Clinique SuperDefense

I've been using Clinique's SuperDefense Moisturizer for dry/combination skin for the past two years now and the stuff is just plain awesome. The best part is that it has sun protection, SPF 25 but it's not sticky or greasy.

With the increasing importance of using sunscreen, I'm wondering what other face lotion and sunscreen combos are out there? Certainly, I am not saying that there are not a lot, on the contrary, there are tons. What I am seeking is non-sticky, non-greasy, light lotion+sunscreen that is as good as Clinique's. Any recommendations?

Bare Escentuals Friends and Family

You just gotta love coupons that you get in your e-mail. This Bare Escentuals coupon is brought to you by Maylin. 20% off online or in store, June 19 to June 21. Use the code SHARE on checkout online.

I have two eyeshadows from Bare Escentuals. It's mineral make-up so it's "better" for your skin. I just love the two colors I got. Plus, if you add a little water, you have eyeliner!

MAC Cosmetics 25% Off

Only until tomorrow June 18th!!!

Bath and Body Works 20% off coupon

You can thank me when you see me. Coupon good until June 14th.

Idea for Bridal Showers or even Baby Showers: Bath and Body Works always make good party favor gifts. What better time than the semi-annual sale to put together that goody bag that everyone loves! The trial sizes are even on sale, if you wanted small party favors. Seriously good deal.

Ode to Coffee: Blue Bottle Coffee

I have decided that my new favorite coffee place in the San Francisco Ferry Building is Blue Bottle Coffee where each cup is a "work of art." Each cup is artfully and individually prepared. I have never seen the line shorter than 5 people and I swear it takes 5-10 minutes to make each hot cup of coffee or espresso drink.

The drip coffee is individually prepared with fresh beans grinded in front of you and the poured into a coffee filter while the girl behind the counter stands on her tiptoes and pours hot water over the grounds. If you order an espresso drink, the order goes to the people operating the copper contraption that somehow makes lattes, but I don't know how.

Drip is $2.50 and Espresso drinks start at $3.50 for a latte and up. The Michael Ricchuti (sp?) hot chocolate is something like $5.50 - highway robbery! That better be damn good hot chocolate, i mean damn good.

The flavor and aroma are not pungent or "astringent", i.e. it does not assault your nose or taste buds. It's smooth and subtlely flavored, just the way I like it. If you like your coffee strongly-flavored, I would say that this is probably not the coffee for you but I can't imagine why anyone would actually like the acid-breath sludge that passes for coffee these days. The flavors are unassuming, in a good way.

It's good coffee and worth the wait; you WILL have to wait.

Marathon Training Remedy: Foot Soak

So, I'm training for another marathon; this time the San Francisco marathon at the end of July. Needless to say, my feet are not very pretty to look at right now. I've managed to avoid a black toe but I've bruised two already, one toe on each foot. I have a huge callous on the left big toe and other weird bumps that hurt.

Two foot soaks I've tried so far:

1. Johnson's Foot Soap

This stuff smells okay, a bit medicinal but it works really well. My feet are nice and soft afterwards. It is supposed to relieve itching and burning but I didn't have those problems before so I can't really say that necesarily works.

2. Bath & Body Works Aromatherapy Stress Relief Foot Soak in Tranquil Mint

My feet are in the soak, as we speak. It smells a bit like men's cologne. Maybe it's just me. Well, it's not necessarily a bad smell, just a little perfume-y. This seems to do the trick too.

Both are great but I think Johnson's Foot Soap is cheaper. In this economy, cheap AND quality is always GOOD.

New Obsession: Sephora by OPI Nail Polish

Ever since Sephora partnered with OPI, I cannot get enough of painting my nails all sorts of pretty colors. My first love is Metro Chic, a gray polish with a noticeable purple tint. My second love is Access 24/7, a fun hot-pink number on the nails. And, my most recent addition to my collection: Mermaid to Order, a green-blue shiny color, reminiscent of mermaid tails.

I also bought a base coat and the drying drops (which are the most fabulous invention known to womenkind). The base coat was okay; I wasn't super-impressed the first itme I used it. It seems kind of thick and sticky but maybe I did not apply it correctly (although how does one screw up putting on base coat?). Anyways, the jury is still out on the base coat. The drying drops are fantastic! I highly recommend them to those who are in a rush but don't want to mess up their polish.

Here's a link to Sephora's Beauty and the Blog entry that refers to Sephora by OPI Nail Colour: http://blog.sephora.com/2008/06/sephora-by-opi-nail-polish-hottest-nail.html.

Visit Sephora's site to peruse the multitude of colors available: http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P217311.