Shopaholic in Alabama

...In my humble opinion, of course!  For years, I've refused to use eyeliner pencils and have instead opted for liquid eyeliner. My favorite liquid liner has long been Artliner by Lancome. The biggest reason I like the liquid liner? Because I didn't feel like it was pulling my eyes as it was being applied. I hate tugging on my eyes and fooling with a pencil. However, I have now changed my mind about eye pencils. And it's all because I tried the one above - this one is called Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner by NARS. This eye pencil has a built-in sharpener and a retractable applicator, so you don't even have to carry a sharpener around with you.  NARS always cracks me up with the names of their colors (like the blush "Orgasm" or my favorite lipstick "Sexual Healing", the folks who name the colors have a sense of humor!). My new favorite eye pencil is named after some of the most famous and iconic streets in the world - think Abbey Road, B...

TGIF! Thanks for all your kind comments and well wishes, as well as business casual fashion advice, this week. I'm happy to report that even with a yucky sickness (ugh!), I made it through my first week of work! I'm getting up at 5:15AM and have been getting home between 5:15-5:30PM, which makes for a very long day (I have to commute to Pensacola). The only advantage? I've been watching the sun rise - and subsequently set - over the Gulf of Mexico on my drive. There have been some magnificent sunrises and sunsets this week, that surely helps! :-)  Tonight I wanted to share a few wonderful sales with you. These are some of the deals I plan to shop over the weekend.  First up, Francesca Joy Palm Beach is offering another Shopaholic exclusive discount. Enter code "SHOPBAMA" at checkout for 15% off everything (except stationery). Also, if you're ordering just a tote bag, please enter code "Magic12" for 40% off (note this code is for tote orders o...

We've already established the facts: I prefer to shop online. Cyber Monday is my kind of day - when online retailers offer some of the best prices and special deals of the year. Today, I'm putting together a collection of some of my favorites for you. Please note: I might add to this list periodically throughout the day and evening, based on incoming emails and other deals I run across.  First on the list: Tracy Negoshian's Cyber Monday Sale. For those who missed the Black Friday sale, this is your chance to take advantage of the exact same prices and Free Shipping! All Fall items will be 50% off, and prior season merchandise up to 80% off. Sale hours: Noon - Midnight EST. Code: CyberMonday11 - be sure to enter this code at checkout. I am planning to stock up (yes, again...ha!). Access the Tracy Negoshian website HERE . J. Bee Designs is one of my favorite websites. Offering preppy, fun and whimsical products for stylish living and gift giving, you'll have no trou...

Happy Monday!  Even though our temperatures for this week are in the 85-89 degree range, it's "technically" Fall. I am gradually embracing the change of season, and have moved the following favorite fragrances to the front of my vanity for rotation.  Meet my three longtime favorites for fall, winter and overall cooler weather.  "Coco Mademoiselle" by Chanel - you will get stopped everywhere and people will say "you smell wonderful". It's long been a staple in my fragrance wardrobe. Sephora says:  Sexy, fresh Oriental fragrance recalls the irrepressible spirit of the young Coco Chanel. An elegant, luxurious spray closest in strength and character to the parfum form. The signature Classic Bottle is perfect for the dressing table or for traveling. Spray lightly morning and evening on pulse points at the throat and wrist. "Addict" by Christian Dior - you need to be confident to wear this one! A little on the heavy side, it...

Hello Everyone!  Don't you love discovering a new makeup palette? I have always loved palettes; they are perfect for travel and typically include a few colors I would never purchase by themselves. One of my all time favorites is the "shimmer brick" by Bobbi Brown. The Bronze version pictured above is a staple in my makeup collection.   When choosing a new palette, I want to know I'll definitely use several of the colors - and have an open mind about trying the others!  Last weekend when the BFF's were here - I feel in love with this palette. Ashleigh already owns and was using this when we were getting ready for dinner. (Editorial note: isn't it fun to hang out with your friends and try new makeup/hair products?)  Now officially added to my Sephora "wish list" - The NAKED Palette by Urban Decay, $48. While looking on Sephora's website, I also found this new palette from Bobbi Brown...it's now officially on the "wish list...

Happy Monday, Shopaholics! Are you exhausted from the weekend, or is it just me? My lack of rest continues (read: no spa day today) as I help my Father on a work project. Maybe I can sleep in a few days... After the holidays, I felt I needed a pick me up that makes me look rested, even when I'm not! Two weeks ago, I was browsing on Sephora's website and ran across the Bare Escentuals Shimmer & Shine Collection, pictured above.  It was on sale for $45, originally $54 and valued at $142. What do you think happened? :-) That baby hopped right into my cart, and arrived four days later. And guess what, I love every single item in the kit! My favorite pieces are the two Natural Lipglosses. They are not sticky, and feel wonderful on the lips! I've also really enjoyed experimenting with the black eyeliner as I normally wear a colored eyeliner, very rarely do I go to black eyeliner territory. Are you wondering about the eye shadows? Yeah, I always love the BE e...

Happy Monday, Shopaholics! I'm betting that many of you had snow, ice and crazy weather over the weekend. Hope it wasn't too bad! Even here at the beach, we are experiencing mid 20's at night. Brrrr....But hey - doesn't the cold weather put you in the holiday spirit? :-) Today I wanted to profile a few of my favorite holiday gifts under $100. Let's see if you like my selections... Flora Earrings, in any color, $44 - from Caroline Grace Jewelry on Etsy (link HERE ). No matter what color is your gift recipient's favorite, you are covered. For winter, I really love them in teal. Of course I love all of Caroline Grace's jewelry - and you can't go wrong with these! A perfect stocking stuffer! Added bonus: CGJ is offering a 15% discount on orders less than $100 to all Shopaholic readers and a 25% discount on orders over $100. Use code "Shopaholic15" for 15% under $100 and code "Shopaholic25" for 25% over $100 at Etsy checkout. Fleece ...

Happy Wednesday everyone! I cannot believe it's already "hump day" - honestly where is the time going? It's well documented that I enjoy laying in the sun. YES, I know. The sun is supposed to be bad for me. YES, I know. Tanning causes skin cancer. YES, I know. I'm supposed to wear high SPF. I do. Especially on my face. As a result, I always end up with another problem...my face is lighter than my body. Significantly lighter. Do you use a bronzing powder? I have found that using one is the best solution to my "problem" with the white face and tan body. :-) Lucky for you, I have tried many bronzers in my day - meet "The Best Bronzers Around". Stila Sun Highlighter Retail price is around $26 and you can purchase at Sephora, Ulta, or directly from Stila.com. This powder does NOT have any gold flecks, but allows me to gradually build up the color on my face to match the color on my neck/chest. Use a large powder brush for application, and app...

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Welcome to Shopaholic's version of "My Favorite Things" and today we're talking about the most elusive....perfect lashes! I don't know about you, but I'm constantly searching for the next big thing and best products on the market. Sometimes this gets me into a LOT of trouble when Sephora boxes arrive at the doorstep, but that's a different topic. :-) On my agenda - lush, long, thick, well seperated lashes. I realize this is quite a tall order, but I refuse to give up the good fight. Trust me when I tell you, I've tried it ALL. Mascaras by YSL, Dior (don't understand the fever over DiorShow, did nothing for me!), Clinique, Lancome, Cover Girl, Maybelline, Benefit, Givenchy. You get the picture! Since I've tried so many and spent so much $$, I thought I'd save you the trouble and share my personal favorites!  First order of business - you need a great eyelash curler. Some people don't curl their lashes and I...

Hi Everyone! Those folks at SEPHORA, boy do they know how to tempt me!!! Here it is the day after Christmas, of course I got everything in the world that I "needed" (and lots of stuff I just "wanted"), and I don't need ONE thing from them. HOWEVER.....they have a huge sale section on their website, click HERE to access the sale. 230 items included, and through 12/31/09, use promotion code "EXTRA" at checkout to receive an additional 20% OFF the sale items only. What a great selection, brands include: Bare Escentuals, Cargo, Benefit, Kevyn Aucoin, Kinerase, Stila and MANY others. If this isn't enough for you, they also have a $10 or less section with goodies from Bliss, NARS, Benefit and others. You can click HERE to see those fabulous deals! While you're there, be sure to join their "Beauty Insider" program if you don't already belong! This program is one of the best in the industry, in my opinion. You will receive emails wi...