Neiman Marcus Fashion Rules

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Neiman Marcus at Scottsdale Fashion Square is hosting a free event called "Fashion Rules" this Thursday, March 4, 2010 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The garment my team created for the 2010 IIDA Couture Competition will be on display along with the other winners as part of the Fashion Rules event on level 2 of Neiman Marcus. You can also meet the designer of CJ by Cookie Johnson, view a trunk show of Christian Louboutin and get makeovers by makeup artists from Le Metier de Beaute. All you need to do is RSVP to this phone number, 480-425-1443.

If you can't make this event and you would like to see the garments in person, they will remain on display until March 8, 2010.

M.A.C. Paint Pot

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A while ago I did a beauty product review of the M.A.C. Shadestick, and I have been an evangelist for that product since I tried it. Well, I decided to forgo the Shadestick this time and give the Paint Pot a whirl.

It's the same product as the stick but you use either your finger or a brush to apply it. Well, ladies, the pot has won me over. Why?....

After awhile the Shadestick would get hard and not apply the product smoothly on my eyelid. The pot, however, maintains a creamy texture.

What these products do: The paint pot and shadestick are best known for keeping your eye shadow from creasing and helping the color stay vibrant throughout the day.

Application: Gently swirl your finger inside the pot and apply the creamy shadow all over your lids with your finger. Brush your eyeshadow over the base like normal.

You will want to choose a nude or pale color for a base if you want your eye shadow's color to stay true. Obviously, you can have a lot of fun blending and creating new colors when combining deeper bases and lighter shadows. If you need to rush out the door but want long lasting shimmer on your eyes, just sweep this across your lids and jet.

Cost: $16.50

Lifespan: Should last you at least three months if you use the product once a day.

Win a Closet Makeover!

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If you have been keeping up with my blog you may know that I am starting my own business as a stylist (read about it here). One of the services that I will be offering is closet organization. Why? Well, when your closet is messy you end up wearing the same outfits repeatedly because you forget about the other clothes tucked away in the nooks and crannies of your drawers and shelves. Once your closet has a system and the clothes that are ill-fitting are donated or packed away, you may find yourself looking at a whole new set of  outfits.

So, where does the contest come in....(click the title to keep reading).

Before I do an official kick off of my consulting business, I need before and after photos of the work I have done. Now, yes, I could just do my own closet, which I actually did this weekend, but that's not as fun.

Here's what closet organization entails...

>Folding and hanging clothes >Helping you decide what the keepers and tossers are >Color coding

So here's my proposal and where you come in..If you are in the Phoenix Metro area and you would like me to come to your house and organize your bedroom closet for FREE, perk up those ears and sharpen those eyes...

To enter the contest, do one or both of the following (each item gives you an entry).

1. Leave a comment with your name and email address saying why your closet needs help

2. Tweet the following, "Win a closet makeover by @alexevjen, http://www.alexandraevjen.com."

The contest ends tomorrow, February 24, 2010 at 12:00p.m. MST. Three winners will be chosen. I will notify the winners via email by Wednesday evening.

Menswear Monday: Corduroy & the "Man" Cardigan

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There are two key winter menswear trends that I saw this year: corduroy pants and, what I like to call, "The Man Cardigan."

Now, I think there are lot of guys that have embraced these trends, but then there are some of you that think you would either look too feminine, too fat or too much like Mr.Rogers in a cardigan. As for corduroy, I think most men simply forget about the comfortable alternative to jeans because the material is only worn in the winter.

Here are some tips and examples on how to pull off both...

Believe it or not, this is a cardigan. What's great about this piece is that it appears more masculine because of the double-breasted pockets, the high collar and the chunky knit. I think this is a perfect example of a cardigan that all body types can wear.

This piece is called a shawl cardigan because of the neckline. There is a more feminine aspect to the collar, but when paired with a plaid button down shirt and a pair of jeans it still looks masculine.

On to corduroy, what a great alternative to jeans?! You can still look professional and wear corduroy pants to the office or play it casual for the weekends. Corduroy is a fabric that can fade quickly, so just make sure to turn your pants inside out before washing. This fabric can shrink and get a bit stiff, so I would lay your pants flat to dry and throw them in the dryer to soften them up after they are no longer damp.

Some things to avoid when buying corduroy pants...no pleats, no faded fabric, no faded lines. Keep it clean, bold and simple. J.Crew and GAP are great places to find these pants.