It may measure just 3.5″ x 2″ x 2″ (i.e. it’s likely smaller than your hand!), but this Minimergency Kit for Her by Ms. & Mrs ($13) is stocked with so many things I don’t know how they all fit them in — seriously I took everything out and then couldn’t fit it all back in (well, at least not neatly!).

The kit comes in a bunch of cool metallic color pouch options, each of which is stocked with 16 “emergency” essentials. Fashion Week is coming-up and it’s just the kind of thing you need to have on hand. For instance, you’ll be running around all over the city and you never know when you might find a snag in your top, a stain on your dress, a blister on your foot, or dealing with a pounding headache. Among the the mini finds in the kit are: Hairspray, Clear Nail Polish, Nail Polish Remover, Emery Board, Lip Balm, Earring Backs, Clear Elastics, Sewing Kit, Double-Sided Tape, Stain Remover, Deodorant Towelette, Pain Reliever, Tampon, Breath Freshener, Dental Floss, and Adhesive Bandages.

The case also makes a cute gift, stocking stuffer, and is useful when going on a quick trip or just to have on hand in your car. I just wish they also sold refillable options!

Image: Ms. & Mrs.

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I donÂ’t know why it took me so long to get on the fashion blogging bandwagon, but once I began, I found it simply impossible to stop. There is just so much inspiration out there on the Internet these days.

Real style done by real people is totally the best. I adore seeing my fellow fashionistasÂ’ styles expressed through their outfit posts, inspirational photos and fun tips. I could spend hours perusing style blogs, and if you have never ventured out into the real depths of the blogosphere, then the time is now! ItÂ’s the most modern way to satiate your appetite for style.

Here are a few things I love about fashion blogging.

Outfit posts. Bloggers often post pictures of their personal styles, and I completely adore seeing these photos. Sure, editorial shoots for big mags like Vogue, Elle and Bazaar are really gorgeous to see. Couture dresses and thousand-dollar jackets are major lusts. But there is something pretty awesome about seeing genuine style put together by a sartorially savvy plebian just like me. I love that!

Independent fashion bloggers. Think of it like the Facebook for the style blogging community. ItÂ’s pretty much the best site ever. Founded by Jeanine of The Coveted, the site sponsors blogger conferences, picks the best fashion-forward bloggers for features and allows bloggers to connect through community posting and topic forums. Sounds like fun, right?

Getting multiple takes on fashion. The blogging community expands worldwide, so when you explore the Web, you will be able to find takes on style from completely different countries. Check out street style in Sweden. See whatÂ’s hot in Japan. Find out which trends have hit big in Australia. And then work all that inspiration into your own look. YouÂ’ll be cultured and fashionable!

Meeting bloggers! This is the absolute best part about fashion blogging: meeting other bloggers. I have met so many good friends who adore style just as much as I do. ItÂ’s fun to chat with someone about the pair of Louboutins you are absolutely dying for, or how much you wish you had Carey MulliganÂ’s style smarts. And IÂ’ve found that there are a lot of people out there just like me. PhewÂ… I was starting to think I was the only one who was this fashion-crazed.

If you are obsessed with all things chic, fashion blogging might be your calling. ItÂ’s free. ItÂ’s fun. You will adore the whole community. Oh, and did I mention the style?

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/21857545@N02/4710449446

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My assortment of scents nearly rivals my collection of purses. And let me tell ya, I could carry a different bag every day of the week for literally two months and still have a couple dozen craving my adoring attention.

The thrill of the hunt is just as pleasurable to me, as actually wearing the perfume. When I fragrance shop, itÂ’s serious business.

In the summer, I tend to wear more ultra-feminine floral perfumes. TheyÂ’re sassy and sweet even when the temperature goes crazy. They keep me feeling girly whether IÂ’m at a meeting or toting three kids and a funnel cake around the local festival.

Over the weekend, I went to Bath and Body Works on a mission for a new scent. I love body sprays, because theyÂ’re not quite as concentrated, so IÂ’m always excited to find a sale, and Bath and Body had a buy three, get two free that made me do a happy dance. And for those wonderingÂ…I actually dance.

A common problem I have is, because I rarely buy more than one bottle of the same perfume, I have to test many, many scents at once. If IÂ’m not careful, I quickly go from pleasantly perfumed to prostitute-in-training.

To test a variety of perfumes without smelling like the red-light district’s “Girl of the Year,” give these tips a try:

• DonÂ’t wear perfume or scented body lotions when youÂ’re going shopping for scents. It confuses the sniffer
• Go with clean skin. DonÂ’t go from the gym to the perfume counter, it changes the fragrance, and is, frankly, unpleasant
• Ask for help. If youÂ’re not sure what youÂ’re looking for, ask an employee for recommendations based on your preferences (floral, fruity, musky, etc.). DonÂ’t feel pressured to buy their recommendations. They want you to choose something you love and are just trying to make helpful suggestions
• Use blotters first. DonÂ’t immediately start spraying perfumes all over your body. Test a few on blotting papers to get an idea of the scent. If you hate it on paper, you donÂ’t want it on your skin
• Give the perfume time to dry on the card before holding it an inch from your nose to test the aroma
• Once youÂ’ve chosen a few that you like, one at a time, spritz some on your skin. Start with a wrist. Wait a couple minutes before taking a whiff. Your natural body chemistry works with the scent, so smelling it right away, wonÂ’t give a true sense of how it will perform on your skin.
• If youÂ’re testing more than one fragrance, repeat the trial on your other wrist, then your inner elbows, and so on. Make sure you complete the whole process for one scent before moving onto the next, or you wonÂ’t remember which scent is which. I keep the blotter cards w/ me and write on them, for reference when making my final selection (ex. Name of scent, left wrist).
• After youÂ’re finished, wash the areas in a sink, or use a moist towelette. If you have other shopping to do, you donÂ’t want to be walking around advertising that you were just at the perfume counter.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/nelanah/2391912230

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After reviewing the latest designs by JEWELS, a jewelry smith based out of Marrakech, Morocco, I have to say I am hooked on this season’s tribal-inspired jewelry! Pair a plain white t-shirt or flowing, embroidered skirt with a messy metal creation with bits of found objects stitched into the coils: you’ll fall in love with the exotic look!

You want to keep tribal pieces from looking like costume jewelry by toning down the rest of your outfit. If you are going to pick a show-stopping piece, especially the ones with large found objects like keys or rusted chain, you are going to want to keep your fabric neckline sleek and your hair pulled back to really show off the piece.

What’s great is that tribal-inspired jewelry is meaningful, beautiful, and wearable for all occasions! You can dress it up with pumps and a little black dress, or tone it down with a relaxed ripped shorts, gladiator sandals and tank top kind of day. No matter what your style, tribal-inspired jewelry will make you feel chic.

The featured artist, JEWELS, spent her formative years growing up in Tripoli. She traveled extensively with her family from Tunis to Tangiers and recalls endless wanderings through exotic market souks with her mother. Struck by the beauty of the coral, amber, silver and gold – all the wealth of North African families – she says, “I was hooked.”

Image Source: JEWELS

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As I grew older I have seen the popularity of tattooed adolescents and even on some senior citizens. Society has become widely acceptable to permanent tattoos. Tattoos are an expression of ourselves and a reflection of our creative minds drawn into our flesh. It has even become popular amongst children, a very cute gesture that has replaced putting stickers on our shirts during recess. Now kids are feeling the need to get “tatted up”: temporary or not. Is the temporary tattoo craze on little kids preparing them for ink in the future?

It has become apparent that tattoos are considered “cool”. To be like mom or dad, or simply the idolized tattooed characters in the media, our kids aspire to be or look like them. Is it necessary to train our kids that getting inked is the “in” thing to do by adding them onto their bodies? Or does the tattoo being temporary send a message that things are interchangeable and options are available? For those that have a tattoo, we all know that they are decisions that last a lifetime (if not considering laser treatments and bleach creams). And some of us can agree they are a mistake or regret we must live with. Should we reconsider instilling the tattoo persuasion, or this type of inked behavior in the future leaders of tomorrow?

A tattoo must be a learning process for us all at any age. What do you think?

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/gemsling/2152976934

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Perfume Notes:

• It is best to test fragrances on the skin first. The chemical reaction of notes in perfume and pH balance in body create a different smell altogether
• There are 3 notes in perfumes: Top (is the first smell to evaporate), Middle (develops later), and Base (the scent that develops during time and is the most true scent of the perfume)
• Take note of your favorite smells or hobbies and translate that into a perfume (i.e. raindrops, hiking, camping–choose a more woodsy tone)
• Don’t rub perfume when applied, this spoils the composition (spray onto pulse points to get the most out of your scent)
• Perfume expires 3 years from the date it was bottled. By keeping it stored in the fridge will extend the life of the product
• Do not spray perfume next to pearls or costume jewelry: the alcohol base can strip the coating and ruin jewels and chains.
• In warm weather, the scent will intensify and become much stronger when mixed with humidity (choose a lighter airy scent in the summer season)

My personal fave (a birthday present this fall from my fabulous friend “Juanito”) is Lola by Marc Jacobs, anew scent that launched this year. For a “modern-day woman with a free spirit and irresistible attitude”…. that’s me!

As the seasons change, so will my perfume to match my wardrobe and personality. The scent is more of a warm floral bouquet which is perfect for cooler climates and the holiday season. It is a deep musky scent with a sweet mixture of floral and fruit undertones (such as pink peppercorn, pear d’anjou, ruby red grapefuit, vanilla, tonka bean, creamy musk, etc.). Besides the sensual scent, it comes in an elegant purple bottle adorned with retro cutout flowers made of vinyl. A stylish scent!

Buy Lola by Marc Jacobs from Smarter!

Image Source: vice.typepad.com, olamujer.com

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Of course, there are always inordinate amounts of photos taken each time you say “cheese”. In order to keep myself looking photo-friendly and ready for the holidays, I wear my favorite red lipstick from M.A.C. cosmetics. Red lipstick is a great way to create a glamourous look and helps make teeth look pearly white. Let me show you my how-to guide for red lipstick:

Choose a red lipstick that complements your skin tone. Whether you wear warm or cool tones, a true red is most flattering for most skin colors. Follow the steps below to get your luscious lips ready for mistletoe:

1. Make sure your lips are hydrated. Use a lip balm/conditioner.
2. Apply lip primer or concealer over lips. This will help lip color last longer and reduces pigmentation and undertones on lips.
3. Line your lips with liner (color of lipstick or nude color), or use a lip brush and dab onto chosen red lipstick. This will help keep lipstick looking clean and smear-free.
4. Apply red lipstick, and stay between the lines.
5. Smile! your red color will contrast with your teeth, and make them look whiter.

Follow these tips for a flawless look:

• Stick with rich red or berry colors (using orange tones or bright corals will make your teeth look yellow).
• Red colors with blue undertones are most effective and will keep your teeth looking white.
• Keep your lips shiny with gloss, or try dabbing a gloss on the center part of your lower lip. This will help lips look plump.
• Before you say “cheese,” take a swig of water or lick your teeth. This will help make your teeth look shiny.

Since I inherited an olive skin tone, I chose Russian Red lip gloss and Viva Glam I lipstick from M.A.C. cosmetics. Choose from other cosmetic  brands available, and choose a red lip shade that looks best on you! Now’s the time to spread some holiday cheer!

Image Source: parsonsillustration.com

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If you have a house or apartment to throw a bash, you should really consider throwing a party where you require that each attendee brings at least one fashion item (men’s, women’s, kids’ and baby clothing) they would like to give to whatever charity of your choosing.

If you only have the cash for drinks and food for the party but not for a bartender, ask a friend if they would be willing to donate their time to serve drinks for a great party…I mean cause.

Image Source: shesaid.com.au

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For someone to say that they don’t like Drew Barrymore, my mind can only severely compare it to say someone that doesn’t like baby kitties and puppies. I can’t help it, I love this girl! Drew Barrymore was like the ultimate “it” girl of the 90′s when I was growing up. Right there next to the still lovely Claire Danes and Courtney Love. She pinned up that black chunk of her pretty hair and slipped into this stunning Monique Lhuillier gown. My favorite part about this is the color! I call it peach champagne.

Not only is this woman strikingly beautiful, but she has a fantastic name! Olivia Wilde stars in “House” and looked great in her Marchesa gown. Marchesa was huge on the red carpet this year. Normally, I don’t like dresses like this. They remind me of something Miss Venezuela would wear at a Donald Trump pageant. BUT, Wilde wears it well. The hair all pulled back was a perfect finishing touch.

Mark my words readers: Blake Lively is on her way to becoming a huge star. This girl is hot! Out of all the Gossip Girls, her acting skills are best and her style is amazing. Seen here in her plunging red Versace number, this was one girl turning heads on the red carpet. She’s just so classy and statuesque, with just the appropriate amount of sex appeal for a girl her age. A+!

Another design dominator of the evening was Monique Lhuillier, seen here on Mila Kunis. This was the most fun look of the night in my opinion. The red full skirt is flirty without looking like a tutu. Kunis looks happy and glamourous with that slicked back ponytail and bronzed, dewey makeup.

Overall, a smashing success on this year’s Emmy night red carpet. Even the girls that came out in short cocktail dresses (Mary- Louise Parker, Kristin Chenoweth) looked appropriate. Hopefully the stars will keep this momentum going until Oscar season…

Image Source: style.com

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Forget about her agenda as first lady to promote nutritional lunches and support for military families. Let’s talk about how it’s a big deal for her to show a little leg on her trip to the Grand Canyon.

I‘ve read a lot of short news blurbs this morning about how “people” are upset about her shorts, but I haven’t figured out exactly who these people are. This leads me to ultimately believe that this is just bad journalism–a ploy to gain more readers interested and cause controversy over nothing. This story is not a story.  This might have been somebody’s opinion and somehow her outfit caused her to land in the news because some “people” are upset about it. It’s sad that credible news sources like MSNBC and the LA Times are blogging about her fashion sense. They aren’t a fashion blog so their priorities seem to be a little backwards.

But this is. So let’s discuss Michelle’s outfit.  Honestly, not only is her outfit completely appropriate, but it is also understandable–it’s scolding hot in Arizona, I’m sure. Even though they are very similar to her daughter’s shorts, neither of them are wearing anything worth dropping your jaw about. In fact, they’re both wearing comfortable khaki shorts, perfect for trekking along the grand canyon. Khaki shorts are always suitable for places of high heat–the light color doesn’t attract the sun and the loose fit allows air to flow and cool her off.

Michelle Obama is a Harvard Law School graduate and also our first lady. Her fashion sense is fine, have some respect.

Image source: LaTimesBlog.com 

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