Inscribed necklace from the Barber's Daughters collection, $85

Lucky New Yorkers, however, can get a sneak peek at Keys’ jewels on Monday and Tuesday (Nov. 23-24) at a temporary pop-up shop at the Collette Blanchard Gallery at 26 Clinton Street in Lower Manhattan.  The hand-crafted jewelry is priced $85 and up.

Alicia Keys

Keys told Women’s Wear Daily her mission is “to give people beautiful, unique pieces with messages that ignite them to find the best within.”

“Live your inspiration” is the tag line on the Barber’s Daughters website. For me, those are words to live by as I look forward to doing exactly that in the new year.

Image credit: Bauer Griffin, The Barber’s Daughters

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Essence of Vali Sleep Collection

The 100 percent natural sleep collection offers a relaxing blend of lavender, marjoram, cedar wood and ylang/ylang and is available as balm, mist, massage and bath oil, and concentrate. No more counting sheep here. I applied a drop of the Bedtime Ritual ($18) to the corner of my pillow case and was lulled to sleep by the clean aroma.

Image credit: Beauty Press.com

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Maui take me away!

Almond Body Scrub

¼ Cup Rolled Oats

¼ Cup Raw Almonds

¼ Cup Water

2 Tablespoons Oil (Coconut, Sesame or Olive)

(Optional: Few drops of your favorite essential oil)

Grind all ingredients in a blender or food processor.  In the shower, scrub entire body and rinse off.  Excellent for circulation and detoxifying your skin, this treatment will leave your skin feeling revived and smooth.  Enjoy!

Banana Avocado Body Mask

1 Whole Ripe Avocado

1 Whole Banana, Mashed

¼ Cup Plain Yogurt

Scoop out the meat of one ripe avocado and mix together with the mashed banana and yogurt.  Spread mask onto your body and cover yourself with a big bath towel.  Prepare a warm wash cloth to cover your eyes.  Play soft, relaxing music and unwind for 15 minutes.   Shower and rinse off the mask and pat skin dry.  Moisturizer or lotion is unnecessary as your skin will feel soft and naturally hydrated.

Image credit: John Carluccio

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Spread holiday cheer with Lagelle handmade hats and accessories.

Lagelle designer Tahisha Crawford.

The Pittsburgh-based designer and Brooklyn native has been knitting for seven years and launched her Lagelle accessories line in November 2007.

Tahisha’s inspiration? “Everything,” she says.  ”But I find myself being inspired by vintage fashions.”

The 35-year-old took her line’s name from her mother’s maiden name Laguer.  ”I credit my Mom for instilling in me a strong sense of personal style and my love for fashion.”

Lagelle features cloche hats, berets, scarves, neckwarmers, handwarmers, purses, headbands and neckties, and is currently sold online at Lagelle.com and on Etsy.

(Image credit: Tahisha Crawford)

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Here are my picks:

Garden Girl Simmer Down bath salts

• Feeling frazzled? Garden Girl’s “Simmer Down” (8 oz, $15) blends pure, mineral rich dead sea salts and fragrant nutmeg, ginger, and cinnamon oils to warm you up and relax your mind and body.

Socal Cleanse Organic Detox Salt Scrub, Lavender Blend

• Socal Cleanse Organic Detox Salt Scrub ($72) is a spa-ready blend of salts, botanical, herbs, seaweeds and plant oils.  This paraben, sulfate, and preservative-free scrub contains virgin coconut oil, and exfoliates, detoxifies and rejuvenates dry skin.  It also gently removes toxins, prevents destructive free radical formation, improves circulation, reduces cellulite, and helps treat acne, eczema and psoriasis.

Salt of Life

• Unlike other bathing salts, Salt of Life Himalayan Pink Salt ($18) contains all of the 84 trace minerals found in the human body. When bathing, the body uses Salt of Life to detoxify, rejuvenate, and self-correct itself. For the best results, use these salts during the lunar cycles.

Vermont Soap Aromatherapy Bath Salts

• Vermont Soap’s unique Aromatherapy Bath Salts (3.5 oz, $5.99) is a relaxing blend of Epsom Salt and Sea Salt, pure essential oils, and natural mineral pigments. These salts promise to “soothe your aching muscles, sore feet and tired brains!”

Devorah Naturals Lavender Dead Sea Bath Salts

• Devorah Naturals Lavender Dead Sea Bath Salts (18 oz, $12) are made with soothing Dead Sea mineral rich salt, skin soothing herbal extracts, and an uplifting blend of essential oils.  What distinguishes Devorah Naturals from other bath salts, is they’re available gluten and casein free.

Image credit: Devorah Naturals, Vermont Soaps, Salt of Life, Socal Cleanse, Garden Girl

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Here are a few plaid perfect items I found while surfing Forever 21’s website:

Sonya Plaid Coat, $29.80

You can’t beat the style or the price.  I picked up a plaid jacket similar to this one at my local Forever 21.

Forever 21 Plaid Poncho, $16.90

I’m going to put this groovy plaid poncho on my Christmas list; that is, the list of gifts I want for myself.

Belted Check Vest, $32.90

This belted red and black check vest is super cute.  I’m not sure how warm it will keep you, but wear it with a sweater and scarf and you’ll be ski-bunny-lounge ready.

Gingham Shirt Jacket, $32.90

I didn’t see this totally cute gingham shirt jacket at Forever 21 when I popped in last week. It’s official, I’m mad for plaid!

Image credit: Forever 21

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Michelle Obama celebrates Veteran's Day in a belted blue coat.

I give Michelle props for daring to be different.  But I’m not a fan of wearing a belt just for show over an overcoat.  It’s impractical.  And the belt’s positioning under her breast bone looks downright uncomfortable.  However, I give her kudos on the coat’s teal color and the hip black boots.

The First Lady buckles up for safety...and fashion.

The empire waist belt look, however, is more flattering when paired with the colorful and embellished cardigans the First Lady is so fond of; like the trendy mustard and animal print sweaters pictured.

Mrs. Obama liked this belt so much she wore it twice.

Image credit: Newscom

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M.I.A. has a quirky sense of style.

Alternative hip-hop/dance artist M.I.A. was among the celebs invited to a Hollywood preview of the Jimmy Choo for H&M garb.  The Sri Lankan singer has never been afraid to express herself through fashion as boldly as she does in her kick ass music.  The shark tunic she’s wearing in these photos is no exception.

M.I.A. isn't afraid to swim the fashion sharks.

I like it that M.I.A. takes risks and isn’t afraid to be a rock star.  The shark shirt definitely stands out and I like the black leather pants and boots.  So I’m going to take a risk too; I think she looks Hot (in a cool alt rock gal way).

But what do you think of  M.I.A.’s ensemble?  Is it Hot or a Hot Mess?

Image credit: Bauer-Griffin

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Taj wants to pump you up!

Here are five tips from the Crunch Fitness trainer that will help you break out of the couch potato rut:

1. Make going to the gym a part of your daily/weekly routine, very similar to that stop you make on the way into work at Starbucks.

2. Budget in renting a locker at the gym, so you can always leave essential things there, like sneakers, shower shoes, and toiletries.

3. Get your stuff ready the night before. That way, you won’t have any excuse that you were rushing in  the morning and didn’t have time to make it to the gym.

4. Grab the group fitness schedule from your gym and put your favorite classes in your calendar, via Blackberry, iPhone, etc.  It helps to put a reminder on them as well, so going to the gym is just as important  as your work meeting or doctor’s appointment.

5. Find a gym buddy, someone you can be work out with.  Having a friend can keep you motivated.  If you don’t have a friend in your hood, make one at the gym, or better yet make yourself accountable to checking in with a good friend who will hold you to your schedule

And if you’re a New Yorker, Taj just started a free Saturday morning running class for all levels. Go to KarinaWorksItOut.blogspot.com for more information.

Image credit: Taj Harris

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Win this Benefit Posie tint among other goodies!

Be among the first readers to Tweet this post and follow me on Twitter @TracyEHopkins. So that I can keep track, reply to this post and let me know you are following me on Twitter.

Increase your chances to win one of 9 great items from my beauty closet if you also share this giveaway on your Facebook page. Then respond to this post and send me a link to your FB post.

Winners and prizes will be randomly selected and the giveaway ends on Monday, Nov. 16.  So good luck and get to Tweeting!

What’s up for grabs?

• Benefit Posie Tint lip & cheek stain ($28 value)
• Whish Flawless Ingrown Hair Serum ($22.50 value)
• Napoleon Perdis Lip Lacquer ($20 value)
• Max Factor 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper ($11.50 value)
• Smooth Away hair removal strips ($10 value)
• Opi Nail Lacquer “South of the Cham-border ($6 value)
• Sally Hansen Salon Nail Lacquer ($5 value)
• Maybelline Great Lash blackest black mascara ($5 value)
• Clean & Clear Morning Burst oil absorbing sheets ($4 value)

Image credit: Sephora

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