Gripper Barrettes

Scunci (you know the Target/Walgreens hair elastic brand) now makes no slip hair barrettes that have gripper plastic on the inside. They actually work really well, maybe too well for my damaged thick hair, but smooth healthy hair would probaby work perfect. They claim 'no slip grip for all day hold' and I bet it is true!

Snugly Men's Sweatshirt/Jacket for This Winter

I LOVE this sherpa sweatshirt by JCrew, but bummer I can't find the picture of it on their website anymore. Perfect for walking around with a coffee on a Saturday, and so snugly! Go look for it in the store! It comes in navy and coffee (ironic), did I say I love it yet?

Cool Custom Invites

How cute, custom invites for any occasion. At http://www.mountaincow.com/ you can order plain cards and envelopes of all types, and then design your own and print them at home. I'm not sure if the software packages are necessary (my printer is pretty smart on its own), but the cards are all of the fun, funky colors that I've been looking for. Free shipping on orders over $100 (coupon code RSSHIP7) for those of you who may be getting married...

Getting the Side-Swept Bang Look

Anyone out there trying to replicate the cute long side-swept bangs that all the celebs are sporting? When your bangs are still soaked, blowdry them backwards over a big round brush. That will hold in the volume, then when they are dry, dry the tips to the side over the same big round brush. Set them with a little hairspray and you're done. Voila - sexy bangs!

Get Your Xmas On

Holidays always sneak up on me, but this year I'm determined. So...first the non-perishable decorations (I am always the one trying to hunt down a tree on the 20th of December!). These stockings (http://www.potterybarn.com/) are so fun, I like the red one. You can choose cursive or print embroidery, which is included in the $29. If you hurry, they also have some more standard ones that are only $15 with the embroidery in the sale section.

Cute Tees, Long on the Sleeves

Looking for some long sleeve tee shirts like me? I like these ones from Urban Outfitters. I'm hoping that they aren't paper thin, but for $24 I'll take my chances. Good length for skinny(er) jeans, fall is coming and I've got some cute ballet flats to add to the outfit.

$99? Really?

Is it nuts to pay $99 for a shower curtain? I'm sure it is. And how much would it suck when you see it for half off? Such a cute shower curtain though! This one would really take some negotiation with my other half... http://www.restorationhardware.com/

Foundation Primer - Fence off the Foundation:)

Just this one simple step will make your makeup last so much longer! I never used to put foundation primer on under my makeup, until I started thinking about how gross foundation was. It is pretty much made up of synthetic chemical ingredients or plastic derivatives. So, I changed my mind - and it works. No more smudges either. Most of them contain vitamins and antioxidants. I like Laura Mercier Foundation Primer (www.Nordstorms.com), they also have a hydrating version and an oil-free formulation.

No Chip Nail Color - I'll Believe it When I See It!

'Sally Hansen No Chip 10 Day Nail Color'…can this be true I wondered??? So blatantly called out in the name of the product. Ballsy. Honestly, I have never had any nail color last this long in my life, even with professionals doing the manicure, and this was no exception. I would say it lasted longer that some of the others I've tried, but definitely no where near 10 days. I like the color though, so maybe I'll bring it into the salon next time and see if they can make it work.

Bungee Bands...For Your Hair?

Bungee Bands by Smoothies, I like em...but you might not! You wrap these hair bands around your ponytail and hook the ends together. No snags and you can pull them really really tight before you latch them. Here is the thing about these though, anyone with textured (curly) hair will love them, but if you have smooth straight hair I'm not quite sure...

Yummy Sierra Nevada Soaps

Can't go wrong with soap - everyone uses it. I like to give yummy smelling soap as a hostess gift (a functional, unintrusive, don't-have-to-dust-it type of gift), and this is version is perfect. They are made by the Sierra Nevada Soap Company (http://www.sierranevadasoap.com/), and they look super natural and kitchy. The flavors are really strong and good, love the Raspberry & Creme, and only $4.50 each!

Olive Oil on Everything?

Here is something random, but it actually makes a lot of sense. Some celebrities swear by putting extra-virgin olive oil on your face, hands, and hair. Honestly, I was pretty nervous about this. Isn't oil exactly what you're not supposed to put on your face? I don't know about the hair idea…but I've tried using it (cautiously with a q-tip) on the dry spots on my face in the winter and have been really impressed with the results. Someone else is going to have to chime in on this one!

Cleaning Makeup Brushes

Finally good info on how to clean your makeup brushes. This comes straight from the experts - not the girl working at Sephora (no offense but I've had 3 conflicting answers so far!). Here is the lowdown:
Synthetic brushes – clean every few days by applying some eye makeup remover and wiping it off with paper towel, then wash them with facial soap and water.
Natural brushes – clean once a month by swishing the head around in a dime size drop of baby shampoo and water, then rinse it with warm water and pat it dry

Love, Love, Love The Lip Scrub, Scrub, Scrub

I found some cool 'lip exfoiliant' today, which I'm not sure that I need, but it would make a really cute present. It comes in a little brown box with a ribbon and is called 'the lip scrub' by Sara Happ. It comes in other flavors too, think Brown Sugar, Almond Creme, or Peppermint. Yum! The name is a bit obvious, but it is fun and trendy, and I think only about $20 at http://www.thelipscrub.com/