ShopEatSleep

Nights With Neve at Osteria La Buca. From Caroline on Crack.

A year ago, having just lost my job as a reporter for the Los Angeles Business Journal, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with myself. But within days, I started this blog, building on the reporting I had done as a retail, dining and hospitality journalist, and I have never been happier. This blog is a labor of love for me, and I’ve been overwhelmed by the positive responses I’ve received. To celebrate my first year online (the exact date was actually April 22), I would like to thank my readers — because without you, I’d just be talking to myself. To show my appreciation, I’m giving away a grab bag chock full of awesome stuff I’ve generously been given over the last year but could never go through on my own (and why should I? That’s just greedy!). I’m going to keep this shrouded in a bit of mystery, but expect full-size cosmetics, accessories and anything else I can get my hands on before the entry deadline. All you need to do to enter this giveaway is:

1. Leave a comment on this post (if you’re reading this on Facebook then please go to the blog URL — do NOT comment via Facebook, or else your entry may not be counted) explaining what you like most about ShopEatSleep and/or what kind of coverage you’d like to see more/less of on the blog. I always strive to do better, you know.

2. Follow me on Twitter and/or “like” ShopEatSleep on Facebook (the Facebook page is brand new, so you’ll have to search for it until I can get enough fans to qualify for a username) and tweet or post on the Facebook wall “I entered to win a grab bag of goodies from @shopeatsleep to celebrate its 1-year blogiversary! You can enter here: http://ht.ly/1Govf”

That’s it! The deadline to enter is May 12 at 11:59 p.m. PST. Once all entries have been made, I’ll pick one lucky reader at random. Good luck, and thanks again for making this blog so much fun!

**Contest is closed.**

UPDATE: Congratulations to Emily (@emilythepanda), who just won products from Trees, Hourglass, POP Beauty and more!

Code.ai products. From L.A. Splash Magazine.

Code.ai, which makes eyelash and eyebrow regrowth products, is offering a blogger-exclusive sale for one week only, and it would behoove you to snatch some up because this is the best deal I’ve seen yet for these items. That means prices are as follows:

Lash Extend Serum L-117 ($115) with coupon code now $57.50
Brow Boosting Shaper B-216 ($75) with coupon code now $37.50
Lash Extend Primer L-122 ($40) with coupon code now $20

Click here to read more about code.ai’s products.

As I’ve said before, I’ve tried the Lash Extend Serum and Brow Boosting Shaper, and they both work. I found more noticeable results more quickly with the Last Extend Serum, but the my brows also showed improvement with the Brow Boosting Shaper. I didn’t have any irritation or discoloration with either product, which I know are concerns with these kinds of products.

From Monday, April 5, through midnight EST on Sunday, April 11, use the online code WELOVEBLOGS at checkout on www.codeai.com. You can use the code a maximum number of three times. Do it — your lashes and brows will thank you.

Steam Salon: On Saturday, Feb. 13, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., get a mini steam treatment, a blow dry or style, a manicure and a chair massage for $100 (normally $125). While you’re doing that, enjoy red velvet cupcakes and cinnamon cocktails (you can get them virgin, but why would you?).

And don’t forget the L.A. Street Food Festival!

Do-Lover: This special Valentine’s Day version of the summer party series the Do-Over will take place Sunday, Feb. 14, from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Crane’s Hollywood Tavern, just like usual. Also like usual, it’s free to get in, though you do have to be at least 21 years old and RSVP here. Since Monday is a holiday (for most of us), expect a long line.

Stinker’s Truck Stop: The ultimate in ironic Silver Lake bars is shutting its doors and giving away everything it hasn’t already auctioned off. This Monday, Feb. 15, at 9:00 p.m. enjoy $2 Colt 45 tall boys while snatching up left over bar memorabilia — because you know you need that stuffed skunk wearing a trucker cap. (FYI: 1933 Group, which owns the bar, isn’t letting go of the space. A new concept will takes its place in a few weeks, per co-owner Dimitri Komarov.)

UPDATE: Komarov says the new concept taking over the old Stinkers space will be a whiskey bourbon bar tentatively called Old Crow projected to open sometime in mid March.

I love lip balm. I need to have some on me at all times. If I find myself without it, I have a mini freak out. So when I discovered LaROCCA‘s Lip Shield Multi-Active Lip Balm ($16), which was included in the Great Chefs of Los Angeles event gift bag, I rejoiced. Sure, it claims to have all kinds of amino acids, antioxidants and antimicrobials, but the bottom line is this stuff keeps your lips nice and comfy for hours. No having to reapply constantly, even after eating and drinking — lips still stay moist.

There are all kinds of fancy-sounding ingredients listed on LaROCCA’s Web site for the lip balm, including colloidal gold, but the one ingredient I actually know a little about, hyaluronic acid, is what keeps lips’ moisture so well. It is also what makes your lips look so smooth and plump, which is an effect of this lip balm. There’s also SPF 8 in it, so you get a little sun protection, too.

Escada has its own sizing system?

Have you been to the new Nordstrom Rack at Beverly Connection yet? I finally made it over there last weekend — sad, because it’s so close to my place — and took some notes so you’ll know what to expect. (Blackburn and Sweetzer was, of course, on top of things at the grand opening and offered an early look at what the store has to offer.) This could be a good place to find a holiday party dress or gift, though right now the store is still stocking a lot of left over warm-weather clothes. But this is Los Angeles, where we can and do wear out-of-season clothes all the time — because we can, practically and stylistically — so get your discounted-designer-goods shopping on!

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I started using Code.ai‘s Lash Extend Serum and Brow Boosting Shaper a little more than a month ago, so when I was invited to attend the brand’s official launch party at Fred Segal Santa Monica, of course I jumped at the chance to go. Food, drink, beauty products and fashion? Yes, please!

While I didn’t take a “before” photo of my lashes and brows (those pictures creep me out, though I’m not sure why), I can say I have definitely noticed a difference, especially with my lashes, which are longer and fuller. Now, I started out with a respectable set of lashes, but now they’re even longer, making it even easier to not have to wear mascara — just curl and go, that’s my motto. As for my brows, I just starting noticing new growth, and the Brow Boosting Shaper has made the existing hairs longer. Tara of When Tara Met Blog, who represents the company and who I served on the Blogger Prom committee with, has been using the brow booster with very noticeable results, so I have hope that this bald patch I’ve been trying to grow in forever will be bald no more.

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I’m always searching for the best beauty products for my oily skin and hair, and I’ve gone through nearly every product at Trader Joe’s on this quest, so I thought I would share my experiences with you, dear readers.

Now you may be thinking, Really? Trader Joe’s for beauty products? Well, I figure if I like the grocery chain’s food, I might like its soaps and shampoos as well. After many tries of various TJ products, I think I’ve found some that I like best.

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Spa Luce

Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with Goldstar to come up with a locals-only stimulus plan dubbed “Locals Only Hollywood Offer,” or LOHO, which is catchier anyway. The LOHO promotions range from 15 percent off at the Pig ‘n Whistle to 50 percent off spa treatments at Spa Luce in the Renaissance Hotel. And just in time for Halloween, Dearly Departed Tours are 50 percent off, too. There’s even a 25 percent off deal for all Farmers Market merchandise (yeah, it’s not really in Hollywood, but don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, OK?). These offers are good through Oct. 31, so get on it!

[UPDATE: To book activities/events, click on the Goldstar link above, then on the “Hollywood: LOHO” link in the left-hand navigation bar to see what’s still available.]

[UPDATE #2: According to a Hollywood Chamber of Commerce representative, to redeem discounts at restaurants, spas or anything else not listed on Goldstar, you’ll have to inquire with the individual retailer and show proof of residency within the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, San Bernardino and/or Riverside.]

If you read my post on Marie Louise cosmetics last week and were intrigued, now is your chance to get the products at a discount. Marie Louise is offering ShopEatSleep readers 10 percent off purchases made through its Web site (www.marielouisecosmetics.com). Enter code SLEEPEAT to receive the discount. The offer is good through Oct. 31.

I’m always kind of weary of trying new beauty products because I have oily and sensitive skin, which makes it hard to find skin care that works well for me. So when Marie Louise cosmetics asked me to try their skin care line, samples of which I received in the Hello, Pretty! blog launch party gift bag, I wasn’t sure at first. But after taking a look at the Marie Louise Web site and the detailed skin care instructions, I figured sample-size products wouldn’t ruin my skin. So I agreed to try them out.

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