A "Handpicked" Mother's Day Gift

Mother's Day is May 10th, so it's time to get serious about what you're getting for the special mom in your life. Whether she's your own mom, your mother-in-law or a friend who's a mommy, make her feel extra special with this unique and thougthful gift!

mothers day by srqsocialite

Everything is from Target and nothing costs more than $17.

Boots Original Beauty Formula Cuticle Oil $7.99
Boots Botanics Overnight Hand and Nail Treatment $8.99
Soap & Glory Spa Endless Glove Hand Cream $9.99
Shop for Soap & Glory Wash Your Hands of It Hand Wash $9.99
Artemis Woman Smooth and Shine Nail Buffer $16.99
Ms. Manicure Handy Dandy Mani 8-pc. Set $9.99

How special would this gift be if you placed everything in a decorated pail (which she can use to soak her hands in pre-manicure) with this poem attached on a beautiful, handwritten tag:

"My Mother's Hands"
By: Sharon Jordan

My mother's hands, soft and delicate
Once touching the frame of my face
Brushing back the wisps of hair
My mother's hands holding the family
Close together at the table, meals to share
My mother's hands shaping the household
Into a coherent unit functioning daily
No friction, just blessed union and peace
My mother's hands, there to fold in
Thoughts of prayer, to reach up to
The Hands Above, the Hands of Love
My mother's hands, now worn with time
Still holding my devotion, still holding mine


*Similar tin pails available at Michael's for around $5.

Go Green & Save Some Too!

This is a new feature on my blog where I'll bring you eco and wallet-friendly items I stumble upon! First up, BC Footwear's "Danke" sandals. From their "I Used To Be A Rice Bag" collection, the tops of these chic, fashionable, eco-friendly flip flops are made out of recycled rice bags, so each pair has their own unique look!

They also feature a cushioned insole with a rubber sole and every pair comes with it's very own reusable tote bag! I think they're just adorable and very easy on the coinpurse, priced around $30. They're a bit hard to track down on the internet, but try Amazon.com or your local Nordstrom store.

Mother's Day LiLash Coupon Code

This coupon is guaranteed to make Mother's Day a treat for you and your mom! Buy One Tube of LiLash or LiBrow and Take 50% Off the 2nd Tube of Your Choice! Expires May 7th.

Coupon Code: FORMOMANDME

Prom 2009 Looks

Prom season is upon us and while it's been 7 years since my prom, I still get excited when this time of year rolls around! I love seeing all the girls buying prom magazines, trying on dresses with their moms and getting their hair and nails done at the salon. I hope we have a daughter one day and I can help her get ready for all her school dances, but until then, I'll help my readers! I styled five looks for you guys to consider while deciding on your "prom style" this year!

Taylor Swift was my inspiration for this look and I think this color palette would work best for dirty blondes or brunettes. I love her hair style in this picture and would recommend it for prom. Don't be afraid to mix and match your metallics. Bronze, in particular, is a great neutral. Choose smokey browns for your eyes and a nude shimmer for your lips.


Princess Ariel from The Little Mermaid was my inspiration for this nautical-themed look. The color of the dress pictured would look great on a redhead. I love the anchor earrings and think an updo would be best to show them off. This look is young and fun! For the makeup, I recommend corals and pinks.


This is my favorite look! I took inspiration from my favorite movie Breakfast At Tiffany's. Everybody looks great in a little black dress! Pearls are a classic accessory and will never go out of style. Go with an updo and add a tiara like Audrey Hepburn if you feel like getting extra fancy. For the makeup, I'd do a red or pink lip and sleek, black liner with long, false lashes.


This look is for all you rock-a-billy chicks out there! I chose a cherry print dress, but polka dots or cheetah print would both work too. Peep-toe heels are a must! Go with a truly retro hairdo like pin curls or a throwback look like a half up/half down bouffant or "hair poof". Top it all off with red lips, rosey cheeks and big, pinup girl lashes!


This look was inspired by Twilight. I chose a dark plum-colored dress and gold accessories. The apple clutch is a literal nod to the movie but other than that, the inspiration came from the "feel" of the movie. This look is timeless and romantic. I love Bella's soft curls for the hair and I'd recommend a smokey eye and nude lips for the makeup.

Style Forecast for Spring '09

Quite a few other bloggers have been doing "hot/not" or "in/out" lists lately, so I'm jumping on the bandwagon and putting my two cents in. I'll post a new list every month and/or season. Let me know what you think of my predictions!

HOT
1. Colorful summer dresses (with flip flops or gladiators)
2. Real designer pieces, at affordable prices (Vera Wang for Kohl's, Charlotte Ronson for JCPenney)
3. Big, natural-looking lashes
4. Grey (nail polish, skinny jeans, flats, etc.)
5. Long, "beachy" hair

COLD
1. Jumpsuits/Rompers (just please don't. ever. unless you're at home)
2. Fake designer purses (i gave all of my knockoffs to a consignment store. people can tell they're fake and I'd rather have a real one, even if i have to save for months to buy it!)
3. Glittery makeup (save it for halloween, girls)
4. Black (i love it, but let's bring some color back into our lives!)
5. Sharp, straight & short haircuts

Another Huge NYX Sale!

NYX is having another fantastic sale! There are 4 different lots available, but you have to act fast because they always sell out really quickly! SALE ENDS 4/30!

Item 1: 11 Tube Lip Glosses and 8 Trio Eyeshadows for $27
Item 2: 20 Double Sided Eye Pencils and 10 Liquid Eyeliners for $22
Item 3: 30 pairs of lashes for $24
Item 4: 5 Diamond Sparkle Lipglosses and 15 Single Eyeshadows for $41.25

They also have their liquid makeup (in the glass bottles) on sale for $1.40/each. That's a 90% discount!!!

I really want to get the eyeliners and lashes, but I've been spending way too much money on makeup lately... Maybe just the eyeliners. hehe

Hard Candy SALE!

HardCandy.com is having a 50% sale right now! No word on when it ends, but I heard from heather123 on YouTube that the company is merging with Urban Decay and will no longer have it's own website. Whatever the reason, make sure to take advantage of the sale while it lasts!

Pregnant? What To Pack In Your Hospital Bag!

This list is taken from one of my favorite websites, BabyCenter.com. I adapted it to reflect the items that I felt were necessary. Everyone has different needs, so keep that in mind if you think I left anything out :)

For labor

• A couple copies of your birth plan (if you have one).

• Your license/i.d., insurance card and any hospital paperwork you need.

• Your eyeglasses, if you need any. Even if you usually wear contacts, you'll probably need or want to take them out at some point during your stay.

• Toiletries. Include items you might want during labor and your postpartum stay, such as lip balm, a toothbrush and toothpaste, body spray, deodorant, a brush and comb, and makeup, if it's important to you. Hospitals will have soap, shampoo, and lotion, but you might prefer your own brands. Don't forget a hair band and barrettes, if you think you might want them.

• A bathrobe, slippers, and a pair of socks. Hospitals provide gowns for you to use during labor and afterward, but most will allow you to wear your own clothes if you prefer. Choose something loose and comfortable that you don't mind getting ruined.

• Something light to read, if you're so inclined. (This might be especially helpful if you're heading to the hospital to be induced and might be there quite a while before you have any serious contractions to deal with.)

*I recommend trashy gossip magazines and The Modern Girls Guide To Motherhood by Jane Buckingham. It's full of tips, tricks, advice and life lessons for the modern day mama. Another good (and hysterically honest) book is Belly Laughs by Jenny McCarthy.

• A massage tool (tennis ball, rolling pin, etc), a fan, spray bottle for water, music, a body pillow, whatever you need to help you relax. If you do bring your own pillow, be sure to use a patterned or colorful pillowcase so it doesn't get mixed up with the hospital's.

For your partner/labor coach

• Money for parking and change for vending machines.

• A few basic toiletries, such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant.

• A change of clothes.

• Some snacks and something to read during the early stages.

• A camera/video camera with memory card and batteries (or film or tape). Someone has to document the big event! (Note: Not all hospitals allow videotaping of the birth itself, but there's usually no rule against taping during labor or after the birth.)


Postpartum

• A sports bra/nursing bra, and breast pads.

• A going-home outfit. Bring something roomy and easy to get into (believe it or not, you'll probably still look 5 or 6 months pregnant ) — along with a pair of flat shoes. The last thing you'll be worrying about when you go home is whether your outfit is fashionable.

For your baby

• An infant car seat. You can't drive your baby home without one! In fact, you'll want to have the seat properly installed ahead of time, and you'll want to know exactly how to correctly buckle in your baby. The nurse who walks you out to your car will help you if necessary.

• A going-home outfit (one-piece stretchy outfits are easiest) and a snowsuit if it's very cold. Include a pair of socks or booties if the outfit doesn't have feet.

• Baby nail clippers or emery board. "The hospital where my son was born didn't supply clippers for fear of liability, and as a result my son gouged his face before he was 12 hours old," says Jen Morin of Vancouver, British Columbia.

• Your baby book for his/her first footprints.

*The nurse will give you a pair of mesh underwear (sexy!), plenty of pads and a peri bottle for...well, you'll find out. So don't worry about bringing any of those things.
**Your hospital will also provide you with plenty of diapers, wipes, & formula for your new baby. They will also give you pacifiers and an aspirator (bulb syringe). Make sure to take home as much "free" stuff as possible! They don't re-use those items for other patients, so if it's in your room, it's fair game! I took home 3 pacifiers, about 30 diapers and 40 oz of formula. Just don't steal any linens, pillows or blankets!

Urban Decay Coupon Code

Now through April 17th, Urban Decay is having a Friends & Family sale! 30% off your entire purchase with this coupon code: FNFS9. This brand is quickly becoming one of my favorites because of their sassy philosophy & covetable packaging. The Primer Potion is a staple of mine and I've recently fallen in love with the 24/7 eye liners. I've yet to try the lipsticks or cream eye shadows, but they're next on my list!

The offer expires in a week, so get shoppin' girls!



*Thanks to MusingsofaMuse for the tip!

Hot Mom of the Month

This is a new column I want to start to highlight my favorite hot mamas! This month I chose Nicole Richie. I love that bitch! Not only is she super stylish, hysterically funny and absolutely adorable, she seems to be a great mom to baby Harlow! She's preggers with #2 right now and she's positively glowing! She and Joel are also very involved in charity work through the Richie-Madden Children's Foundation where they donate time, money and goods to families in need. Currently, she's auctioning off some of Harlow's baby clothes for www.handmedowns.com.

Twin Grins!

Showing off her new baby bump with Joel.

What a sweet little family!

Cheap & Chic: MAC Rose Romance

I was playing around with makeup today and decided to do a purple/periwinkle/pink look and it turned out like something from MAC's upcoming collection, Rose Romance! So I thought I'd post it on here to show you guys how to do it. I'd really like to make this a regular feature on my blog, where I'll copy a high-end look using low-end products! Let me know what you think & send me pictures of your Cheap & Chic looks! I'll post them on here!






What I Used:
NYX Goddess of the Night lip gloss in Purple Rain (About $4 @ Ulta)
N.Y.C. Chroma Face Glow in Moonstone (Received in a swap on MUA)
NYX Triple Shadow palette in TS26 (About $8 @ Ulta)

Sephora's Highest Rated Products

I'm a HUGE nerd when it comes to buying beauty products (buying anything actually). I scour the internet for reviews and recommendations until I'm satisfied that a product will or will not be a good investment. MakeupAlley.com and Total Beauty.com are 2 of my favorite sites to find trustworthy reviews. According to the latter, the 22 top rated products from Sephora are as follows:

*I italicized the products I already have/plan on buying

1. Beautyblender Sponge, $18.50
2. CARGO Bronzer, $25
3. Nars Blush, $25
4. Vera Wang Princess Eau de Toilette Spray, $25
5. Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, $17
6. Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder, $34
7. Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes!, $18
8. Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler, $19
9. Sephora Kohl Pencil, $8
10. Boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel, $21
11. Amazing Cosmetics Velvet Mineral Powder, $34
12. ModelCo Lip Lights, $28
13. Ojon Conditioning Volumizing Foam, $22
14. Too Faced Shadow Insurance, $17
15. Frederic Fekkai Protein Rx Anti-Breakage Treatment Mask, $29
16. Cosmedicine Medi-Morphosis Self-Adjusting Exfoliator, $15
17. DDF Glycolic 10% Toning Complex, $32
18. Guerlain Météorites Powder for the Face, $51
19. Aquolina Pink Sugar Hair Perfume Spray, $15
20. Demeter Fragrance Library Hawaiian Surf Cologne, $20
21. Philosophy Purity Made Simple, $20
22. Shiseido The Makeup Accentuating Color Stick, $32


I'm most excited about getting the Tarte mascara (supposed to be the best at eyelash extension effect), the anti-breakage treatment mask (praised for making hair super soft and strong) and the Lip Lights lipgloss (which has a built-in light for precision gloss application!).