It's all about HAIR this week at MSP!

Dear Style Friends,


Below are some "natural" ways to keep your hair looking its best. I like it when I can use a "product" right out of my kitchen cabinet, don't you?


I've been caught with yogurt (and egg, for that matter) on my face (literally for a facemask) and my DH thinks I'm a bit crazy...but hey if it saves me money and works great, I'm all in!


 I thought you would enjoy these hair tips I found:



7 Easy Natural Hair Treatments for Dull, Dry & Damaged Hair:


1. Dull Hair: While your hair is damp, massage in some sour cream or plain yogurt, let it sit for about 20 minutes and then rinse with warm water and shampoo as you normally would. These two dairy products can help reverse hair damage caused by products and pollution.

2. Itchy, Flaky Scalp: Mix equal parts lemon juice, organic olive oil and water and then massage mixture into your scalp (a slightly dampened scalp is best). Let sit for 20 minutes, rinse out and shampoo. The lemon juice helps get rid of flakes, while the olive oil helps moisturize the skin underneath.


3. Limp or Fine Hair: Have fun with this one, but not too much fun. To add body, use beer and its generous supply of yeast to plump up your hair. Mix together half a cup of flat beer with one teaspoon of canola oil and a raw egg, and then apply to damp hair and let sit for about 15 minutes. Rinse with cool water.


4. Dry, Sun-Damaged Hair: The sun can take a toll on the health and vitality of your hair. Try honey to counteract this. Massage warm, organic honey into clean, damp hair and let sit for about 20 minutes. Feel free to add a drop of organic olive oil to make it easier to apply and rinse out. You may also add avocado or egg yolk to the honey to help with extremely damaged hair.


5.Oily, Greasy Hair: You'll need an empty salt shaker for this one. Pour in one to two tablespoons of cornmeal or cornstarch into the empty shaker and apply to dry hair. Sprinkle it all on, let sit for about 10 minutes and then brush completely out using a paddle hairbrush.


6. Frizzy Hair: Avocado is great for damaged hair, but it also helps to smooth out frizzy hair. Simply mash up half an avocado and massage into clean, damp hair and let sit for about 15 minutes before rinsing clean.


7. Product Buildup: If you use a lot of product on your hair, chances are you've experienced product buildup and its gunky residue. Mix up a thick paste of one to two tablespoons of baking soda with a bit of water, massage into damp hair and let it go to work for about 15 minutes. Rinse clean and shampoo immediately after.
Source: WomansDay.com


Love, Leslie MSP

Get a head start on your holiday shopping!

Are you trying not to give an ugly scarf or 

miss-sized sweater again this year?

FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY:
Save 1/2 off at MissusSmartyPants.com!

It's like buying one membership and getting the second
one for half price!

Give the gift of style! It's the perfect clutter-free gift that the recipient will enjoy each week for the length of time given. Whether the recipient is a "fashionista" or just curious about learning more, there's plenty of useful style advice she will enjoy. From closet organization to putting together a basic wardrobe to how to wear what and when-this gift is fun as well as a valuable resource!

A membership to the Personal Profile system gives recommended styles based on a woman's body type. Once logged in she is able to view complete wardrobe suggestions for her particular shape. MissusSmartyPants also includes a weekly style article. With these stylist tips and lots of encouragement-she can't help but look and feel fabulous!

Get your holiday shopping started today! Buy one gift certificate (either 3 months $9.95 or 12 months $29.95) (emailed directly to you) and get your membership 1/2 price (or have your current membership extended the same length of time)...hurry while this offer lasts!
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http://www.missussmartypants.com/

The Science of Shopping

Did you know retailers are watching you in their stores...then cashing in on what they've learned from your shopping habits? More and more stores are hiring research companies to help them understand their customer’s buying habits better. In the process consumers are being video-taped while they shop--and much, much more!

Have you ever entered a store and immediately had to slow down and maneuver around a table full of stacks of merchandise? Did you stop, look and possibly consider making a purchase? If so, retail psychologists and researchers are doing their jobs.


A company called Envirosell specializes in the study of human behavior in the retail environment. They are known for video-taping store shoppers and watching their behaviors to help increase a store’s sales.

If you stay longer in a store...you are more likely to make a purchase...

 Here are some of the ways stores get YOU to spend:

Just use the word “Sale”. Just knowing there is a one-day sale, you’ll be swayed to take advantage of the deals. However, some one-day sales can still be happening days later!


Place the deals at the back. Often the real bargains are at the back of the store. You have to walk through all the pretty displays and “specials” before you reach any real bargains.


Experience pays off. If we enjoy the experience, we’ll pay more. We’re more likely to pay $7.95 for $2 chicken fingers if they are served on a plate w/ a lemon and cloth napkin. Don’t be seduced by the experience to the extent that you forgo value.


Nature vs. Nurture. We are all hunters and gatherers. Retail understands this. So, often you’ll find similar businesses clustered together. Take advantage of this and check out the competition before you buy and get the best deal.


Time equals dollars. The more time you spend in a store—the more likely you are to spend. Enjoy the melodic music, comfy environment and ambiance, but remember your budget!

Let MSP help you with more ways to SAVE big while shopping. Click here to read my previous POST about saving while shopping a sale

There really is a science to how stores encourage you to buy—and buy more than you originally intended to. If you understand some “secrets” the retail industry uses to lure you into a purchase...it will make you a savvier shopper...just in time for the busy retail season: Christmas!


Leslie, your cyber stylist
http://www.missussmartypants.com/

Yes, you might be too old to wear...

I believe most women have good common sense. However, sometimes even the most wonderful woman can be lead astray by a style she thinks looks good on her (twenty years later). You know that woman I'm talking about. She's over forty still wearing short skirts that she (literally) wore in her twenties!!! It's obvious the short skirt is not a favorable look with her aging legs a lot less taunt than a twenty year old's! Who wants to be the one to tell her that she looks horrible?


The truth is...she's too OLD to wear that style! Yes, in MissusSmartyPants' opinion clothing labels should have an "expiration date" on them so this "too old to wear it" dilemma would no longer occur.


There are plenty of young, hip, trendy styles that can make you appear OLDER. Yes this is very scary, but it is true you need to tread lightly with the trends when you are over forty!


Here are just a few of the "youthful" styles an older woman should totally AVOID:


Message tees. You know the tees that say things like "Your boyfriend thinks I'm HOT!" Wearing a message tee (or ass-vertising sweats) like this...screams desperate!!!

INSTEAD: Choose to wear a great quality cotton tee that you can dress up or down. No silly writing, LOL!

Overly Trendy Denims. You've seen these women before: a rocking-hard body and a face that looks over 60 or more! The overly trendy jeans that are ultra LOW rise, torn and/or embellished with rhinestones just aren't doing this "hot mama" justice!!!

INSTEAD: Choose a dark wash bootcut jean and you'll look fabulous and "on-trend" no matter your body size or shape. This style of jean is the best for helping slim and balance your proportions.

Sky-high heels. Too high or overly theatrical styled shoes can make you look silly--not stylish! With these shoes be sure to include thigh-high boots, and 5 inch cork wedges.

INSTEAD: Stop torturing your feet! It's time to be kind and get real with your shoe styling. As we age we lose that fatty cushioning we had in our youth. Look for shoe styles/brands that are wider, sole cushioned and with thicker shorter heels. TRY BRANDS LIKE: Cole Hann, Aerosoles, Nurture Shoes, etc. PAY more when it comes to your shoes because foot comfort matters so much!

Micro-minis. Tina Turner pushed the limits on this one because she had pretty hot-looking legs! However, keep in mind she was on STAGE!!! ALL etsy-bitsy skirts should be sent directly to Goodwill. End of story.

INSTEAD:  replace short skirts with straight or A-line skirts around the knee. TIP: if you have a slightly shorter skirt (a couple of inches above the knee) you could still wear it if you wear opaque tights at the same time.


Excessive Cleavage.  Some women are well endowed and well some aren't. That's just the way it is. All 'boobage' is womanly (regardless of size) and therefore is beautiful, in my humble opinion.

BUT when it comes to excessive cleavage in public: less is more!

'These are just a few of my un-favorite things' that can trip up any beautiful woman's style! Keep it on the classic side and you'll look fabulous every day.


Also avoid rubber bracelets, hand-made hokey jewelry, goth inspired belts and necklaces with spikes, black nail polish, glitter makeup in bright colors....GOSH! I could be here all night listing the SILLY TRENDS a grown woman should avoid.


Good luck, Leslie MSP