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Horse Shampoo – Does Mane ‘n Tail make your hair grow faster? posted on August 19, 2009
“Low Maintenance Blonde”: Is Fall’s Ombre Hair Trend Here to Stay? posted on November 11, 2011
I Searched for a ‘Signature Scent’ and Her Name was Lola posted on February 22, 2012
5 easy hairstyles for medium, long, wavy, curly or straight hair posted on April 12, 2011
If you only have $25 to spend on your eye makeup…
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Lets pretend you’re just now embracing elaborate eye makeup, like I am. Lets pretend you never know what shades to purchase and you’re overwhelmed by the high prices, like I am. Lets pretend you’re curious enough to try something new, like I am.
Then you’ll fall in love with Stila for E! Live from the Red Carpet Glamour Goddess Palette ($25), just like I am!
The colors are awesome! They compliment each other so well and can be worn blended or by themselves. And the eye liner is the best I’ve ever had. It’s a great bronzy-brown color (called Lionfish) and it goes on like a pencil but looks like it’s liquid. And it absolutely does NOT run or smudge – which is what makes it so amazing.
♥ Six eye shadow shades
♥ All-over shimmer powder
♥ Convertible color (for lips and cheeks)
♥ An eye liner
Another thing that makes this kit so great for those of us who aren’t experts when it comes to complicated eye makeup, is that it also comes with instructions for how to apply it.
♥ Glitz – pale golden beige, base shade
♥ On the List – pearly beige, lid shade
♥ Golden – warm gold, liner shade
♥ Flash – light peach with shimmer, base shade
♥ Star – bronzy peach, lid shade
♥ Glam – deep bronze, liner shade
The palette also includes:
♥ All Over Shimmer Powder in Kitten
♥ Convertible Color in Glamour
♥ Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Lionfish
And every single part of the kit is wearable for day and night, which makes it an even better value. (And you can’t ignore the killer price tag – $25 for a $105 value.)
You can purchase the Stila for E! Live from the Red Carpet Glamour Goddess Palette at Stila.com, at Blush Beauty Bar on northwest 23rd in Portland, Oregon, and at your local Sephora store.
How to Style a Maxi Dress
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I bought three Maxi dresses at Forever 21 this weekend and I’m relying on them to take me from winter to spring (let’s be honest – it’s still winter here in Oregon), and on through summer. I know that’s a lot of pressure to put on one style of clothing, but I think these dresses will live up to the challenge.
Maxi dresses are such hot items right now but a lot of women are a little apprehensive about wearing them. Everyone seems to think there are all these rules for who can and can’t wear maxi dresses, and how they should be worn. I, on the other hand, strongly believe that anyone can wear maxi dresses (yes – even short women). And what’s more, they can be worn with pretty much anything.
When thinking about how I wanted to write this post, I had a bunch of creative ideas for how to style maxi dresses. But then I asked myself if I’d ever really wear them that way in public. My answer was mostly “no.” So instead, I decided to take photos of practical ways that I, a regular woman, would wear a maxi dress.
By themselves, maxi dresses are statement pieces. So don’t feel compelled to dress them up and accessorize like crazy if that’s not your style. If wearing a floor length dress feels like it’s enough by itself, just rock that look!
If you do want to accessorize a bit, try adding some big earrings, a necklace that hangs past the neckline of the dress, and a chunky bracelet. I paired both of these maxis (below) with camel high heeled sandals. They’re spring-y and tall enough to keep my dress from dragging on the ground. But if you’re tall to begin with, consider opting for gladiator sandals or flats, to keep the hemline of the dress where it’s supposed to fall.
Maxi dresses also make elegant swimsuit coverups. Try throwing on your swimsuit, a pair of sandals, a big hat to shield your eyes from the sun, and a pair of aviator sunglasses. And wear this look to the beach.
To emphasize your waist, try belting your maxi dress. Then pair it with a statement piece of jewlery – either a big necklace or earrings. Here I’m wearing brown flats that match the belt, but you can’t see them in the photo.
If for whatever reason, you can’t get away with walking around with your shoulders exposed (or you’re cold), try throwing a blazer on top of your maxi dress. Here, I paired my basic black boyfriend blazer with a waist cinching black belt. On my feet, I’m wearing little black high heeled booties (because yes, you can wear boots with maxi dresses).
Don’t own a blazer? No problem. Cardigans look great over maxi dresses, as do denim jackets. So you have some options to choose from. And you don’t HAVE to belt them, I just thought this made for a nice, polished look.
So as you can see, maxi dresses can be worn many ways and are very versatile. So experiment a little because I truly believe you can’t go wrong here.
Do you have any interesting and creative suggestions for how to wear a maxi dress?
Getting my hurrs did
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I’m getting my hair done tomorrow and on Tuesday! Woo hoo! And I’m so excited! (Can you tell?)
I’m honestly so bored with my cut and my color right now – it has been way too long since I’ve done anything to it.
I’m having it cut and styled by guest blogger and Stylist Caitlyn Miller on Sunday, and colored by Chachi of Chachi Hair Skin on Tuesday. Usually I would do the color before the cut, but this is just the way everything worked out with scheduling conflicts. But I digress…
I’m hoping Caitlyn can help me take the “boring” out of my hair – every time I get my hair cut by anyone else, it always seems to end up looking the same and laying flat. (I have a lot of hair – so when it lays flat it just piles up on top of itself creating a sort of triangle around my head – not cute.) Although I haven’t met Caitlyn yet, she comes highly recommended by my trusted sources, so I’m excited to have her do my hair!
And I’m thinking of doing a haircut that is a little more exciting this time! Maybe side bangs? And/or choppy layers?
Here is some of my inspiration…
Color-wise, for my appointment with Chachi, I’m thinking bright blonde for spring/summer! Maybe something like one of these…
What do you guys think? Do you usually dye your hair lighter for spring/summer? Do you switch up your haircut often? Am I playing it too risky or too safe here? Let me know!
Correction made 04/24: I’m now having my color done by Caitlyn as opposed to Chachi, all the rest of this post was accurate.
15 Fashion Essentials Every Woman Should Own
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It’s great to own fun things that accessorize your wardrobe, but without the essentials it’s hard to make a cohesive outfit. Do you find yourself staring blankly at your closet in the morning, clothes spilling out, still feeling like you have nothing to wear? You may be feeling this way because you’re missing the essentials that pull an outfit together. I’m talking about the things that you can throw together and wear with pretty much anything – like a black blazer, the perfect pair of pumps, or a great pair of dark denim jeans.
That’s why I’ve put together a list of the top 15 things that I believe every woman should own. All of these items make it possible for you to move fearlessly forward and wear all those other lonely accessories hanging in your closet, with tags still own, begging not to be ignored.
1. Black blazer – preferably “boyfriend style”
Black is a power color and wearing a black blazer gives off the impression that you mean business. I like the boyfriend blazer because it’s more versatile than the classic fitted blazer. You can wear it as part of a suit, or you can wear it out at night. Dress it down with a t-shirt and jeans or dress it up with a dress or a pencil skirt.
2. Pencil skirt
If you have to buy one thing for business-formal occasions, make it a pencil skirt. For work, wear it with a blazer and pumps. To dress it down, try it with a t-shirt and flats.
3. Dark jeans – skinny or bootcut
Find a pair of jeans that fits you like a glove – not too tight, not too loose. Avoid rips, and make sure it has very little fading. Blogher has some great tips for finding the perfect pair of jeans for you.
4. Plain white t-shirt
A great cotton t-shirt can be worn with pretty much anything (think tucked into skirts, with jeans, scarves, etc.). I’m not talking about a men’s t-shirt you might wear to the gym, I’m talking about a fitted (but not skin tight) woman’s t-shirt. Personally, I prefer v-necks, and American Apparel has some great ones!
5. Black leggings
When leggings came back into style, it was like clothing brands had finally given us the “go ahead” to wear pajamas during the day – they’re that comfortable! But there are some legging rules I suggest you follow in order to keep yourself from looking like you just rolled out of bed. 1) Your leggings should to be thick because otherwise they have a tendency to be a little see-through. 2) And they should be worn with shirts, sweaters and tunics that cover your rear end. (Or they can be worn with dresses, which seems to be socially acceptable but I’m not a big fan of that look.) I really love Bebe’s leggings (pictured above) because they’re high waisted, so they flatten your tummy, and they’re nice and thick. They also last forever!
6. Leather Jacket
I raved about the benefits of having a black leather jacket in this post, so I won’t dwell on that here. But I do want to add that I’m not suggesting every woman go out and drop $400 on a leather jacket. There are actually a lot of faux leather jackets on the market right now that look totally real for well under $100.
7. Two LBDs – A “business-y” one, and a “sassy” one
When you’re going to an event and you feel like you don’t have anything to wear – you can always turn to the little black dress. For business events, your parents’ dinner parties, networking events, etc. you should have a LBD that is modest, classy, and flattering. Your sassy LBD should be a little sexier (but not slutty!), to be worn when you’re “going out.” My general rule for this dress is that if it’s going to be short, make sure it isn’t low cut, and if it’s going to be low cut, make sure it’s not short. Pair either of these dresses with fun jewelry and pumps and you’re good to go.
8. Plain black pumps
Plan black pumps are boring, but they’re a must-have for work and formal events. I’ve gone though about a million pairs over the past few years because I’ve worn them to death. I suggest buying a pair with a decent heel so that it makes your calves look nice with skirts, but not such a high heel that you’re drawing a lot of attention to yourself. These shoes don’t need to be stand out shoes, they’re mostly functional.
9. Neutral pumps in blush and/or camel
I went on and on about how wonderful camel is in this post, so I won’t bore you with my tangent for the second time – but neutral pumps are all the rage right now because they make your legs look long and lean.
10. “Sassy” pumps
These are the shoes that should be the attention-getters. Either the huge heel is what stands out, the color, the pattern (or if you’re really daring – all three!).
11. Sensible (but elegant) flats
A flat can be just as nice as a heel if it’s made from supple leather, it’s timeless, and it’s got a nice shape to it. Look for a pair of flats that is comfortable enough that you’re inclined to wear it on those days when you’re just not in the mood to wear heels.
12. Colorful scarf
Bored with your outfit? Wearing a shit that’s a little too low cut? Cold? Here’s an easy fix for all of your problems: Add a colorful scarf! Need some more inspiration? Texture Silk has some cool ideas for how to tie your scarves.
13. Two-toned jewelry
Two-toned jewelry bridges the gap between all of your jewelry. It’s great! You don’t want everything to be two tones, but it’s nice to have to option to wear silver with gold and not to have to worry about it.
14. An elegant, small black handbag
For events, going out, work… For really anything, it’s nice to have a small black handbag.
15. Something animal print
Animal print acts as neutrals (I know this seems odd). They compliment all colors and can be worn with most outfits. If you haven’t already, I recommend adding an animal print scarf and pair of flats (or heels) to your wardrobe to spice up boring outfits. But note: As a rule of thumb, you shouldn’t wear multiple animal print items together at the same time – that’s too much.
Did I miss omit anything from this list that you consider to be a staple that every woman should own? Let me know in a comment!
REVIEW: bareMinerals Pretty Amazing Lipcolor
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As you know from my past reviews, I’m a huge fan of bareMinerals! I’ve raved about their foundation and it’s a staple in my everyday makeup routine. So of course, I was absolutely thrilled to receive a package from Bare Esentuals in the mail yesterday with some of the company’s new products for Spring to review! I was excited to see how their other products stack up next to their award-winning foundation.
New this season:
BareMinerals Pretty Amazing Lipcolor and High Shine Eyecolor, arrived at my doorstep.
I’m going to review the Pretty Amazing Lipcolor in this post and save the Eyecolor for another day.
Bare Esentuals claims that you CAN have the best of both worlds – at least when it comes to your lips. “This May, we’re giving you the coverage of a lipstick with the high-shine effects of a gloss with the launch of our brand new bareMinerals Pretty Amazing Lipcolor,” says Bare Esentuals. These glosses are available in eight shades and are supposed to hydrate and provide the perfect amount of color with one swipe of the applicator.
I received the Pretty Amazing Lipcolor in “Bravado,” and below is a swatch so you can see what the color looks like out of the tube (you can also see a swatch from the eyeshadow they sent me):
I think the color is great! In my opinion, it was a little dark for everyday wear (although I did wear it to work today) – but it would be beautiful for a formal event. I know the gloss is a little different shade than the one Diana Argon wore here, but I think it would have looked really gorgeous with the rest of her makeup.
Additionally, bareMinerals Pretty Amazing Lipcolor really does fulfill the company’s claim that it gives the coverage of a lipstick. And it’s also very moisturizing.
However, I found it a little messy and almost tedious to apply. One of the benefits of wearing lip gloss over lipstick is the ease of application and lack of precision needed to apply it. I don’t think that this lipgloss is much more convenient than lipstick in it’s application. It comes out of the tube a little gloppy, and is a little difficult to apply evenly. I also wouldn’t do it without a mirror.
However, the end result is still beautiful! And I think the staying power of this gloss is better than most.
BareMinerals Pretty Amazing Lipcolor Overall rating: 4/5
Recommend it for: Formal events, dry lips
You can purchase Pretty Amazing Lipcolor from Bareescentuals.com starting the month of May for $16.
Disclosure: I received these products free of charge from the company.
5 easy hairstyles for medium, long, wavy, curly or straight hair
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Hair Stylist Caitlyn Miller made a point that really hit home in her guest post the other day – it’s way too easy to get in the routine of doing your hair the same way every day. This pretty much sums up my own look – same old, same old. And boring!
Inspired by Caitlyn’s post, I took it upon myself to find some new styles that were simple enough that even someone like me could recreate them (I’m really, really bad at styling my own hair). I tried out a bunch of styles but in the end I found five that I’m really excited to wear.
These hairstyles are not only super easy, they’re also super quick! Every single one of them can be done in less than ten minutes (most of them in two minutes or less). I’m guessing that’s less time than you spend on your hair right now, which really gives you no excuse not to experiment with something new!
First, mist your dry hair with water. Then pull your hair up into a loose bun centered on the crown of your head (it doesn’t have to look nice). Next, blow-dry your bun in place for a few minutes to set the waves.
When you unravel your hair, it will have a soft wave to it. Follow with a defrizz cream and texture cream to smooth out your tresses. This hairstyle is actually a good base for all the other hairstyles I talk about in this post.
In college, a messy bun was the go-to hair style for most girls going to class because it took a mere five seconds. This is a take on the classic messy bun, but it ensures that all parts of the bun look the way you want them to – so that it can be worn out in public and not just with your sweat pants to the lecture hall.
Take your dry hair and brush it with your fingers. Pull it up into a pony tail on the crown of your head (mine is a little lower in this picture – but the putting it on your crown will make it look more elegant and purposeful). Then, mess the pony tail up a bit. Take individual pieces of hair from the tail and twist them, pinning them around the base of the pony tail in an uneven manner. Don’t be afraid to let pieces of hair stick out from the bun – that’s part of what makes it “messy.” Top it off with a little hairspray.
This is such an easy, but elegant updo! Brush your hair back and pull it into three pony tails in the back of your head, at the base of your neck. Secure with pony tail holders. Spray your hair with hairspray. Let it dry and then mess the pony tails up so they look a little undone. Twist the pony tails into three messy ballerina buns. Pin the buns to keep them in place. If the buns are awkwardly far apart (mine were at first), use bobby pins to pin them closer together.
We all know how to braid, right? I’m going to assume that’s a yes.
This style actually looks best on hair longer than mine, but it still works here. After your hair is wavy and textured (see hairstyle number one), comb through it with your fingers and gather it on one side of your head. Braid it to the side and ignore the fact that some of your hair is falling out of the braid on both sides (if it’s not falling out, pull it out – that’s part of the look). Secure the braid with a hair tie (preferably a small one – smaller than the one I used here). Use a curling iron or curling flat iron to make the pieces that fell out of the braid a little more wavy. Top it off with a little hairspray and you’re good to go.
After your hair is wavy and textured (see hair style number 1), wrap a headband with an elastic band around your head like a crown so that the pretty part of the headband is across your forehead. Make sure to also leave two inch-thick pieces hanging out in the front so that the style looks “undone.”
Gather your hair back in a very loose, low pony tail. Secure a pony tail holder down at the bottom of your tail. Only an inch or two of your hair should be hanging at the bottom of of the pony tail holder.
Carefully roll your pony tail up the back of your neck and hook it into the back of your headband. Then top if off with a little hairspray and you’re done!
Do you have any hairstyling tips for me and my readers? Is there an easy hairstyle that you want to tell us about? Leave a comment to let us know!
Vince Camuto ‘Aphrodite’ Sandal Sale!
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My favorite pair of heels that I have ever owned is the Vince Camuto ‘Aphrodite’ Sandal. This shoe took me from summer to fall last season, five inches taller, and without tripping once (okay – that last part may be a lie).
Seriously though, I wore these shoes everywhere because they’re so darn comfortable! And I got compliments on them pretty much every single time.
Unfortunately, a year of wearing this supple leather in the harsh Oregon rain took a tole on their condition, and my pair from last year is not as flawless as it once was.
I was devastated when I looked online to replace them, only to see that they are almost sold out at Nordstrom and out of my size!
But lucky for those of you with size 7.5, 8.5, 9, or 10 feet, these sizes are still in stock and they’re all 50% off! Now you can buy them for only $59.90!
Still need to be convinced? Then you clearly aren’t grasping the amazingness of these shoes. They’re ridiculously comfortable to walk in (for hours), they’re made from insanely soft leather, and they look fabulous with pretty much everything.
Order from Nordstrom.com today before they’re all gone!
Laser Hair Removal Diary: Treatment #2
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Background: A few months ago, I took advantage of one of LivingSocial‘s great deals and purchased six laser hair removal treatments for one area for $70 from Body Sculpt MD in northeast Portland. The deal seemed too good to pass up, considering single treatments are usually hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars.
The area I choose to have my treatments done on is my Brazilian area.
This is my third post in this series of Laser Hair Removal Diary entires.
These are my first two posts:
Laser Hair Removal Diary: Consultation
Laser Hair Removal Diary: Treatment #1
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It’s been two months since my first treatment, and it was time for my second laser hair removal treatment last Thursday, March 31st.
After my first treatment, I saw a decrease in hair growth and didn’t have to shave as often for the month following. But after that month, the hair returned to its normal growth speed. I was a little bit discouraged but I learned during my second treatment that this is normal, because the first treatment only took care of the first of three growth cycles. The second treatment was taking care of the second growth cycle.
Once I was called back into the doctor’s office, I was instructed to use some crazy machine to blow cold air on myself in preparation for the pain of the laser. Quite frankly, the air was so cold that that part was painful in and of itself. But the cold air paid off, numbing my privates for the zing of the laser that followed.
I had a slightly different experience during my second treatment than I did during my first. I had a different technician this time, and this one told me that because my hair is lighter than average, it was necessary to turn the laser up really high. So this laser was hotter and more powerful than the first laser used on me, and therefore more painful.
The process for the hair removal was pretty much the same. This technician reminded me that it’s easier for the laser to do its job when I’ve shaved pretty much right before the treatment (oops – I shaved the day before). If you have any hair down there, the laser puts more energy into zapping it when it should be focusing on burning the follicle (Sound painful? Well, it is.).
This technician also told me that she works part time at another laser hair removal clinic that uses the “pain-free lasers.” Although those lasers are almost pain free, she said they don’t necessarily get the same results. I had heard of those lasers before, so it was reassuring to know that I was getting as good, if not better or a treatment. That made the pain worth it (for the most part).
Like the first treatment, immediately following I had no pain or discomfort. I was just relieved to be done.
The technician told me that after this treatment, I really should expect to have some hair falling out. So I guess I have that to look forward to, ha!
Anyway, I’ll let you know if I have any other significant updates! Otherwise, you may not hear about this process until my next treatment in two months from now.
HOW TO: Spring Eye Makeup
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The shift from winter to spring means more than just breaking out the shorts from the bottom of your closet. It also invites the opportunity to experiment with new and interesting makeup. The fun thing about spring is that colorful makeup is almost always acceptable, whereas summer tends to welcome more minimalist looks.
I’ve never been exceptionally skilled at makeup application. I know this is ironic because I write a blog about beauty, but I’m actually experimenting as I go along, just like everybody else.
Today, I decided to branch out from my “natural” makeup routine and experiment with a fun spring eyeshadow combination. I used this 100-Piece Eyeshadow Pallet (pictured below) that I bought from Forever 21 for only $16!
Here are some photos and instructions on how to get the look! At the end of this post, there is an image of the makeup pallet that shows which colors I used and where.
First I used Benefit Stay Don’t Stray eyeshadow primer to prime my lids and make sure that the shadow stayed on. (Pictured above.) To apply eyeshadow primer, add just a touch to the tip of your finger and lightly dab it over your lids to even it out. Then give it a couple seconds to dry.
Next, I applied a light shadow to my brow bone. (Pictured above.)
Followed by a fun, bright green color on the inner corner of my eyelid. (Pictured above.)
Then I added a bright pink to the outer corner of my eyelid. And a deep purple to my crease. (Pictured above.)
I topped it off with some brown eyeliner and black mascara. (Pictured above.)
And this was the final result! (Pictured above.)
What do you think? Would you wear this shadow out in public or is it too colorful for your tastes? I think it makes a great “going out” look for spring!
On another note, what would you like to see more of on this blog? More “how to’s” like this one? More product reviews? More outfit photos? Let me know!
Disclosure: I received the Benefit Stay Don’t Stray eyeshadow primer free of charge from Benefit Cosmetics. I paid for the eyeshadow pallet, eyeliner and mascara myself.
Currently Craving…
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T.G.I.F! Seriously though, this has been a long week. At work, we’re gearing up to launch our newest product for business professionals and college students, and we have been scrambling to get everything done this week. I have been heavily involved in the creation and direction of this product from the beginning, so it’s nice to see everything fall in to place. But at the same time, it’s a lot of pressure and I worry about it. A lot. And unfortunately, this stress has been taking a tole on my skin. That’s why today I’m craving Clinique’s 7-Day Scrub!
I got a sample of the 7-Day Scrub when I bought toner from the Clinique counter at Nordstrom the other day, and I can’t get enough of it. It’s not often that a sample alone moves me to go buy a product, but this one is special. The creamy texture and soft exfoliating beads leave my skin noticeably smoother. And the product doesn’t irritate my skin the way many exfoliates do. (*cough* Proactive *cough*) So for somewhat sensitive skin, this scrub is a must have!
It’s also really helping me to get rid of the stubborn little bumps on my forehead that I’ve had for years because they don’t want to go away. Is it a miracle cream? Possibly.
Speaking of awesome Clinique products, have you tried Clinique’s Clarifying Lotion? Now this one is a little more controversial than the 7-Day Scrub, but I love it. I’ve read some reviews saying that it’s too harsh on your skin, but I disagree and instead say that it’s a product that works really well if it is used sparingly. The Clarifying Lotion is actually rather unique because it’s an alachol-based liquid that acts as a exfoliator and moisturizer in one. My skin has the tendency to flake around my nose and eyebrows (weird, I know!) and this toner instantly absorbs the flakes from my skin, with one use. I’ve seriously never seen anything like it. But I really only use it when my skin is flaking. As a result, the bottle lasts FOREVER. But there’s nothing wrong with that, right?
Both of these products can be purchased at any Clinique counter in a department store such as Nordstrom or Macy’s, or the scrub can be purchased online at Clinique.com (I can’t seem to find the toner on their website?) and the toner can be purchased at Sephora.com. The 7-Day Scrub is the only scrub of it’s kind offered by Clinique, but the toner is offered in a variety of levels depending on your skin type, so read up to learn which one is best for you, (I recommend leaning toward the lower levels because they’re easier on your skin.)
So, you heard about my week. How was your week? Are you fortunate enough to be one of those people living where there is sun this time of year (aka not in Oregon, where I am)?
Disclosure: I was originally given a generous sample of the 7-day scrub from Clinique. I then went out to purchase a full size tube on my own. And I purchased the toner on my own.
