Here’s the planned menu for today – 1,190 cal

Breakfast:
2 slices of toast with Philadelphia Whipped Chive Cream Cheese – 180 cal
Coffee with 1tbsp Coffee-Mate Hazelnut, 1 Splenda – 50 cal

Lunch:
Taco Rosa – 500 cal budget
1 carne asada taco, 1 chicken enchilada, 1/2c each of rice, beans

Snacks:
Celery with Athenos Roasted Garlic Hummus – 70 cal
Wheat Thins Toasted Chips, Garden Vegetable – 130 cal

Dinner:
Jenny Craig Turkey Chili – 260 cal
Lay’s Baked Kettle Chips, Salt & Vinegar – 150 cal
3 oz Hennessy while watching the game – 200 cal

Exercise:
No exercise today

Items highlighted are what I actually ate and the ones crossed out didn’t make it to my plate.  Anything extra that weren’t planned are noted below and highlighted

Actual calories net – 1,340 cal

A couple of weeks ago, I hosted The Beauty Closet Sale at The Wedding Pantry in Tustin, CA to benefit the Down Syndrome Foundation of Orange County.

As a beauty blogger, I have gleaned tons of beauty products over the last three years and decided that it was time for a little spring cleaning, er.. summer cleaning in this case, and hosted a sale of new and gently sampled products for $5.  All proceeds from the sale would go directly to the Foundation.

Here are some photos from the event where we were able to raise over $1,100 for the charity!

Hopefully I’ll be able to host a sale like this once a year to raise more money for my favorite charities!!

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A couple of months ago, I started to notice this dark spot at the corner of my eye.  I didn’t think too much of it, until I started to hear rumblings about a new product that specifically treats these spots – Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector.  I immediately became obsessed with the spot and quickly found other, smaller spots on my face.

Being in my early 30s and really starting to think about my skincare, I turned wanted to try Even Better Clinical Spot Corrector ($49.50 US) right away in hopes that it would clear the spots up.  If they went away and delivered the even skin tone that Clinique guaranteed, it will have worked to ease my mind about the potential of really  harmful skin conditions.

After diligently using Even Better Clinical Spot Corrector for about 4 weeks once a day, here’s an update on my progress:

At first I thought the spot was getting lighter, but after looking at my before photo and comparing it with what I see in the mirror now, I’d have to say that the results aren’t as dramatic as I had hoped.  The pigment level and the size of the spots look about the same.

before

I will say that I absolutely love the texture of the serum.  It’s soft and almost silicone-like.  A nickel-sized pump is more than enough to cover my entire face and neck.  It sinks into my skin well and even helps me reduce the amount of moisturizer I normally use.

Applying Even Better Clinical Spot Corrector is easy to incorporate into my morning routine.  After I cleanse, I apply eye cream and then this serum all over my face, concentrating on areas with spots, before smoothing moisturizer on.  After 4 weeks now, I think I might have used a good portion of the product already.

With the morning routine, I think I can keep it up for a few more weeks to see if I get any more results. The website boasts “dramatic” changes after 12 weeks.  Hopefully the smallish tube will last that long.

But, I don’t have a nighttime regimen, making it hard for me to use it twice daily, as directed.  I might have to give it a try though, if I want to get rid of my spots.

Have you tried Clinique Even Better Clinical Spot Corrector yet?  Do you think I should keep it up in order to minimize my dark spots?  Or if there’s another product you love, please let us know!

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Here’s the planned menu for today – 1,200 cal

Breakfast:
2 slices of toast with Philadelphia Whipped Chive Cream Cheese – 180 cal

Lunch:
Jenny Craig Turkey Burger – 280 cal
Add slice of gorgonzola – 100 cal

Snacks:
Quakers Rice Snacks, Sour Cream & Onion – 80 cal
Celery with Athenos Roasted Garlic Hummus – 70 cal
1/2 Fairy Brownie, Original – 200 cal

Dinner:
Jenny Craig Chicken Parmesan– 290 cal
Handful of Lay’s Kettle Chips, Salt and Vinegar – 100 cal

Exercise:
Complete 1st day of Walk to Run Coaching – Jog/walk for 1.14 miles and 110 cal

Items highlighted are what I actually ate and the ones crossed out didn’t make it to my plate.  Anything extra that weren’t planned are noted below and highlighted

Actual calories net – 1,190 cal

When I think of Fall collections, I don’t automatically categorize them as being soft and subtle. Usually they’re the opposite – very bold and dark with lots of edge. But the LORAC Fall 2010 Collection makes me think of fuzzy kittens and cozy sheets.

Why? Because the items I tested were creamy, blendable powder products that were sooo smooth! True the packaging is in line with typical Fall colors and sleek touches but the makeup inside is beyond gorgeously velvety to the touch.

If you love smokey eyes like me but can’t pull off heavy black eye shadow, then the Sephora-exclusive LORAC Private Affair Palette ($38 US) for eyes is going to be your new BFF for Fall. Beautifully shimmery and heavily pigmented, these six colors look perfect on their own or blended together.

LORAC describes these colors as creamy beige with pearl, champagne rose with shimmer, soft taupe with pearl, platinum grey with pearl, deep wine with shimmer, and black with sparkle.

The first four colors in the palette are neutral enough for everyday, but what’s so great is that I can amp up the drama quickly and easily by adding one of the last two colors onto the lower lash-line or crease. Just remember to use a light hand with those plummy shades to avoid looking bruised or tired.

The faux-croc exterior is a tad bulky but feels super luxurious. On the right hand side, you’ll find a pull out drawer with a mini LORAC Behind the Scenes Eye Shadow Primer ($20 US, full-sized) and a double-ended brush.

The brush isn’t bad, it’s a little scratchy but will do in a pinch.  However, the primer works wonderfully to make these eye shadows last for hours!

What’s the use of having stunning eye makeup if your skin isn’t flawless?  Let’s see if the LORAC Evening Out Complexion Kit ($38 US) in Tan satisfies! With two concealers, a powder foundation, powder puff, and mini concealer brush tucked away, you’ll definitely be prepared in any skin emergency.

LORAC powder foundations offer light to medium coverage.  While it’s okay at stopping shine, it wears off a little during the day. It would be an ordinary foundation, if not for the fact that it feels super silky and not at all heavy or powdery on the skin.

The concealers are richly pigmented and melt easily to hide blemishes without looking dry. I like the option of customizing your perfect match with two shades, especially as I start to lose my summer tan in the fall.

Although my powder shattered during shipment, I was impressed by the streamlined design and convenience of the product. Surprisingly, the puff and the brush work really well and I actually prefer them over my usual makeup brushes for application.  They’re flexible enough to cover without any caking and blend the products well.

Which Fall collections have caught your eye so far? Tell us your secrets to perfect smokey eyes and flawless skin!

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This review contains a sample product sent for consideration by PR.   We do not do paid or guarantee reviews. For more information, please read our Editorial & Content Disclosure.