Know this: if you are one of the few freaks of nature blessed with perfect skin, this is not the article for you. If you wake up each day radiant, skin glowing and packed with life and moisture, may I suggest you take this time to log off your computer and plop yourself in front of a mirror to admire the rare gift God and your mama gave you. While, you are doing that, I will get on with showing the remaining 99.9% of the world’s population the light – as I have uncovered your mystical skin secrets. Calm down sensitive skins – most of us have skin that reacts to our environment, i.e. the harsh and sudden weather changes our beloved global warming has bestowed upon us. To that affect, I have recently developed an undying obsession for a few face products that have managed to keep my parched skin from being ravaged by the winds and airy frost bite of the urban tundra.

La Roche Posay Toleriane Riche: Recommended to me by makeup guru, Kristin Gallegos, this little bottle of magic has certainly saved my skin as the cold weather sets in. I have only been using it for a week and have noticed a significant difference in my complexion’s tone and level of moisture. Categorized according to your skin type (I happen to have combination skin that leans on the dry side every now and then), this collection of gentle ingredient products was incredibly extensive, allowing both parched faced Susie and oily skinned Lucy to make the perfect purchase. If you are thinking that this product sounds obscure and uber luxurious, you are only half accurate. La Roche Posay may be French but is one of a few French pharmaceutical brands that has been showing it’s face in common day American drugstores – i.e. your local Duane Reade or CVS Pharmacy. This magic potion may not be your standard tub of Neutrogena, but it’s located in the same aisle. Who knew I could purchase skin as smooth as a baby’s bottom over the counter? You learn something new every day…

La Roche Posay Toleriane Riche, $23.00 at your local CVS or Duane Reade.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer: After you’ve moisturized or primed your face (I assume that as a mature adult, you have learned that this is essential) I know exactly what you do – you cake on foundation or concealer at times bordering the quantity used by the entire cast of The Jersey Shore. Being that you do not fist pump at the club with Snooki and Jwoww on a nightly basis, this is completely unnecessary. But, not to fret my orange faced friends – I know what you were attempting to achieve as you were slathering drying agents on to your face! You want even toned, blemish free skin as a foundation for makeup application and inside your well intentioned, overly made-up little heart you know as well as I do that this clown like face painting is not the way to get it. Instead, I have found the solution to your problems in a moisture packed, oil free product – you can thank me later. Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer combines the skin evening abilities of your cream concealer with oil free moisturizers to smoothly coat your skin and leave it radiant and ready for cosmetic application. Fret not if you need a tad more coverage than a tinted moisturizer, I have no plans to come to your home and rob you of the thick cream foundation you know and love. Be sure it matches the tone of your tinted moisturizer (which at this point hopefully matches the tone of your actual skin!) and use it to spot treat blemishes rather than clogging all your pores with its intensity. Let’s make a deal – if  your skin does not look like it’s been airbrushed with make-up staying put all day long, you can come to my house and rob me of my beloved Laura Mercier moisturizer.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, $42.00 at Sephora or on LauraMercier.com.

Le Mystere Moisturizing Day Cream: Created by a brand who spends most of its time specializing in high-end lingerie, Le Mystere has decided to apply the same theories to skin as they do to your breasts to keep both controlled, in place and comfortable all day. While this product may be slightly more indulgent and extravagant than the others I have loved and suggested, this perfection in a jar is priced high with good reason. Vegans beware:  Le Mystere’s secret ingredient for their day cream is colostrum, a nutritious milky liquid produced in the mammary gland immediately after birth. While admittedly, the concept of spreading milk protein retrieved from post-birth glands of any kind is slightly nauseating, the results are far from it. Knowing nothing of said milky glands, I sampled the product and fell in love, only later to learn its deep, post-natal secret. I can now admit that after trying Le Mystere’s cream, I would bathe in said protein if they told me to – the airy lightness of the cream paired with the richness it infused into my skin had me this close to seeking out some mammary glands of my own. Let the milky liquid extraction commence!

Le Mystere Moisturizing Day Cream, $110.00 at Bra Smyth.

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In today’s fashion climate, scoring a look for less is as on trend as cargo pants or luxury neutrals. Nowadays, Americans in general have suddenly caught on to the concept of a good bargain, something that Jews have stealthily hunted for years. Coupon clipping is pretty old school, but looking like you spent the big bucks while working on a small salary has become an art form all its own in this wretched recession. I consistently find myself needing to look like I spent tons on myself to keep up with the mythical Joneses and rather than hunting for bargains, I instead aim to come across items that exude luxury for discount prices. I combed through my go-to sites to fish out some of my favorite pieces under $200 to ensure that your look says Bergdorf Goodman rather than Strawberry, regardless of the price. While I understand that most of my picks are accessories, I always advise spending one’s money on pieces that can make more frequent appearances in your everyday look. While splurging on a statement piece is always a fun source of retail therapy, not even your dry cleaner wants to see you sporting the same designer dress to excess. Spare your laundromat the tales of your outfit repeating and stick with these bargain items to make you feel as fancy as the upcoming royal wedding.

1. ASOS Ames Ankle Boot : The perfect bootie always evokes a fashion forward sensibility and in suede, they add texture to an outfit that otherwise could fall flat in the dead of winter. Bargain: $120.00

2. Marc by Marc Jacobs Studly Earrings : Opting for a diamond cut bead rather than fine jewels is the sure fire way to add a touch of sparkle to a look without spending major money. While there is certainly something to be said for diamonds and stones, you’ll be surprised when after spending minimal bucks, these semi-precious metals have more shine to them than the average gem. Bargain : $32.00

3. ALDO Tauret Bootie : Shoes with texture that beg to be paired with jeans are being created by today’s top fashion houses, and priced as such. These are the perfect take on the casual military trend while still maintaining the subtlety and lack of bells and whistles of high-end design. Throw these on with your favorite jeans and blouson top and head to brunch, the office, even on a flight! (Low wedges are devilishly comfortable). Bargain? $80.00

4. Zara Shirt with Shoulder Gathering : A low-slug bow-tie neckline is the best way to convey a sophisticated yet relaxed look. Some of the most luxurious collections, i.e. Stella McCartney, have made this element a brand staple and in doing so, have attached to it a message of luxurious bohemia. Throw this top on under a blazer or with a pair of boy-cut trousers and create a look that costs far more than this piece’s bargain price. Bargain? $39.90

5. Zara Leopard Print Moccasin : Paring down this season’s glamourous leopard trend to a relaxed flat displays the most luxurious quality of all, not trying too hard. Effortlessness and luxury exist in perfect symbiosis and this flat certainly epitomizes that concept. I cannot think of an ensemble that these flats would not work with short of an evening dress. In fact, I am charging them to my credit card as I pen this piece. Bargain? $79.90

Who knew such cheap buys would have you looking so fabu?! My, how fancy you look!

To read more from Carrie Goldberg, visit her blog, Mes Petits Choux or Tweet her @mespetitschoux

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When it comes to accessorizing, I am an old lady in a twenty-something’s body. My deep rooted fashion sensibility likely looks more like Edna Mode from The Incredibles or your eclectic Jewish grandmother rather than the average fine-jewels loving lady whose loved ones work the diamond district circuit. On occasion, however, I am surprised by the pieces that catch my eye; and believe it or not, all it takes is a touch of glitter to peak my interest. When in search for the perfect pieces to make a client’s look versatile yet accessible either on camera or in person, I was tickled when I stumbled upon the ease and elegance of Jennifer Fisher jewels. When you’re not looking to dress like a Vogue intern or a crazy old lady, just a touch of sparkle is the perfect compliment to anything from a cocktail dress to a cozy sweater.

Although these pieces are of the finer set, Jennifer Fisher designed her collection with equal parts functionality, interactivity, sophistication and edge. Using tougher elements like black diamonds and gothic imagery paired with delicate pave white diamonds and top quality golds, this collection offers something for both young and old sets. With charms sold separately from their chains and clusters of charms displayed online for inspiration, Jennifer’s collections encourages shoppers to get involved and create pieces from her designs. Investment pieces typically demand a mix of je ne sais quoi and classic elegance. Considering your Jennifer Fisher creation is likely to be a one of a kind pairing of charms or a unique blend of bangles, these fine and dainty luxuries are as good as custom designed jewels that makes my inner Jewish grandmother resentful that such talent did not emerge from our native diamond epicenter in Midtown.

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