Holiday Gift Guide: What Men and Women Really Want

Hello SASsy Friends, now that the holiday season is in full swing, it's time to think about gifts for others.  In this week's edition, I will tell you what gifts women and men really want this season.

What Women Want:

Men, women are relatively simple if you pick up on the hints we drop you.  If your lady has been asking your opinion on bags or shoes, that's probably what she wants.  Some of us even go as far as dropping brochures on the counter turned to a specific page or shopping for items we want on your computer so you get served ads for it.  (I just told on myself)

The Bag Lover


Tory Burch "Amanda" Belted Bag $495

The Shoe Lover

If your lady is a shoe lover, get her an amazing pair of boots like these:
LAMB $419 ( I saw these on ideeli.com yesterday for under $300)

Dolce Vita on sale $95

If all else fails, we will always love jewelry!  You should know her birthday so you can always go with a piece that has her birthstone in it or go big with diamonds!!  Here are a few options:


1/2 Carat Diamond Studs $379.99

Black and White Diamond Necklace $349:

What Men Want:

Ladies, men are just as easy to get gifts for.  They tend to talk about things they want all the time.  Most men like gadgets, iPads, Kindle Fire, Xbox or a laptops.  My policy is to get them what they really need and maybe something they want.  Get all the basics as stocking suffers like new underwear, socks and t-shirt and then put the main gift under the tree.  Here are a few gift options:


The Business Man:

Marc Jacobs Satchel $498

The Watch Lover:


Burberry Watch $595:

The Casual Man


Cashmere Sweater $145:

In next week's edition, I will have more great gift ideas based on personalities as well as gifts for the other special people in your life. Have a SASsy Week and happy shopping!

Keeping the Winter Blues and Pounds Away

Hello SASsy friends, I hope everyone is having a great week.  Now that the weather is changing, it's easy to fall into the trap of wanting to stay warm in comfy in the house all winter long.  During the winter months we like to trade in sweating at the gym for lounging in sweat pants, social activities for movie nights and salads for mac & cheese.  To avoid turning into and looking like a couch potato, follow these tips:

Tip 1: Keep it Moving

That's right keep it moving, not in the sense of getting rid of a guy/girl and moving on, but keep doing what you've been doing.  So what if you can't go to your favorite rooftop or dine outside, that doesn't mean you can't hang out with your friends.  Try organizing a girls night out, poker night for the fellas or a weekend getaway. Continue to be social, the more social you are, the more you will be able to ward off the winter blues.


Tip 2: Try Something New

Don't stop going to the gym just because it's cold outside and it's so much warmer in your bed. (We have all made that excuse, myself included.) Remember you can hide your fat with lots of layers in the winter, but when spring comes and the layers come off, you don't want extra fat and dimples to fall out.

When working out, try new exercises to keep yourself motivated.  This one is my favorite total body workouts.  I train 4-5 days a week and can only do 3-5 of these so don't feel bad if you can't knock out a ton the first few times you try it.

The ManMaker:

Get two dumbbells (db) of manageable size for rows/dumbbell squats (I use 5-10lbs, after one rep you will understand why)

1) Start in the push-up position with hands on db's, complete a push up

2) Row one of the db's after you're in the up position of the push-up, then place db back on the ground and do another push-up

3) Repeat step 2 with the opposite arm performing the row at up portion of push-up

4) Jump your feet near your hands

5) Bring db's to waist height and squat down until you can rest db's on deck slightly in front of your body.

6) Stand up from the squat while raising the db's over your head

6) Jump back into push up position and repeat

For a video demonstration follow this link:


ManMaker Demo


Tip 3: Shop, Shop Shop!

When all else fails, retail therapy always me beat the winter blues.  I love the feeling of new clothes on my back and shoes on my feet!  These are my favorites:

Nine West Nathania:

Burberry Nova Leather Boots

Laundry

Alica + Olivia

Elie Tahari

That's all for this week!

Like the SASsy Report?  Have suggestions for upcoming issues?  I want to hear from you! Leave comments and  feedback and I'll respond within 24 hrs.





Summer Hair & Fashion Trends

Hello SASsy friends!  I'm back from Toronto and ready to report on all of the SASsy happenings since last week.  First off, Toronto was absolutely amazing!  I highly recommend taking a trip to our northern neighbor for a weekend get away.  Ladies, you will love the HUGE shopping mall complete with American, Canadian and European stores.

So onto this week's topic, summer hair and fashion trends.  Each season we see a major change in how ladies are dressing and accessorizing their looks and this season is no different.  Below is a list of trends and tips for hair, nails, shoes and clothes.

Hair:

This season the natural look is definitely in! Women of all backgrounds across the country are putting down their flat irons, backing away from the relaxer and letting their natural essence shine. The transition from straight hair back to natural curls can be a challenge but the end result of much healthier hair is well worth the struggle.  Fortunately, there are several product lines and salons that specialize in natural hair.

I have tried Carol's Daughter Hair Milk, (works ok, but is too greasy and I don't love the smell) Mixed Chicks (highly recommend this and it's best so far), Miss Jessies (like it, but don't love the products once again too greasy and tends to work better on more tightly curled hair) Kinky Curly Knot Today Leave In Conditioner (highly recommend this if your hair tangles easily like mine does) and today I took a trip to Devachan. 

The salon itself is awesome! The customer service is impeccable and you will get a cut based on your specific hair and it's needs.  The stylist listened to my desire for more shape without losing length and the cut turned out fabulous.  She even took the time to teach me how to detangle and manage my hair on my own.

The downside to this salon, is that they push their products too much and they didn't work.  After my hair was dried and styled,  I ended up looking like Medusa! Seriously, I think if a man had stared into my eyes he would have instantly turned to stone. To prevent such a tragedy, (and to conceal my identity) I wore dark shades thus avoiding leaving a trail of stone figures on the M train. 

Once I got home and washed the products out, my hair looked great and I think I'll be able to manage it better. In conclusion, I recommend the salon for a cut but not products and style.  (TIP: I use, Mixed Chicks, Kinky Curly Knot Today Leave-in Conditioner, Jojoba oil and/or Carrot Oil.  These products leave your curls full, in place and moisturized.)


Makeup:

My biggest pet-peeve about last season was the super bright red lipstick, especially against pale skin and hair combined with the wrong outfit = complete train wreck! Now it is true, every woman can wear red, however you must pick your colors carefully to avoid looking like Ronald McDonald. 

Thankfully for summer, ladies are switching from the super bright reds, to various shades of pink.  Everything from hot pink to a natural or pale pink are in.  When choosing a color, consider your outfit first.  If you are wearing very bright color with and/or busy patterns, go with a lighter shade on your lips and play up your eyes.  There is nothing worse than looking like you could direct traffic by simply standing in the street.  When wearing shades of white, neutral colors and/or soft patterns, play with a more saturated lip color.  This will make your features pop and keep you from looking dull and washed out.

Nails:

Neutrals and pastels are in and I am absolutely loving this trend! There are so many shades of pink, purple, orange, nudes etc to chose from a girl can go color crazy.  I recently tried a Barbie doll pink and loved it! With so many nail options, I might have a different color each week. Be sure that your nail color complements your skin tone.  A color too close to your skin tone will look like you have a fungus or some other nail malfunction aka a hot mess. (TIP: When getting a mani and pedi, your toes should be a shade or two darker than your fingers.) 

Fashion:

Summer 2011 is all about whites, neutrals, floral patterns and flowing fabrics.  For a great daytime look, consider a long skirt in a solid neutral color with a white tank and pastel jacket.  Throw in a scarf if it feels right and accessorize modestly. This look will transition well from day to night and you will be comfortable and cool all day long.

This summer's must have item in footwear is Espadrilles.  These classic yet very versatile shoes go with almost any outfit and will transition well from day and night.  (TIP: If you are going to a daytime party or a bbq, skip the super high stilettos and go with a wedge or espadrille instead.  You will avoid having your heels sink into grass while also avoiding looking like the walk of shame showed up at the party.)  This type of shoe rarely goes out of style, so invest in a few pairs that you will enjoy for years to come.  

Well SASsy friends, that's all for this week edition, feel free to comment and make suggestions for upcoming topics.

Also, be sure to check me out on Life Full Circle Radio on blogtalkradio.com each Wednesday at 7pm and follow me on Twitter @MzSAS. 

Keep it SASsy!