To Bring, Or Not To Bring (the baby)? When it comes to vacation, that is the question.

We brought her.

My husband starts a new job in a couple weeks, and in the interest of enjoying this time off together as much as possible, he decided it was high time for our first Falik Family Vacation. After much research and debating, we opted to check out the Viceroy Anguilla. And I am so glad we did. I am also glad we brought Alexa- although I am not going to lie, having a baby in tow drastically changes every single notion I used to have about relaxing weeks lazing beachside.  Full disclosure- we were fortunate enough to be able to bring our nanny along. Even so- having a crazily curious and unpredictable almost-toddler wandering around a very un-child-proofed space and waking up at the crack of dawn under the same roof is just, well, different.

Oh- and the night before we left, I accidentally closed a door with her hand in it. Subsequently, we watched the Superbowl from the emergency room. And Alexa made her entrance at the resort with her hand in a sling. But that is a story for another day.

Anyway- here are my top 5 takeaways from our first week-long beach vacation with baby:

1- Thank GOODNESS for Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Sunblock Spray. The Faliks are a fair people- when it comes to skin tone at least- and Alexa is squirmy. This saved us.

2- It is worth lugging a pool float (buy it, pack it and blow it up when you arrive.) Being able to put her in it and not be a nervous wreck every second in the pool was worth the extra suitcase (which we also filled with an assortment of other random toys that came very much in handy.) Plus, out of the water, it became one of her favorite distraction toys- and by the transitive property to parenting, ours too.

3- Soft sand is the best baby-proofing around. We were able to spend much more time on the beach than I had anticipated once I realized she would never crack her head open toppling over into the insanely powdery sand on the Viceroy’s perfectly manicured property.  I also got to take a few breaths when we buried her from the waist-down in the sand and watch her actually stay in one place for more than 30 seconds. My idea of economical babysitting. Kidding, kidding.

4- Buffet breakfasts are a baby’s best friend. Alexa joined us every morning for an endless parade of fruits and pastries, each new thing making her face light up and allowing Brian and I enough time to read the New York Times Digest (the only time I ever really read the Times, beyond the Thursday and Sunday Styles pages) is on vacation when the package it for me in a concise little packet.

5- Make sure that wherever you are going can provide a full size crib so eventually the baby starts feeling somewhat at home, and rent a stroller. Our Snap-and-Go carseat thingie just was not going to cut it. Long walks are so much more enjoyable for everyone involved (and I include other resort guests in this group who otherwise would have their afternoon naps interrupted by a howling child) plus the sun protection from a real deal stroller- as opposed to a dinky travel one- is infinitely better.

I applaud Brian on making the perfect destination choice- they have this amazing “kids club” with every book and Melissa & Doug toy Alexa could dream of, and every single person there made us feel welcome (as opposed to the lepers I most certainly made families with little kids feel like whenever we stumbled across them in our pre-baby vacationing days.) Oh, and the kid’s menu at one of the restaurants can only be viewed on one of those old-school View Finder toys- remember the ones, you look inside and click through 3D-like images?- very nice touch.

Viceroy Anguilla has quickly ascended to the top of my vacation destination list and I hope to be so lucky as to return there again. And again. And again. And by again, I mean tomorrow. But I know, I know- good things come to those who wait, patience is a virtue, yada yada yada.

As far as fashion retailers are concerned, Spring has sprung. But really, it hasn’t. So may as well take advantage of the final markdowns on winter merchandise while you can still get some wear out of them, right?

I have made many a bad purchase decision under the influence of deep discounts- but this is not one of them. Purchasing this Milly coat on sale in Boca last month took about, let’s see, 45 seconds from rack to register. And while often times a quick draw of the credit card like that can signal a piece that is surely to never be worn, in this case, I did good. Because I have worn it many times since, and truly believe it is timeless.

So here is my take on end-of-season sale shopping- don’t buy the basic that is *almost* perfect. There is usually a reason a clearly classic piece is on the sale rack- something in the fit or wearability is off.  Instead, look to statement pieces that resonate with your wardrobe.

In my case, I always reach for jeans or leggings and a black cami when I don’t know what to wear, then I throw a jacket of some sort on top.  I have a rack full of well-tailored blazers and easy-to-wear lady like swing coats and such. Hence it makes sense for me to scoop up a piece like this. It is bold, so not every woman across America would think to purchase it. As such, there it sat on the sale rack, sandwiched between oversized sequin sweatshirts and crazy floral print ruffle blouses.

However, it is just bold enough to freshen up my go-to uniform and therefore will forever be deemed a sale purchase I am proud of. Which is not something I can say for many of the ill-fitting black pants or white tee shirts I have excitedly hoarded at sales in the past.

Do tell- what is your best ever sale purchase?

And if you don’t mind, share your sage sale shopping tips with the rest of us, will ya? Thanks.

On my list of top ways to start off a Friday, sharing four of my most favorite things on the Today Show is pretty up there. In case you missed the segment, you can watch it here. And I challenge you to NOT get an intense craving for marshmallows shortly thereafter. Okay, maybe that is just me.

My top, by the way, is Hunter Dixon (obviously)- also part of my go-to dinner date ensemble, as seen here.

And here is an ode to my favorite BB Creams.

If you caught my spot on Today Show this morning, you are already aware of the BB Cream trend that is not-so-slowly but very surely sweeping into makeup bags all over the world. Currently, there are three sitting on my vanity, and I absolutely swear by them. So much so that in my most recent massive clean out (where duplicate products were tossed or gifted), all three of these held their marble-topped ground.

Why do I love them so? First and foremost, they make my skin look pretty. And even with all the other benefits (SPF, treatment ingredients, yada yada yada), one major requirement for any beauty product is that it makes us look, well, beautiful- right?

Clinique Age Defense BB Cream SPF 30 is very creamy- closest to a classic tinted moisturizer in terms of feel and coverage- shade 2 is my pick, really warms up the complexion.

Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream has a nice glowy finish- plus it is easy to pick up at the drugstore, and convenience is often key. But heads up- it is going to be in the skincare section- so don’t get all flustered searching the makeup aisle.

And lastly, the product that kicked off the BB Cream bonanza (at least in my personal experience) is from Dr. Jart- one of Asia’s leading skincare brands. This has real deal SPF 45 and pretty substantial coverage. If you are fair skinned like I am, this is a really wonderful choice. I have even worn it for on-air stuff before- the matte finish works nicely under the lights. And for travel, it is perfect.

Sure, there are occasions when only full on foundation will do- but if you are in the market for a multi-tasking way to get an extra dose of hydration, skincare and SPF, I highly recommend you give BB Creams a try.

If you are already bananas for BB Cream (I know, I get a little carried away with alliteration sometimes), would love to hear which one is your favorite. So spill it, ladies…

This month, Alexa turned one.  And while I rarely have  felt like a mom over the past three hundred and sixty five days (I swear, I must have that Peter Pan complex people talk about), I did feel like one the night before her big day as my husband and I decorated our apartment in anticipation of her celebration. I also decided to make her a birthday book- since I wasn’t as great as I had hoped to be at keeping up with her official baby book- in which each year I would write her a letter on her birthday, highlighting the year gone by.

As I wandered around Paper Presentation like a lost puppy trying to find the most perfect binder and stickers to decorate said book, I definitely felt mom-like. It made me reflect a bit on all the things that I swore I would never do that now, well, I was doing. And not hating as much as I anticipated, if at all.

For example:

1- “Ugh there is NOTHING more repulsive than a kiddie pool and I will never so much as dip my TOE in that cess pool of urine.” In Boca, there I was, sitting on the floor of the kiddie pool, swinging Alexa around her in lady bug float.

2- “I don’t get why people make their Facebook profile picture a photo of their kids. Are they simply now a sum of their children as opposed to their own person?” Okay- so I still feel this way- but I did change my profile picture to be one of me with Alexa. So, I am 50% a hypocrite. See evidence above.

3- “Never will I carry snacks in my purse.” Currently, my most prized purse has a baggie of Gerber Toddler biscuits taking up the space where a bevy of lip products used to reside. Oh, and a travel size bottle of hand sanitizer. Shoot me now.

4- “I am not going to be one of those moms who wears Lulemon head-to-toe all day long.” I have done it. I am not proud of it. But I have done it. And enjoyed it.

5- “Why do people look in other people’s strollers? Yes, it’s a baby in there. Big deal.” Totally catch myself peering into strollers as they pass by- and more than just peering in, sometimes I even- GASP- coo. Rarely. But it has happened.

I so want to be that girl who wakes up with that fresh-faced, lit-from-within glow.  And often times, when I have the time to do my makeup accordingly, I can kinda fake it.  But doing my makeup in the morning has become a less-regular event- but that no longer means I have to go through the first few hours of my day looking exhausted.

The sparkling rose-hued glistening gel that you see pictured above caught my eye the other night at an Erno Laszlo event I attended- and I knew that no matter what it was, did or contained, I had to have it. And, lucky me, now I do.

Here is the deal- the light-as-air whipped gel is called Morning Beauty Rescue and it is inspired by Marilyn Monroe, created to capture her effervescent glow using a blend of semi-precious gems and liquid pearls.  It is amazing as a primer, and if you haven’t gotten a great night of sleep (yes, Marilyn’s lifestyle also played into the product benefits- she was actually a devoted client of Erno Laszlo back in the day so the brand is quite familiar with the unique demands of an, um, festive social schedule) the subtle sparkle works wonders to hide the evidence.

I am madly in love with it- and think you just may be too.

When I was going out , I used to always do the same thing with my hair- get it blown out, straight and smooth but full. Same instructions every time. Then I discovered that playing around with my hair could actually be kind of fun and it could even look, gasp!, just as good as if there was professional help involved.  But since I rarely have the time to run to a salon anymore- and with my Flywheel obsession blowouts rarely can last more than a day- I am quite grateful to these three little hair helpers (all of which happen to be under $5- look at me, all thrifty):

Goody DoubleWear Elastics: Genius, genius, genius. I hate when I catch myself all dressed up with a ragged ponytail holder around my wrist- but being sans one when you need it is even more painful. These drape loosely around the wrist just like a bangle, and come in gold and silver options so you can match to the rest of your accessories. And in the hair, the metal accent dresses a 2-second updo up just enough to make it look like you put some effort into it.

Studio 35 Beauty Small Polybands Hair Ties: Clear elastics need not be pricey, and they must be plentiful (since every time I take them out, they tend to disappear). For fastening the ends of braids that will later be tied up into a bun of some sort, they are perfect. Also for a sleek ponytail, these puppies will wrap around twice, just enough to secure without snagging.

Conair Bobby Pins With Travel Case: The clincher here is the travel case- for the most part, bobby pins are bobby pins. But to be able to keep them all together like this so when you need one (or 10) you can actually find it? Priceless.

I generously stock my mom with amazing beauty products regularly- mostly out of the kindness of my heart, but also because it means that when I go to Boca to visit, I can pack light(ish). However there are a few products that I just couldn’t bear to leave behind for three weeks- these are the highlights:

Dr. Jart+ BB Cream: Regardless of the intensity of my faux-glow, the shade in the bottle always blends. This Korean import moisturizes, has a significant SPF level of 45, and purports to brighten the skin although this is one of those things that I always have a hard time measuring so who really knows. What I do know is that it does a lot, travels well and for everyday use just feels good on my skin and doesn’t look makeup-y.  Like a tinted moisturizer, but better.

Sephora Collection Color Wand: I’m a sucker for efficiency, and this tower of mini glosses is quite efficient. Plus, since I tend to leave my handbag at home most of the time down here (one of the many perks of vacation at mom’s) I can break these up and easily slip them in a back pocket. The formula is hydrating, not even a little sticky, and has more color intensity than I expected, which is a good thing.

It Cosmetics No-Tug Heavenly Luxe Dual Eyeshadow Brush: This is the best brush I own and really is the only one I need to create eyeshadow looks from the super simple swipe to the more complex smokey.  And since I am currently obsessed with the fact that I am rapidly aging, especially around the eye area, the whole “No-Tug” thing is major.

Vichy 3-in-1 One Step Cleanser: One of the perks of having worked with Vichy (I represented them on HSN) a few months back? Access to endless deluxe samples. Sure, I still love a good towelette when traveling, but for spot-removing eye makeup or when my skin is super dry post-flight and I want to cleanse in the most moisturizing way possible, their One Step Cleanser is everything.

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad: Confession- I haven’t tried this yet. But I am dying to. And for me to bring an untested product on the road, when makeup bag real estate is valued at an all-time high, means that the hype surrounding it is something special. So here’s to hoping.

What products always make their way onto your travel vanity? Leave a comment below and share- I  assume if you lug it through security, it must be good.

In high pressure situations, my brain has a tendency to want to go the other way. Like, before my wedding, when the pressure was on to get skinny, I gained weight. Same with pre-Spring Break shape-ups in college. Around the holidays, with all the pressure to buy the perfect thing for someone else, I end up buying many perfect things- for myself. Which is why when Shop It To Me asked me to curate a pop up boutique of my favorite fashions (all on sale, mind you!) for their Treat Yourself Tuesday campaign, I couldn’t resist.

Putting this together was quite enjoyable (dare I say, too enjoyable as my credit card bill this month will vouch)- every item you see is something I want in my closet (if I don’t already own it) because they fulfill my three fashion rules- timeless, easy to wear and very versatile.

Hope you will check out my Treat Yourself Tuesday Pop Up Boutique and treat yourself to a little (or a big) something. The boutique will only last until MIDNIGHT TONIGHT (Tuesday, 12/20)- so hop to it. If you haven’t found the perfect present for everyone on your list just yet, maybe spoiling yourself is just the distraction you need.

Then, I popped into the Mackage store in Soho, and everything changed.  I am now the proud owner of the two most perfectly amazing coats I have ever seen- take a gander at the images below an try to tell me that you don’t agree.

One the left is my “wear to work, out to casual dinner or stroll around the city on the weekend” coat, otherwise known as the Kendra. Next to it is my “walk the dog, run to Flywheel, or spend the entire day doing errands in leggings but with my butt covered” coat, which Mackage has named Adali. They both have a slim, flattering fit and are so warm that I tend to sweat in them (yes, I sweat in everything so this may not be compelling news to anyone, but I sweat in them significantly).

Upon putting them in my coat closet, I promptly removed every other coat in my mediocre menagerie and donated them to New York Cares.

See? When I scout out the perfect purchase, everyone wins.