Tag Archives: boot-cut

Don’t Blink—It’s Almost Summer!

4 Jun

Summer is fast approaching and I couldn’t be happier. I’ve reached my limit in regards to rain, more rain, seasonal depression and an IDGAF mindset. I need sun. I need flowers. I need good produce. I need other people to start smiling. We didn’t really have a bad winter where I live. In fact, the holidays were pretty, the snow was tolerable, my vitamin D levels were consistent, and my health was fine. Last year I was dealing with Covid and about to prepare for a trip to the ER that would result in emergency surgery and a five-month recovery. Yeah, I didn’t have much of a spring and the summer was non-existent. I am antsy to do things. I’m ready to go places. I want to get my sassy back.

So as we get ready to say goodbye to spring and hello to summer, we find it is time to pick up a few things that can jazz up this warm-the-soul season of new that is on its way. Put yourself in a bright and cheerful mood by picking up some of these must haves that I’ve discovered for the beginning of summer:

Ole Henriksen’s Dewtopia 20% Acid Night Treatment:  Let’s face it—time and weather has taken a toll on our skin this year, especially our face. The indoor heat, outdoor cold, stress during the holidays and other circumstances are all factors in how our skin changes during the cooler weather. As the temps and stress ease, we need to get rid of the old and bring in the new. The skin on our face I mean. Dewtopia does just that. Right after you bedtime cleansing, put a thin coat all over your face and neck (definitely avoid the eye area) and let it work. (There are instructions on where to integrate it into your evening skin care routine. I use it alone after I was my makeup off.) You may feel a little tingling but it only lasts for a few seconds. For me, my face tingles for a little bit, and then it feels like it’s “tightening” but in a good way. In the morning, I wash away all of dead skin cells from overnight then put on my skin care & makeup as usual. I use it 2-3 times a week and it’s perfect for me. My skin has never been smoother, looked brighter and felt softer. It tightens the fine lines and wrinkles giving your face a beautiful blank canvas for your favorite makeup look. OleHenriksen.com, $42.00

BYOMA Nourishing Body Oil:  When I had the opportunity to try and test a new isturizing body oil, I jumped at the chance. Its SOO hard to find a good body oil that isn’t soaked in fragrance nowadays. Rather than just leaving your skin slippery and shiny, this oil actually repairs and restores , BYOMA actually regenerates your skin while leaving it hydrated and radiant. This product trial has definitely made a new fan out of me. BYOMA.com, $14.99

MACStack Elevated Mascara:  There are definitely different results when it comes to the endless types of mascara out there. Some lengthen, some help to thicken, others even say they will be even sexier if you keep layering it on. I’ll be honest—I very seldom buy the same mascara twice.  The fact is that I’m always looking for the next best one. You know…a mascara that will make my lashes look fab while also clearing up the common cold? Maybe I’m not sure but I might have found my newest drool-worthy mascara that make my lashes look WOW! The formula not just volumizes my lashes but make them super long as well. It contains argan oil which keeps them conditioned & strong too. Eyes look voluminous and sexy! I usually only put on one coat because the fact is–it’s enough. But I have used more than one coat for a night out. Plus I don’t have to worry about clumping, sticky fallout, smudging or flaking.  I have already put another one in my shopping cart!! Mac.com or Macys.com, $29.00

Juicy Couture’s ”It’s Sunny Hunny” Fragrance:  I have to thank a subscription box for this thumbs up product. A while back, one of the choices for my selection product was a small Juicy Couture candle. I’m a huge fan of other Juicy fragrances so I thought it would be nice to check out this scent. I fell in love before I could get the package opened, It smelled just like the candle which was divine! There are notes of citrus, peony, honeysuckle and jasmine that all come together perfectly and wear nicely as the temperatures outside begin to warm up. As soon as I found it on their website, I had my credit card out! I wear this scent almost every day. I even carry a mini fragrance sprayer (Amazon.com) for touchups during the day. Yay, another Juicy fragrance to add to my faves. JuicyCouture.com. $49.00

Wide Leg Jeans and Floral Print Tops: I had to laugh when I learned of this recently because I began incorporating these things into my closet before the list even came out. My sister was the ultimate hippie and flared jeans never left her closet no matter how old she got. When I found a pair of blue bell bottoms, I figured I’d get them just for comfort and kicking around. I had no idea I would fall in love with their fit (and get compliments on them!) as much as I did. I ordered three more pairs ASAP. In addition, I picked up a couple of floral patterned tops to wear with my new jeans too. I even integrated the color of the season– powder pink – which I talked about in my last blog post. SCORE! I can’t wait to start putting together warm weather outfits. Sidefeel Flared Wide Leg Button Fly Denim Pants, $35.99; Zeegoo V Neck Tank Top, $7.94 (both at Amazon.com)

Although spring doesn’t have much time left on the calendar, I think most of these will be hanging around for a while. Keep in mind that as spring evolves even more as the days go by, the importance of sunscreen and sunglasses will grow. Stay tuned for a post about the types of sunscreens that are good for you from head to toe. For now? Enjoy the longer days, the warmer temps and fabulous looks. Oh, and most important…

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Sassy Redheads Love Denim!

19 Jun

imageBeing a redhead, I am pre-programmed to know what colors look good on me. I can wear green, I cannot wear reds (or so I think). I can wear browns, I cannot wear pastel pink. I can wear purple, I cannot wear lilac. I try sometimes to sneak taboo colors into my closet, but their time there is often short lived because I’m afraid to wear it.

The one tricky color for redheads is blue. I can say, without a doubt, it’s the most difficult color for me to feel comfortable in. Royal Blue? Oh no!…. That’s like arsenic to my fashion code. Powder blue? Eh….it’s okay but washes me out even more. (Really…can deathly pale look any worse? Ah, yeah.) Turquoise blue? That, I have to say, I do well with. Probably because it has yellow undertones which go with my auburn hair. Dark blue? Gag…. next.

These colors are out in the makeup and fashion world all year ’round so they are unavoidable. You just need to try, blend, mix, discover. Although there are many shades of blue, the one constant on the fashion pallet is not just a color but a material too–denim. Denim blue, no matter how varied in shades, it is a must in a redhead’s–or anyone’s for that matter–closet. I LOVE MY DENIM!!! And now with jeans being just as classy and dressy as they are casual, everyone with all hair colors need a varied collection of denim fashions.

Oh trust me…it took a long time for me to become a fan of denim jeans. Before? None of them seem to fit me right–too loose here, too tight there, too long, too short. Bah. I virtually gave up ever finding a nice, chic pair of jeans that looked and felt good all over. Then someone suggested I try to find a pair of jeans at a thrift store. Ummm… huh? They said they have been worn out in some places, shrunk to fit in others, have their color faded perfectly and…oh yeah…are cheap. So for a couple of weeks that’s what I did. I tried on all brands and sizes of jeans imaginable till I found what I loved. It didn’t take long to find certain brands and styles that fit me like a glove. And that enabled me to make jeans my number one priority in my wardrobe. Woot!

Now just because blue denim jeans are a must for my edgy, rocker-girl look, that doesn’t mean denim starts and end with jeans. There are so many other pieces (and accessories) where denim blue can play a fab role!! So how can this strong-spirited, must-have help take an avant-garde girl to the next fashion level? Let’s see what Sassy has:

Jeans (of course). I can easily say 1/3 of my closet is full of jeans. I have several pair of skinnies, boot cuts, jeggings and straight cuts in all types of washes (stone, whiskered, dark, acid, destroyed). Each cut and each color has a time and place. A nice date night may call for a pair of dark skinny denims with a sequined cami and a nice boyfriend jacket, finished with a pair of platform pumps. A day at a family birthday party screams faded stone-washed straight-legged jeans, maybe even with a few select worn holes. Top it with a graphic tee and a pair of contrasting gladiator sandals and you have a fun, comfortable look for the day. Always remember there is a pair of jeans for almost ANY occasion–you just need to find them. SASSY’S FAVORITES: dELiA’s Morgan Low-Rise Skinny Jean in Charlotte Wash, dELiA’s stores and delias.com, $46.50; Guess Starlet Leg Jeans in Noisy Wash, guess.com, $89.00
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A denim jacket. A denim jacket, no matter how old you are, is a must. This “Plain Jane” piece has been around for decades with only a few changes here and there depending on the latest fads. A standard denim jacket is a staple for both men and women. Women are the primarily the ones who enjoy jazzing them up to go with the current fashions. Me personally? I have a basic dark wash denim jacket — but I love to add accent pieces like pins, scarves, chains and rhinestones for a jazzier look. SASSY’S FAVORITE: Women’s Denim Jacket (also available in petite & tall) in Dark Worn; oldnavy.com, $34.94
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Jewelry. Yeah, that’s what I said…jewelry. Granted, there aren’t a ton of pieces out there that fall into this category, but what you find will probably look cool. Plus, when it comes to jewelry, it doesn’t have to be actual denim material. A denim-colored jeweled necklace can make a pair of boots, straight-legged jeans and a white classic top look stunning. And bracelets? Perfect! Find some denim blue rhinestone bracelets and stack them up with black leather cuffs, pearls, and links for a bold look that matches with its own style! SASSY’S FAVORITES: Napier Silver Tone Bead Multistrand Stretch Bracelet in blue, kohls.com, $18.00; 2028 Crystal Flower Pendant Necklace, macys.com, $38.00
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Purse. This gets a little squirrelly in my book. I think an all-denim handbag can look SO out of place with a pair of jeans if the wash and style aren’t the same. Some say it’s trendy, I personally say it’s match-y and gauche. If you want to integrate some denim with your bag, find a purse that has pieces of denim in it or has other materials and textures to break up the look. Your bag should compliment the outfit, not be a piece of it. This will be a challenge. I’d prefer to say phooey and just compliment your look with a nice black or metallic bag. But if you must… SASSY’S FAVORITE: Coach Poppy Pop C Denim (Groovy 15351), amazon.com, $228.00
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Eye Shadow. Ok, duh, I know you can’t glue pieces of denim to your lids, but there are some stunning shadows out there that are denim hued that will finish off your look with a pop of color that will look good on anyone. Stay true to the denim shade–don’t lean towards powder blues or midnight blues. You will know it when you see it. Use it as a crease accent with neutrals for a highlighter and lid shade. Use a fine liner brush to extend the crease color to the outer corner and along the bottom lash line. This will give you a soft smokey look for day and night wear. SASSY’S FAVORITES: Lancôme Color Design Sensational Effects Eye Shadow Smooth Hold in Little Blue Dress, macys.com, $19.00; Maybelline Eye Studio Color Pearls Marbleized Eyeshadow Duo in Downtown Denim, CVS & cvs.com, $6.99
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With warm weather upon us, extend the denim look into some capris and shorts as well. Same rules apply with the colors and washes. What is great about summer denim is you can make your outfit look simply FAB by rocking some stunning sandals or footwear to really take those basic blues to another level. Denims can last a long, long time and will usually last longer than its style. To keep them looking as new as possible, wash them inside out, in cold water with a splash of color safe bleach. It’s also best to wash all your denims together without any other clothes. This will prevent any color from bleeding into other items and keep them soft, fresh and bright. With the right denims that fit you perfectly, you will have the one fashion that will ALWAYS be your best friend!

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Fall Things I DON’T Need…….

14 Oct

The time has come to start swapping out a few of my summer dresses, sleeveless tops, lightweight tees and sandals for some longer sleeves, warmer tops, funky shoes and chic sweaters. I love fall. I’d rather layer it on than sweat it off. Move the shorts and capris over for some darker pants and jeans. As I pack things away, label storage bins and starting bringing out the fall fashions and accessories, I’m realizing I’m pretty stocked. My ensemble from last year is still in good shape and pretty current with the fashion trends. In fact, some things I have in abundance. Almost to the point of too many. As I check out the things I have for the change in seasons, I’m not quite sure what I do need but it is pretty obvious what I don’t!

These items that are overflowing my closet and drawers I have decided to put down in print, so I can share them and look back once in a while to remind myself, “Sassy, good heavens, do NOT buy another one of those.” I hope that works. Sometimes a good deal makes it difficult to say no. Here are a few of my “you don’t need anymore of these” items this season:

1) Boots — Holy smokes, I went boot crazy last year! When the new season came this year, I quickly picked up a pair of dressy beige boots which were the only ones I thought were a true necessity. I wanted to get them early before the good styles sold out. Then I decided to also get myself a pair of killer black leather riding boots that would go with everything. Now I am set. I have all colors needed for my ensemble, all fashionable styles, and all heel heights are represented as well. It is time to step away from the boots….. step away, step away. Sassy grabbed: Guess Black Riding Boots, $79.99, TJMaxx



2) Eye Shadows — I decided to reorganize my makeup drawer recently, sorting out all of my glamour items that I have collected over the years. Even after throwing out old items that probably weren’t “healthy” anymore, I realized the amount of eye shadows I still have is flat out embarrassing. Granted, I probably didn’t buy many of them (I sample a lot for various companies) but still… I have them. I have them divided up between creams and mineral shadows, then sorted by highlighters, lid colors and accent shades. In addition to all of those, I probably still have 15 color pallets from different brands with all combinations imaginable. It’s shameful. Even if I didn’t have a color I wanted (which I can’t see happening), I probably could create it with a multitude of my mineral shades. Just a little mixing of this and that and whala!!… A color is born. It’s time to stay away from ALL shadows. No more. However, if you’d like me to test or try a sample or brand…. send it over! I’ll never turn down a sample! The only thing I realized that I did need was a good shadow base to help even out my lids and hold all these colors I have… so THAT I got! Sassy grabbed: LA Minerals Eye Fix in Fair, $12.99, laminerals.com



3) Jeans — It’s obvious I love my denims. Up until about 15 years ago, I never wore nice jeans. They never fit well. Now, between changing styles and adding a few pounds in the right places, I love-love-love my jeans. Boot cut, skinnies, jeggings… doesn’t matter. I’ve got them all. I may find a pair or two at the store that is a brand that yells “Deal! Deal!” and I have to buy them. They speak to me! But for the most part, with the new season upon us, I’m good on denims. Now granted… if any nice colored jeans come out for fall, or patterned jeggings (animal print! cough..cough..), I may have to reconsider a small purchase. Which I already did. Sassy grabbed: Princess Vera Wang Feather Printed Skinny Stretch Jeans, $28.99, Kohl’s



4) Anything on summer clearance — Holy smokes, put a red markdown tag on something fashionable and I am drawn to it like steel to a magnet. Sure, a $5 cami or a $7 graphic tee is definitely a scream of a deal, but the fact remains I have MORE than enough to wear something different every day for three months and still have a few left over without doubling up. And NO I can’t say that I can just jazz it up with a cute cardi for winter because I have enough of those too! I’m such a sucker for a red tag. For all that is good for my well being (and the well being of my checking account), I have to steer clear of the clearance department. Period. (But before I did…) Sassy grabbed: Apt. 9 Gold Sequined Tank Top, $20.00, Kohls



Now that I know what I DON’T need, it’s obvious with changing styles and hot colors that there will be a couple of things that I will need to add to keep my look current. Not much and not a lot cost wise, just enough to keep things fresh and edgy. It really doesn’t take an entire credit card and a van to turn last year’s blahs into this year’s wows. So I will stay away from the big items I don’t need and just keep my eyes open for a few little accessories and add-ons to give last year’s fashions a splash of pop for today!!

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