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Doing Drugstore: St. Ives Moisturizing In-Shower Exfoliating Body Polish

BellaSugar — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:00:01 -0700

I love body polishes that don't require excess force to work, particularly ones that use sugar, which is gentler on the skin. Over the weekend, I tried out St. Ives Moisturizing In-Shower Exfoliating Body Polish, Oatmeal & Shea Butter ($8), which contains natural sugar crystals for exfoliation, oatmeal to soothe, and shea butter for softer skin. While this polish is a little difficult to scoop out of the jar due to its texture (think of a dense Crisco), once it hits the skin and some water, it almost melts, creating a rich, spreadable lather.

The polish has a sweet almond scent and a finer, more dissolvable grit than the famous invigorating St. Ives Apricot Scrub ($4). Before shaving, I spread a little of the polish on my legs for a smooth, non-irritating result.

I like it for a pedicure, too. After scrubbing my feet with the body polish, I used my beauty shortcut to fake a real pedicure. A little goes a long way with this product, making for an affordable - and effective - drugstore find.

Back To Basics: The Best Face Scrubs

BellaSugar — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 08:00:22 -0700

Back in July, you beauty marked some of your favorite face scrubs, and here are three oldies but goodies that I've adored for ages. Face scrubs are imperative in maintaining a healthy appearance. They work to gently remove dead skin, oil and residue from the daily grind. This helps unclog your pores and smooth out your skin.

St. Ives Apricot Scrub ($3.99) is likely my absolute favorite exfoliator. Even though the packaging seems to change every couple of years, the product remains the same - a thick, coarse, mild smelling facial scrub that has some of the largest grains of its kind. The oil-free formula is great for acne-prone skin since it contains two percent salicylic acid.

Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream ($17.50) is a smooth exfoliator intended for skin that isn't currently experiencing any breakouts. This is more of a maintenance product for when your skin is dry or uneven looking - not so much for acne-prone skin. It works to slough away dead skin cells and unclog pores. Simply massage a nickel-sized amount into your wet skin for 15 seconds and rinse off with warm water.

For one last facial scrub, read more.

Clean and Clear Blackhead Clearing Scrub ($5.95) is another great acne-fighting scrub since it also contains salicylic acid and a gentle acne medication. This scrub definitely has the strongest scent, and you can feel it tingle as you work it onto your skin. It helps clear away blackheads, sebum and any leftover makeup. However, if you have super-sensitive skin, this may be a little bit harsh for you, especially since it is recommended for daily use.

New Product Alert: St. Ives Elements Protective Cleanser

BellaSugar — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 10:00:15 -0700

When Freeze 24/7 released Ice Shield a couple of years ago, I was intrigued. The cleanser not only removes dirt and oil, it also protects skin with SPF 15. Innovative, no? My only complaint was the $48 price tag, which seemed a little high, even for a two-in-one product.

Ah, but now St. Ives has stepped in with its Elements Protective Cleanser ($7.99). The concept of this cleanser is the same: You simply wash your face as you would normally, which simultaneously "washes on" SPF 10 coverage. It's that simple, which should please those of you who prefer having as few steps as possible in your morning routine.

Although I like the lower-priced option, I'm not crazy about the relatively low SPF rating. SPF 10 is small potatoes; at the very least, you should wear SPF 15 every day, and SPF 30 is ideal. If you're serious about protecting your skin, you'll want a higher SPF. But if you're the type of person who doesn't wear sunblock every day already, this is a good way to get at least a little protection without adding another product to your skin-care regimen.

Doing Drugstore: St. Ives Collagen Elastin Body Moisturizer

BellaSugar — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:00:40 -0800

I've been using St. Ives Collagen Elastin Advanced Body Moisturizer ($5.39) on and off for about a year now. When my precious Creme de Corps seems a bit heavy or if I am just not in the mood to use something that expensive when I know I am going to shower again later in the day, I turn to this creamy, sweet-smelling body lotion to make my scaly skin smooth.

I'm pretty particular about my body lotion and hand cream, and I think this one is tops. It penetrates quickly and leaves skin feeling soft and smooth, not waxy or oily. And when I say that it smells good, I'm not exaggerating. Think of slowly brewed tea made from chamomile, primrose, elder flower and sunflowers - that's what this lotion smells like. It's not over-the-top powerful, sweet or girly, it's just right. Apparently I am not alone in my affections. According to a press release from St. Ives, Collagen Elastin has been the brand's best-selling lotion for over 25 years! I really encourage you to try this if you are on the market for a new body cream. It's available in three sizes, including a travel size for 99 cents.

Three Busts Under $250

CasaSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:00:33 -0700

Judging from this photo of Elle Decor’s Women in Design feature, it's clear that Kelly Wearstler is an advocate of busts. She's not alone; I've been wanting one for ages. But from the looks of it, hers are antiques. Antique busts at 1st Dibs - a collective of antique dealers nationwide - range from $2,000 to over $25,000. Sure it's nice to have an original, and art is always an investment. But if like me you want one just for aesthetics, you've come to right place. I know three places you can buy one from as low as $40 to up to $250.

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Gordon Ramsay's Empire Is Expanding

PopSugarUK — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 03:20:36 -0700

Gordon Ramsay appeared on CityLine in Toronto to promote his Fast Food book yesterday, amidst rumours he's opening a restaurant in the Canadian city. Closer to home, while his restaurant Plane Food at Heathrow's Terminal 5 gets good reviews, word on the street is that Gordon plans to open a restaurant in St Ives, Cornwall. He certainly keeps busy - apparently he dropped in unannounced at Foxtrot Oscar in Chelsea and was so appalled by the slow service and food he took over the kitchen for the night. His spokesman said: "Week in, week out Gordon is at his restaurants. If he sees things aren't right he will roll up his sleeves and sort it out". Go Gordon!

To see more cute pictures of blonder-than-ever Gordon read more

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Source

Zac Efron Puts on Plaid For the Cover of Nylon Guys

PopSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:30:03 -0700

Zac Efron was sadly all covered up for the November cover of Nylon Guys. While we like Zac shirtless, he still looks great even sporting his signature beanie. He's promoting Me and Orson Welles, which comes out next month - check out the trailer here. The more serious movie is a departure from the kid-friendly roles that made him famous and won him awards. Recently, Zac's been working on The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud in Vancouver. In the interview, he talks about his work, Disney fame and his natural musical talent. Here are highlights:

On Me and Orson Welles: “It’s the first time I’ve ever watched a movie [that I’m in] and in the end I’m like, ‘OK! I didn’t check my watch once!’”
On growing up musically inclined: “I was constantly singing. I would hear things on the radio and just be able to spit them out instantly, with perfect memorization and tone. It wasn’t like I took pride in it; there was no effort. My parents were like ‘Shut up. Please stop singing. It’s annoying.’”
On Disney fame: “I try not to look at all of it. You can’t enjoy or celebrate it; it’s not a real thing. The face on the lunchbox and shit-you can’t share that with your friends.”
On whether celebrity albums are necessary: “If anyone asked themselves that, then we wouldn’t have the crap we are listening to today. If your heart’s not in it, don’t do it. And don’t do it for money. That’s my philosophy.”

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RIP, Chanel: The World's Oldest Dog Passes Away

PetSugar — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:45:09 -0700

I've got some more sad news to announce: People Pets is reporting that the world's oldest pooch passed away on Aug. 28. The Wirehaired Dachshund named Chanel celebrated her 21st birthday - 147 in dog years! - back on May 6.

Although she suffered from cataracts, and had her eyes protected by those awesome Doggles, she was otherwise in good health and had plenty of pep according to her owners Karl and Denice Shaughnessy of Port Jefferson Station, NY. This pooch will surely be missed so check out a video from her big birthday bash earlier this year below!

Washington DC Shoppers Wait the Longest in Grocery Lines

SavvySugar — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 04:30:12 -0700

I've been known to shop at odd hours to avoid crowded supermarket aisles and lines - after 9 p.m. is ideal. Shopping at peak times makes the entire experience less efficient, from selecting produce to checking out. The psychology of waiting is full of funny nuances, like the way you feel better after someone arrives behind you - your wait isn't any shorter, but you think at least you're not the last one anymore.

The Mystery Shopping Providers Association asked its forces to measure and report their time in grocery lines, and used the information to calculate average wait times in several US cities. Check out some glaring differences in the chart below and then tell me, how long do you typically wait in line at the supermarket?

City	Avg. wait time in minutes
Washington, D.C.	8:23
Philadelphia	7:46
Pittsburgh	5:44
Miami-Ft. Lauderdale	5:21
Baltimore	5:02
Chicago	4:43
San Francisco	4:24
Portland	4:13

See more cities and their average wait times when you read more.

City	Avg. wait time in minutes
Indianapolis	3:59
Houston	3:48
Cleveland	3:43
New York	3:34
Los Angeles	3:19
Phoenix	3:10
Atlanta	2:21
St. Louis	0:59

Casa Interview, Part II: Domino Founding Editor Deborah Needleman (and an Awesome Giveaway!)

CasaSugar — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 09:00:39 -0700

Deborah Needleman, the founding editor of Domino, is a goldmine of savvy advice on decorating your home, honed from years of experience heading up the style-centric magazine as well as decorating her own home. You can read the first half of my interview with her here. Deborah's tips and thoughts on decorating continue in the second half of this interview.

Our homes are really personal spaces. Considering that most of us are shopping from the same few décor retailers and finding inspiration in the same shelter magazines and blogs, how should we go about personalizing our homes?
Every home definitely needs a few old things and a couple unique things. And when most of what we have is mass-produced, it's more important than ever to have some things made by actual human hands, whether it's pottery, rugs, pictures, whatever. It is essential to find a few things that no one else has, whether you find them in a shop, at a tag sale, bring them back from a trip, collect them from nature, or even make them - like just tacking up drawings or notes from friends. Stuff that is meaningful to us, what we love or collect or find is interesting to our guests. I also do think it's really nice to have one really good piece - whether that's a table, rug, chandelier, whatever. It gives your room some substance, some weight - and also ensures it doesn't look like anyone else's.

To read the rest of the interview, read more.

I love your home, which I saw featured in New York magazine a few years ago. I know that you’re a big fan of neutrals and white, or at least you were when that article was written. Are you still a neutrals gal?
Thanks. It's funny, in New York City which is so chaotic and where I get easily overwhelmed, I need to be a neutral gal. It totally calms me down, and keeps my head clear. But upstate, where I feel more relaxed, I love layering patterns and color - florals, suzanis, chintzes, Indian prints, etc. I'm covering my sofa there in purple linen, my study is painted black, and one room is the craziest color green I've ever seen.

I love how your home is elegant and adult-oriented, yet still kid-accessible. What is your advice on and personal experience with creating gorgeous spaces that are also kid-friendly?
I have never understood dumbing down design for kids. No one had kid-friendly homes when I was growing up - people just had the homes they had and their children lived in them! A family home is for adults and children - why on earth would anyone give over their living room to let it look like a play room?! I'll probably get hate mail for this, but aside from a gate so children don't tumble down the stairs, and maybe a lock on the cabinet if you have the kind of children that want to eat the Ajax or whatever, children can be taught that table edges are sharp and that food is to be eaten in the kitchen and that open markers can't be left on the rug!

Other than that, if you have a fairly light palette like I do, you have to accept that you won't have the cleanest house in the world. Fortunately I like a bit of a patina on things! I like that the floor is scuffed by skateboards in part because I love a house where children feel free to run wild, have loads of friends over, and make forts out of the sofa cushions, but also where they have a sense of responsibility and respect for things. Oh, and I have cheap rugs, so if they get destroyed, I won't be sad! And I certainly wouldn't choose a linen velvet sofa fabric if I had to do it again! Kids don't rule the roost, they share it.

Your HomeGoods StyleScope tool helps home decorators find their style. How would you describe your own style?
I think I'm fairly conventional at core - I couldn't have furniture at funny angles or a bed floating in a room or anything too wacky or "fun." I dig symmetry. I like things that are classic in shape and form - not overly embellished, but I appreciate many kinds of design. I think I take this fairly classic base and mess it up a bit. I'm certainly not traditional. I like to layer on personality and quirk with ethnic textiles, cushions, interesting objects, fabrics, and art. I love stuff from India, Morocco, England. Thus, Bohemian Classic.

And to revive a favorite Domino feature of mine, what are 10 things that make you happy?
Hilarious question! Well, first of all, we never let people say their children or their dogs!!! Too boring and obvious.

Nearly all Santa Maria Novella products (if I could only choose one thing, it'd be their potpourri. But I'm crazy about the milk body cream, the honeysuckle perfume, and the pomegranate soap and bath salts). I am obsessed with scent - on my body and in my home!
My veg garden. (Really, seeing my children eat their way through our veg garden, but at Domino I would've edited that out as too sentimental!)
Making flower arrangements for the house.
My white parsons table (I have two) - and a brilliant new parsons side table in the pitch-perfect green color.
Comfy chairs in kitchens and bathrooms.
Cheap weekly blowouts from walk-in, no-appointment places.
Summer dinner outside with friends.
Staying in a lovely hotel room (never a trendy hotel, I like old-school, old-fashioned hotels). I love that nothing belongs to me and the beds are perfectly made. The Duc du St. Simon in Paris is pretty excellent.
Bobbi Brown makeup. Makes you look sun-kissed, not dolled up.
I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't say this, but having a decorator!! Specifically having the genius Rita Konig as a decorator!

Thank you, Deborah! We have a special giveaway for you CasaSugar readers on the way. One of you lucky readers will win a $500 gift card to HomeGoods! Check back for more details about the giveaway later on today!