Travel Comfortable In Style

MyOwnJudgeThe holidays mark many a season. There’s the cold front knocking at most doors, the rush for gift shopping, the food gluttony (no? Just me then), and of course – the traveling!

Holidays are great for traveling deals, seeing sights unseen at other times of the year (when else will you see the Rockettes perform?), the kids are on vacation, see family, and well – it’s travel, so you don’t need a million reasons, do you? With the onslaught of airport security demands though, you’re in for a fun ride. From succumbing to checks of your luggage, minimizing your liquid products, and letting security cop a feel only allowed on the third date or later, you really have to mentally prepare yourself for the experience.

I’m always amazed when people come dressed to the nines at an airport. Sure, some people are going straight somewhere off the plane, or are coming from, but don’t they have a cozy pair of something to change into? Do people know that at high altitudes, their body parts may bloat, and they might feel a tug of their mini skirt, or discomfort in their too tight pants? What about the hour it will take to take off their pull up boots (just me again)? Best yet – what about that jog they need to make to get to the plane on time in platforms?

Such was the mindset when I saw photos of Kim Kardashian checking in her luggage for a flight. Above the knee boots (and heels at that)? Not I said the blog editor.MyOwnJudgeSome travel tips to be comfortable on the go:
Stay Low to the Ground
Yes you heard me. Land that airplane and pack a pair of flats or two – how difficult (and time consuming) is it to wiggle out of high boots or heels? Plan to cut it close to liftoff? Maybe sneakers are your best bet. Invest in No Tie Shoelaces to be able to make the removal and redressing process easy. No wasting time for bending down to tie ’em! Wearing flats? Remember to pack/wear socks! When you hit that airport floor barefoot and wonder what kind of germ is waiting to attack your sole (guilty) you’ll learn your lesson once and for all.

Keep It In Your Bag
That metal detector will find everything you forgot and everything you thought you remembered. Prior to the flight, stash everything in your bag instead of your pockets to prevent that “oh this!! I forgot I had this in my pocket” moment.

Plastic is Fantastic
Keep a ziploc bag handy in your bag just in case. Women are especially guilty of forgetting that the mascara, lip gloss, or mini perfume in their handbag is actually liquid and can risk saying goodbye to their favorite Chanel Inimitable Mascara (yet again guilty). If you want to save money on the obnoxious prices for food, you can also carry an empty bottle to fill with fountain water once you pass the checkpoint (but most people consider it too much an inconvenience).

Remember to keep your identification and flight materials in one spot, if you’re packing heavy in your carry-on, pick a bright colored passport case or wallet so that you can spot it without a ten minute search. Make use of the internet to check into your flight before you leave, and even check baggage if you can. A tip I learned from watching some late night television has been to use a work address on your luggage tag so as not to alert thieves of your address while you’re away. Blankets and pillows for a long flight are most recommended, as are snacks. That’s just what I have learned among a few flawless (and much more flawed) travels.

What tips have you learned along the way?

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Michelle Williams as Marilyn

MyOwnJudgeMichelle Willaims just wrapped filming of biographical drama My Week With Marilyn (based on the published diary of Colin Clark) and said that she had to enlist the help of teachers to immerse herself in the character as everything between the two was different.

The verdict may still be out on how she portrays the iconic bombshell, and many can say that people mostly have her acting as a comparison, not necessarily first person recollections left, but the look? The look has definitely been perfected to transform the actress into Marilyn Monroe. What Williams once considered a total physical difference can now be seen as a lookalike.

Photo Credit: Zimbio and The Inquisitr

To copy the old school look, break out some satin blouses in a size larger than usual to have a billowy silhouette. Pair it with a darker shade high waist, knee length skirt, and a skinny belt. Break out some pearls and medium heel pumps and you’ve got the look.

Want to modernize it? Use booties or some chains to bring the look back to the modern day, or get the pieces in bright colors (neon is definitely a fave of mine!).

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Cyber Weekend Deals to be Thankful For

If you’re like me, and your midnight madness starts in the comfort of your own home, by the computer with leftovers just steps away, you will be thankful that Cyber Monday has come early in the form of a Cyber Weekend.

Many retailers are reaching out to their customers throughout the net as a wider net. One favorite of mine, Express even had to buckle under pressure and offer their 40% sitewide discount until the end of Friday because the traffic caused the website to go down.

Make sure you take a quick peek at the deals below and over the net for wherever and whatever you buy, and if you venture out into the cruel cold world of sales (not that cruel with deals like $400 off flat screens, eh?), when you come back, take a peek at what you may *need* in addition to what you got. Don’t forget to use these discounts for holiday purchases, spruce up the house deals, and something for yourself (don’t forget your furry friends either)!

ShoptheLook.net Cyber Monday Deal! 60% Off with code STLCM10!

50% Off Sale! While Supplies Last. at CharlotteRusse.com

10% OFF SITE WIDE Fashion Designer NEW FALL Apparel at PinkMascara Expires 11/31/2010 Code=FALL10

Sally Beauty Supply: 20% off online orders over $25. Use Promo Code 555938

MaxStudio.com fashions: 10% off for FIRST TIME CUSTOMERS with coupon code “WelcomeMax.”

Thanksgiving Sale; 30% off regular price boots, slippers, athletic, & accessories (including watches and jewelry) at endless.com.

GAP Black Friday Sale! $10, $20, and $30 Gifts!

FALL SAVINGS at ThePerfumeSpot.com : 10% off any purchase! Use code holiday at checkout. Expires November 30.


www.espritshop.com
Half Off

Lush Black Friday Sale - MyOwnJudge.net

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BustedTees - Black Friday Free Shipping

In Case You Need A Reason to Shop…

If you find yourself unable to resist the urge to swipe some plastic for any (or all…) of the upcoming sales, make sure to use a coupon code or two while you’re at it. Click on the images to be redirected to the respective sites. Sales away!
ShopBopSephoraSmashboxKarmaloop

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Shoulder Pads Not Required

MyOwnJudgeThe one shoulder trend is nowhere near new, nor ‘something old’ either. A trend that will forever add flavor by embellishment, color blocking, or just fabric, has given way to one arm fashion piece creativity. Wear whatever you like and reach for that sleeve, one arm shrug, or piece. Guess the verdict is out on the definitive name, too.

The snowball has slowly started picking up speed as Kim Kardashian sported a one arm shrug not long ago, followed by Willow Smith with a buckled piece (with drama all it’s own) at the American Music Awards.

Photo Credit: KingdomOfStyle
MyOwnJudgeThe style surely has a standout quality – but is it for the best? Personally, it calls on far too many visions of a pirate with a parrot on his shoulder. Just me?

What’s your take on it?

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The Body Shop DeoDry Deodorant

MyOwnJudgeEver since one company put aluminum in their deodorant to keep the perspiration at bay as equally as the odor, all companies followed. Every drugstore or supermarket search ends up with far too many ingredient reads and only one find (check the options at your nearest Target or drugstore and tell me that Old Spice isn’t the only brand without the ingredient). But what to do if you don’t want the masculine scent and less of the aluminum?

Until fairly recently, you would have to seek out an organic body products store or hit the net (Tom’s of Maine is a popular pick) for a lengthy search. A lot of the times, the brand doesn’t even mention aluminum contents until you flip to the ingredient list.
MyOwnJudgeWhen Shecky’s Beauty Night Out came around town, one of the vendors was The Body Shop. They showcased some new scents for lotions and body washes, but what really caught my eye was the aloe vera deodorant.
From the site:
Best if you want to: Stay dry with a stick deodorant that works in a more natural, yet effective way. Enjoy effective 24-hour odor protection with our unique blend of volcanic minerals and refreshing essential oils with a cool, breezy scent. Contains no aluminum salts or parabens!

Best for: all skin types
How it works:
* Community Trade aloe vera from Guatemala is renowned for its incredible soothing, hydrating and moisturizing properties — perfect for sensitive skin.
* Community Trade alcohol is made from alcohol which comes from the organic sugar cane farmers of the CADO cooperative in Ecuador.
* A unique volcanic mineral absorbs moisture to help keep you dry.MyOwnJudgeThis deodorant retails for a bit more than your regular drugstore brand at $8.00 but is worth the trouble if you’re an ingredient buff (or amateur like me).

After using the deodorant daily, I found that it holds up well to any fabric and any length of wear. It even is very resistant to creating white stains if you apply it before getting dressed (a no no – wait till your shirt is on and slip your deodorant in afterward!). The only vice is the choices of scents it comes in. I chose the Chilled and Breeze, but all of the scents are pretty strong. I would like a cucumber melon-like fresh scent or an unscented addition to the line.

What do you swipe on your pits?

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Shimmer Central

MyOwnJudge - VS Beauty Rush GlossShimmer is the number one ingredient to the holidays. From gifts to decorations, beauty products to ornaments, it all looks better when it sparkles just a little bit more than usual.

Gloss with shimmer is always complimentary to the wearer as it does many things. First, it makes almost any color settle on the wearer as a correct match. It’s ability to reflect light calls for attention, but also magnifies the lips a bit. Some glosses are also created with flavoring, so as to provide a pleasant scent and taste (whether on purpose or accidental – we won’t discuss). The new colors added to the Beauty Rush line up are all full of sparkling goodness. Here are the ones I got:MyOwnJudge - VS Beauty Rush GlossThe names all have sweet or practical holiday item names with a twist – do you see candy cane turning into Dandy Cane? What about Hottie Cider?MyOwnJudge - VS Beauty Rush GlossThe colors are all lightweight and sheer with a slight color tint when applied.MyOwnJudge - VS Beauty Rush Gloss

Do you have a gloss with shimmer?

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Curls Rule!

MyOwnJudgeRihanna originally gained fame when she started changing up her hair. It became a once a month event that the tabloids ate up. A bob! Red! Without confirmation on whether the songstress enjoyed it as much as her audience, the internet is overrunning with images and how-tos.

Sure I’ll declare a RiRi diet shortly, but this was just too good. Following her long extensions to her statement red crop, the star arrived at the American Music Awards (inset) with an auburn tint to her hair, save for several bright red strands peeking out around her neck, and, wait for it, CURLS! Being a curly girl myself, I’m always excited to have a Hollywood member rock the style.

Are you on team straight or team curly?

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OCC Nails of the Day

I’ve been slightly obsessed with beige grey (or greige) nail colors for the longest time. As soon as a chill entered the air, the color entered my shopping list. Much like purple shades, there is not one that I have come across that is identical to the other.MyOwnJudge MyOwnJudge
My polish of choice for a couple of days (as I try to do a different color every couple of days so as not to waste all that my hard earned money paid off VISA for!) is Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics polish in Uber. As you may have guessed, the left photo is with flash, and the right is without (and disregard the snafu smack dab center of the index finger).

The color perfectly matches the same name liptar (read the post about it here). The color goes on really smooth and dries super quick (especially if you take a pause in between each coat). See what other colors you can get on the site.

What’s your favorite shade for the season?

Disclaimer: This product was sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on MOJ remain unbiased and unpaid. For more info, feel free to contact the author.

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American Music Awards – You Be the Judge

MyOwnJudgeThe stars rocked fashions all akimbo in styles different from ball gowns to architectural pieces. Colors ran rampant (as well as simply fancy in regular black).

Plenty of stars missed the mark (Miley could’ve ditched the train on her dress, if you ask me) and others pulled it off. The most important though – your verdict!

You be the judge – who had the best (and worst) getup of the night?

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