The thing is though – and the lipstick index stands behind me – tough times make it imperative to take care of ourselves. If we can’t feel good about our bank accounts or our job security, we sure as heck have the right to feel good about ourselves! And, seriously, if you are looking for a job, it’s imperative to look your best while you are at it.

Don’t know what I am speaking of? The lipstick index has historically proven that during the toughest economic times, the sale of lipstick sky rockets!

So what do we do?

Myself and all my other fabulous recessionista friends live and swear by the beauty aisle at our local Walmart! You’ll quickly notice they have some of the hottest looks for fall at super-low prices. This includes iconic brands from Revlon to Dove and L’Oreal to Neutrogena. You really can do ALL your skincare and beauty shopping without leaving the store.

Walmart.com

Recently, when I had my VISIA screening, the dermatologist told me one way for me to reverse the effects of the sun and aging on my skin was to start using Olay skincare products every day – and these are products I went on to find at Walmart.

I am addicted to the Olay ProX Professional Anti-Aging Regime, and you can get the entire set for $61.50. This includes Age Repair lotion with SPF 30, Wrinkle Smoothing Cream, Eye Restoration Complex – at first, I think a lot of us women are scared to change up our skincare routine because the cost of a whole new regime is frightening. But this??? Totally worth it, especially because it is working!

Another great find has been Maybelline’s Line Stylist

Walmart.com

Sapphire Glimmer eyeliner. I am a huge user of eyeliner – I see it as the most important beauty product I put on every morning – and this has been in my beauty box for years. It sells for well under $10, and stays on for hours!

There’s TONS more affordable hot beauty finds you can find in the beauty aisle at Walmart – but you get my point. A bad economy is no excuse for letting ourselves go! Recessionista rule #1: Invest in yourself, just make sure to get the best bargain possible in the process.

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FASHION

The Well-Heeled Society highlights a worthy Breast Cancer Awareness event: Shoes That Inspire, where you can buy a $10.00 raffle for silk Peter Fox shoes, hand-painted by Tracey Asai.

BEAUTY

A Touch of Blusher counts down the best 10 fall 2008 makeup collections.

Steeping Beauty has a low cost fine mist spray by Evian.

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SHOPPING

NY Spender suggests that “if you buy only one pair of shoes this fall, buy one with stacked heels.“

Her Accessories is celebrating the cooler weather with a roundup of her favorite fall jackets.

Gleaming Things loves Givenchy’s look of layered chains, but they just aren’t in the budget right now – these picks are though!

Shopalicious finds a very stylish quilted handbag — with an eco-friendly twist! (Plus a coupon for 10% off!)

Chic by Nature has a great wrap top that you can wear out and then to bed.

There’s some serious inspiration afloat over at All That & a with more inspiration-themed jewelry.

FASHION

Sasha of Style Manila creates a boho-look on an 11-year old named Sylvie.

Tops 2 Bottoms shares an style idea, Layered, Belted, and Plaid for her weekly Work Wear Monday series.

Viva Woman shows you how corsages can make your attire more feminine and romantic.

Style…a work in progress finds inspiration in a little bear called Paddington

Petite Fashionista shows you how to update your Fall wardrobe with pieces that will keep you; comfy, cozy and chic!

The Space Between My Peers categorizes the looks at the bottom of the formality scale into Three Levels of Leisure.

BEAUTY

Beauty Bento Box features the elegantly packaged, eyeliner-slash-eyeshadow Kohl cosmetic, Guerlain Terracotta Loose Powder Kohl Liner.

Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog shows you how to get an easy, elegant smoky eye with the Smoky Eye Quad from Chanel.

My Women Stuff discusses whetherSilicone is good or bad for the skin.

Krizia from Beauty Match declares: We tried Pro-V Restoratives and said bye-bye FRIZZ!.

Beauty and Fashion Tech looks at three bright handbags that look more expensive than they are”.

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This seems like a good time to remind you of the colors for fall, as set every season by the folks at Pantone.

The colors are, from the top left, then the bottom left:

Blue Iris, Royal Lilac, Shady Glade, Caribbean Sea, Aurora Red, Shitake, Withered Rose, Twilight Blue, Burnt Orange and Ochre.

If you want to read more about the colors, as well as around 30 designers color stories for the season, you can access the full report in a PDF file at Pantone.  Pantone has just released the Spring 09 colors, so if you are looking ahead to Spring – check those out while you’re there.

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#1 First Lady of Fashion: With the election of John F. Kennedy as president, Jackie Kennedy becomes an instant and enduring style icon in her trim suits, pillbox hats and those oh-so-elegant pearls. Her arrival at the White House temporarily elevates Washington D.C. to an international epicenter of chic.

#2 The Rachel – Jennifer Aniston bouncy layered ‘do gives Farrah Fawcett’s feathered flip a run for its money as television’s most copied coiffeur with “the Rachel”, the style worn by her alter ego, Rachel Green, on “Friends.” Created by hairstylist Chris McMillan, the cut inspired legions of fans to chop their locks.

#3 Talk about Sex…Fashion consumerism hits an all time high with the debut of Sex and The City. Known for her unique sense of style and love of the status shoe (Manolo Blahniks in particular), writer Carrie Bradshaw looks for love, sex, friendship and fashion in New York City.

So, what do you think?  Think “The Rachel” deserves to be in the top 3?  I’m not at all sure about that one, but the other two are definitely right.   I think Brooke Shield’s Calvin’s probably deserve the third spot.  I am still in love with Calvin Klein jeans to this day – have worn them most of my life. 

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So I got my copy of Nina Garcia’s The One Hundred yesterday.  What an incredibly nice book.  Im not sure why I was surprised by how nice it was, other than the price is so right, I wasn’t expecting such a thick, heavy book.   MSRP is $21.95, but Amazon has it right now for $13.97 – go snatch it!

I made it through about the first 30 items last night, and well, I need to shop.  I did see the darned Birken page in there, although I haven’t made it that far in the book yet – should have known she wouldn’t leave that out!

Particularly notable in this book are the illustrations by Ruben Toledo.  If I am not mistaken, he did the illustrations for her last book, and quite honestly, the book is worth having just to see those.  But there is so much more to enjoy about the book – its a great addition to your collection of books – its a quick light read, and once again, the personal side of Nina Garcia is totally enchanting.  I hope you will get it and please do let me know what you think – I hope you will agree with me!

Image: Amazon

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In celebration of their new site, the editors at WWD have offered up 75 Defining Moments in Fashion – which you can vote on for the next three weeks (yes, even after WWD closes back down to only subscribers).  Here is how it works:

The 75 Defining Moments in Fashion poll will be fielded in conjunction with Entertainment Tonight, the #1 syndicated entertainment newsmagazine in the world.  WWD Executive Editor Bridget Foley will announce the contest on this evening’s show and will explain the month-long voting process.  At the beginning of each of the first three weeks, 25 new “moments” will be revealed on WWD.com/definingfashion for readers to vote upon.  On August 25^th, the top 15 moments from the previous weeks will be voted on to reveal the #1 Defining Moment in Fashion, which will be announced simultaneously on Entertainment Tonight and WWD.com on September 2^nd.

And I have to say, the best part about this is that when you cast a vote, you will be entered into a drawing to win a handbag worth $2500.  Sweetness!

So do check out WWD – I have been a subscriber for a very long time, it is a great read every day (I don’t even read my local newspaper every day – pitiful).  If you’re interested, a year online subscription is $100 – about $8.50 a month.  Well worth the price if you ask me!

Now don’t go vote, so Ill have a better chance of winning the bag, mmmkay? 

Image: WWD

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Um, I wouldn’t.  Maybe if I looked like Giselle in my jeans and I HAD an extra ten grand to blow, but sadly, that just isn’t the case with me.  *sigh*  But I will sure admire them on you though (and yep, be a little jealous too, cause they are right cute)!  If you’re interested, these jeans have just launched today – they are from Key Closet (who I love!) and are premium denim (duh!), with over 1000 Swarovski crystals, and 1 carat diamonds on each back pocket.  Wow. 

And just so you don’t feel just completely over the top decadent (and if you need just a little push over the edge to be convinced that you need these glitzy britches), a whopping 30% of the price of the jeans will be donated to help build primary schools for children in Kampala, Uganda.  Good stuff.  The donation from just one pair of jeans will probably go a long way.  Do let me know if you get these or see them somewhere!  You can buy them at eModa.com!

Image: eModa.com

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On the evening of Wednesday, April 23, Design Cares presents A Night of a Thousand Lights, at the Roseland Ballroom in NYC – a fundraiser to benefit St. Jude Childrens Hospital.  Click the image above to see the invitation and the full listing of designers and events involved, but it will feature Marchesa designs and will be hosted by Phillip Bloch.  Expected at the event are Molly Sims, Iman, Lydia Hearst, Ivanka Trump, Vince Curatola, Tony Sirico, Diane Kruger, Fabiola Beracasa, Alana De La Garza, Olivia Palermo and Michelle Monaghan.

Oh and the gift bags (oh yes, there is swag involved!) – the gift bags feature goodies from MAC, Brooks Brothers, Sarar, Maybelline, David Barton Gym, Warren-Tricomi Salons – and the gift suite (mm hmm) has VIP items from Stila, Sarar, Skagen and Elemis. 

Wanna check out last years event? (.mov file)

For tickets and sponsorships, or just to make a donation, visit the site at StJude.org, or you can call 212-239-3239.  St. Jude is, next to Susan G. Komen Foundation, my favorite charity – they have a wonderful history of helping children and their families – I hope that if you are in or around NYC, you will consider attending.  I sure wish I could be there!

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Bluefly’s new area on their website went live this morning – named b*fly.  Normally Bluefly carries couture and very top of the line brands, and the new area on the site incorporates more casual, but still very high quality items and brands, at a great discount.  What could be better?  Do check them out, I bet you will find some of your favorite things there – I know I did.

/me buzzes straight over to the BCBGMAXAZRIA section

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