Ask the employees of famed Italian jewelry designer Bulgari.  Before leaving the company workshop in Rome, employees must place their feet in a shoe-scrubing machine.  Why? (more…)

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I always like to spread the word about fund raising fashion shows.  First because they support a good cause and second because they are about clothes!  That’s why I am letting you know about this very cool fashion show taking place Saturday, Sept. 11, 7 to 11p.m., at Cassleman’s,2620 Walnut St. – in Denver’s NoDo area just five blocks north of Coors Field.  The fashion show will support research efforts and raise awareness about the rare blood disease amyloidosis.  The fashion show will feature  (more…)

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Shop with Style Matters fashion columnist Judie Schwartz. She is the fashion columnist for ColoradoView magazine and the former Style Matters co-columnist in the Rocky Mountain News. Her shopping philosophy: High style at Low prices.

• Learn the latest fashion trends and how to put them together with your existing wardrobe.
• Shop for the “must have” items for the upcoming season.
• Discover what clothing works best for your body type.
• Accessorize with the newest shoes, handbags and jewelry.
• Receive a complimentary copy of Style Matters best-selling book “a Fashion-Lover’s Guide to the Best Shopping in Denver and Beyond

CALL JUDIE TODAY TO BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT

303-694-9890  stylematters1@gmail.coom

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I hate throwing out old makeup.  I hardly ever use anything up and I can’t stand discarding a product I spent so much money one.  But, here are some tips from a Paris-based expert who has convinced me to part with some old cosmetics for health and safety reasons.

1.  Once you open a product, discard it after two years.  Eye cream?  Toss after six months (boo hoo!). Ingredients are usually too delicate to last any longer. 

2.  Storing cosmetics in the fridge will NOT make them last longer.

3. Store products away from extreme temperatures and direct sunlight.

4.  Close containers tightly after use.  Use the smell test if you aren’t sure an item is still good.

Good news:  Don’t worry about skincare products.  They are formulated to last at least three years.

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 High-end retailers have finally realized that  they can’t survive on full price sales alone.  Shoppers like a deal and have been spending more time and money in outlet stores.  A recent study found that 75 percent of people who earn more than $100,000 annually say they are shopping at outlets more than they did before the recession.

HIgh-end department stores are giving shoppers what the want.  Bloomingdale’s, Lord & Taylor, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue are all opening more outlet stores.  (Unfortunately the are opening them only on the East Coast, so far, although NM is testing a new outlet concept in Dallas.) 

Facts to know about outlet shopping:  Most merchandise is made solely for the outlet stores.  Prices run 30-70 percent lower for items sold at the main stores and 30-50 percent less for outlet-only goods.  This goes for any outlet store such a Coach, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, etc.

The best outlet shopping in the Denver area is the Colorado Mills Neiman’s Last Call.  This store still sells designer merch that has been in the full price stores at low prices.

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I have not  read the book “Eat, Pray, Love.”  It sounded too self-indulgent and self-absorbed to waste my time on.  The film preview with Julia Roberts, who frankly is not aging well — she has the kind of looks that have tipped from pretty to homely over time — looks really boring.  It appears to be a movie without much of a plot. EPL opens Aug. 13  We shall see if my instincts are right.

Meanwhile, retailers are trying to cash in on the wardrobe Roberts wears in  the film. Check out the Home Shopping Network this Friday for a three-day shopping extravaganza. pushing EPL merchandise.

 http://www.hsn.com/eat-pray-love_c-ep_xc.aspx?cm_re=LeftNav*shop*EatPrayLove

HSN has collected 40 brands of clothing and accessories from Italy, Bali and India.  Sounds like a Pier One sale on steroids.

Look for spice collections by “Top Chef” host Padma Lakshmi, prayer beads by Indian designer Naeem Khan,

(His claim to fame? He’s dressed Michelle O.) and embroidered tunics by V by Eva.

My reaction? Big whoop.  Anyone disagree with me? 

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I have been going thru back issues of fashion magazines and found some very handy tips and some new products that I want to share with you.

1.  Sponge it:  If you don’t like the thick gooey feel of facial sunscreen, try applying it with a makeup sponge.  The lotion goes on in thinner less sticky layers.

2.  Scrub it:  If you aren’t exfoliating your facial skin several times a week, it’s time to start.  Exfoliation smooths skins, which helps makeup go on smoother.  I use Good Skin microcrystal skin refinisher ($25 www.goodskindermcare.com) in the shower for easy use.  The key to exfoliating is to rub longer, not harder.  Hard scrubing can lead to red spots and broken capillaries.

3.  Order it:  To get the most effectiveness from skincare products, you need to apply them in the right order:

                       First: lightest product such as a Vitamin C serum.

                       Next: heavier products such as a moisturizer

                       Finally: sunscreen.   

4.  Take it:   I might be the last person on the planet to know the benefits of flaxseed oil tablets. Also known as linseed oil, flaxseed is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. Dosage: at least 1,000 mg taken one to three times daily. Go to http://www.essortment.com/all/whatisflaxsee_pfy.htm for a list of all the benefits.  Flaxseed oil does everything but vacuum your house.

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Almost everyone knows by now that high definition television shows every blemish.  A whole new line of HD makeup is bieng created for this new format.  I found the coolest product for only $15 at Sephora:  Makeup Forever High Definition Powder.  It’s white and milled finer than baby powder.  It goes on over foundation or blush and smooths and evens out skin color. It also holds in your makeup so it lasts longer and it works on any skin tone.  Sephora carries the large size  ($30) as well as the smaller.  From what I can tell, the smaller size will last a long time.  No need to pay the higher price.  Let Style Matters know if you tried it and what you think.

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Here are some recent research findings that reveal much about how Americans shop.

1.  What city showed the most growth in luxury spending?  Ready?  Detroit.  Go figure.  New York City spending? Down.

2.  Southerners bought more clothing in white, green and pink than other regions in the country. Angelenos bought more black, white and gray.

3.  Dallas women have the reputation of  being big spenders.  Not so. In reality it’s Washington, D.C. women.

4.  Finally clothing sizes.  Research shows that women are thinner in NY and LA.  No surprise there.

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   Dress for Success Denver is selling-off hundreds of beautiful clothing pieces and accessories as a fundraiser.

 Each year thousands of clothing donations pour into the Dress for Success Denver offices, but not all of clothing is appropriate for the workplace or are sized right for the women who need the clothing most. To put the excess clothing donations to good use, Dress for Success Denver will be selling these items in its annual sell-off event. Name brand clothing from designers like Jones New York, Tahari, Ann Taylor, St. John, and BCBG will be available. All proceeds support Dress for Success Denver.

This is a great event for a wonderful organization that helps women get back to work and achieve independence.

When:             Saturday, July 24, 2010 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. The event is open to the public. 

Where:            Dress For Success

1510 N. High St., 2nd Fl. 

Denver, CO 80218

SPREAD THE WORD!

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