Guest Blogger Amanda Gives the Scoop on Levi's Curve ID- Get your FREE pair on September 17th in Union Square, SF

I was recently out with my sister in downtown SF. It was a girls day, complete with nails, drinks, all-round fun times, and a little side quest: go try on a pair of the new Curve ID line at Levi’s. Downtown SF is a major flagship location so why not go to the heart of the beast? Supposedly, these are the best pair of jeans you’ll ever try on in your life and at $69.50, they promise a little extra $ in your pocket for a top to match.

My sister, Amelia, and I walk in and asked the lovely doorman where we might find a pair of the new curve ID jeans. He spoke and pointed to the second floor, so off we went to find a manager. I was there on official business after all and had to know if things like license and pictures were a problem. After a bit of a turn around through several, yet very attentive sales associates, a manager appeared, officially nixed the idea of pictures and set up me up with perhaps the most patient sales associate on the planet, Emmanuel, or more informally known as Emi. I don’t think there is a happier or nicer jeans expert.

We had him get us everything! The Slight Curve, the Demi Curve, and the Bold Curve. All geared to flatter the various shapes of women’s bodies, the jeans are all attractively folded and hanging, ready to try but first, you must be measured. Emi took my sister and I aside and proceeded to measure each of us. I went first but the process is the same. They take a measuring tape that’s been pre-cut and wrap it around your torso, under your bust. The extra strings hanging at its sides are used to find your natural waist as the associate holds them against your sides and asks you to bend towards your left and then your right. Then, you get measured at your widest part in your hips and a few more inches above that, an area I think most gals like to wear their jeans. Amelia was given her two options to try: the Bold and the Demi. I was judged a Slight and Demi curve candidate. Off to the rooms we went!

As it turns out, the jeans are more about fitting and flattering than problem-solving. After several studies done on over 60,000 women, You Ngyuen, the head designer behind this revolutionary new fit system, found that over 80% of women fall into one of these three categories. It’s more about a woman’s shape than her size. The Slight Curve is used for ladies who need a bit more of a defined waist. The Demi Curve suits ladies who can find jeans that fit but don’t flatter their body. The Bold Curve is for the woman who constantly finds herself in a battle with the gap at the back.

Back in the rooms the first pair I tried on were the best fitting. They also happened to be the first pair that Emi handed to me. A Slight Curve jean in the straight-leg really felt good. The only problem was, I didn’t fall in love. I know my body well and I wasn’t happy with the length of the jean on my legs. They made me look shorter when I stand at 5’9 every other day. The bad news is that after about 9 pairs of jeans, I struck out. Amelia on the other hand was quite successful. Though she too went through at least 10 pairs of jeans, the ones that best suited her happened to be the same size I had in the Slight curve, but in the Bold. She had no gapping at the back, the straight-leg flattered her at the hips, through the thighs, and all the way down to her ankle. She of course wound up walking away with a fabulous new pair of jeans and I ended up cursing my own dumb luck that I would have the body type that falls into the left over 20% of women these jeans don’t cater too. I would have been tempted too by that first pair except for that fact that the style I liked, in my size, aren’t made with a longer inseam...yet.

Apparently, there are reviews and “how are we fitting you” cards being exchanged between the heads up top and the hands on the floor all the time. Emi was very candid in letting Amelia and me know that their customer reviews are very important and with this Curve ID system garnering as much buzz as it is, Levi’s has a lot riding on its successes. Happily, most reviews you seek out online are nothing but positive. So far, I’m the only one who didn’t strike gold.

All in all, the experience was completely fantastic. I may not have left with a pair of jeans, but I left knowing that there was an amazing amount of help on the floor, should I need it, and that my comments and criticisms were being escorted to the top of the food chain. Hopefully Levi’s can help you find a new ID for your curves to flatter your shape and forget your size.

~Amanda 

You read that right! Bring in an old pair of jeans to the Levi's store in Union Square and get a FREE pair of Levi's Curve ID.  It's first come fist served, so get there before 10:00 when they open to wait in line.

Images courtesy of Levi's and denimology.com

Day 14: EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT on Shellac manicure in the San Francisco-Bay Area

So here they are, DAY 14.... see any chips?  NO.  Among regular wear and tear, these shellaced puppies survived two weeks of work, two airports and the hand washing dishes, CHIP FREE.

You can tell it's been a couple of weeks.  Look at that grow out.

 Surprisingly, this hard-to-chip hybrid polish is really easy to remove as well.

Step 1-Soak in Acetone

Step 2-Scratch off Shellac with an orange stick (cuticle pusher)

Soak and repeat as needed. DONE!

The best part of this whole process (other than the fact that the Shellac lasts at least 14 days) is that is causes no damage to your natural nail.  There's no "prepping" of the nail or abrasive filing.  Just soak and scratch off.  Simple.  I was also really please to see that there was no staining of my nails like you find with traditional red nail lacquer.

Finally, for the part you've all been waiting for......  I am so excited to announce that The Sanctuary Spa in the Marin Bay Club has agreed to offer my readers a $10 DISCOUNT on their Shellac manicure.  All you have to do is mention this blog post!  Hurry, the promotion only lasts until September 15th.  Book your appointment with Sarah before it goes back to full price.

Image(s) courtesy of Sanctuary Spa Marin Bay Club

The Best 14-Day-Chip-Free Manicure Ever: Get your hands on "Shellac" at The Sanctuary Spa Marin

It's been all over the magazines, including the September issue of .  I first heard about the "14-day no-chip hybrid gel nail polish" from my manicurist, Sarah, at the Sanctuary Spa at the Marin Bay Club.  I trust Sarah with my nails because she is a meticulous perfectionist, which is an important quality in a manicurist.  So when I found out that her perfect manicure could last a full 14 days without the slightest chip, I was sold.

This gift to all women who are disillusioned by traditional nail lacquer and its incessant chipping, comes from salon brand CND- Introducing Shellac.

To show you how easy, and frankly similar it is to a regular manicure, I took photos of my latest application.  I'm not usually a red nail person, but for the purpose of showing you guys what this stuff is capable of, I went bold to make sure everything (even any flaws) show up through the process.

Base coat of Shellac being applied (comes out of a regular looking polish bottle and everything).

After curing the gel under the UV lamp, first coat of the color is applied.

UV lamp (2 minutes max depending)

Final top coat being applied.

The end result?  Perfect red nails that won't chip for two weeks!

Removal process is simply to soak the gel in acetone and gently scrape off.  None of the hard removal of acrylic or traditional gel nails.  I've been told that you can do this at home, but most salons will tell you that you need to have a professional remove to protect your natural nail.

Word is spreading and now this stuff is hard to come by.  In fact, it's causing quite a bit of uproar because salons are having a hard time getting their hands on product (forgive the pun).  I consider myself very lucky that the spa manager at Sanctuary was able to get her hands on some for her clients... and for the small additional cost of $10 to a regular manicure.  Two weeks chip-free, even though you have to have it professionally removed... well worth it!!  A-

Make sure to book your appointment, by calling (415) 945-3030.

Image(s) courtesy of CND and Sanctuary Spa

---UPDATED--- Stylish Giveaway- Win a British Classic from Next and Beyond Black

If you don't know already, let me be the first to announce to you that the ultra fab UK based clothing store Next is now shipping to the states (2 day delivery as standard for $10).  Next is one of the UK's top high-street stores, and a personal favorite of mine.  I was approached by them to help promote their new American shipping policy, and I could not say no!

They let me pick from five of their Great British classics that they felt really summed up everything that's brilliant about Next.  I chose the Gold Coloured Chunky Ribbon Bracelet (£12.00).  I wore it during my latest photo shoot at Barney's.  I wanted some bling to add to my outfit that wouldn't be too distracting or clash too much with the wallpaper.  And this bracelet fit the bill.  I love the black ribbon and how it makes this expensive looking bracelet fun and flirty.

And the best part about it, they are letting me give one away to one of you!  To enter, friend me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, AND post a comment to this post letting me know what you would wear the bracelet with.  You must complete all three to be eligible.  I will randomly pick the winner on June 28th!

---UPDATE--- I posted this giveaway while I was on vacation, then didn't check my email again until today to post all of the comments I've received and approve my FB friends.  I'm  EXTENDING THE DEADLINE until July 7th for entries.  Thanks to all of you who have entered already.  I'll be posting the winner on the morning of the 7th.

Image(s) courtesy of Next and Beyond Black