FASHION - LOVE IT AND GOTTA HAVE IT!!!  
Redbook May 2012 Issue

All of these awesome items were in Redbook's May 2012 issue.  I'm going crazy and gotta have them.  And the best part?  The prices are ridiculously affordable!

Check it out . . .



Annalee + Hope dress, $29.99; burlingtoncoatfactory.com 

Wallet, $30; bigbuddha.com 

 Love 21 by Forever 21 dress, $27.80; forever21.com


 Bangle set, $38; sushmapatel.us




Sneakers, $17.94; oldnavy.com

 

BEAUTY PRODUCTS MUST HAVES!!!

 This awesome pallet takes the guess work out of applying eye makeup.  Follow the chart on the pallet and you’ll know exactly where to apply each of the four shades.
O Magazine, April 2012 Issue

Jillian Dempsey for Avon Professional Perfect Eyes Kit ($9.00 – avon.com)

This is so cool!!!  Flip a tiny switch on this compact and LED Lights illuminate the mirror.  Wherever you are, you’ll have the bright, clear light you need to get ready for your close up.

O Magazine, April 2012 Issue

Physician’s Formula pH Matchmaker Blush, Bronzer, and Lip Gloss

Why did I think this was the best foundation to try?  The newly created and tweaked True Match Foundation comes in a whopping 33 shades, but how in the world do you figure out which one to use?  Here’s the best part – You download the Match Maker app.  The “FREE” app suggests colors based on your answers to a brief Q&A.   How cool is that?

Redbook Magazine, April 2012 Issue

L’Oreal Paris True Match Foundation, $10.95

We all know that Burt’s Bee products are awesome.  But this one was picked in the Best of the Naturals products in Good Housekeeping magazine.   Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm outperformed the competition in all categories, including leaving lips hydrated.  

Good Housekeeping, April 2012 Issue

Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm, $7.00

GREAT TIPS

Household Tips

Love Having Fresh Flowers in your Home?  To make the blooms last longer, add a few drops of bleach ot the water in the vase.

All You April 2012 Issue (Dwyer Paulsen)

Table Salt Can Do That?

Work table salt into greasy marks on fabric to help soak up the stain before tossing into the wash.
All You April 2012 Issue

To wash sinks, pots and pans, or stained coffee cups fast, mix liquid dish soap with table salt to form a gentle scrubbing paste.

Good Housekeeping April 2012 Issue
 
Want a Quick Way to Clean your Microwave?

Zap a bowl of water with half a lemon in it for five minutes to loosen grime.  Then just sponge the walls clean. 

Good Housekeeping April 2012 Issue

Beauty Tips

Remedy a Fragrance Overload – Spray way too much?  Here’s a quick fix:  Moisten a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and wipe the skin where you over-spritzed.  Alcohol dissolves the oils that release perfumes scent on your skin and the cotton ball gently exfoliates the skin’s surface, which also helps to remove the fragrance.

Alan Hirsch, MD, Director of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation
Oprah Magazine April 2012 Issue

Make it Last All Day – Heading out after work, but hesitant to re-spritz?  Make your fragrance last all day (and then some) with this a.m. trick.  Rub an unscented body lotion where you plan to mist (best spots are at your pulse points like your neck, inner wrists, and behind your ears).  It captures the scent so it stays on the skin without evaporating.  IT WORKS – I TRIED IT!

Red Book Magazine May 2012 Issue

SHOPPING (AND SAVING)
(My Personal Favorite Subject)
 
The New and Improved JC Penney

Have you all been wondering what all of those new JC Penney (JCP) commercials are about?  I know I have.  Here’s the deal:

Save with JCPenney’s New Pricing Plan:  The retailer claims that everything in the store is marked down by an average of 40% below 2011 prices.  Signs screaming “Sale” or “Discount” have disappeared and prices are now listed in whole dollars ($9 or $10 rather than $8.99 or $9.98).  Even more helpful, the retailer now has red stickers on its everyday low prices and distinguishes its clearance items with blue stickers.  But JCP hasn’t done away with sales entirely.  There will be 12 month long promotions tied to the calendar for holidays.
Reported by Consumer Reports ShopSmart Magazine – April 2012 Issue

After visiting a JCP store, ShopSmart reported that the store seems to deliver its promised savings.  Most of the items they reviewed were discounted by 40% or more and some even offered savings of at least 50%.

Another good reason to give it a try?  A store revamp that will include mini shops within the store (Sephora is already there) and services like expert advice similar to Apple’s Genius Bar. 

I can’t wait to stop in and check it out! 
 
SAVE SAVE SAVE on Beauty Products!!
Reported by Consumer Reports ShopSmart Magazine April 2012 Issue

I was pretty surprised and somewhat shocked to learn the difference in prices at drug stores vs. WalMart and Target.  Both WalMart and Target can save you big bucks on beauty products.  It had the lowest prices on the most items that ShopSmart reviewed.  There were a ton of them listed in the magazine, however, I can’t list them all, but here are some of examples of very impressive savings:

Clairol Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Shampoo
      WalMart:  $2.79       vs.        Drug Store:  $4.18

Colgate Optic White Toothpaste
     WalMart:  $3.97       vs.        Drug Store:  $5.60

Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash
     Target:  $5.18          vs.        Drug Store:  $9.02
 
ShopSmart also reported that websites are the place to go for higher-end brands.  If you are looking for Aveeno instead of Vaseline, or a natural brand like Burt’s Bees, you might find the best deals online (Amazon, Drugstore.com, harmondiscount.com).  Just don’t forget to take shipping costs into consideration.  They also reported that supermarket prices are pretty competitive, which I found to be pretty surprising. 

GREAT APPS/WEBSITES!!!!
Some tried; some recommended

Coupon Sherpa
Download this "FREE" app, which allows you to redeem local in-store coupons instantly without having to clip or print them.  Click on a merchant and link its loyalty card to your account.  Select the available discounts you want and they will be applied to your purchase when your loyalty card is scanned.   Predicted Annual Savings:  $71.00
Recommended by Real Simple Magazine - April 2012 Issue. 

GasBuddy
Find cheap gas nearby.  Compare local prices at the "FREE" GasBuddy app (or gasbuddy.com).  Also, before you fill up the tank, check to see if it's cheaper to pay with cash rather than credit. 
Recommended by All You Magazine - April 2012 Issue.

ErrandTracker.com
Map the Most Efficient Route to Save Gas!  On your computer or iPhone, create a list of the places you need to go, and the "FREE" website/app ErrandTracker.com shows you the most efficient route.  That way you can eliminate doubling back and wasting gasoline.
Recommended by All You Magazine - April 2012 Issue.

Google Catalogs (MY PERSONAL FAVORITE APP)
Prevent paper pileup in your mailbox by downloading the "FREE" Google Catalogs app and you'll get instant access to over 400 digital catalogs from more than 125 brands. 
My Personal Opinion:  This is one of my favorite and most used apps (and I have a lot of apps).  I find catalogs for stores that I love and had no idea that there were even catalogs available.  For example, there are catalogs for West Elm, The Container Store, and World Market to name just a few.  You can also mark your favorites, with a Google Account, so you can always go back to your faves.  Love it!!!!
Recommended by Good Housekeeping - April 2012 Issue.

FASHION
Ideas, Tips, Favorite Products, Recommendations . . .

GENIUS IDEA!!!!  

Build your own Fashion Stylist’s Toolbox:  This “emergency” kit is like the one stylists use on photo shoots (InStyle Magazine, March Issue).  

Must Have’s:

·         Double Stick Tape (create a hem, close gapping, or keep straps in place).
·         Handheld Steamer (so much easier than ironing).
·         Lint Roller
·         Needle & Thread (a must for popped buttons).
·         Safety Pins (have both large and small sizes)
·         Small Scissors.
·         Seam Ripper.
·         Static Eliminator.
·         Stain Remover (erase spots as soon as they happen with the Tide to Go pen).
·         Wrinkle-Obliterating Spray (BEST INVENTION EVER!!!).

For must-have supplies, the pros hit Manhattan Wardrobe Supply (www.manhattanwardrobesupply.com).

FASHION WEBSITES

Are you cleaning out your closets?  Check out these websites to donate, swap or consign the clothes you are discarding.  (InStyle Magazine, March issue).

Copious.com - Use your Facebook and Twitter accounts to connect to buyers and other sellers on this social marketplace. Known for everything from handmade beaded bracelets to Fendi bags.

I-ella.com - A charitable spot where users can buy, borrow, swap and even lend apparel and accessories, then donate 10 percent of the transaction fee to one of three causes featured each month.  Known for logos galore (Dior, Gucci, Louis Vuitton).

Portero.com - A place for super-high end, pre-owned accessories.  Portero Luxury lists handbags, watches, and fine jewelry.  There’s not cost unless your things sell.  Known for investment timepieces (Cartier and Rolex).

SPRING TRENDS - ORANGE IS IN! 

Love these products!!!!! (O, The Oprah Magazine - April Issue). 

And they are all under $100.00!!! 

Voluminous Maxiskirt @ Joe Fresh - $69.00

Tangerine Pants @ Loft.com - $50.00

Nine West Tote - $69.00

 

Huh . . . Very Interesting
Woman's Day April 2012 Issue

I found the following to be very interesting:

If you love the "sweet" stuff like I do, we know it doesn't do our teeth or our waistline any good, but it could be making you a nicer person.  In a series of studies published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, subjects with a sweet tooth were rated as more agreeable and were more willing to volunteer to help others.   

Who's happiest?  Research proves that these folks have mastered the art:

*  The cheeriest folks in America?  "Hawaiians" says a recent Gallup poll.  (Well duh - I could have told you that one). 
*  Biotech Workers are the most satisfied employees in the country, according to the job-search website CareerBliss.com.  Next on their list:  Customer services reps (which I find very hard to believe) and teachers. 
*  Life does get better as we age.  According to a Stanford University study, "Older Americans" are the most content generation with satisfaction peaking at 70.
*  People who enjoy creative pastimes, like visiting museums or performing in local theater are singing a happy tune, as reported from an iPhone survey the Mappiness Project (professor George MacKerron).
*  And apparently people who earn $75,000 have reached the plateau beyond which more money has no measurable effect on day-to-day contentment (according to Princeton economist Angus Deaton's research).

So if you are not happy you need to move to Hawaii, get a job as a Biotech Worker, keep your job as a Biotech Worker so you can make at least $75,000/year, age gracefully, and get artsy!!!!  Sounds like a plan.  : )

What would make me happy????  This fabulous belt!!!  And it's only $16.99!!!! 

Merona Rope Belt in Jute, at Select Target Stores

Woman's Day "Fun Finds" Under $20.00 April Issue