As Pesach approaches, there are lots of additional expenses that need to be squeezed into the budget. The cost of outfitting the family with new clothing, shoes, matzah, holiday foods, cleaning help, and more can make a significant dent in our budget in the month of Nissan.

After all the necessities have been accounted for, there may not be much resources left for a Jewish woman to spend upon herself as she prepares for Pesach!

Here are some tips to approach Pesach looking stylish and beautiful, without breaking the bank!

1. Don’t be fooled by department stores’ ads for cosmetics. Know that the make up you find in your local drugstore is actually manufactured by the big department store brands! Loreal owns Lancome and Maybelline; and many makeup artists will vouch that many of these different company’s products are actually nearly identical. So save your money and buy makeup in your local drugstore without any worries about quality!

2. Change your shells. That purple and black top you’ve worn all winter with a black shell will look fresh for Spring with a cream or white shell. A small change here yields big results without necessitating a huge shopping spree! Shop for shells online at ShellSheli - use coupon code Blossom and get 15% off! Also check out their new skirt extenders – these will really add to the options for your Pesach wardrobe.

3. An eyelash curler will open up your eyes, and make them look wide and beautiful. Any decent curler will last for years and brighten your whole face, even on those days that you didn’t have a chance to apply any makeup!

4. Spring is here and it’s time to lay your worn out winter shoes to rest. Enjoy your new shoes in time for Pesach. We love shopping on Zappos.com for shoes, because they deliver within a day and have free returns. That means you can order a few styles in a few sizes and then keep only your favorite ones that fit. You can return all the others at no cost! It’s basically like having the shoe store come to your house, without the erev Pesach crowds! While you’re shoe shopping on Zappos, order some for your kids too!

5. It’s the edges of your clothing that give you a sophisticated appearance. Take some of those outfits that never quite looked good on you out of the closet, and then bring them to your local seamstress to tailor the shoulders, cuffs, and hemlines to fit your body perfectly. It’s almost magical how good you’ll feel when you wear an outfit that is totally suited to your figure!

6. Accessories can transform an old wardrobe into a new one! Flower-shaped acrylic necklaces, light-weight colored scarves, and chain belts are all in vogue and available for the budget shopper at incredible prices on Amazon.

7. Take the time to put on a sheitel, even if it’s hot outside. A pony wig means that the hair is off your neck so that you keep cool and still look sophisticated throughout the summer. I specialize in quality human-hair wigs at rock-bottom prices and I love helping women get a new start with a new wig for Pesach.

These simple tips can transform your look from plain to fabulous without breaking the bank!

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Mimi Hershkowitz is a sheitel macher in Monsey, NY. She sells 100% human hair wigs for only $275, and ships them worldwide, satisfaction guaranteed! Find out more here.

Pesach is really right around the corner. That means a lot of excitement… and a lot of work for the whole family.

Whether you are the last-minute crisis-cleaning type or you started getting organize last July, we can all use a lot help at this time of year.

So try these tested tips for getting your kids happily involved in Pesach preparations:

Treat kids with respect:

Pre-Pesach is a busy time, and we may find ourselves begging our kids for help in a pressured, negative way.

“You never help out. You always sit around and do nothing! This time you better help me!”

“I have asked you so many times to help, but you just keep on ignoring me!”

If you have ever heard those words coming out of your mouth, you know they do nothing to gain kids’ cooperation. Instead it creates tension and power struggles.

Instead you want to invite them to help you out in advance, when you are both calm. It is better if you use a neutral positive tone. You can say something like:

“Pesach is coming up. Last year we all pulled together and we were a great team. This year I am going to need the same kind of help. The garage and pantry need to be cleaned this week. When will you be available? What is a good time for you?”

If your kids are young, you can say:

“You know how you learned in school about cleaning for Pesach? Let’s pick some jobs for you so you can help clean for Pesach!”

When we speak to our kids in this way they feel respected as if they are part of a team. They will be more likely to cooperate and help out.

Praise Your Children for their Efforts

To encourage and motivate your kids, you can let them know how much you appreciate what they have already done. Everyone needs a little pat on the back. You want to be specific with your praise:

“I appreciate all this help. The garage is swept, the garbage is picked up from the floor and you organized all the bicycles. This garage looks ready for Pesach.”

You can also say:

“We know how to work together. We are a good team.”

When we get to the Seder, I usually thank my kids for all their help over the past few weeks. It really helps give them a feeling of being an important and vital part of the family.

Don’t play the judge-and-jury game

Some of the biggest complaints my kids have are :

“I always have to do everything!” or “Why don’t you ask Sam? Why do you always ask me to help?”

Kids keep a running tab in their head of who has done what. Each child has different ideas of what they consider fair and just. So even though you may tell Sara to sweep because Eli just helped you with the baby, Sara might remember that she swept last time and really it should be Eli’s turn.

You don’t want to get embroiled in trying to remember who did what. It is exhausting and frustrating to try and decipher each kid’s complicated and unwritten sense of what they deem fair.

Instead you can say:

“I am trying to make the jobs as fair as possible.”

“Sometimes you will do more and sometimes he will do more. That is how it works.

“We are a team and we work together.”

“Right now we need cooperation to get a job done. We will discuss the fairness of the situation later on.”

Give Kids Jobs they Will Enjoy

Certain jobs are fun for kids, especially if they involve getting a little messy. For example, you’ll easily find volunteers for the job of washing all the ride-on toys and the dollhouse with a bucket of soapy water (as long as its outdoor!)  Climbing a ladder to dust all those hard-to-reach corners should appeal to your 9-year-old. Just find the jobs that are easy and enjoyable for your children, depending on their age and ability.

As a kid, I remember I really enjoyed vacuuming the car and polishing the silverware on erev Pesach. Even the pre-schoolers can get involved if you stick them in the bath tub along with a lot of plastic building toys, and let them do some “Pesach cleaning” while splashing and playing.

Older children will be willing to help with the serious cleaning jobs involving real chametz, especially if you use the positive communication techniques I suggest.

Make Pesach Cleaning with Kids Fun!

This is the most important thing.

Put on Pesach music and let everyone sign and dance along to their favorite holiday tunes while they work. Create games such as “Let’s see if we can finish wiping down the outside of the kitchen cabinets before the song ‘Dayenu’ finishes.”

In our home, we enjoy Rebbi Alter’s Pesach album. It really has a special lively energy to it, although there are also many other wonderful Pesach songs available.

Finding ways to help your kids help you during the pre-Pesach rush can be a challenge. Treating kids with respect, praising them appropriately and managing sibling rivalry can go a long way in making it easier.

What are your ideas for getting kids involved in Pesach cleaning?

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Adina Soclof, is a certified Speech Pathologist and parent educator. She has worked for Bellefaire Jewish Children’s Bureau facilitating “How to Talk so Kids will Listen and Listen so Kids will Talk” workshops, as well as workshops based on “Siblings Without Rivalry” and “Raising a Spirited Child.” She offers parenting help and teleconference workshops at ParentingSimply.com

Modest clothing stores:

ShellSheli: If you have a dress or top that you love but it is not quite modest enough, you can get more coverage by wearing a women’s shell underneath. You can find a great selection of the popular, affordable KikiRiki Shells at ShellSheli. They also have the incredible modest skirt extender (see photo below), which can be comfortably worn under any skirt shorter skirt to give you more length. It’s an outfit lifesaver for modest women. Check out ShellSheli

Kosher Casual: I am a big fan of this online modest clothing store. Their selection is young and versatile, and their prices are really affordable. Check out Kosher Casual.

Modest Anytime: This online store caters to ladies who are extra careful about modesty. The clothes are more loose-fitting and give extra coverage on the arms and legs. If this sounds like what you are looking for, check out Modest Anytime.

Junees: This is a very popular, established modest label with a big selection of clothes. You can get everything from casual to dressy, suits and separates, and lots of trendy styles that will please juniors. It’s not the cheapest option, but if you are looking for high fashion, this is the place. Check out Junees.

Diviine ModesTee: Has some gorgeous dresses, such as the one above. You could wear this with a classy modest shell underneath and be ready for any occasion.

It’s important to remember that modesty means different things to different women. But with clever shopping of these modest clothing stores you can come up with some gorgeous modest outfits that won’t break the bank.

You can also check out our reviews of online modest swimwear stores and headcovering stores.

Not so long ago, modesty was considered the same thing as dowdy and unattractive. But we know that there is nothing more beautiful than a woman who has self-respect and refinement to cover her body and there are so many options for stylish modest dressing.

What are your favorite modest clothing stores?

You can visit Hydrochic’s site here.

Why Do You Need Sun Protection?

I grew up in Australia, where UV protection is a must when swimming or at the beach. The powerful UV Rays can burn you to crisp in less than half-an-hour. In school we learned to cover up with hats and swim tops, but these were always considered geeky, compared to a fashionable, revealing bikini.

Now awareness of the damage that sunburn causes to the skin and the risk of skin cancer is spreading around the world. Thankfully, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a day at the beach with your favorite book. There is a growing selection of swimsuits that are stylish, while protecting your skin from harmful UV rays.

I have another reason why I look for extra coverage in a swimsuit –  that’s because I prefer to dress modestly. I’ve shopped around a lot for modest swimwear, and seen pretty much everything available. However, I don’t want to look weird in a bulky swimdress that causes people to stare at me. Doesn’t that defeat the purpose of dressing modestly?

That’s one reason by I’m writing this Hydrochic review.

My Hydrochic Review

Pros

Hydrochic gets top grades for sun protection. Hydrochic’s swimwear have UV protection of up to 50+! Their garments are sturdy in construction and chlorine resistant, which means that it should last you a few swimming seasons. The fabrics won’t fade and the seams won’t stretch.

Hydrochic offers a selection of mix-and-match swim skirts and swim tops, which help you stay “inconspicuously modest.” As a bonus, all of their swim skirts and tops double as sportswear, which are great for the gym, for running and for sports.  Their designs are sporty, and will blend in at the beach, on the boardwalk and even on the tennis court.

Hydrochic also has a great range of plus size modest swimwear.

Cons

Hydrochic has a huge range of designs, so don’t be put off if you don’t find what you’re looking for right away. Many of the styles focus on the black-plus-fluorescent color scheme, which is sporty and versatile. They don’t seem to have any patterned fabrics or embellished styles.

If you are looking for a modest swimsuit that covers your elbows and knees, not all of Hydrochic’s styles will be relevant for you. But don’t be put off, they do have a full range long-sleeve swim tops and below the knee swim-skirts. If you are looking for fool-proof modest coverage, choose one of their swim skirts with built in swim-shorts.

Recommendation

I highly recommend Hydrochic’s swimwear as versatile, sporty and well-priced, and for maximum sun protection.

To check out Hydrochic’s full range of swimwear, click here.

Thanks for reading my Hydrochic review!

What can we at MavenMall possibly add? Applesauce!

Once you taste your latkes with real, homemade applesauce, you’ll never want to eat them plain again. In fact, there is a distinct danger that you will find yourself serving homemade applesauce as a condiment with all sorts of savory foods, once you get used to it. It’s simply delish.

If you think that eating latkes with applesauce is weird, you’re not alone. I never dreamed of doing it until I married an American, who worked hard to convince me to try it. And now I’m converted. In fact, every year before Chanuka I make a huge batch (with my friend Shira on peeling duty) and give a container to all my neighbors and friends. They rave about it!

Are you ready to try it!

The BEST Home-Made Applesauce

Ingredients:

1 kilo (2 pounds) green apples – or as many as you want to peel (I use granny smith or other tart green apples)

2 cinnamon sticks (or a dash of ground cinnamon)

Preparation:

• First of all, select your best peeler. (And take this opporutnity to throw your bad peelers in the trash!)
•  Then put on some soulful Chanuka music, roll up your sleeves and start peeling all those apples.
• Core them with an apple corer or knife.
• Fill up a big pot with apple chunks, add cinnamon
• Place pot over a medium flame. You can add a tablespoon of water at the bottom if you are concerned about burning the pot, but no more.
• Occe the apples are bubbling, lower the flame and cook for 4-5 hours or transfer it to an electric Shabbos platta and cook overnight. When it’s finished it should be a brown, carmellized color.
• Stir well so that the apples melt, and remove cinnamon sticks.
• Taste to check that it is as sweet and yummy.
• Stop “tasting it” before there is none left!

Serve with fresh potato latkes or serve as a topping on vanilla ice cream, along with with toasted walnuts and maple-flavored syrup.

Happy Channuka!

The tichel is what our Jewish great-great-grandmothers wore on their heads, whether they were baking Challah in Chelm,  Pita in Persia, or Bagels in Brooklyn!

If you look at your old family photo album, you will see that different tichel styles, from a simple shmatta tied behind the head or under the chin babushka-style to more elaborate and flattering styles.

Check out this photo of my great-great-grandmother Gitel, sporting a shpitzel.

A shpitzel had a trim of lace or silk to frame the face so that from (very) far away it looked a little like hair.  Shpitzels are still worn by some chassidic ladies of Hungarian descent, though they look more like a stiff hair-piece nowadays.

Bubbie Gitel was really a very warm woman, despite her serious photographic expression, and she took pride in her elaborate, embellished headgear. According to family story, she was quite upset that shpitzels went out of style in her day and her own daughter wore  regular tichels.

But it’s no secret that for most of the 20th Century, most Jewish women considered even tichels to be frumpy and unflattering. Wearing such a “shmatta” on your head was not something that a modern woman could consider. For many, shaitels have solved that problem and there is nothing more to discuss. Some people say that shaitels are not modest enough, but certainly they have made the mitzvah of head-covering possible and even normal for so many Jewish women, during an era when tichels were not socially acceptable.

But the tichel has been enjoying a comeback in the past 10 years. Married Jewish women, young and old, are starting to wear them again.

What has led to this headcovering revolution?

The New Tichel

The past few years have seen the emergence of all sorts of new-style tichels with flair. Perhaps this trend began during the Indian wig crisis of 2004, where serious suspicions of idolatry were cast upon our shaitels. During those confusing, shaitel-less days, Jewish women everywhere scrambled for a reasonably attractive alternative.

That’s when the pre-tied bandana first appeared!

Applique Pre Tied Bandana
$19.99 

Seven years later, who can imagine life without their favorite go-to pre-tied bandana? The choice of pre-tied bandana styles is expanding everyday – you can choose from different prints and designs, with appliqué details or studs. The side flower look is really in.

Traditional-style tichel’s have also got fancier and the use of stretch fabrics means that they now actually stay on your head!

Even the humble snood, which was once strictly for bathing the kids and frying schnitzels, has gone trendy. The new embellished snoods have even inspired many women to dare to wear them outside the house.

In Israel, the creative juices are flowing among a new breed of talented head-wear designers. Ready-to-wear pre-tied tichels made with layers of coordinating fabrics and an appliqué detail on one side are just starting to go mainstream. Check out this stunning tichel by Israel designer Tohar.

Good enough for Shabbos dinner with your mother-in-law? You never know.

Strange that it looks kind of like Bubbie Gitel would have worn!

In the meantime, have a great time shopping for a new tichel at our favorite online tichel store!

So tell us… do you wear a tichel around town?

Happy Shopping!

30% of all headcoverings with promo code BLKFRI at coveryourhair.com

25% off entire site with promo code thanks25 at Myheadcoverings.com

10% off all Shells at ShelliSheli with exclusive promo code MAVEN10

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It’s time to think about Purim costumes for you children, right?

Now, I know what some of you are thinking now, “I don’t sew and I am not the least bit crafty, unless spreading jelly on toast is considered a decorative art. I guess I better go out and spend a fortune on a poorly-made polyester Queen Esther number.”

Truth is, you don’t need to be a sewing whiz to make a great costume. In fact, you don’t need to sew at all! Children’s dress-up outfits can be excellent first projects–they are usually worn for only a few hours (so construction doesn’t have to be perfect) and they are not delicate, so you need not worry about details.

To get you started, here are 3 ideas for fun kids’ Purim costumes that don’t require sewing. If you can close a safety pin, use a roll of tape or dip a brush in a pot of poster paint, you can make these costumes. And adults can wear them, too!

Spring Bouquet: Here in the northern United States, we are all sick and tired of winter by Purim. Look forward to April showers with an easy Spring Bouquet costume. You’ll need: a sweat suit or shirt and pants/skirt of any color (green or brown would be perfect), safety pins, and silk flowers and leaves. Pull the leaves and flowers off the plastic and wire stems, then pin them all over the clothing. For an optional headpiece, glue or tape some of the flowers to a plastic head band. You can create a cute theme with a child dressed as a bouquet and another child (or yourself) dressed as a gardener (big straw hat, apron, clogs and gardening gloves) or a farmer (button-down flannel shirt, straw hat, boots and a bandana).

Israeli flag: Celebrate the survival of the Jewish people with a flag costume you can make in minutes! You’ll need: a white shirt, white pants/skirt, blue construction paper or scrap cloth, scissors and safety pins. Cut long strips out of construction paper or cloth. Tape or pin them on the clothing to create the Magen David and stripes of the flag.

Robot: Cardboard boxes are readily available for free from grocery stores, and you can do a lot with them. Rocket off to the future with a cool robot costume. Grab that empty cardboard box and cut head and arm holes in the bottom and sides. Wrap it up in aluminum foil, and secure it with tape. Draw a computer screen or controls on the front with markers, or stick on shiny buttons. Then, wrap the child’s arms and legs and head in more foil and secure with tape. This is an idea that has a lot of possible variations: Decorate some empty paper towel or toilet tissue cardboard rolls to arm the robot with missiles. Dent the box a little and draw in “battle damage” or a attach a crashed cardboard roll missile to create a futuristic fighting machine. Glue an image out of a magazine to the front to give the viewing screen more color and fun.

Remember, your creation doesn’t have to be perfect. Try to focus on working with your children to make something unique and fun. I have wonderful memories of the costumes my mother made for me–picking out the costume and the material, watching her put it all together, then transforming into a princess, a Native American or a Medieval maiden. It’s one of those things that I didn’t realize was special then, but is precious to me now.

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Kelilah Lael/Kelli Quinn is an experienced crafter and fiber artist whose first memory of her mother is of her crocheting with blue yarn while humming along with the theme of “M*A*S*H”. Follow her adventures in crafts and Judaism at ohmeohmyolim.wordpress.com.

Whether we like it or not we live in a world where looks matter. Fashion conscious Jewish women want to look their best, especially on Shabbat. Whether it be going to meet friends, a simcha, dating, or going to the mikva Friday night, it is important to have products that help you look naturally beautiful and make you feel good about yourself.

But is Shabbat makeup allowed? Watch this short video to find out:

Makeup is confidence in a bottle. With a little of this and a little of that you can turn a pretty face into a smiling, happy and gorgeous one. When asked about the halachic ramifications of applying makeup on Shabbat, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, z’ll researched and identified the halachic requirements and methods for cosmetic application on Shabbat. Rabbi Feinstein outlined guidelines on the composition and application of the products. Rabbi Abraham Blumenkrantz was a student of Rabbi Feinstein. Rabbi Blumenkrantz approved Shain Dee Cosmetics for application on Shabbat over 15 years ago.

When Rabbi Blumenkrantz became ill, Rabbi Moshe Heinemann was kind enough to check new products. Rabbi Heinemann does not rely on the opinion of those who permit the use of makeup on Shabbat, but he nonetheless tested and confirmed that my Shabbat Queen line meet the guideline of Rabbi Feinstein for those that do rely on Rabbi Feinstein opinion.

Rabbi Yermiahu Katz, who is the authority on mikvot all over the world, heard that women were not going to the mikfah Friday nights because they could not use make up. On regular Fridays, women apply long lasting makeup so they look and feel confident on Shabbat, but on Fridays that they go to the mifka, the long-lasting makeup will not work. As a result, women fear that everyone, including their children, will realize where they were the night before, so they push off going to the mikfa till Saturday night. Rabbi Katz follows the Halachos for Sabbath makeup by Rabbi Feinstein and approved my Matte Line of Sabbath products that can be found in many mikfot for women to use on Friday night and Shabbat day.

There are several opinions on Shabbat makeup. Rabbi  Dovid Heber, Kushrus administrator of the Star K ,wrote an article outlining the opinions, laws and directions on Shabbat makeup use, which can be read on www.star-k.org.

Shabbat approved, kosher for Passover products include foundations, bronzers, blush, eye shadow, lip powders, makeup remover moisturizers and eyeliner powders. The products are gorgeous, finely powdered minerals, hypoallergenic, fragrance free and not tested on animal.

Each approved product must be applied following the halachic guidelines. In order to make the halachic guidelines clear and easy to follow, Shain Dee Cosmetics presents the first step-by-step online instructional video on how to apply makeup according to Halacha, which can be see on our web site www.shaindeecosmetics.com. It is not difficult to follow the rules, and you do not need to compromise on the results. Many women like the powders so much that many use them throughout the week.

How to Apply Shabbat Makeup

The following list presents Rabbi Moshe Feinstein z’ll’s the guidelines by for applying makeup on Shabbat:

1. Your face must be dry and clean from any other makeup. Spray Shabbat moisturizer and allow to dry before applying any Shabbat makeup.
2. You cannot blend two colors together to create a new shade on Shabbat.
3. You must use a separate brush for every color of loose powder so you are not blending two colors. No sponges, applicators, or fingers may be used.
4. You can re-apply the same color with its own brush as often as you like. You may not apply Shabbat makeup onto non-Shabbat makeup (applied before Shabbat.)
5. You can remove makeup with liquid makeup remover or wash your face with the cleanser only (without cotton balls/swabs or pre-soaked pads.) Rinse with water, dry with a paper towel, and then with a towel.

For the ladies that do not hold by Shabbat cosmetics, we carry an extensive line of long lasting products including:2 day eye liner, long lasting lipsticks, and long lasting mascara. All of the makeup is also Kosher for Pesach.

We just released an instructions web video on makeup application for women of all ages and for every occasion. Whether you are looking for dramatic wedding-day makeup tips , making your makeup last or trying to cover some fine lines, you are now just a click away from watching a professional demonstration by Shaindy Kelman, owner and CEO of Shain Dee Cosmetics. You can also email us your pictures and we will gladly advise you on the colors that are best for you.

Remember that you need to take care of yourself so you can have more to give to others. The few seconds it takes to put on that lipstick can put a smile on lots of faces, most importantly, your own.

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This guest article was written by Shaindy Kelman of Shain Dee Costmetics. Learn more about Shain Dee Cosmetics

Kikiriki Shells are one of the affordable most affordable brands. A long-sleeve women’s shell costs $18, and sleeveless shell costs $16 from ShellSheli. In addition, if you use MavenMall’s exclusive coupon code at checkout, you will get 10% off your order. The coupon code is MAVEN10. So stock up on shells from ShellSheli

Kikiriki Shell Styles

Kikiriki makes a full line of styles, including long-sleeve shells, sleeveless shells, plus sized shells and children’s shells.

My favorite is the midriff cropped shell, which is cut off above the belly. This is great for the summer time when that extra layer of fabric over your belly just makes it that much hotter. A cropped shell is a modest woman’s best friend in the summer heat.

Midriff shells are also great for maternity days. Since they are cropped, they will not get tight and uncomfortable as your belly grows. Cropped shells allow you to take any maternity dress or top and voila – you have modest maternity clothes! Also if you suffer from overheating when pregnant (I know I do!), then the cropped shell will help you stay cool. You have to try it to believe what a difference it makes.

Some women report that Kikiriki Shells are generally fitted quite tight, so if you don’t want a clingy shell, it is best to order one or two sizes larger than you normally wear.

Buy Kikiriki Shells Online

The best place to buy Kikiriki Shells online is from ShellSheli. Their prices are low and you will save even more when you use MavenMall’s exclusive coupon code MAVEN10 at checkout. This code is good until November 30, so stock up now! Check out ShellSheli