What Bed, Bath & Beyond doesn't want you to know!

The Tricky Expiration Date

First of all, you know those blue & white coupons for 20% off that we get in the mail? You knooooow the ones.  The ones you always curse yourselves for not using by the expiration date.

Well, these coupons never truly expire! Just take in the "expired" coupon and use it.

The only Bed, Bath & Beyond coupons that do expire are online coupons.

Say no to sticky price tag residue!

You are beaming with pride that you found those shoes you've been eyeing for weeks...on sale!!

But that bright yellow sales sticker stuck right on the sole for all to see when you cross your lovely stems is NOT what you need.  Sure, you got a great deal. But the entire world doesn't need to know.

So how do you get that pesky price tag off, including all that sticky residue?

My favorite way to win this fight is using the sticky part of masking tape to take off what's left when you peel off the tag. Then I use Goo Gone to wipe off the rest.

Click here for a great article on various methods of lifting off that annoying gunk.

Good luck!

The Best Return Policies

As I've been shopping for some boots, I have come across some very generous return policies.

Nordstrom has such a liberal return policy that there is a legend of a man who returned tires to Nordstrom and received money for them!  The story reflects the store's attention to customer satisfaction. Many consumers are perplexed when they turn their receipts and find no information on when the window of time is for returning items. That's because there is none.

There have been cases of people returning their purchases years after they bought them (and even used!). The best situation is having your receipt, but there are many cases where refunds and store credits were given based on the attached tags, current price of the item at Nordstrom, etc. If you don't abuse the policy, Nordstrom will most likely accept it.

Some fun tips for some not-so-fun moments!

Ever feel the tears coming on at the worst time? Tilt your head up & look directly at an indoor light. It will constrict your pupils, making it hard for tears to pour out. Hold your breath & do math in your head. Crying comes from the emotional side; engaging the logical side will help override that.

Does Your Lipstick Have Lead In It?

In 2007, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics ran its own tests on 33 red lipsticks and found that one-third exceeded the FDA's limit for lead in candy.

The FDA found the most lead in lipsticks made by Procter & Gamble (Cover Girl brand), L'Oreal (L'Oreal, Body Shop and Maybelline brands), and Revlon.

According to this article, here is a list of lipsticks that contain the highest amount of lead (measured in parts per million).

1. Maybelline Color Sensational, Pink Petal (7.9 ppm)
2. L'Oreal Colour Riche, Volcanic, (7.0 ppm)
3. NARS Semi-Matte, Red Lizard (4.93 ppm)
4. Cover Girl Queen Collection, Ruby Remix, (4.92 ppm)
5. Nars Semi-Matte, Funny Face (4.89 ppm)
6. L'Oreal Colour Riche, Tickled Pink (4.45 ppm)
7. L'Oreal Intensely Moisturizing Lipcolor, Heroic (4.41 ppm)
8. Cover Girl Continuous Color, Warm Brick (4.28 ppm)
9. Maybelline Color Sensational, Mauve Me (4.23 ppm)
10. Stargazer Lipstick, #103 (4.12 ppm)

If you find you need to replace some not-so-healthy lipsticks that you are throwing out, here are 11 lead-free lipsticks you can pick up!

 Safe & Happy Kisses!

The Great Infinity Scarf

I love the look and ease of infinity/circle scarves.  They not only provide versatile looks, but you avoid the scarves unraveling off of your neck and awkward ends hanging out of the knot.

Here are some of our favorite infinity scarves:

For lovers of luxury, this Christopher Fischer "Caralee" scarf is 100% Cashmere and will make you feel divine. $398

If Cashmere breaks the bank, try the super softness of Jersey in an American Apparel Unisex Circle Scarf for $28. I found that the heather colors and striped scarves were made of the smoothest fabrics.

Free Gift Set from Clinique

I picked up a newspaper this morning and saw an ad for an amazing 8-piece gift set for FREE with any Clinique purchase of $28 at Bloomingdale's.  That's a bundle of products worth $75 for FREE. The offer is valid through Feb 14 online (that's today!) and Feb 26 in-store.

The gift set STARTS you off with two limited edition cosmetic pouches plus Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle & UV Damage Corrector, Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser and Lash Doubling Mascara in Black.

THEN, you get to pick a palette of Violets or Nudes - a Colour Surge Eye Shadow trio, Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm and Gel Blush.

Which palette are you getting??

Step Aside, Winter Blues...

Make way for the Spring Greens & Yellows!

On the runway and in the magazines, I keep seeing nail colors that are reminiscent of a good old Lime Hawaiian shirt.

Say aloha to some pretty colors that will jazz up any look:

Chanel in Mimosa $30

Get the Look...for Cheaper!

As much as I wish I could afford all the NARS and Yves Saint Laurent products out there, I'm more of a drugstore kind of gal (with some splurges in between).

So I was super excited to see a a website that features a Makeup Dupe List!  On Temptalia, you can find an affordable alternative to a higher-end product. It also tells you what's the difference between the items. Can we say, "SCORE"?!

Here are some dupe examples:

I got my friend the NARS Laguna/Orgasm Duo, which gets a ton of positive reviews (I also mentioned in this post.)  She LOVES it.  A dupe is e.l.f.'s Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder.

Reading reviews, the NARS Highlighting Duo in Laguna/Orgasm is more blendable and pigmented. But for $3, I wouldn't hesitate to try the e.lf. version!

Goodies & Freebies

One of my fave magazines Real Simple noted some fabulous freebies I wanted to share! 

Estee Lauder is giving away a free 10-day supply of your ideal foundation. Let them know you're interested in the iMatch Shade Finder program. Elizabeth Arden is giving out two-to-three day supplies of liquid foundation. And Clarins is giving free 20-minute facials when you visit their dept store counter. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The magazine added that they are available while supplies last, but it was in my March 2012 issue so I'm sure you have time to benefit from these promotions.

Yay for FREEBIES!

Yipee for Yipit!

I'm obsessed with deals.

So scrolling through daily deals from companies such as Groupon, Life Booker, and Livingsocial is kind of a big part of my life.

But now I get to be more efficient about it with Yipit. This company consolidates all of the companies' deals in one email and website.

Check it out!  www.yipit.com

Minimizing Germs in the Kitchen

The kitchen is a scary place for germs, especially with all the uncooked meats you handle in the area.

Don't hug him. He may be SICK.

 Your sponge, with its dampness and little holes, is a perfect environment for germs to hang out. A good habit is to wring out all excess water to try to keep the sponge as dry as possible. Another good tactic is to run your sponge in the dishwasher whenever possible.

That's Reassuring

These days, I have been telling myself that the universe is working with me. Not against me.

I see opportunities and even though I have a little nagging doubt telling me that there's no point or that it won't work out, I just go ahead and put myself out there for it.

Things have been falling into place, and I get happy because they have been falling into MY ideal situation. But what I need to get ready for is being ok with things falling into place in a not-so-ideal situation. Because I don't know the master plan...the bigger picture.

Follow Through on Rebates & Be Rewarded

Just got my $10 Olay rebate card in the mail! 

They may be a pain, but sending out your rebate right away decreases your chance of forgetting to do it altogether. For those of you interested in cash back rebates, coupons, I've got some great websites for you. =)

Sneaky Giving!

Have you ever wanted to help someone out financially but know they would get embarrassed by such a direct gesture? 

 GivingAnon.org will mail a check for you and give the recipient a phone number to call to confirm getting it and have the option to relay a message of thanks to the giver. What a way to eliminate the obligation to return the favor!

Get Your TGIF-I'm-Ready-For-the-Weekend Face On!

It's been a loooooong week. And it's showing on your face. Here are some easy tricks to look more refreshed for when that clock hits 5!

Use brightening eye drops. It's the easiest, quickest way to make eyes look more awake. Visine does the trick, but shouldn't be used consistently.

A fantastic alternative to eye drops: White eyeliner on the inner, lower rim of your lash line. It is a classic makeup artist trick to brighten the eyes. If pure white feels too intense, go for a very pale pink, ivory, or even silver.

Benefit Eye Bright is a great pick-me-up for Bright Eyes

 $12 at Amazon