I Have A Degree In This!

What I've Been Reading + GIVEAWAY!

2013-05-17T12:30:00.000-04:00

I've been bad about keeping you updated on my readings but most books I've read in the past few months have been for marketing class so nothing exciting to share. But I promise today's post will make up for it! I'm currently rereading (and almost finished) George Orwell's "1984." In my marketing class we often discuss this book so I felt like I needed to refresh my brain. Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg's book "Lean In" has been traveling to all the women in my family - first my mom read it, then my sister and now it's my turn! I can't wait to drive in since I've heard wonderful things. Buzzfeed recently featured an article "65 Books You Need To Read In Your 20s" and I've only read 2! But two are on my "to read" list. How many have you read?

Earlier in the week I shared with you my thoughts on "Modern Dating: A Field Guide" by the minds of HowAboutwe.com's and even held a little book club party to discuss the tips with my single friends. Now I'm giving you the chance to enjoy this book which also includes 3 free months to HowAboutWe.com - a $54 value!

Mani of the Week: Summer Neon Ombre

2013-05-17T08:00:00.000-04:00

What better way to show off my mani than with my MyTee BAD studded phone case!

Recently I re-purchased my favorite summer neon color of all time - China Glaze's Flip Flop Fantasy! I also wanted to wear the other new polishes I swapped so I decided ombre was the best way to show off all the colors at once. Check out my ombre tutorial. Here are the polishes I used:

China Glaze White on White, Sun Worshipper & Flip Flop Fantasy

What's on your nails this week?

My May POPSUGAR Must Have Box

2013-05-16T07:30:00.000-04:00

This month's POPSUGAR Must Have box is about kicking party season into high gear since the weather should be warming up. "We have you covered whether you're sparking a lively conversation at your next girls' night out in or mixing up cocktails for a group of friends." There are also some great beach and beauty products. Here's what I received:

Kooringal Giselle Mid Brim Hat in Black $27.99 | The Modern Cocktail Maragrita Mix 6 pack $46.80 | beuatyblender and blendercleanser ($23.95) | Pacifica Color Quench Lip Tint in Sugared Fig (.15 oz $7) | Way Better Snacks Simply Sweet Potato Tortilla Chips (1.25 oz/6 pack $20.94) | Mindy Kaling's "Question I Ask When I Want To Talk About Myself" $14.95 | $30 Gift Card to Charm & Chain

Features a box full of 50 topics to share with friends. I heart Mindy Kaling and she's hilarious but not sure how I'd ever use these cards.

My attempt at being Vogue (excuse the no makeup look)

A fabulous wide brim hat for summer! This hat provides protection from the sun with an UPF rating of 50+. It also great traveling since it's crushable but also easily reshapes. I'll definitely be rocking this at the Jersey shore this summer.

I had a friend give me a beautyblender before but I didn't have much luck with it. Perhaps I'll give it another go since it goes so highly praised.

According to their website this lip tint "packs major moisture, nourishing naturals and gorgeous, sheer color into one perfectly portable, 100% recyclable tube. Essential fatty acids from rich and amazing avocado and coconut oils leave lips luscious and healthy." They are 100% vegan and gluten free. Sugared Fig is described as a rich, plummy fig with a hint of sexy sparkle. I really enjoyed this moisturizing lip balm.

I'm such a fat ass that I always love the food included in the box (lol!). These snacks are gluten free, and all natural vegan certified non GMO. And delicious! I love sweet potatoes.

Most of the items cost more than $30 so I still haven't used my gift card. I'm sure most people prefer the gift card so they can select a piece of their own liking but I honestly would've liked the editors to pick a piece out. I liked the jewelry they've selected in the past.

I don't drink so I passed this set onto a friend.

What did you think of this month's POPSUGAR Must Have box?

HowAboutWe's Book Launch of "Modern Dating: A Field Guide"

2013-05-15T08:30:00.000-04:00

On Friday night I hosted some of my single friends at my apartment for the launch of online dating site HowAboutWe.com's new book "Modern Dating: A Field Guide." I've been a member of HowAboutWe since it first launched and like it's refreshing take on modern dating. We munched on some snacks and sipped on some wine and divulged our online dating experiences.

I'm an online dating connoisseur (aka tried many sites) where as my friends are still skeptical about it. We laughed about some of the tidbits in the book, had great discussions about changes in the "modern dating" world and had some disagreements. I found the chapter about social media very interesting. Every woman I know uses Facebook to stalk people. Although I love Twitter, not sure I'd ever use it to find a boyfriend. Still uncharted territory for many. But Facebook has been easily integrated into our ~~stalking~~ dating scene.

"Modern Dating: A Field Guide" is written by Chiara Atik with a forward HowAboutWe co-founders Brian Schechter and Aaron Schildkrout. "Modern Dating," like Helen Gurley Brown's "Sex and the Single Girl" 60s manifesto, heralds an entirely new dating era where the world of modern relationships is as flexible and confusing as ever.

The book is filled with fun graphic how-to's, infographics, charts and guest-posts from the likes of Hanna Rosin (The End of Men) and Lauren Leto (Texts from Last Night.) From pre-date Googling stalking, to splitting the check, to the art of the sext and taking a sexy selfi -- Modern Dating guides readers through all the triumphs and pitfalls of what dating is actually like in the 21st century.

Inside readers will enjoy:

· Seventy out-of-the-box date ideas.
· A fascinating infograph on the evolution of dating from the 1100s to present—do you know what era condoms first existed and what they were made of? Or the era that ushered in the phrases “going steady” and “long term”?
· Expert advice from Hanna Rosin (Author of “The End of Men”), Katie Heaney (Editor at Buzzfeed, Author of “Never Have I Ever”), Leandra Medine of ManRepeller.com, Lauren Leto (Founder, Texts from Last Night, author “Judging a Book By Its Lover”), and Claire Cavanaugh, founder of Babeland.
· Funny and useful flowcharts, such as “Can We Be Friends With Benefits?” and “Should I Ask Him Out?"

Not sure when to text after a date? Trying to find the right online dating profile picture? Found out that the guy you really like is terrible in bed? This book is an encouraging yet practical resource for women at all stages of the dating game. Whether you’re single and looking, casually dating, or really ready to find a serious relationship, the tips, anecdotes, and stories will help ease the frustrations of dating.

About the authors:

Chiara Atik is a writer and blogger, recently described by Gawker as “The Girl You Wish You Knew When You Moved to New York.” Her writing has been featured on Elle.com, Glamour.com, The Hairpin, Today.com, and Yahoo! Shine.

Brian Schechter and Aaron Schildkrout are the pioneers of the offline dating movement. They launched HowAboutWe.com in 2010 and spend their days creating a fundamentally new way for people to find and sustain love, one date at a time.

P.S. Enjoy 3 free months to HowAboutWe with the purchase of "Modern Dating: A Field Guide"—a $54 value!

Would you check out this book?

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for HowAboutWe. All opinions expressed are my own.

My May Birchbox

2013-05-14T09:40:00.002-04:00

This month's Birchbox is about "you" and keeping a beauty diary to track "the order in which you try your products, your daily routine, the techniques you've mastered." The card featured a fill in the black diary. It was a bit odd. Here's what I received inside my box:

amika Obliphica Nourishing Mask (.67 fl oz/16.9 fl oz $40) | Coola Classic Face SPF 30 Cucumber Moisturizer for Face (.23 fl oz/1.7 oz $32) | Isaac Mizrahi FABULOUS Eau de Parfum (.05 fl oz/1.75 oz $65) | Marvis Classic Mint Toothpaste (.5 oz/3.86 $14.99) | Sumita Suman Contrast Eye Pencil in Black (.024 oz/full size $11) | Birchbox Finds: Pilot Acroball Pure White pen

Excited by this brand because they're made with certified organic ingredients, gluten and cruelty free. According to the site the "Vitamin C rich organic Strawberry Extract soothes, tones and minimizes pores. Organic Acai Oil - high in Omegas-3/6/9, Vitamins B1/2/3 and Vitamins C and E - delivers powerful anti-aging benefits. Organic Evening Primrose and Linseed Oils reduce inflammation and balance moisture, as the phyto-protector Plankton Extract rejuvenates skin." I enjoyed using it although the sample is really small so only got one use. The cucumber smell is fun to wear especially for the summer - wakes up your skin.

This fancy toothpaste is imported from Italy. Marvis flavours are created by offsetting the aroma of mint, to provide the freshness you need, with innovative notes to offer you a long-lasting pleasurable taste sensation that can be different every day. The classic mint flavor is recommended for smokers. This was a good toothpaste, wasn't overpowered with the mint taste and my teeth felt clean after using.

This perfume is a modern blend of citrus, peony, and musk. "Mandarin and nectarine, along with sparkling bergamot, enhance the top notes. A boundless bouquet of flowers--including seductive jasmine sambac, tuberose, and peony--capture the heart of the fragrance and feminine tonality. The end notes are a combination of warm vanilla, blond woods, and sensuous patchouli complemented with an addictive mix of smooth sandalwood and creamy musk." It was a very light and fresh smell that I was happy to wear.

Was excited to see Sumita in this month's Birchbox because I met them at HBA last year and their really loved their eye pencils! I featured their contrast eye pencil in my August beauty product favorites. Excited to add this black color to my collection - so gorgeous.

This hair mask features Sea Buckthorn Berry (Obliphica) with omega 7 and Vitamin C intense conditioning and repair for all hair types. It's free of parabens and sulfates. My hair feels super soft and moisturized after using. I really enjoyed it using this product but unfortunately was only able to get one use out of it.

What did you get in your Birchbox this month?

GIVEAWAY!: Suave Professionals Moroccan Infusion Line (CLOSED)

2013-05-13T17:52:00.000-04:00

GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED. WINNER ANNOUNCED BELOW!

Earlier this month I announced that I was featured in the Suave ad campaign for their new Moroccan Infusion line. I had a chance to try their products (without knowing the brand) and loved them! Now I'm giving you a chance to fall in love with these amazing products and giving away the entire collection of fabulous products including the Shine Shampoo & Conditioner, Deep Conditioning Hair Mask, Styling Oil and Color Care Shampoo & Conditioner:

Mother's Day Weekend Recap

2013-05-13T08:00:00.000-04:00

This past weekend was Mother's Day so I headed down to Jersey to fulfill my daughter duties. We had quite the feast. She picked out her present so there was no surprise there but I like repurposing my beauty boxes for gifts. I think my wrapping skills are the ish. In another life I must have been a gift wrapper or shipping warehouse manager since I love wrapping boxes. And the card was from Love Jac which are all hand crafted in Brooklyn and the messages are typed with a typewriter (how cool?!).

As for the rest of my weekend, I was busy with my last group project which I will be presenting today - HALLELUJAH! There were also thunderstorms every day which I love (as long as I'm warmly tucked in my apartment). And lots of goodies arrived in the mail:

New nail polish // Swapped nail goodies // Nordstrom finds // Rae Francis T-shirt

Had to purchase my favorite summer nail color China Glaze's Flip Flop Fantasy, swapped some nail polishes, Nordstrom goodies (which were all $12 or less!), and my Rae Francis t-shirt that gives 20% of proceeds to the Garment District here in NYC.

Tuesday is my last day of class! I can't believe how quickly this semester flew by. I start summer classes right after Memorial Day so don't really get a summer vacation (boo hoo!). But just means I'll finish my program quicker.

What did you do this weekend?

Pay Tribute to Your Mom This Mother's Day With Almay

2013-05-11T08:00:00.000-04:00

I am excited to announce some exciting news with all of you - I am joining Almay for their Mother's Day campaign along with a few other bloggers. Triberr is working on a collaborative process of bloggers to try a new way of bloggers to work with brands. They reached out to me because although I am primarily a fashion blogger... I am very enthusiastic about beauty!
I'm excited to join the gorgeous Kate Hudson, who is Almay's Global Brand Ambassador, to encourage you to share your makeup stories on their Facebook page all month long for a chance to win a trip for two to NYC, including round trip airfare and hotel, plus Almay makeovers with a makeup artist. The top 10 Finalist entries will be posted to the site on June 12th where then you get to vote for the finalist you believe depicts the best makeup moment. The winner will be announced by July 10th.

To get some ideas about what story/photo you may share. Watch Kate Hudson talk about watching her mom, Goldie Hawn, put makeup on when growing up:

Share your story with Almay!

Review: Cutex Advanced Revival Nail Polish Remover Pad

2013-05-10T08:30:00.000-04:00

As a member of Poshly, a beauty contest site, I was recently given the opportunity to review Cutex's Advanced Revival Nail Polish Remover Pads. For a box of 10, it costs $3.99 (according to prices found online) and according to the packaging one pad should be enough for 10 nails. This is 10 uses for under $4.
Advanced Revival is a newly launched, patent-pending formula that combines the power of acetone with the strengthening and nourishing of natural drying oils. The natural drying oils begin as a liquid and turns into a solid once exposed to air. This drying process is what strengthens the nails, leaving them feeling nourished and clean after only one use. Unlike any other nail polish remover, Cutex Advanced Revival contains natural botanical oils, Apricot seed, Black currant and Flaxseed, which strengthen and nourish nails.

When I opened the package there was no spilling like with Deborah Lippmann and Julep, which I appreciated and no overwhelming odor. The felt texture was similar to Deborah Lippmann's finger mitts (very thick). However, I wasn't able to remove all the nail polish for all 10 nails before the pad dried out. I got to 7, which is not a lot considering I wasn't wearing glitter or fancy nail art.

I was wearing a pink so I was pleased that the pad didn't stain my nails as I moved along my hand (which happens a lot with these pads) and my nails didn't feel dried out.

Pros:
- Didn't leak everywhere
- No strong odor
- Didn't stain my hands
- Felt pad was strong
- Good for traveling

Cons:
- One sheet didn't remove all 10 nails as promised
- Not sure I'd dish out $4 to have to use 2 pads for 2 hands each time

Would I buy it again? No, only for the simple fact that I wouldn't want to open up another package to remove my nail polish. Feels too wasteful. But satisfied with the condition of my nails after using.

Have you ever tried this product? What was your experience?

Organic Beauty Brand: Dr. Woods

2013-05-09T08:30:00.000-04:00

I'm always trying to "green my beauty routine" and I love trying new products. I was recently introduce to a local brand - Dr. Woods. Their slogan "All Things Good" describes the natural ingredients used in their products and the philosophy behind the brand. They produce all their products in the United States (upstate New York to be exact!) and use only the most natural, effective and sustainable ingredients they can find. Their products are not tested on animals, 100% vegan as well as gluten, paraben, phthalate, lauryl/laureth sulfate free. I had a chance to try their Garden Cucumber Raw Shea Butter Soap and Lavender Castile Soap and wanted to share my thoughts:

The Raw Shea Butter Soap was made with exfoliating mint leaves so it smelled very minty. This Garden Cucumber soap gently cleanses and rejuvenates your skin with refreshing fragrances and antioxidants. Dr. Woods utilizes nature's essential elements to strengthen and refresh your skin. I enjoyed using this soap as it gentle exfoliates and the mint smell wakes you up! The ingredients are: palm oil, palm kernel and/or coconut oil, water, glycerin, mint leaf and cucumber fragrance, organic shea butter, crushed mint leaves, natural mineral pigment, salt, and Vitamin E.

The Lavender Castile Soap is made with organic shea butter and olive oil to unlock the natural healing properties. The olive oil attracts and holds moisture close to the skin, forming a breathable layer that improves moisture retention. The Vitamin E rich lather leaves skin feeling naturally soft and clean. She butter helps generate the process of dry skin leaving it ultra moisturized. This product does it all! Daily facial cleanser or body wash, bubble bath, and even for your laundry. I love multi-purpose products and love the smell of lavender. Ingredients are: purified water (aqua), saponified coconut, hemp & olive oils (with retained glycerin), organic shea butter, tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), essential oil of lavender, sea salt, citric acid, and rosemary extract.

What new brands have you tried lately?

Disclosure: Products were sent to me for review. It was not agreed that I would post. All opinions expressed are my own.

Q&A With Fashion Stylist Amia Serrano

2013-05-08T08:30:00.000-04:00

I love to support local New York entrepreneurs! Whether they're starting a clothing website, an online magazine for men or creating designer handbags in the garment district. It takes a lot of bravery and strong will to create your own business and I've always admired it. Today I'm bringing you another feature about Amia Serrano, a fashion stylist. Recently, Amia worked with Recording Artist Mashonda to style the inaugural video of Mashonda's video series #LifeStyleHer for GlobalGrind.com. Here's my interview:

How did you get started in the business? What was your first styling job?

I got into styling when I first moved to New York in 2011 and during that summer I decided to finally take a chance at pursuing a styling a career. I sat down one Saturday morning and wrote out goals for myself, how I was going to accomplish them and set deadlines. I would also Google and email established stylists to get advice and feedback. Unfortunately, I usually never got responses back from them. I was modeling during that time, so I had a modeling profile/portfolio on ModelMayhem and since I styled myself for some of my shoots, I used those photos to showcase my styling skills when submitting to castings. Luckily, a photographer took a chance on me for a test shoot with an agency model. I styled the model using my own clothes except for the bathing suit bottoms. I had to purchase those. In the end, everything turned out really good. Thereafter, I had gained enough photos to start my Wardrobe Stylist profile/portfolio on Model Mayhem and soon after deleted my modeling account.

Did you always know you wanted to get into fashion? What did you study in college?

I've always had an interest in fashion. Whether it was modeling, design or styling. I didn't major in anything to become a stylist nor did I get a college degree for it. I only took two classes at a local community college. One was The History of Fashion, which I took online and the other was Fashion Analysis and Clothing Selection, which was a very educational class to take. I felt like I didn't need to take anymore classes after that and that was all I needed at the time so I didn't continue taking anymore courses.

Some of Amia's work

Who are some of your clients? Do you have a favorite to work with? Why?

I don’t have clients that I work with individually on a daily basis, but I’ve worked with a diverse group of people on so many different types of shoots such as the Life Style Her video series with Recording Artist Mashonda for GlobalGrind.com, Relapse Magazine, Kraven Magazine, Seduka Jeans, Get NYCE clothing - just to name a few.

What are fashion rules women should break more often?

Wearing white after Labor Day! Do it, who cares!

What are your 5 must-have items every women should have in her closet?

A classic white tee, a blazer, pencil skirt, a pair of dark denim jeans and a go-to pair of neutral colored heels.

Amia rocking the trends!

What are the top trends for this spring that you think every woman can pull off?

Black and white color combo, baseball caps, denim on denim and stripes.

And my last question that I love to ask on any interview... what is the best advice you ever received and who gave it to you?

I learned in class that you should always dress your body type, which is so true. That’s where a lot men and women go wrong when dressing themselves, I think. It’s key. Stick to that and you should be fine.

Thanks Amia for taking the time to answer my questions! Check out her work at AmiaSerrano.com

Hair Chalk Wasn't Meant For My Hair...

2013-05-07T08:30:00.000-04:00

Hair chalk was a big trend last summer and it looks like it's sticking around this summer. I remember seeing Lauren Conrad's hair on her site The Beauty Department with gorgeous colors and thinking "I want to try that!" Unfortunately I haven't had the best luck with the products I've tried thus far.

I received Scunci's Hair Chalk product in my Getting Gorgeous goodie bag from CVS Beauty. I've tried other hair chalk but it quickly faded out of my dark brown hair. I had hopes this little tool would get the job done!

It comes with a handy clamp-like tool where you can insert the chalk. It came with pink and teal chalk colors.

L: Pink didn't work // R: So I tried the teal...

It recommended using spray on your hair if you have dark hair so I did. However, I found that just made things sticky. I practically scrubbed the tips of my hair with the chalk trying to get the color to show. It would for like 10 seconds then quickly fade away and it was definitely all gone once I brushed my hair.

So all I was left with was...

A big ol' mess!

Hair chalk is a fun trend to try if you want to give your summer hair a little color but it's definitely not a permanent styles since chalk doesn't go well with the oils found naturally in hair. I guess this sadly is one trend I won't be able to pull off. But in good news... did you know for every $50 you spend on beauty products at CVS you get $5 back?! I didn't! Find out more at CVS Beauty Club.

Have you ever tried hair chalk before? Did it work for you?

3 Tips For Packing Your Beauty Products When Traveling

2013-05-06T14:00:00.000-04:00

Today I'm guest posting over at Modly Chic about my tips packaging your favorite beauty products for summer travel. Check it out and let me know if you have any other tips to offer!

Weekend Recap: FINALS!!

2013-05-06T08:00:00.000-04:00

Image via

Finals start this week - cue Kim freaking out! Taking my first final probably while you're reading this. Lucky you!

Friday I hunkered down to work on the massive amount of work due in the next few days but then around 6:30 my brain was fried. I met up with Laura for dinner and we were both oddly craving nachos so we decided to hit up Blockheads. Unfortunately, we forgot it was Cinco de Mayo weekend and people were kicking it off already so there was an hour wait. But it's always a good time with Laura. And thankfully my Knicks finally finished their round with the Celtics and were able to move onto the Pacers (which they lost the 1st game - we'll get 'em back!).

Saturday was all work, no play. But thankfully one of my favorite people, Zach Galifinakis, was hosting SNL. I think he did an okay job. Definitely featured a lot of his quirky humor. My favorite sketch was probably the Game of Thrones game because sadly I knew most of the answers (lol!). There's no other place that knowledge is useful. The guest stars also helped!

There are some sexy men on Sunday night TV

Sunday I hosted team members from one of my group projects at my apartment so we could run through our presentation before Wednesday. That unfortunately didn't go as planned. Then it was back to studying but I had to tune into my beloved Game of Thrones! Another important lesson: incest produces psychos! Joffrey is one messed up kid. This episode was a little boring but I know it's building up to some great stuff. Then on Mad Men, Don made some big moves. We officially know the date is May 17th, 1968 so now we can kind of predict some historical events that will be happening. Excited to see Peggy back with the gang.

Here's my upcoming schedule this week:
Monday - Final
Tuesday - Take home final due
Wednesday - Final presentation
Thursday - Final

What did you do this weekend?

My May Julep Maven Box

2013-05-03T08:30:00.000-04:00

This month's Julep Maven box was inspired by the Jazz Era... very Great Gatsby! I selected the Boho Glam box but also added on some items since I couldn't find the perfect combo. Here's what was inside:

- 2 nail polishes $14/each
- New York Jazz Lipstick Trio (3 .07 oz) $28
- Extra: Julep flower bobby pins

These silky little lip colors are inspired by the Roaring Twenties. These lipsticks are a little tiny. Definitely an interesting pairing of colors. Not sure why they had "lip sheers" since you could barely see any color. Make it a lip balm that's moisturizing then.

Tea for Two is a nude shimmer lip sheer. I really don't understand lipsticks that are this nude. It barely showed up on my skin! Can you see anything?

Satin Doll is a poppy lip sheer. Cute color but really have to build it up. I added this Milani lip gloss in "Hot 'n the Sun" to make the color pop more. (Excuse the poor application - I didn't want out of the house like this).

Lady in Red is a matte crimson lip color. Although it is matte... I find it pretty creamy. Didn't dry out my lips. Although it's a little late in the season to be wearing a dark red... I will definitely wear this color more in the fall.

Millie is described as a "vintage indigo crème." I love the color and think it looks a little more purple-ish in certain lighting.

Screenshot via Julep.com

Alice is an antique lilac shimmer. I wasn't interested in this color so I've swapped it for another nail polish.

I also added on Gabrielle and their luxurious Sugar Smooch Lip Scrub. But unfortunately add-ons ship separately so still waiting. Will definitely keep you posted once those arrive! But in the meantime, I'm loving this recipe for a sugar hand scrub from The Luxury Spot.

Screenshot via Julep.com

UPDATE: I said I'd update you once my add-ons arrived. I haven't swatched Gabrielle yet but it looks gorgeous in the bottle. It's described as a "smoky mulberry crème." And I have to say I was disappointed by the Sugar Smooch Lip Scrub because it cost nearly $10 to add on and it's the smallest thing ever (.44 oz to be exact). It's described as a "blend of brown sugar, molasses, conditioning oils, vitamin E, and shea butter that will leave your lips soft, smooth." It definitely smells delightful. It was a lot more of a paste than I thought it would be. I wouldn't wipe it off with just a tissue (as it recommends) but rather a damp wash cloth. And I definitely wouldn't pay $14 for this itty bitty thing.

What did you get in your Julep Maven box this month?

5 Mother's Day Gift Ideas

2013-05-02T08:00:00.000-04:00

Before+Again Dress $89 // Philosophy Amazing Grace Bath, Shampoo & Shower Gel $24 // Ramiro Encizo iPhone 5 Case Cover in Azealia Python $199

Mother's Day is just a little over a week away and I'm sharing some gift ideas for you last minute gift givers. Whenever I ask my mom what she wants for any holiday, she always says how she doesn't need material things. Christmas "world peace"... Mother's Day "just to spend time with my children"... Easter "just to have my children call me"... you get the idea. But there are a few items that are good go-to's for Mother's Day if you don't have any ideas:

1. Products that pamper her. My mom loves bubble bath (we are big bath takers in our family) so I can always stock her up on her favorite - Philosophy's Amazing Grace. Getting her a "spa day" is always a good gift because moms could always use a massage or a little pampering.

2. Items related to her hobbies. My mom likes to run triathlons so finding her a book or workout gear is always a great option. If your mom has a hobby, try to find something related. My sister's mother-in-law loves wine so she's always finding her a wine glass, wine & cheese serving tray, etc. This is always easier to do for my mom since she'll tell us if she's looking for something whereas my dad will just go ahead and buy it.

3. Up her style game. Being the fashionista in the family, I feel a slight obligation to buy my family members clothing items. I'm happy to say my mom doesn't wear "mom jeans" or other ugly trends (thanks to nagging of her daughter!). This Before+Again dress is a great option this summer. I love the concept of this store as it reduces its waste by only producing the clothing item once it's ordered. No two pieces are alike!

4. Something splurge-worthy. My mom often sees something in a magazine of something Kelly Ripa has and wants it but never wants to dish out for it. If you have siblings, try to all chip in and buy her that splurge-worthy item she deserves like this Ramiro Encizo iPhone case that all the Real Housewives have been sporting.

5. Anything with grandkids! You can seriously put a picture of grandkids on anything: playing cards, mugs, calendars, iPhone cases... and she'll love it. Casetagram has a great way to personalize your iPhone cases with a collage of photos. Great gift idea for mom's who are also grandmas.

What are you getting your mom for Mother's Day?

Get Smooth For Summer With Hair Removal By Nair

2013-05-01T08:00:00.000-04:00

With summer around the corner, that means it’s time for bikinis, denim cut-offs and hitting the beach. And showing off more skin! One of my least favorite things to do in the summer is making sure I don't miss a spot on my legs while shaving and that awkward in between time when hair needs to grow in a bit before shaving or else you get razor burn. Nair to the rescue! Nair products provide professional results at home for staying smooth all summer long – at a fraction of what you’d pay at a salon for hot waxing.
I had the opportunity to try out their Brazilian Spa Clay Total Care Body Trio and Face Trio. They are the latest additions to the popular Brazilian Spa Clay Line inspired by the beauty secrets and hair removal expertise of Brazil. Each product is infused with mango butter and açai berry known to moisturize the skin, and mineral-rich clay known to purify the skin.

Nair Brazilian Spa Clay Total Care™ Face Trio is the first 3-step depilatory for the face with a suggested retail price of $13.99. The box says you'll get up to 16 uses so that's less than $1 per use!

Step 1: Make sure you remove all makeup. Prep the skin with the pre-balm first, which coats the skin to help minimize irritation and redness. Spread a thin layer against the hair growth.

Sexy lip photo... I know

Step 2: There’s no drying time so you can apply the hair removal cream immediately after using the pre-balm. Use the contoured applicator to spread a thick, even layer over area. Do not rub in. Leave cream on for 7 minutes (total hair removal depends on hair thickness - do not exceed 10 minutes).

Step 3: Gently wipe off with a damp wash cloth. Do not rub. Rinse skin thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry.

Step 4: After removing the depilatory product, apply the moisturizer, which is similar to a typical facial moisturizer. This will help neutralize the pH of the skin, bringing it back to the normal level.

The results: I was very pleased with the results. I did have some redness and sensitivity afterwards but that eventually went away. I am a big fan of Olay's Smooth Finish Facial Hair Removal Duo but you only get 12 uses for around $24 plus there's no moisturizer. So Nair's product is more bang for your buck!

Nair Brazilian Spa Clay Shower Total Care™ Body Trio is the only 3-step in-shower depilatory system, including the convenient Nair Shower Power® technology that works while you shower. The suggested retail price is $13.99. It doesn't say how many uses but the jar is 12 oz, which is a good amount. Here's what comes inside:

L-R: Pre-use wipes, Dual moisturizing blend hair removal cream (sponge inside), smoothing post-use gel, spatula

Step 1: Use the pre-wipe to prepare your skin before removing hair. It contains mineral oil and chamomile to avoid irritation.

Step 2: Skin must be dry before applying. Use sponge or spatula to apply a thick, even layer of cream (I used the sponge). Do not rub in. Cover the entire area of hair you want to be removed. Wait at least 1 minutes before entering the shower. Note: I didn't rinse off in the shower since I applied to my underarms. I just used a warm washcloth.

Step 4: In the shower, leave the cream on the skin for at least 3 minutes; try to avoid excessive exposure to water on the areas which are covered with the cream.

Step 5: After 3 minutes, wash cream off with a warm washcloth. Total hair removal time depends on hair thickness. Do not exceed 10 minutes. Rinse skin thoroughly with warm water and pay dry. Do not rub.

Step 6: After the hair is removed, apply soothing post-use gel with Aloe Vera for a perfect finish.

The results: I used this on my underarm (didn't want to share TMI pics) and left it on within the suggested 10 minutes. However, there was a slight red area on one armpit that was sore when I applied the soothing gel. It eventually went away after a few days but I probably wouldn't use this on my underarms again. The hair grew back quicker than I thought or hoped. Also, there are only 2 pre-use wipes so you can only use the product twice which is a bummer since you're given so much of the hair removal cream.

To learn more about Nair's full line of summer hair removal products, visit NairLikeNeverBefore.com.

Are you a fan of Nair products?

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for Nair. All opinions expressed are my own.

Welcoming Spring With Some Polka Dots & Neon

2013-04-30T08:00:00.000-04:00

Polka dot hi/low blouse from B.P. Nordstrom (on sale for $10 - n/a) | LC for Lauren Conrad Blazer (n/a) | LOFT Distressed Boyfriend Jeans ($79 originally but scored for 40% off) | Girl's Cherokee® Ginnifer Flat via Target (on sale for $8!/color no longer available) | House of Harlow 1960 Chelsea Sunglasses (Christmas present!/color n/a) | Rolf Bleu Jewelry Neon Yellow Montana Bold Adjustable Bracelet via MYHABIT ($19)

Spring weather has finally arrived here in New York and last Friday while meeting up with fellow blogger Nicole of Style Me BAD, I decided to take outfit pics (shocking! I know...). I've been living in these LOFT boyfriend jeans because they're so comfortable. I've grown tired of squeezing my thighs into skinny jeans. It's not pleasant during the warmer temps so I've grown fond of the relaxed fit.

Shameless self-promotion...

The outfit was all about the accessories!

J.Crew Factory Neon Necklace (scored 25% with a Gilt City NYC voucher) | Custom My Tee BAD skull handchain | Color blocking nails

L: We love each other // R: "Stop taking so many pics!"

What are you wearing now that spring has finally arrived?

P.S. Thanks to Nicole for snapping the pics.

This Pretty Much Sums Up My Weekend...

2013-04-29T09:08:00.001-04:00

Image via

Finals and final projects are due in 2 weeks and you can say that I feel a little stressed right now! I'm pretty much going to go MIA until school is over. Let the countdown begin!

Friday nothing went according to plan. I was supposed to meet up a fellow team member for one of my projects but the buses were running super slow and she had to be somewhere so we ended up missing each other. I thankfully spotted the Waffles & Dinges truck so I ordered "Da Bom" because I was craving ice cream on what turned out to be a pretty hot day in the city. Nicole eventually met up with me to give me my new My Tee BAD goodies! I'm obsessed with the new handchain. I thought it would be uncomfortable to wear but it's not. Barely notice it. And glad to finally have a cell phone cover that's badass!

Saturday after working on projects, I took a break to attend the Getting Gorgeous event with fellow bloggers, Laura of Blush and Beakers and Wendy of Sass 'n Curlz. CVS Beauty was there and you were able to spin the wheel to win fabulous beauty prizes. I won the total hair care bag so I'm stocked up for life on hair products. (See far right pic of the complete goodie bag!) Then we were all starving so we stopped to eat. Laura and I decided to have pancakes for dinner. I got chocolate chip and banana pancakes - yum! It was another gorgeous day in the city so I'm glad I was able to get out and enjoy it.

Sunday was another group project (I told you there were a lot) and I tried to watch some of the Knicks game since it is the playoffs. Bummed we couldn't sweep the Celtics but we still lead 3-1 in the series. Then it was onto amazing TV. Game of Thrones featured a lot of naked bums. Tywin gave a little twist to his two children Tyrion and Cersei. No matter how powerful they think they are, they quickly crumbled at their father's commands. Then on Mad Men it was April 4th, 1968... the day Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was shot. They showed how each character reacted as I'm sure everyone felt such a rush of emotions hearing the news in 1968. Pete Campbell surprisingly showed sympathy for the fact this was a father. Speaking of fathers... Don is a terrible one. I thought the moment in the theater with Bobby was adorable.

What did you do this weekend?

P.S. Stay tuned for an awesome giveaway later today!

Mani of the Week: Mod-Inspired Color Blocking

2013-04-26T11:17:00.000-04:00

I've been seeing color blocked manicures on Pinterest and have been dying to try it. Jennie from Well Shut the Front Door did an excellent version. I also felt like it was very inspired by the current wardrobe of Megan on Mad Men. My nails on Monday started out with Julep's Lena so I decided to work around that color palette. Here's what I used:

Now I've seen tutorials about taping off the sections but I'm too impatient so I decided just to freehand. I used a Q-tip to remove the nail polish and create a block of the Lena color. The proceeded to fill in small squares of the other colors. Definitely need to wait a few seconds for the polish to try before painting the next color to avoid them bleeding into each other. While you wait for one nail to try, do the next nail. Then after about a minute, draw the white lines with the nail art pen. It helps hide the flaws! Granted it didn't come out Pinterest perfect but it's still colorful.

What's on your nails this week?

Review: AVEENO®'s POSITIVELY RADIANT® Intensive Night Cream

2013-04-25T08:30:00.000-04:00

Recently I had the opportunity to try AVEENO®'s POSITIVELY RADIANT® Intensive Night Cream. I'm a big fan of AVEENO's products since I have sensitive skin. I already use their AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT® SKIN BRIGHTENING DAILY SCRUB, which is a gentle scrub that doesn't cause irritation and I'm currently using their AVEENO® DAILY MOISTURIZING LOTION. In my Influenster box I also received this adorable eye mask for a more restful beauty sleep, which I desperately need!

It comes in AVEENO's typical green packaging. A 1.7 oz jar retails for $16.99, which is a fabulous price compared to most night creams.

It's a very lightweight formula that is oil-free so I could put my head on my pillow rather than having to wait for it to sink into my skin. Anyone else hate that? It is formulated with ACTIVE NATURALS® Total Soy Complex and vitamin B3 that leaves skin smooth and healthy looking. The ACTIVE NATURALS® TOTAL SOY COMPLEX evens skin tone and texture for radiant-looking skin. According to AVEENO's website "traditional Chinese medicine has used soy for thousands of years to reduce the appearance of blotchiness and discoloration. AVEENO® scientists devised a way to process soybeans that retains the integrity of the proteins to provide immediate and long-term skin benefits. Products with our ACTIVE NATURALS® Total Soy Complex visibly transform dull, uneven skin into brighter, more radiant skin."

After using for about a week, my skin doesn't look as dull to me in the morning. It hasn't clogged my pores or caused me to break out like some heavy duty night creams have. My face feels moisturized all through out the night and as I mentioned I can go right to bed with it on. Definitely a new favorite that I'll be buying again once I run out!

Would you give this product a try? Why or why not?

Disclosure: I received these products complimentary of Influenster.

My #ItsAllGood Moment

2013-04-24T09:56:00.000-04:00

To celebrate their U.S. launch, Fruttare™ Fruit Bars invited fellow bloggers to share their "It's All Good" moments. Their brand embodies a positive outlook on life. Grammy-Award winning superstar Ne-Yo and platinum-selling artist Cher Lloyd will come together for a first-of-its-kind collaboration giving fans an unprecedented opportunity to help create an original song. The song will be inspired by social media submissions on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram showing what keeps fans looking on the bright side. For more details, check out Fruttare's Facebook Page.

A recent "It's All Good" moment for me was on Monday. I had a severe case of the Mondays. I left for class and as I boarded the bus I checked my phone and realized that I left an hour early. There was no excuse. I've been going to my 1 o'clock class for nearly 4 months now. Not sure why it happened but it could be because final projects and exams are in just 2 weeks!! But I took the hour to enjoy the city. I didn't have my laptop in front of me so I was disconnected. I enjoyed soaking up some sun in Bryant Park and eating lunch at a slow pace (rather than scarfing it down because I'm always in a hurry) from 'wichcraft. It was a nice moment to just breath and slow down. Something we all need to remember to do. I looked at the wonderful city that I live in... that I love. But sometimes running around, I forget to look around and see it's beauty. It turned out to be a great thing that I had a brain fart because that hour allowed me to charge my brain for the busy week ahead. Well played Monday... well played.

What's your "It's All Good" moment? Share with the hashtag #itsallgood and maybe it will be featured in a song!

Disclosure: Content provided in partnership with Fruttare™.

DIY: Clip-On Chain Necklace

2013-04-23T09:30:00.000-04:00

As someone without pierced ears, I have tons of clip-on earrings. However, I am not always a fan of wearing them as you can lose them. I purchased a pair that are on the heavy side. I knew there had to be some creative way of wearing these and then I spotted Style of Sam's post about the many ways to wear a brooch and I got inspired! These clip-on earrings looked liked brooches so I would create a link between the two that I could clip onto my collar. Super easy!

- 2 clip on earrings
- Metal chain. I used 6mm metal chain from M&J Trimming which was $2.98 per yard. Most stores only sell it in a yard but you won't need more than 6 inches.
- Hot glue gun (and glue stick).
- Pliers. Some tool to cut the chain.

First measure out how much chain you want to use. As you can see I just approximated. Since I only planned to use this to connect the lapels on my collar, I only went for a few inches. You can go longer if you want to connect one part of your shirt to another part. Then use your pliers to cut your chain.

Apply a small dab of glue at the bottom of earring. Place one end of the chain into the hot glue. Let cool down. Repeat on other earring. Voila!

What DIY projects have you worked on lately?

My Favorite Eco-Friendly Beauty Products

2013-04-22T11:00:00.001-04:00

Original image via

I usually round up my favorite beauty products of the month but in honor of Earth Day I thought I'd round up my favorite eco-friendly beauty products. I'm still learning about ingredients in my products and other important environmental factors. I even hosted a "Green Your Beauty Routine" where I learned so much. Here are some of the products I love:

Zen Society has a great mission to not only create 100% natural products but to also give back to the community with a percentage of their sales. Was happy to have them sponsor our "Green Your Beauty Routine" event. I enjoy their lip balm and body oil.

Senica is all about holistic health and beauty. They don't want you to put products on your skin that you wouldn't ingest. As you shouldn't! I love their brown sugar body scrub... smells delicious! They are also very affordable for most products available in this category.

J.R. Watkins is a brand that is more widely available. I found it in Target. It began in 1868! J.R. Watkins Natural Apothecary line of personal care contains only natural, environmentally friendly ingredients from renewable resources, avoiding chemicals like parabens, sulfates, phthalates and more and, is one of very few lines to be certified by the Natural Products Association. I love their coconut/vanilla body mist to lock in moisture after a shower. I also recently received their hand salve in my April Birchbox.

North American Hemp Co. are made in Canada that are paraben, sulfate, DEA and cruelty free as well vegan. I reviewed their Omega Deep Rich conditioning treatment and really enjoyed it. It was very lightweight but also conditioning. It was one of my first experiences with a "natural" hair product and I was concerned that it wouldn't live up to those sulfate products but it definitely impressed me.

In my March Beauty Product Favorites I raved about Avalon Organics bubble bath and in this month's InStyle magazine they were featured! Each of their products contains a minimum of 70% organic content from botanicals, extracts and essential oils. The comply with the the Consciousness in Cosmetics® promise. Their collection ranges from skincare to hair care to baby products.

For the nail polish lover there's Priti NYC. Their polishes are polishes are 5 Free & Vegan, completely non-toxic, and are free of toluene, dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, and camphor - all known carcinogenic ingredients. They are safe for children and moms-to-be. They are available in 100+ shades so there's a large variety which is difficult for most vegan polish brands. I am a huge fan of their nail polish remover wipes. They are 100% biodegradable, non-toxic, and non-carcinogenic, but it is also housed in an apothecary style bottle that is completely recyclable. They safely remover your nail polish all while moisturizing your hands.

S.W. Basics of Brooklyn (formerly known as Sprout). I tried their exfoliatant in my August POPSUGAR Must Have box. It's literally made up of 3 ingredients: Maine sea salt, oats, and almond. I loved using this product because it smelled like the sea. All their other products use as little ingredients as possible (at most 5). Very cool, sleek, modern packaging and if you live near New York - they're local!

The business practices of Hand in Hand soap are very similar to that of TOMS shoes in that for every bar purchased, Hand in Hand will donate a bar to save a child's life. Every bar 100% vegetable based, vegan, organic ingredients, gluten-free, biodegradable, palm-free & cruelty-free. Fair Trade USA certified as well as Natural Products Association certified. All shipments include carbon offset and eco-friendly packaging. Just a wonderful business with fabulous smelling soaps!

A new product I was just introduced to from the Love Your Smile Romio event goodie bag, which is PhoenixBotanicals. I got a sample of their Wild Mint Lip Balm and I'm loving it. The packaging is adorable and it's very moisturizing. It's made with yarrow & wild rose flowers, beeswax, organic olive oil, organic shea butter, organic peppermint essential oil, and vitamin E locally in New York. I'm definitely looking forward to trying more of their products!

What are some of your favorite eco-friendly beauty products?

Weekend Recap: Happy Earth Day!

2013-04-22T08:12:00.003-04:00

On Friday I was still not feeling well. Something kicked my ass Thursday night and I was just cold and weak with a throbbing headache. I spent Friday pretty much curled up on the couch. In good news: My Sephora goodies arrived! I used the 15% off VIB code and it arrived within 3 days. Friday night I flipped on the TV to watch Fashion Star and it turned out Boston had caught the 2nd suspect in the bombings earlier in the week. The poor people of Boston had a hell of a week and it was great to see it finally come to a peaceful end with the suspect surrendering.

After being completely useless on Friday, Saturday I decided to be productive! I cleaned my apartment, washed the dishes piling up in the sink, gave myself a pedicure. The NBA Playoffs kicked off with the Knicks vs Boston Celtics. Congrats to the Knicks, let's hope this year is our year! Zoya is also doing a wonderful nail polish exchange for Earth Day that you should all check out. I also checked out The Luxury Spot's tips on transitional spring dressing since it dropped back in the '40s again this weekend. My wardrobe is so confused!

Sunday I was feeling a little bit better so I attended ClosetDash's Earth Day swap, which was held in Union Square along with several other cool events and booths to celebrate Earth Day in New York City. All proceeds went to the Earth Day Organic Indoor Learning Garden. While I didn't pick up anything, I didn't score some goodies in my bag. Sunday night is also my favorite TV night! I love that Game of Thrones is about cleverness. Saying "you're not as smart as you think you are" is quite the insult. Khalessi is bad ass! Mad Men continued into the trippy, swinging late '60s. I'm a little bored so hopefully something will develop soon.

On another note, have you seen this video from Dove? Beautiful. Women need to stop putting themselves down. We are all beautiful. Just wanted to share!