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Indulge your inner retro-sexy Happy Homemaker with Tie Me Up Aprons

22 Mar

If you’re like me, you probably do a fair share of cooking.  And if you’re even more like me, you’ve probably ruined a shirt or dress or something else while you were cooking.   My Mom always used to tell me to wear an apron while cooking, so that I wouldn’t ruin what I was wearing.  So when my friend, photographer Bruce Barone, posted some pictures he took for   Tie Me Up Aprons , I  thought I’d died and gone to clothes preserving apron heaven!

Anita Senkowski, proprietress of Tie Me Up Aprons, creates her unique confections from out-of-production and

NEW!! The REAL Krispy Kreme Girl Apron. A Tie Me Up Exclusive!!

vintage fabrics.  She has a great eye for color and pattern and assembles her aprons with a certain je-ne-sais-quois  that will make you say “hey, that’s wicked cool! I’ve got to have it!”

Considering the new season of Mad Men starts on Sunday–well, you might just need one of these to protect your perfect Betty Draper party dress while serving era appropriate hors d’oeuvres!

If you order now, enter the code HIGHFASHION1 and you will receive a 15% discount on any apron, including the made to order Zen Charmer (from a very limited fabric) This offer extends through March 31, 2012!

Tie Me Up Aprons are hand crafted in Michigan, USA, and ships worldwide (so no excuses you people in the UK, Australia, and everywhere else.)  Tie Me Up takes PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover.

“Like” Tie Me Up on Facebook and follow for the latest updates on the new fabrics Anita’s getting plus other cool news from Tie Me Up.

Photo courtesy of Bruce Barone Photography

Product Review: L’Oreal Elnett Satin Hairspray Holds for the Holidays

22 Dec

Over a 30 year period I believe I’ve tried every single hairspray out on the market.  Everything from high-end (Bumble & Bumble) to ultra-cheap (Aqua Net) and found the results to run the gamut from failed-to-hold to frighteningly firm.  So when I heard all the raves for L’Oreal Elnett Satin Hairspray, I took them with a grain of something ozone-free….

But wow!  This is truly the best hairspray I have ever used!  Tremendous hold, even in humidity, and still I could comb it out and not break hair by the handfuls.  That was with the Extra Strong Hold–which I probably don’t need but was the only sample size available on my day of purchase.

I noticed also that it did not have a weird smell nor did it make my hair old-lady shiny.  The “satin” finish is very natural and it lives up to the promise of “unscented.”  So no clashing with my favorite fragrance.

While you’re checking out the L’Oreal website for more info on Elnett, check out other features like Special Offers and all sorts of beauty tips underneath the various tabs (Cosmetics, Hair Care, Hair Color, etc.)  Since some of my favorite products are L’Oreal, I’ll be visiting the site often for more information.

You can purchase Elnett at most drugstores and retailers like Target

How to Wear Black and White for the Holidays Without Looking Like a Waiter

21 Dec

The black and white combination is a staple in almost any season, and is perhaps the easiest last-minute combination for holiday dinners and parties (we still have a few to go this year.)  The white blouse and black pant or skirt

Model Shayla Monroque --one of Vogue's "Best Dressed" --sports simple yet elegant black & white

combination is also a common uniform combination in for waitstaff in many restaurants.  Especially if you combine it with a tie of any kind.  It’s a combination that’s both retro and modern, depending on your accessories.  So, how do you wear basic black and white, for day or night, without blending in with the waiters or looking like a refugee from the 20th century (unless it’s Halloween, that is)?  Here are a few tips to help

1.  What’s the trend at the moment?  This season there are lots of different trends from colorblocking to the “fetish femme.”   The trend you pick might say more about you than you realize, so choose carefully what you want to say with your choice.

2.  If you have some cash, add an inexpensive piece: a sparkly top, a piece of bold jewelry (or layer a bunch of co-ordinating jewelry), or a tiny hard-case evening bag that you can hold most of the evening. Even consider a sparkly skirt or shorts.  This time of year, these items are going on sale, so you may want to check out off-price retailers like Marshalls or TJ Max.  Also consider Cachet, Bebe or H&M.  The pieces don’t have to cost a lot to look like they did.

3.  Add color with your shoes!  Put the flesh-toned and black pumps to the back of the closet, and wear bright red, electric blue, emerald green or any beautiful bright color.  You can even re-purpose a pair from the summer if they are high enough and not a canvas or other summer material.  If you are wearing a summer shoe, make sure you have a great pedicure.

4. A colorful manicure and on-trend lipstick can distinguish you from the staff too.