Diptyque, You’ve Made My Week: Introducing The Perfumed Tablet

If you’ve never had a change to indulge in Diptyque’s heavenly, to-die for scents, I suggest you do so. Most recently added to their collection of things that smell divine are oval perfumed tablets ($45 each), which are made of white porcelain medallions surrounding a bar of scented wax.

Hang them in your bathroom for a delightful scent (Rose is my favorite).

Place around your closet to keep clothing and accessories fresh

These tablets have endless uses, and their scent will last around 3 months. They’re definitely elegant enough to keep out in the open, and currently available in four beautiful scents in case you’re not a fan of rose:

Rose: an armful of sweet, light roses sinks into your silks and cottons

Feuilles de lavande (Lavender Leaf): soothing and refreshing, it slips into the linen closet or a child’s dresser like a promise of tenderness

Baies (Berries and Bulgarian Roses): with this delicate blend of rose and blackcurrant leaves, your dressing room or closet will bloom like a dewy English garden

Ambre: this heady, richly sweet fragrance is the perfect sensual touch for the soft wools and velvets of your warmest winter scarves

Get yours today…before someone else snatches them all up!

Save Time And Stress, And No Fussy Mess With Dry Shampoo

I tend to preach dry shampoo everywhere I go, especially out west where the air is a lot more dry. It’s not a well known thing around here, but I am trying to slowly convert my girlfriends….afterall, I once read that washing your hair a lot can pollute the environment. Maybe that’s a lie, but i’m here to tell you the best of the best when it comes to dry shampoos, tested and approved by me!

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Between sprays and powders, unscented vs. scented, luxury vs. mass, sensitive scalp formulas and colored dry shampoo options, there’s something in this round-up for everyone. You’ll save time, money (spent on shampoo and conditioner), and will always have fabulously fresh styled hair.

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My Current Obsession: Holiday Gift Guides

I know the Holiday season has arrived when the December magazines hit newsstands with their drool-worthy gift guides. Perhaps if I didn’t spend all of my money on hoarding the December issues, I could afford some of their offerings! I’ve narrowed it to my top 3 magazine picks this year so you don’t have to buy them all like me! Read below for my favorites in People Style Watch, Real Simple and InStyle.

1) People Style Watch – My top pick as I “oohed and ahhhhed” over every single page. I fell in love with the items below, especially the Andy Warhol Dom Perignon – what a great gift for art (champagne) lovers!

(clockwise from top left to right)

American Living Red Stripe PJ Set, $42.99 ON SALE; 2002 Dom Perignon Andy Warhol Tribute Champagne, $149 each; Z Gallerie Veneto Suitcase Set, $59.95; Lord & Taylor Notched Bow Leather Gloves, $59.99 ON SALE;  Jonathan Adler “Carb” and “Caffeine” canister set, $34.95 ON SALE;

2) InStyle – One of my regular monthly reads, it’s no surprise that their gift guide made my top 3. It does every year.

(clockwise from top left to right)

XOXO Organic Pillow Cover, $29; Bistro Juicer, $70; Polaroid 300 Instant Camera, $90; Ty Decorative Shower Curtain, $32; Calvin Klein Radiant Salt and Pepper Set, $50

3) Real Simple – Their gift guide is always chock full of amazing and unique gift ideas. There’s a section that features 100 gifts for under $50 this year, making shopping easier on our wallets this year. Thanks, Real Simple!

(clockwise from top left to right)

Heirloom LA’s Lasanga Cupcakes, $36 for 6; Palomino Tea Cup & Saucer, $30; F1 Seat Pak, $28 Plyboo Serving Board (California pictured, other states avail.), $40; Brodmann Blades Ping Pong Set, $90; Modern Alchemy Zodiac Candles, $24 each

Happy Holiday shopping and feel free to leave any great gift suggestions below. I’m always looking for interesting things!

BCA Finds For Everyday Use

You don’t have to purchase something that you’ll never use again just to show your Breast Cancer Awareness Support. There are tons of items that you’ll be able to use throughout the year, so shop wisely! Below are some of my fun finds that can be used everyday:

Believe it or not scarves are always in style no matter what season it is. I use them in summer to jazz up sun dresses, and in winter to keep my neck warm. This Lindsay Phillips Belleview Scarf ($25) is a vibrant pink and orange color and looks amazing with a plain black dress. For the month of October 25% of the purchase price will go to The Young Survival Coalition and The Mammography Voucher Program at Morton Plant Mease Hospital. You can justify it as an amazing new wardrobe piece that will help fight Breast Cancer!

I am pretty much obsessed with my new Philips Sonicare Toothbrush ($59.99) and I’ve never felt like this towards a brush before. Not  only am I cleaning my teeth, but Phillips Sonicare is a proud sponsor of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. In support of Breast Cancer Awareness month in October 2010 and 2011, the company will donate $100,000 to fund breast cancer research. Brush away for BCA!

If there’s one thing I don’t leave home without, it’s my Smashbox Lipgloss. This Limitless Long Wear Lip Gloss in Forever ($21) was created in a limited edition package, and all proceeds from the month of October will go toward the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Not only does the gloss stay on for hours upon hours, but also protects with SPF 15. This gloss looks stunning on top of a dark red lipstick – you’ll fall in love, I promise!

Breast SOS ($65 for 3oml), a signature product from all natural skin care line La Isha, is a must for every woman who wants to keep their breast and decolette area looking youthful. It helps improve overall color, texture and moisture retention of the skin, and helps to eliminate the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, discolorations and restore a tighter, springy resilience. It’s also a favorite amongst Breast Cancer victims as it helps to make breast reconstruction more comfortable for patients with its soothing essential oils. A portion of Breast SOS proceeds will go to the Breast Cancer Fund.

Happy Breast Cancer Awareness shopping!

xoxo,
JR.

Freebie Of The Week: Foot Petals Sweaty Pedi & Pedi Fume

Fall is here, which means your tootsies are about to be covered up for the next few months. I hate having my feet trapped in winter boots and closed-toe heels. My feet feel sweaty and cooped up, but luckily I’ve found two great products to help my feet out: Foot Petals Sweaty Pedi and Pedi Fume. Read on to find out more about these handy products, and to see how to get them for FREE!

Not only does Foot Petals Sweatly Pedi ($9.95) absorb icky foot perspiration but also helps prevent those very unwanted blisters. It’s also mess-proof and hands free, so spray the amazing Lavendar and Vanilla scent anytime to calm and comfort your tired soles.

And Foot Petals Pedi Fume ($9.95) helps refresh swollen feet with a time release cooling sensation (great for the gal who’s addicted to heels)! The Jojoba wax can also prevent and calm razor burn on the legs, and Arnica helps to quickly heal bruises and relieves muscle pain. This 3-in-1 wonder gel has a hands free applicator and works hand in hand with Sweaty Pedi.

How to win these products:

Simply enter your name below under the red “response” tab below, and one lucky winner will be chosen on Friday, October 1st at 5pm EST. The winner will be notified via email for address verification. Spread this contest around on Facebook and Twitter, and GOOD LUCK! Stay tuned for more great giveaways in the future.

Prize details: One lucky winner will receive Foot Petals Sweaty Pedi and Pedi Fume, valued at $19.90

xoxo,
JR.

Win This: Foot Petals Stiletto Stylist Kit

How would you like to walk around on cloud 9 all day, while still looking stylish in your platform heels? Well here’s your chance to win a Foot Petals Stiletto Stylist Kit ($44.95) that I recently raved about!

Stiletto Stylist Kit in Black

This fabulous kit contains the follwing (click on the link to read more):

1 Tip Toes
1 Killer Kushionz
2 Strappy Strips
1 Heavenly Heelz
1 Haute Heelz
2 Sole Stopperz

To enter for a chance to win, all you have to do is enter your name in the “response” area at the bottom of this post (in burgundy)! I’ll pull a number out of a box on Friday based on total number of entries, and will announce the winner that afternoon. Good luck, and spread the word – this is one kit you definitely want handy in your closet.

xoxo,
JR.

What You Need Now: A Pumpkin Enzyme Facial at Eve

I had the most amazing Pumpkin Enzyme facial ($14o for 60 minutes) yesterday at Eve Salon in the West Village. It’s their new facial for fall and man it sure does work wonders. Although Eileen my amazing facial esthetician says that I’m too young to need a facial, she still managed to make my skin look a few years younger! It’s a perfect way to reverse sun damage and hyperpigmentation, smooth enlarged or clogged pores, as well as get rid of flaky skin cells. Relaxation is also a key component for great looking skin so what better way to relax than spending 60 minutes in Eve?!

The first step was the Pumpkin Enzyme Mask to brighten and even out skin tone, while also improving the penetration and exofoliating effects of products used throughout the facial. A Microderm Creme was applied next, which gently refines the skin’s surface and helps minimize the size of large pores – also great to get rid of blackheads. The last step is adding AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) exfoliation to the mix for an extreme exfoliation that reveals new and refreshed skin! Eileen also told me to lay off the coffee and soda, and to always put SPF on before going out each morning (something everyone should do).

This facial really helped with my fall allergies as well – I came in all stuffy and walked away with clear sinuses! If you’re around the NYC area you should stop into Eve. If you’re not in the mood for a facial, their mani/pedi’s are the best I’ve ever experienced!

You can also opt for the Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Peel for a do-it-yourself solution/to use in between facial appointments. I tend to go only 2-3 times a year for a facial, and use a product like this to maintain my healthy looking skin.

xoxo,
JR.

The Pumpkin: Light It, Sip It, Eat It, Bathe In It!

In order to celebrate the first official day of fall, I wanted to express my love for the Pumpkin as it always reminds me of the cool fall days ahead. With so many pumpkin products out there, these are a few of my absolute favorites:

Light it: Slatkin & Co. Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin Candle is an amazing scent of spicy pumpkin puree with sweet butter and vanilla cream all blended together – hungry yet? I leave this candle in my kitchen and light it at night when I’m reading on the couch. It’s super relaxing, lasts up to 65 hours of burn time and is only $19.50. I am really picky when it comes to candles, so you can trust that this scent won’t let you down!

Sip It: There’s nothing like a pumpkin spice latte and Starbucks knows how to win me over every year. While I’m not a fan of the rest of their coffee drinks, I can’t resist this warm latte on a cool night mixed with espresso, pumpkin, spices, steamed milk and sweetened whipped cream.

Eat It: How mouth-watering does a pumpkin spice cupcake with a maple-infused cream cheese frosting topped with a fondant maple leaf sound? This is my favorite cupcake on earth, and it happens to be all the way in DC. Although there are many different choices of delicious cupcake shops in NYC, Georgetown Cupcake beats them all by far. Order online for nationwide shipping ($26 for a dozen of your choice, and $29 for shipping). It’s worth it, I promise.

Bathe In It: Philosophy has some of the most amazing scents in their collection of body washes including Cinnamon Buns, Cookies N’ Creme and Cherry Angel Food Cake just to name a few (and they smell just as good as they sound.) Leave it to the brand to create a decadent Pumpkin Spice Muffin and Caramel Apple duo for Halloween for a mere $20. Best part is that you can use these for shampoo, body wash AND bubble bath (mix them together for a delicious fall bath).

What reminds you of fall?

xox0,
JR.