Category Archives: Reviews

A Must-Read for 2013

Posted on January 4, 2013 by Sharon| 1 Comment

My daughter, an aspiring actor and the most fashion-forward person I know, requested the book How to Look Expensive by Andrea Pomerantz Lustig for Christmas. Earlier today I hijacked, with her permission of course, her present and started skimming through its pages. Pretty soon I was like a school girl with paper and pen in hand taking notes. “Oh my goodness”, I thought, “where has this book been my whole life.” Lustig covers everything from clothes to skin care to teeth, yes, even teeth. Better yet, she offers suggestions and products that won’t break the bank or my fragile budget. For example, in the chapter on skin care, she names her favorite high end, natural, and drug store products. She even puts together a beauty regime based on different budgets. Now that’s the kind of information I can use! As the writer of the beauty advice column at Glamour and a former beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, Lustig knows the beauty industry inside and out and, more importantly, what goes into making a woman look good. As she points out, spending a lot of money on beauty products does not guarantee an eye-pleasing outcome. I appreciate her philosophy that “looking expensive is about looking chic and understated, polished, and professional, your personal best.” Sounds like the perfect definition of a classic woman.

Posted in Everyday Matters, Makeup, Reviews

Tagged Andrea Pomerantz Lustig, beauty products, beauty products that won't break the bank, how to dress expensive, how to look your best

Hurray for Online Shopping

Posted on October 6, 2012 by Sharon| Comments Off

This morning I started my day by reading a few blogs. One in particular stood out - www.over50feeling40.com — in its post and the discussion that followed regarding what readers want from clothing retailers. Oh, my goodness, don’t get me started … but, then again, why not? I have grown very weary of shopping the old-school way, that is, in physical stores. Almost every time I venture into their domain, I regret it. Long lines, unfriendly sales associates, and poor quality merchandise mare my visit. Now, I do understand that the state of the economy has altered the way we shop. Stores no longer can afford to have extra sales associates on the floor for the entire selling day for those moments when they are flooded with customers. Neither can they afford to do in-depth training for associates regarding the differences between fabrics and why one is more expensive than another. However, there is a silver lining to all of this misfortune at the mall …. online shopping! I love the fact that the world is at my fingertips with products galore. I can compare prices, check fabric content, get free or nominal shipping charges and fantastic customer service. I have yet to encounter a problem with returns and the best thing, drum roll …. no lines!

As our thoughts begin to turn to the upcoming holidays, thought I would share a few of my favorite online shopping sites with you:

Black & Gold Limited Edition Suitjamas

http://legendarysuitjamas.com There are many imitators, but only one Legendary Suitjamas. I know from experience that you want to go with this company when it comes to buying the Suitjama inspired by Barney Stinson from How I Met Your Mother. Their product is first rate and their customer service is second to none. In fact, I have never encountered customer service as friendly or helpful as I have at Legendary Suitjamas. If you ever need a unique present for the man in your life, a Suitjama is sure to bring a smile to his face.

http://www.stylemint.com Members-only (membership is free) have access to Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s exclusively designed and styled T Shirts, with new styles to choose from every month. The best part … they also have great customer service.

http://www.leatherglovesonline.com Wonderful selection of leather gloves for men and women. Am particularly loving the driving gloves this year!

http://www.levenger.com sells quality tools for serious readers. I am especially partial to their pens and reading accessories. While my sons really like the Bomber Jacket Collection, I cherish the pink fountain pen I bought a few years ago.

http://www.classicshaving.com I came across this site last year while searching for a straight razor for my son. I never thought buying razors or shaving supplies could be so interesting, but they won me over.

http://www.zappos.com Earlier this year I had my heart set on finding a blue jersey wrap dress for a wedding I was attending. After my mall shopping yielded no results, I turned to my trusty internet and within minutes I found it! As usual, I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly my package arrived from zappos.com

http://www.asos.com Fun clothes, great selection, easy shopping … who could ask for anything more!

Posted in Everyday Matters, Reviews

Tagged asos, classic shaving, leather gloves online, Legendary Suitjamas, levenger, online shopping, StyleMint, zappos

Classic Finds: Not Your Daughter’s Jeans

Posted on July 14, 2012 by Sharon| Comments Off

Looking for a great pair of jeans that not only fit well, but actually make you look one size smaller? Sounds like a dream come true, but that is exactly what Not Your Daughter’s Jeans promises to do and they deliver. Being a curvy, shorter (5’3″) woman, I have a hard time finding jeans that fit. There are few things more damaging to one’s ego than shopping for jeans … that is, until I found my go-to jean company. The fit through the hips and thighs is perfect and ever so comfortable. The length was long on me, however Von Maur, the store I where I purchased them, offers free alterations! They recommend taking the jeans home first and washing them and then bringing them back to be hemmed, just in case there is any shrinkage. I, being too impatient, chose not to wait and had them pinned up on the spot. Fortunately, there were no problems whatsoever:) One week later I was wearing my jeans and people were telling me how good I looked. No wonder I’m going back to get another pair!

Not Your Daughter’s Jeans come in several styles and colors. They are available online and in several department stores.

Barbara Bootcut Leg Jeans at Macy’s

Straight Leg Jeans at Macy’s

Lizzy Chambray Flared Leg Jeans at Macy’s

Alisha Colored Ankle Jeans at Dillards

Trouser Jeans at Dillards

Greta Trouser Jeans at Nordstrom

Sheri Skinny Jeans (Petite) at Nordstrom

Posted in Fashion, Reviews

Tagged bootcut jeans, colored jeans, flared jeans, great pair of jeans, jeans that fit well, jeans that make you look smaller, Not Your Daughter's Jeans, nydj, petite jeans, trouser jeans, wide legged jeans

Classic Finds: Coursera

Posted on July 7, 2012 by Sharon| Comments Off

Sir Francis Bacon once said, “Knowledge is power” and, I’d like to add, “The quest for knowledge adds to the spice of life.” Learning new things not only provides a sense of accomplishment, but opens up whole new frontiers. It livens up daily conversations and provides for some interesting new Facebook posts

As you’ve probably discerned, I love to read, I love to learn, and I love to be challenged; so you can only imagine how excited I was when I learned about Coursera at https://www.coursera.org They offer courses from top universities for free.

According to their website:

“Classes offered on Coursera are designed to help you to master the material. You’ll be able to learn at your own pace, work on your own schedule, test your knowledge, and reinforce concepts through interactive exercises.

At the time of this post, there are 44 courses offered from the areas of:

I’ve signed up for two classes that start later this month; this will be my first time with them, but I am excited about the possibilities!

Posted in Reviews

Tagged Coursera, free online classes

Classic Finds: Thigh Highs

Posted on June 30, 2012 by Sharon| Comments Off

Skeptical pretty much sums up my first impression. Although thigh highs that stay up without having to wear a garter sound intriguing , I totally envisioned them creeping down my leg with each step. However,wearing hosiery minus the panty (as in pantyhose) and creating one less bulge was well worth investigating in spite of my fears.

My first pair of thigh highs was from Target ($7.50 a pair) and, to my horror, the thing I feared most, happened when I wore them for the first time. No sooner had I starting walking toward my car when I suddenly felt the right thigh high slowly start sliding down my leg. By the time I got to my car, I had crumbled nylon around my right ankle. Fortunately, I had on a long (a very long) skirt, so no one ever knew and I quickly pulled both of the nylons off once I got inside my car. In all honesty, the second time I wore them (yes, I felt I should give them one more chance, although this time I stayed inside my four walls), they did stay up. However, being concerned about a repeat performance of the “ankle hugging experience”, I decided to try another brand.

On a trip to a local department store, I saw a pair of Shimmers Ultra Sheer Lace Thigh Highs by Berkshire and decided to give them a try. They did not disappoint. The lace top is pretty and, more importantly, has enough support to stay up while walking. I have worn them several times and have never had any problems. In fact, they are now on my “must have” list. Gone are the days of pantyhose, and back are the days of sexy hosiery!