LOFT's Spring 2011 Collection Sneak Peek

"A new mood. A new movement."  That was the theme of LOFT's spring 2011 preview.  Subtle shades of khaki, peach, and olive green dominated, along with bold and graphic patterns (I love the striped separates).

Winter isn't even here yet, but these looks made me yearn for spring.  LOFT's spring collection will inspire every budget fashionista to come on and get happy!

This look includes a three quarter sleeve, sheer dolman cardigan ($59.50), basic tee ($19.50), antique floral print pencil skirt ($69.50), long mixed-media necklace ($44.50), and wide knit belt ($39.50).

Assorted scarves ($39.50).

Tiered ruffle jacket ($98), coral print ruffle tank ($49.50), drapey modal skirt ($59.50), and bangles ($29.50).

Cropped sweater jacket ($79.50), stripe knit dress ($69.50), chiffon and bead necklace ($44.50), and wide double buckle belt ($39.50).

(Image credit: Tracy E. Hopkins)

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Ouidad Natural Hair Makeover

My hairstyle of choice is double-strand twists, however, it's been several years since I've worn my own natural hair without a pump-up-the-volume boost of added human hair.  Now that I work at home and have more flex time to style my hair, I decided it was time to change up my style....at least temporarily.

Me with hair twisted, before twist-out.

So I went to Ouidad, a salon and product line known for its expertise with "curly hair."  The light-filled midtown Manhattan salon is spacious and extremely professional.

Although most of the salon's clients at the time of my visit didn't have my ethnic hair type, I was pleased to see that the questionnaire I filled out before I met with my stylist included a box for kinky/curly hair texture. And as Mary on "The Real Housewives of D.C." drunkenly eloquently put it, even though we have different hair needs why should we have separate salons?

I sat down with Ana, an African-American stylist who has worked with Ouidad for fifteen years.

"T.L.C. is the most important for natural hair," she says.  "Your hair speaks to you and tells you when it's happy or sad."

So it's a good thing I'm giving my hair a break from the twist extensions.  While analyzing my hair, Ana noticed shorter pieces mixed in with longer strands and assessed I need a trim at least once every three months and a deep, protein-based conditioner treatment every two weeks.  Oil treatments, Ana says, make the hair look shiny but "suffocate the scalp."

Me with my hair twisted-out.

Washing my hair once a week and rinsing it with conditioner in between shampoos is also part of the Ouidad hair care regimen.  I also discovered that you should work in shampoo from the ends up and never apply conditioner directly to your scalp (apply it about an inch from the scalp).

The combo of Ouidad's Water Works Clarifying Shampoo and Curl Quencher Mosturizing Conditioner made my hair feel unbelievably soft and the Double Detangler comb is a godsend.

As it turns out, my hair has both an "S" and a "Z" curl pattern.  That explains why some of my ends are straight even though I haven't had a perm in more than a decade, while others are more tightly coiled.  Since I wasn't ready to go for a completely "au naturale" Afro style, Ana twisted my hair using the Curl Quencher Moisturizing Styling Gel.  She then sat me under the dryer for about 20 minutes, unraveled the twists, and styled my hair with a diffuser and Ouidad's Clear Control Pomade.

While I'm not accustomed to wearing my own hair untwisted and to so many steps for maintenance, the style was cute.  I left better informed about how to care for my hair and with a few products to try at home. Because I'm a get up and go kinda gal, I know I'll eventually go back to my usual "natural" style.  But I'm glad I had the Ouidad experience.

Land's End Affordable, Classic Women's Style for Spring

I've flipped through a Land's End catalogue and browsed the brand's swim wear and luggage online, but I'd never taken an up-close-and-personal look at the brand (sold in Sears).  So I was pleasantly surprised by Land's End's recent spring/summer 2011 preview in New York City, which showcased classic American style with a few twists.

For women, the collection offers plenty of swimsuits in a variety of colors, and forgiving, figure-flattering options.  From my personal fave -- the tankini -- to bikinis, one-piece suits, and swim dresses, Land's End has a bevy of fun styles with all-over and tummy-control.

Additionally, the spring/summer line includes versatile pieces like high-waisted sailor pants, striped tunics and sweaters, wearable wedge sandals, and an army green jacket (second photo) I've got on my shopping wish list.  Basic tees in fitted, shaped, and relaxed silhouettes are also a staple.

Land's End also has clothing for men and kids, and the latest addition is the home collection available for order online and via catalogue.  Highlights include bedding with whimsical and nautical prints, organic cotton towels, fabric headboards, and storage ottomans.  As a parting gift, I received a monogramed tote and a classic blue and white striped blanket (pictured above).

Halloween Costume Inspiration from Paris Fashion Week

Who says Halloween fashion has to be spooky or silly?  How about making a dramatic statement in a divine black gown?

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While I'm not suggesting that most of us can actually afford a couture gown, the ethereal black dresses that Georges Chakra showcased during the Spring/Summer 2010 Couture Show Paris Fashion Week offer endless inspiration for putting together a glam Goth ensemble for Halloween.

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Following Chakra's design example, you could dress up a basic black dress with a few sequins here and a touch of tulle and tafetta there.  Check out my Fashion Week Examiner column for more images.

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Since 2002, Chakra has presented his imaginative and seductive couture collections during Paris Fashion Week.  And the Lebanese designer's haute couture has graced many a red carpet and been donned by music-and-movie divas Beyonce, Queen Latifah, and Mariah Carey.  

Recession-Friendly Mineral Makeup from e.l.f.

I’ve been curious about e.l.f. (Eyes, Lips, Face) makeup for a while now.  The cosmetics 

are so inexpensive -- with many items like makeup brushes, mascara, and mineral foundation for $5 or less.  I don’t know how the brand keeps its costs so low, but I know there’s no better time to try them.

Pageant Princess lip gloss, $3

All of e.l.f.’s mineral makeup is totally free of parabens, preservatives, and chemical dye-frees. And the price can’t be beat.

Eyes

E.l.f.’s mineral eye shadow comes in a variety of funky shades, each for only $3!  The translucent shades contain vitamins A, B, C, and E add subtle highlights for daytime and pump up the drama for evening.  As an added bonus, the shadows also hydrate and minimize the appearance of fine lines.  Apply wet or dry using your fingers or a makeup brush.

Lips

This month, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month e.l.f. will donate all sale proceeds from its mineral lip gloss in Princess Pageant to support breast cancer research. The sheer lip gloss comes in other pretty, fun shades like Sorority Girl and Night Owl.  It’s made to give your lips a luscious shine without feeling sticky or tacky. Better yet, it’s infused with coconut oil and vitamins A and E to protect and moisturize your kisser. At three bucks each, I may pick up a few tubes.

Face

I haven’t fully jumped on the mineral foundation band wagon, but compared to Bare Minerals’ mineral foundation ($28), e.l.f.’s version also comes in my deep shade for a fraction of the cost ($5)! The weightless mineral foundation has built in sun protection (SPF 15) and promises to give your skin a natural glow and evenly blended, color-matched coverage. 

You Want This Zumba Fitness Video Game!

If you've read Everything She Wants before, you know I'm a Zumba fanatic.  So I was thrilled to get a sneak peek at the Zumba Fitness video game (that's me in the screen shot with a certified Zumba instructor).  Just in time for Black Friday, the game goes on sale Nov. 18.

Me (center) with fellow bloggers and Zumba instructors.

Zumba Fitness is perfect for all skill levels and is available for Nintendo Wii, Xbox, and PlayStation platforms.  It's like bringing a high-energy Zumba dance party into your living room.  Watch my You Tube video at the top of this post for a demo.  I can't wait to get a copy (available for pre-sale) and introduce Zumba to my family over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

To promote breast cancer awareness, Zumba is also sponsoring Party in Pink Zumbathon charity events across the nation. All proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. So pick out some cute Zumba Wear and find a  Zumbathon in a city near you.  And you can always show your support with a limited edition Party in Pink Racerback Tank.

LOFT Shopping Event for Breast Cancer Awareness

If you're in the New York City area on Tuesday, LOFT Times Square is throwing a shopping party with cocktails, a DJ, and 20% off your full-price purchase.

Better yet, with each jewelry purchase, a five-dollar donation will be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

3 Fashionable Items That Help Breast Cancer Research

We all know October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. According to the CDC, aside from non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and the National Cancer Institute estimates that one in eight women will be diagnosed in their lifetime.  

Here's how you can help by doing what you do best.  Shop!


These fab beauty and fashion items that donate part or all proceeds from sales to help fund breast cancer research:

This October, Fergie and her Fergie Footwear brand are joining the fight against breast cancer. The Hope shoe, from Fergie’s Fall 2010 collection, will be available during the QVC presents “FFANY Shoes on Sale” event benefiting breast cancer research on October 15^th. It retails for $45 (half its original retail price) and 100% of the net proceeds go to breast cancer research.

More deeply-discounted designer shoes will also be for sale. To date, “Shoes on Sale” has sold more than one million pairs of shoes and donated more than $32.5 million in net proceeds to breast cancer research.

The Avon Foundation for Women Campaign launched a new crusade with Reese Witherspoon to “Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer” during the month of October. As a new symbol of empowerment, Avon and Reese unveiled the Lips of Life tote to give the quest a little lip service.  So pick up your cute tote for only $5 – with 100% of the net profits ($3.74) going to support the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade.

Beauty For Real will donate 10% of proceeds from their Light Heart Lip Gloss to the Taylor Breast Health Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The gloss is $22 and available online.

Nashelle Jewelry Collaborates with Toni Francesc for Fashion Week

I love accessories; the bigger and bolder the better.  So I was immediately drawn to Nashelle jewelry's "Urban Forest" collaboration with Spanish designer Toni Francesc for Fashion Week.

Read more in my Fashion Week Examiner column.