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?