Friday, November 28, 2008

Holiday Giveaway & Black Friday Deals

Hello Divas!

I hope your Thanksgiving was fabulous! I really took time off to enjoy the holiday, so no computer, work, etc. for me! But I want to remind you ladies about Luxetips Holiday Giveaway! You can win over $200 worth of Lisa Hoffman Frangrance, Lancome, and RoC products! The contest ends on December 1, so click here to enter.

Of course today is Black Friday and there are some super sales going on! Here are some of my favorites:

Loehmann's is having a buy one item get the other item 50% off sale. Wowza! Check it out here.


For those of you who live in Atlanta, Fabrik, an uber chic fashion boutique, is having a 25% off sale on everything in store. Plus all denim is buy one get the second pair 50% off. All items in store are under $150! Fantastic! Check out the store here.

If I learn of any other Fabulous Black Friday sales, I will update constantly on Twitter. So follow me on Twitter @ luxetips

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Babynista! Bumkin Dr. Seuss Fleece Bunting

Hello Divas!

As you know, I have a little diva luxe baby and occasionally I will feature some baby fashion. Well as a member of the Mom Bloggers Club, I was given the opportunity to review a Bumkin Dr. Seuss Fleece Bunting. A Bunting is a one piece fleece outfit for luxe infants. Last week I received the Bunting in the mail and I was super excited! See it is very very cold in Atlanta and I am always out and about with luxe baby....need to keep her cozy and warm! I love this fleece Bunting! It keeps luxe baby super warm while also being fashionable. Check her out! Too adorable! I love that the Cat in the Hat characters are outlined in turquoise and the inside of the hoodie is turquoise with white polka dots! This is by far the most stylish fleece hoodie I have ever seen. This fleece hoodie retails for $19.95 and you can purchase it here.

And for all of you Divas, who have little ones, Bumkins is having a contest and giveaway. With any Bumkins Dr. Seuss Purchase receive a free Grinch Superbib and automatically be entered to win a four pack of Dr.Seuss How the Grinch Stole Christmas Ornaments! Just enter grinch08 at checkout to receive your complimentary bib.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Holiday Gift Guide: Lancome, Lisa Hoffman, RoC & More plus over $200 Giveaway!

Hello Divas!

I hope your Monday is fantastic! I am so happy that today is a short work week! Whoohoo! Thanksgiving week is here so that means it is time for Christmas Shopping! I love Christmas! My favorite time of the year. This year Luxetips! is featuring a holiday gift guide that includes some fantabulous beauty products for your Diva mom, sister, aunt or yourself. Check them out!

Lisa Hoffman Varitions Frangrance Set in Japanese Agarwood. This frangrance oil set is just outstanding! As stated by Lisa Hoffman "This frangrance comes with four different vials of pulse point oils, each subtly suited to various parts of the day: Morning, Daytime, Evening, and Bedtime." How unique and creative! I have been using the oils as instructed and I love it! The Morning scent is light and clean. The Daytime scent is more intense than the Morning scent but still lovely and crisp. The Evening scent is seductive..great for a sexy night out on the town. Lastly, the Bedtime scent is more aromatherapeutic. It is soft, soothing, and sensual. My husband always comments on how nice I smell at bedtime. The Japanese Agarwood frangrance set includes notes of Lemon, Japanese Agarwood, Ginger, Jasmin, Amber and Musk. The set retails for $150, which is not a bad deal considering you get four different scents! Well worth it! Plus if you purchase the set by December 7th you get a free $25 Lisa Hoffman Spa Shower Travel Kit!

Lancome Holiday Color Collection, Le Vernis Nail Polish in Midnight Glam
.
Here is a great stocking stuffer for that Glam Diva. Le Vernis Nail Polish in Midnight Glam is an ultra sexy, chic dark blue nail polish that is just fabulous for those Christmas and New Year's Eve parties! Gorgeous! Le Vernis Nail Polish retails for $18. You can purchase it here or at Sephora.

RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream. I have already gushed about the fabulousness of RoC's Deep Wrinkle Night Cream here. This product is just awesome! Whether you are in your twenties and want to prevent wrinkles or you are in your forties and want to get rid of wrinkles, this product works! I have been using it for 4 weeks now and my skin looks awesome! A must have for any Diva! This product retails for $18.99 and you can puchase it at CVS.

Aging Backwards: Secrets to Staying Young. Jackie Silver, the author of Aging Backwards shares her tips and secrets to looking and feeling healthy and young! Jackie is a fabulous diva. She is the Anti-Aging Expert! She has been featured in National TV, Radio and Print publications. Jackie is almost 50 years old but you could never tell. I have personally met Jackie and she is gorgeous and she looks AMAZING. Her book reveals all of her secrets to staying young. This is a great book to give as a gift or just purchase one for yourself. Great holiday reading! This book retails for $19.95, but if you purchase it here, you will receive $3 off.

And guess what Divas? Luxetips is having a holiday giveaway! One lucky Luxetips readers will receive every item in my holiday gift guide! Whoohoo! To enter this giveaway, simply subscribe to Luxetips.com via feed or email and leave a comment. The winner will be announced on December 1st at 12 midnight!

Toodles!

Friday, November 21, 2008

Fun Fridays! Holiday Sales & Events

Hello Divas!

I hope your Friday is fun and relaxing. It is so cold I really think I am in New England! Brrrrr! Considering that the economy is in a serious funk, I am always looking for ways to look fabulous for less. But that is my overall philosophy in good or bad economic times! Why pay full price? Well A Clothes Encounter, Atlanta's Ultimate Fashion Exchange Party, is having a grand opening on December 13 from 5pm-9pm. A Clothes Encounter is "a one-of-a-kind upscale consignment concept that sells designer and name brand fashions for up to 75% off retail at luxurious Fashion Exchange Parties." Divas you will be able to shop, groove to tunes, and sip cocktails. Sign me up! Visit their website here and RSVP!

Lancome has a FANTASTIC holiday gift box that is sure to make any Diva swoon. Lancome Beauty Box is a divalicous train case filled with a full size Bi-Facil and Définicils plus more than a dozen deluxe samples of Lancome's best-selling skincare and makeup products. The total value of this beauty box is $339. All of you have to do is make a purchase of $36 or more and the Beauty Box is yours for only $49.50! Whoohoo! I. MUST. HAVE. THIS! Divas isn't it just GORGEOUS!! Bi-Facil and Defencils are my favorite Lancome products. Read my reviews here and here. You can purchase this Beauty Box at Nordstroms, Dillards, Macy's and Belk's. But you Divas better hurry. It has already sold out online!

Toodles!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Another fabulous lip gloss! Lancome Juicy Tubes

Hello Divas!

I hope your day is fantastic! My good girlfriend, Renee S. wanted me to be sure to tell my readers about the fabulousness of Lancome Juicy Tubes. Her exact words are: "I am hooked on Lancome's Juicy Tubes! It is wonderful when one's lips feel good, smell good, and taste good all from the same tube!" And I agree. Juicy Tubes come in an array of fabulous colors that compliment any skintone. The shine is outstanding! They also smell sooo good! Based on which collection of Juicy Tubes you purchase, each tube will have a scrumptious smell based on the theme or name of that lip gloss. For example, Juicy Tubes Chic Delights Collection has a Caramel Praline lip gloss that smells and taste like praline candy. See my grandma used to make caramel praline candy from scratch so this lip gloss brings back memories. Yummy! Plus the lip gloss will keep your lips moist all day long. Lancome's Juicy Tubes lip glosses retail for $18.00. You can purchase them at Sephora.com. I know Divas so many glosses...but my philosophy is you can never have enough lip gloss!

Toodles!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Hot Drugstore Find of the Week: Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm

Hello Divas!

I hope you are having a wonderful day! So so so cold this morning! I need homemade banana nut bread and a big cup of tea! My hot drugstore find of the week is Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm. This lip balm is a must for cold winter months. If I do not use this lip balm everyday during the winter months, my lips are dry and cracked. Ugh! Burt's Bees Beeswax lip balm contains lanolin, coconut oil and sunflower oil. So it is very moisturizing. The beeswax seals in hydration so your lips stay moist all day long. Lastly, the lip balm contains peppermint oil so it gives your lips a little refreshing tingle and it smells nice! And for those of us who love natural or organic products, this balm is 95% all natural. I love this balm! You can purchase Burt's Bees Beeswax lip balm from any CVS for only $3.00.

Toodles!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Nars Long Lip Gloss Set

Hello Divas!

I hope your day is awesome! Yesterday, I shared with you Divas my love for Nars lip glosses. Well, Nars has a Lip Gloss Gift Set that is a great way to try several Nars lip glosses for one low price. This lip gloss set includes three of Nars' most popular lip glosses. It includes Harlow, a silvery mauve; Sweet Dreams, a gorgeous pink with gold flecks; and Bilitis a brownish pink. I am salivating right now. LOL! This set is only $45! What a deal considering the lip glosses are $24 a piece! I am placing my order right now! And with free shipping on any purchase over $40, what are you waiting for? Visit Narscosmetics.com for more details.

Toodles!

Monday, November 17, 2008

Nars Cosmetics: My Illicit Love Affair

Hello Divas!

I hope your Monday is filled with happiness and purpose! It is cold, cold, cold. Lots of Starbucks Refresh Tea for me! Today I am going to discuss my love affair with Nars Cosmetics. I say it is a love affair because the cosmetics are gorgeous but expensive. It is especially expensive when you buy 2 Nars blushes and an eyeshadow duo once a month! Ouch! But what can I say, I absolutely adore Nars. The colors are so highly pigmented, you don't have to use a lot of the product to achieve the color. So the product lasts longer. And unlike other cosmetics brands, you don't need a primer to make the color last all day. Nars blushes, eyeshadows, and bronzers just last! Lastly, the colors ROCK on any skin tone. So your skin tone can be ivory or dark mocha and the colors just work. Um did I say how much I love Nars? LOL! Now I have previously blogged about my fascination with Nars' blushes here and the Multiple here. But Nars has other fabulous products that I must share with you Divas. Today, I want to feature Nars lip glosses. Fantastic! The lip glosses are nourishing, highly pigmented, and the colors are gorgeous. I am absolutely loving Turkish Delight. Turkish Delight is a current cult fav! It is a sheer pink gloss that is perfect layered over a neutral or nude lipstick or alone with a great lip pencil. It creates the perfect nude lip and looks great on every skin tone. Now Nars' lip glosses retail for $24 but are so worth it! Currently, Nars is offering free shipping on any purchase of $40.00 or more. So you can buy two of their beautiful lip glosses and not have to pay for shipping. Fantabulous!

Toodles!

Friday, November 14, 2008

Fun Fridays! Honorable Mentions & Cool Finds

Hello Divas!

I hope your Friday is going great! Divas I am super excited today! Fashion Columnist and personal shopper extraordinaire, Elana of Diary of a Personal Shopper, included Luxe Tips in her top stylish sites list! Only 15 blogs made the list and I was too thrilled. It is so nice to receive compliments. It really motivates me to do my best to keep bringing the best content! Check it out here!

Speaking of shopping finds for less, last week I purchased a LIKE NEW Misty Harbor Trench Coat from the Junior League's Nearly New thrift shop for only $11! I am beside myself with joy. A zip out wool lining is included! Hello! If you do not shop at thrift shops, then you must! Considering the current economic crisis, it is a great way to save TONS of money and still have those staple and trendy fashion items. I know it can be time consuming, but once you find a gem it is like hitting the lottery. You can also shop some thrift shops online. Check out the Goodwill online shop here.

Toodles!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

10 Cool Facts About Me!

Hello Divas!

I hope your Thursday is warm and cozy! I am working hard today, but I really just want to grab my blanket, luxe baby and curl up on the couch! With a cup of Tea of course. I am participating in 15 day of Marketing provided by Jessica Knows. Jessica is an internet sensation and she is sharing her tricks of the trade with us newbies. She told us to provide "unknown" or fun facts about ourselves that our readers did not know. Well here goes my 10 facts! Enjoy!

1. I do a very good impression of Micheal Jackson's dance moves. It is a favorite at family gatherings. Just put on Billy Jean or Beat It!

2. I am a beach bum. I loooooooove the beach. Although, I have brown skin, I go through a routine of using a very good body scrub to exfoliate. Bath and Body Works' Body Sugar Srubs are great for this purpose. I also apply a good sunscreen and tanning oil. I have discovered that my skin is luminous when tanned. Plus I use the sand to give myself a thorough foot massage. Heaven!

3. I was a cheerleader in high school and I can still do a cartwheel and a round-off.

4. My favorite food hands down is ice cream. Ben & Jerry's Chunky Money is my favorite!

5. Previously, I was a track star. I was pretty good at the 330 Hurdles.

6. I love San Francisco. I wish I could move there, but it is waaaayy too expensive.

7. I love singing and dancing with my son. We both are fun, loving, spontaneous, and happy people.

8. I wish I was 5"10. All of my siblings are tall. Now I am not short. I am 5"7, but my dad is 6'5. I feel like I was cheated.

9. My absolute favorite drink is Champagne. Those who know me know how snobbish I am when it comes to Champagne. Although, I have tried just about every brand inexpensive and expensive, Moet & Chandon is my absolute fav!

10. My dream job or career is to be a Sportscaster. I love sports. I love people. I present well. FOX, CBS, or ESPN PLEASE CALL ME! GIVE ME A SHOT!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Hot Drugstore Find of the Week: RoC Multi-Correxion Night Treatment

Hello Divas!

I hope your day is awesome! It is cold and overdraft here in Atlanta. I need my Starbucks fix! LOL! Yesterday Oprah's show was all about beauty, but most importantly how to take care of your skin, hair, and nails. Fantastic show! I was too excited because they talked about the importance of using three key ingredients to reverse and prevent the signs of aging. They are: Antioxidants, Retinol (Vitamin A), and Vitamin C. Dr. Oz stated that when purchasing skincare products, make sure the products contained these three ingredients. So when audience members inquired whether there were drugstore or inexpensive brands that contained these three key ingredients, I was shouting at the television "Roc Multi-Correxion Night Treatment"!!!! This product is fantabulous! It contains RoC pure Retinol. Retinol is proven to diminish wrinkles and fade away blemishes and acne. It also contains Vitamin C which rejuvenates skin tone and Antioxidants which neutralize skin-damaging free radicals. These radicals cause multiple signs of aging. I JUST purchased this product this weekend and I only paid $15.99!!! I used my CVS card and received a $3 off coupon! Whoohoo! It is new to the market, but so far I love it! I will report on the results in a few weeks. But most importantly, I want you Divas to know that you don't have to break the bank to nourish your skin!

Toodles!

Monday, November 10, 2008

Wear to Find Quality Shoes for Less

Hello Divas!

I hope all is well! It is so cold in Atlanta, but gorgeous! As I continue my beauty and fashion finds for less, I wanted to tell you lovely Divas about a few websites and stores where you can find the latest "In Season" shoes and boots for bargain prices. Here are my top three:

1. Marshall's Shoe Megashop. A fantastic place to find designer shoes for less. They have it all: designer pumps, stilettos, flats, boots, booties, oxfords, you name it. Click here to find a Marshall's Shoe Megashop near you. Prices are usually between 40% to 80% off retail.

2. Loehmann's. Loehmann's is a great place to find higher end evening shoes, pumps, and boots at awesome prices! Prices are usually between 30% to 65% off retail. I just love this Silver Strappy Stiletto! They are great for any holiday party!



3. Shopstyle.com. Shopstyle.com is a great place to find high high end designer shoes for less. They have Jimmy Choos, Christian Louboutin, and Manolo Blahniks for $200-$300 off retail. Whoohoo! If you have the money to spend, this is definitely a great website to find high end shoes on sale. This Louboutin Pump is $672 on Shopstyle.com. It was orginally $960.00


Toodles!

Cocktail and Formal Dresses for Less! Its the Holidays!

Hello Divas!

I hope your Monday is fantastic! Well the holiday season is finally upon us! I am excited but I am not ready! LOL! I am always a little apprehensive during the holidays because of the extra planning and stress that comes along with holiday cooking, events, and parties. But let's all make a pact to be stress free and have fun! Well one way you can reduce stress is to save money shopping for holiday attire. As promised, I am providing you fabulous Luxetips! readers with beauty and fashion finds for less. My absolute FAVORITE place to shop for discounted After-Five or Formal attire is Macy's. Macy's always always has cocktail and formal dresses on sale..just look for their clearance rack. Usually, I can find designer duds between 50-75% off! Plus if you have a coupon, you can sometimes save an additional 15%. I love it! Here are a few designer dresses that are killer for that Christmas or New Year's Eve Party. Enjoy!

London Times Spaghetti-Strap Ruched Babydoll Dress. This dress is perfect for a work Christmas Party. It is stylish yet subtly sexy. This dress originally retailed for $119.00. It is on clearance for only $59.00! Hello!


Lauren by Ralph Lauren Cutaway Halter Shirtdress.
I am in love with this Cutaway Halter Shirtdress. It is classy and formal enough for a charity ball, but still sexy and stylish. The black satin gloves are an elegant addition. You will definitely make the Society Page in this ensemble. This Shirtdress orginally retailed for $240.00. It is on sale now for only $130.00!

Maggy London Dress with Belted Waist. This dress is classic and chic. The consumate Little Black Dress. You can wear this dress at any Holiday Party! The belted waist and pockets are just gorgeous! This dress orginally retailed for $168.00. It is now only $42!!! I am placing my order right now!



Toodles!

Friday, November 7, 2008

Fun Fridays! A Visit with Christian Louboutin

Hello Divas!

I hope your Friday is just fantastic! The weather in Atlanta has been GORGEOUS all week! Today, I have a guest writer, Chamele. She went to Jeffrey's at Phipps Plaza to meet the Shoe Icon, Christian Louboutin. Unfortunately, I could not make it, but I just love her account of meeting the man in person. Check it out!


Two Fridays ago, I received Luxe Diva's post regarding the visit of Christian Louboutin. If you ever did want to see a "big girl shoe" just look for anything Louboutin. If you don't know who he is, he makes the well crafted heels with the red soles. (The red soles I had learned were his idea to help the bergere dancers who had to walk through the meat packing district.)

Let me tell you that I had just left Lenox and gotten back to my home on the East side where I had anticipated curling up on the couch with a warm beverage and ... some work. The weather was dastardly, but when I read the post I promptly whisked myself to my closet to choose an understated yet chic look in which to meet the iconic figure. I chose a black turtle neck, skinny jeans, Steve Madden booties, and a black motorcycle leather jacket. I made haste back to Buckhead, calling and texting everyone I knew who loved shoes to see if they wanted to join me for a Poet's Friday.

It was my lucky day, I found parking adjacent to the door of Saks and then practically ran to Jeffrey's. I was met by a moderate line of fashionistas from diverse backgrounds, many with champagne in hands. Well dressed ladies and men in Missoni, Versace and the like, accented with Louboutin patent leather heels and booties. Did I mention the sales associates were serving champagne? My kind of party!

Luxe Diva rang and she informed me another of her readers and friend was in attendance. Little did I know, she was the person standing in front of me in a classy tea length coat winter white coat and cognac colored boots. I introduced myself and we immediately started gabbing about fashion.

Sadly, neither of us Luxe readers owned a pair of Louboutin's. After all he was only signing shoes and nothing else. Oh, how I wished I had a pair to sign. Many individuals were purchasing shoes at the store or Saks to have signed. An individual in between myself and the other Luxe reader had purchased her first pair of Louboutin's and was kind enough to let us tag along with her to ensure we got a chance to meet him.

After almost two hours of chatting and watching excited women purchasing shoes with the patented red soles, our little group was next in line behind a velvet rope to meet the man himself. Monsieur Louboutin sat in a herringbone jacket with a white colored shirt, jeans, and lime green Chucks. "How cute?" I thought. He looked to be barely 5'5 with a gorgeous tan complexion. He smiled pleasantly for pictures and chatted with each guest with genuine interest. His assistant was at home in the atmosphere. She wore a black sleeveless sheath with sheer black stockings. She was shaking the paint pens Louboutin used to sign the shoe. There were at least 40 pens in a myriad of colors laying in a wicker basket.

When we finally met Monsieur Louboutin, he was as genuine as he looked and seemingly humble as well. He chatted with our new friend and then signed her shoe with a black pen painting lime green and white dots around the inscription. The inscription was personal and graphic. Gosh, I wished I had a shoe to sign. We each had our pictures taken and then took leave. I decided at some point I will purchase a pair and when I do, I may just have to fly myself to Paris to have them signed.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Hot Drugstore Find of the Week: RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream

Hello Divas!

Well I am back! I was a volunteer lawyer for the election and I slept for maybe 3 hours in a 24 hour period. I am still exhausted! But the world is beautiful and life is good! So this is a new day, but we still must take care of our skin and look gorgeous! My favorite drugstore brand Retinol cream is Roc's Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream. My skin has been a little stressed lately and I have developed a few blemishes. Retinol is a great skincare ingredient for wrinkles, blemishes, and dull skin. In the past I have used Retinol cream to even my skin tone and balance my skin. Well RoC is a great Retinol cream! It is clinicly proven to reduce wrinkles, but it will also even out your skin tone and make your skin baby smooth. I have been using this Retinol Cream on my face for a few weeks and I am very pleased. The blemishes are fading fading away. Plus my skin looks so refreshed in the morning. Most department stores or prescribed Retinol creams can be pretty expensive. I once paid $85.00 for a 1oz jar! But since RoC products can be found at your local drugstore, you can purchase this fabulous cream for only $18.00. Plus if you shop at CVS or online here, you can usually get RoC products on sale for $2-3 off retail. And if you still doubt the fabulousness of this Retinol cream, it was voted as The Best Anti-Aging Cream by Allure Magazine! Awesome!

Toodles!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Vote!

Hello Divas!

Today is election day! Whoohoo! Finally! Well today I am volunteering most of the day doing legal election stuff...but all I have to say is exercise your right and duty and GET OUT AND VOTE! And of course, look fabulous and have a great time at one of the many election night parties tonight! I know I will!

Toodles!

Monday, November 3, 2008

Versatile and Cool Handbags for under $100!

Hello Divas!

I hope your Monday starts with a new and fresh perspective! Considering the current economic crisis, my next series of posts will focus on beauty and fashion finds for less. Despite our tightening budgets, we Divas still have to look gorgeous! Because the retail industry is hurting, there are tons of bargains and steals. I found 3 handbags that are fashionable yet versatile, so they look great, but can also go with a multitude of outfits. Check them out!

Kenneth Cole Reaction, High Shine Large Hobo. I absolutely adore this bag. It is 100% leather and the Stone color will go with anything! This is an awesome everyday bag. It is currently on sale for $99.00. It was previously, $178.00. Purchase it here.

Big Buddha Kirsten. This basketweave satchel is unique, yet versatile. I love the texture of the basketweave. You can carry this bag to work, school, hanging out with friends, or use as a small tote for a one day getaway! This bag is currently on sale for only $59.99! The original price was $99.00. Purchase it here.

MICHAEL Michael Kors Santorini Clutch. This clutch is fantabulous! I love the contrast of straw and leather. Plus the gold color makes it so hot! You can carry this clutch on a girls night out or with evening wear. I love it! This clutch is on sale for $83.99. It originally sold for $188.00. Purchase it here.

Toodles!