underneath the mistletoe

a friend once told me that my blog was only about lip gloss and t-shirts. to which i replied, "yes. only the important things." so here's a lip gloss entry for your christmas enjoyment. sue devitt is an australian make-up artist and has created an amazing line of makeup. her lip glosses (no surprise) are my favorite. the colors in the mini lip gloss line are all pretty perfect: sheer with a hint of shimmer. though, fire island is by far at the very top of my list - an amazing sheer/shimmery bronze color that makes your lips the envy or desire of everyone around. plus the "mini" means that it fits in your pocket or small evening bag with no trouble. available on-line at bloomingdales or www.suedevittbeauty.com (you can also find a store on her website). $18.00 may be a bit steep, but they do last forever and really, who can put a price limit on a great lip gloss? not me!! pucker up!

say hello to my litte friend

it's christmas time - how do i know this? because it's after thanksgiving and not before it or even before halloween. yes. christmas comes after you've celebrated thanksgiving. so right about now you should be stock piling presents and thinking about when you're going to set aside 7 hours to wrap them all. let me introduce you to your new best friend. yes. i mean this $1.59 letter opener you should go out and buy at office depo. hear me out. this thing is the best paper slicer you've ever not yet owned. it will cut through your christmas wrapping paper - even the heavy duty kind that is really nice and you should be buying. it will let you do this with very little if any effort and will make the marathon wrapping session that much faster. which is why it kicks your old trusty scissors ass. so splurge a little on yourself this christmas and let this letter opener do some of the work for you. think of it as your own personal elf.

if i could turn back time

i'm not one to shell out big bucks for face care stuff. i'll scour the lesser expensive brands before i'll put down major cash for face stuff. but... (you knew there was a but coming, right?) i finally broke down and put up some money for SkinCeuticals phloretin CF. as someone who has pretty good skin, but has hyper pigmentation and is beginning to show some crow's feet/laugh lines, i was looking for something to brighten and smooth out my skin. i was leery of the claims of greatness from this product, but a wonderful girl at a local retailer gave me a sample. HELLO! miracles do happen. after only one week of using the serum, i noticed a change - smoother complexion, hyper pigmentation is lighter, and the crow's feet/laugh lines are less noticeable. i even got compliments on how great my skin looked. i do not lie. it's been about three weeks now and the results keep on improving. fountain of youth? probably not. but this stuff can at least erase some of those late nights dancing on tables in bars. if you did that sort of thing. available at www.skinceuticals.com as well as local merchants (check the web-site for retailers and then ask for a sample to try out). retails for $152.00, but i found it cheaper on amazon (of course).

i'm late, i'm late, for a very important date...

it's that time of year again. no.... not christmas present time. though that is racing up fast to greet you. i meant the time of year when you're probably looking for a 2011 calendar to replace the quickly dwindling pages of your 2010 one. look no further. kate spade (of course) answers the call with her 2011 spiral desktop calendar. only $20 and gives what i think is the perfect mix of space, cuteness, and extras. this one has the month view (which i can't live without) as well as a page for notes for each month, a section for addresses you may need to jot down, and pages set aside for general notes and doodles. plus its light weight and styled with her usual witty set-up. affordable, stylish, and organized all in one package; you've got no excuses for not having 2011 all planned. now, onto those christmas presents...

smells like teen spirit

let's face it, traveling is hard enough with all the worries of TSA agents posting your full body scan image on the internet or feeling like they are checking out just how badly you need a pedicure without adding an odoriferous hotel room to the mix. or worrying that you'll leave your friend's guest bathroom smelling less than perfect. this can be an especially serious concern when you're traveling with a male companion. votivo has solved your (and my) problem by making their incredible line of candles in travel tins. perfect size for stowing in your luggage and having at the ready for wherever you're staying. i'm a sucker for the red currant (they did it first and continue to do it best) but their entire line is available on-line at votivo.com in travel size for only $10.00 a tin. you and you're nose will thank me.

be prepared.

i've always been a believer in the boy-scout "be prepared" motto. i HATE not being prepared and that's where this stationary set comes in. putting aside my stationary habit, this set is really perfect to cover your rear when you've got to send out a card for something. i've resisted (which is not easy) buying it on-line until i could lay hands on it, and it got to do that this weekend. the paper is great quality and the set covers birthdays, thank-yous, "just because", and "get well". keep this in your desk drawer and whenever you need a last minute card, you - much like the boy scouts - will be prepared. only $35.00 for 15 cards and lined envelopes. available at kate spade.com and/or crane.com. now you can move on to the next merit badge.

prime time

i have long been someone who shuns primer. it all seemed like a scam to me. also, as if i need yet another product to put on my face in the morning when just making sure i brush my teeth before exiting the house is sometimes a chore. but.... you guessed it. i recently was in sephora (side note - i'm not allowed in any of those stores for fear of what my bank balance will look like when i exit) and testing out new foundation (you know i'll have something to say about that in the future) and got a sample of this primer from stilia. result = true love. it makes my makeup look better and also makes it stay on longer. i recently tried out a few other kinds and didn't feel so enamored. so it's stila one step corrector for me. i can't say that i noticed a huge difference in the look of my completion (not much correction) but did love the texture and staying power it gave the rest of my makeup. so, yes, i have succumb and now have one extra thing to apply in the morning - guess i can't swap this step for the brushing of the teeth, huh?

clean slate

i've been wanting some great face-cleaning towelettes for a long time. not only had the old versions been horrible at actually cleaning your face, but the thought of more junk in a landfill really made them not an option for me. enter "say yes to cucumbers" face cleansing towelettes. they are amazing for a number of reasons: gentle on the skin, but actually do clean your face; not too harsh, so no sandpaper feel; big enough to get a good full-face swipe with front and back of the wipe; great fresh scent that isn't going to give you a migraine whenever you use them; and biodegradable. yup! no landfill guilt. these are a life saver at night when just brushing my teeth is all i can bear before getting into bed. now i can feel good about giving my face a clean start before i fall asleep. one of the other great things? they are only $5.99 for 30 wipes and available at target. you heard me. add that to your list of reasons why you have to go there. you're welcome.

lip smacking good

lip gloss is one of my most favorite things in the world. i hate, hate, hate lipstick and never wear it. so, because of this quirk, i've tried and owned a gazillion tubes of lip gloss. while basic cherry chap stick still is one of my all time favorite things, this lip gloss from clinique continues to be my go-to for going out, every day, and everything in between. its thick enough to actually feel like something is on your lips, but its not goopy or sticky. it comes in a variety of colors so that everyone can find something they love and that works. try the raspberry or ginger for everyday. they offer the perfect amount of color without worrying about leaving marks on a coffee cup or shirt collar. which we all know ends badly.

peeping tom

i know. roman shades? really? REALLY. these are the best in quality and price. they are from home depot and come in every size imaginable. they provide an amazing amount of light filtering and look really good from both inside & outside the home. even better- they are inexpensive. i actually attached mine directly to the window and not from the hooks that they come with so they are super sturdy. the only warning is that when it's dark outside and lights are on inside they are see-through. so some type of curtain is necessary for rooms where you may need some privacy. or not if you're into that sort of thing.

rub-a-dub-dub

i know, who really pays that much attention to soap? me, i guess. i always saw this soap at whole foods or wherever and i always thought the people who made it were nuts. the labeling on the bottle is a bit wacky (though full of ideas on how to use the soap beyond just lathering up). maybe they are nuts. i don't know. i don't care. this soap is by far the best soap ever. i have almost every variety. i use the unscented on my 14 month old and her skin remains silky smooth, even the dry patches on her back. collectively, the family's skin has never been softer. i really love the tea tree oil - it's great if you have any skin issues going on. the soap is actually not technically "soap" but rather a combination of organic extra virgin coconut, olive, jojoba and hemp oils, together with pure essential oils. what that equals is really soft skin and amazing scents that don't linger or overpower. added bonuses: the soap is certified organic to the National Organic Standards Program, packaged in 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles, and doesn't leave any soap scum residue in the shower/tub. better cleaning of you and less cleaning of the bath - it truly is magic.
www.drbronner.com

sleep tight

this throw from restoration hardware is ideal. it's the perfect weight (even in summer) super cozy, looks lux and is machine washable. the machine washable part puts it over the top for me, due to the fact that my dog seems to think i put the throws on the sofa just for her. but the machine washable part is equally important when you spill food/drinks on the throw while trying to eat/drink at the same time that your resting and trying to watch "pretty little liars." what? you know you do it, too. anyway - these are amazing. the colors are awesome, too. limited availability on-line, but they may have more in the actual stores. happy napping!

lighten up, francics.

love, love this lamp from ikea. it comes in different colors, but i think the red adds the perfect amount of color and "pop" to whatever room you choose to put it in. this lamp seems to me to be great to put behind a sofa and have the neck over the back for reading. think beyond the obvious arm chair, though that would be great, too. i also think it would be ideal next to a bed, which would clear up space on your bedside table for important things, like the twilight books. just sayin.

Planner. With a Twist

i love the possibility of a new planner/diary/notebook. the empty pages inspire me to think of all sorts of projects to complete and goals to be met. sure - not all of them come to fruition, but just putting it down on paper reminds me that someday i may actually get to scratch that particular item off the list. besides, the planner keeps me organized on what i really do need to get done (buy milk, get birthday presents, remember to pick my kid up from school, buy a new purse - you know. the essentials). once i write down all the ideas, songs to listen to on i-tunes, web-sites i want to check out, etc. i can focus on the important things. it's like a mental decluttering. i think this planner looks way cool - recycled paper (which matters), not so stuffy, and different from all the other boring ones out there. only $15.00 - a steal for getting your shit together.

www.anthropologie.com

best.mascara.ever +1

off of the topic of clothes and home goods, i'll tell you that i have been on a mascara hunt for years. i fell in love with dior show mascara, but not the $24.00 price tag. however, after a full drugstore mascara binge and testing dozens of lower end tubes, there is nothing that compares to the fullness and length of dior show. bottom line, it's worth the $24.00. recently, in the constant quest to lessen the cost of being me, i tried maybelline's great lash big mascara. now, i'm not and have never been impressed by the cult classic that is maybelline's great lash. but the "big" version is as close to dior show perfection that you can get. i have both and use the maybelline for every day and the dior show for when i'm really pulling out all the stops. i'm not wasting the $24.00 stuff on my computer screen and the day-care kids. sorry.

oh say can you see

in preparation for memorial day, here's an awesome american flag pillow. i think this would be perfect for a reading chair or a sun porch or hammock. fun and all about america!

www.urbanoutfitters.com

every now and again i check out ballards designs' web site. i am a huge fan of their indoor/outdoor rugs. i'll have to do a whole post on that later. but today, in checking out their new stuff (and not getting caught up in the 1 million catalogues of the same stuff they send out) i saw this entrance mat. i love it. so cute, crisp and fresh. i think it gives the perfect amount of color and whimsy and fun at the front door without crossing over the line into "cutsey." i'm particular about the door mat thing and have had to suffer the pains of one that became a great joke. so i'm speaking of stuff that i know about.

*sigh* t-shirts

i have a confession: i am a t-shirt addict. there. i've said it. it's out in the open. i feel better already. every time i think i've got the addiction beat, i see/find another t-shirt that i LOVE and HAVE TO HAVE. there was a time in my youth (and by that i mean my late 20's) that i was addicted to cheeky slogan t-shirts. they were good times and i've slowly allowed myself to let go of them after much reminiscing over the fun had in them and out of them. ahhhhh.... my late 20's.
anyway, i digress.
i'm still hooked on the perfect t-shirt. thick enough, long
enough, fitted enough but still not too fitted. i'm always looking.
this one is from anthropologie - i love the shape of the soft v of the neck, they are sort of worn in (which i also love) and the length (i.e. long) is perfect. i think the paler colors (especially the white which breaks my heart) is too thin - i don't want to have to wear a cami under a t-shirt. what would be the point? and no one should see your bra through your clothes. the only people who should see your bra are those that you take your shirt OFF for - not some guy in line at the coffee place. believe me. it doesn't make you look sexy - it makes you look cheap in all the permutations of that word.
digression, again.
seriously - this antropologie t-shirt is worth a try on. the brown is a faded brown that i just want to cuddle up with on the sofa. the navy is also pretty sharp. trust me. i don't mess around when it comes to t-shirts. or food. but that's a whole other digression.

white linen pefection

i tried on these white linen pants today. they are awesome. soft, great draping, washable and lined - which really is the most important thing on white linen. plus, the front pockets are "fake" which means you don't have the pocket lining showing through. totally the perfect white linen pants for summer. i plan on getting two pairs, 'cause i will most certainly be wearing them enough to get one pair dirty fast.

www.gap.com

nest

i have a thing for coat stands. i love 'em. i think they are a super cool great way to have places for coats, purses, umbrellas, etc and make a great accent to any room. here's one for only $68. added bonus - really awesome colors. the green and the teal are too amazing.

www.urbanoutfitters.com

i. die.

i'm totally drooling (and have been for a while) over this pottery barn wire basket and liner for the bathroom. though, i also think it would work great for clothes laundry baskets, as well. i think it's way better looking than the plastic one i currently have for the bath and solves the problem of "musty wet towel smell" with being so open and airy. i'm thinking it may work well without the liner - depending on if it leaves metal/rust marks on the towels. i've got it in my "cart" and likely will be getting one to put in the bath once we're done with the mini-remodel we've been doing.
for now, drool along with me.

the perfect dress. i mean it.

okay - so in my search for the perfect white dress (and i don't mean the kind you pledge your life to someone while wearing), i came across this... the best white dress ever. i mean it. it is flattering (especially with a wide belt at the waist) and works with almost any shoe - heels, wedges, flats, sandals...
plus it also goes from work to dinner or casual with a simple shoe change. i'm telling you. its like the dress of the traveling pants. as a person who is maniacal about not wearing white after labor day, the green is on my "must have" list, too. but the white is magical.

www.anthropologie.com

not so pretty

okay - so i did get the purse posted below. and it was a great size with incredible green lining. but it was a bit too silvery - more aluminum foil than subtle sheen. it got returned and i cried tears only those who are disappointed by on-line purchases can understand.

yeah... not so much. but look - a pretty!

okay - so my blog hasn't been burning up the internet. i'm lame. but, i have finally found time to post something i love and have ordered and will follow up with how truly awesome it is in person. this purse, from wwww.bodenusa.com. i ordered the silver - 'cause i think it will be a great summer purse and the copper seems to all one color. i'll keep you posted on if it's fantastic or not so much.

and so it begins...

a blog.. hmmm... i've been looking at a bunch of amazing blogs lately and getting really inspired. i've always loved finding or coming across things that i know friends or family would like and pointing them in the direction of those things. so, my intent on this blog will be that, but on a larger scale.

i'll put up things that i think are interesting, or useful, or pretty, or funny, or that just strike me.

i hope you enjoy!