The tenuous economy need not stop fashion lovers from dressing to the nines and hitting the shops this holiday party season. On the USA Network original series, The Starter Wife, Emmy award-winning actress Debra Messing stars as Molly Kagen, a sexy and confident woman with a top-notch wardrobe. Her fashion choices represent a laid back and cool Hollywood style and yet still convey a sophisticated, timeless, and chic overtone.
Lead stylist for the show, Agata Maskiewics, offers tips on creating the show's looks without breaking the bank.
· Reinvent the basics that you may already own or are easy and inexpensive to acquire. For example, a great look from this first season of "The Starter Wife" is an outfit based on the ultimate classic pairing of a black skirt and a white blouse. What makes this look special and current is the play on proportions by coupling a body conscious, high-waisted skirt with an oversized belt cinched at the waist. In addition to being easy to put together and based on simple components you can purchase almost anywhere, this is also an excellent outfit to carry you from the office to dinner. Another added benefit: all of the pieces can be used in other combinations in your wardrobe.
· Black is back as we move into the cooler seasons, and it is the perfect background for juicy rum punch hues and jewel toned accessories. This trend lends itself to reinventing simple black items in classic shapes that you already have in your closet. Start with a basic pair of black pants and a black knit turtleneck as your foundation and build upon that to showcase your accessories.
· Accessorize. This is the best way to create trendy new looks for less. Instead of buying a whole new outfit, pick a trend that you like and invest in accessories in the spirit of that trend. For example, if you feel like you can't live without the amazing lace pieces from Prada but can't cope with the price tag, then find fun shoes and pair them with a simple black dress. DSW.com offers a few lace heels that would be perfect. The Rampage Pamela Lace Platform Pump is a low $49.95 and the classic pump like CL by Laundry Garbo Satin & Lace Pump is an amazing $39.95.
· Befriend your tailor. The most important part of creating a fabulous look at any price is to make sure the items you buy fit you well; so if you need to spend a little extra on tailoring, go for it, it'll be worth it. And always wear your clothes with confidence; no one will have time to wonder how much you paid for your wardrobe if you enter a room walking tall and with a dazzling smile.
Happy Cyber Monday! Black Friday was an absolutely scary time--despite our nation's economic woes, we spent 3 percent more than last year, which (unofficially) means we waited in line 3 percent longer than last year. Except for me, because I shop online pretty much exclusively! With sites like SmartBargains.com, RueLaLa.com and RedTagCrazy.com, you can find the perfect gift for everyone, from your mate to your mom. And we have some tips to get you started!
THE ONLINE SAMPLE SALES
Take advantage of members-only sample sale Web sites, such as RueLaLa.com, for current-season merchandise from premium and luxury brands at up to 80-percent off retail prices. By being a member of Rue La La, you can take advantage of discounted boutique shopping at the likes of Cole Haan, Vera Bradley and Tommy Bahama.
COVETED SHOPPING DAYS
Today is the day when you are sure to find the best discounts of the season both in-store and online. Best thing about online? You don't have to find parking, use gas... or even get dressed!
COMPARISON SHOP AT BRICK-AND-MORTAR STORES
Check out stores, such as TJ Maxx and Loehmann's, where designer duds are increasingly inexpensive and plentiful. Keep those costs and products in mind when doing your price comparisons online.
SHIPPING SAVIOR SITES
Research the shipping policies of your favorite sites and save with every purchase you make. Web sites such as eLUXURY.com are adding to the perks of online shopping by offering free shipping just in time for the holidays, when every penny counts.
RETURN POLICY WOES
Be kind to those on your shopping list and seek retailers with a hassle-free return policy, such as Piperlime.com and RueLaLa.com, which provide pre-paid return labels and an extended time period for returns.
PS: RueLaLa.com actually has a waiting list for membership. But you can join right here: www.ruelala.com/unlock
THE ONLINE SAMPLE SALES Take advantage of members-only sample sale Web sites, such as RueLaLa.com, for current-season merchandise from premium and luxury brands at up to 80-percent off retail prices. By being a member of Rue La La, you can take advantage of discounted boutique shopping at the likes of Cole Haan, Vera Bradley and Tommy Bahama.
COVETED SHOPPING DAYS
Today is the day when you are sure to find the best discounts of the season both in-store and online. Best thing about online? You don't have to find parking, use gas... or even get dressed!
COMPARISON SHOP AT BRICK-AND-MORTAR STORES
Check out stores, such as TJ Maxx and Loehmann's, where designer duds are increasingly inexpensive and plentiful. Keep those costs and products in mind when doing your price comparisons online.
SHIPPING SAVIOR SITES
Research the shipping policies of your favorite sites and save with every purchase you make. Web sites such as eLUXURY.com are adding to the perks of online shopping by offering free shipping just in time for the holidays, when every penny counts.
RETURN POLICY WOES
Be kind to those on your shopping list and seek retailers with a hassle-free return policy, such as Piperlime.com and RueLaLa.com, which provide pre-paid return labels and an extended time period for returns.
PS: RueLaLa.com actually has a waiting list for membership. But you can join right here: www.ruelala.com/unlock
Believe it or not, just in time for the holidays, I've discovered an actual *new concept* hitting wires.
RedTagCrazy.com is set to be the first "One Deal at A Time" (ODAT) shopping site. It's a sort of social shopping model, that sells one item from one sought-after fashion label at a time, at deep discounts of 50-80%, with each item expected to last only a few minutes. It is like...the ultimate elixir for the impulse shopper!
"We're creating a unique solution for exclusive brands to engage customers, move inventory, and create buzz," said Eric Ingram, Chief Executive of Truly Networks, Inc. "By presenting highly sought-after items with limited quantities for a very limited time, we are vigorously protecting the value of our high-end brands."
He's not kidding. There's no way to tell what will be on sale tomorrow, in the next hour, or even what sold yesterday. Alert tools are available for nearly every desktop and mobile platform out there, from a Firefox Add-on to an iPhone App, which allows shoppers to stay on top of each new item before it sells out.
I'm excited - it's sort of a melding of all my favorite kinds of online shopping, at once. So, tell me, does this sort of impulse-sport shopping appeal to you? Or are you personally a more plan and proceed sort of lot?
RedTagCrazy.com is set to be the first "One Deal at A Time" (ODAT) shopping site. It's a sort of social shopping model, that sells one item from one sought-after fashion label at a time, at deep discounts of 50-80%, with each item expected to last only a few minutes. It is like...the ultimate elixir for the impulse shopper!
"We're creating a unique solution for exclusive brands to engage customers, move inventory, and create buzz," said Eric Ingram, Chief Executive of Truly Networks, Inc. "By presenting highly sought-after items with limited quantities for a very limited time, we are vigorously protecting the value of our high-end brands."
He's not kidding. There's no way to tell what will be on sale tomorrow, in the next hour, or even what sold yesterday. Alert tools are available for nearly every desktop and mobile platform out there, from a Firefox Add-on to an iPhone App, which allows shoppers to stay on top of each new item before it sells out.
I'm excited - it's sort of a melding of all my favorite kinds of online shopping, at once. So, tell me, does this sort of impulse-sport shopping appeal to you? Or are you personally a more plan and proceed sort of lot?
...to be giving back to those in need.
As much as I'd like to make the holiday season all about myself (my birthday is a week before Christmas and normally overlaps with Chanuka, I'm universally left out in the cold), it's REALLY about being generous and helping those less fortunate. (In theory.)
To that end, this holiday season Lavalife, a popular singles destination site, has offered some tips on great ways to "give back" this season. I think a lot of them are plans we can implement in our own lives! (Best of all, it's the ultimate steal and deal: You get quality universal karma, and it normally doesn't cost anything at all!)
Who says the best holiday gifts ever have to even cost...a single cent? Read on.
Habitat for Humanity
www.habitat.org
This is a great hands-on approach to giving back to the community. And what red-blooded single wouldn't love to meet someone who's good with his/her hands?
Covenant House
www.covenanthouse.org
Mentoring street kids who have survived abhorrent living conditions is the best way to put your holiday blues in perspective. Keep a look out for other single counselors, because there's really nothing hotter than someone who has dedicated their life to helping others.
SPCA
www.spca.com
Nobody likes the thought of a sweet little critter shivering in its kennel, especially over the holidays when other pets get to bat around sparkly ornaments, chew on ribbons and just generally wreak havoc on the holiday decor. So in addition to having "Must Love Dogs" in your Lavalife profile, head to your local SPCA chapter, and you may just run into a fellow canine lover here.
Salvation Army
www.salvationarmyusa.org (in the U.S.) and www.salvationarmy.ca (in Canada)
The Salvation Army offers the perfect opportunity to not only clean out your closets, but put a warm coat on someone who might not otherwise get the chance to stay so warm during this cold time of year. They'll appreciate it more than you know and you may come across someone just as generous as you.
Donate Blood
www.redcross.org (American Red Cross) and www.bloodservices.ca (Canadian Blood Services)
With a serious shortage in both Canada and the U.S., donating blood really is the gift of life. You also might spot a cute nurse or doctor looking to not only raise your sugar levels with juice and cookies, but get your heart beating fast too! Organize Your Own Toy Drive It's easier than you think. Get in touch with the charity of your choice. Ask them what kinds of toys they're looking for. Band together some volunteers. And contact other organizations like your local police department and fire hall to see if they want to partner up with you. This is the perfect opportunity for men to show what a great dad they'll make, and ladies, well, all we have to say is "men in uniform."
As much as I'd like to make the holiday season all about myself (my birthday is a week before Christmas and normally overlaps with Chanuka, I'm universally left out in the cold), it's REALLY about being generous and helping those less fortunate. (In theory.)
To that end, this holiday season Lavalife, a popular singles destination site, has offered some tips on great ways to "give back" this season. I think a lot of them are plans we can implement in our own lives! (Best of all, it's the ultimate steal and deal: You get quality universal karma, and it normally doesn't cost anything at all!)
Who says the best holiday gifts ever have to even cost...a single cent? Read on.
Habitat for Humanity
www.habitat.org
This is a great hands-on approach to giving back to the community. And what red-blooded single wouldn't love to meet someone who's good with his/her hands?
Covenant House
www.covenanthouse.org
Mentoring street kids who have survived abhorrent living conditions is the best way to put your holiday blues in perspective. Keep a look out for other single counselors, because there's really nothing hotter than someone who has dedicated their life to helping others.
SPCA
www.spca.com
Nobody likes the thought of a sweet little critter shivering in its kennel, especially over the holidays when other pets get to bat around sparkly ornaments, chew on ribbons and just generally wreak havoc on the holiday decor. So in addition to having "Must Love Dogs" in your Lavalife profile, head to your local SPCA chapter, and you may just run into a fellow canine lover here.
Salvation Army
www.salvationarmyusa.org (in the U.S.) and www.salvationarmy.ca (in Canada)
The Salvation Army offers the perfect opportunity to not only clean out your closets, but put a warm coat on someone who might not otherwise get the chance to stay so warm during this cold time of year. They'll appreciate it more than you know and you may come across someone just as generous as you.
Donate Blood
www.redcross.org (American Red Cross) and www.bloodservices.ca (Canadian Blood Services)
With a serious shortage in both Canada and the U.S., donating blood really is the gift of life. You also might spot a cute nurse or doctor looking to not only raise your sugar levels with juice and cookies, but get your heart beating fast too! Organize Your Own Toy Drive It's easier than you think. Get in touch with the charity of your choice. Ask them what kinds of toys they're looking for. Band together some volunteers. And contact other organizations like your local police department and fire hall to see if they want to partner up with you. This is the perfect opportunity for men to show what a great dad they'll make, and ladies, well, all we have to say is "men in uniform."
Winter is among us, and we can ALL use a little help. We turned to Kayla Fioravanti, Chief Formulator, Registered Aromatherapist and co-founder
of Essential Wholesale and von Natur, for some of her tips on saving our skin, no matter what our climate or skin situation: Cleanse: Winter is the time of year when you need to put away your foaming and soap cleansers and stock up on crème cleansers. Cleansing crèmes, lotions and milks are very effective cleansers and they do not contain the typical surfactant or detergent ingredients that most cleansing gels contain which can be too harsh on your skin in the winter months.
Tone: Put away your astringents and switch to a toner for winter. Your skin needs to be soothed and balanced and not dried out further by an astringent.
Moisturize: Choose heavier crèmes in the winter than you would in the summer months. Feel free to use your heavy eye crème around your lips and entire face. If your skin is itching it is because the dry air of winter is causing the moisture in the top layer of your skin to evaporate quickly. You will need to slather those areas with extra moisture until you feel relief. Never be afraid of using pure oils on your skin in the winter months. A bottle of jojoba oil or olive oil is a great thing to have on hand all winter. During the cold and flu season you should wash your hands liberally but be certain to apply a heavy hand crème every time you wash your hands.
Exfoliate: Exfoliate twice per week to remove dead skin cells and allow your skin to absorb the extra moisture you are lathering on. The central heating plays havoc on the sebum our skin normally produces, which makes our skin lose water which should be retained in the lower dermis of the skin. Have you ever wondered about the areas of your skin that looks like your skin is flaking off your body? What happens is that during the winter months there are thousands of dry skin cells ready to be sloughed off the surface and they become clumped together with oil which forms what appear to be flakes. Don't be flaky, exfoliate! Exfoliate your skin with crème based exfoliates with jojoba beads and your body will soak up the rich oils of a butter or oil based body scrub.
Hydrotherapy: For a simple in home hydrotherapy, start out your day with a hot steamy shower and just as you are finishing switch the water to cold for about fifteen seconds. Repeat the process for two minutes. This hydrotherapy technique will revitalize your skin by stimulating the flow of blood through the skin. In the Shower and Bath: One of the greatest times to apply body oil or creme is right after a hot bath or shower, but did you know you can apply any oil, lotion or creme while you are in the shower or bath. You can even use your hair conditioner all over your body for soft and supple skin. The heat and steam from the shower allows your skin to thoroughly absorb moisture. Once you bring your body oil, lotion and creme into the shower try shaving with them. The rich oils protect your skin and give your razor a perfect glide. After you try it you might never go back to shaving with soap or shaving cream.
« previous |
next »
