Whether in the spotlight as the Bride, on the sidelines as a member of the Wedding Party or just a well-manicured guest—planning the perfect 20 (mani & pedi) is a beauty must that should top every bride's checklist. From BRIDESMAID-inspired bachelorette parties and themed bridal showers to the exchange of rings, tossing (and catching) of the bouquet and the most picture-perfect honeymoon – it's a hands-on experience. Selecting the right shade and shape is as much a personal choice as picking out the perfect gown! Duri Cosmetics offers a host of options to meet any Bridezilla's exacting standards—from classic french and creamy pearls to brilliant brights that nail the special day.

"We are seeing more and more brides go from a natural nail for her walk down the aisle to a dramatic pop of color to accent her reception change out dress," says Faina Ritz, creator of Duri Cosmetics and the visionaire behind Duri's A Perfect Match Collection. "Brides can start with a light shade like Wedding Vows (pretty pale pink) and then apply a coat of a deeper color like Runaway Bride (cranberry red) after the wedding for a whole new look at the reception!"

As for bridesmaid manicures, Ritz suggests going outside the box and avoid matching color choices. If the bridesmaids are wearing a neutral color dress, they don't have to wear a neutral polish. Allow the look to "pop" with a richer color polish such as Happily Ever After (bright classic pink) and vice versa for bright color gowns (pale them down with a pale).

For bachelorette parties, Ritz suggests going a little crazy with fun, loud hues like Bachelorette Party (a fun orangy-red) and Girl Power (shimmery magenta) - perfect shades for the ultimate girls' night out.

Whether a warm weather event or winter wedding – once the band starts to play, those stilettos will come off, so don't forget the lower 10. Use a bright, but classic shade like Every Day Is A Valentine (sheer red) to give your toes a little kick! And for the classic bride, remix the French Pedicure with Lily Of The Valley (sophisticated light pink).

A Perfect Match collection includes 12 vow inspired hues…

I Do - a shimmery white for french manicure; Wedding Vows - a pretty pale pink; Bridal Bells - a clear, glossy bright pink; Lily Of The Valley - a sophisticated light pink; Daddy's Girl - a sheer baby pink; Champagne bubbles - a shimmery pearl; Hawaiian Honeymoon - a tropical peachy pink; Bachelorette Party - a fun orangy-red; Happily Ever After - a bright classic pink; Girl Power - shimmery magenta; Every Day Is A Valentine - a sheer red; Runaway Bride - a cranberry red.

And for the perfect Bridal Party gift, mix 'n match three hues to create a collection of polishes for bridesmaids to remember the big day by (i.e. chose colors that match the wedding theme from the dresses down to the flowers).

All Duri nail products are completely safe, environmentally-friendly and free from DBP, TOLUENE and FORMALDEHYDE.




Make Duri Cosmetics your editorials' perfect match! All Duri Cosmetics products are available nationwide at salons, spas and specialty stores, as well as online at www.duri.com. Individual bottles retail for only $5 each and Custom Gift Sets retail for $15.

Duri Cosmetics is only available for shipping within the U.S.


Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Singer and Former Pussycat Dolls Member, Nicole Scherzinger struts through LAX Airport in style wearing a studded BodyRock razorback tank paired with preppy plaid skinnies. Although BodyRock is known for its fashionable workout attire, Nicole shows how the line can easily be transformed from functional gym clothes to an on-trend travel outfit. Kelly Dooley, the designer of BodyRock, has always been inspired by strong confidant females who own their bodies. Maybe that is why Giuliana Rancic, the Kardashian crew and X-factor Judges Paula Abdul & Nicole Scherzinger can’t seem to get enough of the brand!






About BodyRock
Born and raised in the heat of Southern California, CEO and designer of BodyRock, Kelly Dooley, has always had the knack for being active. In March 2009, Kelly was tired of trying to find the perfect sports bra that was functional and stylish. From her frustrations, she created BodyRock – an innovative line of active wear that successfully blends fitness and fashion together in a practical way. The inventive line of active wear is constructed for stylish women who don't want to sacrifice fashion for fitness. BodyRock is ideal for women who want their gym clothes to be ultra chic and wearable in the everyday world. With the summer months quickly approaching, BodyRock is not afraid to use bold pops of color, floral prints, and fun layering pieces for the active fashionista.

The designs feature fitted four-way stretch crops with chic cargo pockets, studded lycra-blend sports bras, ruched metallic spandex, and fashion forward athletic biker jackets. Not only are they fashionable, but functional as well with built-in Ipod pockets, zippered compartments, and tagless labels for that added extra comfort. BodyRock is produced with the highest quality spandex and nylon, Swarovski crystals and studs, and is manufactured in New York City – a proud American producer! BodyRock captures that effortlessly cool downtown vibe with uptown notes of luxury and style, letting you go from workout to dinner with ease.

BodyRock features bras that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also purposeful for every woman. Kelly feels grateful to be able to create a collection that encourages and prides women to feel positive, comfortable, sexy, and stylish when they are active and on the go. Each piece in the collection is designed and named after an empowered woman from cancer survivors to Greek goddesses. The line is more then just clothing for yoganistas and triathlon babes, it was made with soul. Designer Kelly Dooley says “Bodyrockers are those women who walk into a room and electrify it with their confidence. Be that woman.”


Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Day 31 of Project 366 (January 31, 2012)
Finally survived the first month of Project 366. It is really challenging and I have to keep thinking what next creative idea I should do.

Anyway, here is a photograph of a miniature figurine of Mickey Mouse.

Flickr Album

Day 30 of Project 366 (January 30, 2012)
A day behind. Oops... well, I had a stomach ache (trapped wind I think) and wasn't feeling well all day. But I finally posted my photograph.

Bamboo leaves:

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GAME ON! THE ODDS ARE EVER IN YOUR FAVOR!!!

Introducing Hungry Eyes - 20 New Tributes To Keep An Eye On!



The first installment of the breathtaking trilogy The Hunger Games premieres March 23rd with Actress Jennifer Lawrence starring as bow-and-arrow slinging heroine Katniss Everdeen. "The people of 'the Capital' pride themselves in unique beauty with a keen eye toward cutting makeup trends and going outside the boundaries," says Noel Sweeny, creator of the Addiction NV Cosmetics line. "From 'the Capital's' style icon Effie Trinket's pink-rimmed eyes and blue pouted lips to leading-lady Katniss Everdeen's clean, yet powerful makeup overhaul -- eyes played a leading character role".

Just in time to satisfy the crowd’s appetite and un-satiable hunger for both beauty and killer instincts -- is a provocative eye shadow collection from Addiction NV Cosmetics – Hungry Eyes!

Addiction NV’s Hungry Eyes Alluring Eye Shadow Pans play tribute to the games with 20 provocative, triple pigmented, velvety, ultra-fine powders for shadowing, creating depth, highlighting and lining eyes. Incredibly long-wearing, amazingly blend-able, Hungry Eyes can be used wet or dry to control color intensity and keep all eyes on the prize. Game On!

Hungry Eyes Individual Shadow Pans (Retail $10) can be mixed and matched and carried in a dual Eye Shadow Palette ($8) designed with “magnetizing” power to allow easy color change-outs and the ultimate in customization while holding pans snugly in place.


The Hungry Eyes shadow hues are aptly named to woo the crowd: Tantalize (Matte Black), Seduce (Matte Cream), Coax (Champagne Shimmer), Entice (Gold Shimmer), Lure (Rusty Orange Shimmer), Trance (Matte Light Silver), Enamor (Matte Beige), Charm (Bronze Shimmer), Ogle (Matte Navy), Allure (Matte Burgundy), Tempt (Pink Shimmer), Tease (Matte Dark Green), Siren (Mauve Brown Shimmer), Linger (Bright Teal Shimmer), Vixen (Light Green Shimmer), Enchant (Light Teal Shimmer), Magnetize (Light Green Shimmer), Bewitch (Hot Pink Shimmer), Hook (Bright Orange Shimmer) and Captivate (Bright Turquoise Shimmer).


Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

This February, N.A.R.S. Records / Mercury Records / Island Def Jam recording artist Luke James will join Estelle on the BET Music Matters "The All of Me Tour" in preparation for his highly anticipated debut solo album, Made To Love. In a much-lauded performance at the BET Honors taping on January 14th in Washington, DC, Luke James brought the room—including First Lady Michelle Obama—enthusiastically to their feet with a crowd-raising performance of his single “I Want You.” BET Honors airs February 13, 2012 at 9P/8C on BET Networks. In addition to the Spring 2012 release of Made To Love, Luke James will take to the stage in his hometown of New Orleans as a part of the 2012 ESSENCE Music Festival this July.

Having charmed critics during his opening gig on Robin Thicke’s “Love After War” tour and with the release of his #LUKE pre-album and online video teasers, Luke James is excited to join the “American Boy” singer on the BET Music Matters "The All of Me Tour." While opening for Estelle, Luke James looks forward to showcasing his dynamic stage presence, arresting falsetto and overall talent to music fans from coast to coast.

Prior to the release of his debut solo album, the much buzzed-about artist has already headlined events like Give Back Hollywood / VH1 Save The Music Foundation’s Pre MTV VMA benefit and gained a celebrity following that includes Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, and none other than Beyoncé, who selected him for a featured role in her “Run the World” video, and Melanie Fiona, who featured him as her boyfriend in her “4 A.M.” music video. Luke James is also the co-writer of Chris Brown’s “Crawl” and has penned songs for Justin Bieber (“That Should Be Me”), Michael Bolton, and Britney Spears (“Kill The Lights”), among others.

To download #LUKE for FREE on Facebook, please visit: http://www.facebook.com/whoislukejames

For more information about Luke James, his pre-album #LUKE, and his upcoming debut solo album Made To Love, visit http://www.simonesmallspr.net/clients/lukejames/BIO.html, http://www.whoislukejames.com and follow @whoislukejames on Twitter.

UPCOMING 2012 TOUR DATES:
Thursday, February 2, 2012 - Cleveland, OH House of Blues
Friday, February 3, 2012 - Chicago, IL Double Door
Saturday, February 4, 2012 - Cincinnati, OH Mixx Lounge
Monday, February 6, 2012 - Kansas City, MO The Riot Room
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 - San Diego, CA Anthology
Thursday, February 9, 2012 - Los Angeles, CA Key Club
Monday, February 13, 2012 - Dallas, TX House of Blues
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 - New Orleans, LA The Howlin’ Wolf
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 - Houston, TX House of Blues
Thursday, February 16, 2012 - Austin, TX Antones
Saturday, February 18, 2012 - Birmingham, AL Old Car Heaven
Monday, February 20, 2012 - Atlanta, GA Center Stage
Thursday, February 23, 2012 - Boston, MA Regatta Bar (2 shows)
Sunday, February 26, 2012 - Baltimore, MD Sound Stage
Tuesday, February 28, 2012 - New York, NY Irving Plaza
Thursday, March 1, 2012 - Wilmington, DE World Café Live
Saturday, March 3, 2012 - Nashville, TN Indulge Nightclub
Monday, March 5, 2012 - Philadelphia, PA World Café Life



Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

Check out this week's Scrapbook Freebie from MyMemories. These designs are perfect for creating Valentines themed creations. These are fast and fun, and a great way to embellish your photos.


This Digital Kit Includes:

2 Digital Papers
2 Page Elements
2 Quick Pages

Click here to download




This Digital Kit Includes:

2 Digital Papers
3 Page Elements
2 Quick Pages

Click here to download




This Digital Kit Includes:

2 Digital Papers
1 Page Elements
2 Quick Pages

Click here to download




Please note that all of these are .png files only, not MyMemories Suite Templates. They are usable in any software. I use MyMemories Suite. You can software for a discount using my code below during checkout.


My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software can be purchased from the online store. Use this special discount code when you place or order: STMMMS82838. You will receive $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software.

We (my Hubby, little Brandon, and I) spent the afternoon at Aberdeen Mall and had lunch at the food court upstairs. There was a new food place just opened and we noticed this massive line up. "Wow," I thought, "what these people go through for Japanese food!" Kinda crazy because there's lots of Japanese food places in the area nearby. I took a snapshot...




Anyway, we weren't going there and we were already hungry. We went to one of our favorite place (Teppan Kitchen) just next to the new one. I love the flavor of the sauce. It's called "garlic butter soy". I gotta try making that at home one day.

Day 29 of Project 366 (January 29, 2012)
We spend the Sunday afternoon at Aberdeen Mall in Richmond, BC. There was a Chinese New Year celebration (still going since last weekend). The mall was decorated with Chinese lanterns on the ceiling. Some were pink and some were red. The whole place looked really festive.


Flickr Album

Day 28 of Project 366 (January 28, 2012)
Another experiment with light painting. Light painting is actually quite fun. This was taken in a pitched dark room. I really had no idea how the image would turn out. I'll see if I can come up with something more creative next time.

Flickr Album

Day 27 of Project 366 (January 27, 2012)
Colors of my eyeshadow palette.

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Announcement: The lucky WINNER for the Oscillo & Children's Chestal Giveaway that ended January 23, 2012 is..... (drum roll, please).

{EDIT} A new winner had been re-drawn as there was no response from the original winner.

Congratulations to Helen Lemon (#91)



I have sent you an email. You have 48 hours to respond. Thanks everyone for participating in my giveaway contests.