The new Beauty on a Budget posts will feature makeup, cosmetics, etc that won’t break the bank!

First on the list is EyesLipsFace better known as e.l.f.  Their philosophy is that beauty comes from within and it’s their goal to enable every woman to look and feel her personal best through the perfect blend of both the inner and outer person. Most of their products only cost $1 and you will fall in love with the makeup brushes like I did.  Experience e.l.f.’s revolutionary, value-priced cosmetics and the proven results they offer today!

Another favorite of mine is Coastal Scents.  I actually discovered them on YouTube because so many people were doing tutorials on their famous 88-color eyeshadow palettes.   Don’t be fooled by the number of colors and price of $21.95 because these eyeshadows are very pigmented and rich.  They also sell other items like gel liners, lip gloss palettes, mineral makeup, makeup brushes and more!

Beauty, Shopping | 1 Comment »

1 - Monique Lhuillier

2 - Isaac Mizrahi

3 - Michael Kors

4 - Christian Lacroix

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It’s time to shop, save and be merry!

Avenue, the nations leading plus size retailer has amazing gifts at great values for everyone on your list, including slippers at $7.99 and sweaters at $16.99. Make sure to treat yourself to something as well. All holiday blouses are now 50% off - Plus free shipping on order of $75 or more.

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Reinforced by the soft economy, this is “high season” for identity theft with identity thieves seeking to take advantage of shoppers. Identity theft generally rises during the holidays because thieves assume that consumers aren’t paying attention to their credit card purchases, debit card purchases, receipts etc. as closely.

IdentityTruth, the leading provider of a new breed of services to help consumers safeguard their privacy and identity, is offering basic tips to help consumers avoid putting their identity at risk during the 2008 holiday season. In addition to watching budgets this season, consumers also need to be vigilant in the face of possible identity theft. Be safe!

• Use credit cards instead of debit cards: Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, Credit Cards provide consumers protection again fraudulent charges and your liability is limited to $50. You also have the right to dispute charges and withhold payment during investigation. However, debit cards are entirely different. Although they market themselves to deliver the same protection, they are not required to by any law. Bottom line, your liability for fraudulent charges is the entire amount in your checking account as well as the credit line you have been authorized to receive.
• Use a single credit card to consolidate your purchasing: The more credit cards open in your name, the greater the risk that a thief will obtain the account information for one (never mind that having numerous cards with big lines of credit can be a bad temptation and can actually drag down your credit score–even if you don’t have balances). It’s also easier to monitor a single statement for signs of fraud, and you won’t incur the annual fees associated with having multiple cards. Make sure to cross-check all your receipts against your statements to see that they match.
• Be sure to write “SEE ID” on the back of credit cards: This simple step can help to foil thieves if the card is lost or stolen, and might even help to catch the thief if your card is taken.
• Shop on secure sites and be wary: While the majority of identity fraud occurs offline, identity theft is also a problem online. You must exercise caution when shopping on the web. Stick to sites that you know are legitimate, and if you are trying a new site for the first time, here are a few things to look for: the URL should have “https” in the shopping cart; there should be a lock icon on the bottom right hand side of the window and look for icons that indicate site safety (the Better Business Bureau, VeriSign and Hacker Safe icons).
• Watch out for “phishing” and “vishing” scams: These scams can be a real problem, as identity thieves try to play on people’s generosity during the holiday season. Phishing emails often take the forms of requests purporting to be from a bank or credit card company; they ask you to “verify” account information such as login and password or they request a donation or assistance for the less fortunate during the holidays. Vishing scams–which involve fraudulent calls—seek to exploit consumer concerns over fraud by seeming to offer fraud prevention assistance. The bottom line: no legitimate vendor will ask for your login and password via email or on the phone.
• Be careful when using ATMs: Only use ATMs with monitoring cameras, such as those in bank lobbies. Avoid kiosk ATMs, those freestanding units often do not have cameras and are statistically more likely to be infected by skimmers (electronic devices that allow thieves to record account and PIN numbers). “Shoulder Surfing” can also be a problem at a crowded mall. While you assume that the man behind you is uncomfortably close because of mall crowding, he may actually be looking over your shoulder trying to get your login.
• Place fraud alerts to prevent new credit card accounts from being opened: Free fraud alerts placed on your credit report are good for 90 days (if you can demonstrate that you’ve been an identity theft victim, they can be set for 7 years) and, in combination with other proactive measures, can be used to help to prevent identity theft.

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Grab the kids & hot cocoa and sit back to enjoy these 10 family-friendly holiday movies this month!

1. A Christmas Story
2. Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas
3. Its a Wonderful Life
4. Nightmare Before Christmas
5. Miracle on 34th Street
6. Polar Express
7. A Christmas Carol
8. Elf
9. Bad Santa
10. Planes, Trains and Automobiles

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Nothing quite compares to the experience of the circus: the anticipation followed by the sheer excitement of the lights coming up, the performers riding in on elephants, the colorful clowns, and the acrobats flying through the air. Many of us remember the magic of the circus from our own childhoods - one of the rare things that we can now pass down to our children as well.

I have so many fond memories of attending the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus as a child in Georgia. Whenever the circus came to my city, my entire family went each year to enjoy the greatest show on earth. The shows were always full of surprises, the performances were amazing and my cousins & I loved picking out our soveniers at the end :)

The circus provides more than just a night out. It creates a memory that lasts a lifetime and a tradition that can be carried on from year to year and generation to generation. As one mom said, the circus is “worth every smile and mesmerized stare.” From the laughs that come at the clowns’ expense, the gasps of delight at seeing a motorcycle making its way across the high wire, and the huge grins that come from seeing elephants and tigers up close, the circus truly feels synonymous with childhood.

So this fall, get ready for a variety of new and exciting Ringling Bros. shows in cities across the country. As a special treat and Stylish Moms reader, you are receiving a 20% discount code courtesy of Mom Central. The discount code is “MCC”.

Simply go on ringling.com and type in your zipcode to find shows near you and purchase your tickets online with the code. To help you start the family traditions early, the Baby’s First Circus program allows babies to receive a free ticket voucher that can be exchanged for a free ticket to any Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey performance, anytime, anywhere. (No expiration date)

The discount code is valid for circus shows in the following cities:

Grand Rapids, MI: Sept 18 - 21, 2008
Denver, CO: Oct 2 - 13, 2008
Boston, MA: Oct 8 - 13, 2008
Cleveland, OH: Oct 24 - Nov 2, 2008
Chicago, IL: Nov 6 - 30, 2008
St. Louis, MO: Nov 6 - 9, 2008
Auburn Hills, MI: Nov 12 - 16, 2008
Highland Heights, KY: Feb 27 - Mar 1, 2009
Cincinnati, OH: Mar 4 - 8, 2009

Have fun, spread the word and enjoy the shows!

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The Cradle, the premier lifestyle destination for new and expectant parents, has partnered with Pregnancy magazine to search for America’s favorite independent baby boutique!

The program, which launches today, September 15 on TheCradle.com, is looking for the shops that go above and beyond selling baby basics. Whether they offer the best selection of hard-to-find stylish baby clothing, the latest in eco-friendly toys and furniture, parenting classes, or in-house consultants to help moms navigate the new world of mothering, The Cradle wants to hear about Stylish Moms readers’ favorite baby boutiques.

To enter, please click here!

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Yummie Tummie is the new leader in shapewear apparel and accessories! Not only will Yummie Tummie visibly slim, shape and smooth you, it’s the first shapewear on the market that is actually comfortable enough to wear all day and evening, and so sexy that you never have to worry about that awful moment of truth when undressing in front of your spouse, partner, or even a first date! It’s actually meant to be seen.

Yummie Tummie was created by Heather Thomson, a fashion designer and celebrity stylist. The creative force behind P. Diddy’s Sean John line, the several labels launched by Beyoncé Knowles as well as Jennifer Lopez’s Sweetface brand, she understands the needs of both celebrities and consumers. When she became frustrated with the existing shapewear options available to her and her clients – all of which compressed the bust, didn’t stay in place, were horribly uncomfortable and hideous to behold – she schemed, sketched, cut and sewed to come up with an ingenious solution to a universal problem. Within six months on the market, Yummie Tummie has become the go-to solution for celebrities and their stylists, who rely on it to look smoother and sleeker in everything they wear.

Yummie Tummie is truly a fabulous undergarment that can be worn each and every day as a foundation, a layering piece, or even on its own. You will look better, feel more confident, and stand taller. It is the must have accessory for the fall season - so grab yours by clicking here!

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iPods have quickly become some of the most popular and widely used portable media devices by people of all ages, with over 170 million sold worldwide since its introduction in 2001. Their frequent use while people are on the go and potentially less attentive to their surroundings have made them an easy target for would be thieves on campus, in urban areas, on city transportation systems, and in many other public environments.

Master Lock, the innovative industry leader in locks and security products, recognizes the importance of the personal and financial investment iPod users have made in their media players, and has now made protecting these devices more convenient with the introduction of the first-of-its-kind iCage, a family of locking skins for iPod players.

The iCage includes a durable, lightweight protective skin, set-your-own 3-digit combination lock for keyless convenience, flexible cable for lock-down security, and three (3) invisible shrink wraps for screen and body scratch protection. Best of all, the device remains fully functional in the new locking skin with access to all ports for the user.

“So many people have made their iPod an essential part of their lives and that means more, and often easier, opportunities for theft. The iCage maintains the ease of use of these devices while keeping them more secure,” said John Heppner, president and CEO of Fortune Brands Storage and Security, which includes Master Lock. “The iCage locking skin enhances the iPod user experience by making security possible wherever and whenever people are using them.”

The new iCage is available for the 4GB and 8GB iPod nano; and the 30GB, 60GB, 80GB or 160GB iPod classic.  For more information about Master Lock’s new iCage and other security tips to keep you and your belongings safe, please click here!

Electronics | 1 Comment »

Ask any Mermaid you happen to see – what brand is asking consumers to get creative? The answer is Chicken of the Sea!  Chicken of the Sea International is asking moms, with a little creative help from their kids, if they have what it takes to create a new and fun verse for the company’s famous, catchy jingle! 

The Mermaid Jingle Jam, an online and interactive contest, is giving Stylish Moms readers the opportunity to get creative and come up with a 30 to 90 second jingle that incorporates Chicken of the Sea’s original lyrics, key messages about seafood and the contestant’s new verse into a fun music video! Your jingle should include four key themes focusing on health, convenience, quality of life and dietary requirements. Want to see a sample? Head on over to Chicken of the Sea’s YouTube page!

One lucky grand-prize winner will receive a celebrity-style trip to Universal Studios Hollywood! In addition, Chicken of the Sea will donate $100,000 of Chicken of the Sea seafood to the winner’s local America’s Second Harvest food bank.

Want to become part of Chicken of the Sea’s history? For more information, contest rules, guidelines and prizes, please visit: mermaidjinglejam.com or chickenofthesea.com - Good Luck!

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A Day In My Shoes: Gossip Girl Stylist Eric Daman Goes Inside Fashion Week from Payless Fashion Week 09 on Vimeo.

Eric Daman, Gossip Girl head costume stylist, democratizes New York Fashion Week at Payless’ Guest Designers’ fashion shows by taking you behind the scenes with hair, makeup and accessory tips, providing a snapshot of one of the fashion industry’s most important events!

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