The Blowfish Catrell wedge sandal is one of my favorites this summer season! This $59.00 sandal is available in two colors: Whiskey Santana (see photo) and black. I’ve listed what I love most about this sandal below:
- Soft, cushioned footbed (making it super comfortable for walking/standing for extended periods of time)
- 2.5″ heal (the perfect height)
- Versatility (i.e. can be worn with leggings, skinny jeans, skirts and dresses)
- Woven detail
- Back-zip closure
- True to size
Where to find them:
Let’s talk about sun damage. Until recently, I wasn’t aware that 80% of the skin’s aged appearance is caused by the sun, not the from the passage of time. Yikes! Looking back to when I baked in the sun for hours on end in my late teens and early 20s makes me cringe.
When it comes to sun damage, it’s often not what you see, but what you don’t see that causes the skin to look dull and aged. The damage caused by UV exposure sits under the skin’s surface. Have you ever looked at your skin under an ultraviolet light at a dermatologist office? Well, it’s quite surprising for some, whether you’re age 20 or 60. Some of you may actually have a few visible age spots (or brown spots) on the surface of your skin. And a dark mark on the surface of the skin is just the tip of the iceberg. More damage lurks below and will reveal itself over time.
I’ve recently learned about a product definitely worth looking into if you’re looking to erase signs of premature aging, including brown spots, dullness, and sun damage (on the face, neck and hands) and make a huge difference in how your skin ages going forward.
It’s made by Rodan + Fields, the creators of Proactiv® Solution. The REVERSE Regimen by Rodan + Fields, recognized on Allure Magazine’s A List, is clinically proven to treat dullness and dark marks associated with sun damaged skin. Click here and watch this video to learn more about how this REVERSE regimen works (allow a minute or two for the video to load before playing).
I first heard about this product from a good friend of mine who had two noticeable brown spots on her face, both of which disappeared after only 2.5 months of using this regimen.
In the past six months, I’ve heard from many woman who have started using this product and are shocked at the results. This would be a fabulous Mother’s Day gift if you haven’t picked one up yet (and there’s a 60-day money back guarantee). The other Rodan + Fields product I recommend as a great gift idea for anyone over age 20 is the Anti-Age Multi-Function Eye Cream. It has been proven in clinical studies to diminish crow’s feet, under eye dark circles and puffiness and was named Skin Miracle Worker by Lucky magazine.
I love these Steve Madden Kendel Leather boots! In fact, I ordered a pair online just last week as a birthday gift to myself. I first eyed these boots a few months ago at DSW when they were regularly priced at $229.
More recently, I stopped by DSW with a friend (who was visiting from out of town) and noticed the boots were on sale for $149.95. Unfortunately, by this time, they had only a few pairs left and sizes were extremely limited.
I went home and called several local DSW stores in hopes of finding a pair in my size but had no luck. Each store was sold out or had only two pairs in stock (and not in my size). I then got online at DSW.com and found the same boot, for the same sale price and in my size! I guess being a “boot stalker” paid off.
I wasn’t too keen on paying shipping, so I started searching the web for a “Free Shipping” promo code. To my surprise, not only did I find a free shipping promo code (SHPSPR), but I also found an additional promo code for 15% off my order (TAKE15)! I applied both these promo codes to my order at checkout and paid only $127 (plus tax). By the way, I typically wear size 8, but I ordered a size 7.5 because I expected the leather to stretch and planned to wear thin socks. They were a bit snug at first. But after wearing them one full day, they fit perfectly.
What I love most about these boots:
- Heel height: 1 3/4″ stacked heel; was looking for a boot with slightly more height than a flat-soled boot
- Shaft height: 14 1/2″ shaft; this knee-high, pull-on boot hits just below the knees
- Versatility: Can be worn in winter and summer, making them of great value. I currently wear them with tights and skinny jeans but also look forward to wearing them with dresses, skirts and even some shorts in the next few months!
- Leather: A bit worn (but of high quality), which gives them a vintage look and doesn’t show “wear and tear”
- Overall style: I’ve already received many compliments on these boots from both friends and strangers
Have you ever been flipping through the pages of a fashion magazine (maybe Vogue?) to find a gorgeous dress that you’d love to wear for just one night? Well, you aren’t the only one. Most of us either can’t afford these designer dresses or simply can’t justify spending that much on a dress to wear it only once.
Launched only a few months ago, RentTheRunway.com is a new website that lets you browse top designer dresses and rent them. It was started by two girls at Harvard Business School who also wanted to wear designer dresses but simply couldn’t afford them.
All you need to do is register for a membership, choose the dress you want, the size and the date you want it. It will be shipped to your door. They will even ship the dress in two sizes, provide a package for returning the dress (you can keep it four-eight days) and take care of the dry cleaning. They currently offer sizes 0-12. They also plan on launching jewelry soon.
Now, you’re probably wondering how much renting a dress will cost! The prices are about 10% of the retail price, starting as low as $50 and as high as $300. Not bad! Unfortunately, there’s a wait list. Sign up here to be added to it.
In the meantime, you can become a fan of their Facebook page to stay up to date on what’s to come and to hear from others who’ve rented from the website. Looking at the Facebook page, it looks like many peeps are renting dresses for their upcoming prom or for a few of the seven weddings they have to attend this summer!
After hearing a StyleVise member and friend highly recommend COVERGIRL LashBlast Volume Blasting mascara, I decided to give it a try myself.
The mascara definitely lives up to its promise of volumizing each and every lash. It thickens and separates each lash and doesn’t clump or smudge. I also really like that it washes away with only water, making it quick and easy for me to prepare my face for bed at night. Available in four shades and waterproof, this mascara is very affordable (approx. $7) – even priced lower than some other drugstore mascaras.
Not to mention, this mascara has won the Editor’s Choice Award by Allure Magazine and, according to the April 2010 issue of the magazine, is the #1 mascara launch in recent history.* It was also was voted Best of BellaSugar in 2009.
After wearing it for at least a month now, I’d say it’s definitely one of the best drugstore mascaras I’ve used and even out performs some of the other high-end mascara brands I’ve tried. It has clearly become a drugstore favorite since its launch in 2007. Do you have a favorite drugstore mascara?
*Based on volume and dollar share of top 10 cosmetic launches in past five years according to independent survey.
Late Saturday evening, I stopped by Urban Outfitters (in Denver) on my way home from a friend’s house (after watching Kansas lose to Northern Iowa in the NCAA tournament!) to find that Urban had cute boots on sale for only $29.99. After only briefly digging through a massive pile of sale shoes (see photo), I unburied the below pair of cute tall suede boots from Kimchi Blue, which I thought would be of interest to those ladies still looking to grab a pair of tall suede boots this season.
Exclusive to Urban Outfitters, this suede boot has a high-stacked 3″ heel, buckle strap at the top and a cushioned footbed. They’re on sale from $100 to $29.99 (in stores only) and are available in grey (see below), chocolate brown, khaki and black. I also found this boot online at UrbanOutfitters.com, but online it’s $49.99 and only available in chocolate. This boot fits perfectly around the calf – not too tight or too loose. So if you’re still looking to snag a pair of tall suede boots to wear with skinny jeans or dresses this season, you may want drop by your local Urban Outfitters and take a peak. Although I found boots in sizes 6, 7, 8 and 10, sizes are limited.
While I was on my way to work this morning, I reached in my bag to find some type of lip balm and pulled out my L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Lip Gloss. As I was applying it, I was reminded as to how much I like it. In fact, it’s been my go-to lip gloss on many occasions the past few months.
I purchased this lip gloss on a whim last November. I was in New York City for work and had lost one of my favorite lip glosses, which isn’t all that surprising given I tend to “misplace” these types of things quite frequently. It wasn’t until after dinner the same day, when I was headed back to my hotel, that I realized I had no lip gloss and was going to the Today Show the next morning to meet Kathie Lee and Hoda backstage.
Given it was late at night, my options were limited. I walked into the nearest DUANEreade to merely see what they had to offer and walked out with L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Lip Gloss in Soft Nude. Like I said, I purchased it on a whim and didn’t know what to expect. But it was just what I was looking for. I love it! And it was the finishing touch I needed for the special occasion the next morning. In addition to meeting Kathie Lee and Hoda, I also met the lead singer of Train as they performed “Hey Soul Sister” live on the show. Check out the video clip here.
What I love most about this lip gloss is that it’s:
- Without scent or taste
- Infused with Omega 3 and protective Vitamin E, keeping my my lips soft, moisturized and shiny
- Creamy, but not sticky!
- Very sheer, with just a hint of color. I most often wear it alone for a natural (but sophisticated) everyday look, but also layer it on top of lipstick for a night out
- Available at drugstores
- Only $5.99 (and is often on sale for less!)
I would definitely purchase this lip gloss again! Now, you’re probably wondering what I was doing at the Today Show with Hoda and Kathie Lee…
If you’re in dire need of some winter gear, hit up Patagonia’s Winterfest Sale! Specifically, check out the women’s coats and jackets. The Women’s Ice Field Jacket (see photo) in bittersweet chocolate is my favorite winter coat, and it’s now on sale for $240.00 (reduced from $400). This insulated hard-shell jacket is super warm, waterproof and breathable, providing protection from rain, wind and extreme cold. You’ll find me wearing it on the slopes snowboarding (paired with my charcoal Burton snow pants) or walking the streets of Stockholm, Sweden in January. I also love the fit and length of the jacket – it’s both flattering and comfortable, and not bulky like many winter coats.
Anything from Patagonia will last you a long time (making it well worth the price), so get your much needed winter gear now while it’s on sale and wear it for the remainder of this season, as well as the next five or more seasons to come. The sale ends Tuesday, February 16.
One of my favorite, most comfortable pairs of boots that I bought last fall (and wear several times a week) are now 50% off (originally $160 and now only $79.99). Does that mean that spring is approaching? Well, I guarantee that I will continue to wear my Aerosoles Sarasota boots well into spring.
Not only do I love the look of these knee-high suede boots with a 1″ wedge, but the cushioned footbeds are extremely comfortable and they fit perfectly around the calves. Last I checked, there were only a few pairs of the grey boots left. However, they’re also available in black, blue and brown.
About a month ago, I bought my husband the Nike LunarGlide+ men’s running shoes in black/orange. He had been wanting them since last fall. I knew he loved the look of the shoe, but I was curious as to how he’d like them for working out. Well, to say the least, he loves them.
Despite the fact I haven’t been running much at all since my marathon last October, I have been in dire need of new shoes for quite some time now. Therefore, I thought I’d give the women’s LunarGlides a try. This was a big move for me considering I’ve been in a serious relationship with Asics for many years.
Among several color choices, I liked the grey/yellow LunarGlides best (see photo)! After wearing them to the gym this past week and on two five-mile runs, I have nothing but good things to say. These shoes are very light (one shoe is just over half a pound), and were named “Best Debut” by Runner’s World magazine. The women’s LunarGlides are specifically designed to accommodate the distinct shape of the female foot. I haven’t ran more than six miles in them yet (and don’t know if/when I will), but Nike considers them to be built for speed and stability. The logic behind the shoe’s Dynamic Support System is that it will continually adapt to your running style to deliver just the right amount of comfort and support you need, when you need it.
Although not the most romantic gift, the men’s LunarGlides can make a great gift for him this Valentine’s Day. My husband was pumped when he got his. And I am pretty excited about mine as well, especially because I no longer have to sacrifice style for comfort!
