Shop 'Til you Drop

With all the great sales on at the moment I think it’s time to go on a bargain hunt.  There is nothing more satisfying than getting an awesome piece of clothing on the cheap.  Here are a few tips to get you through the day without making mistakes.

Preparation is key.  Remember what you are wearing will be taken off several times so make sure it will be easy. 

·         Flat slip on shoes are better than lace up sneakers

·         Trousers or jeans will go with more top styles than leggings

·         A knit top is easier to get on and off than a button up shirt or chiffon top

·         Too many layers get tricky and tiresome so keep it simple

Shopping is hard work and shopping sales is an all-day work out.   You’re on your feet, trying on clothes, taking on colour, textures and shapes, adding up figures.  You need to stop refuel and re-calibrate your senses.  Regular breaks make all the difference in making the distance.

Focus on the positive.  Because the prices are great you are more tempted to try things, but remember some things have ended up on the sales rack because of things like colours that aren’t flattering on, styles that don’t quite fit right.   So don’t let those knock backs get you down and start thinking nothing works for you.  Remember the great bargains you have bagged or think of the money you have saved from not buying.

Don’t let the price be the overriding reason for your purchase.   You still need to ask these questions

·         Does it fit correctly?

·         What do own that I can wear with it?

·         Where will I wear it?

·         Do I already own something similar that does the same job?

If the answer to these questions is ‘for that price I don’t really care’ then rethink your decision.  Because if it just ends up in your throw out pile when you spring clean your wardrobe you are just throwing away your hard earned money.

Let me know if you have any tips of your own that help you with sale time.

Handy Tips

People say the eyes are the window to the soul, but what about your hands.  When you first meet someone you often shake their hand, and if you are like me, hands tend to express what you are saying.  They are almost always exposed, so get almost as much exposure to the elements as your face, and then add in how many times they are washed in a day and all the cleaning products you use.  So do you look after your hands as much as they deserve?

I am a bit of hand cream freak.  I carry one in my handbag, I have one in my desk drawer at work and one on my dressing table at home.  But you can get lovely hand creams that smell great for a good price so it’s not like I’m breaking the bank.  It’s my little daily treat that peps me up.

I can hear you now “but I just don’t have the time”.  Well here are few tips you can fit into your daily routine.

·         After you have finished your morning routine and are about to leave the house use your hand cream.  It will be soaked into your hands by the time you get to the front door.

·          I also like to use Sally Hansens Nail, Cuticle and Hand Cream.  Massaging the cream into my hands is a good way of taking a relaxing break at lunch time instead of working through and keeps my nails strong and hands soft.

·          Moisturiser absorbs into the skin best at night so I also use it last thing at night before I go to bed.  If you put it on your hands just after you’ve brushed your teeth, you’ll have it rubbed into your skin by the time you get to your bed. 

There is something quite indulgent and pampering about a manicure.  It’s a great treat for yourself and you deserve a little ‘me time’.   A regular professional manicure although very relaxing can get expensive. So follow the steps below for your own DIY manicure in the comfort of your own home at a time that suits you.

THE 10 MINUTE MANICURE

I like to start with a quick hand exfoliation to polish the skin.

If your nails are too long trim them with scissors or clippers to the length you like.  Then shape nails with a nail file, make sure you file in one direction to avoid splitting.  I file from outside of the nail inwards towards the centre.  If you are unsure of what shape to file look at the shape of your cuticles and mirror this.

      By buffing your nails you get a great shine without any product, and it’s great for a natural look.

            Now turn your attention to cuticles.  I massage cuticle oil and then push them back very gently with a cuticle pusher.  You will need to use a nail polish remover to remove oil if applying polish.

            If your nails are weak finish by brushing on a nail treatment especially for your requirements like a nail hardener.  Remember to wash your hands first to remove any leftover oil and nail filings.

      Finish with a yummy smelling hand cream, and a hand massage if you have time

        By keeping your nail care products in something like a cute cake tin you can have your kit on display and ready to go anytime you need it.  It saves having to go through your draws looking for your tools and using up more of your valuable time.

TIPS FOR A GREAT LOOKING POLISH



1.        For best results use a nail polish remover to remove any excess oil or moisturiser, which stops the polish sticking to your nails.

2.       Apply a base coat or nail treatment.  This is primarily to stop your nail polish colour from leaving a yellow stain when it is removed

3.       In the same nail order as above apply your chosen colour.  First remove any excess of nail polish by wiping it on the inside of the nail polish jar.  Then paint a stripe down the center of the nail, followed by one stroke on each side.  There should be about a 2mm border of nail showing.  This will stop polish getting on your cuticles and hands and also elongates you nails.

4.       Finish with a top coat to help lengthen the life of your polish. 

5.       Your nail polish needs 20 minutes to dry before you do anything and an hour before you start using your hands normally

GREAT IDEAS TO KEEP YOUR HANDS TIP TOP

·         Use gloves when you work in your garden or when you use chemical products for cleaning up.

·         Sun exposure damages skin so use sunscreen lotion on hands before leaving the house in summer.

·         Use acetone free nail polish and don’t use nail polish remover more than once a week.

·         For a DIY hand exfoliation, use a homemade mixture of olive oil and rock salt or raw sugar. Scrub for two to three minutes, and then wash thoroughly. 

·         To remove stains from your nails, mix one tablespoon of lemon juice in a cup of water and soak your nails for a few minutes. Wash off with warm water and apply a hand moisturizer. Don’t use if you have any cuts or scraps on your hands no matter how small

Use these tips for a little me time and great looking hands.

Products in this article

The full Sally Hansens range is available at Farmers.  Nail strengthening treatments range from $10 - $25 dollars.  I started using Hard As Nails a couple of months before my wedding.  It reduced the amount of nail breakages and chips I had.  Nail, Hand and Cuticle cream was about $18.00 but as you only need  a small amount it lasts for a couple of months.  It soaks in quickly and I love the smell.

QVS and Manicare are available in most pharmacies and products are generally priced around the $10.00 mark. I use orange sticks, nail files, nail clippers etc I have never had a problem with any of their products.

For nail polish I use MAC Under Lacquer and Over Lacquer.  I like to use MAC coloured nail lacquers so I stick with the same brand. Using the base and top coats, makes a big difference in how long the polish lasts.  I used to just use colour only but it’s worth the extra step.  There are a lot of top and base coats available on the market so just make sure you use them.

Finding The Perfect Jeans

I had a call for help from a friend of mine.  She needed some new jeans and couldn’t find any.  I love jeans and am currently down to 3 pairs (well I have had up to 8 pairs at one time). So I was keen to join in the search.  Here is the run-down of what is currently in store.

Because I was looking for my perfect jeans I decided to wear my current best jeans.  They are the ‘Push In’ jeans in black denim from K & K.  I also wore a black tank top.  This shows my body shape but makes the eye focus on the bottom half and the fit of the jeans.  I recommend you wear a simple t-shirt in a flattering colour and cut so you can focus on the jeans you are trying on.  And don’t forget your ballet flats (easy to slip on and off and comfortable to walk in).

My shopping outfit.

I love my butt in these jeans.

Levis Curve ID’s are available from Just Jeans and Route 66.  They retail for around $130.  The good news is you have a choice of the amount of curve from the hip to the waist: slight, demi and bold curves.  In these curves they are also available in a straight, bootleg and skinny leg.  There was also a variety of washes, darker and lighter.  The bad news is they are only available up to a size 14.  I needed a size 14 bold curve and therefore I only had 1 option a bootleg in a lighter wash (didn’t tick any of my boxes).   The higher the size and more curve seemed to mean less options.  Maybe I need to try back in a couple of months when they restock the shelves.  To be honest I was a bit disappointed as size 14 is the average New Zealand clothing size so I would have hoped they would have offered bigger sizes.

I tried on Mavi jeans at Route 66 and I thought I had hit the jackpot.  Although they retailed at $160 I am prepared to pay this for the perfect jeans (but nothing less).  They were available in a size 14 straight leg, midrise.  There were only a couple of other options in a size 14 but they were low rise and wouldn’t even cover my butt.  The fabric was a great feel and the dark colour made them versatile.  Unfortunately when I did the sit test they failed, no builders crack for me.

I was impressed with the Jeans West Core Denim Range.  In the past I have not bothered with their jeans because the rise has been too low for me causing muffin top and builders crack.  So when I received an email about their new core denim range catering for different body shapes I was interested.  They have the tummy trimmer, curve embracer, buttlifter and they are available in slim leg skinny leg and bootleg.  Check out the Jeans West website to work out what fit is best for your body shape.   I liked the denim quality soft and it had stretch which is important for comfort.  The size range is 8 – 20 (a large variety) and they even had longer leg length option.  I tried on all the cuts in a size 14 and they all fitted me very differently which is great.  This means there is more options available for different body shapes. The best for me were the curve embracer, straight leg and bootleg.  The problem we had with these jeans was the excess fabric around the front rise; maybe it needed a bigger belly to fill it out?  I also loved the ‘Butt Cam’ and I think every shop should have one.  You stand in front of a large mirror with a tv screen above that showed the back view.   The price $69 or 2 for $109, was also great.  I would recommend you check them out if you are looking for jeans.

I dragged myself into Jay Jays and was pleasantly surprised.  I’m 37 and Jay Jay’s is for the young ones right?  There range was mostly a midrise and available up to a size 16.  They had a skinny leg a straight leg (more like a skinny leg), a bootleg and a flare.  They were available in a variety of washes and loved they didn’t have the fading at the thighs and butt so many have. The denim was a winter weight and had stretch which is important for my comfort. I fell in love with the flared jean in a dark wash size 14 and they were only $50.  Unfortunately it only just failed the sit test.  If you are an average height they would be great. 

My next stop was Ezibuy.  They great news is their size range is more diverse.  They have an ‘essentials’ range which has a variety of leg shapes up to a size 20 for around $50.  The mid-rise was good for me, and there was a high rise available. Most styles were available in a lighter and darker wash.  Unfortunately the lean jean showed off my thighs too much.  But if you have proportional thighs I would recommend giving them ago.

My friend and I are still on the lookout for the perfect jeans.  Lucky our last stop was for a glass of wine and tapas.

Shopping for the perfect jeans is difficult.  As you can see it can take a lot of trying on before you find the perfect match. Don't take it to heart if you don't find them easily.  Remember your body is unique and chain stores try to make to an 'average body shape'. Know what you are looking for, a list can be helpful.  Start with what you need.  According to most stylists the straight leg jean is the most flattering for most body shapes.  But I am amazed at the variety of cuts between the different brands.   I obviously have more research to do in this department and will keep you updated.  If you have found your perfect jeans let me know where you got them from.

 

Winter Stockings

Farmers have their red dot clearance sale so it was time to go and stock up on tights.  Black opaque tights are timeless classic.  They keep you warm, and when worn with a black skirt and black shoes it lengthens your shapely legs. 

I like to add a twist, so that’s why I like the textured tights.  The price is higher (around $25) for this extra interest. So when Farmers offer 30% off and they still have many styles in the tall/extra tall size of course I am going to stock up.  I love the Platinum and Voodoo brands.  There is great variety and the fit is perfect for me.

When choosing textured tights consider these tips.  If you are shorter you want a smaller, denser pattern, If you are tall you legs have more options.  A larger pattern (like the rose tights above) will add curves, so are great for a slim straight leg.  It also draws the eye to your legs.   I am tall and size 14.  Because I am tall I like of the look of the larger rose design on my legs.  The denser the design the warmer they will be.  Just remember if warmth is important the rose design won't be much warmer than your normal sheer tights.

I have also decided to try out colour opaque tights in dark claret and aubergine colours. These are great for adding a bit of character to an all black outfit.

When looking for opaque tights 80 denier is the best.  Denier refers to the thickness or weight of the tights, (15 denier is a nice sheer tight).  It gives good colour coverage without showing your skin through it.  I also prefer a matt almost velvety feel to the tights.  So check this before you buy.

I am looking forward to putting together new outfits and will keep you posted.

Working Out Your Body Shape

Books, magazines and websites are full of information about how to dress for your body shape and flatter your figure.  The information can be a bit tricky to interpret especially when you feel like you fit into different categories.  Also a lot of stylist come up with their own names for the different shapes and use fruit (apples, pears), letters (l,H,A), shapes (rectangles triangles) and even musical instruments (cello).

They key to dressing for your shape is about balancing your proportions.  Horizontally you need to look at your shoulders, waist, hips, thighs and ankles.  Vertically you need to look at your torso and leg lengths as well as your neck.  You then learn styles that balance out your proportions to the human eye.  For example a wide boat neck will make your shoulders appear wider, great for some people and not for others.

Here a few tips to help you work it out.

·         Wearing your underwear stand close to the mirror and mark (with something that can be cleaned off) your shoulder width, waist width, hip width and thigh width.

·         Wearing your underwear or tight fitting clothes (e.g. tank top and leggings) use a tape measure around your bust, waist, hips and around the widest part of your thighs.  Get a friend to do this or stand in front of the mirror side on. Make sure your tape goes straight around your body and there are no dips or angles at the back.  Your waist point is normally around about your belly button or the smallest part of your body, not necessarily the waistband of your jeans.  Your hips are measured around your hip bones where your leg joins your body, not where you put your hands on your hips.

·          Measure from your hips to the floor and then from your hips to the top of your head.  If your two measurements are equal or similar you are balanced.  If like me the distance from hip to the floor is shorter than from your hip to your head you are long in the body, or the opposite from hip to floor is longer you are short in the body.

·         When you gain weight were does it go on your body? The stomach area, your hips and thighs or your top half.  When body shapes are explained there is often a note about where you put on weight.

If you want more information I found these websites helpful.

Inside Out Style works on letters as body shapes.  Scroll down the page and on the right hand side you will find the choice of seven body shapes: 8, A, H, I, O, V, X. There is a detailed explanation of the body features related to your shape, photos of people with that shape and what to look for and avoid in the fit of different garments.   After checking your body proportions by reading the descriptions you can work out your body type.  I found these very straight forward and easy to understand.

At Shop Your Shape you can enter your measurements and it advises your body shape, also compare this to the silhouettes and double check you fit into this group.  You are then advised on what design features in garments suit you.

My Virtual Makeover works on your horizontal and vertical body shapes.  It advises what to wear and what not to wear. I like how it breaks your body into sections and then you can add it up at the end. They also give you style icons (celebrities with that body shape) to look to for inspiration.  OK so the celebrities are tiny but the concept of looking for certain clothes shapes and fashions to follow can be used.

I really enjoyed Gok Wan’s books ‘How to Look Good Naked’ and ‘Work Your Wardrobe’.  I love his positivity and who doesn’t want to hear how gorgeous they are?   Check your local library for copies and see if it helps you.  If you like what you read, you can buy pre-loved copies on trade me generally for $15 or under, or at your book shop for around $30.

Remember the description of your body type (or print it out) to work out how to accentuate your positives and not the bits you don’t like.

Some body parts you really don’t like are actually not as bad as you think.  The more you focus on a certain area of your body the bigger you perceive it is.  Why not go people watching?  Next time you go shopping or to a party sit down with a drink and have a look around.  What are people wearing? What size are they? What shape are they?  I find this quite inspiring and it also can give you ideas of what to wear.  You might see a fuller figure girl showing off her arms and looking great, or a flat chested girl wearing a plunging neckline looking sexy. 

Be advised your body shape is not a label.  It is just a helpful guide for shopping.  For example if you learn an A-line skirt looks better on you than a pencil skirt you will save a lot of time by not trying on pencil skirts.  Also no matter what body shape you are you will have great features you will want to accentuate so embrace your body as a whole.

I am an hourglass.  I have a very large bust (I’m a G cup), larger thighs than hips and a round belly.  Also I have a longer body and shorter legs.  So I need to consider all these points, not just my ‘hourglass’ figure when buying clothes.

As I shop for my wardrobe I will give you tips on what styles are best for you and what the NZ stores are currently offering.

Let me know what websites or books you found helpful.  Or if you’re still having difficulty let me know and I will point you in the right direction.

My Feel Good Scarf

I was up the road at lunchtime buying a birthday present for a friend when I came across this gorgeous scarf.

This winter I have decided I would like to add scarves to my wardrobe.  I only have 2.  A lovely black merino scarf, very practical, and a grey, embroidered wool scarf.  I have been looking around but found nothing that takes my fancy.   There is always some reason I don’t really like it or wouldn’t end up wearing it.  I want my scarves to add personality to my outfits.

When this scarf caught my eye I was exciting and then when I checked the price tag $22, I was hooked. It is a printed cotton velveteen scarf in a rich red colour, that is prevalent in my wardrobe.  I checked the colour against my face in the mirror (very important to make sure the colour compliments your skin tone).  It looked great, how exciting.  The scarf was also available in a beautiful turquoise colour, which didn’t look as good on me.

I wore my new scarf today for the first time. So far my chiropractor’s receptionist and 2 work friends have complimented me on the scarf.  So now it’s also my feel good scarf and every time I put it on I will know how great it is.

Floressents makes a range of lifestyle products from bags and cushions to sarongs and scarves.  They are a New Zealand company that makes there gorgeous prints on a variety of cotton fabrics in India.  There products are available from a variety of gift shops throughout New Zealand and Australia.

Taking Stock

Now that there is only good looking clothes in your wardrobe that look good on you, it is time to work out what is missing. 

I suggest going through your wardrobe again working with what you have.  Play dress up and put as many outfits together as you can.  Let you creativity loose and try things you normally wouldn’t.  It’s only you and your mirror, so you don’t need to worry about getting it wrong.  Or turn it into a girl’s night in and invite your bestie over, pop open some bubbly and get your play list on, a-la Sex and the City.

Now you can make your lists.  First you need a list of what you do have.  Refer to this when you are going to buy something new.  Then you won’t be tempted to buy the same things again, which can lead to you looking like you wear a uniform. 

Next is the exciting part.  Making a list of the things you need.  There are a few ways to work this out so here are a few suggestions. Choose a system that works for you.

1.       List all of your activities; work, weekend activities, children’s sports games, social life and work out what you are missing from your wardrobe to fill these gaps

2.       What new look are you after?  Casual Cool, 50’s Glamour, Classic Chic, .  Choose a style icon, Kate Moss, Sophia Lauren, Gwyneth Paltrow.  What items do they have in there wardrobe? How do they put their looks together?

3.       List all the classic wardrobe essentials, dress, jacket, pants, etc.  What is missing from your wardrobe?

4.       Create your ultimate wishlist.  If money was no object what would you buy?  Hermes scarf, Pucci print dress, Channel handbag.  Use these as inspirations for available options and work them into your new look.

This is a list of the items I have plenty of:

·         Tunics

·         Leggings

·         Drapey Cardis

·         Silky Print Tops

·         T-shirts

These are few of my favourite things.

·         Denim Jacket

·         Black Frock Coat

·         Shiny Red Shoes

·         Pinstripe Navy Trousers

·         Tailored Red Dress

I am going for classic wardrobe pieces that I can accessorise to create a more unique look.

·         The Little Black Dress. 

·         The Perfect Jeans

·         Biker Jacket

·         Blazer

·         Classic White Shirt

·         Wrap Dress

·         Pencil Skirt

·         Printed Maxi Dress

·         Classic Cardi

As I shop for my list I will give you tips to work your new personal style into these pieces and make sure it rocks your body.  With this in mind your list may change a little as you start shopping , trying things on and developing you style.  As I shop for these pieces I will let you know how it goes and pass on my advice as I go.  Let me know how your shopping goes and we can compare notes.