Monthly Archives: November 2009

All That Glitters!

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Tis the season to wear SEQUINS!

Yes Sequins! Not only is this the season for it, but sequins are one of the “it” pieces this winter. Who couldn’t use a little glimmer in their life during these dark, dreary months? So maybe you’re not ready for the all sequin one shoulder dress (which is really big right now). Well try a few pieces of sequin on your tee shirt or a pair of sequin earrings. But this season make sure you add a piece of sequin to your collection for instant glam. Besides, every fabulous mom should take some time to SHINE!

:-) Deena


FYI: The maroon and black shirt can be found at Forever 21 for just $12.50! It comes in other colors as well.

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Understated yet meaningful

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As I flipped through the December issue of Parents magazine the other day, I came across a small advertisement for Nelle & Lizzy. The ad featured samples of their jewelry line which includes customized pieces that can be engraved with the names or initials of your child(ren). The pieces were so cute that I decided to visit the website. I’m always looking for unique gifts to give friends. The first sentence in the “About Us” section immediately grabbed my attention. It said, “Never underestimate the determination of a mother.“ After reading their story of perseverance I instantly became a fan. Nelle and Lizzy wanted to create a jewelry line that was “understated yet meaningful”. These moms set out on a journey and accomplished their goal, despite the challenges, hard work, and length of time. Love that!

I encourage you to visit their website and buy something! Nelle & Lizzy jewelry pieces would make great gifts for the moms in your life this holiday season. They would also be great for sisters, best friends, and favorite cousins. :-)

Thanks Nelle & Lizzy for representing mothers well! Visit website: www.nelleandlizzy.com

 

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Ham, Turkey, and “DRESSING”!

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It’s time for the Holidays!  And for some of you that means lots and lots of parties and shopping to find you an inexpensive but very cute dress. Well I hate to add another party to your list, but this one is sure to get you (and your friends) ready for all of those holiday celebrations. Throw a Swap it Out Party! This new craze in shopping is all the talk and lots of fun! So how does it work? I’m glad you asked! Invite your friends and have them invite their friends to wherever you plan to host your party and the catch is, everyone has to bring a dress or dresses that they are willing to GIVE away. Then everyone SWAPS IT OUT and exchanges their clothes! Sounds fun right?!? Gather your girls and begin searching your closets. And don’t forget when everyone RSVPs they need to give their sizes. Now you’re on your way to begin partying for the season! Have fun and most importantly look fabulous! Remember one woman’s trash could be another woman’s perfect outfit!!!

:-) Deena

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Fitting Room Checkout

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Mommies, have you ever been shopping with your little one(s) and needed to go into the fitting room? Uuggghhhhh!!! First there’s the challenge of finding a fitting room large enough to fit you, your child(ren), and possibly a stroller. Then you have to try on clothes with your entourage in tow, who’d probably rather be at home watching Nick Jr. And if your kids are anything like mine, they think the fitting room is a miniature playground waiting to be explored. This can be a lot!

Well Banana Republic is making an effort to simplify this process a bit. It’s called “Fitting-Room Checkout”. Your sales associate will ring and bag everything you want while you change back into your clothes. When you come out of the fitting room, your merchandise will be waiting for you and you’re out the door! (Typically this kind of service comes with high-end retailers but Banana Republic is breaking the mold.) Anything that helps mommies shopping with their children get in and out quickly seems like a great idea! Hopefully more retailers with follow BR’s lead. :-)

Be fabYOUlous!!!!

Short Sleeved Coats…huh?

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Short Sleeved CoatsAs the temperatures continue to drop as winter approaches, most of us can only think of bundling up to stay warm! So the idea of a short sleeved coat (0r sweater), to the practical mind, doesn’t make much sense at all. But for the fashion minded, it’s a clever spin on a winter staple item.  You can wear these cute coats with a heavy sweater underneath and still keep warm. The sleeves on the short sleeved coat leave room for you to experiment with different kinds of sweaters without worrying about the thickness. It’s also a great way to add a splash of contrasting color to make your outfit more interesting.

So next time you’re shopping and you see a cropped sleeve coat (or sweater), give it a try! You might actually look really cool. :-)

winterproof your hair, skin & nails!!!

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Winter is just not about warm clothes, fireside reading, snuggling close to the pillows wrapped from head to toe with a comfy quilt. It is time to battle the cold winds that hampers your body and hair. A little care will keep the wintry troubles at bay.

Hair

Before the winter winds can work havoc with your hair, expose your hair to deep conditioning. Since the cold weather causes to dry your hair, massage your hair in aloe Vera juice for a few minutes. This will restore its softness.

You can also treat your hair with an oil massage once or twice a week  Olive oil can work wonders in reinforcing moisture to your hair. Heat the oil before using and allow it to soak for a time lesser than the time you allot for the summer season. Too long a period of soaking hair in oil can get you ill. If you are used to treating your hair with herbal extracts or herbal oil do not soak it for a long time. Herbal ingredients are mostly cooling agents that are more suitable for the summer. Keep away from washing your hair too frequently.

Woolen clothing like hats, scarves and turtlenecks can cause damage to your hairline. Since they can cause breakage, first cover your hair with a silk scarf before exposing it to winter wraps.

It is the appropriate time for split ends to work their way up to the hair shafts. Hence trim your split ends.

Style your hair with a braid, twist or a knot. Try Keeping away from letting your hair open and wild, as the cold winds can play rough on your hair.

Avoid exposing your hair to frequent coloring, streaking, or ironing as they can rob your hair off its moisture and it is advisable to avoid heating appliances on your hair.

Expose your hair to natural drying. Keep away from blow dryers. If you have to use, use one with a hood.
Always cover your hair with a silk fabric to guard it from the chill winds.

Skin

Your skin texture depends not only on external treatments, but also on the intake. A proper nutritious intake helps in rejuvenating the skin from within. Water plays an important role in keeping your skin alive. A good amount of water helps in retaining the moisture of your skin as well keeping skin disorders at bay. Fruits and vegetables in your daily diet release a lot of water to your system. Primrose syrup and olive oil in your diet also aids in softening your skin.

Use the paste of ground green gram powder instead of soap to work your way to a soft and supple skin.

Pamper you skin with a little coconut oil before bath to heal dryness and chaps. Use a creamy soap that renders that extra suppleness to your skin.

Moisturizers and cold creams are a must in the winters. Apply some good cold cream on your face before going to bed. Moisten your skin with a good moisturizer or a creamy hand and body lotions.  A best buy is ‘ Jergens’ hand and body lotion.

Add a few drops of oil to the water that you are using to bath. This will help retain the moisture lost when bathing. Avoid using very hot water during winter as it can decrease the natural oils of your skin. Instead shorten your bath time.

Hands, legs and nails

When treating your legs add a few drops of oil in the water that you use to soak them. With regards to hands, try using rubber gloves while immersing them in water. Use a base coat over your nails against the cold weather.

Lips

A good petroleum jelly will be an effective cover over your lips against the cold weather. Butter is effective in curing chapped lips and renders an extra softness.

So get ready to shield your body against the winter threats.

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Glamour’s Girl!

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Susan Rice accepts award

Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Glamour Magazine

On Monday, November 9 at Carnegie Hall in New York City, Glamour Magazine hosted is annual Women of the Year awards. Sponsored by L’Oreal, for the past 20 years this fabulous event has honored women who have made an impact on fashion, sports, entertainment, business, science, or politics. Among the 12 women selected this year was Susan Rice.  If you don’t know her you should! Susan has a very impressive resume – Bachelor’s in history from Stanford as a Truman Scholar, Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, and elected to Phi Betta Kappa. She served as the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs under the Clinton administration. Susan is currently an American foreign policy advisor and the 1st female black US Ambassador to the United Nations. And in addition to ALL of that, she is a wife and MOM of 2! WOW!!!

Susan Rice

Hats off to this mother who is at the top of her game! Let Susan Rice and her accomplishments be an example to all of us. Being a mom doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your dreams. You CAN accomplish GREAT things if you focus and balance. The journey may take a little longer or be a little tougher but nevertheless, you CAN be successful! You CAN live the life you’ve imagined! You CAN achieve! No excuses! Let’s get it done! Let’s go!!! :-)

Be fabYOUlous!

Secondhand Glam

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Vintage BoutiqueAnyone who knows me knows I love Rachel Zoe! One thing Rachel and I have in common is a love and appreciation for vintage clothing. For many years I’d admire friends and students who were able to find great pieces at thrift stores but I wouldn’t dare go myself. The idea of wearing someone’s old clothing and the smell of it was a bit much for me. But a couple of years ago I found myself in need of an 80s outfit for Spirit Day at the high school where I taught. Under the pressure of time I couldn’t go run around town trying to find a classic 80s outfit. So I decided to stop in the thrift store around the corner from the school. I found exactly what I was looking for and then some!

Everytime I visit a thrift store (if it’s a good one) I am mesmorized by the uniqueness of the pieces. And I absolutely LOVE the prices!!! It’s also interesting to see how many of these vintage looks have stepped back on the scene. The thrift store is a great place to find affordable items that won’t be seen on everyone. You may need to add a belt for tapering, cut out those wonderful shoulder pads, or adjust a hem. But a few dollars and a little creativity can go a long way.  I’m a firm believer that you don’t have to spend ridiculous amounts of money to be fly and fashionable! For those of us on a budget or trying to save money, thrift stores are a jewel! So do a little research and find a great thrift store that’s worth your time. Experiment and have fun! Enter with an open mind . . . and ignore the smell! :-)

Be fabYOUlous!

An autumn fallwless face!!!

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The weather shifts this time of year whether we like it or not-and as temperature cools, our skin, hair, and makeup regimens must change too.  Some of these adjustments keep your skin and hair healthy in the colder, drier climate. Other updates are based on trends, such as a shift from pastel makeup to richer colors, or from long beach hair to a new blunt haircut. But according to experts, just a few easy tweaks to your daily routine can make all the difference- and feel as natural as the leaves turning colors. Here are some strategies and steps for makeup to ensure that you don’t get left out in the cold.

4 Steps to a Flawless Face:

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Smooth

Step # 1
Foundation is one of the first things women skip yet it’s key to looking flawless. That’s because this “base layer” helps makeup last longer, and colors (like blush) look truer. To pick the perfect shade hold bottles next to your face and narrow down the options. Then swipe each where skin is most uneven (usually, your cheek); if it blends in, you’re set. Once you’ve nailed the hue, sweep along your forehead, nose, chin, and cheekbones, then blend outward to help it disappear into your skin.  Tip: Use your fingers–thick, creamy products like concealer and heavy duty tinted lip balm glide on easier if you warm them between your fingers. Body heat helps them melt right into your skin.

Cover

Step #2
Concealer is every woman’s favorite tool for hiding it all, from under-eye circles to blemishes. Apply a small amount over foundation for a natural look. For best results you’ll need two concealers: one that’s a shade lighter than your foundation to downplay dark, blue-toned, under-eye circles and make skin appear brighter. The other should match your foundation to help hide reddish blemishes or broken capillaries. Use a thin makeup brush and apply concealer to the inner- eye corners first (by the tear ducts, where circles tend to appear darkest) and feather it outward.

Brighten

Step #3
Learn to love luminizer. This secret weapon comes in liquid or powder form and is made with opalescent, pearl-like particles that give skin a sheer finish and a subtle, sexy sheen. Choose the shade closest to your skintone: Pink and white luminizers complement fair skin, while gold and bronze suit medium to deep coloring. Keep in mind that a little goes a long way. Use a clean fingertip to dab a pea-size drop onto your brow bones, along the tops of your cheekbones, and at the innermost corners of your eyes. Be sure to blend well to achieve a barely-there radiance.

Touch Up

Step #4
Powder keeps foundation in place longer by blotting away excess oil. Use loose powder (it offers an airy, light finish) or use your favorite compact powder and sweep it on with a brush. Apply along your T-zone, under your eyes, and across your lids (to give eye-shadow color staying power). Remember to choose a shade that matches your skin. When in doubt, go a touch darker. A dusting of silky loose powder stops shine but won’t look as heavy as frozen foundation can. For a light finish apply with a brush. For more coverage, use a velvety puff.

The best new winter stuff is soft, soothing natural-looking-sort of like a cashmere sweater on your face——Glamour Magazine

A Lesson From Yo Gabba Gabba

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Yo Gabba GabbaIf any of you have children under the age of 6 I’m sure you’re probably familiar with the show Yo Gabba Gabba on Nick Jr. On the show there’s a song they sing to encourage kids to try new foods and veggies. It’s called “Try It, You’ll Like It!” I’m not here to convince you to eat more veggies, although some of us could definitely increase our intake. But I’m here to encourage you to try new things OFTEN when it comes to your fashion.  I don’t know how many conversations I’ve had with women about how a particular style or trend won’t look good on them and they’ve never even tried it. They say things like “I know my body!” or “I know what works for me!” This may be true but it’s not applicable for all situations. I don’t believe that every trend is for every body. But I do know that it’s not always easy to determine if a style or trend will look good on you WITHOUT TRYING IT ON. How it looks on a hanger or even another woman, is not how it will look on YOU. Too often we get stuck in a fashion box. We find what works for us and stick with it! While I do appreciate your tenacity, this is one situation where perhaps you should be a little less committed. :-)

Fashion is always changing. Be a fashion adventurer! Try new things! If they don’t work then move on to something else. Just don’t be a fashion bore….yaaaawwwnnnnn!!!! What you wear communicates a lot more about you than you think. While you may think you’re communicating, “I’m confident and sure of myself”, your clothes may be communicating “I’m actually pretty boring and afraid to take risks”. There are so many things that would look GREAT on you if you would just give them a try! So stop thinking you know more than you do and try new fashions! You might actually find something that looks better (and more current) than what you’ve been holding on to!

In the words of Yo Gabba Gabba, TRY IT . . . YOU’LL LIKE IT!!! :-)

Be fabYOUlous!!!