Saturday's Cocktail: Poinsetta

I've been trying to figure out what to serve as a cocktail for Thanksgiving dinner. I'm in charge of the stuffing, the gravy, and the cocktails, just like every year. This time I wanted to do something just a bit retro, and I couldn't help but think of a good, old-fashioned champagne cocktail.

Poinsetta
1/2 oz triple sec
3 oz cranberry juice
Champagne

Add triple sec and cranberry juice to champagne flute. Add champagne to fill. Garnish with a cranberry and orange twist.

Hollow stem champagne flute, $99 for a set of four, Barware.com.

Product Review: Sephora Brand Lip Last

If you haven't noticed, Sephora is rolling out their own line of professional-type tools, designed to help make your products last longer. I think most of the Sephora brand items are pretty good, especially given the price point, so I was excited to grab the Sephora Brand Lip Last. I'm always looking for something to make my lipstick last a bit longer.

The Sephora Brand Lip Last works pretty well. I'd say it keeps my lipstick on about twice as long as it would usually stay, but not as long as a lip stain would last. The downside? It's really drying on the lips. In fact, when you apply it with the brush, it smells like straight up alcohol. I'm assuming that by drying the lipstick out, it enables it to last longer than usual. But it dries out your lips too! Putting a gloss on once the product has dried may be an option, but then I notice the lipstick not lasting as long.

Bottom line? Works great, for what it's supposed to do. However, if your lips are already dry, I'd avoid this one like the plague.

Daily Dose of Pajamas

I hope everyone enjoyed the month's worth of daily pajamas! As you can probably tell, I'm pretty passionate about my loungewear, and love to have soft, comfortable things to lay around in.

I will keep bringing you the best of the things that I find while surfing the intertubes, so keep your eye out for my next project!

Total Beauty Weekly Web Tour

Viva Woman tells you how you can use evening primrose oil to calm your acne flare ups.

Lipstick Addict makes a review on Artdeco Pure Minerals Compact Powder for the very first time!

Have dry, dull and lifeless hair? Beauty Tyrant has found the answer to shiny, beautiful hair.

Beauty411 spotlights the Lancome C'est Magnifique Holiday Collection. Stop by and enter the giveaway for Le Vernis Nailcolor in Midnight Glam!

Neon Bible tells you the best holiday gift to give to the fashionista in your crew.

Beauty Junkies Unite finds out if Sephora Brand really does have the Tricks of The Trade! Does the new eyeshadow primer and lip peel really work?

Mother Blogger Beckie of Girl-Woman-Beauty-Brains-Blog shares with you 9 tips to keep you safe and beautiful as seen through the eyes of rapists and date rapists.

MissWhoever You Are
shows you how to get Zoe Saldana's gorgeous outfit without the hefty price tag.

Has Boutique Flair's Krista had one too many Coronas with lime? Check out her Crabtree & Evelyn’s Aromatherapy Distillations Revitalizing - Conditioning Body Lotion review, and judge for yourself!

Monique at Beauty Girl Musings has found a great, not to mention fool-proof, way to get someone you love a new scent for the holidays without buying something they won't like! Read all about it here!

Beauty 365 is giving away a Carol's Daughter gift set. Be a doll and enter today!

Frappelattes smells and reviews Britney Spears Believe fragrance, a sweet guava scent spiced with warm patchouli and sensual amber notes!

eye4style visits the Times Square Sephora for an Eye Studio experience!

The Makeup Divas introduces you to a new product invention that will protect and keep your makeup brushes safe.

A Mom in Red High Heels shows you how to get gorgeous Holiday Hair in a Hurry!

TotalBeauty.com shows you how to recreate the "Four Christmases" star's hairstyles in their How to Steal Reese Witherspoon's Look photo gallery.

Mineral Makeup Reviews takes a look at Colorescience Mineral Makeup, which was created by the original creator of Bare Minerals Foundation.

Suzanne at RN Guide to Skin Care explains the benefits of Retinol in Skin Care and reviews Retinol Products.

See why The Beauty Blog thinks that philosophy supernatural concealer is the best concealer on the planet.

I Heart Heels is totally loving Rock & Republic Cosmetics. Check out the review!

Indian Girl tells you why your nearest drug store is THE place to shop for Skincare and Makeup !

How To Get Lindsay Lohan's Metallic Nail Polish Look-by Talking Makeup.

The Advice Sisters feels "Diversion" is a serious issue in the beauty industry you should know about but she's also been blogging about holiday beauty, too!

It's '90s Ladies week at Beauty Blogging Junkie! Click
here to read about what examples of '90s pop culture has inspired Amber's product choices.

Nur @ I Love Looking Good loves the smell and touch of Brylcreem on her Jaan's (bf) hair. Hair Styling's Easy with Brylcreem and it is THE hair product to recommend your beloved boyfriend or husband.

Makeup By Ren Ren shows you some inexpensive ways to get to get glossy hair.

Glossypink shows you a lotion that will give you the softest skin of your life!

The girls over at Beauty in Real Life show you how to achieve a great everyday/causal eye with Smashbox. Click here to view.

The Jet Set Girls tell how to use Urban Decay Primer Potion in two new ways.

Spoiled Pretty is giving away two sets of Tracy Reese for Sally Hansen Fall 2008 Collection. Ten catwalk-inspired colors absolutely free? What are you waiting for...enter today!

For the Men Fridays: The Four Elements of a Perfect Shave by The Art of Shaving

Pure luxury. The Four Elements of a Perfect Shave by The Art of Shaving kit combines Pre-Shave Oil, Shave Cream, After Shave Balm, and a Pure Badger brush.

These aromatherapy-based products have an excellent reputation as being able to soothe razor burn, prevent ingrown hairs, and give an unbelievably smooth shave.

It's not just the product, but the technique that The Art of Shaving promotes, and you will learn it all with this kit.

The Four Elements of a Perfect Shave by The Art of Shaving, $120 at Saks Fifth Avenue.
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Pajama of the Day: Pink Cherry Blossom

Aren't these just gorgeous? For some reason, they just seem very calming to me.

These are made of 100% Egyptian Cotton, which is unreasonably comfortable. Top is a fitted short sleeve, while the pants have a drawstring.

Machine washable, tumble dry low. Sized from small to x-large.

Bedhead Pink Cherry Blossom Pajama, $128, Bedhead Pink Cherry Blossom Pajama.

Holiday Gift Idea: MoroccanOil Hair Care Bundle


Clearly, I am loving the whole MoroccanOil hair system. It gives me such smooth, easy to work with hair that I just can't help spreading the word.

This is a great value, and a great way to get someone who has curly, frizzy, dry, and/or damaged hair a great start into getting it in line. The entire set, which includes the Oil, Masque, Curl Cream and Styling Cream is only $129! That is a fabulous value, and a great way to stuff a stocking.

Moroccan Oil Hair Care Bundle, $129 at BeautyChoice.com. Right now, $15.00 Off any BeautyChoice.com order over $100. Coupon Code: pepperbeauty. Expires: 12/31/08.

Pajama of the Day: Give me the Chocolate and No One Gets Hurt

I wonder if these will give you sweet dreams? I would probably just dream about an amazing chocolate cake, wake up and eat everything in my kitchen, but these are cute enough to take the risk.

Made from cotton poplin, the top is a button up and the pants are drawstring. Easy care, just machine wash and tumble dry. Retro (ankle) length, and an amazing array of realistic sizes: XS through 2X.

$41.98 at OnlyPajamas.com.

Holiday Goings-On With Boots

Boots just has all kinds of things going on. They are doing complimentary holiday makeovers in select stores. And if you register as a Boots Club Member before you go, you can get bonus points and a $2 coupon, plus other exclusive discounts and such. Some of the discounts that are going on include:

  • 10% off select No7 Color Cosmetics
  • 15% off select No7 Protect and Perfect Beauty Serum
  • 15% off select No7 Protect and Perfect Body Serum
Boots has some great products, and I'm personally still exploring everything they have to offer. Check out the reviews at Total Beauty for more insight into this popular British brand.

MoroccanOil Winner! Congratulations!

The MoroccanOil contest has wrapped up, and I'm so excited to announce that Lisa G. has won!

I hope she loves it as much as I do, and for those of you who entered, thank you! We will be running another contest very, very soon, and I can't wait to tell you about it!

Holiday Gift Idea: Sookie Stackhouse Boxed Set

I've spoken about my love for all things True Blood before. If you haven't caught it on HBO yet, you'll want to give it a shot. I know that it's all about the Twilight series right now, but True Blood is where my heart is.

Right now, Amazon has the entire Sookie Stackhouse Boxed Set
for a special price of $33.56. Perfect for that book lover/pop culture fanatic on your list.

Pajama of the Day: Hello Kitty

With feet. I am not even close to kidding. Hello Kitty footie pajamas! I had no idea such a thing was even out there, but this is just sheer awesomeness.

Made with royal blue fleece, this has a zipper enclosure. Rubberized feet with elastic at the back of the ankles. 100% polyester, so you just toss them in your washing machine with confidence.

Sizes S through XL.

$34.99 at Amazon.com.

Another Acne Treatment: Niapads

I recently got an email about an interesting new product. I have breakout-prone skin, so I am always on the lookout for new products that help me with that. All I have found that really works is salicylic acid, but I'm always willing to give something a fair shot.

Niapads are individually sealed face cleansing pads featuring the ingredient Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), considered safe enough for even pregnant and nursing mothers. Used twice a day, these pads might help treat your acne. You can also use non-greasy moisturizers with this product as well.

While I haven't tried it, I love the fact that they are so travel-friendly. I am thinking about getting some and trying them out when I travel to Salt Lake City in January. I shouldn't have a problem getting through airport security with them!

Holiday Gift Idea: Pregnancy Gift Box Set by Belli Skin Care

Pregnancy Gift Box Set : Natural Treatment, Cream, Removal, Safe Scar Free Prevention : Belli Cosmetics

I think this is a fantastic gift for the expecting mom on your holiday gift list. There isn't anything that a pregnant woman needs more than a bit of pampering, especially towards the end of her pregnancy. This gift box includes Pampered Body Wash, All Day Moisture Lotion, Elasticity Belly Oil (great for helping with itchy bellies and supposedly preventing stretch marks), Skin Smoothing Body Exfoliator, and Foot Relief Cream.

Now through 11/30/08, Belli Skin Care is offering a discount to Daily Dose of Coffee readers. Simply enter the code "BELLISECRET20" at checkout.


Pajama of the Day: Pink Louis XIV Pique

I want to lounge around in these like royalty, drinking some champagne and eating French pastries. Or at least sit in a really plush chair by the fire as servants bring me hot chocolate. Or I could just hang out on my couch and dream about all of those things while wearing my fabulous jammies.

This pink, white, and brown gorgeous print is created out of piqued cotton. The pants are a comfortable drawstring, and apparently Rachel Ray loves them, which only further convinces me that perhaps she does have taste.

Fantastic size range, from XS to 2X.

$89.98 at OnlyPajamas.com.

Bear With Me...

I promise I will be back to my normal posting schedule tomorrow!

Pajama of the Day: Retro Pink

It's no secret that I love retro-style prints. My entire kitchen is done in black and white retro style, with atomic era light fixtures over my post-modern kitchen table. I even have an apron or two that I wear while mixing martinis for the occasional cocktail party.

So it's no wonder that these are just right up my alley. I want this print on a dress, actually. One that I can just wear whenever, but I'll have to deal with just having it on my jammies.

100% woven cotton with detailed piping and a button down top. Pants have an elastic waistband and a loose fit leg. Sizes run true to form, and range from small to 2X. The price is certainly right as well.

$24.99 at Amazon.com.

NARS Cosmetics Spring 2010

Total Beauty

About Me

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Meredith Edwards-Cornwall is the founder of online lifestyle websites RetrodivasBeauty.com and RetrodivasCloset.com. She is also known as @retrodiva on Twitter. She specializes in drinking large amounts of espresso, shopping, and enjoying social media. In all of her free time she writes for StyleBakeryMom.com twice a week, and does various other freelance gigs involving writing, designing, and generally being awesome. While she believes that success is indeed a job in New York, she currently resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia with her husband, two children, and two cats and has hung on to her day job.

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