Dallas’ Best Kept Secret: The Ultimate Dry Cleaner
Posted on | June 30, 2010
I remember when I first moved to Dallas an older, wiser relative gave me some memorable advice, he said “Take a look at the parking lot. The cars in it will tell you a lot about the property.” Though he was referring to apartment shopping I have found the same to be true with almost every business I have frequented since. The down side is, more often than not “nicer cars in the parking lot” equals “more expensive products and services inside.”
Rolls Royce, Maserati, Bentley, BMW, Mercedes…with more clients in luxury cars than Park Place Motorcars, the drive-thru at this place quickly reveals that some of Dallas’ finest have already discovered this hidden gem. For those of you who haven’t, it’s your lucky day. I’m going to let you in on “Dallas’ Best Kept Secret”…the best dry cleaner I found. Anywhere.
Social Beauty: Have What It Takes To Be A Consultant?
Posted on | June 29, 2010
Ever thought of being a fashion or beauty “consultant” It takes a certain type of person…though I have some of these qualities it just wasn’t for me. That being said I have had a number of friends who have been very successful as consultants and more importantly have loved every moment of their jobs. Love to party? Are you the hostess with the mostess? Are you the girl to go to when any type of party planning is involved? If so, listen up. You can earn extra money, meet new friends, host parties and get amazing deals on some great goods if you become a consultant for them. My first recommendation, before you invest any money with the company, would be to “host” a party for another consultant first to get a close-up and personal view of what the company, line and party format is like….but here are a few other tips as well.
10 Things to Do BEFORE Becoming a Consultant
-LOVE the product. You’re selling it – and you’re getting bonuses from them, so be a fan!
-Love jewelry but not sure about being a rep for a company? Attend a party first. See how the other consultant does the party, how they set things up, how they generate sales and what the best features of the products are. If you’re interested after that – get more information online or on the phone. Not a fan after the party? Move on to a different company that you can whole-heartedly support.
-Understand that, as with any business, there can sometimes be a substantial upfront cost to get started. Many companies require you to purchase a “kit” of a large assortment of their products for display at your parties. Although you generally keep these items as your own, expect to pay a few hundred dollars upfront.
The Origin and Tradition of the Red Door
Posted on | June 28, 2010
Gorgeous Catherine Zeta Jones. Does this woman ever have a bad hair day? A bad body day? Doubtful. Seriously stunning. Her partnership with Elizabeth Arden has become one of her trademarks but do you know the scoop behind this label?
Elizabeth Arden was an amazing, strong woman. She was a suffragette, a visionary and a powerful voice to us ladies. She fought for our right to vote – and while she was fighting she also fought for a gorgeous look. Do you know that she made lipstick shades to match all of her suffragette’s outfits? If they wore a bright pink outfit, she wanted them to have a bright pink shade to coordinate. Bold red jacket? Arden created a bold, red shade to match. Love.
Elizabeth Arden relocated to America from Canada in 1910. Her philosophy is one that I believe in firmly today. She believed that women have the right to be beautiful and strong. And this is an ideal that we still seem to have to fight for today, don’t we? Catherine Zeta Jones said that she thinks that “pretty means more than being ‘pretty’” – and Elizabeth Arden solidifies this idea through her makeup line.
Celebrating it’s 100th year as a company, the iconic red door that we know and love all began as an attention getting device. Arden painted the door red to get people’s attention as they walked up 5th Avenue in NYC. Smart. Classic. Elizabeth Arden started small and is still going with new innovative technologies, classic scents and gorgeous and signature lipsticks. Her spas are a haven of pampering. And she supports women with cancer. Remember, her mantra is that we all have the right to be beautiful and strong. With a wide array of beauty, makeup and fragrances, Elizabeth Arden is still going strong and going gorgeous!
Editor: Valerie Elizabeth
Staff Writer: Karen Yannacio Morse
Intern: Lauren Hampton
Beauty RX is Fashionable
Posted on | June 24, 2010
Here’s a prescription for beauty health – because let’s face it… if you are not healthy you are not looking your best. You’re not feeling your best. And that is not fabulous.
During New York Fashion Week in February I overheard lots of conversations from those around me waiting in line for shows about maintaining their look through natural solutions. They were steering clear of pills and chemicals but instead making a beeline for new and more natural ideas. For example, changing simple foods in your diet can improve your complexion….which can allow you to wear less makeup and look amazing naturally. Another tip I heard was about keeping energy up as a busy fashionista. Too much coffee can really do a number on your looks over time, but if you eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout your day then your energy levels will be much better as well as your metabolism. Bonus! I learned a lot all while waiting in line! Going to the spa? Have acne? Ok – listen up. Getting a full facial can often times make your acne worse. However, you can try a peel and a light treatment to get your skin looking amazing while lessening your acne. A few simple prescriptions for fashion will keep you looking amazing and have others wondering what you’re doing to look so fantastic.
Editor: Valerie Elizabeth
Staff Writer: Karen Yannacio Morse
Intern: Lauren Hampton
Flip Flops to Flip For
Posted on | June 23, 2010
In honor of the first day of summer (okay so I missed it by a couple of days) I wanted to share a great pair of flip-flops with you. I found these Steve Madden LUXE Beaded “Angel” Sandals at DSW last month in black and LOVE them. They were priced competitively at $39.99 (down from $89) but now they are just $19.94 on the website and they have them in a rainbow of colors…so I had to get one of each. Have I mentioned I LOVE DSW??? It is the ultimate shoe source for the shoe lover. Scary that I now live mere feet from Dallas location.
Love designer shoes? Some of the stores have a special “Designer” section. I have picked up some steals from Calvin Klein, Bottega Veneta, Ralph Lauren Black Label and more. Want to get a pair of these for yourself? Click on the image to be taken directly to the DSW website. Or maybe you’ll find something else you LOVE. With FREE SHIPPING (use CODE: SHIPR for home delivery and CODE: FREESHIP for in-store pick-up) and $10 OFF $10 (use CODE: TAKE10) Ooops…I almost forgot to mention if you aren’t a DSW Rewards member yet you’ll need to sign up to get the discounts. No worries though…it’s FREE. And you earn points towards FREE Gift Certificates (I just earned a $20 gift certificate) and as a bonus they send you $5 FREE for your birthday. With just 12 days until my birthday I’ll be looking for mine in the mail any day now. Happy Shoe Shopping!!!
PS…thanks to Karen Yannacio Morse for the sale heads up via Twitter.com/KarenYMorse
Curious About QVC
Posted on | June 22, 2010
Years ago I had a friend who loved QVC. Understatement- she raved about it. And there were these daily deals (“Today’s Special Value”) that she fixated on. I let her share her shopping stories with me, but honestly… I wasn’t very interested at first, but after taking a second look, it is my turn to rave. This place really has it all, and I just can’t resist sharing my new fave website!
Have you seen QVC lately? You don’t even need to watch it anymore. It’s online. It’s probably been online for years, but I am a newbie to QVC.com. There are daily deals which gives followers something to look into each day. There are payment plans, and big, amazing designers. Yes, you heard me. Big designers are all about QVC.
The latest designer who peaked my QVC interest is Rachel Zoe. Love her. She has great style, ambition and shopping saavy-ness. Oh, and her jewelry line is to die for. Love that too. So, obviously this alone hooked me into checking out QVC. I also noticed designers such as Isaac Mizrahi, Marc Bouwer and Chloe Dao were on the site. But don’t worry about finding these designers on QVC – there is a “Designer Gallery” that features their big names in fashion to make it easy for you to find exactly the style you’re looking for. How about some Kenneth Jay Lane jewelry like this fun turquoise and gold ring? Yes, QVC has it. I was surprised too. I think I just didn’t take the time to get to know QVC… but now I am happy to have it as a new fashion friend.
QVC additionally shows you how to accessorize and pull an outfit together as well as showing you how designers styled the big runway looks! It’s like you have the inside scoop on the inside information. Super fun and easy!
So the next time you’re channel surfing or bored on the Internet you should check out QVC. I just can’t get enough of the shopping fun it offers – you might too!
Editor: Valerie Elizabeth
Staff Writer: Karen Yannacio Morse
Intern: Emilee Hefflefinger
Beauty Products That Multi-Task
Posted on | June 21, 2010
Looking for beauty items that multi-task? There are so many amazing beauty and cosmetic items out there but the reality of managing or using all of them is not likely. When I packed to move last month I found though I had endless amazing products my true desire was to minimize. I now have one small make-up bag and a shoe box of extras for “when-I-need-them.” I adore the products that are multi-use and truly work for all advertised purposes.
When I really appreciate these types of products? When I travel and even more so if I forgo luggage and just take a carry-on. That is when every square inch of packing real estate is valuable. Another place I appreciate the minimalist approach is in the shower. I mean who has a shower shelf big enough to hold even the essentials. (I swear women should design homes as they would think of things like where the heck am I going to put my shampoo, conditioner, deep conditioner, body wash, soap, loofa, etc.) I don’t think I am asking for too much by asking for products that can deliver what they promise – in a multitude of ways!
Most people have likely tried the shampoo/conditioner combo. Now, I’ve tried many, many of these but truthfully I’m not impressed. With 18 or more inches of hair frankly the add-on conditioner is not sufficient to make sure my hair can be detangled without a straight-razor to the scalp. Ha. Though I do use a separate shampoo and conditioner they both are multi-purpose they have a straightening agent (secret: my hair is naturally spiral curled), they have a color protecting agent and they have a hydrating agent…though I must say I am very careful to try to protect my hair from becoming overly dry. Some tips on how to do this? Let your hair air-dry, don’t over-wash your hair (every 2-3 days is great unless you have extremely oily hair), cover your hair in the sun, if you must color your hair stay close to your natural shade or use vegetable dyes and always be sure to regularly conditioner your hair.
I admit I have hunted high and low to find products that can either multi-task, or speed up my primping process by ease of application. All in all I spend about 5 minutes on my make-up and less than 20 minutes getting ready each day. Some of my faves include eyeshadow quads that have a charcoal color to use as eyeliner (just apply with a brush), for efficiency I love the now defunct Laura Mercier foundation stick (talk about easy/fast to use…and it could double as concealer), I already mentioned the shampoo and conditioner I use by Pureology, I use Donna Karan Cashmere Mist deodorant for a light perfume smell built in to the must use deodorant because though I might be in too much of a hurry for perfume, I guarantee I won’t be leaving the house (EVER) without deodorant. Another great multi-use product that everyone already has???…you can always use your lipstick as a blush when you need to add a little color to your cheeks…just be sure to use it minimally to avoid the red-circle clown look. We’re always look for items made for girls on the go and who can pass up an efficient steal? Know of a product that would save me time, money or space???…we’d love to hear about them.
Editor: Valerie Elizabeth
Staff Writer: Karen Yannacio Morse
Intern: Emilee Hefflefinger
Introducing Whitney Eve!
Posted on | June 10, 2010
Who has seen The Hills? Raise your hand. Ok, now who has seen The City? Raise your hand. Good…now who adores Whitney Eve Port from both of these shows? Don’t you love her? Something about her is very natural and chic. And not only that, but she she truly has talent. Lucky for us she has entered the fashion world as a designer! From her interning days at Teen Vogue with Lauren Conrad, to her time with Kelly Cutrone at People’s Revolution, and now on to working at DVF, Whitney has had some amazing role models to learn and grow from!
Whitney’s fashion line, aptly named “Whitney Eve”, has received lots of press! She’s been on the Today Show, The Wendy Williams Show, America’s Next Top Model and featured in OK! Magazine and Glamour Magazine! If you’ve missed any of these I wouldn’t worry – I’m sure there is more to come in the near future.
Did you miss New York Fashion Week and Whitney Eve’s first show? Check it out here: http://whitneyeve.com/video . If you watched The City then you were able to check it out, not to mention her last minute designing to get her show all put together! That was a great behind the scenes look at Fashion Week from Whitney’s eyes! While you watch Whitney Eve’s runway show bookmark your fave looks so that you can purchase these gorgeous creations at her web site, www.WhitneyEve.com. Hopefully her line will hit stores asap, but until then I’ll be grabbing my favorite looks online.
As Kelly Cutrone told Whitney, “No one gets anywhere by being average” and that’s not just advice for the fashion world, that’s something that we can all live by. Where do YOU want to go? And more importantly, how will you get there by being more than “average?”
Editor: Valerie Elizabeth
Staff Writer: Karen Yannacio Morse
Intern: Emilee Hefflefinger
Buying Baubles…Rate the Estate!
Posted on | June 9, 2010
Looking for a fantastic piece of jewelry but not finding it at the mall’s jewelry store? Interested in jewelry pieces from a specific period (ie the forties) and want an authentic item versus a reproduction? Looking for something unique that you can be certain no one else will be wearing? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions then you need to set your GPS to head straight to an estate sale.
I’ve been shopping estate sales forever, but they have recently become quite a trendy locale for picking up “real” jewelry. Not only have people caught on that they can nab some serious jewelry at a great price, but they are also realizing that estate shopping is so-much-fun! It’s an entire process of researching which estate sale to visit- determining your jewelry style or period first, setting your budget, attending an event (the actual sale), scouring the goods for the “piece” you love and hopefully walking away with something beautiful!
Before you race to the first estate sale you Google, be smart. All fashionistas need to know the scoop before jumping in. Must look like you’ve done this for years, right? If you attend an estate auction be sure you are aware of what types of jewelry they will be showing and have a price limit in mind and stick to it. The number one rule is you MUST be willing to walk away. Nine times out of ten they’ll come after you, especially on the higher priced items. Prices are always negotiable and unless you are bidding on the Hope diamond, likelihood is the seller needs you more than you need them. Estate sale shopping can be a blast until you realize that you spend $1,000 more than planned. Stay on budget and make sure not to overspend on an item by bringing along your iPhone so you can look up comparable prices for the items you intend to bid on. Perhaps you want to start off slowly. Check out your local newspaper or Craigslist for great estate sales, garage/tag sales and other sales in cities that might offer you a better selection. Finally, don’t forget about the local stores that showcase estate jewelry. Flea markets and antique stores are treasure chests – you just need to have patience and time to really uncover those gems!
Editor: Valerie Elizabeth
Staff Writer: Karen Yannacio Morse
Intern: Lauren Hampton
Can’t Live Without…Luxurious Lashes
Posted on | June 8, 2010
You’d be hard pressed to get me out of the house without my mascara. And on those rare days I might forget to apply it, I feel like I look sleepy all day long. Mascara is one of those make-up items that is a must in my book. The eyes, as they say, are the windows to your soul, and how you frame them makes a big difference. Only have 5 minutes to apply your make-up? That’s honestly all I EVER have. Add a little eye, a little blush and a little lip. Framing genius. Mascara is quick, easy and highlights your best features so you are ready to face the world.
Mascara is wonderful because it can be simple with a coat to add definition to your natural look or it can have a very dramatic effect. The more layers of “black-black” mascara, the more drama. Additionally, a little light coat (and by light coat I mean a light coat!) of mascara on your lower lashes opens up the eye even more. Regardless of how you like to coat your mascara, it’s really an essential and easy part of the make-up routine that makes a huge difference. Think I’m wrong? Try it – without any other make-up on, just coat mascara on one eye and compare. The eye with mascara on it looks more awake and more opened up!
You can get very creative with mascara nowadays. Have you seen- or tried?- the hot colored mascaras? The blues and greens and even purples can be an interesting addition to your look! Just be careful not to go too color crazy with eye shadows and colorful mascaras! Accentuate one colorful part for your eye make-up and enjoy! Me, I’m a volumizing, black mascara kind of girl. I live and breathe by my Dior Show. It’s a little on the pricier side but the dramatic results are worth every penny.
What cosmetic items can you not live without??? Mascara? Lipgloss? Something else?
Editor: Valerie Elizabeth
Staff Writer: Karen Yannacio Morse, Caroline Claure