I want to be a lip gloss girl. Because shiny, glossy lips are sexy. However, leaving slimy lip prints on wine glass is not. Ew.

Sadly, I have probably a half a dozen (maybe more) partially-used tubes of gloss that I will never touch again because of the sticky factor.

So, naturally I was intrigued when I saw ads for Cover Girl Outlast Lip Stain. Maybe because it was Drew Barrymore in the ad (I have a girl crush on her)… But the main reason is that it promised to be a light, non-sticky, long-lasting lip color. And the colors looked amazing.

I ventured into my local Target today, and, on a whim, decided to try the aforementioned product. My lips are darker, so I opted for Cinnamon Smile and Sassy Mauve. Verdict: love!

The formula is not moisturizing, so I recommend Smith’s Rosebud Salve as a prep, but the color is saturated, lovely, yet natural. Hooray for Cover Girl! And you can’t beat the price.

boho bracelets from World Market

Just recently, my husband informed me that he prefers the “librarian Jody” over “hippie Jody” look. @#$%??!!! Since moving to Chicago from Atlanta, I’ve definitely adopted a more boho look than the super preppy look that was all the rage in the ATL back in the early 2000s. Empire waist, floaty tops, wide leg jeans, India-print inspired dresses. I love it all! Mr. C wears a self-imposed uniform every day, so I say he doesn’t get a vote.

So, when my friend Elizabeth sent me this link, I had to share. World Market has a fun jewelry section full of bold, ethnic pieces that suit my personal style to a “t.” I have a special fondness for really big cuff bracelets. (The photographer who works for my design firm likes to call me Wonder Woman when I wear them. Tee hee!)

These particular bracelets are lovely! Made in India with floral etching, these would be a lovely accent to a bohemian chiffon blouse or even a basic LBD. I’m not sure what the material is (probably brass), so if you have sensitive skin like I do, I’ll let you in on a little secret: buy moleskin and line the inside of the bracelet with it. Your skin will thank you.

But maybe not your husband. (Thumbs nose at Mr. C)

On Friday, I had a hot dinner date with my husband. It was his birthday and I was treating him to dinner at Alinea. For those of you who are into food, you know this a restaurant the caliber Chez Panisse or French Laundry – worthy of ditching my usual jeans and slipping into a dress.

I bought a sassy new dress for the occasion, but as I looked down at legs that hadn’t seen the light of day in a while, I knew I needed some help. In desperation, I went on an excavation mission in the bathroom to unearth a miracle beauty product. At the bottom of one of my “product baskets,” there it was: Burt’s Bees Radiance Lotion.

I had forgotten about this wonderful lotion. As I slathered it on, I noticed, immediately, that my skin looked healthier and the tone was more even. And a wee bit shimmery. Not I’m-a-teenager-on-a-glitter-binge shimmery, but just enough to make the gams seem a little “dressed up,” if you will.

Why the heck was it in the bottom of the bin?! Well, the consistency is much thinner than normal lotion and it has mica in it, which accounts for the subtle shimmer I noticed. Not your every day lotion, but for a special occasion, yowza! Definitely recommended.