SAMPLE SALE!!!

I'm about to pass along a highly, guarded secret. Want a stylish yet practical work bag? Or perhaps a sweet looking diaper or "mom" bag? My friend, Jennifer recently introduced me to "MZ Wallace". www.mzwallace.com

Founded and Based in New York City, these bags perfectly marry form and function. What sold me were the outside pockets for my TWO blackberries! I'm like a bag lady at work. I have a huge purse, I'm constantly digging through for my pad, a pen, lip gloss, keys, phones, you name it. I also have my make-up bag and sometimes a lunch bag I carry around. With some of the styles offered, you can put all those bags into one. AND they look great. OH, and did I mention they were super light? Most only have leather trim, but the fabrics are very light, and chemically treated for wear and tear. So, if you're constantly lugging stuff around like myself, it definitely helps.

These bags are now seen all over the place. One was featured in the latest issue of "O" Magazine. I recently ordered, "The Jane". I''ll let you know how it goes. I also like the Clara and am thinking about getting a "Francis". While they aren't cheap (ranging in the $300 plus area), it's still less expensive than some of the luxury brands. If you become a fan of the brand, I suggest signing up online for email deals. You have to be "signed up" to get into the Sample Sale and Clearance pages.

I got an email the other night (I hear these sales are now very rare) just after 1am. My Jane bag in "Clove", a light, khaki color normally retails at $365. I saved $150 with the sale. I placed an order at 4am. :) By mid-morning, the few bags they had were sold out - thanks to customers in LA. :) I got lucky on the East Coast.

The higher the hair, the closer to God....

Over the years, I have had my share of bad hair days. Ok, that's generous. I've had bad hair years. Try Nursery school til oh, say...TENTH GRADE! And even then it was questionable, even just plain tragic. There was the time when people thought my younger brother and I were twins because I had the same homemade bowl cut. And I can't forget the time it took me years to grow out the bowl cut (2nd grade). I begged my mom for a "perm". That's because I wanted to have LONG, CURLY hair. Mom takes me to the salon and in 3.3 minutes, they cut it ALL off, permed it and turned me into little Asian "Annie". I wanted to be an orphan after that! At 12, my tall-ish bangs were as high as I could get them. But it was raining at the bus stop so it fell. The only thing I had in my backpack was a tube of Vaseline. Not hairspray, but vaseline. And yes, I was so desperate, I tried it. Mega fail. I used Aqua Net, White Rain and all those hilarious hairsprays in my teen years. Fast forward to the years of requiring non-moving hair for work. The 'anchor helmet' we in the news business like to call it. No matter the conditions outside, snow storm, rain storm or hurricane, drive-by shooting, we gotta look fab. For years, I used Sebastian Shaper. It works, but it stinks. Like smells bad, stinks. It costs around $14 dollars for a tall bottle. My problem with it is you can't move one hair after spraying or it starts to flake white chunks. A recent favorite is FUSION. It's in a silver bottle I'd find at my stylist's salon. Pretty expensive at $25 dollars. Works FAR better than shaper and it smells great. It's freak of nature strong. However, I've found that the aerosol button breaks half way through the bottle. :( If you want to try it, you can find it online. My NEW favorite is Loreal's Elnett hairspray (with the white top-extra hold). It's a recent import from the UK. I first heard of it about a year ago when a friend asked that I bring some back for her during a trip abroad. You can comb through it and zero flakes. It's more of a flexible hold for the natural look. It's kinda pricey at around $14 for a tall bottle. But it's definitely the kind of hair spray you can you to tease UP your hair. Find it in every major drug store or Target. The "special" Rite Aid near my house carries it so I know it's gone mainstream! Happy Hair Days everyone -- send me your faves!

The WORST kind of bags!

I looove purses and bags! I even appreciate the kinds I won't wear. Which girly-girl wouldn't, right? The bags that won't go with anything, in fact make you look worse are the ones under your eyes. Does anyone get enough sleep nowadays? I suppose if you're under the age of 15. Dark circles and lines are the baggage that come along with those bags under your eyes. Beauty companies make zillions of dollars off us because people will do anything and try everything to get rid of them! Here are some products that have worked/not worked for me.

1. Soap and Glory's Eye Moisturizer called "Super Eyes, Super Eyes." It says it has "swift lift technology" (aka caffeine). It runs about $12 at Target. It's a gel that's supposed to minimize bags and brighten your under eye area. I like it. I noticed a difference within a few minutes. Do I still use concealer? Yes.

2. MAC's Fast Response Eye Cream. This was recommended by a make-up artist at work and highly touted (of course) by the chick at the MAC store. Cost? $28. Yeah, it was sooo not worth it. I noticed nothing. Thank goodness I didn't pay full price. I've heard from other friends who've tried it, nada as well.

3. Garnier Eye Roll-On stick. I haven't tried this myself but have a co-worker who really likes it. Also reasonably priced and can find it in any good drug store or Target. I may try this one at some point but am happy with Soap and Glory.

4. Preparation H. Yes, people! The beauty queen secret to puffiness WORKS. For major, major bags, I use this. Was I embarrassed to buy it? Well, it was for the greater good, so I got over it. The trick here is to put it on long before you have to leave the house. Throw down a layer, wait 20 minutes or so. then wipe most of it off. I mean, it's ointment below your eyes...it's shiny and sticky. But it works!

"Whatcha got in that Bag" Wednesday - Bonus Edition

I'm getting a head start because tomorrow will be BUSY! That being said, this week, it's my Top FIVES! Yes, plural. Buckle up!

TOP 5 things you'll always find in my handbag of the day

1. Blackberry (I have two, a work one and a personal one)
2. Some type of chapstick or lip gloss. (look through ALL my purses you'll find Burts Bees Beeswax lip balm or lip shine)
3. Notepad or paper - I'd be a baaad journalist without it
4. Pens - same reason as #4.
5. Gum or Candy


TOP 5 Beauty Items I can't live without

1. MAC Studio Fix powder
2. Eyeliner (right now, MAC Greasepaint sticks)
3. Lip Gloss (Burt's Bees Lip Shine)
4. Tweezers
5. Ponytail holder


TOP 5 things I always pack even for 2 week trips overseas in my CARRY-ON. (Hate is not a strong enough word for Check-in bag)

1. Round Brush, because every hotel nowadays has a hairdryer, but I don't want to blow my CHI in a weird outlet.
2. Mini-Perfume (I have Sarah Jessica Parker's "Lovely" in a roll on tube)
3. One pair of my best jeans
4. A non-wrinkling dress
5. A great jacket or coat that goes from day to night

TOP 5 things in my toiletry bag when I travel

1. Make-up, take off wipes
2. Eye-make up Remover
3. Contact Lense Solution
4. Zit Lotion (ProActiv)
5. My own hair conditioner. While most hotels have okay shampoo, the conditioner sucks!

Slave for a Thousand Lashes

We learn what's pretty and flirty at a very young age. If you watch any children's cartoon, most of the female characters have these long, curled eyelashes. I mean, why else was Pepe Le Pew always chasing around his "petite femme skunk"? Did you ever get a load of her lashes? And helloooo - Daphne from Scooby Doo?

Yeah, it made an impression. Sadly for me, I wasn't born with anything close to that feminine ideal. I've always envied those girls who said, "Oh, Maybelline Great Lash Is. THE. BEST. Mascara. It's inexpensive and works so well!" Well excuse me, but I have those short, straight and sparse Asian eyelashes. I'm great at faking though. (You'll soon learn that faking is a very important theme and exercise in this blog.)

I didn't wear mascara until after college. (GASP). I mean, I didn't think it did anything. My lashes were so ridiculously short, I didn't think it'd even make a difference. Boy, was I stupid. Enter the world of TV make-up artists and consultants and wonderful friends who were born with liner brushes in their hands. The first time I ever wore fake eyelashes, I swear I was a different person...like a real WO-man. whoo-hooo! Those little Ardell 110s changed my whole demeanor. I felt Sex-AY! Appearance Coach Patti Shyne (www.pattishyne.com) did the impossible. She taught me how to slap those babies on my eyelids in 5 minutes! The Ardell #110 eyelashes can be found at Target or any drug store (runs about $3.50). The number on the packaging indicates the length and thickness. The 110s are the most natural looking.

My mascara arsenal includes two options:
DIOR Show "Iconic" at a very expensive $27.50 a bottle (Sephora). I wear this at work. Great brush, goes on thick without being clumpy, separates and curls.
My everyday "non-work" mascara is Loreal " Double Extend" (any drug store or grocery store). It's NOT totally cheap at around $14.50 a tube. This comes with the foundation lash base coat on one end, then the actual mascara on the other end. Now, I'll actually spend money on my eyelashes because I truly, truly believe it's what makes my peepers totally pop. Jackie-O knew how to work her features to her best advantage.

So ladies and gents, in an effort to reduce my fak-ery, I just ordered "Rapid Lash" online. It's this serum that's received fabulous reviews for both lengthening and thickening eyelashes. It's pricey at around $40 a bottle but much, much cheaper than Latisse, which requires a doctor's prescription and can run into the hundreds of dollars. So, we'll see - I'll keep you posted. Word is, "Rapid Lash" takes about 4 weeks of daily use to see results.

I'm embarrassed to reveal which celebrity I heard uses this stuff...but she is an older, older (not my style) woman. And hey, if it makes my lashes look a fraction of the way it does hers, then I. AM. SOLD.

Nude skin....IN?

Do you dare to go bare? C'mon! Everyone's doing it. Models and actresses right now are making it a point to pose/flaunt their make-up free faces in magazines lately. (Oh, and the blowout helps, doesn't it?) Some see it as liberating and being confident in their own skin...for others, it's just reality. There's just not enough time in the day to "do their face". I guess I swing both ways :)

As a girl growing up in the South, it's extremely hard for me to walk out in public, totally bare faced. At minimum, I'll wear powder (MAC's Studio Fix), big sunglasses and lip gloss. I mean, who has perfect skin? I still get pimples for goodness sakes! On the other hand, 5 days a week, I wear so much make-up it takes three types of cleanser to get it all off, so a break is much needed.

On Thursday (5/13) the TODAY Show hosts all gave women across the country hope by showing us their make-free faces. I call them courageous. They're just "like us". I couldn't have done that.

Obviously, it all starts by taking care of your skin. I use ProActiv products daily along with Aveeno sunscreen. It's so weird to be in this stage of trying to prevent pimples AND aging skin! Ugh. Recently, I tried a sampler of Dr. Perricone products. There's a fabulous little item called, "Dr. Perricone's No Foundation Foundation". It's like a serum that helps fine lines, dark spots, etc. I also got Perricone's tinted moisturizer/sunscreen as well. AWESOME! I'd call it great, not amazing but I definitely felt comfortable to go out with my "bare face". When these nifty products ran out, I continued with my old skin care regime. And when I want to go minimal, I mix my liquid foundation with my sunscreen then blend into my face. Powder. Gloss. Oh, and a tiny bit of eyeliner. DONE!

"Whatcha got in that Bag?" Wednesday

Every Wednesday on this blog, find out which products the busy and the beautiful can't live without. "Whatcha got in that Bag?" I can't take credit for this idea - I saw it somewhere else and am always curious to find out what they have in their purses/bags! Maybe I'm just nosy :)

One of my dearest friends, Nicole Hockin is a Travel Personality who has appeared on numerous national programs such as, E's That Morning Show, Rachel Ray, The Daily Buzz, The Mike and Juliet Show and several TV affiliates. She has been quoted in USA Today, The Washington Post, New York Times, LA Times and much more. Nicole is also a busy wife and mother to two small children. As long as I've known her, no matter HOW busy she is, Nicole always looks impeccable.

Here's what she tells us, "I've learned a lot of tricks from make-up artists around the country. Every time I go to a new show and sit in the make-up chair, I always ask for their favorites and best tips and try to incorporate them into my routine."

Nicole Hockin's Top 5 Beauty Products:

1. Dior's "Skinflash Radiance Booster Pen" Concealer

2. Laura Mercier, Eye Liner in Blue Marine - When you learn to put this on with a brush, it does wonders for your eyes.

3. Lip Fusion, Lip Plumper Gloss - Makes your lips look and feel great!

4. Jonathan, Stylist Professional Series, Straightening Lotion - This hair product controls frizz and flyaways without being heavy.

5. Loreal, Skin Genesis Wet Cleansing Towelettes - It feels so good to get that make-up off at the end of the day.


Top 5 Must Have's in Nicole Hockin's Bag:

1. My iphone. Loaded with travel apps to help me wherever I am. My favorite apps are: The Weather Channel, Around Me (which tells you everything around you), hotels.com, and urbanspoon.

2. A pen.

3. Sunglasses.

4. Something to eat.

5. Contact drops.

For travel tips and deals, follow Nicole on her blog at www.travelsmartblog.com. You can also find her on Facebook! Thanks Nicole!