Image: Zuma Press

1. Wear comfortable shoes! This should go without saying but don’t sacrifice your favourite shoes or your feet in order to get good deals.

2. Consider carrying a cross-body bag. Or go without a handbag. You will need your hands free to carry your purchases, scour through racks or grab something from someone else’s arms (kidding!) and you don’t want to be inconvenienced by your handbag.

3. Go with another savvy shopper. By working as a team one you can cover twice as much uh, territory during the sales. And when you’re done shopping, your friend can hold your spot in line while you venture out to find last minute gifts.

4. Have a plan of attack. Pour over all the newspaper ads or checkout BlackFriday.info to get an idea of where to start your bargain shopping and which stores will give you more bang for your hard earned buck.

5. Create a shopping list. Similar to having a plan of attack, write down what you want to get so you don’t forget. It’s better to have a list of the items you want (organized by each store) rather than carrying around the store’s flyers and ads with you.

6. Have lots of  patience! This is something I don’t have much of (I’m serious), but if you have a lot of it, it will definitely work in your favour.

7. Be kind. Don’t end up like those crazy shoppers who think its ok to push and shove their way into stores or cut in line. Although Black Friday sales are a great way to save on your holiday shopping, it’s not reason to turn into Scrooge!

Happy shopping!

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Wouldn’t one of these pick up your spirits:

• Lead the Way
• Sow Love
• Speak Kindness
• Lend a Hand, Receive a Hand
• Accept Love
• Make a Difference

Available in colors of baby pink, snow, grass, rust, natural, and brick red, you can find the Humanity bracelets at local boutiques or through the Humanity website.  Priced at $24, these are great for gifts, or a gift for yourself.  It’s not too soon to start stocking up for the holiday.

Photo credit: Humanity for All

Post from: The List Maven

Take a walk on the wild side, and pair up your animal prints with something already in your wardrobe:

Patterson J Kincaid Sao Paolo Tank available at Nordstrom

Shoes – Pair some sexy animal print shoes with basic black to a conservative suit from drab to fab.  They’ll dress up a black trousers, jeans, and a simple pencil skirts as well.  If heels aren’t your thing, try some ballet flats.

Skirt – I picked up a cheetah print pencil skirt, and have found it to be a mainstay of my wardrobe.  Wear it with a little prim and proper sweater set, and you may be able to get by for office wear.  A camisole and heels are perfect for a night out.  A black sweater, tights, and ankle boots will see you well into winter.  Keep all you other pieces and accessories plain, and let the skirt do your talking.

Dress – A bit more bold of a statement, and a little more investment of money, but if you can pull it off, go for it!  Wear with tights and heels for a good day look.  Bare legs and stilettos will be perfect for evening.  Simple shoes and jewelry will help you pull it all together.  Depending on the cut and style, you may be able to give it an additional looking by wearing it over jeans or leggings.

Camisole – Whether it’s simple cotton/lycra, or a flirty piece of fluff, a cami is great paired with pants, skirts, or jeans.  Throw a jacket or sweater over it, and you won’t be too wild for the office, either.

Blouses, shirts and other tops – Depending on the style and fit, you can jazz up skirts, pants, and jeans.  An oversized top works with tights as a dress or over leggings.  Wear something straight and sexy with a top that’s loose and flirty.  Experiment with different pieces until you find something that looks great.

Hand bags – There are lots of sizes and shapes to choose from, but one of my favorites is a small evening bag in a leopard print.  Big enough for some money, credit cards, phone, and a lipstick, it’s my go-to bag with a little black dress.

Sweater – There are lots of cute animal print cardigans to choose from, and I’m a fan of the ones that are a little more fitted.  Button it up and pair it with a skirt and you’ll look like a sexy librarian.  Wear it open as a jacket for a totally different look.

Coat/Jacket – Another piece involving a bit more expense, and not everyone can pull it off, but you may want to give it a try with an affordable option.  I’ve seen some raincoat trenches that could brighten up even the darkest days of winter.

Accessories – Not sure if you can pull off this fashion trend?  Start with something easy like a headband, hat, or pair of gloves.  Since you won’t be wearing these all the time, it may be an easier way to give it a try.  I bet you’ll get so many compliments that you’ll want to rush out to buy something else!

How will you wear animal prints this fall?

Photo credit: Nordstrom

Post from: The List Maven

Fall scarves are soft and warm, with fabrics like lightweight cashmere, knits, and silk.  You’ll see muted soft colors, as well as bold and bright shades that will make your eyes and your outfit pop.

Here are a few fall selections for Saks Fifth Avenue:

Marc Jacobs:  This large woven silk and cashmere blend has a floral print as soft as its fabric.  Frayed edges help give it power to work for casual and work wear.  $450.

Yves Saint Laurent:  Animal prints are still big for fall, and this luxurious Italian silk leopard print scarf will be a classic in your wardrobe.  Mmmm, mmmm!  I love this one.  $365.

Gucci:  A medium-sized wool and silk blend GG patterned shawl.  Available in other colors, but this bright blue and black plaid will brighten up a little black dress and look stunning beneath a trench, yet is still casual enough for jeans.  $395.

Minnie Rose:  Tie-Die will segue into fall, and this cotton jersey knit is bright and bold in addition to warm.  $180.

Burberry:  Known for its classic patterned scarf, Burberry combines plaid and flowers into a soft and luxurious floral check pattern.  This will be a classic.  $450.

Maison Martin Margiela:  Soft, yet lightweight, this alpaca rib-knit scarf is long and fringy.  This will keep you warm well into winter.  $425.

Emilio Pucci:  With a nod to its retro-hay days, this multi-striped silk crepe oblong scarf is a perfect way to brighten up a conservative suit, or to tie around a classic handbag.  $190.

Etro:  Another oblong scarf, this one a silk and wool blend floral, that will bring a little yellow-gold from summer into your fall wardrobe.  What a great pick-me-up for a cold, crisp fall day.  $410.

Giorgio Armani:  This large, yet muted, floral has a solid border with a short bit of fringe trim.  I’m a BIG Armani fan, and the beautiful classic pattern and color of this scarf reinforces why.  Made of wool and silk.  $285.

If the prices of these beautiful pieces are a little out of your price range, you’re not out of luck.  You can bet these styles and trends will be replicated across the entire budget spectrum.  You’ll be able to find something you love in your price range.

What do you think of these fall scarf styles?

Photo credit: Sak’s Fifth Avenue

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Growing up, it may have been back-to-school shopping with mom and dad.  In college, it may have been the opportunity to pick up one or two fun pieces for fall.  And for many businesswomen, this is the time to stock up on basic wardrobe items in addition to finding a couple of new fall outfits.

I’m at that in between shopping phase.  I wear a uniform for my day job, so only need to have a minimal amount of business clothes.  So, I get the luxury of finding fun things – both for home, and those that will pack and travel well.

Here’s what I picked up at the sale yesterday:

Pajamas:  I’ve been needing some new PJ’s, and was excited to see a nice assortment from PJ Salvage.  These twill pajamas are a classic boyfriend-style pajamas, made out of super-soft cotton and don’t need multiple washings to be comfy.  They had several fun patterns, and I chose a leopard print and a cherry pattern.  Sale priced $37.90.

I also found another pair of pajamas from Shimera.  I couldn’t find a photo online, but they’re in plum patterned cotton, with a t-shirt top (Sale priced,$15.90) and a drawstring bottom (Sale priced, $27.90).

Pants:  This was all about jeans!  And first off was a look at traditional denim.  I was hoping to find something at an affordable price, as I’ve grown a bit weary of paying close to $200 for a decent pair of jeans.  I found a great choice with the reasonably priced Kut from the Kloth, so chose to pick up two pair.  They were both a boot cut stretch jean, the first in a dark wash with button flap back pockets (sale priced $49.90), and the second in a medium wash with back flap pockets ($59.90).  The rise was a a higher fit, and the inseam long enough, so they fit comfortable and are easy to move around in.  While I won’t put these on my sexiest jeans list, they are comfy and attractive jeans for every day wear.  And at this bargain price, who can pass them up!

The other pair of jeans were the Joe’s Jeans Chelsea skinny pants.  These are out of a stretchy double knit, and look like ankle length leggings out of a heavy material.  These are hip and fun, and finally hitting the US a couple years after I saw them all over Paris.  They fit snuggly, and should be worn with a longer top.  I can already think of all sorts of things that I can wear these with!  Sale priced $79.90.

Handbags & Shoes:  These are probably my two favorite departments in the store!  I saw the Marciano studded satchel in the catalog, and was curious to see what it looked like up close and personal.  I wanted to feel and smell the leather, and see if the larger sized bag looked okay on my arm.  I love the removable chain-link strap, which, along with the triangle studs, gives it a little biker chick look while still maintaining a classic style.  The leather feels wonderful, and the pin-tucked pleats and wide top closure at impressive detailing.  Loved the bag, had to have the bag!  Sale priced $189.90.

Because of the traveling side of my life, I am always looking for comfy shoes that don’t take up much room in my suitcase.  I try to have a couple of go-to pair that I can rotate among, and the Puma Mostro sneakers will be a welcome addition.  The leather and mesh give it a sporty lightweight look, and the off-center Z-strap helps gives you a secure fit.  These aren’t a serious running shoe, but they’ll be great for vacation or general walking around town.  Sale priced $64.90.

It’s likely that I’ll be going back for another pass through on the Anniversary Sale, probably to spend some additional time in lingerie (stocking up on basics) as well as spending a bit more time in the shoe department.  These are good prices, and shopping wisely now means that I can get through a number of months without additional purchases.  (Yeah, right!)

Did you go to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale?  What purchases did you make?

Photo credit:  All from Nordstrom

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Here are three practical items that I have in my shopping cart:

Sôleil Expert Sun Care SPF 30 Face Creme – A moisture rich sun protection specially design for the face with good UVA/UVB protection.  Wear it alone or as a moisturizer under your foundation.  Sun protection is a key line of defense against skim damage, premature aging, and skin cancer.  $28.50.

Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover – I’m running a little low on eye makeup remover, and after trying a variety of imitations, I’m back to the original.  Just shake gently, and let the stuff do its magic, even making short order of waterproof mascara.  Good for sensitive skin, and it doesn’t make my eyes tear up.  $26.

Définicils Mascara – A perennial favorite among fashionistas everywhere, this best selling mascara is great for coating your lashes while still keep them separate.  It’s great for contact lens wearers or those with sensitive eyes (that’s me!).  I’m looking for something a little more glamorous than my usual black, so I’ll be trying it in Aubergine Royal (a deep purple).  I’ll most likely do a first coat in black, and then a second coat in the purple.  Or, I may use a coat of black and then just do the tips of my lashes in purple.   Playing with mascara is a fun way to find a new look.  $24.

And I have to try at least one new product:

Juicy Tubes Pure Lip Gloss – Lancome has been making the popular Juicy Tube lip glosses for a long time, and they have a new limited edition available.  Called Pure because it’s the first true lip gloss from nature, it boasts 95% natural origin ingredients and 100% natural origin flavors.  It contains Shea butter to act as an emollient and to provide a shiny look.  I’m looking for a lip gloss that will give me a little bit of color, but a lot of shine, and is good for when I’m just knocking about.  Ginger Root looks like a good color to give me a finished look without looking made up.  $18.

That’s quite a shopping spree, and well under budget!

Do you have any Lancome favorites?  Are they part of your go-to beauty choices?

Photo credit: Lancome

Post from: The List Maven

Drea faux leather tote from Forever 21

Still, there are lots of fashion choices that you can make at Forever 21, regardless of your age and size, and the prices are inexpensive enough that you can try a few trends that may not stick around very long.

Take a look at what you can buy for $100:

• A straw fedora that offers a little sun protection while still being fashion forward.  Did you see the hats on the runway this season?  $13.80.
• A graphic t-shirt is an inexpensive way to add color and personality to your wardrobe.  I like this What’s Your Story long-sleeved t-shirt. Sale priced at $7.99.
• Try something a little different in a belt, with a skinny double wrap.  Made of faux leather, so you can take a chance on this fashion.  $7.80.
• Flats are often needed for summer, both for casual and dressier situations.  I’d choose a pair of pink and white sneakers ($12.80) for boating or other times when heels are inappropriate, and a pair of leopard print ballerina flats (9.50)for a more fun look.
• Adding a new bag or two is always a fun way to mix it up.  A tote is always a good choice for summer and all those things that I find myself packing around, and the Drea faux leather tote (in photo) will also take me into fall.  $32.80.  I’d also pick up a colorful clutch bag, something that I can slip inside the tote if need be, but that would also add a little color to a little black dress.  A yellow croc wristlet would do the trick!  $8.50.
• And finally, I’d add in a scarf.  Scarves are a big fashion extender, giving a new look to old clothes.  Since I love the color pink, I’d opt for a woven metallic pink ombre scarf that’s easily worn around the neck or tied to the handle of my tote.  $6.80.

There’s my Forever 21 shopping list – with one slim penny to spare!  Mixing up a few inexpensive accessories with your investment pieces will keep people guess what’s real and what’s not.  $100 will go a long ways at Forever 21.

Photo credit:  Forever 21

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1. Slim fitting jeans (sale priced, $50)
2. T-Shirt (sale priced, $24.50)
3. Bag ($19.50)

Start off with a pair of slim fitting jeans.  I love this look, but have been slow to adopt the style – mostly because I have a few curves.  But I saw women of all ages and sizes wearing this style in Europe – and they looked great.  It’s just a matter of how you wear them and accessorize your outfit.

These slim fits are made of a premium stretch cotton, meaning they’ll hug your body (and its curves) in all the right ways.  They fit lower on the waist, and come in standard and longer inseam lengths.  Perfect for dressing up (strappy sandals or heels) or down (tucked into boots or with ballet flats).

With so many different ways to wear these jeans, you’ll get great value for your money!

Top off you slim fitting jeans with this featherweight long-sleeved tee with a plunging v-neck.  It’s soft and stretchy and will hug your body, and is also perfect for layering.

Wear it alone for it’s sexy sheer look.  Or, layer over a camisole, tank, or another tee.  The longer length (past your hips) gives you the option to wear out for a casual day of shopping, or tuck it in and slip on a sweater or jacket when you need to look a little more pulled together.

Although the tee comes in lots of colors (orange, red, white and navy), I’d choose white for it’s versatility, knowing that I can pair it up with so many other things in my closet.

To complete the outfit, this reusable tote bag is cute as well as eco-friendly.  Made of ultra-lightweight nylon, it can fold into its own pocket and then slip into your purse or another bag.

Carried inside your purse or a tote, you’ll never have to choose between paper or plastic at the market!

The geometric print is so cute though, that I’d probably use it as a day tote.  It has a top velcro closing to keep your valuables safe, and 10 inch drop handles so it’s easy and comfortable to carry.  If you get it dirty, just spot clean with a damp cloth.

Choose navy for maximum versatility, or go with a fun orange or lime for a bolder statement.

One outfit, three items than can easily be integrated with other pieces in your wardrobe, and a price tag of $94 – well under our $100 budget.  Now, what to do with that leftover $6. . . .

Image credits: Martin + Osa

Post from: The List Maven

That’s a whole lot of value out of a simple gift card purchase!

I love thinking about how I’d spend huge sums of money at all my favorite stores if I had a gift card worth thousands of dollars.  It’s a tougher decision, however, if the gift card is for less, say. . . $100.  That’s large enough to get something good, but you are still going to have to be careful how you spend it.

I thought I’d start a Sunday feature talking about how I would spend a $100 gift card at some of my favorite stores.  Today I’m starting with one of my very favorite stores – Sephora.

Here’s how I’d spend $100 at Sephora:

• Medium Cosmetic Case from the Moroccan Sunrise Fuchsia Bag Collection – I need a new cosmetic case, and this pretty pink and gold bag open up large enough to hold all my essentials.  It will fit into a large tote, my carry on bag when working. or just look pretty and home on the counter.  Also available in white & gold and tangerine & gold.  ($22)
• Phenomen ‘Eyes Mascara – A new product on the mascara front, the round sphere at the tip of the wand promises to perfectly curl and separate lashes (in photo above).  Wouldn’t we all pay just about anything to have sexy bedroom eyelashes?!  By Givenchy exclusively for Sephora.  ($28)
• Body Scrub and Body Butter from Sephora’s Tangerine Grapefruit Body Collection.  This light citrus fragrance is fresh and clean, and perfect for every day wear.  I’d probably pack it for my travels, so I could always exfoliate and moisturize away all the dry skin caused by frequent travel.  ($12 scrub, $16 body butter)
• Sephora Brand FACE 25 Makeup Removing Wipes – Good for removing makeup from your face, eyes, and lips, this wipes are saturated with FACE Fluid Makeup Remover.  I love these for wiping off all my makeup at night before giving my skin a good cleansing.  Sure saves on stained washcloths and towels!  Best of all, they’re travel friendly and don’t count as a liquid or gel – a real bonus for me.  ($10 for package of 25)

That would take me to exactly $100, but one of the great things about Sephora is that you get to choose three free samples with your order.  I always use this opportunity to try out new products – so here’s what my three free choices would be:

• Tarte Clean Slate – make up primer
• Caudalie Contour Cream Eyes & Lips – gel cream for eyes and lips to help reduce lines and wrinkles
• Ralph Lauren Notorious – a sample of this oriental fragrance from a fashion icon.

Not a bad haul for $100!  Although it took some prioritizing and careful shopping to get a good combination of what I need and what I want.

How about you?  What would be on your Sephora must-buy list?

Post from: The List Maven

Here are the top ten ways to recession-proof your life:

Create a budget: step #1, know what you’re currently spending. You would be surprised how quickly your money goes toward things that could be easily cut down or cut out of your life.

Start saving : you might not be thinking long term, but you should be thinking “safety net”. For your own security and peace of mind, you should ideally have six months worth of living expenses saved up and stored away. If anything happens, you  can rest a little easier until something else comes along.

Bring your lunch: those meals out every day can be costly. Take the time to plan ahead and maximize your groceries. Sure, it’s easy to walk over to the coffee shop down the street – but by just cutting back 2-3 times a week, you will start to see those numbers add up.

Pay down your credit cards: there is a reason why we’re in this crunch; credit cards are e-v-i-l. If you’re paying just the monthly minimum, beware; your balance is definitely growing. This is not free money, nor is a high limit any reason to splurge on a last minute vacation if you can’t pay it off at the end of the month. Get rid of your debt.

Cotton is your friend : dry cleaning is expensive. Try to select clothes that are easy to care for if you’re going to be wearing them regularly. There will always be a place for high maintenance clothes; but now just isn’t the time.

Get a water purifier: are you still buying bottled water? Save your money and the environment by going with a water purifier like Brita. I totally understand that you don’t want to drink tap water (yuck – I don’t like it either). This is a little change that will add up in ways more than just dollars and cents.

Walk, walk, walk (or carpool): if you can walk there, you should be. This is good for your health, saves money on gas, and again, is good for the environment. This may be a little trickier if you’re living in the suburbs, so instead coordinate your driving excursions with friends in one car.

Watch for sales: there’s no reason your personal style should suffer because you’re watching a budget. All it takes is a little more effort to find the best deal and the strength to resist carefully presented “NEW” items (that are inevitably full price). By just waiting a week or two, that item will likely have moved out of the store limelight and may already be marked down. It’s worth the hunt.

Natural hair never looked better: put the hair dryer down, stop it with the flat iron. Heat styling every day will lead to dry hair and split ends far faster than embracing your natural locks. Take care of your hair and go with a hair style that will grow out nicely instead of constantly needing a trim.

and finally…

Don’t forget to treat yourself: these aren’t easy times, but you should still indulge a little every once in a while. Remember that crash diet you were once and how that ended with a pint of ice cream/bag of potato chips/Venti doubleshot vanilla latte/[fill in your fattening food of choice]. Depriving yourself of all fun and entertainment will only lead to a splurge you regret.

This post brought to you by redtagcrazy.com where you’ll find one sought-after fashion label at a time up to 80% off. Get an instant $5 to spend on anything you want courtesy of The List Maven

Image: sxc.hu

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