Style

My Best Beauty Picks

NYX Black Label Compact Powder, $25

Silky Powder with micro-titanium oxide provides a flawless finish. The formulation contains extracts of rosehip, green tea, camelia seed oil and SPF20. This powder is PERFECT!  I can’t believe I didn’t lock onto this line of cosmetics sooner. After putting on tinted moisturizer or foundation, I use my kabuki brush to lightly set the powder over my makeup. It’s so light. I put it to the test recently for a full day of being on TV. I barely needed to retouch during a long day of shooting six style segments in three locations.

NYXcosmetics.com

Makeup Forever Kabuki Brush, $39

This Kabuki brush is super soft to the touch and easily sets loose powder over tinted moisturizer or foundation. I bought this over a month ago and just started using it last week. I’m wondering, how I got along without it.

Sephora.com

Korres Zea Mays Powder Blush, $24

I love pink cheeks. I ran out of my favorite pink blush and unfortunately, the brand I had been using no longer makes the color. I spent about half an hour up and down the aisles of Sephora comparing the little crumbs of blush I had left to find this near perfect match from Korres.

Sephora.com

Arcona White Tea Purifying Cleanser, $42

This antioxidant facial cleanser has a permanent place in my shower. Cleans away the sweat and grime from a hike or dance class and removes all traces of makeup.

Arcona.com

St. Ives Naturally Clear Green Tea Scrub, $5.50

This gentle scrub with skin-soothing green tea keeps skin clear and works as a great exfoliant as well. It has become my husband’s favorite.

CVS.com

Bra Fit Issues

Question: I just watched you on ABC talking about getting a great fit with your bras. I am having a difficult time finding anyone to help me. I am an older woman..74 this coming September. My husband passed away 5 1/2 years ago in a few months after his passing I lost 100pounds. My problem is bras. I was fitted not too long ago and was told I am a 36 C or B. I have size 38 and they feel snug. I just purchased three Bali bras size 38 C  and they too feel snug around my body and the cups too large with some puckering. I am going to try a 40 B. Any help would be great?
Sincerely,
Donna

Alison: First off, each bra style can fit differently. Are you trying the same style or are you trying different bra styles? Here are some of my thoughts on styles: If you’re concerned about the shape of your breasts, you should definitely try a light foam cup. A compressed foam bra will not add any size but will give you a nice even, rounded shape.

Have a question for Alison? Email ali@alionthego.com

To become a member on the totally fab sample sale site, Ruelala.com. Click on invited by a member. In the box, Your Friend’s Email, put in my email address, ali@alionthego.com.

And voila you’ll become a member for free.

Sure you could assemble your own kit by hitting up the craft store and fabric shops, but for simple at home changes without the need of a bedazzler this is organized and cool. Need to do a quick hem? Done. Want to rough up your jeans? Done. Want to add a few studs, Miss Trendy? Then do it with this hip kit from www.bristols6.com for $30.

THE Dress, and yes I say that often

Tonnes dress in bright blue
DVF.com

A blue dress that looks pops on camera and is ideal for a party.

Shoe

Crocband Flat
Crocs.com

These look old school preppy when you slip them on. These are everyday, walk the dogs or head to pilates shoes. Everyone is always surprised when they find out they are cute Crocs.

Top

J. Crew’s Perfect Stripe Boat Neck Tee
TheFind.com

LOVE, love this tee! It seems to work perfectly with a patterned skirt, wide leg jeans or under a fitted jacket. I purchased a second one.

Body

Smoothing Body Refiner from Nude
NudeSkinCare.com

There’s no cure for cellulite, but this lotion helps with giving an appearance of smoothing the skin which in turn up the self confidence quotient.

Face

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer
Sephora.com

This is my daily go to, must have product. The shades are spot on matches and offer the ideal faux glow of sun kissed skin while protecting you with an spf 20.

Face

Prevage Face Advanced Anti-Aging Serum
ElizabethArden.com

I’ve been hooked on the benefits of Idebenone since Prevage first was offered in my dermatologist’s office. I put in on at night before I add my night time moisturizer and in the morning after splashing my face with water, I look more refreshed.

I admit it, I routinely stand in front of my closets and claim I have nothing to wear. And yes, closet was meant to be plural. That’s why swap parties have always been fun. It’s a great chance to socialize with your gal pals and turn your barely worn, no longer loved items into another gals “new” wardrobe treasure.

After moving to LA, I was in search of a “greener” shopping experience. Consignment was lacking and thrift stores were disorganized.  There had to be a better way and then lo and behold this adorable gal, Dora Copperthite, came up with a truly innovative business plan.

She created Give + Take. It’s an alternative way to shop called a “swap boutique.” The system is basically a trade system. You bring in designer (or semi-designer) clothes, shoes, accessories you don’t want and trade for stuff other girls no longer want. It’s recycling on a simple and stylish, “I get it and don’t need to compost to make a difference level.” On other words you to get revamp your wardrobe as oft4en as you want.

If you bring in, say, a pair of $150 J Brand jeans, you get 150 points to spend on something else. Or, you can do a “one-for-one” swap (one H&M dress for one Forever 21 dress). Her boutique is organized by rooms; there’s the high end designers to contemporary, then the one-for-one room and then she’s even created the room of freebies—yes a rack of various pieces you can just take, no questions asked. There is a small catch, you pay a $25 monthly membership fee for unlimited swapping. If that doesn’t faze you, hell, drop off your entire wardrobe and exchange it for a whole new one. It’s worth it even if you just join for a few months.

Since being turned onto this boutique, I’ve handed over several bags of designer brands including Jill Sander, Marc Jacobs, Tori Burch, Tibi, Juicy Couture, Cole Haan, DVF, BCBG, Theory, … and in return I accumulated about 1,000 points to shop the racks of other swap items. So far I’ve added to my closet a dress from Foley & Corrina that I wore last weekend in Palm Springs that my husband still cannot believe that I got for free, totally hip navy pants from Peter Som, a fabulous black top from See by Chloe and a dress from Corey Lynn Calter. Can you tell I’m gushing? And I still have plenty of points. And Dora updates on Give + Take’s Facebook page so everyone can learn what’s new in the shop.

These are two of my recent swap finds.

It’s a chance to have your own revolving closet for a pittance of what you’d pay retail or even on sale just by recycling your pieces with other girls. And you’ll no longer be bored with your wardrobe or try to convince yourself that a certain top is cute when it’s just not cute on you. Or you could just do what I’ve done in the past and set up your own swap at home with your gal pals.

Check it out at: www.giveplustake.com

Also check out my contribution to,  www.mommygreenest.com

I’m a big fan of vintage shopping and antiquing and had been making plans to shop the famed Rose Bowl in Pasadena for months when lo and behold my hair stylist friend extraordinaire, Theodore Leaf  (www.theodoreleaf.com) and I learned that Eddie Ross (www.eddieross.com) was coming to town to lead a group through the masses of flea market finds.  We were both fans of Eddie’s work on Bravo’s Top Design and I’m always a fan of a preppy guy. So we signed up for the “walk along.”  There were about 15 of us and with coffee in hand and my tote bag empty and ready to fill with negotiated bargains we headed off into the rows of booths and tables filled with silverware, glassware, fabrics, knick-knacks and furniture.  Eddie would stop at a variety of outdoor booths and give the lo down on how to re-do furniture to update it, give advice on how to determine the worth of an object and what’s good stuff from the “trash.”  Let’s be honest it shouldn’t all be someone’s trash is another’s treasure, some of it is just junk.  Theodore, his boyfriend Matt and I had so much fun—how could we not?  A warm, sunny day, Eddie and his main man Jaithan to escort us through the finds of The Rose Bowl plus he gave us some nifty ideas on hostess gifts and table settings. It was a relaxed atmosphere and we met many other gals and guys to socialize with along the way.

Eddie suggested and Theodore literally translated into a hostess gift a small jar of olives with the antique fork and personalized ribbon for me the next time he came to dinner. I added my version of a spoon with a colorful ribbon and lavendar honey.

Anything can work just by taking antique silverware and pair with cheese, olives, jam, or chocolate sauce and tie with a ribbon and small note.

I took his suggestions and created my own small, but charming gifts for my next dinner outings at friends’ homes.

Besides, silverware and vintage cloth napkins I also bargained for this camel saddle (walked away only paying $25) that with new leather became a cool footrest in my living room.

Q. When do I need to buy maternity clothes?

Alison: That is one of the first questions many women ask after discovering they are pregnant. Many moms-to-be can wear their normal clothes throughout their first trimester. If this is not your first pregnancy, you may need maternity clothes earlier.

If you unbutton the top button of your jeans or pants when you sit down, it is time for maternity pants. You can start out by purchasing a Bella Band to allow you to wear your regular pants or jeans longer. If your tummy is starting to peek out of the bottom of your tops, it is time for a longer top. It is important to remember that buying comfortable clothes sooner rather than later will make buying new clothes worth your money.

You can also follow in the footsteps of celebrities such as Nicole Richie. She opts for non-maternity empire-waist dresses, stretchy skirts and jersey tops. With today’s styles, you could easily get away with buying non-maternity tops and dresses. I would suggest, however, splurging on maternity jeans, pants and a couple of maternity shirts.

Not to do
Being a fashionable mom-to-be is easier than you think. All it requires is that you listen to your inner fashionista and avoid these top 5 fashion mistakes.

1. Forgetting your personal style: Don’t start wearing tailored maternity dresses if your pre-pregnancy wardrobe consisted of jeans and flowy tops. Find maternity clothes that are the style you love, but cut to fit your pregnant body.

2. Waiting too long to buy maternity clothes: You will be more comfortable and get more bang for your buck if you buy clothes that fit well before you start popping out of them.

3. Buying all your maternity clothes at once: It is impossible to tell exactly how your body will look at Week 28 when you are at Week 12. Buy a few pieces as your body changes, but hold off on buying everything at once (especially with maternity bras).

4. Wearing large “tent-like” dresses : Avoid the tent look through buying clothes that fit and gently hug your growing bump. Look for details like an empire-waist with a tie back or side-shirring to give your body form and style.

5. Not pampering yourself: You will feel more put together and sexy if you indulge yourself a little and get a pedicure and a fabulous haircut.

Q. I am 5’6″ and weigh 135. I have had two children with one being a c-section and I have a small “pouch” left from the surgery. I do not like the way it looks in the current clothing I have. Do you have any advice on cute tops and shorts/pants that will cover the pouch and not make me look like I am pregnant again? I wear about a size 8.
-Belly Banish

Alison: You want to look for pants and shorts that aren’t on the down low, meaning: skip low-rise styles. Jeans and pants that sit on your waist will give you a slimmer appearance. Look for bottoms that have a little Lycra to give you room to breathe while helping to slim. Check out Not Your Daughter’s Jeans, they have an endless variety that will slim your tummy. Don’t let the name throw you, these are not “mom jeans ”, these are stylish bottoms that will give you good tummy tuck control.

Don’t forget about the infinite intimate apparel options that can help flatten your tummy so you can still wear what you want on the outside. Look at choices from Spanx, Barely There and Donna Karan The Body Perfect Collection which you can find at barenecessities.com and figleaves.com . Also, check out our style recipe Underneath It All for more slimming ideas.

As for tops, empire-waisted tops can hide a tummy, but be aware that too much extra fabric can also billow out and make you look pregnant. Look for tops that have a bit of stretch again and be sure the tops are long enough to cover your stomach fully without rising up.

Itching, aching for a little vay-k as in I need a vacation, get me out of here and make sure a margarita is included? Well, call up your man or nudge him and remove the remote if he’s right next to you. And if he’s not budging, then call your girlfriends a la Thelma and Louise style. It’s time to pack a bag, toss it in the trunk and head out on the highway. Whether it’s the heat of Palm Springs or a jam-packed weekend in Montauk these are the stylish essentials that work on either coast or in between with your friends at the family lake house.

These are my faves for a fun filled weekend in outfits that are hassle free and eye catching. Are you ready to go?

A sexy and yet relaxed looking tank that will go with pants, skirts and shorts. When you want to dress it up later, tuck it into a pencil skirt, add a wide belt at your waist and heels.

Saks.com, $83

Shorts, you can roll up and cuffed or wear long. I prefer a slightly longer inseam, especially when sitting at a restaurant so the chair doesn’t leave any funky marks on my legs.

Shopbop.com, $88

Skip the ordinary white tee and choose one with details like stripes or ruffles. I got this in the mail and immediately paired it with cuffed chambray pants and wedge sandals for movie date night with my hubby.

J. Crew, $39.50

Relaxed fit linen pants for lounging. These can work with wedges and a cute tee for going to the movies or be those comfy pants for the car ride to Palm Springs.

Shopbop.com, $155

I found this swimsuit while shopping on TheFind.com; it was offered at several online retailers and boutiques and lucky me it was on sale at Saks Fifth Avenue. So easy to scope out an item on sale on the site. I haven’t worn a one piece in years, but this is both sexy and flirty so it’s mine. And I like that if the sun breaks through my 70 SPF barrier I won’t have strap lines.

Saks.com, $164, now on sale for 114.80

I like a cover up that works triple duty. It’s a dress the first night, it’s a long skirt paired with a tank for lunch and it’s a cover up when I’m pool or beach bound.

Bloomies.com, $68

A wedge with height and a neutral color so it will go with everything.

Piperlime.com, $134.50