Smashing Smashbox!

I love Smashbox Cosmetics. They make quality products, invent new make up bag staples year after year and they give back to the community- AMAZING.

Today I have to give a little shout out to the new Smashbox 2009 Holiday Collection. Not only are there some fantabulous finds in this year's event (hello 8 awesome choices - I am loving the Smashbox Sampler Kit myself!) but with each purchase a donation goes to the Children's Miracle Network.

So go ahead - get a beautiful gift for a friend and something special for yourself. It's a charitable donation right? Tax write off!! (Hehe- just kidding...)

Keep looking fabulous!
BGND

Holiday Time!

Okay okay - I know that it is only a couple days after Halloween but I can't wait to talk about all the fun that is happening over at Sephora!
This time of year is one of my favorites at everyone's destination for beauty supplies...
Why you ask?

Well....the winter holidays at Sephora equal one thing....

GIFT SETS!

All that fabulous packaging, all the fun little goodies waiting to be found! Now of course, these are designed to be purchased for others- so they say! I believe that Sephora and all the cosmetic companies put out these multi-faceted wonders to tempt those of us who are regular Sephora goers. They know the glossy pics and the promise of something new inside will convince us to buy more than we intended when we walked in ( like that doesn't already happen anyway!)

My favorites so far this year...

Too Faced Glamour Revolution - $39.50

Stila Smudgepot Collection - $32

These are just two of the gift sets I will be getting this year....I have seen a ton of other awesome choices in the store and online but these two will be the first of many that I pick up. I love Too Faced for many reasons and their shadows are the ones that I use almost daily. And Stila's smudgepots are the gold standard when it comes to cream eyeliner.

What gift sets are you going to get for yourselves and others?
Do you already have a favorite?

Have a great Monday and keep looking fabulous!
BGND

If you are shopping for...

Your mother (or mother in law or step mother etc...)!

Moms are tough to shop for in my experience. Either they have absolutely everything and want for nothing, or they are set in their ways and don't like to go out of their beauty box. My solution to this problem? Perfume. I know it seems weird because scent is such a personal item but I think for mom's - scent is the way to go. Either they have a signature scent (in which case - gift done!) or they never buy it for themselves but as a child you can guess what she might like.

So today I present you with the 3 best fragrances (in BGND's experience) for any mom on your list...

1) Chanel 5
THE classic. Timeless, beautiful and elegant. Many many moms swear by this and if they don't wear it now they may have in the past or always wanted to try it. An elegant multi-purpose and timeless scent.

2) Clinique Happy

Fruity, fun and floral. Inexpensive yet delicious. A great every day kind of perfume for any kind of mom. And you know if mom doesn't like the perfume she will like something at Clinique!

3) Angel by Thierry Mugler

Soft and sweet. Reminiscent of baby powder. This is a great perfume for a mom who likes a hint of scent but nothing too strong, musky or flowery.

So hopefully these three scents are a good place for you to start. But don't forget, perfumes are a super easy gift to return, they usually cost enough that Mom can get something else decent that she would prefer instead and if you want a product but don't want a perfume, there are scented lotions, powders etc in most fragrance lines.

Keep looking fabulous,
BGND

If you are shopping for...

Your good friend!

As we all get older, the whole gift giving thing gets a little into the gray area don't you think? We all have expenses and commitments and sometimes on top of the $ we are spending to travel far and wide for the holidays, there isn't a lot of cash left over for presents. And most of my friends are so busy this time of year, it is hard to even hand off a present if we have one for each other! Well regardless of gifts or no gifts we all love each other and don't need anything at this time of year other than our friendship. But sometimes if still feels good to give you know?

So... if you are out there with a little extra cash and looking to get something for a gal friend...here are my BGND approved selections.

Luxe Noir Bling Pocket Brush Set by Sephora - $12 (Sephora nationwide and online at Sephora.com)

I LOVE this little kit. It has all your brush essentials, is perfect for your purse or travel, comes in an awesome little case (available in three colors!) and it is Sephora- all for $12! True love!


Tarte Tres Cheek Limited Edition Mini Cheek Stain Set - $25 (Sephora nationwide and online at Sephora.com)Now this is a killer cosmetic gift. I love these cheek stains...as you loyal BGND readers know I have featured this cheek stain in a POTW before. Here you get three separate colors glammed up for the holidays in a fantastic gold clutch all for $25. (A full-size Tarte cheek stain goes for $28). Stylish and multi-faceted...true BGND!



Soap and Glory Scrub Triangle Mini Gift Set - $9.99 (Target Nationwide and Target.com)


Soap and Glory is so cute, so stylish and best of all- totally affordable. This cute little three pack has all you need for super soft skin and at such a discount that I recommend ditching the box it comes in and buying one of the many cute cosmetic clutches available at Target and throwing the items in there. Voila! An awesome pampering gift for under $20!

So readers, I hope this helps with your shopping dilemma of the week....

Keep looking fabulous,
BGND

If you are shopping for....

Hey all! So today I start a special holiday- themed blog series..."If you are shopping for..." Once again my brilliant friend Beth has come up with a great blog idea (you are the best Beth- keep them coming!!!). She suggested that I do a series of gift ideas for my readers...and I thought that was BRILL! So here you are ladies and gents, the first in the series!

So...

If you are shopping for....

Your lovely co-worker!

It is always awkward trying to get something for a co-worker. Do you just bake them cookies? Do you simply give them a card? Or do you go with the easy gift card route? Well today I suggest you hop on over to your local favorite store and mine - Sephora. They have about a million gift ideas and the one that caught my eye today?

Philosophy The Recipe Box - $18

Okay seriously - how cute is this little package? Philosophy is always tops when it comes to packaging and design and when you want to impress your co-worker and get her something she will swoon for but don't want to spend $50 then this is the way to go. You get three fabulous and yummy scents of Philosophy's 3 in 1 cleansers plus this adorable "recipe" box with recipe cards to mix and match the 3 scents. Love it!!

Now, if you want to spend a bit more and get even more into the holiday spirit....

Philosophy The Holiday Cookbook - $35

Here you get 6 instead of 3 seasonal scents and they come in a realistic sized "cookbook". SO cute!

Now if you don't think either of the above would be good for your co-worker...fear not, this is just the tip of the gift iceberg at Sephora. There are many many options to go round, a bunch of them under $25! Gotta love that. So get out there and get a little something to impress your cubicle mate and if you don't need (and/or want) to buy anything for your work neighbor- get one for yourself!

Keep looking fabulous!
BGND