Yesterday was one of those days — the Bulls lost (good run though, guys…you were quite the injured team and you still made it farther than most people expected you all too! Also I dunno why I’m writing to you guys here as if you all would ever read a makeup/food blog…sigh). Anyway, the PMS didn’t help. My email was compromised. My room needed serious organizing. After walking around in a few circles, I decided there’s nothing I wanted to do more at 1AM than paint my nails with Jin Soon’s new Spring line, which I’ve been crushing on since FOREVER. Or, at least last winter when I began seeing the most stylish editors sporting them on their nails.

Seriously, in all my years, I haven’t seen a line up of gorgeously elegant colors I’ve coveted more. Specifically, her Blue Iris. It amazes me how nail polishes now come in almost every color imaginable, but none have nailed (no pun intended) this specific shade of blue quite as perfectly as Jin Soon. Plus, the color blue itself causes the body to release calming chemicals and give you a sense of peace and tranquility. Needed.

It’s easy to see why it’s their best seller. With just two coats, it dried to a nice, clean, and shiny finish. I wanted to make sure it stays a while though (and I have a basketball game tonight — my nails have yet to last through a game), so I finished with Julep’s new Freedom Polymer Top Coat ($17 at qvc.com).

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Mother’s Day is May 12th. Yes, that’s in two days. Because we’re all procrastinators (just hold my hand, it’s OK), here are some suggestions of gifts you can get your lovely mama:

Sonia Kashuk Native Beauty Brush Set, $17

I always say makeup brushes are the best gifts. It’s one of those things we don’t think to invest in, but trust me, everyone needs a good set. Your brushes make all the difference in how your makeup looks. I love these bright brushes from Sonia Kashuk that come in a chic raffia tribal case. Plus it’s a travel set, that easily fits in a bag or clutch. Perfect for moms who are constantly on-the-go. The set includes a Synthetic Domed Powder Brush, Eye Shadow Brush, Angled Fluffy Eye Shadow Brush and Synthetic Pointed Eyeliner/Lip Brush with full size brush heads.

Lancôme Trésor In Love Hearts Set, $61

A gorgeous scent, Tresor in Love, packaged with a mascara that will give your mama Kim Kardashian-lashes — no really, her makeup artist used Lancome Doll Lashes Mascara on Kardashian for her wedding day.


Vitamix 5200 blender, $450

I know. It’s $450, but it’s the Rolls-Royce of blenders. This blends everything and anything, and has a 7-year warranty. When my mom discovered this, she would call me every single day to tell me to get the same thing just based on how many healthy drinks she can make from this one alone. This 5200 is the standard, but they have a bunch more options on their website. If you guys read my post earlier today, this green smoothie is ONE of them. Bonus: You will easily secure your spot as ‘favorite child’ after this one.

DDF Revolve 400X, $99 for the kit

She probably doesn’t have time to get facials, much less setting up a microderm appointment. Here’s a much less intimidating option: DDF’s Revolve 400X Micro-Polishing System. It’s dubbed to be just as good as professional treatments and at a fraction of the cost. It’s a spa day at home, ya’ll!

Sonia Kashuk Beauty organizers in Floral and Yarn, $25 each

Another great find at Target: these organizers are beautiful on it’s own or filled with Mom’s favorite beauty goodies!

Laura Mercier La Petite Patisserie Eau Gourmande Fragrance Coffret, $45


These gorgeous scents from Laura Mercier are limited edition and includes includes three travel-friendly scents in Vanille, Fresh Fig and Almond Coconut Milk. Scents to compliment any type, and can even be layered for a lovely unique scent that your mother can claim for her own. Gift wrap optional — did you check out the pretty box it comes in??

French’s Flavor Infusers, $1 each

One of the many great things Robert Verdi has taught me is that it’s really the sentiment that matters most in the gift, and it’s also very easy to package affordable, useful items in a pretty way. I’d take items, like these $1 Flavor Infusers from French’s, and package them in a pretty basket along with other items (tissues, scented hand soap, homemade cookies, etc). These are 10-minute flavor marinades that doesn’t require refrigeration, and because it has a pointy tip, you can infuse it right into your meat and let it sit for only 10 minutes before it’s ready to be cooked. Saving mom time? Isn’t that the greatest gift of all?

What gift are you getting your mom this year?

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Shy
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I’m forever trying to find great smoothie and juice recipes in an attempt to eat a little better and rectify my snacking ways. I even got a juicer last December and still have not used it. I’m almost intimidated by it, I don’t know why. It makes no sense because they really are the easiest things you can put together in the kitchen, but I haven’t gotten around to experimenting yet. I’m currently visiting my brother and his family in Michigan, and the other night, he made the most delicious smoothie for me. It reminded me a lot of the smoothies you can get at Blue Dog (one of my favorite healthy joints in the city). He told me he actually stole the recipe from our cousin, Sabeen…so we can all thank her for this tasty and nutritious treat . My brother made it again for me so I can share it with you all here:

BREAKFAST SMOOTHIE INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cups green grapes (note: make sure you get green grapes — you can use red grapes too, but it will taste a little more tart)
1/2 orange
1 banana
1 slice Pineapple
1 handful fresh spinach
5-6 mint leaves
1 cup ice
Run on High for 35-40 seconds

Total side note, but my family is completely obsessed with the Vitamix blender. It’s a little pricey, but so worth it. I’ll write about it again in my Mother’s Day Gift Guide .

Try it and let me know what you think . Do any of you have any other tips/recipes for healthy smoothies or juices? Share in the comments! I’m always looking for more!

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Name: Megan Collins

Age: old enough to know better than to answer that question!

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By Nicci Jordan Hubert

When I first moved to New York, I was hired at a big publishing company, an experience which I’d fantasized about most of my life but which quickly turned sour, thanks to a Devil-Wears-Prada-esque boss who told me she wanted to “crush my face.” Disillusioned, I swore off publishing and went to work as a receptionist at a medical day spa on the upper east side, owned by a renowned plastic surgeon. This was before the financial crisis caused the spa to close. It was a time when medical facials were considered a necessity, not a luxury, and where UES ladies in fur coats were as ubiquitous as NYC parking tickets. I became familiar not only with the ins and outs of good, scientific esthetics, but also the contours and the width of the American Express Black Card (its titanium is nearly as thick as the hard cover of a book). The estheticians at the spa were medically trained, and worked with products that combined essential oils with top-level chemistry. My face looked and felt like a 16-year-old’s when I worked there, thanks to the legendary employee perks of the financially confident, indulgent aughts.

About nine months later, I came to my senses, and returned to work in publishing, but I was left with an indelible sense for what constituted a good facial. And let me tell you something: for as much as NY has a reputation for having top-of-the-line everything, it seems almost impossible to get a good facial here. Almost every spa I’ve patronized since working on the UES has provided only the most basic–and the least scientific–of services. A scrub (or at best, an enzymatic) exfoliation. Painful extractions. Inappropriate use of oils. I even recently had a facial at one of New York’s most upscale spas–as a media guest at that–and the esthetician botched it to such a degree that I broke out in practically every corner of my face. Oh, and her fingers smelled like cigarettes and her breath like tobacco-infused paprika. I learned a lesson about smoke and mirrors that day, my friends.

So last week, when I discovered that an esthetician I’d long-ago worked with at the Upper East Side spa had moved on to Paul Labrecque, I immediately booked an appointment with her, not caring what the cost. My face hadn’t been touched by experienced fingers for years, and I’d gone from looking 16 to looking my age, and that just wouldn’t do. Thank God—no, seriously—for Tatiana.

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(I like to hyperbolize, but you get the idea).

I can talk to you about mascaras all day, but a few have been in heavy rotation for me. Some of these are super brand new so if you can’t find them right now, they will be available soon (QVC sells a lot of them exclusively right now in sets). ANYWAY, In case you were curious about lashes that make you go Hmm, here they are:

1. Tarte Light Camera Flashes, $23

Look as far as I’m concerned, Tarte can do no wrong. Their Lash Camera Lashes! is a classic fave of mine (lenghtens, darkens, and curls!), but they upped the ante with their new Light Camera Flashes. The wand is actually double sided with different sized bristles — one that builds and a second that separates without the clumps (by 750% they say…woah). A bit of a design snafu though –half of the wand is purple and the other is black to help differentiate the sides, but once it’s in the mascara, it’s coated entirely in black which makes it hard to tell which side is which (and also which side to apply first!). I hope they somehow find a visible labeling mechanism to differentiate the two going forward, but in the time being, telling the difference between the two is at least doable with proper inspection (not fun to try to do in a rush, however). Regardless, I’ve had people stop me mid-sentence to just comment on my lashes when I’ve used this one because it’s that good, so it’s definitely worth the mention. (Available at qvc.com with their inner rim liner for $36)

2. Mally Instant Impact Mascara, $20 for a set of 2

Mally Roncal is the lashes QUEEN. There is really no disputing that (every single time I see her, she is all smile and lashes!). Her mascaras are legit. My friends and I first started our addiction with her Volumizing Mascara, but I’ve since cheated on it with her newest: Instant Impact Mascara. This one has a sort of bubbly-shaped wand to get the beginnings and ends of your lashes. Love that it has a clean finish that fans them out in a seamless way, notice-me way.

3. Benefit They’re Real!, $23

Benefit’s mascara, They’re Real, separates, darkens with a thick coat and saves you the trouble of worrying about clumps (there will be none). It’s better for lengthening/darkening than making lashes thicker — instead it gives clean coats of intensity.

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One of my favorite Dove ads yet!

What did you think of it?

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I’m predicting that this will be sold out in about 2.5 seconds. Rihanna is the latest global superstar to collaborate with MAC Cosmetics to create RiRi Woo, their cult retro matte Ruby Woo red lipstick “remixed” by the singer.

The lipstick will be exclusively available online for $15 at maccosmetics.com beginning May 2nd. Get your e-shopping cart ready .

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Name: Claudine DeSola

Age: 38

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I’m ashamed to admit that it’s been a while since I’ve tried a new place for brunch in the city. Usually, I’ve been sticking to the most convenient options for me (Eatery in Midtown), or the no-fail ones (Cafe Mogador in the East Village). It’s so nice to break out of that routine though, and upon the suggestion of my friend Sadia, we found another gem: Spoon. Spoon is the name of the family-owned restaurant, but they also have a takeout storefront they refer to as Tbsp (so cute).

The space is so cozy and feels like you’re eating in a country house (perhaps the point — owner Melissa Chmelar credits her mother’s country cooking as inspiration for most of the dishes). The farm-to-table concept results in really fresh, really delicious plates with seasonal organic produce delivered daily from upstate NY. We didn’t get to try too much of their sweet options (even though they sounded amazing — cinnamon brioche french toast!), but the eggs made all different ways were insanely good.

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