Cali!

Le grand tour of Cali, I will be hitting up LA (blah) SF and the South Bay all in the next 60 hours--it's gonna be crazy. Luckily I get to see my parents, sister (darn you Jamaica for taking P away, ok j/k), and two best friends :) I'm apparently also there for work. boo to the hoo for the trabajo but ya that it takes me home for the first time in a year.
And now I leave you this from the good ole Cali days:


P.S. Jeremy lost his 2nd gym ID and his gym shoes in the last week (how does that happen?), let's hope I find Summy and him clean and fed when I get back :P

Now for some truely random thoughts from le Doggpound...

• My precious little (Botkier) Bianca (purse) made it! It's a miracle, but I did have to call FedEx pro- actively 3 times :)
• Also, my Shootsac will finally be here on Monday, right before I leave for my work trip (how will Summy and Jeremy survive??--eeek!)...woohoo!
• The Goccos are being sold online at Paper-Source starting on Friday, and they already have a bunch of supplies and the larger machine for sale now! :0 **see, an erginley can be patient, sorta

Now for the good stuff:

• MAC Cosmetics is having free shipping from now until next Wed 6/27
• Smashbox Cosmetics is having free shipping right now
• Smashbox Lunch Thursdays is (obviously) today, order something b/w 9am-2pm Cali time and get a free full size lipstick
• Neiman Marcus free shipping: NMJUNE
• Saks has free shipping on orders of $150+: FREESHIP
  
• JCrew Private Sale: 20% off $150 and up: PRIVATE, 20% off $175 and up: PSALE, Free S/H, $175 and up: TOTEBAG
• Sephora awesome promo code: CITIPROMO and you'll get (MD Skincare All-In-One-Face Cleanser with Toner - 1.7 oz, N.V. Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester Concentrated Restorative Cream - 0.25 oz, Bare Escentuals RareMinerals™ Skin Revival Treatment in Clear - 0.25 oz, Murad Vitamin C Infusion Home Facial Kit - 2 x 0.14 oz)
• skincarerx.com: 20% off all SkinCeuticals products (AWESOME!): SC20

and don't forget the Victoria's Secret Semi-Annual Sale that started in stores on Monday!
But don't spend all your money here, Nordie's awesome Anniversary Sale starts July 20, and a bunch of cosmetics are going on preorder availability starting next week! Yay!!

By request, more sunscreen info for you :)

Courtesy of MUA and Essential Day Spa as well as PrescribedSolutions

"UVB protection measures are standardized as SPF factors. Most people do not realize that SPF only tells you how much the product stops a burn and it tells you absolutely nothing about other protection. Many people mistake a high SPF for being good for everything.

When you get to UVA protection (UVA causes aging), there are 2 main types: physical (or insoluble) sunscreens and chemical (or soluble) sunscreens. Zinc and titanium are physical. Helioplex, Mexoryl and Avobenzone are typical chemical examples. Soluble (chemical) sunscreens are less visible and a good choice for many as they disappear rapidly. But they get used up as they protect from UVA. Essentially Helioplex claims that it lasts longer. Mexoryl works by reinforcing protection around a small band cap (called the short UVA) that is missed out by the standard Avobenzone (Parsol 1789) that is in all these products and that has been around since the 1980s. PFA is not a standardized measure of protection and scientists are not agreed that it’s a good indicator.

Interestingly, when you use physical blocks you do not have the problem of the protecting ingredients breaking down with time (for example the zinc oxide and titanium dioxide literally stay on the top of the skin until wiped or washed off). The absorption spectrums of these ingredients (when used together) give good protection up to 380 nm which means they cover the spectrum that Neutrogena and L'Oreal (the owners of Mexoryl, Anthelios and Lancome) are working to protect. For example, they do not have weak protection from 320 to 345 nm that Mexoryl is used for. Physical sunscreens can be more matte and have good long lasting protection.

I work for PRESCRIBEDsolutions and we work exclusively with dermatologists and other doctors. We have products with both physical and chemical sunscreens. What we have found is that while so many products have focused on UVB and UVA protection, dermatologists and plastic surgeons now realize that this is just not enough for their patients including many undergoing the latest cosmetic procedures who need a product that not only provides UVB and UVA but also visible light protection.

The new PRESCRIBEDsolutions' Up the Anti Full Spectrum and Visible Sunblock SPF 30 was formulated to give comprehensive protection at wavelengths through both the UVA and UVB spectrums upwards to the visible spectrum in a light, tinted cream. Many consumers purchase other products with an SPF 60 or higher without understanding that these may not protect from the type of light that will give them trouble.

So overall,
if you want something more moisturizing you choose a sunscreen with chemical UVA protection. Helioplex, Mexoryl or any of the others shown are fine choices. With all these you will need to reapply.

If you want something longer lasting, use purely physical protection. See how it looks on your skin.

With something that provides physical protection, the larger it is or the more its available, the more it will protect. Therefore I would estimate that the higher level of zinc will give better UVA protection.

You cannot compare fully between different zinc oxides as particle size will not be the same between two products and you will probably want larger particles (though these will be more visible on the skin)

There is a wavelength in the UVA band where zinc stops protecting and therefore you are generally better off with a mix of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide rather than just one of these.

When it comes to UVA protection there are a multitude of excellent screens. Each has a different protection range based on the characteristics of the molecules. For example, we are using a red algae extract called Helioguard 365 as a purely UVA screen which absorbs maximally at 335 nm

So, my suggestions would be:
* Choose combination of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide rather than just one of these.
* Generally the higher the percentages the better, though find something that you like the look of. Its useless to have protection that you do not use because it looks wrong.
* Make sure you use another product with powerful anti-oxidants at the same time. C+E combinations or C with pine bark extract are particularly good at providing the protection against free radicals which, in the end, cause much of the aging of the skin."

::Bobbi Brown:: Insider Info, Fall & Holiday Makeup Releases

Here's the rest of what's coming from BB this year, in supposed order of release (taken from a very awesome notepad on MUA MU board:

"METALLICS COLLECTION - A great way to get a sparkling look this season. Bobbi's newest eye shadow is a high-shimmer formula with a soft and creamy feel. HIgh pigment color applies smoothly and evenly, and stays crease-free for all-day wear. Each palm-sized palette contains three shadows and features a metallized frame that reflects the shadows inside. Available in 4 shade combinations:

BURNT SUGAR METALLICS: Toffee, Gold Dust, Burnt Sugar
MIDNIGHT METALLICS: Platinum, Rockstar, Midnight
VELVET PLUM METALLICS: Raisin, Champagne Quartz, Velvet Plum
FOREST METALLICS: Sage, Balsam, Forest

- Two new shades of Long-Wear Gel Eye Liner: Indigo & Mahogany

- Reformulated Lip Pencils, in 19 new shades

- New, Limited Edition BEST SELLERS LIP & EYE PALETTE
LIP COLORS: Sandwash Pink, Brownie, Raspberry Lip Shimmer, Rum Raisin
EYE SHADOWS: Bone, Wheat, (Exclusive) Champagne Truffle Shimmer Wash, Espresso


- New MOISTURIZING CREAM COMPACT FOUNDATION - For normal to dry skins. Provides medium to full coverage and is ideal for women who prefer compacts or for liquid makeup users looking for a portable alternative. Available in 17 shades.

- New, Limited Edition PALETTE SYSTEM - The Palette System Holder (in golden pink) is designed with a zipper closure and wrist strap. Includes 3 mini brushes: Blush, Eye Shadow, Eye Liner, plus a mini Everything Mascara in Black

Pick your Eye Shadow Palette -
NEUTRAL: (Exclusive) Ivory, Cement, Slate, Mahogany
DARk: Bone, (Exclusive) Cashmere, (Exclusive) Cognac Metallic, Rich Brown

Pick your Lip Palette -
LIP GLOSS: Posey Shimmer, Naked, (Exclusive) Penny Shimmer, Rum
LIP COLOR: (Exclusive) Mauve Shimmer, Kir Shimmer, Cranberry Lip Sheer, Slopes

Cheek Palette -
BLUSH: Pale Pink and Tawny

PINK QUARTZ COLLECTION

- PINK QUARTZ SHIMMER BRICK - Five different shades of pink, rose beige, and gold blend together to create a soft golden glow. Packaged in a compact with a golden pink metallic frame to match.

- GLITTER LIP GLOSS: Gold, Champagne Pink, Pink Quartz, Bronzed Pink

- New, Limited Edition Pink Quartz Nail Shimmer

- New, Limited Edition Pink Quartz Mini Brush Set: Contains mini Face Blender, Eye Shadow, and Ultra Fine Eyeliner, packaged in a soft, zip-around golden pink case.


- New, Limited Edition LONG-WEAR EYE PALETTES - This sleek, airtight palette features 3 shades of Long-Wear Cream Shadow and 1 shade of Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner. Each palette features a dual-ended Mini Cream Shadow/Ultra Fine Eye Liner Brush. It is available in two tones:

TRUFFLE: (Exclusive) Navajo, Sand Dollar, (Exclusive) Stone Long-Wear Cream Shadows, and Mahogany Ink Long-Wear Gel Eye Liner
PEWTER: (Exclusive) Platinum, Galaxy, (Exclusive) Steel Long-Wear Cream Shadow, and Black Ink Long-Wear Gel Eye Liner


- New, Limited Edition BEST OF CHOCOLATE - Back by popular demand, Best of Chocolate contains the most-loved shades from last fall's Chocolate Collection. The sleek, two-tiered, mirrored compact includes 4 eye shadows and 4 lip glosses to create a natural, yet rich, look.

LIP GLOSS, top tier: (Exclusive) Frosted Pink Shimmer, (Exclusive) Pink Mocha, (Exclusive) Golden Caramel Shimmer, (Exclusive) Double Fudge Shimmer
EYE SHADOW, bottom tier: Bone, (Exclusive) Frappe, (Exclusive) Cacao Shimmer Wash, (Exclusive) Chocolate


- New, Limited Edition LIP GLOSS TRIO: Pink Sugar, (Exclusive) Slopes, Buff


- New, Limited Edition TUBE TINTS SET: (Exclusive) Champagne Glitter, (Exclusive) Rosy Lip Tint SPF 15, (Exclusive) Baby Pink Glitter, (Exclusive) Burnt Sugar Shimmer Lip Tint SPF 15


- New, Limited Eidtion PINK RIBBON COLLECTION - In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, this feature an exclusive new shade of Shimmer Lip Gloss and a complementary Lip Color. Packaged in a pink carton.

LIP COLOR: Sandwash Pink
LIP GLOSS: (Exclusive) Pink Flower Shimmer


- New, Limited Edition DELUXE SIZE SKINCARE
Hydrating Face Cream, SPF 15 Protective Face Lotion, Eye Makeup Remover"


These were excerpted from the Bobbi Brown Fall & Holiday 2007 counter catalog.

Happy Shopping! :)
My three picks are highlighted in italics...I can't wait!

Botkier Bianca homecoming day!

Isn't she lovely?

I can't wait for my Monday impulse-buy to arrive. It's not so much of an impulse given that I first spotted it in real life at H&M on 5th Ave last month, and when I came home to research it a little more I wasn't impressed by the $600+ price tag given my self-imposed shoplite or shoppingban as I'm aiming for. I shelved it on my wishlist and figured I could wait until it drops a little in price, but I've honestly been too busy to stalk sales like I normally would.
Anyway, I roll into work on Monday morning to the firedrills that started last week and even more madness this week...so I say, 5-minute timeout to stay sane. Log onto my favorite MUA fashion board, and what do my leeeeetle eyes see?--a PSA stating that Saks had just placed my beloved Botkier Bianca on sale for over 50% off :)
I clicked over to ebates and Saks as fast as I could and within a minute, secured the deal.
Now if FedEx will cooperate (THEY NEVER DO), hopefully they'll actually attempt the delivery they claim and hopefully be literate enough to read the note on my door authorizing them to leave the package there.
We'll see...I'll be grilling hamburgers out front for dinner tonight so I will keep a close watch on any FedEx trucks driving by. Cross your fingers for me, last time FedEx took an extra 3 business days to deliver >:0 Arg!

mmm, smoothie

Another successful CalPoly senior project, and now some yumminess to be had:

Great Cooking Blog

http://deborahsw.blogspot.com/

More Shecky's Summer Fun!

Back to the hobby rotation

While I enjoy cooking new things, and organizing or rearranging our **teeny** condo, I sometimes get bored (and frustrated) with the adult responsibilities/hobbies and revert to the careless hobbies I enjoyed during my not-so-busy years.

Fashion took a big chunk of my time: reading up on it, checking out fashion exhibits at museums, reading endless blogs and message boards (MUA) about it, etc. Then it got a leeeeetle expensive and I put myself on a voluntary shopping ban for the remainder of the summer. OUCH!

Skincare and makeup has always been a big deal, and resurfaced as my new main hobby a few weeks ago. Found a good UVA+UVB high PPD sunscreen, some vitamin C and other antioxidant serums and I"m done/spent. When you have an entire dresser full of these items and a place the size we live in, and then you start to say ok no new XXX until I finish the old XXX. Darnit, think anyone will care if I flush the remainder of my UVA-protection less Kiehl's sunscreen down the drain just so I can go buy a new moisturizer I've read wonders about? :P

So now I'm back to the scrapbooking or artsy phase...or soon, I will be. Forget the fact that we don't have a wedding album yet, I'm feeling the urge to make stationary or cards--something along those lines, especially given all the birthdays, holidays, and special events we have this summer. Ahh, my new lemming. It's the Gocco Printer :)
Now this investment would have made a lot more sense pre-wedding, but I had plenty DIY stuff going on that another gadget might have made me go insane. So what's this Gocco printer do?
The Print Gocco is essentially a mini printing press that is capable of printing whatever you can imagine if you can create it and make a B&W photocopy of it.

1. You draw (ya right, not me) or use a photocopy of a design (hello computer!). A flash bulb instantly turns your artwork into a screen stencil.
   
2. Tape this screen stencil against the flat or single curved project (Works best on flat surfaces or cylinders that have no or slight tapered area.).
   
3. Then for something glass, you just brush on a thin layer of Armour Etch Glass Etching Cream, wait 2-3 minutes,
   
4. Remove screen stencil and immediately wash the etching cream off the glass under flowing water.
   
5. Wash the screen and use it again and again and again!

Well that's nifty! Apparently these are hard to come by because the original Japanese distributor stopped selling them? Something like that, rumors on saveGocco.com say that a U.S. company may take over distribution of these printers in the U.S. this summer. We shall see, in the meantime I'm tracking one down and contemplating a non-shopping-ban-relevant purchase! :)
Check out some cool work done with this printer at flickr and etsy:
www.flickr.com/groups/gocco/
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=1045

**image courtesy of HeatherJeanY's stationary on Etsy

Woah, beach + gEEk = awesomeness

Courtesy of yesterday's feature product on StyleBakery I was reading about the most awesome summer bag to have (think function not style here people). Reware has developed a solar beach tote that harvests energy while you're out at the beach, and by simply bringing along your car charger for all the electronic toys you no longer have to worry about a dead battery ruining the fun.
20% off all Reware purchases through 8/5/07, use code: STYLEBAKERY

And for the other gEEks, here are some specs:

Bag Dimensions::
Size: 19" wide x 15" high x 11" deep
48 x 38 x 28cm
Volume: 51L/3,135 cu. in.
Weight: 1.5 lbs/.6 kilos

Power Rating Specifications:
Power 6.3 Watts
Voltage, 16.6 Volts*
Current, 0.325 Amps
Solar Panel Weight 0.45 lb.
Solar Panel Size 12 x 12 x 0.1 inches

D.C. Summer Sales

Busy week, so i'm sharing another helpful DailyCandy piece of information, although I've included my favorite boutiques only:
What: Caramel
Why: Johnny Cotton, Red Engine, and Wendy Hil at 30 percent off is a sweet deal.
When: June 15-17. Fri., noon-9 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m.
Where: 1603 U St. NW, b/t 16th & 17th Sts. (202-265-1930).

What: National Jean Company
Why: Up to 50 percent off the entire store (Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent, Clu, Cheap Monday) is no bum deal.
When: June 14-17. Thurs.-Sat., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., noon-6 p.m.
Where: 7301 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda (301-907-0295).

What: Blush
Why: Tory Burch, Rebecca Taylor, and Ya-Ya at 30 percent off is enough to make you jump for joy.
When: Thru June 30. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 1089 Seven Locks Rd., Potomac (301-340-3940).

Loving it: MizPee

I was reading my DailyCandy newsletter this morning, and had to share this awesome find. Thanks DailyCandySF!


"Do you ever find yourself desperately looking for a clean toilet in the city? MizPee finds the closest, cleanest toilet and gives you entertaining reading material once you get there. Since the service is cell phone-based, it's always with you, when you really need it.

Want to try MizPee?
Send as a text message your city and state (e.g. "New York, NY") to the following number: 415-350-2290."
DailyCandy says:
"Here’s how it works: Launch your cell phone browser, navigate to mizpee.com or send a text message to 415-350-2290 to receive an SMS link.
Type in a street address or an intersection and you’ll get a list of establishments with potties in the surrounding area.
Each toilet is rated by cleanliness. Hygiene freaks can set preferences so future results contain just loos with high standards. The little lady knows which bathrooms have diaper-changing stations and which are reserved for paying patrons. She even checks business hours and tells you only about places that are open at the time of your query."

*image courtesy of MizPee.com

Shecky's is back...I'm giving them a 2nd chance

Last time's event was a total let down :( But, I'm all about 2nd chances...so here you go Shecky's. It's time to redeem yourself.

i'm an intellectual snob, much love to my business friends :P

An Editorial in Friday's Cal Poly's Mustang Daily:
"I think some confusion has been caused by the use of the term a "real major." Let me help shed some light on this. A "real major" is one that inspires awe in your peers because of the difficulty of course work. Now if you are not sure if you should be impressed by your friend's degree, I'll let you in on a Cal Poly secret.

You may not be aware, but there is a correlation between tassel hue (the color's direction from white) and difficulty of major. Your tassel is displayed in the El Corral Bookstore by the chemistry section in courseware and you will be wearing this when/if you graduate.

Architecture and engineering tassels are a very distinctly dark color. Architecture and environmental design is a midnight purple and engineering is an orange so dark it appears red. On the other end of the difficulty of major scale, we have business and liberal arts. Very light tan, and white. Since white is the absence of any hue, it is, according to tassel theory, the easiest major to attain, effectively making it not a real major.

This evidence can be backed up by checking the statistics of those who graduate in four years by college. According to www.ipa.calpoly.edu, child development from the College of Liberal Arts leads the way as the easiest major followed by business administrations and theatre arts. The hardest are all concentrated around architecture and engineering. Thank you Cal Poly for giving those with real majors something to work for."

b/c prevention is more affordable than after the fact

So fitting the theme of aging or not wanting to, i was reading up on skincare. Now makeup and skincare have always been my thing. I've been doing my sisters' and friends' makeup for years and years. I mean the Body Shop was my favorite store back in 4th grade, and I treasured my toner and moisturizer like i did my sanrio stationary and pencils. Fashion, well call me a poser. 12 years of catholic school uniforms have that effect (I finally became comfortable buying a pair of navy bermuda shorts a few weeks ago, lol).
Anyway, as educated as I'd like to pretend I am in this area (I am a gEEk after all, and like the techie side of being a girl), I'm not completely an expert on sunscreen. In the last few weeks I've done a 180 from wanting to achieve a real tan to being a sun-a-phobe :P I should've started back when oh I was diagnosed with an allergic reaction to the sun (and probably some suncreens) and broke out in a ridiculous rash in HAWAII, but I didn't. Well, recently this has changed. I found my HG (holy grail) fake tanner and love the entire line. TanTowels -love them!
Moving on, and getting to the point, is your sunscreen photostable? This is entirely new to me and very very interesting. Check it out, sunscreen is cheaper than IPL and microderm or even the nastier alternatives.
More sunscreen information here.

Darnit, I guess we ARE grown-ups

We're always denying the fact that we're getting older. Jeremy and I like to really fight off any habits or behaviors that might indicate our age. But crap, I guess that along with marriage and home-buying comes...
LANDSCAPE!
Umpf. The landscaper is coming tomorrow to helps us resuscitate the jungle (aka our backyard). Bubye Chanel fund :(

IT'S MINE!

They sold out this morning, but being the go-getter retail person that I am...I was patient and when they had a few more in stock...I got it. Yay ok alpha (as camila calls it), you have a home!

The best real cheese spread ever and good jerky too!

We love ourselves some cheese, and this certainly hit the spot while wine tasting on Saturday:

We're big fans of the following three flavors: horseradish, port wine, and swiss & almond.


Also, J is a big fan of the newly found Mr & Mrs Jerky venison and sweet beef varieties:

shootsac ordering day is coming...what color(s) should i get?

another wishlist item, but i rather travel :)

Wine Festival = Success! (probably too much success)

Sorting through my notes on 14+ vineyards, here's what we rated best of the best:
Afton Vineyards:

• Mountain Rose, $10
  

North Mountain Vineyard and Winery:

• Tom's Brook Red (Cab Franc), $14
• Sweet Caroline Blush, $12
• Mountain Sunset Apple Blush, $10...OUR FAVORITE

Shenandoah Vineyards:

• 2004 Chardonnay, $16
• Lot/04 Shenandoah Ruby, $16
• Fiesta, $14 (Sangria-like, mmm)
• Raspberry Serenade, $14 (great for dessert and/or chocolate)

Peaks of Otter Winery:

• Pear, $12
• Ras Ma Tas Raspberry, $13
• Chili Dawg Apple-Pepper, $14
  
• Cooking wines: "Kiss the devil" Chili Pepper, $15...STICKER HOT

Fabbioli Cellars:

• Raspberry Merlot, $15

Villa Appalaccia Vineyards and Winery:

• Reserve Pinot Grigio, $20
• Alba, $14
• Raspberry "Beret", $15

and the ones that made it home with us somehow:
Rockbridge Vineyard:

• 2004 Vintage White Riesling
• Pinot Noir
• Jeremiah's (semi-sweet)

*i don't know the price per bottle but the total was $31 :)

and the wishlist goes on...

SHOOTSAC by Jessica Claire
my camera needs a stylish home you know...

Time to get our drink on, whoot whoot!