The Fashionable Housewife » Reviews

Must Have Book: Bitches on a Budget – Sage Advice for Surviving Tough Times in Style

The Fashionable Housewife — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 14:00:02 +0000

Bitches on a Budget

Sage Advice for Surviving Tough Times in Style

Bitches on a Budget is a witty, smart woman’s guide to being thrifty and fabulous.

About The Book

Today’s woman may be struggling with her volatile financial state, but she shouldn’t bite one well-manicured nail with worry. Sure the Dow goes up and down, housing prices boom and bust, but living well never goes out of style. Let Roz Hoffman be your guide for how to spend your precious pennies, as she dishes up the wisdom women need to get perfect style–without depleting their dwindling bank accounts. No coupon-clipping, Prada-depriving, or carb-hating allowed! Bitches, welcome to the era of smart indulgence.

The author is a recession-era fashion guru, travel agent, grooming consultant, therapist, sommelier, and life coach all rolled into one. She’ll show you how to adjust your attitude, discover your hot spots, and make life richer in every sense of the word. Bitches on a Budget is the consummate guide to living with joy, style, and a healthy dose of irreverence–whatever the economic weather.

Publishers Weekly compared Bitches on a Budget to the mega bestseller He’s Just Not That Into You and said “a sassy tone and abundant…ribald jokes make frugality seem fun.”

I think this is a deliciously funny must-read book for today’s financially challenged woman. Not only is this a great read, but it’s wonderfully informative as well. I love that Rosalyn Hoffman includes recommendations for all “budget levels”. Being on a budget means something different to everyone and this book includes it all, whether you are shopping at Wal Mart or Nordstrom.

Buy The Book At:

www.amazon.com >>

Become a fan of the book on Facebook!

Top Five Sample Sale Sites for Fashion

Jaime Palmucci — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:17:35 +0000

Sample Sale sites are amazing ways to access health, beauty, fashion and lifestyle items that normally would be out of our (okay, my) reach, and they’re priced to make these luxuries an easy and fun way to add some more glam and style to your lifestyle.

Over the next few days, I’ll be sharing with you my top five sample sale sites for a couple of different genres (including beauty, accessories and more), but I thought that we’d start with the one that gets most people hooked: Fashion.

5. Rue La La: one of the original sample sale sites, Rue La La has done a great job of growing with their fan base. They have a couple of issues that lead them to be listed at number five (extremely slow shipping, higher prices and minimal quantities which equal fast sellouts) but the site has been known to get some amazing brands that the others can’t touch.

4. Hautelook: Flexible shipping costs is the name of Hautelook, and it’s one of the reasons they’re so fabulous. Their ship time is slightly faster than Rue La La, and they have a fun assortment of fashion options for men, women and children (I’ve even seen some pet fashions, too!). Hautelook tends to have the most sales listed daily… usually around 14 total.

3. ideeli: Because of past experiences with ideeli (and some amazingly stellar buys that I’ve come across), they land at number three. I’ve heard of some issues with the company but, other than extended shipping times (yes, you have to be very, VERY patient with most of these sample sale sites… but the price is worth the wait!), I haven’t encountered them. I shop almost exclusively from their ideeli red sales, because they tend to have the best markdowns.

2. Billion Dollar Babes: I got hooked on BDB after a couple of awesome denim sales, and I’ve found some amazing steals on the site (like a pair of $242 Current/Elliott jeans for under $30!). Slow shipping is a given, but they can have some amazing prices. Usually, Billion Dollar Babes only hosts new sales three days a week (Mon, Wed, Fri) with three sales each… wish they had more!

1. Gilt Groupe: How many of you are surprised that Gilt made number one? … none of you? Oh. Well, there’s a reason for that. Gilt is the best in the business because of two things: great selection and great prices. Another big bonus that has happened more recently? Their shipping costs, while high, are actually paying for shipping, because you can get your stuff quickly. I’ve been known to receive same week deliveries from Gilt. And, with their expansion into Gilt Fuse (a more affordable Gilt), Gilt Man and a few others, they just keep rising.

Do you agree with this list, or think there’s a site that got left out? Any sites you haven’t tried yet… or have a personal favorite? Share it with me in the comments or by email… you can decide who really takes the cake!

To see more of Jaime’s work, check out DenimDebutante.com.

Ingrid and Isabel BellaBand Maternity Band Review

The Fashionable Housewife — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:29:06 +0000

In my quest to find fashionable maternity clothes that were actually comfortable, I came across something that would help me fit into my favorite non-maternity jeans for a couple more months. Ingrid and Isabel offer what they call the BellaBand, a spandex maternity band or tummy tube of sorts, that hold up your unbuttoned maternity jeans!

Okay now how come I didn’t know about this with my last pregnancy??? This thing is nothing short of a miracle. Not only does it keep my pants up, it also supports my growing belly too. You can wear it over your whole belly or fold it over to give extra underbelly support. It works with jeans, pants, shorts, skirts and whatever non-maternity bottoms you want to wear after you become pregnant.

I have found this week, that the BellaBand is also great for keeping up maternity pants that are still a little bit too big. I bought some Gap maternity jeans that fit good at first, but stretched out after a few hours of use, much to my disappointment. I threw on the BellaBand and it kept that up, nice and snug!

I also hear that the BellaBand can be worn to help keep your belly from pushing your pants down, a big problem during the third trimester! And it can also be used post-partum to help you fit back into your non-maternity jeans sooner. Yay!

Click here to find a retailer near you, or purchase online at one of our affiliates:

BellaBand at BareNeccessities.com

BellaBand at Nordstrom.com

BellaBand at Amazon.com

The original BellaBand come in a variety of colors (depending on the retailer) as well as a Lace Trim BellaBand for fancier occasions. You can even get the new BellaBand Organic now made with organic cotton!

Whatever you decide , I know you’ll be happy with your BellaBand. I know I am!

Fashionable Media Review Policy: The featured product for this review was provided to me, at no cost, by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation.

Mama Mio OMega Body Oil for Intense Moisturization for Dry Winter Skin

The Fashionable Housewife — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:00:26 +0000

I recently had the opportunity to try Mama Mio O-mega Body Oil. Now you know I’ve always been a HUGE fan of Mama Mio, so it really is no surprise that their latest product has me shouting it’s praises from the rooftops!

A gorgeously fragrant blend of sink-in-quick oils, OMega™ Body Oil is a magic mix of Argan, Safflower, Sweet Almond and Jojoba oils to smooth your body all over.

What women love about OMega Body Oil is the way it is so quick to apply, keeping your skin nourished, firm, elastic and glowing. 100% pure natural moisture for 100% fit skin. An un-oily oil – amazing! This is a totally addictive product that will become a year-round essential in your bathroom cabinet.

It’s hard to find a good body oil that sinks into skin, smells good, and doesn’t leave you feeling greasy. Mama Mio got this one right on all points. I couldn’t ask for any improvements on this product at all. I absolutely love it.

I prefer this body oil over lotion, especially right after a nice, hot shower. I think it works best when you apply it to shower damp skin as it really seems to lock in the moisture and it spreads more easily.

Most Mama Mio products are made specifically for pregnancy and postpartum recovery. This particular product isn’t made for pregnancy, but I’ve gotten the okay from them to keep using it while I’m pregnant. Yay!

You can purchase Mama Mio O-mega Body Oil on Amazon.com or Drugstore.com for $35.00 and it’s not a small container. It’s a hefty 6.8 fl oz that will take you a while to get through, even with daily use.

Keep Lips Soft and Supple for Valentine’s Day

The Fashionable Housewife — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:18:41 +0000

LypSyl is a premium lip care line created over 100 years ago in Sweden. Formulated from all-natural, pure Swedish beeswax, LypSyl products combine natural and therapeutic ingredients like organic Shea butter, coconut oil, Vitamin E and Vitamin A, providing unsurpassed moisture and lip protection.

Swedish beeswax is used as the main ingredient for all LypSyl products because of its ability to spread evenly and allow the formula to penetrate deeply into the lips. Offered in several formulas, Lypsyl Original Formula; LypMoisturizer (HoneyBerry SPF), Lypsyl Eucalyptus Lip Balm; LypRadiance, Extreme Cold Sore Relief and Lypsyl Lypsensitivity with Aloevera.

I personally had the opportunity to try Lypsyl Original Formula for myself and was pleasantly surprised with the results. If you like the leading popular beeswax lip balm, then you’ll love Lypsyl. It has a smoother texture, longer lasting container, and convenient application.

LypSyl products can be found at Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS, Duane Reade, Shop-Rite, select Wal-Mart locations and drugstore.com for a starting suggested retail price of $2.99. LypSyl is not tested on animals. Please visit www.LypSylhome.com.

Find out how Celebrities combat chapped lips…

HOW CELEBRITIES COMBAT CHAPPED LIPS

Everybody gets chapped lips, but for celebrities who are examined from every angle, having chapped lips is a BIG don’t. Whether they are walking the red carpet, caught by the paparazzi or performing a scene, nothing is more prominent than a celebrity’s lips. LypSyl (www.lypsylhome.com), the premium lip care line made from pure Swedish beeswax, shares celebrities’ top tips on kissing chapped lips goodbye:

Fashionable Media Review Policy: The featured product for this review was provided to me, at no cost, by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation.

Winter Must-Have: Bootights – Tights To Wear With Boots!

The Fashionable Housewife — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:47:32 +0000

Introducing Bootights!

Tights with the comfort and cushioning of attached mid-calf socks
that are designed exclusively to wear with boots!

THE PROBLEM:
Tights are often awkward and uncomfortable when worn with boots causing snagging, slipping, blistering, and cold feet, forcing women to wear socks over their tights. Most of my boots are also slightly big for me so wearing them with tights alone is very uncomfortable. Up until now, I’ve always worn a pair of socks over my tights when wearing them with boots.

THE ANSWER:
Bootights – The first product to combine a tight and sock all in one.

Okay so seriously, why didn’t someone think of this before now?

With a unique interlocking weaving system that offers seamless bonding, these premium quality tights are fabricated with 85% Nylon and 15% Lycra. COOLMAX moisture/thermal yarn sock provides moisture-wicking and odor reduction. Plus, the woven technology offers support for the foot and ankle with a cushioned foot bed, making your favorite boots even more comfortable.

The contoured fit of the sock accommodates any boot style. I’ve worn them with my black Born Tatiana Full-Grain Leather boots, my gorgeous Born Nenna Boots and my new favorite: Born Peri cuffed boots. (Yeah, I’ll admit it. I’m a huge Born fan!)

I was especially pleased with the non-binding waist band with tummy control “every course” weave. I hate how most tights dig into your middle and push all the belly blub below making you look pregnant, even if you aren’t!

Bootights have cleverly thought ahead and designed these with different sock heights so you can wear them with more than your favorite tall boots. The ankle length option is perfect for booties and ankle boots while the midcalf option is great for mid-height boots like Ugg Boots and all your tall boots.

I received a pair in charcoal which is the most versatile for my personal winter wardrobe. I’d love to get a pair in chocolate to use with my Fall wardrobe as well.

They are also available in a mid-calf version with their signature stitched floral pattern.

Bootights are now available for purchase at Dillards for only $21! They are selling out fast though, so be sure to grab a pair as soon as you can.

Get them on Dillards.com

I think that Bootights are an amazing invention and definitely a winter-must-have for all boot-wearing fashionistas. Well worth the money, comfortable, high-quality, and the solution for a common problem during the winter months. Definitely a fashionable housewife best buy!

THE INSPIRATION:
The “Ah Ha” moment for founder Shelby Mason came on a cold Chicago day during a business trip. While walking through airport security, Shelby removed her fashionable boots to reveal not only her tights, but an old pair of white tube socks “borrowed” from her father for extra comfort and warmth. (Ugh!).Worse yet, one sock had slid down her ankle allowing the zipper to snag a new pair of tights. Disgraced but determined, Shelby spent the entire flight wondering why she couldn’t have a cute, quality tight combined with a cozy foot bed to wear with her boots? By the time she landed, the idea for boot tights was taking off.

Visit www.bootights.com

iS Clinical Skin Care – Youth Eye Complex

The Fashionable Housewife — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:48:51 +0000

Yesterday I received iS Clinical’s newest product, Youth Eye Complex, to test and review.

It comes in a classy looking silver pump container much like the Youth Complex that I use daily.

I tried it this morning, for the first time, after washing my face. It smoothed into my skin like velvet and immediately left the delicate skin around my eyes feeling cool and refreshed. I didn’t notice and immediate improvement on dark circles, but that is to be expected. Don’t be fooled by product that claim immediate improvement of dark circles unless it’s a concealer. Youth Eye Complex works beneath the skin by inhibiting melanin synthesis and strengthening the delicate eye around the eyes. This takes time and a product like this should be used daily to achieve long term results.

After one use, my first impression is great. I like the immediate results, the consistency, the extremely light and unnoticeable fragrance, and the ease of use with the nifty container. I hate jars of anything… I think everything should be made with a pump. It’s just to much easier to apply, especially if you have long nails. Then digging something out of a jar turns into a project.

Overall, I am anxious to use this one on a regular basis along with the rest of my iS Clinical skin care regime.

More About Youth Eye Complex

What does it do?

What are the results?

Immediate

Long Term

Retails for $85.00 and can be purchased at www.isclinical.com

Click here to read more.

Review of Cupcakes from Crumbs Bake Shop

The Fashionable Housewife — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:00:11 +0000

Crumbs Bake Shop emailed me a few weeks ago and asked if I would be willing to taste test and post about their cupcakes. I don’t usually blog about food and I don’t claim to be a food connesuir, but I love getting my hands on a cupcake once in a while!

I didn’t have cupcakes very often while growing up. I could probably count the number of cupcakes I had during my childhood on one hand. That is until I answered the door to accept a box full of 6 of the most delicious looking cupcakes I have ever seen in my life.

Being that I don’t have a lot of experience with cupcakes, I had to get my husband involved in my mission to taste these delicious confections. We cut them into quarters (their cupcakes are HUGE!) and tasted each one. We definitely decided these are the best cupcakes we’ve ever had. Hands down without a doubt the most delicious and fabulous cupcakes EVER. If you like cupcakes, you can’t continue living until you try a cupcake from Crumbs Bake Shop.

You can order the cupcakes online, but if you’re ever in New York City and Los Angeles, be sure to drop by Crumbs in person. They have so many flavors and the cupcakes are so big, you could easily eat one instead of lunch… Seriously. Each cupcakes weighs around 6 ounces and is about 4 inches tall, depending on the toppings. HUGE!

Click To Enlarge

As you can see, I eagerly went to town on the first cupcake I pulled out of the box! They all looked so beautiful and scrumptious, but I decided to try the Raspberry Swirl one first.

Super moist and heavenly vanilla cake filled with raspberry preserves and topped with classic vanilla cream cheese and more raspberry. Absolute heaven.

The raspberry filling has just the right balance of sweet and tart. A little bit like a jelly filled doughnut, without being sickening or heavy. The vanilla cake was light, airly and perfectly moist and was complimented by the creamy cream cheese frosting.

Would be a delicious treat for a get-together or even a birthday party. I certainly will be ordering some for myself for my birthday next month…

Other flavors I got to try include White Hot Chocolate, Baba Booey, Red Velvet and the Fudge Chocolate Chip which ended up being my absolute favorite of the whole bunch…

If you can’t think of an excuse to try these cupcakes, let me give you one more to think over… You know when it’s “that time of the month” and you just crave chocolate? I get absolutely ravenous for chocolate about 2 days before and I will track down anything even remotely resembling chocolate in my house and devour on sight. Well, think ahead and before that happens to you, order Fudge Chocolate Chip cupcake and keep it in your freezer till you are seeking ‘death by chocolate’. It will surely quiet that craving and satisfy your sweet tooth!

Comfortable Shoes Review | J-41 Temptation Booties

The Fashionable Housewife — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 17:38:18 +0000

I’m absolutely in love with my new J-41 “Temptation” booties compliments of J-41.

This is my first experience with the brand and I have to say that I am really, really impressed.

First off, the shoes are really well made, comfortable and light-weight. I find them to be very easy to stand in, stable and had no problems after wearing them for several hours the very first time. They have a 3^1/2” heel but it does NOT feel that tall when you are wearing them. Perhaps it’s the platform in the front that makes them so comfortable and easy to wear.

They are also very, very fashionable! Cute fold-down cuffs with cute cutouts and the lovely ruching in the front. I happen to adore the warm chestnut color, but they also come in a dark chocolaty brown and black.

Leggings and super hot this season, especially ankle length legging with side zippers. These ankle booties look excellent with leggings as well as with tights.

You can get them on Zappos.com in brown, black or chestnut for $149.00.

Be sure to check out Overstock.com for the J-41 ‘Temptation’ Ankle Boots because they have a few limited sizes and colors available for only $54.99

Mama Mio Lucky Legs – Rapid Relief for Tired Legs

The Fashionable Housewife — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:00:38 +0000

Not just for active gals, Lucky Legs has done wonders for reviving my stiff legs after a long day of sitting at the computer.

This is the jackpot of rescue remedies to help relieve your hard-working legs and feet when they are just exhausted, swollen, heavy and in need of intense refreshment. A mini-spa treatment that glides on to instantly cool and ease weary limbs from knees to tippy toes.

Clinically tested ingredients leave you with feather-light legs, reducing discomfort and helping circulation. You will also notice a super-subtle sparkly-shimmer on your shins; this is the ultimate knees-up for your knees down!

I was so happy to get the opportunity to review Lucky Legs and couldn’t wait to receive my complimentary tube. It sat on my desk for about a week before I remembered it was there, and I finally noticed it and decided to give it a try last night.

The subtle sparkle is fabulous… I wanted to slather this all over my whole body after I saw how pretty my legs looked all shimmery!! It felt lovely on my legs for a few moments… enough to give me the sense of calming relief. And the scent is what relaxed me the most I think… although it did remind me of toothpaste. Overall I did notice a sense of relief in my legs that were, quite frankly, sore and tired from not getting enough activity that day. Sitting at a desk all day isn’t as relaxing as it sounds…

I think this would make a great stocking stuffer this Christmas or a great addition to a gift basket. It’s also nice to have on hand for when you feel like relaxing and treating yourself to a little “me time”.

$19.50 on mamamio.com