Neuro Disgusting

I'm always willing to try the latest and greatest energy drink.  I recently found Neuro products at my local Walgreens.  The one I tried, Neuro Sonic, claims "mental performance in every bottle."  Smart juice?  Fuck yes, I need that.

Only...it tastes disgusting.  It reminds me of those detox drinks you find in a head shop, when you're frantically preparing for a drug test.  No?  Just me?  Point is, this tastes terrible.  I do not recommend.  Kelly Osbourne, this is how you lost all of your weight?  Was it from vomming after the first sip?

Baby Lips

Forget the Victoria's Secret lip plumpers.  They either don't work or smell like a cigar.  Strange.  Put on your big girl panties, march into the nearest Sephora, and buy a REAL lip plumper.  Please see my top picks below:

DuWop Lip Venom - $16 at Sephora

Too Faced Lip Injection - $19 at Sephora

Use the last one with caution.  If you put too much on, your lips feel like they're on fire.  Oh, and ladies, please stop with the lip injections.  God.  It's been too long since I've seen someone with lip injections/fillers that didn't look like a fish.  Or maybe it's those stupid fishy faces I see all over facebook.

Also, for those of you who have baby lips like me, try some nude lipliner.

Gym Creativity

Sometimes, I run out of ideas at the gym.  I tend to use the same machines or the same exercises as my get-fit ritual.  Problem is, you don't always "feel the burn."

Found this site that is EPIC:

Exercise Finder

You just click on a body part, and it will provide you with a list of exercises.  Bonus: they have exercises for teams of 2.

I think this all started when I started looking at pictures of celebrity abs.  Actresses and models?  You ain't got shit on rockers like Gwen Stefani or Pink.

Punch Bowl

This is why I need to have a dinner party in the near future:

Recipe is found here, although I think Martha Stewart forgot to add vodka.

Dress Up

Justin laughs at me because, whenever we're going on vacation, I'm packed at least a week in advance.  OCD much?  I just hate when it's time to pack, and I end up putting on my own personal fashion show in my closet.

But there's a solution!

I came across this sight called Polyvore, which allows you to mix and match clothes and accessories to create outfits.  Not only will this prevent the long dress-up sessions while you're packing, but this gives you time to mix and match outfits that you'd like to purchase.

Below is what I plan to wear on Labor Day.  Too bad the braclet costs more than my car.

Gray, Turquose, Yellow by asnjohns

Halston Heritage ruched strapless dress
£131 - theoutnet.com

Seychelles flip flop shoes
$50 - dsw.com

Irene Neuwirth turquoise jewelry
$28,180 - ylang23.com

Rachel Leigh 14k earrings
$52 - endless.com

Buckle belt
$80 - farfetch.com

Madison Patent Large Wristlet
$98 - coach.com

Gel Nail Polish

To me, nails are the finishing touch.  It's like the cherry on my sundae.  If someone has taken the time to make their nails look nice and clean, it says to me, "I take pride in my personal hygiene and appearance."  This sentiment is not applicable for anyone with nails like this.

Adversely, nails aren't always practical.  I'm a nail-biter, so I usually opt for acrylic nails.  However, it's a struggle to put in contacts, button a shirt, untangle a necklace, or type.  Since I spend 1/3 of my life in front of my computer, I need an alternative to fake nails.

I refuse to believe I'm the only person on earth whose nail polish chips the second I leave the salon.  It makes manicures a waste.  And forget about me painting my own nails.  It's like kindergarteners and finger-painting.  The solution?  Gel nail polish.

If you want to read a full review, check out Anne Fritz's gel polish review.

I pay $40 for a gel polish manicure, but it NEVER chips.  Ever.  It's also a bitch to remove.  One of these days, I'm going to invest in some UV polish:

Gel Curing Lamp - $68

Shellac Polish - $13.00

shellacnailpolishgel.com

Banana Republic's Mad Men Collection

Suck on that, Banana Republic.

The Limited - $46.90

Banana Republic - $89.50

I'm trying to channel my inner Joan.

Pink Bentley

Yep.  This seems right up my alley.

A Woman's Dog Tags

According to Urban Dictionary, a purse is defined as:

1. A pretty container attached to a long strap which a woman may sling over her shoulder. She uses it to carry her ID cards and other items of a personal nature.
2. A woman's dog tags and collar.

Ha ha.  Word.

My newest gripe is knock-off purses.  In my younger years, I was guilty of this very offense.  But now that I have the means to purchase quality bags, and realize the blatant differences between a real Coach purse and a knock-off, it grates my nerves. 

Really lady?  You're wearing sweats to a Walmart, and you're rocking Chanel?!  I doubt it.  Do these people who purchase knock-offs realize how much this actually costs?  I could NEVER afford Chanel.  Even if I could, I'd probably beat myself for blowing that much cash on something I throw my shit into.

If you're going to to try to fool people into thinking you're carrying an authentic designer bag, why not try some brands that are more realistic.  Dooney & Bourke, Juicy Couture, Coach, etc.  That is not real Burberry.  What tipped me off?  Your '94 Honda Civic that pulled out of the Goodwill parking lot.

Banana Bread Beer

A little tidbit about me...I work from home.  No, I'm not vested in some ponzi scheme or selling baby food on the internet.  It's legit.  The perks of my situation, aside from hanging with my pup all day and avoiding commutes, is that I am required to spend one week of each month in the Tampa office.  Poor me.

I've never traveled for work before.  Another little tidbit about me...I'm 25.  I haven't done shit yet.  To my pleasant surprise, I can expense meals.  Enter amazing Tampa restaurants.

My personal favorite in the Tampa Bay Area is Datz Deli.  It's basically a hodge-podge of really good food from around the world.  They carry everything from authentic French macarons to Creole grits.  The beer collection is fairly robust, and of great quality.  I can't speak for the wines and liquor, but that's definitely on my to-do list for the next trip.

I tried a banana beer.  Initially, I thought I would be covert, as expensing "banana bread" as opposed to "unusual brewski" would raise less eyebrows.  But it was actually REALLY good.

If you're ever in the area, Datz is a must!  My personal pick?  Carolina On My Mind with Datchos.

Entourage's First Lady

I feel like Emmanuelle Chriqui is an under-appreciated trendsetter.  Numerous times have I been watching Entourage, and one of her many outfits has caught my eye.  I'll blame her for the bills I've racked up at the mall.  Her style is so pulled together, yet carefree.  Also, it seems like Sloan is always dressed for some sort of glamorous job (PR, perhaps?).  Does her character work?  If her father's a millionaire, shouldn't I expect the same fashion sense that Paris Hilton puts forth?

I was recently reminded by one of my male co-workers of what a beauty she is.  Seriously.  Why isn't this girl in more film/television?

Love the yellow dress.  However, the white suit and red pencil skirt are showstoppers. 

Wax On, Wax Off

I'm a super advocate of brazillians!  Ladies, suck it up.  Unless you're a magician with a razor, I'm 95% certain that, even with a careful shave, the razor bumps and ingrown hairs are going to look like you have herpes.  Seems counterproductive, no?

Leaps and bounds ahead of regular wax venues is Uni K Wax.

The wax is a combination of pine sap, beeswax, and aloe, which is not only eco-friendly, but hurts much less than its paper strip counterpart.  If you're in the Tampa area, hit up my girl, Jema!  She did mine in 20 minutes, and it looks fantastic.  If you want a second opinion, check out my new fave beauty review site:

Beautiful Women