Mom and me, circa 1979
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by CoverGirl.
Mother’s Day is this Sunday and I’m so excited. Not just because Mr. Spoiled Pretty and my son, Westley, are treating me to a decadent brunch. But because it’s an opportunity to celebrate my hero, Andrea Stamps.
I must admit that until two years ago, Mother’s Day was just another CONTINUE READING
At Christmastime, I agonized over what to get my son's daycare teachers. There are 12 of them - and even though he has his two main teachers, they all have interaction with him and take excellent care of him. So I needed to buy 12 gifts to show my appreciation, without breaking the bank. $10 each seemed doable, except CONTINUE READING
As a beauty expert, I’m embarrassed by how late I am to the BB Cream party. In the past year, so many friends and colleagues have asked me about BB Creams—what’s the buzz, which brands are the best, etc. —and they would look at me funny when I admitted to not having tried BB Creams yet. I mean, they CONTINUE READING
I’m very fickle about my fingernails. Before I paint my nails or get them professionally did, I spend a inordinate amount of time pondering my polish options. I consider the season, recent trends, my wardrobe that week and anywhere special I might go. But despite all of this planning, I’m usually over my polish choice before it even dries.
Not CONTINUE READING
After beauty products, handbags are my secondary addiction. But when it comes to arm candy, I have discriminating taste. For me, the perfect handbag seamlessly marries fashion with function, is handcrafted from high-quality materials, has really unique hardware and is classic but edgy - all at the same time. I don't like to carry the of-the-moment "it" bag. I CONTINUE READING
Earlier this month, Kate Spade (aka creator of cuteness and the reason why I can't seem to keep money in my wallet), launched a brand new line called Kate Spade Saturday.
Kate Spade Saturday is a new global lifestyle brand created to channel the spirit of Saturday seven days a week. This younger, more accessible sister to kate spade new CONTINUE READING
You’ve read all four books in the Twilight saga. Your Twilight DVD is in such heavy rotation, you fear you might wear it out and consider buying a backup. You bought advance tickets to see New Moon on opening day, then returned to the movie theater later that week to make sure you didn’t miss anything. You know the date that Eclipse hits theaters. And every time you’re in a store with one of those life-size cardboard cutouts of Robert Pattinson, you’re tempted to snatch it and make like a tree.
If any of the aforementioned statements describe you, congrats…you’re a Twihard. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about…I’m a Twihard too, and this is a safe place. In fact, this is the place – if theCullen Crest t-shirts just aren’t your thang, and you’re looking for a more unique way to pledge your allegiance to Team Edward.
This week, Spoiled Pretty is partnering with Demitasse Jewelry for a fang-tastic giveaway! Three lucky readers will win a necklace from Demitasse’s limited edition, “The Vampire Chronicles” jewelry collection, inspired by New Moon.
The DemiVamp necklace is made of pewter and comes in three colors (Ancient Brass, Silver Bullet, and Rose Heart) with matching 30″ cable chains. It features a size 9 ring of fangs and a bullet tip center.
To enter the giveaway, send an email to spoiledprettycontests@gmail.com. Be sure to include your full name, mailing address, and the answer to this question: which global campaign does Demitasse support to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues? Hint: the answer can be found on the Demitasse Jewelry website. The subject line should read “Demitasse Jewelry Giveaway.” The contest ends at midnight (EST) on Monday, December 21st. Three winners will be chosen at random from among the entrants. On Tuesday, December 22nd, I’ll announce the winners’ names. Please, only one entry per person; duplicate entries will not increase your chances of winning. Contest is open to U.S. residents.
Let’s congratulate the winners of the Beautyblender Hot Pink Holiday Giveaway: Kelly Nelson and Arlene Pappalardo. These readers will receive the Hot Pink Holiday gift set ($23.95), which includes Beautyblender and 3 oz Blendercleanser in an organza drawstring carry pouch.
Many thanks to Beautyblender for creating such an amazing products and for sponsoring this giveaway!
This morning, I appeared on the NBC 10! Show, to share my absolute favorite holiday beauty gift picks…
Godiva Home Fragrance Collection: Godiva Chocolatier unveils a new way to indulge in the sensorial decadence of its chocolate – the Godiva Home Fragrance Collection. These scented candles of deep chocolate-colored wax infused with cocoa butter are the brand’s first foray into the home fragrance category in its over 80 year history. These ready-to-gift candles are available in both travel and full sizes and the sumptuous scents are sure to please each and every chocolate connoisseur. The collection includes the following fragrances: Milk Chocolate Truffle, Raspberry Ganache, White Chocolate Magnolia, Peppermint Bark, Black Almond Truffle. The candles retail for $22.50 (Regular Candle 7 oz) and $12.50 (Travel Candle 4.4 oz) and are available at Neiman Marcus and Bath & Body Works.
Clarisonic Mia Skin Cleansing System: From the creators of the Sonicare toothbrush comes the Clarisonic Mia Skin Cleaning System, featuring a handy to-go sized version of the original, groundbreaking skin care Clarisonic Brush. The sonic frequency moves Clarisonic’s soft, gentle brush back and forth at more than 300 times per second, thoroughly clearing pores and skin surface. The Clarisonic Mia removes makeup six times better than traditional methods, clears pores and reduces the appearance of pore size, cleanses so thoroughly that skincare products absorb better, creates noticeably healthier looking skin. The Clarisonic Mia Skin Cleansing System includes: Clarisonic Mia One Speed Brush, international charger for worldwide use, sensitive brush head, 1 oz Gentle Hydro Cleanser. The Clarisonic Mia costs $149 and is sold at Sephora and clarisonic.com.
Sephora Fragrance Samplers for Him and Her: These boxed ensembles are the perfect gift of fragrance when you’re not sure which one to choose. The sets include samples of Sephora’s top-selling fragrances to try, a gift voucher that can be redeemed at any Sephora store for a full-sized bottle of any one of the samples included, and a fragrance guide. The Collector’s Edition Samplers are $75 and the Deluxe Samplers are $50.
Zoya Holiday Minicure Gift Set: This kit contains essentials for the perfect manicure, in the perfect miniature gift set: Zoya Remove+ (polish remover), Armor Top Coat, Anchor Base Coat, and Hurry Up Speed Dry Drops. This incredible value set ($15) is a perfect stocking stuffer, office gift or a personal treat.
Felix Rey Cosmetics Cases: How many makeup bags are so gorgeous that you could carry them as an evening clutch and be the chicest gal in the room? Not many…and I would wager that most of them come courtesy of Felix Rey, a sophisticated and ultra-feminine luxury brand of accessories founded by Lily Rafii Band and Sulaika Zarrouk. The cosmetics cases run the gamut in terms of size, style, print and price ($24-120) – so you’re sure to find the perfect present for that makeup-loving gal on your gift list. Leighton Meester, Hayden Panetierre, Hilary Duff, Penelope Cruz and Fergie are all fans of Felix Rey.
Bath & Body Works Lounge Shea Socks: These super-soft, ultra-pampering socks contain enough moisturizing shea butter to last up to 25 washes. The Lounge Shea Socks are available in 20 different colors/prints.
Members of the studio audience received a pair of the Bath & Body Works Lounge Shea Socks and nail polish from Zoya’s Ultra Glitter winter collection. For faithful Spoiled Pretty readers, like you, I’m upping the beauty booty.
One lucky winner will receive: candles from the Godiva Home Fragrance Collection, Sephora Fragrance Samples for Him and Her, a Zoya Holiday Minicure Gift Set, Felix Rey Leopard Nylon Cosmetics Case (large), and Bath & Body Works shea socks!
To enter the giveaway, send an email to spoiledprettycontests@gmail.com. Be sure to include your full name and mailing address. The subject line should read “NBC 10 Holiday Beauty Giveaway.” The contest ends at midnight (EST) on Monday, December 14th. One winner will be chosen at random from among the entrants. On Tuesday, December 15th, I’ll announce the winner’s name. Please, only one entry per person; duplicate entries will not increase your chances of winning. Contest is open to U.S. and Canadian residents.
You’ve heard of the 100 years war? Well, let me tell you about the 20 years war. What’s that, you ask? It’s just this pesky little battle I’ve be waging with acne. Pimples, blackheads and whiteheads are no strangers to my skin – and I have tried hundreds of products to keep the situation under control.
When it comes to skin care, I tend to shop in department and specialty stores because my complexion requires the crème de la crème of cleansers, creams, masques and moisturizers. So imagine my surprise to discover a drugstore brand that tamed my temperamental skin; plus the cost of the entire regimen is about the same that I would typically pay for one high-end skin care product.
Clean & Clear Advantage 3-in-1 Foaming Acne Wash goes beyond cleansing to treat acne as you wash, while working to prevent future breakouts. The innovative formula combines a breakthrough oil dissolving technology and acne-fighting ingredients to thoroughly cleanse skin and control breakouts. I love how easily it removes my makeup and the daily grime without stripping my skin.
Clean & Clear Advantage Mark Treatment is a lightweight gel that reduces size of pimples while diminishing the appearance of post-acne marks. The breakthrough formula allows acne medication to start working quickly, reducing blemishes, as well as addressing the after effects of blemishes on skin. If you have acne marks or other types of hyperpigmentation, I highly recommend this treatment.
Clean & Clear Advantage 3-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser is a daily scrub that treats acne and helps prevent breakouts. Micro-beads in a creamy cleanser formula exfoliate and slough away pore-clogging dirt, oil and impurities while Benzoyl Peroxide treats acne, revealing a clearer complexion.
Clean & Clear Blackhead Eraser Cleansing Mask reduces blackheads and helps prevent new ones from forming. Specially formulated to treat blackhead prone skin, the mask is infused with acne fighting medication and ingredients that draw out dirt, oil and impurities that can clog pores and lead to blackheads.
Clean & Clear Morning Burst In-Shower Facial is a citrus-scented, invigorating deep cleansing treatment that works with the steam from your shower. Clay helps draws out dirt, oil, and impurities from skin, moisturizers keep skin from over-drying. I absolutely adore this product! Used 1-3 times each week (in place of your normal cleanser), it wakes me up and re-energizes my skin – leaving it looking and feeling refreshed. The first time I tried it, Mr. Spoiled Pretty kept complimenting on my skin. “It looks healthy and shiny,” he said. Usually, ‘shiny’ isn’t an adjective I would want attributed to my skin; but I understood that in man-speak, he meant that my complexion looked vibrant.
This week, I’m not content to just tell you about my fabulous new drugstore finds. I’m partnering with Clean & Clear and we’re giving away a set. And because we’re confident that these products will help keep your complexion in check, we’re throwing in the Polaroid 7MP Pink Digital Camera – so you can document the improvement in your skin!
To enter the giveaway, send an email to spoiledprettycontests@gmail.com. Be sure to include your full name and mailing address. The subject line should read “Clean & Clear Giveaway.” The contest ends at midnight (EST) on Wednesday, December 9th. One winner will be chosen at random from among the entrants. On Thursday, December 10th, I’ll announce the winner’s name. Please, only one entry per person; duplicate entries will not increase your chances of winning. Contest is open to U.S. and Canadian residents. Good luck!
Congrats to Nicky Balandiat, Terri Bruney, Paula Caudill, Lynn Harasym, Audrey Morgan, and Michelle St. James – winners of The Bake Shoppe Giveaway, generously sponsored by Philosophy.
These ladies will win this decadent bath and body set, inspired by sweet treats.
The Bake Shoppe includes ($30): 4.0 oz Pink Frosted Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath; 4.0 oz Raspberry Mousse Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath; 0.5 oz Raspberry Mousse Flavored Lip Shine; and 2.0 oz Sweet Creamy Frosting Body Lotion.
Rebecca Minkoff’s Stud Devote handbag (above) is my handbag soulmate. I am OBSESSED with this bag, and you can see why. If I could design the perfect purse, this would be it. I love its modern sophistication with rock and roll edge.
The Stud Devote is a conversation piece. Every time I wear it, strangers stop me on the street. In fact, earlier this week when I swung by my local Starbucks to pick up a Caramel Brulee Latte (soy, no whip), a woman stopped me to ask who made the bag and where she could buy her own. At $550+, depending on where you purchase, this bag packs quite a pricey punch. But with a handbag this gorgeous, it’ll be the only one you care to carry.
You’ve read all four books in the Twilight saga. Your Twilight DVD is in such heavy rotation, you fear you might wear it out and consider buying a backup. You bought advance tickets to see New Moon on opening day, then returned to the movie theater later that week to make sure you didn’t miss anything. You know the date that Eclipse hits theaters. And every time you’re in a store with one of those life-size cardboard cutouts of Robert Pattinson, you’re tempted to snatch it and make like a tree.
This week, Spoiled Pretty is partnering with Demitasse Jewelry for a fang-tastic giveaway! Three lucky readers will win a necklace from Demitasse’s limited edition, “The Vampire Chronicles” jewelry collection, inspired by New Moon.
