Beauty Fixes for Sick Ladies

If you haven't heard, I've been ridiculously sick for the past few weeks. I always end up getting the flu, crazy allergies, and colds all at the same time. Ugh I am so unhealthy. But there's a silver lining! I now know a few secrets about how to keep myself looking fabulous even when I'm feeling like crap.


Soothe Irritated Skin
All the extra facial rubbing and itching that comes along with the flu can leave your skin irritated (especially if you're like me and have dry skin anyway). Look for products loaded with anti-inflammatory ingredients like Green Tea and Willow Herb Extract to calm irritated areas and replenish the skin with antioxidants like Vitamin C, Olive Oil, and Chamomile.

Disguise Redness, Dark Circles, and Puffy Eyes
This is a tricky one. It's hard to cover up what a lingering cold can leave behind--dull, pale, and fatigued-looking skin. On top of that, redness around the nose is exacerbated each time you wipe away the sniffles or blow your nose. Adding to this pretty picture, dark circles and puffiness under the eye increase as congestion and restless sleep take their toll. Ew. Not fun.

That said, you can disguise redness, puffy eyes, and dark circles by applying a light-weight moisturizer brimming with soothing agents and hydrating ingredients around the eyes and nose area and then applying a matte-finish concealer over those areas. (A concealer with a matte finish is better able to withstand the day's wear and tear, as opposed to one that's creamy or greasy). The color should be just a shade lighter than your natural skin color to convincingly camouflage flaws, and you should follow up with a sheer layer of liquid highlighter on the cheeks and around your hairline to add a radiant glow and draw attention away from the problem areas.

Heal Chapped Lips
As un-sexy as it sounds, being stuffed up from a cold or flu tends to result in more mouth-breathing and drooling through the night, which in turn leads to dry, chapped lips. It is essential to apply an emollient-rich lip balm before you go to bed to ensure smooth, hydrated lips in the morning. Keep the balm by your bedside so you don't forget. During the day, maintain your lips with a moisturizing lip color.

Liven Up Cheeks with a Rosy Glow
Apply a bit more blush than usual to enliven your skin. Don't overdo it, but adding another layer can really make your skin look a lot less dull. It takes mere seconds to apply and will make a huge difference in your overall appearance. The trick is to apply it softly and to blend evenly so it doesn't look like a stripe.

Don't Overdo It
When you're sick, stick to the makeup basics, or you could end up looking like a hot mess by the end of the day. Forget about doing a heavy eye-makeup design and leave the red lipstick at home. Focus on the guidelines above, along with a tinted moisturizer, foundation, or powder to even out your skin tone, and a waterproof mascara if your eyes are watering.

There you have it! Now you can look great even when you're feeling horrible. Huzzah!

Fashion Faux Pas: The Bag Jacket

So, I randomly stumbled upon this gem of a jacket...I have literally no idea who designed it or what possessed them to create something so hideous.  But honestly, that's probably a good thing, since I'd likely hunt them down and punch them in the face.

I get the idea--it's supposed to be a cute/funny jacket that you can tote around your food, or other personal items, in. I'm guilty of using clear fashion products myself. I spent the better half of 7th grade using a see-through backpack.  But that's the thing.  I was in 7th grade. I had plenty of time to make horrible fashion mistakes.

The model is clearly an adult, so I can't let this one slide.

Okay, so let's look at the big picture with this.  Say you go out wearing this...how do you avoid bumping into something and ruining your lunch? And what about after you're done eating? Do you have crumbs in all the pockets?

This jacket sucks.  Enough said.

[image: break.com]

A Wonder Bra For Your Ear Lobes!

When I was about six, I got into a horribly, "traumatic" (at least accessory-wise), accident. While riding my bike, I crashed into a fence and my pierced ears have never been the same since.

To spare you the horrific details, let's just say that my ear lobes were stretched to the max.  Because I loved large, chunky earrings (yes, even back then), the holes were almost completely stretched out, leaving behind what look more like lines, rather than holes.

I've tried a lot of things over the years, eventually settling on wearing two earrings in each individual hole (a dangly bauble with a pain stud, usually). Needless to say, it's always bugged the hell out of me and made me a bit self-conscious.

Then I found these ridiculously fantastic Lobe Wonder Support Patches.

FINALLY!! A solution to my problem!

The patches are small, clear circles that are applied behind each lobe. Each self-adhesive oval patch is super-reinforced with a criss-cross network to strengthen and support ear lobes.

Of course, one of my immediate concerns was whether or not the patches would irritate my super sensitive skin.  Luckily, they're hypo-allergenic and, almost like a band-aid, are "breathable".  I felt no skin irritation at all, even after wearing the patches for almost 24 hours at a time.

While wearing these bad boys, I found myself able to wear all my fave earrings, no matter how heavy, without having to worry about having my ears look like they'd been stretched out like crazy. It's fabulous because I've always been more of an earring person in general, so a lot of the pairs I had kept packed away are now out and ready to wear for any occasion.

They really are like a Wonder Bra for your ears! I'm not sure how long these have been around for, but I absolutely cannot believe that I lived for so long without them!

Here's a pic of what ears look like before and after the use of the Lobe Wonder Support Patches:

Pretty amazing, right?!

To use these disposable patches, you  simply place the support patch to back of each ear lobe, with the sticky side facing in towards the ear, covering the hole. Press firmly to secure to each ear. Next insert your earring post through hole and patch, then affix your earring backing to post.

Each package of 60 patches retails for about $7. The price is definitely right, and the product is officially Sassy Fashionista approved!

Give them a try and let me know if you love them as much as I do.

Look Lovely While you Lounge

No matter what time of year, I am always cold, while my boyfriend is perpetually hot and sweaty. There's no real reason for this, but because of our annoying predicament, I usually have to layer on clothing, even when I'm just in my "comfies" (as my Grandma and Aunt Alma tend to call them).

That means I'm always looking around for bathrobes and nightgowns that look as cute as they are comfortable and cozy.

Right now, I'm loving this Polka Dot Sleep Robe from Forever 21.

The robe is simply gorgeous. Polka dots are one of my many weaknesses (bonus--they never go out of style), and the pink details are fabbity-fabulous!

Because the robe is so lightweight, it can be worn no matter what the season.  That said, it is particularly perfect for chillier spring and summer nights.

At $18.80 each, the bathrobe is a truly fantastic buy.

Margaret Vera Bracelet GIVEAWAY!

I'm quite obsessed with accessories (just an FYI, in case my millions of accessories posts didn't give it away), so when I found Margaret Vera's adorable bracelets, I went crazy with delight!

The line, which includes tons of accessories--not just bracelets--was created as a way for the designer to honor the amazing women in her family.  Having traveled a lot, she's taken in everything she's seen as inspiration to create this fabulous line.

Most of the items in her collection are what I'd consider to be boho-chic, which is definitely in style at the moment.  It's also one of those looks that is classic and be worn year-round--especially if you're just sticking to accessories.


My absolute favorite bracelet that the site has to offer is the Bohemian Leather Cuff with pink details and fringe.  It's so pretty, and the fact that the details are pink doesn't hurt!

Each cuff retails for $20 and is handmade to perfection.  Here's a picture of the exact bracelet below:

So pretty, right??! The best part? I have one of these gorgey bracelets to give away to one luck reader!


To enter the giveaway, send an email to sassyalana@gmail.com with the subject line reading "BOHO BRACELET".  The giveaway ends 5/17 and the winner will be alerted via email.

Good luck, ladies!!!

For those of you who don't feel so lucky, check out the online store for some fabulous finds.

Disclosure: This post contains a product sent for giveaway consideration. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me.

Three Lip Colors in One!

It's no secret that I absolutely love Drew Barrymore's new makeup collection, Flower.  Every single product I've tried has worked amazingly well.  The quality is simply sublime, and the price is beyond reasonable.

The latest product that I can't get enough of is the lovely Flower Petite Fleurs Pocket Triplet Lip.  The lipstick that I already tried in the past was amazing enough, so I was def intrigued when I first saw these 3-in-1 lippy delights.

Each tube contains three separate shades of tinted lip balm in shades that compliment eachother, ranging from lightest to darkest.  I chose to try out the lightest pinky/peach trio.  I found the colors to be perfect, the balm to be moisturizing, and the packaging to be super convenient.

On its own, the stackable lip "bullets" are fab.  You push from the bottom to switch out colors.  It's easy to use and you can even mix the colors for your very own unique hue.

But what makes it even better is that Flower also has matching tubes of Petite Fleurs Pocket Triplet Concealer and Petite Fleurs Pocket Triplet Eyeshadow. SO, you can create your very own combos for pocket-friendly makeup sets that are perfect to thrown in your purse and take on the go! The combinations are fabulous.  You can mix and match your tubes depending on your outfit, and what you feel like having with you on that particular day.  Having a tube that holds a mini concealer, mini lipstick (that can actually double as blush in a flash), and mini eyeshadow is practically the only thing necessary to get you through the day! 

Something like this could end up being super expensive, but of course since Flower products are all super affordable, each trio is a mere $6.98.

Stock up and stack 'em, ladies!

Tantalizingly Textured Talons

As a nail polish obsessed gal, I'm usually among one of the first to hear about, and love, the latest nail trends.  London-based brand, Nails Inc, has come out with some absolutely amazing polish effects that I am probably more obsessed with than is socially acceptable.

The effects I've found so far are the Feather Effect, Leather Effect, Concrete Effect, and (my personal favorite) the Denim Effect. The Denim Effect bottle even has a denim-clad top! Too cute! Each has its own unique look and can easily be the focal point of any outfit.  The best part about these particular polish trends is that even though they look a bit complex on the nail, application is a breeze! Much easier than all the difficult nail art from seasons past.

Below are pics of how they look on nails.

Feather Effect:

Leather Effect:

Concrete Effect:

Denim Effect:

Totally fab, right?! Just keep in mind that with polishes that have an effect like these, you cannot wear a top coat.  This was the same case when matte polishes were all the rage. Since the finish itself is most of the effect, putting a shiny top coat over it ruins the look.  That also means that the polishes don't last as long as one with a nice thick top coat--just something else to keep in mind.

That said, these polishes are great for special events, but they definitely aren't something that'll last as a weekly mani.

What do you ladies think? Would you sport any of these looks?

I do have a little bit of bad news. I can't really find a place to buy all of these delicious polishes in the states. I'm sure they'll make their way across the pond soon, but they're currently very difficult to track down. I found a few places (like Sephora) that sell one or two of the effects, but for the time being you have to dig around on google, or even eBay, to find them. But my Sassy Fashionista promise? They're definitely worth a try!

So put in a little extra work and go flaunt your fab fingers!

[Pictures courtesy of British Beauty Blogger]

My New Hair Color Obsession

I don't usually write about my constant hair color changes on here, but I found a great color that I really want to share with you guys.

Since I usually cut and color my hair myself (yes, it's true), I try not to go more than two shades lighter or darker than my natural, mousy brown, hue.  But when I saw L'Oreal's new Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Color that promised a "Hi-Lift Brown color" (meaning that even dark hair can achieve the lighter look), I absolutely had to try it.

The shade I picked was B61 Downtown Brown.  It's the lightest brown they have.  I do have to say that the color I ended up with is not exactly the color on the box.  It's a little bit darker, but still in the light brown family.

What I love most about it is that there are natural highlights throughout my hair.  Usually with box color, hair can tend to look bland and one-dimensional. The result  of this stuff is a much more natural-looking color.  Another fab thing is that the color is not brassy at all.  That's a problem I almost always have when I try to go lighter.  And really--who wants orange hair?!

The color has been in my hair for a few weeks and still shimmers as if I just colored it. It hasn't washed out or changed at all, like other boxed colors tend to do.

This is one of those products that is absolutely Sassy Fashionista approved. At $9.99 a box, it's worth a try.  The other colors are gorgeous too!  There's a nice burgundy I've been wanting to try...hmm...

An Adorable Dress for Spring--For Under $15!

When it gets warm out, I tend to wear a lot of skirts and dresses. They're just easy to throw on and immediately make you look pulled together.

Even though I own about 5437895 spring and summer dresses, I'm always on the lookout for anything I can add to my ever growing collection.

I was randomly walking around Walmart with my boyfriend (who I promised I wouldn't look at clothing or makeup to!) when I spotted this gem across the store.  It was love at first sight. This Lace-Up Woven Sundress is super cute. I love love love the print. Floral-chic is HUGE this season.  But if you're not a flowery person, the dress comes in a few other patterns too. I already bought this pattern, but I'm thinking about getting a couple more--maybe in the solid white.

I really like the fact that the dress is unique.  You wouldn't think that would be the case, as it's from Walmart, but there are some cute details that make it look almost vintage-esque.

Another thing I absolutely love is the fact that the dress has a built-in-bra.  It isn't overly padded, but definitely makes it so that you can go sans bra while wearing it.  Huzzah!

Right now, each dress is $14.88. The price is just too good to pass up.  And I have a feeling that these are going to be sold out soon, so stock up, ladies!

Another Amazing Clinique GWP!

"Hi, I'm Alana and I'm a Gift with Purchase Addict". That sounds about right.

I can't help it! I am totally obsessed with any and all Clinique GWPs.

ANYWAY, this super cute set is from Saks Fifth Avenue and is only available until 4/28 at midnight. Sorry that I kind of missed this until now, but hey you've got a couple days to get it.

Obviously I love the bags.  Clinique has been teaming up with Milly lately for their cosmetic bags and I've become enamored with every single one.  This pattern just screams springtime, while still maintaining a classic, timeless look.

With any $45 Clinique purchase (trust me--not hard to accomplish!), you will receive this free nine-piece gift valued at $110.

Here's what's in the set:

• All About Eyes
• Take The Day Off Makeup Remover For Lid, Lashes & Lips
• Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion
• Eyes 1,2,3 Colour Compact in Violets
• Lash Doubling Mascara
• Quickliner For Eyes Intense in Intense Midnight
• Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour in Super Strawberry
• Exclusive cosmetic bag set designed by Michelle Smith of Milly

To receive your bonus you must enter code CLINIQ6 at checkout.  Enjoy!

The Perfect Mother's Day Gift From Fresh

Mother's Day can be a tricky holiday to shop for. Whether you're buying for your own mother, or someone who's been motherly in your life, it's kind of daunting to figure out what to get.  Spend too much money and you risk going over-the-top.  Spend too little and the gift can be a bust.

The one fail-safe gift I've found is this fabulous Little Luxuries Over Soap Set from Fresh.  I can't think of any woman in the world who doesn't like luxurious soap.  It's decadent, and totally allows the lady in your life to indulge herself.

Fresh soaps are amazing in general. This particular set includes:

• Hesperides Grapefruit Mini Oval Soaps (2): A medley of intoxicating citruses
• Patchouli Mini Oval Soaps (2): A warm, spicy scent with woodsy undertones
• Sugar Mini Oval Soaps (2): A blend of caramel and sweet citruses--my personal fave scent!
• Soap Dish: A custom, gorgeous soap dish 

All of the soaps are made from a vegetable base that is enriched with moisturizing shea butter.  Each soap is also individually wrapped by hand, continuing the Fresh spirit that the company is known for, and milled multiple times, making it super dense and long-lasting.

Each set is $40.  Trust me--if you don't know what to buy, get this! I'd even get a second set for yourself...because why not?!

The Best Makeup Kit EVER!

I've written about my love for Victoria's Secret's makeup line in the past.  I haven't tried a product that I haven't immediately fallen in love with.  It's funny though, because the store isn't exactly what comes to mind when you're looking for a new makeup product.

This crazily amazing Supermodel On-the-Go Makeup Kit is my new fave find, and it's perfect for anyone who wants to give VS makeup a try.

It's basically four pallets in one--you pick one of the four to connect to the actual compact (in the middle) and you can throw it in your purse or makeup bag for the day! And you can switch it up, depending on the look you're going for.

Each mini "palette" contains four complimentary eyeshadow hues, blush, gel eyeliner, and a fabulous lip gloss to boot (their lip gloss in general is to die for). Amazing, right? It quite literally has everything you could possibly need in a day. As a bonus, the kit comes with instructions for how to achieve different looks, for anyone who needs a little makeup lesson or just wants to try something new.

Honestly, I'd pay about $100 for something this convenient and gorgeous.  But Victoria's Secret is practically giving it away for $25.

It's currently on sale, so I'm not sure how many they have left, so I'd get shopping ASAP!

Fashion Faux Pas: Tie-Dye Harem Pants

I have to start off by saying that I usually love the fashion that Forever21 has to offer.  But every once in a while, I find something that makes me want to puke.

This is one of those times.

Their Tie-Dye Harem Pants are horrible to the max. I've written about harem pants in general multiple times and about how much I hate them.  But the added drawstring and tie-dye print makes it even worse (if you can believe it).

Adding to the bulkiness are two huge front pockets. I guess these "pants" (I'm using the term very lightly), are for people who don't need a purse.  Don't get me wrong--I have a few cute summer dresses with pockets.  But they're small and hidden.  Not fully on display, and certainly not located on the largest part of my body.

I mean, let's take a look at the model. She has a perfect body, and the pants still make her hips look huge!  Here's a hint: if something doesn't look good on a model, there's no way you can pull it off in real life.

At least the price is right. For $22.80, you can get your very own pair. I can't imagine what you'd wear them with, but I definitely encourage you to order them and burn them.  Seriously. Ew.

My Top 5 Ultimate Makeup Don'ts

There are so many mistakes that women make with makeup. It's actually quite sad.  Here are five of the most common, horrifying things that simply must be avoided at all costs.

• DON'T use a concealer that is too light or too dark. Using the wrong color concealer will make your eye area look absolutely ridiculous. Use a flesh-tone concealer (that means absolutely no yellow, orange, or lavender tones) that is just a shade or two lighter than your foundation.
• DON'T overdo mascara. Clumped mascara is distracting and messy looking. And ugly. I had to learn this lesson the hard way.  If you simply apply too much, use a disposable mascara wand (I always have a bunch on hand) and run it through your lashes to get rid of clumps.
• DON'T stripe on blush. Use a good quality blush brush, a soft color, and apply it using light, sweeping strokes. You should see absolutely no lines where the blush stops and begins. Blending a little powder on over your blush can soften any lines you might have already made.
• DON'T overdo your eyebrows. Oh God, I have seen this done way too frequently.  Brows that are drawn-on, pencil-thin, overly sparse, strongly arched, or too heavy or thick can make you look older than you really are.  Plus they can look just plain ugly. If you have no idea how to go about doing your brows, make an appointment with a brow specialist, who can guide you to the right brow shape and show you effective grooming techniques. 
• DON'T get carried away with glitter. I've been guilty of this myself, so I understand how tempting it can be to wear tons of the glitzy stuff. That said, a little extra shine or glitter can spice up an evening look. But during the day? It's really just distracting--kind of like wearing a sequined gown to the office. Stick with a little bit of a simple shimmer shadow on the inner corners of your eyes and/or above your cheekbones for daytime and leave it at that...unless looking like a disco ball is your goal.

If I see anyone sporting any of these looks, I will personally give them a "makeover" that involves me slapping them repeatedly. You have been warned.

Surprise!! I'm The Latest Simon Malls Style Setter!

The rumors are true! I am officially the Simon Malls Style Setter for the lovely Mall at Rockingham Park in NH!

Super exciting, right??!

The job is basically what I currently do now--lots of fashion writing. And of course, tons of shopping! The coolest part? I'll be occasionally participating in fashion related events at the mall including store openings and fashion shows.

Not to toot my own horn (but, toot toot!), over 700 bloggers applied for Style Setter positions and I am one of about 40 gals who get to share our fashion and beauty advice with fabulous readers.

     

My posts will definitely be packed with beauty and fashion tips and I'll be sure to link to the posts on here, as well as on my facebook page. 

I'm super excited to get started on this.  Be on the lookout for some fab posts (especially since my fave season--summer--is right around the corner)!

Here's a pic of the gorgeous mall:

So pretty, right?! The mall itself is huge and has stores for everyone.  You can quite literally buy anything your heart desires.  It is my favorite mall by far.

I'll keep you all posted on everything that goes on. Stay fabulous!

[All images courtesy of Simon Malls]

Bad Hair Days Begone!

As I've written a number of times, my hair's natural texture is a lovely curly/wavy/gross/frizz combo.  Needless to say, it's pretty damn difficult to style.  I tend to rely on a lot of heat styling.  I know that it's super damaging to my hair, and to be honest, I don't really need to use a flat iron daily since I don't wash my hair more than a couple times a week (it keeps my hair from looking straw-esque).  I should really only be using it immediately after washing my hair.  But during the days when I haven't just washed, I still usually need a bit of a touch up and hadn't really found anything other than a flat iron to fix any unwanted hair issues until now.

My mom actually came across this amazing Conair John Frieda Ionic Brush and I absolutely love it. It comes in a few different versions, but I really like the round paddle brush for my hair.  The cool thing about the brush is that it's heated--but not nearly as hot or damaging to hair as a flat iron.

The brush is perfect for daily touch-ups, and since it's battery-operated, it's ideal for traveling.

All of the brushes in the collection are tourmaline-ionic infused to give hair an intense salon shine that we all strive for. Tourmaline gemstones naturally release negative ions that tighten the cuticle layer and seal in natural oils. The brush helps to smooth flyaways and reduce frizz while adding sheen. What more could you possibly ask for??!

Of course, you can also use the brush on its own, sans heat. It's fabulous for detangling, especially on my thick, coarse hair.

Each brush retails for around $15; much cheaper than most products of its kind. This is definitely a good buy and is something I really recommend every woman own.

Nail Art Made Easy!

Wandering around the nail polish aisles in drugstores is one of my all-time fave things to do.  Probably not normal for anyone other than beauty bloggers...

Regardless, while perusing the nail section at Walmart, I found some fabulous nail art kits made by Fing'rs.

The brand is known for their fairly cheap faux nails, but recently they've come out with crazily foolproof nail kits and I love them all!

The kits include everything you need to create whatever nail look you want.  The two that really stuck out to me were the Nail Tattoos kit and the Ombre Polishes kit.  I've spent a lot of time painstakingly attempting to create both of these nail looks, and these kits make it a lot easier.  In the past, I'd have to get all sorts of products and doodads together in order to achieve the looks.  And half the time, I'd forget something and the whole thing would just be a mess.  The kits quite literally have everything you need for each nail art project.

I ended up actually purchasing the Ombre Polishes kit (even though I own hundreds of bottles of polish already) and absolutely loved the results.  The colors in the kit all worked perfectly together (since they were all pre-picked) and my nails looked super pretty.

Bonus? The kits are all under $10.  Even though they're inexpensive, that certainly does not mean the quality isn't there. Def Sassy Fashionista approved!

The Prettiest Skirt for Spring

Once the weather is above 50 degrees, I pretty much start busting out my spring wardrobe.  Lately, I've been spending my days wearing comfy and gorgey sundresses and skirts (paired with leggings or tights if I really have to).  There's just something about flowy garments that call to me.

So, I'm pretty much constantly on the lookout for cute dresses and skirts. My latest find is from the ever lovely Forever21--my go-to place for cheap clothing that doesn't look cheap.  Their Floral Printed Tiered Skirt is quickly becoming one of my favorite pieces of clothing.

It just looks so pretty and feminine.  It's really the perfect skirt for the season.  That said, I'm not a huge fan of pairing the skirt with booties, like the picture suggests. I think some nude or light pink strappy sandals--or even a cute pair of flip flops--would look much better. Even a pair of metallic flats would be adorbs.

The pattern is what I'm really digging.  60s inspired floral print is all the rage on and off the runway, and I love it.  There's something intriguing about a timeless, almost hippie-esque, pattern.  It almost looks like it could be vintage.

The best part? Each skirt is $17.80.  Since floral prints really never go out of style, a skirt like this is a springtime must-have!

My Latest Obsession: Revlon's Baby Sticks

I've always been a huge Revlon fan. So when I saw their latest Pacific Coast collection for spring, I was obviously super excited to try out the goods.

By far, my fave products are the amazing Limited Edition Baby Sticks.  The colors featured are only available for the season and I'm in love with them all! Nothing says spring like a bright burst of color!

The product itself is fabulous--there's nothing better than a multi-tasking beauty products and these little sticks really do it all. I found that the bright pink hue (Pink Passion) worked great as a creme blush as well as a lip balm.  At first glance, the color looks a bit scary, as it's so incredibly bright and bold.  But because the application is so sheer, it actually adds the perfect amount of color--even for someone with super fair skin like myself. It can also be layered to achieve different looks.  The formula is super blendable, so any time you want to add a pop of color to your face, it's really the way to go.

This is a must-have beauty product for the season.  The convenience of it makes it a great product to keep in your purse for beauty on the go.  I've already gotten a ton of use out of the one I've been keeping on me at all times. If you only carry around one beauty product this season, this is def the one to go with.

You can find the Baby Sticks at most drugstores for under $10. Make sure to stock up on the color you love most--they won't be around for long!

Handy Notes (They're Super Handy!)

Just talk to the hand.

I'm officially obsessed with these crazily awesome Handy Notes.

Not only are they sticky notes that are shaped like hands--you can also make quite the point: give thumbs up, point at something, and even a couple I can't mention. The added flourish of being able to shape "your hand" into a bunch of helpful hand signals just tickles my fancy.

Fold the hand into a pointing gesture before adding your passive-aggressive warning. Got to get your mum to call you when she gets home? A well folded 'call me' hand gesture with your number on should do the trick.

The possibilities are endless. Ish. Well, as far as a note pad goes.

Each pad is about $8.