Really?

I just found a great tip in the Real Simple August issue to help all divas prevent sweat stains from ruining their gorgeous summer white shirts.

All you need to do is sprinkle a little baby powder on the underarms and collar of a shirt, then iron. The powder forms a barrier that prevents oil and dirt from seeping into your shirt.

I haven't tried this out yet; but it's so quick and easy I hope it works!!

Thanks to Real Simple for teaching us new ways to take of ourselves.

what's in your bag?

Allure magazine recently polled 2,600 women, ages 18 - 64, online and found that most women leave the house with at least four beauty items in their handbag. Lip balm, hand/body moisturizer, lipstick and lip gloss, in that order, are what topped the list.

What else? Beauty implements, fragrance/perfume, mascara, foundation, blush or bronzer and eye shadow can also be found in our handbags.

After reading this, I had to look in my handbag and see exactly what beauty products I leave home with. Here's what I found: comb, eyelash curler, eyebrow pencil, lip palette that has six glosses inside, three lipsticks, one (individual) lip gloss, hand lotion, blotting papers and one cream eye shadow.

I was surprised by how many lip products were in my bag and was happy to find the blotting papers. I removed two of the lipsticks and kept the rest.

What's in your handbag? Any surprises?

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.

Real Simple July issue

Real Simple's July issue is jam packed with lots of good information.

The beauty section has two can't miss articles; stubble trouble and summer hair help. Stubble trouble (pgs 91-97) lists the pros and cons of four hair removal methods then provides six product recommendations. Summer hair help (pgs 99-103) provides the quick-fix and preventive measure for four common summer hair dilemas.

My favorite section, road tests (pgs 155-174), tackles bras, teeth whiteners, ice cream makers and pickles. Such an interesting, and odd, combination that I found myself carefully reading each category. While all four categories were very informative, I was most impressed by the 10 "winner" bras and the fitting tips.

All my fellow laundry fanatics will be drawn to the hints on how to keep white clothes white (p. 189). But y'all probably do that stuff already. ;)

The July Real Simple issue is available now wherever magazines are sold.

remember to look down

Summer officially arrives in the Northern Hemisphere next week.

I'd like to take this opportunity to remind every one to look at their feet, especially their toes, when choosing their shoes for the day. No matter how tempting, if you look at your toes and wouldn't want anyone else to look at them, DO NOT wear open toe shoes.

Here are a few guidelines for summer toes:

You do not have to have the perfect pedicure day after day to show off your toes. You do need to cover up (better yet, remove) chipped nail polish.

You don't need to wear toe nail polish. You do need clean, filed toenails.

Use a pumice stone on your feet at least three times a week.

Know when to call in a professional. If you are completely helpless when it comes to your feet, get a pedicure and watch what the technician does.

Feel free to pass this information along to any "known offenders".