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

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

02.02.2011
DERMAdoctor Photo Dynamic Therapy Sunlight-Activated Laser Lotion with SPF 30

So a lot of beauty products show up at my door but when I opened up the box that contained DERMAdoctor Photo Dynamic Therapy Sunlight-Activated Laser Lotion with SPF 30, I was VERY intrigued.  Not just like “hey, this might be cool” intrigued but like “wow, this could be a GAME CHANGER in beauty” intrigued.

What is it exactly?  Well it’s ground-breaking, patent-pending solar powered technology (how very 2011) in lotion form.  This lotion catures UV light and transforms it into visible red light, a provcen energy source for eliciting anti-aging effects on the skin.  Now after my recent aging skin revelation, this is what I need in my life.  In-office lasers and other light treatments are super expensive and require annoying doctor visits so this product seems like an easier, less exepensive (even at $85 a bottle) way to help restore your skin’s firmness, tone, elasticity, redness, etc.

How do you use it?  Well the directions are very clear that you’re not supposed to SEEK extra sun exposure to get the laser-like lotion to work (duh) but you just simply apply it every morning and reapply as necessary throughout the day.  Game changer people, game changer.

 

02.01.2011
The Reveal Imager and GRAM Skincare

So I recently had the opportunity to have a special photo taken of myself using the Reveal Imager, which takes in-depth photos of your skin to reveal inflammation and other skin conditions like sun damage, etc.  I’ll admit that I went in a bit cocky thinking I’d have little to no sun damage (or damage in general like acne, dryness, fine lines and wrinkles, etc.) since I’ve been an avid sunscreen user for many years and make it a habit to stay out of the sun.  Makes sense, no?  Well yeah…I was wrong.

While I didn’t have many fine lines and wrinkles (thank god), I did however have a decent amount of dryness and skin thinning in addition to my freckles (aka sun damage).  The photos were quite shocking to me and a bit of rude awakening that yeah, ok, I’m almost 28 (which is almost 30) and it’s time to take anti-aging skincare seriously.

Dr. Gram (of GRAM Skincare) diagnosed my skin after checking out the photos above.  Basically he told me that my skin is dehydrated, which I already knew, and that the skin under my eyes is a lot thinner than it should be.  No bueno.  I’ve been using GRAM Eye Rescue which uses Rutin and Vitamin K to restore and illuminate the delicate skin around the eyes.  I used to be a bit of an eye cream skeptic but I will say that I’m already noticing a small difference in my eye area that I’m liking a lot. Dr. Gram also told me to start using a cleanser that won’t strip down my skin (another culprit of thinning and dehydrated skin).  I’m really liking the GRAM Skincare Clarifying Cleanser, which uses a combination of apple stem cell technology, salicylic acid and the Nutri-Vit Complex, which fights blemishes by going deep into the pores to dissolve bacteria that cause blackheads before they get to the surface.

Note: the red dot in the center of my forehead is not sun damage, it’s a ZIT. I mean…I know.

01.30.2011
2011 SAG Awards

Aaaah, the SAG Awards.  They’re always over-shadowed by the Golden Globes but I have to say, I’m way into the dresses above  (Mila Kunis, January Jones, Julia Stiles).  AND, I’m kind of obsessed with Julia Stiles’ makeup (and dress, for that matter).  Here’s how to get the look:

Julia’s look was created by celebrity makeup artist Jake Bailey, who was really inspired by her gorgeous flowing dress for an effortless “rich hippie” look.  “I wanted her skin to be flawless but dewy so I used COVERGIRL NatureLuxe Silk Foundation, buffing it into the skin with a flat-topped brush.  I brushed a bronzer with a hint of shimmer on her cheeks and along the hairline for a natural glow and finished her skin with a shimmery coral blush on the apples of her cheeks.”

Bailey wanted to create a dramatic smoky eye so he lined the inner rim and lashline with COVERGIRL LiquiLineBlast in Black Fire and then smudged it upwards.  He then used COVERGIRL Smoky ShadowBlast in Purple Plume along the lid and up towards the brow bone.  He finished her eyes with dramatic lashes using false lashes and then applying COVERGIRL LashBlast Fusion before applying COVERGIRL Lip Perfection in Smoky and then filled her lips in with COVERGIRL Lip Perfection in Delish.

01.29.2011
NEST Fragrance Diffuser in Moss & Mint

So lately I’ve been buying candle upon candle and I’m always looking for the next best thing in home fragrance.  There’s something just so relaxing to me about sitting on my couch with the fire going and a delicious candle burning at the same time so when I came across the NEST fragrance Diffuser, I was super excited to check it out.  I’m sort of new to the whole fragrance diffuser trend but so far I’m very impressed.  The scent I’m loving?  Moss & Mint.  It’s a combination of garden mint, apple blossom and muglet infused with a touch of oakmoss and vetiver.  It’s just extremely elegant and I loooooove the bottle that all of the NEST fragrances come in and each fragrance diffuser lasts for about 90 days, which is much longer than any candle will last.

On a side note, NEST is created by Laura Slatkin, of Slatkin candle fame, because she wanted to create her own collection of prestige home fragrance.  You know what I’m thinking?  Best housewarming gift ever.

01.27.2011
A Valentine’s Day cocktail from Belvedere vodka

So you know I’ve blogged about Belvedere time and time again (and not just because it’s the official drink of Chelsea Lately).  It’s honestly one of my top vodkas and I’m really loving this special Valentine’s Day recipe, whipped up by Belvedere’s head of spirit creation and mixology, Claire Smith.  Strawberries and vodka…what’s a better combination?

“Sealed with a Kiss” cocktail

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz. Belvedere vodka
  • 4 strawberries
  • 1 shiso leaf
  • 1/2 oz. Koshinokaghiroi sake

 

Directions:

  • Muddle strawberries with a dash of simple syrup
  • Add all ingredients and shake with cubed ice
  • Double strain into a coupe glass and garnish with a strawberry sliver and shiso leaf

 

 

 

01.26.2011
Weekly Inspiration

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”

Anais Nin

01.24.2011
Inspired By: “Black Swan”

So I recently saw the movie “Black Swan” and instantly fell in love.  As a former ballerina I can appreciate the way Natalie Portman trained so hard for the role and she danced beautifully, I might add.  In all honesty the movie was, yes, super creepy but I find myself entirely inspired…

ASOS Feather Corset Dress ($258.60)

Etsy Feather Lace Gloves ($31.99)

Qi Willow Cashmere Leg Warmers ($77)

Prada Cutout Ballet Flat ($590)

Swarovski Swan Pendant ($80)

Natalie Portman as the Black Swan in Rodarte