Gift Guide: The Definitive Best Beauty Gifts to Give


Because these gifts are sure to impress just about anyone... (more…)
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Gift Guide: The Definitive Best Beauty Gifts to Give

My essentials for Gemma’s 15th birthday (and her cancer treatment)


(more…)
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My essentials for Gemma’s 15th birthday (and her cancer treatment)

4 (super easy!) things you can do to help the planet


Because we all need to help save our planet, and these are four easy (and also fun) ways to do
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4 (super easy!) things you can do to help the planet

Two Lip Products That You Need in Your Life


You guys know I’m picky about lip gloss, but I recently tried two new (to me) products and had to
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Two Lip Products That You Need in Your Life

10.16.2013
Cory Monteith Charity Sale: A recap

Cory Monteith Charity Sale

I just wanted to send out a big thank you to all of my friends and readers who came to our Cory Monteith Charity Sale this past Saturday.  We were able to raise about $800 for one of Cory’s favorite charities, Project Limelight, and I know he would’ve been very happy about that.  On another note, we donated any beauty products that weren’t sold to Goodwill, to help spread the love even more!

 

Cory monteith Charity Sale-3

BIG thanks to our generous wine sponsor, Seven Daughters Wine!

Cory Monteith Charity Sale-2

10.16.2013
Perfume, for a great cause

charity fragrance

You guys know I’m just all about the charity, which is why I’m pretty into the fact that Nomad Two Worlds is launching three new fragrances in its “Raw Spirit” collection.  The collection is part of a new commitment, alongside renowned fragrance house Firmenich, to the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI). Together, Nomad Two Worlds and Firmenich will create ten new Raw Spirit fragrances over the next two years, and, in the process, identify and work with Indigenous and marginalized communities in Haiti, the Amazon, Australia and the US to assist in the commercialization of novel ingredients and to help champion and showcase these ingredients to the consumer market.

The three new fragrances in the expansion will be released through World Senses, the joint venture formed last year between Nomad Two Worlds and Atlas Pearls and Perfumes to create and distribute socially conscious, “meaningful luxury” fragrance and cosmetics products. Firmenich Master Perfumer Harry Fremont designed the new fragrances, and each of the travel-size rollerballs ( 7.5ML / .25 FL OZ) of the Eau de Parfums are available now for $35 on the recently re-launched Nomad Two Worlds website.

“Bijou Vert” and “Citadelle” focus on premium Haitian sourced vetiver, and part of the proceeds from these two fragrances will be used to support sustainable Haitian agricultural projects in collaboration with Firmenich:

  • “Bijou Vert” (“Green Jewel”) is an elegant and refreshing twist on the classic vetiver fragrance, featuring premium Haitian sourced vetiver, grapefruit, mandarin, geranium, lotus flower, black pepper, benzoin, patchouli and cedarwood.
  • “Citadelle” represents the strength and resilience and spirit of the Haitian people.  Premium Haitian vetiver mingles with marigold, pear, bergamot, lemon, spices, amberwood, musk and cedarwood.

The additional fragrance, “Wild Fire” sources premium wild harvested sandalwood from Australia, with part of the proceeds from sales used to support sustainable Australian Indigenous agricultural projects in collaboration with Essential Oils of Tasmania:

  • “Wild Fire” is inspired by the intoxicating scent of the West Australian desert is a warm, sensual fragrance combining the rich dry scent of Australian sandalwood with the creamy amber and floral notes of ylang ylang, jasmine petals, cedarwood and musk.

10.15.2013
7 Secret Celebrity Workout Spots in Los Angeles

celebrities working out

I don’t usually do posts that are so local, but if you live in Los Angeles, it’s pretty much guaranteed that, at some point, you will find yourself near or around a celebrity or two…or six.  But while working out?  Sure…IF you know where to go.  Celebrity bodies are always a topic of conversation, which is exactly why you need to know where some of Hollywood’s most gorgeous get (and stay) toned and trim.  Secrets, no more.  After four years here, I felt an obligation to share how some of the best bodies stay fit.  Enjoy.

Moksha Yoga Los Angeles 

Celeb Regulars: Katie Holmes, Sophia Bush, Edward Norton

This small, hot yoga studio is basically a hidden gem on La Brea, which is perfect for high-profile celebrities like Katie Holmes.  Celeb-approved classes include:

Moksha Original- A unique series of 40 postures.  The postures combine the precision of therapeutic yoga, and the foundations of traditional yoga, all in a tiny, heated room. The Moksha series is a cardiovascular workout that loosens, strengthens and tones the muscles, while calming the mind and reducing stress. The heat allows for deep, safe stretching and promotes detoxification of the skin, blood and muscles through sweat.

Moksha Flow- This fun class takes the regular Moksha series and connects the postures with more fluid movement. However, the studio recommends that you take at least five Moksha Original classes before trying “the Flow.”

Core Fusion at Exhale Spa

Celeb Regulars: Vanessa Hudgens, Allison Williams (Girls)

We’ve been told that you need to prepare to sweat, if you do decide to take this class.  Core Fusion uses a combination of weights, bands, balls and your very own body weight for resistance…it’s a heart-pumping workout that focuses heavily on core strength and relaxation of the mind.

Cycle House

Celeb Regulars: Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban, Jenna Dewan Tatum, Charlize Theron, Gerard Butler

Sure, cycling studios are pretty popular these days, but Cycle House has managed to stay under the radar…until now.  What we love about Cycle House (aside from the A-List clientele) is that the studio donates two meals to feed the homeless for every class that is purchased.  Now if that’s not motivation to work out, we don’t know what is.

POUND Fit – at CRUNCH West Hollywood 

Celeb Regular: Maria Menounos

POUND combines easy cardio moves with strength training and, get this, drumming. This combo works the entire body, raises the heart rate, and forces each move to be as precise as a basic beat – hence, the weighted drumsticks.  The instructor plays a 45-minute “Poundtrack” (yes, that’s really its name) that is carefully planned out to get you through 15,000 reps, which are performed over 30 extended interval peaks with more than 70 techniques…and we can’t imagine this not being fun.

Shadow Boxing

Celeb Regulars: Selma Blair, Leslie Bibb, Mario Lopez, Hilary Duff

Described by most members as a “hole in the wall,” this tiny gym is just about big enough to fit one boxing ring…but, that doesn’t stop the celeb masses from flocking in.  The trainers are known to be some of the best around, and the classes are cheap to boot.  According to clients, the celebrities are known to join in on group classes, in addition to one-on-one private training.

Fitmix Studio 

Celeb Regular: Beth Behrs (2 Broke Girls)

Beth Behrs, of “2 Broke Girls” fame, is described by the studio as a “die-hard fan” and Beth even claims that Fitmix’s Endurace Pilates and interval running has totally changed her body.  The 55 minute group class uses customized pilates reformers for 30 minutes, after doing 25 minutes of cardio on the treadmill.  The concept is designed to raise your heart rate, which will, in turn, burn calories and promote long, lean muscle.

YAS Fitness Center

Celeb Regulars: Kate Hudson, Olivia Wilde

“YAS,” which stands for “Yoga and Spinning,” is the first studio dedicated to the super powerful workout combination.  The space itself is large and offers fun music, easy-to-learn routines and, of course, the chance to watch two of Hollywood’s most gorgeous women work out.  It’s a win-win, really.

10.15.2013
Tuesday Web Candy

tuesday web candy

I love this craft room makeoverAFabLife.com

A mac ‘n cheese burger? I mean. What will they think of next? – People.com

Bryce discusses the proper way to break up with someone; I share just one example of the insane messages I get – TheLuxurySpot.com

SexyPop popcorn. You MUST read this story, it’s hilarious – Fashionista.com

Apparently Tinder is the new online dating “thing”NYMag.com

Wow, I feel like the grossest girl in the world after reading this post about brasBeautyBloggingJunkie.com

10.14.2013
Apple Cider vodka Cocktail

vodka and apple cider recipe

For me, there’s something synonymous about fall and apple cider.  It reminds me of childhood apple picking days in New York with my family, and then coming home and drinking all of the amazing cider that we bought while at the apple orchid.  I like apples, sure, but apple cider is where it’s AT guys.  While home visiting my family for Christmas a few years ago, I found myself up late watching TV while everyone else was asleep…I’ve always been a night owl, so it’s not really any big surprise.  My dad ran out of wine that night and I was craving a cocktail as I watched old episodes of Law & Order: SVU, as we do.  After checking my dad’s fridge, where he keeps ALL wine (both white AND red- don’t ask), I realized he was out and my options were: water, orange juice and, wait for it, apple cider.  Instinctively I went for the OJ because lord knows I loved me a good Screwdriver in college, but then a light went off in my head about the cider.  I mean, if vodka works well with orange juice, why not fancy apple juice?  The verdict: DELICIOUS.

Apple Cider Vodka Cocktail

  • 1 shot of vodka
  • 1-2 ice cubes
  • Apple cider
  • Cinnamon Stick and/or apple slice for garnish

1.  Put ice cubes into 8 ounce glass, and add shot of vodka

2.  Fill the glass up with apple cider

3.  Stir the drink with the cinnamon stick and add apple slice, if desired

 

10.11.2013
Weekend To-Do

barneys gift with purchase

Barney’s New York will forever be one of my favorite department stores and, starting October 15 (through October 19) they’re doing their very awesome Love Yourself gift with purchase.  It’s seriously a great deal so get it ASAP (image via Barney’s)

 

BodyImage_focusonwhatyoulove

 Read Leah and Mary’s post about positive ways to improve your body image, it’s a great one. (image via AFabLife.com)

inspiration

Words to remember this weekend (image via LiveLuvCreate.com)

apple cider and rum

Warm cider and rum punch = fall in a cup. (image via MarthaStewart.com)

buffalo-chicken-spaghetti-squash-700

Try this buffalo chicken spaghetti squash recipe, I’m obsessed. (image via Shape.com)

pennychic.com

Take a trip to your local Wal-Mart, K-Mart or Target to see what kind of fashion treasures you can find, on the cheap (image via PennyChic.com)