Category Archives: Beauty

Strategy in Stilettos’ Holiday Gift Guide

Posted in Fashion, Jewelry, Beauty, Holidays by

Screen shot 2012-12-02 at 11.32.01 AM

Screen shot 2012-12-02 at 11.45.22 AM

1. Rag & Bone shot glasses (set of 4): $19.99

2. Band of Outsiders “Best Friends” hats: $29.99

3. Jessica Simpson infinity scarf: $40

4. BaubleBar + Essie (customized set of 1 nail polish + 3 bracelets): $50

Screen shot 2012-12-03 at 2.04.00 PM

1. Lindt Expressions Gift Box: $22

2. Harry & David Happy Creek Gift Box: $39.95

3. Joseph Altuzarra Cocktail Shaker: $50

4. The Original by Koostik iPhone Speakers: $95

Screen shot 2012-12-03 at 3.15.22 PM

1. Omega Shaving Kit: $24

2. Brooklyn Brew Shop Beer Making Kit: $50

3. Ernest Alexander Dean Chocolate Wax Flask Set: $50

4. Beats by Dre Tour Earphones: $149.95

Screen shot 2012-12-03 at 2.54.49 PM

1. Chalkboard Spice Jar: $10-12

2. Spotted Pavé Ball Stud Earrings: $18

3. Agloves Touch Screen Gloves: $19.99

4. Instawatch (Customized Instagram Watch): $44

What’s on your holiday wish list?

A Little Pre-Holiday Shopping

Posted in Beauty, Fashion, Holidays, Jewelry by

One reason I love living on the east coast is because the seasons change, which allows me to choose a new favorite time of year each time the weather shifts. Summer is great because I see my high school friends and get to spend time in the greatest city in the world, NYC, of course. Fall is boots and scarves and crunchy leaves weather – enough said. But as much as I love all those experiences, in my mind there’s no happier time of year than the holiday season.

I won’t let me myself start listening to holiday music until after Thanksgiving, though. And while the three weeks between Halloween and Thanksgiving feel as if they drag on forever, I get through them the best way I know how: shopping.

It may seem crazy to shop for holiday gifts so early, but when you have so much time to choose the perfect gift, it allows you to stumble across gifts that are perfectly matched to your friends and family, rather than forcing it! I’ve already purchased gifts for 5 of my best friends because I came across things I knew they would love.

After Thanksgiving, I’ll post a holiday gift guide. But if you’re curious what’s going on my wish list this year, I’ve already found the first thing: BaubleBar + Essie Collaboration!

This might be my favorite BaubleBar collab to date, and that’s saying a lot. Basically, you start off by choosing one of 6 Essie nail polish shades + a coordinated bangle. Then you choose 2 additional bangles to add to the set. So 1 nail polish + 3 bangles = $50!

Here are a few combo sets I wouldn’t mind adding to my collection:

But my favorite combo? This one:

What nail polish + bracelet combo would you choose? Do you think it’s too early to start your holiday shopping? Let me know in the comments or by tweeting @staceyalevine!

Two of My Favorite Things: Discounts and Nail Polish!

Posted in Beauty, Giveaways and Discounts, NYC by

Two posts in one day? Well, it’s for a good reason! Remember Julep? Over the summer I blogged about their fantastic nail polish sets and ran a giveaway!

They’ve contacted me again with an awesome opportunity to snag some of their great autumn colors at a major discount courtesy of WABC-TV.

Their “Autumn Nails in New York” set includes a conditioning nail polish remover, emery board, three colors (a burgundy, gold metallic chrome, and autumn red-brown) and a quick dry polish drop. Best of all – it’s free shipping!

The original price of the set was $70, but through 10/12 (that’s tomorrow!) you can get it for $30 (+ free shipping) using the code CHANNEL7. Purchase here!

Comment below or tweet at me (@staceyalevine) if you snag the deal – I’d love to hear your thoughts!

*Note: This deal is exclusively available to New Yorkers.

How To: Dress Up As Carrie Bradshaw for Halloween

Posted in Beauty, Fashion, Holidays, How To, Look For Less, Steal That Style by

I love Halloween. Picking pumpkins, decorating pumpkins, baking recipes with pumpkins, toasting pumpkin seeds…and decorating the apartment. And dressing up.

But for some reason, despite my serious love for Halloween, I always find myself lacking creativity when it comes to a costume. And year after year after year, I struggle last minute to throw together a costume (part of the problem: I hate spending money on something I’ll only wear once, and you can’t repeat Halloween costumes! [Lizzie McGuire, you are an outfit repeater!])

This year, I decided to get started early. (Well, not early enough in terms of 7-20 day ground shipping on some websites – what is this nonsense?! But a few weeks early).

I came up with a costume that combines three of my loves: being girly, fashion, and Sex and The City. You got it – Carrie Bradshaw and her iconic tulle tutu skirt outfit!

Not so surprisingly, there are TONS of sites – namely, Etsy – which sell the iconic Carrie Bradshaw skirt. And in true Carrie Bradshaw fashion, they all cost over $100. I’m not spending that on a tutu skirt! Sarah Jessica Parker only spent $5 on the actual skirt from the show – she bought it out of a thrift store bin!

So here’s how I’m putting together my SATC Halloween costume for under $20:

- Tutu skirt, Amazon.com: $17 (including shipping)

- Pink tank top: borrowed

- Strappy sandals: own

- White ribbon belt, craft store: $2

And as for makeup…fresh face, brown eye palette, rosy cheeks, pink lips! And hair will be teased, teased, teased.

Check back after Halloween for pics of me (hopefully!) pulling it off!

What are you dressing up as for Halloween? Let me know in the comments, or tweet @staceyalevine!