Super Cute Top You Can Wear Now and Later!

Once the holidays are over, I'm totally ready for spring.  I don't buy any new sweaters, mittens or huge cozy scarves because I like to pretend that springtime is almost here.


On that note, I love looking for fabulous tops that have a spring-ish feel to them when I get the winter blues.  This Embellished Push-up Bra Top from Victoria's Secret is perfect for that.  It'll look amazing when the weather warms up, but in the meantime wearing it with a cute black cardigan makes it winter appropriate. 


The color of the top is also a good hue to wear year-round.  Burgundy looks amazing on almost every skintone, and works for all seasons.  The embellishment is great too because you can dress it up or down.  Pairing the top with a pair of well-worn jeans is a great casual look, while wearing it with a black pencil skirt and your highest heels dresses it up for any occasion.


I actually just bought this top for myself (eeeee!!) because it's currently on sale.  I mean really on sale.  Originally, it was about $60.  Now, you can grab it for under $20.


Exciting, no?

Beauty Boo-Boo: Nail Polish for Dudes

It's finally happened.  There is now a line of nail polish that is specifically geared towards men.  Needless to say, I'm absolutely horrified.

Alpha Nail (clever name, eh?) claims that wearing the manly polish will attract women and make men look super macho.  There are oodles of ads showing buff guys with gorgeous models draped all over them.  This is ridiculous!!  If I ever saw a guy wearing nail polish, I would most likely punch them in the face, or issue them a hefty Fashion Citation.

To make the polish sound as masculine as possible, each color has a super manly name.  A few of the best ones? Gasoline, Burnin' Rubber, and my personal favorite Cocaine (yes, it is a white hue).

The site claims that the polish is ideal for use in the ring, the pool, and the club. REALLY??!!? Are you kidding me?? I'm pretty sure that if a guy wore nail polish to a club, he'd have a horrible time.  Not only would it freak out the girls, guys would probably kick his ass too.

Here's an example of a beefcake wearing a baby blue shade "in the ring": 

Not really a good look. 

I will say that the pen-esque tube does make application a breeze.  It works very similarly to Nicole by OPI Nic's Sticks. That's pretty much the only good quality the product has.

If for some reason you feel the need to try the polish out on your main squeeze, you can pick up a tube for about $10.  That's right.  It's more expensive than almost every single other nail polish out there. But hey, if you're going to paint your guy's nails, you might as well go all the way, right?

Beauty Routine Time Savers

Getting up at 5am in order to get through your entire beauty regimen isn't fun.  At all.  So here are a few time savers to help you get super gorge in a hurry!

Skip the shampoo
Unless your hair is extra oily, there’s no need to shampoo every day. On the days in between, sleep with your hair in a high ponytail to add some volume, then spray the roots with a dry shampoo to soak up extra oil and freshen your tresses. You’ll shorten your time in the shower and skip blow drying, so you cut out two steps with this one trick.

Wash without water
Wash your face without the fuss. Use waterless cleansing cloths to wash away last night’s dirt and grime, even if you’re nowhere near a sink. These wipes work a lot like baby wipes, getting rid of oils and dirt in seconds, leaving you refreshed. Best of all, you can use them wherever you are, making morning multi-tasking even easier.

Simplify your 'do
The next time you go for a haircut, ask your stylist for something easy to maintain. A cut that falls between your chin and shoulders is easiest because it dries fast, but is still long enough to pull into a ponytail when you’re really short on time.
 

Multi-tasking products

Since you can multi-task, your products should, too! Look for beauty products that can pull double-duty, such as blush that works as lip gloss or a anti-frizz shampoo. You’ll save both time in your day and space in your bathroom.

Minimize make-up
If you’re really pressed for time, stick with the make-up steps that are going to make the biggest difference. Freshen your face with a tinted moisturizer, then apply two coats of a lengthening mascara to help open up your eyes. Finish the look with a tinted lip gloss, applying it to your lips and adding a dab to your cheeks to gain a healthy glow. You’ll be ready to face the world in no time flat.

Skip eyeliner
Eyeliner takes time to get right. If precise application doesn’t fit into your morning beauty routine, try faking it with your mascara. When you apply your mascara, wiggle the wand against the base of your lashes. A tiny bit of mascara will be left behind, looking a lot like eyeliner. To make it look cleaner, blend with a cotton Q-tip.

Dry in a hurry
You had to paint your nails, but now you don’t have time to let them dry. When painting, apply two thin coats instead of one thick one – it’ll look better and dry faster. Let your nails air-dry for the first two minutes, then dip them in ice water for 3-5 minutes to finish. They’ll dry in half the time with the cold water boost.

How Could Anyone NOT Want a Garden Gnome Purse?

Normally I'd be making fun of something like this.  I mean, in all honesty, it's a pretty big fashion faux pas.  The bag looks like something a lady in her 70s would carry and the embroidered gnomes make it almost creepy.

That said, I've somehow found myself in love with this Garden Gnome Shirred Shoulder Bag.  It's the perfect size--16"x10"x3.5".  You can easily fit all your essentials in there, but the bag isn't HUGE so it won't be ridiculously heavy.


There's just something about the gnomes that I absolutely love.  Granted, I am partial to gnomes in general ever since I "borrowed" one from a neighbor when I lived in Portsmouth...actually he still lives with me and sits prominently next to my fireplace.  Also his name is Barnaby.


So yeah...I might be a little gnome-obsessed.


If you're like me and think this bag is super cute, you can get it for under $70.  Kinda steep, but I can't think of an outfit that wouldn't benefit from the addition of garden gnome accessories.

Beauty Boo-Boo: Lip Tattoos

I'm so upset by this product. I used to love temporary tattoos when I was a kid.  I remember getting adorable butterfly ones (which is funny since I now have a real butterfly tattoo), and waiting patiently while my mom applied them.  I felt pretty cool at the time.

Then I grew up. Temporary tattoos no longer appeal to me.  So when I saw these Temporary Lip Tattoos by Violent Lips, I was alarmed.  They sell tons of different designs and they are applied exactly like the old school temporary tattoos we used to wear.  Supposedly they last for up to 48 hours, but I imagine that if you eat anything or even rub your lips together too roughly, the tattoo would flake off.

The site shows pictures of the individual tattoos being worn...and there isn't one look that is flattering.  I specifically hate the one pictured above.  The result is looking like you have some sort of lip disease with bumps and scabs.  Not attractive.

Below are some of the more ridiculous designs:

 

The American flag tattoo is particularly ugly.  Though the denim design is right up there. Prices range from $10-$15 for a pack of three tattoos.

Am I the only one who finds this crazily stupid??! Although on the other hand, they might be good for Halloween...

GORGEOUS Necklace on Sale for $21!!

I have way too much jewelry.  It's kind of ridiculous.  I even have a jewelry armoire.  It's completely full of necklaces, bracelets and earrings galore.  But I just can't stop feeding this addiction!

It doesn't help when I see amazingly gorgeous pieces like this Black and White Diamond Pendant from Szul. I love the classic look and the fact that it can go with literally every outfit.  You can wear it with a fancy cocktail dress, or with jeans and a cute t-shirt! That's the mark of a great piece of jewelry.

Oh and the name of the necklace isn't a lie--there are real diamonds on it. Yippee!!

Here's the most incredible part:  Originally, the necklace was over $200!! And now it's on sale for $21! Can you even believe that??! I almost fainted from the sheer awesomeness of the deal.

The site is also offering up free shipping.  So there's no excuse not to buy it!  The sale is only for the weekend, so get this amazing deal while you still can, ladies! Happy shopping!

Glitz and Glam Sale!

Sephora keeps coming out with these amazing little sets of mini makeup doodads.  And I love it.  The sets are fabulous for trying out new looks and products without shelling out tons of cash.  There's nothing worse than spending tons of money on something that ends up making your face look ridiculous. Trying a mini version first is always a good idea.

This Glitz and Glam set is pretty much perfect.  It includes oodles of makeup minis that shimmer, shine and dazzle.  

Here's what you get:

- 0.13 oz Benefit High Beam
- 0.12 oz Buxom Stay-There Eyeshadow in Pug (smoky pewter)
- 0.02 oz Bare Escentuals bareMinerals All Over Color in Glee (soft mauve plum)
- 0.07 oz Sephora Collection Eye Shadow in Starry Sky 07 (black with silver glitter)
- 0.125 oz Sephora by OPI Nail Colour in Charge It! (opaque metallic 24k gold)
- 0.24 oz Tarte Celebutante Dry Oil Shimmer (champagne)
- 0.07 oz Josie Maran Argan Oil Illuminizer (light bronze)
- 0.1 oz Tarina Tarantino Sparklicity Gloss in Paiette (sheer light pink with iridescent shimmer)
- 0.12 oz Ultraflesh Gold Standard Mascara in black
- 0.08 oz Stila Lip Glaze in Vanilla (pearly nude) 

All of the products are amazing.  Not only does the set make it easy to try new products, it's also convenient for travel.  Or for your emergency makeup bag that you keep with you at all times, if you're me (or as obsessed with makeup as I am).

The best part is that this particular set, which is valued at $113, is on sale for $29! Not bad, right?!

Fashion Faux Pas: Forever Lazy Adult Onesies

I really thought that the Snuggie was the lowest, ugliest thing that fashion had to offer.  Then I found Forever Lazy.

The Forever Lazy "ensemble" is basically a onesie for adults.  It's truly horrifying. This is the type of thing someone would wear once they have officially given up on looking decent. I'm talking post ugly-sweater-and-strech-pants time.

I'm so upset that something like this even exists. Each onesie come with matching footie slippers (weee! bonus!) and, most horrifying of all, comes complete with zippered hatches in the front and back of the suit.  This is for when "duty calls" (as the website brags). How convenient!!  You can literally live in this suit for the rest of your life.

It also comes in three fashionable colors: pink, blue and a gross light puke-tan color. It's also got a hood!

I don't even feel like I need to make fun of this thing--the mere description does a great job on its own.  Each onesie is about $20.  BUT WAIT!  As with most ugly, "as seen on tv" products, the offer is currently doubled, so if you buy one, you get one free. So that's two adult onesies for under $20.

...are you kidding me??! Is this for real? I don't get how anyone finds this look socially acceptable. Is it really that uncomfortable to wear jeans and a t-shirt??

If I ever see anyone sporting this frock, I will personally attack them.  Quite possibly with a gun. This is simply unacceptable.

That is all.

Victoria's Secret Angel Eau De Parfum GIVEAWAY!

 

Every time Victoria's Secret comes out with a new fragrance, I get crazily excited. I don't think they've ever created a scent that I haven't fallen in love with.  Their latest Angel Eau De Parfum is no exception.

First, I have to mention how amazingly gorgeous the bottle is.  I'm obsessed with pretty perfume bottles (I actually have an entire table dedicated to them in my apartment), so when a fragrance comes in a fab bottle, I tend to love it even more.  This bottle is super glam.  The angel wings, slight pinkness of the glass, and the shape itself really tickles my fancy.  Even if the scent was horrible (which, again, is quite doubtful when it comes to VS!), I'd still buy the stuff just to put this bottle on display. Thankfully, that is not the case.

The smell is amazingly yummy. The mix of sparkling plum, sheer violet and amber result in a scent that's perfect for a night out.  It's a very seductive scent, but has a bit of a playfulness to it too.  It's my new go-to scent for 2012, without a doubt.

Now for the best part:  I have one full-size bottle of Angel Eau De Parfum to give away to one of my lovely readers! 

To enter the giveaway, send an email to sassyalana@gmail.com with the subject line reading "ANGEL".  The giveaway ends 1/11 and the winner will be alerted via email.

If you want to buy the scent for yourself (and I highly recommend it), you can get the fragrance or the lovely body lotion for $20-$75 online or at any Victoria's Secret store.


Disclosure: This post contains a product sent for review and 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.

Winter White Nails

Lately, I've been obsessed with wearing white nail polish.  Usually in the winter, I stick to deep shades.  Plum, deep blues, and dark berries tend to get me through the season.

I don't know what came over me this year, but I really got a hankerin' for a lighter polish hue.  And I knew exactly what to use.  The latest Nicole by OPI Kardashian collection has the best shimmery white color that is perfect for winter.

Most white polishes tend to have a bit of an "I just painted my nails with white-out" feel to them, but this particular shade, It's All About the Glam, does not have that effect at all.  

The polish has a little shimmer to it, though I would not consider it to be a glittery, or even overly shimmery, color.  The shimmer adds just enough depth to the shade to make it look interesting and totally glam.  I'd say the end result is pretty close to what it would look like if you somehow took snowflakes and applied them to your nails. Simply gorgey!

Give it a try! I promise you'll fall in love with the look!

Look for the whole Kardashian line in Walmart, Target, and Ulta.

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

My Latest Makeup Love

I've never really been into makeup primers. I usually just apply moisturizer and go about my business. But that all changed when my amazingly stylish mom got me Laura Geller's Spackle Tint & Glow set.

I'd heard great reviews about the stuff, but never got around to trying it until about a week ago.  And let me just say that this product is now a staple in my daily makeup routine.

Unlike most face primers, it has a bit of a tint to it, as well as a small amount of shimmer (and we all know how obsessed I am with anything shimmery!)  I love the fact that it's tinted.  And when I say tinted, I don't mean that it looks incredibly fake, or overly bronze.  In fact, it's just the opposite.  All it really does is give you a super sheer base to work with.  It's perfect for wintertime when everyone has less-than gorgeous skin.  The Spackle really makes your face glow!

This set also comes with a couple of additional highlighters.  One is a rosy hue, perfect to wear as blush or lip gloss.  The other is great to highlight under your browbone or above your cheekbones.

The set is simply fabulous.  You can get it yourself for about $30.  It's actually a great price because the stuff lasts forever and makes your skin look flawless! And really...who doesn't want that??!

My 2012 Beauty Resolutions

Happy 2012, ladies!! I can't even believe another year has gone by! It's that time again when everyone is rushing around coming up with resolutions for the new year.  Rather than trying to do something ridiculous (like promising myself I'll go to the gym everyday), I've decided to go with these fab beauty resolutions!  They're easy to accomplish and make you look absolutely gorgey!

 

Wear color on your nails
Are you a serial French manicure junkie? Drop the pink and white in 2011 and branch out in color. Try a new color every two weeks such as cherry red, coral or yellow!

 

Learn how to apply your own fake eyelashes
It might seem like a daunting task but applying your own fake eyelashes will save you time and make your eyes pop any day of the week. Try this How to apply false eyelashes tutorial!

 

Change your hairstyle
If you can’t tell the years in your pictures because you’ve had the same cut and color since 2005 then it is time to switch up. Make an appointment with your hairstylist to brainstorm ideas that will make you comfortable but give you a new look!

 

Moisturize every day
How easy we forget that moisturizing is the key to luxurious clear skin. Keep it next to your bed, in your purse or car to help you remember to moisturize in next year!

Try a new scent
Just because it is your “signature” scent, doesn’t mean you can’t stray away! Surprise your partner with something new on your first date of the new year, just another way to a new you in the new year!

 

[credit: She Knows Beauty & Style]

YAY!! I Finally Have the Internet Back (For Real!!)

Yes, it's true. After about a month sans internet, I FINALLY have it all set up in my new apartment! To all my lovely readers, I'm super sorry that I haven't kept you entertained with my sassy scribbles for this long!

I have oodles of stuff to write about--TONS of giveaways, reviews and other fabulous things. Stay tuned, ladies!!

Sorry, Ladies!

I've had no internet for the past couple of weeks!  Needless to say, I've been basically dying without my internet fix. Everything should be running smoothly now though!

You can look forward to oodles of giveaways (some Kamibashi String Dolls might be in the mix!) and tons of reviews.

Stay tuned!!

Sealed With a Kiss!

Wrapping gifts is absolutely my fave part of the holiday season.  Well, other than the shopping and the actual giving of the gifts...

I love getting all creative with it.  I'm seriously so obsessed with wrapping gifts that often times, my fam will unload their unwrapped gifts on me for some fabulous Alana-style wrapping.  In the past, I've even wrapped gifts that were for me. That's how awesome I am at gift wrapping. [End of bragging sesh].

This year I was super excited when I found these adorable Glossful Greetings Gift Tags from Avon..Each set includes five gift tags with one application of their gorgey Glazewear Lip Gloss in Iced Pink (a shade that looks great on nearly all skintones).  It's great to keep in your purse for lip gloss emergencies, which are quite a normal occurrence in my life, and the tag itself is super cute!

Each pack of five gift cards is $4.99.  So that's like $1 a pop (I'm such an amazing mathematician, right?!), for a really unique touch to any gift.  That said, I'd prob go with something different for your dad's gift...

Michael Kors and Estee Lauder Team up for a Fab GWP!

If there are two things I love in this world, they are makeup and designer bags. Put them together and chances are, I'll have a seizure of delight!

This holiday season, Estee Lauder and Michael Kors have come up with this amazing gift with purchase.  The bag itself is incredibly gorgeous--I'd probably spend over $100 for that alone.  Oh, who am I kidding?  I'd sell my soul for it. It's the perfect clutch for a night out. 

The makeup that comes with it is gorgeous too.  Estee Lauder's cosmetics are always of the best quality and this set is no exception.  All of the colors are universally flattering and look super fabulous on every skintone.  The packaging is even super pretty.  Who doesn't love makeup that comes in adorable gold casing??

So to get the set, all you need to do is spend $50 on an Estee Lauder fragrance purchase (which is super easy and nearly all of their scents are incredible).  Then the set is under $40.  It sounds like a hefty chunk of change, but for what you get it's definitely worth it.

Here's what comes in the set:

• Golden Eye & Face Compact (Pure Color EyeShadow in Pretty Penny, Nude Fresco, Sugar Biscuit, Safari Green, Hot Cinnamon and Kenyan Copper, plus Bronze Goddess Soft Matte Bronzer)
• Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick (full-size, in Tiger Eye)
• Pure Color Gloss (in Wired Copper)
• Double Wear Stay-in-Place Eye Pencil (great for smoky eyes, in Onyx)
• 2 Deluxe Makeup Brushes (Blush and Eyeshadow)
• Michael Kors Signature Cosmetic Bag

You can also choose the color of the bag.  It comes in gold (my personal fave), silver, and pewter.  I might just have to somehow get them all.

My game plan?  Buy a bottle of lovely perfume as a Christmas gift for someone, and keep the gift set as a gift for moi! Win-win! Not bad, right?!

As always, quantities are limited.  So get shopping, ladies!!

(Oh, and P.S.: the set is worth OVER $170!)

Add This to Your Christmas List: OPI's New Muppet Collection

 

I absolutely love the Muppets.  And now that they've got a new movie out (eeee!), OPI has come out with an amazing new polish collection that's completely Muppet-inspired!

The polishes are super cute--they're all chock full of chunky glitter, which is fabulous for the holidays.  Here are a few of my fave hues:

Divine Swine is, hands down, my fave shade in the entire collection! It has everything I could possibly want in a nail color.  It's full of gorgey pinkish-purple chunks of glitter, with a bit of silver mixed in.  It looks great on it's own (though I did need to use three coats for this result), or layered over a bright pink polish.

Fresh Frog of Bel Air is basically Kermit in a bottle. The shade of green is fantastic.  I can definitely see wearing this out for an evening on the town.  It's unique, fabulous and looks surprisingly great on everyone.

Gone Gonzo! is the perfect bright blue shade. It's similar to the other polishes in the collection, but I found that I actually got more color with fewer coats, for some reason.  This is another shade that looks great over other blue polishes.  I actually tried it over white and loved the results, as it made the blue stand out and look even brighter.

Rainbow Connection is def the most wearable in the set.  It's full of different-sized chunks of glitter in every color imaginable. This is my top pick for a New Years Eve polish!

The whole collection is amazing.  Who doesn't love chunky glitter??

The polishes are available at professional salons and spas nationwide including national chains Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA for about $8 each.

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

My Latest Obsession: Dressbarn (AND a giveaway!)

So remember how Dressbarn used to be for middle-aged women who wanted a new sack-like floral-print dress? Well the store has definitely kicked it up a notch (or a million).  Believe me, I was shocked!

After checking out their fab website, I'm ridiculously obsessed with oodles of their frocks, handbags, jewelry and adorable scarves!  My fave find so far?  This super cute Sequin Bodice Party Dress.  It's perfect for any holiday party.  Pink and black look amazingly gorgeous together and the sequins at the top of the dress add just enough bling to make the dress fancy enough for nearly any occasion.  I'm also a huge fan of the big pink bow that ties in the back. I mean, how can you not love a big pink bow??! It's just the perfect little cocktail dress--I can't get over it!  The dress is around $50, which is really decent for the quality and fabulousity it has.

Their Gloves with Beaded and Bow Trim are def on my wish list too (hint, hint, Santa). Not only are they toasty warm, they're also super ladylike and ultra chic.  The bow detail is classic and I absolutely love the beading.  A pair of gloves like this never go out of style.  They'd make a great Christmas gift for all the ladies in your life.  And since they're under $15, you can even afford to grab yourself a pair (or five)!

The store has so many goodies--I can tell a shopping spree there is in my future.

Here's the exciting part:  I have one $25 Dressbarn gift card to give away to a lucky reader!! You can use it towards a gorgey party dress, or on some amazing gifts. 

To enter the giveaway, send an email to sassyalana@gmail.com with the subject line reading "DRESSBARN".  The giveaway ends 12/5 and the winner will be alerted via email.

AND I have a fab coupon to share:

Awesome, right??! Good luck, ladies! Even if you don't win, check out the site! You'll be amazed at all the cute things they've got to offer.

Disclosure: This post contains a product sent for review and 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.

Press On Nails that Work!

My nails are awful.  They're brittle, jagged and I can't stop biting them.  So I usually have incredibly short nails that I try to wear polish over, but honestly nothing covers up the fact that my nails simply suck at life.

When I was younger, I used to try press on nails.  Back then, I remember having my mom put them on for me, only to have them immediately fall off the second I touched anything.  The glue was horrible and the nails themselves looked super fake.

As I got older, I went back and forth between having acrylics put on, but my nails grow so fast that I needed to get them filled practically every week and that can get pretty pricey.  Just getting the nails themselves put on can cost about $60. 

Well, my problem has been solved!  My amazingly fabulous pseudo-sister, Lauren, introduced me to these Kiss Everlasting French Nails.  I saw her the other day and her nails looked amazing so I asked where/if she had gotten them done.  When she told me that they were from this kit, I was SHOCKED.  They looked so natural, gorgeous and chic!

I tried them myself last night (with her assistance) and really love the results. The little tab on the top makes applying them really easy--you just use it to hold the nail while you apply glue, slide it onto your nail, hold it for a few seconds and then break it off.  I suggest filing a little afterward because the tab does leave behind a slightly jagged tip.

These things are seriously amazing though.  I've been cleaning, doing dishes, typing, eating, writing, applying makeup...basically everything--and these nails have not come off or even budged the tiniest bit!

The best part:  You can buy a pack of 'em for under $7!

For Anyone Who Loves Shoes!

I don't know what's getting into me, but I've got Christmas on my mind.  Big time.  So forgive me in advance for going on a holiday season tangent.

I realize that we still have to get through the daunting family fun fest of Thanksgiving before we make it there, but seeing this super adorable Dazzling Heels Ornament set from Avon makes getting ready for the holiday oh so exciting!

The set comes with four gorgeous mini heel ornaments (each is about 7/16" W x 2 5/8" H).  To be honest, I wouldn't limit myself to using these doodads to decorate my Christmas tree--they'd look great almost anywhere.  Some examples?  In place of a bow on a gift, dangling over your desk, as a stocking stuffer, or even as a decorative fashion-y trinket anywhere in your home (just remove the string).  The colors do look a little holiday-esque, but the silver and gold shoes look like they could be used year-round.

Each set is only about $10.  These are def great to stock up on and give to all your fashionista friends (and of course keep some for yourself).  Avon has oodles of other fab ornaments like their Cosmetic Ornaments (the lipstick is my fave!!!), their Knit Sweater Ornaments, and their Dress Ornaments.  All of them are fairly inexpensive and really add a bit of fashion to the season!