Dear Neutrogena,

It really disappoints me when a great company, whose products target the teen and 20s/30s demographic of women, use sexual innuendo to sell product. I really thought we were more intelligent than that, but obviously you don't think we are.

Let's recap how you are advertising your latest product, the Neutrogena Wave, on several blogs and websites shall we?

The flash advertisement starts off showing the Wave vibrating with the words "Turn me on" next to it. Followed by several colors of Waves vibrating, which they tend to look like a hand held ...um...vibrator? Words like "deep" and "power" are used in the advertisement and in the final frame is a picture of a teenage girl holding it to her face.

If I remember correctly RejuvaWand, another skin care product whose design had the flaw of also looking similar to a sex toy, tried desperately to get people to focus on what their product does rather than market it for what it looked like....you seem to be doing the opposite. Also, Vanessa Hudgens is being used in your commercials for this? Isn't she the teen Disney star who had the nude sex pics of herself floating around? Coincidence?

Neutrogena to me has always been a company based on values and principals, especially considering your target market is young girls. So please tell me why it is now that you have chosen to go down the path of selling tongue-in-cheek sexually-based ads for Neutrogena Wave.

Most upsetting to me? You are selling these ads through a network I am a part of and I'll have no choice but to potentially have them displayed on my blogs and I'll have to apologize to any of my readers who are also offended.

Sadly disappointed,
Shannon

HOT SELLER !

Bali Home|SPA
WHITENING PACKAGE

Rp. 42.500,-
Only


Dikemas cantik dengan jute bag.
Terdiri dari :

1. Whitening Body Scrub 100 gr
2. White Musk Body Lotion 80 ml
3. Whitening Face Mask 35 Gr
4. Whitening Body Mask 35 Gr

__________________________________
Order Sekarang :
balihomespa@yahoo.com , HP. 085737673435

Visit our other store :
Bali Gift : www.bali-gift.blogspot.com ,

Bali Home SPA
SLIMMING BODY MASK
35 Gr

Rp. 9.900,-
Only

Terbuat dari natural clay dan tamarind extract. Slimming treatment yang diformulasikan khusus untuk anda.

-----------------------------------------------

Bali Home SPA
CELLULITE BODY MASK
35 Gr

Rp. 9.900,-
Only

Terbuat dari natural clay dan pineapple extract. Treatment yang diformulasikan khusus sebagai anti cellulite

_____________________________


Order Sekarang :
balihomespa@yahoo.com , Sms 085737673435

Visit our other store :
Bali Gift : www.bali-gift.blogspot.com ,
Pernik Unik : www.mypernik-unik.blogspot.com

Photographed by : Elyani Gunadi http://www.elyanigunadi.blogspot.com

Bali Home SPA
FOOT SPRAY 16 ml

Rp. 15.000,-
Only

Cooling Spray yang dikomposisikan dari aloevera ekstract dengan aroma tea tree mint yang menyegarkan.

Cara Pemakaian :

Semprotkan pada kulit/telapak/jari kaki untuk mencegah bau kaki akibat lembab oleh keringat. Sangat cocok untuk anda yang sering memakai sepatu tertutup dalam aktifitas hari.

_______________________________

Order Sekarang :
balihomespa@yahoo.com , HP. 085737673435

Visit our other store :
Bali Gift : www.bali-gift.blogspot.com ,
Pernik Unik : www.mypernik-unik.blogspot.com

Many women pay top dollar to get an ultra-sleek salon blow-out. A great salon blow-out creates luxurious foundation for any style and adds polish to hair, which seems impossible to replicate at home. But impossible it is not! With these easy expert tips and the right products, you’ll be blow-drying like a (Redken) pro in no time!

TOOLS YOU’LL NEED:

* Wide-tooth comb to evenly disperse product and untangle hair
* Round medium-sized boar bristle brush or nylon/boar bristle combination brush to help blow-dry sections.
* Blow-dryer with an ionic feature to seal in the cuticle and lock in moisture for high sheen (not recommended for fine hair). Get one that has at least 2 heat settings: high heat for initial drying, low heat for finishing.
--Make sure your blow-dryer has sufficient voltage and a nozzle for a controlled, polished finish.
* A flat iron creates a sleeker, smoother finish and keep ends from curling under. If you choose to use a flat iron after you blow-dry, use on hair after completely dried and make sure it has ceramic plates to diffuse heat with maximum results and less damage.

EASY STEPS FOR THE PERFECT BLOW-OUT:

1) Apply a blow-dry product, like Redken satinwear 02 blow-dry lotion or straight 05 straightening balm to hair and use a wide tooth comb to evenly disperse product.

− To add volume and substance to fine hair, try thickening lotion 06 body builder.

− For maximum lift at the roots, apply guts 10 volume spray foam.

− For unruly hair, try align 12 ultra-straight balm.

2) Blast-dry hair on high heat until 80% dry, working from the scalp to the ends using fingers to disperse heat throughout the hair.

− For added volume at the roots, turn hair upside down while drying 80% using a boar’s head bristle brush.

3) Clip hair into 3 sections: 2 on the sides and 1 in the back.

4) Blow-dry each section one inch at a time using a thick, medium-sized boar bristle brush and low heat.

− Use the nozzle on your blow-dryer to keep the airflow pointed down the hair strand to prevent unwanted fly-aways that can be exacerbated from humidity.

5) For each section, start drying hair at the scalp and then move down to the mid-length of hair. When the mid-length is dry, finish the ends.

− For ultimate heat-styling protection, try spritzing Redken fabricate 03 heat-active texturizer on each section to create texture and dimension with added heat protection.

− To avoid your arms from getting tired, make sure to keep both your elbows at shoulder level, and use your wrists and lower arm to move the brush and dryer. And if you need to, take a break in between sections.

6) To finish the look, touch up each section with a flat iron (for added heat protection, re-apply fabricate 03 heat-active texturizer on each section before flat iron use).

− For additional control and frizz-free shine on your night out on the town, finish with forceful 23 super strength finishing spray to keep that blow-dried perfection all night long.

7) Before heading out, spritz on some vinyl glam 02 mega-shine spray for instant gloss and a glam finish!

To add even more movement and bounce to this already sleek blow-out, “Roll two velcro rollers in the front two sections of your hair after your blow-dry is complete,” suggests Redken session stylist, Patricia Morales. “While the rollers are in place, apply your makeup. Then, let the rollers down and you’ll have beautiful waves with extra movement and lift in the front and you’re ready to go – a trick I often do when styling Demi Moore’s hair.” (Lucky you!)

Malibu Secret promises to be the body's answer to anti-aging skin care. Using key ingredients typically found in facial anti-aging moisturizers, Malibu Secret's founders say this innovative formula is like a makeover in a bottle. Intrigued, I gave it a try.

If you have grown up anywhere along the shoreline, the bottle's packaging will make you nostalgic. With "I love you" etched in the sand, the label almost reminded me of the covers from the romance novels I used to sneak from my mother's bedroom. When I opened the cap I found the scent as slightly floral, but reminded me more of Banana Boat sunblock. Once smoothed over my skin, the scent is less sunblock smelling and more perfumey. That's when memories of the beaches around Jamestown, Portsmouth, Naragansett and Prudence Island came back to mind. Just before the sand dunes there were always shrubbery and flowers...Malibu Secret's scent reminds me of this.

The lotion's texture is smooth, it quickly absorbs and is non-greasy. My skin felt incredibly soft--velvet to the touch. Naturally, well hydrated skin always gives off a more youthful, vibrant appearance. I decided to scan the ingredients on the label, only to find that not only did this product contain these "key" anti-aging ingredients, but other components that I personally feel are what made my skin so well moisturized.

For one the main ingredient is shea butter followed by sunflower seed oil, glycerin and cocoa butter--humectants, lipids and emollients. These ingredients alone would leave anyone's skin looking fabulous. Malibu Secret also contains aloe, Vitamins A, C and E, as well as other butters and oils. While I understand why the company wants to position themselves as different from the other lotions out there by promoting their anti-aging ingredients, to me Malibu Secret is a significantly wonderful product simply because it contains good-for-you ingredients that will properly moisturize your skin to help you attain a healthy glow.

Bottom line--this really is a fantastic product, but I feel it is less about the facial anti-aging ingredients in a body moisturizer and more about the other great natural skin softeners this product contains. You can get it at www.malibusecret.com for $25.

*Photo Credit: Malibu Secret

Au Natural: Laughter Is the Best Medicine
Click here for a quick and fun pick-me-up.

Couture in the City: Today’s Couture - Stella McCartney
Stella McCartney rocks. With everything under her belt, this innovative designer went from local London hype to an international name.

Makeup Minute found a must-have product for her summer makeup bag
Check out this smudgeproof eyeliner to start your summer right!

Moms Buzz: What to Pack for a Road Trip
many may have decided to travel by car rather by air due to the rise of airfares as a result the increasing fuel prices. Here are some travel tips for the busy mom on what to pack for a road trip, especially since we pack for almost the whole family, read about what the ttravel essentials are.

Stylenotes: Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin, & Jimmy Choo
We've got the skinny on the 3 chic-est shoe designers around -- Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik, and Jimmy Choo.

andy&bella: Tees with Tatts!
Vintage tattoo-style images screen-printed on cotton t-shirts that come with a matching removable body-tattoo!

I've raved about Aqua Tan's Self Tanning Body Milk before (no orange color, no overwhelming smell) so I decided to give their Clear Self Tanning Treatment for Faces a try. The picture to the left is the light color my skin normally is and to the right is my color after two applications of Aqua Tan. Not a huge difference, but the effects is just the way I like it...a natural looking sun kissed skin tone. As you can see from the picture above--no orange look at all (let's leave that to Sunkist Ok?)

Aqua Tan's Self Tanning Treatment for Faces comes in a 1.7 oz. spray bottle. You can either spray it directly on your face and then smooth it out or you can spray into the palm of your hand and rub it over your face. I chose to spray it into my hands, as I felt like it gave me more control over knowing exactly where the solution was being smoothed over on my face. I definitely feared orange streaks or worse--missing areas and looking patchy. Since the solution is clear it is all about being diligent with ensuring you smooth it from the inside moving out to the hair line and down your neck. Aqua Tan's color doesn't show up right away, it does take about 6 hours before you notice any color change.

I'm definitely very happy with how the color has turned out on my face. If you choose to spray Aqua Tan into your palms, be sure to wash your hand thoroughly afterwards. Aqua Tan is available at www.aqua-tan.com

Need to soak your cares away? I am all about products that not only help my mind wander off from the stresses of my daily life, but also make my skin feel incredible. I have been loving Salt of the Earth's Fizzing Bath Soak lately. I've tried both Warm Sugar Vanilla and Mandarin Orange to indulge my senses in their confectionary fragrance and skin softening magic.

Made with grapeseed oil, which is rich in Vitamins A & E, your skin will immediately be soothed while the fizzing disperses the delicious fragrance. Warm Sugar Vanilla smelled like a combination of vanilla and cotton candy, while Mandarin Orange was sweet, slightly citrusy with a kick of spice. I was honestly surprised by it because when it comes to bath time, I don't usually like citrus, but this really didn't smell like a true orange, and I found myself really loving it.

I can't even begin to tell you how soft your skin is going to feel from soaking in this grapeseed oil wonderland. I even let my boys with eczema have the opportunity to get their own baths in this moisturizing concoction. Duncan voiced how much better his skin felt because of it.

Salt of the Earth's Fizzing Bath Soak is available as part of the Spa Pack they offer. You won't want to be without their Salt Glow or Whipped Body Creme (I have that here too! Heaven!) You can find them at www.saltsoftheearth.net

Dry skin doesn't only occur in the winter months, chlorine and salt water can dry your skin out in the summer months too. Make sure you keep your skin well hydrated as you bare those legs in your favorite sun dress this summer. Because seriously? There is nothing more gross than seeing scaly lizard legs. To prevent this fashion faux paus you might want to give L'Occitane's Shea Butter a try.

While the texture is thick it spreads on creamy and absorbs quickly into your skin leaving no greasy residue behind. I've tried other lotions that say "shea butter" on the label only to find it listed as practically the last ingredient. L'Occitane has 25% shea butter in this rich body cream, which may not sound like a lot, but compared to others on the market, this is a pretty high concentration. It also contains other moisturizing ingredients such as apricot oil, glycerin and sweet almond oil.

The product description did say it had a slight scent of jasmine and ylang ylang, but you could've fooled me into thinking this was an unscented product because I noticed no scent at all.

L'Occitane's Shea Butter is available at www.loccitane.com for $38 (7oz)

Bali Home SPA
OIL BURNER

Rp. 32.500,-
Only

Dilengkapi dengan T-lite / candle dan 2 Mini Bottles Pure Essential Oil.

Cara Pemakaian :
Masukkan air ke atas tungku burner dan tambahkan beberapa tetes essential oil.
Nyalakan lilin / tealite dibawah burner. Aroma theraphy akan tercium segera setelah campuran air dan oil mendidih. Jumlah tetesan essential oil dapat disesuaikan dengan kebutuhan anda akan keharuman yang anda inginkan.

dan juga tersedia oil refill :

---------------------------------------

Bali Home SPA
PURE ESSENTIAL OIL

Rp. 15.500,-
Only


Pilihan aroma :
1. Lemon
2. Lavender
3. Jasmine
4. Sandalwood

Saran Penggunaan :

• Oil dapat digunakan untuk aromateraphy lewat oil burner, dapatkan sensasi kesegarannya. Detail dan cara pemakaian sudah dijelaskan detail di atas
• Untuk relaksasi mandi, tuangkan sedikit essential oil ke dalam tub anda.
  
• Untuk room theraphy, teteskan sedikit oil ke potpouri ( bunga kering )
  

Enjoy !!

_______________________________________

Order Sekarang :
balihomespa@yahoo.com , HP. 085737673435

Visit our other store :
Bali Gift : www.bali-gift.blogspot.com ,
Pernik Unik : www.mypernik-unik.blogspot.com

HOT HOT SELLER !

Bali Home SPA
Eau de Toilet 16 ml

Rp. 17.500,-


Tersedia 10 Pilihan Aroma :

1. Blue Melody ( in line of Bvlgari Blue )
2. Galatic Flower ( in line of Kenzo Flower )
3. Spice Flower ( in line of Issey Miyake )
4. Erotica ( in line of Adam Muggler )
5. Reality ( in line of YSL )
6. Aura
7. Tea Heart
8. Sensation ( in line of Licorice )
9. Green Forrest ( in line of Kenzo Bamboo )
10. Miracle ( in line og Miracle Lancome )

Kami kemas simply dan modern sehingga mudah untuk dibawa kemana saja.
Semprotkan saat anda membutuhkan keharuman pada tubuh anda.

__________________________________
Order Sekarang :
balihomespa@yahoo.com , HP. 085737673435


Visit our other store :
Bali Gift : www.bali-gift.blogspot.com ,
Pernik Unik : www.mypernik-unik.blogspot.com

Aloette is a skin care company I have never heard of before...but one that I hope catches on with my other skin care guru friends. Their Aloepure line is so gentle yet so powerful, you'll wonder why more people aren't raving about this beauty brand.

Restorative Enzyme Peel: When the idea was first proposed to me to try out this peel, immediate thoughts of Freeman's Cucumber Mask entered my mind. So I was surprised when I opened the jar to find a jelly-like substance that feels like you are smoothing pure aloe across your skin. It's thick yet soothing. You apply it over dry skin and rub it in a circular motion under beading appears, then you rinse it off. It's non-drying, non-abrasive and really leaves your skin feeling wonderful.

Clarifying Facial Wash: I have combination skin and I am prone to breakouts (yes even at 33). This facial wash is thick in consistency with small jojoba beads to exfoliate and unclog your pores. It has a light citrus fragrance , but nothing too overwhelming. The Clarifying Facial Wash has a alpha and beta hydroxy acid complex that really goes to work on the problem areas of your skin.

Clarifying Deep Action Toner: Puts oily skin in check. If you have normal to dry skin, you'll want to skip this product.

Clarifying Moisture Balance: My favorite moisturizer so far. Thin in texture, absorbs quickly and is non-greasy--this moisturizer really seems to balance out my skin. It's oil-free and targeted towards acne-prone skin.


I'm also using the Hot Soy Manicure Treatment--but that baby is so good, it will get a review all on its own. All products can be purchased at www.aloette.com

Anyone here in need of some serious shut eye? I know that working as hard as I do during the day, I crash the moment I go to bed...yet there is always something on my mind that I am thinking about sometimes keeping me from going into a deep sleep.

Through trial and error I've come up with 5 products you can't live without to get the beauty rest you need to keep you looking fresh and glowing for that 9am meeting with the boss.

1--Fraiche Bath Swizzle in Lavender Fields. LOVE this fragrance that devours your senses with this incredible bath treat. So soothing, calming and relaxing--if you are not ready to meet the sandman after taking a bath with this amazing aromatherapy product, I would seriously be surprised.

2--Skin Like Butter Shea Oil Lotion in Unscented. When your skin is deeply moisturized you have less of a tendency to scratch at your skin during the night, plus your skin will thank you for shedding those ugly flakes. This lotion is non-greasy despite the name and keeps your skin hydrated.

3--Travertine Spa Linen Spray in Lavender. Just like the bath swizzle, the scent of lavender is so relaxing. Lightly mist your bed linens a few hours before climbing into bed so that the fragrance can disperse. Take slow deep breaths to take in the aromatherapy properties and let your mind drift off to less stressful thoughts.

4--Dream Essentials Sleep Mask in Solitude. This lavender scented sleep mask will whisk you away to a deeper, more restful sleep. I never realized how much my sleep mask made a difference in the way I slept until I used it. It blocks out the light 100% (even when lights from cars driving by shine in your face!), is comfortable to wear (it will take a few days to get used to it) and overall is something I cannot live without.

5--Dr. Harry Henshaw Enhanced Healing Podcast. Dr. Harry Henshaw has a free podcast on itunes where you can download his wonderfully restful music. Each song is 5 minutes long and I downloaded several to create an hour's worth of music. Dr. Henshaw uses binaural audio tones that magically subdue you. Believe me, I was a skeptic when I first listened to this music until I played it for a few nights in a row for my kids at bedtime--and they all slept through the night (for once!) Hallelujah! I gave it a try myself and haven't used any other music since.

Have you found the perfect products that help you sleep better? Share them with everyone in the comments!

Certified Vegan and organic skin care company, Aguacate & Co., has some incredible beauty products. I recently had the opportunity to try out both their Essential Reinvigorating Serum and Facial Exfoliating Creme.

Facial Exfoliating Creme: The creme has the texture of a light moisturizer while the jojoba beads give the feeling of a rice-based scrub. This exfoliator is gentle enough for sensitive skin while still being strong enough to exfoliate even the flakiest skin types. There is no noticeable fragrance to it and it will leave your skin soft without feeling dried out.


Essential Reinvigorating Serum: Unlike most facial serums, Aguacate & Co.'s is not greasy. It is very thin, lightweight and quickly absorbing. Made from berry extracts and vitamin salve, this serum packs a punch to free radicals.

Besides caring for your skin, Aguacate & Co. also cares about the environment and is a member of 1% For The Planet contributing at least 1% of their net revenue to an environmental charity.

See all Aguacate & Co. has to offer at www.aguacateandco.com

Lady(bugs) and Gents (ok, not so much), it is now time to announce the winner of the $30 gift certificate contest to Skimbaco!

With amazingly reliable and accurate (and scientific) rendering, the winner was chosen...

Gavin identified the winning commenter...

Congrats! "Mommy," we found out, writes the blog Mollywoggin and has quite the adorable daughter. Have fun spending that gift certificate!

Bali Home SPA

BODY LOTION PUMP
120 ml

Rp. 15.000,-
Only

Tersedia 6 Pilihan sensasi aroma :

1. Soothing Body Lotion ( untuk extra dry skin )
2. Sensual Body Lotion ( untuk normal skin )

3. Whitening


4. Exotic Greentea
5. Rich Milk
6. Marine


Jadikan kesegaran buah-buah segar dan eksotisme bunga tropis menjadi sensasi hari anda. Gunakan setelah habis mandi atau saat kulit membutuhkan kesegaran dan kelembaban.

Sweet scent, guaranteed !!

____________________________
Order Sekarang :
balihomespa@yahoo.com , HP. 085737673435


Visit our other store :
Bali Gift : www.bali-gift.blogspot.com ,
Pernik Unik : www.mypernik-unik.blogspot.com

Photographed by : Elyani Gunadi http://www.elyanigunadi.blogspot.com

Bali Home SPA
RELAX BATH SOAK

Rp. 9.900,-
Only


Bahan : magnesium sulphate, natural clay, lavender and cananga essential oil.

Nikmati sensasi mandi dengan aroma anti stress dari contain pure essential oil. Wangi kenanga dan lavender memberi efek relaksasi, melepaskan penat.

Cara Pemakaian :

Masukkan 2 sendok makan ke dalam tub yang sudah berisikan air hangat. Untuk foot relaxation, masukkan sedikit bagian ke dalam baskom yang sudah berisikan air hangat. Contain magnesium sulphate berkhasiat untuk meringankan kelu tulang dan rematik.

______________________________

Order Sekarang :
balihomespa@yahoo.com , HP. 085737673435

Visit our other store :
Bali Gift : www.bali-gift.blogspot.com ,
Pernik Unik : www.mypernik-unik.blogspot.com

Photographed by : Elyani Gunadi http://www.elyanigunadi.blogspot.com

If I was rich and could afford to stay in the Hamptons...or if someone wealthy would simply invite me to stay at their posh estate, I would surely be front and center at Valery Joseph's salon.
Socialites rejoice. The eponymous Upper East Side salon that is so in-demand it opened a second location a few blocks away from its Madison Avenue flagship location is gearing up to open their Hamptons’ location for the third summer in a row. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, Hamptonites and those who “summer in the Hamptons ,” aka the salon’s clients, can continue to look the part when frolicking in the sand and sun as Valery Joseph Salon is bringing beauty to them.

The top-notch beauty team will be providing the same services that put them on the map twice in Manhattan : cuts, blow outs, color, Kerastase deep-conditioning treatments, extensions, hair relaxing and Brazilian hair straightening (without the formaldehyde).

Regular clientele include Lauren Davis, Samantha Boardman, Caroline Kennedy, Marjorie Gubelmann Raein and Bettina Zilkha, to name a few. For your convenience, the staff will also be making house calls. (Seriously!)

The salon will be open Monday through Saturday: 9 AM – 7 PM (special hours are available upon request). Valery Joseph will be available on the weekends. To schedule your appointment, please call 631-537-8967 or visit the salon at 2545 Main Street , Bridgehampton.

*Photo Credit: NY Mag

I cannot believe it has already been a year. Brody, the joy in my life, turned 1 today. Thinking back to what a totally anxiety-ridden pregnancy I had with him, wondering if I was going to lose another baby...and yet here he is delightful, happy and the reason I smile everyday, even when his brothers are beating the crap out of each other. This baby makes my life feel a little more sane.

And his double chin makes me feel a little thinner.

Every morning when he wakes up and babbles "mama mama" over the monitor, it brings a smile to my face. The way he gets so excited when I walk into his room as he reaches up his arms for me with the biggest smile on his face. The way he puts his head in the crick of my neck and then pats me on the back...it's hard to imagine how I made it through 365 days without falling to pieces because I love this boy so much.

Big B, Fat Cake-a Cake-a, Bro-bro..whatever we call him, to me his name means love and he fills my heart beyond anything I could ever imagine.

Brody, you are the star that lights my night and brings me comfort in knowing that despite my crazy work schedule and over abundance of beauty products taking over the house...that underneath it all, I am still a mom very much in love with you.

Happy first birthday!

Love,
Mommy

Yogurt seems to be a hot commodity these days. If it's not Activia talking about "bifidus regularis" (who made that up?!) it is beauty brands dipping their hands into the yogurt craze. With good reason of course, yogurt is a fabulous protein that helps your skin with hydration. Dial, who I usually associate with bar soap and liquid hand soap, has recently come out with a yogurt body wash that you skin is sure to find yummy. Just as Head & Shoulders surprised me with their hair care rebranding, Dial also delighted me with their nourishing body wash.

I have Dial's Yogurt Body Wash in Aloe Vera, a very soft and clean fragrance. When I first squeezed the product out of the bottle onto my bath scrunchie, I was completely surprised by how great it smelled. Impressed even. It's a nice thick gel that lathers up wonderfully and covers you head to toe in it's enriching and soothing properties.

Now this body wash isn't anything out of the ordinary for a typical body wash, but it was the fact that it came from Dial that was really the more impressive part. I loved the fragrance and luxuriousness of the creamy lather and for just a little over $5, I'd say it's a nice bargain when you want a moment of grandeur.

We're entering into the final two weeks of my fund-raising efforts for Meadow Quinn. So far the ChipIn donations are at $650 (just 32% of my goal) and the auctions have been going very well. The MAC Cosmetics auction #3 is in it's final hours (go check it out and bid before it's too late) and auction #4 is now live.
Auction #4 is from Berwick Beauty. Retail value is $185 (each set) and there are 3 product sets available. The products included are from the Coming Up Roses collection. I personally own some of these products myself and I can tell you that they are really fabulous. You can get the scoop on these great products on Beauty Pro. Many thanks to Angel & Alex, owners of Berwick Beauty for donating these products for the auction!

Please consider bidding or making a donation to Meadow via ChipIn so that my fund-raising goal can be achieved.

First time here? Please read: Beauty for Good: Fundraiser for Meadow Quinn

On June 12th, 13th and 14th, Borghese invites you to a Spa Experience at Borghese at Bloomingdales in California.

Borghese Spa Experience

· Luxurious facial treatments in a private setting, targeted for you and your lifestyle

· Nourishing arm and hand massages using Borghese’s illuminating and essential body basics

· Summer color application that adds a special bloom to bronzed skin or touch of beach beauty

· Free Gift with Purchase

Book your appointment early and receive an additional gift of appreciation.

Please contact the following Borghese Counters to set up your appointment:

San Diego - 619-610-6422 – June 12th

Sherman Oaks - 818-325-2306 – June 12th

San Francisco - 415-856-5462 – June 12th & 13th

Beverly Center - 310-360-2811 – June 13th

Newport - 949-729-6705 – June 14th

Century City - 310-772-2196 – June 14th

Stanford - 650-463-2006 – June 14th

The warm weather is here and for me that means wearing sandals and shoes without socks. Not really a big fan of socks, but hey, I live in the mountains where it gets bone-chilling cold and it leaves me no other choice than to wear them all winter long. My feet rejoice for the warmer weather, but with the warmer weather comes the thing we all fear--your feet can not smell so "fragrant" in your favorite shoes. That's where Fragrant Footings by Summer Soles steps in. (Pun intended!)

If you remember, I bought these awesome shoes from AK Anne Klein for Fashion Week and I could not wait for Spring so I could wear them out and about. I was nervous though, I didn't want to wreck them with sweaty feet or any smell. I'm not really a fan of powders and some sprays are Ok, but I really wanted an easier (and less messy) way to handle this. I received Fragrant Footings in "Kiss me til morning mint" and set about giving them a try.

As you can see, they come much bigger than your shoe. Or at least for me they did, I wear a size 7 1/2. So I trimmed them to fit my shoe. Also, this particular shoe is square toed, so that took a little adjusting.
To make the adjustment simple, I just lined it up with the back of my shoe and trimmed it to match up.
Voila! A perfect fit! But did they work? Marvelously! I've had them in my shoes for about 4 weeks now. My shoes have zero smell to them and my feet smell like mint. Fragrant Footings are insoles made with essential oils, so there is no perfumey smell. Also, the mint isn't a high powered fragrance either, it's light and isn't shouting the obvious to people around you.

Fragrant Footings by Summer Soles also sells Fragrant Foot Pads for your open toed shoes and sandals. They come 2 pair for $15 at www.SummerSoles.com

Couture in the City: Today’s Couture - Belts
Harness them up ladies! Yes belts are the latest trend right now. Whether you are trying to look good in the office or for an evening event. There is a way to accent your frocks. By getting some tips from our celebrity friends, we let these trend setters pave the way.

Feel Fabulous Instantly
A quick way to change your mood from blah-dee-dah to wonderful.

Makeup Minute Gives You a Chance to Win $215 Worth of Products from Prescriptives
Enter to win Prescriptives Urban Heat sweepstakes!

Moms Buzz: Mother and Daughter Bonding for Mother's Day
A few tips that can help bridge that generation gap between your daughter and yourself. Moms Buzz believes this would a great Mother's Day gift from you to yourself!

Shrimpton Couture shows us a glam outfit
From the New York City Spring Ballet Gala

Stylenotes: Mother's Day Gift Guide
We've rounded up loads of heartfelt, useful gifts that any mom would love this Mother's Day.

While I love my 4 boys to the ends of this earth, it's typically when I see super cute girl stuff that I secretly wish I had a little girl too. Did you see those adorable ladybug shoes in Suri Cruise's mudroom closet on Oprah last week? They are from an awesome Colorado-based company called Skimbaco. Run by a mother and cheerleader of indie brands, Skimbaco's ladybug shoes are made by Monkey-Toes, a Denver-based company, and are handpainted to order.
If you've read my blog long enough you know that I am a big supporter of fellow mom's in business. Skimbaco's Monkey-Toes Ladybug Shoes getting a plug on Oprah is huge, so to further your interest in this fantastic company (that is not just limited to kid's stuff) I'm going to give away a $30 gift certificate to Skimbaco.

Just visit www.Skimbaco.com and then comment on this post telling me which Skimbaco product is your favorite. You'll then be entered to win--winner will be announced May 16th. U.S. residents only and please do not post multiple comments under various aliases or you will be disqualified. (Ouch, Ok that sounded mean.)

Good luck!

The 3rd Annual Hamptons Preview Party is right around the corner and Spa Week has joined in on the festivities this year! The kick off summer event is taking place Thursday, May 8th, at Prime in New York City.

Ladies will be able to enter to win a $1,000 Spa Week Gift Card, while enjoying mini spa treatments and spatinis in the Spa Week Lounge!

This year the Hamptons Preview Party has gone green and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Soles4Souls™, an organization that facilitates the donation of shoes throughout the world. Every attendee can help make a difference!


Guests will enjoy:

· An eco-friendly Fashion Show and Designer Trunk Show, featuring four hot designers and Summer Rayne Oakes the popular model and eco-activist
· Bottomless cocktails, provided by eco-friendly 360 Vodka
· Live music performed by Hot Lava, the Hamptons hottest band
· Green-friendly fabulous gift bags
· The Spa Week Lounge which will offer mini spa treatments and a $1,000 Spa Week Gift Card Giveaway
· The Silent Auction, all proceeds go to the Soles4Souls™ non-profit organization!
· The chance to mingle with the cast of The Real Housewives of New York City

Tickets for this event are LIMITED and on sale now: Advance tickets: General Admission: $95 /VIP: $150. Pay at the door: General Admission: $150 /VIP: $200. To purchase tickets online, visit www.SoireeEventsUsa.com. For more information, call 808-782-7576 or email Info@SoireeEventsUsa.com.

Auction #2 full of MAC Cosmetics goodies ends today--retail value is $515 and as I write this post the current bid is $260. There's only a few hours left--so get your bid in!




Auction #3 with products from MAC Collections N, Curiositease, Strobe and Beauty Powder Blush is now live! Starting bid is $50.

I'm still collecting direct donations for Meadow via the ChipIn widget in my sidebar and the offer for a 1-week ad spot still stands for beauty & fashion brands who donate $100 or more. Of course if you donate any amount and have a blog or business, you will be linked in the Thank you section of my post.

Meadow still needs to raise $28,000 to go to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia--so please help me meet my goal or exceed it! I'd like to raise at least $2000.

First time here and unsure who Meadow Quinn is? Please read my original post: Beauty for Good: Fundraiser for Meadow Quinn.

Up until recently, I had never heard about Oculatum candles. I never really believed that there was such a thing as "luxury candles" up until the candles arrived at my door. In the package- Paten Susan from The Vessels Collection, Vespers Holland from The Hours Collection and Flowered Syllabub from The Vintages Collection.

Paten Susan--Tulip, Marjoram and Juniper

Vespers Holland--Frankincense, Myrrh and Cedar

Flowered Syllabub--Champagne, Dianthus and Hyssop (no longer available)

All of Oculatum's candle collections come as a trio, each with a different aromatic base-one fruited, one floral and one exotic. They are all made by hand and about half way into the candle is a saying on a small piece of paper that is revealed as the wax melts away. It is a random phrase from the book Oculatum.

Oculatum's Candles are very fragrant. I love a candle that not only smells good when you open the package, but continues with that same fragrance as it burns. All of the wax is pure and free of any chemical color enhancements and the wicking is cotton. Not only do these candles delight your senses with their rich indulgence of scent, but the packaging also makes you want to display it as an accessory to your decor, as well.

Each candle is $36 at www.oculatum.com

Dry, winter hands got you down? You surely want to show off that matching pedicure and manicure this spring, but who wants to see your man hands? Certainly not me (and I can guarantee your friends don't either!) If you love the smell of a full bodied wine and know the benefits of grapeseed, you'll definitely want to check out Appellation's Grapeseed Hand & Nail Cream.

This delicious smelling antioxidant spa treatment for your hands will have you booking your next trip to Napa Valley in no time. It quickly absorbs and has no greasy residue, smells incredible and effectively hydrates your cuticles and skin with the benefits of grapeseed, echinacea, pro-vitamin B5, sage, yarrow and vitamins A & E.

So bring the feminine back to your hands (please?) and give Appellation a try. Need more convincing? Check out my previous review on their bath & body products.

Grapeseed Hand & Nail Cream $24.50 at appellation.cc