Mother's Day Gift Ideas
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Mother’s Day is fast approaching and here are some fabulous gift ideas!
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Fab Four April 2020
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Here is my line up of the Fab Four products for the month of April.
Since we are all witnessing a time in our recent history unlike any other, I think that these four products address our current needs, from boosting our immunity to treating our constantly washed hands, to giving some TLC to our sleep deprived eye area, to pampering the skin on our bodies.
I have been taking this supplement for many months and I love it. It’s a lemon lime tasting effervescent dose of eight greens that you could never get any other way. Developed by cancer survivor, Dawn Russell, each 8 Greens tablets contains spinach, wheatgrass, kale, blue green algae, spirulina, chlorella, barley grass and aloe vera, which contribute to strengthening immunity, something we all want and need right now. In addition, these greens oxygenate your body, alkalize your ph level, clear your skin and give you a sense of well being. And that is more than enough for me!
With all the hand washing we are doing, it’s no wonder that many of us are left with weakened nails and cracked skin. Thank goodness for this hand cream by Deborah Lippmann. It seals in moisture and nourishes the cuticles, essential for healthy and happy nails. What’s more, as we take more walks outside, the SPF 25 will protect our hands from the sun’s harsh rays. Your hands will be so grateful you thought of them with this cream!
I was sent this eye cream by Eighteen B to try on my delicate and sensitive eye area. This eye cream made good on all of its promises…no wonder I am literally scraping the jar clean, as I get ready to order a new one. Made with B silk proteins, this eye cream helps to fade dark circles and reduce puffiness, both of which I experience. It also has a rich texture that doesn’t move throughout the day, and serves as a great foundation to my concealer. Moreover, all the ingredients used in Eighteen B products are vegan and EWG certified which means it is chemical free. I am making the transition to clean beauty with this eye cream! If you order now, you will receive 20% off your order. Enter code 18BFABULOUS at the checkout.
Making the transition to clean beauty is easily accomplished with products like this body scrub by Michelle Aspinwall’s A Skin line. 100% natural is what this scrub is about, and you can almost taste the ingredients once you open the jar. Michelle’s products are home made, literally…she makes everything at home!!
I have been using Michelle’s body scrubs and body butters consistently for months, and they leave my skin moisturized, soft and glowing. You definitely need to pamper your skin with this jar of heaven, then follow up with one her amazing body butters!! Her entire line of skincare is wonderful and you can check it out here.
As a bonus, Michelle is offering a discount of 15% off your purchases! This is an amazing deal and one worth taking advantage of, since these also make wonderful gifts. Enter code SPRING15 at the checkout.
Fab Four March 2020
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The Fab Four line up for March 2020 is here! From hair supplements to self tanners and highlighters, I have you covered.
Read MoreFab Four January 2020
/Here is my line up for the start of 2020! Each of these products are my faves for the start of the new month, new year and new decade!
CBD oil is all the rage right now. It is added to face creams and used as medicinal remedies for everything from skin irritations to arthritic joints, which is how I use this oil. This product has the most concentrated amount of CBD oil at 1000mg. I use it daily on my arthritic thumb joints and it provides me with instant relief!
Here is a retinoid serum that actually works! How do I know this? Because I can feel the results. Yes, you read that correctly…my skin feels softer and smoother the morning after, than it did the night before! That’s because it delivers 6.5% retinoid blends and botanicals, one of which is blue green algae which is a hot topic in skin care these days. Sunday Riley is a very popular brand, and for good reason. This product should be added to your night time regimen, at least twice a week.
Odacité serum concentrate eye contour is one of the best serums I have tried in a long time. One of the reasons this product won me over is the cool (literally) silver ball applicator. You can feel its cooling effect from the very first second that you glide it around the eye contour area. It brightens and moisturizes the eye instantly, providing a wonderful surface for your favorite eye cream.
Clean beauty is the catch phrase that is catching on with me. Tata Harper is one of the most popular Clean Beauty companies in the world. Made with high quality ingredients sourced from all over the world with an eye to being environmentally responsible, Tata Harper’s products are all naturally bottled in pretty green recyclable jars, with the batch number etched on the bottom so that you can trace its freshness. This particular moisturizer does what it says: it moisturizes and illuminates, and it does it fabulously! I used it throughout my vacation and was thrilled with the results!
Five Fab Gift Ideas
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When looking for gifts this year, why not think outside the proverbial “gift” box? I did some scouring and curated these five fab gifts for you to consider giving to that special someone. Whether you are looking for a hostess gift or something for your bestie, I have you covered. And at the end of your shopping day, you could even treat yourself to one of these…I promise I won’t tell! All of these gifts are available at Bloomingdales.
First up is this trip of lip colors by Armani. With unbelievable staying power, these colors glide on with a satiny smooth finish. They come in three beautiful colors: nude, pink and red…you might decide to keep them for yourself!
Next up is another cosmetic: The By Terry Starlight Rose Glow Booster CC Cream (a real tongue twister), but a must have glow booster to use under you foundation or tinted moisturizer for a real shimmery glow.
Angela Caglia is considered to be the esthetician to the stars. She has elevated the rose quartz face roller, with this beautiful vibrating version. With 6,000 sonic pulsations to the minute, you will be able to tone and tighten with every roll. And the beautiful rose gold handle is très chic. Battery operated.
Here is a gift that is multi purposeful….knit a fabulous looking scarf with this fool proof knitting kit by Loopy Mango. Now that’s a great gift!
Give the hostess with the mostest, this chic and beautiful tea set by Vadham Teas, it smells as good as it looks!
Fab Four of The Month
/It’s been a while, but here is my Fab Four Roundup for this month:
I have been using this Micro Exfoliatng Face Roller by Stacked Skincare for quite a while. I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to share it with you. It is easy to use, and is fast and efficient. Just roll it all over your face, one time through. The teeny tiny needles exfoliate your skin like nothing else. Use it 3 times per week for the best results.
Clean it in rubbing alcohol for 2 minutes and let air dry.
Maple Holistics approached me to review this conditioner. If I am presenting it here, you know that it is tried and true. This product added luster and body to my hair. It gave it movement and shine. What’s more, it has an incredible fragrance that lasts beyond the shower. This conditioner gets the Fabulesley seal of approval! Enter MAPLEFUN to receive 15% off your order.
Here is the daytime eye cream of my dreams! Natura Bissé has won me over with it’s new eye cream. Not only does it hydrate the delicate and dry areas of your eye, but it does double duty by concealing them as well!
Many people I know are adding collagen to their daily regimen, and I have jumped on this band wagon. This powder is completely flavorless. I add it to my tea each morning. I have only been using it for about 8 months, and I am liking the results!
Fab Four: April
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OXO Good Grips Spiralizer
The Spiralizer is the greatest kitchen gadget yet! I bought it last week when I decided to cook up Cod Arabiata, and substitute the spaghetti with zucchini noodles! It worked like a charm. If you don't already own one, you should!!
Illuminage Pillow Case
I received this pillow case as a hostess gift and I love it! Loaded with lots of copper oxide, it is proven to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in up to 4 weeks. I love the way it feels against my skin and hair. It was one of the best gifts I ever received!
NeuBrow Eyebrow Enhancer
If you're like me, you have begun to experience thinner eyebrows that are more sparsely filled. Years of waxing and tweezing in the 80's and 90's have left my eyebrows a much lackluster version of the thick ones I left behind in my youth. Since fuller eyebrows are more youthful and on trend, I have decided not to thread (that's the hair removal of choice for my eyebrows), until they grow in a bit. To help with this process, I tried the NeuBrow eyebrow enhancer. It works!! I tried every oil on the market from castor to almond, but this concoction is simply the best. Easy to apply, I use it morning and night and fill them in with powder for some definition and shape.
Veil Primer by Hourglass
The Veil Primer by Hourglass goes on so softly and smoothly, you won't want to keep your hands off your face...but you must! This is a primer with SPF, (it contains Titanium and Zinc Oxide), that acts as a veil, (hence the name), for your skin. It minimizes pores and maintains the look your makeup or tinted moisturizer for hours.
Fab Four: March
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The Mist by La Mer
I love this product, which freshens my skin and leaves it glowing. It can be used under or over makeup or simply whenever your skin is feeling like it could use some instant moisture. Infused with La Mer’s famous broth, I always feel as though I am nourishing my skin in the process. It won’t harm your makeup and promises to leave it dewy and fresh.
Bobbi Brown Brush Cleaning Spray
I cannot begin to tell you how important it is to maintain clean makeup brushes. As a nurse, I have seen my fair share of infections and if there is one way to avoid an eye infection or skin breakout, it is by cleaning your brushes after use.
The Beachwaver
I love the look of beachy waves. I had been using a regular curling iron until I discovered the Beachwaver. The difference is the barrel size and heat-protective coating. I will admit that I do not use the clamp and turn option of this device; I simply wrap my hair around the wand, which I hold for 15-20 seconds and then slide it out. And presto… beachy waves! It makes a fabulous gift, too!
Quinoa Crisps
I discovered these delicious chips at a market in New York and was instantly addicted. Only 120 calories a serving, they are the perfect guilt free snack!
Fab Four: February
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Here is my round up of four fabulous items for the month of February. From powdered tea to a fabulous lip oil treatment, there is something here for everyone!
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Fab Four November
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November and December are typically jammed with invitations for dinners and brunches. Never one to arrive empty handed, I am always looking for great hostess gifts. Here are some of the hostess gifts that I received this year that are my absolute favorites!
Read MoreFab Four October
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People have been complimenting me on skin recently. I can only attribute it to the two big changes I have made to my skincare routine.
Read MoreFab Four: September
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My friend, Isabel Madison, loved the look of a nude lip but couldn’t find the perfect shade for herself. So she did what any beautiful, smart and ambitious woman would do; she went out and developed her own line of Nude Lipsticks. Nude Envie comes in a array of nude shades and I guarantee you will find your perfect match. I personally love “Rush,” but I have a lot of natural color in my lip, so this one was perfect for me. On days where I just want to look like I have something on my lip, I will swipe “Pure,” and feel like I have dressed them in a very sheer and natural way. There is a universal liner that goes with every color. These colors are a must for every woman who wants to look polished but not “made up!” Brava Isabel!
Drybar DetoxDry Shampoo for Brunettes
I have always shied away from dry shampoo because of how the white powder residue shows up on my dark hair. Now that I have the problem of grey roots, this dry shampoo does double duty. It freshens my hair between shampoos, and covers the grey!
SC Cheesecakes
Like many of you I have a terrible sugar addiction. I have to shy away from it completely, or I will overindulge. My nutritionist, Susan Cohen, turned me on to these little treats for those desperate times when I need something sweet but do not want to start dipping into dangerous territory. Each little cake comes individually packaged with its own spoon, is 95 calories and only 4.5 grams of sugar. I took these to the Hollywood Bowl and handed them out to my dinner companions for a lower calorie dessert indulgence. The reviews are in….FABULOUS!
Robanda Anti Aging Hand Treatment
I found this hand cream at a local beauty supply store (La Peer Beauty Supply), and am I ever glad that I did. I keep one in the house and one in the car. It is treated with Retinol, the anti oxidant, Emblica and Broad Spectrum SPF 15 sunscreen. It is both moisturizing and has a pleasant fragrance. What I like most is the fact that it is protecting my hands from further sun and environmental damage while moisturizing and improving their look immediately.
Fab Four
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This is the best thing I have found thus far to conceal and brighten the under eye area. It's miraculous!
This is the only way to perfectly roast a chicken.
Common makeup mistakes that age us!
This brilliant invention by Kristin Wald, will take the gymnastics out of your shower shaving experience.
Summer Reads
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Stir
by Jessica Fechtor
At twenty-eight, Jessica Fechtor, a vibrant, intelligent and athletic young woman suffered a brain aneurysm while jogging on a treadmill. This beautifully written book is the author’s personal account of her illness and how she ultimately healed herself through her deep love of cooking, The book is filled with personal stories and recipes that helped her to recover from this life threatening illness.
by Dr. Michael Levi
As a child, Michael Levi’s revered UCLA coach and legend, John Wooden. As fate would have it, years later, Dr. Levi, a Los Angeles podiatrist, treated Coach Wooden in his home every Wednesday. This book is a delightful and warm-hearted read, proving that if you follow your dreams and work hard, anything is possible.
by Lauren Groff
Lauren Groff’s creative and uniquely written novel delves into every corner of a twenty-four year marriage of two complex individuals. Its uniqueness lies in how secrets rather than truth kept it alive.
by Dalia Sofer
This is a well crafted story of how one family is torn apart during the Iranian revolution, and their incredible journey back to each other.
I have many close Persian friends and now family members. This novel helped me to better understand their experience after the fall of the Shah, and how dangerous and difficult it must have been to live through that.
Fab Four: July
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This little travel size bottle is a real problem solver for removing wrinkles after clothes have been sitting inside your suitcase. Just a few spritzes, tugs and smoothing of the fabric and that top or dress is as good as new!
Why spend a fortune on bath products when these products will give you the same result for less than half the cost of their competitors. I soak in these nightly. They smell divine and are soothing and relaxing.
The days of having salad stuck between your teeth are over, thanks to these easy to carry Floss Singles. Developed By Dr. Ken Nussen, these are a must-have item to carry in your makeup bag, purse, or car!
Trust me when I tell you that I have tried every mascara known to mankind. This one, by Benefit, is simply the best; it lengthens, separates and adds volume in just a few strokes. Best of all, you will not find it smudged under your eye. It wipes clean with regular eye makeup remover (I use Neutrogena). Enough said!
Fab Four for Father's Day
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Here is my roundup for some Fabulous Father's Day Gifts
1) Whether he is an expert at the BBQ or a novice, this set is perfect! Jeff loves his!
William Sonoma Grill Tools and Accessories Kit
2) These headphones are perfect for use on the plane, at home or in the gym. They are my favorite!
3) This gift is the perfect travel companion for the neat freak...
4) Who doesn't want to slide their feet into these?
Fab Four for May
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While staying at my parents’ home in the desert last month, I found this body wash in my Mom’s shower. To my delight it smelled great, lathered up well, and was moisturizing. The best thing of all is that it costs $5. To me this is a Fab Find!
Dr. Dana Nail Renewal System
For as long as I can remember I had long, healthy nails. When I reached my mid-40’s, they began to peel and chip easily. Over the course of time I have wrapped them in silk, fortified them with nail strengtheners, and moisturized them with cuticle creams, all to no avail. I recently discovered Dr. Dana’s Nail Renewal System and could not believe how it transformed my nails from dry and peeling into healthy and lustrous. All of this was achieved without the use of nail polish. I have started to use it once a week in between my manicures and it has already made a huge difference.
Benefit – Gimme Brow Eyebrow Gel
During my last visit to New York, Serena took me to the Benefit Brow Bar, where she goes to get her brows groomed. I had always been curious about the Benefit cosmetics line and here was my opportunity to explore. While waiting for Serena, I asked one of the beauticians which eyebrow products she recommended. She looked at my eyebrows and noticed that they looked “crunchy” in other words that the gel I was using was unnatural looking and far too thick. She suggested that I try the Gimme Brow Gel by Benefit and she began to comb my eyebrows with it. The transformation was instant and I am now hooked on this product! It fills in the spaces and keeps them in place, while feeling soft and natural. This is definitely a Fab Find.
Little White Lie
This past week I had the pleasure of hearing filmmaker Lacey Schwartz speak at a Jewish Federation Luncheon. Lacey wrote and produced a documentary entitled Little White Lie. I don’t want to give away the details of this film, which explores race, identity, and family secrets. I highly recommend that you watch it on Netflix; it is 60 minutes of complete fascination. Lacey is a wonderful storyteller and movie maker, and her story is incredible.
