Tan Time

My hair stylist Terry is an excellent salesman. He sat me down in his chair on Friday, held his handsomely bronzed forearms up on either side of my face and said “Oh look, an Oreo!”

Low blow Terry, low blow.

Especially since I once went by the nickname Leigh Tan. I’ll admit that the overcast skies of Washington have forced me to accept that I am a white girl but an Oreo?

Needless to say, I walked out of the salon with a fresh trim, summery blonde highlights and a bottle of Fake Bake.

Well played Terry, well played.

Lucky for him, this is the best sunless tanner I’ve used. I put it on before I went to bed and woke up with a streak-free bronzed glow. Even better, there is none of that fake-tan stinky odor that every other sunless tanner I’ve ever used has. My husband the blood hound always busts me when I’m fake tanning because he can smell it on me, even hours after it’s been applied. But Fake Bake must be practically odorless because my hubby never said a word.

The product comes with a velour mitt to help buff on the bronzing liquid. The directions say to spray the mitt then rub it on, but I sprayed the formula directly onto my skin then waxed on, waxed off with said mitt. I didn’t have a streak or splotch anywhere and my elbows and knees matched perfectly with the rest of my body.

One bottle of Fake Bake can easily last a few weeks and is about the cost of one professional spray with comparable results. Plus you don’t have to give yourself a tip unless you want to.

I have a flawless tan and I don’t stink. What more can a girl ask for on a hot summer day?

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Sale Picks of the Week

Listen up because the information that I’m about to impart upon you is crucial to online bargain brand-name shopping—Nordstrom posts new markdowns on a ton of merchandise every Tuesday—anywhere from 30-60% or more off the original price. You’ll quickly learn that I am a very loyal Nordstrom customer, not just because I was once a loyal employee but also for these and many other reasons:

1. Free shipping and free returns all the time. When you purchase online a lot like I do, both-way free shipping is critical.

2. They price match. Find an item for a better price somewhere else? Call customer service and they’ll match the competitor’s price. This is how I scored an awesome pair of $175 Sam Edelman leopard pumps for $60. Dillards had an online shoe sale but didn’t have my size. I called Nordies and soon had my killer shoes.

3. They price adjust. Just buy something full price only to see it marked down a few days later? Nordstrom will credit the difference back to you no questions asked. This has worked in my favor several times, most recently yesterday when I noticed the pair of cropped white Citizens I ordered last week was marked down from $179 to $99.90. I called immediately and in less than a minute my purchase price was adjusted to reflect the sale price.

4. No statute of limitations on returns. Most stores have a 30, 60 or 90 day return policy. At Nordstrom, you can return something a year after purchasing and receive a full-credit refund. Not that I return stuff a year later, but ever find something in your closet that you haven’t worn, realize you never will and purchased exactly 91 days ago? It’s nice to know you’re not stuck with your bad purchase.

I could go on but I think I’ve justified my devotion. So be sure to add “check out Nordstrom sale” on your Tuesday to-do list because you never know what you’ll find.

Here are my top sale picks for this week:

I bought this top back in May, about five weeks after the birth of my second son. It was a splurge (I paid full price), but I loved it. The forgiving cut made me feel cute, comfortable and fashionable. The online review that is posted is bad but frankly, the person is wrong. It is the luxurious soft knit that Ella Moss is known for and looks awesome with my high-waisted skinny J Brands and is a steal at only $69.90.

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I ordered these several weeks ago when they were first marked down. They are a good basic that can be dressed up or down. Normally I prefer ankle-length skinnies because they can be worn unrolled with flats and don't bunch when worn with boots, but at $99.90, I couldn't pass these up. I have a feeling that these will be in my wardrobe for years to come because they are just that kind of go-to jean that we've come to expect from Sevens.

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This dress was such an amazing deal that I couldn't pass it up! $29.97 for a dress that was orignally priced at $78? Yes please! The picture doesn't do this dress justice and I was really pleased to find that it is much much cuter in person. The print is bold and beautiful and if paired with a black patent skinny belt, would be even cuter. I wore mine to church on Sunday with some turquoise flat sandals and gold jewelry and looked pretty put together, if I do say so myself.

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Last but not least, I thought I'd throw in a pair of shoes for good measure. I love shoes. I especially love heels, but I've come to learn that 5 inch stilettos, golf courses and babies are just a bad combo. But wedges, well wedges are bit different...steadier for one thing. These are so far the only heeled shoes I've bought all spring. I got them several months ago from Dillards when they did a shoe sale. I've worn them a few times and they are cute, comfy and versatile. Now they're on sale at Nordies too for only $48.90! Yay!

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As with most sale items, sizes are limited so if you see something you like, order quickly. But if your size is sold out, keep checking back. I've noticed that sizes become available again all the time.

One last thing: If you haven't already, go to ShopAtHome.com, register and download their toolbar. You'll begin receiving cash back on most online purchases. It is free and takes no extra work because once the toolbar is installed it automatically captures all qualifying purchases. I get a check in the mail every couple months. See? It pays to shop!

PS--Right now at Nordstrom you get 10% back on purchases. Happy shopping!

Must-have Makeup

This is my first blog post and I thought I would start out with a couple of new makeup products that I recently discovered and ELL-OH-VEE-EE!

I am a big big fan of cosmetics, both high and low end. I rarely leave the house without a full face of makeup. It just seems unfair to those who have to look at me! I think that if 10 minutes of applying makeup each morning makes you look and feel better about yourself, then do it! Who couldn't benefit from a little concealer and gloss? And in my case, foundation, blush, bronzer, liner, shadow, mascara...you get the picture.

I am always on the lookout for the next great thing when it comes to cosmetics. I buy and try any time something new comes out that promises results and more often than not, I am disappointed, but hey, nothing ventured nothing gained!

I have been using Bare Minerals for my face makeup for probably close to a decade now and have never found anything that I've liked better. Last week however, I decided to give beauty balm a try. It is all the rage here recently though it's been used in Asia forever. After reading reviews of several different beauty balms, I opted for this one by Too Faced.

My expectations were low, which always helps but WOW!!! This stuff is awesome! It promises to enhance, protect, nourish, prevent and perfect and so far, so good! It contains an SPF 20 and oil-free moisturizers. It looks like liquid foundation but I apply it liberally all over my face like I do my facial moisturizer. My skin immediately glows and looks really even--I do not have an even skin tone. Those who do could probably skip foundation altogether with this product, but I apply a quick dusting of my Bare Minerals foundation and Voila! My skin looks amazing! Best of all, it hasn't made me break out and I've been using it daily for a week so I think I'm safe. It is $32--well worth it if you ask me. Has anyone tried this? What do you think?

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Up Next-- Bronzer!!!

I wear bronzer year-round. I don't care that I don't see the sun for weeks during the winter here. I truly believe in my heart of hearts that there is never an inappropriate season to look like you've just returned from St. Tropez, even if you've only just returned from Wal-Mart.

Again, I've used Bare Minerals in Warmth as my go-to bronzer forever. I've always felt that it looked a bit red on me but anything else I've ever tried has just made me look dirty, which is even worse.

This months' Allure Magazine Editor's Pick featured Custom Color Bronze by Stila and I was intrigued enough by it's promise to customize itself to fit my complexion that I had to give it a try.

I was pleasantly surprised! This bronzer adjusts with your skin tone to give you the perfect bronzed glow. There's a teeny tiny bit of shimmer--just enough that it's not matte. Finally!! Not red, not dirty! Definitely a must for bronzer lovers like myself.

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