What's in a name?

Who wouldn't want to be a "Supervixen" or "Misbehave"?  That's what I was thinking as I was looking at the names of the new Nars summer lip glosses.

  

Since this is Nars, these glosses deliver more than just a fun name and notion. Supervixen is a slightly shimmering perfect shade of nude beige and Misbehave is a lovely sheer pale red with just the right amount of glitter.

Both glosses are a great way to inject some fun into your summer makeup routine. They glide on smoothly and have good staying power without a distracting smell or taste.  

Did I buy the glosses because the names were so great and sassy?  No, but I do smile when choosing between my new glosses and think, "Do I want to misbehave or be a Supervixen?".

Holiday shopping

I enjoy giving gifts and if you haven't figured this out yet, I really like shopping. The only time I don't like shopping is during the holiday season. Too many people are shopping because they think they have to, not because they want to.

While in Dallas this past weekend, I decided mall parking might be the biggest obstacle a shopper has to overcome. My friends parents' had to leave the swanky North Park Shopping Center because after 20 minutes of searching they couldn't find parking, while a friend and I had a stress-free jaunt at the Galleria where we had been dropped off.

Check out my tips from a previous blog that will make your gift-giving easier: http://divacheck.blogspot.com/2006/10/holiday-considerations.html.

Happy Holidays!

L'OCCITANE Sale

While all the clothing retailers are bombarding you with their summer sales, it's only fair that I mention one of my favorite product lines has a "sale" too.

French beauty brand L'OCCITANE has a great selection of their products discounted 20 to 50 percent until July 10, 2007.

I love the luxurious feel of the Shea Butter Body Lotion and couldn't pass up the larger 16.9 fl. oz. size for $36. It's pricey, but definitely worth every cent.

And since they're 20% off and I've never seen them on sale before, I had to purchase a few of the Extra Gentle Soaps. The Milk, Verbena and Lavender scented soaps are great for sensitive skin and last a long time.

The L'Occitane sale prices are only valid at L'Occitane stores and usa.loccitane.com. All products are available while supplies last, so act sooner rather than later.

Diva & mom

My mom was visiting me this week (reason for lack of posts). We had a great time watching chick flicks and eating yummy food. We also went shopping (surprised?) and a quick stop at Target brought a nice surprise.

Two of my favorite British beauty brands, Boots and Rimmel are now at my Target. I really like both these brands and have to admit that I also have a selfish reason for rejoicing in my recent Target discovery, I don't have to go to Wal-Mart anymore (Rimmel was only available at Wal-Mart in the U.S. until last year). Wal-Mart never had the Rimmel collections I'd see in magazine ads and what they did have looked like it had been used as a tester.

The Rimmel Underground products have been in many Spring editorials and I have been waiting to get my mitts on them. Target had a HUGE six foot display with all these goodies. I was tempted by the glitter in the Stir It Up cream eyeshadow and the color combinations in the Three-Sum powder eyeshadow compacts but ended up purchasing two Gloss Over lip gloss compacts. The glosses are super sheer and very pretty.

worth noting: My mom absolutely loves the Rimmel Extreme Lash Mascara. She bought two tubes because it's always sold out in her stores. I almost fell over when I saw it was only $1.98. It gave her small straight lashes volume without clumps.

Boots was slowly introduced in the U.S. starting in 2004 and is now available at more than 1,500 Target stores. Target is carrying four ranges of Boots items: No7, Botanics, Time Dimensions and Mediterranean. No7 is a makeup line (their mascara for sensitive eyes is FANTASTIC); Botanics offers skin and body care products; Time Dimensions is an antiaging skin care system and Mediterranean is a bath and body care line. One of my friends raves about the Mediterranean bergamot body line (my next purchase?).

Check both these lines out when you get a chance. Rimmel and Boots offer great products at a price point that won't break the bank. Boots is available at more than 1,500 Target stores and over 500 CVS stores, select Boots items are available at target.com. Rimmel is available at select Wal-Mart and Target stores.

up next: crazylibellule & the poppies review

Why I Love Buying Clothes at Target

Yes, that Target. You've seen the great ads. But you're wondering if it's really the store for you. Do yourself a favor, go to your nearest Target when you have an hour (or two) to really explore it. You won't be disappointed.

To keep my focus, I'm just discussing women's clothing and accessories in this post.

I'll start by naming names. Clothing Designers offered: Issac Mizrahi, Mossimo, Liz Lange and their "Go!International" brand that currently features clothing designed by Proenza Schouler. And Target just introduced Handbags and Sandals designed by Rafe.

The Spring tees and shorts they have in store right now are definitely worth a look. Match a cute cap sleeve tee with a fun pair of Madras Plaid shorts and you've got a great outfit for under $30. The graphic tees, both men's and women's, are so cool you'll find yourself wondering if you should by three or four.

Whether it's a dress, blazer, jacket, sweater, tank top, skirt or pants, the clothing assortment is so extensive that you'll be able to find just what you want in no time. And if you're in the market for a new bathing suit, this is the place to go. Plenty of one pieces and lots of bikini options (tops and bottoms are sold separately to ensure a perfect fit).

Make sure you check out shoes. I'm serious. I saw a friend last year in these amazing metallic wedges and was surprised when she said she purchased them at Target. Not so surprised (I just hadn't looked) that I couldn't go out the next day and pick up a pair for myself. And the selection is even better this year. The espadrilles they're offering will keep you in step with 2007 Spring trends.

The belt selection is great too; I learned this from the same friend who brought the shoe selection to my attention. When I'm in the market for a new belt, I look at Target before I go anywhere else. And they haven't let me down yet. What's even better? They're under $20.

I hope you enjoy your Target trip as much as I enjoy mine. If you don't have a Target near you, you can find them through the Internet at target.com.