Last Day to Enter the D&Y's Leopard Scarf GIVEAWAY!!!

Just a reminder that today is the last day to enter the giveaway for the D&Y Large Leopard viscose scarves! I've got three to give away, and honestly they're the most gorgey scarves I've ever feasted my eyes on. 

Here's how to enter:  email me at SassyAlana@gmail.com with the subject "LEOPARD SCARF".  In one week (1/31), I'll pick the winners and alert them via email.

To read the original post, click here. 

Disclosure:  This review contains a sample product sent for consideration by a PR firm. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me. 

Fashion Faux Pas: Shoulder Jewelry

I'm troubled that something like this even exists.  Babette Epaulette has a whole line of jewelry specifically made to wear over your shoulder. Like a continental soldier. (I've had that song stuck in my head since I saw this).

Ummm...what?! I don't think we're running low on places to wear baubles. I can appreciate the concept and the originality, but come on.  Shoulder jewelry?

I just think it's weird. And I'm all for weird, so if I think that this is past the point of weird-chic, then it must be pretty ridiculous.

Plus, just think about it:  with all those doodads hanging from your shoulder, there'd be tangles galore!  There's simply no way that the fringe and chains wouldn't want to mingle, and then you'd be left with a huge tangled mess on your shoulder. Very trendy.

Oh and did I mention that they sell for about $150 each?

Fashion Babble: Q & A sesh with Molly Sims

At the beginning of the week, I basically professed my love for Molly Sims new jewelry line, Grayce by Molly Sims.  The entire collection is fab and I encourage all you ladies to check it out!


I had oodles of questions for Molly, and she has awesomely agreed to answer a few.

Sassy Fashionista: What inspired you to create Grayce?

Molly Sims: My mom has had a passion of collecting jewelry for over 15 years--and her passion became my passion.  She has scoured auctions and estate sales to find the most interesting pieces.  These pieces that my mom and I collected together really became the first thing that distinguished my own personal style.  I created Grayce to make these key jewelry pieces that women could afford so that they could make their own timeless jewelry wardrobe as I did with my mom.  

SF: Do you think that your modeling experience gives you a unique take on fashion; if so, in what way?

MS: My experience in modeling totally gives me a unique take in fashion.  I got to live in London, Germany, Paris, LA, and traveling and learning others style and the way they dress.   Getting that inside scoop on fashion has made all of the difference in the world.

SF: What's the best part of your job?

MS: I love being involved with Grayce because it is a process I have been able to see evolve and take part of from beginning to end.  

SF: Do you prefer classic or trendy looks?

MS: Both.  Usually my style is one of the four "Grayce girls":  Gypset/Bohemian, City Sophisticate, Glamour Girl, and All-American. I  am always mixing and matching.  I will never be too trendy or too classy. 

SF: What are the three accessories all ladies should have in their possession?

MS: A great statement piece of jewelry, a great coat, and a great pair of shoes.

SF: What is your fave piece in your collection?

MS: I love my mixed metal collection.  

SF: What jewelry piece do you think could be considered ageless?

MS: A layering piece that can be wrapped or  used in different ways...as a necklace or bracelet.

For more info on the collection, check out the site for Grayce by Molly Sims, or contact Heather Stein at  hstein@fullpic.com.

Style Spotlight: Style Folio

With all this ridiculous cold weather, it can be difficult to stay stylish.  That's why I tend to gravitate towards baubles galore in the winter.  The right piece of statement jewelry can make just about any outfit look glam and fabulous.


My recent find is Style Folio.  The site offers up oodles of gorgeous gems that are both timeless and unique.  It's fair to say that I'm in love with everything on there!


Here are a few of my top picks:

Purple Amethyst, Mother-of-Pearl, Shell Pearl and Crystal Cuff (originally $655, on sale for $368.44). I've never seen anything quite like this before.  The texture of the mixed materials makes the cuff interesting to look at, and the color brings out a bit of a nature-esque quality in the piece.

Shell Pearl, Gemstone and Marcasite Earrings ($295.00).  These earrings are super fun and are sure to attract attention.  They're classic, with just a touch of modernism and are simply beautiful.

 

Baroque Black Flower Necklace ($295.00).  This is by far my fave piece of the collection.  The necklace is perfect for a night out.  The pearls give the necklace an overall classic look, while the flower adds a bit of unexpected flair.

 

 

 

So, I know that these pieces are a bit on the pricey side.  But if you're going to purchase a piece of statement jewelry, it's very important to look for quality (especially in pieces as timeless as these).  

To help out, Style Folio is offering all Sassy Fashionista readers a 40% discount on everything on the site.  Just use the code "SASSY" at the checkout.  The offer is valid until 1/31/10. 

For more info on the collection, contact Yvette at yvette@click-marketing.net.

Greasy Hair Quick Fix Sans Water

We all have days when we're rushing around like madwomen trying to get 5748957430 things done.  Or even just days when we're lazy.  But being the gorgeous fashionistas that we are, it's incredibly important to have beautiful-looking hair at all times.

To achieve this on even the most stressful, busy days, I turn to an old classic.  Psssssst Instant Spray Shampoo is amazing.  Unlike other dry shampoos, it is odorless (which is really great, because some of the other alternatives smell hideous).

Here's how to use it:

• Shake can well.
• Hold can 6 to 8 inches from hair.
• Lift sections of hair and lightly spray scalp and roots of each section.
• Fluff.
• Wait a few minutes, then brush hair well.
• Style hair as desired.

It's so quick and simple, and I'm obsessed with it!  I'm fully aware that I sound like an infomercial right now, but I just want to alert you ladies of the wonderful greasy hair solutions that are available.

The best part?  You can pick up a can of it for about $6.

Drugstore Beauty Queen: Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure

I probably own about 100 nail polishes.  No exaggeration.  I just can't pass up a pretty polish, regardless of how extensive my own collection already is.

But when I found Sally Hansen's Complete Salon Manicure polish in Gray by Gray, I knew that I had a legitimate reason to purchase it.  I've never seen another color like it.

Though the hue is described as gray, it's actually more of a slate blue.  It looks gorgeous on and is unique enough for you to receive questions galore about where you acquired such a shade.

The formula itself is great.  Supposedly, each bottle contains all five steps of a salon manicure (base coat, strengthener, growth treatment, color and top coat).  While that might be a bit of an exaggeration, the polish definitely does go on smoothly and evenly with two coats.  That said, I still used it with my Seche Base coat and my Seche Vite top coat for maximum lasting power.  I found that the polish lasted about a week, which is really saying a lot for me, as I constantly pick at my nails.

I'm having a hard time finding this exact shade online.  I bought it at Walmart, but it's not on their site (or anywhere else for that matter).  But Ulta does have every single other color available for purchase on their site for about $8.

[Photo credit:  Body & Soul]

Style Spotlight: Grayce by Molly Sims

I'm pretty tickled by the Grayce by Molly Sims jewelry collection.  I've always been a huge Molly Sims fan;  she's absolutely gorgeous and clearly knows her stuff.  So, I think it's safe to say that anything she comes up with will be an instant classic.

Her jewelry line features pieces that are unique and quite stunning without being gaudy (which is quite an achievement!)  Everything in the collection is timeless and utterly fabulous--I have a little crush on each and every item on the site!

Here are my top three faves:

The Layered Link Bracelet in Hematite-Tone ($59.95).  I love the fact that it look as if you're wearing oodles of bangles, but you don't need to worry about them getting all tangled up.  The look is fabulous for day or night and has a bit of a vintage flair to it.  This is a timeless bracelet that will get a lot of use over the years.

The Signature Fireball Pendant with 17" Oval Link Chain in Rosetone ($29.95).  This necklace actually comes in a few different colors, but the Rosetone is my fave.  It looks much more expensive than it is and has just enough bling to liven up any outfit.  It's a very unique piece that is sure to attract lots of attention.

The Deco 18" Necklace ($98.95).  I know, I know...it's a bit pricey for us recessionistas.  But HSN has an amazing program that allows you to make three payments $32.98, which makes it a bit more reasonable.  I'm simply in love this this bauble.  It's the perfect statement necklace for any occasion.

For more info about the line, check out the Grayce by Molly Sims site, or contact Heather Stein at hstein@fullpic.com.

Look For Less: Marc Jacobs Into the Wild Scarf (GIVEAWAY!!)

On the left is the super chic Marc Jacobs Into the Wild scarf.  It's gorgeous (and pink!!) and I love it.  Unfortunately, it's a steep $130. 

Luckily, you can get the look with D&Y's Large Leopard viscose scarf (on the right), for a mere $21. Umm...pretty amazing, right?  The scarf is fabulous for any time of year.  Scarves are the easiest way to change up an outfit.  I like to tie one onto my handbag, or loosely drape one across my shoulders, but the options are limitless.

And I've saved the best part for last:  I've got THREE D&Y Leopard Print scarves to giveaway!!! 

Here's how to enter:  email me at SassyAlana@gmail.com with the subject "LEOPARD SCARF".  In one week (1/31), I'll pick the winners and alert them via email.

Good luck, ladies!! 

Disclosure:  This review contains a sample product sent for consideration by a PR firm. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me.

Pretty Wild Palette

Mmmm...I love me a good palette.  Mark's new Pretty Wild Color Palette is right up my alley.

Included in this little compact from heaven is four shades of all-over color & shimmer (a cream-to-powder formula for eyes and cheeks), three sheer, glossy shades for lips and a built-in mirror.

The colors look great.  I really dig the black "all-over color" (umm...is anyone planning on wearing this anywhere other than their eyes?!) It looks like it'd work as a liner and mark's shadows usually blend spectacularly so creating a smokey eye look would be easy.  The larger shimmer would be perfect as a highlighter above the cheekbones.


Basically, this is a great palette to have with you if you're going out.  You can touch up everything, without even running off to the bathroom (although, please avoid application while on a date especially if the guy is sitting right across from you...not classy).

Oh, and how cute is the case?! 



Each palette is $14, which seems reasonable for what you're getting.

The Best of Stila--Huge Deal!!!

In the past, I've raved about Beauty Ticket and their amazing makeup sales.  Well, I'm still constantly on there searching for deals and this week I found the Stila 8-Piece 'Best of Stila' Ulta-mate Set.  It was originally a set exclusively for Ulta stores, and even then it was a huge deal as the set is actually a $143 value and it sold for $59.  Now on Beauty Ticket, it's going for $29.99. Really.

I've always been a Stila fan.  There have been very few products that haven't tickled my fancy.  It's pretty much one of my makeup "bag" (well, huge traincase) staples.

Here's what comes in the set:

• Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer
• Major Lash Mascara in Black
• 4 Eyeshadows in Kitten, Go Lightly, Wheat and Mystic
• Lip Glaze in ULTAmate Pink 
• and a deluxe size of convertible color in Peony.

Pretty great, no? I'd honestly pay that amount for the Kitten eyeshadow pan.  It's the perfect shimmery highlighting hue.  All the shadows are fabulous though.  It's a good mix--three neutral everyday shades and a pop of color. The tinted moisturizer is another one of my faves.  It makes you look super glowy.  Everything else is amazing too.  This isn't one of those sets that you'll only use a couple products from.  This is a great deal and each item is something every gal should have in her possession.

10 Ways to Look Better in Pictures

We all want to look amazing in pictures.  I don't know about the rest of you, but I have a plethora of pics that involve me looking like an idiot.  Here are a few ways to look fab when you're in front of the camera.

Fake a Tummy Tuck
Those who say the camera adds 10 pounds haven't tried this trick: "Twist your torso, turning one shoulder toward the camera and the other away from it," says Atlanta body-language expert Patti Wood. "It makes you look very slender." 

Pucker Up

"A berry lip color with a hint of sheen flatters everyone," says Los Angeles image consultant Mimi Dorsey. Avoid nudes, which can make you look like a corpse once the flash hits—and brights, which often come across as harsh.
Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss Reflect in Taffeta Plum, $26; nordstrom.com. 

 
Don't Drink and Pose
Try to take pictures early, before that third (or fourth or fifth) glass of wine. You're more in control, says Los Angeles makeup artist Troy Jensen. "And no matter how bright the flash is, your eyes will look droopy after drinks." 

Go Natural
Hair with movement to it comes across as sexier on film, so take it easy on the styling products, says N.Y.C. hairstylist David Evangelista. "You really don't want your do to look sprayed or crunchy."

Let the Camera Do the Work
"A good one doesn't have to be complicated," says Los Angeles celebrity photographer (and former model) Jack Guy, who swears by the Canon G series because it takes great pictures—and doesn't require expertise.

Stick Your Neck Out
Push your face forward ever so slightly, says Mimi Dorsey. "It feels absolutely ridiculous when you're doing it, but it makes your face look thinner and hides any sign of a double chin." 

Seek Out the Sunset
Dusk is the best time of day for outdoor pictures. "The lighting is really flattering," says Jack Guy. "The sun casts less shadow downward, so you don't end up with bags under your eyes in the photo. Instead, it lights up the area under the eyes and you look younger." 

Don't Sweat It

While it's nice to have a subtle glow to your skin, too much shine can be distracting, says Troy Jensen, who recommends applying a matte finishing product, like Clinique Pore Minimizer Instant Perfector. "Run it on the side of your nose, forehead and chin. It neutralizes shine instantly without feeling goopy."
Clinique Pore Minimizer Instant Perfector in Invisible Light, $18; clinique.com. 

 
Put Money Where Your Mouth Is

Cheese is great on pizza, but for pictures, say "money." "The strong e sound makes the corners of your mouth go up," says Patti Wood. "And the crinkles around your eyes make it look like a genuine smile." 

 
Trademark Your Own "Blue Steel"

Is your right side more flattering? Does a subtle smile look sexier? "Pull out all of your favorite pictures of yourself and see what you like," suggests Guy. "You'll probably find a look that's consistent. Once you know how you like yourself to look, it's much easier to replicate."

[Courtesy of InStyle]

REMINDER: Curations with Stefani Greenfield Giveaway Ends Tomorrow!

Just a little reminder for you ladies: the Curations with Stefani Greenfield giveaway ends tomorrow (1/20) at 11:59pm.


The bracelet is absolutely gorgeous.  To enter: email me at SassyAlana@gmail.com with the subject line "SNAKE BRACELET".  I will randomly pick a winner and alert you via email.

Good luck!!

Disclosure:  This review contains a sample product sent for consideration by a PR firm. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me.

Fashion Faux Pas: Wearing a Swamp

I'm perplexed by TopShop's Tiered Lace Cropped Jacket.  Why does anything like this even exist?  Who came up with this design and thought to themselves, "Wow. This is a fabulous jacket"?

Let's start with the basics.  It looks like a swamp in jacket form.  A puke-green hue mixed with lace rarely heeds flattering results.  And, why the added tiers? I feel like they were an afterthought and were just thrown on once someone realized how ugly the jacket is.  But in reality, the tiers make it worse. And finally, it's cropped. If you're going to wear a swamp-themed ensemble, why not go all the way with it and wear a full-sized jacket?

At least TopShop came to their senses and reduced the $135 jacket to $40.  Still overpriced.  If I ever see anyone wearing this, I will punch them in the face.  Too far?

Taking a Hair Fetish to the Extreme

Even though I love cities, I hate public transportation.  Hate it. But most of the time, I don't have to deal with weirdos like this guy.

Apparently, in Portland (OR), there is a hair-cutting lunatic on the loose. For real. This guy is charged with "illegally snipping a woman's hair on a TriMet bus."  Side note: is there really a legal way to do that? I suppose if you somehow took your hairdresser on a bus and asked him to give you a trim.  Anyway, over the past few months, women have been riding public transit and come to realize that someone's cutting their hair or squirting super glue in it before running off.

What?!?? It gets even weirder. This isn't the first time the guy has been charged for hair-related issues. When he lived in suburban Houston, police had been investigating a rash of hair-gluing incidents that abruptly stopped (right when he moved to Oregon). And in March of last year, he was arrested for fourth-degree assault in a hair-gluing incident.

This time around, he's been charged with third-degree robbery, interfering with public transit, second-degree disorderly conduct and harassment. He's being held on $12,500 bail.

I can't get over this.  What makes someone even do something this bizarre?  Personally, I'm more interested in what he does with the hair.  Does he save the hair and make hair dolls, or just enjoy the actual cutting process?  The fact that there's glue involved leads me to believe that there is some crafting involved.

Thanks, BellaSugar for the heads up.

Paint Your Nails on the Go

I'm fairly certain that these have been around for a while, but only recently have I actually tried them.  Nic's Sticks (by Nicole and OPI) are truly a life saver.

My huge purse is usually filled to the brim, and a lot of the time I have multiple bottles of nail polish. I don't know how to explain it; I just love to paint my nails anytime anywhere. They always clink around together and I'm constantly worried that they'll break (one already has) and ruin the entirety of my bag.

The polish is actually of top quality.  It applies smoothly without streaks and dries quickly.  Exactly what you need when you're polishing on the go.

To use them, you just click the end of the stick (as if it were a pen), and carry on painting.  One click is enough to do at least three nails.  Be sure to clean off the brush at some point though.  Since it's not going into a bottle of polish, these brushes can dry out fairly easily.

There are oodles of colors and each stick goes for about $7.

Comfy, Stylish Kicks...From Walmart

Despite the fact that they're still selling hideous Croc and Ugg knockoffs, Walmart has a few hidden gems if you're willing to dig around a bit.

On a weekend shopping trip with my boyfriend (yes, we lead very exciting lives), we stopped in Walmart to buy nails and I wandered off per usual and found these L.e.i. Girls' Chesca Studded Moccasins. Since my feet are as small as a fifth-grader's, I picked up a pair in size 3 for $6.

Amazing deal.  They're the perfect shoes to throw on with jeans when you're just running to the store or something.  The studs make them unique, so they certainly won't be confused with old-man-moccasins.  Plus, they're comfy as the dickens.

For you crazily huge-footed [read: normal-sized] ladies, I also found these Miley Cyrus & Max Azria Women's Python Flats.  They're tres stylish and ring up at $10. 

I'm actually a huge fan of the entire Miley Cyrus & Max Azria collection.  There are some fabulous tops and accessories that do not have that distinct "Walmart look" to them. 

The lesson? Don't overlook huge chain discount stores; you just might find something fabulous.

Make Someone's Heartbreaking Pain Your Gain

Exboyfriend Jewelry is phenomenal.  Recently, I've been looking online for antique gems and unique pieces of jewelry and I stumbled onto this site.

Basically, you can purchase jewelry from gals who have broken up with their scumbag  ex-boyfriends.  You can even read the stories of their breakups; Most of them are horrific.  The site is just addicting and I cannot stop looking at it.

Admittedly, most of the baubles are on the pricier side (about the $200 range) and even go up to the thousands, as there are a ton of engagement rings for sale.  But there are some more affordable pieces as well.

I found these cute Russian Enamel Earrings:

They are hand-painted, unique and simply elegant.  You can get them for $100, which isn't really in my budget, but maybe some of you are more lucky.

And of course, if you've got some bling of your own from an ex, post it on there! At least make a bit of money off of your loser ex.

Curations with Stefani Greenfield GIVEAWAY!!!

I'm peeing my pants with excitement over here. Sorry for the visual.  But Curations with Stefani Greenfield, the line I've been raving about all week, has been fabulous enough to team up with me for an amazing giveaway.

I have one Curations with Stefani Greenfield Snake Coil Bangle Bracelet with Box to give to a very lucky lady!

It's the most gorgeous bracelet ever.  Honestly, I got it in the mail, opened it and just stared at it for a while with glee.  Then I tried it on and did a little jig. So yeah, it's pretty great.  The bracelet is a coiled snake silhouette with six rows of textured metal.  The overall look is that of multiple stacked bangles.  The "bangles" are not attached to eachother; it really is just a single coil that wraps around.  It measures approx. 7-3/4"L x 1-3/4"W.

The best part? The snake's head is sparkly (and we all know how much I love sparkly things).  It has flush-set, round crystal accents over the entire head, and a bit larger ones for eyes.

This bracelet is so unique.  I love the fact that from a distance it almost looks like a few simple bangles, and upon closer inspection is actually a snake. I'd go as far as saying that it's elegant, which is a difficult thing for a snake-themed bracelet to accomplish. It's an interesting piece that everyone will ask you about.  You can wear it virtually anywhere, with anything.  

I think I've professed my love for this bracelet enough now.

To enter the giveaway, email me at SassyAlana@gmail.com with the subject line "SNAKE BRACELET". A week from today (1/20), I will randomly pick a winner and alert you via email.

Good luck!

If you don't win, or just want to ensure that you get this stunning bauble, you can order it online here for $19.90 (marked down from $49).  For information about the line, contact Heather Stein at hstein@fullpic.com.



Disclosure:  This review contains a sample product sent for consideration by a PR firm. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me. 

My New Mascara Ritual

I've tried 67580676897 different mascaras over the years.  I'm constantly looking for my mascara soulmate.  But the truth is, my soulmate might not be the actual mascara; it might be the tool that aids it.

Let me explain. Last week, a had very clumpy mascara.  I didn't have time to redo my makeup and didn't want to risk trying to just take off the mascara (never works).  So, I looked around for some magical solution and found an old Maybelline Brow & Lash Brush that I had meant to use and forgot about in the past.  After a couple swipes with the comb side, and a final swoop with the brush, my lashes looked better than ever.

I've started to experiment with this.  I now apply two coats of mascara, comb it through, then apply a coat of another type of mascara.  The key is to use mascaras that are formulated to do different things--like one that is lengthening and one that adds volume.  My recent face combo is CoverGirl's LashBlast Luxe and Rimmel's Glam Eyes Lash Flirt.

Here are some before and after shots of the results:

Sorry for the blurriness; I obviously don't have the best camera in the world.  But what a difference, right?! I think the effect is much like when I wear false lashes, without all the fuss.

So definitely get yourself a Brow & Lash Brush (they're only about $2!), and let the expirimenting begin!

Pretty Packaging: Bourjois Vintage Eyeshadows

I'm a sucker for cute packaging.  I'll even go as far to buy a product I hate, so long as the packaging is beautiful, and scoop out whatever's in it and replace it with one of my own makeup faves.

This is not the case (pun intended) with these lovely Bourjois Vintage Eyeshadows.  Bourjois has always been known for having high-quality products and their eyeshadow is a favorite of mine.  It's very well pigmented and can be applied wet or dry depending on the look you want to achieve. 

But on to the cases.  Ummm...how cute are they?!  Each case has a french-inspired image, that'd I'd actually consider a work of art.  It makes applying eyeshadow in a public place way less of a faux pas.

There are four different designs and colors (silver, purple, peach and black).  The black color could even be used as a liner.  Each color has the tiniest bit of shimmer to it, making it perfect for blending and adding a little glitz to your look.  My pick is the peach-toned hue.  It works well as an all-over base and is a great shade to apply under the eyebrows or on the inner corner of the eye for highlighting.

Each shadow is $14.  I know, I know. But you're paying for cuteness here!

As an added bonus, once you spend $25 or more on Bourjois products from Ulta, You'll receive this adorable makeup bag:

I love it.  I often use makeup bags as clutches for going out and this one fits the bill.  It's cute, and looks unique, and the use of color makes it perfect to wear with many different outfits.

Or, of course, you could just be boring and use it as a makeup bag.

Do yourself a favor.  Buy a couple of the fab eyeshadows, get the bag and live happily ever after.

Fashion Faux Pas: Big Feathered Triangle Hair

Alright, alright. The picture to the left is actually of the beloved Morgan Fairchild and was taken in the 80's. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a picture of anyone with this 'do from the present.  But people sporting this look are out there. Now.

While strolling through the grocery store on a peaceful Sunday night, I came across a fairly pretty gal.  The only problem was that her hair looked almost identical to Miss Fairchild's.  Which would have been fine if we were all living in 1982, but we are not, and therefore I must define it officially as a fashion faux pas.

I get the idea of the whole big hair thing.  Everyone wants to have lots of hair.  It's attractive.  But here's a hint for your, ladies: teasing, curling, flipping and feathering your hair is not going to fool anyone.  It actually makes you look like you've got less hair, since you took all the effort to "disguise" it.

I've only seen a handful or so of women who still cling to this look, but honestly for each one that I see, my heart breaks a little bit more.  I want to just go up to them and say, "Leave it in its natural state and add a bit of smoothing serum and possibly a tiny amount of mouse!"  But alas, that's not my style.  Instead I just complain about it on my blog for your enjoyment. 

And maybe someday day, one of these triangle-haired wonders will stumble upon this post, tell her gaggle of identially-haired friends, and there will be a revolution. 

A girl can dream.

Home Decor Disaster: Hello Kitty Toilet

I am so saddened by this.  My love for Hello Kitty runs deep, but a toilet stamped with her cute little face is where I draw the line.  The fact that there is enough demand for this to even make such a product is ridiculous to me. 

Toilets are not meant to be cute.  We don't do anything "cute" when we're around them.  And I certainly don't want to see my fave feline friend while I'm on the toilet.  I'd feel like I couldn't use it.  Like it was a work of art or something that could not get dirty.  So, in turn, I'm sure I'd end up holding in pee for days, to avoid doing anything to miss HK, and that's simply just not healthy.

Let's keep Hello Kitty's adorable little face out of the bathroom, k?

[picture credit: Hello Kitty Hell]

Perm in a Pill

When I was younger, I hated my curly hair.  I actually called it "wavy-frizz-grossness".  Once I grew up, I learned to love my voluminous locks.  Of course, I still have the occasional bit of frizz, but with a little product and smoothing serum, my hair has the ability to look fab (not to toot my own horn).

Now, curly hair is coveted and loads of ladies want it.  Daily Beauty has reported that there's now a pill you can take to achieve the look.  Scientists have discovered the curly hair gene.
 
Nick Martin of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research tells the UK's Daily Mail: "Potentially, we can now develop new treatments to make hair curlier or straighter, rather than treating the hair directly." 

Pretty amazing, no? Since it can also make hair straighter, this discovery could potentially mean a future free of flattening and curling irons, chemical straightening treatments and perms.

Would you take a pill to change your hair's texture? 

The Beauty Commandments

I've been on a huge "beauty rules" kick ever since the new year.  It's so easy for me to forget important little nuggets of knowledge when I'm running around busilly, so it's good to take the time to have a bit of a refresher.  The beginning of a new year is superb for this. 


So, I know I've posted a few lists with you over the past week or so, but I found this great list of Beauty Commandments (courtesy of Paula Begoun) and felt compelled to share the wisdom!

• THOU SHALT NOT believe expensive cosmetics are better than inexpensive cosmetics.
• THOU SHALT NOT believe there is any such thing as a natural cosmetic (or that natural means better).
• THOU SHALT NOT believe in miracle ingredients that can cure skin-care woes.
• THOU SHALT NOT covet thy neighbor’s perfect skin (or believe her perfect skin came from a particular product or cosmetics line; skin is more complicated than that).
• THOU SHALT NOT believe everything a cosmetics salesperson tells you.
• THOU SHALT NOT believe in the existence of wrinkle-eliminating, firming, toning, lifting, or filling-in creams, lotions, or masks that can permanently erase wrinkles. Aging skin can become firmer and more resistant to future signs of aging with the right products, but even those aren’t going to get rid of wrinkles or replace what cosmetic surgery or cosmetic corrective procedures can do.
• THOU SHALT NOT be seduced by every new promotion, new product, or new product line that the cosmetics industry creates.
• THOU SHALT NOT get a tan; sun is your enemy, not your friend; it is the primary reason that skin wrinkles and develops skin cancer (and it isn’t just about getting a sunburn—turning the skin brown is equally as damaging when done on a regular basis).
• THOU SHALT NOT buy a cellulite cream, nor shalt thou assume it’s possible to dissolve fat from the outside in, because you absolutely cannot. If these products worked, who would have cellulite?
• THOU SHALT NOT see pictures of pubescent, anorexic models (who spend two hours getting their hair and makeup done and another two hours posing while the photographer and a corps of assistants determine the most flattering lighting, after which the resulting picture goes through a battery of digitally enhanced touch-ups and adjustments) and believe you will get the same (or even similar) results from using the products being advertised. That is, unless you happen to be pubescent, anorexic, and a model and can somehow stay in the right lighting all the time.

Some words to live by, no?

Fashion Babble: Q & A sesh with Stefani Greenfield

You might recall my love-fest of a post about Stefani Greenfield's Curations collection from yesterday.  I wanted to learn more about the line, and lucky for me, Stefani took the time to answer a few questions just for Sassy Fashionista!

Sassy Fashionista: What was your inspiration for Curations?

Stefani Greenfield: Curations is all about the journey. After 20 years of working with women, I wanted to fill a void in the market where the whole look equals the sum of its parts. My wardrobe reflects not just what I buy but how I live and I wanted women to be able to achieve a "curated" look without a ton of effort or breaking the bank. Luxury has no tiers and cheap is no bargain - items have to have value and meaning no matter the price tag.

SF: What are three accessories that all ladies should own?
SG: a great black clutch, a metallic strappy heel and a cuff bracelet

SF: Do you prefer trendy looks or classic looks?
SG: trend-inspired and classics with a twist

SF: For a girls night out, what would you wear?
SG: whatever makes you feel body-confident because that will totally set the tone for your evening. Nothing too constricting or that you'll be "over-remembered" for - aka the girl in the (fill in the blank) dress.

SF: I’m in my 20s and often find myself stuck between teeny bopper doodads and mature-looking accessories.  What’s a good middle ground?
SG: You can never go wrong with a classic stud earring or a strand of pearls at any age - its all about what you wear them with! They are both investment items but they won't ever go out of style.

SF: What can I wear with a statement jewelry piece to avoid looking gaudy?
SG: Wear either a statement necklace OR an earring or a cuff OR a big ring - not both! Sometimes too much of a good thing is just too much!

SF: What’s the easiest way to update an outfit I already own?
SG: a piece of statement jewelry or a colored shoe or bag.

SF: Sometimes I just want to be comfy without looking like a slob.  What should I be wearing?
SG: a legging with a ballet flat (not an Ugg or sneaker!) Captures classic Parisian chic without looking sloppy.

SF: What are your top fave pieces in your collection?
SG: Stefani stack rings : I love to mix and stack rings in different sizes and metals. Heather Crystal evil eye necklace and ring: named after my late girlfriend Heather Schiff and its a good luck talisman. Malibu Dress: easy double-layer mesh strapless dress - dress it up, dress it down, it works from Mykonos to Malibu (two of my fave places). [note: the stack rings, pictured, will be available in the Curations Spring collection.]

SF: What’s your favorite part of your job?
SG: working with my team, getting to be constantly creatively thinking and making a living by being inspired!

SF: What’s the worst fashion faux pas you’ve seen?
SG: the wedge flip flop, aka the "frankenflop", and women dressing like children!

SF: What can we look forward to for Spring 2010? 
SG: sun-baked, rich urban desert tones, utilitarian touches, mixed metal jewelry, turquoise and coral stone jewelry, Moroccan and Turkish tile printed scarves, flat sandals and lots of fabulous prints!!

For more info about the line, check out the Curations website, or contact Heather Stein at hstein@fullpic.com.

Office Doodads: Origami Sticky Notes

Oh, procrastination.  How I love thee.  It's usually not difficult to find things to do while procrastinating.  But if you need an idea, how about playing with these amazingly awesome Origami Sticky Notes?


A pad of these sticky little wonders is under $4, which really isn't much more than the boring pad of post-its you usually buy.  Each pad has instructions for 10 different shapes, including: pig; penguin; boat; crane; butterfly; squirrel; lily and water bomb. Being the pig lover that I am, I'm fairly certain that crafting the cute lil barn animal will be my shape of choice.


This is the type of thing that anyone would love to have.  It's a good gift for someone you don't know very well, but feel like you need to get them something.  Or maybe as a little reward for a job well-done to your fellow workers?  Of course you'll also need to get yourself a few pads to doodle on.


Personally, I plan on using them to pass notes, middle-school-style, with flair.  

Style Spolight: Curations with Stefani Greenfield

Okay, okay. So The Home Shopping Network used to be the place to go for stay-at-home moms looking for a new pair of stretch pants (with stirrups no less!) or a new bedazzled holiday sweater.  But in recent years, something magical happened and now they've got all these fab collections that are trendy, chic and oh-so-stylish for ridiculously affordable prices.  (P.S.: If you still opt for wearing hideous monotone outfits draped with sequined cats and bows, they still have a tiny section for you, but I will be writing you a Fashion Citation if I see you wearing one).


As for the rest of us who like looking gorgey, my latest and greatest find is Curations with Stefani Greenfield.  The collection features pieces that have a unique mix of being trendy and quite timeless all rolled into one.  The pieces are exactly the type that'll prompt your friends to ask, "Where the hell did you find that?!" and make them envious of your impressive style savvy.


The collection offers up mainly accessories with a few wardrobe necessities thrown in.  Personally, I could see myself sporting almost everything on there.  But I've taken the liberty of picking a few of my absolute faves to share with you.

Holiday Butterfly Ring ($34.90).  It's no secret that I'm obsessed with butterflies.  This is my favorite piece in the whole collection.  It's such a beautiful ring and it almost has an antique feel to it.  I could see wearing this year-round.  It's the perfect accessory for a cocktail party, or any other evening gala.

Moment's Notice Top ($49).  This actually comes in a few different colors.  It looks really flattering on all figures and seems like the type of top you could just throw on if you needed to dress up for something and only had two seconds to do so.  It's super glam and looks like it took a lot of thought to pick out.  I also love the fact that it's shimmery without having the whole "disco ball" look.

Silk Convertible Scarf with Box ($29.00).  The pattern is so intricate and exotic-looking.  Scarves are one of my go-to accessories because they have so many uses.  With this one you could tie it around your neck, tie it around a handbag, wrap it around a ponytail, use it as a headband or even use it as a decorative home accessory draped over a chair.  Plus the fact that it comes with a beautiful box makes it perfect for gift-giving. Not that I think you'd ever be able to give this away!

I know it's short notice, but if you can, catch the collection on HSN from 4PM-6PM tonight.  It's going to include a lot of the fall/holiday collection and should be stock full of great deals!


For more info on the brand, check out the Curations website, or contact Heather Stein at hstein@fullpic.com.

Marvelous Makeover: Sarah

To me, applying makeup is an art form.  So I get really excited whenever someone lets me play with their face.  My friend Sarah put all her trust in me to make her more gorgeous that she already was and I think I did a dandy job.

Unfortunatley, I neglected to take a "before" picture that night, so I had to find a random picture of her sans makeup.

So, she's obviously a looker to begin with, but of course I had a few tricks up my sleeve to take it up a notch.

Here's the "after" shot:

Very pretty, no?  Her eyes stand out more and look brighter, her skin looks flawless and everything looks beautiful without looking like she's wearing loads of makeup.

Here's what I did:

1.)  I applied concealer to the eyelids.  I'm sure you're all tired of me writing this, but concealer works as a base for eyeshadow, holding it in place and making application more even.  There are a ton of expensive eye "primers" out there, but I haven't found one that I like more than a simple concealer.  I used L'Oreal's True Match concealer.  The consistency is great; not too watery, not overly thick. And it blends very easily.

2.) Next, I went in with the shadows.  I ended up using Pixi's Eye Beauty Palette in Minimum.  It contains eight complementary eyeshadows ranging from a shimmery cream color to a deep coffee bean brown.  I actually recommend this to anyone who wants a simple palette that they can use for virtually anything.  You can create natural looks with it, as well as a few higher drama looks depending on what you want.  You could get away with this being the only eyeshadow you own.  It's great too, because 99% of people have some amount of brown in their skin, so no worries about it not being flattering!

I got off track.  ANYWAY, I first went in with the shimmery cream color.  When I say shimmer, I don't mean chunky glitter or anything.  It's very subtle and sheer.  I applied this under the brow and on the inner corner of the eye.  This immediately wakes your face up.  Then, I took a medium basic brown shade and brushed it on over the whole lid from the lashline to the crease and blended it upwards (but not actually hitting the brow).  

3.) At this point, I added eyeliner.  My recent fave is Sonia Kashuk's Plummy Bronze pencil.  I couldn't find it online, but I know Target has it in stores.  It's not too dark, or too light.  It's more bronze than plum, but there is just enough plum to it to add a bit of pop to your eye.  This went along to upper lashline, thickening as I went to the outer corner (that lifts the eye up).  On the bottom lashline, I only applied it on the outer half.  Applying liner all the way around can make your eyes look smaller than they are, and often droopy.

4.) To blend the liner, I went back in with the Pixi palette.  Taking the deepest brown shade, I applied it over the upper lid's lashline and also on the outer half of the lid up to about a centimeter or so away from the brow.  It should be darkest close to the lashline and blended upwards.  It's very important to blend.  Harsh lines are not pretty; you end up looking like a hooker. If that's the look you're going for, ignore my advice.  I also went back with the shimmery white hue and added a bit more to the inner corner of the eye and blended it into the inner half of the lid.  It should almost look like your eyelid was cut in half and half of it is brown and half is light cream.  At this point, I blended a ton to remove any harshness, and to give it a seamless effect.

5.) Next, I cleaned up under the eye.  It's so easy for shadow to collect there.  I usually use a makeup remover wipe and a little moisturizer.  Then the concealer goes on under the eye.  I dotted it on and blended (always blend, blend blend!)  This is also a good time to dot the concealer anywhere that there might be redness or any imperfection on the skin.  Simply dot it and pat it until you're happy with the result.

6.)Then, I took a very sheer tinted moisturizer and applied very little to the face (of course avoiding the eyes that I just did).  I used American Beauty's Ultimate Diamond Mineral Makeup (added bonus:  it contains SPF 15!)  I blended down to the neck to avoid the whole looking-like-you're-wearing-a-mask look.

7.) Cheek-wise, I used a peach-toned blush under the cheekbone and Revlon's ColorStay Finishing Powder in Brighten to highlight above.

8.) Finally, I brushed on mascara.  I find that using two different tubes makes lashes look superb.  Using two different formulas is the best of both worlds--you don't have to choose whether you want long or full lashes!  I first applied one coat of Rimmel's Glam Eyes mascara.  This is more for lengthening and separating lashes.  The next mascara I used was Maybelline's Great Lash BIG.  The brush is huge and it adds tons of volume.  Then came the most important step; I went through with a clean mascara wand (you can buy packs of them online) to get rid of any clumps.

Despite that fact that this blog is super long, the entire look only took me about 15 minutes.

And there you have it.  Perfect pretty face that doesn't look overdone...just a bit more polished!

If you'd like to get a personalized makeover from me (either in person or through email with a picture), send me an email atSassyAlana@gmail.com.