STYLEnosh

TODAY SHOW VIDEO: SHOPPING DON'TS

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How timely! I just posted earlier today about shopping self sabotage and Hoda and Kathie Lee did a segment on five things you shouldn't do while shopping. Ironically, I listed the one about not shopping when you're hungry but I deleted it because I feel it deserves its own separate post. Check out the video for other great tips. (Though I disagree about cutting the sizes out of your clothes. Sizes are rather irrelevant if you're a size 4 and still unhealthy. If you don't like your body, take action to get healthy and make it better. Cutting the size tags out of your clothing is delusional and not a helpful way to gain good self-esteem.)

ELIMINATE SHOPPING SELF-SABOTAGE

Picture it. (Yes, I am a Golden Girls fan thank you very much). Anyhoo, you're at the mall.  You're excited about the possibilities that await. You're salivating just thinking about the new additions to your wardrobe.

Fast forward two, three, or four hours later. You leave the mall empty-handed and frustrated. What happened to all that shopping zeal and vigor? Did you sabotage your effort with a few critical shopping mistakes?

Shopping Mistake #1 - Shopping in the wrong stores for you. If you've been reading this blog for a while, you know I can appreciate a quick run through Forever 21 and Charlotte Russe. I particularly like to get belts from those stores since they actually fit. And I may find a cute tank top or shirt on the clearance rack. What I don't do is grab a bunch of pants and skirts and head to the fitting room expecting everything to fit me. These stores are targeted for a slightly younger demographic than most of us. That's right, they're made for teens. Are you under the age of 20? Well, don't expect teen sizes to fit your adult curves. Look for more grown-up stores who offer the trends in adult appropriate ways (Think opaque tights and a pencil skirt and not patterned tights with a mini skirt.)

THIS WEEK'S SALES: SHOP FOR A CAUSE!

Here's your chance to save money while shopping at GAP, OLD NAVY, OR BANANA REPUBLICA. Click here to donate 5% of what you spend to a worthwhile charity of your choice. Offer good through Sunday, August 29th.

BLOOMINGDALE'S Save 25-40% off select merchandise. Offer good through August 29th.

LORD & TAYLOR It's the Big Sale. Take 15% off regular and sale items. Take an extra 25% off clearance merchandise.

 

 

YOUR WARDROBE IS MAKING YOU LOOK CONFIDENT OR KOOKY: WHICH IS IT?

It can be a challenge to identify the occasional wardrobe gaffe.  One person's fashionable can be another person's, "What the !@#% are you wearing?" But what about the person who is consistently wearing a wardrobe don't? Do you intervene? What if you're the kooky dressing co-worker? Does it even matter?

There has been study after study on the importance of your appearance in the workplace. I recently wrote about how the way you look impacts your job. In that post, I linked to an article by Newsweek that I believe really drives the point home.

What you wear sets the tone for how you're perceived. And people naturally equate that perception with how competent they think you are. How you're dressed sets the tone for that important meeting with your manager or that job interview for the position you really want.

Want to boost your confidence? Update your look. This link to Forbes.com gives some pretty simple tips for looking better at work. Now, let's slowly back away from kooky.

Image: morguefile.com

IT'S NOT A MYTH: CUTE, COMFORTABLE SHOES!

I was having a conversation the other day with someone who said that they like cute shoes but they have to be comfortable.  Especially if they're expensive shoes. Hmm...sounds a bit like an oxymoron but it got me thinking. Surely there are some comfortable shoes in the world that fit that criteria. We want cute without toe pinching. Not cushy soles that look eerily similar to the footwear found in your neighborhood nursing home.

Okay, I've been searching for an hour and I've only come up with two options that meet the cute/comfortable criteria. The first is the classic slide from Dr. Scholl's in a zebra print. This wedge sandal comes in many different colors and the orange suede looks particularly cute too. And the $29 price tag is like the extra topping without the calories! 

The second pair is a gold peep toe also by Dr. Scholl's for $49. I see this pair taking you from work to the rest of your life with minimal effort.

Still searching. I was targeting my query on shoes that cost less than $100. Which would rule out the Cole Haan Air collection. (Here's a link if you're interested.) But what is available for the fashionable shopper on a budget?

THIS WEEK'S SALES!

I was out doing a little shopping with my sister, nieces, and step mom last weekend and it felt like someone breathed new life into me. Nothing like trying on a few outfits and doling out unsolicited fashion advice with the fam. (Someone should have warned my step mom.)

So, you're thinking of doing some shopping yourself this weekend? Well be sure to check out these sales.

UPDATE: Take an extra 25% off final sale items at Calvin Klein. Definitely worth a look!

MACY'S   It's a One Day Sale scheduled for tomorrow, April 21st. Which means that today is the preview day. Early morning discounts from 9 am - 1 pm. Expect good deals on clothing for the kiddies, tweens, and teens.

BLOOMINGDALE'S   Save 25% - 40% off of select merchandise. Offer good online only. The Coats and Jackets have some good buys. Shoes are worth a look (always). And don't miss the Handbag section. I'm loving the Rebecca Minkoff pouches titled Trustfund, Nest Egg, and Allowance. Genius.

URBAN OUTFITTERS   All women's jeans are on sale for $39 (with the exception of Levi's Boyfriend Collection, which are excluded from this deal). Offer good in-store and online.

FINALLY, MAKE NECESSARY REPAIRS!: EASY STEPS TO A BETTER WARDROBE PT. 4

I've been talking about simple things you can do to improve your wardrobe today. And previous posts, buy a mirror, straighten your closet, and purge the junk have motivated you to start taking steps in the direction of a better wardrobe. (You've at least started taking action in your head, right?) It feels great doesn't it? Now it time to tackle one last easy thing you could do to give your current wardrobe a boost. Grab your sewing kit (I know you have one) and let's fix those minor, albeit pesky, wardrobe repairs.

Image: morguefile.com

Let me start by saying, I'm a gy-normous hypocrite when it comes to getting pants hemmed and taken in or getting those straps re-sown on my impaired strappy sandals. The problem is, let me see how I should say this, I'm lazy. Yeah, that sums it up. I really don't have another legitimate explanation for my lack of action. But if you take the time to get the alterations or make the repairs yourself, you'd be amazed at how quickly your closet will expand with viable clothing options.

COMMON PROBLEMS = QUICK SOLUTIONS

Too Long Pants   If you're on the shorter side (don't be ashamed), you most likely have pants that require you to walk on stilts so you don't constantly step on the bottom dragging behind you. Yes, you can take them to be altered by your friendly neighborhood tailor. Or you can do the dirty work yourself. Outside of grabbing your own needle and thread, you can use products like Stitch Witchery tape or Topstick hairpiece tape (thanks Lucky magazine April 2005 issue for this fantastic tip).

READER REQUEST: CUTE LUNCH TOTES FOR GROWN-UPS

I added the grown-up part to the request. I'm certain Nicole's not not looking for a  kiddie bag to carry her lunch in for work. (Nicole, please correct me if I'm wrong.) And she definitely wants to stop using those Publix grocery store bags to store her lunch. So what options are available? Hold on to your butts cause the selection is bountiful when it comes to lunch bags. Lunch is no longer relegated to ugly sacks or boring brown paper bags. Read on!

This polka dot bag from paperhop.com is so cute I want one just because it's cute.  It looks a little small but the description says it stretches so maybe it can accommodate various food containers. The price is $20.60. Spend $25 and you'll get free shipping.

THIS WEEK'S SALES - BACK TO SCHOOL 2010 EDITION

Image: morguefile.com

Ah. I love back to school shopping. It just rings fall and who doesn't love fall with its cooler temps, changing leaves, and cozy sweaters. If you need to do a little shopping so your kids will be ready when the first bell rings, here are some sales to consider. NOTE: This is tax free weekend for Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, and Massachusetts. Click here for a detailed list of tax free items for each state.

OLD NAVY   Plenty of things on sale. Look for $10 Deals on knit dresses for girls and polo style shirts for boys. 

GAP   Take 20% off women and men fall styles and 10% off kids and baby. Offer good online only.

JC PENNEY   Here is this week's ad with coupons. And check out this cute styleboard designed for teens. You can even create your own styleboard. Love that!

KOHL'S   Here is the weekly ad. It's Super Saturday tomorrow so look for early bird specials and extra discounts.

DOES YOUR WORK BAG NEED A MAKEOVER?

Many people, going to corporate jobs in particular, carry a work bag each day. And if your work bag looks like this one pictured below, a makeover is past due.

The size is perfect. It's roomy enough to hold a magazine, journal, book, pen pouch, umbrella, and a folder or two. But the disorganized nature, in addition to the marks and huge stain on the bottom (how did I miss that!), it's time to make a switch. I could have just emptied the contents and cleaned the stains but I prefer to go back to my closet and see what may be waiting to be rediscovered. (Call me lazy. I can live with that.)

And here's what I found.

TODAY ONLY! 30% OFF WORK WEAR AT BANANA REPUBLIC

via bananarepublic.gap.com

Need an infusion of fresh style in your work wardrobe? (Who isn't sick of wearing the same cardigan all summer?) Then this Banana Republic sale is for you. Banana Republic is known for its timeless work basics (think suit separates, dresses, dress shirts). But don't miss the scarves and jewelry. You may find something to pump up those basics. (Note: Offer good online only. Prices marked reflect the discount.) Enjoy!

THIS WEEK'S SALES - MACY'S, THE LIMITED, & MORE!

MACY'S   Check out the department store's back to school catalog. It has just right mix of clothing basics and a few frills for the kiddos. The last page offers an extra 15% off savings pass good through August 8th.

THE LIMITED   Who knew? The Limited offers a 15% off discount to teachers and students with a valid ID. This offer is always available. And this weekend, they're extending this discount to the rest of us. Take 15% off your purchases in-store and online. Here's the coupon (you'll need it if you're shopping in the store). Use promo code 699 for online purchases.

GAP   Take $20 off regular priced jeans for men and women. (Note: The prices shown reflect the sale.) Also in-stores only, buy a pair of jeans, and the 2nd pair is $20.

JC PENNEY   I don't shop at JC Penney's often. It's just not my thing. But I did see a few interesting things on their website. Check out the weekly ad. You may find something that sparks an interest. Especially the coupons, which are good online and in-store.