The Black Dress Traveler

Win 2 Tickets to the Hit Broadway Musical MEMPHIS!

Congratulations to winner Kathryn W.!

Don't miss your chance to see the musical that has been called "the biggest hit on Broadway this year or any other year.” (WOR Radio.) Enter for your chance to win 2 tickets to see a January 2010 performance of the hit Broadway musical MEMPHIS! (The winner will be mailed a voucher and must follow the instructions in order to redeem the prize.) Contest ends on Friday, Dec. 11 at 5:00 pm (EST).

From the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee, comes a hot new Broadway musical with a brand-new story to tell. Get ready to rock, because MEMPHIS is blowing the roof off of Broadway! The plot - She's a black singer whose career is on the rise, but who can't break out of segregated clubs. He's a white radio DJ whose love of music transcends race lines and airwaves. When the two collaborate, her soulful music reaches radio audiences everywhere, and the Golden Era of early rock 'n' roll takes flight. But as things start to heat up, whether the world is really ready for their music - or their love - is put to the test. A thrilling theatrical event that combines Broadway splendor with the roots of rock.

These Shoes are Made for Winning : Christian Louboutin Contest

Shop It To Me invites you to tweet your way to a fabulous pair of Christian Louboutin shoes. Made in France, Louboutins are known for their signature red soles and high quotient of ooh la la. From the Champs Elysee to Main Street, Louboutin shoes are coveted by shoe loving ladies around the world. 

Putting your tootsies in a pair of Louboutin shoes is a splurge, so I was excited to hear from my friends at Shop It To Me that they are giving away a pair of these coveted shoes to some lucky gal. (Guys can enter to for a chance to win a $500 department store gift card.)
Click here for details on how to enter the contest using Twitter.  Bonne Chance!

Bigger than Baseball: Win a Trip to Philly

As a native New Yorker and a Yankees fan, I am risking major ridicule and even banishment by writing nice things about Philadelphia just a few hours before the start of the World Series. Healthy rivalry is a good thing in sports but I refuse to malign an entire city. Sure, I don't want the Phillies to beat my hometown team but I still think our neighbors in Philadelphia are pretty cool.

Just a few weeks ago, I took the bus to Philly to check out the wonderful Princess Diana exhibition at the National Constitution Center. This short one-day getaway made me promise myself that I would get back to Philly to see more of the arts, fashion and culinary scene, so I was really excited to learn about the Philly 360 Makeover Contest.  

The lucky winner will get pampered with a two-night stay at the shiny and new Hotel Palomar, round-trip tickets on Amtrak, and two tickets to Philadanco's 40th anniversary season performance. To make sure you look glamorous during your getaway, the winner will also receive a head-to-toe makeover with hair consultation and styling, facial, make-up application, jewelry, clothing, shoes, accessories, shoes, and more! Whew, those Philadelphians sure are generous! Baseball aside, this could be the start of a beautiful friendship! Click here to enter the contest.

PS. Go Yankees!

Win 2 Tickets to The Marvelous Wonderettes

"AN EFFERVESCENT AND IRRESISTIBLE MUSICAL! AN UTTTER CHARM!" - The New York Times

Looking for a fun girls night out in the Big Apple? One lucky reader will win two tickets (value: $158) to THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES-  a cotton-candy colored, non-stop musical blast from the past! THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES takes you to the 1958 Springfield High School prom where we meet the Wonderettes - four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts and voices to match! The show is brimming with such classic hits as "Lollipop," "Dream Lover," "Stupid Cupid," "Lipstick on Your Collar," "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me," "It's My Party" and "It's In His Kiss (The Shoop Shoop Song)."

Escape with a Cup of Tea: Win Two Traveler's Tins from the Republic of Tea

Ahhh, who doesn't love to escape with a perfectly brewed cup of tea. Not only is tea good for you and delicious but it can calm your nerves, ease a tummy ache, and be the catalyst for great conversation when shared with friends. Tea is always a big part of my journeys. Not only do I travel with my own tea for a taste of something familiar when I am far from home but I love trying new teas and even visiting grocery stores to pick up a few boxes of the local favorites.

Republic of Tea pays homage to the tea-loving-traveler with their Traveler's Tea Tins collection. Each compact tin contains 6 unbleached, round tea bags in an airtight container. (Once emptied, these refillable containers can be used to hold more tea or as a great container for change, earrings or cream when traveling.) Seven lucky Black Dress Traveler readers will each win 2 Republic of TeaTraveler's Tea Tins. (Each tin has a retail value of $4.75). Each winner will receive a pair of tins selected by me from the following teas: Get Relief (herb tea for digestion), Get Charged (herb tea for energy), Get Happy (herb tea for lifting your spirit), Get Passionate (herb tea for the libido), Get Heart (herb tea for cardio health), Get it Going (herb tea for regularity), Get Clean (herb tea for detoxing), Get Growing (herb tea for hair, nails/bones), Get Some Zzz's (herb tea for rest), Get Relaxed (herb tea for relieving stress), Get Wellness (herb tea for immunity), Get Soothed (herb tea for scratchy throats), Get a Grip (herb tea for PMS/Menopause) and Get Maternal (herb tea for pregnant/new moms). 

Join the Black Dress Traveler at the New Jersey Crab Cake & Shore Chef Cook Off

The Black Dress Traveler is thrilled to be the hostess for the New Jersey Crab Cake & Shore Chef Cook Off.  This is a perfect summertime event: great food and plenty of fun at the legendary Monmouth Park Racetrack on the Jersey Shore. The event will take place on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23 from 11:30 am - 5:00 pm and admission is only $3 and free for ages 12 and under. (I will be there on Sunday only for the judging of the crab cakes.)

Taste crab cakes and seafood delicacies cooked up by some of New Jersey’s top restaurants as they compete for top honors from judges and you, the public.

This family-friendly event includes live music, lots of fun for the kids and of course thoroughbred racing. Saturday will feature performances by the Rock N’ Roll Chorus. Sunday is the Jersey Thoroughbred Festival. Enjoy The Star-Ledger Family Fun Day, with clowns, face painters, live music, pony rides, bounce houses, and more. 

Watch the commercial! Hope to see you there!

Win Heidi Klum's In An Instant Skincare!

In honor of the return of Project Runway to television (premieres Thursday, 8/20 on Lifetime), The Black Dress Traveler is giving away a starter kit of Heidi Klum's In An Instant Skincare. (retail value $39.95)

Supermodel and super mogul Heidi's product line is designed to diminish the look of fine lines, wrinkles and large pores in just seconds. Heidi states, "In An Instant® is the perfect name for my skin care system because it instantly cleans, instantly polishes, instantly hydrates, instantly rejuvenates, and instantly gives your skin a natural-looking glow. The In An Instant® system is one of the best things I do for myself everyday."

This 30-day kit of six travel friendly products includes:

• - Instant Warming Scrub
   - Gentle Foaming Cleanser
   - Intensive Firming Serum
   - Instant Daily Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15
   - Intensive Eye Treatment
   - Instant Wrinkle Smoother
  

(Supermodel contract and a sexy R&B singer husband not included).

So You Think You Know Proactiv? : A Great Skincare Solution at Home & On the Road

Enter to win a Proactiv Solution Mini Maintenance Kit. (retail value $15)

Is there anyone who hasn't been mesmerized by those Proactiv Solution commercials? More than any other skincare line, I credit Proactiv Solution for emphasizing the point that acne does not discriminate and that even rich and beautiful celebrities like Serena Williams, Vanessa Williams, Jessica Simpson, and Jennifer Love Hewitt aren't immune to the frustration and shame that unsightly pimples can cause. These ladies are all proud Proactiv users. If they are bold enough to share their skincare woes, I feel that I can too.

I have had sensitive and acne-prone skin since my pre-teens. I was picked on and teased about my condition - sometimes to the point of tears. From over-the-counter treatments to prescription medications, over the years I have spent a small fortune on my face.  A break-out is a downer anytime but I really remember feeling so angry and embarrassed when my face would betray me on a special occasion or a vacation. As an adult, my skin has vastly improved but I have to remain vigilant.

When I was invited to try Proactiv, I was suprised to learn that their famous 3 step combination therapy system has expanded to include a wonderful array of products, including anti-aging and makeup. The hot and humid weather can even wreak havoc on skin that is generally trouble free so this seemed like the perfect time to give Proactiv a whirl. Here are some of the Proactiv products you may want to try and that have really worked for me. If you are also a ProActiv user, I would love to hear from you!

In case you are not familiar with Proactiv Solution, let me start off by sharing their basic 3-step maintenance system - Renewing Cleanser, Revitalizing Toner, and Repairing Lotion. If you've never used Proactiv, I suggest starting with this regimen. I began with this and the results were pretty dramatic. In just a few days, my skin was less oily and noticeably clearer. You can order a mini-maintenance kit for $15 at QVC.  This kit is perfect for travel.

After using the standard regimen for about 10 days, I decided to swap out the Renewing Cleanser with the Deep Cleansing Wash. I am crazy about this cleanser and pray they never stop making it. At first, I was a little nervous about using a product that was designed to be used on the face and body. However, the Deep Cleansing Wash is remarkably gentle. Like the Renewing Cleanser, it also has microbeads that give the skin a gentle exfoliation and the salicylic acid has a nice brightening effect on the face. You can get two 8 oz. bottles at QVC for $33.50.

Moisturizing is an absolute MUST when you are using Proactiv because overly dry skin will start to go crazy producing oil and that will lead to the very break-outs you are trying to avoid. Oil free moisture is the solution. For daytime, Proactiv's Oil Free Moisturizer with SPF 15 is the BEST oil-free moisturizer I have ever used. ($27)  Lightweight and moisturizing, this gem also has also oil absorbing Nylon 12.  My face is visibly less oily and I have to powder my face less frequently.  For night time, try the Green Tea Moisturizer ($24.50) and for extra oil control during the day, you could also put on a sheer layer of the Daily Oil Control ($20).

During the day, I use the Repairing Lotion that is a part of the three step maintenance system but at night time I have quickly become devoted to the Clarifying Night Cream. ($28.75). Addressing adult acne and aging simultaneously can be a real drag but this cream combines retinol, vitamins, and salicylic acid to effectively and gently fight pimples and wrinkles. No zits + a great smooth glow = LOVE IT!

That's all for today. The second part of my review  next week will feature the Proactiv makeup, eye cream and some other treatments. To learn more about Proactiv, visit www.proactiv.com.

Beauty Giveaway: Sheer Cover Mineral Makeup

Let the real you shine through with Sheer Cover! Enter for your chance to win the Sheer Cover Mineral Makeup 30-day intro kit (retail value $29.95). Perfect for travel, Sheer Cover is made from 100% pure minerals, offers natural sun protection and is lightweight and long lasting. I received my Sheer Cover intro kit last week and I have been having so much fun with it. The coverage is very buildable yet natural and gives the skin a great glow. I love all of the extras in the kit: especially the Sheer Color compact (lip colors & highlighters) and the Pocket Duo Kit. The sleek and snazzy makeup case is also very-travel friendly. The always gorgeous Leeza Gibbons is the celebrity spokesperson for Sheer Cover. Like Leeza says, "Know where you're going and look good when you get there."  Sheer Cover offers shades from fair to dark and the winner will get to select the ideal shade for their skin tone. The Sheer Kit Intro Kit contains all of the items in the picture - a true beauty bonanza! Visit www.sheercover.com to learn more about Sheer Cover.

Win a Bottle of White Truffle Olive Oil from Carter & Cavero!

On a recent visit to Red Bank, New Jersey, I was introduced to the wonderful Carter & Cavero Old World Olive Oil Company. My 2 years as a student in Spain instilled a passion for olive oil and Carter & Cavero offers high quality extra virgin and whole fruit fused olive oils grown and pressed in special mills in Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Australia and California. They also sell luxurious olive based beauty products, an exquisite selection of vinegars, gourmet foods and more. If you can't make it to their stores in Red Bank or Long Branch, you can shop online at www.carterandcavero.com. 

Enter the contest for a chance to win a 500ml bottle of Carter & Cavero's White Truffle Olive Oil (retail value $45). Incredibly fragrant, White Truffle Olive Oil transforms the simplest dish into a decadent delight. Made in Italy, this olive oil is smooth yet intense in flavor. If you like the wonderfully unique taste and aroma of white truffles, this is the oil for you!

 

Win a Box of Roni-Sue's Chocolate Truffles!

Take your tastebuds on a journey with this delectable selection of Roni-Sue's Chocolates. Made by hand in New York City, Roni-Sue's chocolate truffles are edible indulgences that artfully combine rich chocolate with spices, fruits, and fine spirits. One lucky reader will win an assortment of 15 chocolate truffles (retail value $22); including Manhattan, Dark & Stormy, Zydeco and others. The New York Times calls Roni-Sue's Chocolates "a winner" and The New York Daily News says "Roni-Sue's Chocolates really rock!" Zagat raves, "Ohhhh...those truffles!"

Giveaway: Luxe FACE Travel Kit from Om Aroma & Co.

 

Pamper your face with Champagne, Caviar, & Truffles -3 Step Organic Skincare System^TM, Enter for your chance to win the Luxe FACE Travel Kit from Om Aroma & Co. ($30 retail value).  The Luxe Face Kit won the 2008 Beauty Olympics  - Best 3 Step System. The Luxe FACE Travel Kit meets airplane carry on guidelines and includes the following.

• Elixir de Beaute
• Creme Luxe 1, or Creme Luxe 2, or Creme Luxe 3
• Extrait de Caviar

Supply should last approximately 5 to 10 days.

"Sexy Green Has Arrived™" with Om Aroma & Co. -  luxury organics that are gentle on the skin and the planet.  They take ultra-sensual ingredients—Caviar, Champagne, Truffles, and Chardonnay—and fuse them with organic ingredients to create products that are deliciously sexy and naturally great for the skin. 

Our First Giveaway: Win a Fabulous Laptop Bag from Donnella's Closet Designer Handbags

  

 

 

The contest has ended. Congratulations to Megan S. from Georgia on winning this very chic bag!

 

I am so excited about the very first Black Dress Traveler giveaway! Every traveling diva needs a fashionable laptop bag and this chic bag from Mango Tango fits the bill and everything else!  A very big thanks to our friends at Donnella’s Closet Designer Handbags for providing this fabulous prize.

 

With a retail value of $69, this Pretty Pink Classic Quilt bag in butter-soft faux suede with coordinating tassel is an absolute "must" for every woman on the go. Pretty and functional, the bag boasts an interior organizer for cell phone, writing instruments and business cards, and padded protection with elasticized convertible straps.  Zip and outside pockets make it easy to tote the bag on your suitcase but still grab your passport while on the go! Fits 16” laptop.

 

How to Enter

To enter the giveaway, take a moment to visit the Donnella's Closet website at dcsbag.com and browse their site. Then come back to the Black Dress Traveler and leave a message in the comments section following this post and let me know which Donnella’s Closet bag best fits your personality. Do you like your bags more conservative? Or a little wild? Are you a trend setter? Or do you prefer a classic look? This is great way for me to learn more about you!

 

A winner will be chosen at random from all readers who leave comments. The comments must include your full name and e-mail address so that we can contact you in the event that you are the winner of the Mango Tango Laptop Bag (Pink). By entering the contest, you agree to receive future notifications of giveways, sales, news, and other information from the Black Dress Traveler and Donnella’s Closet. 

All entries/comments must be received by 12:00 PM (EST) on Friday, January 16, 2009. Only one entry per person.

The winner of the Mango Tango Laptop Bag (Pink) will be notified by via e-mail on Monday, January 19, 2009. The winner has 48 hours from prize notification to respond to an e-mail announcing them as the winner or another winner will be selected. The bag will be shipped to the winner within 2 weeks. The prize can be shipped to U.S. addresses only. By entering the contest. the winner agrees to let us use their full name, city and state when the prize is announced.