Bold, graphic prints will be showing up on frocks, jackets and skirts galore this Spring.  Designer Marni has an excellent rendition of these by covering dresses in gigantic geometric circles and sharp, angular stripes. Much to our surprise, Carven also has a slew of bright, zig zag prints for Spring that look as though they have been clipped straight out of a comic book.

Big Graphic Prints Are Splattered On Designs This Spring

We think the whole Missoni for Target craze got these designers on this graphic print bandwagon. Or perhaps they experienced a sudden jolt of nostalgia and decided to whip out their 6th grade protractors and went on an angle-making frenzy.  What ever the reason, the BSW Fashionistas believe that these outrageous, colorful graphic prints are going to be a big spirit lifter after months of cold rain, snow and gray skies…

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Prep and balance your skin to restore and maximize moisture delivery into your skin with Cellure Stem Cell Skin Care.  Their RECODE balancing toner is fabulous!

Cellure Stem Cell Skin Care Balancing Toner

In a fine mist, this toner hydrates skin, balances the surface and refines pores while it prepares skin for ideal moisture absorption.  Skin looks and feels dewy, supple and luminous.  Chamomile, antiseptic, and aloe help calm and soothe irritation and help bind hydration.

After cleansing, mist directly onto your face and neck.  It can be held up to 12” from the face. Pat gently into your skin follow with moisturizer.

Ingredients include:   Aloe vera leaf juice, Butylene glycol , PEG 40 hydrogenated castor oil , Human Adipocyte Conditoned Media Extract , Ethylhexylglycerin , Sodium benzoate, Panthenol (pro-vitamin  B5), RED 33, BLUE 1.

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If you’ve been searching for a mineral powder that won’t clog your pores or make you break out, then check out Black Opal’s Mineral Brilliance Powder.  It’s hypoallergenic, irritant free and helps you blend away any imperfections without causing break outs.  Made with minerals for a weightless feel and light-diffusing results.

Black Opal's Mineral Brilliance Powder Foundation

Available in 5 shades including:  light, golden tan, dark, medium dark, and very deep.  Retails for $9.95 for .28oz.  Black Opal’s Mineral Brilliance Powder Foundation is the secret to a smoother complexion, radiant and healthier looking skin with a matte finish!

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Are you looking for a travel cup that is the perfect size, design, good for the planet and durable…Then you have to get a Keepcup.  Keepcup is the first ever barista standard reusable cup and the number one choice for sustainable and stylish coffee consumption.  Already making waves in Australia and the UK, KeepCup is ready to change the way US consumers drink their coffee on-the-go.

Small size Keepcup reuseable cup

BPA-free, lightweight, recyclable, and fashionable – KeepCup is available in 25,000 color combinations, so you can design the cup that tells your story and, unlike other leading reusable cups on the market, is designed by a barista to fit under the heads of most espresso machines like the Black and Decker Brew ‘N Go.  Keepcups are available in four sizes – extra small (4oz.), small (8oz.), medium (12oz.) and large (16oz.)  KeepCup proves that convenience, eco-consciousness and style can go hand-in-hand.

Most importantly, it’s non-toxic, food safe, microwave and dishwasher safe, it’s splash proof design is made with a lift and twist plug to open a breather and drinking hole at the top.  Coffee and tea kept in the thermal KeepCup also stays hotter longer than in a disposable cup by at least 20 minutes!

We love our Keepcups…in fact my husband liked mine so much he took it to work this morning to the “Critics Choice Awards” at the Hollywood Palladium, and I will probably never see that again…HA!

Keepcup designs in all sizes

Get one now at start designing it from soup to nuts…Keepcups rock!

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Are you tired of saying, “This year I am going to finally…,” and then Do Not follow through?  Guess what?  You’re not alone!  Thousands of people have the same problem.  They start out each year optimistic, but soon find themselves losing motivation…Is this you?  Then I urge you to read Take The Lead, by Betsy Myers.

Learn how to motivate, inspire, and be the best you can be in life!

Myers is the executive Director of the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, one of the founders and former Director of the White House Office for Women during the Clinton administration, and COO of Barack Obama’s presidential campaign.  Betsy Myers unveils the keys to effective leadership.  It offers a unique and practical set of seven principles that will guide you to your highest potential, and in doing so help the people around you to become inspired and motivated to collaborate with you to reach a common goal.  These principles pinpoint how some people are able to evoke feelings of passionate engagement in those around them, and how we can harness these keys to leadership success in our own lives.

These seven core principles are:

1.   Connection – Making people feel seen, heard and valued
2.   Collaboration – Being willing to embrace differing points of view
3.   Authenticity – Knowing who you are
4.   Respect – Treating each person as important
5.   Clarity – Laser focus and uncompromising consistency
6.   Learning – Always listening and staying open to new ideas
7    Courage – The courage to take risks; to apologize; to tell the truth; to grow

Author Betsy Myers of Take The Lead

No excuses people…Betsy is a powerful and successful woman.  You couldn’t ask for a better book or personal motivator!  Start off 2012 in a better place…I know you can do it!

*Read more about Betsy and/or purchase Take The Lead.

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Interested in  products that are for both men and women, are 100% organic and are Fair Trade Certified? Then look no further than Kumani Essentials, made in West Africa.  Created with shea butter, Kumani Essentials also utilizes ingredients like Aloe Leaf Juice, White Tea Extract, Jojoba Oil, Argan Oil and more.  Sounds great, right? You can read more about these and how they are made by going here. 

I tried a few items from Kumani and love them! The Shea Drench Hydrating Cleanser with Micro Beads is ideal for dry skin. I like the micro beads- they are not gritty or harsh at all. I actually use this all over my body, not just my face. The Daily Dose Tonic is a soothing toner that removes dirt and other impurities, think of it as the final step in the cleansing process to remove whatever  cleanser has left behind. The Hydrating Moisturizer infuses skin with rich skin softening hydration. I love this for my hands, chest, neck and dabbed on my smile lines and eye area.

As I age (I’m silently weeping over turning forty soon) I really want to treat my skin gently and use the best products I can, as naturally as possible. I’m thrilled to be able to recommend Kumani Essentials to you. Take a moment and read about this brand. They also offer body care and hair care.

Check out more of Cindy at hellodollface.com

Now that 2012 has officially begun, it’s time to get your beauty routine back on track.  Start by making a list of all the things you need to buy and do in order to achieve better, clearer,  healthier, and younger looking skin…Get that glowing skin you have been dreaming about!

How to get healthier glowing skin in 2012

First, before you do anything to your face, I would suggest getting a facial.  You’ll want to slough off those nasty old dead skin cells and get that face circulating again.  If you don’t have a regular facialist, I would suggest asking a friend who does.  Recommendations are the way to go!  Pamela Ford-Stevens, owner of Wild Flower Skin is my girl here in Los Angeles.  She has magical hands and my skin just glows for weeks after one of her facials!

Second, buy yourself a fabulous skincare line such as Sudden Youth, Is Clinical or Tata Harper.  Three of my favorite lines!  Each one makes my skin brighter and younger looking…I sometimes combine all three on my face.  There are so many skincare lines out there…But you need to know your skin type before you purchase one.  That’s why I recommend a facial first.  (She/he will analyze your skin before they touch your skin)

Remember, wash your face in the morning and especially at night!  I can’t tell you how many young gals I know who do not wash their face at night!  Your pores are being clogged all day long with pollutants and other harmful environmental factors that need to be cleansed on a daily basis.  Girls!  DO NOT, I REPEAT…DO NOT go to bed with a stitch of makeup on…eventually you will wake up to a pimple or pimples…NOT PRETTY!

Other skin brighteners I recommend are:  Exuviance, I use a pad in the morning and my skin just glows!  Love, love this product!!!  I get lots of compliments when I use it.  My all time fav is Egyptian Magic.  For an instant glow under my eyes I apply a little bit each morning before I apply my SPF 50 by Bioelements.  Never leave home without applying a good SPF!

Well girls, get to it!!!  No more excuses for not taking proper care of your skin.  Start today and by 2013 you’ll be surprised how much better your skin looks!  Make sure to take a picture before and after.  Let us know how your skin is progressing along with a list of the product you are using!  We’ll feature it on BSW:)

Here’s to a new you:)!

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Want to show off that sparkly mini but didn’t have time to tan those stems? (or shave?!) or it’s just too damn cold! Throw on a pair of Steve Madden glam tights, from lace patterns to shimmer and rhinestone you’ll be on-trend and very comfortable!  www.stevemadden.com

Steve Madden Fashion Tights

Shape up those brows! Threading, waxing, tweezing… Get gorgeous brows right at home with Almar’s Exquisite Brows shaping kit- complete with tweezers, brow pencil, eye shadows, brush and even a shaping guide! Simply place over your eyebrows and let the lines guide you to the perfect brow!

Exquisite Brows by Almar

Stay hydrated! Drink a lot of water while your running around looking for that perfect dress! Omega Water, infused with omega 3 EPA/DHA, will keep you moving while providing important vitamins and nutrients for the day! Available in four delicious sugar and calorie free flavors you wont have to worry about your waist line! www.omegawater.com

Omega Water Berry Breeze

Don’t forget a cute bag to store maintenance materials for the night! (all that dancing can do a number on you!)  try something small or sparkly -without breaking the bank- from Danielle Nicole or olivia+joy! www.oliviaandjoy.com  or  www.danielle-nicole.com

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

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Le Edge is a product where the old meets the new as the concept of using a metal edge to clean and exfoliate the skin dates back to ancient Rome, where a tool called a strigil was used to cleanse the skin before entering the bathhouses.  Le Edge, the modern day strigil, gives you a professional exfoliation look and feel, naturally.

Le Edge Exfoliation Facial Tool

Le Edge is excellent for both men’s and women’s skin care. Use Le Edge as a pre-shave to lift ingrown hairs away from the skin, to help with tie rash and other shaving conditions. Use Le Edge to remove your old instant tan application and to exfoliate in preparation for your new tanning session. Exfoliating before waxing or shaving your body helps to even out the skin’s surface allowing for a smoother shave. Use Le Edge exfoliating tool as part of your pedicure routine to maintain clean and beautiful feet.

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