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.