About.com 15-Minute Fashion

What to Wear for Thanksgiving

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:26:51 +0000

I'm a bit old-fashioned when it comes to the holidays--I still believe we should dress up for them. You can wear your jeans 364 days a year, when the family is gathered together for a celebration, put a little more effort into your outfit.

But that doesn't mean you have to wear a suit, long satin dress or be uncomfortable. I like a dress like the one shown, because it's flirty without being overtly sexy so you can still wear it to meet the parents, the 3/4-length bell sleeves won't get in the way if you're called into the kitchen to do any last minute tossing of the salad and best of all, there's no waistband and it's a spandex blend, so you can get second helpings of your Aunt Flossie's pumpkin pie and still breathe at the end of the night.

The Bailey 44 Mouse Trap Dress is available on Piperlime.com for $196

What to Wear for Thanksgiving originally appeared on About.com 15-Minute Fashion on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 06:26:51.

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Street Style You Can Buy

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:48:01 +0000

How many times have you walked down the block and noticed someone with great style that you wish you could emulate? Living in NYC, that happens to me at least once a day. But because it's New York, I have to act all cool and can't run up after a stranger to ask where she got her shoes.

That's why I love the site Weardrobe. It allows users to celebrate their own personal street style by uploading pics of their favorite outfits. It's a great place to get inspiration for how to rock purple tights, a leather mini skirt or a colorful trench.

Starting today, you can now buy clothes similar to what's shown. When you click on the item, say the brown riding boots, it opens up a new screen that lists all the brown riding boots available on the web at sites from Zappos to Saks to Shoemail. You can further sort by price, brand, site and more.

Love it!

Street Style You Can Buy originally appeared on About.com 15-Minute Fashion on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 10:48:01.

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Ann Taylor Friends & Family Discount

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:05:20 +0000

Holiday shopping this week? Get 30 percent off at Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft today though November 22. Enjoy!

Ann Taylor Friends & Family Discount originally appeared on About.com 15-Minute Fashion on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 16:05:20.

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Holiday Makeup Cheat

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:35:35 +0000

Is your inbox as flooded with holiday party invites as mine? First off, you have my permission to turn down a few of them, especially if� A) You haven't spoken to the host since last December B) If it's Christmas Eve and you still haven't started shopping C) You suspect you or your child might be coming down with H1N1 flu. A simple, "Sorry I can't make it," is all you need to tell the host.

What is not a good excuse? Having nothing to wear. Check out my Little Black Dresses for Every Figure piece stat. Then use my favorite glamorous makeup cheat that takes 60 seconds (I swear!): Simply swipe on a silver cream eye shadow like Bobbi Brown Metallic Long-Wear Cream Shadow with your finger across your eye lid. Pair with your favorite red lipstick. Now you're picture perfect and party ready!

Holiday Makeup Cheat originally appeared on About.com 15-Minute Fashion on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 13:35:35.

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Easy Ways to Beat the Beauty Blahs

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:02:21 +0000

When flipping through the November issue of Women's Health, I came across a very helpful article, "Beat the Beauty Blahs". It's chock full of helpful tips, including a reminder to start laser hair removal treatments now, when you're paler and there will be more contrast between your skin and hair, making the treatment more effective. I would add to schedule any vein removal treatments over the next few weeks, too,, so you can wear pants and hide those unsightly support hose.

I also appreciated the tip to: Use a sheer indigo blue or emerald eye shadow to downplay [eye] redness, and apply it with a damp brush for a dewy look that will stay put longer. Just because it's winter, doesn't mean we're relegated to nude or pink eye shadows. My favorite indigo is shadow is the Violet Luxe from Lancome (pictured). Lancome pretty much owned the indigo hues this fall and this shadow will stay put for hours.

Easy Ways to Beat the Beauty Blahs originally appeared on About.com 15-Minute Fashion on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 06:02:21.

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Neiman Marcus Christmas Book

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:23:51 +0000

Granted, there's nothing quick or easy in the Neiman Marcus Christmas book, but it sure is 15-minutes worth of fun. The catalog is filled with mostly lust-worthy items, like the Laura Mercier Essential Eye Organizer and the Valentino hobo bag.

But the reason you should flip through the online book is to check out the over the top fantasy gifts NM is famous for. One of my favorites is the utterly ridiculous Customized Cupcake Car. Those witty NM copywriters describe it as, "mind-blowing, triple-dog-dare, double-infinity forever cool." As equally amusing as the $25,000 electric motor car is picturing the person (or people) who would buy such a thing.

The fantasy section also includes his and her ICON Sport Aircrafts for $250,000 (Brad and Angie's name is written all over that gift), a Maker's Mark Distiller Experiences ($7,500) and the World's Fastest Electric Motorcycle ($73,000), which almost makes those cupcake cars seem affordable.

Happy Browsing!

Neiman Marcus Christmas Book originally appeared on About.com 15-Minute Fashion on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 06:23:51.

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Emergency Makeup Kit

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:41:11 +0000

Of the many palettes I have in my beauty arsenal the Mom on the Go set from 3 Custom Color is my favorite. You don't have to have kids (I don't!) to appreciate the genius of this kit. It comes with everything you need to create a pretty, well-rested look in only minutes.

Apply the nude shadow from the lids to the brow bone to open up eyes.

Line inner eyelids with the flesh-colored clarifier pencil to make you look more awake. The pencil also doubles as a concealer.

Use the clear brow gel to tame unruly brows quickly for instant polish.

Add a pop of color to the lips and cheeks with the stain. Trae suggests finishing the look with an all over sweep of bronzer for a healthy glow.

The Mom on the Go kit also includes a face powder brush. It comes in warm and cool colors.

Emergency Makeup Kit originally appeared on About.com 15-Minute Fashion on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 05:41:11.

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Multi-Purpose Laptop Bags

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:35:39 +0000

Whether you're traveling for business or need to bring your laptop to a meeting downtown, simplify your life with a laptop bag that doubles as your purse. Check out the website Cool Computer Bags for a range of stylish options. My pick is the Urban Junket t.o.t.e. Laptop Messenger Bag / Laptop Backpack, $143. It converts from a tote to a backpack to save your neck and shoulders. To help keep you organized, it has inside and outside pockets, plus one for your cell phone and a detachable key chain. Plus, the laptop bag is made of eco-friendly organic cotton dyed with organic dyes with a lining made of recycled plastic water bottles. Stylish, eco-friendly and smart--a definite winner all around!

Multi-Purpose Laptop Bags originally appeared on About.com 15-Minute Fashion on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 05:35:39.

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Shower Body Conditioner

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:29:15 +0000

As the weather starts to get colder, now is the time to up your body moisturizing routine. You've probably heard that in order to save your skin, you should take shorter, lukewarm showers. But who wants to do that after rolling out of bed on a chilly morning? I, for one, am addicted to long, hot showers. Since I refuse to turn down the temperature, I make up for it by using moisturizing shower products.

Start by trading your bar soap for a creamy body wash, better yet, use one with moisturizer built in, like Dove Cream Oil Body Wash. It cleans and soothes skin at the same time. For an extra moisturizing boost in just seconds, incorporate a body conditioner into your routine. Much like a conditioner for your hair, these body conditioners go on after you've washed your body to soften and soothe. They're a super-timesaver, too, because you simply wash it off in the shower. That means no more waiting for a heavy lotion or cream to soak in before you get dressed. My favorite is Ted Gibson Body Conditioner in Transformation. It's scented with grapefruit and honey. What a delicious way to start your day!

Shower Body Conditioner originally appeared on About.com 15-Minute Fashion on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 05:29:15.

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Find Your Personal Style

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:31:13 +0000

I must confess, I'm probably the only fashion writer in the world who is not a Project Runway devotee. I'm sure if I watched the show, I would fall in love, but I try to limit my reality TV watching. (No judgments if that's all you watch. I manage to find plenty of time for all my fave CW shows.)

Even so, you would have to live under a rock to have missed out on the fabulosity of Christina Siriano, winner of season tk from Project Runway. I picked up his new book, Fierce Style, and immediately regretted not watching him on the show. (I'll have to watch it on Hulu next time Gossip Girl is in reruns.) The book is hilar, fun and chock full of good advice--pictures, too!

I love his chapter on finding personal style. Christian recommends you look to your childhood hobbies/likes to uncover your own flair. See if you fit in one of these categories:

Painter = Boho chic

Horse lover = Equestrian flair

Actress = High impact look

Girlie girl = Romantic frilly dresses

Tomboy = Menswear inspired look

Throughout the book, Christian stresses that fashion doesn't have to be your life, but to look fierce, you do have to take a few chances. So go ahead and buy those green shoes, put on the extra necklace or mix a pattern or two. Now you're ferosh!

Find Your Personal Style originally appeared on About.com 15-Minute Fashion on Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 05:31:13.

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