Saturday, June 13, 2009
It's a Recession...damn
Clothes are tough though. You cannot buy just because it's on sale. You need to be sure the items fit in your waredrobe. Now some t-shirts can be an exception. T-shirts are t-shirts when it comes to the ones I workout in, hang around the house in, and sleep in. I can always use a few new ones because it's an item that doesn't last me long. After numerous trips outside to garden, clean the car, clean the house, or sweat through a workout they have done their duty. They aren't an amazing find for me. Why would I spend a considerable amount of money on them? It makes more sense for me to snag a buggy full of them when Target discounts them to a couple dollars and change. A t-shirt bulk buy and a new blouse, dress, pair of pants or jeans, or skirt are completely different shopping adventures. Those key items are as important to shop for discounted as if you are shopping current season's Versace. Don't waste your money on a pile of crap. Shop like it's money worked hard for that's to be well spent. Come on it's a recession...damn!
Now some places are worth diving in the heap, but some aren't. My major two that will always have me perusing their sale sections are The Gap and Old Navy. Everything in those stores goes on sale eventually. I'm not big on Banana Republic, but it could be the same. (Disclaimer: I think Banana Republic has beautiful clothing, but it doesn't fit really my life, currently. I think The Gap really defines my personal style, but Old Navy typically has such fun pieces and discounted basics.) The other major draw to these stores is that you have 14 days to get a price adjustment after you buy any item. So you can get any item on sale for around half off, typically within about 30 days of first seeing it in the store, then hold your receipt and go back on your next shopping trip, and get even more money back to invest in your new, tried on and perfectly fitting, items.
Another of the best finds at higher end discount stores is jewelry, second only to clothes. So often people don't consider purchasing jewelry at Target, Wal-Mart, KMart, etc. Because of this, great pieces of jewelry end up quickly going to the clearance section. I love this. Often I want to buy an odd piece of jewlery to match that one particular outfit to go to that one particular event to impress everyone in that one particular crowd. I can't always run to the local jeweler, but I can run to a discount store (Target's my fav!). I can buy a pair of $2 earrings and a $3 necklace without feeling bad. I can figure out how to wear it with other things later, revamp it, or store it away for the next outing. And just like Glad storage, if I lose it I can get over it. So go ahead future party girl and do all the stupid stuff you want because if you come home missing an earring oh well. Toss the other, or better yet break it up into something better. Then wear it to the next shindig as a brooch, pendant, or charm!
I think these rules apply across many a discount retailers shopping sections. For instance, it's the same thing with household decorating items. I like to accessorize my place with the same creativity as I accessorize an outfit, but $40 for a pillow is not my thing. Instead I avoid the temptation of the full price isles and hit the clearance section. I end up with beautiful half priced, or more off, pillows, towels, sheets, and bed and bath odds and ends. All of this without feeling like I missed out on something or impulse buying.
It's even a good idea to start in the sale section. You'll probably finish in the same place.
The MAXI Dress
You see I am a curvy girl. I have curves I don't always appreciate, but I love a dress. I really love a long dress, if I can find a way to work it on my short body. This style phenomenon has afforded me that. It may have a halter top, tube top, spaghetti straps, or other design, but I can make it work right for me.
The most alluring part to me though is how forgiving it is and easily accessorized. I just went on a Maxi dress shopping spree. I purchased a fuchsia ruffle top dress, a spaghetti strap purple dress, and a black tube dress. I immediately focused on all the things these dresses would accentuate that I would have a problem with. I don't love my arms or shoulders, but that's an easy fix. The fuchsia dress masks some of my shoulder and arm issues with it's neckline ruffle. Because of that I only have to focus on appropriateness of jewelry for the venue I'm wearing the dress to. The purple dress is a quick and easy outfit, with a elbow sleeve jacket and a white tank. Then my stunning basic black dress looks beautiful with my cropped white denim jacket. I'm enjoying the scarf trend, but as cute as it may look with the Maxi dress I have to be careful in the Texas weather. Fashion is important, but comfort ranks higher on my style priority list. (100+ degrees could be deadly with a jacket and a scarf, even if I waited until the sun went down.)
Continuing the outfit by determining how to finish it is the real fun. Because I am a slave to jewelry, I choose things like a bold long stone necklace, multiple ribbon wrapped and metal bangle bracelets, and funky earrings. I adore jewelry like I adore sandals. I keep numerous options! Plus at a time when metallic's are all the rage, gladiators are cool again, and there's a thong sandal on every page of every magazine and website...why not?! Just avoid the standard foam flip flop, they look effortless in a bad way. And, I swear walking a day in those germy things makes my feet look dirty...I'm just saying.
Seriously, there are IMPORTANT things to remember with the Maxi dress too.
1. For shorter fashionista's like myself, take care of the hem! It's as tacky as with jeans to see a filthy, drug around town, hem!
2. If needed don't forget your shaper. Again, I don't appreciate all my curves. As soon as I slip into the comfort of my dress, I am reminded that I'm walking around in the equivalent of a T-shirt. There's absolutely no support anywhere! I don't want to turn my T-shirt comfort into rollie pollie embarrassment.
3. Please do not let your girls, twins, or boobies hang out of the top like a bad club outfit. A fitted white tank under most Maxi dresses is cute, casual, and guarantees the use of a supportive bra!
4. This one you'll thank me for. If you purchase most of your Maxi dresses in cotton, like I prefer, get them dry cleaned or wash in cold water and Woolite then hang and iron them. Fading will happen if you don't take steps to avoid it.
5. And lastly, determine what some of your issues maybe in your dress and try try again until you are able to be fashion forward, style crazy, and fabulously comfortable!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
What was she thinking???
These aren't the worst. Come on true red spandex pants, animal print spandex pants, spandex pants??? I can't get behind it. Plus, when I saw Dr. Marten's being sold at a discount shoe store, I swore them off for life. I mean super discount, a store with "shoe" in the name! Somethings should be left in the past. I like them, but they don't belong in my today. Just my opinion though. I mean as far as Amber Rose goes, she has amazing pieces. She rocks an edgy as hell hairdo, and for a moment in time she was arm candy for THE Kanye West. I have a crush! But I miss out on her fab finger gloves and glam zebra print clutch, while I focus on the black ties on her pink spandex, again, pants and the odd khaki thigh pads. And those beautiful sandals got the second look after the wide elastic waist denim shorty short. Amber...make me understand?
With that beautiful body and dream girl face, why does she keep being photographed looking like who, what, and why? I'm a traditional fashionista. I don't do coo coo cachoo. I do traditional and modern with a twist of my personality. I don't understand the way-out-there women with their not-in-real-life fashion choices. But again, this is just my opinion.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
I am a WOMAN
A real woman is true to herself.
A real woman is a survivor.
A real woman has courage; she has spunk and grace.
A real woman will make it.
Copyright © 2006 Gwynita Leggington
So Glam Goddess, I will be adding confidence,resilience, religion, courage, and grace. You have to be these things! I hate to see a woman in any shoes walking like a misunderstood adolescent boy. Either they slide their feet or have a clop like Shaggy from Scooby Doo. Yuck! Embrace your feminine side, walk like a woman, exude grace.
Monday, May 18, 2009
White pants?!
Check-a, check-a my FRESH
Friday, May 15, 2009
GLAMAZON 101
As women we are far to naturally fab to be hiding ourselves away. I mean, over lunch, cigarettes, or ice cream cones look at the people around you. Women come in so many shapes and sizes. We have such amazing oddities about ourselves. We are beautiful in drastically different ways. Look at the comfortable women. I use the word comfortable because it's impossible not to find beauty in someone who is comfortable in their own skin.
That brings us to the first lesson.
1. Be comfortable in your own skin. Look at yourself long and hard in the mirror. Identify every glitch and hang up. Then realize it ain't so bad. There's someone out there dealing with a physical imperfection far worse. No one is perfect. No one is made from a perfect plastic mold. We are all designed to be flawed. Get over it. Once you embrace your cellulite, extra pounds, big nose, front gapped teeth, thin lips, or clef lip, no one can use those things against you. Love who you are today. Yes you should aspire to be better tomorrow, but do not shit on yourself today. The moral of this long story is this, people can sense your comfort like a crazy dog can sense your fear. So, be comfortable in your own skin!
2. Be yourself. Duh, but not really. I remember back in the gap of time, I had this friend who had this friend. We all spent a weekend together in my Dallas apartment with wild girl's night out plans. First thing first, let's say to hell with all our great clothes and start fresh with a shopping excursion. That's when it went to hell in a hand basket. My friend, Ashley, is a strong personality. She's such a strong personality I don't always adore her. Ashley's friend Lauren has a weak personality. She attaches herself to the strongest personality in the room like a tick to blood. Somehow Lauren ended up shopping with me. I'm a no nonsense, like what I like, make a final decision in moments, kind of girl. Bad grouping. She ended up picking out clothes and asking me over and over if I though Ashley would like them. Frustrated, I asked her why she was shopping for Ashley? She wasn't! She told me she was shopping for herself, but wanted to be sure that Ashley would like what she bought. She was having a damn anxiety attack about it. She bought a few pieces, for herself, to let Ashley choose from, for her to wear. Ugh! Stand on your own two feet with your own style. This continued for a couple years. Lauren was becoming Ashley, and I think Ashley liked it. This was Mini Me long before Mike Myers' Austin Powers thought of it. So most of the time I saw or heard anything Ashley and Lauren, they had the same hair style, same stylist, same clothes, same shoes, same size, coming from the same eatery, after leaving the same dentist, running behind because their same alarm clocks went off the same fifteen minutes too late. No! Anyone desperate to mock my PERSONAL style scares me! I would think you were planning to skin me and wear me as a coat. My personal style is just that. It belongs to me. You can't have it or copycat it. Let me help you find your personal style. Ashley and Lauren are no longer two peas from the same pod. Years and confidence have changed them both. Thank you Lord.
3. Know your size. There's nothing like an outfit being great in theory. I see women all the time marching around in beautiful clothes that look like they are being horribly abused. Figure out your most comfortable number in that piece and buy it. My closet is a vast array of numbers. Different articles are different sizes. Different designers are different sizes. Different cuts are different sizes. I'm a pear shape. I have to purchase a different top and bottom size. This way I can look more like a hourglass. If I made my numbers match I'd look a hot ass mess! Even with dresses, an A line dress typically works well with my top size, but a straight dress works with my bottom size and gets belted. No matter the dress, I have to try it on, and I typically enter the dressing room with three sizes.
These rules are important for comfort and confidence! I don't know everything and this isn't everything I know. I will add to it, and you feel free to do the same.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
In one year I will say...
These last few years have been tough for me. So much has changed, and it changed so quickly. I'm not where I intended to be. Actually, I feel far from where I intended to be. Everyday hasn't been a bad day, but I allowed myself to be a victim too many days. I am giving myself 12 months to turn my life around. I plan to do things better today than yesterday and better tomorrow than today! God willing and by His plan!
This is a part of owning my GLAM. I need to fix the inside and personal for the outside to be all that I want it to be. I must command the positive to live the positive!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
What is personal style?
1. It speaks to me and about me.
2. It fits my body the way it is today. This is important. I want to feel and LOOK nice.
3. It's comfortable. I have had clothing that fit me perfectly, but I wasn't comfortable wearing it. I feel comfortable in my wardrobe, and it helps me feel comfortable in my own skin.
Now these are the most important things to me, but not the only. I do love color, but all color is not good on me. Some colors are better than others. I play off my skin color, undertones, and hair color. Also, print can be an issue if not used correctly. I am a shorter girl with real curves. I have to handle prints carefully. This works for me though, because I'm not a big fan of prints anyway. I just make sure that I'm not covered in any print. It's important for my shape and short stature that I only go half print to half solid. That's my personal style.
"Fashion? Fashion is..." they say. (QUOTES)
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Rings I must have ASAP
And this ring, hello masculine! This ring makes me want to put on my Fedora and sit in the Pappadeaux's bar on a Saturday night (Dallas, TX area - right off 67S) sipping some dark smooth liquor and talking to a handsome man about sex without ever using the word.
How do accessories do this to me? Another winner from ShopLuella (http://shopluella.etsy.com)
cotton COLORS
THE LIST of fashion's seasonal guarantees
Real Simple, http://www.realsimple.com/, says these are the wardrobe basics every woman should have hanging in her glam closet. Wow, could it really be this easy?
Always in Season
Black tank: A white tank has its place—at the gym or on casual outings—but a black one is more universal. Dress it up with dark jeans or a skirt.
Short-sleeved white T-shirt: White tees become unwearable quickly, so skip the costly designer versions and buy a bunch of good-looking inexpensive ones. Then replace as needed.
Short-sleeved black T-shirt: The best short-sleeve length is about 1/2 to 1 inch longer than a typical cap sleeve—it shows just the right amount of arm.
Long-sleeved white T-shirt: For a trim silhouette in white, choose a slim-fit T-shirt that skims your body but doesn't cling.
Long-sleeved black T-shirt: A surprisingly sophisticated layering piece, this works well under a dress shirt—or even a dress.
Black turtleneck: Consider investing in cashmere: You get more warmth with less bulk.
White button-down shirt: A fitted one will get the most wear: It's easier to tuck in and looks neat when left out.
Crisp white blouse: Softer looking than a button-down, a white blouse is a timeless addition to any wardrobe.
Crewneck sweater: Thin knits, in cotton or wool, layer easily for versatility and comfort.
Cardigan: A neutral shade goes with everything, and a longer style that hits at the hip flatters most figures.
A black dress: The “little black dress” is a cliche for a reason: It’s a wardrobe necessity.
Pencil skirt: This classic piece should be tailored so it grazes the tops of the knees.
Jeans: It's worth paying extra for jeans that fit and flatter. Your best bet? A pair made from stretch denim with no more than 2 percent Lycra. (The fabric will follow your curves while keeping its shape.)
Black pants: To get the most from this wardrobe staple, select a style made of an all-season fabric, like tropical wool or viscose.
Skinny jeans: Once considered a trend, they are now a denim staple. Skinny jeans look best when they don’t fit too snugly at the waist.
Khaki pants: For a casual, comfortable look, forget the pleats (a flat front is more flattering) and forgo the front crease.
Denim jacket: A dark wash and a slim fit look the most polished.
Cropped jacket: Made famous by Coco Chanel, this item has become a fashion mainstay. You’ll have more opportunities for pairing with one in a solid color or traditional tweed.
Black cashmere wrap: A fabric that was once seen only in fall and winter has become a year-round regular.
Fall Basics
Cotton waffle robe: Perfect over pajamas or after a shower, this robe is far less bulky than its terry cloth cousin.
The tuxedo shirt: The ultimate day-to-night top, it has a crisp quality that makes it a great multitasker.
Fleece vest: Terrific over a turtleneck or peeking out from under a coat, a vest offers versatility in unpredictable autumn weather.
Athletic sweatshirt: As comfortable as a flannel pajama top—but appropriate for wearing in public.
Lightweight waterproof coat: Ideal for traveling, this practical item looks as right with a skirt as it does with a pair of jeans.
Khaki trench coat: Structured and stylish, it’s a true classic.
Leather blazer: A trim leather blazer brings a little sophisticated edge to any piece. Add a scarf and you’re ready to go anywhere.
Peacoat: No longer just navy blue, peacoats come in a range of colors and a variety of lengths.
Winter Basics
Heavy sweater: Look for a big, chunky knit that’s both comfortable and stylish.
Cashmere hoodie: More luxurious than the cotton variety, this layering piece is a sportier version of the cardigan.
Dark-wash jeans: A wardrobe standby in the cold winter months that’s available in a variety of cuts. Keep in mind that boot-cut and wide-leg styles work well over boots.
Pantsuit: Wear the jacket and pants together to show you mean business—or treat them like separates to maximize their use.
Gray flannel pants: These stylish standards look great with brown, navy, and black—and also with brights.
Wool trousers: Look for a lined pair in fine gabardine wool, made with a twill weave, which won’t feel too heavy.
Down vest: Works best in a neutral color like brown, black, or navy, so you can wear it with anything.
Black cashmere wrap coat: Whether calf or fingertip length, this elegant item will work for day or evening.
Winter coat: Fur-trimmed, down, or wool, a winter coat should offer enough room to accommodate a sweater or jacket.
Spring Basics
Cotton polo: More tailored than a T-shirt, it offers cool comfort on even the stickiest days.
Cotton blouse: An airy and attractive springtime fundamental.
Printed tops: A few boldly patterned pieces add life and color to spring basics.
Lightweight cashmere sweater: Single-ply cashmere offers comfort in over-air-conditioned offices and movie theaters.
Cotton button-up cardigan: Combines the softness of a sweatshirt with the elegance of a cashmere sweater.
Lightweight waterproof raincoat: Easy to carry as a guard against spring’s fickle skies, it blocks wind and rain without weighing you down.
One-button blazer: A cotton or lightweight-wool jacket is a pulled-together layer that can be removed when the temperature rises.
Inverted pleat skirt: As good looking with a tailored button-down shirt as it is with a tank top, it can be paired with a jacket for a more professional look.
Capri pants: These ankle-baring bottoms look great with ballet flats or strappy sandals.
Chinos: Comfortable cotton pants that are durable enough for a day in the park but still look proper in the office.
Summer Basics
Bathing suit: A well-fitting one- or two-piece in a go-anywhere color like black, white, or navy never goes out of style.
Convertible strapless bra: This adjustable undergarment looks smooth and natural under a strapless dress, tank top, or halter.
Cotton pajamas: A pretty patterned pair works as both loungewear and sleepwear.
Built-in bra tank: Offering coverage and support (and an end to visible bra straps), this tank can be worn to workouts or cookouts—and even to the office, under a jacket or sweater.
Ribbed cotton tank: Originally made for men, these shirts are now available in female-friendly shapes. Pick one that fits your figure—it works well alone or under a suit jacket.
Cotton blouse: Choose a lightweight top from a range of colors and a variety of prints.
Cotton printed dress: Stay comfortable even in heavy-duty humidity.
Strapless dress: A white one will show off a great tan, but black, navy, and camel also work beautifully.
Khaki shorts: The summer-wardrobe equivalent of air-conditioning, khaki shorts keep you cool, comfortable, and looking crisp.
Cotton drawstring pants: A good-quality pair will take you straight from yoga class to lunch with a friend.
White jeans: Available in a wide range of styles, white jeans look chic with almost any warm-weather top.