While I spend my life talking about tips and tricks to get certain looks, in reality, there are many that I can’t master myself. At the top of that list has been bouncy, beautiful curls. Believe me, I have tried. But I have failed. Often.

Then, at the Redbook MVP Awards (I was a judge, so much fun) a few weeks ago, I came across the Sultra Bombshell Rod Curling Iron. It won the award for best hair tool, and happened to be in the gigundous gift bag that we were each treated to upon leaving the event. Before I knew I was going to be getting such a treat, however, I was fully prepared to buy it after my friend Rose, who I sat next to at the breakfast, could not stop raving about the damn thing.  She swore the second day waves were even better than the first day curls, which weren’t too shabby themselves.

Nervously (and somewhat pessimistically), I gave the Sultra Bombshell a try. It took a little getting used to- the whole glove thing was new to me (but crucial- I tried to do one curl without wearing the protective glove and have a burn on my thumb to prove it) but now, 3 tries later, I am a total pro.

Here is my routine- so so easy that anyone- and I can confidently say anyone because I am that bad at doing my own hair- can do it:

• Let hair air dry- I don’t put any product in it but I supposed if you have very fine hair that doesn’t hold curl well you could put in a texturizer at this point
• Part hair in middle and divide into 2 sections on either side- top and bottom
• Before curling, spray each section with either Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray or Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray (I love both equally)
• Holding wand so the tip faces away from your head, wrap varying amounts of hair around rod to get a nice mix of curls (I defer to the instructions that come with iron for technique here, there are helpful graphics that will do far more to explain the methodology than I can do)
• Let the curls cool for as long as you can- I typically do my makeup at this point so they get a good 15 minutes of chill time
• Spray excessively (better safe than sorry) with L’Oreal Elnett
• Brush out with fingers

The semi-fuzzy self-portrait above was taken with pride Saturday before heading to the annual day drinking extravaganza that is the Eleven Madison Kentucky Derby party. In the photo below, I am striking a pose with my friend Ophira in front of the step-and-repeat (give me enough bourbon and I guess I am that girl who takes a picture in front of the step-and-repeat), a shot which I think nicely shows the fruits of my follicular labor.

How great is my Satya Twena fascinator, by the way? Kind of want to wear it every day. If only I had the occasions. Alas, it doesn’t quite go with my daily work-from-home Lululemon uniform.

Oh- and the reason I don’t have a product shot in this post is because when your last name is Falik, it is not wise to have an image of a clamp-free rod curling iron front and center on your blog.  But go here to see it for yourself and get all the details. Because you really should own this. Really.

In recent years, I have made a conscious effort not to dress in a cutesy, overly girly way. For two reasons- 1) I end up wearing those frilly pieces for one season and then I am totally sick of them and 2) I didn’t want to become a caricature of myself- talking beauty and fashion all day then skipping home in a pink poufy dress. This whole new self imposed style direction meant steering clear of things like, well, glitter.  But, perhaps in an act of rebelling against myself, lately I am obsessed with things that sparkle in the least subtle way possible.

Specifically, I am talking about Sparkly Soul headbands and Toms Shoes Glitters. Let me explain…

Sparkly Soul Headbands: Yes, they are colorful and fun, but they also happen to be the most amazing way to keep your hair out of your face while working out. They have a patent-pending design that keeps them exactly where you put them, no matter how vigorous the sweat session (as it is I have a tendency to sweat a lot, and to see me in Flywheel, you would think I had a medical condition or something- seriously, it is a tad embarrassing). While at first I planned on just wearing the headbands to spin, they have somehow crept into my everyday ensembles- making a boring ponytail, littered with frayed hairs along my forehead, appear sleek and styled.

Toms Shoes Glitters: I am not a Toms girl. Yes, they look cool on some people, but on me, they look ridiculous. However, when I saw Andrea Arterbery wearing a pair of glittery ones at the Dove event a couple weeks ago, I decided what the heck, I’ll give them another try. I ordered a pair for myself in the deep purple shade that Andrea had on (yes, I am a fashion copycat) and of course a pair of pink ones for Alexa. While I will admit, I have yet to wear them out, I do enjoy the disco touch that they add to my closet.

I was obsessed with Trumpettes (the socks that look like shoes) for the first 12 months of Alexa’s life. Then it started to get weird- she was the only kid in music class not wearing shoes, and clearly busting out of the teeny socks (as in, the faux shoe ended halfway along her foot, totally ruining the illusion that made me fall in love with them in the first place.)

So I went  baby shoe shopping. And hated everything. Why couldn’t anyone just make simple shoes for kids? Nice white sandals were ruined with multi-colored flower details on the toe, mary janes were ALMOST normal if you could get over the orthopedic-like gigantic sole sticking out on either side. Which, by the way, I couldn’t- but still succumbed to a pair out of desperation.

Then, I spotted a pair of adorably old school Saucony sneakers on Alexa’s cousin. Here I was, the assumed fashion know-it-all of the family, completely shown up by my lawyer cousin.

Instead of getting mad, I got even- finding out where they got said shoes (Zappos) and promptly logging on to buy a pair myself.

While I was perusing the selection on the site, I stumbled upon several other super small sneakers that of course I had to throw into the mix. I dare you to resist mini New Balances and pint sized Pumas.

The hunt for a non-dorky summer sandal may still be on, but at least I can rest assured that in the sneaker department, my kid is covered.

When Spring rolls around, we all make a bit more of an effort to take care of our skin. Inevitably, we are going to be bearing it- in sleeveless tops, sundresses, shorts, skirts, even (gasp!) swimsuits.

So, as long as we are making the effort, may as well let everyone see, right?

Thanks to the Dove “Show Us Your Skin” campaign, we can. In a really big way.

When Dove told me about their largest campaign ever featuring real women, I was insanely impressed. When they invited me to be a part of it, I was insanely excited. To be honest, it has resulted in many a “pinch myself” moment over the past few weeks. Such an iconic brand, such a huge campaign- I had a  Sally Field acceptance speech inner monologue- the voice in my head said “You like me?! You really like me?!”

“Show Us Your Skin” encourages every woman to have the confidence to show off her beautiful skin in a national Dove ad- which happens to include an appearance on an interactive billboard in Times Square. Yep, your face smiling down on one of the world’s most famous landmarks. Not an opportunity many of us ever expected to have, right?

It is as simple as uploading a photo- which can be done via the Dove website and Facebook page, or with a free iPhone app (to get it, just call **Dove). If you happen to be in NYC, pop by the Real Beauty Photo Studio today or tomorrow (located at 44th and Broadway, just under the giant Dove billboard, you can’t miss it) and get your picture snapped by a pro.

Oh, and if your friends don’t believe you when you tell them you were featured in a Dove ad, we have you covered. A snapshot of your moment of fame will be emailed to you.

*Photo courtesy of Mark Von Holden/Getty Images*

Being in the beauty industry for 10 years means that I have seen a lot. A lot of good and a lot of, well, unnecessary.  Until recently, I put foundation brushes in the “unnecessary” column. I mean, yes, for makeup artists they made sense- not wanting to touch faces, mixing product by hand, sanitary reasons, and just the fact that they are makeup artists and the assumption is (by me, at least) that they have superpowers which sometimes require tools that mere morals wouldn’t know how to use correctly anyway.

I few months ago, I was introduced to the Shiseido Foundation Brush. So I decided to try it out. And subsequently kicked myself for not doing so sooner.

With this in hand, I use about 50% less liquid foundation (I switch between Make Up For Ever HD Foundation in Shade 118 and Dr. Jart BB Cream these days) and get 100% better coverage. Blending is seamless- the brush somehow picks up the perfect amount of product each time, and the angled slant of the bristles makes covering up those spots which always seem so be a little red (like the corners and center of the nose and the middle of the chin) effortless.

The brush is $30 and will pay for itself in no time. (By the way, in addition to excess product saved, I am including a penny for each compliment you will get on your skin as part of the cost equation.)

Pre-baby, weekends were wonderfully lazy. My husband and I tried to make as few plans as possible, and  would spend hours on end laying on our couch watching movies and eating pizza. During the week, life was exhausting, so those were our days to just enjoy doing nothing. Now, weekends are more exhausting than weekdays, thanks to the little lady who inhabits the very room that we used to watch movies and eat pizza in.

It only took 15 months, but I think we finally figured out the key to making it through weekends with a baby- plans. And lots of them.

Saturday, it was a pancake breakfast at the hotel down the street, followed by a trip to the Central Park zoo, then lunch at Serafina, and finally a walk around Madison Square Park (where Alexa got to push her mini-stroller around the entire perimeter- hence this walk took much longer than usual, but that was a good thing).  Sunday, it was a long walk, then a drive out to spend the afternoon with friends in Westchester.

After putting Alexa to bed on Sunday night, Brian & I both agreed- this was our best weekend with a baby yet. Instead of spending the morning negotiating with each other for alone time (Me: If you let me go to Flywheel, I will let you take an hour nap and I will walk the dog tonight. Brian: Okay, but I want a two hour nap. And it goes on like this. For hours), we spent our morning gearing up for the fun activities ahead.

So now I am busily researching other things we can do to fill the  coming weekend, and the weekend after that, and so on.

Suggestions????

Lately, it seems that I need to turn my daytime face (comprised of the basics- BB cream, cream blush, champagne-y shadow and mascara) into something a little more glamorous in a matter of minutes. This is completely my own fault- since having a baby and working from home my time management skills have gone down the tubes.  In an attempt to be more positive (new thing I am doing- one therapy session and I am all of the sudden an optimist), I look at it as a beauty challenge- and let me introduce you to the two products that make victory mine every time.

L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Smoldering Liner: In general, the shorter the pencil, the easier the application. This chubby little guy has the perfect point to apply with precision in a hurry, and the kajal formula deposits rich pigment that has a softness to it which makes smudging (in the good way) simple. It glides right along the inner eye- no tugging and no need to go over it twice (a good thing since touching anything so close to my eyeball makes me want to throw up).

RMS Beauty Living Luminizer: I dab this on the apples of my cheeks, down the bridge of my nose,  just under my brows, above the center of my upper lip and over my lipstick.  Yes, I know this is a lot of places in a relatively small surface area, but the formula is not greasy, glittery or sticky so you can dab without abandon.

Within seconds, I tell you, I am a new person.

I have been getting lazy when it comes to getting dressed lately- reaching for old standby dresses or leggings and tees in neutral hues every time I walk into my closet.

On a visit to Ann Taylor a couple of weeks ago (yes, I know, I am becoming a little obsessive but I tend to get that way), I picked up the neon yellow lace tank pictured above, figuring it was just the thing to lift myself out of my fashion rut. At first, I paired it with dark jeans and my beloved nude Brian Atwood Maniac heels- playing it safe and basic.

Then, I happened to be wearing said neon yellow tank when a pair of C. Luce red shorts I ordered from Piperlime arrived in the mail. I tried them on immediately (with online shopping, I try on clothes the second they arrive so that the box is right there in front of me in the case that I decide to return) and unexpectedly fell in love with the color-blocked look.

Since shorts weather seems to be a little far off at the moment (although yes, I did wear this outfit- shorts and all- in this Today Show segment yesterday), I get my neon yellow and red fix by substituting red Brian Atwood Maniacs (again, my obsessive fashion tendencies come into play) for nude ones. Then I throw a Piazza Sempione one-button navy blazer over it, stuff my lip gloss, iPhone and wallet into a red patent YSL clutch and skip down the sidewalks feeling quite stylish.

This whole experience reminded me why fashion is fun- there is no harm in experimenting.  If the resulting reflection in the mirror in is hideous, you simply change. But when you do happen upon a winning combo, there is no better feeling.

Now that I am all about mixing colors in unique ways, would love to know your favorite unexpected color combo- so do tell…

Note: Tank Top image c/o Ann Taylor, C. Luce Red Shorts image from Piperlime.com.

Toddlers in jeans are quite cute, no? Something about how, thanks to to the shape-enhancing power of a full diaper, they fill them out with a Kardashian-worthy behind just cracks me up.

And I generally don’t get all goo-goo-ga-ga about baby stuff.

While most of Alexa’s jeans are from Baby Gap (my usual go-to for her wardrobe, which may surprise those who snickered when I found out I was having a girl that I would surely dress her in silly expensive designer duds), when my friend Laura sent her a pair of Joe’s Jeans from their kids collection we had to try them on. Admittedly, I was a bit skeptical- toddler clothing takes a special touch from a brand that truly understands the hassles associated with pinning down a freakishly strong little person and getting them to stay still for 30 seconds. Would a designer denim label really get it?

Apparently, the answer is yes. Joe’s Jeans fuchsia skinny jeggings have become our favorite pair of pants- soft and cozy but still structured enough to look like denim. The closure is a simple snap, and pulling them down and back up for diaper changes is no problem.

At $44 a pop, they do cost more than mass retailer versions, but not as expensive as I would have imagined them to be had I never looked at the price.

Even though she is now almost 15 months, she fits perfectly into the 12 month pair, but if you want to maximize wear you can try to go bigger and cuff the bottoms- which is what I did when we first got them a month ago.

Now I have to own up to the fact that I am a little envious of my daughter- while I have yet to get on the colored denim bandwagon, she is toddling around like an old fashion pro.

I spend hours online searching for seasonally-appropriate tops (sweaters in winter, now on to long sleeved tees for spring) that are long enough to wear with leggings and fully cover my backside. Subsequently, I spend even more hours packing up purchases to send back after I discover that when you put them on, they simply do not provide the coverage that is required, in my opinion, of any female over the age of 18 wearing leggings outside of a gym class.

Keep in mind, people, I am not tall- 5’2 at best- nor do I have an abnormally long torso. But for the life of me I could not find an easy-to-throw-on top to wear with my beloved Sassybax leggings that looked put-together and, most importantly, DECENT. To date, I have resorted to wearing my GapMaternity tops- sans baby bump, they are quite long. But given that my daughter is now 14 months old, they are pretty tattered and my husband groans in disgust every time I put one on. Rightly so.

Well, imagine my elation when I was in Lululemon yesterday (true, I am usually elated every time I walk into Lululemon because I freaking love everything in there so much) and I spotted a super long tank top. I walked out with a black one, and while it is not the tee shirt I dreamed of (I am a big fan of sleeves, I’ve always had an arm thing) it does get the job done. Layering is required- so far I have paired it with a jean jacket, and today, a cropped boatneck sweatshirt. Even with a dressy blazer, this tank would look completely appropriate. The proprietary fabric that Lululemon uses has such a polished, matte finish to it, you never have to relegate it to strictly workout wear.

The only major downside that I must warn you of is that, due to the cut, you either have to own a racerback bra or go strapless. Or show your bra straps, but that kind of defeats the purpose of covering up your butt in the first place, if you catch my drift…

[Image above is from Lululemon website.]