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Bargain Beauties love a sale!!! But just because something is on clearance doesn’t mean we need to buy it. Before filling our shopping cart, we make sure each item meets our criteria. It’s an easy approach that you can try too: Fit, Function & Fashion!

FIT: How many times have we bought those jeans that were just a bit snug, telling ourselves we’d lose a couple pounds to make it work? The only thing we lost…our hard earned money! If it fits, it sticks. If not, throw it out.

FUNCTION: The best items to purchase are those that can be worn many different ways, on mutiple occasions and through several seasons. Be honest with yourself when considering how much use you’ll get from a garment.

FASHION: Splurge on the classic items that will take you far, and throw in a few key trendy items each new season. And remember that fashion is supposed to be fun! So feel free to experiment with looks and find your unique personal style.

As bargain beauties, we obviously love all things that deal in glitz & glamour.  So how appropriate is it that our new fave lipgloss comes in a popping pink hue called Glitz??!!  We got this one from our friend Marinda Speelman who sells this fab brand Artistry.  It also happens to be the official makeup line for the Miss America Pageant.  What makes it so great?  It comes complete with a built in mirror and LED light, allowing you to perfectly paint your pout.  And all three shades have a minty fresh flavor…an added bonus!

Contact Marinda to order yours today: mspeelman@ltdkate.com

There are some great perks to being a pageant coach.  First, we get to help our clients reach success.  Second, we get to play dress up for a living.  And third, we get some really cool media opportunities as pageant & beauty experts.  One such perk was working with the team at Jimmy Kimmel Live.  The writers were struggling as they created a Toddlers & Tiaras spoof with Tom Hanks for their Oscar Special.  When we got the call, we were ecstatic and of course we were up for the challenge!!  We choreographed a dance for Tom’s “daughter”, we helped cast the other characters, and we gave the writers an inside look into the wonderfully crazy world of pageantry.  The skit turned out great!!  And we were there on set go make sure everything went smoothly.  Take a look at the video and let us know what you think!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPLWKBWkn3s

Last night Cristina and I were lucky enough to attend a fundraiser event at Terry Rossio’s home (writer/producer of  Shrek, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Mask of Zorro among many others).  The festivities took place at Terry’s gorgeous home in Topanga Canyon…it was a crisp fall night, and Cristina and I were terribly underdressed for the weather, but we thought warm thoughts, and enjoyed the full moon which beautifully illuminated the celebrity party-goers.

Besides rubbing elbows with tinsletowns elite, we also sat down for an entertaining Real TV Films interview with Spencer Garrett (an actor best known for roles in Transformers-Revenge of the Fallen and Public Enemies.  The star-studded get together was actually an effort to raise money for a short film that Garrett will be appearing in, and which is starring the beautiful Shevaun Kastl, called Conversations with Lucifer.  And though Spencer was pretty hush-hush about his role and other details regarding the film, he certainly piqued our interest and we will anxiously await the premier.  But in the meantime, we can all enjoy the videos that Gordon Vasquez from Real TV Films has produced, documenting the making of the film through interviews (http://www.realtvfilms.com/conversations-with-lucifer-the-concept.html).

Besides being terribly fun, last night was just another reminder that Sashes and Crowns Pageant Coachingis in the right place, doing the right thing.  The entertainment biz is never easy to break into, or maintain presence in, and it’s always encouraging to meet actors and television personalities who have stuck it out and experienced longevity…just as we also hope to attain.  ~Tara Darby

Cristina Nardozzi and Tara Darby with Spencer Garrett

For the month of October Sashes and Crowns is offering the smashing deal of buy one session get one 1/2 off!

Check out the services page for all the pricing details.

E- mail SashesandCrowns@gmail.com for more info

Tara and Cristina taking a break from the Venus Bridal show!