Spanx a lot!

No matter how old or young, thin or fat, you always want that nice smooth silhouette when you put on that little black dress, that Herve Leger number, or anything that's body hugging and UNFORGIVING (but damn, it's just so hot that you just have to wear it). Panty lines and belly button rings that peek/pierce through that beautiful satin number of yours on a night out on the town ruins everything. You might as well stay in and finish that pint of Ben & Jerry's while watching reruns of "The Golden Girls" or "Murder, She Wrote." Ladies, if you don't have a pair of Spanx, go out and get it, NOW. You'll thank me for this.

Over the years, I've been to formals, inaugural balls, weddings, dinner parties, clubs, and lounges that have called for that body hugging, form fitting, hot little number. If the hot little number happened to be white or made of very very sheer or thin material (I like to take risks), I would end up with panty lines, dimples, and bulges galore even though I have a fairly nice physique.

Spanx is a wardrobe staple. I repeat, SPANX IS A WARDROBE ESSENTIAL. Even if you are a size 0, it's always good knowing that you don't have to go commando and it's also nice to know that you have something that sucks you in even more. No lines + appetite suppressant = Spanx. What a godsend.

Cheers to smooth lines, or rather, NO LINES!

Report: Saks Consolidation Sale

The Saks Consolidation Sale started Thurs, Jan 21. Chicago was one of the cities to host the sale. When I mentioned to my bf about the consolidation sale, he said "Isn't that just a sale of all the crap that nobody wants?" Technically yes. Though, after returning from the sale, I can say thats just what it was.

Maybe everything was picked over since I wasn't able to go on the first day, but there are a lot of racks of clothes on the 3rd floor and none of it was good. Premium designer racks were sorted by designers while contemporary clothing were sorted by sizing. There were definitely clothes for every size available, but it really was a lot of older season, impractical, still too expensive, or ugly stuff. Larger sizes of course had more options than XS and S sizes. There is a separate section for evening wear which were still decent if you are looking for holiday dresses. Again, smaller sizes had slim pickings.

Everything was an extra 25% on top of the sale price which brings it to 70%. There were shoes but not a lot and most of it were shoes I spotted from the last couple of big sales Saks had that they couldn't get rid of. So if you didn't buy it then, you wouldn't buy it now.

There are rare finds to be had at the sale, but don't go in with high expectations. Sale runs through Jan 29.

Deal of the Day: Marc Jacobs Jen Satchel

I start most of my mornings the same way - watch a couple of Saved by the Bell reruns and quickly scan through the Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Saks websites for great deals. This morning is no different and since I am currently on a self imposed shopping ban, I will be sharing some of the deals I find.

Nordstrom.com currently has a purple Marc Jacobs Jen Satchel on sale for $309.90, 60% off the original price. Its a gorgeous bag with a very classic style. Hurry if you're interested - these deals tend to go quick!

[Nordstrom, Marc Jacobs Jen Satchel, $309.90]

Review: Skinceuticals Retexturing Activator

My obsession with skincare started when I got my first facial over 6 years ago. Countless facials later and after a move to the east coast, I quickly realized that regular facials would no longer fit into my budget. Sad I know, but my recommended skincare routine of Dermalogica and Skinceuticals products has done a decent job of keeping my skin clean and clear. Last month was particularly cold here in NYC, and I found myself running low on my much needed hydrating serum (Skinceuticals Hydrating B5 Gel). I quickly went to the website to see where I could pick up a new bottle and I noticed that they had a new product called Retexturing Activator that supposedly HYDRATES and EXFOLIATES! Who knew both could coexist in a single product!?! I HAD to buy it.

[Skinceuticals]

I won't go into the specifics of the science behind it since I'll probably confuse more than educate, but after about a month and a half of using it nightly, my skin feels like a dream. So soft and smooth even my husband noticed, which in and of itself is amazing! I just use a couple drops after I cleanse and tone and follow with a moisturizer. By the morning my skin feels baby soft! I highly recommend both their Hydrating B5 Gel and Retexturing Activator if you're looking for some great serums. Product results can vary by skin type so try and stop by a store/spa where they should be able to give you little samples to try.

And if you're in Seattle, check out SkinLogic. The estheticians are knowledgeable and they truly care about improving your skin. Ask for Kristian - she's the best!

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StylishlyCreative says...

If the Skinceuticals product is too expensive, Paula's Choice Exfoliating 2% BHA Lotion is also amazing!

Review: Gummy Multivitamins

I've always had a hard time swallowing pills. My mom nags me endlessly about taking multivitamins. So I was excited when I heard One A Day came out with adult gummy multivitamins. They aren't cheap at around $7.00/bottle especially since you need to take 2 for a daily dose and it comes 50 count per bottle. Doing that math, it means you only get 25 days worth vs regular pills that are 100 count for the same price.

Taste-wise, they aren't bad. You can read a funny, yet accurate, review here.

I was shopping at my local Target trying to decide whether or not I should get more One A Day vitamins at such ridiculous costs, when the sensible person in me screamed "Just buy the generic!" So I did.

WOW. These are so much better. They are cheaper at 150 count for $8.79/bottle..AND..they taste GREAT. They are so much softer and gummier with no vitamin mineral-like aftertaste. Buy these over the One A Day!

[Target]

Beauty Tip: Collar Stays

I'm constantly reading about how women dislike jars of lotion or cream since its so unhygienic to stick your finger into the jar to get product out. They get built up under your fingernails when you reach for product and do you really want to wipe that on your face? YUCK! I'm a little bit of a germ-a-phobe myself so imagining what I'm wiping on my clean face scares me. Plus you are left with throwing away your favorite cream with about weeks worth of product left because you can't get it out.

I was cleaning up my apartment one day, when I noticed that my bf's collar stays were everywhere. He doesn't use them and usually throws them away. A collar stay, for all who don't know (its ok I just learned the technical term myself), are those plastic picks that a lot of the times comes free with men's dress shirts. Upon further examination, I realized they look exactly like what beauty stores use for customers to try out samples of product. So an idea was born!

[from http://www.menaccessories.in]

I've been using this with my jar products to get product out and I'm easily able to get the last remains of any product out due to the sharper tip on one end. They are usually made of thicker plastic, so I can reuse and wash easily to keep them hygienic. Best of all, they are free! Look for them around your house or ask a male friend if they have any extras. If you need to, you can always buy them in bulk and so cheap. No more germs and no more wasting product!

My first purchase of 2010

Your day was (only choose one)
(_ ) powerful__ (x ) beneficial__ (_ ) delicious

We must get beyond passions, like a great work of art. In such miraculous harmony. We should love each other outside of time... detached. - "La Dolce Vita"

I didn't make any resolutions this year as with most attempts to change, I just can't keep up. I do hope to keep a journal more frequently this year and just bought Keel's Simple Diary on amazon.com where it's on sale for $10.20 (orig. $15). This is perfect for anyone looking for a quirky, simple way to reflect on your day.



I was reading Vogue's January Feature Story on Rachel McAdams (Gosh, I love her!) and when I read that she uses Keel's to write diaries, I immediately wanted one.



I hope diary-ing turns out to be as entertaining as the new movie, Sherlock Holmes.