Archive for August 2008

There are 2 ways in which to apply your makeup - with a sponge and with your fingers.

My Mom has always used her hands, while I've always relied on the cosmetic wedges from the drugstore.

The beautyblender, however, changes the way in which your makeup goes on.

It's an fushia, teardrop-shaped sponge.It is heftier than my usual sponge, yet still extremely light and feels great in the hand - it's really squishy. It is latex-free totally odorless and hypoallergenic.

The idea behind this sponge was conceived by 2 makeup artists who has seen the flawless effect that this kind of shape could achieve.

The secret behind it is that instead of applying your foundation in a swath across your cheeks, forehead and chin, you stipple it on. And because you are not swiping your liquid, powder or mineral makeup across your face, there are no streaks, lines or visible marks.

In fact, in using the beautyblender, your makeup actually blends into your face so that you look better than your plain self, but it's difficult to detect that you're wearing makeup at all.

Which is just about the best thing in the world, dontcha think?

It of course takes a little getting used to - after all, you've been putting your makeup on the same way for the last decade or two. But you quickly get the hang of it. The two big differences to your usual routine probably will be that you moisten the sponge before use and that you dot your makeup on instead of smoothing it onto your skin.

You can also use the pointed tip to apply concealer. This is especially effectively under the eye area.

The sponge comes with its own soy-based, lavender scented cleanser, Blendercleanser, that is "specially formulated to maintain the integrity of your beautyblender and helps to make it last." With proper care, it should last for a year.

And when it is ready to go, you can send it back to the company, where they will safely recycle it for you.

If you've always wanted a flawless look, get the beautyblender.

I have worn glasses since the age of 5, so I know that picking a pair that are really "you" is important.

But you also want something that stands out, that is a little different than the rest. After all, remember the architect glasses that took over the streets 8 years ago and everyone looked like they worked at Bauchman, Birch & Fuller?

Ech.

But glasses have come along since I got my first pair (they were brown and unisex and sooooo ugly). But it's funny that despite our aging population, reading glasses have not - they are mostly boring and elderly, or if they are contemporary they are, how shall I say, gaudy and waaay too much. Especially on the people who end up needing reading glasses.

Nuh uh. That is not a good look for you.

And with friends in their forties and fifties, I find I am now surrounded by folks who need occasional assistance in reading the menu, tiny font of ingredients on the back of a jar of tomato sauce or general reading of fine print. So I set out to find them the coolest reading glasses that are funky, but not too crazy, contemporary without being too mainstream and comfortable without being too old person.

I found it all in Amy Sacks Eyewear.

The website describes the collection as "a thoughtful grouping of varied but classic shapes in gorgeous colours."

What I like most about the lines that they have created are they are seemingly simple designs, but are universally flattering in a beautiful array of colours.

They are also affordable, which means that you can get a couple of pairs (trust me, you're going to want a couple of pairs at least!) to accessorize your outfits and moods.

Yay!

And a portion of the profits are donated to The Pixie Project - a foundation built by Ann and her daughter, Amy, to provide veterinary services for low-income families.

Double yay!

The collections are named after folks, so you can a pair of Kelly's, Kendall, Syndey or even Stef (great name!).

I got Dylan in Avocado, which are a classic frame in the most sumptuous green you've ever seen (you can get them in a range of beautiful earthy tones). They are so flattering to all face shapes and sizes (I got friends and family to try them on) and will look modern no matter the trends of the day or your vintage wares.

And the Alex collection is drop-to-your knees gorgeous! The glasses have a long and lean look to them, but have character and weight to them, without being too heavy in look or feel. The frames have this pearly opaqueness to them that is so captivating that you will be fending off people asking you where you got them.

I got a pair in Tangerine, which cast a beuatiful glow on your skin and really brighten up any outfit. But it's Sea (pictured) that has captured my heart the most! The turquoise frame looks like glass softened by the water. You just want to run your fingers over them and feel their cool smoothness.

Ahhhh.

And there is a new collection of Bamboo frames with new colours that you should check out - beautiful and sustainable! Fanfreakintastic! And look - reading sunglasses as well as regular sunglasses - they've thought of everything!

All glasses are available in magnifications from 0.75 to 3.00

Amy Sacks, where have you been all of my life and if you ever do frames for thick prescription glasses like mine, I'll be over in a New York minute placing my orders!

Multiple, multiple orders.

I have never tried Red Bull or any other energy drink, other than juices that have ingredients like ginseng, ginko biloba, etc.

So when Boosta Shot Energy Drink showed up at my door, in little squishy pouches and a large bottle complete with pump, I was a little nervous.

I think because I was worried that I would become really antsy and jittery and wondered if it would wreak havoc on my sleep that after months of getting very little, I was now sleeping almost through the night.

I think that perhaps the whole Red Bull generation kind of jaded my opinion. After all, people sucking back those types of energy drinks are usually doing it to stay up all night to party or work or study. They are desperate to stay awake and this is their last hope.

But Boosta Shot Energy Drink is nothing like that.

For starters, most energy drinks are made up of mostly sugar and caffeine. Boosta Shot is botanical based and uses herbs, amino acids and vitamins to give you energy. There is no added caffeine and zero sugar, just the good stuff like taurine, ginsens, guarana and vitamin B.

Secondly, you don't need very much of it to give you the energy you need - just 3/4 oz. oughtta do it. And you can add it into cold or hot drinks and frozen if you are that fancy at home. And yes, you could add it to your alcoholic beverage, but I think it's best in juice or soda. After all, you're looking for a little boost, not an excuse to rave on into the night.

If you're using the bottle with the pump, you can choose between 3-5 pumps and if you have the little pouches, just a half package is a good start, but you can use the whole thing for extra energy.

My Mom used it when called to work a double shift and couldn't believe how much energy she had and how it sustained throughout the day. My friend Allana tried it recently and said that maybe it was her imagination, but it seemed to pep her up quite a bit.

Just a few days ago, I found a cat and was with it most of the night, trying to figure out how to get it back to its rightful owner, though there was no collar, tags or identifying features. I got to bed at 1 am and got up at 6 am because that night I was throwing a going away party for dear neighbours that are moving - and I had been with the cat the night before so shopping for supplies and dinner ingredients and then cooking had to wait until the day of the party (thanks to store owners in the neighbourhood letting me put up posters about the cat, the rightful owners were reunited with Kinky the kitty 2 nights later).

By 4 pm, I was so exhausted I could barely see out of the slits that my eyes had become. I put a whole pouch of Boosta Shot in my Pepsi and hoped for the best.

Though the materials state that it is "flavour neutral," I found that it added a lovely soft vanilla tone to my drink, but that could have been the exhaustion turning into hallucinations.

Well folks, I am here to tell you that not only did it wake me up significantly within the first 15 minutes of me sipping at my drink, I was able to last until the guests left well after midnight and right up until cleaning up until 1 am!

So there's the proof right there.

Not only does it work, but it lasts and no jittery hands, feelings of angst or compelling need to run a marathon, clean the house and cook a week's worth of meals in only one evening.

I have seen and felt it work without nasty ingredients or side effects. In fact, I think it's such a great way to boost your energy (and only 15 calories for 3/4 oz. or 3 pumps) that the bottle now sits on our breakfast bar, ready to pump into our iced, hot or frozen beverages (margarita, anyone?).

As writers with deadlines that can occur any time of day, this is going to help out a ton.

And the occasional days when sleep just didn't happen the night before - whether it's because of the hot weather, a looming to do list or a cat that found it's way into your home and heart.

Ahhh, purses.

Really, this is my girliest indulgence. I forgo chick lit, wearing much makeup and getting manis/pedis, but purses are my big love.

I think it's all the possibilities that they offer, not just stylistically, but that they'll magically make me more organized and together, despite my wonky hair, tilted glasses and coffee stain right in the middle of my pencil skirt.

And the selection (as well as the affordable prices) at A Little Something has me swooning all over the place.

I spend a lot of the time dreaming about which purse I'd use with which outfit to go to which event. My title of serious journalist is going to be called into question if I keep this up...

But then the purses arrive and I am swooning all over again.

My fella hears my "Oooohhhh!" from his desk and he knows that it's got to be either pretty purses or thick, good quality stationery (They both elicit feelings of such immense joy that my fella knows that I may need to be left alone to really look at and feel the merch).

I hold up 4 large, lovely bags and he goes back to work. He just doesn't understand this kind of joy - until the latest Archos comes out or he finds some new accessory for his tablet...

So I go off and spend some time with my new purses. I want to know everything about them.

The Luxor Passion is believe it or not, only my 2nd white purse - and I never used the first one, so I gave it away.

But this one I've been using ever since it first arrived! I love the criss-cross polka-dot body and white patent leather look. The front vertical zip pocket is a nice touch and is completed by 2 studded hearts and a braided tail. It's so easy to get in and out of and though it come with 2 cellphone/multi-function pockets on the interior, I've been putting my smartphone in this front pocket for easy access and now I can actually hear it ring! Fantastic!

This incredibly light purse zips at the top, yet has a tabbed pull, so you can access your wallet, phone and essentials easily and more importantly, quickly!

I am going to be using this loooong after Labour Day, let me tell you. White rules be damned!

The Amelia Versa-Bag, however, is my step towards something a little funkier, a little unexpected.

First of all, I usually shy away from red when it comes to clothes and accessories, but I wanted something that would pop against my usual black jackets and shoes. I wanted something a little edgier.

For some reason, it reminds me of a Brooklyn subway car and that makes me really, really happy. It seems like the perfect bag for getting around from Brooklyn to Manhattan, for being able to hold everything you could possibly need in a day's journey (This is why purses, bags and totes give me hope).

I love the detachable, adjustable shoulder strap that allows you to carry and wear it however you want to - whether you're catching a flight or picking up ingredients for dinner at the market. A nice added touch are the 2 side fasteners that allow the bag to collapse and thus, gives you more space, should you not be able to resist that 2-for-1 shoe sale or want to stuff your gym gear in it to take them home to wash.

There are 4 ouside pockets with zippers and 3 nicely trimmed ones inside, one of which is huge and zippered. It seems huge empty and it is, but I think in just a week or so, you'll have figured out a way to fill it to the brim.

This is going to be one of those bags that becomes as necessary as your lucky necklace and morning cup of Mountain Range coffee.

And its mad style will get noticed wherever you go - finally!

The Amelia Sunshine is one of those bags that you can use all day, every day and it works with whatever the situation and whatever the outfit.

That's what I love about big silver bags - they look good no matter what. And the Amelia Sunshine is no exception.

This bag does it all - need something to carry all the stuff you've picked up on your way home from work? No problem. Want to bring a sweater and a book to meet a friend before the movie? Easy peasy. And if you just want to use it to keep your cell phone, iPod, wallet, change purse, cosmetics case, sunglasses, hairbrush, notebook, pencil case and handcream, that's okay too.

I absolutely adore the 2 small coin pockets that float on the front from the thick handles. It makes getting tokens out or grabbing your keys so effortless. I also like the metal-like detailing at the bottom and feminine floral lining inside. Nice juxtaposition!

The large bag has a zip-top closure with cross snap, which means you can make the opening and sides bigger or smaller. This makes it completely personalized to you and your needs. Which means it's great as a carryon or simply a chic bag for a night out on the town. Perfect!

And while I simply cannot single out any bag as my favourite, I do love the luxury of the Madonna Traveler.

It is one of those bags that women ooh and ahh over because of the luscious gold weave, the handsome and intricate detailing (read: it looks so expensive!) and the dual chain-linked tassels and braided handles add a little bit of sex appeal and keep it from looking too stuffy.

Ther is a subtle gold fabric lining and inside pockets like the bags above. But what I love so much about this bag is not only the ample room inside but the soft look and feel that makes you feel like you're carrying around a $600 bag instead of a mere $65.

Oh, did I mention that A Little Something has a ton more designs to choose from and that these bags come in different styles and colours?

Breathe, girl, breathe.

And just know that you are going to have a smashing purse - or perhaps a handful - soon.

That feels better, doesn't it?

And just wait until you see 'em.

Swoon.