If You Can't Tone It, TAN IT!

What can I say...I'm a child of the 80's and I LOVE the look of being tan!
I spent most of my formative years laying out in the sun, likely doing damage beyond repair (that I have yet to see the effects of!).

But even though I had the entire summer off on maternity leave, I had no time for lounging poolside in the sun (not that I really wanted to be in a bathing suit mind you). And, now that it's the end of summer, I find myself looking in the mirror lamenting the paleness of my skin color.
So, I'm on a quest to find a great self-tanner to get me through the fall and winter!

Luckily, Bath & Body Works has some really fun options for getting that post-sunning glow (without the time investment, body drama or the potential wrinkles!). Right now I'm trying Glow & Steady from the True Blue Spa line (a faux tanning lotion that provides moisturizing benefits for super soft skin, smells good — a definite plus for a self-tanner — and provides SPF 25 to boot!). Plus, since it's a gradual self-tanner, so no one will be shocked by my end of summer sudden color explosion! And so far I'm loving the results.


Do you have any great self-tanning tips or products to recommend?
Share your golden goddess secrets in the comments or on Twitter @LittleMissNose

{photo cred: bbw, jordi labanda}

YouTube Tuesday: True Blue Spa...The Whole Shebang

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Look Ma, New Hands {$18.50}

Cuticle Treatment {$9}

Just a Minute Manicure Scrub {$12}

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Toe the Line {$15}

Shea It Isn't So {$20}

Footloose & Fancy Fizz {$15}

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Lay It On Thick {$20}

You're Never to Young to Spa...

For every Little Miss Me-Time in training (or just the young at heart), Broken Box Design's Spa Girl paper dolls are the cutest way to indulge. 

After you accessorize your paper gal with a candle, robe and facial, it's your chance to sit back and just say "spa-ahhhhhh....."

{photo cred: broken box design blog}

YouTube Tuesday: Suddenly Sauna review

On the tails of my 1-minute mani in the ladies' room yesterday morning, check out this brave gal trying the Suddenly Sauna spa gloves for the YouTube universe.

Skip the Spa & SAVE: Mini Manicure in 1 Minute!

I just gave myself a manicure...in the ladies room at my office!

Shocking, I know, but I SWEAR by 2 products for my hands — and it's so quick and easy, you HAVE to try it to believe it. Plus, you can totally skip hitting up that expensive the spa and save BIG!

STEP 1:

 True Blue Spa Just a Minute 60-Second Manicure Scrub

Ragged cuticles and mani-deprived hands rejoice! This scrub wakes up your rough, dry hands (and the orange-y, citrus scent is the perfect pick-me-up to start the day). Plus, it's super-exfoliating power is gentle enough to use every day.

STEP 2: 

True Blue Spa Look Ma, New Hands Hand Lotion

Use this just once and you'll never use another hand lotion again. It's just like getting a paraffin dip at the salon — locking in essential moisture for your softest, most touchable hands EVER!

BONUS!!! SUPER SECRET, SUPER AMAZING STEP 3:

1-2-3 Nail Buffer

Ok, so I don't necessarily have a ton of time to do this at my desk (that's my story and I'm sticking to it!), but if you've got just a few short minutes — 2–3 TOPS! — then I highly suggest you sneak this in too. This 4-sided miracle worker buffs and shines nails so they look like you just got a clear coat polish change at the salon. NO JOKE! It's an essential in any spa-lovers toolkit. 

{photo cred: bbw}

Vanity Affair

This past weekend, my husband and I had some friends over for a dinner party — I planned the perfect meal, selected a great wine and of course created a rockin' playlist. But while I was windexing the vanity mirror, I realized I had completely overlooked this all-important room. I wasted no time in transforming our boring bathroom into a little spa sanctuary — and it wasn't nearly as hard as you may think!

Step 1: Set the Mood

I am a fan of candle light over bright, utilitarian light anytime, anywhere — and the bathroom is no exception. Slatkin & Co. 3-Wick Candles burn beautifully; not only does the pool melt look great, it provides for maximum fragrance. I like Fresh Linen for its clean, crisp scent.

Step 2: Get Your Suds On

My guests love that I always provide a variety of hand soaps and lotions so they can choose a familiar fragrance; or, if they are feeling adventurous, discover a new favorite.

C.O. Bigelow Lemon Hand Wash — This lemon-y apothecary creation is an all-natural, all-around crowd pleaser. I like how it doesn't dry out your skin. My husband likes how it doesn't smell girly.

Signature Collection Anti-Bacterial Deep Cleansing Hand Soap — This is great for all of my germaphobic friends, and the fragrance options are practically unlimited. My current fragrance-of-choice is Warm Vanilla Sugar for it's sweet yet comforting scent.

CleanWell All-Natural Foaming Handsoap in Lavender — A great option for the nature lovers in your life, this gentle cleanser packs an amazingly fragrant punch.

True Blue Spa Just A Minute 60-Second Manicure Scrub — It's the next best thing to a manicure, and your friends will thank you for it.

True Blue Spa Look Ma, New Hands Softening Hand Lotion with Paraffin — Ultra-pampering, ultra-softening and ultra-necessary. Don't skimp — I have found the spa size to be completely worth it.

Step 3: Finishing Touches

Consider your guests needs; make all of your life-saving bathroom supplies available by neatly displaying items like cotton swabs, floss and nail files in glass jars. I like the new look of Ball's Contemporary pint-sized glass jars. Last but not least, top off the vanity with a stack of clean, fluffy hand towels — we recently received Williams-Sonoma Heritage Towels as a wedding gift, and even my manly-man husband commented on the ultra-luxurious feel.

{photo cred: bbw}