Brand Spotlight: Nine West Flax Pumps

If you have been following my blog, you will see that I am constantly wearing Nine West Flax Pumps. I have tons of shoes spanning many brands and prices. These $69 (and sometimes priced less) pumps are one the most comfortable and affordable pair of pumps I own. For the price, you really can't get anything better. The sleek pointy toe makes your legs appear longer, and bonus, there is no toe cleavage!

These can be purchased at:

Zappos.com
6pm.com

and just a simple google search....

Brand Spotlight: Sally Hansen Big Matte Top Coat

My throat has been killing me lately. On my way to pick my prescription antibiotics at the pharmacy, I browsed around the nail polish section (naturally). I bought Essie Sand Tropez (literally the best nude polish EVER) and wanted to buy a new top coat.

Around the other end of the shelf, I noticed this Matte Finish top coat by Sally Hansen. Naturally, I was skeptical. I didn't think it was even possible to get a decent matte finish from an over the counter polish. Boy was I wrong! I tried it last night and despite the fact that I am impatient on painting nails and they look less than perfect (actually, pretty terrible) the matte coat did an excellent job.

For work, I really don't want to show off a bright, shiny polish. This matte finish makes my nails look part of my nails. It's so clean and muted that it doesn't draw extra attention to my nail.

Now don't get me wrong, I love a great shiny top coat, but every know and again, I think matte is something different and cool. This Sally Hansen product is on my highly recommend list :) It's only about $5.99 at the drugstore, which is a steal!

Here is a photo of my nails on the left and another photo I found from Globe & Nail on the right (it's a better finish and just looks much better than my amateur nails so I had to post it)

Photo: Globe & Nail

Brands Spotlight: Dry Skin Moisturizer

I have the worst dry skin during the winter months. It's constantly tight and I need so much moisture to get through the day. I like to switch out my day cream after my container is out so my skin doesn't get used to the ingredients. I wanted to share the ones I have used and my rating. Hope this helps you all!

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Face Cream: (4.5/5)  - $31 (extra 20% off right now with code HERO!) This is my favorite face cream right now. It has a great clean smell (a cross between Nivea and La Mer). It's not very heavy/oily, but instead light. Instantly hydrates my skin!

Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream: (4/5) - $42.95 (extra 20% off right now with code HERO!) I have read Jennifer Lopez uses this on her skin. I got a small sample of it at Whole Foods and I thought it smelled very clean and fresh. Definitely full of hydration. Lasted all day.

Fresh Youth Preserve Face Cream: (4/5) - $42 - Cream gets great reviews. I only rated it a 4 because I thought it was a little pricey (but I guess you are paying for the name). It's also very light on and smells like cucumbers! So fresh and clean! I have't bought this one in a while, but it will appear on my rotation again soon enough.

Origins GinZing Moisturizer: (2.8/5) - $26.50 - I got this one purely based on smell one day. It smelled like oranges and I was in love. I give it a 2.8/5 only because it made my skin really sticky when I used it. I wouldn't recommend this for dry skin. It hydrated my face, but I felt like I had to use a lot of it to get my face hydrated.

Vichy Intensive Nourishing Cream (3/5) - $26.40 - This works really well but I did not like the smell (or lack thereof) and I thought it's just a little too heavy. If you have intensely dry skin, maybe this would work better for you, but I didn't like the feel of it it. It's almost as if it was still on my face after I rubbed it in.

I wanted to discuss La Mer Face Cream that most people are in love with! I had a small sample that I got and it definitely makes my skin soft, but the price tag makes it SO overrated. Also, why does it smell like Nivea cream? I know that it has a following, but there are so many other brands that provide the same effect for 1/10th of the price. I would like to be proved wrong on La Mer, so thoughts and opinions are appreciated and encouraged!

Brands Spotlight: Athletic Wear

I am obsessed with workout clothing. For someone who works fives days a week and has to dress well everyday, I enjoy my downtime during the weekend with the ability to wear athletic-wear out and about. I love Lululemon workout gear, but I always enjoy finding alternatives (less expensive brands) that provide close to what Lululemon gives to their customer. Here are some my favorites:


1. RBX: You can find these at any Marshalls or TJ Maxx. They cost about $14.99 a pair and have amazing fun patterns for yoga crop pants. I rate this 3/5 stars only because the fabric is a little slippery. I prefer mine to feel like it's part of my body and just really soft. Although as far as working out, I bet this fabric is great for a sweaty endurance-filled workout.

2. 90 Degrees Flex: This may be one of my favorite brand for the price! They cost about $14.99 a pair and can be purchased at any Marshalls and TJ Maxx. I am obsessed with wunder under crops from Lululemon and their crops and tank quality somewhat resemble Lululemon. Of course, the quality isn't as superior, but you also aren't paying $72-$102 per pant. I recently got a pair  and they are so soft and comfortable. You really can't beat the price! update: can be bought on amazon.com

3. Zella: This is Nordstrom's brand for workout gear. It's amazing!! The crops are great quality. They run for about $58 and come in pant and crop form. I'd say these and the Fabletics MOST closely resemble Lululemon (if that is your benchmark for best quality workout gear)

4. Fabletics: Kate Hudson's line (Fabletics) is fantastic! The only downfall is I wish I could buy their stuff without having to subscribe. You can always "defer" for as many months as you want, but I really don't want to commit myself to remember to do so. You get your first outfit for $25 when you sign up, which is a steal!! The quality is actually comparable to Athletica and Lululemon and not as expensive. 

Brand Spotlight: Nubian Heritage

So last night I had my weekly dinner with some of my girlfriends. After dinner, we headed to our local "Healthy Home Market" just to browse. During, I ran into the brand Nubian Heritage. Body lotions and hand creams always grab my attention, especially during the winter months.

Do your hands and skin get as dry as mine?! It's awful! So of course I'm sampling like 10 different scents (scent obsessed over here!) but noticed right away how my skin instantly had moisture! The Olive Oil & Green Tea smelt the best to me at the time (at that point I needed some coffee beans.. I was going through scent overload!) I used it last night and my skin still feels so soft.

I did some research on the brand today and they are just amazing! They are heavily involved in communities all over to raise awareness for poverty, hunger, etc.... The company had humble beginnings in Harlem and now have blown up!

You can buy their stuff at any organic/healthy grocery store (Earth Fare, Publix, Whole Foods, even Amazon). They use ingredients to help skin retain moisture yet still nourish.

I love the organic nature of this product and the community involvement of this company!