How often have you wished for a trendy new handbag, but you just can’t afford those designer price tags?  HandbagHeaven.com offers a wide selection of designer-inspired handbags at prices you can afford (all under $85).  Handbag Heaven was kind enough to send me a couple of items to review and share with you, and I received the Audra floral tote and a leopard print clutch wallet.

The Audra floral tote is a great day bag that lets you carry all your necessities in style.  The first thing I noticed was the large floral embellishment that is all-the-rage right now, and I just love the flirty feel it adds to my look.  As far as functionality goes, I was able to fit my wallet, laptop, keys, sunglasses, makeup case, notebook and iPod in the tote with ease!  A detachable, adjustable shoulder strap makes this bag versatile, and a zippered pocked on the back allows for storage of small items.   My only problem with the bag is that getting in and out of the bag while wearing it can be a pain because the leatherette is so flimsy.  But all in all I love the bag because I need a large tote to carry my daily life with me, and the Audra does it beautifully!

Accompanying the Audra tote, I received this small leopard print wallet.  I love it because it’s gorgeous, has multiple pockets for cards, receipts and coins, and it’s the perfect size for either carrying alone or throwing in a purse.

Visit HandbagHeaven.com, where all handbags are under $85!

Over the years I’ve developed a routine for my morning prep, and the routine involves a few of my favorite products that really work.  I begin in the shower with shampooing, then conditioning my hair so the conditioner can do its work while I’m shaving and washing my body.  I wait until the end to wash my face in the shower, and then right after I get out it’s time to clean out the ears, apply hair product, and then deodorant.  Next on the list is applying some heat to my hair so it will dry faster, and then comes the rest – lotion, makeup, perfume, etc.

Here are my top ten bath and beauty products.  Without them, I’d be lost (and frizzy-headed, and pale, and possibly stinky…eew!):

1. Biore Steam Activated Cleanser – This stuff keeps my face zit-free and makes my skin feel soft at the same time.  Plus, the mint-infused gel makes waking up easier.
2. Dial NutriSkin Ultra Hydrating Body Wash (Grape Seed Oil & Lemongrass) – Finally, a body wash that’s not oily or creamy!  I apply the gel with my pouf and the result is softer skin even my boyfriend notices (and he never notices things like that).
3. Phytodefrisant Botanical Hair Relaxing Balm – It’s a miracle, really!  I smooth this on my wet hair, comb it through and apply low heat and I’m frizz-free all day long, whether I style my hair naturally curly or straight.
4. Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer – I’m a fair-skinned gal, and I don’t keep a tan easily.  So I turn to this amazing lotion, which, over the course of a week, gives me healthy, natural-looking color.
5. Secret Clincal Strength Deodorant – Fights odor and wetness all day (and night).
6. Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Foundation – It glides on my face smoothly and covers up my blemishes and under-eye circles perfectly.
7. L’Oreal Studio Secrets Magic Professional Perfecting Base – There really is something magical about the way this lightweight cream gives my face an even and refreshed look.  Sometimes I don’t even need any other concealer or foundation on top of this.
8. Einstein Lip Therapy Cooling Lip Relief – I’m addicted to the tingly feeling, and the way it keeps my lips moist for hours.
9. MAC Eyeshadows + Blush – The color is super-saturated and is easy to apply with makeup brushes.  A little goes a long way, so it’s worth the money!
10. Mary Kay Satin Lips Lip Mask - Not for everyday, but when my lips are extremely chapped and dry, I use this lip mask and it makes them all better.  One time I made the mistake of leaving home without this, and I was miserable for a week, trying everything from my usual Aveeno chapstick to the prescription-strength Carmex. Nothing works better.

What bath and beauty products do you depend upon every day?

Lisa of StudioJewel loves creating jewelry, and she is as talented as she is passionate.  I approached her last year and asked her if she could create something special for me to wear during an important business trip to New York.  I first discovered her on Twitter, and after looking through her fabulous creations I was set on having this sterling bangle set featuring charms and custom handstamp.  I asked Lisa to customize it with one of my favorite fashion quotes : “A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous” on the band, and “Coco” and “Chanel” on the charms.  And, well, you can see the beautiful resulting piece above!  I just love it, and I’ve worn it on numerous occasions since.  Lisa was kind enough to also throw in a pair of organic hoop earrings in sterling silver and 14kt gold vermeil.  What do you think?

All StudioJewel purchases come carefully packaged in adorable brown gift boxes and wrapped in pink tissue.  If you’re looking for a unique piece of jewelry, contact @thebeadgirl on Twitter, or visit her etsy shop and she can hook you up!

It’s funny seeing myself write that title, since my hometown is home to the famous line from “The Wizard of Oz”: “There’s no place like home“.  Kansas has been home to me my entire life, but a few months ago I made a big move for the sake of fashion and adventure.  And what’s not to love about NYC?  From the gritty, well-traveled sidewalks and bright city lights, to the screeching subway trains, I have never felt more at home.

There’s a great Thai food restaurant down the street from me, and right around the corner, a shoe repair shop.  My gym is 2 blocks away, and across from it is a well-stocked grocery store where I can pick up ingredients for dinner.  Everything is so close, and everyone is constantly going somewhere, yet they are the friendliest people I’ve met.

Not to mention I now live within 30 minutes of the best fashion boutiques and event venues in the fashion world!!!  So hopefully, you’ll be reading more about my NYC life here and on Shoe Smitten, and if you’re not already following me on Twitter you can find me here: http://www.twitter.com/shoesmitten

I have never been big into lipstick or bright lips, but recently I discovered CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain, and I will never go back!  This stuff goes on precisely and stays in place, making my pucker look bright and lush.  It’s lightweight, and is absorbed instantly so that it won’t come off when you drink your cosmo or kiss your friend hello.  I have two of the ten shades – the Berry Smooch and Coy Coral.  So now I can enjoy a bright, bold lip (which is the trend this season) and not worry about it rubbing off.  I wore my two shade during New York Fashion Week and I felt fab!

Buy CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain for $7.99 at drugstore.com

1. High heels
2. Starry night skies
3. My Twitter friends
4. Starbucks mochas
5. Thai food
6. A nice red wine
7. Shopping and finding a great deal on a designer label
8. Babies and cute puppies and kittens
9. Chocolate
10. Driving my red MINI Cooper

This New Year, not only did we usher in a new President; we said hello to what we hope will be a fresh start for us all.  Maybe it’s because I just graduated from college and I’m entering the work force full-throttle, or maybe there’s just something about 2009, but this feels like a monumental year.  This February will be a month of firsts:

• Attending the WSA Show in Las Vegas next month.  I’ve never been to Vegas, never gambled, and never been to a fashion trade show!
• Working for ShoeHunting.com as the community manager (and attending the WSA Show on their behalf, in addition to representing Shoe Smitten)
• Getting to chat with David Froment, shoe designer, over dinner at the WSA Show.
• Starting a blog with Mark Schwartz, shoe designer and artist.
• Spending a week in Boston next month, meeting Damien and the rest of the team from ShoeHunting.com, and meeting a few of my Twitter friends.
• Beginning an internship as a newsletter writer for The Shoe Club.

And all the while maintaining my sanity!  I’d say that, if all of this is happening in just one month, 2009 truly is a year of change.  What changes or opportunities have surfaced for you?

I can’t begin to describe to you how happy I am that 2008 is over!  Not because it was horrible, but because I’m really excited about what the New Year will bring.  But in order for my hopes and dreams to be able to come true, I know there are many things I need to do.  Here are my New Year’s Resolutions for 2009:

1. Exercise more.  I used to go to the gym every day, but now I’m lucky if I make it 3 days a week.  I’m not overweight, but going to the gym clears my head and lifts my spirits.  I think I will be more mentally fit and physically fit if I can exercise 5 days a week, in the mornings before work.
2. Blog more on Shoe Smitten.  I also wrote a list of my New Year’s Goals for Shoe Smitten.
3. Land a job at a company that values their employees and allows for upward mobility.
4. Spend more time with my family.  I’ve made too many excuses not to make the 3 hour drive to Wichita to visit them.  In 2009, I’d like to visit them once a month, unless my career takes me elsewhere, in which case I’ll visit as often as possible.
5. Take a class in fashion design.  I have been afraid to take a course in design up to this point because I believe that, while I have an eye for fashion, I have no real training or artistic ability to design shoes.  But how will I know for sure if I never give it a try?
6. Travel more.  I want to ride in a gondola in Venice, climb the Eiffel Tower in Paris, shop in London.  Even just take a vacation to California to soak up some sun.
7. Refine my wardrobe.  I have so many clothes and shoes.  In 2009 I hope to keep only the items that I wear at least once a month in my closet.
8. Keep a cleaner house.  I tend to let the household chores go when I find myself preoccupied with fashion and events.  This year I will take time each day to clean up a bit so that nothing piles up.
9. Participate in wine tastings, especially with @mmwine.  I really know nothing about wine, but I would really like to develop my taste so that I can intelligently explore the different types of wine and find ones I like.
10. Blog more on this blog!  I just started this blog, and I started it so I could express the daily happenings in my life.  In 2009 I resolve to blog at least 3 days a week.

I wandered in to Forever XXI today during my trip to the mall to scope out after-Christmas sales.  I wasn’t looking for anything in particular, except for a heavy black coat (which I didn’t find).  But I did find an adorable motorcycle jacket, a few nice tops and a satin skirt, and all for $87!  Waiting in line at the cash register took 30 minutes, but the great deals I found were worth the wait.

Pictured Above:

• Moto Jacket, available at Forever XXI for $32.80 (buy similar styles online here)
• Madras 641 Bubly Bustier blouse, available at Seeking Designers – M64 for $68.00 (owned this previously)
• American Eagle bootcut jeans, available at ae.com (owned these previously)
• Marciano ‘Tana’ Booties, available at Zappos.com for $205.92 (owned these previously)
• Evaline Satin Skirt, available at Forever21.com for $17.80
• Metallic Open Shoulder Top, available at Forever21.com for $22.80
• Fab SS Cowl Neck Top, available at Forever21.com for $12.50

Lately I’ve been overwhelmed with trying to keep up with all the social networks out there.  Besides Facebook and Myspace, I am also a member of many fashion-related sites.  In the interest of being more involved on fashion sites without going crazy, I’ve decided to try to cut down on the number of sites on which I try to interact.  Here’s a list of all the fashion-related social networking sites I belong to.  Which do you use?

• 2Threads
• Avenue7
• Beautiful! Fabulous!
• Chictini
• Creative Butterfly
• Fantastic Toe
• Fashion Inudstry Network
• Fashionising
• iVillage
• Kaboodle
• Modepass
• MyItThings
• OSoYou
• SheKnows
• ShoeHunting
• Shoe Network
• Stylehive
• Stylelist
• Stylemob
• The Classy Closet
• The Purse Forum
• TeamSugar
• Urban Fashion Network
• YouLookFab

Fashionable Eye by ShoeSmitten

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