Fashion Mag Focus: Mauve Magazine

Jenny Ortakales, writer of Jenny's Open Closet (one of my personal fave fashion blogs), has created her very own online publication--Mauve magazine.

The mag is fabulous and covers loads of fashion and style info.  I'm also a little biased because I've written an article that's in the publication!  On page 7, you can read a little "about me" blurb. On pages 19-20, you can read my piece, "Five Fab Accessories Every Lady Should Own!".

The entire magazine is great, so I highly suggest taking a look through it.  Jenny is a very talented writer and fellow fashionista, so reading her stuff is just a delight.

Here's a screen shot of my article so you can see the great set-up:

Super cute, no? To check out more of Jenny's work, stop by her blog, Jenny's Open Closet.

Oribe's Solution to Flat, Boring Locks

Even though my hair is thick and tends to get a little wild in the summertime, winter usually means my hair goes flat no matter what.  I've tried everything--even applying mousse to the roots (which looked ridiculous, by the way).

I'm really diggin' Oribe's Volumista Mist for Volume.  I've always been a fan of their hair products, but this one is my new fave.  It's lightweight and definitely gave my hair lift and a bit of texture.  Plus it smells amazing, which gets major points from me!

To use it, I've been spraying it on damp hair (maybe 5-6 sprays for medium-length hair; using any more makes hair look gritty).  Then, I brush it through evenly in my hair before styling.  I suggest using a large round brush and a blowdryer to reach the most voluminous effect.  You can also simply blowdry your hair and run a flat iron through it.  It adds protection to the hair and still leaves just the right amount of volume.

This stuff lasts forever and is of the best quality (like all of Oribe's products I've tried so far) You can get your own bottle for $29.


Disclosure: This post 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.

New Fab Baubles: Unique Designs by Karyn Dionne (and a Giveaway!)

I love unique pieces of jewelry.  They're great as gifts (or if you're me, gifts for yourself!)  Handmade designs are great as well, as you're wearing something that is different and fabulous all at the same time!

Karyn Dionne is a new jewelry designer who creates amazing pieces.  Her company, Unique Designs, sells jems and adornments that are classic, yet unique and very fashion forward.  Each piece of jewelry is made by hand and the same piece is never created twice.  So everytime you buy one of her fantastic baubles, you'll really be the only one wearing it.  Obviously, this makes her designs in high demand in my eyes.

Price-wise, Karyn charges very reasonably.  Each piece is between about $10-30.  The quality is great, so picking up one of her ultra unique pieces should really be on the top of your list (or on your honey's list since Valentine's Day is quickly approaching!!)

I have this gorgeous necklace and earring set to giveaway to a lucky reader.  The pieces are made from Swarovski crystal pearls, black magnetic beads, and clear Swarovski beads.  The magnetic beads are really interesting and fun.  The necklace can be worn as a simple strand, or you can attach the beads in different ways to create multiple looks.  You can even wear the necklace as a bracelet! It's definitely a multi-use jewelry piece.  The earrings are adorable as well.

To enter the giveaway, send an email to sassyalana@gmail.com with the subject line reading "UNIQUE DESIGNS".  The giveaway ends 2/5 and the winner will be alerted via email.

To those who aren't feeling lucky, check out Unique Design's website and check out what else Karyn has to offer.  She's also been great enough to give all my readers 10% off everything on her site.  The code is: SASSYFASHIONISTA.

Good luck, ladies! And happy shopping!

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

The Cutest Sunglasses. EVER.

If I were a pair of sunglasses, these would be them.  These adorable Sweetheart Sunnies from Fred Flare are my latest obsession.

I mean, just look at them! They're heart-shaped, pink and just all around cute. I'm in love with them. I honestly can't wait for summertime so I can bust these out with a cute little dress and strappy sandals.

Each pair is only $12 and they come in four fabulous colors: red, pink, black, and white.  They all look super chic.  I might just buy them in all the colors to be on the safe side!

Nicole by OPI Walmart Exclusive Polishes Giveaway!

Walmart has teamed up with OPI's "little sister", Nicole, to put out an exclusive nail polish collection available only at Walmart.  First of all, anything that's exclusive makes my heart go pitter-patter.  I simply need to have them.

I love the colors of this collection as well.  They're great staple shades to have in your own nail polish collection.

Here are the shades from left to right:
• Count On Me: This glimmering lavender will never let you down.  It's a very unique shade and is perfect to wear if you want to try out a new look!
• He’s A Keeper: This classic red is PERFECT. In the this one is a little bit of an orange-red warm color, which is great for most skintones.
• Never Give Up: This is a plum hue--the picture really doesn't do it justice.  The shade is a bit lighter and super gorgeous.
• Got Style?: Mauve has never looked this chic! This color is pretty sophisticated, perfect for every day wear.

All of the hues have the new Perfect Stroke brush, which definitely helps when applying the polish.

The best part?? I've got a set of these exclusive polishes to give away!

To enter the giveaway, send an email to sassyalana@gmail.com with the subject line reading "NICOLE AT WALMART".  The giveaway ends 2/3 and the winner will be alerted via email.

Good luck, ladies!!

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

The Secret to Kissable Lips

I've always loved Victoria's Secret.  Their lingerie is fab, their clothing is ultra flattering, their fragrances are to die for, and their makeup is divine.  It's so surprising to me that what started out as a lingerie company has such great makeup, but they really do.  All of their products are highly pigmented and are perfect for nearly anyone.

I recently tried a new shade of VS lip gloss, Strawberry Fizz, and I'm honestly IN LOVE with it.  It's not even lust--this is the real deal.  If it were socially acceptable to marry lip gloss, this would be it!

Not only does it work amazingly, it also smells wonderful.  So much so, that my fiance kisses me roughly 57843957843 more when I wear it.  He even tried to eat it to see if it tasted the same (see picture). It didn't really work out for him.

That said, the glosses are amazing when they're not being eaten.  They've been around for a while, but they're gorgeous and perfect for everyone.  I've always found that they last a long time on my lips, but aren't sticky, which is huge pet peeve of mine.  The glosses also moisturize dry lips, so it's a perfect go-to lip product for this time of year.

With oodles of shades, it tough to pick just one!  Luckily, Victoria's Secret has a sale going on right now (Huzzah!!!).  You can buy two glosses for $12, or four for $20 (one on its own is $7)

Not a bad deal for severely smoochable lips.  With Valentine's Day coming up, these glosses are the perfect way to primp your pucker before a long makeout sesh!  But be warned: your guy may not be able to keep his lips off yours!

Be Proud to Show Off Your Bra Straps with Exposed Envy!

I hate strapless bras.  There, I said it.  But I love dresses and tops of all kinds that basically require strapless bras.  No one wants to see a white (or graying) bra strap hanging off the side of a gorgeous dress.  And strapless bras are just so uncomfortable.  Everytime I wear one, I find myself constantly tugging at it to make sure it stays in place.

Exposed Envy understands this.  They've created a fabulous line of removable bra straps that are simply gorgeous and range from fun to fancy.  The best part is, they're all affordable!

The straps are made to be shown off, and are so gorgeous that you'll want to wear them out and about!

Sassy Fashionista and Exposed Envy have teamed up for a giveaway of a couple of the bra straps.  Below is a picture of the two sets I have to give away:

How cute are these straps??! They're perfect for Valentine's Day when you want to show a little something without being obvious about it.

To purchase these on your own, check out their website.  The Black and Silver Beaded Bra Strap set is $20 and the Pink Flower Print Bra Strap set is a mere $7!  There are so many great finds on the site; I highly recommend spending some serious time browsing.

To enter the giveaway, send an email to sassyalana@gmail.com with the subject line reading "EXPOSED ENVY" and specify which strap set you'd like to enter for.  The giveaway ends 2/2 and the winners will be alerted via email.

Good luck!!

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

New Winter Issue of Applaud Women is Out!

It's that time again! Applaud Women has just come out with their latest Winter issue, and yours truly has an article inside!

I always get so excited when this seasonal mag comes out.  It's got the best info on tons of subjects.  This issue is mainly geared towards weddings, which makesmy heart go aflutter since I've been getting slowly excited about planning my own wedding!  There are definitely some great ideas throughout the mag.

But of course, I've got to pimp myself out a little here.  My new article, "Look Like a Million Bucks (Without Spending It)", is on pages 48-49.  Check it out for some fab tips!

And of course,check out the rest of the mag for some other great articles!

Here's a screen shot of my piece:

Let me know what you ladies think!

Fab Coupon For $3 Off Any Boots Product from Target!

Hey, ladies!! Just wanted to share some info with you! Right now, Boots is running a promotion at Target.

All you have to do is go onto facebook, "Like" the Boots page, and you will immediately be brought to the "offers"page.  Once you're there, all you need to do is put in your info and a printable $3 off coupon will be yours!

Huzzah! I love coupons!

Fashion Faux Pas: Mismatch Pajama Pants in Public

Well, we already know how I feel about wearing pajamas in public.  I'm not a fan, to say the least.  I don't care how lazy you are; how hard is it to grab a pair of jeans on throw them on instead of an ugly pair of pajamas??!

At the gas station the other day, I found this woman.  Not only does the sweatshirt not match the pants, the pants are horrific.  I think the pattern is supposed to be Disney characters, which is just about the worst theme possible for pajamas unless you're under the age of ten.

Ladies, I of all people understand what it's like to be in a hurry.  But I will never understand how looking like this is somehow acceptable.

I was quite close to writing her up a fashion citation for this, but decided to just let it go...if I could go back in time, a fashion ticket would have worked wonders,don't you think?

Good Enough to Eat: Shea Terra Organics Chocolate Collection

I love chocolate.  Quite frankly, I can't think of anyone who doesn't.  One of my new fave collections is the Shea Terra Organics chocolate line. They've got a couple fabulous products that are my new "go-to" products for when I feel like pampering myself (which is basically everyday!)  

Their Premium Dark Chocolate Sugar-Stone Exfoliating Cream is definitely at the top of my list.  Even with my super sensitive skin, this stuff works like a charm.  It exfoliates the skin without making it feel raw, which is a problem I find quite often. Since it's a cream, it softens as it scrubs, which is utterly genius.  It's also 99.7% natural (made with pure cacao mass and vanilla) and smells absolutely divine.

Another product I'm loving is their White Chocolate Whipped Shea Butter Ultimate Moisturizing Body Cre'me. This cream is AMAZING.  It moisturizes super well and is a great companion to the Dark Chocolate Exfoliating Creme. This product is also 99.7% all natural and is made from 30% organic cocoa, shea butters and vanilla.  It's great for all day moisture protection and works best when applied immediately after showering.

Both products feel wonderful on the skin and leave behind the yummiest scents--perfect for Valentine's Day! Each product is $22, but trust me, it's worth it for the quality.

Disclosure: This post 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.

The PR Scoop with Nadia: Making Your Next Event Special!

When planning an event you want to make sure that things run smoothly and it’s memorable. In this series you will learn or in some cases reaffirm the important components that are part of an event. One of the best ways to make sure your event is remembered for years to come is through your décor! Decorations set the tone of the event and it’s the first thing your guests will see when they enter the room. 

 

Decoration Ideas 

 

No Chandelier? Try using Confetti System papier-mâché piñatas. This is ideal for both adult and children parties. Available in metallics including silver, gold and quartz, you are guaranteed to make any dull room sparkle. These piñatas are filled with handmade confetti making them ideal for birthday parties.

Cost: $140 

 

Candles are often used to create an ambiance of soft lighting, why not create a bigger impact by adding a fabulous aroma too! Keep in mind that some people are sensitive to particular scents or might not agree with your selection so keep this idea for more intimate gatherings or select a basic scent like vanilla. 

 

Nest Fragrances has a collection of 12 uniquely scented candles by Laura Slatkin. Scents include Beeswax & Whipped Cream (with essence of steamed rice, honey and cognac) and Wild Oats & Bourbon (with wild oats, mandarin ginger and bourbon).

Cost: $32

[PHOTO CREDIT: Nest Fragrances]

Cherry Sandalwood Vanilla Organic Candle is by Pure Light, the World's first and only aromatherapy candles made with organic coconut wax, pure essential oils, and an textile-grade cotton wick. These candles are perfect for an eco-friendly party.
Cost: $25.99
[PHOTO CREDIT: World of Green]

Rentals are a great way to transform a raw space! Take a look at some of the suggested rental options below: 

 

The Dutchess White Leather Couch www.luxerentals.com

Outdoor Friendly Rentals: http://www.bizbash.com/newyork/content/editorial/18818_for_rent_6_items_for_outdoor_events.php

Antique Black Farm Console Table www.bridgeprops.com

http://www.bridgeprops.com/?p=productsMore&iProduct=2811&sName=Antique-Black-Farm-Console-Table-(2)

Stay tuned for Out of The Box Centerpieces!

Nadia Murdock is the owner of Manchester Public Relations, and is a fashionista herself.  You can contact her via her website, or email her at nadia.murdock@gmail.com.

[Source www.Notesonaparty.com]

Fab Lancome Gift With Purchase at Saks!

One of the most glorious things in the world is beauty gifts with a purchase.  Right now, Saks Fifth Avenue has a great Lancome GWP.  If you spend $50 or more on any Lancome products, you'll receive:

• A gorgey plum-hued cosmatic bag
• Lipstick
• Mascara
• Eye makeup remover
• An eyeshadow quad
• YOUR CHOICE of moisturizer

Not bad, right? Well in addition to all that, if you purchase any two Lancome mascara products, you'll receive a Lancôme mini Cils Booster XL Mascara base. Just enter promotional code LANCOME25 at checkout.

Still not satisfied?  Spend $75 on beauty products and reveive this fab travel set (enter code JETSET at checkout)!

Yay!! I love freebies (even if you have to spend money to get 'em!)

Dave's Take: Top 20 Simple Ways to Impress Your Lady

Valentine's Day is about a month away, so it's time for guys to step it up a notch! My lovely fiance, Dave (look how cute we are in the pic!), came up with a list of things that guys should do.  Basically a quickie crash course to provide men with ways they can impress their lady friend. 

I agree with a decent chunk of what's on this list, but take a look for yourself! And show the list to your man if he's lacking!


P.S.: #14 is my favorite!

1. Cut and clean under your nails. Long nails and dirt underneath is a major turn off. 
2. Buy a box of q-tips and clean the wax out of your ears every day.
3. No girls wants to kiss dry cracked lips. Use some chap stick
4. Hair is good in the right places. Pluck your nose hairs. Keep your downstairs trimmed and clean cut.
5. Brush your f*cking teeth; the vast majority of girls cannot stand guys with bad teeth/breath. I recommend whitening if you have discolored teeth. Bad teeth are one of the biggest female turn offs.
6. If you can't grow proper facial hair, don’t try. The Mexi-stash is the worst. Clean shaven at least shows you care about your appearance.[Note from Sassy Fashionista: the Fu manchu is another puke-worthy one!] 
7. Be willing to reciprocate. (you know what I mean ;) )
8. You are not a jack-hammer; its not all about you. Make it your goal to please her before yourself.
9. Cook for her. Woman are very impressed by a man who knows his way around a kitchen.
10. Pace your drinking with her's. She can drink as much she wants, and you're allowed to match it. Getting black-out-fall-down porcelain-god-worshiping-drunk is not cute or cool.
11. If she wants to snuggle, do it whether or not it's your thing.
12. Buy her flowers because it's Tuesday. Know what her favorite flower is. Roses lack creativity. Women are way more impressed by a gesture that shows you know her.
13. If you cant say something nice, shut the f*ck up. When she talks, listen--even if you aren't immediately interested.  Actually listen and respond with answers other then “yupp” and “uh-huh”.
14. Tell her you love her in public. Never be ashamed to let your girl know how you feel regardless of who's listening.
15. Know what color your girl's eyes are. This is one of the mostly commonly used quizzes women use to see if you actually look at her face.
16. Put the toilet seat down. Every time. After the first time she falls in at night, you will never hear the end of it.
17. Watch a movie she wants. Try to enjoy it, even if it's not your your cup of tea.
18. Tell her how much you love her most insecure parts of her body. Chances are, what she's insecure about is what makes her unique.
19. Encourage her to spend time with her friends.
20. Jealousy dooms relationships. Trust is huge. Until she gives you a reason not to, let her know you trust her. If you’re the jealous type, work on it.

Payless Has Makeup??

It's true.  They've finally done it.  Payless now represents two fab new makeup and fragrance lines, Unforgettable Moments and Zoe & Zac Naturals.  Eeeeee!!! I'm so excited!!

I've been a Payless gal for as long as I can remember. I've always loved their shoes--I mean I just wrote an article about them a couple days ago!  So this is HUGE.  It's like my fantasy has come true.

Both of the lines are amazing.  From Unforgettable Moments, I absolutely love their palettes (big surprise, right?).  The Golden Kiss Eye Kit is a personal fave.  It comes with four super blendable shadows and two cream liners.  And it's only $7.99!!

That said, Zoe & Zac Naturals is my pick of the two.  Their Spring Eclipse Mineral Powder is one of my everyday products and has worked its way to the top of my makeup bag.  It adds just a bit of shimmer in a soft peach shade that works perfectly for most skintones. It's great for wintertime when our skin naturally loses its luster. The cost of this is $7.99.

I'm also a fan of their Bamboo White Tea Out on the Town Bath & Beauty Set . I love little gift sets (for myself, of course, but also to give as gifts!).  This set comes filled to the brim with Bamboo White Tea scented body mist and hand cream, 3 shiny lip shimmers in Currant, Pink Beach and Café Cocoa all in a Zip-close cosmetic bag (which is super cute).  All of the products are free of parabens & phthalates and are not tested on animals.  The set is $17.99.

I think I've just found my new favorite makeup shops!  Thanks, Payless!!

The Best Cities to Shop in the U.S.

Because we all have different fashion taste and income, it’s hard to pin point what constitutes as ‘good shopping’.  

Forbes, however, recently released a list of the top 25 shopping cities in the United States. Their choices really surprised me.  Boston and NYC are somehow at the bottom of the list...? Anyone else find this weird?

 1. Houston, TX
 

2. Dallas, TX

3. Baltimore, MD

4. Columbus, OH

5. Indianapolis, IN

6. Philadelphia, PA

7. Phoenix, AZ

8. San Antonio, TX

9. Jacksonville, FL

10. San Diego, CA

11. Charlotte, NC

12. Austin, TX

13. Denver, CO

14. Detroit, MI

15. Chicago, IL

16. Los Angeles, CA

17. Milwaukee, WI

18. Boston, MA

19. Nashville, TN

20. San Jose, CA

21. El Paso, TX

22. New York, NY

23. Memphis, TN

24. Seattle, WA

25. San Francisco, CA

Interesting, no?

The Most Fabulous Slip Dress ON SALE!

I love dresses.  I just love getting all dressed up--I don't even care if there's a reason for it.  Because of that, I'm constantly looking for cute little dresses...even though I might never get a chance to wear them and my fiance is not likely going to take me anywhere that requires a fancy look.

That said, I LOVE the Slip into This Dress by Mark.  It's cut perfectly to flatter most body types, the straps are adjustable and the color is gorgeous.  This is a dress that can look super elegant paired with pearls and glitzy shoes, or can be toned down a bit when worn under a cardigan.

The dress is currently on sale for $14.99 (it was originally $26).  I think I can get away with wearing this out--especially in the springtime with a cute denim jacket!

My Latest Nail Obsession: OPI Shatter Black

This new polish from OPI just tickles my fancy.  I'm in love with it, to be quite honest.  It's basically a topcoat that you can layer over any other nail polish hue that actually shatters. 

I painted my nails with OPI Party in My Cabana (a silver shade) first, waited for it to dry completely, then swiped on a coat of OPI Black Shatter.  It literally does "shatters" and cracks within seconds--very cool to watch.  I was initially unsure about whether or not the result would be what I wanted, but in all actuality, it turned out better than I expected!

Black Shatter is part of the new Katy Perry collection, which I'll be writing about later this week. 

Here's a picture of what the end result looks like:


You can purchase a bottle of your own Black Shatter at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA, for $8.50.


Disclosure: This post 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: Hellooooo Kitty!

Oh. My.God.

Yes, it's true. You are looking at Hello Kitty boxer briefs.

When I found these, I basically had a seizure of sadness.  I love Hello Kitty more than anyone in the world (I think) and I don't appreciate her face being on some guy's ass.  And what guy would possibly purchase these??!
I asked multiple guys what they thought of the look and they all said that they would not ever wear them.  This included statements like, "I wouldn't even wear them on laundry day" and "Who the f*uck would buy these??!"  It's all very troubling.
What's worse, they come in a ten-pack.  So you get ten pairs of various Hello Kitty boxer briefs for (wait for it) $80!!! If for some reason a guy would actually be into them, I'd assume that the price would defer them from actually purchasing them.  Sadly, I'm not sure that is the case.

This whole thing is ridiculous.  If I ever saw my fiance enthusiastically wearing a pair of these, I would have no choice but to punch him in the face (sorry, honey).

If you want to check out these $80 undies, go to the SEXY Men's HELLO KITTY Underwear site.  But I'm begging you not to waste your money on something so unsexy.

Clever Clogs

If you've been keeping up with fashion at all, then you know that clogs are officially back in style! This excites me greatly.  In high school, I had this great pair of Steve Madden clogs that were the perfect shade of brown leather, and I wore them constantly... all the way down past the heel and onto the wooden part.

Clogs are just super comfy, and look great at the same time (unless you're wearing crocs, which I have expressed my hate for many times).  Other than crocs though, there are some amazingly cute designs out there.

Payless has these great Frost Fur Clogs that I'm currently obsessed with.  I love all the little details--the studs, the faux fur and the fact that they basically go with any outfit.

Bonus?  Each pair is only about $30.