Jenny

Today, I have an unusual clothing tip.  I heard about this website called Shop It Up Chic.  The concept for this website is: if you see that outfit or dress that you absolutely cannot live without,  and you absolutely cannot afford to buy right now, why buy?  Why not rent it for a short time instead?  Here is how it works.  Shop It Up Chic has three levels of membership:

1. I Have to Have It.  At this level, this item is to die for and you must have it immediately.  Well, you can - for a small fee of $39.99 you can have that gorgeous little Donna Morgan black dress for as long as 20 days, and you can also get three other great outfits to go along with it as well.
   
   
2. I Need It.  At this membership level, you can get the dress that you want to wear to that special occasion but was thinking of not buying because finances were a bit tight.  Well, for $29.99 you can look absolutely fabulous and feel no pain in your wallet.  Did I mention that you can keep it for 15 days and get two other pieces as well, all for the same price.
   
   
3. I Want It.  This membership level allows you to just indulge yourself.  Ladies, for $19.99 you can get that outfit just because you know you will look good in it. So go ahead have some fun, oh and by the way, you can pair it up with two other pieces as well, and you get to have them all for up to 10 days. 

Ladies, wow! There is no contract binding you to a certain number of months, so you have great flexibility in how you make use of your membership.  In addition to getting to wear the outfit you want at a great price, the girls at Shop It Up Chic have made it easy for you to ship your items back to them at no cost, and you also don’t have to worry about dry cleaning the items before returning them.  Shop It Up Chic will take care of dry cleaning all returned garments.  So what are you waiting for? You can have that great look for less, check out Shop It Up Chic.

Jenny

Ladies, we got the scoop from the Budget Fashionista on the new Jimmy Choo’s at H & M!

Yes, you know what compliments that hot, tantalizing dress that you have been saving for that special occasion.  Well, it is going to be arriving this Fall, November 14th, to be exact.  So mark your calendars, and make sure you are among the first to get to the nearest H & M to get your Jimmy’s on!

Photo from Budget Fashionista

Jenny

For many of us, there are days when we just want our hair style to set the tone for the day.  For those special hair days, when you want that special look, here are 5 looks that are perfectly appropriate for the office.

1. The Half Up, Half Down Look: With this look you will appear confident while putting people around you at ease.
   
2. The French Roll: You appear serious and ready to get down to business, but at the same time approachable.
   
3. The Tousled Up Do: This look conveys that you are in a happy go-lucky mood.
   
4. The Bob: With this look you convey quiet authority.
   
5. The Ponytail: This is a great look for Casual Fridays.

To see other work-appropriate hair dos, visit YourBeautySpot.ninemsn.com

Donna

We all know times have been tough lately. It’s been said our disposable income is close to non-existent and retail sales are plummeting. During this harsh economic period we’ve all had to thin things out a bit. But, don’t fret.  Here is a list of how you can maintain your fashionable self while being wardrobe cost smart. 

1. Organize Your Closet
How many times have you said “I don’t have anything to wear?” Not true. You DO have stuff to wear, you just can’t see any of it because it’s scattered everywhere. Every season, make a point to clean out and rearrange your closet. All of your spring and summer wear (sandals, shorts, dresses, etc.) should be moved to the back of your closet to make room for your sweaters, boots, jackets, and the like. And please, if you haven’t worn anything in the past two years, just get rid of it. You’re never going to wear it again—don’t act like you are. Donate those goods to charity. Once all of your stuff is neatly organized, you’ll have a better idea of what you have.

2. Be a Basic Beauty
Wardrobe basics like a black pencil skirt, crisp white blouse, nice cardigan and dark denim jeans go a very long way. You can wear them extensively and switch up their look by adding accessories or layering them with other pieces. Sure, trendy pieces are always fun and you should have a few of those too but not before you have the basics in your closet. They’ll get your through the entire season in fine form.

3. Say No to Dry Cleaning
I don’t know about you but I spend a ton of money just getting my things professionally cleaned. And trust me, those pieces have spent a lot of time in the closet lately waiting for their dry cleaner trip that has yet to come. Check out the care label before you make your purchase. If it says “dry clean only” put it back on the rack and walk away. You can easily find clothing that can be cared for at home. The money you’ll save in the end will be considerable. Plus, you won’t have to wait so long in between wears.

4. Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize
Nothing can make, break or change a look than accessories. Whenever I’m low in the dough, I take a trip to my local Target and go accessory crazy. Lo and behold, my wardrobe has suddenly been given a new life at a very reasonable cost. Pair your white blouse with some funky earrings or a cool necklace and I guarantee it’ll freshen your look every time. 

5. Need v. Want
There’s a very thin line between needing something and just plain wanting it. Yeah, I’d love to snag a pair of chocolate brown boots…but do I really need them? No. Only purchase what you need. Seriously. And don’t talk yourself into believing you need it when you really just want it. Also, don’t buy anything just because it’s on sale. That’s not a valid reason to get it. How many times have you gotten stuff because it was a good deal just to see it end up in your closet, unworn, with the tags still on? Point made.

You can cut back on your costs without cutting back on your look. Be smart, take charge and get going!

Jenny

As professionals we are required to dress appropriately for work.  However, I believe that sometimes we tend to overlook one important part of our wardrobe – our shoes. 

Yes ladies, as you know, shoes finish the look.  Your shoes add that final finishing touch to that look that you have strived to create.  Your shoes help to punctuate your look.  Now, you don’t have to go overboard and have a separate pair of shoes for each outfit.  It is perfectly fine to pair several different outfits with the same shoes, as long as those shoes will complement the different outfits.

Along with helping to creating the right look, shoes that are taken care of, will go a long way in helping you to stretch your dollars in these tough economic times.  For instance, you should always check your heels to make sure that those are not worn down to the nub.  Worn heels can be made to look like new by simply adding “taps” at the end of the heels. You should also polish those shoes that need polishing, and regularly check for and remove scuff marks. 

Finally, make sure that the shoes that you choose to work in are comfortable shoes.  Looking good is one thing, but if your shoes are going to cause you discomfort while at work, you might want to reconsider before wearing those shoes to work.  However, I am confident that you can find both great looking and comfortable shoes to help complete your look.