Shopping: Be a Jean Genius

Mannequins wearing jeans in Sânnicolau Mare, Romania by Lion Hirt

Here are some helpful hints to keep in mind while shopping for a new pair of jeans:

• One of the most important rules of jean-shopping is to buy jeans that fit you as tightly as possible (without being too tight). Denim gives and stretches out over time; even during the course of the day, the jeans will relax and begin to gap away from your waist or sag in the rear if you buy your jeans too big.

• Look for denim with a bit of stretch.

• Boot cut and flared jeans give a long, lean look and are appropriate for most body types.

• Ultra-tapered jeans are best for leaner shapes as they call attention to the thighs and hips.

• If you are petite, avoid cuffs as they shorten the appearance of the leg.

• Remember that ideally you want to create a long lean vertical line; unless they are capris, be sure that your jeans are adequate in length. The hem should cover most of your shoe; add a dark- colored shoe to create the long-line appearance.

• Be aware of back pocket placement and size; tiny pockets as well as pockets that are placed too far apart will give your rear end an oversized appearance.

• Unless you are buying a style you already own or have tried on and thus can be certain of your size, it can be difficult to purchase jeans online. Jean sizes vary by manufacturer so you can wear differing sizes depending on the brand and you need to dedicate time and energy into finding a pair that flatter.

• Remember that if you love the jeans and they need a bit of alteration, it is worth the investment.

• For plus sizes, try modified bell bottoms or flared jeans which elongate the leg; look for a pair in a clean, dark wash with no front pockets.

Empowering Women Through Fashion

 Bobbi Brown Dress for Success Scarf $42.00

Dress for Success's mission is to promote economic independence for disadvantaged women by providing them with professional attire, together with a support network and career development tools.
 

Founded in New York City in 1997, Dress for Success is an international non-profit organization which provides candidates with a suit or other appropriate apparel for her intended industry, including accessories, if available.   When the woman has secured employment, she can return to obtain a second suit or separates to mix and match, creating a wardrobe foundation.  

Organizations all over the world send women to Dress for Success for professional attire and career development assistance. To further help women in finding and retaining jobs, Dress for Success instituted the Professional Women's Group (PWG) Program to help women learn communication skills, the "unwritten rules" of the workplace, dealing with childcare issues, financial planning, stress management and juggling responsibilities, among others.  Dress for Success has a Career Center  where staff members are available to meet with women one-on-one and women obtain access to Internet-accessible computer labs with cutting-edge job placement software; job search assistance; resume and cover-letter-writing lessons; and both interview preparation and mock interviews. 

Dress for Success operates solely on financial contributions, in-kind donations and volunteer efforts of individuals and companies. Click here to learn more about how you can donate.

Or wear your support by purchasing the beautiful blue ikat printed scarf pictured above! The scarf was created by Dress for Success supporter and makeup legend Bobbi Brown together with Echo Design and for every scarf sold on EchoDesign.com, $20 will be donated to Dress for Success Worldwide. The ikat print is totally of-the-moment, scarves are a fabulous accessory for everyone, and the cause is a great one!

Fierce Summer Fashions

This summer, fashion is going wild!

You don't have to go on safari to look and feel fierce and exotic in beautiful tribal and Aztec prints and patterns.

Tunics, caftans or loose blouses, which are cool and comfortable, also camouflage the waist; just be sure to wear with skinny pants to balance out the look. These are "look-at-me" looks as patterned clothing or tribal-inspired jewelry draw the eye up and bring attention to the face while gladiator sandals bring attention to great legs.

Michael Kors, Herve Leger and Donna Karan mixed up textures, colors and printed patterns:

Michael Kors Runway Spring 2012

Herve Leger Spring 2012

Donna Karan Casual Luxe Tribal Pants @ Shopbop $995

Some great tribal prints and accents include: ikat, spiked necklaces, cheetah, zebra or leopard print. Also keep your eye out for tribal prints in muted earth tones or with cool cutouts, dip-dye scarves, gladiator sandals and exotic handbags which are all major fashion statements for spring.

For the budget conscious shopper, topshop.com has a very affordable collection of tribal-themed clothes and accessories. This bracelet is especially fierce:

Lotus Leather Wristband @ Topshop $28

 Of course you can always get an inexpensive take on the trend at Forever 21, too:

Forever 21 Tribal T-Shrt $13.80

Dana's Dream Buy of the Day: Keith Haring Heels

I adore these over-the-top, imaginative and generally awesome heels from footwear designer Nicholas Kirkwood's new Keith Haring collection.  All the styles, which pay homage to the legendary 1980s artist and his iconic imagery, are incredible, but I am especially taken by this particular shoe, with the little man standing in where the heel should be, and with the gorgeous, fresh, of-the-moment mint green color.

In truth, my appreciation for Kirkwood's shoes are not limited to only the Haring collection; his shoes are completely unique works of art and they are, as my mother blogged yesterday, definitely "outside the (shoe) box." For example, how gorgeous are these Flower Sandals?

Nicholas Kirkwood Flower Sandal @ Nordstrom $1200 

 

 

 

 

 

There are only two things standing in the way of me and such astounding footwear. Firstly, with heel heights which can run up to 5 inches I don't think I would make it very far in a pair, and secondly, with prices running from around $700 and (way) up, I think for now, I will have to simply admire these shoes just as I admire a work of art in a gallery.

And speaking of galleries, I will dream about wearing a pair of Kirkwood's Haring shoes while checking out the new Keith Haring retrospective at the Brooklyn Museum or while strolling along and admiring one of Haring's works of public art, such as this statue in San Francisco which is one of my favorites:

Susan Says: Thinking Outside the (Shoe) Box for Spring

Spring is upon us and it's time to refresh our shoe wardrobe and think outside of the (shoe) box!

One trend is suede shoes for spring. Stuart Weitzman, Louboutin, Valentino and Attilio Giusti Leombruni are among many designers showing suede shoes as well as booties for spring. 


Leombruni made flats which incorporate suede with a leather reptilian style toe which updates their popular ballet flat:

Attilio Giusti Leombruni $310

I am a huge fan of this label because of the arch support, durability and all the positive feedback from customers in the retail store where I work, many of whom own up to owning many pairs. Of course, there is nothing like Italian leather shoes and these are made in the same region as the ever popular brand, Jimmy Choo.   Although they retail for $310. you can find several styles on sale at Nordstrom online.

I also found a classic pair of turquoise blue 4-inch suede Louboutin heels online at heelswholesaler.com for $179; the shoes typically retail for $789.  I've never shopped this web site before, but if this is the "real deal," it is quite a steal! The heel is called the Ron Ron and it has the signature red sole:

Other top shoe trends include color block, mirror/metallic accents, pastels and neon. You get two trends in one with these pastel mint-colored Stuart Weitzman shoes with a metallic toe:

Stuart Weitzman Capsize Shoe $375

Prints are huge this season and the trend extends the shoes, too; the New York Times did a whole story in the Style section about printed heels. These DKNY wedges are one example of the printed shoes that allow you to take a walk on the wild side:

DKNY Printed Canvas Wedges $275

Star Style: Patti Hansen, Theordora Richards & Alexandra Richards

  

Former model Patti Hansen, age 56, and daughter Theodora Richards, 27, star together in this recent add for Net-a-Porter.com. Both women look amazing modeling maxi-dresses. 

It's not the first time the mother and daughter have modeled together; in December 2011 Patti appeared with Theodora on the cover of Town & Country magazine, along with daughter Alexandra, 25, as well.

Patti survived a health crisis when, two years after being diagnosed with breast cancer, she got a shocking diagnosis: bladder cancer, a form of the disease which typically afflicts men but which also affected roughly 18,000 women in the U.S. last year. Patti has since become an advocate of raising awareness among women about this form of cancer. 

Her health now thankfully restored, Patti and her friend Molly Madden recently launched a line of "rock and roll chic" handbags called Hung On U, based upon the women's "unbridled lifestyles during the Studio 54 era in New York."  The hands-free bags, which range in price from $260-$580, are meant to be slung messenger-style across the body and are available in a range of materials from mesh to leather to exotic skins:

 

Patti says the inspiration for the bags, which are sold at Barneys, was her daughters: the Hung on U website says, "... it wasn’t until watching Patti’s daughters, Alexandra and Theodora, regularly exploring Patti’s closet for these great bags that Patti and Molly remembered how much they loved these fabulous bags."  

The launch of the handbag line at Barneys last fall as a family affair, with Patti's husband/ Alexandra and Theordora's dad / Rolling Stones legend Keith Richards in attendance:

At the event, Patti told a reporter that she is influenced by her daughters' style: "they are wearing the new designers and they're out there in the fashion. I get to see it on them and go 'oh, alright, that's cool.' it's switching, I'm borrowing their stuff now," she said.

Stars and Stripes Forever

Stripes were big on the New York Runways for Spring 2012.  Although stripes have long been a fashion trend, this season, stripes can be either classic or bold.

A timeless spring look is a nautical-inspired striped tee.  Pair with jeans or white pants and a bold, chunky necklace for a classic cool look.  Sienna Miller was spotted in a striped shirt and jeans outfit in London this week:

That's the easy option; however, this season, you can go bold with your stripes, if you dare. It is possible to pair up a thin stripe with a floral print; the key is to opt for patterns that are about the same size. This image from Teen Vogue's blog shows a bold combination of florals and stripes at a Stella McCartney event:

While not as wild as mixing stripes with florals, a bold yet easy look is to pair your striped shirt with brightly colored denim, as Michelle Williams did in the photo below:

Along with stripes, star print is another trend that is still going strong. Dolce & Gabbana kicked off the star-print trend last year; these models were photographed backstage at the Dolce & Gabbana autumn/winter 2011 show in Milan:

Since then star prints have become a fashion trend favored by celebrities.  Anne Hathaway sported stars on the September cover of Marie Claire:

In fact, so many celebrities have rocked Dolce & Gabbana star print frocks that New York Magazine created a slideshow of photos on the subject of stars wearing stars.

Flag Day is June 14, but wearing stars and stripes are hot trends for any day of the year!

Star Style: Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, and Carol Middleton

When on March 19th, Kate Middleton, The Duchess of Cambridge, age 30, was set to deliver her first public address in Ipswich, England, where did she go to find the perfect dress for the important occasion? Her mother's closet, of course!

The Duchess' mother, Carol Middleton, 57, wore the identical dress, paired with the very same thick black belt, back in 2010.  Duchess Kate styled her dress differently by omitting her mother's fascinator.

The dress, which has done double-duty for the Middleton women, was designed by Reiss. Known as "The Trina," the garment was first seen on the racks in 2008 and retailed for around $200.

Kate is a big fan of the designer; she wore the same white dress by Reiss - a style called The Nanette- in both her official engagement portrait and again on Canada Day, proving that not only timeless style but also being economical, recycling outfits and sharing clothes are indeed royal virtues!

Take Note: The Pencil Skirt

An absolute fashion must for Spring 2012 is the classic pencil skirt. The pencil skirt is a slim fitting skirt with a straight, narrow cut.   Creating a lean silhouette, it is appropriate for day to evening wear.

 

In January, Angelina Jolie appeared at the New York Film Critics Circle awards clad in a white silk shirt and a leather pencil skirt.  Always the epitome of glamour,  Jolie wore nude hose and simple black pumps. A simple shirt, rather than a jacket, kept the look cool rather than conservative.  

 

 

 

Here are some sharp tips for pencil skirts: 

• Fit is the key.  Anyone of any size can look great in a pencil skirt but it's all about getting the right fit.  
• The pencil skirt should have a zipper, side or back and a slit in the back for easy body movement.
• There should be no bunching around the hips and enough room in the back so that your panty line is not defined.  
• As a petite size, Susan keeps her skirt at knee length but if worn below the knee, pair with platform heels or higher heeled pumps.  
• In winter, the pencil skirt can be worn with matching tights and a sweater. 
•  Pencil skirts are extremely easy to style. A pop of color on lips and a great handbag or piece of jewelry will be the perfect accent for a timeless, flattering, understated look.

While sold-color pencil skirts are perfect basics, this Spring, the sky is the limit in terms of amazing, over-the-top styles, ranging from graphic prints to sequins to color block: 

Jil Sander Hummingbird Print Skirt

 

 

Vince Sequin Pencil Skirt

Forever 21 Color Block Skirt, $15.80

Susan Says: A Walk on the Bridal Dark Side

For her Fall 2012 bridal show this month, famed designer Vera Wang, who has been in the bridal business for almost 22 years, stunned the industry sending black bridal gowns down the runway.  Don't think completely gothic:  I was wowed by the black gowns, into which Ms. Wang worked lace, frothy tulle, silk and organza with lingerie motifs, including corset tops.  Ms. Wang also displayed some of her bridal creations in nude which I found to be absolutely stunning. 

According to Mark Ingram, owner of Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier in NYC, in a recent New York Times article, "...it was bold, but it also made me pay attention to the details all that more carefully." 

We are all aware that conventionally white is worn by the bride and the bride alone on her wedding day. Thinking outside the box, Jung Lee, a founder of Fete, an event planning company in NYC told the Times that in years to come, "A bride in black will draw more attention than one in white or ivory."   

Last season, Ms. Wang began her darker mood move with lots of dove gray gowns in more traditional styles but after seeing the newest black (and nude) gowns, I must admit that I am totally and completely bewitched!

Star Style: Heidi Klum and Erna Klum

Supermodel/entrepreneur/TV star/mother of four Heidi Klum, age 38, recently posted this photo of herself and her mother, Erna Klum, sporting similar new haircuts. The ladies look lovely with their matching bright blond color and side-swept bangs.

Along with the photo, Klum posted on her Twitter account, "My beautiful Mom and I got a new haircut!!! Thank you Michel Aleman. We love you!'

Heidi and her mother are very close, and Heidi actually grew up entrenched in the beauty industry; according to an article in Good Housekeeping, her dad, Gunther, was a cosmetics-company executive and mom Erna was actually a hairdresser herself.

The hairstylist responsible for the mother-daughter duo's cut and color, Michel Aleman, is Heidi's stylist as well as an expert on her awesome AOL website.  In addition to Klum, Aleman, who is one of the most celebrated hairstylists, also is responsible for the lovely locks of stars such as Charlize Theron, Drew Barrymore, Elizabeth Hurley, Faith Hill, Kiera Knightly, Natalie Portman, and Scarlett Johansson. Check out his recommendations for top hair products here.

Susan Says: Beyond Killer Heels

Yesterday, I blogged about the perils of high heels, but footwear is not the only kind of fashion that presents potential health pitfalls.

A recent Wall Street Journal  article reported about a woman named Baila Steinman who started getting numbness in her leg while on a trip to Israel in December.  Upon return to her home in Brooklyn, New York, she saw a neurologist because, as she described, "from the knee to the pelvis (the leg) was numb to the point of being painful." After her doctor examined her, he queried her as to whether she wears tight clothing, tight belts or control top pantyhose.  Then, Dr. Irving Friedman advised her that those garments actually were the cause of her pain!

Here are some other potential health hazards associated with items with clothing:

• Belts: Dr. Friedman explained that cinch belts compress a major nerve that runs from the abdomen to the outer thigh. Anything that puts pressure on the nerve can cause symptoms as those experienced by Ms. Steinman. He said that the condition, known as meralgia paresthetica, is actually very common.

• Tight Jeans: Like belts, tight jeans can also cause nerve compression; they also can interfere with digestion.  This was noted in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 1993 and has been aptly dubbed "tight pants syndrome."  It seems like "skinny jeans" just keep getting skinnier, but tight jeans have been linked to low back pain, yeast infections, and even a condition known as lipotrophia semicircularis (also known as "ribbed thighs") in which horizontal lesions appear around the thighs.

• Body Shapers:  If worn for too long, Spanx or other body slimmers can cause both nerve compression and digestive issues.  In fact, they should be there to smooth, not bring the wearer down to a smaller size!  Shapers compressing the upper abdomen can also prevent the lungs from fully inflating which can lead to lightheadedness.

• Handbags:  Selling high-end handbags for one of the top national retailers, I know the most common complaint:  heavy handbags!  Of course heavy shoulder handbags can throw the back out of line.  According to the American Chiropractic Association women should carry no more than 10% of their body weight in a bag.

• Jewelry: Small amounts of nickel in items like rings and watch backs (and even jean rivets) can cause a red, itchy rash for those allergic to the substance.  Soap or moisture can be trapped under a ring, which also causes rashes, according to the WSJ article.  Another thing that should be light in weight are earrings; heavy earrings can pull the earlobes and even bring on headaches.

Let's be vigilant and prevent ourselves from becoming the unwitting victims of what the WSJ dubbed "crimes of fashion!"

Susan Says: Killer Heels and Foot Fiends

Dr. Stuart J. Mogul, a renowned New York City podiatrist, appeared on a recent segment of ABC's The View.  With my experience in selling designer shoes, I have seen first-hand the damage that the wrong footwear can do, so I am happy that Dr. Mogul exposed not only the dangers of wearing high heels (especially for protracted periods of time), but also the hidden risks to seemingly benign footwear such as ballet flats, flip flops, and, oddly enough, athletic wear. Here is a run-down of the potential pitfalls of perilous footwear:

• High Heels: One can develop a "pump bump" on the back of the heel which, besides being extremely unsightly,  can lead to bursitis.  Another problem for high heel addicts are bunions and hammertoes which develop from squeezing the foot into high heels and can compressing the toes, which can lead to Morton's Neuroma, a numbness and tingling in the third and fourth toes.  Dr. Mogul stated that the more you wear high heels, the more you will need to wear high heels, because the shoes actually change your feet.  Over a protracted period, high heels elevate the rear of the foot and cause the Achilles tendon to contract and get shorter so that it becomes difficult to wear a flat or go barefoot because the foot becomes fixed and rigid.  Two to three inch heels are a safe way to go, according to Dr. Mogul.  If you are going to wear a heel, when standing on tip toes, your feet should be 1-2 inches from the floor.   

• Ballet flats: These seemingly harmless flats actually present another set of problems. Although they may be flexible, they often offer little or no support and can lead to arch problems and leg pain and can progress to Posterior Tibial Tendon dysfunction which can require surgery. Yikes! Best bet? If you are sporting a ballet flat, put an orthotic insert into the shoe.

• Athletic shoes:  One would imagine that the more padded and cushioned the sneaker, the better. However, Dr. Mogul advises that what appears to be a benefit can actually be a problem in that the more constructed the sneaker, the more chance there is of causing stress on your heels.   Surprisingly, less constructed sneakers may result in less stress on the heels and may be more attuned to the natural foot.

• Flip flops:  Flip flops are easy to wear and seem like the epitome of comfort, but the negative effects of flops on your feet can be anything but cozy. Torn nail pads and especially puncture wounds can be extremely hazardous, particularly to diabetics.  Dr. Mogul states that powder around the toes will help prevent rubbing and the best type of flip flops are the ones with the deep heel cup and lift.

Dana's Dream Buy of the Day: Surfer Girl

I can't stop staring at the surf imagery on these amazing acrylic clutches from Jimmy Choo.

Just looking at these bags takes me away to the shore- I can practically hear the ocean's roar and breathe in the salty sea air. It's not often that you find an accessory that is practically meditation-inducing!

The photo-realistic images wrap around, giving you a breathtaking beach view on both the front and back of the bag. The fantastic images fit right in with the plethora of prints that are being shown for Spring. 

Lined in satin and trimmed in leather, the bags are part of the Jimmy Choo's "Candy" clutch collection. All the Candy clutches, which feature drop-in gold shoulder straps, are quickly becoming modern classics. The bags are made in a structured, edgy style and come in an assortment of colors including classic black and sleek or sparkling metallics.

The bags are available now, but with a $795 price tag, for now, I will just have to dream of strolling in the sand at dusk while clutching a Jimmy Choo surfer bag.

Susan Says: What I'm Reading Now

New York Times bestselling author Lisa Scottoline has collaborated with her daughter Francesca Serritella, who has won multiple prestigious writing awards, to deliver a memoir, "Best Friends, Occasional Enemies: The Lighter Side of Life as Mother and Daughter."

Not since Erma Bombeck have I laughed out loud and had so much reading a family memoir.  One of my favorite chapters was entitled "All's Fair in Love and Wardrobe," in which Lisa and Francesca were going to a book-signing event and Lisa purchased a blazer for Francesca because she said it would be the most appropriate attire for the event.  What she also did, without notice, was purchase the identical blazer for herself, despite the fact that she owned dozens of blazers already.   Petty bickering (including Lisa suggesting they both wear the same jacket) ensued and in the end, Francesca caved in and wore a dress.

The book also offers some adorable notable quotes, including:

  

Francesca on being a daughter:  "My mother is always right.  Just ask her."

Lisa on being a Mom:  "Motherhood has no expiration date.  Francesca lives in the city and I worry about her all the time. My daughter moved out so why am I still lactating?"

Francesca on closet wars:  "My mom is a great dresser. Mostly because she is wearing my clothes."

Francesca on apartment living:  "When I saw a mouse, the first person I called was Mom.  She told me to call my super but I felt bad bothering him.  I hate to bother people.  But I love to bother my Mom."

So cute and such a good read!!!

Beyoncé and Tina Knowles

When it comes to celebrity mother-daughter duos who share a mutual love for fashion, few can rival superstar musician (and new mom herself!) Beyoncé Knowles and her mother, Tina.  

We've previously blogged about their fashion label, House of Dereon, which they launched together, and how Tina, a skilled seamstress, designed the costumes for Beyoncé's former group, Destiny's Child.  And when Beyoncé married Jay-Z in 2008, mom Tina designed her wedding gown.

Recently Beyoncé told Glamour magazine that her number-one genius beauty tip is, "Listen to your mother."  

“My best beauty advice came from my mother,” says Beyoncé. “She always says that outer beauty fades and inner beauty has a lasting effect. She also told me to wash my makeup off before going to bed. I don’t always, but I’m trying!"

Susan Says: March Beauty Steals

 

I just recieved the new flyer for one of my favorite makeup destinations:  Ulta. If you are not already familiar with this beauty mecca, run, don't walk, to your nearest location and join their Ulta Club rewards program, which allows you to accumulate points for every purchase, which you can then redeem for coveted merchandise. What's so great about Ulta is that they have the best, most beloved beauty brands, from drugstore labels all the way up to high-end department store brands, giving you an amazing selection.

 

So you can imagine my delight when I read in the mailer that from March 11 through March 31st, Ulta is  holding a beauty steal for each day! Among the best bargains for high-end products, here are my favorite picks; mark you calendar accordingly: 

 

• Monday, March 12th: Stila Smudgestick waterproof liner: Regularly $20; buy one get one free

• Tuesday, March 13th: Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara Regulary $19; buy for $10.00

• Wednesday, March 14th:  All Kinerase skincare; buy one get one at 50% off

• Thursday, March 15th  Pur Minrals; Regularly $1.50; buy at $12.00

• Friday, March 16th:  bareMinerals Prime time Eyelid Primer; Regularly $18.00; buy at $10.00

• Saturday, March 17th:  Philosophy Purity Made Simple Wipes; Regularly $20.00; buy at $12.00

• Also offered on March 17th, at participating locations, free Benefit brow wax with ay $50.00 Benefit service of product purchase

• Sunday, March 18th: Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara, Regularly $18.00; buy for $10.00

• Monday, March 19th:  Lorac Starry Eyed Baked Eyeshadow Trios; Regularly $18.00; buy at 50% off

• Tuesday, March 20th:  Napoleon Perdis Shadow Quad; Regularly $36.00; buy for $18.00

• Wednesday, March 21st:  Strivectin SD or SD & Sensitive; Regularly $69.00; buy at $49.00 each

• Thursday, March 22nd; Stila Smudgestick Waterproof Liner; Regularly $20.00; buy one get one free

• Friday, March 23rd:  Benefit Prrowl Mascard & Lipgloss combo; Regularly $28.00; buy at $9.99

• Saturday, March 24th:  All bareMinerals full sized mascaras; Regularly $9.00; buy at 50% off

• Sunday, March 25th:  Benefit Realness of Concealness:  regularly $18.00; buy at 50% off

• Monday, March 26th:  Butter Lodon Tops & Tails nail polish; regularly $25.00; buy at $15.00

• Tuesday, March 27th:  Amazing Cosmetics Large Concealer; Regularly $21; buy at 50% off

• Wednesday,March 28th:  Cargo Beach Blushes; Regularly $15.00; buy at 50% off

• Thursday, March 29th:  All Hydroxatone will be offered at 20% off

• Friday, March 30th:  Urban Decay Deluxe size Razor Shar Ultra Definitio Finishing Powder is offered free with any $25.00 purchase of Urban Decay products

• Saturday, March 31st:  Philosophy Kiss of Hope Lip Balm; Regularly $16.00; buy one get one 1/2 off

For a complete list of events and beauty steals go to Ulta.com. Also, the above products are part of Ulta's "Prestige" line, but if you purchase any product outside of Prestige or Fragrance and hair artistry brands you can go on Ulta's web site and print a coupon for $3.50 off a $10.00 purchase (again, of the lower-end products).  If you get an aforementioned Ulta Club card, which is free, you will get flyers, which, as you can see, are a great way to get a jump on great beauty sales.

Susan Says: Skincare Steals

It seems that everyone is always striving to look a few years younger, and who doesn't love a good deal? A recent segment of The Dr. Oz Show featured three plastic surgeons who accepted the Dr. Oz challenge to find drugstore products, all under $20, that will help you to look ten years younger!

The doctors who accepted the challenge were Dr. Shirley Madhere, Dr. Anthony Youn and Dr. Stuart Linder and they searched stores from New York to L.A. to find the products they believe will do the most good for the least amount of money.  Each plastic surgeon brought back products that we can all use as plastic surgery alternatives:

Dr. Linder, whose area of expertise is facelifts, discussed the major complaints he hears from his patients: loss of elasticity, sagging skin and, also, age spots.  One of Dr. Lindner's products of choice for a home remedy is L'oreal Paris Revitalift Double Lifting Treatment which helps firm up the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.  The product gives results in minutes and retails for under $15.00.  

Dr. Youn's specialty is injectables for lips.  He also does fillers in the lips and smile lines.  Of course the lip injection procedure is expensive and painful.  One of his favorite drug-store finds is Too Faced Lip Injection Plumping Serum, which be aware, does sting on contact but the price does not.

Dr. Madhere's specialty is eyelifts.  Her recommendation to temporarily combat under eye bags, sans surgery, is Sudden Change Under Eye Firming Serum, which tightens the under eye area in only 1-2 minutes.  It firms and dark circles, wrinkles, lines and puffiness are instantly diminished. It lasts for a day and can be refreshed during the course of the day, as well. 

 

 

Marni Madness Coming Soon to an H&M Near You!

H&M has always been a great place to find beautiful fashions at amazingly low prices, but with the launch of the Marni at H&M in stores on March 8th, the store will be a mecca for anyone who, like us, has long coveted the eclectic designs of the Italian label, which was launched by designer Consuelo Castiglioni in 1994.

The H&M collection does not disappoint. The collection will be available in around 260 stores worldwide, as well as online. It includes high-quality accessories which mimic the high-end items and we were thrilled to learn that nothing will retail for over $149.  


The full lookbook for the Marni at H&M collection, which includes menswear, is available online, complete with pricing information so that you can fully plan your purchases now. We love everything in the lookbook; for example, check out the  patent leather sweater for $149, the gold jacquard weave ankle-length pants for $79.95, and the fabulous sequin Peter Pan collar which is $19.95.

Previous designers who have created lines for H&M include Sonia Rykiel, Comme des Garcons, Matthew Williamson, Lanvin and most recently, Versace.  After viewing part of the collection online, we are convinced that this will be the most successful collaboration the Swedish retailer has had to date.  In fact, to be able to purchase this line at a fraction of the price of such stores as Bergdorf Goodman  and Barney's is indeed a fashion coup!