Want To Save Some Money? Go Shopping...In Your Closet!!!

I realize that we are all in a recession and for any fashionista, buying the latest styles could be a challenge. I have a great way for you to save some money...go shopping in your closet! I know this sounds insane but take my word for it, you may have some hidden treasures in your closet, that you stored away, and forgot about. These forgotten frocks can be recycled into one of the stylish trends for the summer. This recently happened to me. I went to The Gap to pre-shop and possibly purchase some wide legged jeans for this summer. The wide legged jeans at The Gap were priced between $68-$78 dollars; and most retail stores had their jeans priced in that same price range. Although I really wanted the jeans, I decided that $78 was too much to pay for one pair of jeans. So when I got home, I decided to go through my closet to get reacquainted with the clothes that I put on hiatus. I usually try and donate the clothes that I don't wear to charity , however, I always keep my staples (Jeans, black pants, white shirts, etc.). To my delight, I found four pairs of wide legged jeans in my closet. I stored my wide legged jeans because skinny jeans were all the rave for the last 2 seasons and wide legged jeans were exiled...no longer in style. I managed to save $78 and get the jeans that I wanted for free. So for all the fashionista's out there take this advice: go shopping in your closet before you spend any money! Find out what you have in your inventory before you begin your spring/summer shopping adventures. If you have any questions or need any help shopping, leave a comment for me, and I will answer any questions you may have! Just fir the record, I did find wide legged jeans on sale at my" go to store" H&M. They are $19.95!!! !http://www.hm.com/entrance.ahtml?orguri=/

Snake Skin Bags...Another great find!



Cynthia Rowley Snake Skin Handbag
Orginally $250, bought it for $150



 If you look at the pages of any fashion magazine for the 2011 spring/summer trends, you will find that animal skin is going to be hot this season. Anything from leopard skin, to snake skin will be a great trend to add to your wardrobe. I pride myself on being a bargain shopper and someone who can find "the deal"; however,  finding an affordable snake skin bag was a little difficult. I didn't want to pay a lot of money because there is no guarantee that is a trend would have much longevity in future seasons. So I make it a rule that if I am going to indulge in a trend, I make sure that I am not investing alot of money into it. If you want to be a fashionista, you have to make sure that you are buying classics (clothes that you can wear for seasons to come) and not just trends. So I searched and searched for an affordable snake skin bag that I would be proud to carry. To me, fake snake skin and leopard skin bags tend to look kind of cheap so I decided that I would go to Nordstrom Rack, Filenes Basement and T.J. Maxx to find a bag that was genuine snake skin and that was affordable. After endless hours of searching, I finally settled on this Cynthia Rowley bag I found at T.J. Maxx which was originally $250 and I got it for $150. It is genuine snake skin and leather. I did find some great alternative for cheaper, but this bag was my style and kind of scream my name! If you don't want to spend that much, I have attached a great alternative! This Jessica Simpson Faux Snake Skin bag, is a great substitute if you want to save some money. This bag is only $88 and you can find it at Macy's.( I will attached the link below). I will be searching for other Snake Skin bags that are cheaper and feature them on this site so stay tuned!!!!



Jessica Simpson-Faux snake skin Handbag

$88

http://www.macys.com/

How To Get The New Trends For the Cheapest Prices?!

In order to be an expert shopper and an authentic fashionista, you must be armed with the tricks of the trade. You have to be an avid shopper, someone who lives to be fashion forward and someone who is very patient. I consider myself an expert because I live and breathe fashion and I have been at this for a long time. I want to give you guys some helpful tips so that you can maximize you style and minimize your cost.
Step 1: Have realistic expectations and goals - Know what the trends are and what your style is.  Trends are sometimes age and body specific. For example, If you are 40 years old and full figured, a leopard skin jumpsuit may not be something that you would look great in. However, a nice leopard skin or snake skin handbag, or a trench coat, might be a better alternative. Don't spend your money on something that you will not look great in  because if you have honest friends they will tell you how you REALLY look and you will end up sticking it in the back of your closet and you will never see it again! Spend wisely!
Step 2 : Preshop -  I begin shopping for spring in January...and sometimes before. I go to youtube and look at the fashion shows for the upcoming season, I go online to see what the celebrities are wearing and what designers and fashion insiders are saying about the upcoming fashion season,  and I have a subscription to over 5 fashion magazines. Once I get my magazines, I tear out the pages of the styles that I like and I began shopping! I go to the stores with my pages in my bag and try to find and price the item that I am looking for...then I wait.
Step 3: BE PATIENT - When you find the item that you have been obsessing about, your first impulse will be to buy it on the spot...DON'T do it; because if you begin your shopping early, chances are, the item will be full price. Retailers are banking on your impulsion and will be almost "willing" you to buy it right away. This is how you loose money. I know that waiting is the scary and risky part because if you go back a month later, they may not have your size or color, or worse, they may be sold out of the item. If you take the next step, however, this will not happen.
Step 4: Build Relationships with Retailers -  I am always on the prowl for a good deal and innovative styles. Because I am always in stores pre-shopping, some of the retailers recognize me!!!! So I use this to my advantage and ask the person on the floor when the new merchandise is coming in and when the sales are going to be. Most of the sales people respond positively and let me know when the sales will be and I come back around that time to pick up whatever item I was looking for.
Step 5: Sign up for the Email Alerts and Exclusive Member Cards:  Finally, most stores have an email list and/or special membership cards that will allow you to be the first to know about sales and other promotions happening at the store. These sales are sometimes exclusively for members so take advantage of these gifts. The snake skin shoes I blogged about earlier were $104 and I got them for $18 because they were on clearance (which I was notified about by email) and because I was an exclusive card member; I also bought the shoes on my birthday and my membership card afforded me an extra 15% off the clearance price. So next time the sales person asks you if you want to be on their email list...say YES!!

I have may more tips to share with you, but these five should get you started on your shopping adventures. Even though you may not have begun shopping or pre-shopping yet, don't fret, it is never too late to start looking stylish and most importantly, it is never too late to start saving some money!
http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/nordstrom-rack

Knock offs...A fashion Must or a Fashion Mistake?

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Knock-off bags have been in existence for decades; but not without its share of controversy. There has been much debate about whether or not designer handbag knock-offs are a permanent negative mark on a fashionista's fashion record. What is fashion anyway? It is a duplication of earlier designers patterns and designs with a slight change or adjustment of the pattern to make it your own. I believe that this philosophy can be carried over to handbags as well. I believe that knock-offs are a great addition to the wardrobe because they allow you an affordable way to change your look without spending hundreds and even upwards of thousands of dollars on the various styles. I am no stranger to NYC's Canal street and often go there to find looks that others fashionista's aren't aware of. In fact, these entrepreneurs are designing bags now under their own labels and their styles are creative and fashionable in their own right. I have carried a few labeless purses from Canal street and have been stopped many times and asked "who is the designer"? Some designer have given their permission for their bags to be duplicated but designers such as Louis Vuttion, Gucci, Coach and Channel have not conceded. If you are a true fashionista, however, you will NEVER just carry fakes! I have a rule, If your bag is a knock-off, then you better be wearing some authentic shoes! Always mix your knock-offs with real designer fashions because it adds authenticity to the entire ensemble

What's In a Label?

Labels are so out of style these days. To walk around will be "C,s" on your bag or "G's", just says that women are not confident enough to rock a labeless bag. Feeling the need to let the public know that you have spent an obscene amount of money on your bag is so passe'! I am so impressed that designers this spring and summer have created bags without big logos and letters on them and have decided to seek out the true fashionista's. Because if you have to ask...then you are an impostor! Gucci Designers, Chloe and countless other designer have decided that their true followers and fashion conscience veterans will know their designs because they live and breath purses and are obsessed with the true artistry and creativity involved in building a brand that people recognize. So to all of you professed fashionista's, put yourselves to the test; are you a label girl or an authentic bag lady?

Which Louboutins Do You Like Best?!

My sister and I are having a dispute about which Christian Louboutin shoes looks better. Please vote by commenting on this page or pushing the "Like" button and placing a comment after you vote! We will tally up the votes and then tell you what my selection was and which shoe she chose!

Spring Fling!

After, the great Blizzard of 2011 last week in Chicago, and eminent storms being predicted, I can't wait until the spring! I love spring time in Chicago. I love the smell of the spring flowers blooming, the warm days and cool nights and most of all...I love the spring/summer fashions! There are great trends emerging and I want to share some of my must-haves for the season.

1. BLUE JEANS: Blue jeans never really went out of style; they are just continuously being reinvented. Straight leg jeans will still be in style for the spring, however, wide leg jeans will be the hot thing this year. Industry insiders also predict that long blue jean skirts have also made appearances on spring/summer runway shows.
2. LACE: I am such a big fan of lace; and I am glad that it is on the mind of most designers this season. Lace is feminine and sexy. In a world where "ladies" are sometimes an aberration, this addition to the spring/summer trends makes the woman, a little softer and demure...a much need change!
3. Minimalism:
The spring summer season of 2011 is not all about busy vibrant prints and complicated patterns as seen in previous seasons. It's all about the minimalist! Classic clean cuts, basic colors and patterns are a welcomed change. Designers are approaching this trend in a variety of different ways. Clean lines, architectural angles and perspectives are a wonderful alternative for those of us who are fans of a simpler and more versatile look.

4. SHOES : Shoes play a very important role in style. There are a variety of shoe designs available to choose from this season. Wooden heels, platforms, leopard skins and architectural designs are all the rave this season. Shoe trends change from season to season so I would suggest that you don't spend too much on these trends. However, have fun and explore because shoes make every woman feel like a million bucks!
These are just a few of my picks this season. Find out what trends suit you and define your own style because that is what fashion and being stylish is all about!