Fashionable Frames for Free = Firmoo!

Last month, I was contacted by Firmoo to see if I'd like to give their product a test run. At first, I had no clue what they were all about, but upon clicking the link to Firmoo.com, I realized that this was a site that sells glasses for reasonable prices, cutting out the middleman [eye doctor's office showroom with fancypants frames that cost more than you'd like to admit]. Since I've been wearing glasses since I'm three [which is 90% of my life], I'm used to the dog + pony show. I am also that girl who tries on twenty different frames + gets that look from the tech.

With Firmoo, I could try on as many frames as I wished with their Virtual Try-On System, without having to deal with a pushy salesperson. PLUS I had my glasses on while looking at the frames, which helps loads since I have a tricky prescription. So, for about an hour, I virtually tried on frames. Here are the four I narrowed it down to.

1   2   3   4

Note: I tried to keep a straight face while taking the picture without my glasses for the Virtual Try-On, to see how the shape would fare with my face. Sorry if I look weird, ha!

I decided to get the dark woodgrain frames [bottom right]. Seeing as the glasses were free, thanks to the first pair free program, I wasn't sure how long it would take to ship them, due to my pesky prescription. A few days later, I got an email stating that my frames were ready to ship. Ten days later, a padded envelope arrived with my frames!

As I opened the package, I noticed that there were two cases included - one hard + one soft. An eyeglass screwdriver + extra screws were also included, which is always great to have on hand. A fun, green soft cloth with the Firmoo logo was also in the hard case. 

Before I tried them on, I was nervous that the prescription would be off. I don't know how many times I've had to go back to the optometrist to have them fix my lenses or the frames. Its super frustrating + its the reason why I only go there when necessary. Granted, Firmoo offers free exchanges + returns, so I had nothing to lose. When I put my new glasses on, I was amazed - prescription was perfect + they look fantastic! I've been wearing them non-stop since Thursday + have even shelved my beloved red Fendi frames [yes, I love them that much] I didn't even get that pesky headache I always get with new glasses - it was a miracle. I don't think I'll ever buy frames in-store again. The frames Firmoo offers are reasonably priced + fashionable, plus they also have sunglasses [yes, I already have my eye on a few].

If you have more questions regarding Firmoo's policies, the company itself or frequently asked questions, make sure to swing by the Help Center page - it has lots of useful links which answered many of my questions. Or, shoot me an email + ask away! 

As I mentioned above, I received the frames free via the first pair free program, but this did not sway my opinion in any way, shape or form. 

Teach Me Something Thursday, Volume Nineteen.

The nineteenth installment of TMST comes from Allie, over at Little Mouse's House. She teaches us how to transform an outfit two ways: a peter pan collar, + a lace collar/pocket. 

I've had a few pieces in my (and Norah's) closet that I've been trying to find the perfect sprucing-up project for. I liked this dress before, but i LOVE it with it's new doily peter pan collar! One of Norah's plain black t-shirts got a matching lacy collar as well. This is a super easy and cheap way to make old clothes new!

you will need:

a dress, shirt, sweater etc. in need of some sprucing up

doily and/or lace

needle and thread

straight pins

scissors

If using a doily, first cut it directly in half. Then, using straight pins, pin the doily or lace onto the collar as you please. I also added some lace detail onto the pocket of Norah's shirt.

Sew around the edges of the doily or lace. After I stitched the curved part of the doily, I folded over the flat edge to the underside of the dress and then stitch through both layers. Make sure you trim any stray threads or extra pieces!

And Finished! Now enjoy your new-to-you item of clothing!

Make sure to head over to Little Mouse's House for more fun projects [many are kid-friendly].

If you would like to contribute to Teach Me Something Thursday, please contact me. I take holiday submissions year-round + am currently booking for Spring 2013.

Giveaway, Day 29: Dianna Hansson. CLOSED.

My friend Dianna is one of the people I text when I'm having some sort of fashion emergency/disaster, in need of someone to motivate me during a juice fast, or anything random that comes up. She's a good egg. She's been making jewelry for trendy boutiques on the island forever, but she decided to open her own shop on Etsy. It recently reopened, so to celebrate, she's giving a new item [that isn't even listed yet] to one of you lucky ducks.

These fantastic brass earrings are up for grabs. Enter via the Rafflecopter below to win this pair before they hit shelves!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway, Day 19: Kouture. CLOSED.

Well, we're halfway through the week. Some of you might be cramming for finals [or doing a happy dance because they are over] + I can bet some of you still have to get some holiday shopping done before Santa Claus comes to town. I figured today was a great day to host the second Kouture contest. One lucky winner will receive a $25 gift card to Kouture, plus a 20% discount code.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you need to stock up on a few gifts for your loved ones [or treat yo self], Kouture is running a killer sale - 50% off all sale items with the code 50MORE. Sale ends on 12/21.

Giveaway, Day Six: Kouture. CLOSED.

Happy Thursday! I don't know about you, but I am stoked to be thisclose to the weekend. The sixth giveaway for Giveaway a Day December comes from Kiley, who has been on the blog a few times before. She owns Kouture, which is one of my favorite shops.

Kiley's gift to one lucky winner is a $25 gift card + a 20% gift code, personalized just for you! She's also giving away a $500 shopping spree, so make sure you get your entry in [last day for entries in both contests is December 16]. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you've missed a day in the giveaway, catch up + see what you missed. While you're here, don't forget to check out today's Teach Me Something Thursday.

UPDATE: Since none of the entrants who used Rafflecopter to enter followed directions [none of the entrants left a comment on this giveaway, which was a mandatory entry]. The two individuals who commented below did complete the mandatory entry, but did not utilize Rafflecopter, so I had to use random.org to choose a winner of the two ladies that entered.

Teach Me Something Thursday, Volume Twelve.

The twelfth installment in the TMST series comes from someone who has become dear to my heart over the last year. She is Kiley Miltsch, the founder of Kouture. While they were shooting for the online store, Kiley was often coloring her pal Paulina's hair - she's the adorable gal with the violet hued 'do that you see throughout the site [she has also gone rainbow + most recently, green]. Kiley + Paulina reveal their secret of how they got Paulina's hair the perfect shade of lavender.

Supplies:

Manic Panic in Virgin Snow & Ultra Violet

(Thicker hair may require 2 cans of Virgin Snow)

Mixing bowl, tint brush, comb, and gloves.

Step 1: Combine one can of Virgin Snow with 2 generous spoonfuls of Ultra Violet.

Step 2: Mix together.

Step 3: Completely cover hair with mixture and then comb through until the hair dye is frothy.

Step 4: Tightly wrap head with saran wrap and let it sit for at least 30 minutes - we usually wait an hour.

 Step 5: Wash out the color with cold water and then condition hair and rinse. Don't use shampoo!

And Voila! The perfect shade of ultra violet lavender. 

Be sure to head over to Kiley's store, blog + Facebook. Don't forget to sign up for the Klique list - you will receive special offers + perks available only to the Kouture Klique!

Teach Me Something Thursday, Volume Ten.

This week's TMST comes from Shanna, the blogger behind Because Shanna Says So. She shows you how to take an inexpensive necklace + nail polish to transform the piece into something your own!

Statement necklaces. We all own them. We all love them. We all are on the hunt for them. 

Am I right? Or am I right?

I thought, why don't I make my own? Well, not actually "make" a necklace, but take a clear and simple rhinestone one and make it my very own. I posted the original necklace on Instagram and the feedback I recieved was, paint it PINK. So, my friends, that's what I did. It just so happens that I don't own a neon pink necklace, so thanks for reading my mind!

I am far from being a DIY kind of girl.  I can't even tell you the last time I attempted this sort of craftiness. So, this was BIG for me even though it only entailed three easy steps.

Are your ready?

What you will need: 

1. A clear rhinestone necklace (got mine here)

2. Nail Polish

3. Essie 3-Way Glaze (more info here)

The Steps
1. Paint one coat of polish on the rhinestones. Brush downward. Let dry.
2. Paint a second coat of polish. Let dry.
3. Apply Essie 3-Way Glaze to the stones. This will help give shine and even out the color. 

Total Cost
$13.85 (I already had both polishes, so I just spent money on the necklace.)

Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy. Right? 

I must admit that I LOVE it. I want to make more and plan on hitting up Forever 21 to see if they have any left in the store. I knew I should have bought two or three. Kicking myself.

Here is one way that I styled it. I can't wait to wear it again and again and again.

Top:Francesca's | Jeans:Old Navy | Shoes:H&M | Belt: Forever 21

Who would have thought that I could get DIY supplies at Forever 21 and Ulta? 

This is my kind of crafting. 

So, what do you think? 

Are you ready to try it for yourself? 

What color statement necklace are you missing?

If you would like to participate in Teach Me Something Thursday, feel free to contact me to schedule a date for your feature! I am currently booking for 2013. 

Getting Stylish with a Stylist.

Back in August, I had posted about the Fall Wardrobe Contest that was Green Acres Mall was hosting. Seeing as there would be ten winners chosen, plus the mall would be judging my entry [not the PR agency that had contacted me about the contest], I decided to submit an essay. I totally forgot about the contest, until I received a phone call, telling me that I had won. I was super stoked. $200 to spend, plus a consult with a personal stylist? I was most definitely down!

My mom + I decided to spend the afternoon together that day, so it was a nice little trip for us. When we got to the mall, we met with Jackie, PR maven from Epoch 5 + Denise, the gal behind 3D Styling. I had worn sweats + a Star Wars tee, because I had worked 12 hours the day before + had worked that morning, so I was pretty shot. If I was going to be trying clothes on all day, I wanted to dress comfortable. When we got to the mall, I met the management of Green Acres Mall, who were so nice. They had even mentioned that they checked out the blog + liked it, which is always awesome to hear from a complete stranger! I chatted with Denise, to see what I was looking for + needed to add to my wardrobe. Basically what it boiled down to was that I needed more professional clothes to wear in the classroom. I have MORE than enough clothing to wear on the weekends, but my teacher-friendly portion of my closet is lacking.

We walked, talked, shopped + joked around, which made the experience a blast. I told Denise that I was looking for dresses, sweaters + a new pair of black leggings. We hit Forever 21 first, but realized soon after that we needed to head elsewhere for what I needed. Kohl's was our next stop, where I found a fun little black dress that suits me really well. Denise also introduced me to belts, which I usually avoid like the plague [no particular reason, I just never bother buying them, unless they come with something I snagged at Forever 21]. This was only our second stop, but I had tried on more things than I think I ever have while shopping. This was serious business! After finding the little black dress in Kohl's, we headed over to Macy's. The hunt for a nice belt, black leggings + another dress would be wrapped up here. Denise told me that I should invest in a nice wrap dress, which is something I've never even thought about trying on. I tried a few on while at Macy's, but fell in love with this killer purple Calvin Klein dress [which came with a faux fur leopard print skinny belt], which everyone approved of. We also found a cute pair of leggings in the petite section - they even have zipper details on the ankle. I never buy things like this, because they are almost always too long on me. The petites were perfect! I'm also pleased with my belt purchase. Its reversible, but I have a feeling I will wear the black side in the cooler months + rock the white side when it gets warmer out.

Time flew by + before we knew it, we had to part ways. Before leaving the mall, mom + I ran into Victoria's Secret so I could snag a few things before heading home. I learned a lot from my session with Denise, including using Polyvore to create photo sets [I used it once, but totally forgot about it until she mentioned it again]. The dresses, leggings + belt shown below are items I snagged during my stylist session. The bag is an old standby of mine, but the bracelet + shoes are on my wish list.

I never thought I'd I never thought I'd like the experience of working with a stylist, but it was a great experience. I tried on items I would normally walk past + am now becoming familiar with belts. I'm not going to ditch anything in my wardrobe anytime soon, but my future purchases will be items that can work in + out of the classroom.

Have any of you ever consulted with a personal stylist before? If you haven't, would you be interested in doing so?

GlassesUSA [Sponsored Post].

Seeing as I have been wearing eyeglasses since the tender age of three, I was thrilled when GlassesUSA reached out to me. I have never ordered glasses online, but after reading up on the company + walking myself through the super simple process, I plan on snagging a backup pair, since the price is right.

Basically, if you wear prescription specs, you get the eyeglasses prescription from your eye doctor + send an image via email [or fax] to the folks at GlassesUSA. You pick out a frame, test them out on the virtual mirror, then sit back + relax until they arrive. If you don’t like them, you send them back. Not bad, right? I had a lot of fun with the Virtual Mirror. I chose the Michele – super cute + cheap glasses with my name, awesome!

Here is what my virtual glasses experience looked like:

Below is the Virtual Mirror, so you can check out a few styles on your own! GlassesUSA.com has two coupon codes available as well - Take 15% off + get free shipping on your entire order 

(orders over $50) with the code: FS15, plus take 10% off any order of prescription eyeglasses with the code Blog10.

  

If you end up snagging a pair before I do, let me know. I just got my eyes checked out, so I plan on swinging by my eye doctor + snagging a script, so I can order a new pair of sunglasses.

This post was sponsored by GlassesUSA, but the opinions are most definitely my own.

Shabby Apple $50 Giveaway + Coupon Code.

I love dressing up once autumn hits - its all I can talk about lately. This contest couldn't have come at a better time. Shabby Apple, an online retailer that is known for gorgeous, vintage-inspired dresses, is giving one lucky reader $50 to spend on a fantastic fall frock [say that fast ten times]. They are also being super generous + giving readers 10% off for the month of October, when you use the coupon code shortgirllongisland10off.

If you've never been to Shabby Apple, head on over. They have dresses for the ladies, little ladies, + for ladies expecting little ones. The shop also boasts an array of accessories + is even selling athletic + swim attire now.

The contest will end on Friday, October 19 at 11:59 PM EST. Winner must have a US shipping address to be eligible for entry.

How to Enter:
Leave a separate comment for each entry. There is one mandatory entry + twelve bonus entries. You can complete as many additional entries as you would like. Each comment equals an entry.

01. "Like" Shabby Apple on Facebook [Mandatory entry].
02. Visit Shabby Apple + leave a comment, telling me what you would buy if you won the $50 gift card.
03. "Like" short girl, long island. on Facebook.
04. Follow short girl, long island. via Google Friend Connect.
05. Follow short girl, long island. via Bloglovin'.
06. Follow me on Twitter + leave a comment with your username.
07. Follow Shabby Apple on Twitter + leave a comment with your username.
08. Tweet about the giveaway, including a link to the blog giveaway page. Make sure to leave a comment with the link to the tweet. You can do this as many times as you want, as long as you post the links for each tweet.
09. Follow me on Pinterest + leave a comment with your username.
10. Follow Shabby Apple on Pinterest + leave a comment with your username.
11."Pin" this blog post onto one of your boards + + leave a comment with the link.
12. Follow me on Instagram [stellarmichele] + leave a comment with your username.
13. Post the photo below on Instagram + use the hashtag #SGLIShabbyApple. Comment each time you do this - you can post as many photos as you want, as long as they are still up on Instagram when the winner is chosen.

Make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry + if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. Good Luck!

Update: After going through entries, there were 287 that were in before the end of the contest. The winner is #38, Hilary. Congratulations!