Step up in colored tights!

Colored tights, of gossip girl fame, back by popular demand and better than ever! I've been spotting colored tights all week due to the chilly air that has finally taken over here in L.A..

Spotted: the lovely Miss Chealsea Handler rocking red tights on her nightly show.

Spotted: My adorable, ever fashionable mom in a black minidress and blue tights!

Once I saw them on my mom, I knew I had to blog about it! Not only are colored tights a great way to update what has become a boring winter staple, they are super cute!

Colored tights under a black minidress or romper strike the perfect note between sweet and sexy:

Not only are colored tights big this season, patterned tights are also a huge trend. Don't be afraid to play around; colored or patterned tights can give an outfit great visual interest and can make a simple dress or outfit look super fashionable.

Already tried this trend? Send me a pic at icandy.faceaholic@gmail.com to be featured on my blog!

Get your sizzle on this winter

Photo:http://dailywd.womansday.com/blog/2009/04/cutest-pet-of-the-day-all-bundled-up-.html

As much as I hate to let it go, summer is officially over. No more shorts, no more beach days (well maybe just a few more), and no more flirty, curve-flattering dresses (unless you think there's something attractive about goosebumps).

Unfortunately for me, due to my penchant for carbs and sweet sweet cupcakes (susiecakes, why so good?) and my non-enthusiasm for the gym, My wiggle has recently acquired a substantial amount of jiggle. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, I mean, who doesn't love a nice full hourglass? But dressing that hourglass has definitely become a challenge. Just when I get the hang of dressing my fuller bod for warm weather, that nip in the air arrives to coax me into getting my frump on.

But where would we be if our forefather's had just given up? If Abraham Lincoln had just decided to take the easy way out? If Tyra had settled for just looking pretty? Hmm, well maybe not that last one, but the point is, I refuse to attend my 8am classes in droopy sweats! I will not succumb to the cold or to the rain and sacrifice fashion for warmth! I can be warm, comfortable, and fashionable while making my body look amazing, and you can too.

Enter Vain Jane's Winter* Wardrobe Staples- because rolling out of bed can look good!

• A pair of dark velour pants that makes your ass look sweet! Juicy is obviously the leader of the pack but if you don't feel like dropping a benji on a pair of slutty sweats any knock off pair will do as long as they make you feel as sexy as they do comfy.

• A plaid shirt or jacket in your favorite color- nothing says take me home and ravish me in your ski cabin like plaid, and even if there is no such cabin in your foreseeable future, it can never hurt to be prepared. Better safe than sorry ;)

• Moccasin-Style Boots- Kate Moss started the trend for goodness sake, not to mention the fact that they are so deliciously comfortable. My faves are Minnetonka, the lace-up knee high, the tramper, and the back zipper bootie.

• A Cuddly Over-Sized Cardigan- turns jeans and a tee into a chic low-maintenance look.

• Leggings & Tights- How else are you going to make your favorite summer skirts, dresses, and shorts cold weather wearable?

• An off the shoulder tee or sweater- Can you think of anything sexier than baring your shoulders when the rest of you is almost completely covered, because I can't!

• A Bunnyesque Beanie/Beret to get you through those bad hair days. When else can you wear a hat in L.A. without smoke coming out of your ears?

*Winter in Los Angeles, but these tips can be adapted to any climate no matter how ridiculously cold!

To a fantastic frumpy-less winter! What helps you keep things hot when the temperature is dropping?

Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Foundation SPF 20

Let me preface this by saying that I have never before worn foundation in my life. I pretty much get by with my Clinique concealer and my MUFE HD powder. So, I got a sample of this foundation with my last order from Sephora.com and I used it for a few days. The sample was nice because it came with all 4 colors and enough to probably use it for about a week.

My first impression of the Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle foundation was that it gave really nice, natural-looking coverage and it was really easy to apply, I just used my fingers! It's pretty much mistake proof, it goes on really sheer and you can build the coverage if you like.

After the third day of wearing it, I got home and I felt like my skin couldn't breathe. I felt a ridiculous urgency to get it off of my face. I figure this is because:

1. I have combination skin that can be very oily in areas.
2. I work on my feet all day walking and moving around and that can exaggerate the oiliness.
3. It had been raining and the air was pretty humid.

So, for any and maybe all of those reasons, I just couldn't stand another day of wearing the foundation. I have to admit I loved the way it evened out my face and my skintone, but it did feel a little bit like my skin was suffocating at the end of the day.

I think this foundation would be perfect for someone with dry or mature skin, but if you have oily or combination skin and you live in a humid environment, just skip it.

Also, Sephora's Friends and Family sale starts today online, 20% off with the code FF2009!

love, iCandy

Don't know what to buy? Check out this post for some great ideas: http://www.musingsofamuse.com/2009/10/sephora-friends-and-family-2009-guide-for-hauling-should-haves-must-haves-and-everything-else.html

Yves Rocher Fall Fragrance Sale + New Tendre Jasmine Perfume

I have to confess; I've been a little rebellious when it comes to my scent. I work in an industry where perfume is not allowed, and the fact that it's forbidden only makes it more exciting to me! I absolutely love fragrance and I truly believe it is one of the most important components of any outfit, so you can imagine how hard it is for me to leave the house without my signature scent du jour.

Lately I've been sneaking a spritz here and a dab there of my L.A.M.B. and my rose solid perfume, and it makes me feel so exhilarated. Plus I love smelling a whiff of my perfume throughout the day.

As I mentioned before in my review of Leslie Blodgett's Bare Skin, scent is a very powerful thing that has the power to bring up memories and take you back to a place you haven't been in a very long time! This is one of the reasons I love perfume so much, along with the fact that it's something that makes you feel so sensually pretty no matter what you're wearing (especially if you're not wearing anything!).

On that note, Yves Rocher is introducing their new Tendre Jasmine perfume and I can't wait to try it! When I was younger we had a night blooming jasmine bush (tree? vine?) outside of our house and smelling the flowers from my window was just so magical. Ever since then I have been in love with the scent of jasmine. It is so delicate and clean but fragrant at the same time.

Take advantage of Yves Rocher's Fall Fragrance Sale, up to 50% off, and as if that weren't enough, they are giving free Tendre Jasmine mini perfumes with any fragrance purchase!

Just thought I'd let ya know!

love, iCandy

Clinique: Exclusive Holiday Preview & 3 FREE treats!

Here is a gorgeous special offer from Clinique to score a little somethin' somethin' while you're stocking up on essentials. I am exhausted today from my 8am class and also because I spent about 3 hours shopping at TJ Maxx. I was getting a little curious after seeing all those commercials, and although I wasn't blown away by anything, it was a good shopping trip overall. I managed to get some basics on sale like t-shirts and undies, and I got the sassiest interview outfit for my hopefully upcoming internship interview! Expect a post on interview attire soon! I always get so stressed about interviews. I don't know how much of my personal style I should project when I'm going on an interview or if I should just keep it cool and professional. Today I found myself wondering if neon pumps might be appropriate, so obviously I need a little guidance! If you absolutely can't wait go to WhoWhatWear.com for style advice on any occasion! Have an amazing weekend, love iCandy

Getting ready for the season of giving!

Photo: http://www.stilacosmetics.com/promos/holidaygiftguide09/default.asp?utm_source=ncr&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=holidaygiftguide09

Happy Almost-Thursday! I am super tired and also feeling a little lazy today so I'm posting this e-mail I received from Stila about their holiday gift sets as a reminder that the holiday season is fast approaching so start saving now! You don't want to stiff anyone on your list (ok, maybe just one or two people).

Here is the link to the web version of the e-mail: http://www.stilacosmetics.com/promos/holidaygiftguide09/default.asp?utm_source=ncr&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=holidaygiftguide09

But seriously, the holidays are coming and they'll be here sooner than u can say "holiday weight gain", and what better to gift your friends and family than the gift of beauty, a la stila. Obviously there are a lot of things that would be better, like louboutin heels or a fantastic vacation, but those are not really in anyone's price range! What I mean to say is you could do a lot worse than a gift set from Stila!

love, iCandy

P.S.- I recently discovered that people who are addicted to facebook are called "faceaholics", so I am thinking of changing the name of this much-read blog. Something along the lines of "SexyMessyMakeup&Fashion", because being perfect is so 5 minutes ago! Let me know what you think, suggestions are greatly appreciated because records show I'm not as clever as I think I am!

Yves Rocher!

I used to wash my hair with Yves Rocher's chamomile shampoo every night all through elementary school! It gave me the prettiest golden highlights in my dark brown hair and made it oh-so-soft. Imagine my delight when, on a whim, I searched to see if they were on the web, and they are! (http://www.yvesrocherusa.com/control/main/)

It turns out my beloved chamomile shampoo has been re-branded into a golden highlight enhancing specialty shampoo (on sale now for $7.60!), which is more than fine by me, as long as I can have it! Browsing the site was like taking a stroll down memory lane, remembering how I used to terrorize my mom while she opened the boxes she ordered from Yves Rocher, and begging her to let me have the mini perfume samples.

If there were ever a brand that I fully and wholeheartedly trust it would be this one! Every bottle reminds me of the sweet innocence of childhood and of being completely taken care of. Just seeing the name written out on the website was a pull on my heartstrings. I know some people might find my deep psychological attachment to the brand hard to understand, but everyone has something from their childhood that reminds them of being loved and taken care of. Maybe it's seeing that old school coppertone that your mom slathered on you painstakingly day after summer day even though you cried and complained the whole time, or maybe it's the brand of oatmeal your dad made you before school. Whatever it is, don't worry, I get it!

Not only do I have a deep and long-standing emotional relationship with Yves Rocher, I also love their high environmental standards ( they earned the highest certification for their North American office), and the fact that they don't use any animal products in any of their products. This is truly botanical beauty at it's finest! Can't you tell that I just love love love this brand? It's not too often that you get a little piece of your childhood back, so for me this is really special, but the products are truly great and amazingly priced. Trust me, I'm a lifetime user!

coupon code: 15THANKS to get 15% off any order at http://www.yvesrocherusa.com/control/main/