Archive | October, 2008

No Longer the UG in UGLY…

15 Oct

FOR YOUR SEXY ESKIMO SELF…by Christabelle

I have always been what my boyfriend affectionately refers to as “his little oven” – I am hot all the time. I cause equator-like heat under the sheets and am not opposed to turning on the air conditioning in the middle of February. Blame my Greek/Italian heritage…I am hot blooded…in every sense of the word. That is until about one month ago…where I turned the opposite side of the spectrum into the land of the North Pole. I am cold all the time…and it is ONLY fall (70 degrees at that). A concern indeed, since last winter (still in my “hot” phase), my UGG boots were what got me through the nippy weather of ’07.

So, alas, I had to take my banged up UGGly boots out of the closet to start wearing them WAY too early. Though as comforatble as can be, I just hate the way the rounded boots make me look like I just stepped out of a clown car. And they hardly stood the test of time, as they looked like my Ford Escape Hybrid had run over them multiple times during summer hibernation - the cushiony pulp busting out of the seams. I went on a mission to find something just as snuggly on the inside (waterproof would be nice), but with a bit more pizazz and a lot more style and comfort (and obviously a little more warmth). 

My Nancy Drew sleuthing brought me to SOREL, where I found and fell in deep love with their NEW winter boot called KASKA. A tall suede boot with an optional roll down cuff and adorable details at the ankles (and an oh-so-Viking tie straps around the feet). These chocolate brown hotties (color is called Stout…makes you want to drink a Sam Adams doesn’t it!?) from SOREL have everything I need – STYLE and COMFORT (no more clowning around!), INSULATION (can we say SHEARLING?), and  SNOW AND RAIN RESISTANT (waterproof, soft suede and full grain leather with waterproof/breathable bootie construction). So know I can keep my tootsies toasty whether I am treading tundras or bobbing down Broadway. No more UGGly footwear for me! I can wear these trendy boots with skirts and dresses, as well as tuck them into my skinny jeans. I feel like perhaps this year I have a shot at being voted “SNOW QUEEN” and my Sorel Kaska’s are coming for a ride on the float with me. Available on-line at zappos.com and at Modell’s Sporting Goods retailers nationwide (SRP $184 – in Stout and Toast).

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Work Out, Lift Weights…Get Your Body Into Shape!

14 Oct

FOR YOUR WORKOUT LOVING FRIEND…by Miribelle

Don’t you love exercising in the morning? Running through Central Park, smelling the flowers, taking in some vitamin D and spotting and many hotties as possible? Ah, yes. Running in the morning. I now have sick abs, ultra-toned arms and a super cute running outfit to complete my fit persona. YEAH RIGHT! Too bad I barely have time to put Splenda in my coffee in the morning, let alone run 6 miles and re-beautify myself for work. The only time I get really excited about exercising/make time to do it is when I find a really cute outfit to wear or when I have a new exercise toy to play with. So I welcome any assistance to help nurture my inner Body by Jake. SOOOO when I found the new Italian designed Mio MOTIVA watch and active apparel line Oiselle, I actually started running! After work though. This gal doesn’t rise before dawn. Sunrises are beautiful, but let’s save that for the top of a hill in Tuscany while snuggling with my non-English speaking Italian waiter from the night before.

The Mio MOTIVA watch keeps track of my progress while walking to work and while furiously running in the park to see if that really wasScarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds post nuptials (love that Ryan Reynolds!). The watch’s 3,500 Calorie Countdown Program encourages users to burn 500 more calories than he/she eats. The watch even monitors heart rate, calorie intake and calorie burn. Because there are 3, 500 calories in one pound of weight, helps users to lose at least one pound of weight per week. Not a bad deal. With a sleek and modern UNISEX design, the watch hardly resembles a bulky heart monitor on a chest strap. The company also launched the MioPINK Motiva—a pink watch to help breast cancer research. Ten percent of each MioPINK watchsold is donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Watches are available at Dick’s Sporting Goods or at www.miowatch.com…check out some other great features of the Mio Motiva Watch:

* Visual indicator of exertion level * Percentage of maximum heart rate * Heart rate recovery test designed to measure your fitness level * Five (5) exercise timers:  Count up, Count down, Count up with warm-up, Walk/Run and Repeat * User accessible battery hatch * Interchangeable watch band with colors to fit your every mood (BONUS Band Included) *

AND to offset my kick-ass workout watch, I just discovered my new favorite line of activewear too – Oiselle! I am not a huge fan of shorts…nor can I recall the last time I even put a pair of shorts on before last week, but these puppies fit my curves perfectly – no muffin top to be found – and they cut my legs just in the right spot for a maximum slenderizing effect! The Oiselle ROGA Short is the way to go, whether you are a runner, biker, hiker or yogi…they are made with 100% polyester knit, with a premium lining, an integrated key pocket and a low-rise, flat waistband – perfect for any exercise you adore. I got them in the new fall color Cedar Green (SRP $44), but they are available in a bevy of shades to suit your fashionable workout needs. Paired with the Oiselle Long Run top in Pale Green(SRP $40) and I am like a new woman. A fit woman. A woman ready to conquer the workout world. You can too…check out the entire line of running apparal and more at www.OiselleRunning.com

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The Perfect Little Black Everything…

9 Oct

FOR YOUR PERFECTLY CHALLENGED HOSTESS WITH THE MOSTEST…by Miribelle

“What are you going to do when you move into an apartment? You never learned to cook!” said Mommy Miribelle. Pshhh. What IS she talking about? I can make a mean omelet and a hell of a batch of “tear off and plop on the cookie sheet” cookies. And if the spirit REALLY moves me, I can make a stir-fry that will blow your mind (secret ingredient: toasted peanuts). What Mamma Bear, what’s that you say?

That’s…not…real…cooking?!?! Fine. You win. I’ve been lying to myself all this time. But at least I’m better off than some of the losers I met in college. Their idea of cooking was putting something in the microwave for 5 minutes. And so, when Christabelle heard about this new cook book, “The Little Black Apron, A Single Girl’s Guide to Cooking with Grace and Style” she ran to Barnes and Noble and practically threw it on my desk (SRP $14.95). Although a tad insulted at first, I decided to give the book a try…and was I impressed! Written specifically for the chic, stylish city gal (moi for sure!), the cookbook provides easy and healthy recipes, cooking techniques and delicious, sexy anecdotes. I can now make a single serving of chicken for my Miribelle-only nights, a double serving of salad for when my friend Nikki comes over, in fear that she will one day turn into a mac and cheese noodle, and dessert for when boyfriend comes over for a late night snack.

And as if I could get even more chic…I always try to pair my Little Black Apron recipes with a bottle of Little Black Dress Wines (SRP $9.99)…especially for those EXTRA special nights (i.e. the Emmys, Thursday nights for Greys, and of course when I want to play master chef and plan a dinner party). Voted the “best new wine brand” in 2007 by Market Watch Magazine, these wines are perfect for any wine-worthy occasion, price and all! The bottles are even reason to keep them displayed on your counter. From black tie events to backyard barbecues, Little Black Dress offers four varietals to accompany any get-together: Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Merlot. Total BONUS: Little Black Dress Wine is a proud supporter of the Clothes Off Our Back Foundation®, which raises money to support various children’s charities – started by Jane Kaczmarek (“Malcolm In The Middle”) and Bradley Whitford (“The West Wing”).

So we’ve got the food, the drinks…but I have to address the most important question! What SHALL we wear?! A dinner party ain’t no dinner party without the perfect little black DRESS. Timeless and classic, if you have the perfect black dress, you’re set for life. I actually recently wore the same black dress I wore to just about everyone’s Sweet 16 to a cocktail party (I was the backup-backup-backup-BACKUP date for a friend and my regular go to L.B.D. was at the cleaners). It may be over a decade old, but satin is satin (in a tasteful way, not in a cheesy 80′s way). And since I’ve been such a health nut lately (thank you to my crazy friend Tina) I actually fit in it. The weight was distributed a BIT differently (helloooo tush) but I still knocked ‘em dead. Check out the new Laila Azhar black satin bubble dress on ChristabellesCloset.com for your answer to that perpetual question… “What am I going to wear?!?!?!” . Top it with Cole Haan satin rhinestone heels (just marked down at ChristabellesCloset.com) - and you are Red Carpet Ready…Joan Rivers get ready!

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The ANN Cares Card…Shop to Help Breast Cancer

7 Oct

GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE…by Christabelle
When I got my first job in New York City, as a PR Assistant, the Ann Taylor that shared space in the building I worked became my go-to-store for the essentials I needed to fill my new role with the big players. I have a soft spot for the company that fashioned me for my first interview, my first big corporate PR event and a number of “whoops I snagged my stocking right before the big meeting” dilemmas.  I was thrilled to learn every Fall, Ann Taylor offers the sale of ANN Cares Cards in all of the Company’s stores and on-line

The ANN Cares Card donates ninety percent (90%) of the purchase price of every card sold directly to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®, an organization dedicated to funding valuable research to prevent and cure breast cancer in our lifetime. Those who purchase the $25 ANN Cares Card, which is available now through October 15, will receive 20% off every purchase of $100or more at Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor LOFT, Ann Taylor Factory, LOFT Outlet, www.anntaylor.com, and www.anntaylorLOFT.com through the end of October. In 2007, Ann Taylor donated over $1.3 million to the fight against breast cancer! Go AT – with our help…we can DOUBLE it this year!

During the month of October, Ann Taylor hosts Salute to Survivors Shopping Events in select markets across the country to celebrate breast cancer survivors and support Susan G. Komen for the Cure® The events feature special offers, live DJs, refreshments, and local survivors modeling Ann Taylor fashions. Attendees at the shopping events receive a 20% discount on in-store merchandise, with 5% of the proceeds benefiting local Affiliates of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. Each participating store will make a guaranteed minimum donation of $1,000 to the local Komen Affiliate. Get your shopping ON at these events in your areas – especially the one on October 30 in NYC – I will be there with my credit card waving furiously through the air:

DATE (’08)

STORE

CITY

 

 

 

10/15

LOFT at Chevy Chase Pavilion

Washington, DC

10/16

Ann Taylor at Michigan Ave.

Chicago, IL

10/16

Ann Taylor at Connecticut Ave.

Washington, DC

10/16

Ann Taylor at Park Meadows

Denver, CO

10/16

LOFT at North Bridge

Chicago, IL

10/16

LOFT at Prudential Center

Boston, MA

10/23

Ann Taylor at Atrium Mall

Chestnut Hill, MA

10/24

LOFT at Cherry Creek Mall

Denver, CO

10/30

Ann Taylor at Rockefeller Center

New York, NY

 

 

All events are held from 6 – 8 PM.

 

For more information on how you can get involved with Ann Taylor’s fight against breast cancer, visit www.ANNCares.com

 

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Saving the World…One Lipstick at a Time

6 Oct

FOR YOUR ECO-SAVVY FRIEND…by Miribelle

I’ve started to become a lot more conscious of what I put in AND on my body. Since I’m now a pro at eating natural (I LIVE at Trader Joe’s), I thought it was time to become a professional body-care know-it-all as well.  The new line by CARGO, PlantLove Botanical Lipstick, fits PERFECTLY into my new body care regimen. Free of parabens, phthalates, petro-chemicals, synthetic dyes and fragrances, PlantLove is not only harm-free, it’s professional-quality makeup! It’s the only prestige brand to have the ECOCERT™ stamp–a global designation ensuring that all product, process and packaging meet the strictest standards for natural, organic and environmentally friendly content.

My favorite product from the line is the 100% Natural Origin Lipstick in Mariska (inspired by Mariska Hargitay…have I mentioned my obsession with Law & Order SVU? Maybe one day Elliot and Olivia will get together and all my dreams will come true). The perfect warm color for fall, the actual lipstick (made out of sunflower seed oil and cocoa butter…yum!) is only half the package. $2 from each sale from CARGO, Plantlove is donated to St. Jude’s Children’s hospital and wait for it… wait for it…you can plant the box! Just plant and moisten and watch wildflowers grow – you heard it – the box has flower seedlings pressed into it! How many lipstick boxes can do that? Available in 20 shades, SRP $20 at THE MAKEUP BAR in Oklahoma City, OK and at Sephora.

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