Nip It in the Bud: Zip's Natural Sport Nip Stick

Of all your many injuries, those nipple-related have been the most painful.
There was the Chafing Incident during the Boston Marathon. The European Sunbathing Fiasco of 2000. The worst? The infamous Pete Rose Third-Base Dive that nearly cost you your left one forever.
For moments like these, Zip’s Natural Sport Nip Stick is a must. Only one of the many skin-saving products for athletes made by tree huggers Indigo Wild, the Nip Stick treats your burned and chapped tenderonies with all-natural, aromatherapeutic ingredients, soothing the pain and softening the skin. Other products to love are Muscle Rub, Sole Spray, and the indispensable Scab Dab, for those nasty scrapes you can’t seem to avoid.
So whether you’re running on empty, running against the wind, or — oops! — running into the ground, Zip’s has a remedy.

Available online at indigowild.com.

Style Wins has 300 Zip's Natural Sport Nip Sticks to giveaway to 300 lucky readers. Send an email to stylewins@yahoo.com by October 31, 2009 for your chance to win!

Feeling Forward: Belen Echandia Bags

Dance with me. Take me anywhere. Stroke me. Racy requests made by the Scary Larry sitting next you?
Um. No.
Try the names of bags from Belen Echandia, the British line that’ll give you just what you want.
Created by lawyer-turned-designer Jackie Cawthra, the collection comprises handmade leather bags crafted in limited runs. Her inspiration comes from actual customers, which is also how she originally came up with all the, er, unusual names.
Faves include Indulge Me, a just-the-right-size shoulder bag with two handles, stitched detailing, and a center compartment lined in waterproof fabric so you can carry wet umbrellas or gym clothes; the Kiss Me
clutch, a semicircle with zipper top and slender wrist strap in textured silver or black; and Take Me Away, an ample-size weekender with removable shoulder strap, subtle gold hardware, and multiple inside pockets.
Each has an attention-getting, silky fuchsia lining, so the bags look just as good inside as out.
And that says it all.

Available online at belenechandia.com.

Style Wins has two bags from Belen Echandia to giveaway to two lucky readers. Send an email to stylewins@yahoo.com by October 30, 2009 for your chance to win!

Put a Lid on It: Effie’s Heart Tulip Hats

On your morning-after-binge-drinking to-do list, you’ve got it all covered. Visine? Check.
Advil? Double check.
Miracle concealer? You bet.
Hair of the dog? Desperate times …
Your own hair? Eek!
Rather than letting that rat’s nest give it all away, cover your tresses with a charming tulip hat by Effie’s Heart.
The toppers are inspired by the 1920s, when, according to the designer, busy Prohibition Era women threw on cute chapeaux to conceal the effects of a night of hard partying.
The styles are pretty and practical: Each one has a large scalloped edge, is reversible, and can be adjusted to accommodate even large noggins. Available patterns include a summery navy stripe/blue and white floral print, an ornate black velvet/dark chocolate toile, a classic red gingham/solid red, and an adventurous patchwork/soft yellow.
All four looks are lighthearted and utterly ladylike.
Which is exactly what people will say about you.
Assuming, of course, they didn’t see you dancing on a banquette twelve hours ago.

Available online at effiesheart.com.

Style Wins has five Effie's Heart hats to giveaway to five lucky readers. Send an email to stylewins@yahoo.com by October 30, 2009 for your chance to win!

Straighten Up: Brazilian Keratin Hair Treatment

Sung to the tune of “Straight Up.”
Lost in a dream,
You don’t know which way to go.
A-let us say, the Brazilian Keratin Treatment is all that it seems.
Then, frizzy-haired diva, you’re movin’ way too slow.
You’ve been fooled before.
Wouldn’t you want sleek, smooth shine without products galore?
How about some information, please?
(Uh, please, please.)
Straight up now tell me,
Is it really gonna work for me forever?
No, no, no.
You’re gonna be set for three to six months.
Straight up now tell me,
Head straight to Roche, get it together,
Oh, oh, oh.
No more hair always in a bun.
Your hair’s standing still,
As you wait four days to wash.
A-let me tell you now, no harsh chemicals to kill.
You gotta know the solution is posh.
You’ve been fooled before.
Wouldn’t want the hair of a sleazy two-bit whore.
That’s all the information, jeez!

Roche Salon, 3000 K Street NW, between 30th and 31st Streets (202-775-0775 or rochesalon.com).

Style Wins has one $300 gift certificate to giveaway to one lucky reader. Send an email to stylewins@yahoo.com by October 30, 2009 for your chance to win!

Holy Sheet: Blissliving Home

You often hear a lot about what happens between the sheets (um, mitin). But it’s pretty rare that you hear anything about the sheets themselves.
Though that’s about to change, thanks to Blissliving Home’s new line of bed linens.
The locally based collection includes duvets, shams, sheets, and quilts featuring oversize graphics, botanical silhouettes, and geometric patterns.
You’ll be tempted to run home for a nooner with the Amanda duvet and sham set, decked in a leaf and branch print in soothing brown and green or purple on cream. Anis, a crisp black and white flower design punctuated with pink and green birds, will inspire your animal instincts. Or go totally crazy under Mallory, a silky smooth sateen decorated in pinstripes alternating with abstract blossoms in aqua or cobalt.
Add some of the mix-and-match pillows and cozy throws to create a totally inviting boudoir.
Thank heavens the walls can’t talk.

Available online at blisslivinghome.com.

Style Wins has ten sets of Blissliving Home bed linens to giveaway to ten lucky readers. Send an email to stylewins@yahoo.com for your chance to win!

Parking Spot: Sabores Restaurant Opens

Garages are good for a number of things — oil changes, sales, bands. But food?
You bet. (We’re not talking about a random can of Spam.)
Step inside the newly opened Sabores, an at-ease restaurant designed with large wood and glass garage doors that open right onto the street.
Grab a seat at one of the marble-top tables and order from chef Daniel Amaya’s spicy but simple Latin menu, filled with hot numbers like avocados stuffed with local crabmeat and lemon vinaigrette; seafood paella with clams, muscles, shrimp, calamari, saffron rice, red peppers, and green peas; and white bean stew with sausage, plum tomatoes, fresh thyme, and cumin.
Wash it down with homemade red or white sangria — and get ready for a perfect buzz.
Which is totally fine: You’ve found a great new place to park it.

Sabores, 3435b Connecticut Avenue NW, at Ordway Street (202-244-7196).

Style Wins has two $150 gift certificates to giveaway to two lucky readers. Email stylewins@yahoo.com by October 20, 2009 for your chance to win!

Daddy Macaron: Michel Patisserie Macarons

Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates.
And, heaven, she said, was a box of macarons from Michel Patisserie.
Local pastry chef Michel Giaon, who spent more than ten years in Paris learning the art of macaron, makes his treats fresh daily with premium ingredients like California almonds and European butter. The result: a colorful and delicious array of the French favorite, reminiscent of those from legendary bakery Ladurée.
Flavors range from traditional (vanilla, chocolate, raspberry) to imaginative (matcha green tea, lime with basil, rose). Craving something special? Giaon gladly accepts requests for custom flavors. Plus, if you live in the D.C. area, you can pick them up the day after you order.
In other words, you’ll always know exactly what you’re going to get.

Available online at michelpatisserie.com.

Style Wins has one $100 Michel Patisserie gift certificate to giveaway to one lucky reader. Email stylewins@yahoo.com by October 15, 2009 for your chance to win!