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.