SA VA boutique in Center City.

The hip, sustainable boutique uses recycled hangers, natural fiber packaging and reusable shopping bags.

Chef Jose Garces' Distrito is one of Philly's best restaurants.

Stephen Starr's Parc is a popular spot for brunch.

Two of my fave Philly eateries are Distrito, a mouth-watering nouveau Latin eatery helmed by Chef Jose Garces (the top chef is a real contender to become the “Next Iron Chef”); and Stephen Starr’s classic French bistro Parc, overlooking Rittenhouse Square.

Philly's Hotel Palomar is a new Kimpton property.

So here’s your chance to win an unforgettable weekend vacation package to the City of Brotherly (and Sisterly) Love including a stay at the new, posh Hotel Palomar and a head-to-toe makeover, courtesy of GPTMC.

The package includes:

• Two roundtrip Amtrak tickets.
• Two nights at Hotel Palomar Philadelphia.*
• Dinner for two at a Philly dining hotspot.
• A full makeover, including hair, clothing, jewelry and accessories.
• Goodies from local boutiques and restaurants.
• Two tickets to dance troupe Philadanco’s 40th Anniversary Season performance.

The contest runs through 11:59 p.m. on November 5, 2009. The winner will be notified shortly thereafter.

*Stay is based on availability, restrictions and blackout dates apply.

(Image credit: Tracy E. Hopkins, John Carluccio)

Post from: Hot Mama Daily

Back in March, I interviewed Thevaki Thambirjah, whose hypoallergenic and mineral oil free THEVI Cosmetics line is made specifically for women of color.

THEVI Triple Split Eye Shadow, $15 value

One lucky winner will win a Triple-Split Shadow ($15 value). The long-lasting, water-resistant color coordinated shadow comes in three shade combinations: Bistro, Hemisphere, and Venice.

The rich, triple-milled shadows have a velvety smooth finish.

Giveaway Rules:

1. Respond to this post with your first name, age, and city of residence.
2. Type, “I’d like to enter the THEVI Triple Split Shadow giveaway.”

The contest will run from Monday, September 28 to Friday, October 2 (ends 11:59 pm).

Images courtesy of Thevi Cosmetics

Post from: Hot Mama Daily

Jackee’s winning response: ”I really need to flatten my belly. After loosing weight, my breasts have shrunk and my tummy sticks out further than they do. I would love to try Spanx. I have heard wonderful things about them. Spanx you!“

SPANX Slim-ulus Package

Here’s what Jackee won:

Slim Cognito Shape Suit ($98): This all-in-one bodysuit provides high compression slimming ideal for a slim-fitting sheath. Butt pockets give a perky boost to the backside. 

Undie-tectable Panties ($32): Comfortable enough to wear every day and slimming enough for the red carpet, this panty has a flat waistband and edges to keep everything invisibly smooth.

Sheer Fashion Patterned Sheers ($28): With a comfy control top that slims the tummy, hips and thighs, and eye-catching patterns, these sheer hose are a must-have this season!

For more on Spanx, visit Spanx.com and become a Twitter fan @spanxinc.

Image credit: SPANX

Post from: Hot Mama Daily

Hot Mama Daily and SPANX want to give one lucky reader the celebrity treatment. SPANX has been a longtime slimming secret amongst Hollywood A-listers, and SPANX sent a “Red Carpet Slim-ulus Package” to each of this year’s female Emmy nominees.

SPANX Slim-ulus Package

Just as SPANX supports Emmy leading ladies as they grace the red-carpet, one Hot Mama Daily grand prize winner will be treated to her very own “Red Carpet Slim-ulus Package.”
 

Contest Rules: Respond to this post with your first name, age, and city, and tell me why you need SPANX and what’s your most troublesome body zone (mine is my thighs)?

One grand prize winner will be selected at random and the contest ends on Friday, September 25th at 11:59 p.m.

Here’s What You’ll Win:

Slim Cognito Shape Suit ($98): This all-in-one bodysuit provides high compression slimming ideal for a slim-fitting sheath. Butt pockets give a perky boost to the backside. 

Undie-tectable Panties ($32): Comfortable enough to wear every day and slimming enough for the red carpet, this panty has a flat waistband and edges to keep everything invisibly smooth.

Sheer Fashion Patterned Sheers ($28): With a comfy control top that slims the tummy, hips and thighs, and eye-catching patterns, these sheer hose are a must-have this season!

For more information, visit Spanx.com and become a Twitter fan @spanxinc.

Image credit: SPANX

Post from: Hot Mama Daily

Eau_Flirt_Box_and_Bottle_Glamour_Shot

Eau Flirt is the latest scent-sation from Harvey Prince & Co., the same company whose novel anti-aging perfume, Ageless Fantasy (Hot Mama Daily’s best beauty giveaway so far), has become a bestseller on QVC.

Eau Flirt was inspired by a study that tested 30 different scent mixes on male sexual arousal, and the researchers found that a combination of lavender and pumpkin pie stirred up the most passion.  The perfume’s bewitching blend includes sweet and fruity top notes, floral and spicy middle notes, woods and musk bottom notes, combined with vanilla and pumpkin essences.

Since Eau Flirt’s come-hither scent contains the essence of pumpkin pie, I asked you to tell  me your favorite type of pie?

Here are the winning entries:

Grand Prize Winner of a 3.4 oz bottle of  Eau de toilette spray ($98 value):

Casey, 26, from Pell City, AL: “I love sweet potato pie with whipped cream.”

Runner-Up Winners (3) of  Mini Roll-Ons ($19 value each):

Carol, 57, of Lawrence, PA: “Banana cream pie drives me insane!”

MJ, 30, of Pea Ridge, AR: “My favorite pie is my own homemade apple pie, with pumpkin a close second. Ooh, peach and sweet potato are way up there too!”

Beth, 32, of Xenia, OH: “Peanut butter pie is my all time favorite
Thank you!”

Image credit: Eau Flirt

Post from: Hot Mama Daily

Eau_Flirt_Box_and_Bottle_Glamour_Shot

Eau Flirt was inspired by a study that tested 30 different scent mixes on male sexual arousal, and the researchers found that a combination of lavender and pumpkin pie stirred up the most passion.  The perfume’s bewitching blend includes sweet and fruity top notes, floral and spicy middle notes, woods and musk bottom notes, combined with vanilla and pumpkin essences.

All ingredients are real flower and plant essences, and react with individual skin chemistry to make Eau Flirt each wearer’s indelible, signature “come hither” scent. 

Eau Flirt is allergy tested and contains no artificial colorings.  It can be purchased online at www.harveyprince.com, www.fragrancex.com, and specialty stores and high end perfumeries nationwide. 

Contest Rules:  

Since Eau Flirt contains the essence of pumpkin pie (by the way, I love pumpkin pie), respond to this post and tell me your favorite type of pie?

Please include your first name, age, and city/state.

One (1) Grand Prize winner will be randomly selected to win a 3.4 oz bottle of  Eau de toilette spray ($98 value).

Three (3) Runner-Up winners will win Mini roll-ons  ($19 value).

The contest ends Saturday, August 29 at 11:50 pm.

Post from: Hot Mama Daily

• Soft & Beautiful StyleProtect Spritz 
• Soft & Beautiful StyleProtect Hair Gloss
• Soft & Beautiful StyleProtect Sculpting Gel
• Soft & Beautiful StyleProtect Nighttime Dry Wrap Mousse 

For a chance to win, I asked Hot Mama Daily readers to tell me the woman of color they think has the healthiest, most stylish, and overall best hair?  Drum roll please. And the winner is: Tracey Byram, 49, of  Birmingham, AL.

Halle Berry's short hair has inspired many Hot Mama copy cats.

Tracey, along with most of the women who entered the contest, voted Halle Berry as the woman of color with the overall best hair.  The flawlessly beautiful and well-coifed actress gets my vote too.

Honorable mention goes to superstar Beyonce; actresses Jada Pinkett Smith, Rachel True, and Gabrielle Union; singers Keyshia Cole and Rozanda “Chilli” Thomas from TLC; and First Lady Michelle Obama.

Image credit: Newscom

Post from: Hot Mama Daily

Soft & Beautiful StyleProtect

The brand’s new StyleProtect series is specially formulated with a triple hydration oil formula comprised of shea butter, olive oil and safflower to deliver moisture to hair while providing protection against split ends and damaged strands. 

From overnight care to everyday styling products, Soft & Beautiful has you covered.  One lucky Hot Mama Daily reader will win these StyleProtect products:

Soft & Beautiful StyleProtect Spritz ($4.99) – Formula containing vitamin E and triple hydration oil, provides 10 times the protection against split ends.  Works well before and after the use of heat appliances to set hair in place and leave a strong hold.

Soft & Beautiful StyleProtect Nighttime Dry Wrap Mousse ($4.99) – Enriched with triple hydration oil to provide more than 5 times the protection against split ends.  Recommended for daily (day or night) use for soft, silky and healthy-looking hair.

Soft & Beautiful StyleProtect Sculpting Gel ($4.99) – Tames flyaways and keeps frizz under control.  This gel sculpts for many desired looks, from spiked styles to ponytails, while providing 10 times the protection against split ends.

Soft & Beautiful StyleProtect Hair Gloss ($4.99) – Gentle enough for everyday use, this spray protects and detangles hair before you use a blow dryer, flat iron or curling iron.  Spray onto dry hair for 10 times the protection against split ends and a flawless finish.

To win:  Tell me which celebrity woman of color you think has the most stylish, healthiest, or overall best hair, and why?

Please email your full name, age, and city/state.  The contest ends 11:59 pm on Sunday, August  16.  

Good luck!

Image credit: Soft & Beautiful

Post from: Hot Mama Daily

Image by Sunglass Warehouse

As part of the contest, I asked for your favorite beach getaway.  Here are the answers from the two lucky winners:

Jennifer King, 36,  of Bullard, Texas says, “Bahamas baby!”

Rosanne Morrison, 54, of Rockford, Illinois says, “I like Maui or Big Island in Hawaii, but for warm water a beach in Singapore.”

Post from: Hot Mama Daily

Sunglass Warehouse celebrity style sunglasses

Sunglass Warehouse aviator sunglasses

Here’s how to win:

• Respond to this post and tell me your favorite beach getaway.
• Include your full name, email address, age, and hometown.

Hurry and enter.  Two winners will be selected at random, and the contest ends Monday, July 20 at 11:59 pm!

Image credit: Sunglass Warehouse

Post from: Hot Mama Daily