A Woman's Network - for when life is like juggling huge exercise balls

Fall Colors

When I speak of "fall colors" I am not referring to the foliage during the first two weeks of October in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.  I am talking about hair color, eye shadow, lip tints and blush.  Yes -- it is time to rethink those summer highlights. Time to tone down your simmering hot look and take on some earth tones that will soften your look this Autumn.

If you are like me, your hair has probably seen enough highlights until next season.  It is time to tone it down one or two shades.  I have gone from a double process -- dark blond base with highlights a shade brighter -- to a light brown single process.  It has softened up my look in time for the festivals of fall. 

As far as eyeshadow choices -- I will put away my shimmering bright colors -- and begin to use warm browns, and other earth tones.  A few great products that have caught my eye this season are:

Smashbox Eye Shadow Trio  - These versatile, perfectly coordinated shadow trios take the guesswork out of the picture-perfect, three-color eye. 

Paula Dorf's Eye Color Collection -- particularly the Bark, Safari, Tribal and WetSand.

For your lashes -- you must get a good conditioner and lash builder -- Paula Dorf's Perfect Lash fits the bill.  This lash conditioner thickens every lash for a full, lush look. Plumps up thin, sparse lashes and also works great as a pre-mascara.  And don't forget a good mascara -- I use Lorac.

For the lips I always recommend soft natural colors for any season.  Nudes, soft pinks and natural browns are perfect for Autumn days and nights.  Lip Fusion color shines and lip liners are the answer for the soft look of this fall.  They also make a fine lip conditioning product.

Finally for the cheeks -- I say go easy.  A soft earth tone with a shimmer of pink on your upper cheek will highlight your cheek bones and open your eyes. 

Lauren Hutton's Good Stuff is really good stuff.  With different shades for different skintones -- you can't go wrong with this purchase.

Skin Care

I have to let you all in on a wonderful inexpensive secret for beautiful looking, smooth, wrinkle-free skin.  My sister who is two years older than I am and has always been very beautiful has been looking younger and better over the past several months.  She has changed her diet and lost several pounds.  She has also embarked on a new exercise routine where she is aerobically working out several times a week, and she is in the best shape of her life.  She has more energy than she has had in many years -- and she looks absolutely fabulous for any age. 

While all this good healthy living undoubtedly contributes to her clean healthy glow, she claims that one product is responsible for her satin smooth skin.  She has been using Alpha Hydrox for several months and I have seen her wrinkles literally disappear.  I have been out with her when people have stopped her on the street to tell her that she has beautiful skin.  So, two weeks ago I took it upon myself to purchase a pot of the Alpha Hydrox formula and I have seen a difference in the way my skin looks already.  It costs around $10.00 and you can pick it up at your local CVS or at drugstore.com.  Based on the two week results and the way my sister looks --  I say go for it -- what can you lose -- just a few years off your appearance.

Fresh Summer Scents

I like to change my perfume with the season.  During the winter I like the rich fragrance of vanilla and musk in Gucci Rush.  In the spring I go for a more floral aroma, such as Prada.  And, in the autumn I like the earthy scent of Donna Karan's new Cashmere Mist.  But in the summer I like the fresh, clean smell of citrus, I like grapefruit and I like tangerines. For those of you who are not so lucky as to live around the corner from a Fresh cosmetics store, may I recommend a few of their really wonderful and crisp scents for summer.  The Fresh Index fragrances can be worn alone or layered.  The scents that I favor for the summer are... Index Grapefruit Musc, Index Tangerine Lychee and Lemon Sugar.  However, my very favorite Fresh scent for the summer is Index Pomegranate Anise -- You will love it too.  All Fresh Index fragrances are available at sephora.com.  Search fragrance -- keyword: Fresh.

Treat Yourself Well - Travel

Travel Links:   Book your trips for both business and pleasure with great ease and convenience.

Spa Finder -- for the best rates on Health and Luxury Spas across the country and the world.  Gift certificates for day spas available.

Orbitz.com -- on line hotels, car rentals, airfare -- compare and shop.

Cheap Tickets -- Rental cars, air travel, hotel accomendations

Hotels -- Both group and individual BEST rates and availability

Luggage -- Brand-name lugage at low low prces

Treat Yourself Well - Bare Essentials

Have you ever worn a bra that was very uncomfortable? 

Never wear an uncomfortable bra again! Bare Necessities  From sports bras to very sexy bras -- find all quality designer name lingerie and much more at very affordable prices

Treat Yourself Well - Beauty Products

Not feeling so pretty these days?

md Formulations -- for beautiful skin

Free complimentary sample at Prescriptives

Ahava skin, hair and body treatments

Spa Finder -- Health and luxury day and extended spa stays

Sephora.com -- Skin care, cosmetics, hair care and fragrances, HUGE SELECTION

Beauty.com -- Skin care, cosmetics, hair care and fragrances, DAILY PROMOTIONS

Greatskin.com -- Wonderful skin care products at affordable prices

Drugstore.com -- Health and beauty products, FREE SHIPPING with orders over $25.00

Treat Yourself Well - Accessories

A little bling to brighten up your day!

Ebay - for hard to find items

BlueNile -- Fine jewelery at affordaple prices

Beautiful Designer Handbags and accessories

No better accessory than a hot little sports car

Protect your eyes with the hottest summer shades by top designers at affordable prices

Nothing like a pair of new shoes

Can I interest you in a beautifully designed briefcase?

Fossil Handbags

Fossil watches

Treat Yourself Well - Shoes

Zappos.com -- the largest selection of designer shoes on the internet.  FREE SHIPPING

Steve Madden, Ltd. -- get the hottest and latest shoes by Steve Madden

Ebay - for hard to find items

B. A. Mason - well-known and popular name brands such as New Balance, Easy Spirit, Hush Puppies, Rockport, Keds, Ros Hommerson, Naturalizer and more! We specialize in providing hard-to-find sizes & widths.

Auditionshoes.com -- casual and dress footware for women

Birkenstock Central

Boot Barn

Frye Boots

ShoeMall.com -- SHOEMALL IS ONE OF THE WEB’S LARGEST FOOTWEAR SITES! ShoeMall has an extensive product list of well-known and unique brands available in hard to find sizes and widths

Shoedini.com -- Customers shop Shoedini for their huge brand selection, incredible range of sizes and widths, fast, free delivery on all orders, free return shipping, and unmatched customer service.

Treat Yourself Well - Great Gifts

Bathrobes.com -- Nothing like a terrycloth robe to snuggle up in 

Ebay - for hard to find items

Museum Express - Museum Express is the one stop shop for museum posters, Piatnik jigsaw puzzles, playing cards, memo games, great educational kits from Smithsonian, and Buffalo Games jigsaw puzzles featuring Norman Rockwell, Robert Silvers' photomosaic puzzles. Free shipping over $99.

Brookstone -- Great gifts for less than $100.

Babyoutlet -- gifts for children

Stationery with a personal touch is a wonderful gift for both men and women

Designer Ties, a perfect gift for the man in your life

Robin's Cookies -- This link is for Mia and the Haynes' girls -- THESE COOKIES ARE THE BEST!!!!!

ZIRH -- Great gifts for him

Spa Finders -- Gift certificates for spa treatments -nationwide

Sephora.com -- Gift certificates. perfume, beauty products, and accessories

PrimeWine.com

AKA.com -- Gourmet gift baskets

Hammacher Schlemmer -- Really cool stuff for him and her

Universalshades.com -- Designer sunglasses

       Fossil Handbags

       Fossil Watches

       Discovery Channel -- Great gifts for explorers of all ages

Toys, Toys, Toys! at Target.com -- gifts for children

Treat Yourself Well - Clothes

Ebay - for hard to find items

Swimwear, sportswear

Swiss Army Gear

Just My Size

Champion workout

Walmart.com --  Laurie's link

Fossil Women's

Shop Women at Target.com