We were pretty jazzed when Kiehl’s decided to open its hallowed doors on Newbury Street six years ago, and when the beauty legend joined the roster of stores at the Burlington Mall Wednesday night, we made sure we were there, too.

In celebration of the store’s grand opening, native Burlington Amy Poehler was there to accept donations on behalf of Kiehl’s to some of her favorite charities: Rosie’s Place, the Children’s Hospital Boston – Cystic Fibrosis Center, and the Burlington High School drama department. Dressed in a gorgeous cerulean dress with modest scoop-neck, Poehler joked about being back in her home town.

“It’s really odd to be in the Burlington Mall without being asked to move along,” she laughed. (more…)

Unless you’ve been living in a cave (or trapped in an ANTM marathon black hole), you’ve probably figured out that going green is way, way in these days. Some big names are embracing the trend by issuing their own eco-friendly shopping bags, making it chic to reduce, reuse, and recycle—and still spread around logos wherever you go (As if having to pay extra to get your groceries bagged wasn’t enough.) (more…)

One wrong hand signal-less turn after another led me far from home this weekend (a quick apology to all drivers in Cambridge, Belmont, Arlington, and, quite possibly, Lexington: I didn’t intend to tackle the main roads for my first biking excursion since age 12, but I’m new to the neighborhoods).

A huge thumbs up to my new wheels, however: the well-named Big Easy by K2, now marked down at REI. I’m pretty sure its geeky-wide tires are the kind my fellow Bostonista warned against in her biking creed a few weeks ago, but back in seventh grade, I was known to take corners at a near-dead stop then wonder why I fell over like a sheet of poster board in the wind. No more. (more…)

Faithful Bostonistas-in-training know the quickest way to a new and improved look is a fresh-faced, rosy hue. And though a few of us differ on the best way to achieve said glow, this writer is sticking with her tried and true method. Namely, Kiehl’s Sun-Free Self-Tanning Formula. I’ve been a faithful slatherer for years, and only ever gotten one “you look a little orange” comment. (He clearly had no appreciation for a November tan.)

And come to think of it, it’s not just the faux-glow we heart. Several Boston staffers, guys included, can list an assortment of Kiehl’s products among their daily toilette (the Facial Feul, the Silk Groom, the Creme de Corps). Which is why we’re pleased to announce we have a new reason to head to Burlington: To shop the brand new Kiehl’s store, the company’s second free-standing outpost in New England (the first is on Newbury).

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Bob’s Your Uncle is one of those companies that, as true-blooded American Anglophiles, we have no choice but to love: The Fort Point-based home goods company is run by a lovely British couple! The name reflects a Briticism (meaning “everything’s fine”) that’s almost as much fun as “sod off” or “bangers and mash”! (more…)

Typically, it’s we here at Bostonista who dole out the style advice. We’ve helped you with blue cues and collar capers and even cleared up a few personal hygiene issues. Rarely are we at a loss during fashion 911s. But our current situation has us flummoxed.

Last week, one of us had reconstructive knee surgery. (We’ll spare you the visuals and vivid painkiller-induced dreams.) Being house-bound for a week was alternately horrid and therapeutic, the latter thanks to lots of TLC from the littlest Bostonista. But now that we’re up and working again, we’ve hit the biggest roadblock of all: Accessorizing a monstrous leg brace and crutches is no easy task. We have entered into precarious fashion territory a fellow editor has termed “gimp chic.”

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After sartorially struggling with a month of ambiguous weather, we’re relieved to finally ditch our (questionable) in-between-season ensembles.

However, the arrival of legitimately sunny 60+ degree days presents new challenges. As we were only recently convinced that spring might actually show up, we’ve completely failed to switch out our closet. Now, each morning requires 10 minutes of sifting through merino turtlenecks in the hopes of finding something brightly colored and cotton.

Similar problem with purses: In our attempts to swap the brown leather for something more fun, we repeatedly forget rather crucial items (our favorite lip balm! hair ties! and, uh, our wallet).

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Our unrelenting quest for self improvement took a hair raising turn this week when, after two years of trusty service, our ionic Vidal Sassoon short circuited mid-dry Monday morning. A mangled updo ensued, followed by many “late night?” comments at the office. Bostonista is all for tresses au naturale, but this half-winter, half-spring weather is playing havoc on our half-curly, half-straight hair. A quick lunchtime trip to Sephora was in order.

Turns out, the mega beauty emporium only stocks a couple of blowdryers, none for under $130. (Our aforementioned tool cost a mere $15.99.) As frequent beauty masochists, we’d read all about the pros of owning a “salon quality” dryer— faster job, fewer split ends, sleeker finish—though a poll of local pros revealed it’s all marketing hype. Nevertheless, after a lengthy consultation with a black-clad, well-coiffed Sephorite, we found ourselves handing over the Amex for a $200 T3 Bespoke Featherweight.

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You love Joanie. You got to know Tyra. Now, it’s time you meet the newest member of Bostonista’s feline family, Margie.

We first fell in love with the 8-month-old tabby (with orange highlights) on a Saturday afternoon visit to the Animal Rescue League’s South End shelter. Though all of the cats were cute, when the Chelsea stray reached her paw through the metal cage and picked us out, it was love at first sight. She was the one.

Margie’s been home with us for a week now. And though we suspected it since the moment we laid eyes on her sassy short-haired coat, Margie is proving to have terrific taste.

A few of her favorite things: (more…)

We’ve been known to succumb to Kit-Kats and bald Britney while awaiting checkout at Target or Stop & Shop. But with Amazon’s recent launch of TextBuyIt—a service that allows customers to find and buy Amazon.com products from any mobile device via text message—our impulse buying is no longer safely confined to the bad chocolate and ratty tabs found in superstore checkout lanes.

Tech-savvy shoppers can now make purchases from Amazon.com anytime, anywhere, with a few quick taps. All you have to do is send a text to “AMAZON” (262966) with the desired product’s name or code and, the company claims, within seconds you’ll get a response with the matching product or products, along with the prices. To buy an item, you simply reply and the whole she-bang is locked down following a short call from Amazon confirming the purchase. (more…)