Want To Be My Assistant At Fashion Houston?

In October, I'm covering all the action at Fashion Houston! It's Oct 10-13 - four nights of runway shows by designers from Houston and around the world! It's a big job, and I need help!! And it will be even more fun for me to be able to share the experience with you! If you want to go...keep reading. If not, stop reading now!

There are 4 passes - one for each night. Who gets to go? Anyone who is/has been a model, intern, assistant for me, been a client* of Imagine or Sarah Shah, or has bought a copy of Dress Yourself Skinny by Sept 11 can apply (see below for a full description). Here’s how it works:

You’ll be my assistant for the evening and help take photographs, videos and live blog/tweet/facebook during the event. You get to see the runway shows, meet the designers in the green room, check out the VIP lounges, and even get a glimpse back stage to see what goes on behind the scenes. You might even get a picture on the red carpet!

Here’s how to apply. Create some behind the scenes commentary of your life or a recent event along with pictures (5 max) or a video (2 mins max). Submit LINKS to the pics or video along with your commentary and the following info by September 11, 2011.

Here’s the info to include with your submital:

Your Name:
Age (must be over 21):
Cell phone number:
Email address:
Your preferred date(s) October 10, 11, 12 or 13:
Confirmation that you are available to be at the Wortham Center in Houston on your preferred day from 4:30 to 10:00 pm:
State whether you are/have been a client, model, intern or assistant with us:
Your Behind-The-Scenes commentary:
LINKS to your pictures (max 5) or video (max 2 mins): (LINKS only, my email box is too small for full videos or big pictures, so upload them to your face book page, flicker, youtube...whatever and send me the links)

To apply, submit the required materials and info by facebook to www.facebook.com/DressYourselfSkinny or by email to Sarah@SarahShah.com. All submittals must be received by 9:00 pm on September 11, 2001. Incomplete submittals will not be considered.

P.S. - You are a client, model, assistant or intern of Imagine/Sarah Shah if you have been my private client for image, tv, or other areas; hired me to speak to your group; attended a workshop; purchased the book Dress Yourself Skinny, been a model in my tv segments or fashion shows, or have been my intern or assistant in any of those activities.

Thanks you so much for applying!! I'll contact the winners and post their names on the Dress Yourself Skinny facebook page by September 30.

La Prairie Field Test (Part 6 -Week 13)

It's Week 18 of the La Prairie Field Test. I've used up the last of the White Caviar face serum and cream since the last post. The White Caviar serum lasted through week 9 and the cream lasted through Week 13. Since then, I've continued to use sunscreen to keep new spots from forming along with my usual skincare. In the meantime, friends, family and clients have continued to comment on how good my skin looks and how much more even it has become.

La Prairie has generously sent another batch of White Caviar face serum and cream…so the field test continues! I used it last night...and man, my face is super smooth again. How do you do that La Prairie? I’ll be back with an update in a couple weeks.

If you've missed any of the sesies, here are links to the rest of the posts in the La Prairie Field Test

Part I - The Products
Part II - The Canvas
Part III – First Week of The Test
Part IV – Day 8 Update
Part V – Day 38 Update
Part VI - Week 13

Bad Clothes Made Good

You've heard it a million times - a tailor is a critical element of a great wardrobe. Here are some examples of "bad clothes" that were given new love and life by a tailor.

"Pleather" Pants

These pleather pants were cute and fit well, but they were way too hot to wear in Houston. We collaborated with our tailor to turned them in to super hot shorts.

Our tailor cut off the pant legs, added a triangle gusset of extra fabric on the outside of each leg so they had a fashionable shape and made a cuff at the hem. Now the shorts are flattering and fit perfectly. Perfect to keep her cool in the summer heat.

Way Too Big Denim

This jacket and shorts were WAYYYY to big.

The jacket got a major overhaul - the front pockets were moved up and the hem was shortened, vertical pleats were added to the front and back to take in the volume in the sides, the sleves were made smaller and three pleats were added to shorten the sleeve to 3/4 length. The shorts just got minor adjustments - they were shortened and cuffs added to the hem. These have become regular basics in her wardrobe that she wears all the time.

Over-Sized Shirt

The red and white striped shirt is way to big and has some unflattering elements...but it has lots of potential.

Our tailor removed the collar and changed the neckline to a v-neck, took in the sides, shortened the sleeves to 3/4 length, and shortened the shirt to a more flattering length.

How about you? What are your ideas for changing or transforming things from your closet? Post or link to your projects so we can appreciate what you've done.

If you liked this post, you might like this one too:

Tips for finding and working with your tailor

Spa Sirens (TM), Calling Out The Cool And The Current In The World Of Resorts And Spas

I am so excited to be a part of The Spa Sirens! We are a collaboration of three experts in beauty, fashion and travel who travel the spa and resort world to seek out and spread the word about the latest in spa and resort experiences. The Sirens are Renae Virata (travel and fashion, WeareverTheWeather.com), Sarah Shah (fashion and image, SarahShah.com), and Stacey Adair (beauty, RadiantYouMagazine.com). We'll calling out the cool and the current in spas and resorts - treatments, amenities and locations that are unique, new, effective or interesting.

We're kicking off on August 17, 2011 at the Spa Waterway in The Woodlands. If you'd like to come along, we'll be chronicling our positive experiences on twitter (hashtag #spasirens), facebook and in each of our blogs. You're invited to share your experiences, favorite treatments/locations and ask any questions along the way.

Here's more about each of the Sirens and where to find us online:

Renae Virata, Blogger and Head Travelista
A Travelista at heart, Renae is the founder of the travel and fashion website WeareverTheWeather.com. She loves searching out fun destinations and shopping for travel attire and products. When she’s not collecting stamps in her passport, she’s taking up a new outdoor sport, tinkering with her sewing machine or reading a trashy novel on the beach.
e-Mail: Renae@WeareverTheWeather.com
Online Presence:
· Website & Blog www.WeareverTheWeather.com (10,000+ unique online visits per month)
· Twitter: www.twitter.com/WTWBlog
· Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WeareverTheWeather

Stacey Adair, Beauty Insider and Creator of Radiant You Magazine
Stacey is always on the search for new and innovative beauty products and medi-spa treatments. A beauty junkie since she could hold a tube of lip gloss, she loves to seek out new beauty finds around the world. She’s also the founder of Radiant You Magazine.
Phone: (832) 725-4252, e-Mail: Editor@RadiantYouMagazine.com
Online Presence:
· Spa and Beauty Magazine Website & Blog: www.RadiantYouMagazine.com
· Twitter: www.twitter.com/RadiantYouMag
· Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RadiantYouMagazine

Sarah Shah, Image & TV Expert, Speaker and Author
Sarah delivers entertaining, real and revolutionary image wisdom in the closet and on TV. She is always on the hunt for new beauty treatments and fashion items to share.
Phone: (617) 501-8055, e-Mail: Sarah@SarahShah.com
Online & Media Presence
· National & Regional TV (40+ appearances)
· Website & Blog: www.sarahshah.com (Klout Score: 50+)
· Twitter: www.twitter.com/sarahshah (2400+followers)
· Facebook: www.facebook.com/sarah.shah1 and www.facebook.com/dressyourselfskinny (1000+ visitors per month)
· YouTube: www.YouTube.com/SarahShahTV (5000+ views)

How To Get Taylor Swift Curls

Our intern Julia created a way to style her super curly hair like Taylor Swift. Here she is sharing her tips in her very first youtube video! Until now, how-to videos for this hairstyle have been made for straight hair…this is the first one that works for curly hair.

If you want more info, detailed descriptions of each step are below the video. If you try these tips, please post your pics…we want to see the styles you created too!




1. Before you get started with this hair style, your hair needs to be completely dry. Brush wet hair to get all the knots out. Twist your hair in a ShamWow-type towel for 5 to 10 minutes to absorb most of the water.

2. Work about a dime-size bit of heat protectant serum or anti-breakage spray throughout your hair. Julia likes Organix Coconut Milk Anti-Breakage Serum.

3. Seperate hair into two sections and use a hair dryer and round brush to dry your hair. Angle the blow dryer down in the direction you brush your hair to minimize frizz. The round brush she used in the video is made by Solano and it has a gel grip handle that's easy and comfy to hold.

4. Let hair sit for at least 10 minutes before curling to make sure your hair is completely dry.

5. Separate hair into layers. Start with the bottom layer. Spray on some heat protectant (Julia likes Chi Shine Infusion) to help protect hair, control frizz and add shine.

6. Divide hair into 1-inch sections. Wrap hair around a curling iron or wand in a spiral, making sure all the pieces of hair touch the wand. Hold hair on the curling wand for about 10-15 seconds. If you are using a wand, it’s helpful to have a heat resistant glove.

7. After about 10-15 seconds of curling, angle the tip of the curling wand/iron downwards and slowly glide the wand up and out of the curl. The curl will be pretty tight but don't worry, it will loosen up over time. Keep working the wand through each section and layer of your hair.

8. When you reach the top layer of hair, start the curls lower on your head to avoid the Shirley Temple Afro look.

9. Spray all the curls with hairspray. Julia used Alba Botanica hairspray. She likes it because it is non-aerosol, natural and has a medium hold for natural, touchable hair.

Julia is entering her senior year in high school. She took on this internship to learn more about the things she loves – business, communication, marketing, public relations and fashion. Thanks Julia, you're doing a great job!!

Thank you Creative Media Marketing for the Solano Power brush and Alba Botanicals hairspray samples!

Client Testimonial - Studio NiaMoves Gets On TV...A Lot!

“I had contacted the press at least 30 times over 3 years with no results. Then I worked with Sarah. She taught me what producers really want and how to get my business on TV. Since then, we have been on TV 14 times and have been featured in more than 5 articles. Wahoo! I shifted my approach with the media from promoting the studio to offering interesting information about hot topics that were related to offerings at the studio. We are now regularly contacted by news organizations looking for stories. Sarah Shah ROCKS!” – Kristie Bryant, Owner and Nia Teacher, Studio NiaMoves.

Studio NiaMoves is a fun fitness studio in the Houston Heights with an eclectic offering of classes. When you walk into a class at NiaMoves, you will find all types of people, mostly women, different sizes, shapes, and fitness levels. We love to make moving your body a pleasurable experience. Come check us out! The July Special for Houston-area clients who are new to the studio is two weeks of free classes good for Nia, Yoga, Pilates and Zumba. For more info, go to www.NiaMoves.com

La Prairie Field Test - Cellular Power Infusion and White Caviar ( Part V - Day 38 Update)

It’s Week 6 of the La Prairie field test. As of June 24, I’ve been using Cellular Power Infusion (CPI) and the White Caviar System consistently morning and night for 38 days. I've missed about one application a week in weeks 2-6.

CPI lasted to day 35 (amazing since the two vials were only expected to last 20 days) and the sample of White Caviar eye serum lasted 37 days. The White Caviar face serum and cream live on, so I’ll be using them until they’re gone. Here are updated pictures and a video so you can see the progress since the beginning. The results show up better in the video than in the pics.


Day 1 (left) Day 38 (right)



Right Side Of Face: Day 8 (left), Day 38 (right)


Left Side Of Face: Day 8 (left), Day 38 ( right)

The thinking lines in my forehead have smoothed out a lot and my face is much softer and soother. The jowl skin might be firmer. The under eye area is significantly lighter.

The skintone on the right side of my face has evened out significantly! There are still some age spots/scars on the upper cheek, but even they are lighter and closer to my base skintone. I don’t use concealer on that side of my face at all anymore (except under my eye).

The left side of my face started out with much more sun damage and more dark spots. Some areas of the left side of my face have evened out and many age spots and scars are left. It usually takes 8 weeks to see significant skin evening…so I’ll keep going with the White Caviar and keep my fingers crossed.

Here is a video with close-ups of the results so far. I’m speaking slower than usual so the camera can keep up!



Here are links to the rest of the series:

Part I - The Products
Part II - The Canvas
Part III – First Week of The Test
Part IV – Day 8 Update
Part VI - Week 13