i love shopping blog

Have you been shopping for weeks trying to find the perfect holiday gifts for your loved ones? Hopefully you found them, because after the holidays it’s acceptable to start shopping guilt-free for yourself. You likely came across presents you wanted during your holiday shopping escapades, but decided not to splurge on yourself because after all, it’s the season of giving. Now you can circle back and score those items at slashed prices during after Christmas sales. It’s possible to buy some of the hottest winter fashion trends at refreshingly cool prices. Stores will stock spring attire in no time, but here’s some key winter styles to snag when browsing the endless clearance sweaters and coat racks.

There are a few more months of cold weather so keep an eye out for jackets and blazers at a bargain prices. Women can add color into their wardrobe wearing brights which is a big trend. Some of the easiest ways to incorporate colors like crimson, purple, cobalt blue or orange is to buy a trench, trousers, denim skinny jeans or a sweater in your favorite bold color. Pair the eye-popping color with a neutral outfit to complete the look.

There is no need to shy away from faux fur. It’s one of the easiest, PETA-friendly trends to try this winter. Here’s how to wear it without looking like a grizzly bear; choose neutral brown tones or black and keep it as simple as you want. It’s faux, but just because it’s fake doesn’t mean it needs to look cheap. You can scope out sales for jackets with faux fur on the collar or hood. If you’re a little more daring, try vest with a simple top and dark denim. If you buy a faux fur vest or bought one in the past, don’t let her hibernate in your closet all winter. It’s a cold weather trend and shouldn’t be worn into spring.

Leather is a classic trend I’ve mention in the past so if you spot a discounted dark brown, deep red or chic black leather jacket, it’s a great chance to buy a timeless piece you’ll wear often. Also, leather leggings and skirts are a must have winter trend that women can tone down with a simple sweater or a stylish basic T.

For men, the military trend is marching strong into 2012. Try a bulky coat or any military green outerwear works. Every shade of grey on guys is in style as well because it’s such a classic color that can be worn with white, black and with casual outfits or a business suit.

The preppy trend has cycled back for all ages so if you spot a chic cardigan in bold or neutral colors, go for it. Or snatch up a trendy corduroy jacket or blazer with oval elbow patches. Elbow patches on sweaters and blazers are in style for men and women this fall and winter. Another way to join the prep club is wearing a chunky cable knit sweater. They are warm and fashionable in any shade for men and women.

Enjoy the holidays with your family and friends. Once the desserts are demolished, the presents are opened and gift wrap is recycled, you can breathe a sigh of relief. Then feel free to grab a hot cocoa and hit the slopes of sliding prices so you can bundle up in style until the end of winter.

Many individuals like to spend money on clothing and shoes but have a limited budget. If you are forced to shop on a budget, there are several ways that you can get more for your money.

If you want to shop for fashion on a budget, make sure you find ways to cut down on your costs. Before going off to the mall or shopping on the internet, create a monthly budget of how much you can spend on clothing, taking into account your other monthly bills.

Decide how much money you want to spend on different kinds of clothes, including those for work, casual, or formal events. Also decide how much money you can spend on shoes. After you decide your budget, do not deviate from it. If you have left money over, don’t spend it impulsively.

Remember that designer brands are usually more expensive. Consider buying affordable labels at more downmarket stores. Invest in quality clothes, not designer clothes. Fashionistas recommend one good suit that fits well over expensive designer wear.

Quality clothes, made of good materials can last several seasons. Also, try to refrain from buying clothing that will be in one season and out another. Stick to the basics and find clothing that is versatile and timeless.

Keep an eye out for discount coupons and save them, especially those found on the internet or in the newspapers. Coupons can help you buy more for less. Also look out for sales, either at the mall or on the internet and take advantage of any sample sales in the area that offer you clothes at reduced rates.

If you’re not in a hurry, you can also find a lot of quality clothing for less, by waiting for end-of-season sales. Many major department stores mark clothes, shoes and designer handbags off toward the end of the season. Remember that the inventory goes fast and is usually sold out the day a sale starts, so get there early.

Remember to buy what you need and not what you want. Just because something is on sale does not mean that you need it in your closet. Make a list of all the clothing you may need and stick to your list. Avoid window shopping, so you are not tempted to go into the store and buy on impulse.

You could also choose to shop at thrift shops or consignment stores which get second hand clothing on a regular basis. Many of these clothes are vintage or were made decades ago which means you can guarantee they are high quality.

You can find some brand name clothing at these shops, which are less expensive and only require a wash. Or you might choose to shop at charities such as the Salvation Army or the Goodwill which also provide inexpensive clothing.

You need not starve yourself to buy quality clothes that look fashionable. The key to looking fashionable on a budget is to shop smart. Make sure you stick to your budget and avoid buying anything that you do not need. Stick to timeless clothes and basics, and you will be fashionable in any season.

Shopping for bridesmaid dresses can be an overwhelming task. Is it really possible to find one style of dress that coordinates with your bridal gown, suits the theme of your wedding, is universally figure flattering, and is very affordable? To be honest, no! But you can get pretty close to meeting all your goals in a bridesmaid dress if you are prepared. Let these bridesmaid dress shopping tips guide you to finding a beautiful dress that will make you and your bridesmaids happy.

Tip No. 1: Don’t start looking at bridesmaid dresses until you have ordered your wedding dress. It is truly putting the cart before the horse to shop for dresses for your attendants when you don’t yet know what you are wearing. And never buy bridesmaid gowns before you have purchased your bridal gown. You don’t want to be in the position of seeking a wedding dress that looks good with what your attendants are wearing; it should always be the other way around.

Tip No. 2: Decide from the beginning how much input you want from your attendants about their dress. If you are open a wide range of possibilities, then getting opinions from your bridesmaids is great. However, if you know that the only style that will do is a cranberry colored halter dress in silk satin with a jeweled brooch at the waist, just go ahead and pick one out. Your bridesmaids may not love being excluded from the process, but there is no point in seeking their opinions if you have already made up your mind. For some brides with clear cut ideas, being the one in charge of the bridesmaid dress selection is best.

Tip No. 3: Keep your bridesmaids’ budgets in mind. Not only will they have to pay for their bridesmaid dress, but also the coordinating shoes, appropriate undergarments, their bridesmaid jewelry sets, and maybe even a hair and makeup session. Try to find a dress that everyone can afford, or at least one that won’t absolutely kill them to buy. If you find a style that is absolutely perfect but a bit on the pricey side, take the sting out of it by gifting all of their accessories, such as the bridesmaid jewelry sets, shoes, and wraps. If the bridesmaid dress is very expensive because it is a designer label, you might also investigate the price difference if you have a good local dressmaker sew a similar style dress. At least when the dresses are individually made, there will not be alterations costs on top of the purchase price.

Tip No. 4: Too many chefs spoil the soup. Unless your friends have unusually similar tastes and body types, the chances that they will all fall in love with the same dress are slim to none. Rather than having a whole entourage arguing over which dress to pick, take just one or two of your attendants when you go shopping. If you want all of your bridesmaids to feel like they have a say, narrow it down to two top choices and then put it to a vote.

Whichever gown gets the most votes will be the one. As a bonus, the bride won’t look like the “bad guy” to anyone whose top choice did not make it, since the vote is a fair way to make the selection.

You truly can’t please all of the people all of the time, but if you head into the shopping process with a clear plan, you should at least be able to find a bridesmaid dress that pleases most of the wedding party – especially the bride!

Your wedding should be the most magical time in your life. Except when it’s not. Weddings can be incredibly stressful, and nothing is more stressful than finding the perfect dress. Let’s face it: the dress says it all, and most of us have been dreaming of the perfect dress from age 5. Who hasn’t browsed through wedding magazines and discovered “the one,” only to find out that the dress is out of budget or simply doesn’t fit. You can avoid the heartache! Just avoid these top five wedding gown shopping mistakes:

Mistake #1: Window shopping. Unless you’re built like a Victoria’s Secret model (and if you are, kudos to you!), you need to be careful when you’re looking at dresses in magazines and on mannequins. Remember, those dresses are on stick-skinny models, and will look very different on you.

Mistake #2: Going over budget BEFORE you get to the store. Yes, this sounds difficult to do, but how many bridal magazines actually list the retail price of that awesome Vera Wang that you MUST have? Do yourself a favor and do some research. Most likely you will be able to find a similar gown that is in your budget.

Mistake #3: Not making an appointment. You’re the bride. That means that you’re queen for a day, right? Wrong. Make an appointment at the stores you plan on shopping. This way you can rest assured that you will be given the attention and time you deserve, rather than be treated like a nuisance.

Mistake #4: One-stop shopping. Sure Kleinfeld’s is the world’s largest high-end bridal store, and David’s Bridal has some beautiful gowns. But do they have the gown for you? Is their price range and quality really what you’re looking for and able to afford?

Mistake #5: Getting caught up. Caught up in what, you ask? The entire experience! Most bridal stores not only carry wedding gowns, but they also have a wide array of shoes, veils, gloves, purses, even flower girl and ring bearer accessories. Stave off the urge to indulge in these purchases, as they only detract from the gown. Focus on the task at hand, and take a little while for your accessories. You don’t want to have buyer’s remorse because the dress you loved only looked good with that veil you end up hating.

Mistake #6: Being a stickler for white. Wedding gowns have to be white, right? Not so! Very few women look beautiful in a bright white gown. Be open to trying on cream, off-white and even taupe. You’ll be amazed at how great you’ll look with a little color change.

Mistake #7: Listening to the peanut gallery. Sure, you want your mom, your sister, your college roommate, your best friend from grade school…wait a minute. Remember that everyone you bring to your shopping appointment is going to have an opinion, so be choosy. Bring those friends and relatives who have your best interests (and personal style) at heart.

Well, that’s it! Avoid those seven mistakes and your dress shopping experience should be perfect bliss!

Almost since the dawn of time, they have been one of the most significant determinants of many areas of a woman’s social life. With the right choice they can draw envious stares and jealous whispers, but with the wrong they can just as easily attract disapproving side glances and the ever-dreaded eye-over. Everyone from businesswoman to soccer moms to students depends on choosing the perfect pair of shoes to help ensure that she literally puts her best foot forward.

Whatever a woman’s ensemble, whether it be a casual day skirt, a business suit, a swim cover up, or a party dress, the shoes she chooses must fit the look perfectly. A woman ‘s ensemble projects an image to the world and thus helps to display her role at work, at home, and at various activities. Achieving a big promotion requires dressing the part, and this includes the shoes one decides on. Even the perfect skirt, top, and accessories can quickly go awry if the wrong footwear is selected.

A woman’s choice of shoes projects many things to the world simultaneously: her own personal style, her view of the event or occasion, and her take on the latest trends.

In years gone by, it may have been acceptable to repeat looks from other seasons or to utilize ensembles more appropriate to other cities, however in today’s fast-paced, globalized world this simply won’t cut it. Sporting Uggs in Miami or Crocs in Paris is no longer an option for today’s style-conscious woman.

Luckily for today’s economically-conscious shoe-lovers, there are a few simple tips that will guarantee that no woman goes astray next time she ventures into the shoe department of the local department store. These rules will allow you to quickly master the art of shoe-shopping, while not depleting the majority of the contents of your wallet.

Perhaps one of the most significant rules that every woman should understand before venturing out to the next sale, is that every pair of shoes has a relative price. While a pair of shoes may be on sale for a very low sticker price, countless women make the mistake of being seduced into buying such shoes when they are not actually what they want. While making this common mistake once or twice will likely not affect one’s budget to any noticeable degree, many women often have full closets of useless shoes, purchased solely because they were “great deals”. Yet when one reflects on the true cost of shoes it becomes clear that every pair of shoes costs money that could be spent on more tasteful, useful pairs. Thus it is the relative cost of many regrettable sale shoe purchases that is simply too high. To avoid sabotaging your shoe closet next time you find yourself in a shoe sale, simply ask the question, “Would I want these if they were not on sale?” If your answer is yes, then you have likely found a great bargain, but if it is no, just say no and your wallet and feet will thank you later.

In addition to the simple sale rule, another important tip for all shoe-lovers on a budget is to remember that different shoes have different values. Many women make the mistake of splurging on this season’s trends, only to find themselves having to look through the aisles of the local bargain store for the staples they need every day. Instead of allotting the majority of your shoe budget to this year’s must-haves, spend more on the classic pieces that will stay with you. Invest in the everyday flats, work pumps, dress stilettos, riding boots, and driving moccasins, and then spend your money more frugally on all of the seasonal trends. Buying high-quality reproductions of designer trends is one great way to enjoy this year’s look without breaking the bank.

Investing in the daily necessities and classic trends will ensure that you have beautiful, high-quality pieces for years to come and that you will be the envy of all of your friends.

Next to the search for the wedding dress, looking for your wedding shoes are one of the hardest things on your to do list. You might have to sacrifice comfort for style. You might have to choose comfort over style. You might have to choose price over comfort. Or you can go on the quest for comfort, style and price as most brides do. Expect to do a lot of shopping and expect a lot of frustration.

Wedding shoes are a once in a lifetime purchase. They are part of your wedding attire and will show when you take off your garter, so you want them to complete your look. Remember to budget in wedding shoes so you don’t think of them as an additional afterthought expense.

Why are wedding shoes so hard to find?

Most retail stores don’t stock them, they order them because its expensive to stock a lot of shoes that will go out of style or may discolor if they sit on their shelf for long periods of time. Most shoes will not discolor, but if they are cheap shoes with glued on satin, the glue may yellow and give the shoes a yellowish color.

Wedding shoes are special occasion shoes and the demand isn’t the same as a flip flop or pair of cute boots.

Wedding shoe buying tips:

Shop early and keep your options open. Shop so that you have your shoes in time for alterations because your hem length on your dress is dependent on the size of your shoe heel. You may need to buy the shoes before you order your wedding dress if you are having your dress ordered with your hem length.

Some brides decide to wear a color to match the accent on their wedding dress. If you decide to do color, make sure you wear color accents in your jewelry to tie it all together.

Don’t rule out leather shoes. There is no rule that your wedding shoes have to be fabric. Fabric shoes don’t breathe like leather and don’t stretch like leather.

Look for a shoe that supports your foot and ankle and that you can stand and dance in for long periods of time.

If you choose a heel, look for a shoe that has padding in the ball of the foot so your feet don’t start to burn and hurt.

Strappy shoes can cut into your feet after standing a long time and cause blisters.

Feet will swell as the day goes on. Buy them large enough to accommodate dancing and happy feet. You can put in a comfort gel pad and take it out as your feet swell.

Buy shoes that you can wear all day. Taking off your shoes at the reception looks tacky and will make your dress too long. You risk falling or tripping if your dress is too long, not to mention having your feet stepped on with your dance partner.

There is a huge difference in quality in wedding shoes. Price doesn’t always indicate quality. Sometimes you are paying for the designers name. Sometimes you are paying for silk shoes versus satin or polyester fabric. Some of the same shoes that are unaffordable in silk can be ordered in a less expensive fabric so you have the same look at a more affordable price.

If the shoe rubs your foot, pinches or feels like it won’t bend, don’t buy it.

If the shoe is too big at the heel of the shoe, see if adding a heel pad will make a difference or try a shoe size down. If you walk out of the shoe, don’t buy it.

If the shoe is too narrow, don’t buy it, you will be miserable. Some wedding shoes come in wide widths, some don’t. If you wear a very narrow width, it may be unavailable except in the most expensive custom shoes. Consider buying a leather shoe if your foot is very narrow.

After you buy your shoes, make sure you break them in. Wear them around the house with a pair of socks to make them comfortable. If they have a leather sole, make sure you take them to a shoe shop to have a non skid pad put on the bottom so you don’t fall. Bring along some self adhesive moleskin to the reception that can be applied to the part of the shoe that is rubbing so you don’t get blisters.

Going clothes shopping alone can lead to awful outfits and wasted money. Most of the time, you just shouldn’t go clothes shopping alone, and there are many reasons why this can be your best technique for shopping more effectively

1. When you go shopping with a friend, you will be less likely to be bored. When you are bored or lonely, you might buy outfits to make yourself feel better, just to spend money. Shopping when you feel under the weather is never a good idea.

2. Going shopping alone will usually take a much longer time. You will spend more time wandering around and losing focus, resulting in wasted time. When you are shopping with someone, you will make decisions quicker to keep up with who you are shopping with.

3. Shopping with a friend will give you a second opinion. Of course, you should only buy something if you really like it. Not everyone has the same taste in clothing, and some people will just encourage you to spend more money.

4. Clothes shopping might seem like more a chore if you go alone, but going with a friend can be more relaxing. It will take the stress out of shopping, and you will be able to get your shopping done while catching up with the latest gossip.

5. Shopping with a friend gives you the opportunity to offer fashion advice. Tell your friend how you feel about the outfits she tries on, and decide why you like or dislike her clothes. This will deepen your bond and help you learn more about fashion choices.

When done with the right person, shopping with a friend is usually much better than shopping alone.

For a petite woman who is pregnant maternity clothes small sizes range from 6 to 4, therefore if you’re a very petite woman there can be a certain amount of trouble and inconvenience to find the right amount and range of maternity wear. Most maternity clothes small found in department stores are a size 4 and up.

Shop online

So what is the option available to a very petite woman who requires dress size of about 0 or 2? Online shopping for your specific size seems to be the best option. Otherwise unnecessary shopping will be waste of time if they do not have the required size. Certain department stores have a good range of maternity clothes small sizes. Old navy and Target are one the few recommended department stores for online shopping. Old Navy has a wide range of maternity wear on offer starting from XS which takes in to account the pre-pregnancy size of about 0 or 2. There is a variety as well, from skirts, jeans to work clothes in maternity clothes small sizes. The colors and designs are also hip and caters to comfort, and you wont feel subjected to monotony in dress just because your pregnant. Furthermore stores can be conveniently found in most states so a visit may be most beneficial if you’re looking to revamp your wardrobe. online shopping is also highly recommended.

Target is also a good choice, it has a starting size of XS for the petite mothers to be and they too cater to a large selection of office and day wear to jeans, t-shirts, and a large range of hip and cool clothes for the younger mother to be. As well as maternity wear small sizes in working gear and exercising wear such as for yoga, Target offers maternity wear at very affordable rates, and they keep changing their styles so there are many exciting offers to look out for. You can browse online and order clothes through the online shopping facility, which is ideal for pregnant moms who are not that in to first hand shopping.

Make your own

The other sound option would be to tailor your own maternity clothes small sizes as one prefers, this can be the ideal for extremely petite women. Custom made maternity wear is made to fit each body individually therefore the garment will embrace your body in the way you want it too, and further adjustments can be made as the body keeps growing. A good tailor will see to your needs and do a very good job out of your maternity wear requirements. Therefore finding a good tailor is important, many are listed online even word of mouth inquiries can yield good finds. Women can find really good maternity clothes small in sizes, either through some online shopping research or treating yourself to a brand new custom made wardrobe.