STYLEnosh

WhatWentWrong: LET'S SKIP THE FAKE HANDBAGS, SHALL WE?

Sometimes I feel a little creepy snapping pictures of unsuspecting bad fashion choice people. But I gotta do what I gotta do. Anyhoo, I did a little double take when I saw this one. The "G" monogram tote. Really?

I like the Coach signature print. Heck, I even have a duffle bag and coordinating tote for light travel. But I just can't get with the fake version. I remember the first and last fake designer bag I purchased. It was a Kate Spade knock-off from the famous "Alley" in downtown Los Angeles. I had it for a month before it ripped. I kept thinking, I would have done better to save my pennies and buy the real thing. Not to mention, I couldn't help but wonder if everyone knew my slick designer handbag was a fraud. 

Here's a blog dedicated to the end of fake coach buying. While I wouldn't be committed to writing an entire blog solely on why you shouldn't buy fake Coach handbags, I definitely agree with many of the points this blogger makes. If you can't afford the real handbag, it's okay. Many of us can't. Just buy something else. Preferably something that doesn't scream, "I'm as real as an eight-dollar bill."

YOU COULD WEAR IT, BUT SHOULD YOU WEAR IT- LEGGINGS

I was out this weekend doing a little shopping/browsing when I got the sudden urge to look for leggings. Now most of you know that I'm not a fan of the rebirth of leggings. Last year I said they should only be worn by the young, thin, or tall. And I'm standing by my original assessment.

When I saw these leopard print leggings at Ross, I giggled all the way to the fitting room because I knew they would look a hot, crazy mess! I know that most people would wear these with a long sweater or a tunic shirt so they wouldn't show all their business. But I couldn't help but ask, SHOULD you really be wearing these out in public. Don't they just scream Peg Bundy? Well, if you recall those dysfunctional episodes of Married with Children, then you remember that Peg may have been a fan of stretch pants but she rarely left the house. Maybe all of us attempting to wear leggings should follow Peg's lead. 

Think I'm wrong about leggings? Well send me a picture of someone looking good in them. Oh, and don't send me any models, actresses, or other famous faces. I want to see regular people, with regular lives. No jetsetters or people who have someone there to fluff their hair in the morning.  

    Okay, it's not too bad.

 YIKES!

SASS, STYLE & SUBSTANCE BEST POSTS OF THE WEEK!!!

For this week’s best in beauty, fashion, and healthy news, check out these bloggers from Sass, Style & Substance!

Eat Smart Age Smart Fat is NOT your fault!

Beauty Match Norman Sands talks about fall 2009 makeup trends!

A Touch of Blusher A Touch of Blusher reviews RMK Ingenious Powder Eyes.

Raging Rouge Raging Rouge is always in search of a natural, glowy, flushed cheek. This Fall's pick? tarte Green Siren natural cheek stain!

Bags, Bling & Beauty Keep your bag off of dirty floors and out of the hands of thieves with Luxe Link, by Kalika Yap!

STYLEnosh Those store credit cards are NOT your friends.

Splendicity Accessories Are you a vampire fan? Whether it's True Blood or Twilight - there's some toothy jewelry just for you.

Have a stylish weekend!

 image: Stock.xchg

THIS WEEK'S SALES!!!

The Limited  The sale that ended yesterday has been extended and expanded into the Friends and Family sale. Take 40% off regular and sale prices with this coupon. Use code 478 for online shopping. Sale ends Sunday, September 27th. 

Urban Outfitters  There are so many deals in this $29.99 and under sale, you could easily spend an hour or two browsing through the possibilities. 

Liz Claiborne  All red-tag items are under $20! Sizes are limited but it's worth a look.

Express  Up to 60% off select items for men and women. There's plenty to choose from under $30.

LOSING WEIGHT IS GREAT! HAVING YOUR CLOTHES HANG OFF OF YOU SUCKS!

Don't get me wrong, losing weight is wonderful. But watching your clothes sag off of your body like your older sister's hand-me-downs gets old pretty quickly. Here's a plan for maintaining your personal style while losing weight, without blowing your money on a new wardrobe every week.

Woven belts are my new best friend. I wear a woven or braided belt almost every day now. The reason is because I can adjust the belt to accommodate my shrinking waistline. Since belts tend to cost a little more than I care to pay, I'm constantly looking for cheap ones everywhere I go. I've found some of my most useful braided belts at affordable places like Forever 21 and Target. 

Don'tunderestimate the power of lycra. Last month I purchased a pair of distressed jeans from Old Navy for $19. I was so excited because they DIDN'T have lycra or spandex in them, which I always needed to get over my butt and thighs in the past. As it turns out, I NEEDED that lycra. Without the stretch characteristic, my new jeans were baggy and saggy within two weeks of purchasing them. I recently dug out two pairs of old jeans from the coffers of my closet. They actually fit better than the new pair because they have a good amount of lycra in them. The waist is too big, of course, but that's okay because I have my trusty woven belt to cinch my waist as tight as I need to. 

Being redundant is not that bad. I'm known for wearing my clothes in a way that makes my wardrobe appear larger than it really is. I mix and match the things in my closet to optimize them and get the most looks possible. This task becomes a major challenge when you only have a handful of pants and skirts that actually fit. One day after a fit of "lack of clothes frustration", I realized that it's okay to wash and wear the same jeans, shorts, or dresses each week. The key is to wear the things that look good AND make you feel good. Don't schlep around in oversized pants that make you feel like you're playing pretend in someone's else clothes. Use what you have. And as Tim Gunn would say, "Make it work." And when you finally get to your true body size, go out and have one spectacular shopping spree.

JUST SAY NO TO STORE CREDIT CARDS

You know when you're checking out at the cash register and the cashier asks you if you'd like to save an additional 10% (or 15% or whatever) by opening a credit card? And you stop and think for a moment, "saving a little more money would be nice". Let me save you some fretting time and suggest that you politely decline that kind salesperson's offer. Most of them don't realize the damage you do to your credit score by randomly opening unnecessary credit lines.

Here's why you should avoid them all together:

The credit check - Each time a store or any entity runs your credit score, you get a few points knocked off. Those points add up. Also, the limits on these cards are typically lower. So the low credit limit combined with a high purchase, makes your utilization rate higher. And that will knock a few points off of your credit score too.

The deal really isn't a deal - So the store lures you in with, "You can save an additional 10% off your purchase today." And when you seem a little hesistant, they add, "You can pay it off today. Just do it to save the extra 10%." Now, I'm no personal finance whiz by any means. But saving $5 to $15 bucks (assuming the deal is for 10% off of a $50 - $150 purchase) is not enough savings to justify knocking points off of you credit score and potentially aiding in you buying things you can't afford. (Which is kinda what credit makes you do.)

High interest rates - Now this is something I never thought about when I was in my 20s. The interest rates on store issued credit cards are typically upwards of 20%.  I understand that finding a fantastic deal on your favorite designer handbag. But are you factoring in the monthly interest it will take you to actually pay it off? Now I don't dare use my Bloomingdale's or Neiman Marcus cards unless I know I'm going to pay off the full balance when the bill comes.

Summary

Here's the point: credit cards aren't for snagging a hot pair of shoes or your outfit for the upcoming girl's weekend. So why waste your precious credit on using them.  Click here for more information on the pros and cons of using retail credit cards.

TAKE 40% OFF THE LIMITED PANTS AND JEANS

The discount applies to regular prices only. Bonus: Enter your waist and hip measurements on The Limited website and it will brilliantly tell you which style of pants and jeans will work best with your body type. For instance, my waist is 24 and my hips are 36.5. So the Cassidy style are the perfect pants for me (which I've known for years) and the 917 style work best for jeans. Sweet! 

THE NEW WARDROBE OF ANN TAYLOR

If you've been reading any fashion magazines lately, you may have noticed the slick, new ads from Ann Taylor announcing the "New Ann". I kept seeing the ads in like every other magazine so I decided to check out the site.

Not bad. My interest is peaked. The clothes are showing more playful, chic characteristics than the long-standing suits and serious nature of the previous Ann Taylor. There are still suits to be had. But now they're presented in a way that incorporates a more fashion.

Another thing I couldn't help but notice that the models on the site were not only more stylish but a tad bit younger too. I wonder if the powers at AT are targeting the fresh faces of those young women just entering the workplace. I only hope they can find jobs so they can actually buy the clothes.

SASS, STYLE & SUBSTANCE BEST POSTS OF THE WEEK!

Check out this week's best in beauty, fashion, and health news from the bloggers of Sass, Style & Substance!

Eat Smart Age Smart 19 Healthy lunch recipes.

Beauty Match September Contest: All about skincare!

Splendicity Accessories Do you need some more Peace and Love in your life? Then enter to win your very own Peace & Love charm bracelet and earrings!

STYLEnosh A new approach to shopping for fall 2009 trends.

A Touch of Blusher A Touch of Blusher previews YSL's holiday 2009 collection.

Have a stylish weekend!

image: Stock.xchg

THIS WEEK'S SALES!!!

The Limited  Take 40% off regular priced jackets, pants, and skirts. This offer is good in stores and online. Also take an additional 20% off markdowns online. Note: Price online reflects the discount).

Bluefly  Buy more, Save more. Buy 1 take 15% off. Buy 2 take 20% off. Buy 3 take 25% off. 

Ann Taylor Loft  Take $20 off pants for a limited time. And if you're gearing up for fall, sweaters are Buy 1 get any second one 50% off.

Banana Republic  The Fall Sale is going on now. There's no specific discount amount listed but the website appears to have some deals worth checking out.

Gap  Up to 40% off items for men, women, and kids.

The Outnet.com  For all you designer label at a discount fiends, The Outnet is highlighting top British designers today at up to 80% off. Think Jimmy Choo, Stella McCartney, and Burberry. (Note to self: Must stop grinning uncontrollably.)

Lord & Taylor  Take 15% off online and in stores (promo code SEPTSALE). Also buy more shoes, save more money. Buy 1 pair save 20%. Buy 2 or 3 pairs save 25%. Buy 4 pairs or more and save 30%. Discount applies to regular priced ad sale items. And as always with Lord & Taylor, please read the details.

H&M  Visit the H&M website for a Buy 1 Get 1 50% off coupon for the entire store! They don't offer this discount often so get it while you can. Offer good through Sunday, September 20th.

A NEW STRATEGY FOR BUYING FALL 2009 TRENDS

AI know the blogs and the fashion mags have been pushing the latest trends for fall for weeks now. And normally, I would be doing the same thing. But this season, I kept getting stuck on the monotony of the trends and what recommendations I should give for how to wear them.

So that got me thinking....since the trends I'm loving fall like eerily like the trends I was loving for spring and summer, the decision to buy anything should be more precise and calculated than my haphazard shopping of the past.

My new strategy requires me to break down trends by the following attributes: importance, investment, and incorporation (into current wardrobe).

How important is the purchase? What do you need?  Yes, plaid is big for fall. But do you really need another woven, button-down shirt? If you find that your wardrobe lacks shirts, then you may consider the trendy plaid versions. And I'm sure you don't need a multi-strand necklace, but a simple one could be the only statement your jewelry needs to make this fall, carrying you from a delicious plain, white shirt and beat-up denim look to an adorable little black dress. But how does the purchase fit with the other two i's: investment and incorporation.

How much of an investment are you willing to make? One of my favorite looks for fall is the leather biker jacket look. I saw a fabulous one in Bebe (image shown below) a few weeks ago and seriously considered buying it. Until I realized that I lived in south Florida. So that super cool trend is not for me (or the Florida heat). But if you're one of my Detroit, Chicago, or otherwise soon to be cold friends, this may be one style to look into immediately! It's a wonderful piece that could prove to be useful for many seasons to come.

BOOTCAMP BEGINS TODAY & A RESULTS UPDATE TOO!

Today began another exciting, challenging cycle of 4 weeks of boot camp. I've been so busy the past few weeks that I forgot to post an update on my results at the end of the last boot camp.  So here it is:

I have been diligently eating raw fruits and vegetables during the day and then cooked veggies and fish (or whole grains) at night. Combined with 5 days of tough boot camp in 4-week increments, I'm finally starting to see some phenomenal results. In the last 4 weeks, I lost 9 lbs and 2% body fat.

Why did I adopt this way of living? Well, I wanted to be truly healthy and reduce my high body fat percentage, which in April was way too high at 28.8%! (Now I'm at 24.4%.) Back in July, I lamented about my slow results and then it hit me: you can't expect your body to shed fat if you keep scarfing down potato chips. (No matter how "healthy" the package claims to be.) And surprise, surprise, I don't miss the chips. I can definitely thank eating raw for that.

As you may have guessed, I'm pretty psyched right now. There is still work to be done and I'm doing it! How's your workout going? Are you eating food out of your refrigerator or are you still sucking down sodas everyday? Don't wait til January to pledge your allegiance to fitness and healthy food. There's no better day than today to get started!