Minding your body and your budget at the same time might seem too tricky, especially if your aim is to lose weight or de-jiggle your biceps. With so many fitness DVDs on the market, we wanted to …
The LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer may be flying off of shelves and parents may be willing to shell out big bucks for those that are remaining online. But when Shine's Get It Guide Gurus put the holiday …
It's time for our second Shine Get it Guide review, and for this round we're tackling a really important topic: jeans. Seriously, great jeans can mean the difference between a good day (the perfect …
It is the New Year and time to bring out that collection of workout DVDs that has been sitting on the shelf collecting dust all year. Grab those weights, jump on that workout ball, and start making taking care of yourself a priority today! I describe my fitness level as: Moderate. … More »The best workouts for the New Year
There's no denying the holiday season added extra jiggle to my already gelatinous middle. As it is I've barely got enough time in the day to get the basics done, which means putting aside a few moments to work out hardly ever happens. And stepping on the scale is out of the question. … More »Kicking some butt: A guide to popular workout DVDs
I describe my fitness level as: Beginner. I exercise: Almost never, unless you count chasing a toddler around all day long in a two-story house. My usual reaction to fitness DVDs is: Positive. Zumba Fitness On a scale of barely sweat to totally-kick-butt, this workout is: Fun and it … More »Holiday flab to new year fab! 4 fitness workouts reviewed!
I describe my fitness level as: Good, but needs improvement. I exercise: Two to three times per week at an intense boot camp. My usual reaction to fitness DVDs is: Unenthusiastic. There are too many distractions at home. Jackie Werner Crunch-Free Xtreme Ab On a scale of barely sweat … More »Can you really get a good work out at home?
From swinging a kettlebell to shaking my hips, these four workouts had a wide range of movements in store. And after devouring a gazillion sweets over the holidays, I was ready to do almost anything to burn some serious calories. Except burpees. I describe my fitness level as: I'm in … More »Get It Guide Gurus: The best fitness DVDs
I describe my fitness level as: Slightly above average for a 37-year-old woman. I exercise: A few times per week. My usual reaction to fitness DVDs is: I love exercising to DVDs, but the DVD needs to be fast-moving and effective in order to keep my attention. Jackie Werner Crunch-Free … More »Test driving some of the most popular workout DVDs
This toys assignment came at the perfect time. I don't have kids of my own, but I was heading home for the Thanksgiving holiday where I'd be surrounded by my nieces and nephew, who, of course, all adore their Aunt Sasa. Especially when she brings along the hottest holiday toys. … More »Hottest holiday toys
Monster High Dolls The price of this toy is: Monstrously high. This toy would be great for: The young fashion divas. The benefits of this toy seem to be: Encouraging young girls to dress sexy at a young age. The downsides are: Young girls might attempt to dress as inappropriate as … More »The hot holiday toys of 2011
Money is tight these days; there's no doubt about it. So with that in mind, what is the best bang for your buck this holiday season? With four hot products in hand, I had the chance to put the following toys to the test. There are two winners in the mix and one flop. The [...] … More »Toys to buy or not to buy, that is the question
The kid in your life may have these popular toys on his or her holiday gift list. Are they worth the money? Some are, but one is definitely not. Monster High Dead Tired Ghoulia Yelps Doll Ghoulia Yelps loves sleepovers, the color blood red, fast food (in lieu of zombie brains), her … More »The scoop on four of this season’s hottest toys
Air Swimmer The price of this toy is: Pretty expensive for what it is, and you also need a helium tank, which is sold separately. This toy would be great for: Boys and girls in elementary school. It's a fun toy that is eye-catching. The benefits of this toy seem to be: My kids love … More »Gifts at the top of kids’ Christmas lists – Are they worth it?
Monster High dolls The price of this toy is: I wouldn't pay anything for this. This toy would be great for: Nobody I can think of. The benefits of this toy seem to be: The names of the dolls are clever and the male doll is the least tacky. The downsides are: Too tacky and [...] … More »Toy review just in time for the holidays
Jeans rank right up there with shoes for me as far as things I love to buy and don't mind spending money on. I will wear a good pair of jeans until they literally fall apart. They also rank right up there with bikinis as far as things that make me feel horrible about myself [...] … More »Get It Guide: Do these jeans make me look fat?
My body type is: Petite. Lucky Brand Lola Bootcut Fit: I am 5'2 in height and these jeans are way too long for me. Apparently they don't carry any jeans that I wouldn't have to hem. I was disappointed on how they sagged off my butt too, is it more ladylike to say "bottom?" They [...] … More »From my fitting room to your sitting room: Bootcut jeans!
Style: Bootcut. My body type is: Short and curvy. Levi's Perfectly Slimming 512 Boot Cut Jeans (short cut) Fit: High-waisted enough to be called "mom jeans," wear these jeans with an untucked shirt. The boot cut is almost generous enough to be considered a flare, and looks great with … More »Levi’s or Lee jeans? Flip a coin!
I love wearing jeans — but have the hardest time finding ones that fit. Either they droop in places they shouldn't, or hug too close in all the wrong spots. So when my latest Get It Guide Guru assignment was to find the perfect pair of jeans, I honestly thought it wasn't possible. I … More »Finding the perfect pair of jeans
Style: Trouser. My body type is: Tall and svelte. Lucky Brand Fit: Just perfect. Texture/color is: Dark navy blue so I can go from day to night. Make me feel: Stylish, without trying too hard. Would wear to: Everywhere. I'd wear these jeans every day if I could. In fact, I've owned … More »Comparative trouser jean shopping for tall girls
I've been wanting a pair of skinny jeans to tuck into my winter boots, but with my post c-section body, jeans aren't always my friend. I headed to the mall with one mission - to find the perfect pair of skinny jeans. My body type is: Short, with skinny legs and not-so-skinny butt and … More »Finding the perfect pair of skinny jeans
And the Get It Guide Favorite is.. We polled our readers on the best smelling celebrity perfume and they too agree that Jennifer Aniston's fragrance is by far the best smelling scent! This makes Jennifer Aniston's perfume our very first Get it Guide winner, by both our elected Gurus … More »Shine Get It Guide review: Top celebrity fragrances
Heat by Beyoncé Smells like: A mix of flowers, vanilla, and fruit. It's soft and sweet with a hint of strawberries, I think. Would wear it to: A fancy dinner date with my husband or a night out with my girlfriends. Makes me feel: Sexy and confident. I would honestly admit to: Buying … More »Celebrity fragrances
Heat, By Beyonce Smells like: Something girls would be spraying on themselves before hitting the dance floor in a night club. Would wear it: If I did not want to have any friends. Makes me feel: Like putting on some fish net stockings and dancing on the kitchen table. I [...] … More »Which celebrity fragrance matches your lifestyle?
As a busy mother of three teens, I am plain old excited when my two-dog house has a neutral odor and I remember to apply my deodorant after I shower. So you can imagine how excited I was with the aromatic challenge of testing four celebrity [...] … More »Blindfold smell test: Celebrity fragrances by Beyonce, Britney Spears, Justin Bieber and Jennifer Aniston
As I was reviewing these four celebrity perfumes, it was difficult to keep my mind from circling back to my personal opinion of the celebrity whose name is on the packaging. However, I was pleasantly surprised by certain aspects of the perfumes below and each definitely has a target … More »4 celebrity perfumes you might admit to wearing
Celebrity fragrances are becoming increasingly popular, with stars like Justin Bieber and Jennifer Aniston even getting in on the trend. But, it's hard to know exactly which one to choose. Should you find one from a celebrity whose work you enjoy, or perhaps one whose style you'd like … More »The latest celebrity fragrances — my personal review
