Get The Look

In today's search for that awe inspiring Celeb look I came across our fave country singer who's been sporting some seriously hot numbers from the outerwear she sports to her accessories Taylor Swift is not simply making a sensational splash in the music world but the fashion one as well!

Here she is caught by the infamous paparazzi sporting a Yoana Baraschi sundress. Can we say gorgeous enough? No, I didn't think so but alas this fab dress is easily $400 and while I'd love to have that kind of mulah I just don't. At least not to blow all at once on one piece of fabwear. So, I went zipping around the net and came up with these similar sundresses for all the fashion recessionistas like myself who while the economy sucks still want to look as though it's not!

Buy at Urban Outfitters

Buy at Forever 21

First it's prudent to know just what is expected at your office where dress code is concerned. In general there are usually three main dress codes that most offices fall into. They are:

Going to a spa is like investing in a beautiful relaxing vacation. The right spa visit will leave you feeling wonderfully rejuvinated and ready to tackle what comes your way next. Below are some great tips and pointers into choosing the right spa to what you can expect from your visit.

Before choosing a spa for any treatment, you should:

• Choose a reputable day spa from personal referrals.
• Tour the day spa before making an appointment to decide if you like the atmosphere. A good day spa will be relaxing, beautiful, and clean, with plush towels and a ready staff.
• Check the available packages and prices. A good day spa will offer single treatments, as well as full packages.
• Check the credentials of the therapists and personnel.
• Decide how much money you want to spend for the treatments you want.

What to expect from your visit:

1. The receptionist will offer you something to drink and then escort you to the locker room, pointing out your lush robe and slippers. Change clothes and prepare to be pampered.
2. While sipping your hot tea, waiting in the relaxing lounge area, your facial masseuse fetches you to the massage table, where she tucks you under a warm blanket and gives you your facial treatment.
3. The receptionist escorts you to another comfortable room for your body massage. Your masseuse helps you to lie down on the table, offering towels to cover yourself if you desire. Twenty-five minutes with expert hands has you feeling relaxed yet simultaneously invigorated.
4. Led to the aromatherapy showers and baths, you let all of your cares rinse down the drain.
5. One more trip to another massage room for a total body oil massage and you're nearly finished. The masseuse even massages your head and scalp, and you are completely relaxed as she finishes her therapy with your feet and toes.
6. Once escorted back to the lounge, you will be asked if you'd like more tea. You are free to relax there as long as you wish before returning to the locker room and dressing to leave.
7. Before you leave, you pay for your services and the receptionist offers products for you to buy, take home, and use there.

Depending upon the spa some of these steps above may be in a different order and there may be some add ins that you experience. It is in my opinion that the above list is a MINIMUM of what you should experience anything extra pat yourself on the back for finding a real gem of therapist/spa!

Easter is April 12th, 2009 so in honor of the coming holiday I decided to check out what some of the most classic styles for the occaision were. Whether you are dressing a little girl, pre-teen, adult woman, or all three, I have some classic style tips that you can't go wrong with.

from Sophia Style $49.99 - $59.99

 from My Girl Dress $49.50

 from Ann Taylor $169

 

2. Understand how light and dark play on your skin! Light makeup colors will always make an area appear brighter, bigger and more pronounced. Light eye shadow will keep eyes bigger. A slight frost and shine in lipstick will enhance thinner lips. Be careful though, the opposite is also true. Dark eyeliner, such as black, will make eyes more defined but also create the illusion that they are smaller. Blush that is too dark can flatten cheekbones instead of lift them up.

3. Put color in the right place! Bright or intense color in eye shadow will draw attention to your makeup instead of the sparkle in your eye! Switch to more subtle and neutral shadows and bring color in with eyeliner instead.

4. Gloss is fashionable and effective for all ages! Gloss isn’t just for teens. Today’s gloss stays put and lasts, so it is effective for all faces. It keeps lips looking moist, full and youthful. It adds fullness and freshness to your look. It also brighten and lifts lipstick for an ‘into the night’ look that dazzles!

5. Don’t let your makeup run away! There are products you should not ignore if staying power is a problem for you. Face powder will set concealer and liquid foundation and make it last all day. Wetting various eye shadows with a small brush and painting on will create an all day wear eyeliner that will never smudge!

Make 2009 your best year ever and look fabulous doing it! 

Diva Bling Jewelry is my newest diamond in the rough. Their specialty is taking the everyday and making it spectacular with bling. I have absolutely fallen in love with their hair pieces and their prices. They have a wide selection of costume jewelry that is perfect for spicing up any look you choose to sport, from casual to sophisticated to celeb style date night. My fellow recessionista's you truly will NOT want to miss out on this yummy site. Most items are well under $20 and are sure to give any outfit that little extra something it's missing.

Hot Promo's

In these recession times a little help goes a long way. Below I've compiled some hot promo codes on some of the stores you can find great designer clothes, shoes, and more. Happy Shopping!

~Clothing~

Anonymous Venice- 10% off your entire order with promo code: WINNER10

BlueFly- Get $20 off + Free Shipping on all first-time orders over $150 with promo code:  CWINNER20FS

Bandlet- 5% off your entire order with promo code: BRLP5

Couture Candy- Get $10 off orders over $150 with promo code: JAN0810

Brooks Brothers- Get $10 off orders

AmiClubWear- Get 10% off orders with promo code: WHOLE10

~Shoes~

AmeriMark- 10% off all orders

Boot Barn- Get $20 off orders when you sign-up for the e-mail newsletter

Chadwick's- Get 15% off orders over $150 with promo code: CHAMG

FootSmart- Get $15 off orders over $75 with promo code: WB15OF75

~Accessories~

Apples of Gold- Get 10% off all orders (up to $50 off) with promo code: AOGPC10

Blue Nile- Get $20 off orders over $50 with Bill Me Later

Don't miss out on some of these great deals! More to come next week, if you have a store, web site, etc. that you'd like to see feel free to post it and I'll do my best to find that promo code, offer, and more for you.

Get the Celeb Look for Less

We all love to "ooh & ahh" over what luscious outfit our fave stars are caught wearing. Whether it's the newest designer gown they're sporting on the red carpet to what they wore out to do mundane errands we eat it up and are always hungry for more. Why else are the paparazzi so rich? Below are a few star looks that you can buy for less. Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy!!

Gwyneth Paltrow

Earrings, Liz Claiborne Accessories, $19.
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Gray sweater, Delia's, $20.
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Metallic dress, Forever 21, $42.
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Silver clutch, Xhiliration, $13.
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Gray tights, DKNY, $9.
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Silver sandals, Nina, $50.
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Eva Longoria Parker

(always beautiful but especially so in this casual out on the town look)

A few easy—and inexpensive—pieces will help you recreate Eva's look.

Plaid jacket, Full Tilt, $40.
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Belt, New York & Co., $14.
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Olive bag, Deux Lux, $68.
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Jeans, Esprit, $24.
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Sandals, Enzo Angiolini, $48.
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Katie Holmes

Katie's style is easy to copy with these low-price pieces.

White cardiigan, Old Navy, $15.
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Black dress, Design History, $54.
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Double belt, Gianni Bini, $21.50.
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Python pumps, Sam Edelman, $44.
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Top Nail Beauty Tips

Problem: Weak, Brittle nails

If you wish for stronger and more healthy nails try some of the clear nail polish enhancers that are on the market today.

Keep your nails shorter until they are stronger, then let them grow a bit longer.

Moisturize your hands (and nails) often. Find some good hydrated lotion and keep it handy so you will apply it often.

Question: What should a good Mani entail?

A thorough nail manicure will last at least 40 minutes, and you can expect the following from a professional:

• She will make sure that you see and know that her tools have been cleaned before she uses them in your session.
• Her table will be clean.
• She will inspect your hands and nails, pointing out and discussing any problems with you.
• She will ask questions about your hands and nails, and address your concerns.
• She will either cut your cuticles or push them back, asking your preference. If you ask the advantages and disadvantages to each method, she will be able to confidently explain both options and suggest her recommendations.
• If you have nail ridges, she will remove them by buffing and then fill them in with a good nail base coat.
• She will remove any cuticle oil before polishing, but never use acetone-based removers, since they will completely dry out the nails. She will simply use soap and water, towel dry, and then apply polish. In that way, the polish will last 10 times longer.
• She will file your nails in only one direction.
• If you want polish, she will apply four thin coats: base coat, two coats of polish, and a top coat. Drying time for each coat will be at least 10 minutes.
• Although there are quick-dry polishes, your professional manicurist will tell you that you should avoid touching your nails for at least an hour after polishing.

Just for Fun Nail Quiz:

Find out what your nail color says about you, Take the Maybelline Quiz here!