I’m taking a break this week for a quick trip to Nevada for Burning Man. I’m a little nervous considering it’s my first time and I’ll be phone-less, computer-less, shower-less… but life’s an adventure, so here we go.  I’ll be back in NY in time for Fashion’s Night Out and Fashion Week. Bring on the fun!

Mark your calendars Boston, on Thursday, October 14th at 7pm, you’re invited to join Practically Broadway, Inc as they partner with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure for their first annual Catwalk for a Cure: Pink Dress Fashion Show.  Located at the Liberty Hotel, guests will enjoy a cocktail reception, silent auction and fashion show featuring local student and established designers. All proceeds from the show and ticket sales to support breast cancer research and education.

Tickets: $100.  For more information visit www.pbroadwayinc.org and to purchase your ticket click HERE.

My friend Michelle recently launched a super hot 100% sterling silver jewelry line, NTO (Never Take Off).  All of her pieces are hand-made (and hand-hammered). Check it out! www.ntodesign.com

The answer is Tom’s NEW Peppermint Wave Long-Lasting Wicked! Fresh Mouthwash.  I’m from Boston so I thought I’d be disappointed with any product with the word ‘wicked’ in it and figured if it were ‘long-lasting’ it would be very strong.  I could not have been more wrong; it was actually a pleasure to use it. It’s alcohol free and tasted great. I could actually gargle with it for over a minute without feeling like I would be foaming at the mouth.  The secret is it’s powered by a naturally sourced mineral zinc-chloride and powerful medley of mint flavor oils to neutralize odor-causing bacteria.

I went through the bottle in a month. That’s a first!

Feel good about this. A few additional notes about the mouthwash:

• Made with 100% natural ingredients
• No artificial flavors, sweeteners, saccharin, dyes or preservatives
• No animal testing or animal ingredients
• The packaging is made from single-source plastic so you can recycle from bottle to cap – even the tamperproof shrink-wrap is compostable
• 10% of Tom’s of Maine’s net profits go back to the community to help take care of the world we share

Price: $4.29 (5.2 oz), $4.99 (16 oz). Available in flavors Cool Peppermint and Spearmint Ice. For more information visit www.tomsofmaine.com

I was recently sent the Smart Cover-Up Kit and I have really enjoyed playing with it for the past few weeks. The 10-piece set comes in two tones; Light Combo and Dark Combo.  Depending on your choice you’re then given 3 shades of concealing crème in addition to a Color Corrector, Moisture Primer Lotion, Cover Stick, Vitamin Beauty Stick, blending sponges, camouflage brush and a travel case.  I’m generally a medium-beige in foundation so I went with the Light Combo, which includes  Light Beige, Medium Beige & Dark Beige concealing crèmes.  That was a mistake! I gave the Light Beige away, the Medium Beige was way to light and the Dark Beige would be my correct color if it didn’t have such strong red undertones.  That said I was still able to work with the kit since it’s all about mixing and blending to achieve your perfect shade.  Especially since it can be used from head (to cover acne, age spots, birthmarks, uneven skin tone, wrinkles) to toe (spider veins, tattoos, scars).  Be cautioned though if you tend to be medium tone go for the Darker combo (which includes Golden Tan, Dark Beige, & Deep Beige concealing crème), I have a feeling the Golden Tan would have been my perfect shade.

It’s helpful that the kit offers a range of 3 colors since my legs are considerably more fair then my face, not to mention how much my skin tone changes depending on if I have a tan. The product goes on creamy and smooth but instantly dries for a very matte finish that is smudge-resistant (and waterproof!). I found patting the formula onto my skin with the blending sponges (in an upward motion) to be the most effective application method for anything specific I was trying to cover up.

I like looking flawless (who doesn’t?). I take good care of my skin and while I have no problem walking out the door with no foundation on my face, when I have an event or photo-op I want everything down to the last beauty mark covered. That’s where the Smart Cover-Up Kit comes in handy, otherwise (especially in the summer), I prefer something less heavy or to use it to spot treat instead of all over my face.  However, when it comes to my legs I have no issues using this product daily to hide any bruises or spider veins I need covered.

The Moisture Primer Lotion is very light and absorbs quickly onto skin (and is actually quite refreshing) and I was fortunate that the Cover Stick was  my correct shade, which made it great to through in my makeup case for quick touch ups when I’m out.

All in all, I think this kit is a deal and comes in very handy considering it’s so compact and versatile, not to mention affordable.

Price: $29.75 ($121.50 value). Products are also sold individually.  For more information visit www.smartcover.com

Affiliation: Pretty Connected was given a complimentary sample of Smart Cover-Up by a company representative.  Pretty Connected was under no obligation to write this review.

Lara Eurdolian vs. Drew Barrymore

Photo Credit: Justin Oliver

Who wears the Gold by Giles dress better? I’ll give this one to Drew Barrymore, the face of the Gold by Giles Deacon collection; on one condition — they bring more of his designs to America!  I think that’s a fair request considering they choose an American brand ambassador.

This dress is awesome! Although I’m not photogenic, I will say this: it shaped so well and is very flattering in person.  The dress fits like a glove, although it does run small (especially if you’re busty).  However it’s lined and ribbed to really hold everything in place.  I just wish more of this collection was available in the US.  I couldn’t even find an official website for the brand! Although from what I could find out, the collection is exclusive to TheNewLook.com (super cute and reasonable fashion UK site) but the assortment currently available is very limited.  I want more!

On a recent trip to South Africa, I found my skin to be very dry so I set out to find a local product at the chemist;  I enjoy finding local remedies when I travel.  What the chemist had recommended was Bio–Oil. She let me try it on my skin and it quickly absorbed and had a good smell –I’ll take it!

I continued to use the product while in the South Africa and upon my arrival to NYC and it had done wonders- making my skin so smooth and even toned.    Thinking I could only get it in South Africa, I was surprised when to I found it at Duane Reade. Made with a no preservatives and a medley of good stuff (Vitamin A and E, Calendula, Lavender, and Chamomile oils) this summer my secret has been Bio-Oil.  I apply after it after the shower, and I’m good to go.  Great healthy skin, what else could a girl ask for?

Price: $19.99/4 fl oz., $11.99/2 fl oz.  For more information visit www.bio-oil.com

Affiliation: Pretty Connected has nothing to disclose.

I suppose it was only a matter of time when the singer of the hit debut single ‘Tik Tok’ would strike a watch deal. Ke$ha, brand ambassador and the face of Baby-G woman’s Casio watches rocked the Manhattan Club last night after the Casio press conference at their ‘Shock the World’ event which revealed her latest ad.

Ke$ha's latest ad for Baby-G

Khloe Kardashian’s husband, LA Lakers Lamar Odom, and actor Bryan Greenberg (my future husband), and skateboarder STEVIE WILLIAMS also presented as brand ambassadors for Casio. Also in attendance was Khloe Kardashian, Wendy Williams, Jake Pavelaka, Danielle Staub, and Kelly Bensimon.

Chloe Kardashian and Lara Eurdolian

Casio 'Shock the World' Press Conference Presenters

Danielle Staub at the Casio event

Omar Odom

Ke$ha

Bryan Greenberg

About Converse & Governors Island:

The Beach @Governors Island is in the heart of New York Harbor, only 800 yards and a 4-minute ferry ride from the Southern tip of Manhattan (even closer to Brooklyn). The Beach @Governors Island operates in conjunction with NY Water Taxi, who will provide continuous ferry service to the island for ticket holders on their fleet of boats.  This year’s expanded concert series is a result of the partnership of The Highline Ballroom, The Bowery Presents & Mad Dog Presents resulting in music programming representing a broad cross section of bands and performances that have become these promoters’ signature. There is a maximum capacity for The Beach venue on Governors Island. Please arrive early. For more information visit thebeachconcerts.com