My motto is, “Don’t believe the wedding industry hype.”  You don’t have to spend a fortune, especially on your dress (see a photo of mine below), to look like you did.

Me in my Saks Off the Rack wedding dress; only $27 on Ebay!

Sonja Romnus also planned her wedding on a shoestring budget and started a website, 5K Weddings: Affordable Alternatives for Brides, to serve as a resource for other thrifty brides.  Romnus interviewed me for her site, and you can read the Q&A here.

Image courtesy of Tracy E. Hopkins/ Photo by Adam Pantozzi

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Wanda Mann is "The Black Dress Traveler"

Hot Mama Daily: How and when did you start the Black Dress Traveler?

Wanda Mann: I officially launched the Black Dress Traveler website in December 2008 but I’ve been living this way longer than I can remember. I never travel without a little black dress in my suitcase. One night while writing in my journal about a vacation, I had an “aha” moment and the Black Dress Traveler site came to life.

HMD: What service does the site offer?

WM: I share travel information from a female perspective. So in addition to destinations, the Black Dress Traveler provides news on travel friendly beauty products, fashion, and events. I try to help my readers bring glamour back to travel. But more than anything, I want to help women feel empowered. While I have traveled with friends and enjoyed the experience, there is something about traveling alone that is very transformative. I want to remind women that it’s okay to take that dream trip or weekend getaway on your own.

The little black dress is a metaphor for feeling confident and living life with a dash of style whether you are riding the subway to work or flying first class to Paris. Eventually, I want to use the Black Dress Traveler as a platform to raise money to enable underprivileged young women to study abroad. When I was 16, I was blessed with the amazing opportunity to spend my junior year of high school studying in Barcelona, Spain. I also spent my junior of college in Toledo, Spain. Living in a foreign country  was a life changing experience and I would like to make that possible for other young women.

HMD: What beauty products do you always travel with?

WM:  Neero and Ana Satin Pillowcases are a pretty skin and hair saver. Unlike cotton pillowcases, they don’t strip away the moisture. I never travel without one of these.

PhytoSpecific Moisturizing Styling Balm adds moisture and great shine without weighing the hair down.

Bath Junkie Organic Shea Butter Cream with Vitamin E keeps skin soft and supple and adds a nice sheen. And you can customize it with your own fragrance.

HMD: What items do you travel with to help you feel comfortable?

WM: I hate airplane blankets, so I always bring an oversized cashmere or wool wrap to keep me warm on the plane. Depending on the season, this wrap might work its way into an outfit during my trip.  Bluefly.com has luxurious Portolano wraps at a significant discount.  I also carry Capezio soft ballet slippers. They are soft and comfortable and don’t take up much space in the carry-on.

Sometimes airplanes just don’t smell very good. So even though you can’t light it up on the plane, I bring a scented travel candle that I can inhale deeply for some instant aromatherapy.  Later on I can light the candle to make my hotel room fragrant.  Massage Oil Candles by Lano are great for travel because they are packaged in a lightweight tin with a lid.  And after you light them, you can use the moisture rich oil on your skin for a massage.

Airplane meals are basically non-existent these days. Just in case I don’t have time to grab something to eat before I board, I keep a pack of Kashi instant oatmeal in my bag. Thank goodness most planes still have hot water.  And I always have a good piece of dark chocolate in my purse!

Image Credit: Wanda Mann

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Debbie Harry "No Pictures" t-shirt ($49.95) by Worn Free

Worn Free tees offer fully licensed and approved reproductions of famous rock star shirts.  Celebs including Naomi Campbell and Sienna Miller are fans of the hip and comfy tees made using a special printing process to give each t-shirt a vintage, worn-in look.  

Me striking a Debbie Harry pose.

Get yours today and rock on!

Image credit: Worn Free, John Carluccio

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Life is better with a sexy twist.  That’s the philosophy behind JimmyJane, a high-end erotica company with plenty of playful products to spice up your Valentine’s Day.  Here are a few ways for Hot Mamas to be naughty-and-nice:

The fragrant EMBER ($55) candle can be burned as a scented candle or used as a massage oil. EMBER comes in six aphrodisiac scents.  I received the Truffle and Gardenia and it smells heavenly.  The candle is made with natural waxes and other plant extracts to nourish your skin and stimulate your imagination. 

Wink Silk and Suede Blindfolds ($75) come in four colors — black, white, brown, and pink.  The soft suede fits over the eyes and blocks all light, and the ties are made from hand-dyed silk.  Use it for sleep or play. 

Spin Me: Game of Mischief ($35) is a twist on the old “Spin the Bottle” game.  You spin me right round, baby right round. The stylish bottle contains provocative Adventure Strips to help set the mood with messages that range from mild to spicy.

Photo credits: JimmyJane

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(Me at Buffalo Exchange)

Consignment shops offer a percentage in cash or store credit/trade.  You’ll fill your wallet and recycle your wardrobe.  Here are a few of my favorite consignment shops in New York City (a web search will locate similar shops in your area).

Beacon’s Closet has two locations in Brooklyn (92 5th Avenue @ Warren Street in Park Slope and 88 N. 11th Street in Williamsburg).  The stores offer 35 percent in cash and 55 percent in store credit.  Beacon’s takes vintage, trendy, and contemporary clothing in good condition.

Buffalo Exchange also has two locations in New York City and more than 30 locations across the U.S.  They offer 30 percent in cash and 50 percent in store credit.  Buffalo has an eclectic mix of vintage and contemporary pieces, and some items are brand new with tags.  So remember a mix of cash and credit is always an option.

ReDress NYC is the only consignment I know of specializing in women’s plus size fashion (size 14 and up). The boutique’s owner, Deb Malkin, keeps the inventory funky and the store’s vibe lively.  If you’re in NYC, ReDress is hosting a Grand Opening party on Feb. 4 from 6-8 featuring champagne, burlesque performances, and tarot card readings.

Photo credits: Tracy Hopkins, John Carluccio

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As we usher in the new year, we take a look back at the Best and Worst of 2008, along with a look ahead to 2009. From all the Splendicity bloggers, here are some of our favorite (and not so favorite) things from the world of beauty and fashion.

Tracy at Hot Mama Daily tells you about the top5 Hot Mama moments of 2008 and her top 5 favorites beauty products too. She also clues you in on the worst hot messes of the year.

Dexie rounds out the year with her round-up lists at Style It Less, including under $100 looks, celebrity looks for less and her own personal bargain looks.

Aly gives you the beauty ingredient forecast and what’s in and what’s out in hair for 2009 at eBeautyDaily. She also chimes in with Lemon Drop’s worst fashion trends of 2008 at Shopaholics Daily along with hair trends for 2009 and worst celebrity hairstyles of 2008 at Style Her Hair.

Liberty provides her top 5 beauty finds and top 10 beauty tips of 2008 at Teen Style Lounge.

Chloe talks about her favorite jewelry of 2008 at Gleaming Things and favorite fashion picks at Her Accessories.

Julie points out the worst dresses celebrities of 2008 at Snarkstress.

Ashley discusses her top 10 most luxurious items of 2008 at The Latest Luxe.

Mary Jo makes her top 10 beauty & style resolutions for 2009 at The List Maven.

Beth tells you the top 10 must-have beauty products of the year at Aging Fabulous.

Shannon provides her list of top 10 best makeup products of 2008 at Makeup Minute.

Rachel talks about her 2009 New Year’s skin resolutions at Skin Principles.

Kori shows you the worst shoe trends of 2008 at Shoe Blitz and the best and worst fashion Trends of 2008 at Shopaholics Daily.

Photo credit: sxc.hu

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A few of my go-to brands for quality foundation and press powder are Black Radiance and Black Opal, found in your local drugstore, and Clinique and Christian Dior, found in your local department store.

And when it comes to eye shadow and blush, I can always count on Wet n Wild and Black Radiance.  For lipstick and lip gloss, I’m fond of Boots No. 7, MAC, and Revlon in sheer and warm, rich shades. 

But when you have adult acne and dark spots, applying makeup can get even trickier.  For professional tips on concealing acne and dark spots on darker skin tones, I found this helpful video on TotalBeauty.com.  

So watch and learn. 

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We all love a deal, right?  Well check out this new website RedTagCrazy.com, the first “One Deal at a Time” (ODAT) shopping site for women who enjoy high-end fashion apparel and accessories.

The ODAT model gives shoppers a unique and exciting shopping experience while creating buzz for and protecting the value of top fashion brands.

So get RedTagCrazy before the hot items are gone. Currently there’s a cute Amor vintage tee for sale for only $14 and only 9 are left.  

Let the bargain shopping frenzy begin!

Photo: RedTagCrazy.com   

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Let’s go shopping!

Beth at Aging Fabulous offers a selection of terrific beauty gifts.

SP shows you some terrific handbags at Banging Bags, fabulous stocking stuffers at Shopaholics Daily, and even more holiday gifts at Style Her Hair.

Nikki shows us some wonderful little black dresses at Celeb Look.

Gayla features some adorable gifts for your pets at Couture Critters.

Aly offers beauty products for holidays at eBeautyDaily.

Star shows us a selection of fabulous gifts for him and her at Glamour Gift Guide.

Chloe features jewelry gifts for family and friends at Gleaming Things, and offers The Twelve Days of Shopping Christmas Guide at Her Accessories.

Tracy has a not so secret wish list and her holiday gift guide at Hot Mama Daily.

Dexie’s jewelry gift guide for her lights up She Knows Best. And don’t miss out on her Under $100 Holiday Looks at Style It Less.

Kori offers fabulous shoes for every woman in your life at ShoeBlitz.

Colleen features wonderful spa and beauty gifts at Spa Beautifully.

Ashley invites you to indulge in luxury at The Latest Luxe.

Lara provides 8 top 8 lists of holiday gifts for everyone at The List Maven.

Happy Shopping!!

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If you want a dramatic, Beyonce-like look for your holiday office party or festive night on the town, do try this at home.  Thanks to this video I found on TotalBeauty.com, I finally know how to create the smoky eye effect.  So watch and learn.

But I want to hear from you.  Did you hot mamas find this makeup clip helpful?  

And is the final result fierce enough to rival Beyonce?

Post from: Hot Mama Daily