If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

While I am an advocate of embracing your natural hair texture, especially if you’ve been blessed with naturally curly hair, I am also a fan of the infamous Spice of Life: variety.

And that, my friends, is why I did a little happy dance when I figured out how to straighten my curly hair in less than 30 minutes.

If you can’t see this video, click here to watch it on YouTube.

Products listed after the jump.

>> >> Continue reading How To Straighten Curly Hair – A Video

Posted in Be Beautiful - hair, makeup, skincare products Tagged: Drugstore.com, fantasia, flat iron, heat protection, how to straighten curly hair, john frieda, remington, smooth | 6 Comments »

Related post:LashBlast Saves Me From Great Lash Hell

SoHo store

Some people love Crocs.

Some people do not love Crocs.

And then there is me.

I have been on a personal crusade against Crocs since the first time I saw a grown woman step out into public with neon styrofoam on her feet.  I have said, repeatedly, that you we should be careful not to confuse packing material with shoes.  I have said, to anyone that will listen (and a few who would not), that we should stand up and demand more from our shoes.  Nay, from ourselves!

On my most recent visit to New York City, the only pair of shoes I came home with came from a Crocs store.

How does this happen?

>> >> Continue reading The review I never thought I’d write: Crocs. In public.

Posted in Womens Shoes Tagged: comfortable high heel shoes, comfortable women's shoes, YOU by Crocs, YOU by Crocs review | 19 Comments »

Want to win a Flip? Follow me on Twitter!

I recently participated in the Girlfriend Getaway Florida promotion for Chevy.  As part of that promotion, we were given a Camaro to drive and a Flip video camera so that we could make videos about our experiences with the car.  YAY!

Except?

I already have a Flip.

Yes, mine has less recording time than the brand spanking new one they gave me, but I’ve never had any complaints about what I’ve got.  And it seems awfully silly for me to have two Flips.

You see where this is going?

Yes, I’m going to give away the new Flip that was given to me.  The one that can record 120 minutes worth of video instead of 30.  The newer, shinier, slightly fancier version of the one I already have.  Because that’s how much I love you.

Well, OK, and because I want more people to follow me on Twitter.

What?  Yes. There are currently 2,987 people who follow @missbritt on Twitter.  I’d like to hit that magical 3,000 mark.  SO -

I’m going to bribe you to follow me on Twitter with the chance of winning a Flip video camera!

Here’s how it works.

To enter to win the brand new shiny Flip Video Camera:

1. Follow @missbritt on Twitter. (if you already do, good job! Move on to step 2.)

2. Tweet something with the hashtag #missbritt.  FOR EXAMPLE:

“I’m following @missbritt on twitter because she’s bribing me. #missbritt”

3. Each tweet counts as an entry. So, yes, you can tweet with the hashtag more than once. But, uh, I would probably advise you not to be too annoying with it because people will unfollow your ass for that kind of thing.

4. All tweets between right now and Monday at 9am EST with the hashtag #missbritt that come from an account that follows @missbritt will be entered into a random drawing.  Winner will be announced on Monday (hopefully!), so that I can bring the Flip with me to BlogHer if the winner is attending.  If you’re not attending BlogHer, I’ll ship it (but probably not until I get back.)

Good luck!!

(P.S. Like winning stuff?  If you live in Florida, you can enter to win your own girlfriend getaway by voting for me as your favorite Chevy Girl On The Go blogger.  Enter and vote here.)

Posted in Things That Are Female Tech Geeky Tagged: contests, flip, twitter | 4 Comments »

Waterpik Ultra Water Flosser

My grandmother died with all her own teeth. My mother will not be so lucky. I figure my odds are about 50/50. Last year, after having my teeth moved back into the places they have occupied since I got my braces off at 15 (who knew they’d move after all those years?), I began to have problems with my gums. Apparently it’s not unusual for this to start to happen after 40, but it’s way different when it happens to you.

The first thing out of my mouth was, “What can I do to fix it?” The answer my friends is the Waterpik.

I hadn’t seen one of these since the early 80s. I didn’t even know they still made them. They do, and I’m here to tell you that you really need to get one.

The newer models are more attractive and compact than I remember. Unfortunately they’re not much quieter. No matter, it’s only about two minutes. Oh, and I wish the reservoir held just a tiny bit more so I could do my entire mouth without having to add more water. But really those are my only two complaints.

Using the Waterpik takes more time than flossing, but I will never go back. My gums have improved dramatically and the only thing that changed was replacing floss with water.

The model I bought was $60 ($45 on Amazon). A small price to pay to keep my own teeth, I’d say.

Posted in Health and Fitness Products Tagged: gum care, oral care, teeth, water flosser, waterpik | 8 Comments »

The Madison Shirt

The perfect button down shirt is a wardrobe must-have and a shopping damn-near-impossible-to-find.

The trick is finding something that provides shape, fit and structure without gaping at the boobs.  Most button down shirts, in my experience, either gape at the boobs or hang straight down from your arm pits.

The Madison Shirt from New York & Company does neither.  It is, in my opinion, the perfect button down shirt – which is why I was completely justified in buying it in multiple neutral colors when I discovered it at the outlet mall last weekend.

Here’s what I’m looking for (and what I love about The Madison Shirt):

A side seam – if a button-down shirt doesn’t have a side seam, you’re not going to have any kind of “fit”.  In other words, you have no chance of appearing to have a waist.

A waist - that being said, a side seam doesn’t guarantee that the shirt is cut to go in at the waist.  Try the shirt on (or unfold it, lay it flat, and look at the actual shape of the shirt).  This slim cut also means the shirt can easily be tucked in to a skirt and won’t look bulky.

Structure in the front and shoulders - see those lines right below the model’s boobs?  These help make you look leaner and less blob-like.  Blob-like, to be clear, is not a good look on anyone.  I also think a buttoned down shirt should have some tailoring in the shoulders, but I think that’s because I have wide hips and a structure shoulder kind of helps balance me out.  If you have that same problem, I’d advise you to look for the same.

Crisp, quality fabric – it shouldn’t be see-through.  It shouldn’t wrinkle easily.  The Madison shirt is actually 60% cotton, 35% polyester and 5% spandex, which I’m sure some cotton purists would sneer at, but it’s comfortable and easy to care for, which is nice for those of us who live in the real world.

So, yeah.  The Madison shirt is my current favorite (and what I’m wearing today, actually, untucked with a black skinny belt over top of it).  You can get it at any New York & Company, and a few shades are on sale right now on their website.

Posted in In Style and In Fashion - Clothing and Accessories for Women Tagged: fit, new york and company, perfect white shirt | 2 Comments »

Related post:The Perfect Nail Polish If You Can’t Pull Off Black

You, too, can enjoy plunging necklines and backless dresses!

I was on the phone with my mom recently while I was shopping and mentioned to her that I was looking to pick up fashion tape.

“What’s that?” she asked.  I teased her a little, but wasn’t really surprised.  Fashion tape isn’t something I learned about from my mother, who prefers barefeet to pretty shoes.

That same day, I was in a well known lingerie store and asked the sales woman if they had any fashion or lingerie tape on hand.

“Is that the stuff that holds your boobs together?” she asked.

I had no idea how few women were familiar with (or consequently use, I imagine) fashion tape.

Ladies, allow me to introduce all of you to the magic of not having your bra strap hanging out.  And never again uploading pictures from your daughter’s birthday party only to find that you are flashing the camera in 90% of the photos.  Some varieties even claim to be able to hold a hem, but I’ve never tried that myself.

Fashion tape, also known as lingerie tape or flash tape, is basically double-sided tape.  Except this tape is strong enough to hold garments in place and delicate enough to stick to your body or garments without causing any damage.

Here’s how it works: you stick a piece of the tape to your bra strap, for example.  You then remove the backing from the other side of the tape, and press your shirt to the tape, ensuring that it stays just so until you remove the tape.  No more sliding, slipping or gaping!

Fashion tape can come in pre-cut strips, but I prefer it in a tape dispenser similar to what you buy your scotch tape in.  This lets me get exactly as much as I need and no more.

Finding fashion tape in a store can be tricky.  I bought my most recent roll from the lingerie department at Macy’s.  Check the lingerie section, near where they have those odd strapless water bras and such (you know what I’m talking about, or you will when you see it).

Online, try:

• Mini Flash Tape Dispenser – $7.99 from HerRoom
• Commando Double Stick Tape Matchbooks (pre-cut kind) – $10 from BareNecessities
• Gal Pal Everything Tape – $6.50 from Drugstore.com
• Fashion Forms Dress & Lingerie Tape with Dispenser $3 + shipping via Macy’s on Amazon (this is what I have, and I love it)

Fashion Tape Gift Idea: Get Outta Town Diva Kit – $34.99

Includes fashion tape, lint removers and other fashion-fixes to take on the road with you.

Posted in In Style and In Fashion - Clothing and Accessories for Women Tagged: accessories, fashion secrets, fashion tape, flash tape, keeping your bra straps in place, lingerie tape | 4 Comments »

My new favorite polish

I have a new favorite nail polish:

OPI’s Lincoln Park After Dark

It’s almost black, but not quite.  It’s a very, very, very deep purple and I absolutely love the way it looks on my toes.  It makes me feel like I’m pulling off something a little edgier than my normal red (which is OPI I’m Not Really A Waitress Red thanks to Becky) or pink (which is rare and only worn if I’m wearing pink or let my daughter pick out my polish.)  But it’s not actually black because actual black looks a little too “I cover my walls with my own poetry because my life is so hard.”

Some women can wear an actual black and look sexy.  I am not one of those women.  But Lincoln Park After Dark is, I daresay, sexy on me.

Of course, as luck would have it, my favorite new nail polish is damn near impossible to find.  Locally, I’ve only been able to purchase it at nail salons, including an open bottle I paid $8 for because it was the only way I could get my hands on it.  (My husband bought a sealed bottle the same day, unbeknownst to me, from another nail salon.)  Online, this particular color isn’t available at any of my usual haunts.  The only place I’ve been able to find it is Amazon – for about the same price once you throw in shipping.

Click here to buy Lincoln Park After Dark on Amazon.

PRO TIP: while searching for a bottle in my local mall, I came across Lincoln Park After Dark in matte.  This is not the same thing and I would not recommend this ever unless – well, no.  Ever.  Ew.

Posted in Be Beautiful - hair, makeup, skincare products Tagged: color, lincoln park after dark, nail polish, OPI | 6 Comments »

Related post:Nail Polish That Doesn’t Chip? Oh, yeah.

If you purchase a product “made” and/or endorsed by Lindsay Lohan, you deserve whatever happens to you.

I know this.  Anyone with common sense knows this.  And yet, I allowed the saleman with spiky hair at a Sephora in West Palm Beach convince me that Sevin Nyne Tanning Mist was a smart investment.  In my defense, Sephorais supposed to be more infallible than the pope, and he showed me how it works in the store. (The spiky haired salesman, not the pope.)  Plus, Sephora has the best return policy you can ask for, so I figured – what the hell?

Hell.  That’s a good word for the Sevin Nyne Tanning Mist experience.

>> >> Continue reading Sunless Tanners – and another reason to hate Lindsay Lohan

Posted in Be Beautiful - hair, makeup, skincare products Tagged: banana boat, Clarins, Drugstore.com, self tanning, self tanning lotions, Sephora, Sevin Nyne Tanning Mist, spray tan, sunless tanner, sunless tanners | 19 Comments »

Just looking at this makes me happy

Meet my precious: the Keurig coffee maker. The Mother’s Day gift I made my husband and son give me last year. Best gift I ever picked for myself, and trust me, I’ve picked a lot.

I was an avid coffee press person right up until the time my husband suddenly decided to start drinking coffee (what is up that, anyway?). The press became a huge pain because it only holds a couple of cups of coffee, so I would have to boil a second pot of water, clean out the press, etc. Really too much effort for a weekend (I wait for free work coffee during the week), don’t you agree?

Now, I had considered the Keurig before but since I was the only one drinking coffee the press was really ideal. But now that there were two (three if you count my son, who, inexplicably likes coffee) coffee drinkers in the house, this started to sound like a good idea. I could have my stronger coffee, and my husband could have the coffee equivalent of training wheels. And, my son could have a cup of decaf once in a while. Brilliant.

Let’s start with the obvious. This is a nice looking machine. It’s not huge; it probably takes up a bit less space than a conventional coffee maker. It’s slightly rounded in back rather than square so it fits nicely in a corner. The pan on the bottom, where the cup sits, comes out for cleaning and for tall travel cups.

There are three “strengths” you can choose for your cup. A small cup, which would be pretty strong, a medium (think Startbucks) and a tall. You’ll have to play around and try them all to see which suits you. Which is the beauty of the thing really. You can have one cup strong and the next a little mellower. Everybody gets exactly what they want every time with no compromises. I love it when I don’t have to compromise. It’s a little bit of Christmas and my birthday all rolled into one.

The other great thing is that you have many choices in coffee, from mild to bold, organic and not. You can mix and match so there’s something for every mood. Plus you can also get all kinds of tea and hot chocolate. Honestly though, I’m not a huge fan of the hot chocolate (at least the one that comes in the sampler you’ll get with the machine) because it is made with water rather than milk. But that’s a personal preference. And I see that Godiva makes a hot chocolate for the Keurig, so that’s an enticement for me to give it another try. You’ll find the most choice online at Keurig.com, but you can also buy the K-Cups (as they are called) at Bed, Bath & Beyond, Kohl’s, Target and other places. We buy a huge box of the Newman’s Own at BJ’s once a month. It has about 80 cups in it. You can also purchase a refillable cup to use your own coffee in, but to me that defeats the entire purpose because then you have to clean that thing.

Now, the cleanup. Ready? Just take the cup out and toss it. Done. Brilliant.

And the coffee? It is good. And hot. And takes only a few seconds to brew. The machine needs a minute to heat the water when you turn it on, but after that your cup of coffee is done in a flash.

Mother’s Day is coming up. So is Father’s Day. And bridal season. And your birthday. You can thank me later.

Posted in Food & Drink, Things For The Home Tagged: bridal shower gifts, coffee, coffeemaker, gifts, gifts for women, keurig, mothers day, wedding gifts | 5 Comments »

Imagine her face when she opens this

Finn here again. I’ve got a lot to say. Apparently.

I’m not hard to buy for—if you pay attention. But so many people just don’t. Or at least that don’t pay enough attention. Maybe they realize that I am a perfume whore (The more the merrier, I say and I’m not ashamed). What they don’t get is that just because I like fragrance it doesn’t mean I will like their favorite, which they will invariably assume, even if I didn’t say I liked it or even notice they were wearing any. And invariably that scent will be something sweet and delicate, which is NOT me at all and should be obvious to anyone who’s ever been in my presence.

But enough about me.

What I’m getting at is this: Unless you know for sure what your giftee likes perfume-wise, it really has been better just to refrain from giving that particular item.

Until now.

Sephora has the perfect solution:  Sephora Scent Samplers. It’s ingenious really. You buy the sampler, which includes a handful (7, 10 or 12 depending on the collection) of sample bottles of their bestselling fragrances. Once you’ve tried them all and decided on a favorite, you bring the enclosed voucher to your nearest Sephora store and redeem it for a full-sized bottle of your pick.

Easy-breezy and oh-so-cool. Plus, they have samplers for men, too.

A few caveats: You must redeem the voucher at a Sephora store; you can’t use it online. And it’s not valid for our Canadian friends unless they cross the border. Finally, there is always the chance that the recipient won’t like any of the available scents. But the included selection is diverse enough that the chance would be slim. Two of the collections have one scent that I’ve recently fallen in love with and I’m picky as hell.

Pricing on these are $50 for the Best Sellers or Deluxe samplers and $75 for the Collector’s Edition, which features seven miniature versions of the regular perfume bottles rather than the little sample packages. For men there are two versions, the Deluxe for $50 and the Collector’s Edition for $75.

I gave one these to both my brother and my dad for Christmas (they like cologne almost as much as do) and they loved it. Gift-giving WIN I tell you. Even my mother liked the idea and she’s a pain in the ass when it comes to gifts. Trust me, you’ll be a hero. Try it.

P.S. These are a great way to sample several fragrances and even save a few bucks on new scent if you’re in the market for yourself.

Maybe, just maybe, someone in my life will get the hint (anyone?) and buy me one of these babies. But they’re probably not paying attention.

Posted in top holiday gifts Tagged: cologne, fragrance, gift ideas, gifts, gifts for women, perfume, scent, Sephora | 5 Comments »