Further Lip Service

As mentioned yesterday, since getting hooked on Covergirl Outlast Lipstain I've had a bit of an extra drying factor happening on my lips. Thought I'd share my fave ways of nipping that in the bud:

Image courtesy of Yun.Shop.blogspot.com

Favorite Chapstick:

As many of my pals will confirm, I'm a bit of a chapstick snob. I've tried a boatload, and my winner comes from a place you may not even know makes the stuff: The Gap. Yep, Great American Pants (did you know that's what Gap stands for?) should actually be Great American Chapstick... but Gac just isn't that catchy. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways:

*Zero stickiness.

*Sheen like a light gloss.

*Long-lasting.

*$4-$5.

*Actually good for your lips.

*Yummy flavors/scents that change periodically (I currently have Sugar Plum and Pomegranate in my purse).

Image courtesy of mythbusterbeauty.com

Favorite Gloss:

Lots of the same high points I look for in a chapstick factor into my gloss as well. I don't wear it super often, so I'll put up with a teeny bit of stickiness, but other than that I want an easy, comfy wear. I'm not the girl who wants to reapply either, so it's gotta have a bit of staying power. Winner: Too Faced. There are several different styles, from uber-shine to just-a-hint. Find it at Sephora.com

Givin' Some Lip

New must-have alert!

Image courtesy of makeupandbeautyblog.com

Pretty much all the drugstore brands are jumping on the bandwagon with the lip stains in marker form, but I decided to try Covergirl Outlast Lipstain... Mostly because it was the one in front of me in the aisle, and on sale to boot. It seemed like a safe bet to try (regular price: $8.99).

Image courtesy of Walgreens.com

I chose the color 'Flirty Nude', pictured above. Based on some staining trials in college with actual markers, I knew to choose slightly brighter than I would in a lip gloss or lipstick as stains are sheer as sheer can be, and are easily layered for higher impact. The options for the Outlast stain line are fairly wide - From the lightest pink 'Everbloom Kiss', to the darkest mauve 'Saucy Plum', you'll find a shade for you.

Bonus: This little guy is currently available for the buy one get one 50% off program on Walgreens.com (good for a multitude of Covergirl goodies - Mix and match style), so if you need a super easy stocking stuffer, carpe diem.

My only issue with it is the little bit of a drying factor, which I've found to be easily remedied with a little swipe of gloss or chapstick over the top. Pucker up!

On Sale Now!

Discount alert:

Image courtesy of VictoriasSecret.com

The Victoria's Secret cotton-cashmere wrap I wrote about in August here is now on sale for $39. Not only that, but sweaters are 20% off using the code SWEATER20 at checkout, bringing the total to under $32. 

Image courtesy of BizRate.com

Just wanted to pass on the good news.

Signed, Personalized, Delivered - It's Yours

One of the most successful gifts I've ever given was a personalized sign from Meissenburg Designs.

All images in this post courtesy of OldWoodSigns.com

A homespun company with high end results, Meissenburg Designs offers a plethora (literally.) of vintage poster art you can choose to personalize with your own text. My choice was for my favorite skier, and after choosing my art, the size of my sign, and even the material (I chose metal), had the perfect "logo" applied featuring my skier's fave spot.

This is the art that's on my sign - I changed "Stowe" to a different city, and "Vermont" to a different locale.

I was blown away with the personalized service - I wasn't sure which version of my text to use, so my consultant whipped up images of both and emailed them to me for decision making. I had an estimated time of arrival of 2-4 weeks. I got it in one. I knew exactly what it would look like when it arrived. It looked even better in person.

All of this makes the bang for the (semi-big) buck oh-so-worth it. Each sign is priced based on size, material, and personalization preferences. Mine was over $100, but has been on the mantel for years since, and even elicited a little bit of a misty eye upon giving (score!).

How To Be A Football Cheerleader (Without Showing Extra Skin)

Football season is in full swing, which means if you're female and attached in any way to someone male, you're feeling a little lonely.

Image courtesy of fezzart.com

Personally, I dig it. Love the college ball, and have finally made my foray into the NFL Fantasy Football madhouse this year as well. I wear the jersey, I don the colors in public places with other crazies, I yell at the tv.

So I thought I'd offer a few basics so maybe - just maybe - it gets a little more interesting for the ladies out there. And if not, at least you have a phrase to whip out and sound impressive.

Image courtesy of globalodyssey.blogspot.com

Basic #1: Downs
Each team has 4 tries to go 10 yards. If they don't make it, other team's ball. So when you hear something like "third and seven", that means they're on their third try and still have seven yards to go to make the ten happen. If the 10 yards are made within the 4 tries, First Down has been achieved. They then get 4 more tries to go 10 more yards, and so on.

Basic #2: Extra Point(s)
After a team scores a touchdown (six points), they have a choice to either kick a field goal for 1 point, or try to score another touchdown beginning from the two and a half yard line (which is the same place the ball is snapped from for the kicker if that road is taken). That's called a Two Point Conversion, and is much riskier, making both the point and glory payoffs higher. Here's the tricky part: Field goals can also be kicked apart from TD scoring to earn 3 points. This is usually chosen when a team is close to scoring a TD, but can't get it together. Rather than risk not making first down and turning over the ball with no points at all to show for it, they call in their kicker to try to get them 3 points before handing it over to their opponents.

Basic #3: Safeties
One last way to score points. Here if a team gets flattened in their own end zone, the team that did the steamrolling gets 2 points and possession of the ball.

Image courtesy of conferencecenteratnorthpointe.com

Of course there's an infinite amount of other things to decipher, but that should get you started. Games of any sort are much more fun to play or watch if you know what's going on.

 So tag along to the sports bar and if it still doesn't do it for you, at least there'll be snacks.

Image courtesy of foodnetwork.com

Mop It Up

Oil. It's gross, but it happens to the best of us. Face gets shiny, hair gets dull, nothing a girl can do but begin again, right?

Nope.

Tried and true brand Clean & Clear to the rescue:

Image courtesy of Walgreens.com

Their blotting papers hit all the high points:
*Remove oil.
*Don't disturb makeup (even my powder bronzer stays put - magical!)
*Allow the grossly satisfying visual of the paper turning clear when the oil hits it.
*Once that strange plastic package is off, the papers live in a slimmer-than-a-gum-pack case and are non-crinkly and silent to use.
...And here's one they don't advertise:
*Run it down tendrils of hair or rub on your roots for a quick oily hair pick-me-up.

That last one's my new favorite.

Walgreen's also makes a what's-the-difference knock off that will save you a few bucks too ($4.50 vs. $6):

Image courtesy of Walgreens.com

I've taken quite a shine to these.