Sperry Top-Sider Pelican Puddle Jumpers

I try not to stray into fashion at Best Things in Beauty, but now and then I can't resist. So, knowing that this post may send the fashionistas over the edge...

Today, I saw Sperry's Top-Sider Pelican Puddle Jumpers ($68) advertised by Lord & Taylor in the New York Times.

I think these rain/mud/snow boots are darling! They are available in the blue-accented colors shown here, in blue and green or mint plaid, and other colorways. There's even a sedate graphite and kelp boot. As long as you love fun colors on your feet, you'll find a boot to love!

I have to buy these, even if they are pricey for whimsy. Can't resist. I'll wear them to tromp through my garden or visit outdoor antique shows in the rain. I won't even worry about what makeup I wear with them given their distance from my face. Dorky or darling?

Photo courtesy of Sperry

Best Drugstore Beauty: Boots No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum

Long recognized for its effectiveness, the British Boots No7 collection earned its mention in today's Best Drugstore Beauty. Recently, I stopped at Target to chat with the Boots representative, who was featuring No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum ($22.99) - the new, improved version of the original, often sold-out serum.

Here's an edited version of what Boots has to say about their wonder-serum.

No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum has been tested like no other cosmetic anti-aging product in an independent 12-month trial (that's a long trial by today's "standards"). The findings clearly show that it has genuine, long-term anti-aging benefits. Seventy percent of the volunteers using the product showed a marked improvement in the appearance of photo-aged skin after 12 months of use. This study is the latest step in the company's efforts to provide compelling proof of the performance of its products.

This serum is loved - often sold out. I tried to buy it a few years ago, but, alas, sold out every time I checked! In an effort to figure out why it was so popular, I did a bit of Web research. Mostly, I found gushing comments about its line-reducing properties.

I found this quote from Steve Barton, Senior Development Chemist for Boots No7, at Simply Anti Aging, which I found refreshing and charming.

Let’s be honest here: this is not a miracle cream. It’s not plastic surgery. It will, however, reduce lines and reveal younger looking skin. It does what we tell you it will do: it makes you look the best you possibly can for the age you are.

Wow, Steve, that's a whole lot better than many anti-aging products!

The serum was featured in the October 2009 More magazine. More's testers reported improvements in their skin after only days of use. One tester with rosacea saw a reduction in redness. The serum was also featured in October's Allure. Given the difficulty in finding it when it was first introduced, I hope readers will be able to find it now. The beauty magazines do have a way of creating "runs" on products they feature.

The price is right. Why not give this serum a try? It's gentle and recommended for sensitive skin. I am not "dead-sure" about the serum for me because it contains retinyl palmitate, a form of vitamin A, that can be irritating to my reactive skin. Make sure to use your favorite moisturizer over it.

Boots Protect & Perfect Intense Serum is available at Target, some CVS stores, Amazon, and Drugstore.com.

So, what do you think? Can any of you share your experience with us?

Photo courtesy of Boots

Boots Mediterranean Grape, Olive & Nectarine Moisturising Lip Butter

Have you ever stumbled across something you really like because you stopped, looked it over, thought, "What the heck, it's cheap," and bought it on a lark? This is how I discovered this nice little pot of lip balm at Target. I just bought my second, which is pretty amazing since pots are my least favorite containers for lip balms.

Boots, the British brand, is carried at Target ($6.99) and drugstore.com ($5.59), among other places. They make a full line of treatment and cosmetic products - all very reasonably priced. Want to learn more about Boots? Go to this link. They have a very nice Botanics Organic line, the Mediterranean products designed to "delight the senses," and a well-regarded No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum.

The Mediterranean Grape, Olive & Nectarine Moisturising Lip Butter (yes, they substitute "s" in England where we use a "z") tester smelled great, so a nicely sealed pot jumped into my shopping cart. It has lived on the bathroom vanity ever since, and I swipe a little onto my lips each time I pass by. It's extremely hydrating, and has virtually no taste, even though it's a tiny bit fragrant. Figure that out!

I'm hooked. Remember it next time you stop by Target or need just one little product to get free shipping at drugstore.com.

Photo courtesy of drugstore.com.