Beehive

Bumble and Bumble has the cure for the lazy morning.

It's Hair Powder, and it can extend a blow out (or mask a shower-less morn) with texture, subtlety, and best of all, ease.

Image courtesy of OutBlush.com

This powdery goodness comes in five shades ranging from white for champagne blondes and silver foxes, to black for you lucky onyx-topped ladies. You can match your hair color for little root touch-ups, or - a tip from my B&B trained stylist - pick up the shade lighter than yours to hide some grease. I'm a brunette, so I have the "Blondish" color and it's true: Works like a charm, and earns its 'dry shampoo' category title.

Image courtesy of ShampooFashion.com

Another one of my favorite qualities of the product is it goes on dry hair. A few squirts to the roots here and there, a few seconds for dry time, and finger style.

Time for a reality check: This guy's a bank buster at *gulp* $35 for 4 ounces (I almost keeled over at the register), but the slim little bottle packs a long-term punch. I've had mine for over a year, and use it at a rate of 3-6 squirts every 2 or 3 days. It also comes in a more try-it friendly price and size: A one ounce bottle for $19.

I actually have become so attached to the product I'm going to spring for the 1oz. bottle too for plane travel. I'm a carry-on only type of gal, so everything's gotta be 3 ounces or less to pass muster.

Catch the buzz.

Midas Touch

I love yellow.

It's a tough color to wear, but get it goin' in the right accessory and you're, well, golden. My current choices: A crinkly summer-weight pashmina-style scarf from one of the best gift-givers I know (MBM, this means you!), and my manicure.

Image courtesy of Walgreens.com

Not surprisingly from Sinful Colors Professional, this one has the catchy lil' title of "Let's Meet". We did, and rather than being the day-glo banana it appears to be, it went on a sheer, semi-shimmery deep gold. After two coats, here's what I came out with:

It's thisclose to blending in with my fingers, but has just enough of a orange-y base and shimmer to stand alone without overpowering.

New fave!

Anchors Aweigh

For my mani/pedi's, base coat is even more important than that pretty gloss of topcoat.

My favorite: O.P.I. Chip Skip

Image courtesy of Buy.com

It's rough to shell out the $9 for a bottle of what looks like water, but it will last ages, and it really does extend the life of those at-home spa treatments.

Here's how it works: The formula acts as kind of a primer rather than traditional base coat. It leaves a bit of a whitish, dry looking residue after just a second or two. Chip Skip comes in the same form of bottle-and-brush as traditional polish, and with a couple swipes over each nail, you're ready for paint.

I picked mine up at Walgreen's around 2 years ago (told ya it lasts!), but any retailer who carries O.P.I. will most likely have it.

Keep the chips in the bag, not on your nails.

Long-Lasting Lotion

Maybe not your head, but shoulders, knees, and toes (knees and toes! Sing along!) will all benefit from this product.

Image courtesy of Drugstore.com

It's Eucerin Plus Intensive Repair Hand Creme. It does wonders for dry hands, sure, but what it can do for the rest of you is pretty great too:

*Quench the thirst of those dry summer feet and elbows.
*Add both moisture and a lustrous glow to gams.
*Last-all-night gleam and softness to shoulders.

It's a tiny bottle, but believe this: A little dab'll do ya. As it warms in your hands, the thick cream thins out to evenly coat wherever you're spreading it. It absorbs quickly and scentless-ly, leaving a nylon-smooth feeling on your fingers you won't believe. Not to mention it's the perfect size for stashing in a handbag, desk drawer, or even glovebox.

$5.50 for 2.7 ounces (airplane friendly) at your local drugstore, or online at Drugstore.com

3-Minute Mug Cake

Okay, so this isn't exactly a tip or trick, and it's definitely NOT fashion-friendly, but it is delicious.

It's also about a 10 minute round trip from pulling ingredients out of the cupboard to a hot mug full of chocolatey goodness.

My fave mug, courtesy of soon-to-be-Mrs. MBM

So. In your fave (microwave safe) mug, mix:

*4 Tbs. flour
*4 Tbs. sugar
*2 Tbs. cocoa powder

Mix 'em up. Now add:

*1 egg
*3 Tbs. milk
*3 Tbs. oil (I used vegetable)
*3 Tbs. chocolate chips
*1 small splash vanilla extract

Zap in the microwave for 3 minutes (in a 1,000 watt oven). If you watch it, you'll see the cake come up over the top of the mug. Don't fret: It will hold it's shape and you won't have a microwave to scrub down. Let it cool - seriously - then you can slide it out onto a plate, or, my fave, grab a spoon and the handle of that mug.

All set for some dvr'd Project Runway

Is it the best chocolate cake you'll ever eat? No. But it is hot, homemade, chocolate comfort in a personal size container. Toss a garnish on if you're so inclined: Ice cream, cinnamon, fruit or chocolate syrup. You could even share with a pal.

...Nah.

Bring Home the 'Bucks

'Via' is Starbucks' line of instant coffee in individual packets. Now, personally when I think of instant coffee, I think of those rattly, dry crystals, and... well, Grandma. Via has changed that in a major way, using real-deal ground coffee in a packaging that keeps all those good smelling oils in tact. No rattle here.

Image courtesy of LittleLizzyLou.com

While I love a hot cuppa joe on a cold day, I am generally an iced coffee kind of gal. Iced mocha, to be specific. 

Image courtesy of rebelliousarabgirl.net

So you can imagine my joy when the 'Bucks put their newest addition to the Via family on the shelves this month: Via Iced.

Image courtesy of Starbucks.com

It saves me not only a few minutes when getting out of the house in the morning, but the different-every-day time spent in the coffee drive-thru, not to mention MY bucks Starbucks swallows up. Right now on Starbucks.com you can get a 5 pack of Via Iced for $4.95 and free shipping to boot (good through 8/30, so get on the stick!). That's less than $1 a cup! No tipping necessary.

World's Best hot chocolate, Costco style.

And as for my mocha, here's how I do it: Heat a mug of water in the microwave. Dump a pack of hot chocolate into a travel mug. Pour the hot water in the travel mug, seal, shake. Put in the fridge overnight. In the a.m., open 'er up, dump in the Via packet, shake and go! Delicious iced mocha. 

How I roll... Outta bed.

Multiplicity

Okay girls, it's summer. You have all these cute little tanks: Spaghetti strap, racer back, one-shoulder, on and on it goes. And can you wear a regular bra with any of 'em? No.

*sigh*

I hate bra shopping with a passion. But it must be done, and never am I happier when I find one that's comfy, useful, and makes everybody (and by everybody I mean myself and those two other girls below the neck) happy.

Here's my winner: The Victoria's Secret BioFit 7-Way Bra

Allow me to sing it's praises for a moment:
*Comfy.
*Outside of with or without regular straps, there are 5 other ways to wear it. Five!!
*Comes with regular and clear strap sets.
*EASY to change the strap configuration. No, really. No... Really!
*Seamless & easy wear under every fabric.

It does rock the boat at $55, but let's do the math: 7 ways/$55 = $7.86 per bra. And remember for a moment: Straps not only keep everyone more comfortable, but keep the bra from ending up around your waist. That alone may be worth the money, and just to sweeten the deal, Vicky developed another secret in the non-slip fabric used to create the bra itself.

The only problem? There's no guarantee you look like Alessandra Ambrosio when you put it on.

A girl can dream.

Beauty & The Brain

Have you met Marie Claire?

Allow me to introduce you. She likes fashion, the newest beauty scoop, and health and relationship advice. She also has a penchant for world issues concerning women, a drive to promote self-esteem in the every-girl kind of woman, and has - *gasp* - a brain.

 Photo courtesy of TheHollywoodGossip.com

I'll admit it: I've had my days on the plane with US Weekly and People. I dabbled in Cosmo in college. I always come back to InStyle on the newsstand. But Marie Claire is my go-to gal. The only magazine I've ever found that I literally read cover-to-cover, and think about certain pieces for days/weeks/months afterwards. The writers don't dumb down their articles to be in a 'girly' publication, and the interviewers print what's said to their faces, demure or not.

Photo Text: "Keep a high self esteem even after taking off your high heels. Marie Claire Magazine: It's stylish to be intelligent."

Photo courtesy of AdvertNews.com

Fave sections included in every issue:

*What I Love About Me: A random assortment of girls from the streets of a single city, their photo, what they like about themselves and why.

*In the Bag: A whats-in-my-purse for celebs - Fluffy, sure, but a peek into the lives of some pretty interesting ladies. This month is Christiane Amanpour. Don't you want to see what a CNN powerhouse has tucked away?

*Big Girl in a Skinny World: Size 18 Ashley Falcon gives a rundown of what works, what doesn't, and where to buy what looks great. Always a reminder that it's the presentation, not what the size tag says, that ultimately matters.

*Campaign: In-depth look at a women's issue that is crying out to be recognized and acted upon. It will make you mad. It will make you cry. It will make you want to DO something. And that's great.

Photo courtesy of theyrep.com

I could go on and on. Tim Gunn's column 'Gunn Laws'. The multi-page editorial fashion spreads that always include a 5 or 6 question interview with the model (yeah, she's a real person, not just a hanger! Wow!!). The 'Designer Dossier' featuring a different fashion mastermind every issue.

Natalie Portman graces the pages - Photo courtesy of socialitelife.celebuzz.com

But I'll stop. Go grab your own copy, tear out that annoying little sheet begging you for a subscription, and send it in immediately.

Where's The Dealio

I can't remember the last time I made a purchase online without first doing a quick search for a coupon code.

Image courtesy of MarketList.com

Unbeknownst to many, codes akin to the kind you find on the back of many hard-copy catalogs now live on the internet. This allows shoppers to save some paper by not getting a catalog, and save some green by not spending more cash then necessary.

A sampling of some trusty sites:
*Coupon Cabin
*Retail Me Not
*Ebates

A few sites offer extra bonuses to 'members' - Those who sign up to receive direct emails. However, I've never signed up for anything and have used plenty of codes to take the sting out of many purchases. I also don't use one site religiously, instead preferring to do a simple Google or Bing search for the brand followed by "coupon codes". This seems to offer the widest variety of options, and if one doesn't work, I have a search page to come back to and try again.

It feels like you're getting away with a secret deal when you find one, and who can't spare a minute or two of typing to save some money?

Girl You Should Know

She's inspired and inspiring. Clever and crafty. She's Marisa Lynch, blogger and refashonista extraordinaire.

I found her via a friend's Facebook post, and haven't missed a day since. Her idea in essence sounds simple enough: Get a clothing item for $1 at a thrift store and tweak it to make it modern and wearable.

The hard part: Repeat for the next 364 days in a row.

But this is exactly what Marisa is doing on her blog New Dress A Day, and with only 113 days left to go, I'd say she's cruisin' toward success. At this moment, she's even a dollar in the black. Not to mention getting interviewed by Time Magazine recently.

And as a bonus, not only are her results consistently fab, but her clever commentary and step-by-step pics of the road to each refashion only amp up the enjoyment and suspense until the finale photo.

Day 241: My personal fave.

I'm not looking forward to day 365 and $0 left, but I'll be hanging on every stitch until then.

All photos courtesy of NewDressADay.wordpress.com

Go-To Gift

Ever have trouble thinking of the perfect girlfriend gift for your bestie?

You want it to be perfect, a suprise, creative, and, of course, not too spendy. Well, if you have a camera handy, you've got your next present already half planned. One of my long time pals and I are both snap-happy, and both of us place a lot of value on photos. So, rather than agonizing over eachothers Christmas gifts, we've made a sort of pact.

Each year, we will exchange framed photography of our own creation. Sure, we know what we're getting, but the suprise of what photo was chosen and why makes the trade so fun and meaningful. What made that moment in time make her think of me? Out of all the photos she's taken in a year, why this one? It creates discussion and bonding, and we each come out with art for our home.

Christmas 2009 Photos: Left by yours truly, Right by RJF

We've both also become experts at cute-but-cheap picture frames. Target and Walgreen's have captured our hearts and wallets for their wide array, and one can easily find something well-suited to any photo in the $5-$20 range.

Forever Your Girl

Everybody likes to feel on-trend. Nobody I know likes to pay top dollar to fit in for a month.

Enter Forever 21. Or, more specifically, Forever21.com

This destination mall shop is the go-to for trend seekers hunting for flowy tops, skinny jeans, and close-to-decent handbags, but it's the website that is the true standout. I always feel like I have to gear myself up to make a true effort in the store - Like thrift shopping except everything is new. Sorting out the Astro Turf mini skirt (I really saw this once. Yikes.) from the perfectly cut 3/4 sleeve blazer can be time consuming and overwhelming.

No. This is a NO.

        Ahh. There ya go.

Images courtesy of Forever21.com

The ever-changing website offers not only better organization than the brick-and-mortar stores (i.e. no wall story of sequined animal prints burning your retinas), but saves you the hassle of wading through 15 year olds on their cell phones and touching every hanger to find the pieces you would actually wear out of the house.

Images courtesy of Forever21.com

Not to mention:
*Daily specials
*Stellar jewelry ($2-$8)
*Free smart phone app
*Extended lines/sizes (Love21 Contemporary, Faith21 Plus)
*Regular sales & deals on shipping
*Hassle free returns - Send it back or take it to the store near you for FREE

It's true, sizing online can be tricky, but if you're skittish about ordering clothes you won't be disappointed with the range of accessories, shoes, and seriously stellar jewelry choices. Page after page of cheap and chic steals.

Image courtesy of Forever21.com

They've even recently launched a men's line, 21Men. And okay, they're not batting a thousand on the chic factor, but isn't half the fun of the steal the thrill of the hunt?

Turn Around, Bright Eyes

If M.A.C Fix+ is my perfect finish to putting on my face, Almay Bright Eyes is my perfect beginning.

Photo courtesy of Drugstore.com

Technically an eye base, it's true use is to slap it on your eyelids pre-shadow for all day staying power. It fulfills it's intended purpose like a champ, but I've found it to be versatile in ways Almay doesn't advertise.

*Brighten under-eye circles
*Stipple on for redness coverage
*The single best blemish concealer I have found. Ever. Anywhere.

That last one is what keeps me coming back, and why I pass on this product to so many pals.

I can actually say I've shopped everywhere - Europe included - for the magic elixir of flesh colored goo that will hide a nasty blemish of any sort. Sore and red? Covered. Dry and flaky? Gone. Irritated and blotchy? Where? The combo of micro-fine highlighting powder, and swelling/redness-reducing marine compounds, white tea and peptides is the dream combo.

$8.99 for a tube with the ease of squeeze, a stiff-but-soft brush, and mornings filled with the feeling that you can, indeed, face the day.

Pashmina Afghan

If you're an Andy Samburg fan, you got a giggle out of my title. If you don't know what I'm talking about, watch this (um, not kid-friendly for the record) first, get a good laugh, and come on back.

I kid you not, however: Pashmina afghan is about the best title for this most fabulous of wardrobe pieces. Part cardigan, part pashmina, part blanket, all chic, this... we'll call it a wrap for short, has become one of my wardrobe staples.

I picked up one in my fave shade - An acidic yellow-green - for the jaw-dropping bargain basement price of $14.99 during the last end-of-season sale.

Cotton-cashmere, people.

The regular price of $58 is back in effect currently, but let me tell you once and for all: Beyond worth it. It's the coziest thing you'll ever wear while looking pulled together, and it can be styled six(!) ways.

Check it out:
Directions courtesy of VictoriasSecret.com

• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Open Cardigan

  • Throw it on and go!
• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Over-the-shoulder

  • Toss one side over the other shoulder.
• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Tie-front

  • Tie a knot at your waist and let the ends hang loose.
• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Belted Cardigan

  • Throw it on, then add your favorite belt. Belt not included.
  • Wear it cinched at the waist, low-slung on your hips or somewhere in between.
• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Cross-front Tie-back

  • Throw it on, then gather the panels in front and twist them around each other twice.
  • Holding on to one corner of each panel, pull them out to the sides & around to the back so the panels hang down and cover your hips.
  • Tie the corners in a knot.
• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  One-shoulder

  • Turn one sleeve inside out.
  • Slide the other arm all the way on.
  • Wrap the loose end around your body from back to front.
  • Wrap the other side across your front and under your arm.
  • Pull the ends together in the back and knot.

So even at the full price of $58, with six styles to suit your mood, that evens out to only $9.66 a sweater.

Bargain.

And I promise you, this is not a buyer's remorse kind of purchase. Wear it to the office, wear it to top off evening wear, wear it with yoga pants.

Buy it, wear it, love it. And if you're anything like me, live in it.

Color Your World

Nail polish runs the gamut from the chippy $1 check-out line variety, to the - I am not kidding - $55,000 per bottle made-with-platinum-dust sort. I try to keep it somewhere in between, and a little more towards the former.

Since nail color is a notoriously flighty trend, I tend to not want to invest too much. And plus, who among us has ever truly used up an entire bottle? If this rings true for you, I've got your brand.

Sinful Colors Professional.

Available at every Walgreen's around the country for $1.99 a pop, these full-sized bottles have a decent brush, and with a little topcoat, your pedicure will make it through a couple weeks at least. My current fave for my summer tootsies: Mint Apple.

Image courtesy of Walgreens.com

A drastic change from my tried-and-true terra cotta toe hue, this color gives a nod to the blue family with just enough of a white base to keep me looking tan.

The Sinful Colors branch of the Mirage Cosmetics line was launched in 1996, giving the company ample time to perfect it's formula and develop it's 300+ colors. From glitter to metallic, midnight blue to ballet slipper pink, they've got'cha lacquered. 

At two bucks a pop, I may just try 'em all.