HAPPY EASTER!

Happy Easter, ladies! I hope the Easter Bunny is good to everyone!

If you're looking for a cute Easter gift to give (or, let's be honest--to buy for yourself), check out this adorable Bunny Necklace. At $24, the necklace is a perfect way to welcome spring!

How to Give Yourself a Fab Manicure!

Being a lady who's obsessed with nails, I've definitely learned a few tricks along the way.  Sure, going to a nail salon and getting a mani is fun, but you can get the same look at home for much cheaper (some salons can cost up to $50!).

Doing it yourself isn't as difficult as you might think. I have a pretty good system that works and looks fabulous.

First, you need to gather the essentials. Be sure to have all these things ready to go before you even start anything:

• Nail-polish remover and cotton swabs or pads
• Nail clippers, if your nails need a trim before you polish
• Emery board
• Base coat
• Nail polish
• Clear topcoat

Next, use nail polish remover to get rid of old polish. An acetone-based polish remover is a bit more harsh than others, but the acetone removers get the job done faster.

Shape your nails--first using clippers (if you need to), then use an emery board to file your nails into your desired look. I usually go with a slightly rounded nail shape. 

Now you have to prep your nails for the polish.  Moisturizing ingredients of any kind left on the nail will prevent polish from adhering properly. Using a cotton swab or pad, apply nail-polish remover again over the nail's surface to remove any residue. 

If you have weak or brittle nails, use a base coat of ridge-filling nail polish to make your nails look super smooth. A base coat is crucial! I cannot stress that enough! It protects nails from staining and prevents chipping. 

Then, apply your color polish in layers, allowing each layer to dry between coats. Two coats of color polish, followed by a top coat to add shine should do the trick. Layering is important.  If you apply one thick layer, it won't dry as well, or look as even.

To make your mani last as long as possible, touch it up with a single layer of top coat every couple of days. This can make all the difference in keeping up the appearance and durability.

You can def get a gorgey manicure doing it yourself. And remember: practice makes perfect!

Fashion Faux Pas: This is NOT a Shirt

I hate most tube tops in general, but this "tube top" (I'm using the term very loosely) is just ridiculous.

I've been seeing these things all over the place.  Apparently covering your chest with a shirt no larger than a headband is in.  You've got to be kidding me.

First of all, unless you are a super skinny model, this look is incredibly difficult to pull off. Any slight lump or bump you have is going to be on spotlight. Plus if you have a bra size above an A cup, there's no way you'll be able to keep your knockers covered up.

Secondly, this simply shouldn't be marketed as a shirt! I can't even imagine wearing this in public. Maybe underneath another top it would look okay, but on its own? No. Just no.

At least the price is right. If you want to buy this skimpy piece of fabric, you can get it for under $4.

My Current Nail Polish Obsession: Fair Game

I have a thing for blue nail polish. No matter what the season is, there's always a blue out there that you can wear.

Essie's latest Fair Game, from their resort collection, is def my fave polish (for now)! It's great for the season transition--not too bright and not too dark.

The color is interesting--in a good way. It isn't a simple hue.  And that's probably what I like most about it. At first glace, it actually looks like a regular gray/silver polish, but there's a decent amount of blue in it for sure. The color changes a bit depending on the light.

This is a great color for ladies who are scared to wear crazy colors on their nails. It's quirky enough to make you stand out, but toned down enough that you can wear it with nearly anything.

I just love it! I'm seriously sitting here picturing the color with all of my outfits and I can't find one that doesn't work.

You can get a bottle for under $8.

Vote For Me!

Now I'm pretty sure that I'm most people's fave fashion/beauty blogger...I mean, who wouldn't love me, right??! 

So, my lovely readers, I need some help. And since I'm so loved by you all, I'm sure it won't be a problem! ;)

I'm in the final top three of the Simon Malls Style Setters competition and I seriously need votes!!  If you love me, my writing...or even just like my picture better than the other two, vote for me (Alana Finnie)!

Thanks, fellow fashionistas!! Stay fabulous!

Get Rid of Dry Winter Skin with Yes to Carrots

Happy spring (a couple days late)! Even though it's officially springtime, New England is colder than ever. And my skin is definitely feeling it.

Yes to Carrots has always been my go-to brand when it comes to skincare. Since their products are almost completely natural, my crazily sensitive skin loves it!

The two best products to rid yourself of dryness is their Intense Repair Body Lotion and their Intense Repair Hand Cream.

Both products are absolutely fabulous. They really quench your skin. The hand creme is great to keep with you in your purse for use all day. I usually always have a tube of it with me. I love that it moisturizes without being greasy.  It's really hard to find that in a good hand cream.

As for the body lotion, it's perfect to use over your whole bod immediately after showering to lock in the moisture.

The body lotion retails at $9.99 and the hand creme is $8.99.

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

Thrifty B's Silver and Gold Handbag GIVEAWAY!

I absolutely love thrift shops. Thrifty B's in Concord NH is one of my all time faves.  I can walk in with $20 and leave with a fab new purse, top, pair of earrings...the list is endless! They have just about everything there.

What makes them even more amazing? Thrifty B's has teamed up with Sassy Fashionista for a fantastic giveaway!

I have two large totes to give away to two lucky readers; one is silver and one is gold. Both would be great beach bags (wishful thinking!) or would work as totes for people who have a lot to carry around (*cough* like me).

Here's a pic of the two bags:

Super gorgeous, right?!

To enter the giveaway, send an email to sassyalana@gmail.com with the subject line reading either "SILVER" or "GOLD".  You can only enter for one of the bags, so choose wisely.  The giveaway ends 3/23 and the winners will be alerted via email.

Good luck, ladies!!!

For those of you who don't feel so lucky, stop by Thrifty B's in downtown Concord! Or give them a call at (603) 715-1547. Trust me--you'll fall in love with the place the second you walk in! 

Disclosure: This post contains products 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.

Le Parcel: Every Month Without Fail

This is one of the most ingenious things I've ever seen! Le Parcel is a company that sends out monthly packages (much like Birchbox or Ipsy).  But rather than filling the box with makeup and beauty products, Le Parcel ships out a cute little package filled to the brim with stuff you need for...*cough cough* that special time of the month.

Because the package is automatically delivered each month, you don't even need to think about whether or not you need tampons. You'll never have to send your man out to awkwardly buy "feminine products" ever again!

For $15, you receive a box full of fun surprises (like chocolate) in addition to necessities. Every month, the package contains something different, so you actually do get surprised. You also get to customize what you prefer brand-wise.  The package is totally catered to your exact needs. On the site, you can even suspend, cancel, or make changes to your subscription which includes the date of delivery.

It makes your "monthly gift" an actual gift!

This might just sound crazy, but I really think this is an incredible idea. Definitely Sassy Fashionista approved!

Get Organized in Style with Sonia Kashuk

I'm pretty confident that I own more beauty products than anyone in the world. I have a whole system worked out--I rotate my makeup into different bags so that everything gets used.  I do this typically once a month and it's a huge production...my boyfriend really isn't a fan of my makeup being all dumped out on the floor while I try to organize everything. But alas, it is my cross to bear.

But even if you don't have ridiculous piles of makeup all over the place, keeping your beauty products organized is a definite must.

I'm loving this new Floral Print Cosmetic Bag collection from Sonia Kashuk.  The pattern is so pretty! And I'm loving the green--just in time for St. Patrick's Day (and way less cheesy than the alternatives out there)!

My fave product in the collection is the Roll Up Valet. Inside are four compartments to divide up your stash. You can fit a ridiculous amount of stuff in there...I really recommend this for travel.  Plus, you don't have to limit yourself to beauty items. It'd make a great jewelry travel case, or you could even mix in different travel items since it's all separated so conveniently!

The entire collection retails from $6.99-$39.99. Super reasonable. Super gorgeous. What more could you ask for?

Disclosure: This post contains sample products 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: Way Too Much Denim

Guess what??! There's finally something uglier than the pairing of jeans and a denim shirt!!

And here it is: the Right Back Patch You Top.

This much denim in one place is hurting my eyes.

I have to take a quick sec to say that I'm usually a huge fan of the clothing ModCloth has to offer.  Their dresses are adorable and the prices are great.

But I just cannot forgive the ugliness of this shirt.  Denim shirts in general are never a good idea. What could you possibly wear them with? Obviously the denim-and-jeans combo is too much, but denim is also not really "dressy" enough for any other type of pant. The whole thing is absurd.

Back to the issue at hand, the disgusting patchwork top.  It looks like a home ec project gone horribly awry. Like someone said to themselves, "Oh, I can totally design a shirt...but all I have is this pile of random denim. Oh well!" and just went to town on it.

I don't even think I can get across my severe hatred in a blog post.  To put it bluntly, I'd rather be seen in public wearing flannel pajamas with an ugly design festooned all over them. And you should all know that any form of pajamas in public are at the top of my list when it comes to fashion faux pas.

The thing is, the cut of the actual shirt isn't bad. So it's quite unfortunate that it isn't in a pretty pattern, or a nice springtime hue. Horrible job, designers. Just awful.

That is all.

A Shoe Every Woman Needs to Own

Okay, so I'm obsessing over this adorable Polka-dot Shoe Ring Holder (from Dressbarn, of all places!!)

First of all, the shoe is super cute.  I've been looking for something similar to wear as actual shoes.

But this is sooo much better than basic pumps!

This storage shoe holds five rings--although, I'm sure that you could fit a few more in there, unless all your rings are huge and blingified.  The satin ring compartments are simply gorgeous and make the holder look totally classy.

You can also get this "shoe" in pink with black polka-dots.  Personally, I'd like to get a few of them to line up above my jewelry armoire.  It'd make a fabulous addition to any jewelry collection.  And a bonus? The holder helps you stay organized!

At $10 a pop, you can easily afford to buy a few for yourself.  And they make great gifts, if you want to share the awesomeness with some of your gal pals!

Lotion For The Lazy Girl

One of the best beauty tips I've ever gotten is that you should always apply a nice moisturizing lotion immediately after showering.  Your skin can take in a lot more of the moisture than if you apply it later in the day.

It's always worked really well for me and my skin is pretty happy.  The only problem I have is that sometimes time is an issue (or, let's be honest, pure laziness).

So that's why I'm loving Vaseline's new Spray & Go Moisturizer.  This stuff makes the whole process of moisturizing foolproof.  Just aim and spray! It's also handy because it reaches places that your normal lotion can't--like the middle of your back.  It also dries within 10 seconds (!!!), so you don't have to wait around before throwing on your clothes.

The lotion itself is of fabulously good quality. It contains pure cocoa butter and Stratys-3 multi-layer moisture complex for healthy glowing skin.


This is a win-win in my book!

Fake it 'Til You Make It

When I was in high school, I used to sometimes arrive to class wearing "business attire". Seriously.  I even had a pinstripe suit that I'd bust out from time to time.  I figured that would make me look like a successful journalist, despite the fact that I hadn't even been to college yet.  In fact, I'm pretty used to faking just about anything!

I think that all women should be aware of how to fake it until you make it, regardless of what you actually do.  Even if your life seems completely out of control to you, just fake it!

Whether it’s how to fake a clean bathroom for that sudden visit from your mom or how to fake short hair when you can’t commit to cutting (yes, you can do that!), Jennifer Byrne’s Fake It: More Than 100 Shortcuts Every Woman Should Know is your secret recipe for success.

Lazy? Noooo! You’re just savvy! (see? you're already faking it!)

Each book is about $10.

Surprising Uses for Coconut Oil

One of the best multi-tasking products is coconut oil. Coconut oil is more than just moisturizing. Packed with vitamins D, E and K, the miracle-worker transforms skin and hair in minutes. Use it as an oil or a balm--the product turns liquid above 75° F and remains a silky solid at lower temperatures.  It's quite versatile.

Here are a few ways to use this fab stuff:

EYE MAKEUP REMOVER: Dab a small amount on a cotton pad and use it to remove mascara and other eye makeup.

FRIZZ FIGHTER: Emulsify a tiny bit between your hands and use it as an anti-frizz hair serum.

FACE MOISTURIZER: Smooth onto face as moisture-rich cream that harnesses vitamin E to heal skin naturally.

BODY SCRUB: Mix with equal parts sugar and keep in the shower for a moisturizing, exfoliating body scrub.

ELBOW SOFTENER: Slather rough elbows with a layer of the stuff. After five minutes, use body brush to exfoliate the softened skin.

CURL TAMER: Run a touch through natural ringlets to encourage the perfect amount of curl.

BODY MOISTURIZER: Smooth on to protect skin’s moisture barrier all day long.

DEEP CONDITIONER: A thick coat of coconut oil, left on for several hours under a shower cap, will transform dry, damaged hair.

LIP BALM: Keep some in a small tin as a natural lip protector.

SHAVE AID: Works great as a natural—and moisturizing—shaving lubricant.

SKIN SOOTHER: Spread on skin to alleviate psoriasis or eczema.

CUTICLE CREAM: Rub into cuticles to prevent hangnails.

TOOTH WHITENER: Concoct a natural toothpaste by mixing with baking soda.

SCALP CONDITIONER: Rub into scalp to calm itching and help stimulate hair growth.

MASSAGE OIL: Once it’s warmed up, coconut oil makes for a lovely tropical-smelling massage oil.

You can usually buy a decent amount of the oil for under $10. Check it out here.

Nail Polish and Remover in One!

Yes, I have lots of nail polish, and I really have no business buying any more of it...That said, I'm obsessing over Duality Nail Pak Nail Lacquer.

This isn't your normal bottle of polish.  It's actually designed to be a "mini mani" in a bottle.  Simply unscrew the polish portion from a bottom container to uncover a tiny nail file and remover-soaked pads. Voila--a mobile nail station that’s ready whenever you can squeeze in a moment.

I do tend to always carry around a couple bottles of polish in my emergency makeup bag (which I, of course, carry with me at all times), but fitting in a file and polish remover takes up way too much valuable space.  The fact that everything you need is in this cute little bottle just fascinates me.  It's a must-have.

Each polish is $15 and you can get it in practically any color you desire.

Be Fashionable With Your Other Half: Gold Toe Socks GIVEAWAY!

Gold Toe Socks are simply fabulous! I've been obsessed with them for a while (most recently with their Heart of Gold promotion).

I know I've said it before, but often times, socks are not at the top of our fashion "must-have" lists. And they really should be. Not only do socks make your fave shoes fit more comfortably, they can also be really adorable! 

I absolutely love the idea of his and hers socks; especially while it's still crazily chilly in New England! What's cuter than snuggling up with your main squeeze in comfy, fashionable socks?! 

Gold Toe has teamed up with Sassy Fashionista for an amazing giveaway.  The winner receives two sets of socks (one for you and one for the man in your life)!  The socks are great and totally wearable, no matter what the occasion.  Both sets are mostly black and grayish hues, so they'll match almost everything.  

Here's a peek:

The women's socks are the brand's Women's Anklet Fashion socks, while the male counterpart is their Crew Dress socks. 

Each set contains three pairs of fabulously well-made socks that fit most sizes.  The quality is amazing--trust me, Gold Toe really knows their stuff! I own quite a few pairs myself and love the comfort as well as the gorgeous execution and flair.

To enter the giveaway, send an email to sassyalana@gmail.com with the subject line reading either "GOLD TOE". The giveaways end 3/8 and the winner will be alerted via email.

Good luck!!

Disclosure: This post contains sample products 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.