GIVEAWAY: $150 Perricone MD Top Skincare Products

I am so pleased to present my fabulous readers with another amazing GIVEAWAY! This time I and excited to offer you the chance to win $150 to Perricone MD, maker of top skincare products and md skincare products.

With winter weather just around the corner this is perfect time to get some new skincare products to perk up your winter skin.

This giveaway is open to USA and Canada Residents only (Sorry International readers!)


To Enter please leave a comment stating what Perricone MD product valued at $150 or less you would like to win.

For additional entries you may{Please leave additional comments for all additional entries}:
1. Follow my blog via blogger, Google Reader, Feedburner or bloglovin and leave a message that you became a follower of Ambersnotebook (if you already a follower please leave an additional comment stating this).

2. Tweet about @Ambersnotebook's $100 Shopbop giveaway
*Please be sure to include @Ambersnotebook (so I count your tweet as a entry) and the giveaway link

3.Become a fan of Amber's Notebook on Facebook and leave a comment stating this.

4.Mention this giveaway on your blog with the corresponding giveaway link, then leave a comment in this thread with the link to your blog post.

You have until Midnight PST on Sunday Novemeber 28th to enter.

Good luck and as always, thank you for reading!
Love, Amber

Look of the Day: Mixing High and Low End Pieces

Today I went to meeting at a local magazine to participate in a round table discussion about Style and Fashion. I was honored to be invited by the Magazine's Style editor.

It was a really nice to meet other local ladies who shared an interest in fashion and shopping just like me. We discussed fashion east of San Francisco and what makes our region distinct.

One reoccurring theme in our discussion was pairing high and low end items and remixing pieces. Both of which are popular topics on blogs. I think the outfit I wore to the meeting represented both of those points.

In this outfit I mixed a Joie Tunic with $11 h&m pants and nine west boots.

The last time I wore this Joie top was when I paired it with a red printed mini skirt and kitten heels. Its all about buying classic closet essentials and in my book that just happens to mean a leopard silk tunic -- I guarantee I will wear this thing for years to come.

Joie Glendale Leopard Tunic, H&M leggings, Nine West Vintage America Boots.

What are some of your not so ordinary closet essentials?

Logical Playlist of the Moment: What Part Of Party Don't You Understand?

A few Christmases ago Casey gave me a Logitech potable speaker sound system, it may be most used present he has ever given me (in a dead heat race with my camera). My mom had purchased me an iPod that same Christmas so he purchased it mostly to coordinate gifts and give me some iPod accessories. I'm not sure what he was thinking I would use my speakers for. Perhaps for morning dance sessions like the one I had this morning to Gwen Stefani songs, but I am certain he had no idea what a monster he was creating.

My Logitech speakers, or as my friends and I refer to them as "Logi" it as is a mainstay at my parties. When I am invited out to girls nights Logi is always my plus one. There has even been talk of creating a Facebook Fan page for Logi -- Logi is THAT big of a deal. When Logi comes out the party is kicked up more then a notch.

And since music makes me so happy, I figured the logical thing to do is to share my top songs that are on Logi's rotation.

So here it goes.
These are the top five tracks that I have been bumping on Logi this week:
1. Raise Your Glass-Pink
2.What's My Name- Rihanna & Drake
3.Last Friday Night Night- Katy Perry
4.Rebellion(Lies)- Arcade lies
5.So Bad-Eminem
A clear sign that Logi is in the house? The shoes that have been kicked off.
And usually some is dancing on a chair or coffee table!

What songs are on rotation on your playlist this week?

Look of the Day/Style Icon: Ode to Gwen Stefani

Hey Baby, visible bra straps are not something I fear. Although they are faux pas in some circumstances and some think they should be left Underneath it All. I dare to live a Simple Kind of Life and In My Head I have stopped worring about them hanging out.

I may not be an Orange County Girl but I blame my lack of hiding bra straps on my long time style icon. Excuse Me Mister, but I'm referring to the one and only Gwen Stefani.

Gwen Stefani has a Luxurious style but still keeps it SoCal cool. Her songs and outfit inspirations make me feel Hella Good. Her bright colored bra straps are something that she wore back when she was Just a Girl and still does now as a mother on Sunday Morning.

What you waiting for? Her to stop? I think not.

Now that You Got It, Don't Speak if you don't feel the same way. I know just what your thinking. Even if I was a Rich Girl I would still rock the bra strap look.

Different People may disagree that Gwen started a Tragic Kingdom of exposed bra straps, but I know that I'm not Trapped in a Box and can expose my bra straps and still live a Platinum Blonde Life.

Holla Back Girl! What's you take on this Serious Bra strap issue?

Advice for wearing exposed bra straps: Don't get it Twisted.

My best Gwen pose.

And the one and only:



Urban blouse, DSW shoes, J Brand jeggings, Victoria Secret Bra Straps.

Please tell me there are others out there who are huge Gwen/No Doubt fans like me!!
And if not I apoligize, I could have gone but I decided to stop at 20 song titles.

Look of the Day: Oldies but Goodies

Sunday are grocery shopping and errand running days in our house. But that doesn't mean I want to look like I'm running errands or hit Trader Joe's in my sweats. That's when oldies but goodies come into play. You know those older pieces that you love but you 'd rather reach for a newer piece. This Forever 21 dress is about 4 years old but it still receives compliments every time I bust it out. It's the perfect Sunday dress I must say.

And what's better then polka dots and leopard?

Sometimes I just love chunky boots with dresses.

This Rodarte for Target bow belt is meant to be worn with the bow in front but I really love wearing it with the bow in back.

Froever 21 dress {Similar}, Rodarte for Target Bow Belt {similar},
Nine West Vintage America Boots {Similar}.

And to make our Sunday even sweeter my Mother in Law Sheila dropped off some 'puppy chow' treats (Crispex cereal treats).
They are an oldie but a goodie treat for sure.

I hope you day is going well this Monday!

Ask Amber: How to Layer in Fall 2010

I've received a few questions on how I go about layering and here are a few of my tips on how to layer pieces this 2010 fall season:

1. Look at inspirations that you can recreate
{J Crew catalogs are an excellent source for layering inspirations}

2. Layer different patterns and colors
{They don't have to be extreme differences but slight variation in color, texture and pattern will enhance the layers effectiveness}

3. Layer different shapes
{Short and Long. Loose and tight. Ruffles with flat layers.}
You want some variation and texture here

4. Layers different fabrics
{Lace and leather. Chiffon and Cashmere. Cotton and Wool}

5. Don't just layers your tops, sweaters and jackets
{Think ruffles under dresses and skirts. Socks over Tights. Dresses over Turtlenecks}

6. When in doubt -- belt!
{Belts help add shape and accent your waist. You don't want to hide your shape under all those layers.}

Here I layered a plaid dress under a boyfriend striped cardigan.

Without the belt you would not have seen my waist.
And I did the signature J Crew fold the sleeves over the sweater thing.

And I added socks over tights for a fun addition.

Joie Dress {similar}, Lauren Conrad for Kohls Cardigan {similar}, Forever 21 tights and socks, Urban boots.
Edit: sorry links are currently not working

If you have any "Ask Amber" questions email me at Ambersnotebook@gmail.com.

Local Love: Golden Gate Fields

Yesterday was Johnny's birthday, so we headed out to Golden Gates Fields to try our hand at horse betting. I was quite successful at picking the winning horse at Rena's Kentucky derby party, so I was feeling rather confident.

Going to horse races is always a fun time. Although I preferred the old Bay Meadows tracks over Golden Gate fields, it's still a rush to watch the horses race around the tracks as you clutch you ticket. Reading the horses' names are always a favorite of mine as well. I also like wearing big fun hats, but I left mine at home yesterday.

The day ended with us leaving with money in our pockets, always a good thing!
Here are some of the pictures I captured, unfortunately I didn't make it in any of them.

I like betting on boxed Exacta's. Mine ended up hitting a few times.

Studying the horse's and jockey stats.

The Birthday Boy fielding many calls filled with birthday wishes.

A packed house, it was not. But we didn't mind.


The look of regret when your last $5 went towards a beer rather then the winning the horse (who you were sure was going to win).

The sunset when we came out was amazing!

Looking back towards the City by the Bay.
{San Francisco}

Have you ever been to the Horse races before?

Photography: John & Ashley Maternity Session

I was kind of shocked and flattered when my friend Ashley asked me if I would be willing to try to take some maternity pictures of her and her husband John.

I was pretty nervous -- you know, since I am not a photographers just a hobbyist -- but I was really flattered that they would ask me to do something so personal and special for them.

I think they liked them because they generously gifted me with gift cards to Forever AND Nordstrom!! Umm wow! Thank you John and Ash, I cant wait until you little girl is here!!

Here a few of my favorite shots:

John did the lacquered wall the in the background, it served the perfect backdrop.
The flowers were his idea too!

Too Cute!!

Isn't this mirror gorgeous!?

Ashley's due date was Tuesday so hopefully baby girl arrives soon!

Look of the Day: Chrissy Snow Style

Thank you to all the Men & Women out there who are serving or have served our Country.

Yesterday when I was hanging out with my friend Mandy she asked me when she started hanging out with Chrissy Snow. Too me a second to realize she meant me -- total Chrissy moment!

I suppose the tucked in shirt, high waisted bell bottoms, clogs and clipped back hair all attributed to my Chrissy Snow like outfit. Since I'm a big Three's Company fan (blogged about it here) and Chrissy Snow is one of my TV style icons (thank you Nick at Night) I was quite pleased with the comparison.

I love nostalgic looking outfits, and tucking it the shirt really helped add a Seventies vibe to this look.

The flare helped too.

J Brand Doll jeans (Low waisted version: Love Story), Urban Outfitters top (similar), and Forever 21 clogs.

Who is your TV style icon?

Loving Right Now: Seven {Month} Itch

Have I've mentioned my serious seven month fling before?
You know, with OPI's Little Red Wagon.
Well it was my one and only, until Jen introduced me to new flavor.
So I broke my streak and gave OPI Glitzrland a go around.
And I'm so happy I did, it's quite possibly the most perfect holiday color...ever!

Seriously, try her out!
What colors are you currently loving?