Creole Hootinany Rx!

Hey muchachitas,
Tomorrow morning, I'm off to celebrate July 4th at a family reunion in Natchitoches, Louisiana! I'm so excited. It's le creole side of my family, the Chevalier's, and I plan to eat lots of crawfish etoufee, meatpies, and various marinated things. Oh, the food! I actually have a distant cousin who's won the great Southwestern Gumbo Cook-off many times over. You can imagine my delight. It's going to be fabulous, but also very, very HOT. And HUMID. And MOSQUITO-y. Think ever cliche about Louisiana wweather--sultry, soggy, searing--and that's Natchitoches (it's also the proud town where Steel Magnolias was filmed! In fact, practically all my ancestors were wedded in the church where Julia Roberts got married in the movie!). The point is, I wouldn't dare step off the plane without a serious sunscreen and an even more serious bug spray. Good thing the darling all-natural beauty brand, Kiss My Face, makes a combo situation! Kiss My Face Sunswat Waterproof Sunscreen & Natural Insect Repellent SPF 15 ($7.89) somehow manages to protect your skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays AND shoo away gross critters...all without artificial colors, animal ingredients, and the nasty-smelling DEET chemical that's found in harsh bug sprays like OFF. In fact, Sunswat smells like aromatherapy heaven because it contains lavender, citronella and cedar--three ingredients that apparently terrify mosquitos. Definitely a must for all your July 4th BBQ's, picnics and things. Have a fabulous weekend, miladies! I'll be thinking of you as I inhale an entire pecan cake. In the meantime, check me out on The Fashion Bomb, where I give tips on breaking into blogging. Don't you just love The Fashion Bomb? Gracias Clare!
Kisses,
Tia

PS...Speaking of Louisiana, if anyone's going to be at this weekend's Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, you must stop by Carol Daughter's third annual Pop-Up store! New Orleans has named July 2nd "Carol's Daughter Day," and from the 3rd to the 6th, you'll be able to shop for all your favorite products in a temporary store in the French Quarter (Mary J Blige and Chris Brown are expected to make in-store appearances!). Here are the deets:

What: Carol’s Daughter Pop-Up Store

When: July 3rd-July 6th, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Where: 622 Conti Street, New Orleans

I'm melting, I'm melting...

Hi ladies,
I attempted to have a stoop sale this weekend. For those of you who have the pleasure of living in real houses with yards, a "stoop sale" is a yard sale for brownstone dwellers like moi. I was trying to get rid of a bunch of random stuff, since recent developments have me thinking that my teeny apartment is about to get MUCH teenier.

More on that later! Tee-hee, I'm such a tease.

Anyway, it went really well until a torrential downpour rained me out (actually, I'm totally lying. It was a failure, mostly because the bulk of my stuff was old shoes, and apparently most Park Slopers don't even KNOW a someone who wears a size 10. Hmph.) But to tell you the truth, I was rained out way before the thunderstorm happened. It was sooo hot, and I was a sweaty, bleary mess. By the end of two hours out there, my blush had traveled to my chin. I won't even tell you what happened to my mascara, it was too ghastly. It seems to me, though, that a fabulous new makeup collection has been sent to answer my summertime prayers. Cargo "Melt-Proof" Makeup Collection ($39...a $90 value!), a collection of three water-resistant products, was formulated specifically for sweltering summer days! I don't actually own this yet...my friend introduced it to me yesterday after I told her the story of my melting maquillage. But I tried it on and tested it out at an outdoor flea market, and my face was totally intact at the end of the day! The limited-edition collection includes a the Better-than-waterproof Mascara, a Melt-proof Bronzer, and a Melt-proof 3 in 1 Eye-Cheek-Lip Palette in Coral/Shimmering Apricot/Bronze (fabulous for all skin tones...seriously, my friend is blonde and it looked gorge on both of us). Enjoy!
xoxo,
Tia

Me on Ravinstyle!

Hi girls,
Well, today is a good day! I'm profiled on the faaabulous style boutique,Ravinstyle.com, as one of their "Style Definers!" Click on my pic on the home page to see the profile! Apparently, my style is "Haute Hippie," though I must say, that's more what I aspire to look like than what I actually wear. I work from home, which means I'm generally wearing my sister Brownie/Devon's old UNC-Chapel Hill gym shorts and a tee that says "Everybody Loves a Latin Boy." Hey, guess what? In honor of the wildly flattering profile, Ravinstyle.com is offering all Shake Your Beauty readers free shipping on all orders! Just use the promo code 'shakeyourbeauty.' The offer is good until August 31st, so start shopping! And seriously? If you've never been on the site, you're about to max out your Visa...it has the cutest collection of summer dresses, sandals, accessories, and other such luxuries. Have fun!
Big kiss,
Tia

En Vogue, Lint, and Weezy

Hi girls,
Did you watch the BET Awards last night? Did you?! I'm still squealing internally OVER the GLORIOUS 90's girl group reunion with Alicia "I-unintentionally-flashed-my-Spanx-on-the-way-to-the-stage" Keys! I thought I'd die before I ever saw SWV, TLC, and En Vogue (including the elusive Dawn!!) sharing a stage together. I was awash in a squishy-warm glow of female empowerment and overwhelming nostalgia. I hate to get all 33-year-old on you girls, but honestly, they just don't make 'em like that any more. As my sister Lauren said, these ladies were rusty, and STILL came out sounding better that half of the R&B chanteuses of today. I just wished someone would've checked Cindy's mic during rehearsal. Anyway, watching that performance made me want to call up all the girls I've lost touch with from UVA, have a big slumber party, drink Tang-spiked Zima, and try to replicate Chilli's baby hairs on each other with a fine-tooth comb.

Just so I don't sound completely over the hill, allow me to say that I firmly believe Weezy SMASHED it. How I love that brilliant little Dark Crystal puppet.


Okay, onto the beauty. On a totally unrelated note, I've discovered yet another little lifesaver (you know, a product I never thought I needed and now can't live without). I discovered a box of Lint-on-the-Go Sheets ($12.99 for a pack of 20) in a party goodie bag that other night, and instantly fell in love. I HATE lint, and since I have a shed-y dog, it's a constant problem for me. I usually carry around a travel-sized lint brush in my purse, but it inevitably get stuck on everything and it's way too bulky. These tiny (4.5" X 3"), individually wrapped lint removal sheets fit in the palm of your hand! You can toss one into your purse, desk drawer, luggage, or gym bag, and be secure in the knowledge that you'll be liberated from lint, hair, and weird fuzz all day long. I hear these ingenious packs were gifted to the stars at last year's awards shows, and now the likes of J. Lo, Tyra, and Angelina are obsessed. Worthy company!
xoxo,
Tia

Q&A Monday

SYB BABE: Marlie Massena

QUESTON: "I LOVE wearing flats! But I hate all the issues that come with wearing shoes with no socks, like sweaty feet. I know you are the queen of finding these little but super helpful accessories. Please help!"


TIA'S 2 CENTS: Oh, Marlie. I just love that you've christened me the Queen of Moisture-Absorbing Foot Products on this overcast Monday morn. It just so happens that I love le flats, as well, and I also suffer from perspiring peds...especially since, as a New Yorker, I have to walk everywhere. For the past couple of summers, I've kept this little gem in my bag at all times: Fruits & Passion Deodorizing Foot Mist ($14.99). It's a purifying mist blended with eucalyptus and tea tree oils, which absorb sweat and stinkiness, like, INSTANTLY. You spray it all over your feet and in-between toes before you put on your shoes in the morning, and then re-spritz every three or four hours after that (or as needed). And in the cooler months, you can even spray it through tights, hose, or socks. I know several sweat-conscious Manhattanites that keep a bottle in their purse, and another in their desks at work. Try it!!

xoxo,
Tia

She got legs...

Hi girls,
Fabulous new MAC invention alert! Everyone's favorite Canadian Cosmetics Company just introduced the MAC Skinsheen Leg Spray ($22.50), a mousse-textured sheer bronzer that adds a slight glow to legs, arms, cleavage...anywhere that you feel needs a touch of ooh-lah-lah. Now, I never really subscribed to the "leg bronzer" movement because, well, my legs are already brown. But this stuff doesn't change your skincolor, it ENHANCES it (pronounce with a soft "a"). It leaves the sauciest hint of a glimmery sheen...only someone looking veddy veddy hard will notice. And this is the person you want to notice you, anyway, right? I am super-tan right now, and I'm wearing Deepest Dark (it also comes in Medium Dark and Dark), and somehow it makes my tan look even yummier. I put it everywhere but my face. Gorgeous!
xoxo,
Tia

Shutup and drive

Hi ladies,
Yay! Yay! Great news! I just passed my driver's road test! Long story. Honestly, this is so embarrassing, but if I can't tell my SYB Babes, who can I tell? Girls, NEVER let your license expire past a year. Why? Because you'll have to go through the ENTIRE TESTING PROCESS AGAIN. I'm talking the five-hour class, the written exam, the learner's permit, and then the road test. The indignity...I've been driving my whole life! Can you imagine me in a driver's ed course with a bunch of 16-year-olds? One was actually writing the lyrics to some Flo Rida song in his notebook (I know this because I asked...look, I write a teen series, it's research). Anyway, I got through all the preliminary stuff and finally scheduled my road test a couple months ago. You'd think this wouldn't be a problem--I mean, it's really just a formality, right? I've had a license since I was a croissant-banged teenager! Well, no. You'd be surprised at how many bad habits you pick up. I failed and shocked myself and the tester by crying a river of tears. Last week my second chance, and I passed!! Congratulations are in order.


I'm telling you this story not only to warn you about the dangers of letting your license expire. I swear to you, after I'd successfully knocked the test out of the park, my young, pretty tester asked me what perfume I was wearing. This may or may not have affected her decision, I'm not sure. But I was delighted to tell her it wasn't a perfume at all, it was Mark Self Sanctuary Honey Jasmine Dry Oil Mist ($10). I have some kind of weird stomach thing happening and I can't stand my usual fragrance...so I've fallen in love with this awesomely fresh dry oil spritz. It's lightly scented with the barest hint of honey and jasmine...just enough to impress the road test powers that be. I love it; it's perfect for the summer! Spray it all over, it's incredibly moisturizing and gives your skin a sexy glow.
xoxo,
Tia

Big PS...I got so many emails about Motion's fabulous new Marula Natural Therapy Collection, I thought I'd remind you that Glam.com is giving away of the luscious Hair Strengthening Moisturizer! Click here to enter. In case you missed my last post, the Marula collection is designed to repair and strengthen hair that's been demolished by chemicals and heat styling. Basically, Motion had me in mind when they whipped up these babies! I've been using the Hair Strengthening Moisturizer for two weeks now, and Adelina, my Dominican stylist, has been oohing and aahing about my "suave" hair like nobody's business!

PPS...To the girls sending all the emails, yes, this is my real hair!

PPPS...To the other girls sending all the emails, the dress I'm wearing in my "Makeover Mama" post is a red shift from H&M!