Confessions Of a Saveaholic
For some of us trying to cut corners is not just something we do to save a few cents, it is practically an obsession. While we may have our little tricks designed to shave a few dollars off our grocery bill and squeeze a penny so tight that it screams for mercy, we each have our own little indulgences, the things we absolutely refuse to do just to save a few pennies. Let’s hope that none of my immediate family members read this column because I am about to share some of my personal secrets and they just might disown me.
The Power Of Being Absolutely Positive
A negative person may use words that are bland and lack vibrancy, like "did" and "worked" instead of words like "successfully accomplished" and "rigorously completed" which convey a more positive, powerful side.
Lipstick Lasting On Shabbos
Which lipsticks will last throughout Shabbos is a common question I am asked. In fact, many women share this common problem where the lip color just "slides" right off within a few hours. There are a few products on the market that are formulated to last from 8-18 hours, and many of them can be purchased at your local drug store. Covergirl, Maybelline and L'Oreal all make long lasting lip color that can be found at drug stores.
Two New Cookbooks To Liven Up Your Holiday Meals
There is nothing like three sets of three-day yomim tovim to strike terror in the hearts of meal planners everywhere as they struggle to plan a staggering quantity of delicious, varied and attractive meals for potentially large numbers of people.
Professional And Social Networking Sites: ‘To Tweet Or Not To Tweet?’
How important is social media to my job search? The Internet has revolutionized the job search process. As recently as 10 years ago, a job search entailed looking through newspaper ads and phonebooks to find appropriate organizations and employers, producing dozens of copies of a resume and cover letter on professional resume paper, stuffing those documents in matching envelopes and paying for postage. It is safe to say that it cost at least $1 for every resume sent, not to mention the investment in time.
Network! Network! Network!
“I need a professional-looking resume and great interviewing skills, how long will it take to develop them?” “I’ve just been downsized, I need to update my resume and start looking again; can you help me?” “I received an offer that is lower than I expected, how do I negotiate a better salary?” “I graduated several years ago and want to change careers; where do I start?” “You say an internship in my field will put me ahead of other job seekers when I graduate, how do I get one?”
Shaping The Brows
When applying make-up most people focus on the eyes or lips, and sometimes forget to give attention to the eyebrows. Your brows can open up your eyes and face, and can also make you appear younger, so be sure to give them as much attention as you would your eyes and lips.
Cupcake Flower Bouquet
While all the flowers that grace your Shavuos table will surely be a delight to your eye, these will be a delight for your palette as well. Create them at any level, simple or sophisticated; any way you make them they’re sure to be a sensation.
How To Make An Upsherin
This past Lag B'Omer, we were blessed to make our first upsherin, where we celebrate our son’s first hair cut. It’s a wonderful milestone that mimics the three years that we refrain from plucking a tree’s first fruits and symbolizes the entry of the child into the world of Torah learning. It’s a clear sign to everyone; this boy is no longer a baby.
Daily Deals Provide Some Serious Steals
The world of shopping changed forever three years ago with the launch of Groupon, a website that negotiates discounts with popular local and national businesses and passes the savings along to the consumer via a discounted daily deal emailed directly to members.
Unsung Heroes: A Behind The Scenes Look At The Jewish Music Business
I know this is supposed to be a consumer column, but let's face it. We have all just spent the last few weeks preparing, cleaning and shopping until our credit cards begged for mercy and our family members have started wondering if Windex is our new signature scent. The last thing anyone wants to be thinking about right now is buying more stuff, making home improvements or otherwise planning ahead.
Stuff In The Fridge
Among the many things we were tested with during Hurricane Sandy was the way in which we can preserve our food in the middle of a disaster.
Smokey Eyes with Prominent Eyes
Dear Sharona,
I have very prominent eyes; I was wondering what color and or style of makeup would suit me? I have dark brown hair and brown eyes, and medium-deep skin tone. I rarely put on makeup and if I do, it's only on my eyes. I am looking forward to reading your suggestions.
Anonymous- NYC
Small Eyes Appear Larger
Many of my clients have small eyes. Often, they ask for certain color eye shadow or even a style that would not make the eye appear larger, but would actually make it appear smaller. In this week's column I'd like to give tips on how to make small eyes appear "larger."
CHIC Made Simple: Fashionably Fabulous Food Without The Fuss
Goodbye humdrum. Hello, gorgeous!!
With the release of CHIC Made Simple, an all new cookbook written by food stylist, columnist and recipe developer Esther Deutsch, kosher food continues to blaze new trails, offering sophisticated, appealing recipes that are, (surprise, surprise!) both delicious and deceptively easy to prepare.
Good-Bye Thin Lips
Most women want to have fuller lips, or at least give the impression that they have fuller lips. As we age our lips get thinner. But there are different techniques you can do to give the illusion that your lips are full and youthful looking.
Now What Do I Do?
It happens to all of us.
I call them “kitchen mishaps” and they can range from the small to large. Sometimes they come in extra small and other times they might be XXL just like our clothes sizes. But as I said, they happen to us all.
How To Travel Like A Family And Stay A Family (Part III)
As I mentioned in my earlier articles about our family trip to Israel, our night flight went pretty smooth, thanks to my children’s willingness to sleep throughout the flight. I, on the other hand, didn’t sleep a wink and I wasn’t feeling too great by the time we landed. But we were finally in Israel, and just being in the beautifully renovated Ben Gurion airport and hearing all the Hebrew around us was exciting enough.
Purim With Food Allergies
Purim is a time of great celebration. Many of our traditions for this chag require food - festive meals, mishloach manos. Abundant food can mean abundant pitfalls for the food allergic. How can one navigate this maze of food allergy landmines?
How To Travel Like A Family And Stay A Family (Part I)
I’m very passionate about Israel and it’s always been my desire to share that passion with my children. It was a sad day in our home when we missed out on the great deal to Israel earlier this year, but thankfully, my husband managed to snag an almost as good one a couple of months later.
Delicious? Easy? And Kosher L’Pesach?? Two Pesach Cookbooks Cure Your Cooking Conundrums
So there is good news and bad. Which one do you want to hear first? Me? I always want to hear the bad news first. I need to get it over with. So here goes. Purim 2013 is now something we can discuss in the past tense and that can only mean one thing. Actually two.
CLEP-ing Your Way To Lower College Costs
If you have high school aged kids, chances are that very soon you are going to start seeing the warning signs. The pale, nervous faces. The eyes, ringed by dark circles due to lack of sleep. The irritability, tinged with impending hysteria. That's right, finals are coming and your normally moody, unpredictable and volatile teenager is about to become moodier, more unpredictable and volatile beyond belief.
Cream Blush by MAC
Blush is an important final step in your makeup application. Blush brings a glow to the face, as if a candle was lit from within. Many blushes come in powder form, but they also come in cream form, which is the form I'll discuss today. One of my favorite blushes is the MAC cream blush. The blush is very lightweight and gives off a nice dewy look - a look that is especially suitable to those with dry skin, since dry skin gives off a very dull, matte look.
Staying Up In A Down Job Market
We are all well aware that the economy is terrible and has been for a very long time. Things may seem better, but unemployment figures are still extremely high and it is hard to know when conditions will turn around. Looking for a job can be challenging, but it is crucial to stay upbeat and positive. How do you keep your spirits up in what could be a long and arduous job search journey?
Costumed Wine
This Purim let your wine bottles join in the fun – let them dress up too! Use them to compliment your Mishloach Manos or have them make a grand appearance at the seudah. Simple and inexpensive this is a great family project.
Going Nuts – A Guide to an Allergy-Friendly Pesach
Preparing for an ordinary Pesach is daunting enough with all of the cleaning, shopping, cooking, and preparation, but add food allergies to the mix and you could literally “go nuts.” Don’t go nuts, go nut-free and egg-free too. While Pesach poses dietary challenges, they are not insurmountable.
Deciding Which Career To Pursue: The Key Factor
“HELP!” “I need help in choosing my career!” “How do I decide what career to pursue?” This is a common query we hear from students. Many make their first career choice based on what other people in their lives tell them, what everyone else is doing, where the money is, what’s hot in the current job market, what job a relative can get them, the “prestige factor” of being a doctor or lawyer, or some other criteria that is external to who they are as a person.
Eliminating Under Eye Puffiness
Dear Sharona,
I am in my late 20's and have heavy lids and small bags under my eyes. As I am still young and get plenty of rest, doctors have told me that it is genetic. My trouble with concealing the bags is not with the coloring (like people with dark circles) as much as it is with how to make the bags look smaller or less puffy and my eyes bigger. What are your suggestions?
Adina, New York
Beauty And The Bellabusta Revealing Modesty: A Tznius Stylist on Fashion’s Higher Purpose
A new wardrobe is often necessary when a woman goes through a major life transformation.
What Your Profile Says About You
It is extremely important for job seekers to present themselves well in today’s social media world. This article will focus on Linkedin, the most important business-oriented social networking site for professionals.