5 Fall Fashion Essentials

I'm not buying much this fall, just these five basics to update my closet:

Black Fitted Tees by American Apparel
There's nothing like a good fitted black cotton tee to look casual and put together at the same time. This one has a flattering scoop neck, a hip-length and short sleeves that cover all the way to the elbows to skim over all body parts. And it costs less than a burrito. $6.75 at Amazon




Classic Chuck Taylor Lows in Black
Yup, I'm a mom that wears tennis shoes all day, and proud of it. But that doesn't mean that I wear high top white Reeboks (with baggy acid washed jeans and a fanny pack.) I stay current and comfy with classic and slightly punk rock black Chuck Taylors. I've checked them out carefully and found that the women's and men's Chucks are exactly alike...the ones in the guys' section are just $5-10 cheaper! $39 at Amazon





Hydraulic Vintage Wash Jeans
I don't know about you, but I wear jeans everywhere – the playground, workish meetings with editors or interviewees, those rare occasions when I go out at night. I love Hydraulics for their bargain basement price and how they lift the booty and slim the bod. $48 at Amazon





GAP Black Double Breasted Blazer
As a weird hybrid of a SAHM/WAHM, I have to look pulled-together sometimes, but pulling on my dated old pinstriped skirt suits is a bit silly. And if I wear a jean jacket with my jeans I turn into what my college girlfriends called "denim woman" - not a great look. So I'll be throwing this blazer over dark jeans and knee-length shift dresses this fall for functions with and without my kids. $98 at GAP





The SAK Silverlake Convertible Satchel/Hobo
I love a bright leather bag that can hold all my kid gear, phone, camera, notebook, makeup that I apply in the car and anything else I have to lug around. This one by The Sak is super cute and looks like a fancy bag for a relatively reasonable price. $144.99 at Amazon


So here are the clothing items that sum up my basic daily uniform this fall. Maybe these deals will lend you a hand too.

For more fall fashion ideas, go to TwitterMoms to read what other moms are naming as their 5 Fall Essentials, and check out TLC's What Not to Wear's new website - Shop Smart Look Fab!

Best Makeup for Moms (or this mom, at least)

I wish I could say "I never wear makeup." The truth is, if I'm not wearing even a little bit for any activity other than athletics, that was a decision made purely due to time constraints. In my (wince) mid-thirties, I am finally comfortable admitting that a small amount of tastefully placed makeup product greatly enhances my cuteness factor.

Here are the products that I heartily endorse and personally purchase. No marketing peeps have had any influence at all in these choices and I have not received any free or review products. I've learned to love these items through years of trial and error and credit card bills.

FOUNDATION

Smashbox High Definition Healthy FX Foundation $38 (but lasts forever)

This stuff is super lightweight and doesn't make me look like I'm wearing a thick paste of browny-beige goop. In fact, it makes me look like I'm not wearing a gosh darn thing besides my skin...except my pimples, age spots, undereye circles and red-nosed discolorations have all miraculously vanished. It's an awesome paradox: completely sheer but offers complete coverage. Love love love.

Arbonne f.y.i. Tinted Moisturizer $15

My dear friend Jennifer McGraw introduced me to this ingenious tinted moisturizer from Arbonne that uses all natural, plant-based products. I love how in one squirt it takes care of giving my skin a drink and cleverly covers my imperfections. It's perfect for when I'm in a rush or heading to a super casual what-me-wear-makeup? event.

CONCEALER

Neutrogena Mineral Sheer Concealer Cream + Powder $9.48

I used to pay gosh knows how much for Bobbi Brown concealer cream and powder. Then Neutrogena came out with this copycat stuff that does just as great a job at covering up undereye circles and weird stuff...for a quarter of the price. Since I don't like a super powdery look (too reminiscent of my days as an 8th grade Clean & Clear compact carrier,) the powder that comes with the concealing cream is all I use to control T-zone shine.

BLUSH

Bobbi Brown Blush in Peony $27 (lasts a year at least...unless you seek work as a clown) OK, I may be too cheap to still pony up for Bobbi's concealer, but her blush is worth every penny. The fashion mags say that a clear pink is perfect for all skin tones and that pink is cooler for fall '09 than bronzey shades. And this blush is super-pigmented to last super long. I bought the same Peony blush that's in my makeup bag right now at BlogHer 2008 and there's no hint that it's anywhere close to out - it looks brand new after one year.

EYESHADOW

Almay Intense I-Color Trio $3.49

Three eyeshadow colors - a neutraly taupe, a dark brown or gray for the crease and a third color like bronze or plum for special occasions - all colors chosen to make your personal eye color pop. For $3.49, sign me up. I have two of the sets that are especially for blue eyes, but there's also sets for green and brown-eyed girls too. Great quality makeup and a great deal!

EYELINER

Estee Lauder Artists Eye Pencil in Plum $18.95

So, every penny I saved on the shadow I'm throwing down for the liner, but I swear, this crayony pencil is smear proof and takes about seven years off my eyes. I like the plum color over the brown or black because it looks lighter and more mellow but still defines the peepers.



BROW PENCIL

Maybelline Define-A-Brow Eyebrow Pencil $3.99

It took me ten years to learn that well-groomed eye brows will forgive a multitude of other makeup and getting ready mistakes. With an eyebrow pencil that matches my natural eyebrow color and some concealer, no one has to know how long it's been since I've had them professionally waxed into submission.

MASCARA

LORAC Publicity Stunt Mascara $19
Great name, great mascara. I love how it doesn't clump, doesn't look fake and comes with this cool comb on the end of the wand to make your lashes look even more natural.







LIP STUFF

Trish McEvoy Maxed Out Gloss Kit in Girl Scout $28
Lip gloss and moisturizer are the two things I really can't live without, and having 8 neutral shades at the ready makes me happy. I love and wear every single one of these shades, and each one is more sheer and mellow and easy to pull off than it looks in the picture.




PERFUME

Versace Versense Parfum 1.7 oz for $42.99

It's hard to choose perfume that smells clean and light and unlike a bathroom air freshener. So I walked up to an especially competent looking lady at Saks and told her that I wanted a scent that's fresh and green and smells like newly cut grass. This is what she handed me and I've been smelling non-potty like and pretty ever since.

EYE CREAM

Arbonne NutriMinC® RE9 REpair Corrective Eye Crème $25
Another amazing Arbonne find by my friend and partner-in-crime from frat parties to playdates to room mothering, Jennifer McGraw. Since she turned me on to this stuff, I really believe the fine lines by my eyes are diminished, erasing some of the evil sun damage that came as the special bonus gift with my tan.


FACE WASH

Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser $5.99
My dermatologist recommended this stuff as even better than Cetaphil for acne-prone skin that's dry. God bless her, because I was at my wit's end trying to find something that would control my breakouts but not make my skin feel papery and dried out.


MOISTURIZER

Oil of Olay Beauty Serum for Sensitive Skin $10.34
I can slather my face with this stuff and know that I won't break out. Because I'm at that lucky place in life where I have zits and wrinkles both. Rad.

GIVEAWAY: Free Bootcamp Workout with Rachel Posell in Kensington

The Randomly-drawn winner is May.

I started Rachel Posell's Monday and Wednesday morning workouts on April 15, and the sessions have been kicking my butt, making my body leaner and stronger and I'm having a great time working out with a fabulous group of women.

This women-only outdoor workout session is an hour of runs, sprints, lunges, stairs, abdominal work, push ups, calisthenics and more at Rock Creek Hill Park (sometimes called Saul Road Park) in Kensington from 6:15-7:15am. Every single day has been different, to keep our bodies guessing and ensure that every muscle group is challenged.

I started out in the back of the pack, plodding after the boot camp veterans like a fat kid chasing an ice cream truck. Now I can keep up and my form and endurance have greatly improved. Get this: I can now run 2 miles at a steady pace without stopping and do 15 real "boy" pushups, things I have never been able to do before, even when I was a 90 lb junior high student. Every single Monday or Wednesday morning I find that I'm stronger and can accomplish more than the last session. This euphoria has led me to not miss a single 6:15am class, even in the pouring rain. Katie of The Happy Struggle even got me to meet her for a 6am run on Friday, a day we didn't have class. I think my husband is still in shock.

I have to admit, I would never have gone for it and signed up if Rachel hadn't gently encouraged me to join. She could see that I could do it, even though I didn't believe it. Signing up for the twice-weekly 12 weeks at just $12 a session for a combination personal training/inspiring group exercise class was the best birthday present I could have given myself. Tomorrow I'll be 34, but I can run longer and further than I could 22 years ago. I don't want to get ahead of myself here, but it's possible that I have finally learned to look forward to working out. It's nice to be able to give my mid-thirties the finger.

Rachel has offered a free bootcamp workout for one of you interested (female) readers that would like to check it out! Just leave a comment here before Saturday May 9 and I'll randomly draw the winner. Winner gets to choose a remaining Monday or Wednesday morning to audit before this spring session concludes on May 27.

However, if you aren't able to make Monday and Wednesday mornings but need a positive personal trainer, Rachel can come to you at a time of your convenience. E-mail Rachel at rachel@posell.com or give her a ring at (202) 329-6762.

I look forward to working out with one of you soon!

Note: I purchased my bootcamp membership and have received no compensation for this endorsement. The truth hurts...my quads!

GIVEAWAY: Four Beginner Workout Videos - Moving Free Longevity Solution by Mirabai Holland

The Randomly drawn winners are Melanie, Safire, Grace & Noelle!

The Moving Free® Longevity Solution Series was specifically designed for fitness beginners, boomers and active seniors by Mirabai Holland, MFA. Mirabai is a women's fitness expert and health activist who specializes in preventive and rehabilitative exercise. Her Moving Free approach to exercise is designed to provide a pleasant yet effective movement experience.

If working out makes you freak out, this is a fail-proof, easy way to learn how to work up to your daily 30 minutes of moderate exercise for a healthy heart and body. This could also be a good gift to your mother or another woman in your life, but only if you think she'd be interested and not offended by any you-need-to-work implications. But the fact is, we all need to work out!

I also think these exercises would be a great re-introduction to exercise if you're rehabilitating from surgery, have just given birth or are pregnant...but the videos don't state that they're designed for pre- or post-natal/surgery fitness and I'm not a doctor! What's that they always say at the start of a workout video? "Talk to your doctor before starting this or any exercise program." So true.

These four videos each retail for $19.95, and I have one of each for giveaway:

Ease-In Level 1
This is the starter video for the complete workout novice. Mirabai's Ease-in exercises introduce (or re-introduce) cardio, strength and flexibility exercises so that you can gradually work up to doing 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily, as recommended by the American Heart Association.

Flexibility Level 1
This is the introduction to Mirabai's signature Moving Free Technique. Full body stretching will help you relieve stress, relax, gain strength and get that great post-yoga class feeling.

Strength Level 1
This video of strength training can help reverse the loss of muscle cells, increase metabolism and and sculpt your bod. The DVD includes light hand weight work and exercises using your own body for resistance.

Cardio Dance Level 1
This is a non-complicated, enjoyable way to get your daily half-hour of cardio exercise. If you're into walking for fitness, then this is a good DVD for you. It's effective but not crazy exhausting.

If you'd like one of these four videos, leave a comment before midnight Saturday and I'll hook four of you up!

Note: I have not received any free product or compensation for this review, I just thought that after showcasing The 30 Day Shred, having a giveaway of exercise videos on a less-intense scale would be cool.

Spring Shoes on Sale!

Looking for dress shoes for your kids and self this spring? You're in luck because online shops are having some fabulous sales. Skip the mall, measure your kids at home and check these out.

GIRLS

White, Cream, Pink or Black Patent Leather Mary Janes with Bow for Little & Big Girls by Mootsies Tootsies
$19.95 (originally $24.95)
The perfect spring holiday and party shoe. Animal-free materials make up this Mary Jane that's the perfect match for frilly, girly dresses. I still remember the year my mom let me choose PINK patent shoes for Easter...think they come in a women's size 10?
This shoe is eligible for the $15 off a $75 order deal at Endless.com - perfect if a lot of kids need spring shoes!




White, Pink or Black Slip-On Ballet Flat by Buster Brown
$19.95 + free overnight shipping
No straps, slip on and go, no one's late! This ballet flat from Buster Brown is super cute while its comfortable cushioned footbed and non-slip sole is totally practical.



Black Mary Janes for Little Kids & Big Kids by Nine West at Endless.com
$19.95 (originally $37.95) - clearance
Even in spring and summer, I love classic black Mary Janes because they don't show scuffs and still go nicely with light colored dresses. This classic black Mary Jane has an easy Velcro hook-and-loop strap, a thank-goodness-flat-not-high-heel and a rubber no-slip sole. The square toe equals maximum comfort and ensures your little girl won't grow out of it in one month. This shoe is eligible for the $15 off $75 deal at Endless.com - perfect if a lot of kids need spring shoes!




For Baby Girls
See Kai Run Leather Adorableness at The Pajama Squid
$30ish
Tiffany has stocked the best of the See Kai Runs for spring online and in-store. There's sure to be a style that matches your child's perfect little dress or spunky personality. I love these lavender Alina Mary Janes, or the green & cream Holly, for baby girls.




BOYS

Perfect Penny Loafer by Kidlooks
Only $14.99!
Always a classic, works for every season, abides by some school uniform dress codes. Good boys' dress shoe, but can be hand-me-downed to both boys and girls for that preppy casual look.







"Fancy" Tennis Shoe/Lace Up sport Oxford for Little Boys & Big Boys by Buster Brown
$19.95 (originally $34.95 - 42% off) + free shipping
Might as well get your active guy a dress shoe in which he can run and play! And this lace up sporty but still fancy oxford is the perfect compromise...and it's on clearance in all sizes! The brown color and beige stripe is the perfect match with khakis. Infant sizes too.



Nubuck Oxfords for Little & Big Boys by Hush Puppies in Light, Tan and Dark Brown
$34.95 + free overnight shipping
If you know of anything cuter than a little boy all dressed up in bucks, it probably involves baby lambs eating clover on a unicorn. Just make sure you get some waterproofing spray before your kid runs through the freshly-mown grass.




For Baby and Toddler Boys
See Kai Run Leather Sandals and Fancy Spectator Sneakers at The Pajama Squid
$30-40
For boys you can't get much sweeter than the Ainsely brown sandal, the Chase brown & cream spectator/sneaker or the very posh looking big boy Grayson sandal pictured here. The Spencers single-handedly make me want another baby NOW.




WOMEN
Does Mama need a new pair of shoes? Here are my recs for spring shoe nirvana if you're looking to treat yourself. As long as you have hot shoes, those old dresses in your closet will be reborn.


Ralph Lauren Women's Aela Sandal at Amazon
$27 - $92 at Amazon, depending on color
But if you wear a size 10 like me go here to Endless.com for best price $45ish now, I got these last year for $80
The Ralph Lauren Aela is THE hottest high heeled sandal I've found in ages. Perfect height and strap placement to make your legs look super skinny. This shoe is totally flattering on even a Sasquatch-big-calved chick like me who should be paid to always wear pants. Seriously. The cushioned footbed makes them actually comfortable, allowing you to make it through that wedding or event without removing them under the table.


Black/White Open Toed Wedge by Lifestride
$44.95
Yup, you can wear that good ol' black dress for spring events and all summer, just add a touch of white with these comfy spectators. The wedge heel makes these walkable for high holidays...if you don't mind showing your toes. This shoe can either go dressy or casual with capris, jeans, pants and bermuda shorts too.






Nine West Aura Pump in Natural
$33
This expensive-looking but dirt cheap buff-colored all-leather pump MATCHES EVERYTHING. Floral prints, wrap dresses in bizarre colors, brazen color pairings all work with this neutral, comfortable shoe with a closed heel and full toe to hide how long it's been since your last pedi.




Charles Albert Black Patent Flat
$19.95
The fashion mags say that flats are still cool, and there is rejoicing throughout the land. Even when it's 100 degrees I still love black, it goes with everything, but patent leather = summer so there's my seasonal nod. These are comfy comfy cute and look good with a fancy dress, leggings, capris, jeans, you name it.





That's all I've got, I don't know men's shoes. Chris is a male clothes horse, so if you need I can have him post his own recs later. He does well with Italian names and Kenneth Cole finds at the DSW in downtown Silver Spring or the Nordstrom Mens Half-Yearly sales in June and December (Women and Kids Half Yearlys are in May and November, fyi.)

But I say if the dude in your life needs dress shoes, just throw a tin of polish at him, remind him of the recession and oh CHILDBIRTH and then get some for yourself.

xoxo APISS

Self-Love: Best Gifts I've Given Myself

Although I advocate saving money whenever possible and curbing spending in these economic times, some items are worth much more than their price tag. Maybe they make your life easier, bring a smile to your face or raise your personal hotness quotient. Here are my top gifts to myself (bought with my own hard-earned cash, none of these were promo-ed by PR peeps or freebies.) I'd also love to hear your own favorite gifts to yourself in the comments!

Body Butters by The Body Shop $10-20, some are currently buy 1 get 1 50% off
Slathering myself in luxurious butter is one of the ways I get through the winter skin doldrums and keep from looking pasty and scaly. Sure, it would be cheaper to simply pick up some discount lotion at the grocery store (and I do love the Jergens Glow stuff with self-tanner), but the body self-esteem benefits of rubbing on a yummy-smelling, fancy-feeling butter are worth the extra bucks to me. I stock up on the flavors on sale.


Dyson DC25 Ball All-Floors Vacuum Cleaner $474.99: This vacuum is super light and perfect for lugging up the three floors of my Cape Cod. I first balked at the price, but after hauling a heavy vacuum cleaner up and down the stairs for years with only a quarter of the suction of this light, lithe lifesaver, I attest that it was worth every single penny.There's no separate settings for bare hardwoods or shag carpets, the vacuum just sucks up every speck of dirt, dust, crumb, cobweb, crud. The rollerball head gets in around all the nooks and crannies around baseboards, under doors, weird little crevices found in old houses. My house has never looked so clean for such little effort.

Le Creuset 2 3/4 qt. round dutch oven $109.95
Actually, I didn't buy this one - my mom got it for me - thanks Mom! This pot looks so chic and performs even better, garnering it a permanent place on my range. It can heat up anything in a flash, can be transferred to oven for baking or tabletop for a pretty serving dish and no burned-on greasy messes stick to it. It washes up three times as quickly as a metal or Pyrex baking dish and the side handles never slip out of my hot pads. I use it every day, whether I'm heating up refried beans for the kids or baking a fancy casseolet for company. I love red accents in the kitchen, but there are lots of different colors too.



One pair of good high-end jeans to wear with heels and without the kids $100-200
If you've never treated yourself to a really nice pair of "good" jeans, please do it. It will save you all those costume changes and mirror freak outs when getting ready for a date or girls night or day that you need self-confidence. Save the Old Navy pairs for running around with the kids and cleaning up the Play-Doh.

To find your size in the fancy jeans, pull a tape measure around your bare waist super tight at the belly button and try on jeans in that number and one above it and one below it. (E.g. say your number on the tape measure is a 29. Try on jeans in a 28, 29 and 30.) Typically if you've had a couple kids, you'll look best in jeans that have a bit of stretch (like 98% cotton, 2% lycra) and a rise that comes right at your belly button, usually an 8 inch rise. This holds in the little pooch below the navel in a mini-tummy tuck that is fabulous. If you're short-waisted/long legged or slender, a lower rise or trendy high waist will also look great. If the pants are too long, just have them hemmed at your local drycleaners but keep them long to wear with heels; alterations are totally worth the $$. You are officially allowed by my friends that are super into fashion to cuff your jeans when wearing with flat shoes.

I also like going to the Savvy department at Nordstrom and having a helpful sales woman look me up and down and pull all the styles and sizes she thinks will work on me. When my first baby was 10 months old and I'd finally dropped some weight and was ready to re-enter the world of looking fashionable, I called ahead to a salesperson in the Savvy section and she pulled all the jeans in my approximate sizes. I zipped in with my baby in the stroller, she had all the jeans hanging in the handicapped dressing room, I flew through them and found one blessed pair that worked before baby finished his Cheerios. I also love Luna in Bethesda on Woodmont - the young women who work there are also jean-iuses at finding the styles and cuts that will work best. I just tell them "I want to look fit and hot and I only have the cash to buy one pair of jeans." And they find it for me. Awesome.


Hot mama pair of heels, like these Steve by Steve Madden $58.47 (they're a knock-off of a Marc Jacobs style)
Very much like the jeans, I save a few pair of great shoes for special occasions in the boxes at the top of my closet (to prevent my children's shank-shattering impromptu dress-up session casualties) and wear tennis shoes and Target ballet flats when running around with the kids. When I want look fancy, I go for the highest heel I can safely walk in, neutral colors or a clashing bright I don't even try to match to things. I try to have a small variety of sandal, open-toe and closed toe styles, all found at great sales. Unlike when I was working full-time and dress shoes had a short shelf life, I've had some of my 5 pairs of heels for the last six or so years, and they still look new.


Frou-frou magazine subscriptions, $10 per year. My faves are Real Simple, Domino and Bazaar
I truly believe that spending money on a few cool, fun magazine subscriptions keeps me from spending money throughout the year. I find great ideas of how to make the house and my appearance look cool and up to date using items I already own. Sure, I can't afford 99% of the items shown, but I find inspiration and learn how to resurrect things I already have or what knock-offs are hip at the budget shops I frequent.


This year Bazaar showed me how to pair a floral dress I've had since 2002, an over-sized black blazer I've had since my working days of 2000, black opaque hose bought at DSW, black suede shoes bought in 2006 and a necklace my mom gave me ages ago to equal a completely new outfit to wear to my brother's rehearsal dinner. The ensemble got tons of compliments, cost $6 for the stockings, I felt cute and hip, and was saved the time and expense of running to the mall for a new dress. Instead of purchasing an expensive bedroom suite I can't afford, Domino showed me how to stack my favorite big coffee table books to create a groovy bedside table and pick up some big euro shams and six cool frames to create a "headboard" for my bed. Total cost for the few items it cost to transform my bedroom: $50.

And mainly, I find the relaxation of sipping a glass of wine and leafing through colorful consumerist pages after the kids go down at night better than therapy. Seriously.

Siamese kitten from Paradise Cattery, a wonderful breeder in Baltimore $400
I know, I know. There are so many wonderful, loveable, needy adult animals in shelters and foster families that need to be adopted. But Charlene of Paradise Cattery is the most loving, reputable woman that produces the kindest, smartest, most family-friendly cats that I have ever seen.

My husband and I love the intelligence and affectionate nature of Siamese cats. Since we have two young children, we wanted to adopt a single kitten that would grow up used to children and be psychologically up to the challenge of having two rowdy human siblings. Peter Pan, the cat we adopted from Charlene two years ago, is everything we could have wanted and more. He has endless patience for the kids, no behavior problems and is almost-dog like in his affection and attachment to our family. He also retrieves a rubber band ponytail holder, meows hello to guests and greets them at the door, and at 10:30pm every night tugs on my pant leg urging me to come to bed with him. Yup, Petey sleeps with us and isn't content until everyone, including him, is happily tucked in.

Flame me, go ahead, but at this point in my life with little ones I just didn't have the time for rehabilitating an animal or worrying that my children would stress out an already-stressed kitty. The fee for purchasing this wonderful animal was worth it, in my opinion, for finding the perfect new addition to our family.

Canon PowerShot SD800 10 MegaPixel Digital Elph with 8GB memory card & accessories $314
This is the camera I (and my husband, the better photographer in the family) use for all personal photos that I post to APISS and APISS reviews. We've been buying the newest generation of this camera every two-three years, and each time Canon improves the camera's usability and quality but lowers the price. It is a fabulous, reasonable point-and-shoot for us and takes great photos until we're able to afford a more professional-level camera.

The camera lives in my handbag so that I can capture the kids as we frolic and play all over the DC area, and takes much better pics than those I could take on my phone. It uploads very quickly to our old home PC. Having an extensive archive of photos from all the places we've visited throughout the area, and an opinion on them too, is what started this whole bloggy business in the first place!

What are your favorite, make-your-life-easier, make your day brighter items? Please leave a comment with your recommendations!

SKINN Dimitri James: My New Favorite Beauty Products

GIVEAWAY WINNERS ARE Marian, Smiling Mama Aimee and Jean of Stimeyland.

Every so often a girl's got to add some new tricks and tools to her hottification repertoire. Me thinks the dead of winter, when one's tanless, too afraid of the below freezing temps to hit the gym every morning and guilty of too many Christmas cocktails and cookies, is the perfect time. Here are my latest faves, courtesy of Skinn Dimitri James:


Skinn Wet Shine Lip Glosses $12.50 each
I'm a lip gloss fanatic and these glossiest of glosses are my new best friends forever. They're even better (and cheaper!) than the Lancome Juicy Tubes and they remind me of Bobbi Brown's old lip glosses with the brush that she doesn't make anymore.

The Skinn Wet Shines are super duper shiny and provide perfect lips without having to use lipliner or lipstick and risk getting old lady cracks and creases. They're very hydrating and doing a better job of preventing chapped lips than my Burt's Bees balms. Colors: I'm partial to the Clear for natural look days or nights that I really go heavy on the eye makeup, and Anaranja as a great shimmery neutral that is peachy without being too orange.

Leave a comment to win one of three free lip glosses from Skinn!


Skinn Full Body Lift Stretch Mark & Firming Serum $36
I know, I know. Nothing one can buy in a tube can magically erase the effects of pregnancy, genetics, age and too many tacos. But I'm loving the temporary effects of this serum for nights that I want to show a little skin. The Full Body Lift Serum is great at plumping up the top layer of skin to give a smoother, more toned look to body parts than just plain old moisturizer. I've been rubbing into my upper arms, cleavage and thighs when wearing cocktail dresses and sleeveless tops, and it truly gives the appearance of better tone. Fleshy areas look less lumpy bumpy frumpy and more yummy mummy.

If you're the type to log serious time in your bikini, you could use on your midriff and booty jiggle too. But since I'm often required to perform cannonballs off the diving board and other mom feats, I'll stick to my J. Crew one piece and save the fancy serum for my arms and legs on date nights. I'm thinking this stuff will be a godsend when warm weather hits and above-the-knee skirts without stockings are in order.


Skinn Runway Ready Collagen Boost Firming Eye Shadow $21.50 for 8 shades

Do these eyeshadows really give your eyes a boost of anti-aging collagen and firm droopy lids? I don't know. But wearing these shades has given my look and confidence a boost and the price is fabulous. I'm a former devotee of Estee Lauder's shadows and they're $17.50 for a single shade. That's pricey. Skinn's set has 8 colors that are department store quality and quantity. Drugstore shades tend to smear and fade and have a weird party in my crease. These stay put and look good all day and night.

Each of the four eye shadow sets (Cool Casual, Cool Formal, Warm Casual, Warm Formal) has the important bright white to put in the inner eye corner and beneath the brows, lighter shades for the lid and deep shades for crease, corners, using as eyeliner and creating a more dramatic look. I like the Warm Formal set for its palette of bronzes, browns, purples and greys. (There's a dark green too, but I have to admit I haven't been adventurous enough to use.) The shimmer level is modern and not cheesy.

And again, it's only $21.50 for 8 fancy colors that will last me a good while. Because even though I love new beauty products, I love a good deal even more.

Giveaway winners will be drawn after midnight on January 27.