I'VE BEEN TAGGED

I’ve been tagged for the very first time by the lovely Darci over at With This Ring. I’m supposed to post 7 random and/or weird things about me (ooh, the pressure) and post the rules.

So here we go...

• Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog
• Share 7 random and or weird things about yourself
• Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs
• Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog
  

I live in New Jersey and am not ashamed to admit it. (‘that smell’ goes away about 20 minutes past Newark airport ; )

My house has been under construction since September and I’m convinced it will never be finished.

I have two dogs. Max, the sweestest looking little peekingese who will bite your face off if you get to close to his mama while she’s rubbing his belly. And Mabel, a gold retriever who is the worst behaved dog on the planet. But I love them. No matter how stressed I am, no matter how bad my day is, they always make everything okay.

I take every opportunity possible to educate people and spread the word regarding the ridiculousness that is getting diagnosed and treated for Lyme Disease in this country. Please read this post if you haven’t done so already.

I’m addicted to Sex and the City and all things SJP. I never get tired of watching the reruns over and over and over again. I’m invited to a little charity Christmas event that she is hosting later in the month and I’m practically peeing with excitement about the possibility of meeting her. (I’m a dork…)

I’m a beauty product junkie. If they claim it will make me look even 5 minutes younger, I’ll try it.

Okay, here’s the “weird” one…I hate socks, never wear them, even in the dead of winter.

Tag you're it:
Something White
Lucky Me
Becoming Mom
Celebrate Creativity
Laissezfaire
Pretty Little Things
Snippet and Ink

GIVEAWAY & STYLE ME PRETTY SHOUT OUT

I woke up this morning, grabbed my usual very strong cup of coffee and sat down to read my favorite blogs. I quite literally fell off my chair when I read yesterday’s Style Me Pretty post “Reader Blogs Galore”. Um, I’m one of them! Ladies, no lie, in the blogging world, this is like the equivalent of winning an Oscar. I adore and admire Abby and am so incredibly inspired by what she’s accomplished between her invitation design business and her blog. I can hardly believe she reads my blog let alone mentioned me as one of her blogs to watch . It’s funny, because when I first clicked on her page, I always scroll through the pictures first because Abby has incredible taste and the photos she posts are always gorgeous. I noticed immediately that she had posted the Alicia Bock prints that I just ordered. I thought, aw, how cool is that? Abby and I have the same taste in art. Then I read the post!!! Boom, fell right off my chair!

In honor of this happy moment, I’ve decided to finally offer the giveaway that I’ve been pulling together for the last few weeks. The prize is a huge assortment of my favorite cosmetics, skin care and hair products including:

A full size Clinique Moisture Surge Extra. I love this stuff. It’s a unique gel formula and leaves you with that dewey youthful glow we’re all after but since it’s a gel it kind of acts as a makeup primer so if you wear foundation, it looks flawless. A little tip...keep it in the fridge. It’s so refreshing to put it on when it’s cool. ; )

A full size Avon Anew Ultimate Age Repair Night Cream. Need I say more, it does what it says…

A lovely perfectly pink makeup bag filled with a tube of Clinique’s cult classic Dramatically Different Moisture Lotion, a sample of hair guru Frederic Fekkai’s Protein Rx PM Repair Stregnthener, a sample of L’Occitane Crème Ultra Riche Body Cream, a full sized tube of Clinique’s All About Eyes Concealer in light neutral, Clinique’s ever so popular Glosswear for Lips in Nude Nectar, and Clinique’s Color Surge Bare Brilliance Lipstick in Nude Beach (My favorite ‘no makeup makeup' lipcolor).

All you have to do, is go to my sister Meredith’s Avon website and register by December 15th. No purchase necessary, just register. Take a look around if you’re so inclined, but you don’t have to buy anything to win. On Dec 15th all names of those who registered will ‘go into a hat’ and Meredith will select the winner at random.

On a side note, my sweet, smart and gorgeous sister has been a devoted housewife and stay at home Mom to my adorable twin nephews for 10 years. She’s on a mission to better her life. As is usually the case, decent job opportunities are sadly limited to women who decide that taking care of their families is more important than maintaining their resume and so she’s turned to Avon to get on her feet.

Now ladies, as you know, I am a self confessed product addict. First of all, I work for a major cosmetics company and what I don’t get for free, I get at a very generous discount. You name the product, and at some point, I’ve had it on my face. We’re talking major, very expensive, cult favorite stuff and so I have to admit I was skeptical about Avon. Yet, I wanted to support my sis and so I’ve been continually ordering from her. I hate to admit it, but I’m kind of hooked. The Clinical Skincare Line is the bomb and I’ll never go back to my other brand. The Clinical Micro Exfoliant ($20) is that perfect combination of creamy with just enough ‘grainy microbeads’ to make you feel radiant, refreshed and like you’ve ‘made a difference'. Yet it's not so much that you look like Samantha from that "Carrie Book Party" SATC episode...if you’re addicted to daily exfoliation like me. The Advanced Retexturing Peel ($25) is kind of a mini glycolic peel in a pad and fabulous!

Some other Avon products that may interest you brides out there are some tasteful, lovely, yet inexpensive jewelry. I have several of Avon’s jewelry pieces and they are quite well made. I work in an environment where I’m literally surrounded by socialites who are clearly wearing ‘the real thing’. I get so many compliments on my little crystal Avon dangles, they think they’re the real thing. I have a stunning very expensive real diamond pair of Me & Ro’s and nothing. Yet those little Avon dangles get noticed. Go figure…. ; )

Here’s some of my Avon bridal appropriate favorites…



Top left: Vintage looking scroll motif necklace and earring set $19.99
Top middle: Simulated pearl and crystal accents choker and earring set $59.99
Top right: Circle necklace $14.99
Bottom left: Graduated crystals necklace: $14.99
Bottom center: Vintage look crystal necklace and earring set $19.99
Bottom right: Dainty crystal dangle earrings $14.99

Here’s a few add'l favorites. Who knew Avon gets the trends?


Top left: I kind of love this long faceted cat’s eye necklace, great for layering, just $14.99
Top middle: Long beaded necklace only $7.49
Top right: My favorite trend of the moment, charm necklaces. Disc pendants with sparkly bead accents $14.99
Bottom left: Bold filigree earrings $7.99
Bottom center: Teardrop hoops $9.99
Middle right: Charm with scroll etching design necklace and earring set $29.99

Don’t forget, the deadline to register for the giveaway is December 15th. I’ll announce the winner on December 16th. Feel free to spread the word.

Have a great weekend!

10% OFF ALICIA BOCK PRINTS

While perusing Trunkt this evening, I came across a promotion offered by one of my favorite photographers Alicia Bock and wanted to share. She's offering 10% off all orders through 12/15/07. Simply enter the code TRUNKT07 at checkout. I bought myself a few early Christmas gifts. (3) lovely 8x8 photographs matted to 11x14 for easy framing. I can't wait to finish my living room to hang these, they're just stunning. Alicia's work uses a combination of vintage and modern cameras resulting in photographs that highlight the dust and scratches that make vintage photographs so utterly charming. At just $54 each, minus 10% with your discount, they would make a lovely holiday gift for a special friend or family member.

I chose Summer's Green, Blush and Of the Way We Were, yet she has a nice assortment of additional botanicals as well as locations, abstract and textures and also offers prints on fine art canvas for an additional cost. Hurry as the 10% off offer expires on 12/15.

HOME RENOVATION PROGRESS AND A LITTLE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

Well, lot's of home reno and Christmas shopping progress was made this weekend and so I thought I'd share. After much debate and me actually telling off a saleperson in one horrible flooring store, we (finally) purchased our flooring for the livingroom/dining room . A nice handscraped teak from Virgina Millworks. With any luck it'll be actually on my floors by next week and I'll post a picture. On a reco from a friend, I went to Lumber Liquidators (they have a warehouse in South Hackensack, NJ not to far from where we live), and I was actually pleasantly surprised with the selection.

The contruction guys were also back this weekend and I finally now have a 1/2 ton steel beam holding up the second floor. (Fingers crossed) it'll all pass inspection and/or my stepdaughter's room won't come crashing down into my livingroom and I can finally have my house finished by next week.

As if dropping $3000 on flooring wasn't enough to lay out in one weekend, I decided to make as big of a dent as possible in my Christmas shopping as December is going to be madness at 'the day job' and I won't have much time to think about it after this week. I'd say I'm 50% done. Not bad for never having left my house. : ) Here's what I got. (Friends and family members, no peeking...)

Top left and right: Roadster Fire Truck ($69) and Fire Fighter outfit (34.99) from Back To Basics Toys for my little nephews who are currently obsessed with firemen.

2nd row left: French Alphabet Flash Cards $24 from Posh Chicago.

2nd row right: Adorable handmade sweater dress from Angora Knitter $30

3rd row left: Beautiful set of decoupaged coasters with soldered aluminum edges ($30) from Sidney Ann for a coaster obsessed friend along with a lovely pair of Kevia earrings for her purchased at Blufly with a coupon code DOR127 where I got $30 off my total order--which of course included this little Twelfth St By Cynthia Vincent dress for me ; )

4th row left: Kevia gold bangle with leaf via Blufly $45

4th row right: Part of a large gift basket for my scent obsessed friend, a Mistral Lychee Rose scented glass candle. $22. How pretty is their packaging?!!??

Bottom left: 12 card collection presented in an elegant box of birthday cards, thank you cards, get well, with love and miss you cards from Cecily Ink $25

Bottom Right: Gorgeous calendar from Cecily Ink $14

Top Left: Citizen Nighthawk watch for my hubby. It retails for $450, and I got a great deal with free shipping at EWatches.

Top right: Mom and floral diamond charm necklace from Helen Ficalora

Second row left: My 'go to gift' for guys, Skin Supplies for Men from Clinique. Guys love this stuff and I get a nice discount at 'the day job'.

Second row right: I'm a sucker for pretty packaging and how beautiful is this? A lovely rose scented reed diffuser from Fresh Body Boutique $32.99 I'm tempted to keep this one for me ; )

Third row left: I ordered the 'The Bin' container in this beautiful damask pattern from the Macbeth Collection to use as a gift box which will hold the rest of the items pictured ...Orange blossoms room spray $16 from Fresh Body Boutique; A beautifully packaged mimosa, white musk and cedarwood milk protein soap $7 from Mistral; Blackberry scented sugar body scrub $24 also from Mistral; and a French Lavender scented reed diffuser from Fresh Body Boutique $32

PHEW!!

FANCY IPODS

I think I must be the only person on the plant who doesn't own an IPOD and so I've 'asked Santa' to bring me one for Christmas. He asked me to pick out my color and so I did a little searching online. I came across these very fancy options from Xexoo, and while I know it's very Lyndsey/Brittany of me, I can't help it, I LOVE them. Santa, if you have an extra $50,000 lying around, I'd love one of these.




Or, I suppose I could settle for this one. The enclosure with rounded edges is done in 18kt gold. Also from Xexoo.




If you're in the market, according to their website, each is made to order and delivered to you by secure transporation anywhere in the world. They'll even send one of their sales professionals to deliver to you personally.

: )

SAMPLE SALE - AMSALE, KENNETH POOL, CHRISTOS

The Amsale Design Group will be holding a two day stock and sample sale on 12/1 and 12/2 that is by appointment only. Bridal gowns from Amsale, Kenneth Pool and Christos, as well as dresses from Amsale bridesmaid and party collections will be priced 30-70% off retail. A large selection of brand new gowns will be included and discounted up to 30% off retail. Sale gowns are priced as low as $750!!! Gowns that retail for $5,000 are now marked down to just $1,500! All sales are final. For appointments, call 212-583-1700.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE - FOR KIDS

Anything from Back to Basics Toys. This company was founded in 1988 by discerning parents who wanted their children to enjoy the same quality of play that they remembered and cherished. Favorite products and playthings triggered many happy memories for both parents, but at first they figured classic toy collecting would simply be a passion and hobby. Like many young parents they felt they had their plate full juggling "real jobs" and children, but their family and friends convinced them to start a catalog company from the basement of their house. Over the years Back To Basics Toys has continued to help bring back classic, quality toys that had disappeared from the shelves of American toy stores. Their goal is to continue to offer alternatives to the increasing number of toys that are inherently violent & poorly made. They are committed to being a unique source for classic toys, and products with quality craftsmanship and value. Here's a few of my favorites from their catalog. Of course I've picked some of the pricier items. However, they have endless options in all price ranges. Take a look!




Top Left: Okay, even I want one of these. ~ a pink convertible in 1920s style! $179.99

Top Right: Pink Retro bycycle $179.99

Middle Left: My sister would kill me if I got this for my nephews.. toy drum set includes 7 percussion instruments: bass drum, 4 snare drums, and 2 metal cymbals with a deluxe electronic rhythm tutor that teaches your child how to play. Using 40 pre-recorded songs, the tutor lights up to show your child which part of the drum to strike in the correct tempo. Includes 8 melody and rhythm variations and 4 learning levels. Also includes 2 drumsticks, foot pedal, and stool. $99.99

Middle Right: Hohner guitar features nylon strings, real turnable machine heads, and an accurate fingerboard. Comes with a songbook and color-coded finger position markers for easy learning. Tuning pitch pipe also included. $39.99

Bottom Left: A real Roller Coaster pulls two sets of cars up the first big hill. They then fall freely and quickly around twists and turns back to the start again. Plays 15 all-time classic tunes and 15 Christmas carols (which can be turned off) as tiny lights twinkle for added realism. Made of durable plastic with ornate metal detailing. AC adapter included. $119.99

Bottom Right: Spring Horse provides a plush and comfortable ride. Galloping horse sounds add to the fun as rider squeezes the sound chip located in horse’s ear. Great for children with lots of energy. Smoothed edges and protected springs keep riders safe. Supports riders up to 100 lbs. $129.99