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Archive for the ‘As Seen on TV’ Category

As Seen on TV: Today Show- Hot Items Trending Now

Monday, January 30th, 2012
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On my list of top ways to start off a Friday, sharing four of my most favorite things on the Today Show is pretty up there. In case you missed the segment, you can watch it here. And I challenge you to NOT get an intense craving for marshmallows shortly thereafter. Okay, maybe that is just me.

My top, by the way, is Hunter Dixon (obviously)- also part of my go-to dinner date ensemble, as seen here.

And here is an ode to my favorite BB Creams.

As Seen on “Today Show”: Online Gift Destinations to Satisfy Hard-To-Shop-For Friends

Monday, December 5th, 2011

Gift shopping is stressful- especially when you are down to those last people on your list who, for one reason or another, are just impossible to please.

Here are some of my favorite sites to pleasantly surprise even the most persnickety person in your life- and you can see the entire segment HERE.

For The Friend Who Bores Quickly:
She unwraps the gift and squeals with joy. A week later, you spot it in the back of her closet. The new and improved of-the-month clubs (major trend right now) were made for her.

  • Birchbox: Beauty goodies from the best brands in the business arrive every 30 days, complete with tips and tricks.
  • Citrus Lane: A new mom and dad life saver, amazing must-haves for little ones picked by a panel of parenting pros.
  • Lollihop: A sampler of nutritious snacks, perfect to get 2012 off on a healthy foot.

For The Score Keeper:
This one takes careful note as to where the gift comes from- bag, tags and all. N0 sneaking by with off-price retail or flash sale site finds here.

  • Shop It To Me: Create a profile with favorite brands and retailers and you will be alerted daily via Shop It To Me’s salemail when relevant items have gone on sale- so you can score deep discounts on finds from Saks, Tory Burch, J. Crew, Thomas Pink and others. They will all arrive wrapped directly from the source- dressed to impress, so to speak.

For The One You Have Nothing In Common With:
Every year around this time you ask yourself- how am I possibly friends with this person?! Their interests are so different from yours, you wouldn’t even know where to begin. Best place to start? Websites featuring picks curated by tastemakers in all kinds of categories.

  • Joyus: If your friend is fashion or beauty obsessed, and you aren’t so much, this site, which features video sales showcasing  insider’s personal favorite things, should be your go-to resource. I share many of my must-have items on there, along with a stable of professional stylists, makeup mavens and fashion fanatics. Plus, the videos feature tips and styling advice- so they can become a resource for the recipient to make the most of their new gift.
  • OpenSky: I frequent this site for foodie and health nut gifts, and personally I am also obsessed with the finds from their parenting and organization curators.  If you want to know what people with all kinds of passions will want this season, log on to peruse and purchase picks from pros like Preston Bailey, Tom Colicchio, Alicia Silverstone, Padma Lakshmi and many more.

For The One Who Doesn’t Want What Everyone Else Has:
Trends be damned- for this person, uniqueness is everything. Scouting out limited edition quality finds is made infinitely more simple on a site when someone else does the hunting for you.

  • Of A Kind: Showcasing a different designer each week, Of A Kind commissions exclusive runs of anywhere from 5 to 50 units of any given item- and it arrives authenticated, numbered and signed by the creator. Plus they always share the back-story, so you can sound all smart and informed about the gift you give.

 

 

 

 

 

As Seen on TV: Today Show Coats Under $100

Monday, October 3rd, 2011
Can’t think of a better way to start the week then over at the Today Show, right? This was such a fun segment to put together, especially since I am a very selfish person (I’m an only child, it isn’t my fault) and happen to need a new coat badly- so this became my excuse to scout and shop for fashionable finds under $100.
You can view the segment HERE (tried to get all fancy and embed it but just couldn’t get it to work, go figure.)
Below, the 5 coats that I fell in love with and featured this morning. Take a look and let me know which is your favorite- I can’t buy all 5, so consider your comments to be my straw poll to decide which one(s) are going to take up permanent real estate in my coat closet.
Look 1: Caped Crusader
So sophisticated and glamorous, not to mention easy to wear,  the cape is the must-have shape for Winter. Two style notes though- first off, capes really are best worn with jeans or trousers, they look pretty silly with skirts. And secondly, make sure you have a bag option that doesn’t involve going over the shoulder, because it just isn’t physically possible  to make that work out comfortably. Trust me, I tried. 

Worthington Cape- $74.99 at www.jcp.com

Look 2: Orange Crush
The great thing about a coat- it covers everything, so it matches everything. If you have a closet full of neutrals, seek out a colorful coat and all of the sudden, you are no longer that predictable girl always dressed in black and grey. Even if you are underneath- you will at least have them fooled temporarily.  Love the lines on this coat- gives it a very modern feel, making it seem all fancy and expensive, even though it isn’t. 
Fire Lily Burnt Orange Coat- $91.00 at www.lulus.com

Look 3: Coat Gone Wild
Combining two big trends for Fall- animal prints and men’s car coat silhouettes, this coat from Old Navy is a subtle and sexy option. You want your coat to make a statement, but not too much of one considering how often you will be wearing it. Perfect for dressing up or down, I especially love this style for taller frames. If you are on the shorter side though, you can totally pull it off- just seek out a coat cut for petites- altering the car coat style too much can off set the proportions so you lose that menswear effect
Wool-Blend Car Coat- $99.94 at www.oldnavy.com

Look 4: Posh Parka
The perfect mix of fancy and function- adding a simple faux fur collar to a utilitarian classic makes it effortlessly glamorous.  And who doesn’t love tucking in under a warm hood? Note- on the runway, we saw models sporting coats in at least 2 sizes too big- it is all about the slouchiness- like an outerwear take on boyfriend jeans. Oh- and a lazy girl fashion tip- if you are avid online shopper like I am, sign up for www.ShopItToMe.com, where I came across this coat.  When you create your profile, you can specify you want to be notified when outerwear from your favorite brands and retailers goes on sale in your size and voila- deals appear right in your inbox. 
Style & Co Parka- $68.99 at www.ShopItToMe.com

Look 5: Cropped Shearling
Part aviator, part mountain man- the cut is figure flattering and feminine, while still allowing for ultimate warmth.  This one from Lulus is a practical and on-trend alternative to last season’s motorcyle jacket craze. Especially since shearling can be a very overwhelming material on a smaller frame, the close-to-the-body cut here is key. Obsessed. 
Urban Behavior Jacket- $81.00 at www.lulus.com

 

As Seen on TV: “Today Show” Back-to-School Fashions

Monday, August 15th, 2011

This morning I shared back-to-school fashions on the Today Show- it was an intense segment to put together, but once I had every look completed to my (very picky) liking and saw the kids all lined up in a row, it was well worth the 500 pieces of clothing called in, sorted through and ultimately returned. It is crazy to think how much prep goes into what will amount to less than five minutes. But, in my experience, the more effort you put in pre-segment, the more effortless it will look, and I obsess over segments that feel like completely relaxed conversations where a camera just happens to be there.  So, hopefully this segment felt like that. You guys can be the judge of that.

Anyway- onto the good stuff. If you loved the outfits as much as I did and want to know where you can find the pieces featured, I pasted a little cheat sheet below. To see the segment and the article with more details on Today.com, click HERE.

Pre-School: The trend is MIX, NOT MATCH- kids this little can get away with it, and it encourages them to have fun with fashion and express their personality. Because we all know getting dressed in the morning is about so much more than just putting on clothes, right?

ISABELLA:
-Mini Boden Cardigan- $56.00 at www.bodenusa.com
-Crocs Jaunt Rainboots- $34.99 at www.crocs.com
-Kicky Pants Tights- $18.00 at www.innovative-baby.com
-Old Navy Lunch Bag- $7.94 at www.oldnavy.com

ALEX:
-H&M Striped Tee- $12.95 at H&M stores
-Old Navy Camo Pants- $16.94 at www.oldnavy.com
-Old Navy Vest- $26.94 at www.oldnavy.com
-Old Navy Lunchbox- $10 at www.oldnavy.com
-Sperry Top-siders- $30 at www.striderite.com

Elementary School: Inspired by the bright pants on the runway, but translated into denim for fashion and function, COLOR DENIM is the perfect new spin on the back-to-school classic.

JULIANA:
-Joe’s Kids Pencil Jean- $49.00 at www.joesjeans.com
-Crocs Hi Top Sneakers- $49.99 at www.crocs.com
-H&M Butterfly Cardigan- $19.95 at H&M Stores
-Total Girl Backpack- $34.99 at www.jcp.com

K-LA:
-Jumping Beans Polka-Dot Thermal- $18.00 at www.kohls.com
-MiniBoden Classic Jeans- $34.00 at www.bodenusa.com
-Old Navy Sneakers- $10.00 at www.oldnavy.com
-Total Girl Messenger Bag- $34.99 at www.jcp.com

Middle School: A personal favorite here, COZY KNITS- think plush, yummy sweaters that one could wear in a ski lodge curled up by a fire or on a Arctic fishing trip, if you will.

JENNA:
-H&M Ivory Sweater- $24.95 at H&M stores
-Joe’s Jean Legging- $49.00 at www.joesjeans.com
-Mudd Boots- $54.99 at www.kohls.com
-Mudd Messenger Bag- $44.00 at www.kohls.com

SOLOMON:
-Superdry USA Buffalo Zip-Up- $250.00 at www.superdry.com
-Urban Pipeline Pants- $42.00 at www.kohls.com
-Land’s End Alpine Boots- $59.50 at www.landsend.com

High School: Combine BASICS WITH BRIGHTS- oranges, corals, reds, greens are best anchored with tones of khaki, beige and brown. So you can get colorful but stay polished- and the separates can transition well into suitably sophisticated outfits for college interviews and after-school jobs.

GABRIELLA:
-H&M Blouse- $39.95 at H&M Stores
-Tommy Hilfiger Wedges- $85.00 at www.amazon.com
-H&M Jeans- $29.95 at H&M Stores

JERRY:
-Ditch Plains Button Down- $40.00 at www.jcp.com
-Lands’ End Kids Zipper Sweater- $39.50 at www.landsend.com
-Boden Chinos- $78.00 at www.bodenusa.com
-Tommy Hilfiger Laptop Case- $30 at www.tommy.com
-Rugged Boot- $49.95 at H&M Stores


Win It: FitFlop Pietra As Seen on BetterTV

Wednesday, July 27th, 2011

 

My favorite thing about my Savvy Shopper segments for BetterTV is that they often give me the opportunity to speak to the brains behind interesting and innovative brands- and chatting with Marcia Kilgore, founder of FitFlop (among many other things- read her crazy impressive bio here- was my most recent encounter.

An obsessive multi-tasker myself, I completely adore the fact that I can wear my FitFlops while I walk Norman and Alexa- my dog and my daughter, for any new visitors to my blog- and get health benefits at the same time. Especially since lately I have a tendency to set out for a short walk and end up strolling the city for hours on end, the comfort factor is key- they absorb up to 22% more shock which majorly relieves joint pain. I got my mom hooked too- and recently surrendered my Frou sandals to her out of the kindness of my heart (and a little guilt too- she became de-facto dog walker when I was home with the baby last month).

Out of the kindness of Marcia’s heart, she has given me 5 pairs of the Pietra sandals, as seen in our interview for BetterTV, to dole out to lucky ladies who want to shape up while they stroll.

To enter, simply leave a comment below sharing your favorite way to make your legs look nice and toned- for me, it is self tanner, 5″ J. Crew Chino shorts and yes, my FitFlops.

THANK YOU ALL FOR ENTERING, WINNERS HAVE BEEN SELECTED AND THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. STAY TUNED FOR MORE GIVEAWAYS SOON…

As Seen on NY1 & Win It: Melt Proof Your Makeup

Saturday, July 2nd, 2011

Lucky for you all that I happen to be a very sweaty person, so if these heat-defying beauty products work on me (which they do), you should be pretty well set.

And if you don’t mind- since I am always looking for new things to try – leave a comment sharing your personal melt-proof makeup favorite and I will pick one winner (at random, on July 6) to receive a special delivery of some of mine. Meaning you will be sweat-proof set for the dog days of summer in August. Nice. (CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED- WINNER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED BY EMAIL.)

Do the Prep

NP Set Bronzing Pre-Foundation Primer- $29 at Target
Celebrity makeup artists never put a client under hot lights without a primer to hold makeup in place, and this one is perfect for summer because it has the perfect hint of bronze to warm up the complexion.

Illamasqua Sealing Gel- $15 at Sephora
Put a drop of this in your favorite powder eyeshadow to give it instant waterproof properties and seal it for an entire day in the sand and surf.

Garnier Fructis UV Color Shield Anti-Humidity Hairspray – $4 at drugstores
This strong holding hairspray has a UV filter to keep color radiant and shiny and hold styles in place on even the most humid of days.  It is formulated with Garnier’s exclusive bamboo extract and signature Fruit Micro-Waxes- the perfect post-styling, pre-beach spritz.

Update Your Makeup Bag

Urban Decay Cannonball Mascara- $20 at Urban Decay
The special wax in the formula that creates volume also makes the product majorly adhere to lashes. It has been tested in the most extreme of conditions- including on my lashes in a Core Fusion class on a 90 degree day. It works.

Make Up For Ever Aqua Liners- $23 at Sephora
Easy to apply and in every color imaginable, these feature a hydrophobic molecule that forms a flexible film to lock water out. I have gone for a swim, taken a nap, worked out and the color hasn’t budged. Impressive.

Jane Iredale Just Kissed Lip & Cheek Stain- $25 at www.beauty.com
To read my ode to this melt-proof multi-tasker, click here.

Keep Emergency Fix Its Handy

Almay Oil-Free Makeup Eraser Sticks- $5.50 at www.drugstore.com
The mess-free swabs are filled with gentle, skin-conditioning eye makeup remover to erase smudges and spots in a snap (literally!) without disturbing the rest of your makeup. I always have a few stashed in my pocket.

Proactiv Oil Blotter Sheets- $11 at www.discoverproactiv.com
Made from 100% pure natural-fiber paper, these absorb excess oil to leave skin feeling fresh and clean, with a matte finish – and, with zero artificial ingredients and no talc, they won’t clog your pores.

 

 

 

Win It: Summer Shoes from Via Spiga

Friday, May 27th, 2011

 

Personally, when I update my closet for a new season, the first thing I buy is a new pair of shoes. That sort of helps to set my mood for the months ahead, and I can build outfits (multiple outfits, for multiple occasions) around them. Love these from Via Spiga, as seen in my BetterTV segment, because they have a heel (which I require), but are actually comfortable to wear for hours at a time. And, the green hue works equally well with black, brown, navy- you name it.

Via Spiga is giving away 5 pairs to lucky winners- so enter below, and if you win, you can thank me later for starting your summer style off on a pretty darn good note.

BetterTV/Via Spiga Summer Shoe Contest

Note: This contest is open to US residents only. Only one entry per person. Winner will be chosen at 5pm on Tuesday, May 31 and notified by email from BetterTV within the week.


 

As Seen On TV: “Today Show” Post-Party Beauty Fixes

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010
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From new beauty breakthroughs to best-selling beauty classics that the pros swear by, here are the  quick fixes I shared on “Today Show” this morning that deliver instant gratification results when you have no choice but to put your best face forward after an especially late night:

BEFORE BED BEAUTY INSURANCE

Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate- $42.00 at www.kiehls.com
Leave this by your bedside- and just before nodding off, massage into your skin. The potent elixir works all night to regenerate, repair and replenish the skin barrier while you sleep, when skin is most receptive to repairing itself from daily aggressors.

SKIN SAVER

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm- $45 at www.nordstrom.com
This is an exceptional beauty booster for the skin, celebrating it’s 30th anniversary this year. Makeup artists swear by it, calling it coffee for the complexion – it immediately eliminates all signs of fatigue, providing skin with a much needed wake-up remedy to go from cubicle to cocktail.

MAKEUP MIRACLES

ROHTO Cooling Eye Drops- $6.79 at www.drugstore.com
Perfect for the morning-after red, tired, burning eyes, they are a go-to tool for many celebrity makeup artists. Not only do they whiten beautifully, but the cooling “kick” helps wake up tired eyes.

NYX Jumbo Pencil- $4 at www.nyxcosmetics.com
Pick a neutral pink shimmer shade and work it into the inner corners of the eyes and then up along the brow bone for an instant pick me up- the oldest, and most foolproof- trick in the book.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Pearly Wateproof Eyeshadow Pencil- $18 at www.MakeUpForEver.com
This is a makeup artist favorite- stays on forever and melts into the skin it is so soft & smooth.

OCC Lip Tar- $12.50 at www.occcosmetics.com
Don’t underestimate the power of a BOLD lip to make you at least look awake and detract from any signs of wear and tear. These formulas from cult makeup artist brand literally are like tar- they don’t budge once you put them on and the color is so unbelievably pure, all anyone will notice is your smile.

HAIR HELP

The B. The Product Dust- $35 at www.btheproduct.com
No need to shower- just dust a little of this magic in your locks to make them frizz free and shiny. Once in the hair, the cutting edge formula turns the powder into a pomade, and just a pinch is really all you need for major transformation.

FOOT FIX

Relax Missy Flats- $58 at www.relaxmissy.com
The best offense is a good defense, so when you are between parties, give your soles some relief and slip into flats like these. Heels can make feet very sensitive- so the cushy rubber sole on these is key.

BODY BOOST

Fresh Sake Bath- $80 at www.fresh.com
Instead of waking yourself up with a cold shower, take a detox bath. In Japanese culture, geishas would take baths after their night of entertaining, and pour sake and all the left over fruits in a steaming hot bath to rejuvenate and detox. That is the inspiration for this favorite.

As Seen on TV: "The View" How To Get Free Fashion & Beauty Stuff

Wednesday, November 10th, 2010
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Had the best time on The View this morning- and almost more fun than the segment itself was the research to scout out the amazing freebie finds. I am a nerd like that- I love the research part of segments- always the best excuse to find out stuff I want to know anyway.

In case you missed it- here are some of the highlights from the segment- and would love to hear any of your favorite fashion and beauty freebie resources, so please post comments and spill your secrets…

TWITTER & FACEBOOK

It is so important for brands to have a presence on Twitter, and the best way for them to do it is to encourage people to interact with them on the network- and to motivate potential customers to interact, brands hold the carrot of freebies in front of them.

  • @Ahava_US gives away full size products and gift sets every week. Personal favorites include their eye makeup remover, hand cream and bath salts.
  • @Revlon does large scale giveaways to Twitter followers every month. In November, they are giving away 500 pieces of the Revlon Fire & Ice collection- a selection of lip and nail enamel shades  which bring back some of the most popular shades launched in the 1950’s.
  • Nordstrom Beauty on Facebook: Sample Saturdays is a weekly sampling program that Nordstrom Beauty promotes on Facebook and Twitter by revealing one product each Friday that will be available as a sample in the cosmetics and fragrance department in all of the stores the following day.  You can get samples in Nordstrom every day, actually- but Saturdays always features a little something special. This coming Saturday, November 13th, they are going to be sampling the NEW Prada Infusion d’Iris- you get the most perfect travel-friendly mini spritzer filled with the scent- and it is one of my personal favorites for Fall.

MANUFACTURER’S WEBSITES

Brands love to engage customers with their story and also of course sell to them directly off their own websites-  so if it means shelling out a few freebies to get you on there, they are happy to oblige.

  • Register on GOSMiLE’s new website and opt-in to their newsletter and they will send you a pack of their celeb fave GOSMiLE Touch Ups- you get a week’s worth of bright smile boosters for free.

IN-STORE SERVICES

Getting people to get out and shop is more and more challenging with the popularity of online shopping- so to motivate people and engage them with store staff, brands and retailers and pulling out all the stops, treating customers to a barrage of pampering services.

  • In CVS/pharmacy, Duane Reade Look Boutiques and Walgreens where Lierac Paris skincare is sold, customers can speak with a beauty advisor on-hand and receive a free skin consultation and samples any day. On November 10th and 11th, Lierac is hosting a nationwide event in every CVS, DR and Walgreens offering free Lierac consults, free mini-facials, samples, and prizes (depending on location.)   Log onto www.lierac-usa.com to find a location.

  • Fresh offers free 30 minute services in their stores nationwide- there are amazing facials to choose from, something for every skin type. They take you back into a spa room and everything- it is their way of engaging you with products- they of course hope you will buy something but you are never obligated to! Plus you can walk away with complimentary deluxe samples, such as theaward-winning Brown Sugar Body Polish, ($15 value), Soy Face Cleanser, and Black Tea Age Delay Face Cream to recreate these pampering treatments at home.

FREE SAMPLES WITH ANY PURCHASE

Whenever you are checking out- be on the lookout for freebie samples. Many e-tailers offer them- and they let you choose your own. It may be hard to find the fine print, but if you know where to look, there are fab freebies to be found.

  • Anytime shoppers make a purchase on Beauty.com (no purchase requirements – spend $5 or spend $500), they are able to select their choice of three samples from popular brands on the site.  At any time there are anywhere from 9 to 12 different samples to choose from, and offerings rotate approximately every two weeks.  So it is easy to stock up on your tried and true beauty essentials and have the chance to try something new, for FREE.

HOST A PARTY & GET FREE GOODS:

Some companies will give you free products if you are willing to throw a party at your house.  It can be a jewelry party or a clothing party.

  • Host a Lia Sophia jewelry party and get free baubles.  All you need to do is contact a local Lia Sophia rep (www.liassophia.com) and offer to host, they send you samples to sell from and you get freebies. lia sophia Hostesses receive 20% of their show sales in free merchandise. With an average Show ($600), a typical Hostess earns $120 in free jewelry- not too shabby, huh?


Tweet Your Way To Better Beauty- Best Brands to Follow for Freebies

Friday, October 22nd, 2010

Lots of beauty brands are taking to Twitter to offer deeply discounted offers and free products to loyal fans and potential new customers alike- you just have to know who to follow to get dibs on the goods. Here is a short-list of the best brands to follow on Twitter in order to score the best beauty products for free.

And, spill it– what brands do you love to follow on Twitter? Since I am Twitter obsessed, always want to know. Please leave must-adds for me to add my to list in the comments section.

@AHAVA_US – Ahava
AHAVA’s Twitter does weekly giveaways and encourages followers to answer trivia questions, such as “There are 21 Dead Sea Minerals – How many can you name?”  You can win their universally loved bath salts and skincare favorites.

@OscarBlandi – Oscar Blandi
Oscar Blandi’s Twitter page does frequent product giveaways and Oscar Blandi tweets styling advice, trends and random ideas/facts, etc. They do Freebie Fridays where the brand gives free products out to the 10th person to retweet a message and giveaways where Oscar asks followers to guess the products he used to get the look. If they guess right, they get all of the products.

@pfcosmetics – Physicians Formula
The leader in masstige cosmetics religiously offers Win-It Wednesday and Freebie Friday beauty prizes to followers!  A few recent giveaways include organic eye makeup remover pads, universally flattering Mineral Glow Pearls and tinted moisturizer.

@Revlon – Revlon
Revlon’s twitter account recently launched with a giveaway of 500 Super Lustrous Lipsticks in shades from Gucci Westman’s fall collection (before it hit stores) and they will continute to to do giveaways every month of items not yet in stores so followers can get a sneak preview.

@yesimystic – Mystic Tan
Perfect as you start to feel the pasty pang of winter, by following Mystic on Twitter, you can win full size free products to get glowing.  When the weather is especially  bad, they are inclined to do more giveaways to give followers a dose of faux sun.

@dgskincare – Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare
This line has amazing hi-tech skincare innovations- but they can be pricey. This brand does at least 1-2 full size products a week- usually valued at $78 and up!

@tartecosmetics - Tarte Cosmetics
If you Twitpic your lashes, you can get a free mascara. Help them reach more fans and enter to win a bronzing facial moisturizer. They also do happy hour contests for free glosses and then some!

@BremennLabs – Bremenn Research Labs
They recently created Tuesday Treats. Every Tuesday they ask their followers to either re-tweet a post or answer a product-based question for the chance to receive promotional codes or win Bremenn samples and other fun treats.

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