December 2, 2016

The personalized planner you need, Rita Hazan's precise way to cover grays and how to make your own moisturizer (if you really want to).

You need this personalized planner (and we’re giving one away!)

There’s no arguing that we live in a digital age. Frankly, I don’t know how I would coordinate my schedule, my son’s schedule and my husband’s schedule without iCal. But I do miss the days of my paper-based planner—a lot. Then I got an email from the publicist who handles Blue Sky, a stationery company that specializes in customized planners and notebook. I immediately took her up on her offer to design my own, but I’ll admit I wasn’t quite sure how I was going to use it.

Then I had an idea one night while I was picking out an outfit for the next day—and trying to remember what I wore the last time I saw a particular group of friends. I was going to use my planner to keep track of what I’ve worn and what I want to wear to upcoming events! (Truth be told, I used to keep a list of what I wore in high school so I wouldn’t repeat an outfit.)

Since 2017 isn’t here just yet, I have a list of outfits from the last few months.

I used the note pages for ideas.

I even added pockets in the event I need to stash something securely—extra buttons, maybe?

Of course I had to go next level with stickers. (No, I didn’t make a special trip to get these—I picked them up in my travels.)

2016 hasn’t been a great year for me, so I’m definitely looking forward to a fresh start. And thanks to this planner, my outfits with always be fresh, too! Want to make your own Blue Sky planner or notebook for FREE? Post a photo of your fashion organization hack on our Facebook page, and we’ll send one lucky lady a promo code. And even if you don’t win, everyone is a winner tomorrow through Monday, because Blue Sky is offering 30% off everything on their website. It’s the perfect time to gear up (and stock up) for 2017!

The new precise way to cover grays

I’ve been highlighting (or bleaching) my hair since I was 13, so it’s no shock that I haven’t seen my natural hair color in decades. But after going dark a few months ago, it was a shock to learn that I had a few gray hairs. Fortunately they don’t require major intervention or the need to adhere to a strict color schedule, but sometimes I’d like to hide them (at least temporarily). Root touch-up sprays and powders aren’t called for just yet, so that’s why I’m into Rita Hazan’s new Root Concealer Touch Up Stick.

Similar to the many chubby makeup pencils you probably already have, this cream-based root concealer makes it easy to place color exactly where you want it (rather than all over). Perfect for around the hairline because it also helps control those baby hairs, this stick also works wonders for brows. I am emphatically anti-brow-coloring after trying it once with disastrous results, but this multitasker both covers grays and keeps unruly brows in place. (I haven’t noticed any gray brows—yet—but I’ll be ready when I do.)

The holiday season is about to hit full tilt, so it may be hard to squeeze in a salon visit. But with this stick you can stretch the time between color appointments and no one will be the wiser!

If you’ve ever wanted to make your own moisturizer, now you can!

It’s obviously a big cooking week, so why not whip up something for your skin while the Thanksgiving turkey is cooking? It’s a lot easier than you think with the Ktchn Apothecary Facial Moisturizer Kit…

Delivered to your door with everything you need to cook up your own face cream—including organic aloe, organic beeswax, oats, a facial oil blend and all the tools—you’d be surprised how fast and simple it is.

To get started, you sterilize the beaker, jar and whisk with the included alcohol pad. Then, bring a little water to a boil and get ready to mix… The beeswax and facial oil are the first to go in and whisked together until the beeswax melts. Once you add the aloe and see everything’s combined, you remove the beaker from the water and pour in the oats. From there, you continue to whisk for about a minute and then you’re done! Ktchn Apothecary gives you a few suggestions that can help you create a silkier or firmer cream, but regardless of consistency, you’re left with a super-moisturizing all-natural skincare treat.

There’s something comforting about knowing exactly what’s in your moisturizer—and it’s definitely rewarding to know you made it yourself! This DIY moisturizer kit makes a great gift for anyone who's into beauty this holiday season, but at the very least pick one up for yourself if you’re in the mood to make something other than food in the kitchen!