Lip Gloss Favorites

The Imagine Test Panel sampled 35 brands of lipgloss! Thank you to all the companies that submitted glosses! We appreciate your generosity and had a blast trying them all. The original plan was to pick one brand to feature on Great Day Houston on November 24…but we fell in love with more than one. So, we decided it was only right to share all our favorites…enjoy!

Kiss Me Now Lipgloss

Bella il Fiore, Squeeze-Tube w/Wand, $15

Colors: Walking On Sunshine, PYT, Heartbreaker, Simply Irresistible, Love Shack

Loved everything about these! The colors, smooth shiny texture, squeeze tube with wand so you can get every last drop, fun shade names, vanilla scent, and cute cute cute packaging. Perfect for the girlie girl! http://www.bellabeauty.net/

Wet Lips Super Shine Gloss

Skinn by Dimitri James, Squeeze-Tube, $12.50

Colors: Anaranja (great shade for all skin-tones), Quartz, and Strut

Oooh, this was a universal favorite! The texture is soooo smooth, light, and glossy, great variety of colors, lightly scented, AND all natural ingredients! http://www.skinn.com/

Hydro Salve Lip Balm

Baxter of California, Squeeze-Tube, $8

Colors: clear

The texture is slick and smooth, packaging works for women and men, and we loved the Mojito flavor! http://www.baxterofcalifornia.com/

Makeup Designery Lip Gloss, Pot, $11

Colors: Iced Latte, Shine (both great for all skin-tones)

We loved the smooth texture, light scent, and versatile colors. And it's slim enough to slip into your back pocket!. http://www.mudshop.com/

Vera Moore Lip Gloss

Tube With Wand, $14.50

Colors: Sugar (great for all skin-tones)

Loved the very light texture that goes on smoothly, minty scent, variety of colors, and pretty packaging. The gloss feels great on your lips and the wand feels great in your hand. www.veramoorecosmetics.com/lipgloss.htm

Go Light My Lips, Emmy Award Winning Makeup Artist Elena George

Glass Bottle with Wand, $19 - $38

Colors: Ginger Spice, Red Carpet (both are great for all skin-tones)

We loved the color and feel, the built-in-mirror, and the option to monogram the bottle in crystals! This one is a show-stopper! http://www.golightmylips.com/

We'd love to hear which one you liked best. Let us know at sarah@sarahshah.com

Thanks For The Hair & Makeup!

First For Women, thank you so much for the star treatment today! The magazine organized a photoshoot to go along with the article Halie Potocki is writing about my journey in to health. Thank you Andrea Schutter for the best hair and makeup EVER! Feel so glamorour in the falsies....false eyelashes, that is! Here's a picture I took in the back yard ...




Juan Moldanado's professional shot will be in the January 2009 issue. What an honor to work with such professionals! Here are links if you want to check out their published work http://www.reelmakeupfx.com/ and http://www.juanmaldonado.net/.

Wife Swap Seeking Image Consultants

This Just Came In from ABC. If you apply, would you tell them you found the info here? Thanks and Great Luck! Here's the request from Wife Swap (in their words).

WIFE SWAP, ABC'S HIT PRIMETIME SHOW, SEEKING SUPERSTAR BEAUTIFUL FAMILIES!

Do you believe that a person's first impression is their only impression? Do you make your living by being an image consultant? Is how you look and present yourself the most important thing in your life? Then I want to talk to you!!!! ABC's Hit Show Wife Swap is now casting Image Consultants to swap famalies!

The premise of Wife Swap is that one parent from each household swaps places for a week to experience how another family lives. It's an experience for the whole family and opportunity to both learn and teach different family values.

Wife Swap is a fascinating story of what happens when two couples see themselves and their partners in a whole new light. The New York Post says, "It should be called 'Life Swap' because it's not just the wives who learn something here. It's the families."
Potential families can live anywhere in the continental United States, but we ask that families applying for the show consist of two parents and have at least one child, age 7 or older, living at home.

To submit for the show please email a family photo and description to: gaby.wifeswap@gmail.com.

All families featured on the show receive a financial honorarium upon the airing of their episode!
Those who refer a family receive a referral fee. If you are a family unit (two parents and children between the ages of 7 and 17) who love an adventure, I would love to hear from you today! Also, please feel free to send this casting along to any families you feel would be appropriate! More information is available at: http://abc.go.com/primetime/wifeswap.

Cool For School!

Looking for eco-friendly school supplies or the coolest ideas to make life more fun and efficient? Here are our latest finds! To see the items live, click on the link at the bottom of this post to watch our segment on Great Day Houston.

Ideas For Organization
Mom Organizers - When the kids go back to school, Moms can get overwhelmed by all the information, schedules, activities, homework projects, oh my! The Mom's Agenda Desk Folio is great organizing system to keep track of everything. It's customizable and there are even helpful preprinted forms -permission slips, babysitter info, chore assignments, etc. (folio $32, agenda $45, www.momagenda.com).
Password Organizer – Are you getting overwhelmed by all the passwords you need now? Here’s an organizer just for them. And it won’t attract any snoping because it looks like a boring address book. ($19.99 at http://www.internetpasswordorganizer.com/)

School Supplies
Sharpie Permanent Pens – Here's the latest pen from Sharpie - everything you love without bleeding through the paper. (http://www.officemax.com/)
Be Green Pens from Pilot – Eco-friendly pens made from 70%+ recycled materials. Same price and quality as the conventional pens. (http://www.pilotbegreen.com/, office max, target)
Smencils - Scented pencils made from recycled newspaper. They smell great! (http://www.delight.com/, $11.50)
Lapsac - "Purse" and laptop bag in one ($58 http://www.delight.com/)
Osprey Book/Laptop Bags – These durable bags have pockets for everything (laptop, ipod, cell phone, water bottle and personal items) and a padded shoulder strap that conceals your Ipod cords. (Float Bag $79, Flip Bag $69, REI)

Space Saving Gadgets & Electronics
Digital Picture Frame – What a space-save for the dorm room or any room. Pop your digital camera’s memory card right into the Giinii frame and it's an instant slideshow. ($119, Wal-Mart, www.giinii.com)

Pulse SmartPen – Have you ever missed something while you were taking notes during a meeting or lecture? This pen keeps track of the audio in the room as you take notes. Miss something, just go to the spot on the page where you missed something, and the pen replays the conversation that took place when you took those notes! You can even download the pen to your computer and instantly transcribe your notes. ($199, http://www.amazon.com/, Target)
HP Pavilion dv5 Entertainment Notebook PC – What a space saver! It have a built-in flatscreen tv plus all the features a college student wants - Webcam, TV tuner, Wi-fi, Quick Play ($549.99, http://www.hp.com/)
Protective Neoprene Laptop Case – These cases protect against shock, scratches, and moisture and come in cool colorful, high-resolution designs. You can even upload your favorite pictures and have them printed on your bag. ($35, http://www.designersleeves.com/)
Electronics Wipes – E-tronic wipes are made for cleaning TVs, cell phones, and other electronic gadgets. ($5.49, Target)
Palm Centro Smartphone –touch screen, full keyboard, a camera with video capture, BroadbandAccess Connect capable, Wireless Sync enabled, web browsing capabilities, a digital Music Player and Bluetooth ($319, verizon, att, sprint)

Green Up Your Lunch Box
Organic fruit & nut snacks - Fruit and nuts are the only ingredients in "Peeled Snacks." So yummy! ($2-$3 at Whole Foods or http://www.peeledsnack.com/)
Stainless Steel Water Bottles – 100% food-grade stainless steel water bottles by Ecousable. No need for plastic water bottles when you use this reusable bottle with filtered water from home. ($14, http://www.ecousable/)
Reusable Sandwich Wraps – No need to throw away a baggie every day. The Wrap-n-mat is an eco-friendly way to keep your sandwich clean and fresh. (made in the USA, $6.50, http://www.wrapnmat.com/)
School Jersey Napkins – Napkins that look like college jerseys ($3.19 for pack of 8, http://www.jerseynaps.com/)

Beauty
Just Be T-Shirts – These cute t-shirts come with sayings like "Be Muddy, Be Sweet, Be Organic ($15, http://www.jb-justbe.com/)
Eco Friendly Shoes – These cute shoes are by J-41 Shoes. The soles are made from 51% recycled rubber and the uppers from 100% recycled material (Palm Vegan $89, Madrid Vegan $99, Urban Sole Outpost, Whole Earth Provision Company, http://www.zappos.com/)
Zeno "Zit Zapper" – This gadget uses low level heat to kill the bacteria in occasional blemishes ($89, Wal-Greens, Target)

Eco-Friendly Dorm Room
Reusable Grocery Bags – No more stashing or trashing all those plastic grocery bags. Envirosax are reusable and washable. ($35 for pack of 5, http://www.redenvelope.com/)
Laundry 101 Bag – This laundry bag has stain-fighting instructions printed right on the bag ($38, http://www.delight.com/)
Nellie’s Natural Laundry Nuggets – Easy, pre-measured and biodegradable nuggets you can just pop in the wash – ($17, http://www.delight.com/)
Room & Linen Spray – Keeps the dorm room smelling fresh and sweet. Safe for linens, paper, and your skin ($34, signature perfume www.whirledevents.com)
Poo-Pourri – Keep the common bathroom smelling sweet with a natural bathroom spray ($10 - $15 http://www.poopourri.com/)

Click this link to see the our finds live on Great Day Houston http://www.khou.com/greatday/video/?nvid=272413&shu=1 Click here to see the Pulse Smartpen http://www.khou.com/greatday/video/?nvid=272423&shu=1

Behind The Scenes With MTV - Haley's Super Sweet 16!

Working with Haley on the MTV project was a blast! There were no editor tricks, she really is that fun and sweet!


Below you'll find pictures of what you saw on MTV - the party, Haley's outfits, and behind the scenes with the people who coordinated the party and all of Haley's spectacular looks. Contacts for Haley's team are at the very bottom of this post.

Fashion Designer Suzanne B created a custom dress. That segment didn't make it on the show, but here's the link for a behind the scenes look at the fashion show. (clip 5) http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?id=1588232&vid=238612


Haley Hey, she really IS super sweet! Especially in this hoodie by Southpole. (Janet Roe Photography)

Haley in the House Of Dereon Lounge. Her wardrobe for the pre-party photoshoot was all Southpole (Janet Roe Photography)

Hanging with Destiny's Child at the House of Dereon. Tweety jacket by Wicked Fashion. (Janet Roe Photography)

Joker Jacket by Wicked Fashion (Janet Roe Photography)

The Houston Lowriders motorcade hopped and popped through downtown Houston. They made Haley's grand entrance the best in Super Sweet 16 history! (Photography by David E, all rights reserved)

Haley on the House Of Dereon red carpet. MTV Cameras and papparazzi were everywhere! (Photography by David E, all rights reserved)

Miss Tina Knowles picked out the perfect dress for Haley's grand entrance. (Photography by David E, all rights reserved)

Haley's Grand Entrance Look. Beyonce wore this dress in coral on the cover of Cosmopolitan December 2007. Yes, those ARE Manolos! More info about the dress at http://www.houseofdereon.com/ (Photography by David E, all rights reserved)

Paul Wall heating up the crowd. (Photography by David E, all rights reserved)

Paul Wall flashing his grill! (Photography by David E, all rights reserved)

Outfit change #2. Haley is wearing one of Beyonce's dresses!! (Photography by David E, all rights reserved)

Yes, that's a portrait of Beyonce in the background! (Photography by David E, all rights reserved)

Outfit change #3. Haley in her custom dress by Fashion Designer Suzanne B (center) with Model Mindy Troy in another Suzanne B creation (left). (Photography by David E, all rights reserved)

Haley in her custom party dress. Find out about the designer Suzanne B at http://www.tropicouture.net/ (Photography by David E, all rights reserved)

Image Artist Sarah Shah and Hair Stylist Cindy Sanz created all of Haley's party and photoshoot looks (Photography by David E, all rights reserved)

Nothing says Happy Birthday like ice! Haley's grill is by TV Johnny Dang, Jeweler To The stars! (Photography by David E, all rights reserved)

TV Johnny Dang made an appearance. Check out his clients and their bling at http://www.tvjohnny.net/.

Haley's VIP thank you gift. Everyone's got a grill! MTV's Mary and Brendan flash their smiles! (Photography by David E, all rights reserved)

Alana Padgett, the event planner who created the event, with Haley and Sarah (Photography by David E, all rights reserved)

"This was the best day of my life!" - Haley Hey (Photography by David E, all rights reserved)

Haley’s Team

Sarah Shah, Image Artist (wardrobe, accessories, and makeup)

Alana Padgett, Event Planner, Nventive Events, http://www.nventiveevents.cm/

Ms. Tina Knowles, (Red Dress) House of Dereon, http://www.houseofdereon.com/

Suzanne B, Fashion Designer (Custom Black Dress with Gold Trim) Tropicouture, http://www.tropicouture.net/

Southpole, Wardrobe For Photo Shoot, http://www.southpole-usa.com/

Cindy Sanz, Hair Stylist, http://www.huesbyheather.com/

House Of Dereon Club - http://houseofdereonmediacenter.com/index.php

Watch Haley's episode on MTV http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?id=1588227&vid=238698

Behind The Scenes With Kathi Crawford At Great Day Houston

Kathi Crawford with Great Day Houston Host Deborah Duncan

Kathi in the HOT seat!

Kathi with her #1 Fan

Producer's eye view of Deborah in action

Kathi Crawford, SPHR, appeared as the expert guest today on Great Day Houston. She talked about creating flexible jobs and gave some great examples of ways working mothers can customize the work environment to fit their needs. To watch the show, follow the link below.

Kathi Crawford, is an expert in progressive Human Resources and focuses on"Building Capability through People." She is the Founder and Principal for People Possibilities. Her company provides one-on-one and group coaching, team building, facilitation and corporate training services to high performing individuals, groups and organizations who want to explore possibilities for accelerated improvement and results. Contact Kathi at 281.450.6316 or kcrawford@peoplepossibilities.com.

Watch Kathi talk about the history of women in the workplace (June 5, segment 1) http://www.khou.com/greatday/video/?nvid=251981&shu=1 Watch Kathi talk about flexible jobs (june 5, segment 6) http://www.khou.com/greatday/video/?nvid=251983&shu=1

Kathi's Image Team
TV Image and Makeup - Sarah Shah, http://www.sarahshah.com/
Hair Styling - Heather Hues, http://www.huesbyheather.com/

"I could not believe it when I received the call to be the “expert” on Great Day Houston. I wanted to do it because I am passionate about the topic – helping moms with ways they can have it all – a career and a family! But then I realized it was going to be on TV!! I had never been on TV before, yet everything I had done in my life prepared me for this moment – I went for it and did not turn back! Oh, and I called in the expert – Sarah Shah. She helped me make sure that all I had to focus on was the topic and she would take care of everything else – and she did!! Thanks Sarah!!" - Kathi Crawford, SPHR, People Possibilities

Mother's Gift Day Survey Winner

Michelle Schneider is the winner of the Mother's Day Gift Survey Goodie Basket! Thank you to all of you who responded to our survey and told us what you'd love to get for Mother's Day. Michelle's basket included lip balm, balm of gilead, and hand made soaps from Australian Scent, Gloom Away body bar and souflee from Origins, a lavender eye pillow from Barefoot Yoga, permission slip and babysitter info pads from Mom Agenda, dissolving flower petal soaps from Pajamagram, and candles from Grace Candles. Everything she needs to relax!

Picks For Mother’s Day

Picks For Mother’s Day

We conducted an informal survey to find out what beauty and fashion items real women really wanted for Mother's Day. The top pick, by an overwhelming margin, was a day at the spa or pampering time to unwind and relax. Second place - things that connect moms with their children. And third - pretty and practical items. Here are some of our favorites.

Australian Scent makes a beautiful line of all natural skincare products. The company was born in Houston and has become so successful that they are now moving to NYC. These products are packed with essential oils and anti-oxidants. No toxins, no parabens, no cruelty, no worries. Even the packaging is earth-friendly. Here are some of our favorites:
– salt tea detoxifying bath soak – soak in tub and feel the stress flow out of you. ($28)
- foot scrub – loaded with essential oils, almond oil, and sea salt. It disinfects and smooths out the rough patches ($28)
- balm of gilead - anti-aging moisturizer for face and body. It smells so good, I use it instead of perfume (2 scents) ($68)
- lemongrass tea spray – a light fragrance – subtle and lasts all day ($22)
- lip balm – doubles as cuticle repair. dab some on your lips and them used the residual on your cuticles. ($8)
- soaps – hand made, smell like heaven ($8)
- bugger off – natural mosquito repellant for you and your pets that really works ($12)
FIND them in Houston at baylor college of medicine plastic surgery center, kuhl-linscom, brown eyes blue, or online at http://www.australianscent.com/

Dr. Alan Weil has teamed up with Origins to create “the way of the bath” Macha Green Tea Sea Salt Scrub – the scent of green tea is so relaxing. And the tea itself has is one of the strongest anti-oxidants there are. It also contains essential oils that moisturize, and the sea salt to relax muscles. The full line of “the way of the bath is coming in June”. But the scrub is available now. ($45)
Origins GloomAway bath set (soap -$13, bath gel -$21, scrub - $20, and body souflee - $27.50) is back by popular demand. it has a joyful grapefruit scent.
FIND them in department stores or http://www.origins.com/

Fragrance flower petals – these flower petals are actually soap petals. Fill up the tub and sprinkle these beautiful petals on the water just before you get in. The petals will dissolve into bubblebath. ($7.50)
FIND them at http://www.pajamagram.com/

Create a relaxing atmosphere with Grace candles, created in Houston. Our favorites – vanilla sugar, ambrosia, coconut lime, and apple peel. ($16 for tumbler, $6 for the travel tin)
FIND them at http://www.gracecandles.com/

Lavender Eye Pillows are filled with relaxing lavender and flax seeds. Lay them over your eyes and let the scent take you away. ($16.50) FIND the prettiest ones at http://www.barefootyoga.com/.

Redenvelope.com has pretty locket necklaces and bracelets that hold pictures of the children (or pets for the doggy mamas), pea in a pod pearl necklaces, and birthstone necklaces engraved with names of your children along with their birthstones. These gifts also come beautifully wrappes with moving stories about how the gifts were made or inspired.
FIND them at http://www.redenvelope.com/ .

Make Mom’s life easier and more organized with Mom’s Agenda. Organizers and Folios to keep track of the family’s information, events, and calendar.
- Mom’s Agenda – organized by the school year, one page per day with space for Mom’s calendar and the family’s appointments ($45)
- Kitchen Folio – one stop for all the family’s important information – medical, contacts, birthdays, school schedules, sports schedules, and plenty of blank sections to customize for your family. Plus pads for menu planning, babysitter info, permission slips, and daily todos ($32.95)FIND them at http://www.momagenda.com/.

Lounge wear and pajamas that are pretty, comfortable, flattering, and family friendly
- Leopard Lounge Pajamas – ($49.95)
- Lacy Pointel Lounge Set - jersey and lace pajamas ($49.95)
- Spring Morning Pajamas - pink cotton pajamas ($49.95)
FIND them at http://www.pajamagram.com/

Would you like a full-coverage panty that doesn’t create panty lines? Soma Intimates has just the thing. Their vanishing edge high-cut briefs really work. They don’t ride up, cut in, or show through your clothes. They come in a bunch of pretty colors. ($12)
FIND Soma Intimates store in Houston at Highland Villiage next to Chico's or online at http://www.soma.com/store/browse/shelf.jsp?subCatId=cat20021&catId=cat40090

Pop-out pendants are a piece of art you can wear. The artist Melissa Borrell is in Houston. The pendants are flat so they are easy to put them in a card and pop them in the mail ($36)
FIND them at the Houston Museum of Fine Arts Gift Shop or online at http://www.melissaborrell.com/.

Cole Haan Tote Bag – Mom doesn’t need to bring home all those paper and plastic shopping bags when she has a beautiful tote bag like this. Chic and earth-conscious. This “Slim Tote” bag comes in orange, green, and black ($425).
FIND them at http://www.colehaan.com/

All these items were on Great Day Houston on May 6, 2008. Here's the link to watch the segment http://www.khou.com/greatday/video/?nvid=242470 .

Refine Your Style With InStyle

University of Houston Women's Forum Conference - What's Next For Women: Exploring The Edge, March 28, 2008
Conference attendees all got a complimentary copy of In Style Magazine. Participants in Sarah's Session (pictured above), Navigating The World Of Image, Judgement And The Language Of Fashion, got hands on experience using In Style to design their personal style. Check out these useful sections every month: Instant Style, How To Wear, and Great At Any Age, for ideas about making trends, accessories, and styles work for you.