SHOPPING IS MY CARDIO ON GMT!

Amy Vanderoef and I on the set of Good Morning Texas

                             CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE SEGMENT

It was so much FUN being on Good Morning Texas for a special SHOPPING IS MY CARDIO featuring great gifts for Hanukkah!  Airing on WFAA, Channel 8 on December 20th at 9am you don't want to miss it!
A special thank you to both featured stores -The Carlyn Galerie and The Source Gift Shop at the JCC.

I featured beautiful Judaica items from THE CARLYN GALERIE, including handcrafted functional art Menorahs and gorgeous gift items!

                             Click the links below of each store to go directly to their website!  

                                                                                 

                                                                             

                                                                             

Also featured on the show THE SOURCE Gift Shop at The JCC, touted as the "Best Kept Secret in Dallas"- NOT after this segment airs!  I found some adorable children's Menorahs, great gift items, even peanut free Hanukkah Gelt if your child has peanut allergies!     
HAPPY HANUKKAH!!!!  

TV MAKE UP TRICKS

Tis the season of bringing Holiday Cheer to others, so on this note I am wanting to share some fun tricks used in TV land to get as "Camera Ready" as possible~  Use them to get GLAM for your upcoming New Year's Eve Party!
Some of these tips have been shared by Professional Make-Up artists, some I have just picked up along the way (since my show has NO BUDGET for make-up and I have to do it myself!)

                                                                           
ITEM ONE-  COLLYRE BLEU otherwise known as "The Blue Eye Drops".....ever wonder how someone's eyes on TV are literally perfect, crystal clear, almost not human, BRIGHT WHITE? 
They used Collyre Bleu~
The Make-Up Artist for the cast of Grey's Anatomy, Debra Davidson shared this one with me.  It is her number one most requested item when working on movie and television sets.

                                                                               
ITEM TWO-  JOHN FRIEDA'S FLYAWAY TAMER it's a hair wand that touches up flyaway hairs on top your head, making you perfectly coiffed for the camera.  An absolute MUST when working in bright lights.

                                                                                 
ITEM THREE- MAKE UP FOREVER'S -HD INVISIBLE COVERAGE FOUNDATION, HD MICRO FINISH POWDER AND PRIMER is the BEST foundation for TV...period.  This HD formula leaves your skin looking flawless!  Enhanced with Silica Micro Beads engineered to act as minuscule light refractors, these beads veil imperfections. It is not a heavy base and truly is the best foundation I have ever tried. 

                                                                                  
ITEM FOUR-  GLAM GLOW this amazing new product is currently being used by the cast of  Dancing with the Stars, The Voice and American Idol.  It's a mud mask made with volcanic rock, green tea leaf pieces and french sea clay to be applied for 10 minutes prior to your make up application, creating an amazing camera-ready GLOW!  I must say it really does work!

                                                                               
ITEM FIVE- BEAUTY FOR REAL LIP GLOSSES truly are AMAZING for color that lasts and lasts and a lip plumper that doesn't irritate my pucker.  The best part though is the packaging- complete with a mirror and LIGHT! They are my BEST new find!
To order- click the above link to visit BFR website and if you enter code LINDA COOPER you get a 10% discount at checkout.
ENJOY AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

TRINA TURK

When TRINA TURK opened her boutique in Highland Park Village a few months ago, Dallasites applauded that finally we could shop her signature style for every occasion all in one store!  FABULOUS party dresses, AMAZING bikini's with matching cover-ups, GLAM Resort wear, and now even her new Residential line for the Home.

                                                                               

Trina Turk and Me

 Always innovative and adding to her collections, Trina is a true inspiration!
Well, "Shopping Is My Cardio" and I was on the hunt for fabulous, but had a time crunch- I had to find my New Year's Eve Dress, a Festive Party look for an upcoming event and resort wear for my winter break vacay~                                      Have no fear.....TRINA TURK is HERE!

                                                                                                                                                        

                                                                                

This is how I roll........shopped for all my occasions in under an hour!  And did I mention the price point won't break the bank????  This hot little number is under $400~ SCORE!!!

TRINA TURK
Highland Park Village  (972) 201-3330
www.trinaturk.com

JAY STRONGWATER

Jay Strongwater pieces are AMAZING!  I'm a huge fan and apparently so was Elizabeth Taylor~
Currently The Elizabeth Taylor Collection is being previewed at Christie's auction house and quite a number of Jay Strongwater pieces are in the collection. 

Me with Jay Stongwater

Speaking with Jay today at Neiman's Northpark, he said it was such an honor to know that Elizabeth Taylor was a fan.  He was also excited to show me his very first picture frame, which originated from earrings that he designed.  This frame has made a resurrection for the 2011 Holiday Collection- an absolute MUST HAVE for Jay Strongwater fans.
                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                 

Jay with first frame from his line is BACK!

Another must have is the 2011 Christmas ornament that can be worn either as a pendant or to make a Christmas tree MUCH more beautiful.  Lots of fabulous gift ideas from the Jay Strongwater collection~
Happy Shopping!!

MY NEW FIND

At a party last night I decided to take my new find out for a spin.  I thought is was a pretty amazing concept, and the whiplash reaction I got from every women at my table confirmed it........
BEAUTY FOR REAL has made the perfect night time accessory......your one MUST HAVE, go-to item in your purse when you step out on the town-

                                                                                 
Yup!  A lip gloss, mirror and light all in ONE!  And... they come in great colors, have a lip plumper that doesn't bother me, and leaves a beautiful lip stain after the gloss wears off for everlasting color!  My lips were still slightly stained when I woke up this morning- This is one great find!
Miami based Make up Artist and Founder, Leslie Munsell, has hit gold~
Even the man sitting next to me last night, after all the women had a chance to admire, declared it genius and stated I know a great product when I see one.

                                                                                
Currently in Dallas, you can only find her whole BEAUTY FOR REAL line at Stanley Korshak or online.
Click the logo for website orders~
Happy Shopping!

                                                

HOLIDAY "WOW'S" FROM CHOCOLATE SECRETS

A favorite store I have featured on my show many times had a wonderful Holiday event last night~
Chocolate Secrets and Wine Garden, soon to be on our upcoming show featuring the BEST OF 2011 on Designing DFW, unveiled Kate Weiser's creation of the Dallas skyline in GINGERBREAD!  On display the entire month of December, this is something you don't want to miss!

                                                                            

Owner Pam Eudaric-Amiri, Santa, Chocolatier Kate Weiser, Me

AS FEATURED ON DESIGNING DFW''S HOLIDAY SHOW
CHECK OUT MY SEGMENT BELOW!

                                                                                 
Great Holiday Gift ideas for the Chocolate Lover's in your life~
CHOCOLATE SECRETS AND WINE GARDEN
(214) 252-9801

GET YOUR GROOVE ON THIS DECEMBER

For most of us, the month of December marks the onslaught of a social calendar filled with Holiday Parties.
Unless you don't mind packing on a few pounds, clearly a plan of action is a must to NOT gain weight this Holiday Season~  With all the caviar blini's, pigs in the blanket, baked brie and eggnog consumed, the answer is SIMPLE~  Calories Consumed= Calories to Burn Off, and I found the PERFECT solution to burn mine......


FENTON


CARDIO HIP HOP AT REVELATION DANCE STUDIO.  Owner Fenton Fulgham, renowned Hip Hop Dancer/Choreographer will help you dance away the calories too!  All dance levels are welcome and the idea is if you like to dance, come join the party.  This adult class is offered Tuesday/Thursday mornings 9:00-10:00 and he's open to making a Friday morning class happen too if needed.
I've been a regular since he opened 5 years ago, but have definitely stepped it up with the Holiday parties fast approaching. 

                                                                      
And did I mention the music in class??  DJ PLove mixes music ON SITE, so there is no excuse that you can't get into it!
Who knows?........you just might want to make this part of your New Year's Resolution as well :)))

REVELATION DANCE STUDIO  (972) 596-1400
CLICK Fenton's picture for website info~
                                 

QUENCH YOUR FACE FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Right in time for the Holidays!! This is a MUST DO before making your big entrance at the company Christmas Party~
One of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE FINDS (and often a treatment I partake in before stepping in front of HD cameras) is The Dermal Quench Treatment by Kate Somerville.  I am a huge fan of Kate's skin care products but this treatment is truly AMAZING!  Think of it as your daily water supply going straight to your face!  Hydration, baby!
In fact, before red-carpet events, tons of celebrities get this exact same treatment at her beautiful spa in Los Angeles. 

                                                                                                                                                           
And the best part?...........it's a complimentary service offered at Neiman Marcus stores at the Kate Somerville counter!
Yes, you must book your appointment in advance (preferably the day of the event) for the full effect.  The same treatment at the Kate Somerville Spa in L.A. is $260! 
It's a combination of oxygen, vitamins and hyaluronic acid blown into your face via machine that plumps, hydrates and gives age defying results.  Seriously!
Oh.......and if your booking at NM Willowbend in Plano, ask for Gina :)))

BLING BLING!!

It happened again..... a man patiently waiting till I got off my cell phone to ask me the inevitable question......."Where did you get your phone case?  My girlfriend would REALLY like it"....I nod in agreement... she would!!  My phone case makes me happy....  no, you don't get it...... REALLY happy.  It truly brightens my day to see it glistening in all it's delicious swarovski glory.
Apparently it has the same effect on the many who come in contact with it too.
If I were paid a dollar for every time I get stopped about my bling case, I could eat my weight in Pinkberry.


Since it's the season for Holiday gift ideas, this one is really original~
The source is ICY COUTURE.com and let me tell you, my phone case is worth every red cent of the $285 I paid for it. Owner Nikita will customize anything-Skies the Limit!  Check out her website for all the amazing designs. Not to mention the customer service!  You can send your phone in for a face-lift as needed for free, which for me has been AWESOME! 

Some girls were just born with glitter in their veins :)))

                                                         

EVERY DAY IS "BLACK FRIDAY" AT THIS STORE

I'm about to give up a tip that I've been sworn to secrecy to keep, so I need to preface this post with an apology to any Fashionista (or should I say "MAXXinista") out there already in the know about
THE RUNWAY Collection at select T.J. Maxx stores.
Sorry Karla, the gig is up :)))
THE RUNWAY Collection is not at all T. J.Maxx stores.......in fact, there are only in 2 locations in the Dallas area that have it.  I am not a big fan of Black Friday shopping due to an acute case of claustrophobia, so it was a pleasure to walk in today like it was any other normal shopping day.....this department within the store is REALLY the best kept secret.  Nobody wants to give it up, so they can shop it themselves without any competition.
You can find MAJOR luxury brands at ridiculously low prices- Gucci, Stella McCartney, Vince, Elizabeth and James, Helmut Lang, Catherine Malandrino just to name a few, all marked at 45-75 % off the regular retail price tag.



FAB FIND!!! Stella McCartney bag in buttery purple leather

                                                                              

 

    
Yes, I know......AMAZING  to know that major DESIGNER luxury lines are at T.J. Maxx- The store I shop at (and I'm not giving that one up) has deliveries coming in daily from Tuesday-Friday for THE RUNWAY Department. Every week there's something different.......
Happy Shopping!!!

GIVING THANKS

Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday.  No religious conotations behind it, we all come together and give thanks on this one special day.  I'm a huge advocate of living life in gratitude but don't think about it everyday. Wouldn't it be nice to start a "Gratitude Journal" to reflect on a daily basis of all that we are grateful for.  Remember, what you put out into the Universe is what comes back to you~
I am so thankful for my incredible husband, my wonderful son who's birthday is TODAY :), my beautiful daughter, my furry child  Lucky who will be 11 soon.  I am grateful for my amazing family and friends who have brought so much joy to my life.
Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving~ 
xoxo,
Linda

BEST JOB EVER

I might possibly have the best job in television…I get PAID to shop!  My motto is Shopping is my Cardio and I absolutely do my title justice finding the best in small boutique stores around the Metroplex.
While in my natural habitat (STORES!) the segment unfolds and airs on Designing DFW with Jocelyn White on selected Sundays.  But not everything I feature makes it into the show…. the cutting room floor is littered with out takes of fabulous finds!  Therefore a blog is a MUST to get the word out.

While shooting at Hanna Isul Medspa in Ft. Worth, I sampled a spray-on foundation make-up called Era Face that is so exclusive to the Metroplex, it can only be purchased at Hanna Isul.  I am not kidding when I tell you this makes your skin FLAWLESS when sprayed on…..AND it comes in a can not an airbrush machine!  Only $55 it rivals anything I have ever tried before.  Cha-ching…..had to buy it!

Over at Pieces Clothing Boutique, which just opened in Snider Plaza three months ago, I had the BEST time trying on all the clothes and accessories for the camera! The prices at this store are not to be believed!  
Found a gorgeous navy sequin dress for only $150 that easily looks x3 more expensive!  While wearing the dress in L.A. this past weekend, met Kim Kardashian in the powder room of the Andaz Hotel, who complimented me on it, and if she only knew what it cost…..SCORE!!!

One last store that we MUST spread the love about is Chocolate Secrets and Wine Garden.
I got chocolate wasted while shooting this segment and had the best time sampling all the delish treats!  Did you say homemade marshmallows...uh, YES please!  Owner, Pam Eudaric-Amiri and Chocolatier, Kate Weiser are writing a series of three fab cookbooks on all their yummy creations due out in March.  An absolute MUST BUY for the baker in your life so be on the lookout.

Looking forward till next post and letting you in on all my “splurge worthy” finds!
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