Fall is right around the corner. I love it! The crisp, autumn temperature brings pretty colored leaves, pumpkin pie, and warm sweaters. For many women, myself included, it also means a transition in makeup colors. I’ve been doing some reading, and it looks like a really big trend in makeup this fall is red lipstick. Lipstick is such a versatile cosmetic item. It can make a big impact on your look. I decided to ask some of my online friends what their favorite lipstick brand is. They were very enthusiastic about this one. There are certainly many brand loyalists when it comes to lipstick! Here’s what they had to say.

Brand	Description	Price	Reviews
Mary Kay	“Rich, stay-true color in irresistible glamorous shades.” – Mary Kay website	$13.00	“There are extra moisturizers in all of the MK lip colors, plus the new Liquid Lip Color has peppermint to tingle your lips <3″ – @notdiyheather
Clinique	“Our luscious lip colours are loaded with do-gooders like moisturizers but not a lick of fragrance.” Clinique website	$14.00	“I love Clinique. I always find the right shade whatever the season, but mainly it’s brand loyalty.”- BethBlair “I personally like Clinique glosses.” – holleeinbalance (Hollee also says she likes Sephora glosses.)
Buxom	“Buxom Big & Healthy Lipstick works three full-time jobs – it defines the shape of lips like a liner, fills them in with creamy velvet color, and then plumps them to their full buxom potential.” – Sephora website	$18.00	“It’s shiny, it plumps just right, tastes good, lasts long to wear and the colors are just juicy. And the price is right!” @KatjaPresnal
Neutrogena	“Available in 20 beautiful, full-color shades, Neutrogena® MoistureShine® Lipstick with SPF 20 delivers rich, creamy color while clinically restoring lips’ moisture.” - Neutrogena website	$8.49	“I like Neutragena. No smells and the color lasts well.” – @Fearless
Rosebud Perfume Co.	“The cult favorite, multi-purpose lip balm soothes dry lips, calms and soothes irritation, and soothes the sting of  minor burns.” – Sephora website	$6.00	“I love the Rosebud Salve. Shiny lips and smells good too.” – @JulieDiazAsper (Though technically not a lipstick, this sounds just perfect for those who don’t like a heavy feeling product.)

Whether for fun or necessity, finding a bargain is a great feeling! For me, it’s certainly a little of both. My family can’t afford to spend money like it’s going out of style, but I enjoy giving us all a little extra now and then when I find things at a good price. And I have to admit, I feel a bit of a thrill when I score a really great deal on something I know one of us will love! I figured there were other avid bargain hunters out there, so I headed to Twitter to ask my friends to tell me their favorite bargain destination. Here’s what they had to say. I learned about so many new places to find deals – I can’t wait to start shopping!

Site	Description	Reviews
RetailMeNot.com	RetailMeNot.com compiles coupon codes from online destinations. Users submit the discount codes, and a success rating is applied to each. You can use these codes at checkout to receive the applicable discount. Codes won’t be accepted every time, but it’s worth a shot.	@alyssagregory says, “Quick, easy, current. Mostly because it only takes a few seconds to get the info I’m looking for.”
BradsDeals.com	BradsDeals.com boasts that they offer (at the time of publication) 4,044 coupons and 294 handpicked deals for 1,528 stores. That’s a lot of bargains. You can browse the front page to see featured deals or choose by category or the kind of deal you’re searching for.	“You can sign up by specific category for emails. got our car seat for $30!”-Heather of Skinny Sushi
Unclaimed Baggage	“Unclaimed Baggage is a one-of-a-kind store snuggled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and bordered by the 70,000 acre Lake Guntersville. Founded in 1970 by Doyle and Sue Owens as a part-time business, it soon became a full-time venture. In 1978, the Owens incorporated the company and watched it prosper as one of the great ‘hidden’ bargain centers for savvy shoppers.” Unclaimed Baggage website (Wish I lived in Alabama!)	@ostmega says, “I love to shop at Unclaimed Baggage. They have all kinds of stuff, and if you look hard enough, you will find HUGE deals!”
Ben’s Bargains	Ben’s Bargains scours the net to find the best deals around. Browse the front page for a variety of featured bargains or search by category or merchant. You can also view popular offers and get the latest buzz in the forums.	“bensbargains.com is a definite!!! They have great deals on just about everything.” @tammymunson

I’m not a runner. In fact, I’m a desperate slacker when it comes to exercise, but I’d like to change that now that my kids have gone back to school. I’ve been reading quite a bit about the Couch to 5K program around the blogosphere, and I’m considering jumping on the bandwagon. It seems like a good way to ease into running on a regular basis. But before I start, I decided to do some research on the best running shoes. Of course, I asked my Twitter friends for advice. Here’s what they recommended.

Brand	Description	Price	Reviews
Saucony	“We love our products, and we run in everything we make. This focus and passion fuels us as we strive to create the best running shoes and apparel on the planet. We leave work each day knowing that we’ve done everything to make runners’ lives just a little bit better.” from the Saucony website	$65.00 – $135.00	@MelaniePerry says, “Because that’s what my running hubby bought me.” @MikePerry, Melanie’s husband says, “In my humble opinion @saucony offers the best value for money when it comes to proper running shoes.” Mike also said, “Only bought the wife aka @melanieperry running shoes in the hope she would run away ” Bet Melanie wasn’t smiling. @CandidK also likes Saucony and says, “‘m partial to @saucony for my running shoes. Specifically, fusion 2′s for my running gait (I underpronate). Love them!!” I had to ask her what “underpronate” meant.
New Balance	“New Balance is the only athletic shoe manufacturer still making shoes in the US. We’re proud of that commitment. We’re proud of the workers in our five New England factories. And we’re proud to say that 25% of our shoes sold in North America are made or assembled right here.” from the New Balance website	$44.99 – $139.99	@rachelsteffen says, “I have a neutral running gait, so shopping for shoes is easy for me. I love and prefer @newbalance brand running shoes  bc of their affordability as well as comfort and function (no foot/joint issues). ”
ASICS	“ASICS, an acronym derived from the Latin phrase, Anima Sana In Corpore Sano – a sound mind in a sound body. Staying true to the philosophy by which it was founded, every ASICS innovation, every concept, every idea is intended to create the best product. Our mission is to become the number one brand for the sports enthusiast. To accomplish this, we pledge to continue to make the best product; striving to build upon our technological advances and pushing the limits on what we can learn from the body and its needs in athletic gear. We pledge to bring harmony to the body and soul.” from the ASICS website	$55.00 – $185.00	@bookieboo says, “I just got some asics. The super duper cadallic ones that cost $140. They don’t hurt my hips as much when I run…less pain.”

@pghjen also had some good advice on buying running shoes. She says, “The best shoes are whatever works for your body type and running style. A specialty shoe store can help U find what works.”

Now is the time many students are heading off to college. If they’re leaving the nest for the first time, parents may be confused about what to buy to supply their kids’ dorm rooms. There are so many things they’ll need to make living away from home comfortable. Deciding what to buy can be overwhelming. Paying for all those dorm room necessities can be just as taxing.

To help give you some ideas of what your kids may need to take to college, as well as a chance to score some of it for free, I’ve compiled a list of some great giveaways going on around the Internet. For comprehensive lists of dorm room essentials, visit these sites. Good luck winning the giveaways and with sending your “baby” off to school!

We’re hearing so much on the Internet, radio and TV about back-to-school, but summer isn’t over yet. There’s still plenty of time for fun stuff like heading to the beach, taking day trips or going camping. Today’s post is actually inspired by camping. Spending time in the great outdoors isn’t like it used to be. There are fancy RV’s s with all the comforts of home, but you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to add some modern conveniences to your next camping trip. Here are some of the coolest camping gadgets to enhance your outdoor experience.

It’s summer, and many of us are spending time on the beach or at the pool. It doesn’t get much better than sitting in the sun, reading a good book. Unfortunately, my leisure reading time is a bit limited, so I decided to scour the ‘net to find out what everyone is recommending. I poured over blogs, magazine sites, The New York Times Best Seller List and Amazon Best Sellers and compiled five books that I saw listed over and over again. After reading the synopses, I can’t wait to pick up a few of these reads for my poolside enjoyment! What are you reading this summer?

A week from now, two thousand (2000!) ladies will be converging on New York City for the BlogHer ’10 conference. Are you one of them? If so, you may have already started packing, or you may be like me, doing so at the last minute next Tuesday night.

You’ll be sure to pack your airplane/train tickets, conference pass, cellphone, and identification, and lots of clothes, but what else do you need to take with you? This is my list.

Product/Description
Band-aids Even the most comfortable shoes will give you boo-boos at the end of a 16-hour day.
Big purse For carrying your laptop, water bottle, and a few snacks during the day. Something stylish!
Business cards Cards with your most basic information – name, email address, and blog URL – are helpful. I got mine from Uprinting.
Cardigan It gets chilly on the airplane and in the conference rooms. I love J.Crew sweaters!
Chargers Don’t forget your various chargers – laptop, cellphone, iPod, etc. An organizer for it all, like this one from Built NY, is helpful.
Collapsible bag To take all your swag/souvenirs back home! This Eagle Creek duffel folds down into a small pouch.
Comfortable shoes You’ll be on your feet a lot and you may walk around town quite a bit. I bought these Crocs Havanas last July and STILL love ‘em!
Digital camera A point-and-shoot camera is the best, as it’s compact. Love the Nikon Coolpix!
Earplugs With conference roommates, you never know what you’re gonna get! There may be a snorer or two in your room, and you need your beauty sleep!
Itinerary Create a loose agenda, but don’t swear by it. Also, a list of who you want to meet. Cozi is a good place to start.
Laptop WiFi in all the conference areas will allow you to live blog/tweet during the sessions. I don’t go anywhere without my MacBook!
Lip balm My lips get dry on airplanes… and when I talk too much! I got this eos lip balm at BlogHer last year and fell in love!
Map/guide Of the city where the conference takes place. Frommer’s makes a good one.
Memory card You’ll take lots of photos, so make sure you have a memory card with lots of space.
Mints Fresh breath is a must! Altoids are my fave.
Notepad A basic notepad to take notes when you don’t have your laptop open.
Pain reliever Headache, backache… you name it, you’ll get it. This First Aid kit has a variety of different medicines and other essentials in a convenient little case.
Pens Get some personalized with your blog’s name and URL if you can! Motivators.com has a good selection of personalized items.
Power strip You’ll make instant friends when you let others borrow your power strip. Be sure to label it!
Reusable water bottle Stay hydrated while avoiding those pricey hotel room bottles of water. Klean Kanteen is my fave!
Sharpie To get autographs of the various celebrities in attendance (like Tim Gunn!) I love the Sharpie minis that have a little clip on the cap so you can attach one to your lanyard.
Small purse/clutch For evening events, no need to take a big bag! Just something cute and small, big enough for your hotel key, some cash, and a lipstick/compact. Love, love, love (and own) this clutch made out of candy wrappers by Mexican designer Nahui Ollin.
Snacks Protein bars, nuts, chewing gum. Anything to keep your energy up and hunger at bay until mealtime. Clif bars are yummy!
Spending money Whether it be for tipping your taxi driver, or buying a venti latte at Starbucks, you’ll want to have some extra change. Get yourself a cute little coin purse, too!
Tissues You will cry at least once. Guaranteed. Pocket tissue pack = must-have.
Toothbrush and toothpaste Easy to forget this the morning you depart, so it’s best to buy an extra set and pack it ahead of time. This toothbrush/toothpaste kit is a little generic, but practical.
Umbrella It’s summertime. It’s bound to rain. This little Samsonite number is the flattest umbrella in the world!
Video camera Who knows? You may get the opportunity to interview a celebrity! I always have the Flip in my pocket.
Watch While you may not usually wear a watch, you’ll want to be keeping a close eye on the time, especially when party-hopping! Last year I borrowed a watch from Casio, similar to this one, and got TONS of compliments on it!

Extra, extra, extra! Don’t forget extra batteries, an extra memory card for your camera, more business cards than you think you’ll pass out, a little extra cash to take home some souvenirs, and an extra bag or two for all those goodies if a collapsible duffel isn’t an option! Taking a suitcase within a suitcase works well.

As for clothes, last year Project Runway’s Tim Gunn gave us a good list of Essential Items for BlogHer: a basic black dress, a classic white shirt, a comfortable pair of jeans, a dressy skirt, a day dress, and a fitted jacket. Easy enough, right? Outfits that transition from day to night are the best. Just change your shoes, add a little bling, and you’re ready to party! Make it work!

Am I missing anything? What’s on your packing list?

Now that we’re well into summer, you may be thinking that it’s time for a getaway. If so, you’re in luck because there are lots of travel sites online to help you locate great deals and discover great locations to explore. We’ve rounded up some of the best sites for last-minute travel. Check them out if you’re in the market for a quick getaway!

I’m a coffee fanatic. I love it. And I depend on it! I know a lot of you need your caffeine fix in the mornings, too. So I thought I’d ask my Twitter pals which brand of coffee is their favorite. We all have our go-to brands, but it’s fun to experiment once in a while, too. Check out what these folks had to say about their favorite morning joe.

Product	Description	Price	Reviews
Illy	“Prized for its full, rich body and smooth, balanced flavor, illy’s signature blend is 100% sustainably grown Arabica coffee, meticulously selected and freshness-packed to seal in its precious flavors and aromas.” Illy website	$28.00 – $31.00 for 2 pack 8 oz. cans	“It’s perfect, smooth, rich…always makes a great cup.” – Heather of Skinny Sushi
Dunkin’ Donuts	“Our unique mix of 100% Arabica beans delivers the smooth, delicious flavor that’s made Dunkin’ Donuts famous.” Dunkin’ Donuts website	$7.99 per pound	“It doesn’t have that burnt taste that Starbucks sometimes does.” Britt of Miss Britt “Though I broke my daily 3-cup coffee addiction, I still want to marry Dunkin Donuts. Smooth, no bitter aftertaste, BEST.” Robin of Pensieve
Bald Guy Brew	“Call it what you will, but there is an art to roasting coffee. By cupping all of our coffees, we are able to determine the right time & temp. profile for roasting our coffee…ensuring that our customers get what they pay for: the best stinking cup of fresh roasted coffee they ever tasted!” Bald Guy Brew website	$12.00 per 16 oz. bag	“My FAVE coffee is independent brand @baldguybrew. Organic/fair trade/yummy!” Sarah of Real Life
Whole Foods Market 365 Brand Coffee	“Our decaf house blend is made with only 100% Arabica beans put through a natural water process that removes 99% of the caffeine. With its sweet, balanced flavor and none of the caffeine, you can enjoy coffee morning, noon and night.weightless, skin-perfecting powder foundation that provides buildable coverage.” Whole Foods Market website		“l find the @wholefoods 365 brand coffee beans to be great and a good deal” Julie of Mobile Test Kitchen