Saturday Edition: My Wish List at Zalando!

Yes – it’s actually Saturday! After getting all caught up on my reviews at the beginning of the week; utter and complete chaos ensued (and then google blogger starting acting weird). So I got all cranky, and decided to take the week off from blogging to get everything straightened out and back to “normal.”

Of course, in addition to straightening things out, I also spent way too much time on the web checking out cool sites with pretty stuff. And I found this really awesome (not to mention comprehensive), super stylish European site. It’s called…Zalando

First portion of wishlist...clothes. Like this short dress from miss sixty.

And some cool dresses from French Connection

And…more dresses

Second portion: some mighty cool…sigh!...shoes

Like these Minna Parikka heels

Or these yummy suede boots from Clark's

I’m also craving these mad fab Adidas high tops

Okay…back to business. I have family visiting this weekend, so it should be nice and relaxing. And...I’ll be back all bright eyed and ready with the prettiness!

(ftc disclosure: sponsored post)

Hair Care Friday #1: Bendini Hair Clips (review and GIVEAWAY!)

Today I’m leaving you with two fabulous hair care posts before I go on my little mini-vacation. I’m taking both hair care items with me, so it seemed fitting to feature them both today.

First up… Bendini Hair Clips (by scünci)


Blurb: Just place the Bendini in your hair, then bend and snap it securely in place. With Bendini’s exclusive 2-step “bend and snap” super grip your style is secure… all day long. Adds instant glam in two easy steps, and works on almost any hair length and texture. The scünci bendini is available in three different sizes and a variety of styles, including jeweled crystals, colorful beads and metallics. It’s also available in the special scünci “girl” line designed especially for the little beauties in your life.

This is as simple and pretty as it sounds. Bend it back, slide it in place and snap it closed. The clips look great, and they really hold (even the small ones held my thick curly hair in place all day). They have the polish of a comb, and the grip of a barette. Love them!

And now, the folks at Bendini are partnering with me for a giveaway!


How to enter: Send an email to me at ifeelpretty@comcast.net with a comment about any of my 2011 posts. Put "Bendini Giveaway" in the subject line; and put the post title and your comment in the body of the email. You have as many chances to win as I have posts (just send each one in a separate email). I'll accept entries through Saturday, April 16 (11:59pm Eastern), and I’ll email the winner on Sunday, April 17. The winner will have 72 hours to respond. If no response, I’ll move to the next randomly selected person. U.S. residents only and GOOD LUCK!

You can also find out more great information and take part in scünci giveaways at the scünci Facebook page (www.facebook.com/scuncihair) or by following scünci on Twitter (www.twitter.com/scunciHair). You can also visit website. Bendini clips are also hitting the shelves at drug stores and grocery stores.

(ftc disclosure: sample/product received from manufacturer or representative)

Spring Stuff: Michael Kors Hollywood Scented Ink Pen

Yet again, Michael Kors has managed to outglam everyone…

Michael Kors Brings Back a Very Hollywood Favorite


Unleash your inner celebrity with Michael Kors’ cult-classic, Limited-Edition Very Hollywood Michael Kors Hollywood Signature Scented Ink Pen, and transform all your lackluster signatures into must-have autographs.

Brought back by popular demand, the Limited-Edition Very Hollywood Michael Kors Hollywood Signature Scented Ink Pen is a chic and innovative pen fit for Hollywood royalty. Stealing the spotlight with its golden statuette and eye-catching coral ink, the pen uses an ink scented with the glamorous Very Hollywood Michael Kors fragrance. No matter how it is used, it will leave an unforgettable mark next time it’s put it to paper.

The Limited-Edition Very Hollywood Michael Kors Hollywood Signature Scented Ink Pen is available now at Michael Kors Boutiques for $25.

Accessory Porn: Scarfage

Hi everyone!

I'm starting to feel better, and the first thing I need to do is post a belated birthday to a dear dear friend. And not just any friend. This is someone with a serious scarf fetish - who happens to be the one who got me hooked on scarves.

So even though the actual birthday was yesterday, here are some fab headscarves to check out. Just for fun. Enjoy!

l'm in love with this whole look. Sexy, polished and a little bit retro. Awesome.


Whoa - quel dramatique!

This is my favorite - so romantic!

I love this, but I still haven't figured out how to get it to work on me.

I think this is so flattering and mysterious!

(all sensible and practical: me in a rain scarf)


(yours truly modeling the scarf-as-headband in my now much longer hair).

Thursday Things: Giving Back - Amazing Gift Sets from FACE Stockholm and Same Sky

This is one of the most beautiful gift ideas I’ve seen this season. FACE Stockholm has partnered with Same Sky to offer these limited edition sets. Truly wonderful…

A Gift That GIVES from FACE Stockholm and Same Sky

Just in time for the holiday season, FACE Stockholm and Same Sky present a limited edition holiday gift set featuring signature hand blown glass-beaded bracelets made by women artisans in Rwanda and beauty products.

Available Saturday, November 6, 2010 at exclusively FACE Stockholm.

Same Sky is a trade-not-aid jewelry initiative aimed at empowering women worldwide and exemplifies the growing ethical shopping trend. Same Sky's glass-beaded bracelets are hand-crocheted by HIV-positive women artisans who survived the Rwandan genocide of 1994, and are working to overcome the traumatic aftereffects of rape and unimaginable violence. Same Sky's women artisans are taught a marketable skill and earn a wage that is 15-times higher than found in Sub-Saharan Africa – giving them a hand-up instead of a handout. 100% of all net-profits from the sale of Same Sky bracelets go directly to training and hiring more women artisans and expanding into other regions.

FACE Stockholm-Same Sky Holiday Gift Sets can be purchased from November 6, 2010 at all FACE Stockholm stores in New York, online at www.facestockholm.com or by calling (888) 334-FACE.

Each FACE Stockholm-Same Sky Holiday Gift Set sold helps lift one more life out of poverty and is truly a gift that gives back.

Same Sky bracelets are made of hand blown glass beads, (165-180, depending on size). Each bracelet is crocheted by hand on a complimentary colored, non-stretch cord. Sizes include Small (fits wrists 6.0" – 7.0") and Medium (fits wrists 7.0" - 8.0").
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Thursday Things: Silhouette Eyewear’s “What to Eye Wear”

Check it out! Makeup artist, Joanna Schlip, has joined up with Silhouette Eyewear for a series of video makeovers called “What to Eye Wear.” Watch the transformations…


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Thursday Things: Kat Burki Now Has Jewelry!

Really gorgeous jewelry! Ooooh….

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Labor Day/End of Summer Fun: Make A Scarf Halter Top

I know this has nothing to do with makeup or skincare, but I’m posting this because it’s awesome. Now that summer is nearly over, I can’t really justify buying any more summer clothes. But guess what – a lot of my clothes don’t fit (due to weight loss – yeah!); and I’m getting pretty bored with the clothes that are left.

Enter my fun, cute, super thrify idea to perk up a wardrobe: Scarf Halter Top!

I tried this using a lightweight pashmina (which can revert to its pashmina status once fall comes). You can also try this with a few inexpensive remnants from the fabric store. The trick is to make sure you have a fairly sturdy fabric (without too much slip) that is both long enough and wide enough. I didn’t even need bra cups – the fabric and tie provided plenty of support and coverage

Here’s a how-to video:



Another great idea is the Scarf Bandeau.

I couldn’t find many pictures online, but basically you wrap a scarf around you and tie a knot in front (most of the support comes from the knot). If your scarf is extra long, you can bring the ends up and tie them around your neck. It’s that easy and super cute!

Happy Labor Day!
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Birthday Fun: Parties and Scarves!

I'm pretty good about letting people know when my birthday is coming up. Not because I'm trying to wheedle gifts (parents excluded); but because I want to really get a chance to share it with the people around me. And there has been a whole lot of sharing.

I've been branching out and trying some new things, which means a bunch of new people have come into my life this year. Even with all the adjustments (and awkwardness) that comes with meeting new people; this has been one of the most exciting years of my life. And I suspect this is just the beginning. One thing I've learned this year, is how much I still have to learn…and how much fun it can be to do things differently.

In addition to all of the caring and sharing, there's been a heck of a lot of fun. I had a surprise party on the weekend! And it was an actual surprise! I'm pretty good at sensing when something is up; but my friends managed to keep everything under wraps (literally) until the minute they yelled "surprise!" And the dear, dear person who planned it all thought of ingenious ways to divert my attention at the right moments.

Adding to the fun is my new, amazing GORGEOUS Hermés scarf that my other spectacular friend picked out for me. I am in scarfy birthday love!

(This picture features the design, but in a different color scheme – mine is bordered in red, with a green background instead of gold.)

MmmmWAH to you, my adorable scarfy friend! I'm wearing it tied today, but here I have it draped around my shoulders. When the weather gets cooler, I can spread it out a little more.

I also got a really pretty rainscarf – perfect for the ridiculous thunderstorms that have been showing up all of a sudden!

Oh the awesomeness!

Anyway…just had to share. One of the things I've learned is that if you focus on the happy times when they arrive, it's likely that more of them will show up!

Peace and happy days to all of you!
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Accessory Porn for Monday: Scarves

Hello everyone! Hope you had a great weekend! I did, and it's feeling really hard to get back to work today. I need a bit of fluff. Fluff and fabric and things that drape, tie and/or bind beautifully. I'm thinking…scarves.

A friend suggested I perk up my Monday outfit with a fun red scarf. So I did. And that got me thinking about how much I love the whole Springtime scarf thing. When it's not quite warm enough for summer bare-ness, a pretty scarf gives a bit of warmth and coverage. And they are endlessly versatile: you can wear them draped over a pair of jeans, layered over a skirt, as a halter, belt, skirt, etc. You can liven up a neutral outfit, and even hide hair gone…um…askew from April showers. And they're also just plain cute, pretty, lovely, feminine and flattering.

Today I'm posting a few images to ooh and aah over (and links).

Vintage 70's Vera scarf

Another amazing vintage Vera Scarf

Cotton eyelet scarf (from The Gap)

Handpainted scarf from Wildgingersilk

"Sunshine" scarf (also from Wildgingersilk)

Louis Vuitton Stephen Sprouse Leopard scarf...mrrrowrr!

How about this dreamy scarf by Valentino?

Groovy Emilio Pucci scarf

Dolce & Gabbana

Looped scarves from RD Silk Exports

Ferragamo

Totally obsessed with this Chanel scarf!

And lest we forget...The Hermès Scarf Catalogue (sigh!)

And while we're at it…why not throw in a couple of cute bandanas…

Love This!

Pirate Bandana (this also comes in red)

Classic Red

I couldn't resist!

And speaking of fluff, you can click here to vote for my lolcat!

Happy Monday!
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Girls’ Night UP! (Redux)

Hi everyone! I'm still running around like a crazy person this week (singing-related insanity), so I haven't had time to type up my latest reviews. Right now my reviews consist of post-it notes with various impressions scribbled on them attached to the various products that the remarks are about. God help me if those post it notes come unstuck before I have a chance to type them up.

Anyhooo...Today, I'm going to re-publish my "bra" posting from back in June. Since yesterday was about dresses, I thought a little "foundation" refresher wouldn't be such a bad thing. Enjoy!

Girls’ Night UP! (originally posted 6/29/2009)

Hey, guess what? There’s a big long holiday weekend coming up and some of you may be going out. Some of you may be hitting the holiday sales and some of you may be doing both.

And speaking of “both”…

Instead of droning on about sunscreen again, today will be a (demi) frank discussion about beauty for the…ahem…breasts. That’s right, I’m talking about “the girls,” “bazooms,” “cans,” “cha-chas,” “honkers,” “pillows,” or the new term I just learned from my friend, Kristi, “the talent.” (FYI, there’s a pretty decent list of entertaining terms to be found online.)

If someone asks me what my best feature is, I’ll usually say, “my eyes.” But I’m not being entirely honest. Don’t get me wrong – I think my eyes run a close second; but like many red-blooded, modern girls; I think my “girls” are the real shizzle. But my honest response wouldn't be a very ladylike response to that question (or would it?).

I have been loving my lacy, cute bras that I discovered last November. They’re feminine and pretty; but unfortunately the support is only moderate and there isn't much…er…coverage. When summer finally arrived in Philly, I realized I was in trouble. There was no way I could wear a summer t-shirt without broadcasting way too much information about myself (and/or the weather). I felt pretty exposed instead of just pretty.

So this weekend I hung out at the mall with Nancy (previously mentioned friend) and we went into a lingerie store so I could do a little shopping. I was looking for the same style I had (but with heavier fabric) when Nancy marched over to a rack (pun totally intended) of lined, plunging bras and declared that those were what I needed. Well to me they looked enormous and I couldn’t believe one of those things would ever, ever fit under one of my shirts without looking like battle armor. Again, I should just learn to shut up because Nancy was 100% right. I put one of them on and – Oh My Freaking Heaven – the girls were gorgeous! Then I put my shirt on and…wow! Not only were they properly dressed, but they were downright perky. And - dare I say it – buoyant!

Needless to say, my spirits are equally buoyant (especially since I also found some lacy ones).

Of course everything starts with getting the right size! Here's where size really matters, ladies! Get measured. As far as I’m concerned, the best, most accurate measurers are at Victoria’s Secret. (Sadly, they don’t carry my size, so I have to look elsewhere for the actual garments.)

Here are some resources. You have all week. Get busy!

Victoria's Secret – Awesome, gorgeous, girly lingerie. And if you're able to wear petite, super frilly styles, you will hit the jackpot! They also carry clothing, swimwear and beauty. Right now they’re having their semi-annual sale and clearance. Even if you don’t end up shopping there, I strongly recommend getting measured there.

Caçique/Lane Bryant – Yummy lingerie for the full of figure. Great variety of cute, sultry and/or practical lingerie. The stores carry a huge selection in sizes usually only found in catalogues – which is great because you can try on lots of stuff. Right now, there’s a buy 2, get 2 free promotion online and in stores.

One Hanes Place – Great deals and a huge selection of sizes and brands like Bali, Playtex, Wonderbra, etc. Most of the stores carry standard sizes, but you can order special sizes online. And they usually have some kind of BOGO promotion going on.

Bare Necessities - I’ve never bought here, but they seem to have a tremendous (sorry, couldn't help it) range of brands (from Playtex to Wacoal) and an excellent range of sizes. They also have a semi-annual clearance event going on right now.

Department Stores like Macys, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Target, Sears, etc. – They generally carry standard sizes, but often have great sales and the very latest designer styles. And many of the lingerie departments have qualified staff who can take your measurements.
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Monday Girly Gown Porn

Sorry for not posting over the weekend, everyone! I'm getting ready for a singing thing and I hit a wall big time. There were no brain cells left over for beauty reviews.

But rather than leave you in the lurch for another day, here's some over-the-top serious girliness...in dress form. Enjoy!

I couldn't leave out Valentino

Oksana Couture 'Alina'

Newspaper Dress (made from 30 copies of the 'Financial Times') by Gary Harvey

Dresses (made of test-rejected condoms) by Adriana Bertini

Gorgeousness from YSL

Jemma Sykes, the 'Elizabeth' dress for Butcher Couture

Happy Monday!
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