throughout the week, this stuff is full of B-Vitamins, making it fantastic for a hangover. So I hear.

get glowing with the dr. dennis gross age erase recovery mask

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Swartz) — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 18:32:00 +0000

I have professed my love of hyaluronic acid in the past, but in case I didn't get my point across, I will now discuss my love of masks that contain hyaluronic acid. To be more specific, my new love for the Age Recovery Mask from Dr. Dennis Gross.

Dr. Dennis Gross is all about anti-aging, and probably most known for his Alpha Beta Daily Face Peels. The Age Erase Recovery Mask is another treatment product within his line that I think compliments the Alpha Beta Peel amazingly. The mask is self-heating, contains professional strength hyaluronic acid and active vitamin D. The combination of the hyaluronic and the mask warming up on your skin feels so soothing, especially of you have "crunchy" skin, like myself.

I like to use a peel (the Dr. Gross Alpha Beta Peels are great, but any glycolic or salicylic peel that you love is fine) to get my skin nice and exfoliated and then apply this mask and allow it to sit for about 10 minutes. The directions will tell you to use the mask weekly, but I find that every two weeks or twice a month is enough to keep my skin soft and glowing.

Not that anyone NEEDS to see that I actually use this product, but I do, as proven here in unnecessarymaskpic, or UMP. It is worth pointing out that the product tends to pool in the areas on my cheeks and around my mouth that tend to be the most dry. I definitely feel like my makeup, foundation especially, goes on one-million times smoother after I have used the Age Recovery Mask.

Side note: if you have acneic or even just very oily skin you may despise this mask. It is extremely thick, somewhat hard to remove and leaves skin feeling slightly sticky.

be nice to your hair and buy it a sultra the bombshell

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Swartz) — Wed, 30 May 2012 20:41:00 +0000

Sephora is so stingy with their discounts, anytime that I get some kind of percent off from them I feel obligated to use it, which is how I ended up with the Sultra The Bombshell 1" curling iron a few months ago. Well, the discount and the fact that all of the YouTube videos that I had seen using this iron ended with hair going from flat to Victoria's Secret worthy waves.

A funny thing happened when this arrived though: I took it out of the box and immediately placed it back in the box and under my bed, not unlike how I used to store a scary porcelain doll when I was ten so it couldn't attack me at night. I mean, this thing looked like some sort of torture device. The creepy pink glove, complete with the warning "THIS IS NOT HEAT-RESISTANT. DO NOT HOLD IRON TO GLOVE" (or something of that nature) did not help the matter. So the very expensive iron sat untouched for about 4 months. Seriously - I was that concerned/scarred to death.

Then, sigh, vanity got the best of me. My hair has gone from white to almost black to light brown in less than a year, and is errr...not in the best condition, to say the least. I have been slathering it in Terax for a few months though, and it finally looks like it may not fall out. This of course has made me want to dye it again, but I had told myself no color until fall, so I needed to change it up in another way. I usually straighten it, but for some reason the other day I remembered that I had the Sultra hidden away under my bead and decided to face my fears.

Thank baby Jesus that I did, because that thing is AH-MAZE-ING! I highly recommend watching this video before using the iron because you don't hold it like you would a conventional clip iron, and because it is hilar when their spokesperson refers to said stupid pink glove as "super sexy", which it is NOT. I sectioned my hair off in four sections and started on the right-front section, working my way around my head the same way they do in the video and ended up with gorgeous, beachy waves in about 20 minutes. I think that it will go much faster in the future now that I have the hang of it and am not fearful for my life. Aside from fearing for my neck and hands I also feared for my hair, but the Sultra didn't damage my hair at all and the waves stayed in place for two days.

I would suggest getting the 3/4" if your hair doesn't at least touch your shoulders because the 1" is pretty large. And for goodness sake, throw the stupid glove away and just make sure to be very careful when wrapping hair around the iron as not to burn your hand off.

the updated friendship bracelet from lemon & line

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Swartz) — Thu, 24 May 2012 16:10:00 +0000

I am thrilled with the recent arm-candy obsession that can be seen all over the internet in recent months. It seems like every third Instagram picture in my feed is of a cute girl with a wrist piled nearly to her elbow with chains, watches and beaded bracelets. It is WONDERFUL!

An arm full of interesting baubles can spice up just about any outfit and does not have to be an expensive investment. I like to mix edgy bracelets (spikes and studs anyone?), a gold Marc Jacobs watch and a few feminine pieces such as the Newport by Lemon & Line. Lemon & Line is a site full of nautically inspired rope bracelets in bright colors, all for around $25. The jewelry is hand-crafted in Newport Rhode Island and currently has three collections available, as well as a LTD collection. I am especially in love with the fact that the bracelets come in a range of sizes for those of us with wrists that stopped growing when we were 10.

Purchase four or five of these and give them out to your friends - that way when you're out together people will think that you're part of a secret club. A secret club whose members have really good taste.

i'm sad for you if you haven't tried lush's the comforter bubble bar

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Swartz) — Tue, 22 May 2012 21:48:00 +0000

Although this looks like desert, it is actually The Comforter, one of the most amazing bath products ever to be created (IMO). Lush is known for creating delicious beauty products using organic fruits and vegetables, essential oils and safe synthetics. They also do not test on animals and barely use any packaging so that their products are as environmentally friendly as possible.

In case all of that doesn't sound fabulous enough, Lush also is the genius behind The Comforter, a bubble bar that turns your entire bath pink and makes it smell of candy - blackcurrant candy, to be specific.

At around $10 a bar, The Comforter is not inexpensive; however, I divide it into four pieces with a sharp knife and find that 1/4 of the bar is plenty for my bathtub. I suppose if you have a Mariah-Carey-worthy setup in your bathroom you may want to use half of the bar as their website suggests, but if that's the case I would just buy 50 The Comforters and lay in a pink bubble bath drinking champagne whilst still in high heels all day. Obvs.

For now, my normal tub and I are very content with our (literal) small chunk of pink, foamy, candy heaven.