CoverGirl has always been a brand close to my heart, but when Drew Barrymore was selected as a new face for the brand, my affinity doubled. Drew was such a natural choice - good looks aside, her carefree spirit really embodies the freedom that we should feel when playing with makeup. While i've loved all the ads featuring Drew, the image for Intense ShadowBlast really caught my attention. Maybe it's because I'm a card-carrying member of team redhead or the fresh take on blue, but I just had to know how to achieve the look, and I'm passing the info on to you.

To achieve Drew's look, try these CoverGirl products:

COVERGIRL LipPerfection Lipcolor in Delish

COVERGIRL LipPerfection Lipliner in Seduce

LashBlast Fusion Mascara in Very Black

Intense ShadowBlast in Blue Bomb

Which of Drew's ads for the iconic brand have been your favorite?

It's no secret that Space NK is one of my favorite beauty retailers. The store carries an amazing selection of brands you love and brands you haven't heard of (but definitely should know). If you're lucky enough to be in the NYC area, this is one sale that you most definitely don't want to miss.

If you're looking for me on Thursday, I'll likely be outside the doors of Spake NK's Soho location by 7:55 with my Balthazar coffee in hand. Hope to see you there ;).

Earlier this week I went from having an appointment-filled day in the city to finding myself driving to Buffalo within a couple of hours. I had negative five minutes to pack myself, my pup and get on the road. I had no idea how long I would be away for or what kind of events I might encounter, so I had to formulate a game plan very quickly. While I hope that you never have to pack in a rush, I do hope that you don't have to learn these lessons the hard way (like I did).

Stick with a color scheme.

While throwing clothes haphazardly into a suitcase is one strategy (and sometimes an effective one) you'll be able to wear the few pieces you pack in more ways if you stick to a specific color palette. For this trip, I stayed with pieces in mostly black grey and lime green.

Bring statement pieces.

Especially when it comes to jewelry, focus on bringing great statement pieces. Not only will they work well with the three black tees that you packed (speaking from experience), but you'll also have to pack less to overcompensate for your uncertainty.

Take what makes you comfortable.

Above all else, bring what makes you feel comfortable. While I didn't bring a ton of beauty products with me, I bought what made me feel pampered and special, like my Clarisonic Plus and Opal Sonic Infusion. For makeup, I went with MAC lipstick classics Ruby Woo and Russian Red.

What you forget, you can always replace.

So what if you forgot to pack underwear or dry shampoo. Forgetting these little things isn't the end of the world, so don't let it make you crazy. Besides, if you take a chance on a new product and you don't like it, you can (almost) always return it.

Don't forget to have fun.

I know it sounds crazy, but if you don't find the bright side or make the best of a bad situation, the stress could overwhelm you. Just remember - it could always be worse.

Do you have any last minute packing tips? I'd love to hear them!

Pat McGrath & Jessica Stam have been causing quite a stir on Twitter today, filming how-to videos and more, including collaboration news to be announced during New York fashion week. Pat has also been using NatureLuxe and TrueBlend foundations on set, with NatureLuxe and LashBlast mascaras.

There's no telling what this trio could be up to. Care to share any theories?

The lovely Casey Kettleson of StyledOn (and Those Extra 4 Inches) asked me to share my latest & greatest tech find. My Verizon MiFi has been enabling me to both work & play as I roam around the city. As a result, I can tell you which Starbucks are the best for "office hours", along with where every power outlet is in those locations (just ask Aly Walansky). Check out what the other ladies are coveting (and not so secretly addicted to) on StyledOn.

Every beauty girl has at least one color that she's particular about. For me, I'm always in pursuit of the perfect blue eyeliner (it's much harder than you think) and anything red (well, except eye products. That's just creepy). I've just about completed the perfect red lip collection and now that I've found CND's Rouge Red nail polish, I can stop questing for the perfect red lacquer. No, really.

A red cream sounds like an easy color to find, especially when there's a bottle in every color collection from high end to drugstore. There's something about the right red - a shade that easily slides somewhere between warm & cool - that seemingly sets your fingers (or toes) ablaze. Have you ever noticed how hypnotizing and impossibly chic red nails can be? So classic and daring, simultaneously.

Rouge Red has become the multi-season red for me. What's yours?

Yesterday was a pretty disgusting day in the city, at least from a weather perspective. It felt like I was in the south all over again - the air was thick, warm and uncomfortably humid. I knew two things: I was wearing a dress, but I wasn't coming within a mile of shapewear. While days without some form of shapewear are few and far between (let's face it - we all want to be smooth), the hottest days of summer are not the time to experiment. A dress without shapewear can often result in bumpy, lumpy and generally unflattering looks. I took the chance and braved the wind - Marilyn moments are only great in Hollywood - without too many side effects.

On those humid summer days, the only options are to either give in (ie, lay in front of your air conditioner in your underwear) or have fun with your look. I opted for a serious dose of color and whimsy. If you can't have fun in the midst of summer, when are you going to have fun?

Outfit details:

Scarf (in my hair): Repurposed from my DKNY handbag

Gemini nameplate necklace: Flea Market Girl

Purple dress: Old Navy

Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff

Red patent wedges: Me Too (found at Nordstrom Rack)

Photo by: Casey Kettleson

On Wednesday, I had the great pleasure of attending Lucky Magazine's Summer Jam, a sweet little soiree for their "favorite bloggers". It was a great excuse to see friends, old & new, have fabulous cocktails and be "judged" by The Bumbys (more on them in a bit). Since I knew I was going to be judged and it was my last day in an office, at least for a little while, I had to go with an outfit that I knew worked well for me. Naturally, I selected one of my Michael Michael Kors maxi dresses. They can easily become dressy or ease into casual with the right accessories. I can't say enough good things about them!

The Bumbys are a best described as performance artists, aka judgement bandits, who sit behind electronic typewriters and produce "honest assessments of your style". They wear wigs, sunglasses and bandannas, so admittedly the experience can be intimidating until you receive your assessment. They are sharp, hilarious and my new obsession. I hope to run into them in the near future.

Outfit details:

Sunglasses: Tom Ford (I just can't stop!)

Necklace: A present from The Budget Babe

Watch: Michael Kors

Maxi dress: Michael Michael Kors

Envelope clutch: ASOS

Wedges: Torrid (no longer available)

Since The Bumbys were so honest with their style appraisal, I thought I'd be equally as honest & share their thoughts. The first critique I received was from Gill, the male Bumby. His assessment was as follows:

Your bag reminds me of a pillow, but you don't strike me as the kind of gal who takes impromptu naps. If I saw you wandering around in a Broadway theater I'd think you were the stage manager. Because you look like you're on top of your shit. Maybe the pillow bag is for union breaks? Nah. You run the world....no time for snoozing.

Average rating: 9.6

Clearly any man who thinks I run the world is alright by me. Next up was Jill and after observing her for a few assessments, hers seemed to be much more in depth. I was intimidated. I stepped in front of her typewriter and after much scrutiny, I was presented with:

You're larger than life. I think of you on the stage playing the great roles. Lady Macbeth and shit. When you cry, the guy in the back cries. Everybody cries. I love your insoussiant braid, I love the auburn hair, I love the Russian Red lip. I love the necklace made of bullets (?). I could sit down with you at a party and you would say something about science or medicine or an obscure hat designer in Paris and I would be forever transfixed. Get a platform and write a book, please.

Average rating: 9.0

If you ever see two people pounding away behind typewriters, shrouded by bandannas and chugging Red Bull, do not be afraid Go in front of them bravely and with a smile - you never know, you could be running the world, making men cry and shit. :)

Photo by Dina