It has been a rough few weeks. Why? One boy’s particular actions near lead me to cardiac arrest! Ahhh…we’ve all been there, I’m sure…

The worst part about feeling down is that it usually means you (or at least I…), want to sit at home sulking, watching Bravo TV, when the last thing anyone needs is to be watching more Housewives! However, on a recent eve when I was feeling the urge to do just that, I got a delivery that included two of Urban Decay’s Pocket Rockets and I near jumped out of my desk chair. Given that my job entails mostly writing about beauty products, I come across countless, but few that are as smile-inducing as these UD lip glosses (the only one that comes close is this). Each shade of the gloss comes with a different male image pictured on the cap; just tilt the gloss tube and the dapper hunk is stripped to his undies (the cap is double-sided so there are front and rear photos).

It’s just one of those beauty products that puts a girl in a good mood and, with that, I packed two in my bag and headed to a party my friend Meg helped organize for Stylecaster. I immediately gave one to Meg and her excitement was proof positive that this is a gloss that could put a smile on most any gal’s face (especially since the male on the gloss I gave her had a construction worker pictured…I kept the doctor for myself!).

Given that the tube is the main draw of this product, it would be easy to think that the gloss formula would be a throwaway, but that’s not at all the case. The gloss is creme brulee flavored, high-shine, relatively long-lasting, and not super sticky. The formulation also contains hyaluronic spheres, known to improve cellular function, prevent dehydration, and fill in lines and wrinkles.

Ladies, go out and buy two — one for yourself and one for a friend! A Pocket Rocket is something any lady could use…

Image: Urban Decay

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Every holiday season, TV personality, interior designer, lifestyle expert, and stylist to the stars — I’m talking Eva Longoria, Kathy Griffin, and Hugh Jackman, among many others — Robert Verdi, hosts a holiday tweeting event where he invites a variety of bloggers and media influencers to his office/personal event space, Luxe Lab.

During the hour-long event the lively host dishes out his holiday picks for everyone on your list — literally, he covers everyone from your most fashionable friend to your children’s babysitter. So what were the style maven’s picks this year? See his video here and the recap below!

For the…

1. Do-It-All-Mom: P&G Luscious Indulgence Gift Set Kit, $9.99, available at Walmart.

2. Mini Style Maven: Hoopla VS. Mittens, $24.99, available at Target.

3. Gal-On-The-Go: Monika Chiang Kite Hobo Bag, $445, and Allure The Best in Beauty Gift Set, $9.99

4. Beauty Lover: Allure “The Best in Beauty” Gift Set, $9.99, available at Walmart.

5. Techie: Pop Phone, $29.99, available at Nordstrom.

6. Man in Your Life: Brera Orologi Men’s 43mm Supersportivo Watch, $695-$750, available at Neiman Marcus.

7. Life of the Party: Kodak Playfull Waterproof Video Camera, $99.95-$119.95; Oral B Professional Care 1000, $74.99 and Crest 3D 2-Hour Express Whitestripes, $54.99, available at Walmart.

8. Fabulous Friend: Braun Satin Hair Brush with Active Ions, $75, available at Beauty.com.

9. Secret Santa: Wine Finer, $29.99 ; Multi-Power LED Lighted Magnifer, $9.99 and/or Pochi Silicone Eyeglass Case, $14.99. All available at The Container Store.

10. Stylish Trend Setter: Linea Pelle Studded Triple Strap Double Wrap Bracelet, $100, available at Zappos.

11. Hip Hostess: La Caravelle Brut Champagne Cuvee Nina, $34.95, available at La Caravelle.

12. Bubbly Babysitter: Covergirl Lip Perfection Lip Color in Hot (Verdi suggests wrapping this with a glossy magazine and a bow), $6.99, available at Soap.com.

13. Beauty Buff: Olay Pro-X Starter Protocol, $62, and Olay Pro-X Cleansing System, $29.99, available at Walmart.

Images: Robert Verdi

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Lastly, don’t forget to check out these great Philosophy coupons and deals before you buy!

Images: Philosophy

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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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Shop for Mom Here

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I so miss the days when getting my mom a gift for Mother’s Day was as simple as drawing a stick figure on a piece of colored paper, or reaching for a stuffed animal on my shelf and telling her she could have it…ah, the good ‘ol days!

These days it takes a little more thought and, while I wish I could afford to lavish my mother in trips and jewels, my budget won’t allow for five-figure gifts at the moment. So in an effort to get more creative, I’m loving the idea of gifting my mother Halston Woman Amber Eau de Toilette Spray ($90 for 1.7 oz) this year. Why this particular fragrance, you ask? Well, it just so happens that it was designed by one of her favorite jewelery designers, Elsa Peretti. The designer’s collection sells exclusively at Tiffany & Co. and I’ve gifted my mother a number of her designs in the past (a pen, a heart-shaped paperweight, a heart-shaped jewelery keepsake box, and a variety of home items like a cake and a bread knife and candle holders).

This particular Peretti-designed bottle is a true classic and certainly as worthy of displaying on a vanity as any one of Peretti’s Tiffany designs. The ergonomic bottle was sculpted for Halston in 1975 and it looks as relevant today as it did back then. The bottle is coated in gold to reflect the warmth of Amber and the scent’s oriental notes; a blend of Ambers, Woods and Resins, and Wild Tuberose.

What are you gifting your mama for Mother’s Day this year?

Image: Elizabeth Arden

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L’Occitane Hand Indulgences ($25): This is a luxury hand cream set that you can give to anyone. There are multiple scents, including vanilla and winter rose, and the hand cream will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth. The kit includes 1 oz. vanilla hand cream, 1 oz. winter rose hand cream and 1 oz. shea hand cream.

Too Faced Glamour To-Go Fairy Edition ($19.50): For a daring look on the go, this kit is perfect. Included are eight long-wearing eye shadows (in pink, London calling, champagne sparkle, golden black, matte brown, warm gold, peach pink shimmer and vintage blue), fairy rose blush and fairy wings lip gloss.

Calvin Klein Women’s Holiday Coffret Set ($35): No one does classy fragrance like Calvin Klein. This great collection includes five half-ounce bottles, with Obsession Eau de Parfum Spray (blend or florals and spices), Eternity Eay de Parfum Spray (romantic floral), Euphoria Eau de Parfum Spray (exotic fruits and creamy black orchid), Euphoria Eau de Toilette Spray (light spritz of the EDPS) and CK One Eay de Toilette Pour (pineapple and papaya mixed with jasmine).

Philosophy the Gingerbread Man Scrub ($25): Featuring sea salt scrub and natural extracts to exfoliate and polish dry, rough skin, the Gingerbread Man Scrub will leave you feeling silky soft and conditioned. The 23-oz. of scrub heats as you rub and has a refreshing ginger spice scent, good for men or women.

H2O Plus Bath Basics Shower Gel Favorites ($12.50): With six 1-oz. bottles of different scents, the shower set includes travel-ready gels in exotic and aquatic blends. They’re all enriched with natural fruit extracts and hydrating marine botanicals. The kit includes Raspberry Guava, Blushing Orange, Kiwi-Cassis, Ebb Tide, Bath Aquatics Natural Spring and Clearwater.

You can only get these great discount deals at SkinStore.com, so get them quick, before I buy them all up myself!

Image Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ginnerobot/4321639567/

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For the spa lover
You should actually book a spa treatment for someone who loves them. Not gift cards, not cash in a card that “they can use at the spa.” So often, gift cards just never get used and, maybe it’s just me, but it doesn’t feel as luxurious when someone gives you a generic gift card and you have to do the legwork to make the appointment yourself. Yes, it guarantees I’ll get the exact service I want. But if the person buying me the present knows what I want, anyway, then why not let them book something out in the future so all I would have to do is show up? Now that’s bliss.

For the plastic fantastic
Does your girlfriend have a trout pout? Maybe she gets Botox, chemical peels? Well, Sugar Daddy, you probably pay for her work, anyway, so why not buy a swath of it in bulk and package it as a present? Only you and I will know that itÂ’s really just a way to save about 20 percent on those six sessions of Juvederm instead of having your honey buy them as she goes with your AmEx Black.

For the fitness nut
Is there a sport theyÂ’ve wanted to try but havenÂ’t because they donÂ’t offer it at your friendÂ’s gym? Why not set him/her up with a few classes or sessions at a specialized studio or gym? Always interested in martial arts? Put them onto a dojo for some introductory courses. Yoga? Many studios offer great first-month introductory offers with unlimited classes. Same goes for many barre and power plate studios.

For the crunchy nut
Maybe they practice living as greenly as possible, shun toxins, eschew products with parabens. But, chances are, theyÂ’ve never taken the step to actually see a naturopath or really delve into homeopathic medicine, even if they want to. Hook them up with an appointment, and theyÂ’ll love you forever.

For the mom
Yes, people might get angry when I say this, but moms in America do not know how to look good! Seriously. Fine, fine, there are a handful, but itÂ’s nothing compared to the stylish, chic moms you see around the rest of the world. They wouldnÂ’t be caught dead in boot-cut jeans, bulky polar fleece, those nobbly round orthopedic-looking shoes by Merrell and its cohorts, short and skunk strip-highlighted hair. So, get Mom a personal stylist for a day. She might not be able to buy new clothes, but at least the stylist can help her shop her wardrobe, so to speak, and figure out how to work what she has, including her hair and makeup looks. Having kids do not have to mean completely losing a sense of style.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/colouredinks/77104068

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