In addition to my current "very unlike me" obsession with reading the entire "Twilight" series (can't put the book down!), I am also obsessed with this Akiko Silk Chiffon Dress that just sold out over at one of my favorite sites, "Gomatta Girls". I think I've scoured the entire internet and haven't been able to find this dress anywhere else!!! :-(

It figures I would fall in love with this particular Beautyfix product.

"Why" you ask?

Because the price tag on this little miracle cream is a whopping $250! (However, you can get your hands on the travel-size when you become a Beautyfix member!) Here is the breakdown:

• "M" boasts being the first cosmetic product containing stem cells from the ultra-rare Uttweiler Spatlauber Swiss apple (only 3 trees are still around!)

• It's a luxury "de-stressing" product, which works to increase resiliency and cellular turnover, all the while giving skin a radiant glow. (Which I can attest to!)

• It contains a plant-based beta endorphin called Happybelle, which does exactly what it sounds like it should do; relieve skin aggressors, bring out natural radiance while fighting the root causes of environmental damage.

• There is also an ingredient called Osilift, which immediately firms the skin and relaxes muscle contractions.

I can't speak so much as to the anti-aging, fine line decreasing capabilities of "M" Cream, but I could tell an ENORMOUS difference in my skin over the month that I used this product. (Yup, a trial size lasted me about a month and I was using it almost every day.) First and foremost, my skin has been clear, which is huge. It looks and feels healthier and has this glow about it. I stopped using my powder foundation and instead now opt for a little tinted moisturizer or sheer powder everyday--which feels awesome when I'm used to feeling the need for foundation and concealer on a daily basis.

Check out more on 3Laband "M" Cream at their website or over at Beautyfix!

It's giveaway time again and this time around I have a Hana Mini flat iron up for grabs! As I've mentioned in previous posts, I'm a die-hard fan of the Hana Elite. This mini version is perfect for travel or taking with you for quick touch ups and retails for $80. You can check out more Hana items over at one of my favorite sites, www.misikko.com.

But if you want one for free, all you have to do is shoot an email over to courtney@beerbudgetbeauty.com with a picture of who's hairstyle you are currently coveting. A winner will be chosen and notified by June 20th. Good luck!!

Stress has been wreaking complete havoc on my mood, my appetite, my performance at my job, my sleep/workout regimen and especially my skin. I'm at my wits ends!! I can't seem to get a grip on everything and nothing I do to try and relax/de-stress seems to be working. :(

I'd love for you ladies to impart some advice--what are your sure-fire ways to de-stress?

There are still a few days left to enter to win a free Ms. Pedicure "Foot Spahh"! Just scroll down to the original post and leave a comment with what your must-have brand/color of nail polish is this summer. :)

Another item from my Beautyfix 2 kit and I love, love, LOVE this hairspray. (And yes, it is"Jonathan" from that show "Blow Out") Honestly, I have yet to have found a hairspray that holds this well but feels so lightweight and non-sticky. Fantastic for pesky fly-aways, it has a light scent, gives your hair a soft shine, and notably, also is 100% vegan.  

Because of the price (retails for $30), I can't justify using the Product Finish Control in my everyday routine. But it's great for those days when you have some extra time to do your hair or on special occasions/nights out. I never would have tried a product from this line had I not gotten it through Beautyfix, and now I'm psyched to try out more.

I haven't had a chance to look through it yet, but thoughts on the cover (which is apparently an alternate cover)?? Like or dislike?

Who can't afford a beloved $60 pedicure to kick off the summer this year? (Raises hand)

What I CAN afford however is this perfect little pedicure kit from Ms. Manicure. It's only $12.99 and contains a pumice stone, exfoliating foot scrub, moisturizing foot lotion, invigorating foot and leg rub and massager all in a cute pink reusable tote.

One lucky reader will be receiving a Ms. Manicure "Foot Spahh!" for free! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post with your email address (or link to your cite) and what your must-have nail polish brand and color will be for summer of 2009. Really. It's that easy. :) A winner will be picked by June 1st.

I wanted to give some love to one of my sponsors, Kranich's Jewelers, because their diamond initial necklace has become a staple in my everyday wardrobe. (And I'm really not much of a jewelry girl.) Kranich's specializes in diamonds and engagment rings but they have a wide variety of other types. The prices on their jewelry are competitive and the website is easy to manuever. I especially like how you can shop by price--so you're only looking at items that are in your budget.  

Glowelle is a luxury beauty supplement available at Neiman Marcus that claims to fight aging and give your skin a glow. (Thus the name.) It contains an antioxident-rich mix of vitamin A, C and E along with goji berries, green and white tea. At $40 a pop for a week-long supply, this stuff should work miracles, right? I put the "Natural Pomegranete Lychee" 7-day kit to the test last week and here were my thoughts:

*The packaging was very cute and I adored the little clutch that came with it to store the daily powder packs. I think having it with me in my purse made it easier to remember to drink it everyday.

*You would think from the name of the flavor and the ingredients that this drink would be delish....not so in my opinion. It was over-the-top vitaminy and medicinal tasting and I had a really difficult time drinking it just mixed with water the first couple of days. It even gave me headaches, which I found odd. Maybe all the sugar I realized was packed in there too?

*Day 3 and 4 I wised up and started mixing it with juice instead of water, making it slightly more tolerable. The last three days I mixed it with a homemade strawberry/banana smoothie--which ended up being great. :) 

*I couldn't have picked a better time to try out Glowelle because my skin has hit a rough patch the past few weeks, I'm guessing from all this fun divorce-related stress. ;-) I've had breakouts galore and my skin has been dry one day and oily the next. By Day 2 I could already see my skin starting to clear up and it really did seem more even-toned and "glowy".

Overall consenus: Unless I'm making smoothies everyday, this was tough for me to drink. The end results were good, but do I think you could get the same results from taking good-for-your-skin vitamins everyday? Most likely.