Fab Friday: Faux Fur Season

Good Morning, Mochas!

Thanks God it’s Fabulous Friday!  It’s hard not to feel great about the day when your week is basically done.  I have to admit though, that the current weather does take some of the wind out of my sails.  I mean, this morning I saw the weatherman say that typically we are in the 40’s right now but for whatever reason, this week we are stuck in the teens.  Arrgghh!  40 degrees sounds downright tropical right now!

But instead of bemoaning the situation, I have a crazy suggestion.  Now is the perfect time to buy fur – faux fur!  There are three great reasons: 1) It’s the end of winter season and you can find great deals on some really amazing looking faux pieces; 2) It’s a great time to use those end of season savings to buy a gorgeous look that you can rock through the next winter; and, 3) because faux fur is usually lighter than a real fur, you can still wear it comfortably through early spring.  Faux furs make great transitional pieces, they can add a dramatic punch to your wardrobe, and they allow you to step outside your fashion comfort zone without too much of an investment.

Now when I say faux fur, I am not speaking solely about full-length coats and jackets.  Think fun oversized hats, neck wraps or shawls, gloves, vests, etc.  It can make just as much of a statement when worn as an accent piece.  And remember, faux fur can be worn as casually or formally as you like.  Throw on your fur jacket with a pair of skinny jeans, white T and some heels, and strut your stuff!  And finally, when searching for your perfect faux piece, look for items that don’t shed easily.  If trying on in person, run your hands over it in both directions several times to see how much “fur” it looses, and wear a dark, solid colored shirt to check for transfer.  Also, if shopping online, read the reviews!  Buyer comments are an online shoppers best friend.

 

This winter may last forever, but that’s ok.  We can choose to have fun with the season and not let it get the best of us.  Yes its 15 degrees outside when it should be 40.  So what!  Use the cold weather as an excuse to have some fashion fun and show these frozen temps who’s really ice cold!

Stay Fabulous, Ladies!

MML,

Otise

This post is courtesy of Mocha Otise

For more FAB Friday posts, click HERE!

Fab Friday: Stay Fabulous!

Good afternoon, Mochas!

Once again Friday has found us!  I'm going to keep it brief this week. Instead of giving you tips for how to be fabulous, I want to remind you this Valentines Day weekend that you ARE fabulous!  Regardless of whether you have a super weekend planned or nothing special at all, whether you will be "boo'd up" or spending it alone, whether you are giving gifts or receiving them, remember that you are an amazing woman!  You have accomplished much and are closer to your dream life than you know. So today the only tip I have for you is to have fun being your fabulous self! And stay that way!

MML,

Otise

This post is courtesy of Mocha Otise

For more Fab Friday posts, click HERE!

FAB Friday: Pamper Yourself!

Good Morning, Mochas!

It is Fabulous Friday!  The weekend is upon us and it is glorious!  Soon it will be Valentine's Day and, if we haven't already,  we will all be scrambling to find the perfect card/candy/gift for those special someones in our lives. But what about that special someone in the mirror?  How do you show her some love this Valentine's Day?

This is a question I myself am tussling with right now; what should I get myself for Valentine's Day?  Should I even get myself something?  Well why not! There's nothing wrong with a little self congratulation, I say. I'm giving myself a Valentine's Day treat and I suggest you do too.  Below are a few ideas I have for you to say "Girl I love you!" To yourself:

Wake Up Your Face:  You might be pleasantly surprised at how refreshed you can look AND feel after a good session with a great eyebrow stylist. Cheaper than a facial or massage, clean brows take years off the face, and letting a professional handle the dirty work will leave you feeling like a pampered celeb (and all for $30 or less!). Here are a few places in Bergen county that come highly recommended (disclaimer:  I haven't tried any of these yet, but I do have "treat myself right" appointments scheduled):

Jon Santos at Blush Salon in Englewood

Jon Santos, Blush Salon
3 Grand Avenue, Englewood
201-568-2221
$30 per session, Wednesday-S

Tracy Andreasen at Studio M in Westwood

Tracy Andreasen, Studio M (trained in the Anastasia Method)

90 Center Ave, Westwood
201-664-6700
$25 per session, Thursdays and Saturdays

Nasrin at Panico Salon and Spa in Ridgewood (threading expert)

Nasrin,  Panico Salon and Spa
144 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood
201-652-4515
$30 per session, Monday-Saturday(not Tuesday)

Go On A Date... With You:  if you are anything like me, you've probably gotten so caught up in the grind of life that more than likely it's been a long time since you've done anything for yourself, by yourself; even "me time" is spent with others. This week, I encourage you to take yourself some place special. Have a crepe and a cup of coffee at the adorable Sogno Coffee House & Creperie in Westwood (http://www.caffeanello.com). Disappear in The Well Read Bookstore in Hawthorne (http://www.thewellreadbookstore.com/about-us) where you can peruse new and used books, use the free Wi-Fi and relax with a cup of complimentary tea or coffee offered to its guests. Or you can just fall off the grid completely and spend a couple of hours in glorious solitude. Heck, if you're feeling crazy, you can even turn off your phone. You might be surprised at what good company you find yourself to be. 

Whatever you choose to do between this weekend and the next, I just lovingly encourage you to include yourself in those plans. Like the lyrics of one of my favorites songs "Encourage Yourself" say, "sometimes you gotta pat your OWN self on the back!"  So I say to you, this Valentine's Day show some love to yourself! You deserve it!  And something tells me you will be glad you did. 

Stay Fabulous, Mochas!

MML, 

Otise

This post is courtesy of Mocha Otise.

For more FAB Friday Posts, click HERE!

FAB Friday - Winter Wonderful

Good Morning, Mochas!

I have bad news. If you believe the weatherman, a nor'easterner approaches us even as we speak.  In spite of all the sunshine and relatively pleasant temps we've had the last few weeks, it seems we won't be escaping our February snow. However, we won't let that get us down!  Here are a few things to look forward to in spite of the the weather:

End of Season Sales:  Even though it will still be chilly for at least another couple of months, many retailers have already begun to mark down their winter inventory in preparation for spring.  That means that this is the perfect time to invest in some fabulous winter finds that you can still get some good wear out of. Think sweaters, coats, and boots in more classic colors and styles. Not only can you add a discounted punch of winter fab to your closet and a little spark to your look for the remainder of the season, you can be happy knowing that more than likely, the same great finds will pay off next winter as well.

And since retailers are preparing for spring, perhaps we should too.  Consider easing into the coming warm up feet first, literally.  There is no better time to start paying attention to our feet than now. Here's my Operation Summertime Smooth Heel strategy:  One pedicure a month, three times a week covering my feet in Vicks VapoRub (Vaseline works also) and socks before bed, and also pampering my dogs with h20+'s Softening Mint Foot Rub once a week. Hopefully, if I can stick to this regimen my cracked and scratchy heels will be transformed by spring. Whatever regimen you use, consider beginning it now. And finally, perk up yours hands and toes with a fun bright polish. Although we have at least one more snow coming our way this winter, it's doesn't mean we have  to put off getting our minds right for spring!  

So that's all I have. Ward off the winter doldrums by embracing the weather to come and prettify the rest of the winter season. Extended winters can bring us down, but remember: when you look good, you feel good, no matter what's going on outside. Now let's get ready to kick the rest of winter's butt with our smooth- heeled cute-toed feet!

Have a Fabulous Friday, Mochas!

 This post if courtesy of Mocha Otise

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Fab Friday - New Year, New You!

It is the beginning of a new year, and if you are like me, you have probably just begun to struggle with your new year's resolutions (if you made any at all). In fact, I'm realizing a trend: I never keep my resolutions. Ever. And after thinking  about it, I think I've put my finger on the problem. Whenever I have made a resolution, it's always been very specific:  loose twenty pounds, keep a perfectly clean house, blah blah blah. Maybe I need something a little less structured, something that doesn't screech "failure!" in blinking red lights when I miss the mark. So this year, I am resolved to just be fabulous and do things that make me feel as such.

"Fabulous", I'm discovering, is a state of mind. It has less to do with price points, labels, and hot spots and more to do with an attitude.  You may not be aware that you feel fab, but you know when you don't. For instance, I have been feeling very run down lately. Not fabulous. And part of the reason is a very persistent and worsening hip pain. Last week, my hips were so achy they felt nearly locked. I had an idea: I was going to soak in Epsom salt.  I started with getting the routine end of night stuff out of the way. Then I go in the bathroom and realize the tub is filthy. So, at 10:00 at night, with an aching back swollen feet and nearly broken hips after a day of work and wifedom, I bend over and begin to scrub.   Then I run the water and go to grab the salts when I realize we have none. No worries, I'll just soak in a bubble bath...wait, where is the bubble bath?  Turns out we don't have that either.  Refusing to be deterred I yelled downstairs for my husband to bring me the Dawn dish soap. If it's good enough to clean animals after an oil spill, it's good enough for me. So, after all of that, I slid my achy swollen body down into that water, and among those Dawn bubbles I had a revelation.  Baths feel good!  Downright luxurious!  I couldn't remember the last time I had luxuriated in a bathtub for thirty minutes. It was warm, quiet, and peaceful. Why hadn't I done this sooner?  It required no money, and yet I felt...fabulous!

And that, my friends, is my point. I am on a quest to reinvigorate my "me" and I invite you to join me.  Each week, I will offer you a suggestion to cultivate your fabulous self. This week, I encourage you to start small, with your ablutions. Use soaps and salts that don't just clean you but stimulate yours senses like  Aveda's Energizing Body Wash (http://www.aveda.com/index.tmpl) or take advantage of The Body Shop's amazing sale (http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com/index.aspx) and pick up a couple of scrubs (my fav is the African Spa Ximena Salt Scrub) and lotions for an amazing price. Whatever it is, wind down this week by pampering your skin and yourself. I promise, you'll feel better for it!

Stay Fabulous!
Otise

This post is courtesy of Mocha Otise

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