SodaStream Soda Maker: Eco-Friendly And Delicious

For all you non-water drinkers out there, I HIGHLY recommend SodaStream's sparkling water maker.  It gives your water that little something extra and it also lets you control how bubbly your water is with their patented fizz chip!  Better yet, the flavors are all natural and free of high fructose corn syrup.  I've only tried a few of the flavors since I'm more of a purist and like good old plain seltzer ehem, sparkling water with a squeeze of fresh lemon.  Of the flavors though, I really enjoy the ginger ale and cherry cola flavors and I am really excited to try the energy drink flavor.  They require a small CO2 tank that you can bring to select stores like Williams & Sonoma and they will refill it and charge you half the retail price.  A pretty good deal if you ask me.


And now to the eco-friendly part -
According to SodaStream:

• 460 billion beverage cans and bottles are manufactured worldwide each year 
• Recycling rates hover just under 25% nationwide 
• 141 billion beverage cans and bottles go to landfill each year 
• It takes over 400 years for a plastic bottle to begin decomposing - That’s enough to keep 1 million cars on the road for the entire year!

After reading these stats, I want to encourage everyone out there to buy a SodaStream and stop wasting plastic bottles.  The SodaStream comes in many styles and price points so there really is something out there for everyone! The website even has a video tutorial which I found particularly helpful.  Find it here!

Disclosure: Some of these products were provided to me from SodaStream to test.

Meet Crabtree & Evelyn's La Source Extreme Foot Therapy

Although I'm a sucker for anything with shea butter, Crabtree & Evelyn La Source Extreme Foot Therapy separates itself from the other foot creams in that it doesn't smell minty.  Don't get me wrong because I love the smell of mint (especially in the form of C.O. Bigelow's body wash), but I just feel like ALL foot creams have a minty smell.  La Source Extreme Foot Therapy is refreshing and light and makes your feet SO SOFT.  I personally recommend putting on socks after applying the cream so that your feet retain the moisture for longer (and so that you don't slip and fall!).  It retails for $25.  Find it here!

The Coveteur = new site I visit everyday

I recently read about The Coveteur (I think it was in Elle a few months ago) and I became instantly obsessed!! This site gives you a peek into the lives of really cool people. Most of them are in the fashion industry and a lot are celebs but it's so fun to see what's in their closets, how they decorate their houses/apartments.  Highly, highly recommend this site.  Warning: you can get lost in it for hours.

Introducing Bresh - The Disposable Toothbrush

I recently got to try Bresh disposable toothbrushes which are perfect for the girl on-the-go.  Each brush is biodegradable and loaded with all-natural, spearmint flavored, Xylitol toothpaste.  To use just push your thumb on the cap and toothpaste is released into the bristles.  Buy them here!

Disclosure: samples were provided to me to test

Dr. Brandt Detoxygen Experience

I just tried dr. brandt's detoxygen experience and it was truly an eye opener! Though a bit tickle-y feeling on the skin, my pores felt thoroughly cleansed after a quick 5 minute application.  It's definitely a quick fix if your skin is feeling a little claustrophobic. I also love how the lotion you apply after the mask is actually attached to the bottom of the bottle.  It contains hyaluronic acid to help the skin retain moisture and special Oxygen Spheres to maximize oxygen transportation into skin cells (so technical, I know!).  It retails for $75 and you can find it here!

Latest Jewelry Obsession: Monique Péan

I love how Monique Péan takes raw, gorgeous gems, surrounds them with diamonds and makes them look gorg. Her jewelry is sustainable and inspired by indigenous that is socially and environmentally conscious, which I like to think makes it worth the pricetag :)

 

Birchbox - Why You Need This!

If you’re a beauty junkie like me, you need to know about Birchbox.  For just $10 a month, you can get deluxe-sized samples of the latest and greatest beauty products in an adorable little box every month! Each month, you'll receive a selection of 4-5 samples ranging from skincare to makeup to cult beauty tools, from well-known brands as well as emerging gems.

Check them out here

Product Review: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pads

I tried the Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pads after I asked my friend how she was so tan (knowing she hadn't been on vacation)! After years of using a variety of self-tanners, I have yet to find a good face one...until now. 


These glow pads contain exfoliants as well as anti-aging ingredients like AHA's and antioxidants to keep your skin glowing and wrinkle-free.  I still use a mild exfoliator before using these but it's nice to know that it's not necessary.  Better yet, the smell really isn't that bad! If my boyfriend doesn't notice that I have self tanner on, I consider it to have no smell; though I encourage everyone to find your own benchmark.  I've also found that these have a cumulative effect so the more you use them, the tanner you are and I like that it doesn't feel like the DHA is building up on your skin.  


I recommend using them every other day or every two days.  In the words of Kenny Banya, they're the best Jerry, THE BEST! 

$32 for 20 towelettes, available at Sephora.  

Good Clean Fun With Dermalogica

I recently tried the "three steps to healthy skin" from Dermalogica which includes the Special Cleansing Gel, Daily Mircofoliant (exoliator) and Active Moist (moisturizer).  The cleansing gel made my skin feel very clean but not tight at all (which I was afraid of because this was the "oily skin" system).  After spilling half of the Daily Microfoliant powder all over my bathroom which disappeared into the air like a cloud of fairy dust, I found it to be a great gentle exfoliant once mixed with water - NB: always read the directions on product packaging! The Active Moist was moisturizing, but very light and not greasy at all which I loved.  The only thing missing from this product is an SPF.

I've always regarded Dermalogica products very highly, probably because they were always in the higher end spas and their freestanding stores look very clean and medicinal (that's a good thing!).  I recently found out about the Dermalogica Academy located in NYC's Chelsea neighborhood where anyone can make an appointment to get their complimentary signature face mapping as well as a targeted facial for your skin type at a reasonable price.  I'm excited to try this out.  Check out more info about the academy here!

Product Review: Tatcha Blotting Papers

I first fell in love with these Tatcha blotting papers about 6 months ago when a makeup artist introduced me to them.  They're amazing for eliminating the inevitable midday shine but doesn't mess up your makeup and dosen't steal moisture from your skin! At $12 for 30 sheets, these blotting papers are clutch in every clutch! Find them here.

Of A Kind

One of my favorite shopping sites, ofakind.com just posted this great men's toiletry case by Matt Singer.  There were only 30 made so get them while they're hot! My favorite part?  It comes with a red comb imprinted with “CUT THAT HAIR YOU HIPPIE” and an art book with a letterpress cover that features Matt’s favorite New York barbershops, as illustrated by Jason Polan.  Loves it!

Get it here: http://www.ofakind.com/editions/79-TOILETRY-KIT

Beauty Trend Alert: Go Neon with MAKE UP FOR EVER

This Spring, it’s all about the neon and Make Up For Ever has your whole face covered- literally! Whether it’s eyes, lips or cheeks MAKE UP FOR EVER has a neon shade for everyone.

A few great tips when using neon colors that I learned from MAKE UP FOR EVER makeup artist Damian:

• When using a colored eyeshadow and/or eyeliner, if you line the inner rim of your eyes in black, it helps both your eye color and eyeshadow pop!
• When applying liquid eyeliner, start in the middle of each eye, then go from the outer corner to the center and then inner corner to the center to help with dimension and symmetry of the application
• Apply lip liner over gloss to create a stain – perfect for daytime. Then, to transition to an evening look, apply liner and then gloss!

A few of my favorite MAKE UP FOR EVER neons include:

• Aqua Eyes in #7L: Aqua Eyes eyeliner is one of my favorites because it’s long lasting, smudge-proof, tear-proof and waterproof! ($18)
• Lab Shine in #S26: This lip gloss delivers color plus shine ($18)
• Aqua Liner in #4 and #8: Like the Aqua Eyes liner, this liquid liner guarantees water-, tear-, and smudge-proof color. #4 is a gorgeous, shimmering emerald green color and #8 is an iridescent electric purple.

All products are available at the MAKE UP FOR EVER Boutique at Sephora, Sephora.com and Sephora stores.

Disclosure: Some of these products were provided to me from MAKE UP FOR EVER to test.

NARS Launches Interactive Social Game

NARS just launched a cool new interactive game to support the launch of Francois Nars' new book - Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself. Visitors to the site are encouraged to replicate various looks and upload them to the site. The more looks you upload, the more bonus "♥" points you get.

The NARSissist who receives the most ♥s overall on the website for a submitted look by August 31st 2011, will win an all-expense-paid trip for you and a friend to New York City for Fashion Week in February 2012.

12 Special Prizes will be given to each NARSissist who receives the most ♥s for each individual look. They will receive an exclusive gift set, created for the launch of the book Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself. For more info: http://www.makeupyourmind.com

Australian Scent

A few weeks ago, I visited the Green Products Expo in NYC and found out about a great organic skin care company - Australian Scent. I sampled one of their soaps "OATS GOATS N' BEES" and it smelled AHHHHMAZING! According to their website, the soap is made from organic oats, goat milk, raw honey and tangerine. I found it to be extremely moisturizing and nourishing. Find it here: http://www.australianscent.com/products/soap/oats-goats-n-bees.html