Epicuren SPF 15: Lip Balm Heaven

My truly fabulous cousin gifted me this lovely tube of Epicuren Lip Balm upon my arrival in Colorado. Adorable, fabulous looking, and birthed at the Spa at Vail Mountain Lodge- I adored it instantly. With Tea Tree Oil and a cornucopia of other protective plant based ingredients protecting them from the wind and sun - my lips are truly the happiest they have ever been. Enjoy!

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Baume Ultra Riche Yeux from L'Occitane

That's "rich in Shea butter" for those of you who can't speak french. Oh wait I can't speak french either but along with the $32.00 you pay for this heavenly eye cream you'll also get the free french lesson included in each line of the packaging which is printed En Frances and English.

Minor point but my major point is this - L'Occitane's Ultra Rich Eye Balm is .5 ounces of heaven. I have always been sucker for eye treatments but this little jar of French heaven has convinced me that if I were forced to pick only one type of beauty product for the rest of my life it would be an eye product.

This is truly a balm delivering copious amounts of moisture with no irritation. Its thick cream spreads easily and seemingly flattens out the wrinkles around the eye instantly. As with most high quality products a very little bit goes a very long way. J'adore. Enjoy!

Full disclosure: this product was provided for free to me as an editorial sample by a PR company representing L'Occitane.

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Headed West for Winter Skiing? What to Wear.

I'm headed West for Christmas and though my location shall remain nameless (I vow two weeks of low-tech mountain time) I will clue you in on the deets of my favorite finds for winter weather. Sadly, I abandoned my small town alma mater Townsend Bertram and Co for zappos.com as I'm completely strapped for time.

These water-resistant Sorel Snow Angels have the traction to trek up any mountain and a cozy fleece lining. For $85.00 you really can't ask for much more. The Oakley (they make more than sporty sunglasses) Sister Pant is a low-waisted wide leg ski pant for only $100. I got hooked on the inviible thigh vents and the D-ring fastened to the waist line. Yes, I will be using that for my lift ticket.

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Travel with Jurlique: Carry-on Love Balm

There is no way the TSA will even contemplate confiscating this .5 oz tin of perfection. Jurlique's Love Balm instantly soothes rough dry patches. In an unwittingly brilliant move I put this in my makeup bag while packing for yesterday's flight. Midflight with my knees forcibly smashed into the seats in front of me I somehow yogini-ed my way towards the dry patches on both ankles and my right love handle with gobs of this Love Balm smeared over my index finger and it was instant (organic) relief. It's Beauty's SPOT travel must from now on. Enjoy!

Full Disclosure: Jurlique sent this to me for free months and months ago.

Posie Tint by Benefit: Product Rave from Sarah Tattoo

Another review from one of my favorite, fierce females - Sarah Tattoo.

Benefit has wowed me once again, touting both the titles of all natural and incredibly user friendly. As you take in the bottle it seems a bit intimidating, appearing as though the contents are either neon pink or nail polish. It *is* packaged just like a bottle of nail polish, and upon opening one discovers a tiny brush applicator! What appears to be a shocking shade of bright pink Poppy actually goes on sheer, weightless, and majorly natural. I have to admit that my expectations were low as I'm multi-cultural and usually blushers in shades of daring pink simply just don't work with my skin tone, but I'm happy to report that this added just the right pop of color to the apples of my cheeks, and is layer-able for whatever your little heart desires. Available in Posietint (poppy pink), and Benetint (rose). Enjoy!

Full Disclosure: some PR company or another gave this to me for free sometime last year. I can't remember who. I then gave it to Sarah for free along with a bag of other goodies from the beauty closet.

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Best ChapStick for Frigid Weather and Sore Lips

Yesterday my lips gave in and developed their own bright red liner. Not the lovely liner that comes from the perfect application of my most favorite Estee Lauder lip pencil, but the irritated flaky mess that arrives annually at the very same moment when the thermometer drops below 35. Luckily for me the beauty closet was packed with and handful of True Shimmer Chapsticks. I adore them!

The Botanical Berry and Blended Fruit Sherbet are my favs. My girlfriend is over at the moment I stopped doing my makeup twice to make her smell them. Full disclosure: Chap Stick (or their PR company - I can't remember which) sent me these. But at a few dollars a pop, everyone can afford this beauty. The website is also super fun. Enjoy!

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Mother Nature Fetes Opening of The Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe

One wonders how The Ritz-Carlton could charm mother nature into a perfectly timed winter storm complete with a remarkable 30 inches descending on the peaks of Northern California to fete the location's grand opening. If you have been charmed, as I have, by one of the R-C's 71 illustrious properties - you know the answer is, easily. Mother Nature and mortal lovers of beauty and refinement alike adore the Ritz-Carlton.

Following five years of design, construction and development phases, The Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe opened mid-mountain in Northstar-at-Tahoe resort this week. “This is truly a first of its kind experience for North Lake Tahoe” said Allen Highfield, General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton resort. “It has been incredibly exciting to see the final details fall into place, the training of the Ladies and Gentlemen and their enthusiasm to welcome our first guests.” The Ritz-Carlton has created over 350 jobs this year in Northern California, providing highly respected hospitality jobs and excellent training.

Simon F. Cooper, President and Chief Operating Officer for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. personally joined Allen Highfield for the cutting of the ceremonial ribbon and the welcoming of the first guest. “Lake Tahoe has always been a destination known for its pristine natural beauty and skiing, now it will also be known as home to a world-class resort,” said Cooper. “The arrival of our brand and the opening of The Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe further enhances the guest‘s service experience at Northstar-at-Tahoe.”

The Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe is the first new-build resort development in the Lake Tahoe area in decades. Anticipated to be the premier Northern California contemporary mountain retreat, the $300 million project, situated mid-mountain in the Northstar-at-Tahoe ski area will feature ski-in, ski-out access with mountain concierge services.

The Highlands Spa is a 17,000 square foot spa and fitness center with treatments and therapies themed around water and the woods. The new Highlands Gondola also opens today and will connect guests between the nearby Village-at-Northstar and The Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe resort. Perched slope-side within a 15 minute drive of both Lake Tahoe and the historic town of Truckee, the year-round destination includes 170 guest rooms, 23 private Ritz-Carlton Residences and 25 Ritz-Carlton Destination Club residences. Sign. Me. Up. Enjoy!

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Calling it! Metallic Bag Trend With Michael Kors and Carlos Falchi

L'Oreal gave me this divine Carlos Falchi Shopping Tote back in September and though I was originally lackluster about its bluster I have grown to A-dore it! Not only is the cheery floral lining divine but the internal organization and magnetic closure are sturdy and well designed. I also happened to catch Tia Williams sporting it and was instantly in love. Check out more of the dreamy vision that is Carlos Falchi hand bags.

Now Michael Kors and Lucky Magazine have teamed up on this equally shinny, also divine bag. Though I have no personal experience with the bag, it's beauty is stunning. I'm feeling a trend coming on....

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Oh How I've Missed You! Dior Shadow, Liz Earle & Kiehl's!

November being the shittiest month of the latter part of my twenties, I haven't had much to say. I like this to be a place of beauty and between the completely unattractive behavior that's been decking the halls of my workplace and nearly every ex-boyfriend becoming engaged or knocking someone (else) up I've been entirely at loss for anything beautiful to say. Onward - to the most beautiful thing I've said all month: Thank God November is over.

Onto December, month of light, love, and all things most beautiful. Here for your complete and utter sensory pleasure are the little treats I can't live without during this season of Mirth and Merriment.

Dior Shadow Brow Styler: Every chic city gal needs this. A little length in your brow adds Audrey-like glamour to any day or evening look and this brilliantly bright little pencil from Dior is to die for. Allure Mag sent it to me and I agree with them.... You must!

Liz Earle SuperSkin Bust Treatment: If your girls get dry and dull in the winter a little lovin from Liz Earle will perk them right up. Liz sent me this glorious gift for Christmas and I'm totally smitten. The package claims this luxe, earthy cream will "plump, smooth, and firm skin around the bust decolletage" and after a full month of faithful use, I have to agree. Enjoy! (Check out all the Liz Earle products I CAN NOT live without - totally a Beauty's SPOT top five brand!)

Kiehl's Imperial Body Balm: The lovely ladies at Kiehls gave me this new body balm back in September so when that oddly terse patch of skin appeared on my tummy (as it does annually when the thermometer drops below 50) I knew just where to go. Russians know cold and this balm is based on Russian herbal remedies. So amazing. The only thing that will literally squelch that sleep disturbing, itchy winter skin. You MUST!


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The Lucky Guide to Mastering Any Style + North Carolina

A few weeks back Lucky Magazine welcomed Beauty's SPOT as one of only 100 Alpha Shoppers. We are highly honored to be part of such an elite group. As a welcome gift the gals at Lucky sent this adorable book, The Lucky Guide to Mastering Any Style. Each look (American Classic, Gamine, bohemian, etc) is accompanied by a shopping guide with various stores that support each style. North Carolina being the land of boat shoes and straight men who regularly wear pastel colored pants it wasn't completely shocking to see a boutique with locations in Raleigh and Wilmington supporting the Shopping Guide to the American Classic look. What was shocking was that there wasn't' a boat shoe in sight on Beanie + Cecil's website. With brands like Tibi and Catherine Maldrino (and a solid denim collection) I'll have to make a point to stop by. Have you girls been there? Thoughts?