I think I have stumbled upon the cure for writer’s block… a Facebook account and a lot of friends.  Every so often, I am tapped out of ideas for my weekly blog, so I put out a call to action and ask my Facebook friends for suggestions.  As usual, they did not disappoint me.  Some legitimate topics include “How to get your teenage daughter started on a make-up and skincare program”, “Keeping your cool during the holidays” and “Holiday make-up looks for the working professional”.  These are all great topics that I will address soon.  Thank you friends.  On the other hand, I received some less than feasible topics like “The Art of the Mustache” and “How To Not Burn a Turkey”.  Obviously, someone hasn’t read my blog… busted!  Not only does this High Maintenance Chick not cook (bake/broil/nuke/warm-up) turkey, I don’t cook at all.  Confession # 2:  I don’t cook, people cook for me!

So this really got me thinking about the importance of this week.  It’s the annual tradition where everyone OD’s on food and conks out on the couch.  This food-induced coma is usually followed by either reading the Retail Encyclopedia Britannica (newspaper ads) or watching a football game.  This week marks the official kickoff to the holiday season and the Thanksgiving madness is capped off with what has been known to many as Black Friday.  It may no longer be the biggest shopping day of the year as people wait later to purchase these days.  But it is certainly the craziest.  Confession # 34:  A diva will never ‘camp out’ or stand in line to get an extra discount on a camcorder.  EVER.  However, she may go to some pretty extreme measures for deep discounts on designer shoes and apparel.

This Friday I will be in the stores, as a salesperson, not a shopper.  That has been my Black Friday M.O. for 12 years now.  If, only if, I had the chance to take the day off, this is what my perfect Black Friday would consist of.  Perhaps sharing these ideas can make your Friday after Thanksgiving more enjoyable.

1> Sleep in.  For goodness sake, let the crazy people get the best deals.  You really can’t put a price tag on a great night’s sleep.  The ideal post-Thanksgiving shopping wardrobe is your favorite designer jeans in a dark rinse paired with a lightweight cashmere sweater and scarf.  Treat yourself to a nice brunch before you hit the stores.  Eggs Benedict is my absolute fave.

2> Look for gift items that are great to give and get.  You may think of this as the ‘1 for you, 1 for me’ policy, but I like to think of it as a personal guarantee that you are giving a great gift by trying it out first.  Since most people are shopping at Wal-Mart and Best Buy, go to upper end retailers and enjoy looking at all the luxe gifts.  Think:  fragrance, accessories, home furnishings and, of course, shoes!

3> Be Nice. If you are feeling a little guilty about the ‘1 for you, 1 for me’ policy, you can score extra karma points by being kind to store associates.  Most of them had to get up at the crack of dawn to be at work.  Taking sweets would be extra sweet of you and probably nab you the royal treatment.   Bring me some Reese’s cups or chocolate chip cookies and I’ll make it worth your while with samples!!!

4> Don’t get overloaded.  Once you have filled the equivalent of two Pottery Barn shopping bags of purchases, it’s time to call it a day.

5> Listen to Holiday Music (sing out loud) and hit Starbucks on the way home for your favorite indulgent treat.  If you normally choose a Non-fat Latte, opt for the Carmel Macchiato or a Hot Chocolate.  Gal, you deserve it.

6> Change into your PJs, watch a movie and possibly take a nap.  I would watch “The Wizard of OZ”

I would love to know what you do the day after Thanksgiving.  If you are one of those people who are camping out for the chance to purchase 1 out of 4 $100 Big Screen TVs, I’ll do my best to keep my comments to myself, but I make no promises.

Diamonds may be a girl’s ‘best friend’, but girlfriend, I dare you to find a hotter jewelry trend than pearls.  Keep those heirloom “Barbara Bush” pearls in storage for those special occasions… weddings and funerals.   The “NEW” way to wear pearls have become both a  classic and a contemporary choice for everyday whether you team ’em up with jeans or a LBD (Little Black Dress for you newbies). 

Multiples:  Create a one of a kind look, like Rhianna’s (pictured to the right), by getting a really long rope (think 96″) or many shorter strands and pile them on.  Play with tone and texture by mixing your pearl strands with chains and pendants that you already own.  If you are not ready to go ‘Rhianna’, start slow and layer 3 legnths to start out with.  While her look may be the real deal (read: expensive), you can get some low-end versions that look nice too.  Don’t worry about making all the piece symmetrical.  Part of the fun is how hap-hazardly these strands are thrown on.  Just when you think your look is complete… throw on another strand.

Embellishments:  This is *my* trend of choice.  The look I’m wearing in the picture is actually one piece that consists of two faux pearl strands, a delicate chain and three fabric flowers.  If you are a beginner in layering jewelry, or looking for something you can throw on any outfit… reach for this little number.  At less that $60, your ‘cost per wear’ quotient is minimal.  This piece has become my go-to strand when I want a chic finishing touch to a simple outfit.  Also available in cream, you can find this piece at your local Dillard’s (scary red eyes sold separately).

Final Note:  Use an editing eye when completing your look with earrings and bracelet.  For the full on Rhianna look, she choose small earrings.  For my ‘flower power pearl look”, I finished the look with small earrings and an eight strand stretchy bracelet.  Have fun!!!

PS:  Can you totally tell I have been working out my arms???  Look out Michelle Obama, I’m coming after you!!!!

Have you have ever dreamed of having your own reality TV show???  Unbeknownst to you, you probably are already starring in one.  Or, does Reality TV sicken you to the point of nausea???  I am sorry to inform that you, too, may be starring in your very own version.  Reality TV is popular because it gives the viewer a voyeuristic view into other people’s life.  However, with the increased popularity of Facebook, many people carry out their personal reality (or drama depending on who it is) to the point that the best TV plot lines are just a few keystrokes away and always on demand.

I had an ‘aha’ moment just a few weeks ago when my husband and his mother were talking in detail about her friend’s medical treatment.  The way they articulated the details and timeline, for a moment, I thought they were discussing a television show.  They were just recounting Facebook Status and Wall posts. Think about when reality TV really started becoming popular and how some friends or family members just didn’t seem to ‘get it’.  I remember talking about one of my favorite shows to my dad and him teasing me that it sounded like I was talking about real life people.

Here’s my prediction:  The more popular Facebook becomes, the less popular Reality TV will be.  Although I have no factual or scientific evidence for this statement, I think people will now get their daily dose of reality via Facebook with the people they know rather than strangers on the telly.

So how closely does Reality TV mirror Facebook?  Take the Facebook vs. Reality TV Quiz below.  From the scenarios below, 3 are plotlines from Reality TV Shows, 3 are situations from Facebook. Can you choose correctly?

1> Pretty Blonde hosts a charity event and asks three friends for assistance.

2> Pretty Blonde can’t wait to get the party started at a swanky fashion show.

3>The Ortiz Family, a happy family of 5, expands their brood by adopting adorable twin girls from Russia.

4> After several months of waiting for a birth mom to pick them, the Zumdahl’s receives a phone call from a pregnant young woman from Washington state

5> The struggles and triumphs of “The Psycho Parent Car Line” at Stockwell Place Elementary.  People start getting in line an hour before school lets out.

6> The struggles and triumphs of adorable children and their psycho parents.  Big changes are happening in their lives as their parents have to make a decision about their future

Answers:

1> Reality TV Show “The Girls Next Door”.  The pretty blond is Playmate Bridget Marquardt.

2> Facebook.

3> Facebook.

4> Reality TV Show “Adoption Diaries” on WE TV.

5> Facebook.

6> Reality Show “Jon and Kate plus 8”, or “Kate plus 8”.  Just because you can expand your uterus to the size of my SUV does not make you a celebrity.

Make-up is supposed to be fun and expressive.  However, I constantly get questions from stressed-out clients and friends asking how to enhance the look of their eyes.  “What colors are best?”  “Should I use matte or shimmer shades?”   ”Do I need to add color or stick with neutrals?”   My best advice is to play and experiment and find what’s best for you.  Purple shimmer may look gorgeous with your emerald green eyes, but if you favor a more subtle look, purple shimmer is not right for you.  Also, pay attention and replicate looks that you see on others that you admire. 

I had the pleasure of working with 3 lovely ladies on creating everyday make-up looks.  We weren’t just choosing colors, it was our own mini make-up clinic on where to apply, shade and sparkle.  I used the same basic techniques on all three ladies, just interchanging color and texture to show them how slight changes can change a look.

In this illustration:  ”1″ is an all over eyeshadow base.  “2″ is the lid shade and “3″ is the crease/above the crease shade.  This is the same basic technique I used on each lady, although the looks are totally different.  Whether we went natural (Tracy), colorful (Catherine) or dramatic (Leah), each of their looks mirror this basic diagram.

Tracy:  Simple, sleek and chic.  Miss Tracy doesn’t like to wear much make-up, so it was essential that I create a simple look using basic shades to give a sculpted, polished look.  1> Apply an allover eyeshadow base.  This will even out discolorations and give your powder shadows something to ‘grab’ onto… resulting in longer wear.  2> Apply matte chocolate brown eyeshadow on the entire lower lid.  I used a fluffy eyeshadow brush to give a sheer look.  But, if you want more color payoff, use an eyeshadow brush with denser bristles.  3> Apply a shimmery silver eyeshadow in and above the crease.  Silver creates a beautiful contrast to chocolate brown and adds brightness to the look.  Line with black, brown or gray and apply mascara.

Catherine:  For Catherine’s colorful eye look, I played with both color and texture to emphasis her beautiful brown eyes.  I personally love the look of blonde hair and brown eyes… very pretty.   To create this look:  1> Apply an all over eyeshadow base (Estee Lauder Double Wear Cream Eyeshadow in Ivory Lace is my all-time fave) from lash line to brow. 2> Apply a high shimmer gold eyeshadow like Bobbi Brown’s Limited Edition Chrome Eyeshadow in Gold all over the lid. 3> Sweep a medium, matte brown eyeshadow on and above the crease.  The contrast between a shimmery lid and matte crease gives you more definition… and keeps you from looking like a human disco ball.   Finish the look with black eyeliner, mascara and you are ready to rock! 

Leah: Miss Leah has amazing blue eyes, so I really wanted to play them up with a dramatic eye look. 1>Cream eyeshadow base.  By now you know what kind and where to apply. 2> Apply a deep aubergine shade on the lid.  Play with texture and finishes.  For this look, the lid shade was neither shimmer, nor matte.  Just a nice deep eyeshadow.  3> Sweep on a neutral brown shade above the crease with a fluffy eyeshadow brush.  I used a topaz shade with some shimmer to give ease in blending.   Line and add mascara to lashes… diva-ready in mere minutes!

There you go, three simple examples to get you started.  Dig deep in your cosmetic bag/drawer/Ca-boodle… play with all of those glorious eye shadows and create a signature look that’s one-of-a-kind… just like you!!!

What’s *pink* like candy, *soft* like a marshmallow and *warm* like a crackling fire???  No, not a fresh baked cupcake… it’s my new pink Snuggie!  The one I have is not an official “As Seen on TV” Snuggie, I think it’s better!  It’s so soft and did I mention pink???  So maybe we should call it a Snuggle, or a Slanket.  Either way, unless you have just given up TV watching all together, you know that the Snuggie is a blanket with sleeves.   In a short period of time it has left an indelible mark on pop culture.  But the big question is…. Is the Snuggie genius? or evil?

Confession #36:  While a Diva will withstand the cruelest pain to look hot in public, at the end of the day, she just wants to be comfie and cute.

How much do I love my Karen Neuburger blanket with sleeves… a.k.a. THE SNUGGIE?  Let’s count all the uses:

1> On the couch like shown on the TV commercial.  But the TV commercial does not show all these other fabulous uses…

2> When your riding (not driving) and napping in the car.

3> On a plane.  The people sitting next to me didn’t seem to mind that much.

4> During a sporting event.  In fact, it’s just a matter of time before collegiate snuggies hit the market place.  There are even snuggies for your pets.  But knowing my animals, they would just eat them.

Snuggie:  GENIUS and that is my final answer!!!  Just incase you want to be a comfie diva like me, you can get ur snuggie/snuggle/slanket at Dillard’s.  That’s where mine came from:-)

Football.  It’s just a Southern Way of life… or is it?  While all my gal pals get antsy over tailgating, turnovers and touchdowns , I would just rather go shopping, see a movie, or simply take a nap.  Being married to a typical red-blooded American man for 10 years has left my weekends and Monday nights filled with a blitz of boredom.  Confession #7:  I don’t like sports.

Within the last 10 years, my sweetie has expressed that he would like for me to pick up an interest in sports, specifically football.  What he doesn’t know is that my adolescent extracurricular activities required me to attend my fair share of football games throughout junior high and high school.  In college, I attended a few tailgate parties, but never attended a game.  I just never understood the fascination behind football.  But, after 10 yrs of marriage, I decided to give it a honest effort.  This week’s NFL games really caught my attention since many of the players were sporting pink accessories (although I think they call it ‘gear’) and held my attention long enough to watch the Green Bay – Minnesota face-off on Monday Night.   This is what I learned over the weekend:

1>  “Drew Brees” has the coolest football player name. Ever.

2>  The “Red Zone” Cable Channel is for people with A-D-D and I like it… it’s action packed!

3>  The citizens of Green Bay are an angry people.  Get over it.

4>  The “Throwback Jersey” is the sporting equivalent of wearing vintage.

5>  Why do the referees still drag out the chains when they’ve got that fancy yellow electronic line on the field???

6>   ”Ochocinco” is probably the dumbest moniker a player could ever have.  Especially since “Ochocinco” translates to ”eight – five”, not “eighty – five”

Perhaps I’m really picking up an interest in football or, I’m just a benefactor of osmosis.  Either way, I can’t wait to start my very own fantasy football team next season!!!

Admit it, you wanna try it.

I fell into the ‘As Seen on TV’ vortex by recently purchasing a set of Bumpit’s. They are easy to find, just plop into any Walgreens and you will find an entire aisle of “As Seen on TV” with items like the Ped-Egg, PediToes and the uber-advertised Bumpits. So what is a Bumpit anyway??? It’s a hair insert that gives your hair, for lack of a better word, girth!

What you get for $10:

1> The Bumpit

2> The “Texas-size” Bumpit (or as they call it-the Hollywood Bumpit)

3> The “baby Bumpit” for bangs

4> instructional leaflet and

5> a comb.

Just like the ad says, to have a knot on your noggin, just part, tease, cover and spray. Well, to be perfectly honest, it’s not quite that simple. I’m sure with practice, it becomes easier and less time consuming.

I find that using the bumpit looks best on ‘up-dos’ and ponytails… mainly because I am worried it will fall out! Also, it’s best for people with a fuller head of hair since you need a lot of hair to cover the bumpit and it’s gripping teeth.

Verdict: It’s Fun for Girl’s Nights Out and Parties… but not for everyday. I got $10 worth of fun out it that’s for sure. I had fun wearing it: As you can see, my hair is so tall, it barely fits in the frame of the pic.

Do you know the definition of embarrassment?  I will define it for you as I experienced it this weekend.  But first, let me set the stage.  Labrador Retrievers are one of America’s most popular and beloved breeds and featured as ‘spokes-pups’ in ads for Cottonelle and  K9 Advantix.  It’s fun to take your pup out in public, especially when people say your ‘baby’ resembles a dog on TV.  But recently, ‘labs’ have received a bad rap… specifically YELLOW labs.  Since the theatrical release of “Marley and Me”, all I hear when I take my 2 yr old yellow lab, Sundance, out is… “Look, it’s a Marley-dog”.  At first, I thought it was pretty funny since my son, ‘Sun’, is the antithesis of the title character Marley.  He’s happy, fun loving and generally well behaved.  But this last weekend, oh, did he ever pull a ‘Marley-move’. 

One of my dearest friends is pursuing her dream of starting her own company combining two things she loves:  the environment and animals.  In developing this company, Sundance was a benefactor, or test pup, by testing and tasting many yummy homemade organic treats.  I won’t lie, I took a taste too… they taste great.

This Saturday, during her grand opening event, Sundance was offered a treat… he refused. 

Thought to self:  “Ok, maybe he didn’t see it.”

So it was offered again. 

Thought to self: “OK, he DID see it this time… what was he thinking???”

So I took the treat, put it in his mouth and he SPIT IT OUT.

I whisper to Sundance:  “Pal, everyone is watching, you’ve had this before, you eat dirt for goodness sake, now eat this yummy treat.”

No Bueno.  My friend was so understanding by saying “oh, he must be nervous”.  Isn’t she just a sweetheart?! Why did she have to be so nice about it?  My guilt forced me to reach past the 6oz and buy the 1lb bag of treats; of which he gobbled up the moment we got home.

Dogs.  They do the darndest things.

A.

 or B?

A.

    or B.?       

A.                                                                                                                 or B?

I rest my case.  However, if you chose “A’s” over “B’s”, I will pray for you!

On September 7^th, Erin’s Style File poses the age-old question: “Is it acceptable to wear white after Labor Day?”   While I was pondering, I came across an ad in a magazine that suggested “Do a Don’t”.  Then I remembered that I don’t like being told what to do - white or no white!   So, as a sort of a social experiment, I donned a white suit and asked anyone I came in contact with, “Is it acceptable to wear white after Labor Day?”  I let my finger do the walking and polled my Facebook friends too.  While the people I spoke to were kind, I was wondering how many people were snickering and sneering behind my back.

This is what I learned:

1.  This fashion guideline is clearly generational.  Most of the people I came into contact with were under 50, but many stated that while they thought it was acceptable, they would never dare tell their grandma.

That leads me to my third point: 

3.  Pick your poison.  Not all white is created equally.  Many of the people I talked to agreed with Erin, that while white clothing is fine to wear year-round, white shoes are not.  If you REALLY want to know what I think, white shoes are never acceptable… it’s just not a good look any season.

I got some pretty funny responses along the way.  One 20-something said “I always thought it was taboo, but before you walked up to me, I was thinking how nice you looked.”

I did ask many males to get the ‘guy perspective’.  Most of them shrugged and said ‘who cares’.  However, one gentleman said wearing white after Labor Day is definitely a faux pas.  When I pressed the subject and asked why, he said, “I don’t know why… It’s just what my wife has told me for years”

Bottom Line:  Don’t let ANYONE tell you how to dress!  Rules are meant to be broken!!  Go for it Girls!!!