The groove and crevice cleaner removes debris from all those outdoor spaces that are hard to reach: between deck planks, bricks, patio tiles and concrete slabs. The steel blade is weather- and rust-resistant, and the long 32-inch handle lets clean without bending or stooping. Just $19.95!

It’s the home version of the popular NBC TV game show! The rules of Deal or No Deal are simple, but this game of odds and chance is a challenge. First, select a briefcase. As each round progresses, you have to decide whether to keep your briefcase or make a deal with the bank for a different one. Will you hold back or take a huge risk? Each right choice will bring you closer to winning the game. Only $13.98!

The Golfer’s Doorstop is the perfect gift for the lunatic golfer. This device acts like a traditional door wedge and it’s also a putting aid. A thin ramp will help sharpen your dad’s aim, hone his speed control, and further feed their golfing addiction. Includes the golf ball, and it’s only $17.95.

The Mischief Maker’s Manual, an illustrated book, was written for kids but is great for anyone who still loves to pull pranks on people. Five specific sections, including “Do-It-Yourself” and “Recipes,” offer readers an amusing guide to pulling off perfect pranks, such as making crank calls and creating an eerie foaming toilet, complete with step-by-step instructions and “helpful” illustrations. Less than $15!

Luckily, you can easily get this year’s red carpet look for less by shopping online for some of the key trends we saw on Oscar night. I’ve picked five of my favorite Oscar fashions and found a much cheaper alternative for you…let me know what you think! Oscar dresses for less…my favorite blog post to do. Ever.

(note: all photos below are courtesy of Donato Sardella/wwd except for the Robert Downey Jr. shot, courtesy of justjared)

One-shouldered Goddess Style

Tina Fey in Michael Kors; A.B.S. by Allen Schwartz One-Shoulder Dress sale $224.99

One-shouldered dresses abounded on the red carpet — Tina Fey, Sigourney Weaver, and Molly Ringwald are just a few of many goddesses struttin’ the trend on the red carpet. The dignified silhouette of a one-shouldered dress is a great way to show off toned arms, chest, and back while remaining modest, which is why it’s perfect for the classy yet svelte figures of these A-list celebs. A.B.S. by Allen Schwartz makes wonderfully gorgeous designer-style gowns at just a fraction of the price — I love this elegant one-shouldered jersey dress with rhinestone detailing, and at only $224.99 from Bluefly, you’ll still have money leftover for chandelier earrings to wear with it!

Regal Royal Blue

Gabourey Sidibe in Marchesa; J.S. Boutique Beaded Cluster Gown only $117.90

Royal blue was certainly the couleur du noir on Sunday — Gabourey Sidibe, Mo’nique, Mariah Carey, and Maggie Gyllenhaal donned some form of royal blue in their gowns, a sharp but beautiful contrast to the spring pastels that I thought’d I’d see on Sunday. Gabourey’s royal blue Marchesa dress featured an interesting twisted bodice design with glittery floral detailing. I wasn’t fond of the detailing on the bodice, so I found a similar style in this JS Boutique beaded cluster gown that features a twisted cluster bodice, but with some sparkly detailing on the hip instead. Tell me what you think about it!

Lacy Days…

Sandra Bullock in Marchesa, JS Collection Lace and Chiffon Empire Gown, only $124.97

I was a huge fan of Sandra Bullock’s dress — I loved the delicate lace top, the daintiness and elegance of the silhouette, and even the color (and I’m not usually a fan of beige or golden dresses, especially on lighter skin tones). I found a similar dress from JS Collections, this JS Collections Lace and Chiffon Empire dress for only $124.97. My only critique is that I thought the gown was a bit matronly for Sandra — but she balanced that out with some stunning bright red lipstick which was a bold and youthful move! Wanna know what she used? Chanel Rouge Coco #22 Paris…you can get it here.

Rockin’ Red on the Carpet.

Penelope Cruz in Donna Karan, Laundry by Shelli Segal Charmeuse Dress only $173.80

Let’s face it, Penelope Cruz could wear a dress made out of dirt and still look good. So I guess it doesn’t matter much that I was not that impressed with the red swirling tornado of her Donna Karan dress. It needed something… like another dress that wasn’t so monotone right on top of it. But she still looked great, and I have a warm spot in my heart for people who pull off red dresses well. So I found a similar style in this Laundry by Shelli Segal Ruby Lipstick Strapless Charmeuse Dress for only $199.99.

The Accessory Blues

Robert Downey Jr. in Oliver Peoples Sheldrake Sunglasses; Tommy Hilfiger blue sunglasses, $69.99

I’m pretty convinced that the only reason male actors get invited to walk on the red carpet is to help prevent the ladies from tripping on their own gowns. They get completely overshadowed by all the gown talk — and that’s why I’m taking a special moment to call out two lovely lads that made a pretty impressive appearance at Sunday’s Oscars. Robin Thicke was pretty stylin’, with a perfectly manicured hairstyle, custom tuxedo and Burberry shirt. And who could forget Robert Downey Jr., breaking out the blue Oliver Peoples Sheldrake custom-tinted sunglasses and baby blue bow tie? I found a similar pair of Tommy Hilfiger blue sunglasses for $69.99 at Target and a solid blue bow tie from Krisar Enterprises for only $9.95!

Bonus red carpet look hint: pack it all in nicely with Victoria’s Secret Slimtastic body shaper — the stars swear by it!

What do you think about these 5 red carpet looks for less? Please leave a comment below…

Oscar season is great for a dose of glitz and glamor, but not often helpful in the way of fashion tips. Everyone looks stunning, but most of us don’t have the occasions–let alone the budgets–to copy their style. What we can copy, though, is the fabulous hair. I particularly love Natalie Portman’s beautiful updo at the star-studded Vanity Fair party. Nexxus’s Kevin Mancuso (author of The Mane Thing and stylist to stars like Sienna Miller, Blake Lively, Naomi Watts and Taylor Swift) did Natalie’s ‘do, and he was kind enough to give us some how-to tips so the rest of us can duplicate her chic look at home.

1. Shampoo and condition hair with body-building products to give hair lift. (Kevin uses Nexxus Diametress and Sublime Volume)

2. Apply a volumizing spray gel (his pick: Nexxus Lavish Body) from roots to ends, then blow-dry with a paddle brush, directing hair up and away from face and lifting at the root.

3. When roots are almost dry, switch to a round brush and blow-dry ends, smoothing as you go.

4. While hair is still warm, transfer one-inch sections to Velcro rollers and let completely cool, then remove and tousle hair with a bit of smoothing lotion, such as Nexxus Sleek Finish.

5. Remove a one-inch front section of hair and then pull the rest gently back into a mid-level ponytail, securing with an elastic.

6. Use bobbi pins to artfully sculpt loose ends into a soft updo.

7. Use a flat iron to smooth front curl and help position hair around face, then finish look with a light misting of a hairspray, like Nexxus Comb Thru.

JLO and Scott Barnes in an About Face moment.

Wednesday night I had the pleasure of attending the star-studded launch of celebrity makeup artist Scott Barnes’ new book, “About Face“.

Even if you’ve never heard of Scott Barnes, you’ve seen his work; he’s a whiz at making up the faces of Jennifer Lopez, Gwyneth Paltrow, Mariska Hargitay, and Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland for red carpet events and magazine spreads. He’s most famous for giving JLO her signature glow: a monochromatic look of bronzed skin and pale lips. That “lit from within” look spawned a makeup line and signature product, Body Bling, a tinted moisturizer that transforms pale skin into sun-kissed gorgeousness.

I made my way down to NYC’s Meatpacking District to Provocateur, a new club in the Hotel Gansevoort, and immediately was greeted by red carpet excitement. Countess LuAnn de Lesseps from NYC Real Housewives fame stepped out first, and then throughout the next hour, Judith Light from Ugly Betty,  Cheyenne Jackson from Third Rock, Kelly Rowland, Kat DeLuna, and finally Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony. What a scene inside–the club has a permanent catwalk installed in the center of the room with banquettes facing it along the perimeters. Outrageous made up models dress in black catsuits danced to mixes of Jennifer Lopez’s new single, “Louboutins” and Lady Gaga tunes, with images from Scott’s work projected on a big screen in the background.

Once past everyone’s entourage–there were a ton of security guards, handlers and scary looking bodyguards–I slinkered into a banquette, sipped on  Bombay cocktail called NY Easy (made with simple syrup, lemon juice, Bombay Sapphire and Club Soda), and took in the crowd. Fashionistas, magazine editors, photographers and NY’s glamazons,  roamed and from across the room, I spotted the dimiutive Christian Sirianno, past winner of Project Runway. While I didn’t get too close to JLO (her entourage was especially good at keeping her in a bubble) I could see that she looked gorgeous and glowing, of course, in a black strapless dress and four-inch Louboutins.

On the way out, I grabbed a goody bag (ok, my most favorite part of the evening. Who doesn’t love free stuff?) filled with Scott’s book, a full size tube of Body Bling,  makeup and spa gift certificates. As I went through the loot at the sushi bar next door–I was starving, and they didn’t serve one morsel of food, just heavy-duty cocktails– I determind one thing is for certain: Scott Barnes is a makeup artist in the the truest sense. His genius book gives you all his best tips and techniques, so that even if you’re makeup shy, you can look like a Hollywood star. I may not be stepping out on a red carpet anytime soon, but right now, I’m ready for my transformation.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would have been 81 years old tomorrow were he still alive. While many of us may have a holiday on Monday to celebrate his life, few people know what to do to actually get in the spirit of the holiday to honor this great leader. Check online or your local paper for some great ways to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  If  you don’t see any in your area, you can certainly make up your own! And don’t forget to check out the National Day of Service website at mlkday.gov.

Here are some ideas for celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday this year:

1. Watch a great documentary on Martin Luther King, Jr., the Civil Rights movement, or Black History. Personally, I like the A&E documentaries, and you can usually rent those from your local public library.

2. Say “no” to bad daytime TV with a Day of Service! Don’t stay home and vegetate — volunteer! The National Day of Service initiative has a great website dedicated to helping you find great activities to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and help your community. Go to mlkday.gov for more info!

3. Listen to his ingenious speeches. Few people have the power to move people with words the way Martin Luther King did. Listen to his famous speeches and feel the history captured in his words: The Great March to Freedom, The Great March on Washington, Free at Last, and others are great lessons in the power of eloquence to change history.

4. Throw a Southern style party! Rumor has it that Dr. King was a huge fan of pecan pie and Southern food in general. Get a great southern food cookbook like The All-New Southern Living Cookbook – it’s got virtually every Southern recipe you could ever dream of making!

Got any great ideas to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day? Please share!

Latke Dish, $34.99

I couldn’t resist featuring this adorable latke plate from Target! Today is the first day of Hanukkah, and whether you’re Jewish or not, there’s no reason why you can’t make some latkes anyway — they’re delicious! A latke is essentially a potato pancake, usually eaten throughout Hanukkah and regularly eaten by many people throughout Eastern Europe. They are usually made with grated potatoes and onion and served with applesauce and sour cream. Here’s a simple recipe, courtesy of Epicurious:

* 1 medium onion, peeled
* 4 large russet or Idaho potatoes (about 3 1/2 pounds), peeled
* 2 large eggs
* 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 6 tablespoons vegetable oil
* 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
* Applesauce and/or sour cream, for serving

Preparation

Preheat oven to 200°F. Place 2 nonstick baking sheets in oven.

Serve pancakes hot with applesauce and/or sour cream.

Then…you can put them in this nifty plate and enjoy! Yum!

Shop latke mixes
Shop latke plates
Shop Hanukkah items
Shop the Festival of Lights collection from Organize.com

Yankees MLB French Terry Knit Jacket by Alyssa Milano

Game 1 of the World Series began today, and for those of you ladies that love the sport, but don’t love sporting some of the fashion, I’ve got news for you: you can actually LOOK GOOD in fan clothing! Yes, it’s true. And you can thank Alyssa Milano for this.

Yes, the Alyssa Milano we all know and love as “Samantha” from Who’s the Boss has her own lines of baseball and football fan clothing specially designed for the female sports lover who wants a little more style out of her sportswear.

Phillies Bubble Tee by Alyssa Milano

I also love this line of vintage style World Series 2009 tees available from the store Football Fanatics.

Vintage Style World Series 2009 Ladies' T-Shirt

Believe it or not, this is one of our most popular!

Reality TV “celebrities” and other celebrities (especially those that have passed away like Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, and Patrick Swayze) will top this year’s popular Halloween costumes for 2009.

Kate Gosselin’s Infamous “Hair Don’t” Will Definitely Be a Halloween Hit This Year

Many will honor the late Farrah Fawcett’s look with a 70s style blonde wig a la Charlie’s Angels

And of course there are the costumes inspired by movies, like this Bollywood Male Costume inspired by Slumdog Millionaire

Shop our Halloween Shop now
What’s your favorite Halloween costume pick for 2009? Please share with us!

So I was up early yesterday morning. Really early. 6 AM to be exact (it was a Sunday, after all). But I have to say that it was totally worth it. Thanks to Beauty.com, I was able to live and breathe the behind-the-scenes scene at the Lela Rose show.

Lela Rose is a native Texan, who designs beautiful feminine clothes that anyone can wear. They’re classic, timeless and utterly gorgeous; the kind of clothes that work for a high-power job, to a summer cocktail party to a wedding. For Spring 2010, her inspiration came from Venice Beach, CA,  the splashes of color and surfwear, the soft waves of the ocean, mixed with the sun-faded palette of artist Alex Katz. The show was amazing, and getting to see the prep time was even more thrilling. I was lucky enough to chat up makeup artist Sarah Lucero of Stila, hair stylist Ted Gibson, of the eponymous haircare line and salon, and Deborah Lippmann, manicurist to the stars and creator of Lippmann Collection nailwear. To find out how they created the Lela Rose look and how you can replicate it at home (it’s effortless, with the idea being you’re fresh off the beach and going straight for cocktails on a fabulous patio) read my article, which will be posted on Shop.com later this week.

One thing I noticed backstage, is there’s a lot of waiting around. Call time was for 7 AM, but the show didn’t start until well after 10 (it was a bit late). Models who were finished with hair and makeup, kind of hung around reading the special Weekend edition of W and other fashion-related mags. In addition, there was a ton of food, bagels, coffee, scones and juice, andall the models I saw were chowing down as if they never saw food.

But I did get a long look at the fashions, and while it was warmer outside, most of the models were doing the fall thing. One had on this adorable plaid shirt dress, cinched in the waist with a wide belt, gladiator sandals (her last ode to summer) and a chic scarf casually tied around her neck. It was fabulous, and enough to make me want to order up a plaid dress pronto.

I opted for black leggings from Theory (a splurge, yes, but they will be my uniform this season), a Theory top that had ruffles and a bit of volume framed by a long, ribbon embellished thin black wool cardi from J.Crew. For accessories, I donned the suede booties and added the studded cuff, for a bit of rock and roll edge. I loved the look and glad I had it on, since the wee hours of the morning had that fall chill.

By the time show started, I was pumped. Barbara Bush, Jennifer Esposito (of Samantha Who? and Spin City fame) and Mariska Hargitay were all in the audience, as well as fashion’s elite editors, pr people, socialites and the top buyers for Saks, Neiman Marcus and the like. The lights dimmed, the music cued up and pow–it was show time. As the models sauntered down the runway, I was blown away by the styles of the clothes and how wearable they all were. Fitted sheath dresses, tapered pants, low slung skirts and one shoulder gowns–I could picture myself in all of them. Plus the colors and prints brought to mind the fun of spring dressing–navy, greens, bright yellows (a big color for spring) mixed with dove greys and watercolor feathery prints. I can’t wait for the collection to come in (will have to be in February, sigh).

Afterwards, I was lucky enough to spot Jennifer Esposito, who graciously agreed to take a picture with me. Ahh….what a morning.

Jenni Kayne at New York's Fashion Week

So September may signal the start of school, but in NYC, it can only mean one thing: Fashion Week. I’m lucky enough to be a fly on the wall, with the help of Beauty.com, who let me go backstage today at the Jenni Kayne show in Soho. (I’ll be covering more shows too, so keep checking twitter and the blog for updates.)

 Unless you’re a diehard fashionista, you may be saying, who’s Jenni Kayne (trust me, I was at first)?  But then I started to see her cool, streamlined fashions everywhere, most notably in the October issue of Lucky, and on the Hollywood set like Demi Moore, Jennifer Garner and Kristen Bell.  Her look for Spring 2010 is American Classic Toughens Up. I noticed lots of navy, bright yellow, vanilla butter soft leather and thin stripe long sleeved shirts of the most beautiful sky blue. The silhouettes were sleek, with cropped shirts and mid-length cuffed shorts, skinny capris and high-waisted pencil skirts. Very relaxed, cool and clothes that you could wear anywhere. Nothing was too fussy or formal.

Of course, half the fun was checking out what the fashionistas, models and stylists were wearing. Even though it’s still summer, with the slight breeze, suede boots and booties were out. So was lots of black, especially in tight fitting knit pants and leggings. If they weren’t in a leggings (with blousy shirt belted over them or layered long tee and vest) then it was black dresses, with zippers or sleeveless shifts punctuated by eyecatching studded belts at the waist. It’s definitely the eighties all over again this season, but with a sleeker feel.

What did I wear? After stressing for days, I ordered this Ann Taylor black ponte cowl neck dress with an exposed zipper up the back. They recently launched a whole fresh fashion-y attitude with the help of a new designer, who produced better fits, fabrics and fashion-forward designs. It fit beautifully and looks a lot more expensive than it is. I toughened it up (tough touches are the new cool) with a leather studded cuff bracelet and a suede black booties (no tights, too warm right now). The perfect outfit to wear in this fashion-forward crowd that a frugal fashionista could afford.

While I was there I was able to interview the lead makeup artist from Stila–Sarah Lucero, Ted Gibson the hair guru to the stars and Nonie Creme, a British manicurist with the most beautiful nail color line called Butter London.  Want to hear their tips and what’s hot for 2010? Stay tuned to shop.com in the next 24 hours. I’m writing up the insider’s look at beauty trends and tricks of the trade, plus new products and how to use them right now. Look for more pictures, a video and twitter updates. Until then…

Chic Papoose Baby Sling $68

The Chic Papoose sling, featured in the “Celeste” pattern, makes a brief appearance in a scene where Heather Graham’s character, Jade, is reunited with her baby.

Created by a work-at-home-mom, Chic Papoose was designed in response to the decidedly un-chic baby slings that women would buy to carry their baby. Instead of gender-neutral colors and cutesy baby prints, Chic Papoose features reversible slings made of coordinated, of-the-moment designer fabrics. The stylish sashes let you keep your hands free while keeping your baby up close and comfortable near you. They are easy to care for, too; just machine wash and dry. The fabrics are prewashed to help avoid shrinkage. What’s not to like?

One of the most endearing things I’ve read about all week (yes, it’s been that kind of week) is this Stuck at Prom contest that is currently being run by Duck brand tape. They are offering a $3000 scholarship to the best prom outfits worn by a high school couple (darn, I guess I don’t qualify, oh well). Contestants must enter as a couple and create their outfits entirely of duct tape, and while Duck brand does not specify what brand of duct tape, I have a feeling they were hoping the kids would use theirs.

While the contest is already over, today is the last day to vote on your favorite couple. And while I don’t usually condone activities that are a bit wasteful and not totally eco-friendly (40 rolls of duct tape is a lot of plastic and glue), I don’t think this is necessarily a waste. The creativity of the teens really shines through and I definitely think this type of talent is worth supporting. Parsons, watch out — your next round of Seventh Avenue designers are here!

Vote on your favorite Duct Tape Prom Couple

Shop Duck Brand tape here

I’ve been listening to Michael Jackson all day. Not only was he my hero as a child of the 80s growing up (along with being everyone else’s), but his song “Black and White” totally changed my young adult life in that I finally felt like a conversation about racial equality in entertainment was starting — I loved the part where he danced next to the Indian Bharat Natyam dancer. That’s only part of the reason I, along with the rest of the world is so affected by his death, or as John Mayer so eloquently Tweeted about it, “A major strand of our cultural DNA has left us.”

While this week has been tough for entertainment, it’s been booming for music retail. As I write this blog right now, Michael’s 25th Anniversary Thriller album remains at the top of Amazon.com’s music bestseller list, followed by Off the Wall, Bad, Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection, and the list goes on and on. Not the Transformers 2 soundtrack, not the new Green Day album — just our beloved King of Pop’s classic chart-topper filled albums.

And that’s no surprise — after all, Thriller is the best selling album of all time with all 10 of its tracks making Billboard’s Top 100 list. Now fans are reported to be scrambling to hold onto something from Michael whether it be an album, music videos, or even the books he’s written — his autobiography Moon Walk, his essays in Dancing with a Dream, or Moonwalker: The Storybook, the children’s story he wrote.

Michael Jackson’s albums have climbed to the top of Apple’s “Top Albums” list, the search for his name has devastated the internet world, dominating Twitter and Google and practically breaking both sites, and his page on Wikipedia has been viewed more than a million times in the last 2 days, not to mention it’s undergoing an editing war — just take a look at its editing history.

With all this Michael Jackson craze, I’m tempted to go out and find some comfort in the part of my childhood that died along with MJ by purchasing an album or a music video DVD that I don’t have. But I’ve decided that I’m perfectly content to dig out my old glittery silver Michael Jackson glove belt and watch YouTube all day…

Last Thursday and Friday, SHOP.COM had the pleasure of exhibiting at Shecky’s Girls Night Out in Los Angeles. If you don’t know what Shecky’s is, you are MISSING OUT. It’s a fun biannual shopping event that occurs in many cities across the US and offers clothing, jewelry, accessories, and services from hundreds of vendors — plus free cocktails and amazing treat-filled goodie bags too. The best part is that this year, admission was free (unless you wanted a goodie bag, then it was $15 advance/$25 regular.) You may remember my post about it last year, when I went as an attendee.

The SHOP.COM Shecky's Team L t R: April, Yana, Me, Sheila

As an exhibitor at Shecky’s, we sponsored a raffle and partnered with Benefit Cosmetics to give free makeovers. (They gave the makeovers, we didn’t!) Our team held a raffle every half hour and gave away prizes that ranged from a Zune to an iPod Shuffle to glass vases to a wine chiller — and we were A HIT!!

SHOP.COM's Fancy Raffle Table

Besides holding the raffle, we created special shopping lists for the attendees a la Ikea — so “pleasantly buzzed” shoppers could take notes and remember which vendors to return to later on during the event.

Our shopperific shopping lists!

One of the great highlights of the evening was the bar area at Shecky’s. There were three cocktail choices that were ambiguously named “The Fashion”, “The Passion”, and “The Fun”. Or something along those lines. There was an entire area set up with a bar, tables, and low mood lighting and music to make you feel as though were at a swanky bar. Without the swanky prices — FREE!!

Fashionistas at the Bar Area at Shecky's

Not to brag, but I really think that SHOP.COM was the 2nd greatest highlight of the evening (after free drinks, of course) because of our raffle and because we partnered with Benefit Cosmetics. The Benefit Cosmetics store in Beverly Hills sent over two of their fab makeup artists, Tiffany and Carrie-Ann to provide makeovers and they were awesome!

SHOP.COM and Benefit Cosmetics -- what a great team!

The Benefit Cosmetics Girls -- They Rocked!

Talia -- The Winner of the Diamond Journey Pendant

Shecky's Girls Night Out LA

So what were some of the hot trends I saw at Shecky’s? I saw a great product called Mobile Beauty, which is simply a stick-on mirror that you apply to your cell phone for beauty-on-the-go. The mirror comes in several different designs, from cute piggies to sparrows to stars. I also saw TONS of jewel-toned maxi dresses and some great makeup from Einstein cosmetics. Angry One also had some interesting apparel and notecards that, uh, gives you the chance to really say how you feel. On the contrary, there’s a popular trend right now with yoga-inspired jewelry that I saw, like from this vendor Janaration, that was right across from us.

There was also tons of blingy, chunky jewelry and gorgeous accessories around too — not to mention your usual breast augmentation and teeth whitening services (it is LA, after all).

The perfect nightcap to the evening was getting the famous Shecky’s goodie bag, which this year seemed chockfull of food this year rather than product. The savior of the evening were the Popchips in the goodie bag, as there was no actual food at the event except for these delicious chocolately 170-calorie-Fling bars. But, really, how much chocolate can a girl eat over two nights? OK, dumb question.

All in all, a great event, a perfect way to indulge for a few hours, and amazing vendors. The Shecky’s Girls Night Out motto says it all: “Cure Your Recession Depression at Shecky’s Girls Night Out”!

Want to go to the next event? Check out the Shecky’s Girls Night Out schedule and see when they’re coming to a city near you.

Shop Benefit Cosmetics

SLIMMING SWIMSUIT

What’s better than a swimsuit that fits? A swimsuit that make you look 10 lbs. lighter! Miraclesuit® shapes and flatters your figure without uncomfortable bulky linings. This chocolate brown one-piece swimsuit features a flattering faux-wrap design with shirred sides to help contour the waist, adjustable straps and discreet underwire bra to lend subtle support, a low-scoop back and high-cut legs. Be svelte and sexy poolside or beachfront – no dieting required.

Miraclesuit "Captiva" Swimsuit $134

GREAT GRILL

You can’t have a Memorial Day weekend without a good ole’ fashioned outdoor BARBEQUE! So make sure you have a great grill  to cook your favorite meats and veggies on. The new Weber Q 300 gas grill pairs a high-performance cooking system and easy-grip handles to form a powerful yet portable gas grill.

Weber Q 300 Gas Grill - $336.46

BEACH BAG

Memorial Day is a patriotic holiday, right? Well, sort of. But in any case you can still rock this cool American flag beach bag at the beach, by the pool or to the park. It’s roomy for all your summertime necessities and it has denim lining for durability and an extra zip pocket for extra space. Plus its fab patriotic theme will be relevant through Labor Day.

Straw American Flag Straw Bag $27.27

Flip! for Decorating

Are you dreaming of a home makeover but don’t think you have the expertise or wherewithall to make it a reality?

Well,  design consultant and Today show lifestyle expert Elizabeth Mayhew recently published a book chock full of tips and tricks to make your abode stylish in a snap–and on a budget, too! Flip! for Decorating is a must-read for anyone who has flipped through the pages of a decorating magazine, lusted over the pretty pictures and said, “How do I DO that?”

Elizabeth, who also writes a regular column for House Beautiful, offers readers step-by-step instructions on how to decorate the four most-used rooms in your home: bedroom, family room, dining room and living room.

She describes how to use what you already own and freshen it up with new fabrics and paint.  You’ll also read about how to put together a professional looking color palette, how to dress a window and choose the right furnishings and accessories for your spaces.

Overwhelmed with the design options?  Elizabeth also has a section on how to prioritize your decorating decisions and make the right choices so you won’t waste a dime. Valuable advice this year, don’t you think?

As a former teacher myself, I can’t stress enough how valuable even a simple gesture of gratitude is to a teacher. Today is Teacher Appreciation Day and all week is Teacher Appreciation Week, and whether you have a child in elementary, junior, or high school, encourage them to say something nice to their teachers this week.

Why?
1. Teachers do not sleep. If they’re a high school teacher, their first class usually starts around 7 am. That means getting up around 5 am. And guess what? They were probably staying up late grading papers (and for an English teacher that takes awhile, essays and such) till around 9 or 10 pm.

2. Not only do teachers have to teach, they have to listen. They may know more about your child than you do. That means (if they’re a good teacher) they are a psychologist, mediator, counselor, and mentor too. Oh and bookeeper. And kids aren’t always nice, btw.

3. Myth: Teachers have it easy because their day ends at 3pm. While a teacher’s last class may let out earlier than a traditional 9-5 day, teachers NEVER stop working. They stay late after school answering questions and helping with homework, they go to Kinko’s after work to copy papers for the next day, and during the weekends they are grading papers and devising engaging lesson plans for the week. A teacher’s job never ends! And if they’re like I was, they’re answering phone calls and emails too.

4. Teachers get paid a pittance. Teachers are required to have around 2 years of post-graduate training, spend hundreds on supplies, work the hours that doctors and lawyers do — yet get paid a fraction of the salary. Not to mention the level of respect for the profession isn’t exactly where it could be, at least in the USA (go to Japan and you’ll see a very different level). That’s why the old aphorism “Those who can’t do, teach” will quickly anger any educational professional you’ll meet.

How to thank a great teacher? Just say thanks, that’s all. If you want to get them a gift, that’s nice too.

Shop Teacher Appreciation Mugs and Plaques
Shop Gift Cards
Shop Chocolates
Shop Thank You Floral Bouquets

Star Wars Yoda Backpack

If you didn’t know, today is Star Wars Day. Why is today Star Wars Day, you ask? Because it’s May 4th. Why is Stars Wars Day on May 4th, you ask? Drumroll please…

Because May the 4th Be With You.

It’s such a terrible yet absolutely wonderful pun — pure genius and reason enough to celebrate. I for one plan on indulging in a little Star Wars Monopoly with my significant other. How else can you celebrate?

1. Throw a Star Wars party and give all your friends Star Wars party favors.
2. Get Twit-It and Follow Star Wars on Twitter.
3. Dress up in a sexy Princess Leia costume (This is SHOP.COM’s most popular costume at Halloween time and you can get 5% back right now btw)
4. Spoil your child (or yourself) with some fun Star Wars Lego Sets
5. Watch the Clone Wars online — NOW IN SPANISH!!
6. Mix up your own Star Wars Cocktail, just like the one they’re drinking in the Cantina.

Or, if all of the above is simply too geeky for you to even consider, you can always just rent the trilogy and call it a day…

Shop Star Wars movies
Shop Star Wars toys

In the Garden Children's Book

Hopefully you’ve done something fun today to celebrate Earth Day, whether it’s making your own Treetini (yes, a Treetini — it’s made with Veev Acai spirit and for every Treetini sold, they’ll plant a tree) or participating in Earth Day activities like beach cleanups, going to Home Depot (they’re giving away CFL bulbs and seeds) or just sitting still at home, with all the lights off, saving energy.

One of the really fun things about Earth Day is the amount of new green products that are designed — from gadgets to food to home decor, it’s really amazing how creative green products can get. That’s why I’m really excited about this new line of children’s books from iKids publishers called Green Start. These books are really simple, illustrated with lively images, and are made from tough, recycled materials (perfect for toddler to chew on).  They’re not preachy or overtly environmental, but they give your child knowledge of how nature works — whether it’s about the life cycle of a tree, the five senses, or how a garden grows.  I think it’s a great idea to start children off with an understanding of how complex and wonderful our planet is — rather than just learning about it only on one day of the year — Earth Day.

And for the adults — you’ve got to check out this Rickshaw Bagworks messenger bag that I read about on Treehugger — it’s made with only FOUR PIECES OF FABRIC!!

Shop the Green Start Books

Shop the Rickshaw Bagworks Messenger Bag

If you watched Bravo’s A-list Awards a couple nights ago, you know that Tori Spelling won the A-List Celebrity Autobiography award for her book sTORI Telling and gave a, well, quite an illustrious speech. You can read it here.

But that wasn’t her only success.  Tori Spelling just wrote her second book, entitled Mommywood — all about the joys of raising children,  in — you guessed it — Hollywood. Whatever you may think of Tori Spelling, I’ve gotta say,  she’s got quite a following. Her first book sTORI Telling (gosh I love that name, it’s so clever) hit the  New York Times Bestseller list and was lauded for its down-to-earth, humorous style by many.

I for one remember Tori Spelling fondly from my days obsessing over the tv show Beverly Hills, 90210 as a pre-teen — she was the good one, the one who never did anything wrong. The only real drama she’s ever gotten entangled in is her real-life drama with her estranged mother Candy Spelling, who has also written a cleverly entitled book Stories from Candyland. Ah, Hollywood.

Teaposy Teapot

It’s no coincidence that at the same time I’ve decided to opt for tea instead of coffee to alleviate my sore throat (and to curb the jitters), thousands of Americans are protesting Tax Day by having tea parties. (If you don’t know what the connection is, please catch up on your Boston Tea Party history.)

No matter how you’re feeling about taxes today, there IS one thing we can all agree on — there is nothing like a well-brewed, perfect cup of tea. And why not have a tea party — at home, with a few of your best friends, that is. Invite the girls over on a Sunday afternoon, brew up several batches of Earl Grey, Darjeeling, Apricot tea,  or some other great brews (I like Teavana’s Spice of Life tea), bake some scones, and have a blast.

It’s kind of fun pretending to be proper, a bit snooty, and dainty — and who doesn’t love a finger sandwich? If you really want to impress the girls, wow them with glass tea pot or something like the Teaposy Teapot above. This awesome contraption features a heat-resistant glass teapot made from 20% recycled material and comes with 6 teaposy packs of silver needle tea. Just put the teaposy in the pot, add hot water, and watch the flower bloom! So. Cool.

Shop Teaposy teapots
Shop Teavana teas

Let’s face it: The News is depressing. Every day we hear about layoffs, housing crises, and more. And although there’s no quick solution, there are certainly some positive things we can all do to make it through these tough times together. That’s why as a company that wants to help do its part, SHOP.COM decided to create a “30 Days of Feeling Good” campaign. Besides giving away one small pick-me-up splurge a day, we’ve also created a Twitter page at www.twitter.com/30daysfeelgood, where people can tweet quotes, positive news, and more. And there’s the Feel Good survey too.

Spread the love! Enter to win a DIAMOND JOURNEY PENDANT today during our Feel Good Giveaway plus follow the campaign on Twitter and reply with your positive thoughts!

Who’s watching American Idol tonight? If you’re an American Idol regular, then you’ve probably seen judge Paula Abdul and perhaps have even noticed that sometimes, well, she’s sparkling from SO MUCH BLING! Coincidentally, she has her very own jewelry line as well and has even flashed it every now and then during the show. (OK, once, last month, when a contestant was wearing a piece from her line.)

Paul Abdul’s line of jewelry is called “Forever Your Girl”,  just like the song we all know and love, and can be almost exclusively found on the Home Shopping Network. Paula Abdul on the Home Shopping Network? Yes, it’s true. She’s even appeared on the channel to showcase her jewelry — who knew? I didn’t!

Anyhow, her jewelry is super-affordable and very empowering — she’s got a “Reach for the Stars”, “Take Your Breath Away”, and “Her” lines which are really inspiring. Let’s hope that her pieces are always as sparkling as her personality! Straight up now tell me — do you love her jewelry or don’t ya?

Shop Paula Abdul’s FYG jewelry line

14 Karat Yellow Gold Chinese OX Zodiac Pendant

According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2009 is the Year of the Ox.  “The Ox symbolizes prosperity through fortitude and hard work. Those born under the influence of the Ox or Buffalo are fortunate to be stable and persevering.  The typical Ox is a tolerant person with strong character.”  Ring in the Chinese New Yearwith some great party “Ox-essories” – guaranteed to lighten your load and ease your mind during these trying times.

Give every table “Dragon Power” with some great Dragon Centerpieces. And don’t forget to pick up a Chinese New Year Basic Party Pack for all the party essentials like cups, plates and decorations – only $19.99. You’ll want to keep these adorable Chinese New Year Bears but they’re better to give away to kids or as party favors. They even have a little pocket for candy or jewelry. Chinese Lanterns really create the mood for a fantastic New Year celebration. Keep them up all year long for good luck. Speaking of good luck, this Lucky Money Envelope and Coins Set is only $4.99 and is a great way to spread the wealth and the luck all year round.

Party People in the House!! Chinese New Year Party Pack $19.99

Shop for everything you need for a fab Chinese New Year celebration right here.

The J. Crew site is crashing because everyone’s clamoring to get the Michelle O look? No way. And the gloves were sage green and totally didn’t match her dress? OMG. Oh, and btw we just inaugurated the first person of color ever to be President of the United States.

It’s amazing how the media (myself included) canonizes a First Lady for her fashion choices, not her accomplishments. And yet I find myself strangely mesmerized by some of Michelle Obama’s outfits too. What is it about how Michelle chooses to shop that captivates us? Is it because J. Crew is such an accessible brand? Who knows? All I know is that J. Crew is reaping the benefits of Michelle’s icon status, and has even created somewhat of a Michelle mini-site on their home page.

That being said, J. Crew does have some amazing sales on cardigans right now…if you can manage to get onto their site.

Shop J. Crew cardigans
Shop the Obama Style Shop

A splurge-worthy scent, $78

Yesterday, the NY TIMES style section had an interesting article, that how, during this recession, diehard shoppers are secretly still shopping for luxury goods on the sly. The gist is that buying expensive items in front of everyone looks excessive these days. But an underground trend of buying luxe, hard-to-find specialty items is happening through online shopping and at private trunk show parties, places where a buyer can go incognito and not feel guilty.

I admit I’m a sucker for subtle luxe–ultra-thick cashmere sweaters, pave diamonds and gorgeous perfume bottles–anything that exudes a posh, yet-not-overly-ostentatious vibe. Which is why when I spotted this  rich-looking candle from the famous Parsian candle company, Diptyque, I knew I had to have it. Sure it’s pricey, but what I absolutely love is the elegant, decadent look and feel. The glass holder boasts a super-cool sixties byzantine design inspired by a piece of fabric from that time. Then there’s the scent–heavenly Honey Briar. It’s limited edition,  for the holidays, but has staying power long after the last pine needle has been swept away. The sweet, nectar aroma warms even the coldest days in January and February when I need a big break from all the dismal winter blues. It’s the perfect accompanient to a night in, soaking in my tub, while snow falls outside. Worth the splurge? Sure, and the best part is, no one has to know about it except me. Diptyque Honey Briar Candle, $78.

First of all, you’ve got to have the perfect election party cocktail. It’s either got to be: a red drink for the Republicans and a blue drink for the Dems, or it’s got to be a red, white, and blue drink that you can serve to everyone. For some great campaign cocktail ideas, I really like Intoxicologist’s election day cocktail recommendations.

The other thing is making sure that you’re decked out in the appropriate election attire. I LOVE the Obama tie above (and it’s on sale!) and this McCain t-shirt is great too.

But the most interesting election party must-have I’ve seen so far are Ms. Beasley’s election cupcakes and cookies — so scrumptious (kind of).

Adult Plug & Socket Halloween Costume

Adult Mustard Halloween Costume

Adult Snake Charmer Halloween Costume

Adult Chick Magnet Halloween Costume

Adult Super Silicone Halloween Costume

Adult Sexy Sarah Palin Halloween Costume

by: ss_shopgirl
According to the National Retail Federation’s Annual Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, more people plan to celebrate Halloween this year than they did in 2007 (64.5% vs. 58.7%). And the average person will be spending about $66.54 this year. According to the NRF president Tracy Mullin, people “who have been anxious and uncertain for the past several months — may be looking at Halloween as an opportunity to forget the stresses of daily life…”

While that may be true, and while I fully plan on celebrating Halloween this year, I am ABSOLUTELY horrified yet strangely intrigued by some of the Halloween costumes that are out there.

ss_shopgirl
These Obama & McCain masks are frightening. But did you know they’re also psychic? Believe it or not, Halloween costume retailer BuyCostumes.com has claimed that the outcome of the presidential election can be determined by how many sales a particular mask gets — and they’ve been right in both the 2000 and 2004 elections!

So you’re probably wondering…how do Obama mask sales compare to McCain mask sales? Buycostumes.com is hosting a poll that allows you to cast your vote by purchasing your own McCain or Obama Halloween mask. To date, 54% prefer to don the countenance of Barack Obama, while 46% idolize McCain’s lovely mug. So yes, it is possible to buy your vote in America!

What do you think? Is there any truth to this mask prophecy? Or is it just a coincidence…

Shop Obama masks now
Shop McCain masks now
Shop BuyCostumes.com now

No matter what side of the brambled, jagged, thorny, splintered political fence you may sit on, there’s one thing that’s hard to deny — Tina Fey bears an UNCANNY resemblance to VP wannabe Sarah Palin.

Click here to watch Tina Fey as Sarah Palin.

If you haven’t yet caught last weekend’s performance by Tina Fey on Saturday Night Live, you MUST see it now. It’s like Ben Kingsley-Gandhi, Denzel Washington-Malcolm X, J. Lo-Selena uncanny. (Ok well maybe not the last one.) Anyhow, my theory is that the resemblance comes mostly from the glasses.

Sarah Palin prefers the glasses of Japanese designer Kazuo Kawasaki, who has already seen sales of his MP-704 glasses reach 9,000, mostly from the United States. The glasses are feather-light, made of titanium, and get this: they don’t need screws, instead they use a thin metal strip similar to a paper clip to attach the lens to the frame. Pretty sweet, right? The glasses retail for about $400 in the US.

Sold on the rimless glasses but not sold on the price? Here are a few cheaper versions that I love:

Prada Rimless Sunglasses White $199	Prada Rimless Sunglasses Beige/Camel $199
Gucci Rimless Sunglasses $315	Kate Spade Rimless Sunglasses $175
Ed Hardy Three Old School Roses sale $205	Kenneth Cole Reaction $59

If you’re a child of the 90s, or know of one, then you’ve probably heard of the TV show Beverly Hills, 90210. It was a hit show about a bunch of (mostly rich & spoiled) high school kids living in, you guessed it, Beverly Hills, CA. Their plethora of problems ranged from teen pregnancy to alcoholism to religious bigotry, and more.

Anyhow, the 90210, a spinoff, debuts tonight on the CW Network with a brand new cast and names I’ve never heard of: Shenae Grimes, Tristan Wilds, Jessica Stroup and more. But don’t worry, former cast members Jennie Garth (Kelly Taylor) and Shannen Doherty (Brenda Walsh) will reprise their roles for your nostalgic enjoyment.

Oh, and the Republican National Convention will be continuing tonight too…

Beverly Hills 90210 I Slept with Dylan T-Shirt	Beverly Hills 90210 Seasons 1-3
Beverly Hills 90210 Women’s Eau de Toilette Parfum	Beverly Hills 90210 Men’s Perfume

And for your listening pleasure, don’t forget about the Limited Edition Beverly Hills iPod too!

Just a few more days until the opening day of the 2008 Beijing Olympics (this Friday 8/8/08), and I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty excited. There’s a ton of great Olympics 2008 merchandise out right now, just in case you’re not one of the lucky 160,000 that will be able to make it to Beijing this year. From official Olympics volleyballs to cute keychains and t-shirts, check out some of my favorite Olympic gear below. See it all

FUWA Beijing Olympic Mascot Keychain – Huanhuan	Mikasa 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Volleyball
Beijing 2008: The Official Video Game of the Olympic Games	Beijing 2008 Olympics T-Shirt
Beijing 2008 Olumpics Dragon Wrap T-Shirt	Beijing 2008 Olympic Metallic Panda T-Shirt

As inspring as the “Yes We Can” slogan for Barack Obama may be to people, it seems that it’s simply not enough. For example, check out these Obama slogans, sure to make you either chuckle or groan. From “Obama-mama” to “Barack to the Future,” take a look at some of my favorite shirts and their punny Barack Obama slogans.

Obama is My Homeboy Hooded Sweatshirt	Obama Low Cut Trunk Underwear
It’ll Be Great in 2008 Women’s Pink T-Shirt	This Hot Mama Loves Obama
Barack & Roll T-shirt	Barack My World Hooded Sweatshirt

I’m very sad today. If you haven’t heard, comedian George Carlin died in Los Angeles at the age of 71 due to heart failure last night. He was known for edgy, provocative, and very controversial comedy that usually poked fun at consumerism, religion, and more.

I can’t link to his routines here because they aren’t particularly family-friendly, but if you go to YouTube, just do a search on George Carlin and check out some of his stuff — it’s definitely worth watching, even just to participate in the makings of a comedy legend.

And if you’re interested in purchasing his comedy, here are some of my favorite collections below:

George Carlin – All My Stuff	George Carlin Collection
George Carlin Complaints & Grievances	George Carlin Personal Favorites

If you haven’t heard of Shecky’s Girls Night Out annual shopping event, you don’t know what you’re missing. Every year, Shecky’s hosts a shopping event in about 13 US cities that features fabulous designer clothing and jewelry at a fraction of the cost you would pay regularly (read: $150 jacket only $30) and services like laser hair removal, massage package deals (yes, I caved into this) and free cocktails.

Just imagine…a room full of clothes and tons of fellow shopperettes…

Barker Hanger, Santa Monica, Los Angeles

My first stop was at O’Dorsay for some hats. I just couldn’t resist trying these on. I mean, really — 20 or so amazingly cute hats in many different colors? That easily took about 30 minutes of my time.

Boy, was I tired after trying on so many hats! It was still early in the game so I restrained myself from buying any — I had to scope out the scene first! I took a breather at the Midori station (they have EVERYTHING here) then browsed a bit more.

Naturally when you see a group of seated people so engaged in what they’re doing that they’re even ignoring Midori cocktails, you’ve got to wonder what’s going on…

So I investigated further and found out that there were some designer Nintendo DS’ cases out there (with actual Nintendos that were available for testing). Take a look:

Designer Nintendo DS Case (even more glittery in person)

So the clothing was OK — a lot of colorful knits and tweeds (I got some tweed Dokie Okie short pants from Burning Torch) but overall I wasn’t totally moved by many of the collections that I saw. What really caught my eye at this Shecky’s event was the handmade jewelry.

I LOVE handmade jewelry. Something about the presentation, the lighting, the glitter, the colors — I can’t get enough of it. So my pick for Shecky’s Los Angeles vendor favorite is… jewelry from Yumi Chen — I bought some jade earrings, then came back for a necklace made from real Venetian glass. (It’s for a birthday present, don’t think I’m a spendthrift.) It’s gorgeous.

Here’s Yumi with her fantastic array of necklaces, earrings, and more. You’ve got to check her site out — her jewelry is really well made and comes in so many different colors and designs, you’ll love it! And maybe if you tell her you found out about her through The Shopping Vine, she’ll give you a little discount?? Just go to www.yumichen.com.

So those were the highlights from my evening at Shecky’s Girls Night Out in Los Angeles. WAIT! I forgot the best part — when you leave, they give you a deluxe 2LB goodie bag. Wanna know what’s in the 2 lb goodie bag? You’ll just have to go next year… it’s ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!

I’m not planning a wedding anytime soon, but this is just adorable:

Save the Date/Canna Photo in Persimmon

And it’s wedding season. It’s from a site called weddingpaperdivas.com, and I can’t get over how cute their wedding stationery is! The colors they use are fresh and vibrant, and their designs are delicate yet eye-catching — perfect for the bride with class!

Their site is amazingly user-friendly too – they’ve got hundreds of each variety of stationery, yet they make it really simple to pick your designs, color palette, other items from the same collection, estimate delivery time, and more.

Wedding Paper Divas has been featured in Modern Bride magazine, on Brides.com, In Style Weddings, and more. They have hundreds of unique styles and designs, but I picked out my favorites below. It was a tough choice, believe me.

Check ‘em out.

Little Bird Wedding Invitation	Contemporary Swirls Wedding Response Card
Canna Wedding Reception Cards	Vine Direction Cards
Sophisticated Silhouette Bridal Shower Invitations	Leopard Print Bachelorette Party Invitation

Ikea announced today that it’s planning to jump on the green anti-plastic bandwagon by eliminating paper and plastic bags from their stores in October 2008. Customers will either have to bring their own bags, or purchase the large Ikea bag.  Nordstrom and Wal-Mart have also changed their shopping bag offerings by offering recycled shopping bags. 

So I started thinking to myself, what types of trendy and cute green shopping and green grocery totes are out there? And would I be embarrassed sporting them? The answer: not if it’s one of these…

Gecko Traders Recycled Market Bag	Basura Bags – Made by a women’s co-op in the Philippines
Reisenthel Cityshopper XL – Artdeco Style	ACME Bag Made from Recycled Plastic Containers!
ReBag Reusable Blue Thermal Grocery Shopping Bag – It’s Thermal!	The Planet Bag Set of Six Grocery Totes
ChicoBag Reusable Grocery Bag only $5.00!	Envirosax Reusable Grocery Bags

If you watched the Oscars last night you probably spent the majority of the night ogling the outfits to see which celebrity looked the best. Oh and yeah, who won for best whatever. Red made a surprising appearance this year, with actresses Katharine Heigl, Heidi Klum, Miley Cyrus, Anne Hathaway, and Helen Mirren decked out in shades from scarlet to tomato.

I for one was a HUGE fan of Jessica Alba’s eggplant-colored Marchesa maternity gown and Keri Russell’s classic Nina Ricci gown (I’ve been a devoted Keri Russell fan ever since her Felicity days.) And after thinking about it, I was even a fan of Tilda Swinton’s avant-garde washed silk Lanvin gown and stark red hair/pale face look — at least it’s something different, right?

But what about the rest of us? You know, those that can’t afford to drop $20,000 on a custom designer dress? Oh holiest of fashion designers, why hast thou forsaken us?

Guess what? You can. Check out some of the designer styles below to get your own Oscar look…for less.

Off the shoulder and in the red
Katharine Heigl in silk georgette Escada gown	Alex Evenings One Shoulder Gown $118
Satin and the blues…
Cate Blanchett in Dries Van Noten Blue Satin	A.B.S. Teal Satin Cowlneck Dress sale $152.99
Go Tomato
Miley Cyrus in Valentino Chiffon Gown	Democracy Matte Jersey Ruched Bubble Dress $134
Basic Black
Nicole Kidman in custom Balenciaga gown	A.B.S. Black Sateen Evening Dress sale $248.40
For the Baby Bump
Jessica Alba in deep purple Marchesa gown	Chiffon party dress in wine sale $19.99

by: ss_shopgirl 

How psyched are you about the Super Bowl?

I can’t hear you.

If you’re more concerned with a touch-up than a touch down, you’ll be happy to know that there’s a new game designed just for you for this Sunday – Fantasy Fashion League – The Beauty Edition.

Modeled after Fantasy Football, it’s a game that allows you to “draft” a fantasy team – of celebrities and trends – instead of football players.

So instead of adding players to your line-up card just for the Super Bowl, you’ll be adding celebrities and trends to your line-up card for events like the Grammys and the Golden Globes and magazine covers like Lucky and Vogue. You can also earn points for the Super Bowl’s Red Carpet Preview show.

Isn’t that more fun than watching a bunch of sweaty men run around in the grass?

I think so. (But I’ll still have some buffalo wings.)

by: ss_shopgirl 

Flipping through Vogue today, I learned that the fashion goddesses have decreed the new colors for spring: aqua, peony, coral, violet, and yellow. And apparently it’s possible to find them all in one package. What do you think — a keeper or sleeper?

Fendi Watersnake Clutch $4,580

Elle MacPherson Intimates Bra & Panty Set from In the Mood Intimates	Sterling Silver Necklace from Religious Jewelry Store	14K White Gold necklace & bonus Godiva chocolates from MyJewelryBox.com

It’s the month for love, and whether you’re leaping in or leaping out (get it, Leap Year?) I want to hear your best present and past Valentine’s Day stories — whether it’s sappy or scandalous! And guess what — three lucky people will win one of the three great prizes above just for sharing! Here’s all you have to do:

Leave a comment on this post about either:

A romantic/sad/scary/etc. Valentine’s Day story that involves you. It must be original!

or:

A great Valentine’s Day gift idea (must include a link to the product online) that you’ve either given or received and why you think it’s worth sharing.

You’ve got all of February (lucky you, that’s February 29th this year!) to enter, and only three lucky people will win.

Make sure you enter your current, active email address when posting your comment, because that’s how we’ll get in touch with you if you win!

Ready to enter?

Leave a comment below and start dishing! Good luck!

See our Terms & Conditions

The New Year is a great time to reflect on our lives and ditch those old habits. But why does it always seem that our resolutions fizzle out as quickly as an open bottle of yesterday’s champagne? Never fear, we’ve put together some great ideas to help you make and keep those resolutions going strong all year long!

Get Fit

Who needs the gym? Ride a bike instead of driving a car. You save the planet and burn 400-500 calories per hour while you’re at it. We call that a win-win situation.

Quit Drinking

Kick those alcohol, soda (yes, even diet soda) or coffee habits for good. You’ll drop the excess weight and added stress while you’re at it. Sodas have sugar or aspartame, coffee is filled with caffeine and alcohol is a depressant. All these stimulants slow down your brain’s production of serotonin – the hormone responsible for making you feel happy and well-balanced.! Instead opt for a healthy cup of Green Tea.

Write a Book

Take some time this year and let your creative juices flow. These days it’s so easy to write and publish your own book with a click of the button! Write a poem or song, article, novel or even an internet blog! Set aside a few minutes a day to create your masterpiece then publish it yourself!

Save the Planet

Help save some of the world’s most endangered animals from extinction by adopting one in the name of someone you love. Choose from over 80 species on World Wildlife Fund’s list of critically endangered.

Great ways to remember those New Year’s resolutions:

Magnets

Just slap this magnet on the fridge for a helpful resolution reminder every time you reach for those tempting calories! You can even design your own.

Journals

Keep a journal and write down your goals, successes or failures of the day right before going to bed. In the morning, read your journal entries to remind yourself what worked or what to do better! By the end of the year you can really see all the progress you’ve made! We love these recycled blank journals.

Do you have New Year’s resolutions tips or ideas? Leave us a comment!

We love Kwanzaa! This seven day celebration was first established in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga as a non-religious African American holiday. Traditionally celebrated from December 26th through January 1st, Kwanzaa is a special time during which Africans and African Americans honor their families, communities and culture.

The Kinara: The Candleholder

The Seven Candles (Mishumbaa Saba)
Each day of Kwanzaa emphasizes a different principle. A candle is lit each day to embrace each of the seven. Say each one as an affirmation to bring more light into your life and watch what happens!

Day 1 – Unity (Umoja)

On the first day of Kwanzaa the black candle is lit, representing the first principle of Kwanzaa.

We strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.

Day 2 – Self-Determination (Kujichagulia)

On the second day the black candle is again lit, as well as the farthest red candle on the left. This represents the 2nd principle of Kwanzaa.

We define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.

Day 3 – Collective Work and Responsibility (Ujima)

On the third day the black candle is lit, then the farthest left red, and then the farthest right green candle. This represents the 3rd principle of Kwanzaa.

We build and maintain our community together and make our brothers’ and sisters’ problems our problems -solving them together.

Day 4 – Cooperative Economics (Ujamaa)

On the fourth day the black candle is lit, then the farthest left red, and then the farthest right green. Then the next red candle on the left. This represents the 4th principle of Kwanzaa.
We build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and profit from them together.

Day 5 – Purpose (Nia)

On the fifth day the black candle is lit, then the farthest left red, the farthest right green, the next red and then the next green candle. This represents the 5th principle of Kwanzaa.
Our collective vocation is the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their greatness.

Day 6 – Creativity (Kuumba)

On the sixth day the black candle is lit, then the farthest left red, the farthest right green, the next red, the next green and then the final red candle. This represents the 6th principle of Kwanzaa.

We strive to always do as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

Day 7- Faith (Imani)

On the seventh day the black candle is lit, then the farthest left red, the farthest right green, the next red candle, the next green, the final red and then the final green candle. This represents the 7th principle of Kwanzaa.

We believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

On the seventh and final day of Kwanzaa all candles in the Kinara are lit. When the night is done, the family takes one last drink from the Unity cup and the candles are extinguished. Kwanzaa is over till next year.

Practicing Kwanzaa Year Round- Affirmations and Activities Around the Seven Principles

Learn how to make your own eco-friendly Kinara!

Kwanza Gifts (Zawadi )
What’s better than a fabulous day to give and receive gifts? 7 fabulous days to give and receive gifts!! Shop some of these great gifts ideas for the seven days of Kwanzaa. And remember, it’s important to buy gifts that represent encouragement for determination and achievement. Gifts related to education, African and African-American culture, or the arts make good Zawadi too.

Traditional Black Jambo Tea

Handwoven WorldMarket Baskets Make Great Gifts!

Beautiful Batik African Textiles

Kwanzaa Recipe: Carmel Rice Pudding

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup arborio rice or short-grain rice
• 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
• 3 cups milk
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/3 cup caramel ice cream topping
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2 drops hot water

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan cook and stir uncooked rice in hot butter or margarine for 2 minutes. Carefully stir in milk and cinnamon (mixture may spatter). Bring to a low boil. Cover and cook over low heat about 30 minutes or until most of the milk is absorbed, stirring occasionally. (Mixture may appear curdled.) Remove saucepan from heat. Stir in vanilla. Swirl in caramel ice cream topping. Transfer to four individual serving bowls. Keep warm.
2. In a small saucepan heat the 1/4 cup sugar over medium-high heat until sugar begins to melt, shaking saucepan occasionally to heat sugar evenly. Do not stir until sugar begins to melt. Reduce heat and cook for 3 to 5 minutes more or until sugar is melted and golden in color. Remove pan from heat. Stir in the 2 drops hot water. Quickly drizzle topping over each serving of rice pudding. Makes 4 servings.

   http://www.bhg.com/recipes/recipedetail.jsp?recipeId=R036216

Hanukkah, the 8-day long Jewish Festival of Lights started today! So quickly that you probably don’t have time to buy Hanukkah items online (unless you use Express shipping), so we looked around to find some items in popular local stores so you can just grab and celebrate!

Target
Deluxe blue/white candles	Contemporary Silver Plated Menorah
Pottery Barn
Menorah sale $34
Hallmark
Hanukkah-themed napkins, plates, etc.
Urban Outfitters
Kosherland – based on the game Candyland!

And for a special treat, try this delicious latke recipe, courtesy of Allrecipes.com:

Vegetable and Feta Latkes

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups grated zucchini
1 cup peeled and shredded potatoes
1 cup shredded carrots
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs, lightly beaten
salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup matzo meal
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Tools:

Peeler
Large-holed grater
Spatula
Skillet

Directions

1. Place the zucchini, potato and carrots in a colander, place paper towels or a cheesecloth over the top and squeeze out as much moisture as possible. Sprinkle salt over the vegetables and let them drain for 15 minutes. Squeeze vegetable again in paper towels.
2. In a large mixing bowl combine eggs, vegetables, salt and pepper. Mix well. Stir in matzo meal or flour, parsley and feta.
3. Heat vegetable oil in a large frying pan. Place vegetable mixture, formed into pancake sized cakes in hot oil and fry until golden brown on both sides. (Cook two to three minutes per side). Add more oil as needed to keep cakes frying up well. Drain fried latkes on paper towels.

Want to share some of your Hanukkah recipes and fun Hanukkah shopping finds with us? Please do…

According to the Natural Marketing Institute, over 2,000 personal-care products with a “natural” or “organic” label hit stores last year. So…

8. Green up your holiday beauty regimen

New Origins Organics line

We like: Body Pampering Massage Oil $30

We like: Badger Lip Balms – Made with cocoa butter and olive oil! Mmm!

We like: Preserve razor – Made from 65% recycled yogurt cups!

9. Clean up your holiday mess – green style

We like: Eco-Me Home Cleaning Kit

We like: Seventh Generation Line of Products

We like: Tromm Steam Washer—Energy and Water Efficient!

10. Give ‘em earth-friendly toys they’ll cherish!

We like: Ragamuffin Dolls – they’re made from recycled sweaters!

We like: Rustic Warriors Chess set made by artist Armando Ramirez – from auto parts!

We like: Animal alphabet puzzle by ImagiPLAY – made with renewable materials!

We like: Bag O’ Blocks toys by Green Babies

You’ve shopped for Thanksgiving dinner, you’ve cleaned the house (well…), now all you have to do is think about Day-After-Thanksgiving shopping!

Competition is fierce this year, with stores everywhere vying for your buck with the “best Black Friday” deal.

Here’s a brief rundown of just a few of the goods so far that have been released to the public. There are many, many more listed at sites like http://www.theblackfriday.com and http://www.blackfriday.info.

Macy’s early bird sale

• Martha Stewart pre-lit tree for $99, down from its regular price of $250
• Down comforters for $39.99;
• Men’s leather jacket by Claiborne for $99.99
• Wustof eight-piece steak knife set for $59.99, regularly $113
• Hannah Montana singing doll for $14.99.
• 3-stone diamond ring in white gold. .50 ct. t.w., $399, regularly $1235.
• Sterling silver diamond puffed hert pendant $99.99, regularly $350.
• Five-piece luggage set for $49.99, regularly $200.
• Kenneth Cole Reaction walker coat for women, $139.99, down from $250.
• Le Creuset 2-piece square stoneware dishes, $18.99, down from $29.99
• Christopher Radko glass Santa ornament, $9.99
• Hannah Montana fleece throws $ 9.99
• Frango Mints, one-pound box, also for $9.99

Rachel Ray 10 Piece Cookware Set only $129.99