I can't tell you how thrilled I am to be writing from the Omphoy Ocean Resort in Palm Beach, FL. The lovely team at Nissan brought me to the Sunshine State to take a closer look at the all new 2011 Murano CrossCabriolet, the first all-wheel drive convertible.

Tomorrow we will have an opportunity to take the head-turning car for a spin. Obviously, I will be heading to Sonic for a Route 44 before my test drive can officially begin. Priorities.

I'm so thrilled and honored to be able to have this experience. After my flight arrived, I had a few hours to relax and head to the Omphoy's private beach. Head over to my YouTube channel (http://YouTube.com/StyleITOnlime) for a tour of my room.

Do you have any questions about the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet?

Tonight, I took a near 30 block stroll with my friend, Kristin Booker of Fashion Style Beauty. We walked through neighborhoods that I feel as though I had never seen or even never knew existed. This was the second time that I felt like a tourist within the city where I live.

Earlier this week, Dina of Eye4Style and I embarked on a silly and dangerous adventure - we went on a Sex & The City On Location Tour. On Location Tours will take you to the filming locations and hotspots your favorite tv show or movie made famous. For us, it was a strange experience, because hey - we live here!

Admittedly, I learned things about both the show and New York I would not have known otherwise. For someone who has access to all the amazing things New York has to offer, it's also pretty easy to take the access for granted.

If I could share one piece of advice about these sorts of tours, it would be to book them at the start of your trip. The tour guide points out many locations, however the bus only stops at a fraction of them (for many good reason).

Tonight's walk put me in a very different frame of mind. My iPhone started playing empowering music, and then switched to some young adult favorites of mine (Matchbox Twenty, anyone?). I began looking at my surroundings with renewed spirit and determination.

Sometimes it's okay to hit the shuffle button.

I'm currently sitting at a charging station in the JetBlue terminal at JFK (seriously, this set up is genius), on my way to San Diego for a business trip (I feel like such a grown up typing buisness trip). Over the past 2 weeks, I've scoured my apartment, trying to collect all the tiny bottles of product I've amassed over the past few months (you'd be surprised what comes in under 3 fl oz and what doesn't). It was such a struggle to find products that I both liked enough to bring with me as well as met the TSA's requiriements (don't even get me started). So what made it through airport security?

• Perricone MD's No Foundation Foundation (review coming soon)
• Crest's Vanilla Mint toothpaste
• Tresemme's Moisture Rich shampoo & conditioner
• Aveeno's Daily Moisturizing Lotion
• L'Oreals Elnett hairspray (OBSESSED)
• Philosophy's Strawberry Shortcake 3-in-1
• Mardio Badescu's Enzyme Cleansing Gel & Seaweed Cleansing Lotion
• Vicny's Liftactiv Retinol HA eye cream
• La Roche-Posay's Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid
• Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer
• Pure Oud by Killian fragrance

 

For more west coast adventures, follow my Tumblr, Socially Sarah.

What makes the cut when YOU travel?

We've seen travel bags in our favorite magazines and even in the local TJ Maxx, but we never really understood the necessity of them until we got our hands on a Shubi shoe travel bag. These well constructed bags feature a contrasting inner fabric and close securely with a grosgrain ribbon. We were concerned the one piece bag would not adequately cover our large size pumps, but the bag met our expectations and then some!

Sisters Soomean Chang and Jihwon complained to one another about being unable to find a stylish bag to protect their shoes during travel. After the creation of Shubi, neither used a tacky plastic bag again. Shbi is available in four varieties: one piece Shubi ($29), two piece Shubi ($38), lil Shubi ($24), and Shubi shoe stuffers ($14).

Claude Reynaud was a small time tailor with haute couture skills, tucked away in a small town in France. Customers, mostly referred to him by word of mouth, kept his calendar full with special occasion dresses and new suits. A simple man, he was quite content following in his fathers footsteps from his quaint studio, accompanied only by his parrot, Pendant.

Claude was known for his keen eye and exquisite taste, so it's no surprise Valentine de Verlay traveled out of fashionable Paris to request Claude design her wedding dress. From the moment he saw her, it was love at first sight...

...and we wouldn't dare spoil the rest! Follow Claude and Valentine in The Dressmaker by Elizabeth Birkelund Oberbeck for worldwide tales of Fashion Week, Couture houses and romance. Whether settled poolside or cramped on the subway, this book makes the perfect summer read, and we have FIVE copies to give away to the lucky readers of Style IT!

Visit Style IT for a week-long celebration of The Dressmaker, including excerpts from the novel, interviews and of course FIVE COPIES OF THE DRESSMAKER EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE READERS OF STYLE IT!

To enter the giveaway, simply comment below! One copy per person, to be eligible winner must reside in the continental US.

Keira Knightley appears in the June 2007 issue of Vogue.  The pictorial and accompanying article follows her adventures in Africa.

--Image Source:  ONTD

There's still time to win a Rakku Shoe Wheel with Style IT and ThisNext. Don't forget how easy it is!

Click here for the full details.

Hurry up, because time is running out. Contest ends February 9, and the winner will be announced right here on Style IT February 10.

 

 

 

It's not too late to enter Style IT and ThisNext's Rakku Shoe Wheel give-a-way!

It's your opportunity to play dress up--just choose what items you would wear to New York Fashion Week's Fall/Winter 2007 shows. Recommend the items using ThisNext by tagging them "Style IT", and you're automatically entered to win!

Yes, it's actually that easy! Be sure to sign up for an account with ThisNext if you haven't already. Recommend as many items as you'd like, because the more items you recommend, the better your chances. Contest runs February 2 through February 9, and the winner will be announced right here on Style IT February 10. Good Luck!

 

Click here for full details on how to win! 

Come on, admit it. Who doesn't love playing dress up in designer duds?! Now you can too, and win a Rakku Shoe Wheel all at the same time. All you have to do is use ThisNext to recommend what you'd wear if you were to attend New York Fashion Week and tag it Style IT. If you don't have an account with ThisNext, be sure to sign up for one. Enter now, because the contest ends February 9.

Need a little more inspiration? Check out all the items tagged "Style IT".

 

Style IT and ThisNext are teaming up to allow readers of Style IT to win a Rakku Shoe Wheel!

What would you wear if you could attend New York Fashion Week? Style IT and This Next want to know! All you have to do to win a Rakku Shoe Wheel is select the items you'd wear if you could attend the shows, and be sure to tag them "StyleIT". Be sure to sign up for a ThisNext account if you don't already have one so you can participate.

To add to the fun, add beauty products, accessories and undergarments you'd wear. Don't forget to tag your items, because we'll be checking in on you! The official contest dates are from February 2 through February 9. The winner will be announced right here on Style IT on February 10. Good luck!