Mani Mania

Since we are still living in a recession many women are continuing to cut back on beauty-related luxuries such as visits to the spa and nail salons and opting to take matters into their own hands – literally.

Equipped with a great manicure kit, it is possible to pamper yourself with a marvelous mani in the comfort of your home without spending much money. Granted, it may not look as polished as a professional job, but it will still look good and keep a few extra dollars in your pocket.

So skip a few trips to the salon and grab some pretty polish, a nice kit and do it yourself! You’ll save a bundle and still have beautiful hands.

Have you cut back on any beauty-related luxuries? Do you ever do your own manicures?

Check out these manicure kit!

The “Mani” Happy Return Set available at www.blissworld.com for $100


Say Yes to Carrots Manicure Set available at www.target.com for $19.99


Sephora Manicure Set available at www.sephora.com for $30


Juicy Loves Sephora Manicure Set available at www.sephora.com for $25


Bath & Body Works Manicure Set available at www.bathandbodyworks.com for $8 (originally $18)


Crabtree & Evelyn La Source Manicure Set for Hands available at www.beauty.com for $28


Tweezerman Petite Manicure Set available at www.amazon.com for $20

**Btw, the winner of the Snapfish $50 gift card is YaHighness! Congrats and please send me your email address. 🙂

Snap Happy!

Last week my beloved Macbook crashed and I ran the risk of losing all of my precious photos (like the one below) of my daughter Ava. Luckily, after shelling out a couple hundred dollars, I was able to get it fixed and retrieve all of my photos. In the past, I have not always been so lucky. That’s why it’s so important to print your digital photos.


Ava in her Easter bib. I’m printing out all of my pics just in case my computer decides to tank again.

For all of my fellow photo lovers, Snapfish is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this week and offering several outstanding discounts and promotions on prints, photo books, etc. Visit their site for more information on how you can sell and share your own creative card designs, photo book layouts and more (starting this summer)!

Also, Snapfish is offering a $50 gift card to one of my lucky readers. Simply leave a comment and a winner will be selected randomly and announced later this week!

Dreamgirl Diet

As most of you probably heard yesterday, Jennifer Hudson is the new spokeswoman for the popular Weight Watchers program. Our favorite dreamgirl has lost a significant amount of weight after the birth of her son. According to Hudson, this isn’t a diet, but a lifestyle change. I commend Ms. Hudson for being a curvy BG, but still trying to be more health conscious.

I’ve always heard such great things about Weight Watchers, but have never been on any diet; but I do love their frozen meals!

Have you ever tried Weight Watchers? Have you ever been on a diet? Do you think diets work? Please share.

**The winner of the Covergirl Queen Collection Bronzer is K-Bear. Please send me your mailing address. Congrats!

Bronzed Beauty

Spring is here and now’s the perfect time to start putting your warmer weather makeup routine into full swing. The spring is the best time to sweep on beautiful bronzers to add a sexy, shimmery glow. The golds, pinks and bronzes complement just about all skin tones and enhances cheekbones.

Do you use bronzers? If so, what’s your favorite brand? See below for a chance to win one of these!


Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Exotic Bronzing Blush available at www.bloomingdales.com for $35


Bobbi Brown Nectar Shimmerbrick available at www.nordstrom.com for $38


Borghese Milano Multi-Bronzer available at www.beauty.com for $31


Elizabeth Arden Bronzing Story available at www.beauty.com for $32


Revlon Beyond Natural Blush Bronzer in Plumberry available at www.drugstore.com for $11.99


Covergirl Queen Collection Natural Hue Mineral Bronzer available at www.drugstore.com for $8.l8


YSL Complexion Palette Collector’s Edition available at www.bloomingdales.com for $65

**One lucky reader will win the Covergirl Queen Collection Natural Hue Mineral Bronzer. Just leave a comment and the winner will be selected randomly and announced later this week.

Knock-Out Neutral Handbags

This spring grab a handbag that will work with all of your colorful ensembles this season. Neutral shades are subtle, yet stylish. They can be worn with any shade of clothing making them the perfect alternative to your go-to black bag. The lighter shade is ideal for the warmer months and adds a classic flair regardless of the structure.

Would you wear a neutral handbag? What’s your favorite handbag style? Check out some of these!


Kristin Embossed Exotic Large Handbag available at www.coach.com for $798


Ananas Fabiana Tote available at www.endless.com for $198


Clio Shopper available at www.ninewest.com for $99


Juicy Couture Free Style Classic Clock Satchel available at www.juicycouture.com for $261


Juicy Couture Lady Luck Handbag available at www.juicycouture.com for $228


Olivia Harris Convertible Leather Shoulder Bag available at www.saks.com for $455


Sara Berman Studded Suede Clutch available at www.theoutnet.com for $110


Tory Burch Bombe Signature Clutch available at www.toryburch.com for $350


Slouchy Leatherette Shoulder Bag available at www.forever21.com for $30.80

Orchids in Bloom!

An Academy-award-winning actress, a Revlon spokeswoman, mother and most recently a perfumer – Halle Berry is back with a new fragrance – Pure Orchid. Wrapped in a pretty purple package, this perfume exudes femininity with its floral mix of orchids, jungle cactus flower, lemons and blackberry creme. This affordable, sensual scent is perfect for the spring season!


Halle Berry’s Pure Orchid 0.5 oz available at www.walmart.com for $16.

Have you tried Pure Orchid? Are you a fan of celebrity fragrances? One reader will win a bottle of Pure Orchid. Simply leave a comment and a winner will be announced later this week.

Oil Be Gone!

If you suffer from oily skin, Carol’s Daughter has concocted a trio of products that will tackle unwanted “glistening” called, Wash Away the Oil. This new 3-piece set includes a face wash, face toner and face lotion. I haven’t been using all three together yet, but I’ve been using the face lotion by itself and it is absolutely wonderful!


Wash Away the Oil Set available at www.carolsdaughter.com for $55

I have super oily skin in my T-zone and this lightweight lotion marvelously absorbs the oil leaving my face hydrated, but not greasy. I’m looking forward to using all three products together, but right now I’m pleasantly pleased with the lotion.

Have you tried this new trio? If you have oily skin, what products do you use to combat it?

**The winner of the Maybelline Lash Stiletto Voluptuous is RedBoneGirl97. Congrats, please email me your mailing address.