Make Your MARK This Spring - Affordable Accessories by MARK

A few weeks ago I got a sneak peek for Spring at The Accessories Show.  One thing was clear as I walked aisle after aisle of eye-catching items focusing on everything from heads to toes:  accessories are a must-have!

One of the quickest, easiest and most affordable ways to make a fashion statement is with accessories, whether you're hoping to spiff up last year's clothes, or get a totally new look.  Investment and statement pieces are hot (still cheaper to buy a pricey cuff bracelet than a designer dress), but even modestly priced accessories help express your personal style in a big way.

One place to get fashion accessories at awesomely inexpensive prices is MARK. This company is known for outrageously inexpensive (but nice) makeup, skincare and fragrances, but they also feature fashion accessories.  As you can see from the photos (and when you initially see them in person) you just assume these are way more expensive.

So I'm sharing this little secret with you for Spring 2010!

There are plenty of fashion, beauty and cosmetics items on the MARK Web Site (and you can find a MARK representative in your area on that site, too).   Here are three items that follow the trends I saw everywhere at Accessories, the Show, and on the runways:

Headbands:  short hair, long hair, any type, style, length or color will be enhanced by a headband.  Mark's Petal Perfect Headband is one that will take you from Spring parties, to weddings, this summer.  The thin, blush satin-covered band features a soft, floppy blush-colored "flower" on the side. If you have a lot of hair, the flower looks like it is nestled into your curls. if your hair is straight, it takes the place of a hair clip for festive occasions.  Since this band has no additional "bling" you can wear it daytime or evening. These would even make an inexpensive, feminine alternative to hats for wedding attendants.

If you don't love hair accessories, earrings also add interest to your face. Silver and gold discs are trendy for jewelry this Spring. MARK makes the trend wearable and affordable, with their Lealflet Earrings  $12.00.  These make a big staement, but cost less than a couple of lattes!  Five brushed metal "leaves" in silver tone or gold tone, hang from delicate ear wires. They dangle a little more than 3" but if that's a bit longer than you'd like, you can remove one or two, making the length all your own.  Shake your head, and they make soft jingly sound.  Even though the photo makes these look like they might weigh your ear down, you'll find that they're very lightweight and therefore, comfortable.

Handbags, especially big ones with lots of details, are a must-have.  If you're looking at the prices out there and wondering where you can get the look for less, I recommend MARK's A Little Twisted Bag $30.00.  The handles are the twisted feature, although they're softly twisted, not tight, so they feel soft on your arm or shoulder. The bag is soft and pouchy. It isn't leather, but it feels like sueded leather and succeeds in being luxurious and "green."  It is also generously-sized (13-3/4" L x 8" W x 13-1/2" H (6" handle drop).  There are  two zippers on the front with hang tags that match the off white and gold  (or purple with silvertone accents) "pleather" fabric of the bag.  You can store a small wallet, your cell phone, or even a small notebook in either of these two outside pockets, Inside, There's another, much larger, zippered pocket, and two pouches for cell phones or PDAs.  The inside is lined with a light, moire-type fabric that matches the color of the bag.  A snap closure keeps the bag closed, but you can still sneak your hand around the middle snap to get what you need without opening the bag all the way. This bag looks edgy and expensive, but it's not--yay!

There is so much more to love for Spring on the MARK Web Site you've GOT to go and visit...share your "new secret find" with your friends!

Copyright ©Alison Blackman Dunham. All rights reserved. The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. No content may be used or copied with written permission. If you want to use my work, please obtain it legally: Email: advicesisters-at-advicesisters-dot-net . Subscribe to this blog by email or in a feed reader (See the right hand column of this blog). I do use provided samples for my reviews. Learn more in the "A Note About Compensation" section of my What Works Beauty, Cosmetics and Fashion review column: http://www.advicesisters.net/whatworkscol3.html