Meg here and I am TIRED. Living in the "big city"can wear a woman down. I had to go to my editor's. This month cost more than I thought. I was checking my bank balance online and seemed to be in good shape for my Paris trip. My editor wanted to know when I would be at her home. I looked at the clock and said "right away."

I was in decent spirits, the weather was gorgeous and I turned on my pop radio station as my convertible top went down. I love my car. When you spend 90% of your life in traffic you realize that is money well spent. I have no children. I have no husband. I have a cherry red Mercedes 2 door convertible that I name "Fraulein." Like you don't name your car?

"Fraulein" is German for "An unmarried lady." It's a perfect name.

Fraulein and I were stuck in traffic. Top down. Sun beaming on us. I had my Chanel purse sitting on my passenger seat. "Chanel" is the French name of a ridiculously expensive purse that American morons, like myself, spend stupid money on. It's a perfect name.

I was in a bit of a "sketch" neighborhood. I was on Sunset Blvd. When I was stuck in L.A. Traffic. I was minding my own business. My radio was playing Katy Perry. I screamed. A huge man decided I was the perfect target to purse snatch. He came up to my car, he reached over to grab my purse. I hit "Chanel" to the floor for her safety after a blood-curling "NNOOO!" 

For my own safety? I hit the gas. My instinct to "flee" was correct. Unfortunately, I fled fast and far and shaken and straight into a Porsche...

Yup, my luck? I ain't hittin' no Neon. I drove straight into a Porsche Cayenne. My would-be purse robber ran. I hit my lights and pulled over. You can bet Mr. Porsche did as well.

People are inherently good and Mr. Porsche saw what had happened. He was more concerned that I was OK and he was calling 911 (which never showed up by the way, that's a different rant.) to report my attempted robbery. If you have the money, buy a Porsche. There wasn't a scratch on his car. My beloved Fraulein was smoking and the bumper was on the ground. She maybe finished. I know tomorrow if they're going to "total her out."

There went my Paris shopping money.

When something like this happens, I don't care how "strong you are." Don't get me wrong, I knew I was lucky to be alive and all, but it is stressful. You want to call someone. Just as a human being, you need to reach out. I want to talk about my friend Martin Genis.

This isn't make up related. I've had a hard past couple of days and it's "Monday's With Meg" so I am allowed to go off a little here. 

I didn't know Martin, I didn't know him one bit. I was watching a Real Housewives of Beverly Hills where I got to know Martin. Don't go all stalker "Meg! You're like John Hinkley Jr.!" 

I watched him on the show. I loved that he was easy going. He smoked ciggarettes, he had cocktails and a wonderful laugh. He didn't take himself too seriously, he is handsome and seemed kind and I enjoyed that even though he was profiled on this show, he seemed to be in on the gag.

I saw him on an episode on a Sunday, I mentioned to my botox Dr. (who turned out to be a mutual friend-Beverly Hills is a small town) that I would like to meet Martin Genis on a Tuesday. Because "the Universe" likes for you to participate in your own fate, Genis was picking me up for dinner that coming Friday. 

Was my intuition correct? Yes. Everyone's is. Listen you yours. We got on "like a house on fire." Martin makes me laugh. He makes fun of me (which I appreciate.) I make fun of him (which he tolerates.)

A year and a half later, I was standing alone, my car was crashed and I was, well...Sad. 

The first text I sent was to Martin. The reply came in 5 minutes, literally. 

Stacy B here! You all know I recently had a baby (my second son) so I've been pretty consumed with all things baby lately. I've tried to keep my posts relatively baby-free, I am, after all, still a woman who wants to look and feel good just as much as the next hot chick. But, babies really suck the attention to them like Target sucks the money out of my wallet.

So, I'm giving in. I'm reviewing a great baby product this week. Then next week, I promise, no baby talk. My justification here is that first, it's a great product and second, I know that a lot of you use baby products for overly sensitive skin because they tend to be gentler and less chemical filled.

I've written about Sebamed before, a leader in ultra mild cleansing and skin care products. This company uses the science behind the pH balance in our skin to produce quality products for different skin ailments. I have been very lucky to have good skin, a little dry in the winter, but other than that, nothing I really need to address. But I really like this line because it's healthy, it works, and it has a great clean, fresh scent. I don't NEED to use it, but I want to. I have a hand and nail balm at my desk at work that I use a lot, especially in the winter.

My son had really bad cradle cap for a few months. His scalp was really oily and his poor skin, around the hairline especially, broke out in a terrible rash. We were instructed to 'dunk him daily, and soap him every third day" by our doctor. We used a very mild baby wash and were told to use Aveeno Baby on his skin. Within a few days, his skin looked great, but the cradle cap would not go away. It was weeks before I finally started picking at it (gross, I know, but it was really bad and I just wanted it gone) and using some baby oil to loosen it up. It started to clear and then after another week or so, it seemed like there were a few patches of stubborn dry skin that wouldn't go away.

Then I found Sebamed's Children's Shampoo.. I'm just going to cut and paste from the website here because this was exactly what I was looking for. Something mild, sensitive, gentle, but that works.

"For the delicate scalp and fine hair of babies and children from birth to adolescence. Baby sebamed Children's Shampoo with its pH value of 5.5 promotes the development of the scalp's physiological acid mantle. The 100% soap and alkali free mild emollient formula is the ideal care for the hair and scalp of babies and children. Its gentle cleansing action minimize the risk of dryness or irritation due to the excellent skin tolerance."

Because it was extra gentle and I was tired of those last bits of gross cradle cap on my perfect little baby head, I used it three days in a row. I'm not kidding when I tell you this, it was like he was born all over again. Every spot of cradle cap was gone, his scalp was smooth, SO soft and clear and by the third day, there was a whole new layer of peach fuzz that was probably stiffled under the cradle cap. It didn't cause a rash, and smelled like that intoxicating baby smell everyone loves. Which is better than what oily cradle cap smells like in the hot summer days... a foot. That's right, my kid smelled like a foot for a while. Luckily, he's really cute. :)

Meg here, I have to remind myself sometimes. THIS IS MY PERSONAL BLOG. I'm so glad a lot of you like it but somestime's I'm all "Ooh, I shouldn't write that" Partially because a lot of corporations read this but more so, my 85 yr. old grandmother got all "tech." I wrote the word "shitty" in a post and my Gram sent me an email over it. Talk about stupid "Catholic Guilt." So Gram, get the shit off my blog! Just kidding. I love you. 

A few posts back I wrote about living with an astrology reader. Here it is. It's a great read on how good she is. 

I went to New York City, I went to do business and visit my bestfriend Amy Z. I was ready to find out why my life is the way it is. I asked Lexie to please give me a reading. I was ready for the good, the bad and the ugly.

Lexie (very pregnant) arrived. She asked for some water and to put her feet up and then she started. If you want something sugar-coated, go to a bakery. If you want to know why you're behaving the way you are-go to Lexie.

Lexie: You're never having children. You had a bunch in your last life and while you're maternal to all those around you. It's not happening here. You're done. Also, when I was reading your planetary chart I had to take off my own wedding ring because it was cutting the blood off. YOU can't be in a marriage. You have to be "free" or you freak out. It's the way your Venus is. Let me show you...

I just nod and look at charts? Why am I going to Paris? What does that mean?

Lexie: It says so cleary a man from your past is meeting you in Paris. This is it. He's the one. I think Dave will be meeting you in Paris (Dave is my ex. He is not "meeting me in Paris." He is watching my dog while I am there.) We are friends and not romantic-evenly slightly-even after copious amounts of booze. We're friends. That's it.

Lexie leaves and I have a good read on why I am doing a lot of stuff in my life. She's so "off the mark" on my upcoming trip to Paris. I mean really. who is she talking about? So weird.

We all have our shit (sorry Gram) and part of mine was that I was a very odd kid. I was so underweight and funny looking and I had no friends and I just enjoyed reading. I would go to my 3rd grade reccess and bring my book and read. I loved to read "The Classics" (wonder why I was a nerd. I loved to read Pride And Prejudice, Robin Hood, Oliver Twist.) I was eight years old and had no friends so I would read these books. I was teased terribly.

It's funny and if you have children you better teach them NEVER MAKE FUN OF ANYONE! NEVER. I do believe that is the best lesson you can teach your child. Teach them empathy abd kindness. The "nerds" they make fun of today will be the "bosses" they work for tomorrow.

I had a hard day of "teasing" on the playground and a boy that didn't need to, he came up to me. He said "Don't feel bad. Those girls only are mean to you because they're jealous of how smart you are."-N.M.

I never forgot that. Ever. Those are simple words but they made such an impact on me. From one eight year old to another.

With the great invention of Facebook, N.M and I became friends, I saw (on the surface what he was up to) he saw (on the surface, what I was doing.) He lives in New York. I'm in New York A LOT.

After 2 years of missed lunches and drinks we decided to meet up for a cocktail. I was in the neighborhood that he was going to be in. My plans had changed for the night. He was free, I was open. O.K. I felt I owed him at least the conversation to "thank you" for giving me some child playground self confidence.

I got to the place before NM and I was brought back to the playground. I was qualifying myself in my head. "I'm on TV." Breathe. Stupid. I know, but it's funny how we revert to our old roles. Like he would give a shit I was "on TV." Like anyone would. 

NM walked in and I recognized him right away. I tried to play it cool but (you now I have verbal diarrhea) so I thanked him so much for standing up for me and being so cool.

He only sort of remembered. He then was so gracious "Thanking me" for telling him about the story. We spent the rest of the night catching up, over the last 30 YEARS. It was really nice.

Then I told him that I didn't know why, but I had always wanted to go to Paris, so I just booked the ticked to go.

Imagine my surprise when he laughed, he said "I know, me too!" 

He booked the same dates, he booked them months before. Thanks Lexie! I'm officially "weirded out" YOU FREAK!

Meg Here! It is so hot my makeup would slide right off my face if it weren't for my Revlon Photoready Perfecting Primer. As I explain to my Main Gay Denny. Primer is like "spackle for your face." When I was doing my morning TV rounds I brought a primer on. This was LIVE TV. I was explaining how primer fills in lines and creases, it minimizes pores and will keep your foundation lasting all day. I looked into the camera and said "Ladies, you have to caulk your face!" Well, you can't see spelling in the spoken word and I think the news anchor next to me was about to faint.

Isn't that a lovely story? 

Honestly, I love this primer. It works just as well as its pricey counterparts and in this heat I have been reaching for it daily. I love doing these videos with Denny. I just ramble on and he says "that's some good information." I don't know why that cracks me up so much. He's a sport.

Revlon Nail Enamel lasted really long on my nails and they have a great nail color selection. My most favorite classic Revlon shade was the old school "Cherries In The Snow." Anyone out there remember that one? This new shade in the video reminded me of that classic. Just with a stronger and newer formulation!

Want to try one? You're in luck! Revlon Nail Enamel is our give away! Be the first ten commenters and Revlon will send a full size Revlon Nail Enamel right to your door.

Stacy B here! At the risk of becoming boring, I'm going to review another Wet 'n Wild product today. I have good reason though! First, they are really inexpensive so I bought a bunch of different items to try for very low cost. Second, they've been performing pretty well so I've been inclined to continue to try more products from this new and improved line. And third, they are on the no animal testing list.  All good reasons!

As you may have read in the last post, I had a bunch of products lined up to review and they all showed up on the animal testing list that I found on Peta's website. Not good. I had to go with what I have left and I'm down to just a few brands that are on the 'good list'. It's hard to go into a drugstore now and know what to buy and what not to buy so I'm slowly learning the right products and will offer more variety soon. Thanks to all of you who recommended new brands to try, I'm definitely using your responses as an additional cheat sheet!

These last few weeks have been tough for me, I had to return to work full time after being home with my newborn for three months. He's not even a newborn anymore, he's 3 1/2 months old and officially just an 'infant'. How fast they grow! While I do enjoy my job, I would much rather be home with the kids, especially in the summer. But, sometimes you need an extra paycheck for things like electricity. And gas. And drugstore makeup of course. So, off to work I went, in whatever still fit in my closet. I refuse to buy myself any new clothes until I can fit into my normal size. Luckily it's summer and I can wear a lot of flowy dresses and elestic waist skirts until I can get rid of these last 8-10 lbs. I'm getting there!!

Since my wardrobe is considerably limited and categorized into what buttons and what doesn't, what better way to perk myself up for work than some new shadows from Wet 'n Wild? Instead of a coordinated palate, I threw caution to the wind and bought a bunch of singles that I thought would look good together. I picked up 5 Color Icon Shimmer Single Shadows in Unplugged, Platinum, Trashed, Golddigger and Glamrock (translation: white, silver, black, gold and purple). They are small, but with single colors, you don't need a ton, they will last. And why did I buy so many? Because they were $2!! Each! I find that much in change in my car after a few weeks!

Meg here! I'm 36, I smoke (been trying to quit for 10 years.) I love a cocktail (or 5) my diet is complete crap. I never get a good night's sleep and I don't exercise. I AM THE COMPLETE PICTURE OF HEALTH. I'm not. But I don't worry too much about it, because you know what? I'm a pretty happy person.

I never thought I needed a YouTube channel because we all love each other through the written word. I'm Old School New England Irish Catholic. I wrote once that I loved you. Now you want me to express it? What kind of Hedon are you? We don't do that we're I'm from. You should get a pat on the back and know I'd take a bullet for you. In this age of touchy-feely emotions it seems I'm not delivering to my audience. 

So I'm trying to learn and I hope you'll help me be better.

I don't want a damn Make Up Channel. Everyone I see with one is 22 years old and flawless. I also see really awful and mean comments under them.

Why would I want to hurt my self-esteem? Why would anyone want that?

Well, there has to be someone to bite the bullet and say, yes, I'm older. No, I'm not an Asian Tween. Maybe my advice can be helpful for those of you that are not as well. Also, my dad has been in jail and I will find your IP Address and give it to him if you leave disgusting comments (Just kidding-not really-It's just mean, don't do it.) *My lawyer said not to write that* I sometimes ignore my lawyer.

My channel will have advice for those over 25. My channel will be irreverant and entertaining and we will give great give aways. My channel is here

I am a nice person that has some great beauty inside. I work with a lot of celebrities, I will do great give aways, I have a rescue dog.

Hi Ladies, I saw a lot of international comments about not getting packs so this weekend I went back and did a big mailing. I don't know what the problem was but if you don't get your international pack in the next 10 or so days please let me know!!

xoxox

Meg

Meg here! I know, I've been terrible about updating but this is a new week and I'm going to be a lot better about it. 

I had an absolute blast this past Thursday night. I wish you all lived closer because I would love to have you all over to my house, AKA "The Rage Cage." The lovely ladies that rep Schick Quattro For Women asked me if I would have a viewing party for a webseries that they are a proud sponsor of. It was a total success season 1. The show is called Dating Rules From My Future Self. They wanted us to watch the season premiere and share what we thought about it.

A reason to have a party? I'll have a party if I go a week avoiding a parking ticket so the Schick Chick's didn't have to ask me twice! As if I needed any incentive they lovingly mailed me snacks, an Amex giftcard to buy booze, party plates and napkins and what every Hollywood party needs...Giftbags! How cool is that? They went all Martha Stewart and shipped it straight to my house.

I have to confess, I'm a little late to the game of "web series." I just thought it was going to be some low rent live stream. I can admit when I'm wrong and I was very, very wrong. Alloy Entertainment is the company behind "Dating Rules From My Future Self." They had another little web series called "Gossip Girl." It went so mainstream it went to your TV and I'm pretty sure you've seen an episode! This series is so well done, it looks like you're watching a network television show (but without commercials!)

I had to laugh because the napkins Schick Quattro For Women sent over said "Girls Night Out." I had 12 friends over, the 5 guys attending seemed to be fine as women for the evening.

We all mingled and then Dave set the computer up so we could all watch the show on my large flatscreen TV. I called everyone into the livingroom and asked everyone to please be quiet as I played Episode 1 Season 1. Yes, I know I was suppose to start with Season 2 but I thought Dating Rules From My Future Self would get confusing if we didn't start at the begining. We hit play, started the show and something amazing happened...Everyone stopped talking! Seriously, you know how hard it is to get a group of people (and we like to talk) to pay attention. All of us were totally captivated! There wasn't peep, and then we watched another episode, and another and another... Even the guys were into it with one saying "I'm totally watching the rest of these when I get home."

Even though I'm linking to Season 2, Episode 1. I recommend you watch the first season. The good news is that you don't have to, you'll totally be able to follow what's going on. I just think you'll really enjoy it and want to. 

What happens when you have a group of "adults" to your home, and a visiting New Zealand Pop Star? That's a long story, but stay with me here, a dance party!

Blame it on the alcohol but we soon started playing some tunes and opening our giftbags that were filled with Schick Quattro For Women razors. We had such a great night we wanted to give tribute to the company that let us have this great party. A group shave seemed weird. You know what didn't seem strange? Using our razors like raver club kids use glow sticks and wave them around our heads as we got our dance on. I've never been a fan of the "act your age" motto.

I really think Dating Rules From My Future Self is a great concept and well done and a very fun show. It makes you want to dance. Would I want Dating Rules From My Future self really? Nah. I like my mistakes, they make me, me. They're also epic. I don't just make mistakes. I make ridiculously over-the-top, cringe inducing errors that usually make for entertaining stories and come in handy over silence at a dinner table. What fun would life be if we knew all the answers? I love to look back and laugh (I laugh the hardest at how stupid I can be) and if you're not hurting anyone then that's a beautiful thing. If you can't laugh at yourself then I don't want to know you. Laughing is the single best thing in the world. I try to have one daily.

Want to be rewarded for having previous BAD BEHAVIOR?

Take the MICHAEL TODD challenge. Win $100 true organics gift certificate!

When Lewis Hendler, Chairman of MICHAEL TODD began seeking a healthier lifestyle, he began scrutinizing the labels on all his and his wife’s skin care products. Lewis was shocked to learn that many of today’s skin care products (even the shampoo he used for his labradors Sam and Harley) were mostly water (first ingredient) and actually contained harmful ingredients such as parabens, sulfates, artificial dyes and synthetic fragrances, even while calling themselves “natural” or “organic.”

Now you can educate yourself by taking the MICHAEL TODD challenge and putting your favorite skin care products under the magnifying glass to see if they are mostly water or contain unhealthy ingredients such as:

• Isopropyl alcohol
• Mineral oil
• Polyethylene glycol
• Propylene glycol
• Sodium or Ammonium Lauryl/ Laureth Sulfate
• Chlorine
• DEA - diethanolamine
• MEA - monoethanolamine: a class of chemicals known as alkanolamines
• TEA - triethanolamine
• FD&C dyes
• Artificial fragrances
• Imidazolidinyl urea
• DMDM Hydantoin
• Parabens -butyl, ethyl, methyl and propyl
• Aluminum
• Fluoride
• Talc
• Dioxins
• Pthalates
• Triclosan

For a chance to win a $100 true organicsgift certificate, take a moment and examine the labels of your favorite skin care products, and if you see an ingredient you don't recognize, look it up. You can use a dictionary or just Google it. You might have to take a chemistry course just to understand what you're reading!

Do whatever you need to do, but SEND US YOUR STORIES at: Michael Todd True Organics Facebook!

 Stacy B here! One thing about being on a budget that is tough is that sometimes to keep the prices low, you have to sacrifice something that might be important to you. Sometimes it's quality, or packaging, or the type of company you buy from. Lately, Meg has been pretty vocal about companies that test on animals and how that's not something she's going to promote or support. Guess what that eliminates a lot of? Cheap drugstore brands! Bye Bye Maybelline, Dove, Almay, Chapstick, Clairol, L'Oreal and more.

Now ladies, promise me something. Promise me you'll read to the end of this paragraph before you judge me. Promise? OK. Here's my dirty secret. I don't like animals. I am not an animal person, I don't have pets, don't want them and get a little weirded out when people call their pets their kids. But...(you're still reading with an open mind, right?) I don't want animals harmed.  I don't think they deserve to be hurt or tortured or used for experimental purposes. I know they feel pain in some capacity and I don't want them to suffer. I just don't want them in my house. So of course, when Meg said this site wouldn't promote companies that test on animals, I was totally fine with that.   

I guess I'll have to try even harder to find products that are cruelty free on a budget! Hopefully that helps all you megheads too! You still like me, right?? :)

I found a great list on Peta's website, you can search here for companies that do or don't test on animals: Wow, what a list. I am pretty shocked. The don't test list seems to be a lot shorter than the do test list! And, less recognizable too. Looks like this will be a good opportunity for me to branch out and step away from the mass marketed cosmetic giants.

I don't have an actual product today because I had a whole bunch of Maybelline, Garnier and L'Oreal stuff in mind for the next few weeks. But, they are on the bad list so I'm going to get my butt to a drugstore with the good list in hand and look for some new things over the next week or so. The good news is some of the products I've been either reviewing lately or thinking about are on the good list. A few are: Wet n Wild (wow, not only a marketing makeover but a product one, too!) California Baby, Burts Bees, Giovanni, ELF, Revlon, OPI and NYX. Phew, there are some good ones on there!