Super Cute Spring Dress ON SALE!

I don't know about everyone else, but I am absolutely loving the fact that it is somehow basically summertime in New England! Today, it got up to at least 86 degrees.  In March. And I am totally not complaining.


All this warm weather makes me want to run out and buy tons of  new dresses.  I like to spend my time in dresses whenever I can.  What can I say? I'm crazily girly.


Right now, Victoria's Secret has a bunch of their Bra Top Dresses on sale! They're all 20% off for a limited time.  So now is def the time to stock up.


I've always found their dresses to be really flattering.  They also come in tons of different colors, so once you find THE PERFECT DRESS, you can grab it in a couple other colors too.


My fave find is their Drape-Front Dress.  It gathers in at all the right places and does everything in its power to give you an amazing hourglass figure.  And really, who doesn't want that?! The Coral Kiss hue (pictured) is my fave, but there are about ten different choices.


The best part? This particular dress is on sale right now for $31.60.  All you have to do is enter the code 20STYLE at checkout.  Pretty amazing, right?

My New Obsession: BB Becker's "It's Okay" Bracelet

My jewelry style is fairly predictable.  I love huge earrings and wearing tons of bracelets.  The key to my style is that most of the jewelry that I wear (especially my bracelets) actually mean something to me.  I don't just go out and buy cheap bangles.


That's why I am currently head over heels in love with BB Becker's "It's Okay" Hand-Knotted Eclipse Bracelet.  There are so many things I love about it.  First of all, the message is perfect for when I'm having a bad day. Or even just when I need a little reassurance.  The inscription on the bracelet reads:  Everything will be okay in the end.  If it's not okay, it's not the end. It sounds so powerful and simple at the same time.


The fact that the bracelet is gorgeous is a nice added bonus.  Silver and black go with just about any outfit.  Plus, since the bracelet is adjustable, it fits almost every wrist size.  That's HUGE AWESOME NEWS for me, as my wrists are crazily tiny.  That said, I also loaned it to a friend who has, what I consider to be "normal-sized" wrists and she totally rocked it.  So everyone can carry the message.


The bracelet also makes a fabulous gift.  It comes in a super cute powder blue pouch with the inscription on a small card.  Mother's Day is coming up and I can't think of a mom out there who wouldn't love this.


Each bracelet is $139 and is of amazingly good quality.


BB Becker has tons of other goodies to offer in their Signature and Boutique collections.  Also check out their Facebook page to hear about new products and sales!

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

Five Fast Ways to Dry Your Nail Polish

As you may have guessed, I'm almost constantly painting my nails.  I just love the way a fresh coat of polish can totally change up your look.  Plus I just get bored with wearing the same color everyday.

The issue? I end up spending more time waiting for my nails to dry than I actually spend painting them.  This isn't a huge problem if I'm just lounging around.  But it can be a total bummer when I want to pretty-up my nails with only minutes to spare.

BellaSugar has some amazing tips for speeding up the drying process, so I figured I'd pass them along!


Blow it up
Salons use fans to help speed up drying, but your hair dryer works just as well. The secret is to put it on the "cool" setting. Heat actually keeps polish from firming, so giving your digits a shot of cold air is much more helpful.

Freeze it out
Since cold hardens polish, ice water baths are also a great setting trick. Before you start painting your nails, fill a mixing bowl with ice cubes and run cold water over the top. Then, when you're finished painting, dip your nails in for about a minute. This is a great way to help protect against divots, since it helps solidify polish all the way through, not just on top. The opposite also holds: if you're having trouble removing polish, soaking your hands in warm water will make it easier.

Spray it down
You can get nail-drying spray at the drugstore, and it really does help your polish set in a couple of minutes. But Pam (and other cooking oil aerosols) legendarily does the job as well. Just wait a few minutes after you spray it on and rinse your hands so you don't smell like canola oil.

Thin it out
Instead of putting on one or two coats of thick polish, apply three extremely thin coats, and let each dry for a couple of minutes before you layer on the next. It might seem like it slows down your manicure, but it actually makes overall drying time much faster.

Top it off
Using a quick-dry topcoat is always smart, because it helps keep everything in place and protects your polish. The only caveat is that the still-liquid polish underneath can move around, resulting in lumps or ripples, so don't treat it as a cure-all.


Not bad, right? I usually stick with my fave fast-dry top coat, Seche Vite, followed by spraying my nails with  OPI's Rapid Dry Spray, or their Drip Dry Drops.  But all of these tips are great for drying your nails on the go!

Sniff This: Victoria's Secret Very Sexy Touch

I seriously wonder if there's some sort of black magic behind Victoria's Secret's fragrances--I've yet to find one I don't like!
Their latest, Very Sexy Touch, is absolutely amazing.  I've been a fan of the Very Sexy line for a while, so when I heard about the latest addition to the fam, needless to say I was crazily excited!
First of all, let's talk about the bottle.  I've always been obsessed with pretty perfume bottles (okay, let's be honest: who doesn't love a cute bottle?!)  and this fragrance doesn't disappoint. The bottle is super-sleek, with a gorgey mix of bright raspberry and hot metallic gold.  The modern VS logo takes center stage.  It's a bold-looking and sexy.
Here's a breakdown of the what's in fragrance:

A FRUITY-FLORAL FRAGRANCE TOP--Juicy Red Pear, Honeysuckle, Gilded Apricot, Fresh Citrus
MIDDLE--Vanilla Orchid Blossom, Blooming Magnolia, White Peony, Italian Iris
DRY-DOWN--Vanilla Bean, Creamy Coconut, Clean Vetiver, Amber Wood, Musk
The scent itself is very seductive and tempting, without smelling overbearing.  It's a fairly light scent that's perfect for the upcoming season change.  It's not heavy, and people won't smell you a mile away (FYI: that's a good thing!), but those around you will be enticed and want to get closer.  
Basically, it's great man-bait.
You can buy the collection in stores or online.  The Eau de Parfum ranges from  $42-$62, the Fragrance Mist is $25, and the Body Lotion is $20. 



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: Wearing Crocs to the Gym

Only recently have I begun frequenting the local gym with my boyfriend.  Okay. I get that the gym (especially here, basically the middle of the woods) really isn't meant to be the most fashionable place.

But that does not make it acceptable to wear Crocs while working out.  EVER.  

This is a true story.  I was working out in a section that works as a "30 minute express workout".  You alternate between using machines and doing step aerobics. And, yes, you guessed it.  There was a woman wearing a pair of disgusting Crocs.

Not only is that totally ugly, it's also completely unsafe.  Crocs are not meant for working out--they fall off too easily and don't really stay on your foot.

I'm actually really surprised that an employee didn't see her and tell her how unsafe it was.

This is yet another time that I should have written out a Fashion Citation.

How many times do I need to write about my hatred of Crocs before they disappear from my life??!

Cotton Candy Nails: So Good You'll WANT To Bite Them!

Yet again, I'm posting my latest nail art design! And yet again, I used the same idea from my Just the Tip post.  The only difference is that I was much more precise with the tape and didn't need a glitter line to cover up any mishaps!

I actually asked my boyfriend what colors to use and he suggested bright pink and teal. The colors I ended up using were Orly's Gumdrop for the tips, and Sally Hansen's Presto Pink for the base.

I think this is a fab combo for spring/summer, so it might have been a bit premature season-wise.  But, whatevs! The colors are super cute. Give it a try for yourself, ladies!

Fashion Faux Pas: Is That A Keyboard In Your Pants Or Are You Just Happy To See Me?

Wow. I realize that I've been doing a lot of men's fashion faux pas lately, but I just keep stumbling upon worse and worse articles of clothing that simply cannot be ignored.

This pair of pants does in fact have a working keyboard attached to the crotch area.  And that's not all.  A Dutch design company has created a pair of jeans with a keyboard, wireless mouse, and speakers sewn right in. They’re fashion-forward too: dark denim with orange seams stitched to resemble the wiring of a circuit board. Oh my.

They are not available to the public as of yet, but Discovery News estimates that once they hit the market, they will cost around $400 a pair.

Umm...seriously??!

Springtime Shoes (It's Not Too Early to Look!)

Regardless of the fact that here in New England we've had oodles of snow and ice, I def have spring fever.

The cure? Looking for fab pre-spring deals to curb my fashion appetite.

I'm absolutely in love with these Federle Peep-Toe Pumps from JCPenney.  I don't usually look there for shoes, but luckily these cuties found me!

Lately I've been obsessed with lace.  I've got lace scarves, lace clothing, and other various lace accessories.  So clearly these shoes need to be added to my collection.

The color pictured, is actually called Light Pink, but I think it's more of a Nude hue. That makes it perfect for elongating your legs when you pair them with a gorgey dress!  They also come in black, which I think we can get away with wearing now.

The shoes are currently in sale for $50. Not bad for a pair of shoes that are girly, delicate, and match almost any item of clothing!

Jackie’s Corner: How to Dress Well on a Budget

Everybody’s got a budget, so the first thing to do is figure out how much you can comfortably spend on stocking your closet. A killer wardrobe won’t do you much good if you can’t afford to go out in it.

Follow these 10 tips to build your best wardrobe on a budget:

1. Assess what you already possess and what you actually need. Take inventory of your entire wardrobe and make a shopping list.
    
2. Invest money on important wardrobe workhorses — a fabulous blazer, the perfect jeans, a gorgeous skirt — in your best colors or neutrals like charcoal gray.
   
   
3. Buy fewer but better quality pieces that you love — and that can take you from work to weekend. It’s infinitely better to love everything you own than to own a whole closet full of poorly made, uninspiring apparel.
   
   
4. Avoid wasting money on clothes you won’t wear. Resist the temptation to buy anything solely because it’s on sale or you think it’ll be useful. If you don’t absolutely love it, walk away. If you do love it, think about how you’ll wear it and what you can pair with it.
   
   
5. Try on everything and look at yourself from all angles. It’s not a good buy if it’s a poor fit or the color is unflattering.
   
   
6. Get garments tailored. Hemming a good quality skirt or pair of trousers that you’ll wear for years is worth the investment.
   
   
7. Focus your shopping efforts on your best colors and all your garments will coordinate easily. For example, if you look fabulous in blues, purples and greens stick to those colors. Add more colors with less expensive accessories like belts and scarves.
   
   
8. Shop for pieces that can do double duty. For example, a well-made gabardine or tweed pencil skirt paired with a tailored blouse is office appropriate. Switch to an embellished t-shirt and a denim jacket for Sunday brunch with the girls.
   
   
9. Sign up for email alerts at your favorite stores so you know when to hit the sales. Shop discount stores like T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and Nordstrom Rack.
   
   
10. Take proper care of your wardrobe to make it last. Read and follow garment care labels, keep leather items clean and conditioned, repair items when necessary, etc.
    

Jackie Houston is an image consultant, based in Rhode Island.  She offers up tons of fashion assistance, including closet makeovers, online personal styling, and personal shopping.  For more info, check her out on her site, Facebook and Twitter.

My Latest Obsession? My Glam Bag!

If you haven't heard of MyGlam, it's high time you check it out.  The site has an AMAZING deal--for $10 a month, you receive awesome beauty products in a super cute makeup bag.  I'm obsessed.

I got my first Glam Bag a little while ago and was really impressed.  Admittedly, the adorable pink makeup bag with black hearts was totally up my alley and immediately got me excited.  Here's what was inside:

• NYX Roll On Shimmer-Beautiful taupe color, which is awesome since I'm crazily addicted to glitter in any form.
• X Out Shine Control-This is an oil-free moisturizer that helps eliminate shine.
• Freeman Facial Mask in Goji Berry-This mask is supposed to hydrate the skin, which is exactly what I need.
• NuMe $100 Gift Card-Most of the styling tools run $135-$165, so it's a HUGE discount.
• Premier Eye Cream and Revitalizing Mask
• 2 Ghirardelli chocolate squares inside (very yummy!)

The theme was Valentine's Day (I think each month kind of has a theme).  For $10, I was extremely impressed.  This is a great way to try out products without having to shell out a ton of money.  I cannot wait to get my March bag!

You can sign up for this fab deal here.  You first answer a few short questions about your beauty needs so that the site can tailor to what you need. Awesome, right?!

Def Sassy Fashionista approved!

Sniff This: Oscar de la Renta's Live in Love

I am soooo ready for springtime! Here in New England, we haven't really had an actual winter--but that doesn't mean I'm not counting down the days till it's officially spring (only 20 days and 3 hours left)!

Springtime is usually when I change up my scent.  Currently, I'm super obsessed with Oscar de la Renta's Live in Love.  It smells incredible.  The fragrance is light and airy.  It's practically spring in a bottle!

Here's what makes the scent irresistible:  the top notes are hyacinth, galbanum, bergamot, lily-of-the-valley and orchid; middle notes are jasmine, african orange flower and rose; base notes are sandalwood, virginia cedar, woodsy notes, amber and musk. 

It sounds like a whole lotta scent, but it's totally boyfriend-approved.  I was told that it smells "fresh and pretty" by a few different guys.  So, that's a win as far as I'm concerned!  It definitely assists you in the love department.

I also have to mention how much I love love love the bottle. I'm always attracted to pretty perfume bottles and this one is a great addition to my collection.  It looks elegant and simple, which matches the fragrance perfectly.

You can buy this fab scent for yourself from $58-$98, depending on the size bottle you want.  Though it's a little pricey, a little bit of this stuff goes a long way so shelling out the extra cash for a bottle is def worth it!

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: The Fuxedo

Yes, it's true.  This is a real product.  The Fuxedo is a "tuxedo" (I use the term loosely), that comes off amazingly quickly for easy access.  Basically it was made for guys to get lucky at formal events, without the crazily difficult task of actually taking off a tux.

I honestly cannot believe that this is an actual piece of clothing.  If I ever met a guy and he ripped off his tux in a two-second time frame, I would not be impressed.

Here's a video that explains how it works:



Umm...so yeah.  If I ever see anyone wearing a Fuxedo, I will punch them in the face.  That's a promise.

Fun fact?  Each suit is $300.  Apparently easy access isn't cheap!

Victoria's Secret GIVEAWAY!!!

Hey, ladies!! As promised, since I've finally reached 200+ followers on twitter and facebook, I'm doing a crazily fab giveaway to celebrate!

What's the prize?? A yummy-scented Victoria's Secret gift set!  Included is a Pure Seduction Fragrance Mist, Body Lotion, and Body Wash.

I am absolutely in love with this scent. It's a super seductive mix of red plum and sweet freesia. So basically seduction in a bottle.  What's not to love??!

One lucky reader will get this fab set.  Think of it as a post-V-Day gift for yourself!

Enter below. This giveaway is only lasting for until Monday, so no slacking!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have a Fashion Emergency? Get a Personal Stylist!

It took me a long time to become the fashionista that I am today. Even now, it can be incredibly stressful to pick out clothing everyday, especially when trends are constantly changing. It's easy to get yourself into what I call a “jeans rut”. You know what I mean. Throwing on a pair of jeans and whatever shirt you happen to have at the top of your laundry pile. And accessorizing can be even more daunting. Sometimes I spend hours getting ready just to go to the grocery store (true story)!

Having a personal stylist takes all the guesswork out of fashion, without taking away the fun of it. Jackie Houston is great because not only does she offer traditional personal shopping, she also advises online! How awesome is that?!

The cool thing about having an online personal stylist is that you can get tips and learn about fashion in the comfort of your own home. Using Skype and email makes it super easy to update your look. You can get tailor-made ideas for your wardrobe that will save you tons of time in the long run and make you look put-together and amazing.

Even if you think you have the fashion game figured out, it can be tough to figure out your own personal style. Having a little assistance gives the unique opportunity to have some guidance in that area of your life. Trust me—not having to deal with figuring out things like where you should shop and how to dress for your body type makes getting dressed in the morning much more fun and fabulous!

Check out Jackie Houston's site for more info.

Dress for Success and Dressbarn Team Up!

I've always loved Dress for Success.  If you aren't familiar with what they do, basically they provide professional attire to less fortunate women who are trying to get a fab career and into the workforce.  

This is great because we all know how crazily expensive suits and other professional-looking outfits can be, so giving women a chance to start fresh with a new outfit is an amazing idea.

Dressbarn, which I've recently declared my love for, is actually teaming up with Dress for Success for their 10th annual S.O.S. (Send One Suit) weekend donation drive.

March 1-4, all Dressbarn stores across the country are serving as drop-off sites for new or gently used professional attire.  This includes suits, dress shirts, blazers, pants, dresses and shoes that will be used to benefit women seeking to transition into the work force.

Pretty kick-ass, right?!

Added bonus? During the S.O.S. weekend, donators will receive 15% off their total Dressbarn purchase for their generosity!

LOVE it!

When fashion and helping others combine, I get super excited!  So get ready, ladies! March is closer than it seems.  Look through your closet, stat.  I'm sure you'll, like me, find a suit you meant to use, but never did...or one you thought would fit but didn't.  Either way, this is a great cause.

To find a Dressbarn location near you, check out their site here.

Just The Tip

Just another nail art post! It's basically like my Valentine's Day nails, and I used the same idea from my Split Personality post, but painted just the tip black!

I also want to take a sec to fill you ladies in on my new fave nail polish.  It's quite surprising because it's crazily cheap, but Wet n Wild's new Spoiled polish line is AMAZING! At $1.99 a bottle, you get tons of pigmentation and an extra thick brush for easy application.  I'm seriously in love with the stuff. 

For this particular nail art look, I used the hot pink hue, Tip Your Waitress.  It is the most neon pink I've ever seen.

I can't find anywhere to buy the shade online, but it is available at CVS.

Vampy Varnish has a great image of all the colors included in the new collection. I want them all!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hope all you fabulous ladies (and guys who happen to read the site!) had a fabbity-fabulous Valentine's Day!!

I just wanted to show off my super cute V-Day inspired nail art with you all!  Check it out:

Pretty cute, huh? I basically used the same idea as my Split Personality nail art, but used red and pink for the special day.  I also changed it up by only painting the tips red in all different directions.

The red I used is amazing. It's Essie's Watermelon hue.  It's the perfect red with just a hint of pink to it. 

I know Valentine's Day is almost over, but enjoy what's left of it!

Sassy Fashionista and Glossy Gurl's Pre-Spring GIVEAWAY!!!

Ladies, this is HUGE news! Sassy Fashionista has teamed up with the lovely Glossy Gurl for an amazingly fabulous giveaway! One lucky gal will receive a ridiculously large beauty set just in time to get rid of the winter blues and welcome springtime!

Basically, we wanted to include items that are perfect for the winter to spring transition, so it's filled to the brim with moisturizing goodies, bright makeup hues and gorgey smelling doodads!

Here's what's included:

• A super cute mini tote (brown with a pink polka-dot bow)
• Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure polish in Clear, Shell We Dance?, and Fairy Teal
• ELF Glossy Gloss in Pink Candy
• ELF Shimmer Pencil in Twinkle Teal
• ELF All-Over Eyeshadow Brush
• Wet N Wild Color-icon eyeshadow palette in Spoiled Brat
• Stila Lip Glaze in Chocolate CD
• a mini Clinique Almost Bronzer SPF15 in Light/Medium
• Bath & Body Works Pink Chiffon Body Lotion
• Bath & Body Works Pink Chiffon Shower Gel
• The Body Shop Pink Grapefruit Anti-Bacterial Hand Sanitizer 
• Yes to Carrots Nourishing Intense Repair Hand Cream
• GNC Vitamin C Moisturizing Face Cream
• GNC Vitamin E Stick for lips and eyes
• Sample size Hair Rules Quench Ultra Rich Conditioner
• Same size The Oil Organic Extra Virgin Again Miracle Smoothing Oil

Soooo yeah. That's a lot of stuff, right??! All of the products are of the best quality and I personally use all of them myself.  In other words, they are Sassy Fashionista approved. To the max.

You can enter below, and can even enter multiple times by doing a little extra work (which is TOTALLY worth it for this set!)

Good luck, ladies!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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.

Last-Minute Valentine's Day Gifts

Guys and gals alike can tend to procrastinate when it comes to gift-giving. Valentine's Day is less than two days away! I know that I'm not prepared at all!  Luckily, I have some ideas for last-minute givers like us! Bonus? They're all fairly frugal and work for any budget!

Movie Night

Pop on one of your main squeeze's fave movies, make some popcorn and snuggle up on the couch. Netflix, On Demand or whatever movie service you use will have special a special category for V-Day movies for you to pick and choose from.

Chocolates, Treats… and Lots of Them!

Everyone has a sweet tooth. Especially on a holiday basically centered around candy. Spend some time with your beau indulging in chocolate, cupcakes and cookies. You can either pick some ready-made treats or if you have a little time, buy boxed mixes. If you’re up for a real challenge find a recipe online and make it from scratch (since I cannot cook, this simply is not an option. hahaha)!

Make a Mix CD (or Playlist)

You might think this is a little cheesy, but it’s super thoughtful and easy if you don’t have oodles of time. I mean, who doesn’t have a huge iTunes library? And if you don’t, iTunes has a special category full of love songs that you can pick and choose from. Pick 10 and you’ve got yourself a cheap last minute gift that’s still sweet and thoughtful!

Write A love letter

When was the last time you got a love letter? Lately, it’s all about sexting, which really isn't romantic in the slightest. Kick it old school--grab a pen, some fancy stationary and write down all the reasons why you love your guy or girl. Trust me, this is way sweeter than a Happy Valentine’s Day e-mail or text.

Make Love Coupons

If you’re short on time and money, you can still treat your loved one to some goodies that will cost you nothing at all. Get some paper, markers, stickers, scissors and make some creative love coupons that your lovie dovie can redeem for things like a massage, homemade meal or everyday chores.

Have a Spa Night at Home

Light some candles, throw some rose petals on the bed and grab some chocolate covered strawberries. Then prepare the tub with a nice bubble bath and let your love muffin relax. If you’re good at giving massages then get to it! There’s no need to spend tons of money at a spa when you can do a few things to relax at home.

Have an Indoor Picnic
Order takeout, light some candles, throw a blanket in the middle of the room and enjoy a nice indoor picnic. Your main squeeze will think you took tons of time to plan this. Really all you have to decide is whether to order Chinese, Indian or pizza!

Split Personality Nail Art

Lately I've been obsessed with my nails. Usually, I'm more of a lip gloss gal (don't worry!! I still am!), but the lovely Glossy Gurl has totally made my love for nail art grow!

My latest nail love is, what what I like to call, split personality nails. Basically, I couldn't decide which color to use so I decided to go for two of my faves!  I think the outcome is pretty fab, and not to toot my own horn, but it looks about as good as what you can get done at a nail salon for $50. And trust me, it's super easy to do.

Here's what I used:

• OPI Ridge Filler as a base coat
• Essie's Go Overboard polish
• Orly's Frisky polish
• Milani's Nail Art polish in Silver
• Seche Vite for a top coat
• Tape
  

Obviously you can use whatever color combos you like.  I just really like the look of dark teal with a neon blue (For some reason the Essie hue looks much lighter in the pic above).  I think pink and purple would look fab, or even red and pink for Valentine's day!

So here's what I did:

1. I painted my entire nail with the base coat, then the lighter blue color. I let it dry for about an hour or so to ensure complete dryness.
2. I placed short pieces of tape diagonally across my nails.  It's a good idea to make it less sticky before hand by sticking it on your arm or something a few times first.  Or you can even use painter's tape.
3. Then, I added the dark teal to the exposed part of the nail. Once this is done, immediately remove the tape. Leaving it on for too long can create weird-looking edges.
4. Once this was done, I took the silver nail art and drew a line between the two colors.  Not only does it add some much needed sparkle; it also covers up any mistakes that might be made!
5. Finally, I painted on the top coat.

Not bad, right?  Here's a better look at the final result:

  LOVE it!