During my years of middle school I used to dread going shopping! However after I learned a few tricks from my Image Consultant mom I have grown to enjoy shopping and I have grown to be a . . . great shopper and a savvy shopper as well! My motto has become
“Look like a million without spending one!”
Here are a few tips I would like to share with you!
Shopping can be a bewildering experience, there are dozen of different decisions to make and little time in which to make them, however, after you read this article, you will learn just as I have
how to make shopping fun,
how to be a savvy shopper and
how to buy with a goal in mind.
By following these tips, little by little, your wardrobe will achieve an image that will be consistent to the message you want to send to the world (please visit again to read my next blog about Personality), and you will also learn to buy only what you need.
1. Window Shop. Before you actually go out to spend your money; spend a little time window shopping and looking through fashion magazines and newspaper ads. This will give you an idea of what’s available and how to incorporate some of the new styles and colors into what you currently own.
2. Make a list of what you need and include notes to remind yourself of details (sweater must go with purple pants and orange skirt). Or a belt to get more “mileage” from that white shirt…etc.
3. Inventory. Take stock of the items in your closet that you plan to keep. Your new purchases should work with these. If you’re buying an item to go specifically with something you already have, bring it along with you. That way you’ll be sure it’s right. Also bring the kind of shoes you’ll be wearing. It’s hard to judge if an item is flattering without the right shoes and if you shop for prom dress or school dance dresses is it hard to judge if you are wearing your favorite sneakers.
4. Quality. When you buy major items such as coats, jackets, suits and raincoats, invest in quality merchandise. Finer fabrics and good styling last longer and look better. Spend less on a few trendy items to update your look such as tights, hats, and costume jewelry because these may go out of fashion next season and it won’t be a great loss to buy another set later.
5. Don’t match color. It can be frustrating trying to match a color exactly. Dyes differ even from the same manufacturer. Combine your colors tonally; that is, go a shade or two lighter or darker or choose a contrasting color.
6. Sizes. Can be very disappointing if you do not try on something and you make a decision to buy an item, just because you think you know your size. Each manufacturer has a different sizing.
7. Avoid alterations. If possible, avoid purchases that need extensive alterations. Alterations are expensive and they usually affect the basic style of the garment. Slight alterations such as hems, shortening of sleeves and nipping in of waistbands; usually pose no problem.
8. Fabric Care. Most garments have a label and hang tag that tell what the fabric is made of and how to care for it. Read them carefully. It’s a good idea to know the symbols of the international cleaning code. Remember that if a garment must be dry-cleaned, it can become a significant added expense, especially if you expect to wear it frequently.
9. Check Quality. Unless marked “as-is,” you’re entitled to a perfect garment. Before you pay for your selection, make sure it has all its buttons (sewn securely), belts, or other accessories. Check that the zipper slides smoothly, and that hooks and eyes are all intact. Seams and hems should be in perfect condition.
10. Ask about the store’s return or exchange policy. If you can’t get a cash refund, or worse, if the sale is final, be especially sure you’re making the right choice. Always keep your receipt in case you have a complaint.
11. Choose a store and make it your favorite . We all know the feel of stumbling around a huge department store. Our eyes get pulled into dozen directions by many floors and many exciting floor displays. Soon we forget what we really need to buy. Instead, if we know the store, we can go directly to the floor that offers the item we are shopping for, we will save time and money and we will feel victorious for the ‘conquest’ we end up bringing home!!
12. Consider YOU. When buying a new garment, consider how it will suit YOU: will it flatter your Body Type?…, Will it enhance your Skin Coloring? Will it exude your true Personality Type???. Remember.. even if an item is a great buy because is on sale, if it will not suit YOU, it will not be a great buy after all!!!
13 Be Sure. Finally buy an item, only if it passes the test of this checklist; if you have really fallen in love with it, if you really need it, and if it really suits you. If you are not sure you probably do not really need it or you don’t really like it. It is easier to put something on hold than buying and then returning it . It will save you time and money in gas.
La Fashionista Italiana
Look like a million without spending one
Secrets to make friends at school
As I shared with you in my previous blog, my family moved a lot and as a result, I had to walk alone, the long school’s hallways a lot. But after being inspired by Sandy in the movie Grease, I used SLUMBER PARTIES to make friends right away. Just like Sandy after I would hook up with at least one friendly face, I reversed the role and instead of waiting to be invited I would ask that girl to come to my house and bring 3-4 of her friends for a “beauty night out slumber party” at my house. IT WORKED LIKE MAGIC!
They would love it, because they would have a girl's night out and I would become known by the other girls the day after!!!
Everyone would brag to each other as to “how much fun" they had at my house, "about the gifts they had received" and "about the beauty tips they had learned". I would become famous just for having a good time……how can anybody beat that??? ….It was a win- win situation for everyone.
On my sophomore year, I used this technique again, plus another one, (I will be sharing with you now) to make the dream of having a big bash for my 16th birthday party come true. My dream was to have a D. J., techno-dance music, food and at least 100 kids to attend it.
Because I was going to turn 16 in April; I used the whole year to plan my strategy and for enlarging my network of friends. So, I used my old method of networking: SLUMBER PARTIES, PLUS I combined it with the joining of clubs and afternoon activities to enlarge the groups of friends. By signing up with lots of afternoon activities and clubs I was able to get into different types of cliques. One week it would be the girls from my yearbook class, another week it would be a group from the drama class, others times would be the girls from my Italian club.
At each slumber party I would also ask to have each of them bring their best friend as well. By the time I invited the new friends (met from joining the new activities) plus the current ones I had and the new ones the brought, I ended up knowing so many people that my list tipped to 120 girls for the B-Day!!!! Great, it worked again. The day of my party I had a great turn out!! MORE than eighty kids attended. I even had seniors guys attending. IT WAS AWESOME!!!!
After the party was over, I also had a dozen of close BFF come to my house for a “FINALE Slumber Party” Feast.
We hardly got any sleep, but the fun continued on, with more food and laughter we rewinded the event by watching the video clip over and over. I am now left with great memories and new found friendships that will last for many years to come!!!
Here, I have prepared a list of things to consider and to have handy when planning your "slumber birthday party", so that you too, can make it a big success!
Things To Do:
Select the date and make the guest list.
Send out invitation.
Plan the evening menu. Pizza, popcorn, snacks, cookies and lots of fun drinks such as: lemonade or Ice Tea
Breakfast menu. Remember, your friends are staying for the morning. In the morning treat your friends to a bountiful breakfast. Have bagels, cream cheese and jam, fresh fruit, Orange juice & milk, mini-muffins, cereal, teas, and pop-tarts.
Rent at least two good movies. My favorite one of course is always Grease together with the any new release too.
Have music available and plan an area where all of you can dance.
Have hand cream and manicure products available. Also, pedicure sets, body lotions and many shades of nail colors.
Party favors:
If you really want to impress your friends or if your slumber party is also a birthday party; you may want to think about party favors.
For younger girls: nail set, pedicure sets, fuzzy notebooks and pen sets. Fuzzy Photo Frames, Keychains, mini-gift-sets of pedicures or manicure are ideal. For older teens: MP players covers, IP holders, jewelry sets, Make-up bags and even Pijama sets.
PARTY THEME SUGGESTIONS:
* Facials Beauty Theme - Manicure Theme - Pedicure Theme - Craft Theme
Here are some ideas for a craft theme.
Make a CD BOX. Have everyone bring an empty shoe box. Have colorful paper and or brown paper by the roll available. Have glittered paint, studs, rhinestones, and other sparkling items. Have decoupage glue, old magazines and a few pairs of scissors available. Cover the box with any paper of their choice, cut out many images from the magazines and apply images on top by using decoupage glue. Finally decorate with studs and anything else available . Let dry.
Make ginger body scrub.
Have brown sugar, fine sea salt, almond oil, cinnamon and pumpkin spices available. Have everyone bring their favorite little jar. Have ribbons and cute stickers handy too.
Mix the same amount of sugar mixed with sea salt, then mix tin the oil and the spices together and put in each jar. Tie a cute ribbon and decorate with fancy stickers.
Make a BFF scrapbook
You need: brown bag, hole puncher, patterned paper, stickers, ribbon, scissors, staples and glue.
Fold the bag in half, creating a square. Punch two holes,
String ribbons and start creating your very “own” masterpiece. Enjoy it!…..
They would love it, because they would have a girl's night out and I would become known by the other girls the day after!!!
Everyone would brag to each other as to “how much fun" they had at my house, "about the gifts they had received" and "about the beauty tips they had learned". I would become famous just for having a good time……how can anybody beat that??? ….It was a win- win situation for everyone.
On my sophomore year, I used this technique again, plus another one, (I will be sharing with you now) to make the dream of having a big bash for my 16th birthday party come true. My dream was to have a D. J., techno-dance music, food and at least 100 kids to attend it.
Because I was going to turn 16 in April; I used the whole year to plan my strategy and for enlarging my network of friends. So, I used my old method of networking: SLUMBER PARTIES, PLUS I combined it with the joining of clubs and afternoon activities to enlarge the groups of friends. By signing up with lots of afternoon activities and clubs I was able to get into different types of cliques. One week it would be the girls from my yearbook class, another week it would be a group from the drama class, others times would be the girls from my Italian club.
At each slumber party I would also ask to have each of them bring their best friend as well. By the time I invited the new friends (met from joining the new activities) plus the current ones I had and the new ones the brought, I ended up knowing so many people that my list tipped to 120 girls for the B-Day!!!! Great, it worked again. The day of my party I had a great turn out!! MORE than eighty kids attended. I even had seniors guys attending. IT WAS AWESOME!!!!
After the party was over, I also had a dozen of close BFF come to my house for a “FINALE Slumber Party” Feast.
We hardly got any sleep, but the fun continued on, with more food and laughter we rewinded the event by watching the video clip over and over. I am now left with great memories and new found friendships that will last for many years to come!!!
Here, I have prepared a list of things to consider and to have handy when planning your "slumber birthday party", so that you too, can make it a big success!
Things To Do:
Select the date and make the guest list.
Send out invitation.
Plan the evening menu. Pizza, popcorn, snacks, cookies and lots of fun drinks such as: lemonade or Ice Tea
Breakfast menu. Remember, your friends are staying for the morning. In the morning treat your friends to a bountiful breakfast. Have bagels, cream cheese and jam, fresh fruit, Orange juice & milk, mini-muffins, cereal, teas, and pop-tarts.
Rent at least two good movies. My favorite one of course is always Grease together with the any new release too.
Have music available and plan an area where all of you can dance.
Have hand cream and manicure products available. Also, pedicure sets, body lotions and many shades of nail colors.
Party favors:
If you really want to impress your friends or if your slumber party is also a birthday party; you may want to think about party favors.
For younger girls: nail set, pedicure sets, fuzzy notebooks and pen sets. Fuzzy Photo Frames, Keychains, mini-gift-sets of pedicures or manicure are ideal. For older teens: MP players covers, IP holders, jewelry sets, Make-up bags and even Pijama sets.
PARTY THEME SUGGESTIONS:
* Facials Beauty Theme - Manicure Theme - Pedicure Theme - Craft Theme
Here are some ideas for a craft theme.
Make a CD BOX. Have everyone bring an empty shoe box. Have colorful paper and or brown paper by the roll available. Have glittered paint, studs, rhinestones, and other sparkling items. Have decoupage glue, old magazines and a few pairs of scissors available. Cover the box with any paper of their choice, cut out many images from the magazines and apply images on top by using decoupage glue. Finally decorate with studs and anything else available . Let dry.
Make ginger body scrub.
Have brown sugar, fine sea salt, almond oil, cinnamon and pumpkin spices available. Have everyone bring their favorite little jar. Have ribbons and cute stickers handy too.
Mix the same amount of sugar mixed with sea salt, then mix tin the oil and the spices together and put in each jar. Tie a cute ribbon and decorate with fancy stickers.
Make a BFF scrapbook
You need: brown bag, hole puncher, patterned paper, stickers, ribbon, scissors, staples and glue.
Fold the bag in half, creating a square. Punch two holes,
String ribbons and start creating your very “own” masterpiece. Enjoy it!…..
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