editor’s note: as you’ve probably noticed, my beauty reviews are always based on my own sensitive and perpetually dry skin (the very idea of testing a product designed to dry your skin terrifies me to my core).  regular SMC reader jennie noticed that those of you on the other side of the spectrum were getting left behind, and offered to help me remedy that by testing out a line of products for oil- and acne-prone skin. naturally, i couldn’t resist.  so, please welcome our guest reviewer, jennie!

Lately my skin has been less stable than Lindsay Lohan – and definitely as changeable as her legal representation. Normally, my skin is subject to the occasional blemish attack, but lately, it’s been one acne outbreak after another. Maybe it’s the extreme heat we’ve been suffering lately, the job search I’ve begun, or even that I’ve been lax in my prayers to the good skin gods…who can say?

All I knew is that I needed a solution, and fast. Compounding my skin stress was the fact that my go-to skin product had been discontinued…always a scary scenario.  Fortunately, I got the chance to check out the DDF skincare line, which addresses skin concerns ranging from acne to aging.  The amazing people at DDF sent over samples of their line of acne products for me to test, and I spent a full month giving them an exhaustive review.

From much experience, I’ve learned that when it comes to acne control, targeted cleansers and masks tend to be less important than treatment creams, which are the primary warriors on the frontline of acne warfare.  So while I liked the Blemish Foaming Cleanser and Sulfur Therapeutic Mask, I loved DDF’s three treatment products. I alternated between the Glycolic 10% Exfoliating Oil Control Gel, the Benzoyl Peroxide Gel, and the Acne Control Treatment. I used the Acne Control Treatment only at night (per the product instructions), but the other two I used both night and day, and was thrilled with the results!

The products were incredibly effective, and  did an amazing job of keeping my skin clear and happy.  Equally important, they didn’t make my skin red and irritated as is common with acne treatments. After using the Acne Control Treatment at night, I even noticed my skin tone was more even, and (dare I say) luminous.

All in all, DDF has struck the seemingly elusive balance between an effective yet gentle acne solution. These products are definitely going to be permanent fixtures in my battle for clear, perfect skin.

– jennie v.

i first spotted these linen beach towels from deck towel at design*sponge a couple of months ago, but they sold out so quickly, i didn’t have the heart to show them to you. don’t they just feel like summer?  those crisp, bright stripes on breezy, cool linen…they’re perfect for the beach, but to be honest, i’d be tempted to use these as a throw around the house instead of a beach towel, or even a topper for my picnic table.

fortunately, i just noticed they’re back for pre-order (looks like styles will be available again on august 15).  styles are $75 each, and i’d snap one up fast – they just got a prime spot in the new york times style section on sunday, which means they’re destined to sell out yet again!

i know it’s hard to think about sweaters in all of this heat, but believe me – this is just the time for it.  there’s a pretty sweet sale going on at inhabit ny right now, and i couldn’t resist sharing.  there are some deep discounts on classic pieces, including cotton and cashmere, with several choices in the $48-68 range, and plenty in the under-$175 market.

from left: cotton essential v-neck cardigan, $248 down to $48; chunky pointelle pullover, $268 down to $108; cashmere v-neck sweater, $278 down to $138.

plus, if you spend $200, you can take an additional $40 off with code 40JULY.  oh, and a $200 purchase also qualifies you for free shipping. you see how this could get out of hand quickly.

i just picked up a handful of cardigans for fall…as often as i wear them, i thought it was time to bring in a new string of starters to replace some of my very hard-working team from the last several years.

first off, i owe serious apologies to dear reader christine, who asked me weeks ago if i’d show her how to wear that american apparel skirt i featured last month.  naturally, i said yes, because i love helping you guys out whenever i can!  but then, i promptly forgot my promise.  fortunately, my brain resurfaced, and i’m ready to tackle the challenge!

and to be honest, the timing couldn’t be better. believe me, you’ll be needing this advice for fall.  every fashion mag for august is telling us that round skirts (with mid-calf lengths, no less) will be all the rage when the weather turns chilly.  personally, i’m skeptical, if only because i think mid-calf lengths are terrifyingly unflattering most of the time.  for me, i’ll be sticking with lengths that just cover the knee…i’ll be close enough to be on-trend, and my legs will look oh-so-much better.

now, on to the styling.  the key with a full skirt is the waist.  it’s the “raison d’etre” of a full skirt…the entire point is to create an hourglass silhouette.  if you keep your top half lean and fitted, and fit the waist of your skirt to the thinnest part of your torso, you’ll end up with a shape that’s flattering on nearly everyone. so even if it terrifies you, wear this skirt at your natural waist – it’s the thinnest point, and will create the best silhouette.  after years of low-rise jeans, i know it’s scary, but trust me.  you’re going for this:

and of course, because we’re trying to create an hourglass, that means no untucked shirts (this one is a struggle for me, i admit).  but if you go for the untucked look, you’ll end up looking more dowdy than anything else:

not ideal, clearly.  though i do think it’s possible to make this look work with an intentionally oversized, slouchy shirt or sweater that can balance out the fullness of your skirt without overpowering it.  but you’ll need a wide neckline, and it absolutely must narrow back out at the waist.  something, perhaps, like this:

in general, for a full skirt, i’d keep the styling relatively simple, but do try to keep the colors and accessories young, or you could end up in donna reed territory.  and don’t be afraid to add patterns!  try a fitted jersey tank, tucked in, with the waist of the skirt kept high at your natural waist (you could even add a belt to accentuate the waist).  add a short cardigan for work (v-neck or a wide scooped neck would be better than a crew, which reads a little 1950s).  or, i love the idea in this month’s vogue of using a longer, thin cardi and tying it at the bottom to create a high-waisted silhouette.  for the weekend, try a denim jacket with the sleeves pushed up.  pile on a few bangles or a great necklace (i’d suggest choosing one or the other, not both), top it off with a simple ballet flat for day or a sandal for the weekend, and you’re set!

when the temperature climbs, my normally fastidious skin care and makeup routines go right out the window, along with every ounce of patience in my being.  i’m forced to pare down to basics, because i just can’t stand being cooped up in a steamy bathroom for any longer than absolutely necessary. so, i thought i’d take a moment and share my current shortcut routine for summer.

okay…well, that photo doesn’t really look like a shortcut, does it?  but trust me.  compared to the time i’m willing to spend when the weather’s cold, i’m downright neglectful of my face this time of year…when, arguably, it needs my help most!  fortunately, my shortcuts seem to keep my skin as happy as can be expected in this heat.

for face care, this year i’m hopelessly devoted to skyn iceland’s glacial cleansing cloths and that olay pro-x system i told you about last week.  and i’m still head over heels with skyn iceland’s SPF moisturizer for day – that tingly cooling sensation seriously lasts for hours. it’s the only thing that gets me through some of my mornings without a/c! i honestly wish all of my products came with the same chilly goodness.  (note to self: must start storing eye cream in freezer.)  on real scorchers, i top it off with clarins uv plus SPF 40…a fair-faced girl can’t be too careful, and this stuff sinks in beautifully, leaving no trace of oil.

as for makeup, my recent discovery of armani beauty’s newest products simply couldn’t have come at a better time. i start with my old reliable, benefit’s lemon-aid (or my new, higher-maintenance love, laura mercier’s undercover pot, but we’ll talk more about that later).  from then on, it’s all armani for me this summer.  their face fabric ($48) is the lightest foundation i’ve ever tried.  the texture is incredible – it virtually disappears the moment you put it on, is perfectly mattifying, and truly doesn’t budge all day.  their soft lash mascara ($28) is utterly foolproof, curls lashes without forcing me to break out the lash curler, and doesn’t make your lashes feel like deadly weapons.  add a touch of their unbelievably cute “eyes to kill” eyeshadow palettes ($59) (i especially love the bronze coral set for summer, on just about any skin tone), and you’re basically done.  it works as a liner and highlighter (if i have that kind of energy), with perfectly pre-selected shades i don’t even have to think about.  i top it all of with my new favorite cheap beauty thrill: carmex’s new moisture plus.  $3 at your neighborhood walgreens, and seriously, it’s now all i’ll use. burt’s bees doesn’t live here any more!

when it comes to hair, i’m looking for something seriously simple – i want as little to do with my hairdryer in july as humanly possible.  i’ve told you before about wonders of living proof’s “no frizz”, and especially in summer, it’s a life-saver when i just can’t bear the thought of styling. plus, their new refinishing spray gives me at least an extra day’s life from my blow-dried styles, and works so much better on my perpetually dry hair than dry shampoos that are supposed to give the same benefits.

last but not least, i know this might not seem like a beauty essential, but it truly is.  while i’m horrible about getting my 8 glasses during the rest of the year, i’m like a camel in fill mode when the weather gets hot – i can’t leave a table without downing 4 glasses of water.  thankfully, i discovered this sweet little PUR built-in water filter when we moved (great new house, ancient fridge).  it was only about $45, a bargain i wasn’t expecting, and it was insanely easy to install. it’s been running nonstop in my house ever since, and saving me from my water snobbery (before this, i was about to resort to buying fiji water by the case!).  all that h20 has definitely been saving my skin this summer…my face doesn’t need nearly as much moisturizer when i’m hydrated, which means less to sweat off later in the day.  definitley a win/win.

so, now i’m wondering…other than a staffer feeding you frozen grapes poolside, what are your summer beauty must-haves?

i’ve been coveting this z spoke by zac posen skirt since i first laid eyes on it.  at $355, it was easy to remind myself that those side panels would be utterly unflattering on a girl with hips (like me, for example).

but now, at 70% off and just over $100, it’s getting harder and harder to stick to what i know to be true.

if you happen to be one of those lucky hip-less girls, please indulge on my behalf.

i first told you about the amazing gems by christine mighion back in november – i fell for her designs at first sight, and the love has been ongoing ever since.  (in fact, christine just recently became a very welcome sponsor here at shoppingsmycardio…can’t help but love someone more when they love you back!)

but i recently got a chance to see her designs in person, and since i don’t often get that chance with my worthy splurge picks, i had to tell you all about it.  after months of agonizing, i finally treated myself to one of her amazing chrysocolla druzy necklaces…and readers, it’s the most gratifying thing i’ve added to my closet in ages (and i’m including all of my new spring shoes in that statement!).

can you even believe the color of that stone?  i can’t stop staring at it (or wearing it).  i knew i loved christine’s designs, but in person…oh, my.  they’re so carefully crafted, so detailed, just utterly perfect.  taking the plunge to spend that much on a piece took a gulp, i won’t deny it.  but now that i’ve had the chance to see firsthand the quality of the stones she uses, the hand-worked details, and the sheer, one-of-a-kind beauty of it all, i know it was worth every last cent.

next up for me (fingers crossed, anyway) will be one of her beautiful rings – she makes seriously stunning cocktail rings.  but then, i might have to treat myself to these sweet little pebble earrings from her latest collection in the meantime.  at $120, they’re the perfect little non-guilt-inducing treat, i think, and they shouldn’t interfere with saving for my next splurge!  plus, i have a birthday on the horizon…

(a little tip:  keep an eye on christine’s twitter account…she often posts discounts on her collection, so it’s a great way to nab something for a steal!)

congrats to meagan, who’s lucky number 7!  she told us she’s a vintage gal, through and through.  meagan, i think just about every person that entered this contest will be expecting to get a card from you, now that you have such a lovely supply from which to choose.

a huge thank you to hi, friend design for sponsoring this amazing summer giveaway!  something tells me you’ll be designing a bevy of custom cards for shoppingsmycardio readers over the next few weeks.

{editor’s note: don’t forget to enter our fab summer giveaway – a whole year’s worth of gorgeous stationery from hi, friend design, and all you have to do is leave a comment!}

it’s time to resurrect our annual guide to the nordstrom anniversary sale, after requests from a few of our dear readers.  i was lucky enough to shop the preview of the sale a couple of weeks ago, so i’ll be able to give much more guidance on fit and choices this year, which is fabulous.

for those that don’t freakishly stalk the nordstrom anniversary sale, it actually doesn’t start until tomorrow…but it’s best to check out the sale catalog in advance and order on day 1, before all of the best pieces are gone.  since nothing’s actually available for purchase until tomorrow morning (midnight EDT PDT, technically), we’ll be using the online catalog as our hymnal for today, which you can access here.  i’ll post page numbers of every item, where possible, so you can read along with me in your book.

now, on to the show!  in general, i was overwhelmed by the great apparel choices, and thoroughly underwhelmed by shoes, bags and accessories…so we’ll be spending more time on what to wear than on what to wear with it.

outerwear: for me, the best buy of the sale was a DKNY trench, down to under $100 (check it out at left, or on page 8 of the preview catalog).  i tried on the same style in a classic black burberry trench (also on sale, for $549), and the DKNY was actually a better fit for me.  so, at 1/6 the price, i didn’t have to think long.  but if you are in the market for the tried-and-true classic, this is definitely the perfect time to nab that burberry trench (right, page 15b, $549)!

jackets: blazers were another amazing find at the sale this year.  my picks are the black rag & bone knit blazer (left, page 9), which fits beautifully (though beware – there are leather elbow patches that don’t suit everyone’s style…mine included), and two by elizabeth and james, which aren’t online yet – one in a grey flannel with beautiful pleating on the placket and shoulders (see crap iphone pic below, right), and the other is a classic black boyfriend blazer with ruched 3/4 sleeves.  both are instant classics.  all three ring in right around the $300 mark, but these are workhorse blazers you’ll pair with everything from suits to jeans, so they’re definitely worthy investment pieces.

the best bargain blazer is this red tweed cropped version from hinge (page 13, $89), which is just begging to be layered for fall.  but i would warn that this needs more than just a tee and jeans to work – you’ll want to add more texture in the way of necklaces, scarves, and maybe a contrasting tank over the tee, or you’ll look more barbara bush than kate moss.

if it’s a leather blazer you’re after, i like the two black options from kenna-t (page 15f, $299).  the military style (at left) is impeccably on-trend, but there’s something about that asymmetrical version (right) that’s just a little more offbeat, and original, making it my personal favorite.

cardigans: the ruby autumn cashmere ribbed cardi (left, page 9a, $159) felt like a no-brainer initially – it’s one of my favorite cashmere lines, and the price is a steal.  but the fit across the back wasn’t perfect…i felt like it bunched at the shoulder seam.  but if you have narrower shoulder than i (not a hard bar to clear), the lines of this one are really beautiful on, and the color is a great foil for both grey and camel, which will be huge this fall.  but the classic i’m buying in at least two colors (grey and nude) is this long-ish halogen cardigan with just a bit of sheer fabric at the lapel (pages 28-29, $49).  i’m a little worried i’m not the only one who will stock up on it, but it’s just a perfectly classic cardigan, and i’m due for a few new staples.

denim: it’s all so subjective, of course, when it comes to denim.  but i’m steering clear of skinnies for fall – i have a feeling wider legs are the future.  so, my favorite was the hudson straight-leg (page 21g, $119) – a great fit, just a bit lower rise than i typically go for.  if your waist isn’t absurdly high (like mine), these would be a great addition to your closet.

shoes: the only shoes i really fell for in the sale were the vera wang lavender rhinestone ballerina flats, in blue nubuck (page 10, $189) – but only if you’re a size 9 or smaller (in larger sizes, the rhinestone accent doesn’t cover enough of the top of the shoe).  it’s tempting to recommend the steven by steve madden covered wedge boots (page 40), but trust me, you’re going to be seeing those on every third girl you pass on the street for the next year.

accessories: all i’m after on this front is the michael kors men’s style chronograph watch, in silver (pages 16-17, $149).  still a bit of an investment, but one you’ll definitely get years of mileage out of.

cosmetics: we all have our favorite brands, of course, and nearly all have stellar offerings for this sale, if you like buying pre-packaged sets.  i’m not a huge fan as a rule, but i will say that if you haven’t tried kate somerville’s exfolikate yet, pick up the set on page 57b – you’ll never look back.

so, that’s my take.  but i’m even more interested to hear what you’re excited to nab tomorrow.  share your favorite finds in the comments, won’t you?

{this giveaway is now closed!! our winner was announced right here. thanks for stopping by!}

i have been so excited about this giveaway, it’s been nearly impossible to keep it under my hat.  and now, finally, the time has come to introduce you all to hi, friend design!  started by a pair of extremely talented ladies, this is hands-down my new favorite line of stationery. beautiful, chic, creative and unbelievably well-priced…what more could i ask?

hi, friend specializes in semi-custom (and incredibly affordable) wedding and shower invitations, and honestly, if you know someone getting married, i can’t say enough about how gorgeous they are.

but, well, i’ve already been down that road.  so for me, i’m in it for hi, friend’s sometimes cheeky, always stylish cards that are absolutely perfect for any occasion at all.

(clearly, i should have asked the talented ladies of hi, friend to help with the graphic for this giveaway. polyvore is just not my friend.)

there literally isn’t a single card in their line that i’m not dying to send to someone i know.  i mean, a flamingo silhouette with a “don’t be tacky” tagline?  or a barbecue proclaiming your friend “a rare one”?  it’s pun-ny perfection for my ultra-corny sense of humor.  and their personalized notecards are so chic, i’m literally looking for excuses to send cards to people, just so i can show them off.

with that, on to the giveaway! one of you lucky, lucky readers (oh, how i envy you) will be taking home a huge gift package that hi, friend is customizing just for us:  a year’s worth of stationery! the winner of this fabulous giveaway will get:  two of each silhouette card at hi, friend (22 in all), a set of 24 custom personalized note cards, a pack of their picture-perfect wine gift bags, and topped off with a completely darling to-do notepad!  in other words, you’ll be spared an entire year of emergency trips to hallmark, and you’ll be forever more known as that friend who always sends the perfect card.  not bad at all, i think.

to win, all you have to do is go take a peek at hi, friend’s website, and leave a comment here telling us whether you think your style fits their “modern girl”, “vintage girl”, or “classic girl” (personally, i think i’m a little bit of each).  and, as always, nab a bonus entry if you post about the giveaway on twitter (@shoppingscardio and @hifrienddesign), on facebook, on your blog, or whatever else you can think of (town crier, perhaps?). just be sure to let me know how you shared: leave a second comment here to get your bonus entry.

you have until monday (7/19) at noon PDT to enter, and we’ll announce a winner then.  so get those entries in soon!  and a huge, huge thanks to hi, friend for coming up with this fantastic package just for us!