fffabulous

when nude is really not nude

One of my girlfriends always has a hard time finding underwear that doesn't show through. Because "nude" isn't nude on her skin. This was until she discovered the MySkins bras and panties. These bras and panties are available in twenty skin matching colors, and are designed to be truly invisible. Wow, what a great idea, and WHY had nobody thought about this before?? Just goes to show, one woman's challenge is another one's opportunity. Next thing you know, my friend had tried out the MySkins bra and pantie, and since then, she just can't stop raving about them...and here is the email she sent me (literally) after she received and tried on her newly acquired 'nude' underwear:

"OMG!!!! I haven't been this excited about lingerie since I purchased my first La Perla in Italy years ago. My MySkins bra and pantie came today and I am SO in LOVE with them! I tried them on immediately and—true to their claim—they are a perfect match for my nutmeg-colored skin. They literally disappear under clothing! I'm telling you they are INVISIBLE. My cousin was visiting and took lots of pics of me in several sheer and form fitting garments to give you a sense of how absolutely true-to-skin they are (see pictures above and below). They are so invisible that I had to use a ribbon to differentiate my skin from the under garments in the pics! I can't wait to tell ALL my friends about MySkins and I see myself becoming a loyal customer. They've already made me a HUGE fan overnight! I am absolutely SOLD."

So if nude is really not nude for you too, request your free color card which will be mailed to you to determine your color, measure yourself appropriately, and get your order in. You'll sure look fffabulous in your new MySkins 'nude' bra and pantie!

jet blanket jacket

I splurged on this Jet by John Eshaya Blanket Jacket in Dove Grey the other day, and I love love love it. It's long, practical and extremely comfy—so much I am already considering retiring it to wear exclusively at home. I mean, you have to admit: it's cool to look fffabulous while lounging at home in your PJs, right? This blanket jacket also exists in white, and although I don't think I could wear it outside (it's just too white and casual), it'd be the perfect cover up to wear over a bathing suit on a tropical or Saint-Tropez vacation, Hayden Pannetiere's style. Oh, and Lindsay Lohan got this Jet blanket jacket in White and Dove Grey. Isn't it fffabulous?

it's brilliant!

I am a big fan of Aveda hair care products. They make your hair feel so nice and soft, and all of their products smell so yummy. I have been using the Aveda Brilliant Shampoo for six months now, and I love it. First of all, the smell is absolutely amazing; the shampoo just smells like the most delicious candy, and ever since I started using it, my hair has been more shiny and smooth and just looks much healthier in general. I love the big bottle (1L) with the pump that comes with it, since it allows me to use just the right amount of product (2 "psssts" and I'm good), and the bottle lasts me a solid six months. But I recommend you first try the 250ml bottle just to make sure you like how your hair feels when using this shampoo (we all have different hair and preferences, after all). I also love the Aveda Rosemary Mint Shampoo; it smells absolutely yummy and fresh, and your hair will look amazing, too.

aveda blue malva conditioner

My colorist is fffabulous. And she became even more fffabulous (if that's even possible!) the day she recommended the Aveda Blue Malva Conditioner. This blue concoction will not only make your blond hair shinier and softer, but it will also neutralize any orange tones that may appear after you over-wash your blond highlights. I've recommended this Aveda Blue Malva Conditioner to all my blond girlfriends and even discovered that my brunette girlfriends love the Aveda Black Malva Conditioner just as much to intensify their deeper, dark hues. You can also use the Aveda Blue Malva Shampoo (or Black Malva Shampoo for brunettes), but I found it to be less effective. Plus, I *love* my Aveda Brilliant Shampoo...

thermaclear acne clearing device

Miss Zoe has one more beauty reco for us with this acne clearing device. It seems like a big deal to clear out occasional breakouts, but it seems like it's working wonders and definitely worth using!

"I would never have bought this device, but we received it as a gift from one of my husband's clients. I had read about it however, and was very excited to try it. The ThermaClear Acne Clearing Device is essentially a 'zit zapper'—it uses pulses of heat to treat spots. Saying I was skeptical is an understatement, but it works! It makes a significant difference to the duration and seriousness of breakouts. You hold it up to your face and press the button for it to zap the area, hold it there until it beeps, and that's it. It does hurt a small amount, there's no question about it, but it's a quick little zap vs. drawn out agony.

I have used it for about 18 months for occasional breakouts and it definitely makes a difference. I now pack it when I travel because I dread the thought of a breakout the day before a big meeting in one of our remote offices! It's sold at on amazon.com or at Sephora and is still a pricey $149, which is a bit much, but so worth it when a zit comes around!"

covergirl outlast lipstain

Miss Zoe is back with some fffabulous beauty recommendations—didn't you like her recos on the Transformation Face Cream by Jan Marini and DERMAdoctor Physical Chemistry? This time, she tells us all about her crush on the CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain, and we can't wait to try it out!

"I sometimes wear lipstick at work or out to dinner, but ten minutes later it's worn off and I forget to reapply. I'd heard some good buzz about this new CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain and its variety of colours, and to be honest I'm a sucker for Drew Barrymore endorsed products, so the last time I was at Target with my sis I picked one up.

Boy is the term 'stain' accurate! Having minimal patience, I applied the stain in the parking lot using my sister's sunglasses as a mirror. Her feedback was 'you might want a little chapstick on first before you do that next time'. She was definitely right. The Outlast Lipstain penetrated immediately and I wasn't as precise as I should have been. Oops! Living up to the claims though, it lasted all through lunch and well into the afternoon. It was true to the colour on the tip of the pen, though not that of the tube. The good news being that most drugstores will let you return makeup these days even if it's opened, so if you can't decide, buy two shades and you should be able to get your money back on the one that doesn't work for you.

The next day I did put on lip balm first and then (using a real mirror) applied the stain again. This time it was perfect! All the women at work told me I looked 'polished' and 'fresh', and when I told them this $6 lipstain was the only difference, they were sold. I've worn it almost every day since, and it's bright enough to be fun and trendy, but is still work appropriate."

stila lip glaze

I've tried a lot of lip glosses over the years, but the Stila Lip Glaze lip gloss remains my all-time favorite. It is sticky enough that it won't rub off in 5 minutes, and it also comes in a lot of classic neutral shades (and the scent is delicious too!). My favorite shades are passion fruit for rosy days and vanilla for a more nude look. And I recently discovered the equally fffabulous Stila Plumping Lip Glaze. It makes your lips fuller, and your lips will feel minty fresh. Me likey! And, it can be worn as is, or with your favorite lip color.

You're just one 'click' away from getting glossier, more luscious lips with this lip glaze click pen...

you're gonna be blown away!

The last fffabulous beauty week was a huge success, so we thought it'd be fffun to have another fffabulous beauty week starting today. Yay! So why not start this week with something that will make your life SO much easier while making you look truly fffabulous at the same time? And may I add that it won't cost you a fffortune either??

One of my girlfriends always has the best blow dry ever, and her secret is to use the Spornette Prego Ceramic Styling Brush. Who would have thought a hair brush would make all the difference in the world (aside from having the best hair dryer, the T3 Bespoke Labs Hair Dryer, of course)? Kathy uses the Jumbo brush size (4") and then finishes up with the Large brush size (2½") to do the front and top of her hair. And for the record, another one of my girlfriends purchased these brushes, and during her girls' trip to Paris, all the ladies loved this brush and couldn't believe how great it was. And for less than $25 for both brushes, you won't break the bank, and you sure will look fffabulous!

who's your daddy?

If you are still looking for the perfect gift for Father's Day, here are a few gift ideas the dad in your life will be happy to receive for Father's day:

• Jack Spade messenger bag—this is one classic messenger bag (pictured here) that will come handy to carry laptop, notebook, etc. around.
• Montblanc pen—this is not something a guy would buy for himself, yet it is one great gift that will look *tight* in the boardroom.
• fffancy tees—get a couple of these cool tees and you'll totally make his day!
• Inhabit cashmere sweater—yeah, it's summertime, but a cashmere sweater of this quality will always come handy and be appreciated by Dad.
• Tiffany 'Dad' money clip—it may be the 5th money clip he's lost, but that's also a good reason to get him another one. And he'll be reminded how great of a dad he is every time he pulls it out to make a purchase. Awwwww!
• Lululemon jacket and pants—working out in style is no longer just an 'option'. Plus, your kids' dad will just look yummier to you, too. What's not to like?

And check out our fffabulous guy week posts for more ideas for daddy. Happy happy shopping!

father's day is on the way...

Father's Day is right around the corner and here are a few gift ideas you'll find on one of our  fffavorite baby sites flyingpeas.com:

• My Dad's a Hunk onesie—Let's start with one adorable onesie. This cute onesie is the perfect way for your little ones to proudly proclaim Dad's hunkiness!
• The Goodfather—A top gift for new and expecting fathers, this fun CD offers Dad hundreds of baby lessons in a parody of an all-time favorite mob flick.
• Ball Blankets—Whether Dad is into basketball, baseball or football, these ball blankies are the ultimate in hip dad-and-baby gear. They are super soft and you can even team them up with matching sports field burp cloths. Go Team!
• Daddy Diaper Bag—At last! A diaper bag that allows Dad to retain some measure of masculinity even while carting bottles, binkies and pink fluffy bundles to the park. He'll love the 'manly' color and design and you'll both love the special features!
• Dad Tattoo onesie—Show Dad some love with this funky, tattoo design on an organic onesie - also available as a t-shirt for toddlers.
• Daddy Kisses Book—An incredibly cute board book with fffabulous animal illustrations and a sweet celebration of father-child affection. Great for Dad to read at bed time.
• Coupons for Dads —Stumped for a gift? These coupons will do the trick - I mean, who wouldn't appreciate the promise of a quiet car ride or uninterrupted phone call?! I looove the idea!

And as if it couldn't get any better than that, enter fffabdad at checkout and get $5 off orders of $50 or more. Offer valid through the end of June 2009. Happy shopping and happy Father's Day to all the dads we know!

fffabulous sale: pete tee

I may sound like a broken record but here is yet another one of my fffavorite tees. I love tees, mostly because they are comfy and practical, but also because I can dress them up or down depending on the occasion; and most importantly, you don't have to dry clean them. Ah ha! My dear friend Yvette and I discovered this Pete Long-sleeve V Tee at a local boutique about two years ago, and it's been one great fffind! Not only do I still wear them (I got this tee in both gray and brown), but I still get complimented on them every time. This tee is just the cutest and quite unique with the very flattering v-neckline, the exposed seams, and the tulle at the bottom (that's one unique detail!). It's also fitted at the arms and body for a perfect silhouette and won't stretch overtime with its blend of 50% cotton and 50% polyester. This is a must-have for this summer, and the next one, and the next one.

fffabulous sale: inhabit summer tank sale

When it rains, it pours. Inhabit is having a fffabulous tank sale and they all are 70% off their original price. What's not to like? My very favorite is the essential cotton tank. It's practical, chic and easy to wear as is or layered. And don't forget to check out their sweater sale, too! The stretch cashmere hoodie is my very favorite. Happy shopping!

the Michelle Obama way

 Don't you love it when Very Important People dress at the Gap? And not just to run errands, but to actually meet other Very Important People? Well, this is what our very own First Lady Michelle Obama did when she sported a simple Gap striped summer tee with an equally adorable floral summer cardigan to meet another First Lady, Nancy Reagan. Now, you have to admit that this is totally  awesome, right? And not only is this a very cute outfit, it also teaches us a few things about fffashion and style along the way. When putting together such an outfit, always:

• Use the same palette of colors when mixing different patterns. I can hear Stacy London and Clinton Kelly from What Not To Wear mention this rule over and over again during Shannon's makeover; they'd sure be happy to see that Michelle got it right.
• Pair this with a classic white pencil skirt. It just goes perfectly with Michelle's mix-and-match tee and cardigan.
• Keep it simple and classy with a few accessories—gotta love this timeless, long pearl necklace and a very simple bracelet.
• And last but not least, it's not what you wear, it's how you wear it—with confidence, style and simplicity, that is!

So if Michelle can make a Gap twin-set look like a thousand bucks, so can we. Or should I say: "Yes, we can!" (Sorry, that was just too easy!). Thanks for the inspiration, Michelle! And thanks for the fffabulous tip, Natala.

sharon segal trunkshow at romi boutique

This is the time of the year when romi boutique is having another Sharon Segal trunk show starting today until Sunday, June 7th at 624 Emerson Street in Palo Alto. And of course, I am super excited about it! Why? Because Sharon Segal has the finest tees and tops ever. And this is your chance to order your fffavorite top in any color you want, so hurry and pick out your fffavorites before someone else snags them!

I bought five tops last year, and the guilty feeling I had at the cash register disappeared very quickly once I wore them all over and over again, while getting a lot of compliments along the way. Sharon Segal also has a lot of cute new tops this season, too. Are you ready to shop 'til you drop?

PS: Here are a few of our fffavorites: the cap sleeve v-neck tee, the flower burnout tank, and the romance dress. Shhhhhhh...

sharon segal leopard burnout tee

As some of you know, Sharon Segal is one of my favorite tee brands. And many of you should also know that I have a thing for leopard prints, whether it'd be on shoes, scarves, thermal tees, etc. (But not to worry, my fffashion etiquette prevents me from wearing all of these all at once. Phew!). So when the two come together, I just can't resist. Sharon Segal has the cutest leopard print tee with this Leopard Burnout Tee in white. I love the white-on-white pattern, which makes the leopard burnout print subtle while making this tee very unique. As with any other Sharon Segal tee, this tee also has a slim body, lays low on the hip, and sports a crew neck and short sleeves. I recommend you were a white cami underneath to keep your most intimate details to yourself, and because layering is hot, too.

And because I often don't stop at one, I also fell for the Sharon Segal Leopard Burnout Tee in black. It's equally cute yet more sophisticated. No cami needed this time (unless you really want to). You can wear this fancy tee with a nude bra during the daytime and a black bra at night for a more dramatic effect. Sexiness guaranteed.