Home Decor Blogging Junkie: Simply Shabby Chic Smocked Duvet Set In White

Even though I already have the Anthropologie Cirrus duvet set in grey, the Nimbus duvet set in cocoa AND the Rosette set I really just purchased this Target Cirrus stunt double by Simply Shabby Chic called the Smocked Duvet Set in white. My duvet hoarding tendencies KNOW NO BOUNDS.

40% Off At Ash and Dans

Ashley, half the duo behind glamazing scarf brand Ash and Dans, is in my Monday Core Fusion class and spilled that the brand is having a major Mother's Day Sale until tomorrow. You'll want to get involved with their feminine infinity scarves in neutral/neon combos and lacey loveliness. Check it out at ashanddans.com.

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Fictionary: Bangst + Zooey Deschanel For Pantene

Fictionary is a column showcasing beauty-related words that don't exist, but should.

Pantene is relaunching its Beautiful Lengths campaign and she of the hair extraordinaire, Zooey Deschanel, is the face of the campaign. Created in 2006, the Beautiful Lengths program encourages people to cut and donate their hair so that it can be turned into real-hair wigs that are distributed, free of charge at American Cancer Society Wig Banks, to women undergoing cancer treatment across the country. Read on... 

Rebecca Minkoff Sample Sale

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Giveaway: Enter To Win A Gift Basket Of V05 Products!

This week's giveaway is a mondo gift basket chock full of V05's finest, including the brand's non aerosol hairspray. I love it to spritz on after a quick go-round with my beloved Beachwaver for easy breezy summer waves. Here's how to enter.

Story Of My Life.

Credit: Someecards.com. 

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Fitness Blogging Junkie: Flywheel

Mets vs. Yankees. Core Fusion vs. Physique57. Now there's SoulCycle vs. Flywheel.

In the interest of varying my workout, infusing a little cardio into my lifestyle and wanting to try what's clearly whipped Jenn Falik into INSANE shape, I embarked yesterday morning on my first Flywheel class. It was, in a word, PHENOMENAL.

X Out Project To Benefit Anti-bullying

One of the X-inspired DIY submissions. Fab!

X Out, from the makers of Proactiv has been working DIY bloggers to create one-of-a-kind dresses, inspired by X Out. The brand partnered with PACER’S National Center Bullying Prevention Center to help “X Out” bullying. Read on...

Fictionary: Lazor

Fictionary is a column showcasing beauty-related words that don't exist, but should.

Schick Intuition Plus Razor in "Le Love," a limited-edition handle

Sometimes I'm on my A-game when I'm showering and do ALL of my shower chores--deep condition my hair, wash and use a body scrub, shave everything that needs to be shaved. And sometimes, it's a shower cap night, I'm skipping the scrub and I can barely muster the energy to shave ANYTHING. But it's kind of a waste of time to be in the shower and not shave from the knee down (at a minimum). But sometimes it's a lot of work to bust out my Schick Hydro Silk, lather up with my Skintimate and all that jazz. And that's exactly the reason I stock my shower with my regularly scheduled razor--and a Lazor, for days when I just CAN'T.  Read on...

What's Derek Jeter's Favorite Way To Unleash The Sexy?

Obviously Avon asking me if I had anything to ask Derek Jeter was a rather hypothetical question. I have lots of inquiries for the Yankee, at the top of the list is "Will you marry me?" But since that wasn't quite approp, I went for the next best thing and asked him how he unleashes the sexy. Here, his answer.

Oh Derek, I find it hard to believe no one's ever asked you that before.

Among the many things that contribute to confidence, Derek specifically called out fragrance. To add some eau de Derek, try his Driven cologne by Avon. It's a mix of chilled grapefruit and mint tempered by masculine oak moss and musk.

Sexy.

Driven by Derek Jeter is available at avon.com for $28.

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Avon, but all opinions herein are my own.


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'Titanic 3D' Thoughts + The Perfect Rose DeWitt Bukater Lip

So, I saw Titanic 3D this weekend with MTV Buzzworthy's Nicole, after we determined we're the only grown ass women in Manhattan who wanted to go through the PSTD of seeing such a devastating flick in-theater again. The old couple scene haunted me for YEARS. Fun fact: Nicole's actually seen the film SIXTEEN TIMES in-theater. She's a professional.

Me, not so much. I'd seen it exactly once in-theater, and maybe one time after that. It's not one of my repetition compulsion movies, as so many are. Watching the movie again in-theater obviously caused me to take stock of what was different in my life from the last time I saw it in 1997--and perhaps unsurprisingly, few things are different. Here's the breakdown.

Maybelline And Charlotte Free Partnership Announced Via P'Trique

Maybe she's born with it. Maybe SHE is a CHICRET.

If this isn't the most genius marketing/social media move EVER, I don't know what is. Check out cameos from Betsey Johnson, John Jannuzzi, Laurel Pantin, Fiona Byrne and more as "Shit Fashion Girls Say"'s P'Trique spills the news about Maybelline's new face all over the damn joint. Also, I think Charlotte Free is too chic for this to be a chicret, as well. Check it:




What do you think of Charlotte Free as the new face of Maybelline?

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Earth Day Beauty Picks

Ladies, I penned the following for Elle.com on Earth Day beauty and thought, aren't my BBJ babes on a need-to-know, as well? They ARE. Here it is.

To paraphrase in the negative a famous philosopher we all know, Kermit the Frog, it IS easy being green. The strangely perpetuated myth that natural beauty products are inferior to traditional formulas is exactly that.  With a bevy of beautiful ingredients, pigmented payoff and a distinct lack of chemicals, parabens and sulfates, these natural products perform just as well as their sometimes seriously scientific counterparts. Here, our seven eco-chic beauty picks to make you feel like a natural woman this Earth Day (and beyond!).

New: Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Waterproof Concealer
Tarte’s natural camouflager delivers intense color payoff that’s so rare for a concealer. The item incorporates Maracuja oil, which is harvested in Brazil once a year, includes a high dose of vitamin C and is known for its instant brightening and anti-aging properties. A little goes a long way to cover up everything from redness to dark circles without caking or flaking. {$24} Read on...

Napoleonic Warfare: The Latest Sexy Slayers From NP Set And Napoleon Perdis

Napoleon and I, enjoying tea.

One of my very favorite beauty brands and people in general Napoleon Perdis, his lovely publicist Danielle and I enjoyed a very civilized elevenses sesh last week at the St. Regis. Amid the business men who were no doubt in the U.S. making deals (damn it feels good to be a ganster), there were Napoleon and I, eating cookies, discussing Australian slang (it's so "povo," meaning poverty to have a breakfast meeting, hence why we opted for tea) and testing out his makeup on my face and all over my hands in the grand salon. When he busted out the  NP Set All That Glitters Duo in Rio De Janeiro ($10), I SCREAMED. Here's the short play in one act:

Embarking On The 2012 Eucerin Healthy Skin Challenge

Guys, as my skin was a veritable night terror for ALL of 2011 and while there's been improvement this year, I'm really excited to whip it into its best shape. So I'm thrilled to be partnering with Eucerin on the brand's 2012 Healthy Skin Challenge!

Throughout the year, I’ll be meeting with dermatologists from the Eucerin Skin First Council to develop my own personal skincare regimen, all while tracking and sharing my progress with you, of course. Stay tuned for updates on my progress, giveaways, videos and more.

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Eucerin, but all opinions herein are my own.

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Olivia Wilde Is Back To Blonde

Olivia Wilde is one of those gorgeous gals who can look completely PHENOM and natural in any hair hue--as evidenced by her color chameleon status. She's recently gone back to blonde (remember from her OC days?

What do you think of Olivia's golden locks? Yay or nay?

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Fictionary: Mane-tenance

Fictionary is a column showcasing beauty-related words that don't exist, but should.

Welcome to your spring/summer hair situation, beauties. I don't know about you, but I'm always ready for a massive change in my hair care regimen come April. You have address the winter ravaged strands with a little TLC. It's simply Mane-tenance. Here, a bevy of products to help you mane-tain, even in the rainiest weather.

Video: Bobbi Brown Tells The Tale Of The Lonely Makeup Bag

Because you no longer dip into it, after experiencing Bobbi Brown's new Long-Wear Collection.

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Get The Look: Scarlett Johansson At The UK Premiere Of 'The Avengers'

Makeup artist Emma Lovell created Scarlett Johansson's Old Hollywood glamorous look atht the premiere of The Avengers in the U.K. Read on for the deets.

Jergens Natural Glow and Protect SPF 20

T.S. Eliot said that April is the cruellest month. I tend to agree; especially since this April, I've been forced to enter no-tights weather before my copy paper white skin is ready. My default skintone matches that of Anne and Nicholas in The Others. If you saw the movie, you recall that they had an uncommon affliction characterized by photosensitivity that forced them to structure their lives around a series of complex rules to keep them out of sunlight. Because I am vain and beauty obsessed, I live as though I am infected with that same disease.  Read on...

Henri Bendel Friends & Family Sale

Enjoy! Take advantage at henribendel.com. 


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Get The Look: Emily Blunt At The 'My Sister's Sister' Premiere

Though I'm mystified about how Emily Blunt's clearly British character could have a Yankee sister (played by Rosemarie DeWitt) in My Sister's Sister, I have to admit the flick looks good. At last night's premiere of the film at the Tribeca Film Festival, makeup artist Jenn Streicher created Emily Blunt's bronzy beautiful makeup look. Jenn says they really wanted to do a nude lip so they focused on a soft, bronzy smoky eye. Here, the beauty breakdown.

James Jeans Couture Skinny 1210 Matte Black Jeans Review

When my friend Tamar gave me a pair of James Jeans she received for her glamazing fashion blog that didn't fit her well, I was ELATED. Then she told me they have padding on the back pockets. My face fell. For me, this was like bringing your own ice cream cone to Ben and Jerry's. Baby's got back already. Why are we adding to baby's back? And then I tried them. Read on... 

Fresh Kicks Off Share More Campaign

Now through the 30th, take advantage of Fresh's Share More campaign at the brand's retails stores in honor
of Mother's Day. With any $125 purchase, you will receive a Hesperides Grapefruit Oval Soap and a travel-size Seaberry Restorative Body Cream.

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Been Mean To Your Hair? Try V05 Hot Oil

As I mentioned in my previous V05 post, one of my first forays into hair care included heating up Alberto V05 tubes in Dixie cups of hot water in my bathroom pre-shower. It was and IS the perfect split end savior in between haircuts. You know, that pivotal point when you've scheduled your cut for two weeks away, but you're already two weeks overdue? That point. Read on...

Official Mascara Correspondent: Essence I Love Extreme Volume Mascara

Official Mascara Correspondent Ashleigh takes ESSENCE I <3 Extreme Volume Mascara a lash lengthening spin. Does she love it? Find out.

This NYC Guy Keeps Track Of Girls He's Dating In Excel + More: Destination Procrastination

I wish this douche using Microsoft suite products to keep track of the TWELVE girls he's dating surprised me. But it doesn't. P.S. I was forwarded the original email
[Jezebel]

I 100% agree with Tia's assessment that if you're lacking major lashes or earrings, you look like a man. #sorryimnotsorry
[Shake Your Beauty]

Opticians are finally addressing my lash-extensions-banging-against-my-glasses needs

[Allure Daily Beauty Reporter]

Can pregnant women dye their hair?
[Shine]

W's Beauty Director Jane Larkworthy loves smelling... everything in this hilar video
[W magazine.com]

Five silk pants perfect for spring
[Fashion Binge]

How to wear pastel makeup
[Beauty Blitz]

Check out some beauty blogger splurges (including those of yours truly)
[Real Beauty]

Pick Angelina Jolie's wedding gown
[Betty Confidential]

Seven Nyne Self-Tanner (yes, Lindsay Lohan's) review
[The Luxury Spot]

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What's On Victoria's Secret Angel Erin Heatherton's Vanity?

Erin Heatherton

The What's On Your Vanity Series showcases a single beauty item a beauty insider loves because it's effective, but also she feels she must keep out on top of her vanity because the gorgeous packaging must be displayed.

Beauties, yesterday I was lucky enough to be invited to a beautiful luncheon with three Victoria's Secret Angels at Imperial No. 9 at the Mondrian Soho hotel to fete the launch of the brand's new fragrance, Love is Heavenly. The fruity-floral is light, pretty and girly without being saccharine, boasting notes of kiwi, dewberry, mandarin flowers and orange zest at the top, middle notes of water lily, peony and exotic orchids and a dry-down of sandalwood, luminous musk, mahogany wood and ebony wood. It's sultry enough to pique a gentleman's interest, but fresh enough not to be nauseating on a hot summer night. Tell you more, tell you more? The Victoria's Secret Love Is Heavenly fragrance retails for $42 (1 ounce) at victoriassecret.com this month.

The scent!

And naturally, I hit up rumored gal pal of one Mr. Leonardo DiCaprio, Erin Heatherton about what's on her vanity. Here's what she said:

"I have a whole wall of fragrances. I love fragrance! When someone comes in and sees them, they get a feeling about who I am. When I was a little girl, I used to fantasize about being that girl, who's feminine and happy.It's on my Indonesian bookshelf. The collection is on top of the bookshelf, visible when you walk into the room. I also have a collection of body oils and hair oils in cool bottles. I keep those out on display. I love the way it looks, like an apothecary."

Thanks, Erin! 

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Secret Lotion Revealed!

Remember my secret lotion review last week? After testing out the body lotion and answering a survey about it online, I found out that the cream was, to quote some famous philosophers we both know named The Flaming Lips...

She don't use butter
She don't use cheese
She don't use jelly
or any of these
She uses VASELINE.

Things That Smell Like The Color Green

Lately, I'm loving a fresh, crisp verdant scent. I've been stocking my apartment with fresh stalks of dried eucalyptus (the favorite scent of my inner koala bear) and have generally been super into anything that boasts a fragrance that is the olfactory equivalent of "The Golden Girls'" Blanche Devereaux's vegetation-themed boudoir. Here, my favorites of the season.

Blanche, in her boudoir.

Bobbi Brown Friends & Family

Today through the 18th! Stock up on Bobbi Brown's new Longwear line at bobbibrown.com.

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Get The Look: Joan Holloway's Man-Slaying Hairstyle

Credit: AMC

So Mad Men's Lane Pryce finally gave in to his urge to do what EVERY man's wanted to do Joan Holloway since she sauntered into that office years ago. And I posit it's due in no small part to her epic hair (obviously, in addition to her insanely curvy physique.  I just scored the scoop on how to get Joan Holloway's '60s set from the show's hairstylist, Terrie V. Owen.

Jo Malone Lime Basil & Mandarin Scent Surround Drawer Liners

I know it sounds very, I don't know, C.C. Babcock of me, but I love a drawer liner, especially one that's scented.

And luckily, Jo Malone is ON IT with their Lime Basil & Mandarin Scent Surround Drawer Liners.  At $45 for 5 liners, it's moderately spendy, but it's a SMALL SUM for my underthings to smell slightly of one of my all-time favorite fragrances. And why stop at underpinnings? I'm lining all my drawers!




Jo Malone Lime Basil & Mandarin Scent Surround Drawer Liners are available at jomalone.com.

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New: Tampax Radiant + A Giveaway

So yes, this isn't usual BBJ territory, but let's all agree that feminine care is something we all have to deal with, and Tampax and Always have some new launches you'll want to try out.

The former's come out with their new Radiant line, which is perfect for those times when you have to take care of your situation whilst some jerk in the bathroom who's Primpin' All Over The World. Why? Because it's equipped with a resealable wrapper that opens with sticker adhesive (called CleanSeal) that's soundless when you use it. Genius. Because it's not encased in your garden variety paper wrapper (it's more of a fabric, so it won't open up and fill your purse with Houdini 'pons--loathe those!), it won't alert your fellow restroom patrons to your cycle. Because it's no one's BIZ.  Read on for more info and how to enter the giveaway.

Official Mascara Correspondent: Borghese Superiore State-of-the-Art Mascara

Official Mascara Correspondent Ashleigh Ciucci takes Borghese Superiore State-of-the-Art Mascara for a stare spin this week. How does she fare? Read on...

La Mer The Reparative Body Lotion

I could tell you that the new La Mer Reparative Body Lotion doesn't glide onto your skin in a most silky Ryan-Gosling-circa-Crazy, Stupid Love's Dirty Dancing-scene way. I want to, because it costs the earth at $150.  Read on... 

Swarovski Launches Aura Fragrance And Gloss

Aura Eau de Cologne range. 

This month, ambassadors of bling Swarovski  are launching their first foray into fragrance for the U.S. market, Aura. It is an incandescent, fruity, floral creation. The signature scent of Aura by Swarovski is directly inspired by the magic of cut-crystal-created prisms of light. At the heart of the fragrance is a fusion of amber, benzoin, and white musk. Read on...

V05 Herbal Escapes Kiwi Lime Squeeze Clarifying Shampoo and Conditioner Review

Amazingly, V05 started in 1955 by a chemist and hairdresser Alberto in Culver City, California. Did you know that V05 stands for 5 Vitamin Oils? Originally used to offset the harsh conditions of Hollywood sound stages, the brand has progressed into a hair care suite known for its ability to cleanse and hydrate locks at a wallet-friendly price-point. One of my earliest product forays was the brand's legendary hot oil treatments, which come in little plastic tubes. My brother and I were constantly fighting over the bathroom, as I spent more than my allotted shower time waiting for my V05 to heat up in a Dixie cup of hot water on the sink for five minutes before hopping in the shower. I'll review the brand's hot oil treatment in full in a separate post. In the meantime, let's talk about my favorite shampoo/conditoner V05 combo, the bargain-priced Herbal Escapes Kiwi Lime Squeeze Clarifying Shampoo and Conditioner. Each sells for ONE DOLLAR. It's even $.79 at CVS. I KNOW! And it gets better: This stuff rocks the funk.

Deeply Into: 'Magic City'

Can you EVEN? 1950s Miami hotel scene. THE MAKEUP.  Denny Duquette. This show is everything.

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Grace Kelly's Arms

They never stop being the meaning in my life AND the inspiration. Just thought you needed to know.

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Get The Look: Krysten Ritter's Makeup At The 'Don't Trust The B---- In Apt. 23 Premiere

Makeup maven Amy Nadine created Krysten Ritter's look for the premiere of Don't Trust The B---- in Apt. 23. Says Amy, "I borrowed some classic styles from Old Hollywood's Audrey Hepburn and Myrna Loy and simplified Krysten's look to a defined eye with big doe-eyed lashes and a timeless red lip." Here, the beauty breakdown.

Botkier Sample Sale

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SensatioNail Color Gel Polish Review

Because I'm nocturnal like a Gremlin, sometimes I can't make it to a salon during NPH (which means both Neil Patrick Harris, and Normal People Hours. Clearly we're referring to the latter in this instance).  In fact, I've changed my entire life to do NOTHING during NPH. Trader Joe's runs at noon? YES. 4:15 Core Fusion workouts? Delightful. Telling everyone in the packed 4:15 classes to GET A JOB in my head? Totally. Working in increments like 12pm-3pm and 8pm to midnight? That's pretty much my week. Laundry at 9am? How can there be a better time? You get the idea.

Fictionary: Excessories

Fictionary is a column showcasing fashion- and beauty-related words that don't exist, but should.

Famous excessorizer Kimmy Gibbler.

I'm SUPER averse to most accessories and jewelry, save for teeny delicate gold necklaces and simple stud earrings. OCCASIONALLY I'll rock a bracelet or the odd cuff. Coco Chanel famously said, "Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off." I certainly lean too much in the opposite camp, but I DESPISE Excessories. As someone who accessorizes with makeup and hairstyles and the odd hair accoutrement, anything beyond the subtle disturbs me. It's all so KIMMY GIBBLER. She routinely rocked an elaborate updo with multiple hair accessories PLUS a large necklace PLUS dangling earrings. I blame my inability to don danglies totally to my "Full House" addiction in the '80s.

What's your stance on Excessories?

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Twix Cake, Britney's Father And Fiance Issues: Destination Procrastination

This TWIX CAKE stopped me dead in my tracks this morning. Proof that there is a God
[The Luxury Spot]

Ashley Judd's smart response to the public's pontificating on her puffiness
[The Daily Beast]

I covered Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's date to see "The Hunger Games" for Buzzworthy
[MTV Buzzworthy]

Want to experiment with the high-low skirt trend? Try this one on the cheap from Forever 21
[College Fashion]

Are Britney Spears' fiance and father turning her into a child? If she can get through 2007, she'll get through this
[Betty Confidential]

Officially A Thing: Wooden TIES
[The Frisky]

 Simply spring cleaning with this list
[YouBeauty]

Twelve steps to repairing a broken heart
[College Candy]

Tia picked a STRIPPER'S brain about the best way to shave your nan (short for punany) and shares. Take notes
[Shake Your Beauty]

Five things you didn't know about your favorite beauty brands
[Racked]

Perhaps it really is 1994 where she is... Hillary Clinton's affinity of scrunchies
[Beauty Bets]

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EXCLUSIVE: Interview With 'Mad Men' Lead Hairstylist Terrie V. Owen

Terrie V. Owen

Are we all loving Mad Men this season or what? Megan Draper's sultry singing and cat-eye. Sally Draper's glamazing nightgowns (seriously, I want to raid her nightie drawer). The Sopranos-inspired subplots. Don, who's sexy even whilst he battles TB or WHATEVER is taking him down this week. Fat Betty Francis, who still manages to have a fierce mane. Newly single Joan Holloway's icy delivery telling Greg to make himself scarce. It's EVERYTHING. The show's ALWAYS bringing its hair and makeup A-game, and I scored an exclusive interview with the lead stylist for the show, Terrie V. Owens. Read on to find out how she researches the Mad Men era's aesthetic, her favorite products and how she achieves such major volume at the crown. 

Katy Perry In Charlotte Olympia Avalon Shoes

Katy Perry wore a SICK pair of Charlotte Olympia Avalon shoes to a pre-inaugural event for the IPL on April 3, 2012. Katy Perry took the stage and opened the IPL with her hit single “Teenage Dream.”

I need a DEFIBRILLATOR for that heel. If it ain't Baroque? Don't fix it. Charlotte Olympia shoes are available at bergdorfgoodman.com.

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