My dear friend Julia DiNardo really SETS THE STANDARD for multi-tasking. Not only does she write the amazing blog Fashion Pulse Daily (and for other outlets like Stylelist), she's also a professor at NYU and the designer behind the aborbs Neighbor Teaze line.
With all of those responsibilities, I expected Julia to carry a wonderland of goodies in her bag - and I must admit, she didn't disappoint.
In her own words, here's what you'll find tucked in Julia's MMS Design Mary Kate Studded Messenger Bag from HandbagHeaven.com:
Won't be caught without a slew of Fashion Pulse Daily business cards, a Metro Card, and my Starbucks Card!
Always gotta shield my pale eyes for the sun - been rocking these Jones New York oversized shades quite a bit
Keeping hydrated via The Heart Truth nalgene water bottle (a New York Fashion Week freebie)
I'm always prepared for a fashion emergency with my Tide Pen, pack of tissues, mini brush, Purell, Opti-Free Contact rewetting drops, Marc Jacobs Grapefruit splash perfume in a mini atomizer from Sephora, Color Sensational Maybelline lip glosses in 'Born with it' and 'Triple Yum' and Sweet Thing Collection Nail polish in 'Minty, MAC lipstick in Peta Lure, and Dior concealer.
For subway rides of 10+ minutes, it's imperative to have something on hand to read; my choice is one of my numerous magazine subscriptions (seen here, Marie Claire) or a WWD.
J.C. Penney's first ever Manhattan outpost opens officially on July 31, but at my exclusive sneak peek of the store yesterday, I learned that the 'soft launch' was today. So, what does that mean? J.C. Penney's Manhattan Mall location is open for business!
If you're a longtime Manhattanite, you may be wondering what to expect. Well, this J.C. Penney stocks all of the brands you'll see at the store's suburban locations, including Paul Frank, Bisou Bisou, American Living (which I have a sneaking suspicion is designed by Ralph Lauren) and I Heart Ronson. There's even a Sephora in store. Narrow departments make this particular location super simple to shop - and expect stellar customer service - the store employs an army of 500.
One Manhattan-only perk? $15 dollar delivery anywhere within the borough.
So, what won't you find? Furniture. This J.C. Penney stocks only soft home goods - think linens, throw pillows and the like.
For more info on launch-specific store events, including an in store appearance by David Cook, click here.
I'm going to be totally honest with you. I positively hate the idea of smelling like every Jane Doe, so it's pretty rare that I'd even consider spritzing myself with a fragrance sold at a mass market store like Sephora. That said, the new KenzoAmour Florale ($55-75) is enough to make me reconsider.
A bouquet of delicate white flowers makes up this feminine floral. The star Neroli, is an elegant white flower distinctive for its refreshing floral aroma with a hint of spice. Surprisingly, it's an intensely sensual fragrance - the kind that draws people in to smell more of - that is just so, so perfect for summer.
I love it and if you like skin scents or florals, I think you will too.
p.s. That gorgeous bottle? Created by none other than acclaimed designer Karim Rashid, who has a long standing relationship with Kenzo.
Beauty gadgets have come a LONG way in the past few years, breaking new ground in zit zapping and hair removal. In May, the new Silk’n SensEpil at-home laser hair removal device ($499) launches exclusively at Sephora/Sephora.com.
FDA cleared, the Silk'n SensEpil (not the catchiest name, I must say) is billed as the safest device for laser hair removal. It incorporates a built in skin sensor that tests the users’ skin type before the laser will activate for use. In as little as three months, 80% of Silk’n SensEpil users experienced noticeable hair reduction on arms, legs, underarms and bikini area.
While $499 might seem like a pricey pill to swallow, it's downright affordable when compared to professional laser hair removal, which can run into the thousands. What do you think? Would you give the Silk'n SensEpil a try or do you plan to leave laser hair removal to the professionals?
Lavanila's all-natural line of vanilla-based fragrances has been a hit or miss for me in the past. I love the clean, crisp, fruity medley of the Vanilla Grapefruit though all of the other blends are too heavy for my tastes. The latest addition, Vanilla Lavendar, is a huge WIN for Spring, however.
A spritz of this fresh and clean blend of Spanish Lavendar, Rose Absolute, Violet Leaf and warm Madagascar Vanilla and you'll feel like you just stepped out of the shower. It's one of the few fragrances I can think of that's appropriate for day or right before bed.
As always, Sephora has you covered when it comes to the gifties this season - I'm loving the can't miss treats from Make Up for Ever (Aqua Eyes are the the smoothest eye liners ever!), Tarte (the cutest lip glosses, yes, ever), Shu (who wouldn't love the luxe Gold Eyelash Curler in their stocking?), Lancome (Juicy Tubes are a staple IMHO) and of course, Korres (the set above is perfect for your Secret Santa.)
And in case you aren't blessed like I am (there's a store across the street from my office), you CAN still order online and get your goodies in time for the holidays - in fact, they're now upgrading shipping to 2 Day for FREE.
Just order by tomorrow and enter code UPS2DAY at checkout to make sure that pressies arrive by Christmas.
With everyone becoming a recessionista these days, AZJeans is a great site to find fashionable clothing and accessories on an affordable budget, particularly if you're shopping for any teens this holiday season.
The site sells cute accessories, apparel and shoes from brands Decree, Arizona andFlirtitude (and you can even click through and shop Sephora directly!)
Right now, the great prices on site are even lower - you can save 35-65% on a wintry mix of hoodies, sweaters, jackets and more and if you enter DWMPER, you'll save an extra 20% off all sale, regular & clearance items.
Best of all, AZJeans.com is giving 2 eye4style readers a $50 gift card to the site!
To enter the contest, simply leave a comment on this post by Friday at 11:59pm and email me at eye4style (AT) gmail (DOT) com with your name, address and phone number. I respect your privacy - all information will remain confidential and used for shipping purposes ONLY. The two winners will be randomly selected and notified by email this weekend.
Good luck!
Please note: AZJeans is not a sponsor or co-sponsor of any contest involving e-gift cards, please visit www.azjeans.com for terms and conditions of use.
UPDATE: Sonia and Renee are the winners! Congrats, ladies. Enjoy the gift cards!
JimmyJane, home of artfully designed sex toys and a luscious assortment of Massage Candles (left, $65), won't let you have a lonely holiday. Enter code HolidayLove at checkout for 30% off from now through December 19.
Melange for Women celebrates eight years of silk jersey and the like. Enter code great8 at checkout for 20% today only.
Everything at Pink Mascara is 40% off, also for today only. Use code 40OFF. Excludes select designers including Mike & Chris and DVF.
Shopbop has gone code-crazy all of sudden, which confirms that the retail industry is in shambles. Enter code DB40 for 40% off Designer Boutique items through Friday.
Just in time for holiday soirees and the slinky dresses that accompany, Spanx is offering free shipping online on orders of $50 or more, no code required. Expires January 6.
J.Crew is offering 25% off all full priced shoes and boots. Enter code SHOESALE at checkout, expires tonight.
Revolve says GIVEGOODGIFT this Holiday season - that code will give you 30% off everything but handbags. Expires tomorrow at midnight.
Sephora's offering up free shipping on orders of $25 or more this week. Enter code SHIPFREE25 at checkout.
Sephora's NEW Eye Studio experience aims to get your peepers in perfect form. The Studios, located in three key Sephora locations (Times Square in New York, The Venetian in Las Vegas and Powell Street in San Francisco), offer free makeup consultations and teach professional-level application techniques including:
Fast Faux Lashes - Step by step instruction on applying faux lashes
Learn the Look - Need help on mastering the Natural Eye, the Cat Eye, the Smoky Eye or a seasonal look like the Violet Eye (perfect for fall and holiday!)? If so, this one is for you! You'll even take home a simple-to-understand face chart that maps out key colors and applications (click through the gallery for a peek at my Natural look!)
Play Up Your True Color - Sephora's licensed color experts will teach you how to play up your natural, gorgeous eye color - be it brown, hazel, blue or green.
Raise Your Eye-Q - Learn tricks of the trade for highlighter, mascara, concealer, etc.!
ALL Eye Studio services are FREE with no purchase required, but if you want to take home the tools used to create your look, Sephora has created three limited edition sets. Packaged in signature clear makeup bags and available for just $49 (a savings of about $10 per kit), you can take home products to create the perfect Cat, Natural or Smoky Eye. Click through the pics to see the contents of my Natural Eye Kit, including versatile products from Smashbox, Stila and Make Up For Ever.
For an Eye Studio appointment, visit the Times Square, Venetian or Powell Street Sephora locations! If you're not in NYC, SF or LV, hold tight - the Eye Studio concept will be coming soon to a city near you.
Lavanila's all-natural line of vanilla-based fragrances has been a hit or miss for me in the past. I love the clean, crisp, fruity medley of the Vanilla Grapefruit though all of the other blends are too heavy for my tastes. The latest addition, 
With everyone becoming a recessionista these days, 
