D.I.Y. Brown Sugar Lip Scrub

My lips are basically always chapped. (I don't drink water, whatever.) But lately it's been worse than can be remedied by my usual overnight slathering of Aquaphor, so I've been on the market for lip scrubs/exfoliants. I found out th at sugar scrubs are the way to go. Sara Happ's Brown Sugar Lip Scrub (image from sarahapp.com) receives unanimously high reviews, but I can't bring myself to drop $24 on what is essentially brown sugar and some kind of oil in a pretty, little jar. I decided to concoct a similar product using only items I already have lying around my house. There are other variations of do-it-yourself lip scrubs, but this is what I did:

1. Start off with clean, dry lips.

2. Scoop about a tablespoonful of brown sugar into a small bowl/cup/whatever (I used a little sauce bowl.)

3. Smear a generous amount of Vaseline all over your lips.

4. Dip Vaseline-smeared fingertip into brown sugar

bowl. Whatever sugar sticks to your finger, rub it into your lips. Use common sense here people: Don't rub too hard or too long. (Insert "that's what she said" joke.)

5. Use a warm, wet washcloth to wipe off the scrub.

6. Dry off, and apply some Vaseline as a balm.

That's it. Easy peasy. Here are my lips after scrubbing:

You don't get a "before" picture, because I look like a leper. What do you think? Have you ever used a lip scrub? If so, did you buy it or make your own?

XOXO, T

5 Things I Love or Hate

From what I've gathered in my years of professional blog reading, many bloggers pick one day a week to write a post called "5 Things I Love" or something similar. I love the concept, but I just don't know if I can come up with 5 whole things that I love every week. Maybe if I'm in a good mood. So here is my first post of 5 Things I Love or Hate:

1. I'll start things off with the hate and move on to things I love, that way I'm at least ending on a happy note. What I really hate is how Victoria Beckham not only has a clothing line (with prices up the wha-zoo, $450 sunglasses?! Who are you, Chanel?!) but that she gets to show her line at NYFW. Really? Because you were a Spice Girl you automatically get a spot in the fashion line up?

2. I hate that I wasn't at Fashion Week. That's all.

3. Moving on to the positive topics... I love that, from the pictures I've seen, designers are still showing maxi-dresses for spring. Thank the lord. Hallelujah. Amen. Maxi-dresses are perfect in every which way and if you don't own at least one...well...you should go buy one.

4. The LPD. So perfect, I don't know why the world hasn't thought of this before. I love the Little Pink Dress more than life itself. Not to mention, my birthday is coming up so I most definitely will be looking for the perfect LPD for my night out.

5. Iced coffee. This seems a little off topic, but I made the most amazing hazelnut flavored iced coffee with almond milk this morning. It was love at first sip.

NYFW Continues

10 Crosby Derek Lam

I'm pretty much in love with maxi dresses, and this one is so gorgeous. The color is amazing!

BCBG Max Azria

I couldn't pick a favorite from this whole collection, so I just linked to the overview. Everyone should take a look, it's my personal favorite so far. Very California-breezy; full of maxi dresses and creative cutouts.

Can this be my next LBD? Donations anyone?

Happy Fashion Week

It's the best holiday of all...Fashion Week! I'm so unbelievably excited for NY Fashion Week, and I'm not even there! One day...(fingers crossed). As I sit waiting for the live stream of the BCBCMAXAZRIA show to start, I went through some of the pictures already posted on style.com.

A I love this dress from Jenni Kayne! It's very casual and dressy at the same time; I feel like it's got an L.A. vibe.

B The cutout in this Vena Cava dress is so perfect, I think it balances out the harsh shoulder detailing.