FC Inner Circle

Sale Away

I love a good bargain. Who doesn't? But I never really know when they're going on. Countless times a girlfriend will tell me about a huge sale where she scored a great blouse or cute shoes. But, by the time I get there, everything's wiped out. Enter: ShopItToMe.com. This genius website is my effortless—yet super effective—way of staying on top of sales for ALL of my favorite brands. I created a profile customized with all of the retailers I love (plus a sprinkling of designers a tad out of my price range) and receive a daily email every morning (my "Sale Mail") listing which of these brands have items on sale—all in my sizes!—linking me directly to their online sites. It's amazing! Last week I spotted a Marc by Marc Jacobs dress (pictured here) for 50% off on net-a-porter.com!! I don't shop on the site frequently so I would never have seen it without my ShopItToMe alert. I'm wearing the dress to a wedding this fall...pictures to come!!

—Amanda Flores

Fingernail Felicity: Take 2

After the prep phase of my DIY mani, I looked down at my classically bold fire engine red nails, courtesy of NoUba Nail Polish in #448 and couldn’t help but notice a similar shade in the ketchup dripping from my half eaten tuna melt on my desk.  Ignoring the midnight snack, I realized that this color is hot! The shade is dazzling and sharp, something any vixen from the 40's would have sported with confidence and style. Red polish is timeless and sophisticated and nothing provokes a double take faster than fiery red nails. (Well, if someone catches you writing or eating a hot dog or something.) The paint went on butter-smooth and I achieved a great color after only two coats.
Va. Va. Voom.

—Regina Selma

Wonderbar USA

 The winters are always the worst for my skin. No matter how much moisturizer I apply, I always seem to have dry skin around my chin and mouth. Then comes summer, when the oil and acne start to make their presence known. One of my first days interning, I came across the Wonderbar (small bar, $40), an all-in-one skincare   product that can be used as a cleanser, exfoliator, toner and moisturizer, eliminating all of my problems year round. Lightly wet the bar with your fingertips and apply to any part of the body. I've been using it on my face daily and have found my skin less dry and without its summer oiliness. I've noticed a smoother complexion and my acne is disappearing. Using just one product for everything helps me keep on top of it and I don’t feel like I have to find the extra time to give my skin the attention it deserves.

—Shannon Farrell

Fingernail Felicity

    The tips of my fingers beamed into nail heaven when I tested out Ms. Manicure’s Handy Dandy Mani Set. This adorably pink and purple bag of goodies is filled with anything and everything you’d need to achieve the perfect manicure, whether you’re in the living room wearing PJs or in the park after work. Wherever you can fit this bag, you can fit quality time with your nails without a single swipe at the register. The set comes with 9 “pro tools” including a nailbrush, cuticle sticks, cuticle cutter and other basics such as a filing board, scissors, and 4-part buffer. You can store your supplies in the reusable bag and it’s double-sided with an empty pouch to stash your rainbow of polishes.  Convenient and cute? I was immediately sold. And a tweezer?! Stop it. 
    The animated and sassy woman on the front of the bag made me feel girly and fabulous as if “Ms. Manicure” were a real person with all of the answers to all of my nail questions. (She personally gives a step by step “how to use” on the back!) I mean hey, can’t a girl get a little lonely doing her nails at home? In addition to the peace and solitude I clearly gained, I saved plenty of pennies. I would totally recommend Ms Manicure’s Handy Dandy Mani Set to any woman on the run and in desperate need of a good ol’ buff and shine.

—Regina Selma

In the Bag

I am currently obsessed with my new vertical tote from Cinda B. I bring it to work every day to carry papers, a book, my lunch and even a change of shoes. It also has a compartment for laptops. I constantly get complements on the adorable pattern. Cinda B also makes travel bags, gym bags, backpacks, purses and clutches. They are all machine-washable, which is so convenient. Check out all their styles at cindab.com.

Horse Heaven

My 9-year-old and I are horse lovers, so we snuggled together on Mother's Day to watch the new DVD release Flicka 2. Yes, the story of a wild girl who learns some life lessons from a mustang mare has been told before, but it's still a fun ride. In this case, Carrie (Tammin Sursok) is the feisty big city teen forced to move to the Wyoming ranch of her long estranged father, Hank (Patrick Warburton), where she goes through some serious growing pains and discovers love, courage and compassion in some pretty unexpected places. The big-sky scenery is gorgeous, Warburton (you know him from Rules of Engagement and as Elaine's boyfriend Putty on Seinfeld) makes a hunka hunka cowboy, and country music singer Clint Black has fun as an impish but wise ranch hand. By the end, both my girl and I were itching to saddle up.

12-Step support

I have a lot of friends who are members of various peer support groups based on Alcoholics Anonymous (Overeaters Anonymous; Food Addicts Anonyous; Narcotics Anonymous; Al-Anon, which is for relatives and friends of alcoholics; etc), so when I saw The Twelve-Step Recovery Toolkit by Stacey J. I took notice. It has two parts:  a book, which includes Stacy's story and some helpful strategies for any addict/compulsive to use to stay healthy and away from her substance or behavior; and a set of cards that give tips on working the steps and ways to use the slogans. Stacey says she made herself a set of cards to help work her own program, then got the idea to share the cards and write the companion book. It's $16.95. Sample cards:  "Slogan: One day at a time. You are overwhelmed. Just do the next right thing today and leave yesterday and tomorrow to your Higher Power."  And, "Slogan: H-O-W? Honesty, Opennes, Willingness. Are you being honest about your motives and your actions? Are you truly open to your Higher Power's Help? Are you willing to go to any lengths to recover?"

Order at http://www.amazon.com/12-Step-Recovery-Toolkit-Stacey-J/dp/1573244600/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273003288&sr=1-1

Alison Sweeney "Nose" Best

Spring was welcomed to New York City’s Madison Square Park by six, five-foot tall noses running amuck. Yes, noses! Alison Sweeney, host of “The Biggest Loser,” took part in Zyrtec’s “Race Against your Allergies” to remind those suffering from allergies that the outdoors can’t hold you back and that you can outrun your allergies! Last week, Alison took the time to speak with us about her allergies and the effect they have on her.

 
Q. How long have you suffered from allergies?

A. My whole life. I travel all the time and I’m always outside doing challenges with “Biggest Loser.” You don’t want the host of your show with eyes watering.

Q. Did it ever hinder your workout routine?
 
A. I run outside, hike all the time and take my dogs for a walk. I live in Sothern California so my allergies have always been a factor. I take Zrytec before I go outside and before I plan my workout. Then I can do whatever I want. I cannot let my symptoms get out of the way.

Q. What do you recommend for those suffering from allergies?
 
A. So many people don’t realize they can do something. I would recommend they get more informed. Talk to their doctors or visit raceagainstyourallergies.com to find out more ways to manage their system. Figure out what you’re allergic to!

-Ashley Neff Health Intern

Sweet Dreams

My daughter has been begging to have a sleepover party, and now that she—and her friends—are all of 9 years old, I guess the time has come. So we're now planning for late spring, and she's already making big plans, including these cute pillowcases from ColorMeCompany for her friends to color and take home. They're 100% cotton, and 10% of proceeds to go children's charities, so they make everyone feel doubly good. You can buy them individually or in multipacks, which is what we'll do. Her favorite by far? A horse, of course!

away from it all!!!

What a beautiful weekend this past one was! My husband and I had run away to Cape May, NJ to soak up the beach sights, sounds and smells, and just lazily look around. Now I'm Family Circle's psych editor, so I should know this already, but my head comes with a built-in forgetter. Guess what? Getting away from it all is ENERGIZING! Now I can't run away like that often but I need to remember to build some quiet time into each and every day, even if it's just to stop and breathe deeply for a breath or two. Honestly. I don't really have to rush every single minute of every single day, and when I do, I just get crabby. How uncool is that?