Ok. Well. Today I am actually going to write on a new endeavor I am embarking on- healthy, inside and out.

So, tell me how I feel on day 2 of this new situation? So far so good. I have adopted a high fiber south beach diet- of course, my vanity wants me to do it for the glitz and glamour of a good bod for my exciting summer- but honestly, I have to do it in order to be healthy for my future. The sad thing is, I do all this stuff for a living, but being healthy does take some sacrificing and transition. But once the initial hype is over, I am hoping to adopt it full time.

Of course, once I get moving on decreasing my numbers, I will allow myself to be rewarded with a small cupcake here and there. Please, what is life without beautiful and scrumptious cupcakes?

I am motivated. Although I went to the gym today and hated every second of it. Maybe I will start running outside instead. I hate the gym. I hate the way it smells, I hate that I run into people i know when I am at my worst, I hate sweating then having to sit in my sweat till later in the day when I can go home and shower, I just hate the gym.

Does anyone have any motivating non-gym ways to get fit and tone up? Suggestions are always welcome!!!!

So, if you got a sunday paper, there is a coupon for $2.50 off the purchase of 2 covergirl products- and Rite Aid has them for Buy one get one free. So essentially you can get $20 of covergirl products for $7.50.

You should. Lash Blast mascara is great. So is their lipstain and glosses. Shoot, I even like their eye shadow. As a cheap thing, get it even cheaper!

What are you waiting for people!?


Rite Aid also has many other great sales this week. 50% off pantene. Venus razors are on sale. Olay stuff is priced at $15.99 (with coupon in the paper taking off an additional $2).

I love Rite Aid!

Of course, I am a philosophy girl and swear by everything they make, but I have been trying a few new products that I really like and wanted to offer suggestions.... Mario Badescu has been in the skin care business making amazing and affordable products for over 40 years. I have always read about his products and so many celebrities list his drying lotion as one of their favorite products ever... so I thought, hey, I am always looking for the magic cure all- why not try it?

So, I went to a local apothecary and purchased a bottle of the strange looking 'drying lotion' for $17. I was surprised that his prices were actually reasonable- I also purchased the orange face wash for $12 and Lip wax for $5.

I was so excited to get home and do my personal version of a spa facial, using my new products. I washed my face with my philosophy purity face wash, then used the mario badescu orange face wash with my clarisonic. I then steamed my face with a facial sauna for 15 minutes with a clarifying mask (I used Caudalie purifying face mask) (you can steam your face placing your head over a sink and towel over your head). Steaming, I have found, is amazing for your skin and truly makes a world of a difference in terms of how well your product works- helps open the pores, soften the gunk in the pores to get it out, and helps your products absorb and work better.

I then took the mask off with a warm wet wash cloth and put on my anti aging serum (when hope is not enough), eye cream (I use Olay total effects eye cream), then hope in a jar as my moisturizer. After all of the steps are in place, I am ready to apply my new drying lotion, which I am dying to use!

The lotion comes in a little glass bottle with 2 tones of product in it. It looks like this:

You do not want to shake it, because the idea is that you dip a q tip into the 2 products together, dab it on your already erupted pimple, and let the magic begin.

I could instantly feel it tingle, but in a good 'drying my pimple up and good for my skin' kind of way. Just dab it on and let it dry, and you sleep with it on overnight- and wash it off in the morning.

I was glad to see that my huge pimple on my forehead had minimized greatly, although it wasn't completely gone. It was though, after a second evening.

The drying lotion is great for already erupted pimples, but it is not to prevent pimples from forming. I am going to purchase a few more of his products to try- he has some great masks and creams that look wonderful. I will definitely give a full report on them as I try them!

Ok Ladies-

I am always getting manicures and pedicures, but I always hate how gross and dirty most nail salons are in the area- but no need to fret anymore because I found the most amazing nail salon in the Buffalo area!

It's called Nail Style and Spa- address is 1727 Sheridan Drive in Tonawanda (next to the Panara in that new plaza near Delaware RD).

I went there yesterday for a fill (I have acrylics on right now, who knows how long that will last), but I went in for a fill only after a week of having them on- I got them originally done at the nail salon in Allentown on elmwood at North, and they sucked so bad, and the place was horribly dirty. My nails were horrible, they were already turning yellow, and they just did a horrible job.

So, I just so happened to realize there was a new nail salon on sheridan on my way home from work yesterday so I thought I would stop by. My old manicurist from AB nails actually runs the place, Andy, and he is great.

The prices were the average- about $15 for a manicure and $25-$45 for a pedicure (depending on whether you would like an express or spa), and about $15 for a fill. They have a customer card too that you can get punched for every manicure and you get a 10th free.

It was very nicely decorated, the staff was very welcoming, and the place was CLEAN. Hardwood floors, comfortable chairs, and calm soothing colors on the walls.

They take appointments and walk ins- number is 873-9400.

Happy Manicure!

Another beauty product I can't live without: Hand cream. There are a ton on the market, but these are the best I have tried....

10. Eucerin Plus- Intensive Hand Cream

You can buy this at your local Walgreens or Rite Aid, and it's a great lotion- small enough to carry in a purse, but don't use too much as a time! It is thick and creamy- but does absorb quickly. It's great for very dry skin.

9. Clarins Hand and Nail

Clarins is a great skin care company founded on science and comfort- and I love the therapeutic scent of their products. This hand cream is a bit expensive, but a little goes a long way, and it just feels so good on your skin- non greasy and it feels like silk- and the scent just gives you a break from everyday stress. I love this stuff! It can be purchased at your local Clarins counter at Macy's or you can also get it at Sephora.

8. CrabTree and Evelyn- Rose or Lavender hand therapy

I love this cream so much I buy it for everyone. It's amazing. Seriously. Talk about a silky feeling. It was originally designed for gardeners dry hands, but is now and international hit. You can even buy it on Elmwood at Positively Main Street. It's a fairly big tube and it's lasts a while- and the Crabtree store in the Galleria sometimes has specials where you can get 2 for 1 and other deals. I love this stuff! It comes in a variety of scents, but Rose and Lavender are my favorites!

7. Body Shop Hemp Hand Cream

Okay, some people may argue this should be number one. It's awesome. I do love this product to pieces. My only grip about it though is that it does kind of leave you hands greasy for a bit till it absorbs, but it seriously is a great product. Body shop has a bunch of Hemp products (the lip balm being my favorite in the line). Hemp is actually the most moisture you can get out of plant and get into your skin- so soak up the moisture people!!!!

6. L'occitane Shea Hand

What would a hand cream list be without this gem? This stuff is awesome. You can get smaller tubes of it for $10 to try the product out- they have it in Cherry blossom and rose, but this is the classic. It's super absorbent, really smooth and just feels great. And it's French. From Provence! How quaint. You should try this stuff out. You can get it at Sephora or the L'occitane store in the Galleria Mall.

5. Bliss High Intensity Hand Cream

I have to admit, I just bought this over the weekend, and I can't stop using it. I got it at Sephora, and I love it. I have been contemplating purchasing it for a while, but I love all Bliss items that I have tried, and with no exception of this one. It smells great, and it really is a nurturing hand cream, making your hands feel renewed.

4. True Blue Spa- Look Ma, New hands!

This is MY all time hand classic. I have been using this product since it came out years ago, and it's awesome. I buy the spa size bottle for $20 at Bath and Body works, and it's just amazing. When all else fails, turn to Look Ma, New Hands!

3. Sally Hansen 18 Hour Protection

The bright orange bottle in the manicure section of your local drug store- I am sure you have seen it. You should really buy it though. It's a good deal and approximately $6 a tube, and it's fabulous. It smells like a fresh clementine, and it feels like cashmere and absorbs quickly. It leaves your hands looking youthful and pretty!

2. Philosophy Amazing Grace Hand Cream

As you have probably read in some of my previous entries, I am a HUGE philosophy fan. This stuff smells so beautiful, womanly (sorry dudes), and it's a great feeling to put on such a luxurious hand cream. I love this stuff with a passion, and I get sad when I run out :( This product can be purchased at Sephora (although it was sold out this weekend when I went to buy some) Philosophy.com, qvc.com, and ulta


And Number One!!!!


1. Aveda Hand Remedy

Honestly, this is the best hand cream in the universe. At $19 a tube, it lasts forever, smells absolutely phenomenal and it just feels so refreshing to put on. I could put it on and on and on. I love this product so much and highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for an awesome hand cream. It's hard to find places that sell Aveda- but there is a salon in the mall called Euphora that is an Aveda retailer. They are also a participating Pure Privilege Member so you can rack up points to get free stuff! There are a few salons in Buffalo, including Papillon on Delaware and Chippewa that are also Aveda dealers!

And there it is folks! Tell me what you think!