Vintage Lips

Smith's Rosebud Salve is an amazing little balm that has been around since 1892 and finally pattened in the U.S. in 1908. It's made here, in the good old USA...I mention this because it makes people like my mother very happy:) This little 0.8 oz. pod packs some major punch, so don't let its size fool ya. Rosebud Salve is not fancy or foo foo and it's packaging has not changed since the 60's. To me that says a lot about a product when it can hold up over the years unchanged and still be loved by so many, years later. Rosebud Salve contains cotton seed oil, aromol, and essential oils blended in a petrolatum base. You can get it in several different scents such as: Strawberry, Minted Rose, Brambleberry, Mocha Rose & my favorite, Original. I get mine at Sephora for $6.00 or $7.00. Other fun places you can find Rosebud Salve is Urban Outfitters and Anthropology.

I had always seen this product at Sephora, but never knew much about it...other than it's use as a lip balm. A friend told me to try some of her Rosebud one day, and now years later here I am telling you about this great little product. What I didn't know at the time when I bought it was that it was a multi purpose product - it said on the back, "aids in the relief of chapped skin, diaper rash, blemishes, burns, and rough cuticles, and it softens rough hands." Ok, so I have tried it on a multitude of things but not for blemishes or diaper rash...but, I'm sure it would do the trick, LOL!!! I have my Rosebud Salve right by my bed so I can use it every night on my lips and cuticles. I hope you enjoy this product as much as I do!

XX~Ash

Discount Duds

Hey Ladies, I wanted to share some wonderful websites with you all. The following sites all offer discount designer goods. Most of these sites are for "members only," meaning you have to create an account. Your account is basically going to be your e-mail address and creating a password, so no big deal. Some will ask what it is you like to shop for to narrow your search. Some will even send you e-mails to update you on your favorite designers' sales and give you a preview of an upcoming sale. You can get some great deals, and who doesn't like a deal:)

Happy shopping!

XX~Ash

CUSP

Cusp.com

Shop It To Me

Shopittome.com

Ru La La

Rulala.com

Billion Dollar Babes

Billiondollarbabes.com

Ideeli

Ideeli.com

Guilt Group

Guiltgroup.com

Rough Enough

Sorry, I have been gone for a while, but I have been trying desperately to find something great to share with you all. I think when I try too hard to find something fabulous, it's even harder to find...and, I think the same can be said about boys. Sometimes you have to just let fabulous finds come to you. You girls know what I am talking about;)

I was up late one night and saw an infomercial for Heel Tastic and DING, I was on a mission!!! Once I found my Heel Tastic, I went home and put it to work. I will have to say that it was easy and mess free to apply. You don't have to get your hands covered in heavy creams or oils, and it goes on like a roll-on deodorant. Heel Tastic has a very distinct smell..it's not bad, but it's also not great. The smell is lemongrass & ginger, so it's a strong yet natural smell. I use mine at night after I clean my feet...I roll it on and put on some socks. I would recommend giving your feet a good scrub with a sand stone or loofah before the initial application. Scrubbing just helps get rid of some of the unwanted dead skin and helps the product absorb into the skin better, so you can get faster results. All in all, I think this is a great product and worth a shot, and with sandal weather right around the corner, it's time to get our heels into shape.

I happened to find my Heel Tastic at CVS Pharmacy for about $10.00. I noticed that my Walgreens is not doing as many "as seen on tv" products these days, so check CVS because they now have a small section of these goods. I know you can also order this product on line at www.heeltastic.com or at www.amazon.com.

XX~Ash

Prime Time

Do I have a wonderful product for you!!! I have been using Smashbox Photo Finish, Foundation Primer, for a few years now, and it is an amazing product. This primer makes your makeup go on so smooth and look flawless.

On the Smashbox site, www.smashbox.com, they say it like this:

Create a perfect canvas for foundation application with this silky, lightweight blend of vitamins A & E, grape seed extract and green tea. Worn alone or under foundation to increase its longevity, our best-selling primer helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores for flawless skin with a velvety-smooth finish. In a new square airless pump for freshness to the last drop.

Sephora's site, www.sephora.com said it like this:

Photo Finish Foundation Primer, What it is:

Smashbox makeup artists use this product to create a perfect canvas for foundation application.

What it is formulated to do:

The silky blend of vitamins and antioxidants smoothes and perfects skin, while the unique formula helps to inhibit the destruction of collagen, and fills in fine lines and pores for a flawless finish.

What else you need to know:

Use after moisturizer and before foundation for complexion perfection. This skin-soothing blend of antioxidants, which can be worn alone or under foundation, works overtime to fill in fine lines and even out skin texture.

It is a little pricey, so I recommend getting the travel size which is 0.5 oz. and runs $16 to $17.00 Then when you fall in love with this product, you can go for the 1 oz. bottle, and it runs $36 to $42.00. It also comes in different shades that have different benefits, so you can find the one most custom to your needs. Smashbox is one of my favorite cosmetic lines, they really have so many fabulous products, and I am shocked I have not covered any of them till now!!! For more back story and all things Smashbox check out www.smashbox.com

XX~Ash

Holy Crap!

Ladies, have you heard of this wonderful product called Poo-Pourri? Well if not, let me be the first to fill you in. First, let me say that this is not a subject that I like to talk about and if you know me, you are probably shocked at this post - LOL!!! Poo-Pourri is a liquid that you spray in the potty BEFORE you go #2, and it hides the oder so you can walk away from the bathroom with no shame:) P00-Pourri says it like this: "Spritz the bowl before you go and no one else will ever know"...kind of cute hu? It is not a room freshener and does not have a strong scent. I don't pretend to know how it work, but I just know that it does. My girlfriend Julie told me about this fabulous stuff and takes hers everywhere she goes. Julie even took it on a girls trip we had together, and she made sure to tell us,"please be discreet and use the Poo-Pourri if you are going to go the dreaded #2." Thanks Julie!!! I found my little bottle of Poo-Pourri at a boutique in Colleyville, Texas called the Pink Hanger. It's only 2 fl.oz., and the cost was $9.95 and worth every penny!!! I know you can find this stuff in many places, but if you can't find it at a store or boutique near you check out, www.poopourri.com or call this Dallas number (972)818-8200. I love this stuff so much that I am thinking of getting one for all my bathrooms and one to travel with...YEP, I like it that much:) Now, if we could only make every man carry a bottle of Poo-Pourri with him at all times, the world would be a fresher place!

Here's to being discreet!!!

XX~Ash

Paper Dolls with Polyvore

[219]. A Warm Cup of Coffee by ♥נαzzγ●ℓσνє♥ featuring Bottega Veneta shoes

A friend of mine (Stephanie E.) recently turned me on to this wonderful website, www.polyvore.com. I could be on this site for hours on end, playing with different outfits and style ideas. The only thing that I know to compare it to is playing with paper dolls when you were a little girl. Not only can you put outfits together from head to toe, but you can find out where to buy these amazing fashions!!! Now go play and have some fun with fashion!!!

XX~Ash

Lash Masquerade

When I go to the Drug store, I am always on the hunt for a new and fabulous mascara, and it seems that all you ladies are too. I have always been a fan of most Mabelline Mascaras and Great Lash (Very Black) with the curved brush is at the top of that list, and I recommend it to anyone. The only problem I have with Great Lash is at the end of the day it is hard to get it all off.

TIP: if you have problems getting your mascara off after you have washed your face, put a little face lotion on a Q-Tip and rub it back and forth under your eyes right up into your lash line. It is great for getting every last bit of mascara off your eyes.

Another mascara that I am a HUGE fan of right now is Loreal, Bare Naturale (pictured above). I got my mom and a few friends hooked on this wonderful little mascara, and they all have had great results! First off, it is good for sensitive eyes or people with allergies. I like to call it my everyday mascara because it goes on thick but feels light and makes your lashes look long and thick. Also, it’s easy to remove at the end of the day and even better than that it’s cheep and you can get it all over the place. Those were my low end finds, but if you like to get your mascara at a department store, my two favorites are Lancome, Definicls and Chanel, Inimitable Multi-Dimensionnel

(Amy W., that one is all your fault, thanks a lot!) Both of these mascaras go on smooth, with no clumps, and make your lashes look long and perfectly separated.

I took a very informal survey via Facebook and e-mail of what mascaras you ladies love and why, and here are your results:

Christian Dior, Diorshow. It is the best for making my lashes so full and plump!

Lancome, Definicils..I love it. It goes on thin, not clumpy.

Loreal, HIP. It is like Lancome Definicils but half the price!

Loreal, Original Voluminous mascara in blackest black. No clumps and a couple of swipes makes my lashes pop. They look full and long. Easy wash off and best of all, no department store price.

Loreal, Original Voluminous Waterproof. For those of you who have oily skin and have problems with “raccoon eyes” or flaking, this one is for you.

Mabelline, Great Lash because it's cheap and magazines always say it is the best, but I haven't found one that I really love.

Maybelline, Lash Blast Hydrofuge....black, very black!!!

Bourjois, Volume Glamour Mascara.....The BEST! :)

Covergirl, Color Blast Hydrofuge

Clinique, High Impact mascara. No clumping, goes on thick the first coat, and doesn't smudge. It's great!

Almay mascara, for those who are allergic to most other mascaras.

I was so surprised to see that everyone has a different favorite. I was sure it would come down to a few that everyone liked...boy was I wrong, lol!!! Thanks to all you ladies who gave me your input, and I look forward to trying every one of your favorites:) If you did not get a chance to put your two cents in, please feel free to leave a comment below.

Here are a few mascara basics:

1. Wiggle the mascara wand when applying to separate and get a clean even coat - it also prevents clumps. Hints why they are doing the vibrating wands now.

2. If you like a bit more drama and are a 2 coat kind of gal, make sure you put that second coat on before the first one dries because this prevents that dreaded spider eye look or the Tammy Faye Baker look, YUCK!

3. If you don’t want a second coat but do like a bit more drama, BLINK the tips of your lashes onto the wand a few times, but do it before the first coat dries.

4. Last and most important, don’t hang on to your beloved mascara for more than a few months. Mascara can harbor bacteria, causing major problems for your eyes and delicate skin around your eyes.

XX~Ash