 |
 |
THIRSTY THURSDAY’S WEEKEND TRAVEL GUIDE
OK so here is the deal... thanks to souring fuel prices, most airlines aren’t exactly making weekend travel easy... so what does a true Recessionista do? VIVA la carry on! Sorry girls, leave the “kitchen sink” at home. $15-$25 each way for a checked bag is more than a few mojitos by the beach. I know what you’re thinking, “How am I going to do that?” What will I bring? What if I forget something?... DON’T WORRY! That is what Closet Karma’s Weekend Travel edition is for. We do all the work, so you can sit back relax and have a vacation in a Staycation economy! |
 |
|
 |
|
|
It is Monday morning in the Midwest. You’re drooling as you daydream of a delightful detour from life... a word that has become foreign in your vocabulary the past year... VACATION!... Sadly, your mind drifts years back to your senior spring break... you never thought you’d be jealous of foam parties and tequila contests... but alas you are. You need a weekend of culture, laughter, and girl power! So why not Napa? “Napa?!” I know what you are thinking... “Are you crazy?! How could I ever afford Napa?!” The tastings alone will blow the budget, not to mention I have nothing to wear and have not been able to shop in months!” Well, Thirsty Thursday travel edition is about to show you a side of Napa that is not only affordable, but puts the B in Budgetnista! |
 |
|
 |
|
NAPA FASHION:
While Napa’s somieniete may not have the shiekness of a NYC Bistro, Napa itself was primarily a farming community, so it has a down home country feel. Everything is about casual and comfort. If it weren’t for the Tuscan esq. rolling hills and ridiculous wine, you would swear you were in the hearlland, not Northern California. Shorts are totally acceptable in most establishments, and so are dogs! Dressing up in Napa is about accessorizing. Think bright colored necklaces with a great cotton sundress, or a fabulous pair of earrings to dress up your linen pants. Perfect conditions for packing light and you won’t have to worry about an iron! |
 |
|
 |
|
WHAT TO PACK:
2 pairs of flip-flops, one for day and one for night.
1 pair of comfy platforms or heels. Anything that says strappy and straw will do!
A few tank tops and a pair of jeans or shorts.
1 wrap in case you get chilly.
2 sundresses
And a bag of your favorite accessories that will dress up any cotton dress! |
|
 |
|
WHAT TO BUY UNDER $50:
Napa has two main shopping areas on Washington Street in Yountville, and the other on Main Street in St. Helena. While the shopping may not be the most unique, (you will find a lot of brands you can find anywhere) if you look closely at some of the art galleries, especially on Washington Street, you will find jewelry from some northern California designers. We found Holly Yashi earrings to be totally affordable ranging from $14-$30 at North Bay Galleries. And if you are feeling the need to splurge and you want to dress like the “locals” check out Taye and Grace. She has an array of sundresses coupled with island jewelry to give you the true Napa flair. Either item will be easy to pack in your carry on! |
 |
|
 |
|
WINE AND WARDROBE:
I’d rather spend my money on buying fabulous wines than tasting it! And a lot of fantastic vineyards seem to agree!
First up, V. Sattuti
V. Sattuti is probably the most affordable of all the vineyards. You can print a free tasting coupon online at wine.com or econcierge.com or you can pay just $5.00 to taste. Their Sauvignon Blanc is light, amazing and only $18.75 a bottle. Think: Flip flops, cut off shorts, and gabbing with the gals. The vineyard also makes its own Mozzarella and has free cheese tasting to boot! The deli is amazing and the only one of its kind in Napa. Perfect for a picnic and pinot! |
 |
|
 |
|
Cakebread:
We couldn’t find any coupons for Cakebread online, however, their $10 tasting includes a very intimate tour of the whole location. Tasting groups are never more than 8 people, so you are sure to get the attention you need unlike some of the other cattle call type tasting rooms. Their Rubaiyat Merlot blend is sure to impress a new first date without looking like you’re trying too hard. Think:, a pair of Target jeans topped off with a fire engine red Jimmy Choo. The bottle will run you $32.00 and has an expert from Edward Fitzgerald’s translation of the poem Rubiayat... VERY SWANKY! |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
Merryvale
Merryvale is fantastic because it is one of the few wineries open past 5pm. You can taste until 6:30pm and then pop next store to Trevigne for dinner where there is no corkage fee for wines bought from the estate. You can find coupons online for Merryvale tastings at winecountry.com. |
 |
|
Artesa
We almost didn’t make it to Artesa due to time constraints, but if we hadn’t stopped we would have been sorely missing out! Not only are the wines consistently fabulous, the location is breathtaking and literally looks like a Tuscan country side. The history of the architecture in itself is worth the trip! The wine tour takes you through the base of the buildings pyramid structure where Gregorian chants play as a blessing over the wine. The vineyard is owned by Spaniards so of course their Tempranillo wine is the most popular bottle. Costing only $25.00, you will want to throw on your brightest red lipstick, curl your hair, and dance the Flemenco the minute you crack open the bottle. Looking for a reason to wear your little black dress and pearls? Try one of their Pinots! Starting at $25.00 with Carneros, their pinot’s are sure to make you feel pretty! Two for the one tasting coupons are available at winecountry.com as well as winetasting.com. Not to mention they offer 33% discount to people in the restaurant or wine industry! Artesa definitely understands the Budgenista! |
 |
|
|
ADDITIONAL FREE TASTING LOCATIONS: |
|
-FOLIO (located down the street from Artesa and
free with online coupon)
-BURGESS
-CARTILEDGE AND BROWN |
 |
|
NO CORKAGE FEE RESTAURANTS:
http://www.gofishrestaurant.net/
http://www.cindysbackstreetkitchen.com/
http://www.jolerestaurant.com/
http://www.silveradobrewingcompany.com/
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/6/766576/restaurant/Napa/Rutherford-Grill-Rutherford |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Congratulations! You have finally decided you are tired of feeling negative about your closet!
|
|
This is an exciting time. I promise when you are done you will run to your closet in the morning instead of wince at the thought of trying to get dressed. And the best part is on this cleanse, you don’t
have to guzzle cayenne pepper drinks or eat mud! |
 |
|
Whether you think your closet is overstuffed, lacking a budget, or just plain drab, this 30 Day Detox will start you on the right path.... it will help you release your Closet Demons of the past and welcome new opportunities for you to learn how to celebrate your INNER DIVA even in a recession! I promise ladies, your closet is the key to your future, so start treating it like the ROCK STAR you are inside! |
 |
|
There are 4 phases to the 30 Day Closet Cleanse.
|
 |
Phase #1 is the Prep Phase: This is the building block for your closet. During this phase you are not allowed to purchase anything new. You are supposed to focus on learning more about yourself through the closet YOU CHOSE in your life right now. |
|
Phase #2 is the Detox Phase: During this phase you “cleanse” your closet of its’ demons. You learn to release the past and address all the things you may have been hiding in your closet. |
 |
 |
Phase #3 is the Rebuilding Phase: Now that you have learned so much about your past habits and choices you can take the time to build a closet that is healthy. In this phase you will use the new tools you learned to make your closet a positive reflection of who you are. And you will spend time meditating on the fact you need to glow from the inside out! |
Phase #4 is Time to Play: In this phase you will learn how to plan for the future and turn your present closet into a playground. By learning how to mix and match basic pieces
you can feel and look Red Carpet Ready EVERYDAY!!!
Check back next Tuesday for Phase #1 of the Closet Cleanse!
KK |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Weekend Closet Cleanse!
We all know that cleansing and detox diets are the latest fads :). Whether it is a cabbage, lemon, or cayenne pepper, the end goal is to rid your system of the toxins that are slowing you down. Well guess what? Your closet can be poisoned too! And when your closet is toxic, the end result is the same... you feel sluggish and unmotivated to get dressed in the morning. Sometimes you can’t even stand the sight of your own closet! This can bleed into everything from your personal life, to your work. How you feel about your closet is a reflection of how you feel about yourself! |
 |
|
This cleanse has 3 phases in 3 days!
Phase #1 The Prep Phase: Uncloset Your Karma!
You can discover more about yourself by just browsing your closet.
1.) What type of hanger are you? Wooden, wire, plastic, or mixed? To learn more read last weeks blog, “How Are You Hanging?” |
|
 |
|
|
2.) What type of closet do you have? Starving, Stuffed, Confused, Cluttered, or Dysfunctional? |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
|
Phase #2 The Detox Phase: Filtering the Phantoms
of Your Closet
1.) Pull everything you own out of the closet. Yes, Everything! |
|
2.) Anything that has not been worn in the last 3 years goes in a separate pile.
3.) You are only allowed to keep 1/3 of that pile.
-When we hold onto sizes or styles of the past, we are only reinforcing negative thoughts.
4.) A healthy closet means you are able to wear 70% of your closet. Most importantly, you should WANT to wear your clothes. |
|
 |
Phase #3 Rebuilding Phase:
1.) Refuel your closet. Stock your closet with things you like to wear.
-If your budget is already busting - “phone a friend”. Clothing swap parties are a great way to do this. Throw a party with your gal pals where everyone brings items from their closet and you swap. |
|
2.) Re-Sell! There are tons of ways to make money off your old clothes whether it is EBay, or consignment stores in your area.
3.) Resuscitate: Time to give some CPR to your closet.
You need to find ways to recycle and reuse everything you decided
to keep.
4.) Reorganize: Treat your closet like your own personal store.
-Your closet should be a place where you can shop, and the merchandise makes you feel marvelous! Section your closet by how you feel, not what color your wear.
|
 |
 |
|
|
-I have an “I feel bloated section”. All of my wraps and shrugs live there so when I have a clothing emergency, I know exactly where to go to cheer me up. |
|
 |
-I also have a “hot mama” section. This section is for the mornings I wake up and I think, “Hey supermodel, you can wear that sleeveless dress.”
-And on the days when I don’t feel like Gisele, I have a section of clothes that makes me feel and look thinner.
|
|
-Make Your Accessories Accessible. Accessories are the key to feeling fabulous no matter what your budget.
-It’s a Jewelry Box, not a Litter Box! Don’t just throw things in there.
-Don’t let you necklace get tangled, or things get lost. Believe me, the single earring look is not back in style. |
 |
|
-Whether it be a scarf, or a fabulous necklace, accessories are the key
to recycling your wardrobe.
KK |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
“Beep, beep, beep,” it is 6:45am, Thursday, and your alarm is blaring in your ear. You roll out of bed and stumble to the shower. Then you realize you have nothing to eat for lunch.... you think, “Time to raid your secret stash of change!” As you are counting pennies it hits you! Tonight is your boss’s engagement party! CRAP!
A.) You have nothing to wear.
B.) You’re broke!
You run to the closet. There it is staring at you... the same BLACK BORING DRESS you wore to the Xmas party, your godchild’s christening, and your last interview. You are in a pickle and panicking! OH NO!!!
Ladies, we all know what it is like to have a Thursday morning ruined because you realize you have an unexpected festivity that weekend. Whether it be a baptism, a birthday, or a ball, I promise you can survive even the most dismal of Thursday’s and still be Fabulous Under $50.00. |
 |
 |
Back to Basics.... Since Coco Chanel, owning the “little black dress” has been a fashion rule. It should be simple and versatile and even though you may be bored with it, there is always a way to dress it up or down.
Now if you don’t own a black dress you’re comfortable in, fear not. Mossimo at Target has made buying a little black dress very affordable. For under $30 after taxes, you can pick up a comfortable cute black dress that will easily be transformed into an exciting ensemble. |
 |
 |
If you already own your basic black dress here is how you are going to make it Fab under $50.
LAYERS! LAYERS! AND MORE LAYERS! Raid your jewelry box and start combining necklaces that you never thought of layering before. Layering can be an elegant way to dress any outfit. Every woman should own one long strand necklace. Why? They are easy to mix and match. Turn your neckline into a work of art so no one is paying attention to that dress you already wore 10x’s this season.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
This long stranded black necklace at Target is only $14.99 and can be used as a
foundation for layering. |
 |
|
So now that all the attention is on your neckline, it is time to captivate people with a little drama on your eyes! I am a huge fan of fake eye lashes. What I have learned through my years of trying out every lash in the book is that the best kind... are the cheapest kind! MODLASH IS ONLY $4.99 and can be found at any drug store! |
 |
|
And once you get the hang of it, they are super easy to apply. The trick is to look down at a mirror while you are applying. And if you still are having trouble this blog:
http://www.ehow.com/video_4411059_lash-basics-fake-eyelashes-application.html has a whole how to video on how to apply lashes! |
|
And my new addiction is Loreal Shocking mascara! It can even be applied with false lashes! The wand is amazing and the mascara runs only about $11.99! But you don’t have to take my word for it. Check out what other ladies are saying!
http://www.chickadvisor.com/item/loreal-volume-shocking-mascara.html |
 |
 |
|
Finally, you need a hot pair of shoes! You know those yellow stiletto heels sitting in your closet you have been dying to wear? Well tonight is the night. And if you don’t own a pair of hot stand out shoes this is the part of Thirsty Thursday where you phone a friend and beg to borrow!!! Be bold! When it comes to shoes you are allowed to play, so be wild! Be a little
daring. I promise no one will notice the dress is from 2006 ;). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.) What type of hangers are most prevalent in your closet?
A.) Wire B.) Wooden C.) Plastic D.) Joy Manganos Huggable E.) Mixed |
 |
If you answered Wire Hangers you have one of two things going on. You either borrowed those hangers, or you go to the dry cleaners too much! If the wire hangers have been begged, borrowed or stolen... I highly suggest investing in different hangers when you can. Wire hangers bend easily and they create a mess in the closet. Plus, they usually allow you to over stuff your closet which isn’t good either. You need to be able to look at your clothes like you would a sale at Barneys.... (with glee and joy). |
|
Everything should look pretty, even if it only cost $5.99 :).
If your friendly dry cleaners is how you got those hangers, you need to cut back on dry cleaning. You can save money to add some fun gadgets to your closet! Or better yet, some clothes! Dryel is only $10 - $15 for a starter kit and it can save you loads of dry cleaning cash in the long run!
|
 |
 |
If you answered Wooden. Wooden hangers take up a lot of space. In another blog I will go into more depth about the
personality analysis for your hangers, but for now we will |
|
just say, if you are on a budget and are in need of space... wooden is not the way to go. However, if you have the space to fill and the $, they will do. |
 |
If you answered Plastic. Well, whether you like it or not, plastic hangers are the |
|
most financially sound choice. They are cheap. You can easily buy matching colors and they take up less room than a wooden hanger.
However, there are different grades of plastic hangers....
spend the extra 10 cents and buy the hangers that last longer. And I don’t recommend using MOST store given hangers. |
 |
|
They tend to break and not hang well. Another problem with plastic is when you mix and match colors... it can look a little chaotic and make you frustrated. Plus, some of them are fairly thick and can take up too much room. So look for the sturdiest yet thin hangers you can find.
|
|
If you answered Joy Mangano Huggable Hangers. If you already have these, you either read my blog, or already have a highly efficient start to your closet. The great thing about these hangers is they create a lot of space. The clothes are easy to see! Basically, they just make everything pretty. But if you are not ready to make a financial overhaul at this time, don’t fret! There are tons of things you can do to help your closet. |
 |
 |
If you answered Mixed. If you mix and match your hangers too much... you are living dangerously. It is really hard to keep your closet healthy if everything looks really messy. I know... I am a reformed MIXER! Plus, mixing hangers usually means your sending “mixed signals” about how you feel about your wardrobe. I think it is ok to have a slight variety in your closet, especially if you are budget conscious. But if you are going to mix and match, make sure different hangers go with different sections. |
|
For example, my closet is 80% Huggable Hangers and 20% plastic. All of my casual zippies or sweatshirts are on plastic. Plastic says casual to me... plus keeping the different hangers sectioned off really helps me maneuver my closet better. However, you should really try to narrow it down to one or two types of hangers if you can. |
So this week simply just reorganize your closet by hangers. Try to get rid of any wire hangers, plastic bags, or tissue you may have looming around. If you run out of hangers and you don’t have any dough, phone a friend! Someone has a few plastic hangers laying around I guarantee! And check back next week for phase two... HOW TO BECOME FRIENDS WITH YOUR CLOSET!
KK |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
So it is “Thirsty Thursday” ™ and you and your lady friends are hankering for a much-deserved drink. Unfortunately, your makeup bag looks crusty, your wardrobe drab and your wallet is…well, empty.
I remember in 6th grade my dad would give me my allowance for yard work on Sundays. It was usually about $10.00. I would rush to the mall with my sister and buy a bag of tacky fashion goodies. Jelly bracelet’s and pink lip-gloss was the bomb! I never broke my budget because it wasn’t an option. I just didn’t have any more money. So I would strategically tour the stores and chose as many items as possible for $10.00.
Now I know inflation has turned that $10.00 into $40.00, but the concept is the same. This week’s “Thirsty Thursday” is about going back to the basics.
First off all pull out your favourite pair of jeans. If they are dirty…I don’t care…throw them in the dryer. Come on girl’s were in a recession just pretend your in the dorm again it is fine!
Next, pull out your favourite go-to white or brown T-shirt, whatever makes you feel sexy and comfortable. Ok. It is time to go shopping!
First stop…Claire’s Boutique!
I know “cringe!” But girl’s accessories are the key to making an old wardrobe look new and when it comes to earrings Claire’s is a gold mind…and come on, how fun to reminisce being 12 again! These etched hoop earrings are fantastic and neutral. They have a bit of texture but they are not too cheesy and they are only. $6.50! http://www.claires.com/catalog.asp?rcid=31&scid=32
Next Stop….The Limited.
This multi-strand ethnic necklace is $29.50 and the vibrant color will pop on any basic T-shirt. Plus, The Limited has a buy 2 get one free sale! So if you and two girl friends go shopping, you could easily turn this $29.50 price into $19.50 before tax. http://www.thelimited.com/detail/multi-strand-ethnic-necklace/1482153 |
 |
 |
Now that you’re accessorized it is time to splash some color on your face! Let’s hit the local drugstore! Eye shadows are another great way to make an old outfit look new! Purples, greens, blues, and golds can make YOUR EYES and YOUR ACCESSORIES stand out when you are wearing a basic T-shirt. Revlon’s Illuminance Crème Shadows are fantastic! They are $6.49 at most drugstores and can be worn alone to pop color or for a more dramatic effect you can layer. http://www.revlon.com/ProductCatalog/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=51
Now, every girl needs movie star cheekbones. Since I travel a lot for closetkarma.com I have been blessed with working with some of the most talented makeup artists around. I was astonished when my make up artist and friend Mandy of, http://www.tmink.com in DC told me about this next fab find…IT IS WET AND WILD! Talk about 12 years old again! Wet and Wild’s Mega Glo is beyond amazing and cheap! You can obtain a dramatic bronze from it or subtle blush if you like and it is $3.99! Don’t just take my word for it. Check out one of my favourite beauty-blogs, Bella Sugar, if you don’t believe me! http://www.bellasugar.com/1835716 |
 |
 |
| Finally, finish your outfit off with a fantastic pair of shoes or a bright color cardigan. If you don’t have either in your closet it is time to phone a friend! This outfit is so basic yet sexy I guarantee any of your gal pals will have something you can shop in their closet for. Plus ladies, I don’t have to remind you we are on a budget, so I highly recommend a little “pre-partying” at one of your houses while you get ready. It will save you cash both on your outfit and your evening’s bar tab! |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
People always ask me, “How do I know someone’s closet is unhealthy before I see it?” Well there are usually a few clues...
#1 - When I tell them what I do for a living their eye’s widen with terror and they usually murmur, “Oh I need good closet karma.”
#2 They usually are at some sort of cross roads in their live...
|
 |
 |
Maybe they are stuck in the past... dwelling over an old boyfriend...
an old job, or an old size 4 pair of pants from high school.
|
 |
|
Maybe they are feeling like their life is in chaos... nothing is
going right... everything is disorganized and they feel smothered and helpless. I could list on and on... but here is the deal... ONCE AGAIN LADIES, your closet is a reflection of you and your life. If it is a little muddled or chaotic I am willing to bet so is your life. If it is looking a little empty... I bet you have an overwhelming feeling something may be missing, or you are afraid of commitment.
|
Clothes are a message to the rest of the world about how you feel about yourself. We do not live in a society where we romp naked (FYI I am very grateful for this). So what we put over our bodies is a reflection of how we see ourselves and sometimes our vision can be blurry. So how do you start seeing clearly? Start with your CLOSET and YOU.
-Dressing yourself is important. Don’t rush yourself in the morning.... take your time. Making sure your closet is accessible is important. |
 |
 |
If you can not see what you are working with, you can not dress yourself properly... clutter or mess will make you frustrated in the morning and give you a feeling of wanting to give up... and so will holding onto old sizes that do not fit!
-Having a happy closet is important: People are happy when they have choices in life, and guess what, the same goes for your closet. Make sure you are stocking your closet with things you like to wear, feel comfortable wearing, and a reflection of who you are. If money is tight right now, reach out to a friend who has your same style and shape. |
Dont' be afraid to borrow and swap with others. It can give you a sense of a whole new wardrobe!
Getting a clear vision of yourself and who you are through your wardrobe is the first step to a Healthy Closet and a Healthy You!
KK |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
So I was jaunting off to a weekend in the BIG EASY with my lady friends to celebrate my BF from college’s upcoming nuptials. And I was giddy just thinking about my fashion options... I could be Sexy Bourbon Street... |
|
 |
Swanky Southern Gal, or a Mint Julep drinking Minx! The possibilities were endless... until Southwest sucked the joy right out of me by informing me due to the way my connecting plane tickets were purchased I could only bring a carry on. (GASP!!!) “A carry on?” I fly Southwest because I can lug TWO suitcases for free. |
 |
|
|
Panicked I tore through my closet... what dresses could match what shoes? (Don’t forget ladies I got that hot little yellow number with my hubby shopping last weekend and she had to come with!) After hours of preparation (yes I have an issue) I was ready to pack when, “ding” my Crackberry buzzed... It was an email from my girlfriend Carolyn, “Ladies remember Bourbon Street can get messy
so please bring comfortable and preferably closed toed shoes when packing.” |
|
|
I thought,
“OH NO! Closed toed and comfortable?! This changes everything!”
|
 |
|
 |
Perplexed I headed back to my closet and started re-shuffling everything. My neighbor and good friend Tess came over to eyeball my dilemma. I asked her what she thought of my choices. Chipper she said, “they are fantastic!” I was beaming with pride then she finished the sentence with, “You pack like JLO... costume changes day to evening.” OUCH! That hurt... but she had a point, I was going to have to downsize. |
|
 |
|
|
So I started rethinking... instead of 6 outfits, how could I make three outfits into six? Well one of my dresses had a cute jacket. That cute jacket could look great with a jean skirt and a different necklace... I continued down the list until everything fit into one neat carry on bag. So the process got me thinking... how could I apply this to my crunched wallet?
|
 |
|
 |
Excited I ran to my closet and created a new section. This section would be the: Multi Purpose Section. It would help me find new outfits in old clothes but it would also help me when I have the urge to shop to look for things that could enhance what I already possessed... This goes beyond accessories ladies... I guarantee your closet is a treasure, and the moral of this story is, when we are FORCED to improvise we do it. We have no choice. And in an economy such as this, we are all forced to IMPROVISE so have fun with it. See it as a challenge. Spend this weekend digging
through your closet and finding new ways to pair old looks. Create a small section where very versatile pieces can live... That way when you are “tired” of looking at the same old black dress or gray pant suite, you can find a way
to teach an old dog a new trick!
KK |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This weekend I went shopping. Before I walked out the door I assessed my situation...
1.) What do I want?
Answer: A bunch of sundresses for my BF’s bachelorette party next weekend, a new pair of heels, a new summer party dress, and a great outfit to wear to my friend’s bridal shower.
2.) What do I need? |
 |
Answer: One dress that can be worn to a shower, work, and a few graduations I have this summer. And... one dress that I can wear in NOLA and be my “go to party dress” for the rest of the summer.
3.) What can I afford?
Answer: ONE dress and MAYBE a pair of shoes (because I had a gift certificate). |
 |
I stayed true to my Recessionista teachings and was focused.... I parked by the one store I had a gift certificate to. I made sure to go on Saturday because they were having a sale -15% off all dresses. The only snafu in my plan, was that I was jam packed with events that day, AND my husband was going to have to go with me. Now this could go either way.... remember, my husband is the same man who wore Birkenstocks up until 2 years ago. His closet is the size of my shoe area. And he believes every time he gets a new piece of clothing, he should give away an old piece. |
However, on the other hand, my husband has worked in the fashion industry for years. He deals with all of our manufacturing and business sales. So he has a keen eye for quality products, and has a totally different take on fashion than I do. So we walked into the store and both of us quickly started grabbing ideas. Sometimes I would say, “Uh, no way...” and sometimes he would say, “Put that back!”. In the end, we each had our own pile and I tottered into the dressing room with him in toe.
When we stepped behind the curtain, I quickly scanned the room... GASP! There was no mirror! It was outside! First of all, I think this should be illegal. Especially during prom week.
|
Yes girls, the dressing room was packed with 16 and 17-year-old cheerleaders trying on dresses they may want to wear to prom. Talk about a buzz kill!
After counting to ten, I looked at my husband and said, “You have
to be my mirror. If I wouldn’t leave the house in the outfit, don’t let
me walk outside. Our marriage depends on this!” He laughed and
we agreed.
I have to say, he did a great job. Some things I went to the mirror with, and let’s just say... some things I did not. As I tore through the pile, Brian and I quickly saw a trend. The dresses we both liked on the store floor worked best. We settled on two dresses. One that worked for my graduations and showers, and one that was vava-voom fun that could be my go to dress for the summer. |
 |
 |
We found a pair of shoes that not only matched both dresses, but most of my wardrobe as well! Then we headed to the register.
|
|
When the numbers rung up, I was over budget. Feeling defeated,
I was ready to throw in the towel when my husband found a snag in
one of the dresses. He whispered, “I can fix this.” Since they did not have another one in the back, the store offered me an additional 15% off... BINGO!!! I was on budget and set for summer. |
 |
|
So this whole ordeal got me thinking about the buddy system. Shopping with someone who really knows you is very smart. They can help you stay on budget. They can help you stay on schedule. |
They see things objectively, so they’re not afraid to ask for a discount, or find a snag, or even tell you, “Sorry, you don’t need a 7th pair of jeans.” And most importantly, while your styles may be different, when you do find something you both agree upon, it probably means that that outfit is the one EVERYONE will be talking about :).
ACTIVITY THIS WEEK: IF YOU DECIDE TO GO SHOPPING, TRY THE BUDDY SYSTEM. WHEN YOU GET HOME MAKE A NOTE, HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK YOU SAVED?
KK |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
