Does 97% Off Work For You?

6 Apr

Yesterday while at the mall, I had to pop into Kmart to grab some Easter things. On my way in, a few sales clerks were putting out the last of the winter merchandise at its final markdown price. What was that final price? $1.99 Wow. The problem? There really wasn’t anything left. Unless you were a fan of red, blue and black tutlenecks and men’s flannel shirts, there wasn’t much style to be found. Or was there…..

I quickly browsed through the half rack of women’s clothing and saw nothing that immediately caught my eye. Then, stuck in between a Christmas Tree sweatshirt and eight red mock tutlenecks was this black and white tunic top. It was made by Kmart’s signature brand and designer, Jacklyn Smith. On the price tag, I was happy to see my size – small – and its original price: $24.99. But right below that, marked down for about the fifth time was a pretty little red sale sticker that said “1.99”. The more I looked at the top, the more I couldn’t figure out exactly what type of top it was. Was it a tunic? Was it a nightshirt? Was it a lounge gown? Beat the heck out of me! All I know was, in my head, I easily pictured it with a pair of leggings, knee-high boots, and a studded belt around the waist–hot things I already had in my wardrobe. I didn’t care what it was. At this point it could have been a Snuggie and I would have made it a fashion trend. It was $1.99!!!!!

So buy it I did. And jazzy I made it! I decided to wear it today since it looked so comfortable and I was running errands where I didn’t want to feel constrained. So I paired it with a pair of Bullhead black denim leggings (Peter Harris Clothes, $5.99), my uber-glitzy BCBGMAXAZIRA black gemstone flats (TJ Maxx, $9.99), a wide elastic studded belt around the middle of the top (thrift store, 50 cents!) and then topped it all off with a black bowed newsboy hat (Marshalls, $6.99). The look was SLAMMING! Not only was it fun, fresh and now, but it was oh so comfy! The most expensive thing I wore today? My perfume… J’adore by Dior (no comment)!

Don’t think when you hit the malls or local stores that just past-season, out-dated merchandise is on the clearance rack. It is always worth a look. Even if something is a little “yesterday”, you might be able to pair it up with something current that you already have, making a tres chic outfit! Just look at me… I might have found a $1.99 nightgown for all I know, but I turned that little beauty into a rocking piece for my Spring wardrobe!

So tell me, fashionistas….. what is YOUR greatest fashion find that you can remember? I guarantee you can think of at least one. (ALL fashionistas remember their greatest finds!!)

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“When In Doubt, Wear Red”

3 Apr

I get up with my daughter in the morning to make sure she gets off to school okay. While she’s in the bathroom straightening her hair, curling her lashes, or body spritzing from head to toe, I am in the living room checking all of my social networking sites for any news or updates that happened overnight. Today while checking Twitter, someone who I follow typed this simple statement: “Good morning everyone! Make it a great day by wearing red lipstick!” Seemed simple enough but it stuck with me. Especially since red isn’t one of the popular colors in my wardrobe and makeup ensemble. Love it on my nails, but for clothes and lips? I always question if it the best color for me.

But I wanted to make it a great day, so when I got up after dozing back up off for a few hours, I grabbed myself a pair of jazzy jeans, a lightweight red top and a pair of black flats. Now, I had the right colors with my clothes, the next was the makeup! When I usually wear red, its a very NEUTRAL red. Not a cool red with blue hues, not a warm red with yellow/orange/brown hues. Straight up neutral red. I tend to wear very neutral makeup. Fair ivory foundation, a neutral peachy-pink blush, and a light silver shadow on the eye with deep black liner and mascara. Oh, but how about those lips? What do I pick when I want a good, long lasting, not too bold red lip? Let’s see:

L’Oreal Infallible Plumping Lip Gloss in Plumped Red – I love L’Oreal’s Infallible lip glosses. They have a great applicator, the scent/taste is actually nice, and the color is long wearing… up to 6 hours! It’s almost more like a liquid lip color than a sticky gloss. The plumping part for me is just an extra since I have full, pouty lips to begin with. It was more the color I liked about this gloss than anything else. It’s a true, bright, red gloss that moisturizes while it colors. And it DOES color… hour after hour, keeping my lips soft, tasty, and sexy with this shiny shade. Taking a chance with a red lip color is a gutsy move… and this is the one that definitely works for me!

Avon Shine Attract Lipstick in Passionate Red – This is a new item to Avon’s makeup line, and I think they might have hit a home run with it. The concept is unique: take a great shade of lipstick and surround it in a clear, moisture-infused gloss for one great tube of color with ton of shine and conditioners. When I ordered this, I have NO IDEA what possessed me to order it in red. But now? I’m so glad I did. The shade is very neutral, and with the high shine, it keeps it looking more like a light lip tint than a heavy, thick lipstick. It is a great balance between hydrators, gloss and color. It is easy to put on, lasts a good amount of time, and keeps my lips feeling silky smooth. The color isn’t over powering, and the taste/scent is tolerable. If I wanted something light and silky for everyday wear? This is a great red lip color to turn to!

So today was red day for me. I’m glad I stuck to my Twitter’s suggestion and wore a color that lifted my spirits and made me step outside of my comfort zone. Red is definitely a color to reach for on days that you need a boost. I guess I should listen to the famous Bill Blass when it comes to days such as these:


“When in doubt, wear red.”

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Make Your Statement With Shoes!

30 Mar

Okay, today was not a good day for me. It was not a sassy day at all. It was a day that started with an “s”, that’s for sure, but we’ll keep this blog PG. Just before I went to bed last night I noticed my right eye was getting itchy. Because my immune system is not as great as your average healthy person’s, I figured I would try and stop any type of infection the second I felt something unusual. I removed my contact lenses, removed all my eye makeup (nothing new worn, nothing out of the ordinary), and then washed my face by removing my makeup with organic coconut oil and giving it a light cleansing with Aveeno Foaming Cleanser for sensitive skin. Then I flushed my eye out with saline solution, and went to bed with the hopes that all would be good in the morning. Right?

Wrong.

When I woke up today, my eye was stuck shut with yuck and when it was open, it was as red as a beet. I’ve worked in doctors’ offices before. Eye doctors in fact. I know a case of pink eye when I see it. And as blurry as my vision was, I could see I had a classic case of conjunctivitis. One phone call later, I was going to be heading out to the doctor. Oh yay, just how I want to spend my weekend. The nurse on the phone was strict with her instructions–she said keep my hands clean, wear my glasses, wear no makeup, and be there in 3 hours. Fun, fun, fun.

Well, it wouldn’t take me long to get ready. Without makeup or hairspray, that shaves 30 minutes off my getting ready routine. So for me to feel even remotely sassy today, it was going to all be up to the clothes. And honestly?… all I wanted to do was wear a pair of comfy jeans and a cozy shirt. Nothing runway gasping. Oh but wait! I was wearing skinny jeans, so I could REALLY make a statement with my footwear. I had the options of boots, heels, or flats. What to do, what to do.

I figured that I would be comfortable and wear my flats. Oh but not just any flats. I decided I was going to wear my pewter-studded Calvin Klein “Morgan” flats that I found on a killer sale at Macy’s two months ago. They were a one-of-a-kind design and only a limited number of pairs were released. (I did my research with my iPhone!) They were originally $80, on sale recently as low as $60. But these little beauties had made it to the 50% off rack. So I asked… yup, they were only $29.99. And… AND… I had a $5 coupon! BEE-YOU-TEE-FULL!! There was only one pair in the entire store (records showed they only had five to begin with) and this pair was in my size. They fit like they were made for me. Had to buy them. Just had to.

So I wore them today to the doctor’s office with my skinny jeans and a teal rouched tunic from Body Central, one of my favorite online clothing stores. The minute I walked into the reception area, the assistant told me she absolutely loved my shoes. Oh cool! She didn’t realize my eye was swollen shut and I had no makeup on. I made my statement with my shoes! Oh it didn’t end there either. When I went to pick up the prescription for my pink eye, the pharmacy assistant said in the cutest voice, “Oh my, I just love your footwear!” She sounded so sweet! I thanked her, bragged a bit that it was a fab fashion find, and then got my meds and went home. Even feeling like crud with a sticky eye, blaring headache, and tired body, it was nice to know I could still put myself together enough to attract a fashion conversation! One pair of shoes changed how I felt for the day. Not bad. Not bad at all.

(Of course, I had to go home and disinfect everything I had worn or touched in the past day. This included cleaning all of my makeup brushes and taking care of my liners and mascara. We’ll have to talk about this very soon because taking care of your makeup and accessories is very important since it is a bacteria breed ground! ICK!)

Do you have anything fashionable that is a must when you need to lift your mood when you’re not feeling your best? We talked about how doing something simple like changing handbags can make you smile, but what about a favorite piece of clothing? Something that always brings a smile to your face or lifts your sad or sick spirits? Tell me about them or send a photo! I’d love to know and would really love to see it!!

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Sassy’s Outfit Of The Day

29 Mar

A lot of bloggers do this every day. They write what they’ve worn, the makeup they put on, the skin care routine they did. I’m an okay fan of that. I like to see what people are wearing. Just not every day. So sometimes, like today, I’ll write up my blog post with my “Sassy Outfit”. I’ll tell you right now, you most likely won’t see anything show stopping. I am a stay at home mom of thee kids (two teens, one husband…LOL) and dolling up isn’t all that for me when I’m just going to the pharmacy to pick up a new bottle of Pepto and an Easter card for my mom. But I think it is nice to know that you can look decent–stunning if you want–even in everyday life while doing everyday things. It doesn’t have to be about sweats and tees all the time. Really…. step away from the fleece. Come here… step away.

So here was today’s routine:

SKIN CARE:
Ole Henriksen African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser
Ole Henriksen Total Truth Eye Creme SPF 15
Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collegen Booster
Ole Henriksen Herbal Day Creme SPF 15
……. all available at OleHenriksen.com

MAKE UP:
L’Oreal Paris Magic Smooth Souffle Foundation (CVS)
LA Minerals Blush in Cheerleader (LAMinerals.com)
Jesse’s Girl Highlighter Eye Shadow in Starshine (Rite Aid)
Mineral Elegance Mineral Eye Shadow in Steel (MineralElegance.com)
Maybelline Eye Studio Master Drama Creme Eye Liner in Coal Commander (CVS)
Covergirl Lastblast 24 Hour Mascara in Very Black (Walmart)
Maybelline Super Stay 24 Lipcolor in On and On Orchid (Walmart)
Kim Kardashian Rollerball Perfume (Sephora)

FASHIONS AND ACCESSORIES:
Grey Belted Tunic Sweater (TJ Maxx)
dELiAs Mogan Dark Wash Skinny Jeans (Peter Harris Clothing Outlet)
Groove Grey/Black Lace-Up Boots (Marshalls)
Sterling Silver Large Hoops (TJ Maxx)
Bongo Silver Charm Watch Bracelet (Sears)
Kathy Van Zeeland Animal Print Denim Bag (TJ Maxx)

Nothing too fancy, nothing too chic, but it was an outfit to make me feel good from head to toe and turned heads with its current style. And expensive?… not at all. The most expensive thing I bought for this outfit was the purse. And it’s price? $30… last year. See?… you don’t need to win the Mega-Millions to look and feel fab-tabulous. (But hellz to the yeah, it would help!)

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When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Switch Handbags!

28 Mar

Today was not a good day for me. Because of the abrupt change in weather here in my lovely area of Upstate NY, my head decided to hang out in “massive migraine mode” all day. I spent a good chunk of my time in bed sipping ginger ale and nibbling crackers. Oh yeay, oh yeay…. a completely wasted day. For those who sometimes get migraines, you know exactly what I’m talking about. And for those of you who don’t? I’ll just say I wouldn’t even wish them on my ex. Yeah, they are that bad.

With an hour or so before bed, I felt like I needed to do something glamour or fashion-y to at least not feel like the day was a total waste. So, with a smile on my face (and an Excedrin Migraine under my tongue), I decided to change handbags. I had been using the same brown patent leather “XOXO” brand bag for almost a week now. I’ve been wearing a lot of brown! But I felt I needed some color. Not a lot, just a little. Plus I needed a bit more room. My XOXO bag is quite tiny and until these headaches let up, I need some space for a few meds. Purses just don’t show off your unique style–they need to be functionable too.

While looking though my closet, I thought ahead and realized it would definitely be jeans kind of weather for me for the next several days, so I picked one of my favorite colored, patterned, jazzy bags I have: my Kathy Van Zeeland satchel in Blue Leopard. I love this bag. It has lots of compartments, tons of room, looks jazzy as heck, and is uber chic with a pair of hot denims and a black leather jacket. Style with an edge. That’s me!

Now that I’ve done that, I think I might do my nails too. My fingers look a mess and there is nothing more annoying (and embarrassing) to me than a frazzled manicure. I don’t usually like doing it right before bed, but since I have this great top coat which dries fast without smudging, it’s easier to do them late at night. So, hopefully I will feel better tomorrow because I’ll have a new purse and classy looking nails to help boost my mood and cast the headaches away!

Tell me, Sassy fans… when you just aren’t having the best day, health-wise or other, what do you do to boost your mood? (Legal answers only. LOL!)

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Shopping Steal: Better Than Average Balm!

27 Mar

I am the first to admit it: I love lip products. Lipsticks, glosses, stains, balms, scrubs, you name it. I think nicely tended-to lips are sexy on a woman and should be paid attention to as much as your regular skin care. They need moisturizer, they need exfoliating, they need shine, they need color, and a nice flavor doesn’t hurt either. Finding the right products for your lips isn’t always easy either, and I think that’s why many of us end up with the bottomless pit of lip products in our cosmetic drawer at home–with more items we dislike than love. We’re always looking for THE one. I have finally reached the conclusion there is no “THE” one product. But there are a lot of good ones, and you have to find the one that is right for you.

Each day, the products I use on my lips vary. Sometimes it depends on what I’m wearing, where I am going, whether I need something super long lasting, whether I need something super moisturizing, it’s always different. At night, however, I want one thing: I want a rich, emollient lip balm with a nice light taste that will stay on from the time I go to bed till I get up in the morning. Simple, right? Wrong. I can’t find anything. I’ve tried $10 products, I’ve tried $1 products. I’ve tried simple Chapsticks. I’ve tried glossy balms. I’ve tried bags and bags of different things. They work, for a little bit, but then after a while the glory wears off and I’ll eventually wake up with dry chapped lips one morning.

…. till now.

The other day while at Walmart I saw a small display at the check out with little Mountain Dew cards all over it. On the cards was a soda bottle-shaped lip balm in Mountain Dew flavor.Okay, I’m not a HUGE soda lover, but oh I do love my Dew. It was soooo cute! Hmmm. Another balm to try and add to the collection? What the hell. I picked up the original flavored (they also had Mountain Dew Red, but I’m not that familiar with that), took it home and put it in my nightstand for my bedtime beauty routine. Well, I’ll be damned…. this is THE most moisturizing lip balm I think I’ve ever used. It’s not sticky, tastes uber fab, lasts all night, and keeps my lips super moisturized right up till morning! Oh.. and get this: it was on clearance. FOR 75 CENTS!

The closest thing I’ve used that has moisturized my lips this good was the EOS Egg which I really liked (and got at Walmart’s check out as well.) But… um… this was about $2.00 cheaper, tastes sweeter and works better! I don’t want to be a hoarder, but I will be picking up a few more of these and stashing them away because at 75 cents? You can’t beat that.

So there’s a shopping tip for the day: If you see the Mountain Dew Lip Balm while you are out and about? Keep in mind that Sassy thinks it is dew-tabulous!!!

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Bad Hair? To Hat With It!

26 Mar


Okay, tell me if this scenario sounds familiar to you at all:

You get up for the day. You give yourself just the right amount of time to shower, dress, put on makeup, do hair and be out of the house with time to spare. But as you grab your towel for the shower, you remember you have to make a call. Should just take a minute. One minute turns to five, which tuns to ten which turns into getting dressed while still on the phone because you know if you don’t start getting ready now, you’ll never make it. You push a brush across your teeth, spitting in between sentences. Finally, you hang up, put on the bare necessities of makeup, grab a body spritz, walk through a quick shower of it, and head for the door, already a few minutes too late. You give yourself a quick look in the mirror and almost faint at the sight.

….. oh that hair. Ugh.

Have no fear, the hats are here. About a year ago, I discovered I didn’t really look like a frog under a mushroom like my mother always told me I did when I wore a hate growing up. I look pretty decent in a hat. And since I’ve embraced that fact, I love wearing them. They are the perfect accessory to the somewhat “blah” outfit, when a neutral ensemble needs a pop of color, or… like today… when the hair has no hope and the more you can hide of it, the better!

There are lots of different styles of hats out there: floppy hats, fedoras, bucket hats, berets, cadet hats, cowboy hats, and my absolute favorite… the newsboy hat. Not every hat style looks good on every person. I look fun and flirty in a newsboy or cadet hat. I look like a doofus in a floppy hat or a fedora. A lot has to do with the shape of your face, your height, your body shape and the style of your hair. If wearing a hat is an accessory you’d like to add to your fashion ensemble, I suggest you take some time (and a friend!) and go to a large department store like Macy’s or JC Penney’s and try a bunch on to see what you and your friend think look the best.

I find I have the best luck at TJ Maxx & Marshalls when I want a new hat. They always have a great selection in all different styles, sizes and colors. It’s where I got my very first hat… a black/white checkered cap… and I always browse when I’m at their stores to see if anything new has come in that jazzes my interest. In total, I currently own seven hats: two black, one black and white, one tan, one purple, one ivory and one grey & silver. My grey/silver and tan hats are my fave. In fact, the tan is the one I grabbed today when my hair was just not publicly presentable. It is very stylish, a tad sassy, and fits awesome. Perfect for a windy day like today was too.

Even though you are going to pretty much hide most of your head with the hat, make sure you give your hair a good brushing first, getting out all the snarls. If you have a lot of static electricity, spray your hands with a good glossing spray (Like my favorite, Garnier Fructis Style Brilliantine Shine Glossing Spray) and calm down the frizzies. Make sure your bangs hang respectably if you have any, and give your whole head a QUICK, LIGHT spray with hairspray. Finally, grab your hat, look in a mirror and put it on, making sure all looks good. There ya go! Not only did you just up your fashion level a star or two but you also saved your less-than-perfect hair AND saved yourself from being late for your appointment.

Take advantage of this awesome fashion accessory. Check out the large stores online and do some research on what you might think will grab you. Keep in mind the entire outfit, including shoes, jewelry and colors…. then go hat crazy!!

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Sassy’s Glamour Tip of the Day….

25 Mar

Here is Sassy’s glamour tip of the day:

When you use your hairspray (pump or aerosol), always make sure you run the nozzle under a stream of hot water before you replace the cap and put it away. You do keep the caps, don’t you??????

This will keep your hairspray nozzle open and unclogged and won’t waste your time to get it working the next time you use it. You always want to make sure you replace the cap as well because the slight stickiness from the hairspray will beginning collecting dust instantly and make it clog even faster.

DON’T HAVE A CLOGGED NOZZLE!! Keep your hairspray container free of gack so it will spray easily and smoothly each time you need it!

There you go fashionistas!! Spray on!!

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…With A Cherry On Top

23 Mar

I hate cherry flavored anything. Lollypops, cough syrup, popsickles. Blech. Not for me. But when we go beyond the flavor and get into the color? That’s a different story. My “taste” for cherry fashions is extrodinauire! My love for cherry-colored makeup is mind boggling! And cherry-colored accessories? Oh man, get me a chair, I have to sit down. With the spring season upon us, there couldn’t be a better time to show off this fabulous “out there” color.

In my book, cherry comes in three shades. Let’s break them down, shall we?:

Maraschino – You know, you order the hot fudge sundae with the cherry on top? That’s the color I’m talking about. Not a true red, more on the dark pink, cool hued side. It screams warm weather. Perfect for lips, nails and toes. You can even find some tres chic clothing that will really stand out in that color as well. Don’t miss out on this shade because you might think it’s too bold. It’s not…. it’s hot and it’s now! My favorite item: Milani Nail Laquer in Cherry Pie

True Cherry Red — This doesn’t differ too much from apple red, maybe just a bit darker. It is a neutral shade so it can go with anything. Perfect for the office, slamming for a night on the town. Dress up your blue jeans or turn heads in your black evening attire. No matter what you are wearing, there is a good chance if you are looking for some color, a good neutral cherry red will fit your need. My favorite item: Avon’s Shine Attract Lipstick in Cherry Pie

Black Cherry — Oh, this color is HOT! In clothes, shoes, accessories or makeup, this is one color that stands out on it’s own. Leaning way over to the deep cool shades, this purplish shade with a cherry red undertone keeps it looking mysterious yet sexy. Perfect for nightwear for the lips or all year round for nails and toes. Want to really give them a shocker? Use it as a liner for a smoky eye look with a ton of WOW! My favorite items: Pure Mineral EyeShadow & Liner in Black Cherry; Stilla’s Lip Glaze in Black Cherry

The fact of the matter is I am still not a fan of cherry “flavored” things. I LOVE the fruit and I’ll even do a bottle of Cherry Coke now and then. But that Robitussin cherry flavor? NO THANK YOU! So this fashionista is going to stick with the color this spring, not the flavor, and rock some killer looks….. with a cherry on top!!!!

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Trial and Test….

22 Mar

How awesome is it when you get sent a freebie in the mail to try out? I sign up for everything. I get cookies, cereal, drink mixes, detergent, dryer sheets, shampoo, you name it. If it’s out there for the trying and it’s FREE? I’m on it like white on rice.

Today, I went to my mailbox to see a padded envelope from Elle Magazine. Oh, we LOVE padded envelopes. Padded envelopes = SAMPLES! Inside was a nice letter saying as a premier member of Elle’s Inner Circle Panel, I was chosen from a select few to receive a sample of Michael Kors Signature Fragrance . I actually was very excited! First, I had received a small vial in a Sephora purchase about three months ago and really liked it then. Second, I never knew Michael Kors had a scent and was happy to see one of my favorite designers was going along the fragrance route as well. And third… Shazam!…. I get to give my opinion. Who likes to talk?…. Sassy likes to talk! It was petty cool too since I had a stressful day, and “retail therapy” was on my agenda. I almost bought another perfume I’ve been eyeing for a while but I’m glad I didn’t–I got a free one instead!

The product insert card says, “We are excited to share with you Michael Kors signature fragrance. The ultimate luxury experience. Tuberose reinvented with rich, creamy florals enhanced by sensual woods.” When I smell it, what comes to mind is sophisticatedly sexy. The rich florals aren’t heavy but…. definitely alluring! I let Mr. Sassy smell it. He smiled and said, “That’s the scent worn by a dangerous woman!” I don’t think he meant James Bond 007 dangerous. I think he meant, “Holy high heels, I’ve been sexified!” dangerous. Yeah, I can see that. I can smell that.

So, tomorrow I’ll have a new scent to wear for a few weeks. I’m excited!! I like it, and I’m anxious to see if anyone notices it on me. It is quite different from the type of perfumes I usually wear, so we’ll see if I can turn some heads with this. (PS: Have YOU used it before? If so, I want to know! What do YOU think about it?)

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