Road Tested: I-Pod Mini's Agent 18 Mini Shield

I love my I-Pod and take it everywhere. If you're like me, it's in use all day long from the car to the gym to work to window shopping, in my jacket pocket and back into the handbag, etc. Call me crazy, but I'm not laying out the cash for a fancy leather case when I know it would get worn out super fast and not do a great job at protecting the Mini. Enter the Agent 18 Mini Shield. It's virtually invisible -- a clear case that does its job without sacrificing style. It showcases your Mini (mine's pink...big surprise), it's easy to hold, and it completely protects my Mini when I drop it. 'Cause, if you're like me, you tend to drop it more often than you like to admit and hate the idea of scratches or dings in this tiny treasure. A solid investment at $20 that will keep your pod pristine, no doubt. Many thanks to my sis who had the foresight to give me this instead of a designer case!

Add This to my To-Buy List: More New Shoes!

I have a fancy holiday party to attend this Saturday. If I don't find anything fabulous when I go shopping tomorrow for shoes, I'm thinking these might just be a necessary overnight delivery. Delman black pumps with ruffle detail, $289. I know they'd work well with all of my LBDs and that I could even pull them off with jeans, too. (Any shoe that meets this criteria is a winner in my book!)

In My Shopping Bag: Beauty Treats for Vegans

I was searching for a gift to give a relative of mine who happens to be a vegan. I never had a true appreciation for how hard it is to find a 100% pure beauty product, meaning free of animal by-products (90% of everything that foams is made from animal fat!!!) including honey (a by-product of bees). This beauty collection, which is called 100% Pure is just that, 100% pure! The collection was developed after the founders discovered that there are numerous poisonous, toxic chemicals being widely used in cosmetic products. Through a series of cosmetic lab experiences, they became increasingly disenchanted with industry practices and decided to walk away from the traditional cosmetic world. They now make it their mission to bring us healthy skincare, bath and body products. One look at the Strawberry Butter Body Scrub and I knew this 100% vegan item would be the perfect gift. FYI, it also contains anti-aging antioxidants like Vitamins E & C, grapeseed, cranberry, pomegranate and black currant oil.

Be Honest: buy it now or save my money?

I'm always on the hunt for really cool, unique looking tank tops. In the winter months, I love to wear them with hoodies or even under more classic looking cardigans and paired with denim. I found this new site and think the designs are clever. So, should I buy this tank now or save my money and keep shopping around? Post your comments below, please!

Cotton tank top with lace trim, $44, With Love From Paris

Exclusive Stop 'N Shop 30% Off Discount - 1 Week Only!

Are you as obsessed as I am when it comes to getting the perfect gift for everyone on your holiday shopping list? Stock up on styles that will make everyone on your list light up with holiday joy! Save time and money when you shop the Jennifer Grove web boutique and take advantage of this exclusive shopping opportunity:

Take 30% off your entire order, now through Sunday, December 4th.

Feel free to pass this code on to your friends -- this will not be posted on the boutique site or emailed to our guestbook mailing list. Simply enter checkout code "stopnshop30" for your 30% off discount -- it's that easy to shop and save! Happy holiday shopping, from me to you!

As seen right:
Swarovski crystal pearl bracelet, $48.
Your price: $33.60

Poll: Who's the most influential style icon?

Who in the public eye do you turn to when you need fashion ideas? When you flip through a magazine, view a movie or see a musician perform, who leaves an impression on you? Celebrity culture is filled with gorgeous women dressed in head to toe designer looks (many, of course, are courtesy of professional stylists) so it's hard to filter out who really owns their own look. So, in your opinion, who has the ability to influence and inspire the rest of us when it comes to style?

Store Review: Blue Mercury

I took a stroll through a Blue Mercury today and fell in love. I was really disappointed with their Philadelphia location and held it against them for the longest time, so when I saw the store in Marlton (as I came out of Pottery Barn in an outdoor shopping plaza here in NJ), I decided to give them a second chance. Afterall, you can get all of their brands in other major department stores, as well as mall stores like Bath & Body Works these days, so what purpose do they really serve? For those of you not familiar with the Washington, D.C.-based luxury apothecary, the store has a lovely assortment of skincare, makeup, candles and perfumes, one not typically found in department stores. The collection features everything from Diptyque, Molton Brown, Nars, Laura Mercier, Kiehl's and Remede to skinceuticals, fresh, Creed, Frederic Fekkai, Philip B. and L'artisan Parfumeur. A treasure trove of all my favorites with, at least in the Marlton location, happy-to-be-working-here staffers. I felt that each of the women working there was knowledgeable, friendly, articulate and service-oriented, which ultimately contributes to the overall experience. They each told me about the private shopping party they are having for their customers on Tuesday (champagne, national makeup artists, 15% off all purchases totalling over $100, etc.) but didn't beat me over the head with the event details, nor did they push any one product or brand on me. When I described the type of eye cream I was looking for, they found a product that word-for-word claimed to cure what ails me. (No worries -- more on this item in a future feature after I've road tested it for you!)

The store was super spacious and organized, as well as easy to navigate. The products were displayed nicely, the makeup stations were neat and clean (I'm a freak about those nasty looking testers so these were not intimidating to use in my opinion). Yes, it was a pleasure to walk around in and enough nooks and crannies to keep my husband and daughter busy while waiting for me to finish up.

I signed up for the mailing list and promised to try one of their facials (they have a spa with a menu of skincare and bodycare treatments that sound amazing) the next time I needed one (which is coming up soon!). To top if off, I scored a generous sample selection including Mario Badescu lotion and an array of Bumble + Bumble hair treats with my purchase. Nicely done!

If you don't have the good fortune to live near a store (D.C., PA, NJ, IL) then check out the Blue Mercury web site. My guess is you'll go out of your way to shop with them if your experience was as nice as mine was today.

Add this to my To-Buy List:

Every year I buy a handful of new ornaments to decorate our Christmas tree with as well as using the old ornaments that have sentimental value from years' past. This year is no exception and for some reason I'm really into a bird theme. Check out this adorable glass turtledove from Anthropologie ($10) with sparkly gold beads. I think I will snag this one for my tree plus buy a random assortment of others to use as added bonus trinkets on top of presents for friends. I'll just tie one into the bow that I'm using to wrap the present and voila!

Thanksgiving Poll: Will you be shopping on Black Friday?

Today I'm giving thanks for the things that matter most, like my family's health and happiness, a roof over my head, pretty shoes on my feet and yummy food on the table...I'm also thankful that the holiday season is finally here and I can officially start wearing sparkly holiday jewelry. For example, there's a good chance I'll be sporting this jet beaded stretch cuff tomorrow while while raising my glass in a champagne toast or two. See this month's InStyle for other must-have accessories incorporating this fab bead.

I would like to wish you and your family a joyous holiday...now rest up because the major shopping season starts on Friday!

If you're braving the stores on Black Friday, which ones top your list?

Glove is in the air:

With all the driving I do, I tend to go through tons of leather gloves around this time of year. Here are my top picks for the hitting the road:

Driving destination: the daycare drop-off, the grocery run, etc: Black leather driving gloves from J.Crew, $75.

Driving destination: the long distance haul: Celadon leather driving gloves from Shaneen Huxham, $169.

Driving destination: lunch with the girls and shopping in town: Hot pink leather gloves with silver buckle from Coach, $128.

Driving destination: nearby business appointments or even meeting friends for weekend brunch: Dark brown leather driving gloves from Shaneen Huxham, $156.

Poll: What perfume are you currently wearing?

I'm always on the hunt for new scents. Right now I'm rotating Chanel Chance and Hermes 24 Faubourg. Must be a French thing. Et Vous?

A Little Birdy Told Me About This Coupon...

Ladies, as if you need another reason to shop, here's a little incentive. Make sure you see a sales person when you walk into Bath & Body Works -- they're handing out discount cards for $10 off your next purchase of $35 or more. You can use it in the store that day or until 12/12. Offer not valid online. While shopping, keep a look out for this little birdy for me. I have now asked at two BABW stores to see if they have the Goldie Eye Trick in Set 2. If anyone comes across it, please let me know that it's finally in the stores. The managers at both stores seemed clueless when I pulled out this page from Lucky and showed them the mod little bird on the eye shadow kit. Merci!

In The Bag: Recent Purchases III

The final beauty purchase I'll share with you from my bag-o-loot is somewhat of a new discovery for me. However, chances are you guys have been there, done that. It's Jaqua's Marshmallow Cocoa Sinfully Rich Body Butter. I don't know what took me so long to try something from this collection of yummy smelling lotions, candles, etc. I had the hardest time choosing between all of the sugary sweet flavors like Lemon Meringue, Peach Parfait, Creme Brulee and Sugar Wafer. Anyway...I'm loving the body butter -- it is completely hydrating -- my hands and legs have felt super soft all day. My skin is gleeming -- it's not shiny-oily but it has definitely something of a nice sheen. Added bonus, my husband loves the way it smells, too. Do you have a favorite scent from this collection? If so, which?

In The Bag: Recent Purchases II

The other divine product Jen knew would work for me was a limited edition MAC eye shadow kit. It's called Temptations and looks like little set of oil colors with a brush. Very clever packaging and you get 4 shades and the brush for $28. I'm not sure if I'll be able to apply them as expertly as Jen demonstrated but the product seems like fun, nonetheless. It's been years since I've used MAC so I figure I'd give them a shot. Who can resist color names like Shimma and Canton Candy? Very cool.

In The Bag: Recent Purchases

Saturday's jaunt to the King of Prussia mall was a success! I went with a small list in mind and was able to score almost everything. Tip: if you are friends with people in the beauty biz, it's certainly helpful to have them at your side. They know all the latest products, know which shades will look great on you and can easily teach you better techniques for applying product. Case in point, my makeup artist friend Jen directed me to the perfect olive/gold/green eye pencil at MAC, which she graciously purchased for me using her professional discount. It's called Rosemary & Thyme and is the absolute match to the olive green color of my new Calvin Klein velvet ballet flats. I saw these flats and had to have them -- they're not bubble rounded toes or too pointy -- they're kind of squared off and look great peaking out of jeans. I love when things coordinate this easily!

Uggs: In or Not-So-Much?

Is the trend so old that it's okay to wear them again without looking trendy? I'm thinking about getting this pair but I keep seeing visions from a few years back of every other girl on the street wearing the same boots. Yikes.

Jean Genius: What is your latest favorite pair of jeans?

Clue me into what's looking good these days. I'm struggling to fit into an old pair of Citizens (yes, I know I gave birth 18 months ago, but it's still a struggle, trust me.)

Win This!

Visit the Jennifer Grove boutique for the scoop on how to win this chunky, faceted green fluorite necklace. It's a total statement piece.

Retail value $42.

Be Honest: Buy now or save my money?

It's rather deluxe looking but at $595 I'm wondering if I can find something similar but equally luxurious. Thoughts?

Product Review: Have you tried?

...anything from the new Tom Ford Youth Dew Amber Nude collection?

Stop 'N Shop: This Week's Discount & Best Sellers

Save 20% on the Jennifer Grove online boutique when you enter this blog-exclusive code during checkout now through November 30th: holidaygold

Here's this week's best seller:
Silver Stardust Hoops, $19
At $19 minus the discount, I know you guys are going to at least think about it, yes?

Don't forget -- everything ships USPS Priority mail at the fantastic flat rate of $5 no matter how big or how small your order is.
As always, you'll get your beautifully wrapped goodies in 2-3 biz days -- promise!