WHIMSY

I admit it. I’m a girly-girl and I love makeup! But even the most expensive makeup is only as good as the tools used to apply it and Youngblood Cosmetics has some of the best, most specialized brushes on the market today. From enormous Kabuki brushes, to defined concealer, contour, shader brushes and more, Youngblood has just the right tool for the job.

In addition to gorgeous, precision makeup brushes, Youngblood Cosmetics also manufactures amazing, high quality cosmetics. Founder Pauline Youngblood Soli started her career as a licensed Medical Aesthetician specializing in paramedical treatments, working with prominent dermatologists and plastic surgeons in the Beverly Hills area. Here, she was in daily contact with people with severely traumatized skin, from harsh laser treatments, acne, rosacea, and cosmetic surgeries.

A decade later, Youngblood Cosmetics now offers a complete line of cosmetic products, in a comprehensive palette of shades, with realistic skin tones and beautiful, natural finishes. Youngblood continues to create top quality products that are innovative in both formulation and packaging.

My favorite is the Large Kabuki Brush. This ultra-premium brush also comes in a small size, which is ideal for medium to full coverage. But I use the luxurious Large Kabuki for light coverage, especially perfect in the summer, when I don’t want to wear too much heavy makeup. Large Kabuki Retail $35.00

The full line of Youngblood Cosmetics is available through aestheticians, spas, med-spas, and salons throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Denmark and Singapore. For a location near you, simply click on the Youngblood Dealer Locator or shop online.

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur and social activist. In addition to Style on a WHIM Susan also writes for It’s how you play the game! , Success Won’t Wait! and Susan Said What?!

Ever wonder how Hollywood A-listers manage to look so fabulous in the sweltering heat of sunny SoCal? I think about this every year as I watch my favorite stars walk the red carpet for premieres, charity events and awards shows.

And finally, I’ve found the answer! Skindinävia is a small, incredibly innovative cosmetics manufacturer whose sole purpose is to keep makeup looking fresh and flawless for up to 16 hours! Nicknamed “The Original Makeup Saver” this tiny firm offers some of the most sought-after “finishing” products for the stars of screen and stage. From Hollywood, to Broadway, to Las Vegas, celebrities use Skindinävia Makeup Finishes to keep makeup fresh under hot lights, during very active use, and to minimize touch ups.

Now that summer is here, I thought I’d try some of these ”secret weapons” for myself. Every great face begins with a moisturizer and Skindinävia’s Summer Moisturizer is nothing short of amazing. Formulated just for summer, this is a light and hydrating mist!

The mist contains a water attracting moisturizer that mimics your own skin’s hydrating elements. Non-greasy, this is incredible under makeup — especially for those of us who suffer from oilier t-zones or shine. And, the Summer Moisturizer is so light, you can apply anywhere. Plus, there’s a built-in sunblock with an SPF of 8, so you are also protected during normal, daily exposure.

A 4oz. mist will last for three months, perfect for summer. But honestly, you’ll want to use this great mist all year long! Retail $39.00

After applying makeup (powder, liquid or mineral) you can finish your face just like your favorite celebrities do, with Skindinävia’s Cool Flash Makeup Finish. This is the true secret to a flawless face, even when the temperature is soaring.

The science: Cool Flash is a heat resistant makeup hold that provides a unique, encapsulated surface cooling technology that chills the makeup surface to 20°F (like an air conditioner). This means your makeup keeps a fresh look in the warmest temperatures and ensures you avoid makeup melting or sliding (icky!). The mist actually holds and blends foundation, eye shadow, blush, and concealer. This means fewer “touch ups” throughout the day! Your makeup looks great for hours and won’t crease, clump, slide, get shiny, or dry out. A 4 oz. mist will last for approximately 4 months. Retail $29

Now, I know that celebrities use Skindinävia makeup finishes to keep makeup fresh under hot lights, but I think that this would also be useful during workouts (cute guys at the gym after all!), anytime you’re outside in the summer, for brides and bridal parties, on vacation in some tropical locale and for women who suffer with hot flashes.

Skindinävia has been featured on NBC’s The Today Show where the mists were proclaimed a “kind of genius” (I agree!) and in Vogue magazine as a “Top 10 of 2009.” Most recently, Skindinavia’s products were used on the Zac Posen runway!

So, are you ready to look like a celebrity? Shop online and you’ll be red carpet-ready in no time!

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur and social activist. In addition to Style on a WHIM Susan also writes for It’s how you play the game! , Success Won’t Wait! and Susan Said What?!

I love having kids! When they were very small, I had the world’s best excuse to buy Barbie clothes by the  closetful, countless Matchbox cars, and games that I really wanted to play (if you have kids, admit it – you’ve done this, too!).

Now that they are older, I am still sometimes the indirect beneficiary of their purchases. I mean, how else would I have discovered YoYo lip gloss or BedHead hair products? My latest and greatest “steal” from their beauty arsenal is the Good for you Girls skin care line.

The Good for you Girls Complete Kit has everything you need to put your best face forward. A simple, three-step process of cleansing, toning and moisturizing is great training for the young girls, but these products work so well that I use them, too! The kit contains a cleaner, toner and moisturizer – everything to effectively clean away impurities, balance pH, and help to protect skin from the elements.

Best yet, Good for you Girls products are filled with good-for-the-skin ingredients that pamper and protect but are totally free of parabens, sulfates, petrochemicals, dyes or synthetic fragrances. (very important for young and older skin alike!)

The Complete Kit contains a 2 oz. Gel Cleanser, a 2 oz. Refreshing Toner, and a 2 oz. Oil-Free Moisturizer. According to Good for you Girls, the products in kit should last approximately 4-6 months. Retail $19.99.

In fact, the products have been so well received (by kids and parents alike) that Good for you Girls recently received the Parent Tested Parent Approved Award! 

To try this fabulous skin care line out for yourself, visit the Store Locator  or shop online.

All natural. All healthy. All beautiful.

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur and social activist. In addition to Style on a WHIM Susan also writes for It’s how you play the game! , Success Won’t Wait! and Susan Said What?!

To me, one of the most exciting parts of the rapidly growing green movement is the surge in upcycled products that I’ve seen lately. For those of you not familiar with the term, upcycling is converting waste materials into new products of better quality. (This is the direct opposite of downcycling, or turning waste materials into new materials of lesser quality.)

I’ve written about this phenomenon before with the growing popularity of Banyan bags, fabulous bags made, literally, of paper! But my most recent find all came about because I broke my coffee pot. Confused? I’ll explain. My fabulous Brew and Wave coffee pot recent sprang a leak (comical at 5:00 am, I assure you). So, in desperation, I visited my favorite local coffee shop, Pike Creek Coffee and amidst the heavenly brews, I found fashion!

You see, Pike Creek Coffee now offers messenger bags and totes made from recycled burlap coffee sacks! No longer will burlap coffee sacks be sent to the landfill or left to languish in the corners of warehouses. And some of the graphics on these bags are absolutely gorgeous!

This idea was the brainchild of Carol Allston-Stiles, owner of Pike Creek Coffee. Carol has her coffee sacks transformed into practical and stylish bags by a network of small and independently-owned sewing groups coordinated by a coffee roaster out in Minnesota. Plus, the bags also utilize other recycled materials, including linings made from recycled cotton and plastic bottles, and webbing straps from the automotive industry.

One of the most appealing bags is the Santa Rita Coffee Tote (pictured). This tote measures 12″ high x 15″ wide x 4″ deep and is lined with a 10 oz. canvas made from recycled cotton and plastic bottles. It just shouts “coffee” to me — with the great illustration of the coffee plant laden with ripe coffee beans. The tote features an inside pocket and comfortable web cotton handles. Retail $15.95

I also like the modern, bold graphics of the ONA Coffee Tote. Like the Santa Rita, this tote also measures 12″ high x 15″ wide x 4″ deep, is lined with a 10 oz. canvas made from recycled cotton and plastic bottles, and features an inside pocket. The ONA (pictured) would be a wonderful bag for a fashion-savvy college student – simply toss in notebooks, cell phone and a water bottle and you’re ready for a day on campus! Retail $15.95

But my favorite is the Bird of Paradise Coffee Tote! The illustration is absolutely lovely, and reminds me of the sunny skies and blue waters of Hawaii. A perfect tote for the beach, the Bird of Paradise tote (pictured) measures 12″ high x 15″ wide x 4″ deep. It also is lined with a 10 oz. canvas made from recycled cotton and plastic bottles, has a convenient inside pocket and cotton web handles. Retail $15.95

Pike Creek Coffee offers a limited selection of bags online but maintains a large inventory of the bags at their coffee shop in Pike Creek, Delaware. For more information,  you can contact Pike Creek Coffee.

Oh, and don’t forget to try their amazing coffee blends. Yummy!

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur and social activist. In addition to Style on a WHIM Susan also writes for It’s how you play the game! , Success Won’t Wait! and Susan Said What?!

In the summer especially, I don’t like having to think too much as I choose an outfit for work. That’s why I love dresses! Just pull them out of the closet and you’re ready to go – it’s one-piece, easy dressing that ensures you always look put together.

Dresses are often hard to find, though. For cocktail parties or special events LBDs are a cinch. And if you’re searching for colorful, flirty sundresses, there must be hundreds of choices. The difficulty seems to come with the in-between — and luckily that’s where Shabby Apple comes to the rescue!

According to Shabby Apple founders Emily and CK, they spent years not being able to find stylish dresses that covered enough skin to make them feel really comfortable (you know, without wearing a tank top, cardigan or long slip). They visited trade shows, marketplaces and designer studios only to discover that the problem wasn’t that department stores weren’t buying the right dresses, the designers actually weren’t even designing them! So, they decided to do something about it and Shabby Apple’s fabulous dresses are the beautiful result.

The BaHa collection is the most recent release from the firm, and of course, I have a can’t-live-without favorite! The Caynenne (pictured) is a simple style that fits a wide variety of body types and sizes. This dress is made of fiery red jersey fabric with a drape from the shoulders into a flattering ruched waist that runs from bust to hip. More interesting than just a basic v-neck, this fold-over neckline adds a lovely style detail to the classic dress. Retail $86

In addition to the BaHa Collection, Shabby Apple has a score of other collections from the chic Manhattan, to the relaxed Central Park, to flirty Carousel and even the decidedly French Oo La La.

Not too shabby!

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur and social activist. In addition to Style on a WHIM Susan also writes for It’s how you play the game! , Success Won’t Wait! and Susan Said What?!

Body Central Seamless Cropped Leggings (photo from www.bodyc.com)

Oh, Leggings…what a love/hate relationship we’ve had over the past 24 years. You were so faithful to me in grade school, when I refused to wear jeans because they were “too uncomfy.” Then for so many years, you were “uncool,” yet now you’re cropping up again. And had it not been for my footless tights, I would still harbor bad feelings toward you because, well, you’re just so 80s!

I consider my footless tights the “gateway” to trying leggings again because my footless tights were too see-through to wear with tunic tops and short dresses and still assure good butt coverage. So, on a WHIM (shameless plug, I know) I decided to try a pair of leggings that I found while shopping on my lunch break. And good god, were they comfortable. I am now addicted and can’t wait to wear the three (yes…three) new pairs I bought. They’re not exactly appropriate office attire, but they’ll be perfect for a lazy weekend with the BF. (And ladies…might I add that men love the way a girl’s booty looks in leggings.)

The three things I love most about leggings:

1. They’re never too snug to wear on your “fat” days, so no matter what, you can still pull them on—which is more than I can say for my skinny jeans.
2. They can be dressed up or down, depending on what you wear up top and what you accessorize with. Dressing down? Slip on some flats or flip flops and a casual sleeveless tunic. Dressing up? Try a short dress with some sexy heels and your favorite handbag. Easy peasy.
3. They’re cheap!

Here is a handful of different places to purchase leggings at reasonable prices:
Mandee
Marshalls & T.J. Maxx (Just be prepared to dig through the racks for a bit!)
Express (I suggest waiting for one of their Buy One, Get One at 50% Off sales)
H&M
Body Central

Legging Dos:
Ruching, side-snaps, ankle-length, cropped, black, white, gray, navy blue, brown, cream, blush pink, worn with tunics, worn with short dresses

Legging Don’ts:
Zippers, ripped, leggings that look like jeans, worn with cropped shirts, worn too baggy or loose, tie-dye, anything neon

I suggest dark-colored ankle-lengths for nights out on the town and light-colored crops for beach trips and lounging, but feel free to switch it up and experiment! And do yourself a favor…if you ever see leggings with those weird foot stirrup things—run far, far away. Those were never cool.

-Keri

I have thing for vampires… It all started with the series Angel where gorgeous and hard-to-resist vampire played by David Boreanaz is cursed with a soul and spends his time helping people — all the while searching for his own redemption. Lately, like every woman under 100, the delicious collection of vampire guys from the Twilight series makes my heart beat just a little faster. And of course, the new season of the vampire series True Blood begins on June 13.

If you haven’t seen True Blood yet — where have you been?! In this great series from HBO vampires really do walk among us… based on the work of novelist Charlaine Harris, this is the perfect weekly dose of the supernatural for those of us who are, shall we say, vampire-obsessed.

To celebrate the show’s return, I wanted to showcase some fabulous jewelry guaranteed to inspire True Blood fans. First, from the Simmons Jewelry Co. the cross necklace (pictured) is crafted of stainless steel and black rubber for a very contemporary feel. The cross also has unique stainless steel beads with a round diamond accent. The pendant is suspended from a cool 30″ ball chain. Available at Kay Jewelers, the cross retails for $195.00.

I also love this stainless steel and black rubber bracelet, again from the Simmons Jewelry Co. This funky 8″ bracelet features Maltese cross links for a sophisticated look, a round diamond accent and snap lock clasp for added security. Available at Kay Jewelers, the bracelet retails for $450.00

Do crosses keep vampires at bay? I certainly hope not!

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur and social activist. In addition to Style on a WHIM Susan also writes for It’s how you play the game! , Success Won’t Wait! and Susan Said What?!

Now that summer is upon us, I need to do some serious reconfiguring in my closet. Our office is frigid in the summer — complete with spontaneous Arctic blasts — because of the industrial sized air conditioning. This causes a dilemma each morning as I dress. I certainly can’t wear a winter sweater in July (although sometimes I’d like to!), but I can’t wear short sleeves either.

My solution is a tank under a jacket. I am warm during the day, but can ditch the jacket if I have an after work dinner or (better yet) a date with hubby!

Finding tanks that don’t look too casual is a challenge. Most of the ones that I’ve found from Old Navy, Gap, etc. could easily be mistaken for my pjs… a no-no even in our casual office! I also want a tank with bit of style, so that if I take off the jacket, half my outfit isn’t missing.

In addition to my stalwarts Talbots and Ann Taylor, I’ve recently stumbled upon a wonderful company call Kate Boggiano. Kate Coxworth, president of Kate Boggiano, began the line back in November 2006. Their blouses and tops are of the highest quality and they offer ultra flattering fits!

One thing that really attracted me was that this company, though, was the clothing is manufactured in the U.S.  This ensures top quality and the fastest turn around time, something crucial for optimum, consistent fit!

In addition to gorgeous blouses and tops, the line also has stunning dresses, shirt jackets, tunics, and outerwear.  In fact, the most popular ruffled blouse, the Isadora, was featured in the October 2009 issue of In Style magazine.  The line has also been featured in Women’s Wear Daily, Lucky Magazine, Michigan Avenue Magazine, Chicago Magazine, Second City Style, and more!

Of the dozens of choices available, two of the Kate Boggiano tanks are just perfect for my needs. First, I absolutely adore the Sophie ruffle tank. This is created in a luxurious, washable silk and has a ruffle detail that is so current! With or without a jacket, this tank is stunning and is made so well, with an exposed back zipper for easy on and off (and no makeup smudges, either!). The Sophie tank retails for $189 and is available in either cobalt (pictured) or emerald.

The other is the Rosalie ruffle tank. This is fully lined, has handmade silk cotton ruffles and a back keyhole with button closure. The Rosalie comes in so many colors, it’s hard to choose. From green (pictured), to mushroom, fuchsia, white, black and (my personal favorite) turquoise, I want every single one! Crafted of silk with a cotton and poly lining, this is a dry clean only number and retails for $199.

In addition to a lust-worthy spring and summer line, I also found a clearance section that is truly a bargain hunter’s paradise! Beautiful wardrobe staples like a white menswear-inspired shirt with elegant French cuffs or a trendy black-and-white shirtdress are available at a serious discount. So visit the clearance section, too, and shore up your fall wardrobe in advance for a just fraction of these timeless garments’ original prices!

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur and social activist. In addition to Style on a WHIM Susan also writes for It’s how you play the game! , Success Won’t Wait! and Susan Said What?!

Bryant Park Tee Dress (photo from NYandCompany.com)

My countdown to Memorial Day has begun! Only 17 days left!

It’s the “official” start of summer, when all outdoor restaurants and bars have their seasonal openings and it’s not shocking to be lounging, sipping a margarita/Bloody Mary/mimosa before 5 p.m. To be honest—that’s what I fantasize about at work all day in my windowless office! And since white is the color of the day, I’m going to be doing my shopping for an appropriate white dress over the next week or so. Here are my favorite picks so far…

Mercer Street Sleeveless Dress (photo from NYandCompany.com)

First of all, I’m loving the versatility of The Bryant Park Tee Dress from New York & Company! It comes in a variety of patterns and 11 solid colors, FOUR of which you can score for just $9.99. (The white one is $19.95.) It’s a dolman-style t-shirt top with ruching up both sides of the skirt, so you can pull the ties tight to make it short and flirty or tie it loose for more coverage. Not only could you dress it up for a night out by belting it and throwing on some sparkly jewelry, but it could double as a beach cover-up on vacation.

Another option is the Twist Bust Tube Dress from Wet Seal, priced at just $16.50. It comes in a handful of bright summer colors (and, of course, white). What I love most about it is the babydoll waistline, which is flattering to every body type. I could imagine wearing oversized sunglasses and a pair of wedge sandals with this.

For slightly more formal occasions, I found a white tie-back halter top dress at JCPenney for $39.99. I love that it ties—so summery! And the bow in the back is an ultra-feminine touch. Wear to an outdoor dinner party and throw on a pale pink cardigan sweater once the sun goes down.

I went back to New York and Company and noticed The Mercer Street Sleeveless dress for $41.96. It’s a sheath-style pull-over dress, so it’s super easy to slip into. It’s perfect for just about any occasion, whether casual or not-so-casual—I would wear it to my boyfriend’s parents’ house for their summer BBQs.

-Keri

UPDATE: Today, May 28th, we chose a winner of this contest and it’s Phyllis in NY! Congratulations, Phyllis! We hope you LOVE your WHIMSY jewelry and Murano glass beads. To everyone who entered — thank you SOOO much for the support, and don’t worry — we’ll be running another contest very soon (hint hint)!

One of the things I love most about spring and summer is the return of color to my wardrobe. In the winter I definitely trend towards black, black and more black. So when I break out the summer clothes I feel like a butterfly emerging from the cocoon!

One of my favorite ways to add a shot of color to an outfit is through bold jewelry. Two dozen Indian-inspired bangles in sparkly brights like purple, lime and magenta or an attention-getting, oversized bib necklace inspired by the Wild West are some of my top choices to add punch to a summer ensemble.

My current obsession, however, is Murano glass beads and interchangeable bead jewelry. These little gems are a fraction of the cost of precious or semi-precious stones and add affordable color to every outfit. Trollbeads, Chamilia™ and Pandora™ are some of the best known manufacturers, however, the field is widening every day and smaller companies are quickly making a name for themselves with equally gorgeous designs and high quality craftsmanship.

One of the best is Eastern Trading. I have a dozen or so beads from this firm and they seem to be the ones I reach for time and again. Whether strung on a silver neck chain, adorning a silk bracelet, or as the crowning touch to a WHIMSY ring, these are real showstoppers.

Now, you can rock this trend, too! Style on a WHIM is giving away one sterling silver interchangeable bead ring by WHIMSY (pictured here with a bead by Chamilia™) and a wardrobe of three striking Murano glass beads by Eastern Trading to one lucky reader — a $200 retail value!

Here’s how to enter:

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Contest is open until midnight on May 27 and the winner will be notified May 28!

Good Luck!

UPDATE: Today, May 28th, we chose a winner of this contest and it’s Phyllis in NY! Congratulations, Phyllis! We hope you LOVE your WHIMSY jewelry and Murano glass beads. To everyone who entered — thank you SOOO much for the support, and don’t worry — we’ll be running another contest very soon (hint hint)!

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur and social activist. In addition to Style on a WHIM Susan also writes for It’s how you play the game! , Success Won’t Wait! and Susan Said What?!