Happy Halloween!!

**ATTENTION** Stylish Ghouls and Goblins:

Today is the day to dress up and be whoever you want to be

so have fun and be creative!! We here at SMD want to see what you have created!! Send your crazy creative costume pictures to edie_middleton@yahoo.com, let us share ur halloween fun with the rest of the Style Me Daily readers around the world!!

STAY ADDICTED! "Muuaahaahah" (scary laugh voice...lol)

This is LEGAL Theft!

Yeah so , the economy taught us how to be wiser shoppers but for anyone with a love for fashion, we just find it a bit too difficult to let go of some of our favorite premium and designer brands. I mean c’mon, their great investments! Right? Duh, but there are better ways to snag stylish studs without having to resort to disposable fashion houses, Forever 21 and stores of the like. I mean could it really be saving if we’re constantly having to throw away our items after 4 wears and 3 washes..ughh. Definitely Not! But there is a way to snag our quality products at disposable prices. Believe me, I’m a master at anything frugal. It just requires a bit of patience, time and deep digging.

Take my Ross splurge for example: I’ve purchased an originally priced $95 dollar Guess gem gel stiletto for $29.99, RampageCombat Boots for $20.99 instead of $59.99, a bedazzled coffee cup and umbrella for $5 and once overly priced earrings for $11.00 [pictured above]. I also happened to stumble upon an upscale line of beauty products I used to use but ditched because of their prices. Not to mention my mom found an INCREDIBLE $200 VALUED CALVIN KLEIN suit for a mere $98. I just about died and hope to have it passed down to me in the near future…*sigh* .For once I was actually enjoying a trip to Ross. Which is typically not my favorite discount store but it serves to prove that patience, deep digging and timing was key. I know Discount stores aren’t a secret to anyone but they’ve seemed to have been overlooked. I guess it’s the impression that their items are “out-dated and damaged” which is completely false. It just means someone somewhere in the fashion cycle made a big boo-boo whether it’s over buying or selling to the wrong market and well left it to TJ Maxx, Ross, Nordstrom Rack..etc to clean up their mess. Also, don’t forget to search your favorite retailers, clearance and sales online. On Bakers website I found a multitude of stilettos, sandals and boots that were conveniently marked down from their previous prices and the shoes were very much in the happening or forecasted to be. Happy shopping style-a-holics!

Stay ADDICTED!

-Tonaya

The "Beauty" of Coffee: Beauty Recipes!

Hey SMD lovers!

I discovered some great beauty secrets that are fabulous! Who says coffee can be just a beverage? Well, there’s actually a lot more to coffee.

Coffee actually can be used in beauty products as well to rejuvanate skin, and give you that glow you’ve been looking for. It not only can tighten critical areas to get rid of cellulite, but it can also protect against things like skin cancer as well!

I found several beauty recipes that I’d love to share! The best part is that they are all easy to make and inexpensive. ALL of them require just two ingredients and provide great results.

All of the recipes involve coffee grounds. It doesn’t matter what type of coffee flavour/brand you use, it’ll all have the same affect.

Recipe 1:

Coffee lotion

-Your favorite lotion

-2 tablespoons of any kind of coffee grounds

After mixing these two ingredients together, rub it on your body and leave it on for thirty minutes. Then, wash it off with a warm shower. I absolutely loved this recipe whenever I tried it. My skin felt smoother, and healthier. Try this lotion once or twice a week for even more results.

Recipe 2:

Coffee Scrub

-1/4 cup of any kind of coffee

-2 tablespoons of olive oil

After mixing these two ingredients, apply the scrub to your body. Wash it off with a warm shower after you’re done scrubbing. This recipe was definitely my favorite out of all of them. My skin felt so soft and fresh after I tried this scrub. I saw great results after my first time trying it, it’s a great way to get rid of dead skin cells and make your skin look fresher.

Recipe 3:

Coffee Facial Mask

-3 tablespoons of ground coffee

-A small glass of milk

Mix the two ingredients together until well blended. If the mixture seems to runny, add more coffee grounds. After blended, apply the mixture to your face and neck; smooth it over the areas avoiding your eyes and lips. Message the mixture then leave it on for about twenty minutes. This recipeis great as an exfoliator and is very rich in antioxidents. It’s such a great way to give yourself a great at home spa treatment.

These recipes are so great to improve your skin and nourish it; the best part is that they are so easy, and inexpensive! Plus, coffee has so many great benefits for your skin that I didn’t even know about until I found these great recipes.

Benefits of coffee for your skin:

-It’s an antioxident that replineshes, and nourishes your skin, as well as prevent aging

-helps prevent skin cancer

-Improve the blood flow in your body and get rid of cellulite

-Clear up acne

-Coffee is an ingredient for skin care products have been used by women from Russia, Hawaii, Bali, and South America

I just had to share these great tips! As fashionistas we all want great skin right?! :-)

Until next time readers…

Stay ADDICTED!

Muah ♥

-Holly

SMD Recognizes National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Fall/Winter Wishlist: Boot Edition

Hey all you SMD DIVAS ♥

This right here is our......................

PRETTY BOOT-SWAG! (Ayyye!) (hehe)

Check out some of this seasons hottest boots

from the expensive to non-expensive its a little something

for all you fashionista's out there!!

p.s. you dont have to spend big money to look like it so get it!!

(BIG shout out to our Graphics Editor, Tristan Lazor, she is a beast with the layouts she created this one! I gave her my vision and she ran with it!!)

sooooo stay addicted!!

xoxo

-Whitney

SMD Welcome's Beauty and Fashion Writer Holly Allsup to the Team!

Hey Everyone!

Let me introduce myself! I'm Holly Allsup, and I'm so excited about being part of SMD!

I'm currently 19 and a sophomore at Midwestern State University. My major is Marketing with a minor in public relations & advertising. I was blessed to be introduced to Edie through my sister, Sarah, which they met on the set of 'Blissful Lies'. Like Edie, I share a passion for fashion! I absolutely love it.

My goal is to do fashion merchandising someday, or work for a fashion magazine. I love magazines, you name it, I probably read it! I get lost just looking at fashion pictures in magazines and watching all the shows! I enjoy caffeine...coffee, cokes, tea, it's all just so addicting :) I work at Victoria's Secret and love that place! I have the most adorable puppy named posh. My personality is really bubbly and fun. I love meeting new people. I also love looking for beauty tips, and trying new products out. I'm so glad to be a part of this wonderful team!

I can't wait to start writing for SMD but for now...

STAY ADDICTED!

muah♥

-Holly

Making Cute...Cuter!

When I decided to take on the task of helping my roommate revamp her style, I was a little unsure of how to go about it. Although, I'm a fashion merchandising student, and aspiring personal stylist, I assumed this was going to be a very difficult task. How could I make such a cute girl any cuter? Yes, trendy fashionable clothes would help, but I had to put a little thought into this one.

Samantha's usual wardrobe included tie dye or volleyball t-shirts and unflattering jeans that didn't do much for her cute, curvy figure. When deciding how to style her, I had to keep in mind her sporty, comfy style and just add a little extra to it. I had figured out our goal: finding jeans and shirts that flattered her body, but that were comfortable and "easy" just like her old volleyball shirts.

Our first stop: Nordstrom's BP Section. This trendy, cheap, little known section of Nordstrom was the perfect spot to find a fashion forward top at a reasonable price. We settled on a pale pink and white striped, ruffle tank top. A piece that would be easy to layer or wear on its own.

Next was Forever 21. My goal was to get Samantha into a cardigan, but that was a big jump from her usual pullover tie dye (and/or volleyball) hoodies and zip-up UnderArmor fitness gear. So, we settled with a zip-up tan and purple hoodie for an American Apparel inspired feel. Another easy piece, that was just another step towards her trendy, revamped look.

Then it was JEAN TIME! I had mentioned before our trip to Samantha, that the biggest change in her look would be in the type of jeans we picked out. The jeans we ended up buying were the complete opposite from her usual everyday jeans. The jeans Samantha wears on a daily basis are very light washed, flared leg and not very fitting anywhere but the waist. The jeans we ended up picking were Gap's 1969 Real Straight style in a dark wash. The dark wash and the slim fit of the legs made Samantha look so great! Her legs looked long and lean...but still showed off her curvy figure! Not to mention, the darker wash and quality jeans just screamed fashionable! After one look at herself in the mirror with her new jeans, Samantha was strutting and dancing all around the dressing room. While still at the Gap, after settling on an amazing pair of jeans, we found fitted v-neck t-shirts for $4! YES, $4! (The store was having a fantastic sale...and we just so happened to be there on the right day!).

We finished the day with purchasing some basics like a plain, white tank top for layering and a dark grey v-neck. A brightly multi-colored scarf caught our eyes at Old Navy...a must have to continue her love for tie-dye in a more stylish, mature way.

The styling trip went wonderful, and Samantha left with some really great pieces at a GREAT price. She felt comfortable and was finally able to show off her cute body in clothes that fit properly! Just the change in jeans alone left Samantha looking longer, leaner and more mature. Overall we only spent less than $130, and she left with 4 shirts, a nice pair of jeans, a scarf and a stylish hoodie. Can you say bargain beasts?!

This styling project was a challenge for me and I couldn't have been more happy with the outcome. Seeing Samantha with the biggest smile on her face and the giddiest attitude reminded me why I want a career in the fashion industry. Helping people feel beautiful and confident without changing who they are or their personal style is a difficult task, but if successfully accomplished can make the cutest person even cuter. I think I can speak for all of us when I say, Megan, Samantha and I all left the mall that day feeling beautiful and successful in our own skin.

Stay Addicted,

Tris

...For those who want more tips on updating your look and finding good deals, let me know! I really enjoy personal styling and would love to take on more friends as projects! :)

BET "Hip-Hop Honors" Tonight!!

HOWS IT GOING SMD PEEPS!!

YOU ALL KNOW FASHION AND MUSIC GO HAND AND HAND,

SO CHECK OUT THE BET HIP-HOP AWARDS TONIGHT AT 8/7c!

HOSTED BY MIKE EPPS (NEXT FRIDAY, LOTTERY TICKET) SO YOU ALL SHOULD HAVE A GOOD LAUGH!

I WILL BE BACK WITH A RECAP OF THE RED CARPERT OF WHATS HOT AND WHATS NOT (IN MY OPINION OF COURSE)!!!

SO STAY ADDICTTED!!!!

XOXO

WHITNEY

These Boots Were Made for Walkin'!

Hey there, SMD!

As you know, fall is quickly creeping up on us and its chilly weather isn’t far behind. So what is a good investment piece every girl should purchase this fall? A pair of boots!

With so many different styles and colors, any shopper is sure to find the perfect pair that will compliment so many different outfits. Transitioning into fall-whether its in Texas or LA- is not an easy task. The question of what outfit is appropriate for the frequently “iffy” weather is something that continuously arises in the mind of a fashionista. But, have no fear, selecting the perfect boot is your solution!

Pair with shorts and a t-shirt on warm days or leggings and a tunic when it starts feeling chilly! Boots are a perfect combination with a girly dress-with bare legs or tights!

When choosing your new pair of boots, keep in mind fit, style and color. What color will compliment the clothes you frequently wear? What fit flatters your legs and body? What styles are weather appropriate? Don’t be afraid to experiment and go a little out of your comfort zone...that usually makes the best outfits! :)

OH! and by the way, be on the look out for SMD's fall/winter wish list series including more cute boots and other hot looks!

Stay ADDICTED,

-Tristan

SMD Product Review: Physician's Formula Mascara

Lately, I’ve had this keen obsession with eyelashes. As my eyes wonder while on the campus bus or in la-la land during lectures, I tend to observe the lashes of others, often wondering whether or not I’m gazing at falsies, extensions, great genes or a darn good mascara.

Tempted to inquire about the truth I withhold and search my Blackberry for eyelash options and procedures, later pulling out my mirror to observe my own. I realized that my eyelashes are not bad at all. They extend to great lengths and are quite full, but, I wanted something more! Something bold and dramatic!

Anyways, my first visit back home since moving in at UNT, I noticed my mom’s lashes (which naturally aren't particularly long, thick or dark) looked….well, long , thick, and dark . Knowing that my mom long ago turned against falsies and eyelash extensions (due to a not so great experience with them) I asked “how did you get your lashes to look so long? “ I assumed she was doing a cool technique with her mascara or something, since we’ve used the same mascara for years. So, she pulls me aside and whips out this thick double-sided tube of mascara labeled “Physicians Formula" , a makeup product I recognized amongst the shelves of Target, and she dolls up my lashes. Once she was done, I examined myself in the mirror, instantly amazed of how she achieved the look of spider falsies with my OWN lashes. To top it off my lashes didn’t feel hard, didn’t smear and didn’t fall out throughout the day. In addition, washing it off was VERY easy. My mom, noticing how impressed I was, surprised me with purchasing a tube of my own and leaving it in my luggage bag when I left to go back to school. So, with my less than mediocre make-up skills I decided to review the product from the view of a not so make-up savvy user.

BEFORE

AFTER

Brand: Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Mascara Duo

COST: $8.99*-10.95 (at Target*)

Investment or Deal: DEAL

Features: Double Sided. One side black with the other side offered in 4 green, purple, an alternate shade of purple and blue for eye enhancement or a fun look.

Other: Hypoallergenic. Dermatologist Approved. Fragrance Free. Paraben Free. Safe for Sensitive Eyes and Contact Lens Wearers.

PROS: Flexible brushes, gentle application, not dry, No Smudge, Easy to wash off, and Great brush

Try it for yourself, shop the story here!

Stay ADDICTED! xoxo

Tonaya

SMD Wishes Elle a Happy 25th Birthday!

Happy 25th Birthday ELLE

Every month, I look forward to getting one magazine, ELLE. I have realized that this magazine is not only a “must-have,” but an obsession of mine and hopefully every other fashionista out there. Think about it, we all love watching ‘The City’, which let us see the different fashion events along with being offered an all access pass to experience them with the team of ELLE.

Also, while watching you can see behind the scenes footage during the photo shoots for the magazine, the drama between Olivia and Erin, and Whitney Port during her rise to designer with Roxy. Well, this month, ELLE is celebrating their 25^th year with a huge 506 page October issue that features over 600 different coats, boots and bags of the season. Also, it showcases several designers’ ads that show their new lines and looks. The magazine focuses around all things 25. Such as “25 things every women should know” and also “25-somethings” who are artist’s, actors, writers, and designers such as Lea Michele, Dianna Agron (for all the “Gleeks” out there) and Lauren Conrad.

How did this amazing, go-to magazine start? During the beginning of World War II Hélène Gordon moved to Manhattan with her husband and daughter where she began writing for Harper's Bazaar and Vogue. She realized quickly after her writing career began, that writing about fashion was her passion. In 1944, around the time the war was ending, Hélène and her family decided to move back to their home town of Paris, France. She then started looking into starting her own fashion magazine. On October 1^st, 1945 the world was introduced to the first ELLE Magazine. Yasmin Le Bon, a British-Iranian super model, was the lucky girl that graced the first cover of the U.S edition of ELLE in 1985. The magazine has grown rapidly into more than just fashion and is now known world-wide. Current hair and makeup trends are also featured in the issues today.

We, aspiring stylists, should look to this as our “Fashion Encyclopedia”; we should us it as a reference for current trends in clothing, patterns, texture, and accessories. They are always featuring the best of each item made by the most distinguished designers. The styling of Mr. Joe Zee also shows us to push the limits of fashion. He shows us that styling has no rules or regulations and is an expression of the self. So here’s to you ELLE Magazine and hopefully to another wonderful 25 years!

Stay ADDICTED,

Megan

YOU are BEAUTIFUL

Everyday women and men (especially us fashionistas) are faced with unattainable images offered to us by the fashion magazines we engulf ourselves in daily. SMD just wants to remind you that no matter your body shape, race, ethnicity, or background you are beautiful in every way. You were made specifically and can not be duplicated. Be proud of those God given curves! Most images you see are just false advertisement anyway!

The most important thing to remember is to be healthy. Eat adequate meals, get lot's of rest, and exercise regularly. Love yourself enough to know your worth and to never let anyone tell you otherwise.

Be confident, and remember that self esteem is the esteem you have about yourself! Meaning, if you feel positive about yourself there won't be anyone to bring you down, because self esteem is internal, dictated by YOU.

Dove's "Evolution"

GLEE Episode featuring "Beautiful" sang by Mercedes

Christina Aguilera's Original Version of "Beautiful"

Take a look a these video's and be inspired today! Be proud! Be confident! But Most of all...Be YOU!...because you are BEAUTIFUL!

With Love,

Edie