JUST IN TIME FOR SUMMER, we’ve got deals on ALL NATURAL products to keep your skin protected and silky smooth!

• Don’t waste money on a sunscreen that is not TOP RATED.  Instead, get $2.50 off any Kiss My Face Sun Care Product at Whole Foods.  The best part is – Kiss My Face is at the top of the Environmental Working Group’s 2012 Sunscreen Guide -  so you can wear it with confidence!

• Whole Foods is also offering $2.00 off any one Weleda Facial Care Product

• AND our buddies over at Mambo Sprouts are promoting sexy summer legs with their $1.00 off DEAL for any Kiss My Face Moisture Shave!

Here’s to your Fab & Fru summer glow!

by Stephanie Berenbaum – May 16th, 2012

Paying the Price for Sun Protection

Buying a Fab & Fru sunscreen is about more than just price.  We don’t care how cheap a sunscreen is – if it is filled with potentially harmful chemicals, it has no value.  Luckily, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) came out with their 2012 Sunscreen Guide today.  Their handy guide lists sunscreens by safety and also by price!

For a sunscreen to truly be Fab & Fru Approved, it needs to be affordable AND protect against UVA and UVB rays AND have least amount of hazardous chemicals possible…Not so easy to find!

What’s The Rub?

Many sunscreens are filled with chemicals and ingredients that are toxic or questionable at best.   Some of the common ingredients EWG recommends avoiding are Vitamin A derivatives – like retinyl palmitate – and ones made with the chemical oxybenzone, which many experts believe is linked to hormone disruption.

EWG also recommends avoiding those spray sunscreens to avoid lung issues.  And, surprisingly, they don’t recommend SPFs of over 50 because people tend not to reapply them as often as they should and end up getting burned!  And last but certainly not least, you should only buy sunscreens that protects against BOTH UVA and UVB rays.

Not All Coppertone is Created Equal

Many of the sunscreens which are high on safety and low on price are NOT widely available – which is why we’re happy to see Coppertone make the list of best sunscreens.  But hang on – they also made the list of worst sunscreens!  This is why is helps to carry an ingredient cheat sheet with you when you go shopping.  While some Coppertone is ranked high for safety and low cost, ones that look almost identical are on the EWG “Hall of Shame” list!

Coppertone Water Babies SPF 50 is a top pick – it is cheap, one of the safest, and easy to find at most drugstores.  But if you run in and accidentally grab Coppertone Water Babies SPF 70 – you have just picked one of the worst!  Why? Because the higher SPF version  has the added ingredient of oxybenzone – the potential hormone disruptor.  So, while many of the good and bad choices look almost identical, it is imperative to take a detailed list with you so you don’t waste money – or jeopardize your health.

Here’s to a summer of sun, fun and protecting your skin.  Enjoy!

What is your favorite Fab & Fru sunscreen?

by Stephanie Berenbaum – May 9th, 2012

The Stealth Chic Of An Old Standby

Ok, let’s face it. You probably never thought Land’s End was cool, but that’s about to change.  That’s right: we’re talking about the mail order retailer you probably last shopped at for a pea-coat in middle school.  And, shocking but true: Land’s End is actually full of fantastic Fab & Fru Fashion Finds!

No, Really…

Just hear me out on this one.  A lot of brands put their hipness right out there for you to see.  Not Land’s End – they go to great lengths to put their models in the worst colors and combinations.   They make you work to find the chic.  But if you dig deeper, we swear there is a treasure trove of affordable fashion just waiting to be found…even for YOU, the stylish, urban shopper!

Our discovery happened as most do – in the middle of the night surfing the internet.  Here is the 411 on finding Fab & Fru fashion at Land’s End:

Look Beyond The Featured Color

Land’s End will often feature a piece of clothing in a color you might not exactly want to wear.  Say, a color like “Pink Begonia”.  If you are anything like us, grey is just about one of the brightest day to day colors you wear.   The secret is that Land’s End has many pieces in simple, classic shapes that actually look modern in a black or grey.  You just need to take a minute and scroll to hit fashion gold!  For example….

Dress(es) For Success

We’ve been looking for dresses to wear to work, and never thought we’d find anything sleek at Land’s End.  The first key is not to get put off by the sea of florals and plaids.  So we channeled Agatha Christie and discovered some Fab picks that look like they came from J. Crew or Banana Republic – but for $50 or $60 bucks! One of our favorites is the Ponte Cowlneck Dress, shown here – for only $59.99!

Off Season Shopping Opportunity -

Just like we tell you to buy air conditioners in winter, we’re telling you to Buy Your Down Coats Now!  Off-season shopping can save you a bundle.  Enter Land’s End – known for their quality outerwear.  Again, they are tricky, and they try to throw you off with a color you might not normally buy.  For example, they feature the magenta Diamond Down Coat – and I don’t even look twice.  But take a minute to scroll and it turns out they also have it in simple black (featured here)- and for $65 you are a rock star! Tell your friends it’s Prada – they’ll never know the difference.  Or if you want to be even cooler tell them “Land’s End” but say it like you mean it.

Are You Down With NQP?

Think Land’s End can’t hold any more surprises for you?  Our fave Fab & Fru find is the Not Quite Perfect Department – those in the know call it “NQP”.  These clothes are slightly imperfect – in most cases it is nothing you would never notice! The best part – even the NQP items are all FULLY RETURNABLE – meaning you won’t waste money chancing it on final sale items.  Plus they’ve got a huge selection of massively marked down kids coats!

Even in a crap economy, we feel like shopping just got fun again!

Killing Me Softly?

Fab & Fru Fact: buying cheap beauty products full of harmful chemicals is not a bargain!

According to the Environmental Working Group, “The average woman uses 12 products containing 168 different ingredients daily. Many cosmetic chemicals are designed to penetrate into the skin’s inner layers, and…they do!”  Makes you think twice about slathering that fake “mountain breeze” scented crap you bought for “only” $1.99 all over your body, doesn’t it?

So, before you spend another dime of your hard earned money on a so-called “beauty” product, make sure the ingredients aren’t ugly and harmful!

Watch Your Wallet

Buyer beware: just because something is labeled as “natural” – doesn’t mean it really is! Our favorite resource for finding non-toxic beauty products is the Environmental Working Group’s “Skin Deep” Database  - plus, they have a handy wallet guide you can print out so you always have it with you.

Sleeping With The Enemy

Just look in your own bathroom and see how many of these common offenders are currently co-habitating with you – chances are you have: Parabens and PEGs in your lotions, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate in your shampoo, Triclosan in your soap, synthetic “Fragrance” in …just about everything?

EWG warns the above ingredients have been linked to everything from allergies to toxic contamination to hormonal effects to thyroid disturbances.  We’re guessing that is NOT what you thought you were paying for!

Whole Foods…Affordable?!

The introduction of Whole Foods’ “Premium Body Care” labeling has made shopping for affordable, non-toxic products easy.  I know, I know – affordable and Whole Foods…what?! But it’s true.

The easiest thing to do if you live near a Whole foods is to look first for their green “Premium Body Care” flags on the shelves – this will narrow now your search from the start.  Then start comparing prices. The Premium products are the purest and least toxic AND there are plenty of lower price range brands in the top tier that offer the best of both worlds!

Paying The Price

The next time you are tempted by a “two for one” sale of vats of scented shower gel at the drugstore – take a minute, and pull out your wallet guide!  The price tags aren’t the only labels you should be reading. Ingredients tell you the whole story about what the real costs are to the products you are buying!

by Lisa Moore – April 23, 2012

The Magic of Makeup

Thinking about plastic surgery?  You’re not alone.  13.8 million plastic surgeries were performed in 2011.  $12.4 billion dollars went into those surgeries – that’s $1.80 for each person on Earth!

As far as some of the most popular procedures go, 5.7 million Botox treatments were performed last year – botox cost ranges from $120 and $400 per treatment.  Nose jobs cost between $3,000 and $15,000, collagen injections run anywhere from $300 up to $5,000, and the 119,000 facelifts performed in 2011 set people back between $6,000 and $15,000 each!

Before dropping big bucks, check out these top tips for your eyes, lips and nose to help keep you looking young – while keeping your money in the bank! 

EYES: Lavish Lashes

As we age, our eyelashes often thin out.  Investing just a few bucks in false lash PIECES will give you an eye lift for less!  Forget what you think of the thick falsies of the past, today’s lashes are subtle fillers that give a natural, lush look, just where you need it.

For a little more pow, follow up with your favorite mascara, and then give your lashes a curl.  Good curlers start at $20, and curling will make your eyes look less saggy for a lot less than a trip to the operating room!

by Alexandra Pauline – April 16, 2012

A Guide to Second Hand Designer Deals

Trendsetting is a full time job.  So, if you’re a bohemian beauty looking for a classic a clutch or a hint of 70′s flair, Fab & Fru’s 2012 Guide to Vintage Shopping has the TOP nationwide hot spots for finding that one of a kind, diamond in the rough, for a fraction of the original price!

Brooklyn or Bust

While Manhattan may have the monopoly on vintage haute couture, like the selective designer styles found at Resurrection in Soho, Brooklyn is definitely the place for second hand treasures at more affordable prices…

Brooklyn local Alexandra Citrin says Greenpoint’s hidden Coral Thrift Store is her all time favorite place to shop.  Packed with 90′s Calvin Klein dresses, Ferragamo heels, and perfectly broken in leather cross body bags, the only thing that could make this place better is the fact that – YES – everything is priced around $20!  But don’t stop there… nearby Williamsburg is packed with vintage clothing shops, and Stella Dallas is our Fab & Fru fave!

Chanel in Chicago

McShane’s Exchange in Lincoln Park is one of the top resale boutiques in the Midwest.  Their website confirms that they reject labels like H&M and even Chico’s and are committed to only stocking high-end brands like St. John and Gucci.

If you’re looking to splurge on a more red-carpet ready look, check out Decollage in the West Loop.  This store’s accessories are just as decadent as their separates.  From Valentino to Christian Louboutin, you’ll be in excellent designer hands.  Though the average price tag of $200 and up for the really exceptional couture pieces may sound high, the quality of these one of a kind FINDS, may just make it worth the investment.

by Alexandra Pauline – March 28, 2012

Runway Looks for Less

Fab & Fru was inspired by Fashion Week – and there are plenty of penny pinching ways to rock Spring’s prêt-a-porter looks!  - We’ll have you runway ready in no time – even if you’re just running to work or to pick up your kids…

The Anorak

A spring coat is a key item in any wardrobe, and the Anorak is a fresh take on a once masculine style. Though Jason Wu and Tommy Hillfiger made the Anorak a designer breakout on the runway, check out this tan one from Buffalo by David Bitton at Nordstrom for only $98!

Tribal Prints

Interwoven colors, mixed and matched through the beauty of intricate design, are the perfect way to make a statement this spring.  So don’t be shy – make a tribal printed garment a staple of your new wardrobe!  Donna Karan made them the center of her show this year – if you’re going for a similar look but want to tone it down, try mixing a printed tribal top with a solid bottom.

Peplum Skirts and Dresses

Did you love Tina Fey and Michelle Williams peplum style at this year’s Oscars?  Now it’s your turn to rock this award winning style.  Seen all over the runway from Tom Ford to Thakoon, this retro look has been totally revamped for 2012.  It not only adds ladylike flair, but it also cinches your waist and shows off your curves.  If you want to ease into this hot new look check out pretty peplum LBD by Calvin Klein for $75.99!

by Brandi Savitt – March 8, 2012

Why Avoiding Chemicals Is Worth the Price

You’ve probably noticed that at most major drugstores there are typically ZERO non-antiperspirant deodorant options for women – while the men’s section offers at least 3-4.  And you’re also probably aware of all the reports suggesting potentially harmful links between aluminum (a major ingredient in antiperspirants) and breast cancer, and of course Alzheimer’s disease - not to mention other terrifying chemicals found in deodorants, like parabens… So what’s an educated consumer to do – especially when the social norm (and more importantly the consumer price point) still pushes women to use toxic chemicals to stop sweating and smelling?

While none of us ladies want to smell bad, the health risks of using chemical laden deodorants and antiperspirants are just too great.  So, we’ve done a little homework and gathered the info you need to know.  From the most cost effective high-end organic brands to homemade deodorant recipes, we have the Fab & Fru stink on how to smell your best – the natural way!

Chemicals to Avoid & Why

It seems logical that rubbing chemicals on your pits may not be the healthiest choice – no matter what the chemists say.  While the list of chemicals to avoid can be rather daunting,  Naturalcosmetics.com has done a superb job summarizing a full list of nasty no-no’s to look for when reading deodorant labels.  And the two top chemical compounds to watch out for are: aluminum & parabens – here’s why…

Aluminum

Aluminum-based compounds in antiperspirants block the sweat glands to keep sweat from getting to the skin’s surface. Some research has suggested that these aluminum compounds may be absorbed by the skin and cause changes in estrogen receptors of breast cells. Because estrogen can promote the growth of both cancer and non-cancerous breast cells, some scientists have suggested that using the aluminum-based compounds in antiperspirants may be a risk factor for the development of breast cancer.

And while no clear link to breast cancer has been established yet… the unclear part of that is good enough for us! There are many alternative health care practitioners that believe that high levels of aluminum in the body may be the link to many diseases…

Parabens

Naturalcosmetics.com states that “parabens in their many forms (methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben, or butylparaben) are a class of artificial preservatives widely used in cosmetics and personal care products that are being investigated for their possible role in breast cancer. Parabens mimic the activity of estrogen in the body. Since estrogen promotes the growth of breast cancer cells and a woman is eight times more likely to develop breast cancer in the part of the breast closest to the underarm, scientists are studying the connection”.

Looking for an aluminum and chemical free deodorant that will leave you smelling pretty all day?  Well, we found some great deals on our Fab & Fru staff favorite – Weleda Spray Deodorant.  We’re partial to the Citrus scent, but you can choose Rose or Sage if you prefer… The spray is effective, all natural and smells great!

The Deals..

Weleda deodorant retails at $13 on their site (free shipping with orders over $70) for a 3.4 ounce bottle, and up to $15 in stores! Although on the pricey side, this long lasting spray is currently…

•  On sale at Vitacost  for $8.18 – Vitacost is also currently offering free shipping on orders of $49 or more.

• Drugstore.com is currently offering 20% off all Beauty products with code beauty20 – but just until 3/9/12!  So with the discount, their price on the Weleda deodorant is $10.40 – but their minimum for free shipping is lower than Vitacost – at just $25 to qualify.

• Shipping fees may vary, but Amazon is currently offer the Weleda Citrus scented 3.4 ounce bottle for $10.33.

• Or if you want free shipping without the minimum?  Dermstore is offering the Weleda 3.4 ounce bottle for $13 – but offers free standard domestic shipping all the time – no minimum required.

ENJOY!

by Alexandra Pauline – March 5, 2012

Save on Your Next Shopping Spree

Starting to get spring shopping fever?  Well, we have some Fab & Fru tips to help wake you out of your shopping hibernation AND keep you on top of some of the most savvy deals year round!

Know When to Shop the Discount Rack

Knowing WHEN to shop is one of the easiest ways to save.  Most retail stores follow a set weekly schedule for when they move items to the sale rack – thus making the following day your PRIME TIME to shop.  Department stores are typically known for doing their markdowns on Tuesday nights before closing, which means Wednesday morning is the time to find the best selection on the latest deals.  Though this might be the first time you’re hearing about the markdown schedule, it’s really NO secret.  If you want to find out when to let your fashionista ferocity strike, all you have to do is ask the manager of your favorite store!

Get Smart About Sales Tax

With sales tax hovering close to 10% in cities like Chicago, Los Angels and Seattle, the price we end up paying at checkout is always more than expected.  And while we can’t avoid paying sales tax on every purchase we make, PLANNING AHEAD for a big shopping spree is a saving tip from the masters.

Many states offer a Free Tax Weekend once or twice a year when they suspend sales tax on clothes and other purchases under a certain price point.  Connecticut, for example, features a whole free tax week from August 21^st-27^th on clothes and shoes under $300.

Also keep in mind….. If you live near the border of a state or town with a more favorable sales tax than your city, take a road trip when it comes time to stock up.  For example, NYC dwellers, before your kids head back-to-school, head over to New Jersey where there is  ZERO sales taxes on clothes!  Click here for more information on state and city tax rates near you!

Follow Facebook & Twitter for Killer Deals

If you want to know about the latest online and in shop sales, follow your favorite stores via their social networking portals.  Many top brands now only offer insider deals, sales and giveaways to their Twitter followers and Facebook friends.  These tips are often NOT advertised anywhere else – so get with the times and SAVE!