More Favorite Things

There’s a gadget for that! New gadgets and electronics can do things you never expected. Here are some new ones you might not know about.

This segment aired on Great Day Houston (KHOU, Channel 11 Houston www.KHOU.com/great-day) on December 15, 2010. We got so many cool gadgets for the Favorite Things episode that aired on Dec 8 and 14th, that we didn't have time for all of it. Here is the rest. A link to the video clip is embedded below and further info about each of the gadgets is below that. Hope you enjoy it!



Reproductions of Historic Maps - Texas General Land Office

These colorful hand drawn maps (dating back to the 1700's) are great gifts for history buff and proud Texans.
Each one tells a story of Texas, and shows historic details such as ghost towns, forts, Spanish missions, original Texas colonies, and the growth of Texas cities from their original settlements. Maps can be purchased online and delivered to your door, with all the proceeds going directly toward preservation of other Land Office historic maps and documents.
• Most maps are just $20, with larger maps costing up to $40.
• Order by December 15th for delivery by Christmas. http://www.glo.texas.gov/what-we-do/history-and-archives/index.html

Sunbeam Cupcake Maker
This cute cupcake maker cooks 6 cupcakes in 10 mins. $39.99

Bigfoot Networks – Killer 2100 online gaming network card
This card makes online PC gaming faster even faster. It's so fast that it’s used by the top 5 professional gaming teams in the world. It also comes with software that allows you to control the bandwidth each program on your PC uses – this is great even if you’re not a gamer – when you’re downloading a big file, you can adjust the bandwidth so you can still use other programs like email or online chat programs at the same time.
• $89.99 MSRP at Microcenter and Fry’s or online at Bigfootnetworks.com

Balanzza: Mini Luggage Scale
This is great for frequent travelers. Pack smart and avoid overweight luggage fees at the airport by weighing your luggage before you go. It also keeps you from having to redistribute belongings at the airport check in counter.

Zoom: H1 Handy Recorder
Great recorder for musicians and speakers. It has two studio-quality mics, configured in an X/Y pattern, for stunning stereo imaging. It gives you professional quality in a light-weight device.
• 50 hours of recording time, 10 hours of operation on 1 AA battery
• $99 at www.zoom.co.jp

Lemur Monitors: SafeDriver
This is a new tool to monitor your teen driver from the moment they back out of the drive-way. It records real-time information of your teen’s driving habits such as maximum speed, distance traveled and any sudden braking.
• $79.95 Brookstone and The Sharper Image
• www.lemurmonitors.com/EconoDriver.html

Lemur Monitors: EconoDriver
This device displays real-time fuel consumption to help you drive greener and save money. Program in the current cost of gas and it will tell you how much money you spending by accelerating and braking too quickly or idling too often.
• $69.95 at: Brookstone and The Sharper Image
• www.lemurmonitors.com/SafeDriver.html

IOGear – Wireless HDMI Computer to TV Kit
No more cluttered cables. Now you can stream audio and HD video from computer to your tv wirelessly
watch movies, internet video clips, photo slide-shows or other media from your computer right on your tv
• $179.95 MSRP
• During the month of December, use Coupon Code GUW30OFF
for 30% discount at www.Shop.Viewsonic.com

Logitech Harmony 700 remote control
You can program this remote to control up to 6 devices like your DVR, TV, DVD player, Home Theater, Etc...It's easy to program and to use.

Favorite Things on Great Day Houston

These segments air as part of the Favorite Things episode on Great Day Houston (KHOU, Channel 11 Houston www.KHOU.com/great-day). I usually bring fashion and beauty items, but this time I got to be Gadget Santa. Gadgets used to be thought of as GUY presents, but girls love them just as much! Links to the video clips are embedded below.

Segment 1 -

ViewSonic 27-inch HD Widescreen LCD Monitor (On air I said mistakenly said this was a TV too. Oops! It's a HD monitor only)

• This is the world's first HD monitor with super-fast 1ms response time – great for gaming and entertainment.

• SRS Premium Sound for super crisp sound.

• Set it on ECO-mode to reduce electricity use by 35%

• Price: $349 ESP; save $20 online with coupon code GreatDay at www.store.viewsonic.com for the month of December 2010

Segment 4 -

Home Entertainment

ViewSonic NexTV

• Streams HD media content from internet straight to tv (YouTube, Flickr, etc.)

• Watch movies instantly with a Netflix subscription

• Price: $119.99 , get $30 off by using with GreatDay coupon code GreatDay at www.store.viewsonic.com for the month of December 2010

Netflix

• Instantly watch TV shows and movies, streaming over the Internet, right to your TV or Computer

• Plus you can get DVDs by mail!

• Watch as much as you want, anytime you want, without leaving your comfy couch.

• Unlimited movies less than $10 per month

• This is a great last minute gift.

• For more info, please visit www.Netflix.com

ViewSonic 3-D Multimedia Digital Photo Frame

• 8” digital frame displays 3D photos and videos - NO GLASSES NEEDED

• Automatically converts standard 2D photos and videos to 3D.

• Price: $179.99 ESP; get $20 off by using with GreatDay coupon code GreatDay at www.store.viewsonic.com for the month of December 2010

Soundmatters Aperion Signature SLIMstage30 Surround-Sound

• All-in-one surround system sounds great and looks good too.

• Slim design with piano black finish to matches your flat-panel TV

• $599 at www.AperionAudio.com

Hercules: DualPix HD720p

• Ultra-mobile, high definition webcam for notebooks

• Multiple positioning options and wide-angle auto focus lens

• $59.99 at Buy.com, NewEgg.com, Dell.com, Amazon.com and Walmart.com

• Visit www.hercules.com for more info

Entertaining In The Kitchen

1-800-FLOWERS.COM

• This is a great last minute gift. Many of their seasonal arrangements and centerpieces are available for same-day or next-day delivery.

Crock-Pot® Duo Cook & Serve™ Slow Cooker

• Two, 2.5-quart slow cookers with individual temperature controls

• Removable, dishwasher-safe stoneware, glass lids, serving spoons are all included

• $69.99

Oster Electric Quick Chill Wine Chiller

• Offers even rapid chilling

• Cool wine from room-temperature to 55.4F in just minutes

Mr. Coffee® Single Serve

• Use individual Keurig® K-cups for coffee, tea or hot cocoa

• It’s like having a coffee shop at home.

• MSRP: $79.99

Mr. Coffee® Café Frappe

• You can have ccy blended coffee drinks at home

• Brew and blend coffee drinks in one unit

• $69.99

Southwest Air

• When you fly Southwest Air, your 1st & 2nd checked bag are both free!

• Check in using facebook places and $1 will be donated to the make-a-wish foundation!

• For more info, visit www.Southwest.com

Fashion Houston 2010

This TV segment airs on Great Day Houston on October 8, 2010. Thank you Chloe Dao and Cesar Galindo for your graciousness and kind words. I so appreciate you being part of the segment with me!

Fashion runway events occur in the major fashion cities around the world – New York, Milan, Paris. Houston is the latest addition to that list. Next week, for the first time, Fashion runway shows are coming to Houston in Fashion Houston 2010! On the runway, you’ll see some of our hometown fashion superstars like Chloe Dao, Toni Whittaker and Caesar Galindo.

Until now, runway shows have been private and by invitation only. Fashion Houston 2010 is open to the public! Tickets are $35 for standing room - $250 for VIP seating. For more info about the designers, scheduling and tickets, go to www.FashionHouston.net.

So, if you’re going to the shows, what do you wear?? You may not have the top designer’s fashions in your closet, but you can take inspiration from your favorite designer and create a fantastic outfit from items right in your closet. When you use a look for inspiration, you don’t need to copy the outfit. Instead, incorporate similar elements to make your own look. Here are some example of inspiration looks the Imagine Team created with clothing and accessories from Dillard's for some of Chloe Dao and Cesar Galindo's designs.

Project Runway Season 2 Winner, Chloe Dao is known for her easy, feminine, timeless fashions with interesting details. These two Chloe Dao looks also have a whimsical element. T

Look 1: Chloe’s dress has the following components: asymmetrical neckline, an electric blue horizontal and vertical geometrical element and whimsical pink tulle ruffle. In the inspiration look, the Imagine Team chose an asymmetrical dress in a similar color pallet with a sleeve that mirrors the inspirations pink ruffle. We added a blue man’s tie worn as a belt for a whimsical blue geometric element.

Look 2: Chloe’s outfit has the following components: an easy printed boat-neck blouse and loose, pleated shorts with big pockets. In the inspiration look, we chose a chiffon boat-neck blouse in a similar color pallet. The print seems to flow across the blouse mimicking the feel of the flying birds in Chloe’s outfit. We added loose pleated shorts in a coordinating color.

Fashion Designer Cesar Galindo’s collections are crisp, clean and architectural. His pieces are usually created in solid colors.

Look 1: Cesar’s dress has the following components: a simple silhouette, an architectural skirt, knee-length hem and sparkly neckline. We chose a white cotton dress that has a similar crispness and silhouette. We added a couple crystal necklaces for a sparkly v-neckline.

Look 2: Cesar’s gown has: a strapless neckline, simple silhouette, beautiful flowing fabric, and a full-length hem. We chose a silk strapless gown in a similar color. The inspiration dress is a full-length gown with a similar neckline and flowing fabric. We used a flower hair piece to mimic the tiny hat in Cesar’s look.

Thank you Imagine Interns Bonita Harden and Kiana McFarland for assisting with the inspiration looks.

Audience give-away

4 pairs of VIP tickets to Houston Fashion Week, courtesy of Audi's Fashion Houston 2010.

What's Sarah Wearing?

Eva Varro print dress ($155, Dillard's Post Oak) and Coach platform peep-toe pumps.

Runway To Reality - Making Fall Fashion Trends Work For Your Body

This segment aired on Sept 28, 2010 on Great Day Houston (KHOU, Channel 11 Houston).



The fashion trends for Fall 2010 are filled with ruffles, jewel tones, animal print, gold, feathers and faux fur, mixed prints, leather jackets and chunky knits.

On The Runway, designers show you how to wear the trends if you are model thin. These options often add volume to your body and make you look bigger. You don't have to sacrifice your body for fashion. Everybody can wear every trend; however, the way you can wear it depends on your body type. Here are ways to them if you petite, plus size, or anything in between.


Animal Print – Animal prints have multiple personalities. You can use it as an accents, neutrals, or use them to make a major statement.

• Mannequin – Petite – We mixed leopard and tortoise accents with black to give the outfit a little personality without overpowering a petite frame.

• Mannequin – Missy – Use the print to highlight the face and hips. We used the black cardigan to create a color block effect than narrows the waist.

• Mannequin – Women – Full figured women can make a bold statement. Layers create the illusion of a narrower figure.

Ruffles – On the runway, ruffles come in all sizes, shapes and materials. These work for models, but not so well if you have curves. Here’s how to make ruffles work:

• Model Amy - Petite (ladies less than 5’4” tall) – Keep the ruffles flat and small to they are in proportion with your frame. Ruffles work as trim or accents on necklines, sleeves and hems.

• Model Anicea - Missy (ladies size 0-16 and more than 5’5” tall) – use big ruffles to accent your assets and flat or small ruffles on areas where you don’t want to add much volume.

• Mannequin - Women (ladies size 14 – 28+) – choose flat and stream-line ruffles to high-light your assets. Structured clothing works best to keep the body looking smooth.


Jewel Tones – This is one of the easiest trends to wear. Add one jewel tone piece to a neutral outfit for a pop of color or mix several together for a bolder look.

• Mannequin - Petite – Voluminous clothing will make you look smaller and shorter. Choose clothing that is fitted and skims your body without gaping or pulling on a roll/bulge. Mix jewel tones with dark neutrals for a taller, leaner look.

• Model Molly - Missy – Use jewel tones as a pop of color to direct attention to your assets and away from any flaws.

• Model Stephanie – Women – Black is slimming and so are all deep colors. Here we created a warmer monochromatic look with eggplant instead of black. Monochromatic outfits make you look taller which automatically makes you look slimmer. For example: a 150 pound woman who is 5-feet tall looks different than one who is 6-feet tall.

Thank you Talbots for providing all the clothing, accessories, and shoes for the segment!

What's Sarah Wearing? Dolce Cabo cardigan with faux fur, feathers, and leather ruffles (Dillard's Post Oak store, $195), Alberto Makali trousers, Via Spiga metallic platform pumps.

Audience Give-Away – 2 copies of Dress Yourself Skinny. For more info, please visit www.DressYourselfSkinny.com

Click here for behind-the-scenes pics.

Preserve Your Favorite Clothes

This TV segment began airing on Mirror/Mirror on the LivewellHD network in August 2010 in 11 cities (NY, LA, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Houston, San Francisco, Fresno, Raleigh/Durham, Flint, and Toledo. To watch the story, click on the video below or this link

Why not keep your favorite clothes and accessories looking great for as long as you can? Here are some tips for extending the life of clothes and shoes.

1. Underarm stains can make a beautiful blouse unwearable. Take a tip from the guys and wear a short-sleeve T under dresses, blouses and sweaters. The t-shirt will absorb perspiration and deoderant stains. Or use disposable underarm shields inside the armpit of your clothes. The shield will block sweat and deodorant from penetrating the fabric of your garments.

2. Extend the life of your bras by letting them rest for a day between wearings. The rest period allows the elastic in the bra to spring back so it doesn’t get permanently stretched out.

3. Unzipped zippers can snag other clothing in the washing machine and dryer. Before washing anything with a zipper, zip it all the way up. You can even put it in a lingerie bag to keep the zippers away from other clothing.

4. Wash whites immediately after every wearing. Perspiration, body oils, perfumes may not be visible, but they will turn whites to yellows or grays over time if they stay on the clothing. Wash clothes in the hottest water that is safe for the fabric. Use bleach or borax for extra whitening. For best results, dry for a few minutes in the dryer and finish by hang-drying in the sunshine. The sun will gently whiten and brighten your whites.

5. Frequent washings can fade dark clothes. Minimize washings and wash darks with clothing turned inside out in cold water on a short wash cycle. For best results, dry darks in the dryer for a few minutes to get the wrinkles out and finish drying on a rack.

6. Regular detergent and detergents made for wool break down the elastic in delicate clothing and lingerie. Wash delicates by hand in the sink with a little Ivory Snow or Lingerie Wash. If you have to wash them in the washing machine, place your lingerie in a lingerie bag and wash in cold water on delicate cycle. Taking extra care with your delicates will keep them in great condition and make them last longer.

7. The dryer is very hard on delicates, spandex and elastic. For best results, dry lingerie on a drying screen to maintain their shape. For delicate clothing and athletic wear, dry them in the dryer on low heat for a few minutes to remove any wrinkles and finish drying on a rack.

8. To keep your athletic shoes smelling sweet, switch to wool socks. Wool absorbs moisture and wicks it away. This makes it harder for the stinky bacteria to grow.

9. Protect your pretty shoes, don’t wear them to drive. Driving damages the backs and heels of your shoes. When your foot is on the accelerator, the back of your shoe is in contact with the floor mat and gets scuffed. For driving, change into moccasins that are specially made for driving. These mocs have protective rubber grommets on the soles and backs of the shoes to protect the finish (Minnetonka Driving Mocs from ShoeBuy.com, $63) . And they are sturdy enough to wear when you get out of your car at a gas station to pump gas. Keep your pretty shoes in a protective bag in your car and put them on when you arrive at your destination.

10. Store your favorite shoes with wooden shoe trees. The trees absorb perspiration and keep your shoes in shape. Take the shoes you wear regularly to a cobbler every 6-months for a check up. The cobbler will replace heels and soles, clean up scuffs and marks, and polish them so they resist stains and water spots. This preventative care will keep them looking like new.

This TV segment was inspired by Real Simple Magazine

As Seen On TV

This segment appeared on Great Day Houston on June 23, 2010 on KHOU, Channel 11. Thank you Bumpits, Spanx and Tweakerz for the awesome giveaways! The audience went wild for them after the show!!



Ever wonder if those products you see advertised on tv really work? We tried some of them to see and here's how it went...

Bumpits
Have you seen the Bumpit on TV? The infomercial is so crazy I had to try it! Bumpits are hair inserts that look like headmands. You place them on your scalp at your crown and smooth hair over it to give the appearance of lift. They actually work for shoulder-length and longer hair! The package contains 3 sizes of bumpits – tiny is for bangs, small for loose hairstyles and large for updos. $9.99 at Sally Beauty Supply or www.LoveMyBumpits.com. Thank you Jaclyn for being the Bumpit model! Thank you Samuel G. of Michaellynden for helping get Jaclyn's hair ready for the Bumpit!

Kymaro New Body Shaper
Here is another item that is on late night TV. The Kymaro New Body Shaper claims to smooth out tummy, love handles and back flab. The shaper works - the fabric is cool and breaths well, this style allows you to wear your own bra so you get the fit you want in the bust area, and it does smooth out the tummy and muffin tops. However, the fabric is very inflexible and uncomfortable. $39.95 at Bed, Bath & Beyond

Spanx Skinny Britches
This is a new product from Spanx that’s been on a lot of morning TV shows. Traditional shapers give you a lot of control. Skinny britches are layerable, so you can customize the level of compression that you want. You can target the areas you want to control by combining styles. Use one for a little smoothing or layer two or three for shaping and control. The hipster targets the lower belly and the shorts target hips and thighs. If you carry your weight around your waist, these styles aren’t for you. Hipster $32, Shorts $42 at department and specialty stores, www.Spanx.com

Tweakerz
This is a fantastic little product! This is an adjustable clasp that keeps your bra straps in place or converts a regular bra to a racer back style. Most bra clasps are just one size, this one is completely adjustable so you can customize it so it’s perfect for you. $9.99 at www.Tweakerz.com

M’Chic Jeans
These jeans were on Good Morning America. The waistband is replaced by a tummy control panel to combat muffin tops. The jeans are made from stretch denim and the panel has just the right amount of control. You can fold the panel so it works for your body. And the nice thing…if you shirt slips up a little and shows the panel, it just looks like a cami. $49, at www.mchicfashions.com (on sale for $29).

What's Sarah Wearing? M'Chic Jeans (love them!), Alberto Makali embellished T-shirt, Coach platform peep-toe pumps.

Tech-cessories

Today we carry so many personal electronic devices – laptop computers, cell phones, Bluetooth headsets, iPods, ear buds, digital cameras, video cameras, flash drives and the list goes on and on. These devices have become necessities in our daily lives and we can’t leave the house without them.

When these gadgets first appeared, they were only available in black. Now there are so many fashionable options, you can personalize your devices so they work with your personal style and become an integral part of your outfit. Your electronics can actually become fashion accessories that complete our look. There’s no need to be a fashionable women carrying a discordant and distracting collection of ugly items. Image Coach Sarah Shah shows you how you can be stylish from the tip of your ear buds to the tip of your toes.









This TV segment began airing on Mirror/Mirror on the LivewellHD network on March 22, 2010 in 11 cities (NY, LA, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Houston, San Francisco, Fresno, Raleigh/Durham, Flint, and Toledo. To watch the story, click on the video below or this link. The story begins at the 19 minute mark.




All Business
If your look is all business, choose streamlined tech-sessories in subtle or bold solid colors. Flash drives come hidden inside accessories and jewelry so they are easy to carry. Colorful cases style-up laptops. Cell phone colors can match your outfit or company logo. Here are the items in the story:




- PNY Micro Swivel Attache flash drive necklace, $14.95, Microcenter (threaded on a silver chain)

- Incase Hardshell case, $49.95, www.incase.com

- iFrogz iPhone case, $29.95, www.iFrogz.com

- Atomic9 BT Wristband Speaker Phone, $99.99, www.atomic9.com













Fashionista
Fashion designers have finally entered the electronics market and are making a beautiful impact. If you are all about fashion and the latest trends, choose tech-sessories designed by fashion designers, in fun colors and patterns or even covered in crystals. Here are the items that are in the story:

- HP Vivienne Tam digital clutch, coming in spring 2010, www.hp.com/viviennetam
A companion PC was unveiled on the catwalk of designer Vivienne Tam’s Spring 2010 fashion show during New York’s Fashion Week at Bryant Park. The design inspired by the classic Chinese love story Butterfly Lovers. The design uses HP’s imprint technology, so the design is part of the cover and very durable.

- ChicBoom Keychain “pink tooth” Speaker, $24.95, www.chicbuds.com

- ChicBuds crystal iPod cover, $69.95, www.chicbuds.com

- Hello Kitty USB drive, $125, Zales Jewelry stores



Ecco Chic
You can even find eco chic tech-cessories – gadgets that combine cutting edge tech with a message of conservation and sustainability If you live green and want to express that throughout your look, choose tech-cessories that incorporate natural materials, reflect nature and a connection with outdoors. Phone accessories can be made of wood and protective covers for all your gadgets come with photographs of nature. Here are the items in the story:


- Uncommon iPhone cases, $39.95, www.getuncommon.com

- Ear Pollution Timbre ear buds with microphone, $49.99, www.iFrogz.com

- Designer Laptop Sleeves, $34.90, www.designersleeves.com

- Ativa Flash Drive, $17.99, Office Depot (hanging on leather cord)





Rocker Chic
Artists are also making an impact on the tech-cessory market. If rocker chic is more your style, you can find electronic gadgets that fit your aesthetic too. Tattoo art, leather and Anime are all options. Look for tech-sessories with a tough feel like a video camera with the look of black leather, tire tread iPod covers, ear buds decorated with skulls, and tattoo flash drives.


- Atomic9 Grunge Buds, $40, www.atomic9.com

- Ear Pollution Plugz, $19.95, www.ifrogz.com

- Treadz iPod Nano cover, $9.95, www.ifrogz.com

- DXG Luxe camcorder, $149, www.dxgusa.com












Sponsors: Thank you HP for sponsoring our segment!!

What's Sarah Wearing? Tahari long sleeve sheath dress (Dillard's) and Antonio Melani woven pumps (Dillard's).