So, I’ll admit it…the life of a beauty writer doesn’t suck.

As says the awesome Nadine Haobsh (aka Jolie in NYC) in her new work, Beauty Confidential: “Imagine a life where highlights and haircuts with the world’s top experts are free, where there is an endless supply of Crème de la Mer, where you leave work at 2PM to get a massage or pedicure and your boss cheerfully tells you to have fun. Now imagine you get paid to live this life. Welcome to the world of a beauty editor.”

Nadine’s guide demystifies beauty and helps make it accessible for all women. Beauty editors are simply lucky enough to learn a few extra special tricks, and Haobsh shares them, as well as her stories and mishaps-in-the-name-of-beauty, with readers.

Some of her beauty commandments that I simply must share:

1. Never wash your hair two days in a row

2. Always wear SPF 30 sunscreen, come rain or shine, winter or summer

3. Wash your face every night before bed…even when drunk…even when tired

4. French manicures are not an option

5. Everybody looks better with a hint of bronzer or self-tanner

6. Avoid frowning—just like your mom said, your face will stick that way

7. Don’t smoke—it causes wrinkles, sallow, uneven skin, and yellow teeth. (Oh, yeah, and that whole cancer thing, too.)

8. Introduce acids into your daily routine—glycolic, salicylic, retinoic, whatever. Your skin will thank you.

9. Antioxidants are your best friend. Eat them, drink them, wear them, love them.

10. Smile. When you carry yourself beautiful, you are beautiful.

Check out Beauty Confidential, or visit Jolie in NYC!

We wanted to make Think Pink month end off with a … shot.

Many of you entered our camera contest earlier this month, and for those of you who weren’t lucky winners the first time around - you have a chance at yet another awesome piece of photographic gadgetry. (Don’t you love me?!)

This month, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Casio, Inc. released a special-edition camera bundle, featuring a pink EX-Z75, a camera case embossed with the pink ribbon and a pink ribbon-clad lanyard to show their proud support of the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF).

“The National Breast Cancer Foundation was founded to give help, support and hope to those facing breast cancer,” said Janelle Hail, Founder and President of the National Breast Cancer Foundation. “We thank Casio, Inc. for joining us in helping save lives through education and early detection.”

The 7.2 megapixel baby is fun, totally easy to use, and sure to please. It is also super slim - even slim enough to slip into your hot jeans between shots. (I believe this can apply to any way you choose to define the word!)

EX-Z75 is packed with a 2.6-inch wide LCD display, Anti-Shake DSP for reducing photo blur due to shaky hands or moving subjects and eBay mode which allows for photographs to be easily uploaded at the appropriate size for selling on eBay or for personal web use. Here’s why I love this camera: 34 programmed settings referred to as Best Shot modes that will enable you to capture perfect images under a variety of circumstances. Drunk, wobbly, and holding a plastic cup in one hand and the camera in the other? You will still get a good shot!

Thank you, technology!

One reader will win this camera - by telling me how UNLUCKY you are. Casio is known for their Best Shot mode - built around saving us from ourselves. So tell me about some of your WORST shots. Saddest tale wins!

You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy a creepy, chocolatey dessert on Halloween. And what’s creepier than gooey mud (chocolate pudding), dirt (crushed Oreos) and worms (duh, gummy worms!)? NOTHING! The only thing NOT creepy about this particular yummy Halloween creation is the nutritional info — it ROCKS! Check out this spooktacular recipe from Hungry Ghoul… er, Girl — Guilt-Free Dirt & Worms Surprise!

Ingredients:
2 small (4-serving) packages sugar-free fat-free instant pudding mix, chocolate
4 cups fat-free milk
12 gummy worms; chopped into thirds
3 packs 100 Calorie Packs Oreo Thin Crisps; crushed

Directions:
To make the pudding, add both packages of pudding mix to the milk, and beat with a whisk for 2 – 4 minutes (until pudding is thoroughly mixed and thickened). Pour pudding into a wide serving bowl. Place in the fridge for at least 15 minutes to set. Once ready to serve, sprinkle worms over the pudding. Then, evenly distribute crushed Oreo Thin Crisps on top. MAKES 8 SERVINGS

You can also whip up a single-serving version of this recipe using a Jell-O Sugar Free Pudding Snack, a few gummy pieces, and a small handful of crushed Oreo Thin Crisps.

Today on the The Great Mate Debate:

So many people are using technology to capture their lives – from camera phones to YouTube, MySpace, and Facebook – that the idea of living a “private life” is changing. What impact do you think this will have on relationships in the future?

Visit, comment, bookmark!

Many of you may be aware, I have recently joined the folds of MAC lovers far and wide by purchasing my first MacBook. Of course, new baby iZac requires some sexy accessories. Among his favorites:

From Skooba, this skin is part tote, part sleeve. It’s super cool because you can either encase your laptop in it and throw it in your tote (it’s specially designed to fit snug against your notebook’s shape), or pull out the handle and use it as a carry-alone. PS: It comes in pink, and everyone knows pink/black is the ultimate in geek-chic.

These are so hot, that I got a matching one for my iPod as well. Fabrix is a Singapore-based company that provides exclusive customized cases for all gadget lovers who seek protection for their precious gadgets. They are most known for the above gadgets, but can actually create cases of any size for anything else you want to house (i.e. guess what my DS Lite is getting for Chanuka?!)

As you may have noticed from previous posts (i.e. falling off my bed into a pit of clutter), i live in a pretty cramped space. Thus my sexy new sugary pink Razer ProClick Mobile mouse is making all sorts of space-saving dreams come true. It has a 1200 DPI resolution, is Bluetooth-powered, and comes in a cute little travel pouch. Even better, its ambidextrous design is lefty-friendly!

Coming soon: iZac’s WINTER WEAR. Cuteness alert: It involves fire-engine red flaming madness tweed. I’m such a good mommy.

If you are like me, getting through the work week sometimes mandates some pampering.

And getting it free is the coolest option of all! If you are in New York, starting this Wednesday, October 31^st through November 3, Grand Central Terminal will be transporting shoppers and commuters not to points north and east, but to 50 world-class spas! Did I mention FREE?

The event will pamper visitors with free beauty treatments, facials, and massages from the world’s top spas including:

* Oasis Day Spa, a favorite of Scarlett Johansson, Susan Sarandon, and Joey Fatone;
* Miraval Life in Balance, Oprah’s spa of choice;
* Clarins Skin Spa, Jeremy Piven’s pick;
* Golden Door Spa, visited by Lance Armstrong, Sheryl Crow and more.

The best part: A star bank account isn’t necessary to sample these exclusive treatments. The four-day event, presented by Spa Finder, the global spa resource, is FREE and open to the public.

Additionally, spa beauty leaders - Clarins Skin Spa, jane iredale - The Skin Care Makeup®, and MD Skincare by Dr. Dennis Gross - will be offering free treatments including:

* Alpha Beta® Face Peel from MD Skincare® by celebrity dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross

* Expert color matching and mini-makeup applications from jane iredale - The Skin Care Makeup®, known for bestowing color upon famous faces like Madonna, Julia Roberts, Victoria Beckham, Paris & Nicky Hilton, Rihanna, Paula Abdul and many more.

For more on The Spa Experience, see: The Spa Experience web site at: http://www.spafinder.com/select/thespaexperience/press/pressrelease_01.jsp

They say it’s better to be a lover than a fighter.

The exception to the rule involves coming to your hair’s defense in the fight to maintain style throughout harsh winter weather.

Luckily, Hiro Haraguchi, owner of the Hiro Haraguchi Hair Salon, the elegant Midtown destination with an outpost at Hotel Gansevoort, shares his expertise on how to defend your coif against sleet and snow.

CHALLENGE #1: FINDING A WINTER-FRIENDLY HAIRCUT

SOLUTION: Get Growing, Start Shining

Winter is the perfect season to let locks get a little longer and to grow out unwanted layers left over from your summer cut. According to Hiro, having fewer layers, especially in the back of the head, will allow seasonally-strained hair to really shine. To promote healthy hair growth, make a standing “trim” appointment to keep the ends of hair clean and dead-ends free. If you’re really craving a change, try a few face-framing layers or dramatic, heavy bangs.

CHALLENGE #2: TURNING UP THE VOLUME ON BODYLESS HAIR

SOLUTION: Use Your Blowdryer & Rollers Like A Pro

Straight-haired darlings should place slightly damp hair in\n2-2½-inch Velcro rollers (3-inch rollers if your hair is extra long),\nstarting from the front and working your way to the back. Once all the\nrollers are in place, blow-dry until your hair is completely dry. Next,\nremove the rollers, turn your head upside down and comb through with an extra-wide\ntooth comb (steering clear of the roots, so as not to “deflate” the volume). Both looks can be finished with a light mist of hairspray.

CHALLENGE #3: REPAIRING MOISTURE-STRIPPED HAIR

SOLUTION: Get A Shot (Of Keratin, That Is!)

Cold temperatures can strip healthy hair of much-needed moisture. To rehydrate dry hair and give it the vitamins and nutrients it deserves, visit the experts at the Hiro Haraguchi Hair Salon for a Keratin “Shot.” This deep conditioning treatment is a customized “cocktail for the hair.” Result: restored moisture, shine and strength. In need of serious pampering? Add the Keratin Shot to your normal cut, color and blow-out services. For extremely damaged hair, try the Kangen Healing Water Keratin Shot. The Kangen water is especially purified, resulting in hair that is detoxified, strengthened and shinier.

10. Find your inner Chakra Kahn! Our lower chakras (energy centers) are said to be teeming with the desire for money, sex, and food. Working this lower abdominal/pubic area in yoga is good way to fire up your own rendition of “Ain’t Nobody Loves Me Better.”

9. Get your Mula Bhanda on! Also known as “root lock”, this technique of gently contracting the perineum (pelvic floor) will strengthen your core, spine, and surrounding muscles—while bringing awareness to your anal and sexual glands.

8. Regal Kegel. Much like the Mula Bhanda technique, Kegel exercises can bring greater awareness to the sex glands by intensifying orgasms. Originally designed to strengthen bladders of pregnant women, these exercises consist of contracting the pelvic muscles upward and inward and releasing them, usually ten times in a row. Practice this technique during intercourse, and you and you’re partner will reach bliss.

7. Rockin’ to the core. Balance and strength in yoga come from a strong core. By increasing spinal flexibility and strengthening your abdominal muscles, you’ll be able to move in energetic ways that an 18-yr old would envy. Not a bad skill in the sack.

6. Look hotter in a thong. Heard of the term “yoga butt”? It’s true.

5. Intimate yoga poses. It’s been a year since you thought twice about sticking your butt up in the air and audibly breathing with twenty other people. Congrats, you’ve gotten over your bodily self—now go stick your behind in that special someone’s face.

4. Sensory Bliss. Nothing feels better or more sensual than lying in the final resting pose after an arduous class. You’re totally aware and totally relaxed all at once. Your skin is cool, your muscles are worked, and your body feels alive. Now that you’ve experienced such luscious sensations in yoga, imagine the possibilities elsewhere.

3. Emotional release. Yoga teaches us how to let go and just be. Words to live by when trying to enjoy and experiences other kinds of releases.

2. Selflessness and Empathy. Each yoga practice is filled with positive intentions and love for ourselves, and therefore, others. Give those good feelings to the light of your life.

1. A stronger, sexier you. Yoga works wonders in enlivening our bodies and heightening our minds, perhaps the perfect combo when it comes to reaching nirvana with ourselves and with others. Period.

– Tips courtesy of Barbara Purcell of UrbanRaptureNYC.com

Babeland’s blog had a very interesting post this week regarding a recent survey of the best songs to “do it” to. According to the post, Bangers and Cash’s list includes an interesting mix running the mill from Bjork to Mazzy Star. (How often are they are the same list?!)

So, in the spirit, I ask…what are *your* favorite songs to get (and stay) in the mood?

(Once again, thanks to our friends at The Bachelor Guy!)

Van Gogh Vodkas have taken some of their 19 flavors and stirred up a witch’s brew of drinks guaranteed to grab some eyeballs and add to the atmosphere at your monster mash this (or next), weekend.

Eyeball Martini
3 oz Van Gogh Vodka or Van Gogh Gin
Hint of dry vermouth
Olive stuffed radish

Pour ingredients into cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for five seconds and strain into martini glass. Garnish with an olive stuffed radish that has been scored to create the “veins” of an eyeball. (See pic)

Spider Cider
2 oz Van Gogh Wild Appel Vodka
2 oz Sour apple schnapps
Cranberry juice
Apple juice
Gummy spiders

Freeze gummy spiders in ice cubes ahead of time. Fill a pint glass with the spider packed ice. Add Wild Appel vodka and schnapps. Top off with half cranberry juice, half apple juice.

Booberry Martini
2 oz Van Gogh Acai-Blueberry™ Vodka
1 oz White chocolate liqueur
1 oz Amaretto
Skewered blueberries
Marshmallow ghosts

Pour first three ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for five seconds, then strain mixture into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with skewered blueberries and/or marshmallow ghost.