The Budget Fashionista's Top Ten Budget Shopping Tips

The Budget Fashionista's Top Ten Budget Shopping Tips by Kathryn Finney
Lots of people ask me for my top budget tips. Here are a few from my Budget Shopping Arsenal...

1. Know what looks good on you. This is the essence of a true fashionista. Just because it looks great in a magazine doesn’t mean it will look great on you. Be honest with yourself about your body. It will save you time and money.
2. Get to know the names of sales associates. Sales associates are a great source for information on upcoming sales. They might even let you use their employee discount - as happened to me once at The Gap.
3. Pay for everything with cash. This way, the satisfaction of the purchase will last longer than your next credit-card bill.
4. Head to the Outlets. Shopping at the outlets of your favorite stores and designers can save you a bundle. Some of my favorites are Off Fifth, the Saks Fifth Avenue Outlet; the St. John Knit Outlet; the Donna Karan Outlet; and the Last Call Neiman Marcus Outlet.
5. The 70/30 rule. Fashionistas with limited budgets should follow the 70/30 rule: 70 percent classic pieces, 30 percent trendy pieces. And go cheap on trendy items.You can purchase such pieces at stores like H&M, Target , Zara, Bluefly, Urban Outfitters, etc. Go designer on classic pieces like black suits (Tahari), coats (Burberry, Max Mara), evening (Armani) and purses (Coach, Longchamp).6. Recycle fashion. Pay a visit to your mother and/or grandmother. While you’re there, offer to “help” clean out their closets. You’ll be amazed at the goodies you’ll find. While visiting my grandma in Milwaukee, I discovered a vintage Coach saddle bag, dating from around 1960, in mint condition amid a box of old magazines. If you are unable to visit a relative’s closet, try having a clothing swap party with your friends. Ask everyone to bring unwanted, high-quality clothing to exchange for similar items from other party-goers.
7. Learn where and when to buy. July/August and late January/February are the best times to hit the stores for deals. Write down the names of your favorite stores, go to their Web sites, and register to receive coupons, special invitations and notifications of new products. Outlet stores are also great sources of designer goods.
8. Write a List. Making a shopping list will help you stay focused on the task at hand.
9. Locate the nearest thrift store. Thrift stores are great for quality inexpensive coats.
10. Sign up for our newsletter at http://www.thebudgetfashionista.com/bf/newsletter.php. Get free fashion advice and up-to-date notification of the hottest sales around the U.S. and Canada.
About the AuthorKathryn “The Budget Fashionista” Finney is the founder and Chief Shopping Officer of TheBudgetFashionista.com (http://www.thebudgetfashionista.com), a popular website that provides realistic fashion advice, shopping tips and sale event information to budget conscious consumers.

Maid to Perfection: Favorite Tips for Managing Your Beautifully Bewitching Bridesmaid

Maid to Perfection: Favorite Tips for Managing Your Beautifully Bewitching Bridesmaids
By Terrie Needham

As a highly evolved, yet completely realistic, woman, I'll be the first to admit that when you place 10 females in a room, you'll wind up with 25 different opinions.

That's the dilemma each of us faces when we plan our weddings. As we peruse bridesmaids' gowns, jewelry and accessories, each 'maid will not be shy about sharing her own favorite colors, personal preferences and style agenda. In addition to a wedding gown, you may want to invest in a striped referee's shirt! After all, you're the umpire-but how can you stay in charge, while also keeping the peace as you prep for the most important day of your life?

Here are some of my favorite tips for managing your beautifully bewitching bridesmaids.

Don't Worry, Be Happy

Bridesmaids will often complain that they're spending a lot of money to be in your wedding party, so they believe they're entitled to a say in all fashion decisions. Your best bet? Listen politely and respectfully. Thank them for their input. Tell them you'll be taking everyone's suggestions into consideration-and then seize the reins.

Remember: Each pretty 'maid in the row agreed to be in your wedding. If you do your job with finesse and provide sufficient compliments, they'll be delighted to wear what you've picked out. This includes dresses, jewelry and accessories.

Some brides provide jewelry sets as a gift to their 'maids during their bachelorette bash or bridal shower. This is a great way to thank your bridesmaids for participating in your wedding, as well as to exercise control over what they'll wear-especially if you want each girl to have that "Supremes" look: same theme, slightly different jewelry. You can choose the same lustrous pearls or dazzling cubic zirconia. Slight variations in style are fine, as long as the look is relatively consistent.

Be sure to verify who has pierced ears. You'll need to purchase pierced earrings for the majority, but clip earrings are required for the few 'maids with virgin earlobes.

Practice Good Coordination

Be sure to match bridesmaids' accessories to the color of their gowns. Whether you're thinking a necklace or a choker, there are several dozen pearl and cubic zirconia shades available. Regardless of dress color, you're sure to find a complementary hue.

Also pay close attention to gown details. If bridesmaids' dresses are adorned with crystals, beading or pearls, you'll need to select jewelry with similar accents. Don't mix and match like a wild woman! Keep it simple and elegant.

If you've asked your 'maids to wear similar hairstyles, make sure earrings complement their 'dos. Updos like topknots, chignons and French twists call for drop earrings to accentuate facial features and add just the right amount of sparkle. If hair will be worn curled and loose, chandelier earrings fit the bill. For 'maids with short hair, all is not lost: Pixie cuts and short bobs are best accentuated with studs and button earrings. You can still achieve a consistent look by asking everyone-regardless of hair length, texture or style-to wear the same type of jewels, be it pearls or cubic zirconia.

To avoid bloodshed, never ask a bridesmaid to color or chop inches off her hair. That's an extreme makeover, so don't go crazy with Bridezilla power!

About the Author

Terrie Needham owns Anna Bellagio, a leader in the bridesmaids jewelry and accessories industry for 17 years. She loves attending fashion shows and checking out new designers so she can offer sensational, yet affordable, selections to her ever-growing customer base.

http://www.annabellagio.com

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