This contest is now over. Congratulations to the isABelt winner, Rosemarie!!
There is an essential item missing from your wardrobe. Trust me on this. I didn’t know it was missing from mine but now this little baby is a key staple for my every day look. Curious? I thought so.
A little while back I got the chance to try the isABelt – a thin invisible belt similar to those clear bra straps everyone is so fond of wearing with their spaghetti strap tanks in the summer. I would have never purchased one for myself but now that I’ve tried it I’m hooked! It fixes so many fashion sins fashion regarding pants and jeans.
I’m one of those gals with a small waste line and wide hips so getting the right fit and look from a pair of jeans can be a nightmare.
With low-rise pants every time I stand up I’ve got to tug those babies back in place. Every. single. time. Do you realize just how tacky it looks to pull up your pants after tying your toddler’s shoe in the middle of the mall? And it is nearly impossible to nudge them back up in a discrete manner when a business meeting gets dismissed. With the isABelt it was problem solved. At first it didn’t seem to be working but after a quick email exchange with Elaine, the brilliant mind behind the belt, my low-risers were staying in place. It may seem a bit counter intuitive but do NOT over tighten the belt. It really does work best if you adjust it so that it gives you a gentle – notice I said gentle feeling that everything is secure. Making the fit too tight will only cause the belt to ride up and not work as well. That made this belt even better because it works best when it is fitting comfortably instead of applying an unnatural squeeze on your mid-section.
Along with the slippage fix for my low-rise jeans I also discovered another fashion faux pas that the isABelt solves. I don’t tuck my shirts in when I wear those jeans and if when I tried to keep my pants in place with a regular belt I developed an unsightly bulge from the belt buckle. With the isABelt there is not bulky buckle. It has a smooth clasp that disappears under even the tightest ribbed turtleneck or sheerest blouse.
The isABelt also cured the problem of back-gap. At-waist or mid-rise jeans that fit my hips tend to be too big at the top. When I sit down and my jeans pop out from my body giving any passers by a free view down my pants. Not with the isABelt. And similar to the low-rise jeans the fit was comfortable, not bulky and hard like when I try to cinch the waistline closed with a leather belt.
I have a feeling that the isABelt will also come in handy in a few months. My body is remembering what it means to be pregnant and I’m already starting to see a tiny bump forming. isABelt should do a great job of allowing me to wear my pre-pregnancy pants a little bit longer with the button unfastened – as long as my behind and thighs don’t get too thunderous.
As I said before, I would have never thought of buying one of these for myself so I’m going to recommend this as my #1 stocking stuffer recommendation for the woman, teenage or girl in your life. There is a list of retail stores that sell the isABelt here or order online.
Even better one lucky Chic Critique will win her own isABelt. Just leave a comment before Monday December 15th at 8AM EST and share one of your best stocking stuffer ideas. In other words I don’t want to see a bunch of “Pick me” or “This is great” comments. I’m pretty sure Santa can use some help filling my stocking and I’d love to point him here for some ideas.
About Melissa
Oh, I need one of those! Off to make an elf of myself and order one for my own stocking! 🙂
I have a teenage daughter and i love getting some of the mini Avon products for her stocking. This year I picked out 3 shades of mini liquid eyeliner, mini glimmer sticks for eyes and lips and mini glosses. Its nice to be able to try out all different shades in mini sizes AND a mini price!! I just checked out the e.l.f. website that was mentioned on here the other day and that looks like an incredible value, too. Probably will order from there later today.
I simply MUST HAVE one of these! Must, must, must!
Stocking stuffer ideas – you know what? we are going classic, or retro, whatever, this year. We’ll fill the stockings just like my parents, er, Santa, did for us – a big orange and apple in the toe, lots of nuts, and a book or two and maybe some fun little lipglosses for my preschooler and some bouncy balls for the toddler. The girls are each getting a BIG present from Santa so we are keeping the stockings simple.
How did I miss that you’re expecting!?!? Congratulations!
And, this sounds absolutely fabulous — I have the same problem and I love the idea that it can act as a belt with no bulkiness under my untucked shirts. Brilliant! I’m off to check it out right now.
For stocking Stuffers I like to get Bath and Body works Soaps and lotions when they are on sale, its a gift everyone USES, so its not just clutter or filler items.
I need one of these! It sounds like a great product.
Another why didn’t I think of that! what a great idea.
This year I am getting some Lesser Evil coal for stocking stuffers
http://www.lesserevil.com/product/71/holidayshop
I love the idea of putting coal in everyone’s stockings especially my little brother!
http://www.eyeslipsface.com/editors__favorites/luxury_gift_sets
ELF has some great gift sets for 8.00 that would be awesome for stocking stuffers. Otherwise- I got a 10 pice makeup brush set for 12.00 for my daughter and some lip glosses for 1.00 each.
Lotto tickets are always fun. Lip glosses, candies, fun undies, lotions, mini sample sizes of products, You could be funny and put some toothpaste and a toothbrush in there.
I have to admit, i was skeptical about this item. WOW! It really works, huh? I may need to go get one!
Stocking stuffers? Well the orange at the bottom is an essential. My kids are getting a big ole pile of stickers and fake tattoes. Cause truly few things give them as much joy.
I. Love. It. Weird fitting jeans problem solved!! Yippee! I have the same smaller waist/wider hip problem and regular belts just leave the unnatural looking “front” bulge! This nifty little item would fix it all.
I think that’s a nifty little invention!
My kids are younger, and I always give them some candy and small toys in their stockings. I also give each of them a cool new toothbrush, some “character themed” toothpaste and the character themed floss-thingys.
Best Stocking Stuffers: lottery tickets (gotta share the winnings!), makeup samples, anything chocolate!, and DVD’s!
Want (ok – need) one of those belts! Thanks for the chance…
Eileen.
http://www.thinkgeek.com has some fun stuff that could possibly qualify as stocking stuffers… and you can even make a wishlist to let your honey know just what you want! *caution – geeks may waste many hours on this page!*
Small bottles of hair products and hair accessories are fun stocking stuffers too!
At my house, we get an onion and an orange in our stockings… I wrote a post on this over at my site!
so many pairs of jeans to try on, so few pairs that don’t reveal way too much to the world when sitting or bending! Yay for a solution!!
My best stocking stuffer ideas are practical, yet slightly special things,such as electric toothbrushes, fancy hair stuff, and sparkly pens and pencils. This year, I am looking forward to putting some makeup in my daughter’s stocking….for the very first time.
BTW, I could REALLY use this belt!!!!!
I like to give my kiddos, candy, $, and a few fun little toys. I would love one of these belts! I do not think I have one pair of jeans that fits correctly in all areas. I am cursed long legs, small waste w. and ever growing pooch, no butt….yes I need this belt!
oh sheer brilliance!
my idea for stocking stuffers actually came from a friend–she collects all the little favors/doo-dads she would normally toss to her kids throughout the year (fan from the fair, mini bubbles from a wedding, mardi gras beads, keychains, etc) and then she uses them as stocking stuffers (her kids are young. Kind of fun, and totally free!
I’m too practical to put stuff in the stocking that might not be used and for my sons, clothing and toiletries are not counted as presents. Good stocking stuffers are small lego kits, a new ornament commemorating an event that happened the year before, a written clue where Santa hid one of the presents, a “get-out-of-doing-a-chore” coupon and tickets to a game. I could really use that belt, I hope my entry is not too late. I have chicken legs with fat thighs so the waist is too wide in order for the legs to fit.