Same Game – New Name!

I (FINALLY!) shipped my manuscript off to my editor, so it’s back to some serious beauty blogging.

However, I won’t be doing it here. Don’t panic! I’m still writing about looking good – just under my newly (shortened) name.

So come visit me at www.phyllisbourne.com, and read about my upcoming Target run.

See you there!

P.S I’ll be moving ya’ll (beauty links) over in a few days. So pack up, my beauties!

P.P.S If you're on Twitter, I'll be re-friending you soon as phyllisbourne.

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Recession Confessions, Anyone?

Even if ya’ll are lucky enough to have a great-paying jobs and savings accounts brimming with cash, this long-running recession we’re in has to make you a bit nervous.

It’s eerie to drive past the mall on a Saturday afternoon and only see a smattering cars parked in the massive lot. And it’s downright scary to be seated immediately in Red Lobster on once standing-room-only Friday nights.

I won’t lie, these tight economic times have made me a little weird.

There was a time when gift cards (for me, the very best gift!) to my favorite stores and restaurants would send me running out the door eager to spend or eat up every dime.

Not anymore.

The fistful of giftcards I received on my birthday (nine months ago) have remained untouched and unspent.



“But why?????” You (and Mr. PBW) ask.

Because the recession-induced weirdo in me is saving them for hard times. If the worst happens, I’ll be able to go out to dinner and pick-up a little treat. Mr. PBW nods silently at my rationalization, but his eyes say, “If you don’t hurry up and spend those cards, I will!”

Sigh.

Okay, ya’ll. I’ve made my “this recession is turning me into a weirdo” confession. Now it’s your turn.

Are you in Sephora rehab? Stretching your hair salon visits? Buying more Maybelline than MAC?

You’re among friends here, so ‘fess up!

How has the recession changed you?

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Still Writing...

Ya’ll probably already guessed I’m either at my kitchen table or over at Starbucks working on my new book.

Still, I hope you’ll come visit me at Novel Spaces, where I’m blogging about my dream of writing (and buying cute shoes) in Paris.

See you there!

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Neutrogena To The Rescue

You know that sinking feeling.

The one where you’ve arrived at your vacation destination, only to discover you’ve left your favorite beauty product at home.

Well, just buy another one, you say.

Hmmm… not so fast.

That might be feasible with a $7 Revlon lipgloss or even my $25 Olay night cream. However, the thought of kicking out $53 for a new tub of my forgotten Kerastase Nutritive Masquintense conditioner makes me a bit queasy.

Don’t get me wrong. Kerastase has infused for my relaxed, colored-treated, thinning hair with bouncy, swingy life. And I will re-purchase it – but only after I’ve scraped every precious, pricey drop from the bottom of the jar.

So I dropped by CVS to see if they could provide me with a temporary solution. After a half hour of sifting through various conditioners, I decided on Neutrogena’s Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask.

Still, I have to tell you, I wasn’t expecting much for my $6.99. I certainly never thought I’d be blown away by this conditioning and moisturizing powerhouse.

After shampooing, I slathered on this thick, deliciously-scented mask and let it sit on my hair for 5 minutes (hey, I’m on vacation and don’t have all day!). I rinsed and went through my normal blow dry/flat iron routine.

This conditioner is pretty good substitute for my much loved regular conditioner, and it left my mane feeling and looking healthy.

I’ll keep a tub of it on hand for times when I have to cut into my hair product budget to buy shoes!

And a big THANK YOU to Chic & Sassy Designs for my new blog makeover!

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Holiday Food Hangover?

Overindulge on deliciously naughty foods at your holiday picnic?

Well, get on over to Novel Spaces, where I’m blogging about my adventures aboard the healthy snack bandwagon.

See you there!

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Product Review: Stila Kajal Eye Liner Pencil

An entire hour spent sifting through goodies at Sephora, only to end up at the counter with a yawn eye pencil.

Yeah, I know… zzzz.

But hold on a sec, before you go clicking away to another blog to eyeball a more exciting haul, this modest purchase just might have been my best in months!

I first put Stila’s Kajal Eye Liner on my “check it out” list after seeing it featured as a Product of the Month on Mischo Beauty's blog. Now when a magazine recommends something… well, let’s just say I’ve been burned. But when a fellow beauty blogger gives a product the thumbs up, I’m on it like the semi-annual sale at Nordstrom.

This soft, (and shockingly!) creamy pencil glides on in single sweep. It leaves a rich, smooth line I thought was only possible with liquid or gel eyeliners. And no pulling or tugging at the sensitive skin around my fortysomething eyes.

Best of all, it stays put until I remove it at night.

Stila’s Kajal Eye Liner has given this “mascara only” gal’s eye game a much-needed WOW!

The pencil is available in eight shades ranging from the stardard Onyx (black) to the more adventurous Amethyst (deep plum).

My pick? Tiger’s Eye, a deep brown.

Stila’s Kajal Eye Liners are $18 a pop and available at Sephora.

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Back to Blogging!

I’ve finally emerged from my lonely writing cave to do some blogging. Unfortunately, not here.

So come on over to Killer Fiction Writer’s, where I’m bitching… uh, I mean talking about the pressure to have a bikini-ready body at 40-plus.

See you there!

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