Marie :The Fashionable Housewife

Magazines Now Offering Affordable Fashion

September 30th, 2009 by Marie

If you’re like me, you look forward every year to the September issues of all the fashion magazines. I still love to read through them and look at the new trends for the season. Certain magazines I could never relate to, however, like Vogue and Bazaar because for one thing, the prices on the clothes were always way beyond my reach and just not practical for someone like me who is not wealthy! Still they were nice to browse though and look at the great photography.

What I have noticed lately, is that magazines are starting to include fashions under $100 to cater to a larger audience due to the recession and unemployment. I’ve noticed Oprah magazine did it, Glamour, Lucky, etc. They need to capture the audience of everyone who is being exceptionally frugal and decisive about their spending habits due to the recession.

We asked Lucia Moses, the Senior Editor of Media Week what she thought about all of this…

“clearly, retailers have to lower prices to get recession-spooked shoppers into stores again. Magazines like Vogue and Bazaar can’t ignore the fact the even their wealthier customers are being more careful with what they spend and have to respond accordingly, while still promoting the idea of sprucing up one’s wardrobe—especially key now during the all-important back-to-school and upcoming holiday seasons. At the same time, designers have realized they have to create more affordable clothing lines to keep consumers in a buying mindset, even if they’re not spending like they used to.”

I say, it’s about time! Personally, I think there should be a section in ALL magazines EVERY month for affordable fashions or fashions under $100 or even $50.00 because let’s face it, that is the majority of the audience right now. I think it’s important even if there wasn’t a recession!

Have you noticed more magazines have sections like this? Frugal fashions or fashions under $100?

Posted in Fashion Advice Related Topics: Affordable Fashion, edia Week, Fashion under $100, Glamour, Interview, Lucia Moses, Lucky, magazines, Oprah, Recession

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Interview With Angela Kinsey of “The Office”

September 29th, 2009 by Marie

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I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity for a phone interview with actress Angela Kinsey, best known for her role TV’s Emmy award winning comedy “The Office”.

She is also in Clairol’s Nice ‘n Easy commercial as “Gigi” – your “Guardian Girlfriend” helping you to keep dark roots at bay! Ms. Kinsey was kind enough to answer a few questions for us at The Fashionable Housewife. She’s sounded like such a down-to-earth person and like many of you, she is also a busy mom.

Marie: Angela, what made you decide to be a part of the Clairol Nice ‘n Easy Campaign?

Angela: I grew up in Indonesia and my mom used to stock up on Clairol products to bring there so we’d have them. She did my hair during college and throughout my youth growing up. We’ve always used Clairol because it’s accessible, inexpensive and a really great product.

Marie: Do you have any favorite hair coloring tips you could recommend for those of us that color our hair?

Angela: First off I would leave the ends alone and concentrate on the roots. To extend the color, trying washing your hair every other day or longer if you can go without it – wear a ponytail if you must. I also deep condition once a month and I also use Aussie 3 Minute Miracle. I basically try to use products that are accessible in drugstores or stores like Target. I’d rather spend my free time with my baby than sitting in a salon, which sometimes can turn out to be a long commute, so Clairol is great for me and like I said, I’ve been using it for years.

Marie: What would you say are your top 3 beauty product must haves – those items you’d take with you if you were stranded on a desert island?

Angela: Naturally, I’d take Clairol so I can touch up my roots; can’t have roots showing on a desert island! Second would be Lancome Juicy Tubes and third would be Oil of Olay Moisturizer.

Marie: So, what’s it like being on The Office – it must be interesting and exciting!

Angela: It’s the most fun and best job I’ve ever had – it’s like lightning in a bottle. It’s a very family like atmosphere and everyone is a great. I’m very thankful to have such a great job.”

Angela also offered her own personal beauty tip / secret !

Angela: Ladies, if you have a zit and it’s at the beginning, you know, when it’s big and pulsing, take an aspirin and make a paste of it with water and apply it at the beginning of the zit and leave it on and the next day the swelling will be gone!!”

Thanks to Angela Kinsey for taking time out of her busy day to chat with me! And thanks for the great tips!

Click here to see Angela in the Clairol Nice ‘N Easy television commercial.

Posted in Beauty Products, Hair Care, Moms On The Go Related Topics: Angela Kinsey, Beauty Tips, Clairol, Clairol Nice 'n Easy, Fashion Tips, Hair Color, hair coloring tips, Interview, The Office

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Fall 2009 Fashion Trends: 80′s Rocker Chic

September 25th, 2009 by Marie

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The trend of the moment is early 80′s rocker style inspired by Joan Jett, the original rebel herself. Of course having a jet black shag haircut will definitely help with this style, but it’s not required!

Want to recreate this look for yourself without a total makeover? Here’s how you do it – pick your favorite pair of Skinny Jeans either in a dark shade like black, charcoal or indigo. Add a thin black studded belt with that. Next, try a metallic silver or gold tank to wear and add a Cropped Leather Jacket over that – a lot of them have a motorcycle style / feel to them this season. Now, if you’re thinking, who can afford a leather jacket this season, not to worry. There are plenty good looking faux leathers out there you can find at Macy’s, H&M, Forever 21 and Mandee even unless you already own one from a past season.

L to R: American Rag – $89, Apple Bottoms – $98, B Hip by Me – $70

Accessorize your outfit with a Resin Bangle or leather wrap stud bracelet. For footwear, you can experiment with either a pair of black heels or a black boots leaning more towards a pointy toe to get the rocker look.

L to R: Report Julian Heels – $95, Harley Davidson Boots – $130, Mia Sterling Boots – $99

For a dressed down look, try Converse sneakers. While many like leggings to recreate this look, personally I’d steer clear of them because you don’t want to get too costumey or look like a goth hooker. Remember you’re trying to achieve a variation on the look, not copy it head to toe or dress like someone from a metallica group!

Another easy, simple and inexpensive way to get this look is simply to wear head-to-black — a pair of black skinny jeans, black tee and pick one item to stand out like a pair of fabulous studded sandals like the Jeffrey Campbell Mel.

L to R: Black Tank Top – $38, Black Skinny Jeans – $50, Jeffrey Campbell Mels – $164

Twilight Star Kristen Stewart is currently filming a movie “Runaways” playing the role of Joan Jett, so we should be able to spot some more 80′s style outfits on her pretty soon!

Will you be trying this trend?

Posted in Trend Alert Related Topics: 80's, 80's Style, Fall 2009, Fall Fashion, Fashion trends, Joan Jett, Kristen Stewart, Rocker Chic, Trend Alert

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Fall 2009 Fashion Trends: Luxe Hippie Boho

September 23rd, 2009 by Marie

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Feel the love with boho-inspired pieces this Fall. Looking like a hippie is “in” this season… as long as you look like a rich hippie! Look for rich paisley prints in multicolor, jewel or earth tones. Embroidered details give your outfit a homespun look. Flowy dresses, embroidered tunics, paisley prints and maxi dresses worn with boots, also give the rich hippie feel. Be careful not to overdo it with too much at once though. For jewelry, try a pair of dangling chandelier earrings or simple gold hoops with your outfit or add a stack of thin bangle bracelets to your wrist. You might try to layer two or three thin necklaces, but again – choose one or two area to focus one, not all three at once, otherwise you run the risk of hippie overkill. Lucky Brand Jeans have a great selection of boho inspired clothing and their online sales aren’t too shabby. Free People is another great brand for bohemian inspired pieces.

Outfit Ideas
If you are wearing the hot trend of distressed jeans with boots, try pairing a simple rich brown suede hobo bag with your outfit and tie a paisley print scarf around your neck or around the shoulder strap of your bag. The key is to not overdo it so you don’t look like you walked out of “Woodstock” or the Broadway production of “Hair”.

Looking for stores to find accessories for your rich hippie look? Try H&M stores for scarves, earrings, and purses. For tunics, tops and maxi dresses, check out Urban Outfitters. Brands like XCVI, Free People and Edun have great boho inspired pieces. For footwear, check out Zappos.com for a huge variety of styles. Lucky enough to splurge? Then you can’t go wrong with a simple pair of classic brown Frye Boots. You can wear these with jeans, dresses, skirts and the workmanship / quality of them will certainly give you your money’s worth.

Makeup Ideas
Play up your eyes with a smoky shadow and liner. Maybelline Expertwear Quads tell you exactly where each shade goes. Use just a light flush of color on your cheeks (berry, rose, pink) and a nude lip color for your lips, or, better yet, one of those lip colors in “your shade of lips but better” colors. What that means is to find a shade of lipcolor that is one shade darker than your own natural lipcolor. A color that will enhance your lips. You don’t want a strong lipcolor since you are playing up your eyes with this look.

Look to celebs like Nicole Richie and Lindsay Lohan for outfit inspirations. Both ladies seem to have the rich hippie look down pat. Also spotted wearing this trend: Kim Kardashian, Rachel Zoe, Demi Moore and Vanessa Hudgens to name a few.

The rich hippie look is a fun weekend look to experiment with for Fall 2009! Will you be trying this trend?

Posted in Fall Fashion, Fashion Advice, Trend Alert Related Topics: Bohemian, Boho, Fall 200 Fashion Trends, Fall 2009, Fall Fashion, Free People, Frye Boots, Hippie, Luxe Hippie, Outfit Ideas, Trend Alert

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Favorite Clinique Product: Touch Base For Eyes

July 29th, 2009 by Marie

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I wanted to share a review with you about a Clinique product that I have been using for years but haven’t really heard or read much press about. I consider it a well-kept secret but one that should finally be revealed in hopes that they never discontinue it!

Clinique Touch Base is a small compact of cream that comes in several tints which can be used as a shadow or a primer to prevent eyeshadow from creasing. What I’ve discovered is that for me it works as an excellent concealer too. I always try to stock up if I am able to, especially whenever Clinique has their “Gift With Purchase” specials going on. My preferred shade of Touch Base is “Nude Rose”.

This little product is wonderful and after using it, I find that my eyeshadow doesn’t crease especially in the hot, humid weather and it also conceals my undereye circles without that white, circular look that some undereye concealers often do. Their shade of “Nude Rose” blends perfectly with most fair to medium skin tones. It does come in six shades: Nude Rose, Up-lighting, Petal, Canvas, Canvas Light, and Buff Lighting. After testing a few shades, I’ve settled on using only “Nude Rose” – a natural looking combination that looks “pinkish-peach/beige-flesh” type of shade which is perfect for my skin tone. It’s also ophthalmologist tested which is perfect for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

This item has become a staple in my makeup case and if you have the opportunity to try it, I highly recommend it. On Clinique’s web site it is $14.00. Click here to purchase Touch Base for Eyes.

Get a chic beach tote—FREE!—plus complimentary shipping with the purchase of 2 SPF or self-sun products. (No Offer code needed. While supplies last!)

Check it out and let me know if it works as well for you as it does for me!

Posted in Beauty Products, Makeup, Recommended Related Topics: Beauty Products, Clinique, Concealer, Cosmetics, Makeup, Touch Base

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Tees And Shorts For Only $5 Each At Old Navy

June 27th, 2009 by Marie

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I passed by an Old Navy store Thursday morning on my way to a job fair and I stopped in to have a look. I saw that their basic tee shirts are on sale (solid colors) for only $5.00 each! Besides basic colors like black, white, brown and gray, they had some beautiful bright colors as well like bright green, coral, purple & turquoise!

The other thing I noticed is that their denim shorts are only $5.00 too! I mean, you can get a complete summer outfit for like $10.00!

This reminded me of the radio interview with B101.5 WBQB – Chris & Dee in the Morning that I did for The Fashionable Housewife a few weeks ago. In the interview I mentioned that getting basic cotton tees in bright colors can liven up an interview suit if your limited with your cash flow.

I just thought I would alert you in case you ladies wanted to stock up! For $5.00 you can be beat. That is an amazing savings!!

Have a great day!
Marie

Posted in ON SALE! Related Topics: Basic, Old Navy, sale, Shorts, Tees

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CoverGirl “Exact Eyelights” Eye-Brightening Mascara

November 11th, 2008 by Marie

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Review on Cover Girl’s New
“Exact Eyelights” Eye-Brightening Mascara

I couldn’t wait to buy this because of the claims that it brightens your eye color because accentuating my eyes is one of my favorite things to do with makeup. Sadly, I was very disappointed. I bought the shade “Black Pearl” because I have brown eyes and there are certain shades for certain eye colors; but when I applied it, I did not see any difference from any of my other tubes of black mascara. Ok, so I thought, maybe this was a “fluke” tube and I went and bought another shade, this time I bought “Black Gold” which is for hazel eyes. The same thing with this one – it didn’t look any different, it wasn’t noticeably brighter nor could I see any color difference. It just looked like I had on black mascara.

The one positive thing about this product is that the mascara did not clump on my lashes and the brush is pretty decent and has a long handle. But I was hugely disappointed at the claims Cover Girl makes that this will make your eyes pop – because on me – it most certainly did NOT. I would love to see it on someone who claims it does.

Click here for more info on the new mascara >>

Posted in Beauty Products, Reviews Related Topics: Cover Girl, Mascara, Reviews

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