I love shopping at TJ Maxx. How else would I have snagged "Scarlett's" Azteck Reebok's 4 years before she "designed" them? But if you've recently made a return without a receipt to a TJ Maxx store, a hacker could have access to your credit card number.

TJ Maxx has reported that hackers broke their way into the security systems and siphoned over 45.7 million credit card numbers. A worm working within TJ Maxx systems undetected for at least 18 months, covering it's tracks and erasing data the whole way through.

This security breach has caused the largest credit card scam in history. In Florida alone, over $8 million in Wal-Mart gift cards were purchased. Let's not forget that it took TJ Maxx over a year to report the theft. This of course causes questions and speculation of every retail stores register security. Shopping online doesn't look so bad now, does it?

TJ Maxx's President and CEO released the following statement:

February 21, 2007

To Our Valued Customers:

As TJX’s President and Chief Executive Officer, I want our customers to know how much I personally regret any difficulties you may experience as a result of the unauthorized intrusion into our computer systems. We are working with leading computer security firms to investigate the problem and enhance our computer security in order to protect our customers’ data. We are dedicating significant resources to evaluate the issue. Given the nature of the breach, the size and international scope of our operations and the complexity of the way credit card transactions are processed, the evaluation is, by necessity, taking time.

Since we learned of the probability of a breach in mid-December 2006, we have cooperated with law enforcement as well as with the banks and credit card companies that process our customer transactions. Further, we have established customer helplines in three countries and are making available a great deal of helpful information on our company websites.

We are committed to continue to address the situation and to provide periodic updates as we learn more. We have reported updated information in a press release which you will find below.

Additionally, I encourage you to access the information we are providing on this website to learn more about steps you can take to protect your credit and debit card information, or to contact our special customer helplines.

With the help of computer security experts, we have strengthened the security of our computer systems and we believe customers should feel safe shopping in our stores. We value the trust our customers place in us and again, I’d like you to know that we sincerely apologize for any difficulties you may be caused. Thank you for continuing to shop at our stores and for your years of loyal patronage.

Respectfully,

Carol Meyrowitz
President and Chief Executive Officer

I've been a bad & lazy blogger--but I have a reason! For the past two weeks, I've been bombarded with some sort of flu/cold. Not only is it bad for my blogging and social life, but it has wreaked havoc on my skin. Thank goodness I've had a can of Watersall nearby to comfort my ailing face.

Watersall is fine mist aerosol spray water. You're probably wondering what exactly you'd use water in a spray can for, and I can vouch for it's many uses. While sick, a can of Watersall was my best friend during a fever. It instantly cooled and refreshed me. Also, by spraying my skin with the purified water, it was helping to rehydrate my skin. One of the greatest features of Watersall, is it's ability to rejuvenate your look without disturbing your makeup.

Watersall is available in two different variations, Watersall and Splash Cool. While the product remains the same, only the packaging is different. Available in 1.7 oz for $7 (and FAA approved for carry ons!), 5 oz for $12.50, and 14 oz for $18. For more information, please visit Watersall online.

Are you the next great American designer? Do you deserve your 15 minutes of fame and a shot at New York Fashion Week? Project Runway 4 is now casting!

Los Angeles

• March 30, March 31st and April 1st

Chicago

• April 3

Miami

• April 5

New York

• April 7, April 8 and April 9

Complete details available here.

Finding a great bag for a night out is often difficult--it either has no way of staying attached to you, or it's too big and bulky, distracting away from the sleekness of your outfit. Moe designer Mary Rambin recognized this problem and created the C.L.I.C.K bag.

C.L.I.C.K. stands for all your essentials for a night out: Cell phone, Lip gloss, Identification, Cash and Keys. Meant to be large enough to carry the essentials without being cumbersome, the CLICK bags come complete with a chic wrap designed handle to ensure it stays with you.

Available in both silk, leather and custom designs, the CLICK bags are available online at CoutureCandy. The bags range in price from $132 to $187, and are favorites of Leigh Lezark, Lydia Hearst, Rosario Dawson, and Courtney Cox.

I love new skincare products, but I've never been the type to pay too much attention to the organic & all natural market. I pretend to not care whats in my serums and moisturizers, and in return I expect them to work. After being approached by a publicist for Von Natur, I decided I'd try their organic, vegan, cruelty free skincare & cosmetics.

I received a box overflowing with products from the Absolute skin care line, for aging and unruly skin, which I have. I've used the routine for over a month now, and I have to admit I'm quite impressed.

While the Absolute Facial Creme Cleanser ($37.99) did a great job, unfortunately I need more intensity out of a cleanser. However, if you have basic cleansing/moisturizing needs, I'd recommend giving this product a try. The Absolute Facial Toner ($28.99) comes in a jar with pads, reminiscent of Stridex. The formula is refreshing, containing aloe, rose, cherry and pineapple extracts.

The next steps in the skincare routine are my favorites. Following the toner, I applied the Absolute Facial Serum ($45.99), which contains antioxidants and vitamins. After using this product, my boyfriend actually turned to me and asked "Are you wearing makeup? Because it looks like you are, but not." This product actually reduced the viability of my pores! I'm definitely a believer now!

The Absolute Facial Moisturizer ($36.99) and the Under Eye Nourishing Creme ($33.99), do their intended job well. The Facial Moisturizer moisturizes well, without being too greasy, and the Under Eye Nourishing Creme leaves my eye area silky smooth. My only complaint with these products is the lack of SPF.

Quite an interesting product, the Essential Lip Treatment ($16.99), has really surprised me. I now use it every day after exiting the shower. Containing cinnamon, the Treatment tingles but leaves my lips smooth, moisturized and prepared for whatever lip product I plan to apply.

All products available online at VonNatur.

Dear Gucci Chain Large Hobo,

I love you. You have captivated me in the way only a beautiful, classic handbag can. You bear no resemblance to a fad bag - you've proven you have staying power. Maybe it's the horse bit detail you proudly display on your strap. Perhaps it's the fact I can trust to you hold onto my laptop when I need my hands free. Of course your supple leather, in black, tan or brown guccisma, makes me want to hold you always.

I promise to always love you, even when you're out of my sight. I also promise to never set you on the floor, as that is no place for something of your hobo shape to be. Oh Gucci Chain Large Hobo, will you please be mine?

Gucci Large Chain Hobo, $1565 at Gucci.com

The thought of stepping outside with my fluorescent winter white legs scares me, and I'm pretty sure it would scare neighborhood children. As the temperatures and hemlines simultaneously rise, it's time to prepare for the glowing bronze skin summer deserves.

I absolutely swear by Dove's Energy Glow Daily Moisturizer ($7.99 at Drugstore.com. Use it in place of your daily moisturizer to begin to add a gradual hint of color, day by day. Tip: Mix in a bit of self tanner/bronzer on exposed areas to pump up the bronze. Try Lancome's Flash Bronzer, $28.50 at Lancome.com.

Summer days call for that sun kissed look, and there's no better way to achieve it than with a bronzer. One of the best inexpensive options is Jane's Oil Free Bronzing Powder in Sunkissed Bronze. It never leaves me too orange or too shiny, a look so many bronzer's achieve. A more portable version is offered by Lancome's Star Bronzer Magic Bronzing Brush, $32.00 at Lancome.com. One click and the brush magically dispenses the right amount of bronzer for your whole face.

However you achieve your summer skin, don't forget the SPF!

Style IT has made the press several times lately, on the back of the Calvin Klein CK in2u scandal.

News.com picked up the story and it was also a segment on MoBuzz TV (towards the end).

Check out how other blogs have picked up the story as well:

Almost Girl

Pink Rock Candy

Millionaire Socialite

Inspired by a wonderful post at Daddy Likey and the pouring rain outside, I've decided to express my love for my go to rainy day outfit. Rainy days can be so fussy, between grey skies, bad hair and runny makeup, you don't even want to leave your house - unless you have a fool proof outfit.

My trench coat is an almost ridiculous shade of bright pink, but it never fails to produce a big smile on my face. Often paired with a pair of stud earrings and Pucci-inspired scarf by Oscar De La Renta, I often look forward to rainy days. While bright pink may not be your shade, there is a cheery trenchcoat out there for you. PS: don't forget the scarf! If you need help, Daddy Likey's got all options covered.

 

I was in junior high when CK One hit the market. While I was too poor to own a bottle, I always wanted one. As I grew older, I couldn't have cared less when CK Be came out, and even less when CK One's Remix hit the market in 2004. If you didn't notice, you probably weren't the only one. In an attempt to recreate previous success and define a generation, Calvin Klein is launching a new fragrance, in2u.

The success of Calvin Klein's fragrances hinge on typical marketing research: they research the mood of the country, and compose a name intended to capture the audience. Point proven with Obsession, Euphoria, Eternity, and Truth. The New York Times has reported on Calvin Klein's latest attempt to capture our attention, and what might be the house's greatest mistake.

Now attempting to capture the attention of another generation, the millennials, Calvin Klein is poised to launch in2u with a sexual attitude and graphics featuring words like "today". By using a bottle design spun off the ipod and a name mocking an instant message, Calvin Klein looks as stale an old bottle of CK One: "a casual invitation to sex so immediate as to imply there was no time to spell it out: “in to you.” Does CK really think that by sexing up an ipod with a lame sexual invite they can gain our attention?

“She likes how he blogs, her texts turn him on. It’s intense. For right now.”

CK trademarked the word "technosexual" in hopes of creating buzz (and sales) for in2u. What they've done instead is make a mockery of the house of Calvin Klein. Apparently, our generation is "defined by technology and the casual hookup". If you were born between 1982 and 1995 as I was, you are the destination for in2u.

By using text messages, ipods, and sex to market to our generation, companies are only turning us off. While we may enjoy gadgets and blogs, we still deserve to be treated as intelligent adults. Our generation is expected to be faster, stronger, more attractive, and move our way up the corporate ladder more quickly than any previous generation. Perhaps a little more respect would serve Calvin Klein better than sexing up a text message and calling it a slogan.