2016 Oscar Nominations Dress Challenge

It's that time of year again and YEAR 6 with this contest! I need help finding a dress for Oscar Nominations morning on January 14, 2016.  It's early again this year and we are going to have to do this over the Christmas break. Remember though, the winner gets a $25 gift certificate to the store of their choice. For those of you that are new to this challenge, YOU get to chose the dress that I wear for a one of Hollywood's biggest events. 

Here are some guidelines:

1.  It is not a red carpet event: I am looking for a dress that is simple, classic and understated.  Think of a DVF wrap dress or a Jackie O. sheath.  I am short (5' 3"), so I want to show off my legs versus lots of cleavage (which I don't have anyway) to give the illusion of height.  I love shoes, so I want to pick something hot and sassy from my shoe wardrobe.  One note:  Even though I want a dress to show off my legs, please no so-short-I-can-see-your-hoo-ha dresses.  The Oscar Nominations are a very conservative event, so I'd like to keep it that way.

2.  I will be working at 5AM PT that day: I want a dress that is easy, comfortable and not fussy.  I hate pulling and tugging at my dress while I am working. Also, I LOVE pockets!

3.  I like color: It looks great on camera and adds brightness to my face.  Please avoid red or crazy patterns because they have a tendency to moray on camera. I've done two blues, two purples and a hot pink, so maybe a green, orange or yellow this year?

4.  The budget is important.  Let's keep the dress under $250 and it has to be available online in sizes 0 or 2. 

Here are the winners from 2011-2015 to give you an idea of what has won in the past:

For more information on the winning dresses from 2011-2015 click here, here, here, here and here.


2015:  Dress by Eliza J


2014: Dress by Eliza J.


2013: Dress by ModCloth


2012:  Dress by Aqua


2011: Dress by Banana Republic


Are you up for the challenge? 

The Rules:

1. Find me a dress by Monday, January 4 at 11:59 p.m. PST. It must be available online. So post the link in the comments below with your contact info.

2.  The dress must be available in the U.S., but international contestants are welcome to join us for this contest. 

3.  Two finalists will be announced on Tuesday, January 5 and the winner will be announced on Thursday, January 14.

4.  Winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to the store of their choice.


If you have any questions, post in the comments below.  Ready, get set, shop!

Product Review: Keranique Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner

It's time for another beauty review with iFabbo and this month it's Keranique's Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner. It's been awhile since I've done a product review since my last one for T3Micro Twirl 360 Motion Sensing Styling Iron was not my favorite. I was ready for a product that really worked, especially since I have hair that is constantly styled with heat and product on a daily basis.

Here's what I thought of the product:

Description of Product via Keranique:
The foundation for thicker, fuller looking hair. The Clean & Condition Set is specially formulated to gently clean and stimulate the scalp to nourish and rejuvenate the hair follicles.

Benefits:
Clean & Condition Set is the foundation for thicker, fuller looking hair.

Scalp Stimulating Shampoo for Thinning Hair:

• Retains shine.
• Provides combability, detangling & smoothing without weighing the hair down.
• Removes build-up.
• Protects against cuticle damage.
• Healthy way of keeping hair fuller and thicker looking.

Volumizing Keratin Conditioner for Thinning Hair:

• Conditions and volumizes fine hair.
• Improves manageability, combability, detangling & conditioning without weighing the hair down.
• No heavy, waxy feeling on the hair nor scalp.
• Adds body and volume.
• Improves hair strength and provides anti-breakage protection.

Ingredients:

Scalp Stimulating Shampoo for Thinning Hair
Water (Aqua), Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Decyl Glucoside, Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-11, Panthenol, Disteareth-100 IPDI, lPanax Ginseng Root Extract, Glycerin, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Methoxy PEG/PPG-7/3 Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Menthol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein PG-Propyl Silanetriol, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Biotin, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Zinc Gluconate, Ornithine HCl, Niacinamide, Hydrolyzed Ceratonia Siliqua Seed Extract, Glucosamine HCl, Calcium Pantothenate, Arginine, Citrulline, Arctium Majus Root Extract, Acetyl Tyrosine, Quaternium- 95, Dipropylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Propanediol, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Chlorphenesin, Methylisothiazolinone.

Volumizing Keratin Conditioner for Thinning Hair
Water (Aqua), Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Alcohol, Isododecane, Cetrimonium Chloride, Quaternium 91, Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-11, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Panthenol, Glycerin, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Mryristate, Menthol, Methoxy PEG/PPG- 7/3 Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein PG-Propyl Silanetriol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Quaternium-95, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Keratin, Stearamine Oxide, Biotin, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Amodimethicone, Hydrolyzed Ceratonia Siliqua Seed Extract, Octocrylene, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Sucrose Laurate, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Zinc Gluconate, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Ornithine HCl, Niacinamide, Glucosamine HCl, Citrulline, Calcium Pantothenate, Arginine, Arctium Majus Root Extract, Acetyl Tyrosine, Propanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Chlorphenesin, Methylisothiazolinone.

Does It Work?:
I was really happy with this product because it gets rid of all of the product in my hair, giving it a clean, tingling feeling. The stimulation of the scalp keeps my hair thick and healthy without the need for parabens or sulfates. It's even safe for color-treated hair. 

Cost: $49.95 for the set

Where Is It Sold?: You can find it at the Keranique website here: http://bit.ly/1fXnMbB and use the coupon code THICKER25 now through Dec. 31, 2015 for 25% off any Keranique purchase. 

Connect:
If you want to learn more about Keranique, visit their social media pages--
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Disclaimer: I was given a complimentary unit to review this product. Opinions are all my own. 

Product Review: T3Micro Twirl 360 Motion Sensing Styling Iron

I really, really wanted to like this product. It's a heavy-duty styling iron for curling your hair. It's made from a quality hair-tool company and it feels solid — not flimsy like some of the drugstore curling irons.

They offer up a great YouTube tutorial, so I felt like a good handle on what I was doing. The 1.75" barrel should have been perfect for my thick hair. Unfortunately, it was not.


The button that helps to grab the hair and and twirl it up to create those perfect waves, often had difficulty releasing the curl. As a result, the product would smoke and you could smell my burning hair.

While I am not a hair expert, I certainly know my way around a curling iron. I attempted this three times with the same results. Since I never finished a full head of hair because it was scorching my locks, I don't even have a good photo to share with you. So, this is product that gets a thumbs down from me.

Perhaps you will have better luck with than I did. If you would like to check it out, it's available at Sephora for $230 or by using this link: http://bit.ly/T3Twirl360.

To take a closer look at the product, here are a few features and benefits listed by the company:

Features and benefits:
- 1.25-inch barrel: perfect for creating on-trend curls and loose waves
- Single “Go“ button: barrel activates with a press of a button and a simple turn of the wrist
- Digital SinglePassTM technology: constantly measures and adjusts the temperature across the entire barrel for accurate, consistent heating while styling
- Mid-length clamp: ideal for curling any length of hair—even if it’s layered
- Cool tip: makes it easy to safely and quickly maneuver the curling iron
- Nine-foot 360° swivel cord: professional-length with swivel prevents cord tangling for hassle-free styling
- Two-year warranty: comprehensive coverage and support options


Disclaimer: I was given a complimentary unit to review this product. Opinions are all my own. 

It's Giveaway Time!

It's been a long time since I've done a giveaway, but it's time to reward all of you for following me through all of my crazy adventures. Here's what I am giving away:

Rules:

1. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

2. U.S. residents only, please.

3. Enter between Monday, May 4 through Monday, May 11 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Entry form below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Little Black Dress Wines Kicks Off Red Carpet Season in Hollywood

In Los Angeles, the start of the New Year brings the start of red carpet season. The first week of January always brings the People's Choice Awards to kick off awards show season. It's a whirlwind of fashion, glamour and a few blisters from breaking in those new stilettos. 

This year, Little Black Dress wines offered me the opportunity to start off the season the right way — with a room full of extraordinary women in the entertainment industry. Entertainment reporters, bloggers, actresses and other movers and shakers came out to try LBD's quad of wines — Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. 

The wines were paired with incredible food from Sadie Kitchen & Lounge in Hollywood and it truly captured the flavors and the spirit of the evening. My favorite part was sharing the evening with so many successful women over a glass of wine and our finest Little Black Dresses. 

To learn more about Little Black Dress Wines, click here.

Photography by Tyrone Roberts/B Natural Photography