Suited for Success fall clothing drive
Susan Walton, executive director of Suited for Success, left, and Janell Mainka, manager of Catherines in Midwest City.
I usually don’t clean out my closets just because they need it. What kind of reason is that?
If you’re like me and need a better reason, here’s one — Suited for Success kicked off its fall clothing drive Sept. 20 and the organization can use what you no longer wear or need. The campaign continues through Oct. 10, so don’t feel like you have to rush to your closet as soon as you finish reading this post. Wait until after lunch or dinner.
Suited For Success provides women with interview and work appropriate clothing. Clients are referred by various employment and job readiness/training programs throughout central Oklahoma.
Since 1997, Suited For Success has provided clothing for more than 5,000 women.
You can drop off your clothing at any one of the five metro Catherines Plus Size clothing stores. The stores are accepting donations on behalf of Suited For Success. Donations of fall and winter business-appropriate clothing and accessories are needed. To encourage donations and closet cleaning, Catherines is giving a discount coupon.
Here’s the list of clothing accepted:
*All sizes of Misses, Petite, Junior, Plus Size and Tall.
* Always a need for sizes 0-2 and 16 and larger, especially 2-7X•
• New or gently worn, and not more than 5 years old or a classic/conservative style.
• Suits, dresses, pantsuits, blouses, skirts and pants.
• New makeup (unopened), shoes, purses, briefcases, jewelry and scarves.
• New pantyhose in conservative shades and all sizes.
*** Donations cannot be accepted in trash bags or boxes, except for shoes, purses or accessories.
*** All donations must be clean and on hangers and free of tears or stains.
For more information about Suited for Succes, call 521-1089. Suited For Success is at 4141 Highline Blvd.
Driving directions: Exit I-40 at Meridian and turn left (heading south) at stoplight. Turns left onto Highline Blvd. and go to the second stop sign, then turn left into the parking lot.
Victoria Beckham says she eats … now leave her alone
Victoria Beckham arrives for the show by designer Burberry during Fashion Week, in London. (AP)
Does she or doesn’t she? Eat, that is. That seems to be the question for Victoria Beckham these days. While in London for Fashion Week, and looking a bit more thin than usual, she couldn’t escape the question.
“I am fine – happy and healthy. It’s irresponsible when people obsess about my shape and size,” Beckham, 35, told reporters.
Winners of the new Green Good Housekeeping Seal
We all know about the coveted Good Housekeeping Seal. It’s like winning an Oscar. Now here comes the new Green Good Housekeeping Seal. It’s good to be green, you know.
The first products to earn the green seal have been announced and let me be the one to — drumroll, please — announce the winners. But first a little commentary.
The Green Good Housekeeping Seal (GGHS), an environmental extension of the brand’s well-known primary Seal, is designed to set a mainstream bar for consumers who wish to live a greener lifestyle. The first categories to be introduced are beauty and cleaning products.
And now the winners:
* AVEENO Soothing Bath Treatment
* Physicians Formula’s Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Tinted Moisturizer
* Green Works’ Natural Bathroom Cleaner
* Nature’s Source Laundry Stain Remover
* Nature’s Source Glass & Surface Cleaner
* Nature’s Source All Purpose Cleaner
* Nature’s Source Natural Bathroom Cleaner
“The Good Housekeeping Seal was originally created to protect consumers from potentially dangerous products and false claims,” said Rosemary Ellis, editor-in-chief of Good Housekeeping. “Today our readers are interested in making choices that are healthier for their families and for the planet, so we’re continuing our legacy of consumer advocacy with the Green Good Housekeeping Seal, offering consumers a guide, backed by scientific research, for products making significant steps towards being environmentally sound.”
”There is an overwhelming number of products making green claims in today’s market,” said Miriam Arond, director of the Good Housekeeping Research Institute. “We are recognizing mainstream products making significant efforts in the right direction, and as advances are constantly being made in sustainability efforts, we will continue to reevaluate our green criteria on a regular basis.”
Here’s how to get Holly Hunter’s shiny, wavy hair
- Holly Hunter arrives at the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo)
Local hair stylists keep touting Moroccanoil hair products. I haven’t used the brand, but perhaps I’ll give it a try.
I just got an e-mail detailing actress Holly Hunter’s hairstyle for the Emmy Awards. And Moroccanoil products were used to achieve the look.
Star stylist Enzo Angileri who created the look, was inspired by the glamorous metallic sheen of her gown. He created a rich texture emphasized by intense waves, smoothness, and shine. “I wanted her to look glamorous and goddess-like,” said Angileri, “and the hair had to look luminous.”
“Holly’s hair and color is beautiful,” Angileri said, “and I wanted to bring out its deep gold and honey tones for the cameras. Shine was everything in this look since the highlights wouldn’t be at all visible in hair that was not shiny enough to reflect the light — especially on camera and in photos.
Angileri first enriched, smoothed and defined the texture of her hair with argan oil-infused Moroccanoil Intense Curl Cream applied before blowdrying.
“This gave me a great start because the hair immediately looked moisturized and healthy, and had the hold to be styled,” Angileri said. “I blow dried it without a brush, and the shine and texture I achieved with this product alone was incredible.”
Next Angileri used a small 3/4-inch curling iron all over the head to create relaxed natural looking waves. Afterwards, he asked her to share her hair upside down, then sprayed Moroccanoil Glimmer Shine Spray throughout the strands. “I didn’t use hairspray because I wanted the look to be as soft as possible and to be free to fall sensuously forward on her face.”
Plus-size women AND shopping, TV, fashion
Plus-size women are getting their time in front of the television camera these days. And many people think it’s about time. An estimated 62 percent of all American women age 18 and older wear a size 12 or larger.
Now, most women do not consider a size 12 plus size. The point is, more women are seeing on television what they see when they look in the mirror.
I wrote about this in today’s You! section. One benefit of more exposure for plus sizes could be more fashion choices. But the plus-size fashion issue is prickly.
According to an Associated Press story, apparel in general is suffering because of the economy, but plus-size has been particularly hard hit.
NPD Group, a market research company, reports the overall women’s apparel business is down about 5 percent and plus-size is down almost 10 percent from the 12 months ending in May 2009 compared to the same time the year before.
It’s hard to account for the dip at a time when more than half of American women are estimated to wear plus-sizes, generally considered size 14 and up, but analysts have some theories, according to the Associated Press.
“The stigma still continues despite the majority of the population is overweight,” said Marshal Cohen, chief retail analyst at NPD. The stigma means some retailers don’t want to lure overweight customers and send out the “wrong” image, experts said, and the customers themselves may feel put off by many stores.
Several years ago, stores had made an effort to expand the plus-size market, but they have basically abandoned that during the recession, Cohen said.
“They’ve made feeble attempts at going after it, but now that business is challenged, it is first thing knocked out of the store,” he said. “Even though they built it, this was not a field of dreams for the retailer.”
And there’s also the uncomfortable connection between obesity and lower incomes, which might help explain the dip. A study of nationally representative data on American workers by two professors at Stanford University found that obese workers at the same level of job experience, education and gender earned less than their thinner colleagues.
Christie L. Nordhielm, associate professor of marketing at the University of Michigan, said that if overweight people are paid less, it would make sense that they would cut down on buying clothes.
Still, some retailers are going forward with the plus-size customer in mind.
“She wants to look good, feel fashionable and look good in clothes. And she wants fashion,” said Nicole Fischelis, group vice president of ready-to-wear fashion at Macy’s. “We offer the same trends we address with our regular-size customer.”
Marianne Stone, divisional vice president in women’s apparel for JC Penney, said the store’s plus-size business has increased over the last years, but wouldn’t give specific numbers. She did say lines like Unity and nicole by Nicole Miller were added and that the store offers plus-size customers “the same fashion looks, same fashion trends that we have in missy.”
“We are really doing whatever we can to offer this customer fashion,” she said “She’s hungry for it.”
Catching up with actress Sela Ward
I love actress Sela Ward — not only is she talented, she seems so approachable — both in her looks and her dress. That’s not taking anything away from her. She’s gorgeous and is always dressed in something I wish I could wear.
Anyway, Regina Dowling of Glamour24-7.com interviewed her recently. Check it out.
Penn Square Mall goes pink with fashion shows and events
Fashion and breast cancer awareness get the spotlight Friday and Saturday when Penn Goes Pink at Penn Square Mall.
On Friday, wear a flash of pink for Trends and Friends and the annual survivor fashion show at Center Court at 7:15 p.m.. Light bites from Cantina Laredo and The Elephant Bar and wine tasting by Summerside Vineyards and Winery will be available, as well as health and beauty vendors throughout the mall. The event, from 6 to 9 p.m., is free. The first 500 women will receive a complimentary pink key chain.
On Saturday, the Fall Fashion Extravaganza kicks off with a runway fashion show showcasing clothes for all ages from 1 to 3 p.m. at Center Court.
Be sure to stop by one of the many interactive vendor booths located throughout the mall, including Bank of America and the Cosmetic Surgery Center. The Dillard’s cosmetics department will also offer beauty treatments from Bobbi Brown, Dior, Este Lauder, Lancome, Philosophy and Yves Saint Laurent.
You can also register for the Susan G. Komen Race on Oct. 10 in Oklahoma City.
Fashion shows will include merchandise from Bakers, Banana Republic, BC Clark, Brighton, Buckle, Cache, Coldwater Creek, Dillard’s, Express, GapKids, JCPenney, Macy’s Lucca and Lucca annex, Mr. Ooley’s, N-Fashion, Sunglass Hut and more.
New setting chosen for Hope Diamond
"Embracing Hope" is the new setting for the Hope Diamond.
A new set of jewels will soon surround the Hope Diamond.
To mark the 50th anniversary of the world’s most famous diamond being donated to the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Channel invited Americans to vote on a new commemorative setting for the Hope Diamond. Three designs were created by Harry Winston Jewelers. More than 100,000 total votes were cast on Smithsonianchannel.com.
The winning design is called “Embracing Hope.” The diamond will be on display for the first time out of a setting in the Smithsonian Museum’s Winston Gallery until April when the new setting is unveiled.
The unveiling of the 45.52-carat blue diamond in its new temporary setting next spring will coincide with the premiere of Smithsonian Channel’s “Mystery of the Hope Diamond” documentary, which tells the story of the diamond, from its birth to its mysterious journey through Europe and to its final home at the Smithsonian.
Red carpet beauties — Tina Fey, Drew Barrymore and Kristin Chenoweth
The red carpet is always a great place for fashion and beauty. Sunday evening’s Emmy Awards offered plenty of both. Yvonne Hawker of Make-Up Designory (MUD), one of the nation’s leading makeup schools, weighed in on her best beauty picks.
“Tiny Fey, Drew Barrymore and Kristin Chenoweth were my absolute favorites,” said Hawker, the school’s creative director. “Tina Fey has the winning look for 2009 – darker eyes and neutral lips; Drew was just so fresh; and Kristen simply exuded sex appeal with a sultry style.”
Here are Hawker’s tips on how to get those Emmy looks at home. If you don’t own any MUD products, use your own or search local stores for similar colors. Experiment, play. That’s what makeup is all about. MUD products are available at Be Well Spa in Guthrie. (405) 260-2935
Tina Fey holds her award for best guest actress in a comedy series for her appearance on "Saturday Night Live" backstage at the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009, in Los Angeles
TINA FEY
Absolutely stunning with smoky, dark eyes and neutral lips, steal her pretty style by applying MUD’s Eye Color in Bone just under the eye brow, Eye Color in Espresso on the lid into the crease and Eye Color in Onyx on the outside corners softly blending into the center of the crease. MUD’s Cake Liner in Brown along the upper lid gives definition to the eyes. Finish with two-three coats of MUD’s Cream Mascara in Black.
Kiss cheeks with a hint of color using MUD’s Color Cream in Sweet Cheeks.
A subtle counterpart to dark eyes with neutral lips can be achieved using MUD’s Natural Lip Pencil and Rose Clay Lipstick.
Actress Drew Barrymore at the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards. AP PHOTO
DREW BARRYMORE
Drew’s look is all about fresh, clean eyes paired with luscious lips that pop! Keep eyes simple with MUD Eye Colors in Cashmere, Bone and Chamois. Apply Cashmere on the lid, Bone just under the eye brow and Chamois in the crease. A very thin line follows the upper lash line. Use MUD’s Cake Liner in Black to achieve the same look.
Dust cheeks with a light swish of MUD Soft Peach Cheek Color.
Lips bring this look together with a gorgeous combination of MUD’s Mai Tai and Ladybug Lipsticks.
Kristin Chenoweth at the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards. AP PHOTO
KRISTIN CHENOWETH
A very hot look for this year’s Emmy’s, Kristen’s look was show-stopping. Replicate her exotic smoldering eyes and nude lip look by applying MUD Eye Color in Honeysuckle just under the eyebrow, Eye Color in Pixie on the lid and Eye Color in Espresso on the crease. To really make this look pop, use MUD’s Eye Pencil in Black on the upper and lower lash line. Finish the eyes with several coats of MUD’s Cream Mascara in Black.
Cheeks are soft and barely there. Apply a light sweep of MUD Cheek Color in Rose Petal to the apples.
Nude, nude lips allow the eyes to remain the focus of this fabulous look. Mix MUD’s Sandy Beach Lipstick with MUD’s Gloss in Iced Latte for that perfect look.
Fall open house at Allyson’s Closet
