My Pittsburgh Beauty Regimen: Check Out My Video!

It's been quite awhile since I made a video for you! I'm working in Pittsburgh this week and wanted to give you a little peek into my beauty regimen. Check out my video below to see what products made the cut!



Seen in this video:

Biore Makeup Removing Towelettes with Green Tea
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Hydra-Pure Firming Serum
La Mer The Moisturizing Gel Cream
Darphin Anti-Fatigue Smoothing Eye Gel
M.A.C Wonder Woman Defiance Eye Shadow Palette
Stila Jewel Eyeshadow Palette
M.A.C Haute & Naughty Lash
Smashbox O-GLOSS Intuitive Lip Gloss

Divine & Lovely: Archipelago Botanicals Vetiver Leaves Botanico Soy Candle

From the authentic European seed box to the richly hued hand-poured soy wax, my Archipelago Botanicals Vetiver Leaves Botanico Soy Candle was just begging to be lit for the past few months. But I decided to save the first lighting for the right moment. And during the craziness that's been Hurricane Irene, I finally decided yesterday was the right time for a little burning action!

So I lit my candle, sat back and let it work its magic. And work its magic it did ... a gorgeous, heady fragrance wafted forth from the wooden wick, filling my bedroom with total lusciousness. But the best part? The wick actually makes it sound like you're sitting before a roaring, crackling fire!

This candle has a burn time of over 40 hours, so I'm super excited to experience this goodness for many hours to come!

The Archipelago Botanicals Vetiver Leaves Botanico Soy Candle retails for $39.50 at archipelago-usa.com.

Awesome Pedi by Bliss Spa: Essie Lapis of Luxury with OPI Last Friday Night

Yesterday, I treated myself to a day of luxury at Bliss Spa. (I always go to Bliss 49 -- it's my very favorite of the Bliss properties.) In any case, my treatments included the Fabulous Feet Pedicure ($55 for 60 minutes of pure and total heaven). I went for something a little bold on my toes -- one coat of Essie Lapis of Luxury (a dreamy ocean blue), then two coats of OPI Last Friday Night (a gorgeous glittery blue from the Katy Perry collection). I love that the glitter from Last Friday Night is multicolored, bringing interesting dimension to the lapis hue beneath.

What's on your toes right now? Let me know in the comments!

The Perfect Pairing: Waxing at Stark Waxing Studio and BareEase & Cream

I'm going to let you in on a secret. Waxing is painful. Okay, maybe that's not such a big secret. But here's something you may not know -- if you pair BareEase & Cream with a waxing appointment at, say, Stark Waxing Studio, your pain is cut down tremendously.

I went in for an appointment recently and was pleasantly surprised at how easy the waxing went due to my application of BareEase & Cream beforehand! What is BareEase & Cream, you may ask? It's a numbing cream formulated with lidocaine, a common local anesthetic, that takes away the pain and suffering from bikini waxing. Pretty genius if you ask me!

Plus, the BareEase & Cream prep kit comes with everything you need pre-appointment to make the pain go away. The kit has a pair of latex underwear, a tube of pain-relieving cream and a pamphlet that details exactly what to do. (But, basically, you just put on the cream and wear the underwear with it for about 45 minutes before your appointment.)

And the actual waxing appointment? It couldn't have gone more smoothly! (Pardon the pun.) My waxer was professional, quick and thorough, removing every single hair with the greatest of ease.

BareEase & Cream retails for $25 at drugstore.com. A Full Brazilian Wax at Stark Waxing Studio is $70-$85. Visit starkwaxingstudio.com for more information and to book an appointment.

What's In My Makeup Bag: My Henri Bendel CFDA Cosmetic Roll, That Is!

There are a few things that always make me think of New York. Seeing the Empire State Building lit up at night. Driving down the FDR and seeing the skyline. And the signature brown and white stripe of Henri Bendel. So when I was asked to participate in a What's In My Makeup Bag roundup featuring the Henri Bendel CFDA Cosmetic Roll, I simply jumped at the opportunity.

Read more »

Mani of the Week: Topshop Heart of Gold and Topshop Starlight

I hearkened back to the days of my childhood this week with this manicure! I always used to paint my nails alternating colors when I was in junior high and high school, and to be honest, I love the way it looks. (Yes, I am a teenager at heart -- though I wouldn't go back to high school if you paid me.)

In any case, I did a super-glam mani this week with two colors by Topshop -- Heart of Gold and Starlight. Topshop celebrated its first beauty birthday in May and created a collection of three nail polishes (the third one was called Moonshine). I'm totally loving the shimmery goodness of both the gold and the silver -- plus they're weighty and substantial hues but applied like a dream. Plus, I'm digging that the super shininess of these colors makes them look like Minx, especially in the sunlight!

Without flash

What's on your nails this week? Let me know in the comments!

Luxury at its Finest: The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman

A few months ago, I decided to go to the Caribbean for the first time. (Gasp, I know.) I've been to Hawaii, I've been to Europe, I've been to Israel ... but I'd never gone to the Caribbean! And what better place to introduce myself to the fabulousness of the Caribbean than the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman?

Situated on Grand Cayman's Seven Mile Beach, the Ritz-Carlton includes restaurants, bars, a private beach, two pools, a spa, a state-of-the-art fitness center and so much more. I spent the past six days reveling in the beauty of the island and in the absolute divine nature of the resort. This was my first five-star experience, and I made certain I enjoyed every single second of it! From sipping on delicious drinks like the Dirty Monkey and Miami Vice to treating myself to a deluxe massage at the La Prairie Silver Rain Spa, this was a vacation to remember.

The fountain on the way to the private beach

The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman is definitely one of the most luxurious resorts at which I've had the pleasure of staying. My every whim was taken care of, the grounds were unbelievably luscious, the pool and beach were simply stunning. (Not to mention the staff at the pool, who could not have been more charming or more helpful when moving the heavy umbrellas throughout the day!)

Being touristy outside the resort!

I highly recommend taking a trip to Grand Cayman and booking a stay at the Ritz-Carlton. You simply won't be disappointed.

Salon and Spa Directory: La Prairie Silver Rain Spa at the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman

I have one word for you when describing my experience at the La Prairie Silver Rain Spa at the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman last week. LUXURIOUS. Out of every spa I've visited -- and I've been to quite a few -- this spa completely and totally took the spa experience to a level I've never come close to finding anywhere else.

Read more »

Mani of the Week: Zoya Gemma with Mischa Accent Nail

Another accent mani this week! I decided to do a little pink and green action before my trip to Grand Cayman (I leave in the morning! Yay!). I went with Zoya Gemma, a gorgeous olive green packed with blue and violet duochrome shimmer. On my index finger, I added a little pop with Zoya Mischa, a medium muted pink with mauve and peach shimmer.

I love the combination of the green and pink shades, especially since they both shimmer and sparkle in the light -- so perfect while I'm sunning myself on the beach!

What's on your nails this week? Let me know in the comments!

Glam Pedicure with Erica Marton: Orly Rage with Sephora by OPI Only Gold For Me Top Coat

This past weekend, I treated myself to a pedicure in advance of my upcoming vacation to Grand Cayman. (More on that in upcoming posts when I return!) I simply had to see my gal Erica Marton from Face Place, since she a) does fantastic pedicures, and b) is so much fun to chat with while she works!

When I walked in, I spotted Erica's nails and immediately had to copy her for my toes. She was sporting two coats of Orly Rage (originally from the Foil FX Collection), with one coat of Sephora by OPI Only Gold For Me Top Coat on top.

Erica did the same for me, and I have to say, I'm totally loving the glam gold with bits of sparkle! It's so fun and so different from what I normally wear on my toes -- I'm usually a pink or red girl, so this was a drastic but totally amazing change.

Thanks to Erica for giving me a completely fantastic pedicure pre vacation!

Trend-Spotting: Paneled Maxi Skirts

Want a miniskirt and maxi skirt in one? Well, then, the paneled maxi skirt is most definitely for you! Also called the illusion skirt, this skirt has become a major trend of the season thanks to pieces that came down the Chloe Spring 2011 runway (like the look seen above). Part seductive temptress, part bohemian innocent, this skirt has had major lasting power this season! Check out some takes on the trend after the jump.

ASOS Mesh and Chiffon Maxi Skirt
This cream-colored creation is full of gorgeously tiered goodness.
$86.20 at asos.com

Wink Regina Maxi Skirt
Prairie chic at its absolute best, thanks to a long layer of floral-embroidered tulle.
$169.40 at shopbop.com

Topshop Coral Sheer Stripe Maxi Skirt
Go for a bold look with this bright, colorful number.
$30 at topshop.com

Modcloth Stripe Dream Skirt
Red and black and sassy all over! This skirt has got personality in spades.
$37.99 at modcloth.com

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara is Turning 40 and They're Throwing a Twitter Party!

If you're like me, you absolutely love Maybelline Great Lash Mascara. And this year, they're turning 40! To celebrate, Maybelline is hosting a Twitter party next Sunday, August 14 -- and they're inviting you to get in on the action! All the details are below -- be sure to follow @Maybelline for all the fun!

Mani of the Week: OPI The Color to Watch

I'm really liking the color on my nails this week! I went with OPI The Color to Watch, which was originally part of OPI's Fall 2010 Swiss Collection.

This color is pretty darn awesome -- part purple, part blue, all shimmery goodness. It is pretty sheer -- one coat was barely noticeable, two coats looked pretty blue, and the third coat is what you see here. It applies perfectly -- no goopiness at all!

What's on your nails this week? Let me know in the comments!