SICKA THAN AVERAGE

Win Urban Decay's "Alice in Wonderland" Book Of Shadows AND A Tom Binns for Disney "Roses Are Red" Necklace

 

I know some of you ladies were drooling over the Tom Binns for Disney Alice in Wonderland necklaces and earrings showcased in Sicka's tribute to Alice in Wonderland style and beauty. But, of course, some of the price tags seemed a bit daunting. Well, get this: Urban Decay is holding a contest whereby fans can enter to win the Tom Binns for Disney Alice in Wonderland "Roses Are Red" necklace pictured above (which retails for $875 and is available at select Macy's stores) as well as Urban Decay's Alice in Wonderland Book of Shadows (which is sold out everywhere).

The "Roses Are Red" necklace features layered hematite chains, ruby red pearls, light amethyst, gold safety pin accents, and a keyhole charm offering a peek at a rose-filled garden. Urban Decay's Alice in Wonderland Book of Shadows, meanwhile, features a pop-up mushroom forest illustration designed alongside Tim Burton himself and includes 16 of UD's bestselling eyeshadow shades renamed so as to fit with the Wonderland theme. I'm completely in love with this set, so I encourage you not to miss out on an opportunity to get one (and for free, at that!)

In addition to this grand prize, 16 runner-up contestants will win UD's Alice in Wonderland Book of Shadows. The contest ends at 11:59 PST on March 25th. Visit UrbanDecay.com to enter.

STA x Perricone MD Giveaway! -- Win A Jar Of Perricone MD's "Cold Plasma "

If you're an avid Sicka Than Average reader, you might remember my glowing review of Perricone MD's Cold Plasma, a revolutionary new product that ushers vital nutrients past the cell membrane through an ionic carrier suspension system, hence helping to hydrate the skin, promote cellular turnover, and smooth the complexion. Like all of Dr. Perricone's products, the Cold Plasma is at the helm of some of the most important scientific breakthroughs in skincare technology. And, since Sicka Than Average and Perricone Skin Care always want you to put your best face forward, we're giving one lucky reader a chance to win this all-star product!

To enter our Perricone MD Cold Plasma giveaway, contestants must:

1. Reside in the U.S. and be 18 years or older.

2. Leave a comment below answering the following two questions:

    Why do you want to win the Cold Plasma?

    What's your foremost skin concern and what has been your experience with other skincare  products targeting  this issue?

Simple enough, right? The giveaway ends on Feb. 14th at 11:59 EST. Good luck, gals!

For more info on the product, visit PerriconeMD.com

Rina Limor "Sweetest Valentine's Day Memory" Twitter Giveaway

Okay, I know the word "giveaway" alone got your attention but wait until you hear the details of this contest, my freebie-loving friends! Apparently, jewelry designer Rina Limor has a lot of love to give, offering her fans a chance to win the heart-shaped sapphire and spinel necklace pictured above (which is valued at $950) through a fun, Valentine's Day-themed giveaway.

Fans can enter the contest by following @RinaLimor on Twitter and sending the profile an @Reply detailing your warmest V-Day memory (note: make sure to use the phrase "Sweetest V-Day Memory" in your tweet!). Conversely, they can e-mail contest@rinalimor.com and relate their precious V-Day memory.

The giveaway licked off today and ends on Feb. 5th. For full contest rules, visit RinaLimor.Weebly.com

Sicka Than Average x Pastry Giveaway -- Win A Pair Of Pastry By Vanessa And Angela Simmons "Sasha" Boots

A good friend described MTV's "Run's House" as the modern-day, reality TV equivalent of The Cosby Show. Now, that might be a bit of stretch (Rev Run us funny, but he's not exactly Heathcliff Huxtable), but I can see why she would make the comparison. After all, the show focuses on the daily life of former Run-DMC member Reverend Run and his family: wife Justine, daughters Vanessa and Angela, and sons Jojo, Diggy and Russy. Every day, the kids are up to some form of mischief, the girls are convincing daddy to support one of their newest plans, and Run has to maintain order in the household. Daughters Vanessa and Angela were crowd favorites from the very beginning (they're like the Denise and Rudy of the show) — and, as the series progressed, audiences got to see the girls take their Pastry clothing line from a vague idea to a thriving business. And what else can you expect from the nieces of Phat Farm founder (and Def Jam Records co-founder) Russell Simmons? And lest we forget, their dad is part of the reason why hip-hop lovers so fervently embraced Adidas sneakers. For them to be fashion designers, then, wasn't that much of a stretch — and getting such an early start, well, that's a family tradition too.

Personally, while I've always admired the girls' resolve, I've tended to find their designs a bit too juvenile for women in their mid-to-late 20s and beyond. Really, it's more of a juniors' line — and, as such, it's adorable an entirely age appropriate, offering such pieces as vinyl handbags and backpacks with camo, plaid, and color blocked prints in contrasting neon hues; bold sneakers in colors worthy of a Barbie set; and hooded sweatsuits and tees with cupcake and ice cream cone graphics.

Every so often though, the Simmons sisters will create a pair of shoes or sneakers that speak to a more wide-ranging audience, one that that also encompasses a slightly older crowd. And the Sasha boots (pictured above) definitely exemplify footwear with mass appeal — from their cone-shaped heels to the heart print along the knit shaft, these boots will keep your feet warm and will add a dose of cuteness to any outfit.

In the giving spirit of the holidays, we're having a giveaway with Pastry and offering readers a chance to win a pair of these lovely Sasha boots, regularly priced at $99. To enter, simply visit LovePastry.com and leave a comment here describing the designs you most like. Then, send an e-mail to contest@lovepastry.com AND celia@sickathanaverage.com with "Sicka Than Average x Pastry Giveaway" in the subject line and, in the body of the e-mail, describe why you love any pair of Pastry shoes. You must complete both of these steps to enter the giveaway. The contest is open to U.S. residents only, and the deadline to enter is December 28th at midnight EST. Good luck! Hope you get some Pastry sweetness in your life!

Douglas Little Dell Laptops -- A "Little" Piece of Heaven

If you live in the New York City area and you've strolled in front of Bergdorf Goodman recently, you might have been struck by five window displays alongside Fifth Avenue, all of which incorporate a Adamo by Dell laptop with skins customized by Douglas Little, the founder and creative director of D.L. & Co: Purveyors of Curious Goods. The collaborative effort between Bergdorf Goodman, Dell and Little shows the continuously shifting relationship between art, technology and fashion.

Each of the windows has a unique theme that corresponds with the aesthetic of the Adamo laptop on display. The "Web Master/Master the Web" window, for example, features a suspended mannequin, hanging by a intricate web of silver necklace chain and, in the mannequin's hands, you'll find a black Dell Adamo laptop with an etched spider web pattern and Swarovski crystal accents (as pictured at top). The "Princess & The PC" window, meanwhile, is a whimsical play on the classic "The Princess and the Pea" fairytale — in this case, what prevents the finicky princess from sleeping comfortably isn't a pea but a laptop (which she can't seem to detect because it's sop very slim). To match the Victorian-esque theme, Little designed a cream and pink, tapestry-like design (as pictured second from top) with a single, pearl-sized gold dot along the center (presumably, his cheeky nod to the "pea" in the story). One of the most jaw-dropping designs is the "Reshaping Technology" window, which features the Adamo fitted in a custom crocodile corset masterminded alongside costume designer Michael Schmidt. Another vital figure in the collection's design and execution was Haryn DeLeon, who was responsible for all the laser cutting on the laptops.

And here's the most beautiful part. While these laptop skins were not mass produced, one of these one-of-a-kind designs will be available to consumers through a sweepstakes with Elle.com.

To enter, simply visit Elle.com and fill out the entry form. You can return to the site once a day for a chance to enter through November 13th.

Fashion's Night Out: Where To Go, What To Buy, Who to See

Forget barhopping: style mavens don't do a drunken crawl from pub to pub! They strut, sashay and vogue from one boutique and shopping mecca to the next — especially on Fashion's Night Out, when leading fashion and beauty retailers extend their operating hours and offer discounts, raffles, giveaways, and tons of fun activities for the general public.

The evening not only adds to the excitement surrounding New York Fashion Week, but it also helps to boost the economy by promoting retail and expressing gratitude to loyal consumers and brand enthusiasts.

As you'll see from this small sampling of events, the festivities taking place in New York are so exciting, you'll find yourself dashing from one location to the next, hoping to take advantage of it all. For a full list of events taking place in New York City (as well as other fashion capitals in India, France, Spain, Japan, Taiwan, Germany, Russia, Brazil, Italy, Greece, the UK and China), visit FashionsNightOut.com Get ready for a full-on shop crawl!

THE PLAZA BEAUTY BY WARREN-TRICOMI

 

Rather than simply serving complimentary cocktails and appetizers, the celebrated beauty boutique is really getting into the spirit of Fashion Week, offering consumers intimate access to the makeup artists and hair stylists who have mastered using the products stocked at The Plaza Beauty. Makeup artists from Smashbox and Becca will be on hand for consultations and touch-ups, as well as tutorials on how to achieve the hottest makeup looks for fall. Representatives from Sjal and Comfort Zone will provide facials, treatments and hand massages (because you have to look rested and revitalized before hitting the tents!). And finally, Joel Warren and Edward Tricomi (the founders of Warren-Tricomi) will demonstrate some of the prevailing fall hair styles. Visitors will also receive samples from brands like MLab, Sponge Skincare, Revitalash, Lisa Hoffman Skincare, Tocca, Kai, and Santa Maria Novella, plus they'll have the chance to win a Day of Beauty at the Warren-Tricomi Salon at the Plaza and a custom-made hair piece from Lucia Hair Designs. From 6-11 p.m. at the Grand Concourse Level of The Plaza (1 West 58th Street, between 5th and 6th Ave.)



STUART WEITZMAN

Want to play ping-pong with shoe designer Stuart Weitzman? Then drop by his boutique at the Shops at Columbus Circle from 6-7 p.m or swing by the Madison Avenue location (625 Madison Avenue) from 8 p.m. until closing time and greet the shoe czar, then challenge him to a Balls of Fury-esque battle.

The first 25 shoppers will also receive a free gift when they purchase Stuart Weitzman's new Leopard Rain Boots (pictured above).

For more information, visit StuartWeitzman.com

BLOOMINGDALE'S

You could practically spend all of Fashion's Night Out inside Bloomingdale's (at 59th Street)— literally. Many brands and designers have joined forced with the retailer to create special events and promotions for consumers. Among them, pop icon Gwen Stefani, the owner and designer of LAMB and Harajuku Lovers, will be making an appearance at 7 p.m. at the Balcony, off the store's Main Floor. The first 30 people to spend over $150 worth of LAMB ready-to-wear shoes and apparel or Harajuku Lovers fragrances will have the chance to actually meet Stefani and have her autograph one of their purchases.

ROCK & REPUBLIC

If you're not in the New York area, that doesn't mean you can't partake in some of the Fashion's Night Out festivities. From 6-11 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10th, you can visit the Rock & Republic signature boutique in Los Angeles (103 S. Robertson Blvd.) and enjoy a complimentary makeover (with Rock & Republic cosmetics) and get your hands on the above-pictured, limited-edition, Fashion's Night Out Leggings, which feature gunmetal stud details along the sides for an edgy, fashion-forward look.

COLE HAAN

Spokesperson Maria Sharapova isn't the only tennis enthusiast at Cole Haan. The brand is celebrating Fashion's Night Out at its Madison Avenue store (677 Madison Avenue)  cwith a US Open Viewing Party. From 6 to 11 p.m., guests will enjoy treats from Dylan's Candy Bar (and enjoy other tennis-themed goodies) as they watch the Men's Quarter Final matches taking place at the Arthur Ashe Stadium and shop Cole Haan's new collection.

DSW

 

From 6 to 11 p.m., stop by the DSW store in NYC's Union Square location and enter a raffle to win a year's worth of shoes. The winner will receive one pair of shoes every month for an entire year. And the giveaways don't stop there — every half hour throughout the course of the evening, one lucky customer will receive a free pair of shoes. 

BERGDORF GOODMAN

 

Not to be outdone, Bergdorf Goodman (5th Avenue at 58th Street) boasts a packed itinerary of activities for shoppers on Fashion's Night Out. At 5:30 p.m., Zac Posen will be hand-painting one-of-a-kind dresses modeled by Anna Cleveland inside the Fifth Avenue windows (talk about a treat for window shoppers!). At 6 p.m., inside the BG Restaurant on the 7th floor, Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi will judge a cook-off between Cynthia Rowley, Edward Bess, Gilles Mendel, Lela Rose, Naeem Khan and Peter Som. Also at 6 p.m., Alexander Wang will be unveiling a collection of T-shirts benefiting the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center. An exhibit featuring photographs from the book Extreme Beauty in Vogue will follow at 7 p.m., with numerous other activities planned throughout the evening.

HAYDEN-HARNETT

Do you live in the Brooklyn area? Want to stay closer to home and still enjoy some fashionable fun? Then stop by the Hayden-Harnett shop (211 Franklin Street in Greenpoint). Customers will enjoy 20% off every item in the store, plus an additional 10% off if they donate an item of new or gently used clothing. Plus, for an interesting twist, Hayden-Harnett is encouraging shoppers to individualize their HH goodies with some tattoo-esque art. Customers who bring their very own Hayden-Harnett handbags, wallets, or cuffs to the event can have these pieces "inked" by traveling tattoo company Inflicting Ink for $75-$100 a piece. And all handbags, wallets, ir cuffs purchases at the event can be inked free of charge!

BENEFIT COSMETICS

 

Visit Sephora Times Square (at Broadway and 43rd Street) on Thursday evening for insider beauty tips from Benefit Cosmetics' Global Trend Artists Annie Ford Danielson and Maggie Ford Danielson and receive a free backstage beauty tote and samples of some of Benefit's best-selling products, as well as the chance to enter the evening's raffles and possibly win some seriously "beneficial" prizes!

To reserve your spot, call 212.944.6789

SAMANTHA THAVASA

The Samantha Thavasa boutique on Madison Avenue (956 Madison Avenue) will remain open until 9 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10th, to show its support for Fashion's Night Out, plus customers will receive 20% off all purchases. But here's the best part: Tinsley Mortimer, who designs a capsule collection for the brand, will be on site to greet customers and will pose alongside any consumers interested in being photographed holding one of her new designs for Fall/Winter. At the end of the evening, Mortimer will select the best photograph; the winner will receive a special gift and a framed copy of the picture.

KIEHL'S

 

In addition to celebrating Fashion's Night Out, Kiehl's is feting the 40th anniversary of its Lip Balm #1 (which only grows more popular as time passes!). From 7-10 p.m. on September 10th, customers can attend the Kiehl's Karnival (taking place at the Kiehl's flagship store at 109 Third Avenue and 13th Street), hosted by Entourage star Emmanuelle Chriqui. Swing by for some complimentary cocktails and hord d'oeuvres, to sing karaoke for a free tube of the #1 Lip Balm, and to enter a raffle to win Kiehl's products and shopping sprees. And no carnival (or "karnival") would be complete without some musical treats, so stay tuned for some surprise celebrity performances!

ANYA HINDMARCH

 

Have you dreamed of a modeling career? Then have your very own America's Next Top Model moment at Anya Hindmarch's Soho store (115 Greene Street) this Thursday! All you have to do is choose a handbag from Anya's Autumn Winter 2009 collection, pose wit it and have your photo taken by one of the shutterbugs on hand. Anya herself will assay all the entries and select a winner — the best "model" will win the bag with which she posed! Do you need any more incentive than that?!

C.O. BIGELOW

 

As you work your way through NYC on Thursday evening, make sure to stop by C.O. Bigelow Pharmacy (411 Avenue of the Americas) and nab a free Mentha Lip Shine. These best-selling glosses will be handed out to customers throughout the night.

MAC COSMETICS

 

Stop by the MAC Cosmetics store in Soho (113 Spring Street) from 7 to 9 p.m. and meet Pop/Rock/Soul singer and budding style icon Janelle Monáe as she gives out signed copies of her debut album, Metropolis, and speaks about her fashion and beauty influences.

Enter The Fab Lane With Linea Pelle's "Be A Celebrity" Contest

Have you ever stared at a paparazzi shot of a celebrity and thought to yourself, 'I could rock that outfit way better' or 'That would look so much better on me!'? Well, Linea Pelle sympathizes with your desire to live like a celebrity — or at the very least dress like one. The luxury leather goods brand, favored by stars like Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashlee Simpson, and Hayden Panettiere just unveiled its "Be A Celebrity" sweepstakes, where customers can vie for a chance to win the grand prize, a Linea Pelle shopping spree valued at $3000, as well as that day's daily prize. And these aren't lame, miserly prizes, gals; we're talking about top-of-the-line LP products. Among the prizes you'll find: the Wide Multi-Stand Cuffs pictured at top, which are regularly priced at $65 each; the Silver Dome Studded Hip Belt pictured second from top, which is valued at $125; and the Double Wrap Bracelets pictured third from top, which are regularly priced at $55 each.

Here's what you need to do: visit LPCollection.com, enter your e-mail address, and play the match game. It's actually really fun -- like the game of "Memory" you played as a child. When you click on one of the square tiles, you'll see an image of a specific LP product. You then have to click on a second square and hope to find its pair. The goal is to try to remember where different items are located (meaning what square tile they're hidden behind) so that you can find each item's pair. Once you've matched all the items, you'll find out it you're the day's winner (and, of course, you'll be entered to win the grand prize). You only get one chance to play daily — though if you invite friends to play the game, you'll win more chances (one per e-mail address submitted). And, of course, you can return daily throughout the course of the contest and have another go at it. Game on!

The "Be A Celebrity" contest runs through October 31st at LPCollection.com

Check out Bath & Body Works' "Find Your Fragrance" Widget And Enter Our BBW Giveaway!

Bath & Body Works is helping customers find their signature scents with its new "Find Your Fragrance" feature. Customers are encouraged to choose six icons, each of which represents a personality attribute, ideal destination, key style element, or mood — among them you'll find an Eiffel Tower, a high heel shoe, a teddy bear, a candle, a butterfly, a palm tree, and a lemon wedge. After they've selected the six icons that pinpoint their desired mood, they're then prompted to choose a time of day and destination. Using this information, they'll be told what fragrance best suits them for that particular place or event.

As you can see from the photo above, I'm a romantic (ha! as if I needed anybody to tell me that!) and, for a date night, my best choices are Black Raspberry Vanilla, Black Amethyst and Cherry Blossom. I was actually impressed at how accurate an assessment this was, since I find these to be the most seductive fragrances BBW has to offer (well, along with Vanilla Noir).

Want to find out what scent suits you? Visit BBWFindYourFragrance.com

And here's the best part: if you test out the "Find Your Fragrance" feature and leave a comment below detailing what scents were recommended for you and whether you think the suggestion was on point, you will be entered in our BBW giveaway. One lucky reader will have the chane to win her own trademark scent from Bath & Body Works. Only US residents are eligible to enter the giveaway. The deadline to enter is Sept. 18th at midnight EST.

Around the Blog World: The HLMN Weekend Round Up

Adventures in Round Brown takes a look into the world of Men's Big and Tall Fashion.

Askmewhats reviews L'oreal Elseve Smooth Intense.

The Beauty Chick share some of her favorite face primers.

Beauty Junkies Unite tells us how awesome Bare Escentuals Buxom Lashliner.

 

BeautySweetSpot has a behind the scenes look at the MAC Fall collection.

Best Things in Beauty has a Giveaway Contest: Sephora's new Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Kiss.

Claire's Beauty explores lipstick trends through the decades.

Denim Debutante is giving away a bottle of Arbonne's Made in the Shade Self-Tanner to one lucky reader!

Fabuless Beauty has us super excited for the MAC Look in a Box sets available exclusively at Nordstrom.

See Fabulous Over Forty's review of Josie Maran lipstick.

The Fashion Planner shows us how to how to make a no-sew top and necklace from a t-shirt.

 

Glamour Whore introduces you to Illamasqua cosmetics.

Gloss Menagerie homemade toner experiment.

Gouldylox Reviews has a sneak peek of Bare Escentuals liner and lipstick.

Hot Beauty Health gives you the low down on the white nail polish trend.

The Informed Makeup Maven is all about body and hair this week.  Check out her must haves.

Krasey Beauty cozies up to Erno Laszlo Cosmetics.

Visit Lipgloss Break and Enter to Win Sunkissed Glow by JLo and AminoGenesis Perfect Reflection!

My Beauty Bunny recommends a cruelty-free self-tanner and body firming cream in one from Tarte.

Obsession Confessions of Glamour and Love reviews Ouidad products for curly hair.

Sicka Than Average keeps you walking on sunshine with its roundup of sizzling hot shades.

The Style and Beauty Doctor begs you not to match your eyeshadow to your outfit.

Su Ferreira has another great tutorial on smokey eye.

ThisThatBeauty shares a beauty observations - Extreme Length False Eye Lashes in everyday life!

Tres Chic Style reveals her shopping secrets.

New Giveaway: Perricone MD's Advanced Face Firming Activator

Ladies, this is one giveaway you don't want to miss!  Here's your chance to win Perricone MD's best-selling product, the Advanced Face Firming Activator, which retails for $120.

This popular cosmeceutical product focuses on evening your skin tone, diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, restoring elasticity, and making the skin appear more taut and lifted. The Advanced Face Firming Activator features: Alpha Lipoic Acid, an antioxidant that protects cells, reduces puffiness, shrinks enlarged pores, and minimizes any visible aging signs; DMAE, which also battles fine lines and wrinkles, and which makes the skin appear tighter; and Sodium Hyaluronate, which locks in moisture to make skin look younger and more supple.

Having tested this product for over four weeks, I can tell you gals that it's worthy of all the hype — and much more. When you apply the lightweight, creamy substance to your skin, you'll instantly feel a slight tingling, like your skin is being stretched to a fully taut position (but without the loss of expression that can result from Botox!). I felt that tightening particularly in the area around my forehead and my eyes (both zones where wrinkles creep up and lay their roots). Not only did my skin appear firmer, but I noticed that my complexion looked brighter and that small discolorations were less visible. Plus, it actually smells rather great (it has a vague floral scent).

GIVEAWAY GUIDELINES:

To enter for a chance to win this must-have product, e-mail celia@sickathanaverage.com and, in the body of the e-mail, mention 2 anti-aging or face-firming products you've tried (and why you have or haven't enjoyed them). Please make sure to type "Perricone MD Giveaway" as the subject of your e-mail. Otherwise, you can leave a comment below and you'll automatically be entered to win!

This giveaway is only open to US residents. The deadline to enter is Aug. 7th.

Best of luck everyone!