avatar by on October 24, 2012   •   10 Comments Beauty You

Beauty tip: Save on cult-hit fragrance

Written by contributor Hayley Morgan of The Tiny Twig.

I‘m not sure if it’s the case everywhere, but right now all the cool girls are wearing Ambre Essence where I live. It’s a lovely fragrance that wafts behind you and stays all day. It’s not cloying, it’s grounded, and it’s really natural smelling. It’s also not cheap. It’s sold in boutiques and fetches as much as a department store brand (slightly less than $50 for a roll-on applicator).

When I was at The Influence Conference a couple weekends ago, I smelled the familiar aroma of Ambre Essence and complimented the sweet girl wearing the fragrance. She looked at me like I had five eyes.  Not only had she never heard of the designer fragrance I was referencing, but she plainly stated what she was wearing was cheap and from Whole Foods.

Is There Really a Knockoff?

This is where things got slightly embarrassing and I got slightly giddy. Had I found a knockoff to a perfume I thought was so unique? Did I find an option that was less than half the price?  Surely not, because I’d Googled “Ambre Essence Knockoff” (so classy!) months ago. So, I high-tailed it to Whole Foods at the first chance I got and gave it a whiff. Sure enough, this Whole Foods perfume (it’s only $7.99 in the store) was a dead ringer for the fancy fragrance oil sold at the high-end boutiques.

So, if you’ve been looking for a cheaper option to Ambre Oil–this is your dead-on-nobody-will-know knockoff. And, if you’ve never heard of Ambre Essence, head to Whole Foods (or order online) and thank me later. This scent smells lovely on every woman and is kind of mysterious and not-trying-too-hard sexy. It’s a home-run and an instant “signature scent”. You’ll thank me for helping you smell great, and your Christmas budget will thank me for saving some money for gifts!

Do you have a signature scent? Have you heard of Ambre oil?

avatar by on August 1, 2012   •   23 Comments Fashion

Developing a simple fall wardrobe

Written by contributor Hayley Morgan of The Tiny Twig.

After sweating it out all summer, I am looking forward to bundling up in turtlenecks and tweeds, knits and beautiful scarves.  Something about the jewel tones, rich textures, and luxurious layers call to me after the skimpy and casual summer months.

However, as much as I look forward to the autumn attire, I also miss the ease and simplicity of summer dressing.  Good news, though, with a few suggestions you can keep your fall and winter wardrobe as easy as your summer clothes.

Long ago, I decided I wasn’t going to be a hoarder of clothes.  My closet is smaller than my husband’s, and I rarely try on more than one outfit in the morning.  There are plenty of stressful things in life, but getting dressed should not be stressful.  I have learned what works for my body and what kind of clothes I really wear.  Those are the two biggest things to pay attention to when shopping.

Does this work with your body type?  Does this fit your preferences/what you normally wear?  I know what what looks nice on me.  I know my preferences–such as, I don’t like synthetic materials, because they make me clammy.

Do you know your answers to these questions?

[Read more...]

avatar by on May 2, 2012   •   24 Comments Beauty

5 favorite drugstore makeup finds

Written by contributor Hayley Morgan of The Tiny Twig.

I have a love/hate relationship with make-up.  I don’t like to have a ton of it.  I don’t like to have to rifle through mounds of cosmetics in the morning, simply to pluck out my favorite eye-shadow.  It’s just not worth it to me.  I would prefer to have less than 10 items that get me from blah-just-woke-up to ready-for-the-day.  This approach makes it easy to get ready fast and it keeps my cosmetics simple for travel.

I subscribe to the concept that you should save where you can and spend where you have to.  Because of that idea, I have sought out my favorite drugstore cosmetics–the ones that rival the department store brands.

[Read more...]