The Good Girl Gone Blog

The Power of a Professional Blow Dryer

Misikko was kind enough to send over one of the BEST blow dryers I've ever tried, the HANA air professional. I was absolutely blown away (pun TOTALLY intended). I love that the blow dryer is super powerful without having to use extra high heat that damages your hair. The attachment nozzle directs air into a small, powerful stream that doesn't make my hair go crazy puffy.

Blow drying is faster, easier and definitely more fun. After trying out this baby, I'm going to get rid of my boring old drugstore blow dryer, and would honestly recommend you do the same. Sure, it's pricey, but I really do think it makes a difference.

*Misikko provided the blow dryer (and a bunch of other fun goodies) in exchange for a review. Opinions are entirely my own and were not influenced by the brand.

Meet Manpacks- Man's Newest Best Friend

Meet Manpacks, a cool service just for men. Whether you're a loving mother who wants to make sure your son has a fully stocked underwear collection or a Wall Street broker who simply doesn't have time to shop for the basics, ManPacks is for you. Choose from items like underwear, socks, shaving accouterments, undershirts and more.

From the site:

"Most guys HATE to shop. Manpacks eliminates mundane, joyless tasks with scheduled deliveries of underwear, socks, razors, condoms - all the basic essentials - every 3 months. Modify, rush, or delay an order anytime.

And since we're always on the hunt for the best products around, we make it EASY to find your new favorite pair via our member-exclusive emails and special offers."

Manpacks was kind enough to send over a few things for me to check out (and pass along to Eric). I love that you have the option of adding traditional items like Hanes boxer briefs or the more high end pieces like Pact organic trunks- it's totally up to you. I was very impressed by the quality of the items and might just keep the soft, white undershirt for myself- sorry Eric, that shirt is MINE.

Though I can't see Eric using the service (he's pretty good at picking out his own stuff!), I can definitely see this being a staple of busier men and mothers who want to send their sons useful and fun care packages.

I was provided this Manpack free of charge for the purposes of this review. Opinions are my own.

G3B on Gemvara

Hey folks, I'm super swamped this week with conference planning and a new project: guest blogging at Gemvara. If you haven't yet, head over to their site and check it out. Today's post is about creating the perfect manicure, so I know it'll be right up your alley.

I've got lots of fun stuff coming your way on G3B, so be on the lookout for more reviews, food photos and maybe even a little bit of puppy love.

What's in your Little Black Bag?

Have you heard? There's a new interactive shopping startup in town and it's got style! Little Black Bag is the wardrobe essential you never knew you needed. It's like if Sole Society (take a quiz to receive personal results and pay a monthly fee to get  discounted items tailored to your personality) got togehter with eBay (the suspense of the countdown clock) and Swap.com (swap things you don't want for things you do) and created a site for bags, baubles, beauty products and more.

Here's how it works:

1. Take the quiz to help LBB determine what you like.
2. Select an item- you pick the first one and LBB picks out a few more. You can't see LBB's choices until you agree to purchase.
3. Choose whether you want to purchase the one time option ($49.95 for now but going up to $59.95 soon) or the monthly subscription ($49.95/month).
4. Open your bag and examine the goods. See something you don't like? No worries, you can trade with other users until you get something you do like.
5. Once you're satisfied with your bag, have it shipped.
6. Open your package and if you're unhappy with any of it, send it back and get a refund or credit toward your next bag.

Here's my current bag. I chose the Olivia + Joy bag in the center, and traded a cuff I was on the fence about for a pair of earrings. I then traded said earrings for a fun Betsey Johnson ring. The only thing I didn't love? Those coasters. No one else seems to like them either, and I can't seem to get rid of them.

What I like:

• The concept- LBB is a great way to treat yourself to a monthly gift while discovering new brands and adding to your accessory collection.
• The return policy- don't like what's in your bag? You don't have to keep it!
• The social aspect- give feedback on the items in others' bags and get feedback on what's in yours.
• The delights- high end products (like $300 bags) at no extra cost.

What needs work:

• Unsubscribing from the monthly option- I accidentally clicked this and had to email to get it reversed. Fortunately, they were extremely quick about it.
• The quiz- my results were close, but I still ended up with lots of items that weren't "me".
• The LBB chosen items- I wish I had more options, maybe they give you 4 choices and you get to pick two. That way, you probably won't hate anything- I'm looking at you skinny neon green watch made for a sporty girl.
• The pricing model- $49.95/month is quite a committment, even if you can pass on a bag. I'd like to see a "Mini LBB" option for $24.95.

Interested in trying out Little Black Bag for yourself? You can use my invite :)

* Thank you LBB for providing me my first bag free of charge. All opinions in this post are my own.

How to: Dress up Dog Park Denim

 

This series is brought to you by Levi’s® Curve ID. Find your custom fit at Levi’s® stores or Levi.com

Since we got Maggie, I've been wearing jeans...a lot.  It comes with the territory of dog ownership that you can't wear dresses and heels to the dog park. If you do, all the "regulars" will think you're crazy and you'll end up either falling on your face due to an impatient dog or getting an unladylike run in your stockings.

That being said, it doesn't mean you can't accessorize well, which is exactly what I tried to do for this post. A pop of color in the form of a fun hair accessory, added texture in a beaded necklace and a pair of comfortable/practical boots with stud and buckle detailing.

I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

Happy Birthday, Little Nephew

 

My little muffin of a nephew just turned one and I just had to share this picture. He's a cutie, no? Wish I'd been there to celebrate with him. Maybe next year...

 

Florals, Fluff & Chunky Loafers

First of all, this is one of the most versatile dresses I own...and I got it on sale. Technically, it's a summer dress, but due to the random heatwave, I was able to go outside, sans-coat, mind you, and wear a non-February dress. (Check out how I styled it last summer with an equally fun pair of shoes!) Once you embrace the fact that you can mix prints, the possibilities are endless!

And now on to the shoes- aren't they beauties? I scored them at the Snob Swap, an event hosted by the Swapaholics last month. Though the name is faded, I believe they say "John Galliano"! Pretty sweet, right?

Outfit Details: Dress- & Sweater- Loft; Tights c/o Hue; Shoes- swapped; Belt- Forever21; Hair flower- H&M; Cute puppy- NEAS

In my Beauty Bag

In my Beauty Bag

Just another fun Skinny Scoop list I've been playing around with. It's by no means complete- I have waaaay too many beauty products strewn across my vanity which haven't made the list yet. I think that probably means I need to start chucking some of them- I never really believed in that whole "makeup has an expiration date" business, but maybe I should...

Puppy Playtime!

I've been spending more and more time outside since we adopted Maggie. I typically throw on jeans, whatever t-shirt I slept in, and pile it all under my big puffy coat. Gone are my days of wearing pumps just for fun, and I rarely put on anything besides my Kate Spade Snowboots. 

I'm getting used to having to take things out of Maggie's mouth- she really like socks, bras and blankets right now- as well as waking up at 3 AM when she jumps in my bed looking for things to chew. I then find her a bone and go back to sleep so she doesn't bark and wake up the dogs next door. 

She's such a sweetie, but to be honest, I don't know if she'd be as sweet if she couldn't have her daily jaunts in the dog park. I love that it's just down the street and that she has the chance to run off leash and play with the other neighborhood dogs.

And yes, I am starting to feel like a parent now. I've even referred to Eric as "Daddy" when talking to Maggie. It's weird.

Spanx Haute Contour: Wearable Shapewear

Yesterday, I headed into TJ Maxx to look for a dog food holder for Maggie and of course, I ended up checking out the shoes (there were some great wedges), bags (I had to stop myself from buying a super cute Dooney and Bourke bag) and accessories. I ended up checking out some camisoles, hoping to find something that could help hide a few lumps and bumps (yes, even people who wear a size 0 have them, and you're not allowed to get mad at me for writing this post!) and stumbled upon some really pretty pieces in the SPANX Haute Contour collection.

The cool thing about these pieces? Some looked like actual clothing, not underwear. I don't think I could ever see myself buying those horrible, fat squishing pants or body suits, but these pieces were super cute...and super on sale. 

I ended up coming home with two tops- one a simple black camisole covered in a sheer material, and the other a burgundy lace piece. I know they're technically shapewear, but a part of me almost wants to wear them as clothes. I'd definitely reconsider my dismissal of the underwear as outerwear trend with these pieces!

Pieces tend to be in the $120 range, but I got mine for around $15 on super sale at TJ Maxx in Downtown Crossing.

All images via SPANX.