"Sometimes I'll talk on the phone while I'm shellin' peas.

Oprah calls it 'multitasking'."
- Mama Smooter, Sweet Home Alabama

Self-pedicures and TV, online shopping and iTunes downloads, driving and drinking coffee, baking and laundry... multitasking is an art perfected by most women I know, including myself. And while it's great to take "me" time to concentrate on the pleasure of just reading a book or eating a meal with no distractions, more often we find that we'd rather get as much done simultaneously as possible, due to a shortage of time.

Well, as the Times and CNN keep reminding me, America is in a recession, and it's being compared to the Depression. So now we're not only short on time, but short on money as well. It would be easy to be miserable in this situation, but here are some great style and beauty multitasking strategies I've found, to keep you looking fabulous through the winter without disrupting your nest egg.


Wellies
They keep your feet dry while stomping through puddles on your commute, or walking your puppy through the park. But they can double as snow boots too, when you put thick wool or fleece socks under them. Wellies also look great under skinny jeans, and with the right tights and sweater, a skirt too.

Benetint
It's called a cheek stain, and works wonders for brightening up your complexion. But you can also use it on your lips under gloss, for a naturally red look that lasts.

Jersey dresses
Sleeveless, floral, lightweight, no matter; your three-season dresses take on a fourth season of style when you layer them under sweaters. A cable cardigan is a safe bet but can still leave a spring vibe. Try one of the new chunky shrugs, a longer, wide-collar winter white cardigan, or a tweed blazer.

Cropped and capri pants
As long as they're not seersucker or white jeans, your shortened twill, denim and cotton pants look like skinny jeans or pants under knee-high riding boots. Or, very dark, medium-weight cropped pants with knee-high boots look very now.



Benefit 10 bronzer
This boz is half bronzer, half pink highlight. When used on cheeks, it highlights cheekbones and gives great summer color. Lately I'm using it as eyeshadow: the brown hue on lids and the crease, and the highlight for my cheeks as well as brow bones.

Shecky's Girls' Night Out

If you live in the NYC, Boston, or Philly areas, or any other major city in this great land, and haven't heard of Shecky's Girls' Night Out, I feel bad for you!

You can get more details here, but this is an event held several times throughout the year. In NYC at the Puck Building, the event consists of four floors of vendors selling clothing, shoes, bags, and lots of jewelry. The tickets included free drinks, and they often have 2fer ticket specials, making admission $15 apiece including a goodie bag. The best part is the up-and-coming designers that you see, and the unique pieces that will be copied in Claire's 6 months later. Not everything is cheap, but it's always fun to browse while sipping a mango martini.

Long story short, my Europe trip ended up conflicting with my ticket for June's NYC event, and I couldn't get rid of the ticket. Fortunately, my friend who went took home the goodie bag for me, which is a haphazard, hit-or-miss bag of beauty stuff. Some are sample size, some are full size, and in the past I've also gotten hair bands, earrings and tissues. It's like the proverbial box of chocolates, but if you get the $15 tickets and drink that much in booze (pffft, easy), the goodie bag is a nice bonus on top of a fun night of cocktails and shopping.

Here's what was in this goodie bag:

• Alagio Rock Hard Hair Spray, 11oz. OK, never heard of this brand but supposedly it keeps flexible control. Cool.
• Alagio Fast Freeze Hair Spray, 11oz. Aerosol style reminds me of Aquanet. Could be good for updos or smoothing my ponytail for the gym.
• got2b Smooth Operator Smoothing Hairspray, 1.7oz. OK, guess I don't need to buy hairspray for a while.
• Redken Satinwear 02 Blow-Dry Lotion, 1oz. Redken stuff is usually awesome, so I'm glad to try one of their protectants. Just wish it wasn't sample size!
• Schick Intuition Cucumber Melon, one razor. I love the Intuition razors but hate paying for the expensive cartridges. This will be a good stand-in between razor purchases.
• Dove goFresh in Grapefruit/Lemongrass, 1.8oz body wash and 1oz body mist. I like grapefruit and the sizes are good for travel.
• Avene Tinted Compact, SPF50. Looks like a cream-to-powder formula, and actually might match my skin. SPF is good, just hope it doesn't wreak havoc on my pores.
• RoC Daily Microdermabrasion Cleansing Disks, 1 pad. I won't be able to draw any conclusions after using something once, but I have been considering cleaning pads for late nights when I'm too tired to wash my face, so if it feels nice I might buy more.
• Biore Blemish-Fighting Ice Cleanser, 2oz. If it cleans and cools, sounds nice for summer. Another good travel-size product.
• Aquafresh White Trays, 7 upper/lower pre-filled trays. A week's supply and probably costs more in drugstores than the $15 I paid for the ticket. Couldn't hurt!
• Dentaburst Freshening Teeth Cleaners in Cinnamon, 12. Haven't tried these, but might be great for garlicy dinners, midday refreshment and mornings-after. Wink wink.
• Glade Plugins Scented Oil Light Show, including standing light show, outlet night light, and 1 fragarance for each. The light show is something I'd say aloud is tacky, but probably enjoy for a few minutes at night in my room.
• Shine to Go Shoe Polishers, 2. I rarely feel the need to polish my shoes midday, but they could be good in the office in case of a lunchtime scuff.
• Borba Skin Balance Water Mix in Guanabana Fruit, 1 packet. Again, hard to say if it'll work after trying it once, but if it tastes good and it's sugar-free, I'll give it a whirl.
• EBoost Daily Health Booster Mix in Natural Orange, 1 packet. I'm skeptical of energy drinks in general, but I'll give it a shot before a night out and see how it goes.
• Shecky's Fashion Map of NYC and Beauty Map of NYC. Both are great if you have never shopped or spa'd in NYC before, or if you have but don't know where to start, or what's in the area you'll be hitting. I'll take time later to make sure they didn't leave anything pertinent out, but they look complete and are laminated!

The next Girls' Night Out in NYC is in mid-October. Sign up for their email list and grab 2-for-1 tickets when you see them. It's worth a try and while the goodie bag is kind of random, the free drinks and pretty things are reason alone to go. It's a great night in the city with the girls, and if you like accessories, especially jewelry, this is your Mecca!

My my my, what is your secret?

All intelligent, confident young women know that the secret to long-lasting beauty is health. Products that keep your skin, face, lips and hair healthy will, in turn, keep them looking beautiful. Below are some of my favorite products that do a body (and face) right.

Body Products:

Banana Boat Sunscreen, SPF 30, Sweat- and Water-Resistant. Stays on, smells good, and the medium-high SPF will let you get color without encouraging wrinkles at 28. Great for a long day on the boat, at the beach or in the pool.

Philosophy When Hope is Not Enough Body Lotion with SPF 15. Smells amazing, and is lightweight. Great for a picnic, outdoor party or non-swimming beach outing.
The Body Shop Body Butter in Coconut. Summer in a tub. The butter is great for just-shaved legs, before you head out for the night. The vitamins help your skin tone, and a little bi
Bath & Body Works Body Cream in Irresistible Apple. A great medium-weight lotion for year-round use, and the apple scent is subtle and clean.


Facial Products:

St. Ives Apricot Scrub. A great everyday exfoliator, especially for acne-prone skin. Also brightens all skin, and is great for avoiding winter dullness. At $4 a pop, can't go wrong.

Mineral Tint Sheer Foundation, SPF15. Stays on, gives coverage where you need it, and is sher where you don't. Blends easily and lasts forever. Magical.

My long-time go-to facial lotion. Year-round use, absorbs quickly, and works well day and night. This little bottle will last months and months.


Lip Products:
Smooth, not-sticky lip shine that stays on, gives sheer beautiful color and heals chapped lips. Sugar Cookies is great, but try Melon Daiquiri and Raspberry Sorbet too.

The ultimate lip balm. SPF15 keeps lips in kissing shape, lack of color lets you look natural, or layer over lipstick, and is unscented, which is a refreshing change. The best cure for dry lips. Beyond these two tubes, there is nothing more you need.

Enjoy,
Hayley