STYLEnosh

IT'S TIME FOR BOOT CAMP, BABY!!!

Yesterday began my first full, 4-week boot camp session. And this is what I look like on day one. Notice anything different?

I've talked a little bit in the past couple of months about working out with my sister's boot camp company and the dietary changes I've implemented under her guidance. So now that I'm in Florida and all wrapped up in the business, it's time to monitor my progress. This is my before picture. And at the end of July, I'll post an after shot. Since I'm back to eating at least 70% raw foods, we should definitely notice a reduction in size and stored body fat.

If you're looking for phenomenal information on fitness ideas and eating tips, check out my sister's blog at Winner-or-Whiner. She makes a point of diseminating new information about health and fitness with the goal of pushing you past the same stuck place you continue to find yourself in. A don't be surprised if reaching your fitness goals causes you to excel in other areas of your life.

Oh, I almost forgot. I found this army green dress at Target for $6.24 on the clearance rack. It's the perfect piece to buy when you're losing weight and your clothes start to get a little too big. Later this week I'll talk more about how to deal with that fantastically annoying problem.

SASS, STYLE & SUBSTANCE BEST POSTS OF THE WEEK!

For this week’s best of Sass, Style & Substance & fashion news!

eye4style Summer sandals wreaking havoc on your feet? eye4style has some tips on making shoes more comfy!

My Women Stuff Lancome Declaring Indigo for Fall 2009 Pictures & Swatches.

A Touch of Blusher A Touch of Blusher counts down the best summer 2009 makeup collections.

Eat Smart Age Smart Madonna’s and Kylie Minogue workout secrets.

Beauty Match Review: EZ Combs are WAY better than I expected.

Splendicity Accessories Fall 2009 promises to be full of gorgeous details, if Christian Louboutin's new collection is what we can expect from the rest of the crowd.

image: Stock.xchg

EATING "SHOE" CROW ALREADY

So remember last week when I said I wouldn't be purchasing any new shoes for the rest of 2009? Well, the next day my friend Kimmie sent me a link that I found to be unbelievably ironic. Here's the link .

To recap, I state emphatically that I'm not buying any more shoes for the rest of the year because of course I have more then enough, and the next day I find out that Jimmy Choo will be designing a line for H&M that debuts in November of the same year that I'm no longer buying shoes in. Woo-hoo! I couldn't have created a more dubious slant on my bold proclamation if I had purposely crafted this scenario.

Don't you just love life testing you on what you said you would do?

Well, fret none my friends. I will gladly miss the significantly reduced Jimmy Choos for H&M. And I will smile when I see my bank account grow from all of my "non-shoe" shopping. And that's the story I'm sticking to folks.

WhatWentWrong - CLINGY = HIPPY= NOT GOOD

Here's the thing. I know a lot of us just throw something on to run to the store. But how much extra time does it really take to slip into a dress that flatters your figure instead of distorting it?

The tapering or narrowing at the knee is the most unflattering place for this young woman's dress to hit. The pic below shows just how egregious the style really is. My motto is if it doesn't look good and make you feel good, why wear it?

A simple A-line style would look so much better. I like these Norma Kamali dresses for Wal-mart. At only $15, you get style and comfort on the cheap.

SASS, STYLE, & SUBSTANCE BEST POSTS OF THE WEEK!

eye4style eye4style keeps her tootsies in tip-top shape, thanks to THIS Farmhouse Fresh product.

A Touch of Blusher A Touch of Blusher reviews Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum.

• Beauty Match Free Trial Offer: Celtrixa Stretch Mark Cream.
• Eat Smart Age Smart10 ways to tell if you are addicted to sugar.
• STYLEnoshI am so serious: No more shoe purchases for the rest of the year!

Splendicity Accessories Are you looking forward to the return of flats and kitten heels? Join the shoe revolution!

 

image: Stock.xchg

THIS WEEK'S SALES - IT'S FATHER'S DAY PEOPLE!

I promise you I forgot that Father's Day was this Sunday! Get it together people. I guess in my world, the daddy day just doesn't hold the same wait as mom's. Anyhoo, here are some of the sales worth checking out this weekend.

MACY'S - It's a super Saturday one-day salethis weekend at the M. If you're still on the hunt for a gift for your dad, boyfriend, or husband, you should probably head here. There's a saving couponfor $10 if you spend $25. The coupon is good until 1 pm on Saturday, June 20th.

The Limited - Take an Additional 30% 20% off of already marked down merchandise. The sale ends on Sunday, June 21st.

Victoria's Secret - Semi-annual sale. Tons of stuff on sale. It's the perfect time to upgrade your undies. And don't forget they have swimwear too.

Lord & Taylor - Take 20% off regular, sale, and clearance items. Use promo code SUMMER for online shopping. And click her for the in-store pass. Oh, and here's a link to the exclusions.

NO SHOE PURCHASES FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR!

Seriously. I have decided, in a fit of frustration and disgust, that I will not be purchasing any shoes for the rest of 2009. And no, this proclamation was not born out of some pressing need for fiscal responsibility. No, it's nothing smart like that. I'm just sick of pulling out shoes and pushing them back saying, "No not that one." Not the tan strappy heels. I wanted the tan wedge heels. I mean really. I can't afford to spend 15 minutes a day sifting through shoe containers. There's a whole world out there and I'm starting to think I'm missing out on most of it because I'm consummed with my shoe wardrobe.

No mas! No more shoe buying for the nosh for the rest of the year. I know many of you are clutching your stomachs from laughter pangs cause you think I've lost it and there's no way I can do it. Just watch me. And don't worry, I have plenty of people monitoring my purchases to ensure that I don't slip up and show up with a DSW bag.

What do you think about my half year rebuke of shoe shopping?

FASHION SURPRISES IN EVERY CITY!

So I think I found my fashion heaven in Naples, FL. Marissa Collections is THE place to go for pristine designer shopping in southwest Florida. This store is absolutely beautiful! There are several rooms dedicated to one designer. Think Michael Kors (with a signed poster of the designer on the wall) and another room for Oscar de La Renta. And the designer choices are supreme. But the real superstar of this boutique is the handbag selection. There were numerous bags to choose from but I absolutely loved this beauty from Alexander McQueen.

If you're not familiar with shopping at the local boutiques in your city, stop in and give them a look. They typically have fantastic pieces from various designer collections. And they also host special events like workshops and trunk shows. And while the prices tend to trend on the higher side (this AM beauty sits just below a couple of grand), boutiques have phenomenal sales. (I've snagged a couple of 70% off finds over the years.)

In addition to Marissa Collections, some of my favorite boutiques are Intoto in Minneapolis, MN, where I purchased my first pair of Sigerson Morrisons and Tender in Birmingham, MI. I can honestly say that the money I spent in those stores yielded some incredible deals and styles that I've never seen on anyone else. Oh and years later, with proper care and feeding of course, my purchases still work in my wardrobe. And that's a fashionable investment.

What fashion surprises have you found in your city?

SASS, STYLE & SUBSTANCE BEST POSTS OF THE WEEK!

Check out these bloggers from Sass, Style & Substance for this week’s best beauty & fashion news!

eye4style eye4style is staying dry with the chicest umbrella of all.

A Touch of Blusher A Touch of Blusher previews Lancome's fall 2009 collection.

Eat Smart Age Smart 7 reasons why you cannot lose weight.

Beauty Match Belisi Italian Leather Bags for $19.95!!!

Raging Rouge Raging Rouge takes a walk down memory lane with Calvin Klein.

STYLEnosh Have you ever thought you looked good, until you saw the pictures afterwards?

Beauty and Fashion Tech Beauty and Fashion Tech is Running the Chicago Marathon for Charity!

Splendicity Accessories Are you mourning the loss of eLuxury? At least you can find some great fashion on sale right now!

image: Stock.xchg

SHE WEARS SHORT SHORTS

Okay if you're not over 30, you may not remember that the title of this post comes from an old Nair commercial. Apparently this lady dared to wear short shorts. And what do I say about it? Go for it sister! 

Here's my policy: If you got it, do it! And she has it. Isn't this what your twenties is all about? Then in 10 years, you'll have something to look back on and chuckle to yourself, "There's no way I'd wear THOSE now." I remember I once wore a pair of plaid navy and white shorts and if I'm not mistaken, I was a lot thicker than I am now. And believe me when I say, you couldn't tell me I wasn't hot! 

Here's the trick to wearing short shorts- keep everything else simple. Don't go for super high heels (even though this MAC employee is rocking her sexy stilts). But often, high heels and short shorts can look a little cheesy.

If you're looking for a great pair of shorter shorts, check out the selection at Banana Republic. I found a great pair for around $22 at the outlet store.

WhatWentWrong - THIS OUTFIT WAS HOT, "IN THEORY"

I know I've been m.i.a for a while but all this moving and new work has been a challenging schedule adjustment for me. I barely have time to think, let alone blog. Anyhoo, I thought I'd mark my return with a WhatWentWrong since I've been away for so long. And if we're going to laugh at bad fashion, we may as well laugh at someone who can take the jokes - ME!

I promise you, when I put this dress on I thought I was really stylin'. My sister gave me this dress because she's tall and it was a little too short on her long, lean legs. (Yeah, I know. I don't have any sympathy for her either.) I knew this paper bag shape on my body type would require a belt to create a waist. But now looking at the pics, it looks like I chose the wrong belt. And you can't even see my sparkly pink tank underneath so I look like a mass of brown sack!

The side view makes me look like I have a pot belly. And with the backside sticking out too, I'm thinking this was so not a good look. 

The correction: I believe a thinner belt would be more suitable. If that doesn't work, I may have to pass this cute little dress on to someone who would look good wearing it. I'll be sure to keep you posted.

Have you ever worn something that you thought was a great idea at the time, only discover later that you really did look a hot mess?

SASS, STYLE & SUBSTANCE BEST POSTS OF THE WEEK!

Sorry for the lack of posts this week. I should be back in rotation next. In the meantime, check out these bloggers from Sass, Style & Substance for this week’s best beauty & fashion news!

eye4style eye4style has discovered the miracle of Weleda Skin Food. Check out her review!

A Touch of Blusher A Touch of Blusher reviews Prescriptives' Motor-Eyes Mascara.

My Women Stuff My Women Stuff investigates the Lipstick Economy and dedicates 30 days to 30 lipsticks!

Eat Smart Age Smart Dr. Sanjay Gupta: eat 7 different colours each day!

Beauty Match Self Magazine recession-proof beauty favourites.

Splendicity Accessories Kristin Stewart wearing Chucks on the red carpet at the MTV Movie Awards? Yea or Nay?

image: Stock.xchg