Bye Bye Blemish!

It always seems to happen... you wake-up for your first day of work, school, on the day of the homecoming dance or for your first date with the All-American hottie only to realize you have a zit the size of mars on your face. While it totally blows, don't worry. There's a way to hide the blemish until it shrinks (I promise!).

First, exfoliate the area as best you can. If there are little pieces of skin hanging off your "new addition" try to gently pull them off with tweezers. Next, use a concealer like IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye that matches your skin and blot it on your blemish using a flat or rounded concealer brush. Wait a few minutes for the concealer to dry and lightly blend it into your skin. Now set the concealer with translucent power using a large fluffy brush and walk away from the mirror! Your pimple will be well hidden and YOU can now shine on your big day!

Photo Credit: Domenico Gelermo

Finals…Finally?

Don’t worry—I’m not excited about the rapid approach of finals, but I am thrilled about what the onslaught of finals foreshadows. It’s almost December, which is my very favorite month! I feel your pain if you’re dreading the upcoming endless study sessions in your near future, as well as the time spent coloring in little bubbles on multiple-choice exams, but don’t despair! If you take the time to buckle down and power through those pesky tests, the excitement and joy of this beautiful time of year will arrive before you know it. Here a few study tips that may be slightly unconventional, but have helped me:

• Study in a place that mimics the type of environment you will be in during the test. Silly as it may sound, simulating the testing environment helps with your recall!


• If you have a friend in the class (or a compliant parent or significant other), study by “teaching” him/her the material—you will learn it far better this way.


• If your test is in the morning, eat a healthy breakfast. My power combo is oatmeal with blueberries and an egg—I swear by this to get my brain functioning bright and early (and so do the experts—check out http://www.ehow.com/how_2189053_eat-properly-before-exam.html)!

Once you cross finals off of your checklist, it’s time to decorate, buy presents for your loved ones and savor the best month of the whole year! Good luck and go get ‘em!

Harry Potter’s Emma Watson….and fashion with a true purpose

I’m certainly not one who stayed up til all hours this weekend to catch the premiere of the new Harry Potter flick but you can’t escape the wizardly buzz!

I felt given the premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, it would be appropriate to give a shout out to Emma Watson.

She has brought a huge amount of attention to Fair Trade and doing away with factory slums and sweatshops. She’s helped be a voice to People Tree an awesome company that is a pioneer of Fair Trade fashions. People Tree proves “that it is possible to wear stylish, exciting and affordable fashion, at the same time as respecting people and planet.”

Check out the Youth Collection, endorsed by Emma. It’s easy, buy some cool clothes and know that it’s helping people in impoverished communities build a better life.

http://www.peopletree.co.uk/press/100816ycew.php

Look of the Week – RACHEL BILSON

There aren’t enough glowing words to describe Rachel Bilson’s gold Chanel minidress. With 3/4-length sleeves and gorgeous detailing at the hem, sleeves and neck, the look was classically elegant—but not TOO perfect. The black clutch and strappy Camilla Skovgaard sandals kept the vibe youthful and fresh. And while I normally like hair pulled back in a low ponytail or chignon when a high neckline is in play, I’m giving Rachel props for choosing long, loose waves and a pop of bright lip color. Sheer perfection!

Ready... Set... SHOP!

Q:What’s Hot Now?
A: Holiday shopping!

Believe it or not, the holiday season is fast approaching and while normally the motto is to ‘shop till you drop,’ this year I’m going to encourage you to try something a little different that I like to call ‘pick it and click it!’ Yep, it’s really that easy. This season, make the internet your ‘go to’ place for prime holiday shopping. Just think... while everyone else is pushing their way through the lines at the mall, you can be browsing gifts galore from the comfort of your own home! So kick back, relax, enjoy a cup of hot cocoa and let the World Wide Web take control... all you have to do is ‘pick it and click it’!

Here are some great sites to help you start your holiday hunting–

http://www.amazon.com/ - Books galore and SO much more!

http://www.christmasgifts.com/ - The name says it all.

http://www.overstock.com/ - Everything from home and garden to music and games... what’s not to love?

www.ruelala.com/vip - For the exclusive bargain shopper, try this stylish members-only online shopping destination. They carry clothes to computers and everything inbetween!

http://www.thinkgeek.com/ - This site caters to the ‘geek’ in all of us, with an over-abundance of gadgets and gizmos!

http://www.wheredidyoubuythat.com/ - Retail therapy at it’s finest. This site even offers help to shoppers by dividing it’s merchandise into tons of different categories!

And to make sure you get the most stellar steal possible try using - http://www.beatmyprice.com/

Ryan Seacrest dons yet another hat!

That's right, as if he wasn't busy enough, Ryan Seacrest now has a new role as the voice behind the Ryan Seacrest Foundation.

He was in Atlanta last week with his beau, former Savvy cover girl Julianne Hough, opening up the first media center at the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston.

Ryan's foundation helps to improve the lives of

seriously ill and injured children "through unique programs that utilize multimedia and interactive platforms to enlighten, entertain and educate."

Props to Julianne on finding a guy who appears to be just as kind and generous as she is!

Look of the Week – Rachel McAdams

Since stealing our hearts in The Notebook, Rachel has been in and out of the spotlight—but now she’s back with a vengeance. Gracing the red carpet at the premiere of her new rom com Morning Glory, Rachel looked super hot in a gray form-fitting Lanvin dress from the spring 2011 collection and adorable mesh pumps (also Lanvin). Gray is fast becoming the new black and is a perfect choice when you want to stand out—but not be too obvious about it. For more hot star looks in this new “it” color, check out the December issue of Savvy, hitting mailboxes and stores in a few weeks!

http://www.morningglorymovie.com/

Do guys dig kissing glossy lips?

Your heart is pounding, your palms are sweaty, your breath is sweet and the dude you've been crushing on for months is about to kiss you for the first time. You wanted him to notice your sexy mouth so you made sure to apply ample glossy, glassy, glistening gloss to your pout (all night)! And now the moment has come—but what does he actually think of that gloss?! He likely thinks it’s pretty on YOUR lips and not on his. If it is super sticky he will probably have to wipe it off so his lips aren't glistening like yours (awkward!). And finally, the taste can make or break it! So here's what we found works well for you and your man...

First, stick to a clear or nude gloss without a lot of shimmer. That shimmer can stick to his face and lips and can turn a manly man into a girly man (and no one wants that)! Next, pick a gloss that plumps without the sting—men do not like to suffer for beauty like we do. And finally, try to use a gloss that is gender neutral in taste (think something minty). Stick to these gloss rules and you’ll be totally kissable! Kisses!

Help Edward Norton raise 26 million dollars this weekend!

Edward Norton and Crowdrise are trying to raise 26million dollars for charity this weekend!! Don’t know what Crowdrise is yet? http://www.crowdrise.com/ It’s SO fun and SO important! Think Facebook but with an amazing sense of humor and full of people trying to make our world a better place, really trying!

Brothers Robert and Jeffrey Wolfe teamed up with actor Edward Norton and created this one of a kind place to be! Set up an account on Crowdrise.com today and give to the New York Marathon charities or find another cause you’re passionate about. You can find anything from a grassroots campaign to raise funds for one individual’s needs or provide a child in a village in Africa with a school uniform so they can go to school http://www.gybmovement.org/movement (P.S. This is one of my favorite causes on Crowdrise!)

Join today and find me and other friends on Crowdrise and learn about and give to some amazing new cause! Oh and if you’re in NYC this weekend RUN on Sunday November 7th!

Look of the Week – EVA MENDES

Ever notice how the day (and I mean literally THE DAY) after Halloween the stores start pulling out the Christmas gear?! In keeping with this seasonal push, Eva Mendes electrified the red carpet on November 1 at the Rome Film Festival in a jaw-droppingly beautiful ruby red gown. Her one-of-a-kind Gucci is stunning because of its sheer simplicity. In a color as bold as red, less is usually more—and Eva proved this theory correct in her strapless gown with minimal jewelry. So since the time for holiday parties is apparently already upon us, remember in picking your wardrobe that the perfect dress can virtually stand alone—and will make YOU stand out!

Affirm Yourself!

Q: What’s Hot Now?
A: Positive Affirmation!

Feeling a little down in the dumps lately? No worries, we’ve all been there. What’s important is that you don’t stay there. Sometimes all you need to lift your spirits is a slight attitude adjustment. Trust me, the biggest difference in your day can be as simple as making an effort to think positively. So for your viewing pleasures, here’s a few tips from one of my all time fav YouTube sensations, Jessica!

This video is sure to bring a smile to your face!