After Work Survival Kit

I don't now about you, but I like to think of myself as spontaneous. The problem is, it's hard to be spontaneous when your girlfriends call you up right after you get off work to come and have a girl's night, or when your boyfriend surprises you by picking you up from work for an impromptu dinner date. So what do you do in a situation like that? Freak out, cry, laugh it off? Normally I would do all of the above, but since life doesn't stop for anyone, I decided I have to start rolling with the punches. And then it hit me, just like everyone should have an emergency and first aid kit in their car, us ladies should also have a date night/girl's night/look fabulous no matter what kit with them at all times!

I can't even count the number of times I've had to embarrassingly go out in my work clothes and without my mascara (gasp!). So, in order to prevent a catastrophe like this from happening again I have made a list of things that can take any girl from wilted to full bloom in just a few minutes. These items will help you be a modern-day Super Woman, you'll be able to go from work-day frump to nighttime glam in no time!

Item #1: Push-up Bra/Flesh-Toned Thong/Boy Shorts
Yes, I know that the first item is really three, but undergarments can all be in one category. The foundation of your outfit is what will make you look and feel your best, and you want to be prepared for anything, so I think these are a must when transitioning from work to evening. You don't want to be stuck in your "comfortable" bra and panties if you are on a date! Find great options at Macys.com.

Item #2: Skinny Jeans
There are very few items of clothing that can up your sexiness quotient quite as much as the perfect pair of curve-hugging jeans. I can only speak for myself, but the right pair of jeans can transform me from a tired bore into the life of the party! Looking hot is all about feeling comfortable and confident at the same time, and skinny jeans (as long as they don't cut off your circulation) do the trick. You can always find great deals at Forever21, and if you have a fuller figure (like me!) Guess Jeans always fit great.

Item #3: Sexy Tee/Flirty Blouse
Because, duh, what else are you going to wear with your jeans?

Item #4: Heels you can walk in & Comfy flats
Both because you never know how far you'll need to walk, or how sexy you need to look!

Item #5: Travel-Size Deodorant, Baby Powder, & Body Spray/Perfume
Even if you work in an office and sit all day, you probably don't smell amazing after work. If you don't smell good, you won't feel good! I use Baby Powder to lightly dust my flats before I wear them because you don't want your feet or your shoes to be smelly.

Item #6: Dry Shampoo & Bobby Pins
Although I don't believe there is a single dry shampoo out there that lives up to its claims, I do think that they are valuable in a certain setting; the setting being that you have to go out and either don't have time to shower or don't have access to a real shower. Dry Shampoos are great for smoothing frizz, controlling excess oil, and making stale strands smell fresh! My favorite is Ojon Rub-Out Dry Cleanser To-Go $10 Sephora.com. The bobby pins are just in case you need to pin your bangs, create a sexy braid, or whatever!

Item #7: Blotting Papers/Cleansing Face Wipe
No one looks good with a shiny face! Sephora's Lab Series For Men Oil Control Towelettes (not just for men!) $15 for 30 towelettes, are great for removing that end of day sweat sheen and keeping oil under control!

Item #8: Eyeliner/Mascara/Eyelash Curler
Do I even need to explain why?

Item #9: Sexy Lip Gloss/Lipstick/Lipstain
If there's one thing that can drive men crazy (at least on our face), it's a full, sexy pout, so never leave home without it! As we all know, I love CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain, but I also love Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Gloss from Target which is shiny, smells like cupcakes, and helps plump lips!

So, that's what's in my emergency kit! Have something else you can't hit the town without? Let me know!
love,
iCandy

I wonder if Marilyn Monroe ever felt guilty about eating a chocolate chip cookie? Or did she ever feel fat or un-sexy? It has taken me a very long time to accept the fact that I will never be a size 2 (or a size 4…or a size 6) but even keeping myself at a size 8 has become a challenge!

But this isn’t about size or weight, and neither is feeling pretty! For so long I let myself get wrapped up in my dress size and a silly number on a scale! Feeling pretty is about smiling, about being yourself, and about letting yourself indulge from time to time. It’s about embracing your hips (however large or small) and seeing the beauty in yourself and your body instead of obsessing over your flaws (which only you notice, by the way!).

So, in honor of PMS (and chocolate chip cookies!), these are my beauty picks for feeling absolutely gorgeous even on those gross “fat” days when you don’t work out even though you’ve already skipped a day (or two) and you just can’t stop yourself from indulging (don’t feel bad ladies, it really is hormonal).

Victoria's Secret - Satin Kimono Short Robe $39.99 Victoriassecret.com- Forget flannel, everyone needs a soft, sexy robe to slip on in the morning (or whenever!), and what could be better than a gorgeous, kimono-inspired one? This one comes in black, pink, and periwinkle and is guaranteed to up the sex appeal of the dowdiest granny panties (we all have a pair!).

Even if no one ever sees you in it, it will still make you feel like a gorgeous Hollywood starlet (think more Marilyn, less Lindsay). And if there is someone to see you in it, he or she will probably enjoy it even more than you will. Just because you're sitting at home doesn't mean you can't look spectacular doing it!

Fred Flare Holly Golightly Sleep Mask $14 fredflare.com - I am a huge B.A.T. fan and I fell in love with this adorable sleep mask that looks like it was snatched from Ms. Golightly herself! While you might not be able to sleep a whole night with this mask on, it is perfect for a mid-day nap or even just to hold your hair off your face when you wake up. If nothing else, it will make you feel pretty and glamorous, and isn't that enough? sidenote- Find this mask and tons of other cute, semi-useless things at fredflare.com

Gerber Grins & Giggles Lavender Baby Lotion (available at CVS pharmacy)- I bought this lotion because it was on sale for $1 at CVS and put it on that night after my shower. I know what you're going to say, "But, iCandy, this is for babies!" Yes, I know, but it smells amazing! The lavender/chamomile scent will have you sleeping like a baby and smelling oh-so-good. Just because we're all grown up doesn't mean we can't still indulge in a little good old fashioned baby lotion from time to time (or every night).

Forever 21 Black Ruffled Wrap Dress $27.80 Forever21.com- If you must leave the house, then this easy, stylish black dress is the perfect choice. The deep v-neck and pleated skirt (not to mention the color) hide a multitude of sins (including last night's dessert), while simultaneously making you look hot! It's almost too good to be true! You could even wear this dress with flip-flops and still look adorable (although some summery heels would definitely be the perfect match). Top it off with some cute earrings or bangles and no one will be able to tell that you woke up feeling not-so-hot.