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


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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

5 Souvenirs Actually Worth Bringing Back From Ireland


Because I know you want to shop (but not for touristy junk)... (more…)
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5 Souvenirs Actually Worth Bringing Back From Ireland

01.09.2013
The Hair Files: George Papanikolas for Joico and Just Extensions!


For some reason, as soon as January hits, I always seem to get in a hair funk.  My friends assure me that my hair looks “fine” but I get really down on myself and end up going back to the two things that make me hair happy: perfect blonde highlights and new hair extensions.

So I went back to one of my absolute faves for highlights: George Papanikolas for Joico.  I’ve already raved about him here and hereso clearly, you know I’m obsessed.  George is one of the hottest and most sought after colorists in HollywoodInstyleAllure, and People Magazine have all recognized George as one of the countries top colorists.  Using the French, freehand technique “balayage,” he creates natural-looking, sun-kissed color that looks, as George says, “like you’ve spent a summer at the beach, not three hours in the salon.”

One of the most important ingredients in George’s color blends is a foundation of healthy, shiny hair.  To produce his vibrant color results, he relies on Joico’s Vero-K-Pak Color, as well as Joico’s Hair Repair System which includes Joico’s K-PAK Deep Penetrating Reconstructor to keep his cients hair in optimum condition.  This award-winning hair fixer is packed with Joico’s unique Quadramine Complex, which transforms strands instantly, leaving hair stronger, glossier and easier to manage.   

So touching up my color was step one (and photo one, above).  Step two was filling out my fine hair with extensions.  Now, my previous hair extension experience was truly epic but when I found out about Just Extensions, LA’s first extensions-only salon, I HAD to try them out.  Just Extensons is a Drybar for hair extensions, if you will, and you know how much I love a dedicated salon.  The best part?  Aside from the excellent customer service, their extension packages are crazy affordable.  I texted my friend Kristen, who is a frequent “weave” getter, and when I told her she could get a full head for $150, she replied back “a full f&*cking head for $150?!?!  I’m making an appointment!”  Now that’s excitment for good hair.  With three signature packages that include; micro-links, braided sew-in, beaded one-step weft, and fusion techniques (all ranging from $100 – $300), there really is something for every hair type.  Ugh, and guys, I TRIED out clip-ins (really, I did), but they’re just not as good!  I’m sorry.  This is the real deal.  I sent the salon manager a recent photo and when I came in for my appointment, she had four packs of perfectly matching hair, ready to go.  About two hours later, I looked like the second picture and I’m not even kidding – heads turned as I walked down the street.  A true testament to GOOD HAIR.


01.08.2013
Wildfox Recreates The Entirety Of “Clueless” In 49 Glorious Pics


When I first saw that when LA brand Wildfox did an entire lookbook inspired by my all-time favorite movie Clueless, well I was like “totally buggin’.”  Here are my favorite shots of the bunch.  And you can see all 49 shots HERE. As it.

Gym class bonding with the new girl

Lucy, where’s my white collar-less shirt from Fred Segal?!

Cher, my thighs, they don’t feel nothin’ like steel.

Classic movie promo pose.

01.08.2013
Tuesday Web Candy

A pretty easy and delicious-looking salmon recipeRamshackle Glam

Amber talks about the beauty products that she hoards, a “Sephorder” if you will – Beauty Blogging Junkie

Hot scissor hair cuts?  Hmmm… – Allure

Why January is apparently “online dating month” – The Luxury Spot

I’m loving Heidi Klum’s casual leopard scarf outfit hereCeleb Style

How healthy is your “diet,” really? – Refinery29

A sad goodbye to one of my favorite blogs! – Court and Hudson

These are super cool if you (or someone you know) loves a good crossword puzzle – Chevron and Stripes

01.03.2013
New(ish) Beauty Favorites


I try a LOT of beauty products and yeah, a lot of them are really good…but every once in awhile you get a group of favorites, and here they are:

Kiehl’s Powerful Wrinkle Reducing CreamStructural support is monumental in preventing wrinkles—picture, if you will, a standard mattress.  When it’s brand-new, the coils are tight, the elastic is firm, and the mattress is soft and smooth.  But, after years of use, that same mattress sags and wrinkles.  This cream nourishes your own “mattress” -your skin, and keeps it firm, smooth, and moisturized, thanks to the lovely copper ingredient.

Phyto Revitalizing Shampoo: I used this shampoo for the first time today and was immediately wowed.  It’s said to improve the density and luster of temporary thinning hair with this unique combination of botanicals, preparing the scalp for Phytocyane Treatment. Gingko biloba and cinchona bark energize scalp and stimulate micro-circulation while grapeseed procyanidins combat free-radicals and protect the hair bulb. Hair becomes fuller, thicker and more lustrous, even after one use, as I proved today.

Make Up For Ever Pro Finish Multi-Use Powder Foundation: Lately I’ve been really into liquid foundations but after going to an event in New York where the makeup artist used this on me, I was SOLD.  The best thing aboutthis powder foundation is that it can be applied dry (for a full, matte finish) OR wet (for a sheer, satin finish).  Seriously.

01.02.2013
Working Out and Why I Won’t Do It with Good Hair

Just like everyone else in America, I’ve vowed to spend more time working on my fitness in 2013.  Has this been my New Year resolution for the past several years?  Yes.  Have I always kept it up?  Absolutely not, don’t be crazy, but it’s for this exact reason that I literally laughed out loud when I saw this story on Allure.com.  The piece reveals a survey of more than a hundred women, where 40 percent admitted to skipping exercise because they didn’t want to mess up their hair; they are about three times less likely to meet the recommend exercise standards than women who don’t fear being unkempt.  

Guys, I really thought that I was the only one who sometimes avoids physical exercise due to the fact that I happen to be having a good hair day and don’t want to F it up.  So, I guess I’m not alone, which is awesome.  A potential solution: Edward Tricomi, of Warren-Tricomi Salons shared a really awesome tip for maintaining your blowout after a workout. He told me to cut up a pair of black, opaque stockings and turn them into a make-shift headband and then use the remaining pieces to tie my hair into a ponytail. It is genius since the material doesn’t leave indentation marks and absorbs perspiration at the hairline.  Let’s see how this goes…cheers to a fit 2013.

Photo: My last birthday (Devon, me, Sharon). There was no way I was going to the gym with that hair.

12.31.2012
New Year’s Eve Hangover Kit

Sadly, I know a thing or two about having a hangover.  I spent last night in Portland, Oregon (update to come) but, luckily for you guys, I prepared my go-to hangover kit staples for all you lush ladies and hopefully, it helps you recover before going back to work tomorrow. UGH.  

1. Fiji Water: Really, any water (or coconut water) will do but there’s something about Fiji water that makes me just feel fancy.

2. Kate Somerville Cyto Cell Dark Circle Corrective Eye Cream: As we get older, the dark circles will COME.  It’s sad but true. You can dab a little of this stuff under your eyes when you wake up, to help hide the dark circles and puffiness.

3. Q-tips: These are a must for getting the runny eyeliner and mascara off your face.

4. Chloe Black Oversized Round Frame Sunglasses: For if/when you actually have to go outside and face the world.

5. MAC Cosmetics Studio Stick Concealer: Even though it’s discontinued, GASP, this MAC concealer is pretty close to my cult favorite.  You need it to conceal any acne blemishes or redness around the nose (always, for me).  It’s small and goes on smooth like silk.  LOVE.

6. LUNA Bar: I’m not a huge fan of protein bars but LUNA does make some good flavors. When you’re desparate and hungover, they’re totally helpful until you can get your hands on some french fries.

7. Colgate Wisps: These are perfect for a quick, faux brushing of the teeth.

8. Aspirin:  I don’t even really need to explain this one, right?

9. Altoids Smalls: I love the smaller version of these and they’re perfect for fitting into a small clutch!

12.28.2012
New Year’s Eve Fashion on PennyChic.com!

Truth be told, I’ve always sort of hated New Year’s Eve.  It will just NEVER be as good as you want it to be and I feel like you spend a ton of money getting dressed up, going to some ridiculous dinner and then you pay $200 to get into a bar that doesn’t even normally have a cover charge. Really?  Last year I stayed home and drank a bottle of Veuve Clicquot but hey, when my friend Shauna from PennyChic.com asked me to be a guest blogger for her with a New Year’s Eve theme, I was actually pretty excited.  Shauna is a master at finding good quality fashion at super low prices, guys.  One of my complaints above about New Year’s Eve is that you spend a fortune dressing up…but not the way Shauna styled me.  The outfit total? $57.97, including the dress, shoes and ring.  I mean. If you’re not already a reader, make sure you check out her blog anytime you need a little budget fashion inspiration.