1. Organic Surge Citrus Mint Shower Gel: Natural moisturizers and stimulating organic essential oils come together in this refreshing and invigorating shower gel. I can’t get enough of its wake-me-up properties first thing in the morning. Plus, every Organic Surge product you buy contributes to their efforts to support Africa’s most vulnerable children. Available online.

2. Origins Incredible Spreadable™ Smoothing Ginger Body Scrub: Natural sugars gently buff away rough, dry skin before transforming into a creamy, cleansing lather, leaving your skin refreshed and smooth. Origins products are manufactured using a combination of renewable resources, wind energy and earth-friendly practices. Available at Origins stores, Macy’s and online.

3. Aura Cacia Patchouli/Sweet Orange Body Cream: This deliciously nourishing body cream contains 100% pure essential oils to deliver the finest aromatherapy to your body. Patchouli soothes while orange uplifts in this fragrant moisturizer. Aura Cacia’s own ethical and sustainable sourcing program, Well Earth™, allows them to guarantee the purity of their essential oils. Available online.

4. Jurlique Lavender Hand Cream: This protective hand cream, rich in the living energy of lavender, calendula and viola, deeply moisturizes and restores smoothness to working hands. With respect for life and nature, Jurlique uses biodynamic farming methods to sustain and enrich the soil with each harvest cycle to optimize the living energy in their plants and products and on your skin. Available at Jurlique stores and online.

5. Skin by Monica Olsen Sore Foot Repair Cream: This incredible cream uses tea tree oil, grapefruit seed extract and thyme extract to battle bacteria, calm inflammation, stimulate circulation and cool over-worked feet. All Skin by Monica Olsen packaging is Forest Stewardship Council certified, meaning the materials come from well-managed forests, recycled material and/or controlled wood which come from non-controversial sources. Available at Duane Reade and online.

Did we miss anything? What are your favorite organic skincare brands and body care products?

Karen Robinovitz and Drew Linehan

Most fashion events leave you with a handful of new acquaintances, a stack of useless business cards and a seemingly incurable hangover. Leave it up to the ladies at Purple Lab to turn the tables and supply me with a newfound obsession in Purple Lab beauty products, the grace needed to light up a room, the ability to walk like a supermodel and some great new friends! Yesterday evening, I got in touch with my feminine side by trading in my harem pants and boyfriend blazer for some Coach stilettos and a slinky Mint dress and joining in on all the beauty talk. 

Purple Lab is one of the newest and most innovative beauty lines on the market, staying on top of trends while providing women with dual-action products and a message of female empowerment. As the brainchild of  fashion and beauty Renaissance woman, Karen Robinovitz, who knows the industry, inside and out, Purple Lab hit shelves in May 2009 with six of the best lip-glosses I’ve had the pleasure of trying. With adorable names like “Red Sole,” inspired by the soles of Christian Louboutin heels, and “Worship Kate,” Kate Moss that is, the Purple Lab glosses are equipped with stunning color, lip plumper and an array of bonuses like soothing lemon peel or Hoodia, the appetite suppressant. Purple Lab is projected to launch a line of skin-care products as well as other types of makeup in the near future. 

Following their motto of female confidence and pride, the ladies at Purple Lab brought in supermodel runway coach, Drew Linehan, to teach us how to be the envy of all the social gatherings and walk like a supermodel. After throwing my shoulders back, sticking my chest out and owning my personality, Drew flattered me and complimented me on my Erin Wasson-esque, quirky walk! While all the ladies looked fierce stomping down our makeshift runway at The Gates, I must say, Karen, at a mere 5’2″, had the presence of Gisele! 

Sound fun? Well you don’t have to be name in the fashion/beauty scene to join in on it! Purple Lab is all about their customers, so if you show an interest in the company, you can expect an invite to Purple Lab’s next event, or better, a Tweet-Up session at Karen’s apartment! I might not be the biggest makeup/ beauty guru out there, but Purple Lab is one brand you need in your purse at all times!

Stay tuned for videos from the event as well as Purple Lab giveaways! 

Purple Lab products can be found at a variety of stores like Scoop, Fred Segal, Bliss, C.O. Bigelow and online at bglowing.com. 

Check out Purple Lab here! 

Chanel is introducing a mint/jade colored nail polish. Any thoughts?

LINKAGE: BellaSugar

The first several visits left me unimpressed. The store was unorganized and crowded, wasting over 45 minutes of my life I was sure I’d never get back. Taking the wise advice of my mother, I gave the store a second chance, stopping in early on a Thursday (aka inventory day) just before February’s fashion week. Heading upstairs to “The Back Room,” the discounted designer label department, I was floored by how many great pieces there were by the fashion industry’s cream of the crop. $300 later, I walked out of Loehmann’s with over $2500 worth of  Robert Rodriguez, Vince, Mint and Helmut Lang clothes and accessories. Happy girl? You bet.

After probably a two month hiatus from the discount haven, I stopped by Loehmann’s this morning, Although I only purchased some jewelry (I got a Burberry-esque spike bracelet and a match necklace for $40. Beat that.) I was amazed to see dozens upon dozens of pieces from the Marc by Marc Jacobs Spring 2008 collection. The clothes might be two seasons old, but where else are you going to find a Marc Jacobs Americana romper marked down to just $70!? Other great buys included gorgeous Givenchy boot-heels, Comme des Garcons drop-crotch sweats (too bad they were a size 14…), a plethora of springy Philosophy dresses and tons of chunky Miu Miu, Carmen Marc Valvo and Badgely Misckha sunglasses. 

All in all, if you haven’t yet been to Loehmann’s, now is the time to check it out. But be forewarned, be there early on weekdays or be prepared to dig.