by Alexandra Pauline – January 30, 2012

Cheap Tricks for Healthy Skin

As the dry winter weather wreaks havoc on our delicate skin, there’s no need to overpay for skincare products whose ingredient list you can’t even pronounce.  Check out these Fab & Fru tips to keep your skin happy, healthy and winter ready the au naturel way!

Moisturize Naturally

Homemade Masks

There’s nothing better than a cool face mask to refresh your skin.  No need to spend your cash on expensive lotions or store bought products because everything you need for an amazing face mask can be found right in your own kitchen!  Celebrity stylist Sherri Jessee said, “A great way to keep dry winter skin at bay is by mixing one egg with Greek yogurt.  After your mixture is made apply it straight to your face and leave it on for five minutes and then rinse and pat your face dry.” (And for goodness sake, take the same precautions you would when cooking – don’t eat the raw egg, and make sure you wash your hands well to avoid the remote risk of salmonella!)

Sweet Exfoliation

To help keep your skin soft and glowing, it’s important to exfoliate your skin once a week.  If you’re in the mood for something sweeter, good old sugar is an excellent exfoliant!  The rough texture gently scrubs away dry skin and helps clear pores.  To create this sweet smelling scrub, take an equal amount of olive oil, white sugar and brown sugar, and then add 6 drops of vanilla extract.  Massage the mixture right onto your face in gentle circular motions and soak in the beautiful aromas while you exfoliate!

Recycle Your Coffee Grinds

Looking for another deep cleaning face and body scrub that will leave your skin silky soft plus smooth & lighten rough skin on your elbows?  Concoct your own inexpensive coffee exfoliant!  Just take your morning coffee grinds and mix in a tablespoon of lemon juice.  It’s a little messy when you apply the scrub, but you’ll be shocked at how good your skin looks & feels! (Steph and Brandi SWEAR by this one – one try and you will be hooked…)

by Stephanie Berenbaum – January 26, 2012

One Night Only

Last weekend,  I was at a tres chic friend’s bday party, and the Birthday Girl was wearing a fantastic cocktail dress.  Believe me, it looked very fabulous – and not at all frugal.  So, of course, I had to ask where she got this piece of couture.  My fashionable friend immediately replied, “Rent the Runway!”  Though we’ve mentioned this online service before, I myself wasn’t a member.  But I was so impressed with my friend’s look, that I went directly home from the party, signed up and discovered a whole world of Fab & Fru fashion right at my fingertips!  

What is Rent the Runway?

Rent the Runway lets you rent (you probably figured that out) designer fashion for a fraction of what it would cost you to buy it.  We mean really a fraction – like up to 90% less.  YUM!  And while I have visited actual stores that rent fashion, I have never used an online service and was curious…

How It Works….

I was a little skeptical about renting clothing online – until I read the details.  Here’s the scoop – at Rent the Runway,  you work with fit specialists to determine the best dress for you — and they even send you a 2nd size for free!  What sealed the deal for me is – if  it doesn’t fit – you don’t pay (less the cost of shipping)!  The site boasts a 99% success rate, which is WAY higher than my typical success rate when shopping for dresses live.  Another advantage – you can rent your WHOLE look from them – including Spanx, handbags and jewelry!

Fashion Emergency!

I admit it, I am a procrastinator.  Whether you put things off ’til the last minute like I do – or you get a fabulous last minute invitation to the Oscars – you are in luck.  Rent the Runway ships same day in NYC and overnight to the rest of nation to help you avert a fashion emergency!

by Stephanie Berenbaum – January 19, 2012

Buggin’ Out?

Given the rotten job market and downer economy, I am happy to say I have recently encountered a business which gives me confidence that this country is going to be ok: I am speaking, of course, about Professional Lice Removal.

In general, I try not to make impulse purchases.  But when I got a call from my son’s school that his hair was infested with lice – well, let’s just say all logic (and money) went out the window!

Pricey Lice!

Instead of weighing my options, I immediately called a salon near me we’ll call “Pricey Lice” – yes, a professional lice removal salon.  In that instant I lost all faith in my motherly abilities to de-louse my child and assumed only a professional could do the trick.  At this point I was sure all of our family members, babysitters and close friends had also been infested by associating with our family, and I just wanted them GONE.

So, of course, in my frenzy, did I even stop to ask about price?  No, I didn’t.  I was just thrilled to get an appointment and we rushed right over…

Back In The Day

If I had stopped to think about it, I might have recalled having lice back in the 70s, when my mother took on the role of cheif de-louser with Rid shampoo and a fine toothed metal comb.  There were no lice salons back in the 70s, of that I am pretty sure!

Fast forward to Pricey Lice, where our whole family  got checked and miraculously only one son had it.  The checkers were as nice as could be, and even my 6 year old was relatively happy, sitting there for several hours playing video games and eating snacks …and no, the snacks were not free.  As they combed product through his hair and checked through it all in tiny sections, I have to say I was relieved to have this resource right around the corner!  That is, until…

Feeling Like A Nit-Wit

I went to pay the bill – and I honestly thought there was an error – it was almost $400.  This included the de-lousing for my son, which took a couple hours, checks for the other 3 of us at $30 a head, and purchase of the deluxe home care product kit they sell, for $80.  Plus a few more bucks for goldfish crackers and Yoo-Hoo.  I did then what I should have done in the first place – looked at the pricing!

They, like many lice removal services,  charge by the hour – this includes evaluating, removal and treatment.  It’s $95 for the first hour (the minimum) and then $23.75 for each 15 minutes thereafter.  Keep in mind only one of my sons needed lice removal – he has long hair for a boy but nowhere near as long as the girls in his class – so I can only imagine how much it cost for them or multiple siblings to get treated!

Due to his level of infestation, we were told to come back for a second treatment a few days later – priced the same way as the first visit (but took less time).  The second check ran us about $100, so, in all we’re talking about a staggering $500 total.  And as far as I could tell, they didn’t offer financing plans – though apparently they said many customers were able to get partial reimbursement from insurance…

by Stephanie Berenbaum – January 18, 2012

A Quick Spray Does Away With The Grey!

(Please note – the following is NOT a paid review – it is just a Fab & Fru Find we love and wanted to share with you!) 

I’ve found it – a hair product I cannot live without.  All of you ladies out there who battle with grey roots – help is just a spray away… So, I’ve written before about my pesky grey hair.  Well, to be honest it is actually stark white hair – ALL of it.  But of course you wouldn’t know it to look at me – because I color it constantly to bring back the chestnut warmth of my youth.  And while I still love my favorite at home D.I.Y. haircolor, Naturtint, and even splurge at the salon on occasion, I found a new product which has taken first place in my heart (and on my head)!

Rita Hazan Root Concealer

As I mentioned,  my hair is 100 % grey – and it grows like a weed. I started going grey at 17 and I am 39 now – so it’s been over 20 years of dealing with this crap.  Basically, if I get my hair colored on Monday, by Friday grey roots are popping up, mocking me. Between running a business and being a mom, I just didn’t have the time or energy to keep up with weekly hair maintenance. Which led to me walking around sporting a white streak in the middle of my head most days – as you can imagine, not my best look.   And that’s when Rita walked into my life…

I admit, I was a bit skeptical when I saw the can of Rita Hazan Root Concealer sitting on the shelf.  A little can of spray paint for your roots?  It seemed to good to be true.  I’d tried other temporary covers from hair crayons to mascara wands before – and never been happy with the results.  But, catching a glimpse of my skunk like hair in the mirror, I bought it and hoped for the best.

Life Changing Product

Let me cut to the chase – this product literally changed my life.  Here’s why – now when I wake up in the morning and see grey popping up, I just lightly spray a little Root Concealer on my part, and in literally 5 seconds the grey is gone!  Granted, it’s just a temporary fix, but that’s all I need.  Plus, it is actually water resistant and stays in until shampoo’d out.  Since I don’t shampoo my hair everyday anyway, it can last for days.

Do Up Your Hair for the Holidays

Ok, I admit it.  I love to splurge from time to time as much as the next girl.  And I have to tell you, my new favorite splurge is going to see celebrity stylist Ryan Crupi at the Andy LeCompte Salon here in West Hollywood, CA.  But since I am Fabulous AND Frugal, there is no way I can go to see Ryan to prep for all of my holiday festivities – so I asked him for D.I.Y. tips on how to do holiday hair at home.  It turns out, that you can recreate the salon experience – with you as your own on call stylist!

Celebrity Style

Ryan is known for doing the hair of celebrities like Kate Walsh, Rachel Bilson and Emanuelle Chriqui. Having long hair myself, I wanted to know how to re-create their natural, sexy beach-y look at home. Here are Ryan’s easy steps.  In just 15 minutes you too can get the look I WISH I had when I roll out of bed!

Ryan’s 15 Minutes To Fabulous Hair

Follow these easy steps and you too can rock tousled waves without spending a ton of dough!

1. After washing hair towel dry very well – remove as much moisture as possible.
2. Spray all over with R Y A N C R U P I • O C E A N S P R A Y™
   (this is the only product I use, by the way)
3. Blow dry with your fingers – keep your fingers running through it constantly.  And yes, this is way more fun when Ryan
   himself is doing it!  But a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do….  Then flip your hair upside down and keep your fingers running through it.
4. When dry, take a flat iron or curling iron and smooth it out or add curls, whatever you would normally do.  The key is to NEVER use an iron on wet hair – it will BURN it.  And to keep the iron constantly moving – you don’t want 400 degrees sitting on your hair!
5. After you use heat, let it cool.  As Ryan explained to me, hair is like metal – use heat to form it and then let it cool to set.  You need to let it cool down before finishing up your look.
6. After it cools off, comb your fingers through your hair to achieve a more natural look (as he puts it, so you don’t end up looking like Shirley Temple). Loosen your hair with your fingers to achieve a natural, sexy look, and he advises to “pull with tension” – don’t be afraid to get in their and work with your hands.  And … that’s it!  You don’t need to spray again or add anything else to it.

by Brandi Savitt – December 05, 2011

Light Up Your Wardrobe This Season

Looking for a way to dress up your holiday party look without spending your entire gift budget on clothes for yourself?  Well, supermodel and runway coach for the Miss Universe Organization, Lu Sierra has some Fab & Fru tips that will not only add a bit of glam to your winter wardrobe, her chic yet affordable suggestions will get heads turning in YOUR direction this holiday season!

Vintage Is Your Best Friend

While it’s no secret that shopping at vintage stores for designer looks for less is a Fab & Fru must, Lu reminds us all that “shopping vintage is also a fashion diva’s way to give back to Mother Earth”.   It’s the ultimate way to recycle while paying tribute to style through the ages! And like all of the best money saving tips, Lu wants you to get creative when putting together your holiday look.  While shopping at her favorite vintage shop, Stella Dallas, in Brooklyn, Lu found an adorable black dress for $30, and to add some extra holiday glam, she bought a fun crinoline skirt to wear underneath – for just $15 bucks!

Shop the Men’s Department

That’s right, Lu wants us ladies to hit the sales racks in the men’s department to find some serious steals. Generally speaking, men’s clothes simply cost less than women’s designer looks, and the sales are to die for.  Lu was shopping for a white suit, and everything she liked at the department store was upwards of $1,600!  But then she walked into Zara’s men’s department, and found just what she was looking for for $175!

If you’re a tall lady like Lu, and love the tailored look, men’s clothes are a great fit.  The waist sits lower, the sleeves are typically longer, and the wider shoulder will definitely add some drama to your suited look while accentuating your waist.  One of Lu’s signature looks is to tie a man’s neck tie into a bow around her neck, and either wear something low cut (or nothing at all) underneath her suit jacket.  Super glamorous, yet super simple.

Lu insists that the men’s department has something for women of all shapes, sizes and style.  Especially when buying button down shirts, Lu says that she has not spent more than $20-30 on a collared shirt in years!  Instead, she shops the men’s sales racks.  A main element of men’s sizing is the sleeve length, which mean’s if you’re on the shorter side,  you’re sure to find a sleeve length that’s right for you too.  Find a $20 or less shirt that fits you well, and if it’s loose in the waist, bring it to your tailor who can take it in a bit to show off your curves for under just $10.  Who can beat a custom fit shirt for $30?

Click here to find your Cyber Monday Deals Right Here, Right Now! 

Looking for the best online Black Friday & Cyber Monday deals from clothing to electronics?  Savings.com has you covered with their exclusive deals from the most popular stores.  Take advantage of the hottest sales as soon as they become live!  Just pick your category, search for the best deals, and start stacking your Cyber Monday savings TODAY – through the entire Holiday Season.  And to get the most bang for your Black Friday Buck – check out our Fab & Fru Black Friday tips.   Happy Shopping!

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Help contribute to Breast Cancer Awareness Month by purchasing your beauty supplies from Beauty.com’s special list of products!

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A Holistic Approach to a Healthy Thyroid

We at Fab & Fru believe that when it comes to your health – knowledge is power!  And while getting regular check ups are KEY to catching a health problem before it becomes a serious issue, understanding how nutrition affects your overall well-being can also help you heal a disease you may already suffer from…

Magdalena Wszelaki knows first hand the healing power of super foods and good nutrition.  After years of not feeling well, Magadlena was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Disease.  Instead of letting doctors tell her there was nothing she could do to reverse her condition, she took her health and her future into her own hands!  Today, Magdalena is a Certified Nutrition Coach and a thyroid thriver, and she wants to help ALL WOMEN suffering from thyroid conditions feel better in just 30 days.

On September 27th, 7-8PM EST, Magdalena will be hosting a FREE CALL How I Fired Up My Thyroid.  During the hour, she will share her full journey of recovery from hypothyroid and Hashimoto’s Disease.  Her goal is to introduce you to the power of nutrition and share with you her experience so YOU can shave off the “learning years” and feel better in no time!

What you will learn on the call:

• What were the 3 most critical things that made the biggest difference in Magadelena’s own recovery
• Why endocrinologists are helpless and so reliant on TSH and T4 alone, which is not enough…
• How to assess doctors.
• What other blood tests are critical.
• Why today’s conventional medicine has no answers for thyroid diseases – and who does.
• 2 actions steps you can implement today to start feeling better.
• Find out the early-bird special for “Fire Up My Thyroid” Tele Seminar (via phone) coming up in October.

SIGN UP NOW to join the FREE CALL on September 27th, and take control of your own healthy future!

By Megan Segura – August 31, 2011

Beauty Trends for Fall 2011

Some people go to fashion shows to see the clothes, while others wait to see what makeup and hair trends will be making an appearance on the catwalk.  Like the clothes, beauty trends are always slightly exaggerated on the models for theatrics, but the statement they make sets the interpretative stage for what’s hot – and what’s not…

The Power of the Understated

The first word that comes to mind when looking at the Fall 2011 shows – save a red lip here and there – is UNDERSTATED. For the most part, hair was kept simple and away from the face (who knew low ponytails were so fashion forward?) and makeup was rarely over-the-top.

Raising An Eyebrow or Two

They say the eyes are the windows of the soul, but this season, the eyebrows are getting all the attention! Anorexic eyebrows got beefed up for the Alexander Wang and Burberry shows. Makeup artist Gucci Westman used Revlon’s Brow Fantasy to make the models’ brows pop for the Oscar de la Renta runway. The pencil end of the wand is used to fill in the hairs, and the colored gel makes sure everything is groomed and stays in place.

If you try this look at home, remember to keep the rest of your makeup pretty neutral. Pairing a strong brow with dark lipstick and blush can result in a look that is more clown than couture!

Metallics Everywhere

Backstage at Roberto Cavalli, models’ eyes were lined with thick black liner before a deep bronze shadow was applied. Makeup artists at Chanel skipped eyeliner and swept a silver metallic shadow over the models’ lids – the result being more ethereal than intense.

To achieve this look, try Lancome Color Design Eye Shadow in Bikini Gold. The sandy color gives eyes a golden shimmer.