Archive for June, 2009

Last year, we wrote about flip & tumble, a line of cute and convenient reusable bags. We loved how you could simply roll the “24-7″ bag into a small ball, tuck them in your bag, and not have to forget them at home when you actually need them! You can do a small part to help reduce waste while toting a cute bag, so it’s win-win.

Well, flip & tumble just got even better, because they’ve actually lowered the price of a 24/7 bag from $12 to just $9! And the more you buy, the more you save. They’ve also expanded the color choices so that the bag is now available in 10 vibrant colors. I picked one up in Superpink, a bright pink shade, and I’m obsessed! The new color combinations also include sky blue straps, and for slightly more, you can also buy ones with pretty prints.

The 24-7 bags are available online at flipandtumble.com — let us know your fave color!

If you’re still searching for a Father’s Day gift, or a guy gift for any occasion, I’ve got a great suggestion. Try Nautica Oceans — Nautica’s first environmentally friendly men’s fragrance that it launched this year. Oceans is actually from a water-based formulation (as opposed to alcohol-based), is biodegradable, and is packaged in recycled material from a carbon neutral facility.

If that’s not cool enough, the fragrance even includes a note that extracts the actual essence taken from a piece of sail from the world’s #1 racing yacht! Nautica calls it “Regatta Accord.” Here’s the note breakdown:

• Top notes: Ocean Air, Lemon Tonic
• Middle notes: Sea Salt Rose, Lavender Reef, Geranium
• Dry down: Amber Crystals, Sun-Drenched Teak, Regatta Accord

Nautica Oceans would definitely be a thoughtful and unique gift for any man in your life, since it’s eco-friendly and smells good. Head over to your nearest Macy*s and smell for yourself.

Imagine a deodorant that keeps you dry, and even makes the unsightly hair there look thinner and less noticeable. Dove is trying making that a reality with its new Visibly Smooth antiperspirant and reached out to me to give it a shot. I received a sample of the Nature Fresh scent in the mail, along with coupons to share with friends, and promptly switched from my usual Dove deodorant. Visibly Smooth uses a “Pro-Epil Complex” that is made up of natural extracts to reduce the appearance of hair.

After a few weeks of testing, I can report back that my hair does appear thinner! Has it cut down on my time between shaves? Well, no, not yet. I’ve also had some skin sensitivity, probably due to switching products, but the skin under my arms has felt softer as well. For the ladies that may need a bit more odor or wetness protection, it’s available in a clinical strength version, as well. Look for the Visibly Smooth deodorants at your local drugstore to try for yourself!

Hattie Elliott is one of those girls that all the guys love and all the girls want to be friends with. She’s personable, energetic, gorgeous, and a young New York professional with an enviable network of really cool people that she calls her friends.   Luckily for other New York singles, Hattie brings all her single friends and all of their friends together at monthly events she plans for her company save the date(ing).  Any of you gals or guys that have ever asked your friend to “hook you up” with their single friends will realize how genius this concept is.  Hattie also interviews and vets every person that joins so you’re pretty much guaranteed not to meet a creep. (more…)

I’m having a moment with the Python Fold Over Clutch by Perlina. I first saw it in the hands of my fabulously fashionable friend Malorie last month when we had dinner.  I had immediate handbag envy and this is why:

This clutch is made of soft waxy python printed leather with a bit of a sheen. The front turnlock closure makes it easy to open, but keeps your belongings secure. The most impressive feature is the many compartments and roominess of this clutch, without making it seem bulky. It has a deep main zipper compartment, which includes an inner zip with cell and snap pockets. It also includes a front open and back zip pocket for even more storage. When Malorie showed me her bag, she only used one of these compartments. All I can is hurrah! The lack of space is usually the typical issue I have with evening handbags, and this one would solve my problem. Ahh…how I wish that I had this a couple of weeks ago for this party I attended!

Available in black, red and white. Order for $150 at perlina.com.

A thrifty secret of mine?  I often turn to surf-inspired clothing lines in the summer to find affordable and stylish pieces to add to my closet.  Surf inspired clothing lines such as Roxy, O’Neill, and Billabong always feature colorful, feminine, pieces in lightweight materials that carry you from the beach to town, or even while walking around the sweltering asphalt of NYC.

My favorite new site is Swell.com, which is an online retailer of many of the California surf lines mentioned above, including some lesser known brands such as RVCA, Exekiel and many others.  Browse the dress section of this website and you’ll find some fabulous of-the-minute finds for under $100 (the only dress I saw above $100, was the Modern Amusement Chambray dress), that can substitute as a gauzy bathing suit coverup or as a cute sundress, ranging in styles from maxi to mini to babydoll in a variety of summer brights and colorful prints.

My favorites of the site are above, which are O’Neill Mango Dress, a smocked bodice, flirty button down dark chambray strapless dress, and this Blue Plate Combo Dress, which is a prairie bohemian inspired maxi dress in solid navy and printed flower patterns of azure blue.  The  Billabong Silva Dress, my other favorite, is a long, black halter V neck dress with a low back.  I like the versatility of this dress and picture pairing it with some metallic sandals, and a gold snaking arm band or bangles to dress it up for night.   At $44, it’s the chicest, thriftiest, and most economical maxi dress I have seen all summer.

Visit Swell.com and search around to find someother adorable options to stay cool and fashionable this summer on a budget.

Do you remember that pair of animal slippers you had as a kid? I sure do. Mine were purple and furry and shed like crazy but I loved them nonetheless. I would put them on every night as I bounced around the house, killing the final few minutes before bed. They left a trail of purple fuzz behind me that I’m sure my mother just loved but she let me wear them anyway. At some point I guess I outgrew them and they went in the basement never to be seen again.

I hadn’t really thought about those hairy slippers until recently when I received a pair of classic bunny slippers. These timeless slippers brought me back to the simpler days of nightgowns, bedtime stories, and getting tucked in. However, the bunny slippers also brought me more comfort than I was used to. These overstuffed house shoes actually make it feel as if you are walking on a cloud and you cannot help but smile at the goofy bunny face staring straight ahead as you take each step. Come bedtime, I look forward to slipping on my bunny shoes and going through the nightly routine. As a bonus, the slippers actually look adorable with a mini nightgown. Who says you can’t be stylish and comfortable at the same time? Now as I bounce around my dorm, killing the final few minutes before bed, I get a few laughs (and pets) from my friends who swear they all want a pair of bunny slippers. It must be the child in all of us.

Just under $30, order at bunnyslippers.com.

Who: Audra Senkus and Gabrielle Ophals, owners of Eve Salon

What: Watermelon Martini Mondays

Where: 55 West 8th Street (near 6th Avenue) New York, NY

When: Every Monday through the summer

Why: Watermelon just screams summer, right? I can remember numerous Sunday picnics with my family involving the huge green fruit. After feasting on cold cuts and potato chips, my father would pull the watermelon out of the cooler and begin to serve us. Seconds later, we were enjoying that ripe taste of summer, cool juice running down our chins and smiles on our faces. Of course, this summer I am staying in New York City meaning no family picnics and no watermelon…. (more…)

A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to attend an exclusive event where I was introduced to Benefit’s new One Hot Minute powder.  It was so much fun – I got to hang out with some of my favorite beauty bloggers AND play around with products while sipping delicious cocktails.  What could be better?  (I also got my brows tinted for the first time ever.  How have I never done this before?  It makes SUCH a difference!) (more…)

If you’re a sparse eyelash girl like me, you’ll want to listen up. For the past month and more, I’ve been trying Dea Bella Eyelash Conditioner — and I can actually report great results! Although my top lashes are moderately long, my lower lashes were practically non-existent. Unlike other eyelash conditioners, you can safely apply Dea Bella to your lower lash line. I decided that was how I would test its effectiveness, and pledged to remember to apply every night for the recommended 2-8 weeks. (more…)