I love my beauty trunks as there are a number of goodies that are in there for any given situation. Since I'm always receiving mascaras, eyeshadows and more prior to their release, I know that whatever look I'm going for is bound to be in one of cases! With that said, sometimes I go for what speaks to me in theory - it's not even lifestyle specific. Right now I'm definitely loving a few pieces that will be included in future outings from traveling, brunch and just being out and about.

ACCESSORIES INSPIRATIONS

My inspiration comes from this fabulous multi colored cocktail ring which reminds me of a kaleidoscope from Sharon Khazzam who is known for her one of a kind pieces. I love a great ring and many of you know that it's my signature without a doubt. This ring has a number of colors in it which also inspired me when I'm thinking of looking great for whatever the occasion happens to be.

GET THE BEAUTY LOOK

Last week, I attended HSN's Oz Preview which had a number of brands that had created products for the launch of the movie which is coming out on Friday (so excited). Urban Decay created two kinds of color palettes and I have been loving the one I received which embodies Glinda the Good Witch! The collection comes with eyeshadows, eyeliner and a lip pencil. It's such a great number of hues and I love that everything (minus the lip pencil) can be stored within the case. Another eyeshadow favorite (which is perfect for smoky eyes) of mine is Sue Devitt and although I have the purple version of this, the green Marine Minerals is definitely on trend and a great series of hues to have. Another eyeshadow that I love is YSL's Ombre in Topaz Blue! When I feel that it's a bit bright, I love blending it in with charcoal. Another beauty fave that pulls tones of the ring into this selection is Deborah Lippmann's Ruby Slippers which is a rich garnet with a bit of shimmer.

Obviously great skin is maintained skin! I LOVE cleansing wipes and have a number of brands I use that are amazing in a number of ways. I also carry a to go version with me as there are times where I have to change from one makeup look to another - these Sephora Express Cleansing Wipes are perfect! I think it can never be said enough but SPF regardless of whether the sun is out, regardless of the season and DEFINITELY regardless of your skin tone is an essential. I just started trying out Murad's Age-Proof Suncare Oil Free Sunblock. I love that it has pom in it and is great coverage for the skin.

Hands are a key part for our beauty look as they do some serious double duty as they showcase our rings, we use them to gesture and more! I love getting my manis done at a salon; however, there are times when I do it myself due to a quick change or simply wanting to do it. With that said, here are my must have picks when it comes to have the necessary items whether you're doing it from the beginning or just doing something quickly!

First off, I love making sure that everything has its proper container. I have a been a fan of Stephanie Johnson for years and keep all my nail care items within her cases as it's easy to transport as well as it allows me to see what I have. She has so many styles and fabrics, it's fun to have a number of collections and is a must to keep things organized at home and when you travel.

When it comes to tools, I love the Nail Experts 4-in-1 Salon Manicure Kit which fits easily in the hand by Avon and I always have my Tweezerman Mini Nail Rescue Kit as well. When it comes to prepping your nail for a polish change, I am OBSESSED with Crabtree & Evelyn's Nail Polish Remover Wipes which contains one wipe per packet. Each packet has quite a large removal wipe which allows you to clean all 10 nails and it doesn't have that medicinal smell! At first, I thought that the wipes were dry but note that there is plenty of solution on them to do the job. In addition, to ensure that your cuticle and nail are nourished, use Nail Experts Green Tea Cuticle Serum which is also available at Avon. I placed this on the cuticle and rubbed it in and then continued to apply it across my nail.

One of my favorite hues that I'm rocking currently is Crabtree & Evelyn's nail polish in the hue Black Cherry! I love how rich and dark it looks and how it spreads evenly across the nail.

Continuing to take care of your hands is an essential even when you're not updating your mani! Hands stay smooth and amazing when you exfoliate them. I suggest using Project Fig as it has a great smell. I love making sure that my hands stay clean with The Body Shop's Absinthe Purifying Hand Gel has a cooling effect and a slight musk/sage smell that works well for men and women. In addition, I am a huge believer in making sure that my hands are moisturized and why not do it with a bit of SPF (they have 30, 50 and 70)! As today is the last day of January, you may not have known that these past 30 days were actually a part of National Oatmeal Month. Aveeno is an oatmeal based product that many with sensitive skin enjoy using due to its benefits. Although my skin isn't sensitive, I do love the nourishing value that comes from the ingredients and love putting this in my routine!

On a rainy afternoon earlier this week, I headed to Milos for a Beauty Brunch that was hosted by my friend and Social Media Director, Michelle Joni Lapidos of Spa Week - also make sure to check out their blog as well. The brunch allowed attendees to sit and chat skincare with Miami Beach based Dermatologist, Dr Loretta who has her own practice, a skincare line in her own name as well as a line that does private label for various spas. For those that follow Kitten Lounge on Facebook, you saw a number of my videos popping up talking about how gum (sugarless free is suggested) is great to keep your neck muscles firm, her skincare's innovation with stem cells that contain lavendar as well as other information regarding African Americans and the types of peels that they should use. The video above shares why we should apply new beauty products to only half of our face as they are done during clinical trials! It's a great way of seeing how well the product works for you and what results you can expect to see - a novel idea and one that we should always remember to do!

In addition to a fabulous lunch, we were able to have many of our skincare issues answered as well as to test a number of products within the Dr Loretta line including Age Change Daily Moisturizer (includes SPF 30+ which is perfect to use day and night), Age Change Body (which is great for all skin types and allows your skin to glow) and Age Change Eye (which lessens dark circles, bags and puffiness and protects the thin skin that is around the eye area). These can be purchased individually OR you can select the Age Change Kit which allows you to receive the Age Change Body for free when you purchase the Age Change Eye as well as the Age Change Face (which is the daily moisturizer).

Oh when I pack, I pack! Here is it that I will be away for about a week where I will be on a press trip in Miami for Schick, on to Mickey's House in Disney and then continuing on to Ft Lauderdale for some R&R! But before that, it takes me about a day to think about everything that I will be bringing with me. Today is a peek into my carry on bag! The bag is obviously familiar as it was used in my photoshoot for the Coach MYNY Fall campaign that is currently on their site for Fall! I'm loving that this bag will head to the airport with me! Now I had to show you some of the items that will be in my bag as they are my essentials!

In addition to my guilty pleasure of Life & Style, I will have Alphabet City by one of my new friends John Paul Buchmeyer which I am so excited to begin reading and is perfect when you're hanging out in the cabanas poolside! Because this trip is all about R&R I know that I will enjoy some bevvies so just in case I get a bit of a headache, I have some Migralex which is an organic headache medicine! When it get's too hot out there I love having my Dickinson's which keeps me cool and refreshed whether I'm getting out of a plane or turning over in my chair at the Delano! I get super thirsty on the way to the airport so I'm happy to have Drink Neuro with me which I will have Sleep with me as I have definitely been missing that over the past few weeks. I plan to be refreshed when I wake up from my slumber to hit the ground running when I head to Miami as there is much to do! With all the sun that I'll be soaking in, I need to have it in a safe way so Jane Iredale is coming strong with the SPF Translucent puff as well as the Lip Drink that has SPF in it as well! What else is in my bag? Well I'll let you know when I finish packing but I can't wait to finish. It'll have to wait as I'm on my way to Suffren, NY to Avon's R&D plant to learn about #LotusShine which is a new haircare product that will be available soon!

Earlier this week I found myself heading to the Upper East Side to Serafina, almost feeling like one of the fab 4 from Sex and the City, I was on the way to a private dining room to hear from the creator of Jane Iredale, who just so happens to be the lady herself (love when the name of the brand is actually the person) and Dr Katz, a respected dermatologist. This line was the first one that was mineral based and had components that were good for your skin! As many of us celebrated the Summer Solstice (the official kick off to the summer), diners downstairs received full samples of her Jane Iredale Powder Me Up SPF. I love that it comes in a tan tone and a translucent so for those that you're not only protected from the sun but you can apply the tan version as a means to have a little bronze effect. In addition, we were walked through the entire collection such as the Lip Drink which is a lip balm with SPF that as mentioned by Jeannine Morris of Beauty Sweet Spot, it smelled like lemonade! With all the different eyeshadow hues that I finally saw up close, I was very impressed with the varying hues of the foundation! Being someone who is a medium shade, I find that there is a scarcity of hues but Jane Iredale has you covered and there is SPF in this as well!

What I really took away from Jane who is standing up talking with about 20 or so bloggers (loved chatting with Aly Walansky and Kristin Booker who I saw throughout the week and will be included in another post for today), is when I was able to have some one on one time with her! She used to work in entertainment as a casting director in theater and lived here in the city for a number of years. In the day she worked to put this fabulous line together as she came here from England not knowing anyone, having 40 pounds in her pocket and two watches that she wanted to sell when she got here! At night she did her job in the theaters. Here in NYC or anywhere really, we're all multitasking doing what we have to do to make things work while squeezing as much time as possible for our passion. She's definitely someone who finally got to focus on her passion and do that full time! With a passion for the line, as well as updating her blog (she has own blog that she updates as well as one that is about makeup in general), she was very down to earth and it's an amazing way to spend the day!

I also have to say that I have eaten at Serafina on the west side but love the one on the East just as much! Any lunch that is Prosecco filled, has a gorgeous walnut salad and is then followed by a chicken and mashed potato combo that was scrumptious and ends with a berry tart that was the best one I have ever had is definitely a meal worth repeating! I also have to say that I was super pleased to see a Eugenia Kim straw hat in my goodie bag! Beyond thrilled especially since I had planned on going to the sample sale they were running but have been unable due to the hectic schedule this week!