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Archive for October, 2009|Monthly archive page

Halloween Haute

In Entertainment, Fashion, Money Saving Tips on October 26, 2009 at 3:09 AM

Forget the “sexy witch” and “Playboy Bunny” kit this year – that’s just stale (*womp womp). The best Halloween costumes ideas usually stem from what’s happening in the world of pop culture (i.e. blockbuster movies, celebrities, fashion trends and people in the news). It’s safe to say there’ll be a barrage of Michael Jacksons and Kanyes on the streets this year and, thanks to New York Magazine’s The Cut and this atrocious wig, I also predict a severe overdose of Gaga.

With only a few days left until the Halloween festivities begin, some of you FabFrug divas and divos may be concerned that you’ll have to spend a bundle on some pre-packaged kit at Ricky’s in order to make a statement. But, as my sister from another mister Frugal Kat proclaimed, “Real frugalistas shop their closets for Halloween” (Amen).

Luckily for you there’s a world of celebrities and reality show stars (aside from the obvious) just waiting to be made fun of and recreating their looks can be as simple as excavating a too-tight dress or washed out t-shirt out of your storage boxes.

Eight is too many

kate-gosselin-wig

Hot Mess

Jon and Kate Gosselin have tortured us all year long with their unnecessary presence among the pages of every magazine and newspaper. Kate seems to think that hairstyle of hers makes some kind of fashion statement. I think its sole purpose should be to incite laughter because that ish is a hot scary mess. That said, her signature do is now available in wig form for only $12.99 at BestCostumes.com. To complete the look, I recommend a pair of Crocs or rubber flip-flops, khaki capris and a cheap polo-style shirt (emphasis on cheap…think Kmart).

Be Tardy for the Party

So, I was browsing wigs online and came across this Discorama Mama do, which was oddly reminiscent of one miss Kim “I lurvvv you Papaaaaa…Pappaaa thank youuuuu” Zolciak from Atlanta’s Real Housewives. I see it working well with the tightest, shortest, cant-really-fit-you-anymore-but-the-zip-goes-all-the-way-up-so-hey! dress you can find and an excess of tacky, fake bling (think gold-plated jewelry with fake diamond studs à la Kimora Lee Simmons/Baby Phat). Platform heels, a glass of cheap chardonnay and a cigarette are musts here.

Trend-Whore

This was definitely a year of unforgettable fashion trends. In the Spring/Summer season we saw the one-shoulder top, torn jeans, draped skirts, nautical patterns/colors and statement accessories reign supreme, while the fall season has seen an onslaught of over-the-knee boots, military wear and boyfriend apparel (boyfriend blazer, boyfriend jeans, etc.).

If you already have most of these items lying around your closet anyway, why not just wear them all at once and call yourself a trend-whore? I’m envisioning torn patterned leggings with over-the-knee boots (or severe platform heels) under a tulip skirt, one-shoulder blouse and boyfriend blazer along with neon yellow nail polish, chunky 80s-inspired jewelry and a stream of blue mascara running down your cheeks. Throw in some matte red lipstick for good measure. That’s enough to scare any fashionista!

Sexy Werewolf à la Taylor Lautner

You thought I wouldn’t have anything for the dudes, didn’t you? Well this costume is as simple as it gets.

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Taylor Lautner summonsed the inner cougar from within every woman this side of the Atlantic when he put his chiseled abs, dreamy eyes and beefy biceps on display in New Moon. Yessiree. If you have an equally rock-hard body, then go find your oldest pair of jeans and cut the legs off just above the knees and throw on your gym sneakers. Be sure to give the hair a good gellin’ to capture the sleek, wet look. A very important element of this costume is the tattoo on this sexy werewolf’s shoulder. I haven’t found a close enough shot of it to show you, but I do know it’s round, so for God’s sake just draw and damn circle on your shoulder with a permanent black marker and fill that bad boy in with scribbles. Everyone will be drunk anyway so no one will notice the mediocre artwork.

Polygamist Sister-Wife

Trials will begin in Eldorado, Texas this week for the 12 men alleged to have married multiple under-aged girls on the Yearning for Zion ranch.  The story is so intriguing that even Oprah paid the ranch a visit earlier this year to see how the residents live.  Of course, much of the media were more concerned with the deplorable fashions these women were donning than the fact that the men on the ranch were engaging in bigamy. I for one don’t blame them. French braids? Seriously? And we’re talking worse than the ones in those Hairdini infomercials…these are French braids on steroids. I won’t event comment on the clothes, I’ll just leave you with the image below. You are but a visit to the thrift store and a French braid away (see Oprah’s sister-wife hair braid “how-to” video) from recreating the polygamist-fabness for Halloween! *Kudos to my homey Elise for this idea!

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FabFrug Travel Talk: “Cent-Sational” U.S. Virgin Islands Vacay

In Travel on October 9, 2009 at 7:00 AM
Snorkeling in St. Croix (courtesy U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism)

You Could Be Here (Snorkeling in St. Croix, courtesy U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism)

You know how some travel sites advertise “cheap” vacations with lines like “Only $99 to Cancun!” but then you investigate the deal further and find out that the $99 is the cost of the flight, EACH WAY, without taxes and booking fees? Factor in 3 nights at a hotel and you’re spending close to $900 on your “affordable” vacay.

This ain’t one of those deals…

Starting today, the U.S. Virgin Islands is offering a Cent-sational Promotion featuring $.25 cent room nights at participating hotels in honor of its newly minted (and first-ever) U.S. quarter.

Now I must disclose, the USVI Department of Tourism is my client. But I swear (scout’s honor) that I’m writing about this not as sneaky salesman, but as a blogger looking to inform the FabFrug community about a RIDICULOUS travel deal that really only comes around once in a blue moon on monumental occassions like new coin-releases and cultural milestones.

Here’s the skinny…

U.S. Virgin Islands Cent-sational Promotion

The Perks:

  • $.25 cent room nights at participating hotels (maximum stay of three nights)
  • $25 per person dining credit
  • $25 per person activities credit
  • Virgin Islands commemorative quarter Scotiabank coin set

How to Book:

Rules:

  • The packages is available within the stated time frame or until they run out
  • The offer does not apply to existing bookings; offer is only valid on bookings made on this promotion
  • Individual hotels may establish blackout dates
  • $.25 rate does not include taxes or resort fees
  • Bookings must be air/hotel vacation packages: back-to-back bookings without the purchase of a flight to the USVI will not qualify for this promotion.

Oooohhh….loook, it’s a pweddy buwdddyy!

This freshly minted quarter is imprinted with some of the Territory’s most treasured official symbols, including the Bananaquit bird, Yellow Cedar Flower and Tyre Palm Tree. Emblazoned with the U.S. Virgin Islands’ official motto, "United in Pride and Hope," the quarter serves simultaneously as a reminder of the Territory’s unique identity, as well as its proud inclusion as a U.S. Territory.

This freshly minted quarter is imprinted with some of the Territory’s most treasured official symbols, including the Bananaquit bird, Yellow Cedar Flower and Tyre Palm Tree. Emblazoned with the U.S. Virgin Islands’ official motto, "United in Pride and Hope," the quarter serves simultaneously as a reminder of the Territory’s unique identity, as well as its proud inclusion as a U.S. Territory.

Fall Foodage Event Reviews

In Entertainment, Food & Wine on October 1, 2009 at 9:43 PM
Courtest www.Nextup.Wordpress.com

Courtest www.Nextup.Wordpress.com

So, my starting line-up of fall culinary events was, overall, a hit. That sheep’s cheese tasting hosted by The Joy of Cheese was utter delight! A blush-colored hombre by the name of Enanzo Rosado warmed my heart and caressed my soul (yeah I’m about to have this stuff special-ordered…and I don’t even usually like Rosé!). Definitely check out the list of October’s events, which are all about local and sustainable cheeses and wines. Prices for the events range from $25-40. “The Joy of Cheese” gets the official Frugal Andy seal of approval!

Le Fooding D’Amour (night #2) was…*meh*….the food was great, the event just wasn’t quite what I expected. The lines at each chef’s stand were badonkadonks from beginning to end. So the relaxed, social vibe I anticipated didn’t develop until much later in the night. Mind you, it was pretty cool to see Daniel Boulud in the flesh fussing over his sous chefs’ work and engaging in witty banter with patrons. But waiting in line for 25 mins before I even recognized the outline of his charmigly square head? Not so much. Even less appealing was the melancholic, Beatles-esque ballads that were blasting through the speakers for the first 90 minutes of the night while the belly dancer at Daniel’s tent girated to her own beat, both to complement his Moroccan-themed dish and to keep herself warm. For the first half of the night, these awkward elements fashioned an ambiance more reminiscent of a funeral wake than a fabulous food festival! Nevertheless, the music selection eventually improved and the Belvy and Veuve began to take hold of most patrons. Besides, it was great to have experienced the first LeYummy in NYC, especially because the proceeds supported a good cause (Action Against Hunger). For a more detailed, pretty nail-on-the-head review, check out The Local. (*Editor’s note: the consensus in the ice-cream line was that everyone was willing to wait only because (1) all the other booths had shut down and (2) these foodies paid their good money and were on an all-you-can-eat mission, refusing to leave until they tried EVERYTHING at least once. All that “the ice cream is just that good” stuff is bollucks! It was good, but I didn’t die over it. Maybe next time they’ll have more than one girl scooping tempered ice cream for hundreds of patrons!!!)

Now that I’ve sweetened up your chops for more grub…look out for the next line-up of affordable culinary experiences to be had this fall, before Jack Frost takes a bite outta your a$$.

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