Haute Beauty Trend: the Matte Mani

The latest haute beauty trend is the "matte manicure." From Kim K. to every other A-lister hitting up the upcoming NY Fashion Week, fashionistas everywhere are rocking matte nails. But you don't have to throw out all your shiny polish to get the look. Check out this vid to find out how to go from shiny to matte chic:

Urbanista D.O.T.D. - FREE Chick-fil-A

I don't eat a lot of fast food, but Chick-fil-A is on my very short list of occassional fast food eateries. After my AM work-out I hit up a nearby Chick-fil-A for my usual Chargrilled wrap when I saw a sign that stated "FREE breakfast food every Tuesday." I read it three times to make sure I was reading it properly. After further research, I learned that several Chick-fil-A restaurants across the U.S. are offering free menu items once a week until the end of Feb. But keep in mind that the freebie days vary based on location and the freebie items changes each week. Each participating location is handling the promotion differently. So please inquire to find out the terms of the promotion in your area. To find your closest Chick-fil-A, CLICK HERE.

Urbanista D.O.T.D. - FREE BareMinerals Foundation

Sephora is giving away a 10-day supply of Bare Escentials BareMinerals foundation. The original or matte foundation comes in seven different shades. You can either redeem the offer w/o purchase at your nearest Sephora or w/ an online purchase.

Eat This, Not That & Lose Those Extra Pounds w/o DIETING

In this life-changing book you will learn about:

*How choosing one fast-food milkshake over another can save you nearly 2000 calories! (The difference is an entire day's worth of calories! Make that swap just once a month and you'll save 7 pounds of fat in just one year!)

*25 so-called ‘healthy' foods that aren't. (Learn about the supposedly ‘healthy' foods that are secretly packing your body with excess calories, fat, sugar and sodium—and what you should eat instead to lose weight effortlessly!)

*20 foods your cardiologist wouldn't eat.

*The best and worst drive-thru foods

*16 secrets the restaurant industry doesn't want you to know

*The 20 unhealthiest drinks in America. (So you can sip what you want, skip the diet, and still lose lots of weight this year!)

*The best and worst sex foods! (What you eat can boost your sexual health and performance)

*The best and worst restaurants in America.

This is definitely a MUST read, and right now shipping & handling is FREE but only for a limited time. To order CLICK HERE.

Urbanista D.O.T.D. - FREE Oreos!!!

Regardless of your age, race, socio-economic status, everybody *hearts* Oreos. In timely fashion with the Colts championship win (yes, urbanistas are well-rounded enough to like football), Oreo is giving away 150,000 FREE cookies beginning at 3PM EST on Monday, 1.25 (TOMORROW). The offer ends at midnight or until supplies last so don't be tardy for the (cookie) party. For more info go to Oreo's Facebook page by CLICKING HERE.

Urbanista D.O.T.D. - Free Escada Fragrance

Never underestimate the perks of free samples. It's the best way to get just a taste of something in order to decide if you like it or not w/o buying it. Particularly with beauty products, you can waste a lot of money on trial & error until you find the product(s) that tickle your fancy. Hundreds of brands will mail you FREE samples of some of the best products on the market, which can total GREAT savings for you if you are smart about it. Think about if you signed up for a free sample every week or even every day! You'll have free swag arriving at doorstep daily.



With that said...here's your deal for today... Escada is offering free samples of Escada Marine Groove scent which retails for $52-$70. To get yours CLICK HERE

Burn Baby Burn: Calorie Burn Calculator

Are you curious to know how many calories you'll burn by walking, dancing or even cooking? Check out THIS calorie burn calculator to find out.

Couture Candy: The Perfect Way to Say "Be My Valentine"

Ok, so V-day is less than a month away and all of the stores all overstocked with confections for your sweetheart. But if you're looking for something unique for your boo then you def want to check out the Sugar Factory.



You may have seen your fave celebs rockin' Sugar Factory's blinged out lollipops which go for $25 a pop (pun intended).


Or you can get a box set of 4 for $75...


Or go for a traditional box of chocolates with a not-so-traditional twist. Sugar Factory has the cutest boxes of chocolates outfitted in chic fashion accessories like denim or a leather jacket for only $19 per box.





Visit Sugar Factory's website to place your orders now. It'll be one less thing on your list of "things to do."

Skaterboy(girl) Chic: Famous Stars & Straps Spring 2010 Collection NOW Available

Spring is just around the corner which means time to shop for new gear! If you want to add a little b-boy/skater dude flair to your wardrobe check out Travis Barker's Famous Stars & Straps fashion line.









These are just some of the designs NOW AVAILABLE in the Spring 2010 Collection. Urbanistas - you're not left out, Stars & Straps offers ladies gear too! Or do what I do and order the uber cool men's tees in a smaller size. Who says it's just for the boys?

Urbanista D.O.T.D: FREE Dunkin' Donuts Coffee!

For you java-lovin' urbanistas & urbanistos, Dunkin' Donuts will send you a free 1.1 oz. sample pouch of their very popular coffee. All you have to do is CLICK HERE and sign up.

Layers of Perfection: Getting the Perfect Layered Look

An artic blast is still sweeping the country which can complicate wardrobe matters. The key = layering. Peep the LUCKY MAG how-to vid above to learn how to get the perfect layered look. You just might find use for the pieces in the back of your closet that haven't seen the light of day since last winter.

Tips on How to Save at the Gym

Whether or not this is your cup of tea, it's important to stay physically fit for your overall health. If you're like me, hitting the gym is a BIG part of this. However, gym memberships can be quite pricey. Here are a few tips on how you can save a few $$$ so you can buy some cute workout gear:

*The Buddy system - Personal training gives you awesome results but can be super expensive. To save look for a fitness trainer who will let you & your BFF/work-out partner split training sessions, which means you also split the cost.

*Gym hoppin' - Give or take a few classes/equipment all gyms are basically the same. I'm going to preach swingin' until somebody finally gets it. Take advantage of free promotional offers of gyms in your area. If Gym A offers two-weeks free then hit-it-and-quit-it 14 days later. Then mosey over to Gym B and see if you can negotiate a free promo there (they would love the opp to steal you from Gym A). Then you can take time decide which gym is best for you.

*Run from a Commitment - Don't get locked into a drawn out contract. Negotiate with your gym of choice to get the best month-to-month rate (you can use your trial membership at a competing gym as leverage).

*Parks & Recreation - When was the last time you went by your local park's community center? Many offer fitness classes like yoga, dance, pilates for less than $10 or even FREE!

*Gold-diggin' - Step #9 of the 12-Step Urban Addiction Recovery Program is all about digging for gold, but not in the way you're prob thinking. This doesn't require finding an elderly sugardaddy on life support. It simply means to actively look for perks. Many gyms, yoga studios, etc. offer specials. For ex. my location yoga studio offers a $5 class on Thursdays versus $20 a pop any other class. So can you guess which class I attend? I'm sure you're wondering what I do the other 6 days. I have a steady rotation. On Mondays ANOTHER yoga studio offers a lunchtime special rate so on Mondays that's where I get my yogi fix. Swingin' at its best, but I spread the love around equally ;-)

*Buy in Bulk - It's the same Costco/Sam's Club strategy. When it comes to classes you can save $$$ by purchasing packages (weekly, monthly, yearly), but be very honest with yourself beforehand. There's no point in buying a one-month pass if you're only go to attend two classes.

D.O.T.D. - Get it Right, Keep it Tight...35% Off Weight Watchers

It's January which means after indulging (or over-indulging) during the holidays, many are now making the resolution to lose a few extra pounds. Even if you've made the same resolution every January for the past decade, this IS your year to achieve your goal! It might take a little bit of guidance to get you started on the right track. Lucky for you Weight Watchers is offering 35% off Weight Watchers Online. The offer ends on the 31st so hurry and take advantage now by CLICKING HERE.

MLK Holiday = Day of Service

Tomorrow, as we celebrate the life & legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr I urge you to pay homage by using your day off as an opportunity to "let freedom ring" by doing something positive in your community. It's not too late to do something other than sleeping until noon, club hoppin', or sitting on the couch watching mindless daytime TV. To find out about volunteer activities in your area CLICK HERE.

D.I.Y.D. - How to Transform an Old Tee into a Haute Accessory

Watch the vid below to see Megan Nicolay, author of Generation T: 108 Ways to Transform a T-shirt AND



Generation T: Beyond Fashion - 120 New Ways to Transform a T-shirt, do her thang. Megan demonstrates how to transform any ol' tee into a chic fashion scarf...

Urbanista Deal of the Day: $22 off Airfare!!

Use coupon code "DEALOFDAY10" to get $22 off on all already low-priced airline tickets booked at CheapOair.com. You'll get an instant $12 discount when you book airfare on the site, then enter coupon "DEALOFDAY10" at the time of purchase to save an additional $10. This coupon expires on March 31, 2010.

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UPDATE: How You Can Send Immediate Supplies to Haiti

***UPDATE*** Check out this news piece on the Love a Child clinic then read below to find out what you can do to help...


LOVE A CHILD is a Christian humanitarian organization in the Port-Au-Prince area that operates an orphanage. They are posting updates to their website as often as possible to update the world on the still very dire conditions in Haiti. Currently their medical clinic is treating earthquake victims, but they are in desperate need of supplies. They are asking people to send supplies including:

*Band-aids
*Washcloths
*Toothbrushes/Toothpaste
*Dental Floss
*Deodorant
*Shoes/Flip flops
*Large t-shirts
*Non-perishable foods
*Multi-vitamins
*Tylenol
and MUCH, MUCH more...For a complete list of immediate supply needs please CLICK HERE.

Mail supplies to:

Love A Child, Inc.
Attn: Mike Essman – Haiti Earthquake Medical Donation
9304 Camden Field Parkway
Riverview, FL 33578-0520

*Please print your name, address and phone number on a piece of paper and place it inside each box sent.

You don't have to go out & spend a lot of $$$ on supplies to send. Just look around your house. If nothing else we all have t-shirts, shoes, etc. that we hardly, if ever, wear. I'm packing a box to send today. Since I'm visiting my parents, I'm raiding my mom's cabinets. I can't tell you how many vital supplies I've found that are just sitting around (some hasn't even been opened). She honestly won't even miss. In fact, I probably won't even tell her what I took - bet $$$ she won't even blink twice! So please, please get a box together today with a group of friends, neighbors, church members or co-workers and mail it no later than tomorrow. Remember Monday is Martin Luther King Day so post offices will be closed.

Urbanista Deal of the Day: 80% off Dining!

Good A.M. urbanistas! Lots of improvements are being made to this website to make it more useful for you. I'm sure you also noticed the "makeover" to the blog courtesy of Cosmic Jane. If your blog needs an upgrade Cosmic Jane will definitely hook you up!

A new feature on this blog will include "deal of the day" in an effort to make readers aware of discounts/freebies that might be of interest. Today's first posting is for those outside of Nashville who also want to enjoy a good meal for less. Restaurant.com is offering 80% off ALL dining certificates until 1/19! To take advantage of this deal CLICK HERE and then enter the coupon code "INDULGE" as you checkout. Quick math refresher: a $4 certificate will only run you $0.80! One caution - make sure to read the restrictions on some certificates which might have stipulations regarding weekend dining, alcoholic beverages, etc. With that said...bon appetit!

Perfect Timing: Tips on How to Save on Big Ticket Items

1. Cars - If you're shopping for a new whip, the best time to buy is at the end of the month. Car dealers are anxious to meet their sales quotas so you'll have the best bargaining power on the 30th/31st/28th.

2. Major appliances (air conditioners, refridgerators, etc.) - New models make their debut in early fall, which means you can get the previous year's model for dirt cheap in Sept. & Oct. This is pretty obvious, but for seasonal items (like grills) your best bet is to purchase these items in the off season. This also applies for sporting/hobby equipment like bicycles.

3. TVs - The next time you're in need of a new flat screen, look out for deep discounts leading up to the December holiday rush. If you can hold out another month, then you'll be rewarded b/c TV prices get slashed even more right before the BIG game - Super Bowl.

4. Jewelry - Did you know that most jewellers make one-third of their annual revenue & nearly 100% of their profits in the two months leading up to the winter holiday season? With that said, avoid jewellers during the holidays (unless it's the only way you can get out of the dog house).

How YOU Can Help w/ Disaster Relief in Haiti

As you can see from the video above, rescue/emergency aid workers from all over the U.S. are quickly mobilizing to get to Haiti. Unless you've been hiding under a rock in the Sahara you should be aware of the devastating situation currently unfolding in Haiti after a 7.0 earthquake shook the Port-au-Prince area. For the full story please CLICK HERE. Yes, we all need to pray for those affected, but we can do more than pray. Put your $$$ where your mouth is to help assist with relief efforts. Unfortuately, we can't all physically go and lend a helping hand BUT we can make a small monetary contribution, which will help in major way. There are several ways to donate:

1. Red Cross - Text the word "HAITI" to 90999 & $10 will automatically donated to Red Cross (the donation will be charged to your next phone bill) or CLICK HERE

2. Wyclef Jean's "Yele" Org - Text the word "YELE" to 501 501 & $5 will be donated (again, the donation will be charged to your next phone bill)

3. Habitat for Humanity - Habitat is working to establish shelters for the many who are now homeless in Haiti. CLICK HERE TO DONATE

4. Save the Children - Donations will help provide urgently needed medical attention, safe drinking water, and other necessities.CLICK HERE TO DONATE

For a list of other ways you can help CLICK HERE.

Swingin' in Nashville: Restaurant Week Begins TODAY!

Greetings urbanistas & urbanistos! If you're in Nashville this week make sure to take advantage of Nashville Originals Restaurant Week. This week only you can enjoy a two, three or FOUR course meal at some of Nashville's finest eateries including Bound'ry, Cabana, Germantown Cafe, The Pineapple Room @ Cheekwood, F. Scott's & many, many more for only $20.10 or $30.10 per person. For a complete list and more info please CLICK HERE.

Swingin' is Step #7 of my 12-Step Urban Addiction Recovery Plan, which simply means throwing "brand loyalty" out of the window. We tend to be habitual creatures & this often gets us caught into a pattern of doing the same things & patronizing the same businesses for years (even if we're dissatisfied) b/c we're so afraid of change or shaking things up. The thought of trying a new restaurant, hair salon or even laundry detergent is unimaginable b/c we're so "loyal" to a brand/establishment that may be robbing us blind and possibly not even giving us the level of quality of service/goods we could get elsewhere for LESS MONEY! This is why I've adopted a mindset of "brand swingin." I'm all about getting the best bang for my buck. Sure I love my hair stylist, aesthetician, tailor, etc but they all know that I'm always looking for the best deal. As a result they work harder to make sure that I receive the best service b/c they don't want to lose my business. I'm not suggesting that you go to your next hair appt demanding that you leave looking like Beyonce or you're finding a new stylist! All I'm saying is don't ignore the freebie being offered at the salon next door if it's going to save you some cash. Then you can always go back to your regular stylist...hence the term "swingin." It's all biz...never personal :-)

Kim Kardashian Smells...

What doesn't this chick have? But she's just too darn cute to hate on. Don't front like you don't watch the reality show... Anywho, Kim K. is expanding her growing empire with a new signature fragrance that includes notes of tuberose, gardenia, jasmine, jacaranda wood, and more. The scent hits Sephora exclusively in Feb. and prices range from $16 for a rollerball wand of the perfume to $65 for a deluxe bottle.

Trimming the Fat: Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half

We could all learn a thing or two from the "coupon mom" Stephanie Nelson. Everytime I see her in action it blows my mind. I just watched her on the Today Show. After all of her cost-cutting magic, she paid all of a QUARTER for $100 worth of groceries!!! Lucky for us she's willing to share her secrets in her new book. Peep the vid below to see the coupon mom do her thang:

Trimming the Fat: $35 Brazilian Wax

During my recent trip to the ATL I almost wrecked my car when I spotted a sign that read "Brazilian Wax for $35." I know what you're thinking...At first thought I was a skeptic too. What kind of dodgy, shim-sham operation could this be? But I was in the "ritzy" part of town b.k.a. Buckhead & this waxing salon was located on Peachtree. Surely those two things should count for something? After 3 days of passing by I just couldn't resist anymore. Not to mention - my trimmed hedges were quickly growing into an out-of-control forest. OK...TMI...



Anywho, when I walked into the salon there was standing room only!!! Hot diggidy! I was on to something. Now I must point out that the salon isn't as posh as my beloved Bliss Spa or my absolute fave Pink Cheeks in L.A. BUT once you get past that you'll never turn back. No appointment is required & you get an AUTHENTIC Brazilian wax that will leave your bum softer than a baby's butt :-) And the best part.... all this for only cost $35! Maybe I've lived in a large metropolis for too long which is why I'm so excited to share this discovery. I'm used to coughing up at the very least $50 + (mandatory or you'll feel like a loser) tip for a wax job that these ATL waxing connoisseurs would laugh at. So next time you're in the "A" get waxed at Authentic Brazilian Wax by Andreia. They offer a list of waxing services aside from a bikini wax. And for you Atlanta urbanistas, a second locale is coming to Lawrenceville.

The Morning After: How to Cure a Hangover

Happy New Year urbanistas & urbanistos!!! 2010 is here! The number "10" is believed to represent "perfection of divine order." Think about the many references to the number...there are 10 Commandments, normally we have 10 fingers & 10 toes, the original calendar only had 10 months & so on. Whatever you believe the point is that it's time for a new decade...a new era. Old things have passed away. So let's push forward.

I don't know about you but as for me 2009 refused to leave quietly. Now while you were popping bottles and shaking it to the ground at the final hour of '09, I was in bed nursing a flu. But don't cry for me b/c unlike many of you I don't have to pay the cost for over-crunkin' it. Here are a few tips for how to deal with a hangover so you don't have to spend the entire first day of 2010 blaming it on the alcohol:

1.Sleep. Rest is your best friend at this point to give your body a recover. Also try taking a multi-vitamin and drink a lot of water before going to sleep.

2.Replenish your body with fruit juice and water. Drink orange juice for Vitamin C. Drink a sports drink like Gatorade or Powerade for nutrients.

3.Avoid caffeine. A weak cup of coffee may be okay but a lot of caffeine will continue to dehydrate you, the opposite of what you want right now.

4.Eat mineral rich food like pickles or canned fish.

5.Drink a Bloody Mary. While your blood is dealing with the new alcohol it is ignoring the old and in the mean time tomato juice and celery are full of vitamins. If you drank the last of the vodka make a Virgin Mary. Another spicy morning after drink option is Hair of the Dog, in which gin and hot sauce are sure to bite your hangover back.

6. Take a shower, switching between cold and hot water.

7. Try Alka Seltzer Morning Relief. Results have been proven.

8.Get some exercise & drink lots of water.

Lastly, do NOT...I repeat do NOT pop a bunch of pills. The side effects of aspirin, Tylenol and ibuprofen can be magnified when alcohol is in your system, so it is best to avoid them to kill the hangover pain. Aspirin is a blood thinner, just like alcohol, and can intensify its effects and Tylenol (or acetaminophen) can cause more damage to your liver. Ibuprofen can also cause stomach bleeding. So be cautious when going for the quick relief.

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