Congratulations to this lucky reader :

 Cori Westphal who won $125 worth of Young Essential Skincare Package

with her entry….

And I’m fairly new to the Stumble community but I (hope) stumbled the post.  

Please email me your shipping address by using the Contact Form here. If the prizes remain unclaimed by 31st December 2008, they will be forfeited.

Thank you to everyone who participated.

WISHING ALL MY FRIENDS AND READERS

A JOYOUS CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Do we really need to keep up with the fashion trend when it is freezing cold ? I don’t know about you but I would love to pile on as many tops, sweaters or north face jackets as possible just to keep warm, without worrying whether they are fashionable enough for this season

However, I know fashionistas can never resist the need to look good. So, I’m going to list a few accessories to help you stay on top of the fashion for this holiday.

1. Louis Vuitton’s Damier Neverfull – My current favourite at this point in time. Timeless, yet resolutely modern, these bags are great for traveling and shopping. The size of the bags can also be adjusted using the two side straps.

2. May Boot from Tory Burch’s collection – Stretch Mestico and veg tan leather boot with front zip closure and logo pull. Rubber platform sole. 4″ heel with gold accent.

3. Margaret Jacket  - Available exclusively on Toryburch.com and in Tory Burch boutiques, the Margaret Jacket is featured in Medium Navy/Ivory Tweed. Pair this chic jacket with a turtleneck and the Abbigail skirt for the complete look.

4. Coach Resort Leather Shoulder Tote – Another one of my favourite line of handbags. Look pretty in pink with this simple drawstring bag.

5. Juicy Couture ‘Holiday Themed’ Charm Bracelet – Isn’t this the loveliest bracelet you’ve seen this holiday?  This cute winter-themed charms comes detailed with crystals and smooth enamel dangle from an open-link bracelet.

6. MARC BY MARC JACOBS ‘Miss Marc’ Medium Hoop Earrings – It’s no secret that I prefer simple accessories. What makes this a little unique is there’s a logo-embossed ball which lends modern definition to the end of a handcrafted simple hoop earring.

7. Nordstrom Cashmere-Lined Leather Gloves – Leather from Italy makes indulgent gloves extra supple on the outside. The cashmere lining makes them heavenly soft on the inside.

8. Tasha Skinny Headband with Vintage Stones – Beautiful turquoise stones accent the vintage-inspired charms on a skinny satin headband.

9. Juicy Couture Graffiti Beanie - I so love this one. Cheeky phrases pattern an easy-fitting beanie which comes in 3 colours.

10. Emilio Pucci ‘Nelion Weel’ Cape with Fringe – If you’re on a budget, this one might be a little pricey but I could not resist the gorgeous painterly design colors. This eye-catching cape comes detailed with long fringe, while a hint of cashmere provides for ultrasoft wear.

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

I’m so excited to partner with another skincare company to bring you ladies some more great products to help you look divalicious this coming holidays!

Young Essential Skincare or Y.E.S for short is founded by entrepreneur Linda Eastwood, Founder & CEO of Y.E.S., Inc. Together with a group of leading chemists, they created the exclusive formulas for Y.E.S. Young Essential Skincare^®

Y.E.S. products dramatically increases the moisture, elasticity and firmness with their exclusive CP24 Complex^®. This proprietary complex works synergistically with active components for optimal results; these exclusive formulas will alleviate even the most frustrating skin concerns working together to enhance the beauty of your skin. The unique formulas will protect against free radical damage, the main cause of aging and sagging skin.

WIN $125 worth of Young Essential Skincare Package!

Here’s what we are giving away:

1. Y.E.S. Rejuvenating Moisture Cream (for all skin types) with CP24-Complex™ is the most advanced age-defying treatment that instantly goes to work stimulating new cell production, bringing new younger cells to the surface. The rapid absorption makes it perfect for all skin types, never greasy; the cream/gel like consistency makes it extremely hydrating, leaving the surface velvety smooth.  Cost: $55.00

2. Y.E.S. Anti-Aging Serum (for all skin types). Serums have been recognized as the most efficient vehicles to deliver ingredients with therapeutic effects. This delivery system addresses your immediate skin concerns from wrinkles, scars and dullness to age spots, acne and sensitivities. Cost: $60.00

3. Y.E.S. Rejuvenating Eye Patches® are a high performance multi-action treatment for today’s woman on-the-go. Y.E.S. Rejuvenating Eye Patches contain biologically active ingredients that alleviate puffiness, dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles in record time. They are specifically designed to treat the under eye area, actually vanishing wrinkles right before your eyes. The Rejuvenating Eye Patches consist of a patented delivery system with highly effective ingredient, Chitosan that is derived from a bio-marine origin and prized for its moisture retaining effects along with collagen and Vitamin C. Retail Cost: $20.00 2 Pair/Pack.

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN ENTER & WIN:

• Visit www.yesskincare.com and leave a comment below letting me know which of their product would benefit you best.
• Three additional entries if you Stumbleupon this post (please leave your SU id) AND/OR
• Three additional entries if you blog about this post (please leave your blog url) AND/OR
• Three additional entries if you subscribe to this blog via email (button on sidebar)
• Giveaway closes on 20th December 2008 and a winner will be selected using the Random.org number generator. Giveaway is open to US shipping addresses only.

Congratulations to this lucky gal:

Heather C. who said…..

Well, this is exactly what I need right now. My hair is stinking lately, because the water around here isn’t giving it a chance to breathe. Maybe if it had stronger roots, all would be well. Cross-fingers!
My face? I think the DermaScyne2 anti-aging product is going to find a red-carpet rolled out for it here. My wrinkles are hollering ‘good luck’ to me right now.

You’ve won yourself a box of Viviscal Maximum Strength hair vitamins and AminoGenesis DermaScyne2.

Please email me your shipping address by using the Contact Form here. If the prizes remain unclaimed by 12th December 2008, they will be forfeited.

Thank you to everyone who participated.

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

With Christmas coming up in a few weeks,  everyone is preparing to look their best for this holiday gathering. However,  as the economy continues its downward spiral, many of America’s most beauty-obsessed women are forced to alter their shopping habits. Women are now more conscious of what beauty products can do for them and the savvier shopper will select products that deliver compelling results .

To ease the your spending budget, I am giving away two beauty products to one lucky US readers:

Viviscal Maximum Strength (www.Viviscalhair.com) – Viviscal hair vitamins are a combination of vitamin C, silica compounds, and a highly concentrated marine protein, AminoMar C, the brainchild of Dr. Allan Lassus of the University of Helsinki improves hair from the root. AminoMar C has been shown to nourish the hair follicle, strengthen and encourage the growth of existing hair and promote the growth of weaker, less visible hairs. It is well known that basic amino acids, fats and vitamins are essential for the growth of healthy hair and that undernourishment slows the growth rate of hair, eventually leading to hair thinning and then actually falling out. Viviscal addresses the hair’s needs from the inside out. It has long been standard to treat lackluster – or even thinning – hair topically with shampoos or styling products and almost always with disappointing results. Viviscal introduces to the playing field the first nutritional supplement that promises, and delivers, better hair.

AminoGenesis DermaScyne2 (www.AminoGenesis.com) – AminoGenesis’ range of products is founded on the understanding that each and every person’s skin functions at its best when properly nourished and hydrated. Whether the problem is dry skin, oily skin, acne, discoloration, or anything else, according to AminoGenesis, a lack of vital proteins is to blame. When proteins, such as collagen and elastin among many others, break down due to aging or skin damage they must be replaced or repaired for skin to maintain a healthy, attractive appearance. DermaScyne2 Intense Daily Serum is the only anti-aging compound that directly delivers 25 key biological building blocks to the skin. Instead of sealing off the skin to prevent loss of moisture, it is absorbed by the skin to improve overall hydration. All AminoGenesis products, including DermaScyne2, have a controlled viscosity which becomes less and less so as force is applied, additionally the electro static properties are compatible with the skin’s natural electro static charge. Finally, DermaScyne2 boasts molecules that are small enough in size and weight to penetrate the skin’s barrier layer.

WIN THEM - Here are the requirements:

1. Leave a comment below telling me why you want to win the above products
2. Three additional entries if you Stumbleupon this post (please leave your SU id) AND/OR
3. Three additional entries if you blog about this post (please leave your blog url) AND/OR
4. Three additional entries if you subscribe to this blog via email (button on sidebar)
5. Giveaway closes on 4th December 2008 and a winner will be selected using the Random.org number generator.

Did you know that seven in ten girls believe they are not good enough or do not measure up in some way, including their looks, performance in school and relationships with friends and family members? Therefore, The Dove Self-Esteem Fund (DSEF) was established as an agent of change to inspire and educate girls and young women about a wider definition of beauty.  Though this initiative has reached almost 2 million lives, the goal is to spread the message to 10 million people by Year 2010. The Campaign For Real Beauty is still continuing with its quest for people to help free themselves as well as the next generation from beauty stereotypes.

For this phase of campaign, everyone can help to promote this cause by downloading these free self-esteem building tools for girls, moms and mentors:

• True You and Mirror, Mirror booklets
• Interactive exercises
• Workshop Facilitator Guide DVD

Just click here to get started!

What do you buy for a brother in law who has everything? I am actually making my holiday gift list for my friends and relatives but I am already  stuck at number eight, which is my brother in law. Forget about the usual pen, cuff links, wallet, shirts, chocolates and all that regular stuff. Trust me, he has more of those than he actually needs. In fact, he has been stuffing my kids with plenty of chocolates whenever he comes back for a visit, not that we are complaining. 

After a lot of surfing on the net, I’ve finally found something that might be ideal for him. My brother in law is an outdoor enthusiast who loves hunting, surfing, mountain climbing, snow boarding and hiking. So, I figured that we could get him something useful like those north face jackets, a set of new skis or even a backpack.

I had consulted the hubby and we narrowed down the option to the jacket and backpack. Even with only two choice of gifts, there were so many brands to choose from. And boy, they were not cheap! Getting a good quality jacket or backpack meant we had to part with close to $150. We preferred not to get those cheaper ones as they would be less durable for the outdoor lifestyle. So, a friend advised me to try to bid for those goods at eBay and you know what? I managed to win a bid on a jacket, which ordinarily would have cost $199. I got a brand new one at only $110, a discount of 45%. I’m sooo happy, I’m definitely bidding for more stuff from eBay this Christmas. Just to share, here’s a look at the jacket we bought (pictured below).

Congratulations to this wonderful follower of my  blog:

Vien

Here’s the random draw:

Please send me an email with the shipping address for the Dinner GC.

Thank you to everyone who participated.

With winter fast approaching, the sun has been rising later, which means by the time you wake up in the morning, it’s nearly pitch black! I don’t know how you feel about this dilemma, but I don’t think stumbling down a long, dark hallway should even be an option. You can easily mitigate this problem by adding a few strategically placed wall sconces in your hallway. Wall sconces perform two functions, one being lighting in your hallway, the other being a stylish wall accent that will help give your home a little bit more personality.

The great thing about wall sconces is you can find them in a bunch of different styles and finishes. If your home decor leans more toward modern and contemporary, no problem! Select a simple sconce with a stainless steel, aluminum or brushed nickel finish with glass accents. Avoid fixtures that feature a lot of ornate detailing, as those tend to be bit more old fashioned. Designer George Kovacs has a great line of modern lighting, manufactured by Minka. If your tastes are more traditional, then you might want to look for a design with ornate detail work in bronze with a bronze or brass finish. Tiffany-style wall sconces are also a great option. These lights feature beautiful stained glass elements that will add a pop of color to your hallway. Whatever your design aesthetic, there’s a wall sconce for you!

While I recommend hiring a licensed electrician to install your wall sconces, there are lighting options for those of you who don’t want to go through the extra trouble. Wall plug sconces make are a good idea if you have a shorter hallway to illuminate. The downside, of course, is hiding the ugly cord. Kichler and Lite Source make some nice wall plug sconces that you may want to consider.

Going “green” is a big trend right now, and for good reason! With rising energy costs, gas prices and the overall deterioration of the environment, it’s important to cut costs wherever you can. When it comes to finding eco-friendly wall sconces, it’s all about the bulbs! While your standard incandescent bulbs tend to be cheaper, it’s definitely a good idea to invest in some compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs). These guys can save you money in the long run. If ever American home replaced one single incandescent light bulb with a CFL, we could potentially save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for an entire year! What’s more, CFLs emit a much cleaner, brighter light which will help brighten up your space more effectively. Additionally, you can look for light fixtures with that little “Energy Star Qualified” logo on the packaging and know that you’re making a smart choice. Oh, and just because you’re going green, doesn’t mean you have to skimp on style! There are plenty of fashionable sconces available in this eco-friendly style.

By having adequate lighting in your hallway, you make your home more inviting for holiday guests, you make your trips to and from the bathroom or kitchen much safer and you add style and personality. What more could you ask for in a purchase?