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Blizzard Gear

If you live on the Eastern seaboard, you surely experienced this weekend’s snowstorm with record levels of snowfalls from Philadelphia to the Carolinas.

Here are a few cozy items that will keep you toasty warm this winter:

Gap - Marled Cable Knit Beanie, $24.50 & Suede Gloves, $29.50

Juicy Couture - Bracelet Faux Fur Jacket, $398

Lands’ End - FeelGood Yarn Fringe Scarf, $29.63

J. Crew - Toscana Shearling Earmuffs, $98

These also make great stocking stuffers!  Keep warm!!

Make Your Own Makeup

Yesterday we blogged about ways to customize your energy bar, chocolate and granola and we’re getting more DIY-happy by the day!

Whether it’s last-minute gift giving or a little way to treat yourself, we love the offerings at Brambleberry Farm. Here you can buy a kit to make your own soap, candles, and lip balm — and here you can check out their easy recipe for homemade lip balm.

But we’re hoping Santa brings us the make-it-yourself mineral makeup kit so that we can make our own eyeshadow. Which, is perfect for beauty junkies like ourselves. Check out more fun DIY goodies here.

DIY Gifts and Custom Goodies

If we can customize our sneakers, makeup palettes, and hoodies, then why not our food?

Here are some of our favorite DIY and customizable food treats that make a great gift for the gourmand in your life - or better yet, for you!

Mix your own granola over here at Mix My Granola, become a cheesemonger at Urban Cheesecraft, and design chocolate to your liking at Navitas Naturals. And for the for the on-the-go types like us, we cant get enough of Element Bars, where your energy bar is truly your own.

Win a Too Faced Shopping Spree

During these days of giving (and spending!) getting something for free is rare. Which is why our friends at Too Faced are giving you a chance to win a shopping spree - just by tweeting!

Twitter followers that sign up are entered for a chance to win one of five Fun in the Dark kits per day and also have the opportunity to win a $2010 shopping spree in the new year!

Plus, for those still shopping, Too Faced is offering free shopping on orders of $50 or more and free samples. So get tweeting and be sure to follow us on Twitter too!

Celeb Stylists Share Easy Holiday Hairstyles

Holiday party time upon us once more and as if getting outfits and jewelry squared away isn’t enough to coordinate, there’s always the decision on how to wear our hair.

Getting hair professionally blown out and styled is pricey, which is why celebrity hairstylists Eugene Toye, Ryan Cunningham and Eddie Ngai from the Rita Hazan Salon are here to share the trends of the season and how to achieve the perfect holiday look:

The Ponytail is a classic yet fun style for the holiday season. To achieve this look:

* Start by blowing out your hair using a volumizing spray.
* Once the hair has settled, slick back your hair and wrap a rubber band around the pony leaving a few chunks of strands.
* Wrap strand around rubber band to hide the band, and tuck leftover piece into the rubber band.
* To glam it up wear a jeweled headband

Finger Waves, classy just like the 40’s. This style works best on naturally wavy hair although these waves can be re-created on any hairstyle.

* To glam it up wear a jeweled headband
* In order to achieve this look you will need some gel, hairpins and some curlers.
* Once hair is curled under, you will want to pin the curls in place at the nape of the neck.
* Long straight pins are the key to securing your locks and holding this updo in place. Make sure to insert pins in opposite direction.

Classic Chignon (Messy Version), perfect for holiday rushing and party hopping. To create this look:

* To give hair just the right amount of movement and keep it from being too close to the head, use a volumizing cream and apply to freshly washed and well-towel-dried hair.
* Comb product through hair and put a deep side part in hair.
* Blow dry hair with a medium round brush for added body.
* Then, brush hair back into a low ponytail and fasten just above the nape of the neck.
* Begin winding the hair around the base of the ponytail, securing it underneath and on top with bobby pins as you go. Leaving the ends out.
* It’s more modern to have pieces out for a look that’s slightly undone. Use gold or colored bobby pins to spice it up for the holidays.

Deliciously Fashionable

Have you ever wondered what your favorite Fashionistas like to cook? Well look no further and check out the American Fashion Cookbook: 100 Designers’ Best Recipes by Lisa Marsh in partnership with the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America).

From Derek Lam’s Yellowtail Crudo to Carolina Herrera’s Pommes Toupinel, there are over 100 great recipes for everyday favorites and for entertaining stylishly at home.

Buy it now on Amazon.

Wake up and Scrub on the Coffee

There’s little else that gets us out of bed than the smell of coffee so what better to get us into the shower than the almighty java.

With that in mind, our friends at Body & Soul magazine have created a recipe for a skin-softening body scrub made from coffee grounds that’s super-easy to make and aromatherapeutic to boot. We can’t promise that it will give you the buzz of caffeine, but your skin will love it.

Ingredients
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup pure turbinado sugar
15 drops peppermint essential oil (Mentha piperita)
1/2 cup used coffee grounds from a freshly brewed pot

Directions
1.) Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl; using a fork, thoroughly blend. Transfer the scrub to a wide mouthed jar, and store in a cool place until ready to use. The scrub will keep for one to two weeks, longer if refrigerated.

2.) While showering, apply handfuls of the coffee scrub to wet skin in circular motions, starting at the feet and working up. The scrub contains oil, so it’s best to do this over a rubber mat to avoid slipping. Pay particular attention to rough spots such as heels, ankles, knees, and elbows.

3.) After scrubbing, cleanse skin as usual using a mild natural soap or body wash. Pat skin dry with a fluffy towel, and follow with lotion to seal in the moisture.

This recipe yields about two to three applications and be sure to check out more at-home spa recipes here.

Smile for the Camera

‘Tis the season of celebration and parties … and lots and lots of pictures! Get camera-ready pronto with these rules of thumb, courtesy of Dr. Jeff Golub-Evans, cosmetic dentist to more than one celebrity. His motto? Accentuate the positive and minimize your negatives. Read on:

  • Practice smiling in the mirror with your teeth slightly parted, as if you are really excited about something. You’ll show more white teeth, because the lower teeth won’t be hiding behind the uppers, and your smile won’t look forced.
  • If your upper lip is full, don’t thin it by smiling too broadly. Smile enough to show your teeth, but not so much to thin your lips.
  • If your upper lip is thin, smile so that the bottom edges of your upper teeth touch your lower lip. The visual impact of the upper teeth combined with the lower lip will take attention away from the thin upper lip.
  • If your upper teeth are irregular at the bottoms, or if some upper teeth are too long, smile so that the lower lip hides the bottom edges.
  • If you think you are too gummy or the gum is irregular in contour or color, practice smiling so your upper lip hides the gum.

To maximize color:

  • Bright red lip color usually shows off white teeth best. Magenta-colored shades can make them look more yellow, while rose or pink or sheer usually offers enough of a contrast.
  • A tan always makes light teeth look whiter. Opt for a UV-free glow with a great self-tanner.

Just before the photo:

  • Wet your teeth so they sparkle.
  • Put a spot of gloss in the center of the lower lip for added shine.
  • If you have any minor defect in your smile at all, (a stain, crack, etc.), wipe some petroleum jelly on it. The aberration will be diffused and lips will be even and supple.

Celebrate the Festival of Lights in Style

Seems that in this season to be merry, Christmas tends to overshadow Hanukkah. And when it comes to gift-giving and joy, we hate for anyone to be neglected. With that in mind, our friends from Lush have come up with a super-cute dreidel-shaped Better Than a Blintz gift.

Packed with four of Lush’s best selling bath bombs, it’s the perfect pampering gift for those frazzled with the holidays. Plus, it’s pre-wrapped and eco-friendly (using reusable post-consumer recycled packaging) and wallet-friendly too ($19.95).

The bath bombs come in four scents: the lemongrass-infused Avobath, grapefruit and mandarin-packed Happy Pill, apple-scented So White and a peppermint-infused Magic. The festival of lights starts this Friday and this is one gift that’s as lush as it sounds!

Celebrity Wish Lists Revealed


Out of gift ideas? Just look to Brooke Shields for inspiration. Curious to know what’s on Rachel Bilson’s wish list? Look no further!

Piperlime, the online e-tailer known for their fresh crop of shoes, clothing and accessories, along with style advice from Rachel Zoe, recently launched their Holiday Gift List featuring picks from celebs like Brooke Shields, Rachel Bilson, Rashida Jones and Kristen Bell.

The program will support and raise awareness for The Art of Elysium, a non-profit organization devoted to helping children through music and the arts.

Every week until December 31st, Piperlime will unveil a new celebrity gift list (including what they want to give and what they’re giving) so check out the site for updates and ideas, and read more about The Art of Elysium here.

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