Monagram Letter Seals

Nearly everytime I get a William Sonoma catalog, I pull out the same page. It is the page that has the round monagram embosser. You can use the metallic stickers or the metallic tags, and there are all lots of different designs. I keep thinking it would be so useful for so many things, cute invites, christmas cards, all sorts of things. This holiday catalog has the printed stickers as well if you aren't as excited about the embossed look but want the same effect.

Cutie Pie Champagne Flutes for the Holidays

I don't drink champagne that much, but when I do I want to do it right. I think these flutes from Crate and Barrel are such a cool shape. I can't get the photo to insert correctly from www.crateandbarrel.com, but you can go search Edge Flutes. They are tall cylinders with a flat base and a stem. I'm not exactly sure if they are $9.95 each or for a set (I think each), but they look modern for sure. Hot stuff for your next party times.

Airbrush Makeup from Dior

Just like the Evian spritzer, here comes a new can to spray at your face. Geared towards producing a 'flawless' finish, this micronized spray makeup by Dior is a great improvement on regular foundation. It looks a lot like the finish of mineral makeup, if you do it right that is...Dior Airflash at http://www.saks.com/

Nail Hardener...Does It Work?

I tried Revlon Calcium Gel Nail Hardener 10 days ago when I was feeling like my nails were particularly pathetic. The package says '60% thicker in just 4 days', and although I wasn't quite sure how they measured the %60, any improvement sounded good to me. It went on easily (as anything clear does) and looked shiny, which I liked. Fast forward 4 days, and my nails were notably thicker and stronger. BUT, checking in today (6 more days) and it chipped off like regular polish does. Sure, it isn't as bad as colored polish would have looked, but it looked like clear nail polish does when the ends all wear away and there is a circle of shiny in the middle of your nail. You need to take it off with nail polish remover - not that big of a deal - but not what I was expecting. So...as long as you are thinking you will need to take it off, it really did make stronger nails. I'm definitely up for trying it again when I'm feeling a little brittle...

Lower-End Lines by Higher-End Names

First perfume by everyone and their brother, and now it seems like the new celeb trend is a low-end clothing line. 'Simply Vera' by Vera Wang is selling at Khol's and 'Bitten' by Sarah Jessica Parker is selling at Steve and Barry's. Add these to H&M and Mango, and it fashion has taken a turn for the cheap.

I definitely doubt the overall quality of these clothes, but trend gear never makes it past a season anyway. The dress pictures above is from the 'Simply Vera' line, for $68. That is higher than a lot of the celeb lines at Target and other discount chains, so maybe the details are there. I'll have to scout it out. Also, check out the cute coat on the left (Bitten $19.95) it may not be quality...but at this price you could practically wear it once!

Secret Sleeper For A Small Space

Ok, so this ottoman is out of Pottery Barn Teen, but who would know? As long as you got a color that fit into your decor (most likely white) and didn't use the kidsy sheets, I think you are off and running. Anyone who lives in nyc or san fran knows that being able to sleep a last minute overnight guest is useful. The great thing is that it is flat enough to double as a coffee table if you put a cute tray on top of it. I'm not sure how comfy your guest would be, but maybe after a long night out it wouldn't make too much of a difference anyway!

Avoiding Deodorant Disasters

Gal Pal markets these Garment Deodorant Removers, and they work, I just tried mine today. BUT...they are just round sponges! Hilarious! I have to say though, it would be a cute gift and you couldn't use your old kitchen sponge to clean your clothes anyway. Basically, the directions just say to rub the sponge on your spot. If that doesn't work, put a little water on the sponge, ring it out, and then wipe the damp sponge on your clothes. There doesn't appear to be any coating on the sponges, and the packaging doesn't make any amazing claims about secret ingredients either. You can't exactly just fake your own though, most sponges now come with chemical layers and you would definitely need to hunt down the same type of foam sponge - so I say go for the Gal Pals, you can use the same ones for a long time anyway...

No Mess, Quick Nail Color

I tried these for a wedding, when I knew for sure that I would be running late. They are made by Avon and are called 'Instant Manicure Dry Enamel Strips'. It was so great, because when I finished doing them (in the car) they were already dry. The packets come with some extra ones, like press-on kits, in case you mess up or for if your fingers are wider or thinner than the average. They are almost like stickers, except that there is no glue just pre-dried nail polish. You would think they would look different, but if you put them on carefully they really look painted. It's the weirdest thing.
I've recently heard there are knock-offs now in the drugstore, which might be cheaper, but I would wonder about quality. These are $8 each, but you get a free one when you buy. So...$4 really, which is cheap for a manicure but not quite the deal that painting them yourself would be. My attempt lasted over a week, which is pretty good for my nails, and they looked good despite my less than surgical steady hand. They make pedicure ones as well. Click below and search 'Instant Manicure' to find them on Avon.

Terrible Bottle, but it Smells Great...

My favorite new scent is 'Princess' by Vera Wang. Sadly, it has a sort of tacky bottle that I don't know if I can bring myself to buy! I couldn't not tell you about it though, because it is so light and fresh. Maybe they were going for the medicine cabinet crowd...that is where mine will be hiding.Vera Wang Princess Perfume - 3.4 oz Eau de Toilette Spray

Strange Home Remedies Vol.1

Anjali – an Indian TV personality - swears on this trick to make your pores smaller, but I'm not so sure. Puree one medium unripe tomato and one teaspoon of honey in a blender and use it as a mask on a newly washed face. Leave it on for twenty minutes then rinse it off. The question is would this be good for those of us without Indian skin? Supposedly the tomato acts as astringent and the honey moisturizes…any takers?

Customized Soap Chips For Your Guests

These soaps are such a cute idea for your guest bathroom. They come in a nice display box, or just order the refills and then put them into any basket you like. The flavors are yummy (mango butter, white grapefruit, cinnamon orange, etc.) and they are made of all natural ingredients. It could also be a great hostess gift if you ordered the little box with only 5 soaps in it. www.valseyandme.com

Traveling Dry...No Need To Check

With all of the new travel rules banning liquids in your carry-on, I have started to look for 'dry' options to pack. I use these makeup remover pads from Almay now. Since they are so inexpensive, I just leave one in my makeup bag ready to go. These ones are the 'oil free' which I would definitely recommend for any eye makeup. The regular ones are really oily, but work well for long-wearing lipstick that stains into your lips.
New Customers Save 5% on Today's Order. Savings Applied at Checkout. Offer Ends 10.17.2007

Cute, Cute, Cute Dresses at Macy's

Love this dress, and what a great color for this time of year! This one is by Inc, and the same company makes a lot of other good ones. Just click the picture to get to it at Macy's. Try it with opaque black tights and black heels if you dare:)

Keeping the Girls From Peeking

We all have those button up stretch dress shirts that fit right...usually. Then you lean the wrong way a little and all the sudden you have a massive gap. Yikes, no bra shot intended. This product (www.bugcatcherz.com) can help. It is basically double sided tape that fits around your button. Just one thing though...if all of your button-ups do this all the time, it is time for a new size not a roll of doublestick!

Natural Pumpkin Hand Cream for Halloween

Here is a lotion that doesn't contain artificial fragrance or dye - a fun seasonal option. Desert Essence Organics Pumpkin Hand Repair Cream. It moisturizes with pumpkin seed oil...which is super silky, and for the price - you could use a bottle a week stress-free. I know drugstore.com has it and they have a sale going on right now:
The Big October Sale - Get up to 40% off at drugstore.com. Offer ends 11.02.07. Enjoy!

Beach Time With Your Nano

Someone asked me a few days ago about cute, waterproof cases for the iPod Nano that everyone seems to have (good gift opportunity?). I like the one that is pictured at the left for $40 at Amazon, called the 'Otterbox'. They make them to fit all the different iPods and even the iPhone. Otterbox 910-01.3 Waterproof Case for iPod Nano 2nd Generation

For $80 there is also a great one for submerging, it has a double locking mechanism, at http://www.h20audio.com/. That would be a great gift if someone you are buying a Xmas present for is going on a snorkeling vacation...

Anybody Out There Using Mascara Primer?

Maybe it's just me, but I don't like this stuff. All of the big companies, department store lines or drugstore brands, make it. I've tried Lancome's and I've tried Revlon's but it is just too much. While it is supposed to make mascara go on smooth, I actually think that all of that white gunk makes my mascara get more clumpy. I know you need to wiggle the brush back and forth while you put it on (like normal mascara), but still no dice. Love to know if anyone likes this stuff...

Life After the 'Chicken Cutlets'...

'Cleavage Cupcakes' offer a new alternative to the old 'chicken cutlets', you know what I'm talking about ladies. These are much cuter and potentially giftable to someone close (like a sister!). $44 at http://www.cleavagecupcakes.com/

1 Minute Manicure...Miracle???

No, not so much. Good idea though! I really thought I would like this product, because it would be insane if it actually worked. Basically, it is oil and salts, and you are supposed to rub it on your hands (and cuticles) once a day for a minute or two. I would use it while my hair conditioning mask was on in the shower. It did keep my cuticles nice and they stayed more hydrated than usual. BUT, the packaging was a disaster and only the oil would squeeze out of the bottle with little or no 'essential' salt. So now I'm left with a big bottle of only salt! It would be great if someone could redo this in a better format. Maybe keep them separate and I squeeze some of each into my hand before rubbing it in???