China Glaze Lubu Heels

I've gotten 4 new polishes in the past 7 months. That seems a bit excessive for me, so I was really going to try and wait a while longer for my next purchase. That is, until I discovered China Glaze at Sally's Beauty Supply. A couple weeks ago, when I went in search of my beloved CHI flat iron, I stopped by Sally's first. Even though I would have liked to stop and stare at all the pretty colors of nail polish, I was on a mission that day, but made a mental note to come back.

When I bought OPI's Got The Blues For Red, I was hoping for a dark, dark, really dark red. It was brighter than I thought it would be and even though I think it's a perfect red for my collection, it wasn't what I was actually searching for. Now, the search is over.


China Glaze Lubu Heels ($5.99) is a black polish with red glitter. I love it. I think the red glitter makes it more fun and interesting than if it was just a really dark red. I knew China Glaze was a good brand, up there with OPI, and I could definitely see that in the application. I was afraid the first coat was going to dry showing brush strokes, but it evened out and dried smooth and quick. I applied 2 coats and then used OPI's topcoat. I like to keep my nails short if I wear a dark polish, but if I had kept them long, I could have tried the Lubu Manicure.


It's inspired by Christian Louboutin's famous signature red soled shoes. Lubu Heels is applied on top as the upper part of the shoe and Ruby Pumps (red polish, red glitter) is applied on the under side of the nail as the sole. It would probably be the closest I would come to owning a pair of Louboutin's.

Anyone else a fan of Lubu Heels? Or China Glaze? Or, even better, Louboutin pumps?

As a side note, Martha Stewart has her assistant paint the red soles black with a sharpie. (!!!)

Bitten SJP

Sex and the City: The Movie comes out on dvd Tuesday! Did everyone get a chance to see it at the theater? Me and Billy went on a Wednesday morning and we were the only ones there. Actually, that was why we went on a weekday morning. If you want to torture me a little bit, just send me to the movies on a Friday night. I can't remember what sort of reviews the Sex and the City movie got when it hit theaters, but I don't pay much attention to reviews anyway. I'm pretty easily entertained. I liked it. I laughed and I cried. Billy also laughed and cried. Something happened that I thought was cheesey and when I turned to him to snark about it, he was tearing up. I probably should have been more sensitive to his feelings, instead I think I said, "Are you kidding me?" For the record, I may have dragged him to this one, but he picked the next one - Wanted. When I asked what it was about, all he said was something about Angelina Jolie, naked, and tattoos.

I really didn't bring up Sex and the City just to make fun of Billy. I wanted to talk a little about Sarah Jessica Parker and her Bitten line sold at Steve and Barry's. I was looking through a magazine and saw a pair of cute ankle boots for $10.


I've never been to Steve and Barry's and didn't even think there was one in Arkansas. Turns out there's 2! The one in Hot Springs is closing soon (according to the website), so hopefully I can pick up a few deals. The clothes look a little junior-ish to me, but there's a few nice things. I wish I could post some pics, but it's not working out. You will just have to trust me about the denim trench being adorable. There's some nice clutches and a cute tan bag she's calling a work tote. I wonder how the jeans fit. It looks like almost everything is $8.98, definitely nothing over $20.

Anyone a fan of Bitten? Affordable or just cheap?

Harajuku Lovers Fragrance

Gwen Stefani has 5 new fragrances that have just come out and I'm having a really hard time deciding which one I like the best. It's her Harajuku Lovers fragrance collection that includes Love, Lil' Angel, Music, Baby, and G all bottled up as your favorite Harajuku doll.

Love, in her striped blue minidress, has a sweet floral scent. Lil' Angel, in her schoolgirl outfit, has a citrus floral scent and smells like pineapple. Music has a fruity floral scent, and looks cute in her sailor outfit. Baby is soft and powdery in her pink babydoll dress. And G, in her white top and blue miniskirt, has a tropical coconut scent.

They are sold in 2 sizes - .33 oz, $25 and 1 oz, $45 (Sephora.com). Can't decide? It's also sold as a coffret for $60 with 5 solid perfume compacts.

Maybe these are not meant for 35 year olds, but they sound so good that I can't wait to test them out. G sounds like my favorite. How about you? Have you picked a favorite?

CHI Flat Iron

I have naturally curly hair, so it's quite a process to straighten it. My $15 Andis flat iron did an ok job in an ok amount of time, but after 2 years it decided that it's had enough. Maybe it found out I was looking at CHI and Sedu flat irons online. The day it stopped working (it kept losing it's heat), I was only halfway done. So, completely frustrated, I sat down at the computer and I was about to order a Sedu. Then my impatience kicked in. I remembered seeing CHI irons at Walgreens, so I put my hair in a ponytail, made sure I had a credit card, and off I went.
Please welcome, the CHI Limited Edition Stars and Stripes Ceramic Flat Iron ($119.99). This package included the Iron Guard and Silk Infusion. I'm all for patriotism, but on my flat iron? Really? The clerk said they had pink ones coming soon, and I seriously thought someone could buy the pink one and give it to me for Christmas, but impatience won out. And I'm glad - I LOVE IT! It heats up fast (about 50 seconds!), glides and doesn't snag, takes hardly any time to straighten, and gets my hair super straight. What more could you ask for? How about 2 free products? I haven't used the Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray yet. I tried a cheap brand in the past that I didn't like at all. So, maybe, better brand = better results. I'll try it next time. The Silk Infusion - I love. It leaves my hair really soft and silky and it's non greasy. It's a little bottle, but with the small amount used, I think it will last a long time. Sold separately, it's around $14, but when the time comes, I definitely will be getting another bottle.

Has anyone else discovered the wonder that is CHI? Or how about the Silk Infusion? Know of another great hair product? Tell me about it!

Baby Oil

I've always got baby oil around the house and I have recently discovered a few more uses for it other than just adding it to my bath or putting it on right after.

Baby oil and lotion. Just put a little oil in your hand and then add lotion. It gives a great shine to your legs or arms without being too oily.

Baby oil as a makeup remover. It works great for removing mascara and eye makeup. But I would only use it if I ran out of my makeup remover wipes. Even though it makes the area around my eyes really soft, I would be too afraid of possible breakouts.

Baby oil and sugar as a foot scrub. I love this idea. With a little sugar in your hand, add oil. It feels really, really good. I did this before I used my foot spa the other night and my feet were super soft afterward.

Baby oil and used coffee grounds as a cellulite reducer. I haven't tried this since I don't even own a coffee maker, but I read that it works. Temporarily. In the shower (it's messy), massage oil and used grounds on the backs of your thighs. Rinse off and you should see a difference. Has anyone tried this? Let me know if it works.

So, if you have baby oil around the house, I highly recommend these tips. Know of any others? Leave them in the comments!