Tips for Finding Clothes Cheap!

Are you looking to update your wardrobe? Maybe your current clothing choices don’t reflect who you are, or perhaps you’ve lost yourself over the years and need a revamp. You might just be in need of some seasonal staples, or be in need of some new pieces following a weight loss journey. Either way, you’ll find that buying clothes is expensive especially if you’re after a whole new wardrobe! Here are some of the ways to keep those costs down.

Photo by Porapak Apichodilok

Shop second hand

Secondhand apps like Vinted have changed the ways that many of us shop for clothing, and how we think about ‘pre-loved’ items. These platforms give you the choice of masses of different items at a fraction of their original cost which is a great way to save money as well as the environment. When it comes to things like baby clothes especially you can get some real bargains, where most people over buy items and their baby grows out of them quickly. However, there are hidden gems in all categories and you can get unique pieces and even designer labels at hugely discounted prices. If you prefer to shop in person then charity shops are another gold mine for bargains. You can find all kinds of great items especially if you check in them on a regular basis, and as a bonus the money you spend in there goes to a charitable good cause so you’re doing good while you buy. 

Utilizing fast fashion in the right way

The trouble with fast fashion sites like Shein is that they’ve come under a lot of scrutiny for the environmental impact they have and that their labor can be exploitative.  If you do choose to shop at fast fashion sites, be mindful of the impact that they have and try to make sustainable choices where possible. Due to the cost of living crisis, many of us are short on money, and buying essentials like clothing has become unaffordable. Cheap fast fashion sites can be useful here as they mean you can get the things you need without breaking the bank, but try to shop as responsibly as you can. If you go for versatile and timeless pieces that can be worn across seasons then you’ll get the most amount of wear from each thing you buy. 

Shop the sales

Keep an eye on seasonal sales, holidays, and clearance events to snag discounts with your clothing- times like Black Friday can be a good time to refresh your wardrobe. Just be careful and avoid getting carried away and buying items solely because they’re on sale, and be wary of shops inflating prices before sales to make the discount seem bigger than it is when it comes to sale periods. Stick to your shopping list and only buy what you genuinely need or love.

Shop safely

When you’re shopping online it’s important to stay safe and protect your money. There are two common ways to pay electronically- ACH vs EFT. ACH covers different electronic transactions like direct deposits and bill payments while EFT is about transferring money between accounts, like online payments. Always make sure to use trusted websites with secure payment options like Paypal, and keep your financial information private to shop safely online too.

What are your tips for getting clothing cheap?

Should You Design An Engagement Ring From Scratch?

One of the first things to think about when you’ve decided to propose is, do you want to purchase a store-bought ring or have the freedom to design your own? Many jewelers offer both options but it can be hard to decide whether the convenience, quality warranty and being able to see the finished product is better. As on the other hand, you could have the chance to choose a ring that suits your bride to be’s personality, matches your budget and has been flawlessly manufactured. Remember, an engagement ring is a paramount piece of jewelry as it symbolizes the promise the two of you are making to each other and needs to be worthy of that commitment.

Featured photo from People.com

It’ll Be Truly Unique

The last thing you want is your excited fiancé to show off her ring only to be told ‘yeah that style’s nice’ or worse see someone wearing pretty much the same ring as her. Even though there are lots of different designs, it’s entirely possible that sooner or later she may run into someone who has been proposed with the same ring style from the same store. If your future wife has very individual style and tastes  it may be better to pick out your own ring. That way the diamonds, setting and even band color will be different as you’ll be able to incorporate more details. Another way to set her ring apart from the crowd is weave in personal elements, such as engraving, colored stones and a ring box with her name or birth date on.

You’ll Be Able To Control Your Budget

Engagement rings come in a range of price points so by purchasing all the elements of the ring separately you’ll be able to prioritize what’s important to you. If you want a larger diamond you may be able to choose a slightly less precious metal for the band; a smaller setting may give you more room on the band if you’re selecting a pave style. A diamond that is only slightly more colored than another one may vary hugely when it comes to price. Look for loose diamonds for sale that are categorized as I to J as these are good quality, medium priced gems as well as those that weigh between one and two karats for large singular diamonds, such as solitaires, and 0.50 and one karat for three stone styles.

Greater Sentimental Value

Designing a ring is a process that involves quite a few people including yourself, the salesperson, shop designer, gem dealer and the craftsmen that creates setting and band. It isn’t a cheap nor a quick option and so it requires an awful lot of thought and preparation, multiple phone calls or meetings and a lot of trust in your chosen jeweler.

Your fiancé will appreciate the amount of love, time and effort that went into her ring and will be genuinely touched by all your hard work. Remember, engagement rings are designed to be worn for a lifetime alongside wedding or even eternity rings. So if you’ve created one custom piece then you may have to create another for the jewellery to look right together.  David Alan is a master jeweler who works with you to take your vision and create one-of-a-kind custom pieces that you and your partner will love.

collaborative post

6 Last-Minute Shopping Hacks for Holiday Procrastinators

If you’ve waited until the eleventh hour to wrap up your gift shopping, you may be feeling anxious and a bit panicked over you ability to get it all done in time. Unfortunately, this combination could cause you to make poor purchasing decisions and lead you to overspend.

1. Shop in the wee hours.
Save your sanity by taking advantage of extended store hours and shop during the less busy times of day. Many stores will be keeping their doors open past regular hours for straggling shoppers. For instance, Babies ‘R Us will stay open until 2am through Friday, Macy’s and Target will be open until 12am all week long, and Kohl’s will operate around the clock through Friday. Know when to shop by reviewing the comprehensive list of store hours from DealNews.

2. Know where the sales are.
Save time and money by using the Steps Away app, which offers hyperlocal, real-time offers and promotions from nearby retailers so you know where to find the best sales and deals instantly. It is now available in over 150 malls in 40 states and 20 major metro areas. Don’t forget to download Coupon Sherpa’s free coupon app which provides coupons to stores based on your location so you never miss an offer. You’ll find offers such as 15% off with a Famous Footwear coupon or 20% off from Kohl’s.

3. Find gifts in unexpected places.
You don’t have to shop at traditional retailers to find gifts for everyone on your list. Save time by picking up presents in unexpected places while running errands. If you’re heading to the drugstore for prescriptions and gift wrap, look for beauty sets, fragrance and even toys for the women and children on your list. The warehouse store is the perfect place to stock up on groceries for guests and cleaning supplies while offering a wide selection of potential presents like small kitchen appliances, gadgets and even chocolate and cookie tins that make great hostess gifts. And if you’re on the way to the airport, look for a Best Buy kiosk for affordable headphones and bluetooth speakers.

4. Opt for an experience gift.
Experiential gifts are the ideal last-minute gifts because they’re quick and easy to procure and offer the recipient a lasting memory. Print certificates to various experiences like wine tasting, race car driving and hot air balloon rides instantly from your computer. Get creative with packaging by combining the certificate with a coordinating item like a bottle of wine with a wine-making experience, for example. Check out eBay experiences or Groupon for an endless list of ideas!

5. Make something.
Making a gift may sound time-consuming and complicated, but there are several homemade items that are cheap, easy and quick to make. For example, you can put together a festive cookie mix gift by layering ingredients from your favorite cookie recipe in a mason jar or try this DIY Peppermint Sugar Scrub, it’s simple to make with just sugar, coconut oil, food coloring and peppermint essential oil. If you’re feeling crafty, make a painted or glitter ornament by following instructions here.

6. Regift.
Regifting is a controversial practice, but when executed thoughtfully, it can be a great alternative to traditional gift giving. There are definitely do’s and don’ts for regifting, including using only new or like-new items and being honest about whether the recipient wants the item. Unused candles and accessories like scarves make great gifts for coworkers and neighbors. You can even regift a favorite book with a note letting the recipient know why you enjoy it so much, and why you thought they would, too.

Feel free to share “6 Last-Minute Shopping Hacks for Holiday Procrastinators” with your audience, giving proper attribution to the source.

###

Andrea Woroch is a money-saving expert who transforms everyday consumers into savvy shoppers by sharing smart spending tips and personal finance advice. As a sought-after media source, she has been featured among such top news outlets as Good Morning America, Today, CNN, Dr. OZ, New York Times, MONEY Magazine, Consumer Reports, Forbes and many more. In addition, Andrea’s stories have been published among leading publications and sites such as Yahoo!, AOL Daily Finance, CNN Money, Huffington Post, LearnVest and New York Daily News. Check out Andrea’s demo reel or visit her website at AndreaWoroch.com for more information about booking an interview or requesting an original written article. You can also follow her on Twitter or Facebook for daily money tips.

Amazon.com Launches Black Friday Deals 2016 – Holiday Gift Guides

Amazon.com today announced the launch of its Black Friday Deals Store and more than a dozen curated holiday gift guides, officially marking the start of the holiday countdown. Customers can enjoy tens of thousands of deals this holiday season on Amazon.com, with new deals as often as every five minutes on everything from HD TVs to stylish kitchen staples to some of the most popular toys of the year. In addition, Amazon offers curated holiday gift guides to help take the guesswork out of shopping for loved ones and make it easier for customers to find the perfect gift for everyone on their list.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161101005499/en/

“Customers love discovering the best deals on the most sought-after products, and our Black Friday Deals Store and curated Holiday Gift Guides offer them a place to do just that – plus enjoy the most convenient shopping experience with tons of super-fast shipping options,” said Doug Herrington, Senior Vice President of North American Retail at Amazon. “This holiday season, we’re offering more deals than ever before and – for the first time ever – giving Prime members an opportunity to use Alexa voice shopping for purchasing their holiday gifts hands-free. They can make purchases simply by asking Alexa-enabled devices, like the new Echo Dot, while relaxing at home with family and friends.”

Black Friday Deals Store

Available at www.amazon.com/blackfriday, the Black Friday Deals Store is the leading deals destination for customers with tens of thousands of deals, and new deals as often as every five minutes, now through December 22. Customers can enjoy more deals than ever before this holiday season, including low prices on top gifts such as electronics, toys, clothing, jewelry, kitchen items, and more. In fact, Amazon is offering up to 20 compelling Deals of the Day in a single day. Some examples of the great deals Amazon customers can take advantage of this holiday season include: $20 off the Kindle Paperwhite, savings on an LG 55” 1080p Curved Smart OLED TV, and up to 40% off select Magformers toys.

41wrznunspl-_ac_ul246_sr190246_

Electronics Gift Guide

Available at www.amazon.com/electronicsgiftguide, the 2016 Amazon Electronics Gift Guide features more than 500 of this year’s hottest technology products all in one convenient location. Enthusiasts can explore new releases such as 360-degree cameras and buzz-worthy gifts like virtual reality headsets and 3D printers. The Electronics Gift Guide also features innovations from up-and-coming startups in the Amazon Launchpad program. Customers can browse more than 10 categories, including smart home, home entertainment, music, wearables, photography, gaming, gadgets and gizmos, and more. The Electronics Gift Guide also includes expert reviews and product demonstration videos to help customers find the perfect gift. And shoppers looking for budget-friendly gift ideas can find top gifts under $100.

Home Gift Guide

Available at www.amazon.com/homegiftguide, the 2016 Amazon Home Gift Guide is a curated list of more than a thousand of this season’s must-have products for the home. Filled with gift ideas for indoors and outdoors, customers can easily discover presents for everyone on their list, including cooks, bakers, home decorators, arts and crafters, smart home tech lovers, pets, backyard enthusiasts, kids and more, curated by experts in the industry such as Smitten Kitchen and Design*Sponge. Holiday decorators and party planners will find everything they need to set a festive scene at home. Customers can also shop the latest trends in the Home Gift Guide, including copper appliances, rose gold cutlery, and handmade ceramics, as well as browse products that are new this holiday season, including the KitchenAid MiniNEST Fragrances Classic Candle (Hearth)Petcube Play Wi-Fi Pet Camera, and Bissell 1650A Pet Hair Eraser Vacuum.

Handmade at Amazon Holiday Gift Guide

Available at www.amazon.com/handmade, the Handmade at Amazon Holiday Gift Guide offers customers curated lists of genuinely handcrafted items sold directly by artisans. Featuring products for her, for him, and for kids, as well as handcrafted stocking stuffers for friends and family, the Gift Guide makes finding the perfect holiday present easier than ever. Heading into this holiday season, Amazon customers visiting the Handmade at Amazon store will see hundreds of thousands more handcrafted items, thousands of which are eligible for Free Two-Day Shipping with Amazon Prime. For shoppers looking for a personal touch, over half of the items listed on Handmade have options for customer personalization. With handcrafted items in categories from toys and games, to home décor, handbags and accessories and kitchen and dining, Handmade at Amazon is a one-stop-shop for artisan-crafted gifts this holiday season.

Shop from Anywhere, Anytime

The easiest and fastest way to shop – no matter where customers are – is with the free Amazon shopping app. Find out “where’s my stuff” in seconds, quickly use visual search to find anything and track the hottest deals by setting Watch-a-Deal alerts all season long. Plus, new this year:

  • Package X-Ray: Beginning November 15, customers who own an iPhone can use Package X-Ray to see what’s in a box that has been delivered without opening it and spoiling the surprise. Customers simply scan the barcode using their camera icon within the mobile app and the items that are inside the box will pop up on their screen.
  • Search Anything: Previously limited to barcodes and a few types of products, customers can now use the camera icon to search for almost anything. For example, point the camera at a pair of boots and the app will pull up a list of similar items.
  • Fling: Customers can quickly and effortlessly click into saved items, compare two items, or simply add items to a Wish List by flinging them into their tray. Simply hold down on an item while in the app and the tray appears, fling the item into the tray, and it will be saved for easy navigating later.

More Perks for Prime Members

New this holiday season, Prime members can use their voice to order tens of millions of products – including many of the items featured in the 2016 Amazon Electronics Gift Guide – just by asking Alexa on their Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Amazon Tap, Amazon Fire TV, or Fire tablet. In fact, there will be hundreds of exclusive deals just for voice shoppers this holiday season – simply go to www.amazon.com/alexadeals to learn more. Prime members receive an additional 20% discount on pre-order and new release video games. Members can also shop thousands of Lightning Deals with 30-minute early access and enjoy unlimited fast, free shipping options, including Two-Day Shipping on more than 30 million items, Prime FREE Same-Day Delivery on more than one million items available in 27 cities, and Prime Now where customers can find tens of thousands of products – such as select Black Friday deals and Holiday Gift Guide items – available for one- and two-hour delivery in more than 30 U.S. cities.

About Amazon

Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit www.amazon.com/about.

How Do Celebs Always Look Their Best – Style Tips

I bet you’ve wondered how celebrities always look so great. It seems, even when they’re caught off guard, they still look amazing!  What is their secret? How do they always look absolutely stunning?  You’re about to find out…

A Personal Stylist

Believe it or not, most celebrities have personal stylists. This unique individual tells celebrities how they should dress for almost every occasion. All of their industry events have been carefully analyzed by a professional to find out what style the celeb should opt for. In most cases, this is a formal event like a movie premiere. But you’ll find some celebrities also use their stylist when shopping for clothes in New York. They know there’s a good chance they’re going to get snapped, and don’t want to look awful. This is the first hidden weapon of the celeb.

A Professional Trainer

Have you ever wondered why most celebrities look like they’ve just walked out of a shoot for men’s fitness? Even the ones who don’t always look their best can shed pounds quickly when and if they need to. It’s not steroids that make them pack on the pounds, and it sure isn’t the muscle milk you might have seen on Twitter. The answer is a few degrees simpler. It’s a professional trainer. You can think of these individuals as army generals. They scream at the recruits and tell them exactly what they need to do to look their best. Forget about the crazy diet plans. With the right professional trainer, you won’t need them.

Countless Outfits

Let’s not forget about the huge number of outfits that celebrities have stuffed into wardrobes.   They’re choosing the perfect outfit to compliment their skin tone and their body shape. They look at fashion websites for new dresses to wear and shoes to slip on. A big part of how you look is what you’re wearing.

Skin Care

This isn’t true for all celebrities. We’ve certainly seen some no makeup pics of celebs that make us shudder. But most of them practice good skin care. They can’t afford to lose the money maker too early, and they can’t rely on the wonders of plastic surgery. That’s why you’ll find a lot of celebrities invest in de-aging cream and other wondrous substances to slather on their skin. If you’ve ever wondered why some celebs aren’t aging, this is your answer. It’s not good genes. It’s all about how much you can afford to spend on beauty products.

That’s all and there’s no secret formula.  It’s about good health and having great style!

1_BLAKE_LIVELY-480x480

Photo:  Destination Kors

Sponsored Post

Aisle Style Special Occasion Dresses – Shopping Tips

It’s the holiday season and that means we like to expand our wardrobe for evening dresses, special occasion dresses, and maybe even prom dresses.  There’s so many options available for us and shopping in-store can be overwhelming!

15c314d8683a092c9c05679623cc8fd9.image.370x518Aisle Style is an online designer wedding dress retailer.  They have a variety of beautiful gowns to suit everyone’s needs from elegant, simple, bold, or contemporary.  The company also takes pride in providing dresses for all age groups.

8542f901698d030d1458e1dec5c23751.image.370x518

1120a0a660f8dad8820a502ae324e34f.image.324x518

24779d076cb976fadeba23cf82f2dc66.image.316x518

78d60250af3354725371213214d58a13.image.324x518

I would like share a few tips when dress shopping online:

  1. Know your exact measurements.
  2. Purchase a dress that’s flattering according to a piece in your wardrobe.
  3. Select a gown that will compliment your skin tone, eye and hair color.
  4. Consider the heel height of the shoe you will be wearing with the gown.
  5. Don’t forget about your shapewear or hosiery.
  6. Read the customer service guidelines prior to payment.

 

When visiting the site, customers have the option of selecting a silhouette, hemline, and neckline based on their individual choice.  It’s an easy process and your purchase will arrive within the selected shipping guidelines.  Lastly, customers can specify a carrier of their choice.

Visit Aisle Style for your holiday, cocktail, and prom wardrobe needs!

sponsored post

Winter Wardrobe Shopping Tips

It’s time to go shopping for a brand new winter wardrobe. But wait, you shouldn’t just go crazy, scanning your bank card at every given opportunity. If you take that approach, you can bet you’ll end up with a load of items you didn’t really need. Not to mention no money left! Consider these things before you go shopping so you can come home with the best haul:

9a162e21ecc05d7ee7bcb47c9a07a1fb
From Glitter Guide.com

 

 

Things You Already Own

Do you already have winter items you can wear again this year? You may have a quality pair of boots, some jumpers, jeans, tights, and other items that you’ve had in the past that will still do this year. Obviously you want to change up your look, but it’s easy to make old items look new if you style them properly. Go through and decide which items you’d like to keep and which you’ll give to charity. Try not to be a hoarder. If you haven’t worn something in a while, get rid of it to make room for new stuff.

Transitional Summer Items

You’ve probably got summer items that you can make work for you in winter too. Skirts and shorts can be worn with tights. Vests can be worn under your jumpers or layered with cardigans. Work out what you’ll still wear this season. Get rid of the stuff you won’t wear or put it in storage for next year.

Seasonal Items

Whether you like to make the most of your current wardrobe by reusing things or not, everybody can afford to buy a few new seasonal items when shopping for their new wardrobe. This might be the season’s pair of ‘It’ boots – the thigh high style. Or it may be a cosy cowl neck jumper. Personally, I buy myself a new winter coat and a few jumpers each year. You’d never know I was wearing old jeans, tights, and skirts with them. By doing this, I’ve ended up with quite a collection of coats and jumpers. I made sure that they will last me a good few years too, so I always have a wide range of coats to choose from when I’m going out! A couple of new items will bring your wardrobe up to date. There’s just no need to go mad and buy everything you see! Click here for inspiration. If you make sure the items you buy are versatile, they’ll last a long time and go with a lot of different things.

Your Budget

If you go shopping without a budget you’re doomed from the start. You need to know how much you are able to spend on your new wardrobe so you can think of the garments that are the best value for money and purchase them accordingly. If you can, remember that less is more. Bya few items that are high quality and will last you a while, rather than lots of items that are low quality and won’t last you past this year.

Consider these things, and you’ll have a high quality wardrobe that will last you for many winters to come!

Money Saving Tips from Stylist Sam Bell: Don’t Blow Your Tax Refund

Don’t blow your tax refund on clothes without reading these money saving tips! Wardrobe stylist Gen Bell offers great money saving tips for tax season and for throughout the year.

Sam Bell

1. Have a set budget!
Having a set budget on how much you’d like to spend is key. Everyone has different methods that work best for him or her. Some people prefer to use cash so that they can see exactly how much they’re spending and on what. My personal method is to create a budget first, let’s say $100. Then I figure out how many outfits I’d like to have from the $100, let’s say 4 outfits. Then I start window-shopping and comparing prices from different stores. I always check both online and in actual stores. Often times you’ll find the best mark down prices online!

2. Hit the Discount Stores
You can find stylish bargains at stores like T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, and DSW. Designer duds for a fraction of the price! But be careful, just because a store is inexpensive doesn’t mean you’ll save any money if you over spend. Learn control.

3. Learn to Do-it-Yourself
Learning how to make a few, simple alterations can save you lots of money down the line. Master the basics of sewing, replacing buttons, and hemming pants. If you’re a busy professional like most of us, then find a local seamstress in your neighborhood that can make the simple alterations for you. The point is to have you clothes last you for a long time. So if you loose a couple of pounds and can’t fit those jeans anymore, make the necessary alterations so that you can reincorporate those jeans back into your wardrobe.

4. Shop Out of Season
Seasoned shoppers shop for spring and summer items in the fall, and buy your fall and winter looks when spring rolls around. Clothing is always cheaper when they are out of season.

5. Avoid Impulse Shopping or Emotional Shopping
Many of us can’t fight the urge to impulse buy. Remind yourself when the urge arises, are these shoes worth it right at this moment? Do not buy the shoes, wait a couple of days and if you still want them and rationalize your need then buy them.

6. Think About What’s Already in Your Closet
When shopping, build a wardrobe around one or two color families that you already have. Keep your current wardrobe in mind when you shop, and don’t buy anything that won’t go with at least two or three other items that you own.

7. Take Care of Your Clothing
Caring for your clothes will help them last longer. Use the right amount of detergent, avoid the dryer when possible and hang and fold clothes properly. Pack your seasonal wardrobe! You don’t need your winter clothes hanging in your closet all summer long. Pack them in air tight containers that are designed to keep the moisture out and your clothes fresh!
8. Shop Vintage and Consignment
Fashion is cyclical! Trends from the past always make a comeback so don’t shy away from vintage and consignment shops. It may take longer to find exactly what you are looking for at a used clothing store so you must have patience and bring a friend for a fun movie montage.

9. Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize. No outfit is complete without the right accessories. Take a simple dress and accessorize it in different ways to create completely different looks each time! This will expand your wardrobe without having to buy a new outfit for every occasion.

About Gen Bell:
Wardrobe stylist and creative director, Gen Bell is the true embodiment of a career girl in every aspect. Bell was born in Chicago and is currently styling key individuals in the South Florida community in film, fashion and music. Bell has worked one on one with designers, boutiques, production companies, models and more.

As a previous writer for Haute Living, Gen Bell has an impressive resume for a newbie. With a portfolio centered on beauty, video, celebrity/music, and street-chic styling, Bell has a vast knowledge of creating an aesthetically pleasing composition. Working with color palettes, silhouettes, and design, Gen Bell pulls together elements and principles to create a final “product” which sets apart from the rest.

To view all of Gen Bell’s stylist services and her portfolio, please visit www.genbell.com