Rachel Bilson's Everlon Diamond Knot bracelet—yay or nay?

I'm SURE you've seen the commercials for the Everlon Diamond Knot collection. Because they're everywhere. As someone who grew up shopping for wholesale jewelry in New York City's diamond district, I'm not big on buying nice jewelry from department stores (costume is another story) or big chains—although I make an exception for Tiffany. However, when I heard that Rachel Bilson had teamed up with Everlon to create a necklace with a charitable connection, my attention was peaked.

Enter the Everlon Bracelet, Diamond Knot 14k Gold Over Sterling Silver and Leather. Designed by Rachel Bilson and available at Macys for $100, the bracelet is benefiting the Diamond Empowerment Fund (DEF), a non-profit international organization that supports education in Africa. Twenty dollars from the sale of each bracelet will be donated to the DEF.

Now on one hand, this bracelet is going to support a great cause. And who doesn't love diamonds? On the other hand, I don't generally associate diamonds with leather, so I'm not sure how I feel about that combo. Not to mention, there's already a strike against it because of the association with Everlon and their ubiquitous commercials.

What do you think, would you rock this bracelet, or is it not your style?

Bare Escentuals launches 'Rethink What Matters' campaign

Bare Escentuals, a favorite of beauty addicts everywhere, has just launched a new campaign, called 'Rethink What Matters'. Every week for the next nine weeks, they're posting a quiz with a different topic. This week's is 'Rethink Going Bare in Public' which is about public nudity (no, I didn't make that up), whether you'll walk out of the house without makeup on, etc.

Quizzes are fun, but the real reason to go check it out...? Each week, 500 people who take the quiz will receive free goodies (this week it's their Flawless Definition Mascara), and at the end of the campaign there will be one Grand Prize Winner. No word on what the grand prize is, but I think it's safe to guess it will be something you want.

And if you happen to be in NYC, Chicago or San Francisco, Bare Escentuals will also be dispatching Quickie Vans (tee hee) within select cities. Each van will  pop up into a mini boutique with a team offering 'make-unders' and samples. The quickie van will be operating five days a week in San Francisco from February 8th to March 28th; NYC from April 5th to May 2nd; Chicago from May 10th to June 6th. You can follow Bare Escentuals on Twitter to find out exactly where the van will be located.

So if you're interested in a chance at free goodies, head over to the Rethink What Matters web site to take this week's quiz. Have fun!

Review: Kiehl's Creme de Corps Nurturing Body Washing Cream

One of my Christmas gifts this year was a sampler package from Kiehl's (okay fine, I bought it for a White Elephant exchange and ended up taking it back for myself). I've tried a few Kiehl's products at this point, including my new favorite lip balm, but was excited to try some of their bath and body products.

Included in the set were the Olive Fruit Oil Nourishing shampoo and conditioner, and the Creme de Corps Nurturing Body Washing Cream. If you're not aware, Creme de Corps is Kiehl's wildly popular body lotion that is extremely moisturizing. So, it should be no surprise that the body wash inspired by this lotion is just as luxurious. I've tried cream body washes before, but nothing like this. The product creates a light velvety foam that feels great as you're using it. And the end result is skin that is definitely softer than usual, even in the current nasty weather.

The key ingredients in Creme de Corps body wash are glycerin, jojoba oil and shea butter which combined claim to do all sorts of things that can basically be summed up with: it makes your skin feel nice.

April showers bring...rain boots!

Okay, so it's not actually April. But with the 60 degree weather and torrential downpours that we are enjoying today in the Northeast, it feels like it. So, what better time to talk about rain boots. Over the past few years, rain boots have gone from being worn by small children and fisherman, to every fashionista who lives anywhere that it rains. One of the brands that stands out in the crowd is Hunter. They are known for their comfort and quality, but the latest bunch of Hunter Wellies are truly fashion items.

Feast your eyes on the Hunter 'Original Tall' High Gloss Rain Boot in a variety of new colors. Now tell me that you wouldn't mind rainy days just a little bit less if you got to pull these on before walking out the door.

And if you're looking for something a little bit more neutral (boooring), Hunter has those too.

Someone please buy this dress

I am in love with this dress. The ruffles, the two tone style, the exposed zipper—and the $106 sale price. And I would buy it, except that after the last losing battle with my strapless bra, I vowed to stop buying things that don't allow me to wear a normal bra. (Trust me ladies, having a big chest isn't all it's cracked up to be.) So I'm not buying it. But you should. And you should take pictures of yourself wearing it and send them to me so I can live vicariously through you.

What to do with all of those earrings?

I was recently browsing through Etsy and somehow happened upon the category of earring holders. Somewhat random, but if you've ever spent some time on Etsy, you know that it's easy to end up in random places. Anyway, I wanted to show you some of the awesome ways that you can not only organize, but display your earring collection. Why hide them in a jewelry box or a drawer?

This Manzanita Earring Tree by RedBarkDesigns is both functional and extremely earthy. Obviously can be used for more than just earrings, as shown.

I absolutely love the look of this Vintage Filigree Jewelry Display Frame by Joyousworld. While it won't hold as many pairs of earrings as some other holders, it's one of the prettiest I've seen.

This Honeycomb Earring Rack by mostazaseed would look great hanging on the wall above a dresser. And at only $7, the price is right!

What do you use to store your earrings and other dangly jewelry? Are they hidden away, or do you display them properly?

Sale alert: Piperlime handbags

What started out as an online shoe store, has fully morphed into a great spot for shoes, jewelry, handbags and most recently, designer clothes. Piperlime has done a great job of expanding their site, while still maintaining the same great style that they started out with. So when they've got a sale going on, it can be VERY dangerous.

Right now, they've got a major sale on many of their designer handbags—up to 70% off. I would suggest checking it out while there's still a good selection, but here's a peek of a few of the sale items.

Hoss Intropia 'Emile Handbag'. Originally $220, now $169.99.

Andrew Marc 'Ivette'. Originally $350, now $199.99.

Foley + Corinna 'City Clutch'. Originally $425, now $309.99.

Pink Studio 'Lupe'. Originally $80, now $39.99.

Happy shopping!

How do I love L.L.Bean? Let me count the ways...

My family is an L.L.Bean family. None of those Vera Bradley duffels or Lands End totes—it's L.L.Bean or nothing. I alone own no fewer than two Adventure Duffel Bags and three Boat & Totes (all with my name or monogram, of course). So when I heard that Beans, as we affectionately call it, was coming out with a new 'Signature' line, I couldn't have been more excited.

The full line doesn't launch until March, but Beans just debuted two select items available for order now. First up is the Bean's Heritage Tote ($189), a warm brown leather tote that has a vintage feel, but is perfectly modern at the same time. Must. Own. This. Bag.

The other bag is the Saltwash Canvas Boat & Tote ($65). Similar to the original boat & totes in style, this version comes in a great indigo color, and is more slouchy than the more stiff canvas we're used to. This size (the only one available at the moment) is a little bit bigger than the large size traditional totes.

I can't wait to see what else they come out with this spring!

Review: Barbar's eco-friendly hair dryer

We take hair dryers for granted. They blow hot air and dry our hair (sorry for the rhyme), so there's not all that much to differentiate one from the other. Or at least, it seems that way.

With green products becoming all the rage in fashion and beauty, it was only a matter of time before our hair products followed suit. I was given the opportunity to try out the new eco-friendly blow dryer from Barbar, the ECO 8000 Blow Dryer. Here are all of the technical details:

The Barbar ECO 8000 Blow Dryer uses the latest in technology by having an eco-friendly ceramic heating element, as opposed to all standard dryers that have a coil heating element. The difference is use of electricity & output of radiation. The ECO 8000 has 5.0 mG (milligauss) output radiation. A standard 1,800 WATT dryer has over 200.0 mG! This amount of mG is comparable to the radiation output of a microwave. The ceramic heating element lasts 5x longer than a coil heating element. The ceramic heating element uses 90% electricity, turning it into heat. No energy is wasted, but saved. The coil heating element wastes electricity because it doesn't use it, thus turning it into radiation. Unused electricity turns into radiation! The BARBAR ECO 8000 is truly eco-friendly; everything a blow dryer should be and much more.

In summary: the ECO 8000 is better for the environment, better for your body, and better for your electric bills. Which is all great, but irrelevant if the user experience stinks. And I'll be honest, when I heard that the wattage was a lot lower than your average blow dryer, I was skeptical. If there's one thing I can't deal with, it's a weak blow dryer. Just ask my sister -- I complain about hers every time I use it.

The good news is, the ECO 8000 could nearly take your head off with the strength of air flow...and I mean that in the best way possible. For those who don't have the thick hair that I do, there are lower heat and flow settings that you'd probably find to your liking.

Overall, I can't say that the experience is vastly difference from a traditional blow dryer, but if everything else is equal and this dryer is more eco-friendly, that's an easy decision for me.

The BARBAR ECO 8000 retails for $150, but Barbar has been kind enough to offer a 50% discount to Beautify My Life readers. Use code Blog4fun through March 31st to receive the discount. And if you're not in the market for a blow dryer, Barbar also makes flat irons, curling irons and more.

Happy shopping!

Disclosure: Press sample provided by Barbar Hair.

MD Skincare donates 10% of purchases to Haiti relief

From now through Monday, January 18th, MD Skincare will be donating 10% of all purchases to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to aid the victims of the Haiti earthquake.

Great chance to shop and support a cause at the same time! Make sure you check out the Alpha Beta Skin Peel that I reviewed last month.

Free facials and makeup application for NYC ladies

Yet another time that it's highly inconvenient to not live in or near New York City. Sigh.

Kristin Petrovich, co-founder and creator of luxury skincare company Sjal, will be appearing at The Plaza Beauty by Warren-Tricomi on January 23rd to personally introduce the two latest additions to her innovative skincare collection: Pearl Enzyme Exfoliating Mask and Kashmir Saphir Perfecting Mask. Attendees will receive complimentary Sjal facials using these two new treatment masks. Based on Tibetan medicine, the rejuvenating treatments are designed to help beat the winter blues and restore the glow to your skin this season. Following these restorative facials, makeup favorite BECCA will be offering guests makeup touchups, using the brand’s skin-perfecting products to help create a flawless, radiant complexion.

The exclusive Sjal treatments include the application of the following masks:

• Sjal’s Pearl Enzyme Exfoliating Mask: Designed to polish and brighten skin, this dual-function treatment serves as both an exfoliator and an enzymatic mask. The mask contains a micro pearl extract that brightens and evens skin tones, as well as pearl granules that polish and exfoliate the skin. Gemstones including diamond, sapphire, ruby, amethyst, citrine and smithsonite are used to promote energy, clarity and balance, while royal jelly and fennel aid in softening and soothing skin.
• Sjal’s Kashmir Saphir Perfecting Mask: This perfecting treatment replenishes and restores skin, improves tone and elasticity, and minimizes pores.  Believed to assist in stimulating the pituitary gland, Blue sapphire promotes anti-aging through the increased production of melatonin, fostering purity and clarity. The mask also contains biochemical tissue salts that allow for cellular regeneration and pore minimization while rectifying cellular mineral imbalances. Chinese herbs, silk proteins and blue lotus are also included in the mask to protect, soften and calm skin while increasing oxygen uptake.
  

WHO:  The Plaza Beauty by Warren-Tricomi

WHAT:  Sjal Facials and BECCA touchups

WHEN:  Saturday, January 23rd, 2010 from 12:00pm – 4:00pm

WHERE:  The Shops at The Plaza
One West 58th Street, Grand Concourse Level
NY, NY 10019
214-223-4694

If you're lucky enough to get the chance to check this out, let me know how it is!

Colored coats to brighten things up!

As I stared at my coat closet full of blacks, grays and browns this morning, I started daydreaming about brightly colored coats. Why should we wait until spring to infuse some color back into our wardrobes? If you're in the need for a little brightness to tide you over until the warmer months, here are a few coats you might enjoy. BONUS: All of these coats are currently on sale!

Tiffany Wonderland Coat from ShopMamie.com, $73.50.

Ruffled Coat from Tibi, $249.99.

Pleated Trench Coat from Miss Sixty, $99.90.

Happy shopping!

Sale alert: Urban Decay on Hautelook

Drop what you're doing and get your makeup loving butt over to Hautelook ASAP. They just started a sale of Urban Decay products with everything under $10!

If you're not a member, use this link to sign up: http://www.hautelook.com/invite/beautifymylife.

Happy shopping!

E.L.F. Cosmetics "MUAH" party Part 2

This is WAY overdue, so I apologize. Last month, I posted some pictures from the E.L.F Cosmetics 'MUAH' party that I hosted. Now that you've seen my friends and me and the fun we had, on to the products themselves.

The favorite product, hands down, was the mineral eyeshadow. First of all, these go on really nicely and look smooth. But more importantly, there are some gorgeous colors. I thought there was going to be a fight over who got to take the Socialite pot home.

Some of the Super Glossy Lip Shines were popular as well. They're basic glosses, but very similar to something you'd spend $15 or more on at Sephora (E.L.F's version is $1).

One of the girls commented that she never wears lipstick, but that E.L.F's lipsticks were better than any she'd ever tried. That's quite an endorsement!

Last but not least is the Translucent Mattifying Powder, which I love. As the name suggests, this powder can be used to either prevent, or touch up shiny skin. It can go right over makeup and is light and silky. I found that it works better than more expensive versions I own. I made sure to snag this one for myself ;)

Beyond the products I mentioned, there were a lot of things that were "just okay." Not bad, certainly considering the prices, but not things I'd run out to buy. I think the only really disappointing product was the cream eyeshadow, which ended up caked in my creases literally 10 minutes after applying, even with an eyeshadow base on.

Overall, there are some great things here. And I think that as E.L.F matures as a brand, they'll probably continue to turn out some good products at prices that can't be beat.

Follow up review of LipFusion INFATUATION

Last month, I did a review and giveaway of LipFusion's INFATUATION gloss. One of the stipulations of entering the giveaway was that I wanted to hear what the winner thought of the gloss. Well, the lucky winner was Faith J., who was kind enough to send me her own review. Here are some of her thoughts.

The color is one of the best things about this lip gloss. It is a perfect nude color on my lips, adding a bit of color while looking very, very natural yet glamorous. I love the color! (I felt the same way about the color I used).

LipFusion did not turn my lips into Angelina Jolie's lips. I think they look slightly bigger, but it may be because they were shiny. With more time and use I may be able to detect a larger difference. (Agreed, as I noted in my original review. Honestly, I've never been blown away by a lip plumper.)

The lip gloss smelled funny. (My girlfriends and I actually liked it, but scent is definitely a 'to each his own' kind of thing.)

Overall, I love this lip gloss, it's my new fave!

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts, Faith!

New denim line from Banana Republic

Not long after GAP announced its new and very popular Premium Jeans collection, Banana Republic is announcing a new line of denim. The new jeans come in 8 styles, ranging from a legging-like super skinny jean to a classic trouser cut, and everything in between. I've never had much luck with Banana's jeans, though I love just about everything else they sell, so I'm definitely looking forward to going and trying these out. Maybe I'll finally make the jump into skinnies (so far I've only gotten myself into straight legs).

Here are some pictures of the new collection:

Have you tried anything from the new line yet? I'd love to hear reactions!

Louis Viutton spring collection....hellooooo flashy!

I will admit, I covet a Louis Vuitton Speedy 30 as much as the next cash-strapped fashionista. I'm totally okay with the fact that the LV logo screams "I'm a label whore!" There's something classic about a basic Louis bag that will never go out of style.

Then there are the other Louis bags. You know which ones I'm talking about. The ones with sequins and paint and bright colors and metallics. I get that the company needs to come out with new products on a regular basis, but sometimes I think they need a lesson in less is more.

Case in point, this sneak peek of the spring collection, courtesy of Ideeli. They are showing this 'Chrissie' bag, which is set to debut in stores next month. Oh my gaudy. The mulitcolored logos, the studs everywhere....just no. I'm not opposed to studs when done well (and god knows we saw enough of them in 2009), but here, it just looks overdone.

Is it just me? Will you be lining up to buy a 'Chrissie' in February?

Sale alert: Loeffler Randall goodies

Warning: this sale alert is NOT for the super budget conscious. But if you like high end designers at still expensive but not crazy expensive prices, keep reading :) Loeffler Randall has some gorgeous shoes and clothing on sale for as much as 50% off. This is a really fun, edgy designer that successfully walks that fine line of being fashion-forward, but still wearable for the average person. And of course, here are my favorites from the sale.

Esther platform pump. Originally $425, now $255.

Triangle fold dress. Originally $375, now $255.

Marti flat buckle boot. Originally $895, now $537.

Knit combo coat. Originally $695, now $417.

Layered skirt. Originally $350, now $263.

Happy shopping!

Review: Pur Minerals foundation and eye shadow

Ever since Bare Escentuals burst onto the scene a few years ago, mineral-based makeup is popping up everywhere—from traditional lines like MAC to newer companies like Pur Minerals.

I recently had the opportunity to try a few products from Pur Minerals, a line that I wasn't really aware of before. First up was their 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Foundation, which is a customer favorite, and was given an Editor's Choice Award from Allure Magazine in 2008. Unlike most mineral foundations, the 4-in-1 is not a loose powder. However, it's not quite a pressed powder either—it's somewhere in between. It comes in a traditional pressed powder compact, but once you dip your brush into it, it comes up easily like a loose powder. First major advantage: less mess when traveling. If you've ever traveled with loose powder before, you know it can be a disaster.

The 4-in-1 goes on very nicely, and left my skin looking and feeling smooth. It definitely doesn't have a great deal of coverage, but if you're looking for something light, this is a great choice. It also works well as a setting powder over liquid foundation or tinted moisturizer. I definitely give this a thumbs up, and it will be replacing the Bare Minerals powder in my makeup bag, which is significant.

I also tried two of their Pressed Mineral Eye Shadows. I'm generally a MAC snob when it comes to eyeshadows, but I really enjoyed these. One of the colors I tried was a gorgeous olive color that I used for an interesting smokey eye look. Both colors went on nice and thick (I hate when you have to go over a color 4 times to get it dark enough) and didn't crease all night.

Overall, I have to say I'm impressed with this line. I'm hoping to try a few more things—maybe something from their skincare line—so I'll keep you updated.