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Simple And Cute Dresses From Shabby Apple
If you have a gmail account, you know that they send you targeted ads based on what's in your email content. I was talking with some girlfriends about how it's really, really hard anymore to find dresses appropriately cut for work, and a "modest dress" ad popped up. The site turned out to be Shabby Apple.
I don't know if "modest" is so much the right word, but Shabby Apple's dresses feel work-appropriate and are unfussy, no matter what your dress code may be. The founders wanted to make dresses available that fit women properly and comfortably without a bunch of camisoles and shaping garments to make them work. As a result, most of the dresses have a knee-length cut and a little more substance up top. Many are perfect for office staples, being a guest at a church wedding, you name it. Don't be put off by the neutrals I've chosen, either- there's plenty of bright color on the site.
I'm too spring-obsessed right now to pick up the Aspen (left, on sale for $57), but I really like the cut. The Jackie O. shirtdress at right is a great basic and a steal at $66.75.
Smile: Aquafresh White Trays
I've tried a few whitening agents without much success, until now.
Aqua Fresh White Trays :: $40 CVS
I noticed a difference. My teeth were ok before, just, well, a little off-white. Possibly on the slightly yellow-ish side if we're being totally honest.
The only problem I had was the same with Crest White Strips. Even just once a day instead of twice, I missed a day because I was out running a bunch of errands and I didn't have 30-45 minutes to sit around with two trays of whitening gel in my mouth.
It was much worse with the other brand of strips; I have no idea if they work or not because I used them so sporadically. I just could not find twice a day where I could spend half an hour without talking, eating or smoking crack. Kidding -- I've never smoked crack. Crack is whack! And also very bad for your teeth.
All this week I've noticed my teeth seemed brighter and whiter. I only skipped one day. I don't think that made a big difference. They're expensive, more than I'd like to spend, but after a week (or so) there is a noted change. With still one treatment left, I'd buy them again to get my grill going really super bright.
Wait, can you bleach your teeth to death? I wouldn't want to do that.
Keep it Simple With Dr. Bronner’s
I love beauty products, but I am not a believer in 40,000 tiny salves and creams being in the shower with you or 56-step face wash systems. I have shampoo, conditioner, and Dr. Bronner's liquid soap in there and that's it. My husband washes his hair with it, and it's done wonder to tamp down his psoriasis. I use it for my face and even, in a pinch, to wash the dog.
Why does it work so well for so many things? I think it's because there's nothing weird, chemical-wise, in the product's makeup. It makes a great lather without any sodium laureth sulfate- the stuff you find in most soap and shampoo (and the stuff that often makes your skin and hair feel kind of filmy). Companies put it in almost everything because it makes a great lather for cheap, and when you see all those bubbles, it makes you feel like you just got clean. Dr. Bronner's creates just as good a lather using organic coconut, hemp, olive and jojoba oils.
The peppermint variety is, um, extremely bracing and while it's my favorite, be judicious about where you choose to clean with it. The baby-mild version is a great everyday choice. Packaging for the liquid soap is made from 100% recycled materials and the plastic bottle can be refilled in many health food stores. A 16-ounce bottle runs around $8.99.
Check Out Watches From Space!
This spring's uber-feminine take on dresses and bags is balanced by all these huge cocktail rings and dominatrix-from-the-future shoes that keep popping up. I can't help it, I don't care for some of the shoes and I'll never like patent leather, but I kind of like the whole "jewelry from space" trend- especially these huge watches.
To wear one of these right, you'd need to keep everything else simple. I picture it on a girl with sleek hair and a plain dress and maybe a pair of sweet-but-weird flats.
Left, Nooka Zoo V-2 at 2modern.com, $310. Right, Nixon chalet, $200, available in about a million colors.
The selections above are readily available to whoever wants one, but if you want to nerd out with this, the vintage section of watchismo.com will blow you away. It makes you want to quit life and shoot lasers at people wearing ones of these watches, a Brigitte Bardot bikini, and six pounds of hair extensions. The mens' selection is full of once-in-a-lifetime gifts- I like this one.
Nine West Never Fails To Deliver
Looking for a stunning sandal that will last you through the summer and won’t break the bank? Nine West’s Jobilyn sandal will do this and more. Coming in an array of colors from pink, torqoise, brown, white and and black, there is something for everyone.
My personal favorite is the super sleek faux-snake pair in metallic silver. I wore them to work this past week and got compliments all around! (Don’t you just love when that happens?)
The only problem you will have with these eye-catching shoes is with deciding on which pair you want, or if you are lucky, how many pairs you want! Get them at Nine West for just $79 dollars.
