August 30, 2011

Rain Boots

Irene has already reeked her havoc, but better late than never, I hope!

Chic Rain Boots
I don’t like clunky rain boots.  Luckily, there are a lot of options out there that have been designed to look like regular (leather) flat boots, like these options from the Bloomingdale's shoe department:

Loeffler Randall Rain Boots, $195
These were on sale last spring but I just didn't have the funds to buy.  I’m keeping an eye out this fall for a price drop and won’t delay this time!  In the mean time I'll try to make up my mind about whether I like black or "Army Rubber" green best

Gorgeous riding boot style in two colors Tip: Bloomie's cardholders receive 25% off a full-priced pair of shoes for every five pairs they buy.  Save $62.50!

An amazing more affordable option in this category!

Hunter, $115 - $225
If you do want heavy-duty weather protection and don’t mind a heavier boot, Hunter is the way to go.  The brand has developed quite a following, probably because of the excellent quality of their boots as well as the variety of colors and styles available.  Visit Zappos which carries over 100 Hunter styles and don’t forget that shipping is free, as are returns if the shoe doesn't fit!

Target, $23 - $35
Floral, herringbone, animal prints, plaid, preppy – you name the pattern, Target makes it in a rain boot!  These boots won’t be as durable as other options, so only buy if you plan to use infrequently.

Chooka, $60 - $80
“Utility can be beautiful.”  And affordable!  I love this brand’s motto, and their collection is great.  Check out their Standard, Heavy Metal, Front Lace and Premium Solid styles at Chookaboot.com.  My favorite is the Classy Stripe with blue and white stripes and polka dots!   

Side note: dots are going to be huge this fall!

Homemade
Okay, fine, I didn’t actually make my rain boots at home.  The story goes that I bought a pair of white rain boots for 30 Euro at APC in Paris while studying abroad in 2006.  Before too long at all, the black soles of the boots had rubbed onto the inside of each boot where they touched while I was walking….er, “clomping.”  I was mad.

So, I used a little inspiration and elbow grease to give the boots new life.  I took a Sharpie, and started drawing simple flowers in various sizes all over each boot.  Surprisingly, I can say without hesitation that I have never received more compliments on any one article of clothing in my life!




August 25, 2011

Success @ STA Philly

Last weekend I had the pleasure of stopping by the Philadelphia location of Second Time Around for the first time.  My excitement about visiting the boutique was compounded by the fact that the STA is in the middle of its Summer Clearance Sale, with most items at 50% off.

Needless to say, my shopping trip was a huge success.  I was not surprised to see that, in comparison to the tiny NYC locations, the Philly store was enormous! 

Why STA is awesome Part 1: The Spoils

H&M Cotton Tank, $5
The straps of this sand colored top resemble rope, giving the tank a unique look.  It's a bit skimpy, but it'll look great with a plain white tank underneath, or with a bikini top at the beach! 

J. Crew Sequined Top, $13
This slate blue super-comfortable cotton top covered in sequins, will add pizzazz at work when paired with a pencil skirt.  I will also wear it out at night with skinny jeans or cropped shorts. 

 

Banana Republic Leather Belt, $10
Cream colored, embossed snake pattern, I’ll get into my belt obsession later… This neutral belt will save the day in many future what-to-wear predicaments!

BCBG Sheer Top, $15
Paisley has always been one of my favorite prints, and this beautiful white and lavender blouse with deep purple buttons on the sleeves and down the front is gorgeous and versatile!  See point #3 of my Budgeting Basics post for why this piece is an especially great investment.






BCBG Silk Top, $30
This deep coral sleeveless top will be wonderful for work.  The asymmetrical collar with fun little buttons is the best part.

J. Crew Cotton Shorts, $18 
These were only 10% off but the fit was perfect so I had to buy!  The shorts also came with a white belt that can be switched out for other colorful options.












Why STA is awesome Part 2: The Cost
Because almost everything was half-off, my receipt total fell from $165 to $78.  Then, I was able to use my latest referral credit ($20) from the Mott Street location as well as credit from sold items ($35) at the Thompson Street boutique.  Finally, I had ten points on my Frequent Buyer Card which brought my total down another $10.  My final bill for all five items?  $13.

Sadly I did not have enough time to look through the back section of the store which was completely devoted to clearance items.  I have big plans to root around back there on my next trip!

August 24, 2011

Fashion Court: Louboutin vs. YSL

Those that follow fashion news will know that recently, Christian Louboutin filed a lawsuit against Yves Saint Laurent.  The reason for the suit is that some of the soles of YSL’s latest Resort collection pumps were – gasp – red!

Apparently, in 2008 Louboutin filed a patent protecting its usage of red-soled shoes.  The recent suit stated that YSL was violating this patent and was seeking damages.  Unfortunately for Louboutin, the company’s efforts have so far backfired.  A New York City judge ruled on August 10th not only in YSL’s favor, but furthermore that the outer sole of a shoe is actually not eligible for trademark protection.  Indeed, “in the fashion industry color serves ornamental and aesthetic functions vital to robust competition,” and, therefore such a trademark would obstruct fashion’s creative process.

This whole legal mess is reflective of some major current issues in the fashion world today.  Counterfeiting is an enormous problem that extends to all areas of the globe.  In fact, the counterfeit fashion industry is estimated to be worth several billion dollars worldwide.  A similar problem, I’ll call it “copycatting” is also a huge issue because a lot of companies, while not selling identical recreations of other designers’ works, are making very similar items that differ only on just a few details.

Fashion is a creative industry that relies on the inspirations of designers and their teams to bring us fresh, exciting and evocative new styles every year.  Counterfeiters and copycats are essentially stealing the creative property of these designers and brands.  This cheapens the value of the brands being copied and also eats into their revenues.  On the other hand, however, fashion recycles itself, and current trends are always channeling styles from past decades.  The hem lines go up, they go down – it can always be correlated to some previous years’ collections.  Fashion has an inherent component of repetition.

What many articles on the Louboutin-YSL case have failed to mention is the nature of the Yves Saint Laurent red soles in question.  In the disputed collection, there are three shoe styles with red soles, and each shoe is red not only on the bottom, but all over.  The same three styles come in other single bold colors and the same uni-colored pattern applies.  This detail really changes the case from my perspective.  What is unique about the red Louboutin sole, to me – and to many others I believe, is that it stands out on each of the designer’s shoes no matter the style, height or material of the shoe.  The soles of these YSL pumps are just extensions of the entire red design of the shoe.

In any case, the fashion industry today finds itself in a sticky place.  Fashion brings life, color and variation to our lives.  How boring would it be if we all wore the exact same thing?  Fashion is fun because there is diversity, which allows for individuality.  Designers need protection from counterfeiters for their unique designers, but they also need to have the right to use the shapes, colors, patterns and cuts that they require to make new collections.  So…where do we draw the line?

August 23, 2011

Price vs. Value

Let’s talk about price and value, two concepts that are confused much more often than you’d think!

Price: the quantity of one thing (usually currency) that is exchanged or demanded in barter or sale.
Value: the relative worth, utility or importance of a thing.

The thing about value is that it’s relative, compared to any number of other factors.  You might not ordinarily value a cheap umbrella, for example, at more than $5.  But if you’re caught unexpectedly in a downpour, the value of that umbrella probably just doubled to $10.  Excluding environmental factors (I thought that was a good illustration), value is highly personal, especially when it comes to fashion.

When contemplating a purchase, try to take into account the following points if you are struggling to decide whether you should spend:

Point #1
How critical is the item to your wardrobe?  If you really need a black pencil skirt for work and don’t have any others, you might consider spending more ($100+) on a really nice piece from J. Crew.  However, if you already have several similar skirts, the value is not as high. 

Point #2 
How much will you be able to use the  item? Calculate "lifetime value” by dividing the cost by the expected number of uses.  A new MICHAEL Michael Kors watch may cost $200, but if you wear it only two days a week for three years, that comes out to only $0.64 per use.  That’s great value!  I've had this Michael Kors watch since 2006 and now the brand offers dozens of styles in gold, silver, tortoise, etc!

Point #3
How much do you love it?  I understand that sometimes we encounter that bag, blouse or bracelet that you feel must have been made just for you.  If you feel that something really represents your sense of style, the value is higher.
You’ll need to also keep in mind that no matter the price or value, don’t buy anything if you really can’t afford it.  What’s most valuable is your financial security – and the ability to pay the rent!  See my list of “Budgeting Basics” for an idea about how to save for higher-value items.

    August 22, 2011

    Sell / Consign / Donate

    Not so long ago, people had few pieces of clothing and they wore them every day.  This is thankfully not the case anymore.  Now we have a huge amount of options to choose from and, naturally, certain favorite items are worn much more frequently than others.  Which is why, every so often (I recommend quarterly), we need to sift through are wardrobes, and identify those neglected items.  The goal here is to have a closet filled entirely with favorites and no duds!

    Unworn items could fall into a number  of different categories.  Before you go crazy, keep in mind that just because you haven’t worn something much doesn’t necessarily mean you should get rid of it.  I recommend taking a few minutes to see if you can figure out what to pair it with in your wardrobe.  Sometimes it takes a fresh pair of eyes (a friend) to pair things in your closet that you might not have thought about yourself. 

    If you determine that an item really is ready to go, you have a number of options:

    Sell: eBay is the best way to get the most money for items you want to sell.  There are fees, however you won’t be splitting the profits as you will with a consignment store.  Because eBay is virtual, the items that sell best are designer labels that online shoppers will be searching for and ready to buy.  Lower end and no-name brands likely won’t do well.  Note that when you list your item, include as much detail as possible in your listing to get the most and highest bids.

    Consign: As you have learned by now, I'm Second Time Around's #1 fan.  Founded in Boston years ago, the company is expanding at an unbelievable rate and now has stores all over New England and in NYC, Chicago, D.C, etc.  To consign with STA, you'll need to call ahead to make an appointment.  You are allowed a maximum of 30 items, and I recommend bringing a mix of clothes, shoes and accessories.  If at least three items are accepted, your account will be created and you'll be able to track your inventory online.  Click here for New York Magazine's list of the city's consignment and thrift shops.

    Donate: Items that can’t be sold can be donated to organizations like Housing Works and the Salvation Army that resell the items to raise money for their causes.  Note that many of these places also taking home goods (dish ware, furniture, etc.)  You should be able to drop by at any time during business hours.  Don’t forget a receipt for your tax return credit!

    Recycle: Articles of clothing that are worn out can also be strategically disposed of.  In New York City, I go to the the Clothing & Textile Recycling stand stand in Union Square’s GrowNYC Greenmarket on Mondays or Saturdays to drop off old clothes, sheets, etc.  GrowNYC also accepts usable clothing items for donation and provides receipts.

    I love cleaning through my closet.  Out with the old to make room for the new!

    August 21, 2011

    Reverse Shopping

    Mostly to amuse my friends, I sometimes engage in what I call “reverse shopping.”  What I mean is returning and/or exchanging previously purchased items that I have decided for at least one of several reasons that I no longer want.

    People waste so much money by buying things, forgetting them at the back of their closets, and getting rid of them years later unworn.  I think we owe it to ourselves to be more conscious of how we spend our hard-earned paychecks!

    Here are a few rules that I follow in order to make the most of my monthly shopping budget:
    • Check store return policies before you buy!  Bloomingdale’s has an excellent return policy, as does Anthropologie.  Both stores will accept returns at basically any time, given that the item has not been worn and that receipts are provided.
    • This brings us to the next step.  Keep your receipts!  Organize them!  I am fortunate that I oddly actually enjoy organizing things.  I use a receipt accordion from Container Store to organize my receipts by category, making them much easier to find.
    • When you get home from your shopping trip, mark your calendar with the last date an item can be returned if you have even an inkling of uncertainty!  I usually give myself two or three warnings leading up to the last day so that I remember to make my return if I end up deciding against my purchase.
    • In the interim, keep the item where you can see it so that you remember to try it out.  Don’t feel silly if you’ve bought something you loved only to realize at home that it doesn’t work out as you thought.  Sometimes, things don’t fit quite as well as I thought they did in the cramped/poorly lit dressing room.  Other times, things just don’t mesh with my wardrobe and I just can’t pair it well with anything else.
    Shop sensibly and enjoy!

    August 20, 2011

    My Random Talent

    So I have this random talent: an unwavering capability to always find something to buy where fashion goods are sold.   This holds true even if the goods are mostly weird, ugly, overpriced, old, etc.  The treasures are hidden! 

    Case in point: one day this week I learned last-minute about a “sample sale” on the 19th floor of my building.  Now the term “sample sale” was being used loosely – I would have called it a Cheap Hideous Bag Clearance Event.  Nonetheless, I needed a mid-afternoon break so I decided to check it out. 

    The room was filled with cheaply-made handbags, most of them ghastly.  I saw a fake patent satchel that turned from yellow to orange to red (intentionally, as part of the design).  I saw a fake cream colored leather bag with lace on the outside, leopard print on the inside, and a huge bow on top (seriously?!).  After quickly scanning the room, I was doubtful, but everything was going for only $10 so I poked around for another minute or two. 

    Score!  I found this super-cute oversized canvas clutch with two pockets and cute brown croc-embossed faux-leather detail.  It is surprisingly sturdy, with lining and a zip close.  Because it was a clutch and not a regular handbag, I walked out with it for only $5.  I’m so excited to use this throughout the spring, summer and fall.  Because of its neutral color scheme, it’ll match everything, and because of its size, it’ll hold everything as well!

     
    Deals are out there… even when you least expect them!

    August 18, 2011

    Steals for Under $20

    Sometimes you just want to buy something.  Some people feel urges to smoke, gamble or drink; others feel the urge to shop.  Comparably, shopping is certainly the healthiest choice!

    A helpful analogy: dieters are always told to eat one square of chocolate instead of denying themselves – which puts them at risk of eating the whole king size candy bar.  Shopping is the same way.  If you feel the need to shop but are low on cash, try these shopping ideas, all for less than $20:

    1)    Visit the accessories wall at Forever 21.  Don’t buy necklaces and bracelets made of fake silver or gold.  They’ll only turn green (your skin too) after a few wears.  Instead, buy fun plastic rings and bracelets.  Most items are under $5 and I’ve had inexpensive pieces like this for years.

    2)    Hit the streets of Soho on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.  Vendors line the streets hawking their homemade goods.  Earrings, broaches, headbands and other fun accessories can be found for $20 or less.

    3)    Visit a ribbon store in the Fashion District.  Inexpensively add color to your wardrobe by buying several lengths of your favorite ribbons to create a new selection of belts!

    4)    Visit the “sale” table in the Bloomingdale’s jewelry section.  Many weekends (subscribe to their sale emails), items will be marked down 30% - 70% off regular prices.  I’ve gotten gorgeous $90 necklaces for $10 apiece. 

    5)    Check out Screaming Mimi’s on Broadway for a huge vintage selection of clothes, hats, shoes and accessories.  Be on the lookout for the occasional brand-name find.

    August 17, 2011

    Footwear Philosophies

    Shoe shopping is the hardest for me out of all the fashion categories (clothes, handbags, accessories, etc.)  Finding shoes that don’t pinch, blister or otherwise hurt your feet is not easy.  Upon reflection, I recognize that this is probably because shoes are carrying the weight of your body – literally pounding the pavement, especially for those of us running around New York City.

    I’ve owned all types of shoes – flat and heeled, expensive and cheap, leather and plastic, you get the idea – and there is no one factor that seals the deal in terms of comfort.  Over the years, however, there is one rule that has become clear to me, and that is: when you do find shoes that fit your feet perfectly, seek out and stock up on footwear from that particular brand.

    For my feet, which are a bit wide, I wish I could say that some marvelous brand like Gucci provided the perfect fit.  The brand that I’ve actually found to be the most consistently cute and comfortable is Guess.  I don’t shop at Guess and find most of their clothing to be a bit too racy, and not in a good way.  I first encountered Guess shoes several years ago at Bloomingdale’s (tied with Second Time Around for my Favorite Store).  Prices for Guess pumps and flats at Bloomie’s tend to hover at just under $100.  The bonus is that Bloomie’s has incredible sales and even more incredible discounts for card-holders.  Here are photos of some Guess shoes in my closet, all purchased for about $60 per pair.




    In my recent Forever 21 Store Guide post, I advised that their shoes were not a good purchase, no matter how cute or how cheap.  Now I’d like to propose a viable inexpensive yet trustworthy footwear option instead: Payless Shoe Source.  Among my friends who shy away from stores like Payless with very low price points, I know the assumption is that the level of quality is as low as the prices.  It’s not a bad assumption, and with many stores cheap really is cheap – but Payless is an exception to the rule, for a few reasons:

    First, their rubber soles last longer than any other type of sole, including the “vero cuoio,” i.e. real leather of virtually all middle- and high-end brands.  I’ve had several pairs of Payless shows for years that have never required a visit to the cobbler.

    Second, Payless was among the first companies to come out with “diffusion” lines – collaborations with other designers – and currently offers very fashion-forward options from the likes of Isabel Toledo, Christian Siriano and Lela Rose.

    Finally, the Payless BoGo (buy one, get one half off) sales that happen every few weeks bring the price points down even further.  Even if you aren’t shopping for shoes, I recommend stopping into a store to pick up shoe supplies, such as heel cushions and gel soles which are also eligible for the discount.

    August 16, 2011

    Store Guide: Forever 21

    I have very few friends that don’t enjoy a trip to Forever 21.  The store offers an appealing proposition to fashionistas all over the country: on-trend clothes at unbeatably low prices.  If that seems too good to be true, well, it is – sometimes.  I’ve written this entry to help you navigate which items to go for and which ones to stay away from.

    FOREVER 21: BUY
    • Plastic bangles and rings: Unlike plastic “gold” and “silver” necklaces, these fun pieces can be worn season after season!
    • Floral tops: They come in all styles and shapes and are perfect for both work and play.
    • Cute clutches: I have a brown leather-like “woven” clutch that I’ve worn for years and still get compliments on! 
    • Trendy trends: This is the place to experiment with any crazy fads of the moment.
    • White tops: Impossible to keep clean for long (let’s be honest here), stock up on a variety of white blouses that you won’t feel bad about getting rid of after a year.

    FOREVER 21: DON’T BUY
    • Faux-leather handbags:  They’ll break when you need them most!
    • Anything sequined: you’ll have lost a good portion of them after one use – or before.
    • Makeup:  Be gentler to your face! Stick with a real cosmetics company. The same goes for lotions, nail polishes and the other items they purposely leave near the check-out.
    • Shoes:I know, I know – some of them are really cute! More often than not, though, they break within a use or two.
    • Items over $30: Take your hard-earned cash somewhere else.
    • Winter Coats: Unless you live in Miami or LA, these'll do you no good.
    Don’t feel like dealing with the crowds?  Forever 21.com offers free U.S. shipping on all orders $50 or more.  When browsing, read the materials section for each item.  I advise against anything that 100% polyester – you’ll be able to see and feel the poor quality.  Also check out the Size Chart to make sure you’re selecting the right size!  As Forever21’s following skews younger, their sizes definitely run small.

    Happy Shopping!

    August 15, 2011

    Budgeting Basics

    Good news, everyone! It’s possible to have a fantastic wardrobe on a tight budget. Here are some helpful rules to stick to: 

    Rule #1
    Don’t spend more than you have. If fashion is self-expression, make sure you are able to express the self-confidence of a woman who is in control of her finances. I recommend allocating a certain dollar amount per month based on your income and expenses, and shopping accordingly. 

    Rule #2
    Ask yourself the key questions below before buying anything. Don’t invest if you answer “no” to any of them!  (A) Does this flatter my figure?  (B) Can I wear this at least three different ways?  (C) Will I be able to wear this next year?  (D) Based on the material and craftsmanship, is this worth the price?

    Rule #3
    Buy versatile items. At least two-thirds of my wardrobe can be worn professionally or casually, depending on what I pair each piece with. A best bet: feminine blouses – sheer, patterned or colorful – look chic and sophisticated with a pencil skirt by day or skinny jeans by night.

    Rule #4
    Be resourceful. Go through your wardrobe quarterly to identify pieces that don’t belong. This includes items that don’t fit, don’t work with other things in your closet, or items you’re just plain sick of!  Set aside higher-end items in good condition for a trip to the consignment store where you’ll have the chance to make money off your goods. Drop off everything else at the nearest donation center – I use Housing Works – and make sure to get a receipt!  When February rolls around, you’ll save on your taxes by entering in everything you donated throughout the year.

    Rule #5  
    Save for bigger pieces instead of trying  to fit these purchases into your monthly budget. The online bank, ING Direct, has a wonderful tool that allows users to create sub-accounts within their savings accounts, to help them save towards various goals. You can also set up automatic deductions from your checking account to help you achieve your goal. 

    August 14, 2011

    My Move to the Big City

    Let me tell you a funny story – one that sums up a lot of what this blog will be about.  About four years ago, I had just received my undergraduate degree and was living and working in Boston, where I’d gone to school.  Although Boston is one of my absolute favorite cities, I suddenly felt very certain that after growing up in the area and living there for four years, it was time for a change.  Being the fast-paced ultra-urban person that I am, there was only one choice: New York City.  

    In an effort to both downsize belongings and increase my bank account balance, I had a wonderful idea – consignment!  I already had a store in mind – Second Time Around – located right on Newbury Street (think Broadway in Soho).  So, I called to make a consignment appointment and went in a week or so later, hoping to trade clothes I no longer wanted for some much-needed cash.  The ironic part is that a few moments after walking in, while waiting for the sales associate to look through my bag of consignment, I noticed a gorgeous chocolate brown pair of strappy Manolo Blahniks on the “high end” shelf behind the register.  They were my size (7 ½), in like-new condition, and on sale for about $80.

    As it turns out, I achieved neither of my original objectives.  However, this was one of the greatest and most influential shopping experiences of my life, and certainly one that would change my wardrobe/wallet relationship from then on.  STA, as they call themselves, did accept a number of my items that day and I ended up buying the shoes the following week with store credit from sold items.

    I consigned with the store several more times and had a few more fantastic “finds” before making my move to New York City early the following year.  I took the first “cheap” apartment (i.e. $1,000 a month) I found in the Upper East East Side, if you know what I mean, and lasted there for about 10 months.  I’m a downtown girl, so downtown I went – landing in a teeny apartment in an old building in Soho where I have very happily lived ever since.  The neighborhood was great from the beginning – complete with amazing coffee and pastry cafes, old Italian cheese and pasta shops, famous restaurants, and a real local charm.  I thought it couldn’t get better until I woke up one day and was overjoyed to see that a Second Time Around had opened about a block away.  “They followed me here!” I exclaimed to my friends, joking of course.  But at the rate I now visit the store and refer friends as both consignors and shoppers, perhaps there is some truth to it…

    The great thing is, before I let you go, that New York City is chock full of consignment stores.  Each one focuses on a different price range and style preference, so there is absolutely something for everyone!  I see a true link between the number of re-sale stores and the health of the economy.  So as the Dow plummets, try to find some solace in the fact that your dreams of finding affordable Diane von Furstenberg wrap dresses just became that much more attainable.  Another boutique, A Second Chance, for example, offers mainly Chanel, Hermes and similarly top-of-the-line brands at both their Upper East Side and Soho locations.  For a funkier selection, check out Tokio7 in the East Village or Beacon’s Closet in either Williamsburg or Park Slope.  This is really only the beginning so check back soon for more on consignment stores – buying and selling – soon!

    August 13, 2011

    Welcome to SohoShopGirl

    Hello, Readers!  Thank you for visiting my blog!  I promise that your time will not be wasted; my lofty plans for future entries include shopping tips and tales from the streets of New York City, and the information and experiences that have allowed me to achieve my very affordable, yet largely designer, wardrobe.  (Hopefully a few amusing stories along the way as well…)

    It all began (my blog, that is) a few weeks ago, when some friends at a professional event complimented me on my espadrilles.  Never being one able to keep a good deal to myself, I was of course compelled to share that they were almost-new Christian Louboutins, recently purchased at my favorite consignment store for a mere $100.  From there, the conversation led to other shopping “best practices,” and I found myself in the happy state that consists of me talking about my favorite stores - the ones that have the best sales, selections, customer service, etc.  My listeners, thankfully seeming very impressed and satisfied with this new information, exclaimed, “You should have a blog!”  And so, here we are...










    My interest in fashion began in middle school, although my style preferences have morphed quite a bit along the way.  Surprisingly, for those who know me now but not then, I was pretty taken with the “punk” era that included baggy pants and skater shoes.  But before long, I made a style-360, and was embracing everything pink and ultra-girly. Eventually, I settled somewhere in the middle, although admittedly more towards the feminine side of the spectrum.  In retrospect, I think both early phases contributed a lot to my fashion preferences today, and explain why I now gravitate to not just one, but a number of different style mantras.

    The second element of my blog is the financial side of fashion.  While my childhood was certainly not tragically financially challenged, I never had the luxury of parents who could take me on pricey shopping trips to the mall – at least not after I got my first job babysitting at 14 and at about the same time starting wanting to shop at stores other than Sears (ughh).  From time to time I did and still do feel jealous of those whose parents could afford to spend a few hundred dollars per spree on new Abercrombie jeans, skirts and tops.  But usually this is fleeting, as I realize that this element of my upbringing only inspired a more exciting and rewarding relationship with fashion.  Over the years, I have come to love the adventure that is browsing new stores for incredible discounts, combing the racks for hidden treasures, and keeping a mental list about where the greatest shopping “victories” lie.

    I firmly believe that fashion is an important form of self-expression.  What we wear is part of how we convey ourselves to those around us, be it friends, colleagues or even random people on the street.  I also believe that everyone should have the right to fashion, which is why I plan to share my “deals, steals and other stories” about how to find the best pieces at the best prices.

    Fashion-forward deal-seekers, stay tuned!