Fall into Fashion

Hello SASsy friends, summer is quickly coming to an close and the fall season is upon us.  If you are like me and not used to having real seasons, you need to ramp up your wardrobe and fast.  Here are my top three fall fashion favorites and a few tips on how to snag them without breaking the bank.

Fall Favorite #1: Plaid

Say good-bye to the old farmer paid shirts and say hello to a trendy fall remix.  Plaids go well with almost any basic color.  I love a plaid jacket with a solid color pant or skirt for a crisp fall look. Another, equally as fashionable look, is to wear a plaid skirt with a solid top and pair it with knee high boots.  Make sure the boots are simple without a lot of embellishments on them as to not look over done.

Fall Favorite #2: Warm Colors

Just because summer is over, doesn't mean you have to pack away all your color in your wardrobe. Avoid sending yourself to the asylum from wardrobe depression and wear warm rich colors such as reds, oranges and greens.

There are tons of ways to add color to your fall wardrobe.  For starters, you can wear a nice jacket or overcoat a warm color.  This will provide a fresh fall look and have you looking very stylish as you head to the office.

There are lots of fun dresses and other pieces available in fall friendly colors such and forest green, eggplant and royal blue.  These pieces can be work with multiple blazers, jackets and sweater options, thus creating a versatile wardrobe.

Fall Fashion Favorite #3: Fun Funky Shoes:

My favorite thing to shop for is SHOES!! Not just any old shoe will do for me, I need some baaaaad ones. For fall it's all about booties and closed toe cuties that can be worn with multiple looks. 

Booties have been a fall favorite for years and can even be worn on colder nights with thick tights. Try looking for them in different colors and styles.  Booties (and boots) with buckles are very popular this season.  Check out these fun red booties and a tan pair from L.A.M.B (one of my favorite shoe lines):

Also this season, pumps will be taking a new twist on an old classic.  You will find lots of fun colors, styles and shoes with lots of fabulous embellishments.  Wearing shoes like this are sure to be a conversation piece. Check out these looks from Dior and Louboutin:

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Now, I know a lot of the items I showcased in this blog may be a tad bit pricey, (well not even a tad bit, they are flat out expensive), but looking at high end designer options, gives you a good idea of what you like and what availalbe on the retail shelves.

I recommend browsing fashion magazines and marking items that you like to going shopping.  This provides you with direction so you don't end up just buying everything you see.  Believe me, I am  guilty of buying a whole bunch of stuff I didn't need due to a directionless shopping trip. It also, gives you a good idea what items you are looking for as well as their price you can set your shopping budget accordingly.

Lots of stores are offering discounts on their fall preview as well as promotions for email subscribers.  Sign up for your favorite store's email list and like them on Facebook to receive exclusive offers. Do your research and find out who is having a sale, what's included in that sale, and the start and end times before you shop.

Happy Fall Shopping!

Follow me on twitter @MzSAS for shopping tips and entertainment updates!

SASify Yourself

Hello SASsy friends, I am so sorry it's been so long since I last wrote.  Since my last post, I've started a new job and working longer hours but I promise to keep this updated on a much more regular basis.

This week's topic is SASsify Yourself.  The inspiration came while watching Madonna's old video for Express Yourself and thinking how original she was and as her career and life progressed, she kept changing her look and how she carried herself.

That got me thinking, as women we wear so many hats, and as our lives change the hats we wear change right along with it.  Many times we forget who we were and what we liked to do before the long hours at the office, relationships, kids etc all started.  We tend to settle into comfortable lives taking care of everything and everybody else and our own wants and needs take a back seat.

So how does one SASify herself?  It’s simple; you have to take time to do the things that make you happy.  Go shopping, have fun drinks or brunch with your girlfriends, go to the spa whatever it takes to make you happy and satisfy your personal needs.

Go to the spa!  When you plan to go to the spa do your research first.  Check the spa's reputation and possibly even tour the facility prior to making a reservation.  Trust me there is nothing worse than thinking you are going to have a day of luxury and pampering and end up in ghetto spa.
(TIP: Ask friends which spa and technician they recommend.) 

Additionally, be sure to look up each procedure or treatment and their possible side effects.  For example if you are under 40 you probably don't need a microdermabrasion or a face peel. These procedures can leave you looking like a cooked lobster for days.  Remember the episode of Sex and the City when Samantha got a microdermabrasion, and looked like a peeled tomato?  Go with a regular facial instead, especially if this is your first trip, you are much less likely to have a reaction and your face will be still smooth and refreshed.

Also when going to the spa, look into the different types of massages offered and what they do for the body.  If you have a lot a tension, headaches and/or muscle pain, skip the hot stone and go with a deep tissue.  This will help relax your muscles and can even alleviate pain. I personally recommend an hour but if you are short on time, a 30 minute massage can be a good pick me up.

Shop, shop, and shop some more! When I say shop, I don't mean you just go to the mall and buy a whole bunch of clothes and shoes that you really don't need.  Clean out your closet first and take inventory of what you have versus what you want.  Get rid of old clothes and shoes that you haven't worn, are old or the quality isn’t that great and donate them to charity. (TIP: When cleaning out your closet, put everything backwards on the hanger.  Once you wear it, hang it back the right way.  After 6 months if it is still hanging backwards, it goes.)

 The next step is to determine your personal style and the looks you are going for.   Do you find yourself wearing more business clothes, or casual? Heels or flats?  Dresses or pants?  Most women have either a great business wardrobe, full of dresses and pants or a not so great casual one and vice versa. After taking inventory of your closet, you will have a better understanding of what you need to shop for.  When shopping, stay away from your traditional look and go for things you like but usually don’t wear.  For example if you wear solid colors, try a fun pattern.  Whatever you do, please remember your age and body type.  Not everything that comes in your size is meant for your body. There is nothing worse than looking like a walking mid-life crisis.

Hang out with your girlfriends.  We all need girlfriend time and it is an essential part of your life.  Be sure to try to hang out with your friends without the significant other and/or kids at least once a month.  Try organizing a monthly ladies brunch.  If you live in NYC I highly recommend Poco on the Lower East Side.  The food is great and there are bottomless sangria and mimosas (TIP: I highly recommend the lobster mac and cheese. It will totally kill your calories and fat content for the entire week but trust me it's so worth it.  Just go to the gym and run it off, like Forrest Gump style running.)

Another option is to have a monthly girl’s night.  Girl’s nights are a good chance for us to fully enjoy being a woman.  We love to get dolled up with hair and makeup and step out on the town.   Most of my readers are past the club phase of life, as am I, so I recommend choosing a nice lounge with a more upscale vibe and an older crowd. I don’t mean the golden girls crowd or the Steve Harvey suit collection crowd but older in the sense that the average age is around 30.  In NYC, the best spots are hotel rooftops.  The Gansevoort, Hudson and Dream hotels are great options, drinks are a bit pricey but the upscale atmosphere is well worth the price.

That's all for this week's edition. Be sure to let me know if you like my tips and if you try any of them how they worked out for you! I promise I will keep this updated more often.  Until next time keep it SASSy!

Follow me on twitter @MzSAS

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!

Weddings, Weddings and Hair Oh My!!

As you all know, the most SASsy event of the century aka the Royal Wedding is happening Friday, April 29th. (Well it's the most SASsy event until I get married; but that's a different blog that won't be written for a few years down the road)  If you want to watch the wedding live, be sure to set your alarm clock because it will be on very early at 6am on the East Coast. Much to my boyfriend's chagrin, I WILL be watching the wedding live even if we are on vacation. Sorry honey, you will live, love you smooches!

So what's the big deal about this Royal Wedding anyway? Well for one, Prince William is the son of the late Princess Diana. Diana’s wedding to Price Charles was the 2nd most expensive wedding in history and at the time, the most watched live event in TV history. So this wedding definitely has high standards to live up to.

Secondly, it’s kinda, sort of, but not really a Cinderella story.  Kate Middleton is a commoner who is marrying into royalty and becoming a princess.  Which is every 5 year old little girl's dream; until she realizes that being a princess isn't all it’s cracked up to be. Your life will pretty much suck once the dress comes off and the tiara goes on and you are awakened for events by 7am EVERY day.  Dream over. 

But for most women, we all want to see the dress and the flowers and critique every little detail and take notes on how we would do it better.  Or, we simply want to gossip about it with other women.  Whatever our reasons maybe, at the end of the girls will be girls and we like weddings.  It’s just that simple. So sorry fellas, you guys get 40 days and 40 nights of playoff basketball and a plethora of other sporting events and we only get a royal wedding once every 30 years, so suck it up lol!

Since we are discussing weddings, ladies if you are dying to get your wedding dress from Klienfeld’s, but the prices give you a heart attack, you're in luck! The store featured on the hit show, “Say Yes to the Dress” is having their annual 70% off sale on May 3rd at 3pm.  I highly suggest you get there early because the line will be down the block hours before 3pm. Dresses will be as low as $800 and go as high as, well it's Klienfelds, so you can go as high as your imagination or budget will allow.  But hey it's your wedding and you only get married once right, so budget smudget.

For more bridal tips check out this blog from one of my many engaged friends Angela: The Blessed Bride http://theblessedbride.blogspot.com/


So here’s where the hair discussion comes in, just in case you were wondering why it was in the title of this blog J

As some of you may know, last week I joined the cast of Life Full Circle Radio on blogtalkradio.com as the fashion and entertainment reporter. The show discusses hot topics nad news event. With me joining the show, we now have 2 very opinionated men, 2 even more opinionated women, and our host who stays neutral, so needless to say the discussions get very interesting.  

This week in my entertainment report, I will be discussing my latest very, very, shameful guilty pleasure, “Mob Wives” (I’m shaking my head in shame as I type this).  As if "Mob Wives" won’t take up enough of the discussion, I will also talk about about the return of my girl, Queen Bee aka Beyonce` and her new single. So far the reviews haven’t been that great hmmm…

Additionally, on the show, this week’s hot topic is Good Hair.  Many of you may have seen the Chris Rock documentary, but how do you really feel about it and what do men think about the natural hair vs relaxers and weave? Check out the show and feel free to call in and join the debate. I’ll even talk about my painful transition from flat ironing back to my natural curls. I used to have beautiful super curly hair but right now my curls have been damaged and don’t quite curl right.  So far I look a hot mess and have even been compared to Shaggy from Scooby Doo. I’m starting to figure out what works for me and it’s getting better each day.

Well SASsy friends, I'm off to Toronto, Canada this weekend some much needed R&R.  I'll be sure to report on all of the fun and SASsy events in next week's blog. Be sure to follow me on twitter @MzSAS.

This week's sales:

·         Klienfelds- 70% off wedding dresses sale May 3rd @ 3pm 

·         Victoria's Secret- Free shipping with the purchase of a full price bra

·         The Limited- 60% off markdowns

·         Ann Taylor Loft- 40% markdowns

·         Macy’s – Friends and Family sale take an extra 25% off all regular, sale and clearance price   items with your coupon or promo code online MACYSFF

·         Loehmann’s- 40% off all red sticker clearance items

Shopping and Dinner Tips

Ahh the weekend, after what ended up being a pretty rough week, the weekend was exactly what I needed.  Like most 20 somethings, the first thing on the agenda was to sleep in. I don't mean sleep in until like 9 am, I mean sleep in until 1pm. What can I say, I must have my beauty sleep. After that it was time for a NY tradition of brunch.  Instead of heading out to a trendy restaurant, I decided to make brunch myself. (Tip: Ladies, if you ever want to impress a man make a nice brunch. Not just any old brunch though, I mean get in the kitchen, tie your hair up and go to work.  Trust me when I tell you, he will LOVE it. Like the old saying says the way to a man's heart is through his stomach.)

What sassy weekend would be complete without a little bit of shopping?   So of course I hit the sales.  Syms has great men's designer fashions at discount prices.  Most dress shirts, ties etc are all on sale right now.  One thing to note, if the man you are shopping for wears an irregular size, you may have some difficulty finding it. Most men's regular sizes and designers such as Calvin Klein, Perry Ellis, Nautica and Kenneth Cole etc are in stock.  For ladies, there's a nice selection of handbags, shoes and accessories at decent prices. However, any somewhat sassy woman should run full speed ahead to a land far, far away and much more fashionable, from their thankfully limited women's clothing department.  It's better suited for a 60 year old woman going to church on Sunday than a sassy lady, so please trust me and steer clear.

The next stop on my shopping day was DSW in Union Square; where I was able to get a pair of running shoes for about $10 less than what I would have paid for them at a sporting goods store.  Ladies, if you haven't discovered DSW you are clearly living under a rock and must go to your nearest location immediately.  When I shop in store, I walk straight to the back to the clearance racks.  All their shoes on clearance are an additional 30-60% off the markdown price.  I have gone in on many occasions for a specific shoe and left with 5 pairs. (Tip: Ladies, if you indulge on multiple pairs of shoes at one time, discard the boxes as to not leave obvious evidence of your shoe splurging.  I use the, "Oh these old shoes, I've had them forever and just didn't have anything to wear with them" line. Which will subsequently no longer work after posting this blog, oh well insert Kanye Shrug)  If you sign up for their rewards program, they will routinely email and/or mail you coupons that can all be combined at the same time for even greater savings.  Don't forget they sell men's shoes too (I have been shopping there for years and never knew that until this weekend) and even have a clearance area for them.  Men's sizes go up to at 13 with the occasional size14 sprinkled in for decoration.   

Later that night it was time for date night with my boyfriend at Club A Steakhouse located at 58th street between 2nd and 3rd Ave. (Tip: Fellas, if you want to impress your lady, I highly recommend this spot.  Please beware this is not somewhere you take a chick you kinda like or aren't that serious about, but rather somewhere for that special lady.) Couples can enjoy a special pre-fixed menu and a bottle of wine for $100.  The food and atmosphere are well worth the price. You will want to dress nicely and men should wear a sports jacket. I had the pan seared salmon with spinach and mac & cheese it was absolutely amazing and tasted even better the next day. He had the filet with creamed spinach and said it was very good as well. (Please note I don’t eat beef so when at a steakhouse I will always order fish.)  When making a reservation, be sure to request to either be seated downstairs by the fireplace or upstairs.  (I think the upstairs is more romantic since you are surrounded by 360 views of the lighted trees in midtown) For more details visit: http://www.clubasteak.com/offer-details.php?oid=3

That concludes this week’s edition of The SASsy Report. Be sure to check my blog out each week for more reviews, tips and suggestions on living the SASsy life.

This Week's Sales:
Macy's Buy More Save More Sale- the more you buy the greater the percentage off your total price will be
Bluefly.com- A large assortment of BCBG cocktail dresses are on sale
Loehmanns- Take an extra 50% or 30% off clearance markdowns
Dillards- Lancome sale
DSW.com- Free shipping on orders over $35 and a special selection of sandals $50 and under
Victoriassecret.com - Free Shipping with a bra purchase ends Thursday

The Origin of The SASsy Report

When I first moved to NYC I planned on starting a blog called Stacie and the City (and hope not to get sued ).  The blog was going  to discuss my life being new to city, after moving from Tampa, and being single.  Well, I've been here for over a year now and was only single for 5 days once I got here, so the whole Stacie and the City approach wouldn't quite work.  I still wanted to do a blog but it took me a long time (clearly) to figure out what exactly to write about. 

My first year here was great.  There were a lot of major changes, being in a relationship for the first time in 5 years, not having a car, gross subways, the exciting search for an super expensive yet shockingly small apartment, new job, meeting new friends etc.  To say the least moving to NYC was a major change, but honestly its the best decision I have ever made.

Now that life has finally settled down, I want share all of the fun and exciting things that happen in this great city. I will report on entertainment, sales, fashion tips, vacations, events around the city, spas, everything and anything SASsy.