Bagging a Bargain - be alittle thrifty.

I know that you are all like me and you want to find a bargain. But did you ever get the feeling that some people are better at getting bargains than you are.    If so, than read through the few little tips that I have picked up recently which will hopefully help you bag that bargain.

Follow your favourite stores on twitter

These stores may tweet discounts codes or give you an insight as to when the sale may start either online or in store.  

Compare prices

Compare the prices of your most used products whether it is in store or online.   I especially do this when it comes to make up.  I  can save up to 5euro a pop on my regular make up product by comparing the prices in the store and online.

Seek out discounts special

Remember if you are a student you can get student discounts.  It doesn’t matter if you are a mature student – these discounts will still apply.  Teachers get discounts also and some companies can sign up for group schemes where discounts apply.   So get up and talk to your boss – you never know what discounts that you can get.

Know what you are looking for.

Just because something is discounted doesn’t mean that it is going to be a bargain.  You have to ask yourself some questions:

• Does it fit ? i.e do you have spend more money on getting the item altered?
• Do you have accessories to go with it?  Do you need to spend more money buying some more items to go with it?
• Do you have shoes to go with it? Do you need to buy shoes to go with the dress or outfit that you are thinking of buying.
• Do you already have something like this in your wardrobe.  Knowing what you already have in the wardrobe is half the battle.

If you any of the answers from the above cause you to spend more money than really it is not a  bargain is it.

Shop off season 

Some people may shudder when I say this.  But if you are looking for those classic items that will never go out of fashion i.e. good denims, plain t-shirt and winter coats – than shopping off season will work best for you. 

What tips do you have for a bagging a bargain?  Leave a comment below and let us all know. 

S

Style Icons - What makes and who is one?

Who is your style Icon? Whose fashion do you most admire and aspire to look like?

Magazines always talk about one person or another being a style icon and when I pondered this thought myself and I discovered that I don’t really have one particular person that I would call as a style icon.

What is a style icon for me? 

A style icon for me is someone who has poise, grace and this uncanny ability to look good and be in the exact right clothes for that exact occasion. 

For me at the moment that person is Princess Catherine.  This girl cannot put a single foot wrong in my books when it comes to fashion.  Just take a look at some of her styles that she has been wearing.

Even down to her attendance at the Olympic events she has nailed it each time. 

I think that she encompasses everything I believe a style Icon should be.

Being a style icon is also to do with confidence and how you wear something.   Many women believe it is to with the money that you spend on what you are wearing.  But it isn’t.  Being an icon is about how you wear something – no matter what the cost of it is.

Coco Chanel said it best – Fashion Fades – but style remains.

In terms of other celebrities I have not come across anyone who has the perfect style that fits like Princess Catherine.  However, out there in blogger land there are plenty of ladies who have the style that fits every occasion and looks fantastic.   These girls mix and play with style that suits their body and mixes in the trends that are out there in the fashion world.    These are ladies that I draw inspiration from -  they have taught me how to dress for my body and more importantly not to worry or focus too much on what is in trend right now. Take a look at some of these styles and fantastic ladies.

Check out their blogs for more fantastic style.   Who is your style Icon and what fashion blogs do you recommend.  Leave a comment below.

S

Fashion Friday – Career Wear – what to wear to an interview.

Thank you to everyone for your kind words regarding my post on creating the perfect CV.  Some of you have asked the next all important question – what do you wear to an interview?

If you don’t have the right outfit on to an interview, you could lose the job without even saying one single word.   If you don’t take pride in your appearance on that one day – how can someone interviewing you have confidence that you will take pride in your work?  It is that simple. 

Men : So for men it is always easy – you can’t go wrong with a business suit. Black is just a tad too formal and very much like you are attending a funeral rather than a job interview so maybe go for a dark grey colour.   

Make sure your socks match – and are not white – yes men you heard me.  The only place to see white on a man is a nice crisp white shirt.   

A nice tie to compliment the suit and voila the man is now dressed for an interview.

Ladies:  it is always hardest for us.   A suit is perfect whether it is skirt or pants suit.  But please make sure your skirt is not too short – too short and you could be interviewing for the wrong job.   

Picking the right colour is not as hard as you think – go for a business colour, such as black, brown or grey.  Never go with the current fashion trend when it comes to interviews unless your job requires such as  thing.  If you do wear a skirt and are wearing tights – bring an extra pair – just in case.

If you are wearing a shirt or blouse – wearing a long sleeve blouse is most professional as it will help convey a professional look.   Dresses are fine for an interview, but be careful not too be too dressy or even too casual.

When it comes to accessories and an interview less is more. Limit the amount of jewellery that you are wearing.  Avoid over using perfume  - too much can knock someone out.  But also, and something most people don’t think about – the person interviewing you could be allergic to your perfume.  I am this person, I sneeze at everything so watch out.  Closed shoes and make sure your heels are not too high.

Take your time to pick out the perfect outfit. Take time and don’t leave it until the last minute.

The Rules are simple and can be summarised like this

Men

• Wear a suit – dark blue / grey work best.  Black is too formal.
• Nice crisp white shirt
• Tie that compliments that your suit – should be long enough to go to your belt.
• Shiny Shoes
• No white socks – go for a block colour e.g black or grey.  Patterns can be a little too stand out.

Women

• If you wear a skirt – make sure it is below your knee
• Long Sleeve blouse portrays more professionalism.
• Basic colours work best  - black, grey or navy. 
• Avoid on trend items unless appropriate to the job you are applying for.
• Bring extra tights / pantyhose just in case
• Don’t over accessorize,
• Not too much perfume,
• Not too much make up. 

 I hope that you have enjoyed this edition of Fashion Friday meets Career Day - if you have any feedback feel free to email me or leave a comment.

S

What exercise are you doing to stay in shape?

When I first joined Weight Watchers I dreaded the word exercise.  I had seen people who were much skinnier and fitter than me going to the gym, running or walking to keep fit.  At that point I felt like I was too fat to do any of that.   But it was also at that point that I realised everyone has to start somewhere.   So I did.

My exercise of choice is walking.  I love getting out in to the fresh air putting on my music and just walking.   It feels so invigorating after a day in the office to come home and put on my work out gear and go.  Whilst out walking I find that my thoughts often wander to what went on during the day in work, replaying a discussion in my head with a friend or family member.  But most importantly I find it very good to take a moment to think why the hell I am doing this.  Why I have decided on a cold Irish Winters night to go for a walk – well it is simple my health. 

I have tried many sports since I starting with Weight Watchers, some because I have always wanted to and I found confidence to do so when I started losing weight.  Others because I thought they would be fun.

I tried many times when I was younger to learn how to swim – and my new found confidence of losing weight helped me get back in the pool and learn how to swim.  I enjoyed it and it was great exercise and it also helped me achieve a dream – being able to swim. I am now not so scared to get in the pool when I go on holidays.

For fun i joined a salsa class – it was one of those salsa to lose weight classes. I enjoyed the salsa part but the instructor was an utter tyrant and took the fun out of the class for me so i finished the course and put it down to experience.

No matter what type of exercise I tried the one thing that I have loved and enjoyed doing is putting on my running shoes and putting in my iPod and just walking.  And you know what it’s free.  I am a great believer in fresh air being brilliant for your mind, body and soul.  This way it is.   

I also find that walking fits better in to my lifestyle in that you are not stuck to set regime – you can go whenever you have some spare time in comparison to a class whereby you are stuck to a timetable.  I often see people when I am driving to work at 0730 in the morning and they are out walking as it is only the time of the day that they can get to fit this in to their schedule.  Or on my way home from work at 1730 people are out walking as well.

I tend to go walking about 1830 – you see thats the thing it doesn’t matter what time of the day it is – you can always go walking.  You don’t have to wait for someone to be free to join you – you don’t have to wait for space in a class. You can just go! 

I am now at a point that I never thought I would be at - I miss when I don't go for a walk. I miss when I have not done any exercise at all in my day.  Thats a good sign and a sign that I am fit and healthy and in a better place than I was three years ago when to walk to the bathroom was a chore and I figured that was exercise lol

I would love to try out some more exercise classes – but my schedule doesn’t allow for that.  But for some of you out there classes may just suit.  What classes are you currently taking to help lose weight?

Inspire me to try something new by leaving a comment below.

S

- Fashion Win Versus Fashion Epic Fail

I have had some time this week and I have been looking through some of the celeb fashion.    Looking just at casual every day, out and about shopping looks there is a startling difference between what some people think works and what actual does.  Take a look below.

What do you think - add to the comments below. 

Fashion Epic Fail                                                                                   
  

 











 Fashion Win 

The classics and the basics every girl must have in their wardrobe

Every wardrobe needs some classic items in there that will take you season to season.  Let’s be honest, not everyone can afford to buy new clothes at every turn.     I also believe that your style doesn’t have change with every new fashion phase which seems to pop up on the runway or magazines.   Buying new fashion every few months ends up costly, when you buy an item think about cost per wear rather than is it on trend or not.    Having a wardrobe full of clothes does not necessarily mean that you have something to wear does it?  No, because a trend has passed and you will no longer wear an item of fear of making a fashion faux pas.  A fear my friend recently realised and ended up giving three bags of clothes to charity shops.

So lets me take you through some fashion classics and basics which also appear in my wardrobe.  In some cases I have paid a bit more for these items as only because I know that only do I get this season out of them I will also get next and hopefully the following.  Fashion doesn’t have to be on trend to fashionable – it needs to be timeless. 

Black dress

This is little number is a classic for a reason.  A black dress will take you through any event whether it is business or friends party.  The best thing about a black dress is that you can match in any accessories colour that you wish or that is currently in trend.

 

White t-shirt

Whether long sleeve or short sleeve this is a classic again for a reason.   Jeans and t-shirt can be stylish when worn with the right shoes, handbag and jewellery and it can also be a nice relax style as well. 

Black coat

A black coat is good for all occasions.  It is another wardrobe classic that will take you through any event and will look fabulous over so many items.    Again a black coat is something that you can match up the colours which are currently on trend and voila a classic is again in fashion.  The same can be done with a brown coat – placing orange and corals with this colour will add a pop of on-trend to your outfit.

 

Nice fitting classic word trousers.

Every wardrobe needs a good trouser.  A trouser which has a good fit and will take you through from day to night.  Whether it is black or brown – either classic colour will serve your wardrobe well. 

Fantastic Fit Denims.

Spend time and spend some money on a classic and comfortable pair of denims.   These are a classic item for any wardrobe and can take you from lunch with the girls to dinner with the man in your life. 

Shoes / Shoes / Shoes

We all need the comfortable work shoe but we also need a classic statement shoe.  That shoe that will pop any outfit that you have from your denims to your black dress.  Some examples below.

 

 Nude Classic shoe that will go with everything 

Classic Handbag

I love handbags – I have them in all shapes and sizes and colours.   But one thing I have realised is that a bigger handbag is more versatile for a reason.  It can take you from day to night and have every item you will need to get you through the day in there!  So for that reason I have two handbags shown below. 

 

For the night time and that special occasion it is safe to say that you will need a small classic clutch bag that will get you through.  But I would never spend too much money on those as you can easily stay on trend by getting the most up to date colours from places like Primark or A-wear at very reasonable prices.

Tank Tops

Get yourself two – one in black and one in white – perfect over a black / brown pants and over a denims as well.  Another classic look that will take you through work or lunch with the girls to an evening event. 

 

White Shirt

Another classic that goes from work to play.  Take time to pick the right one and you will see how fashionable these really can be.

I hope that you have some of these items already in your wardrobe and if not take some time the on your next shopping trip to pick up one or two items on my list.

What are you fashion classics and basics that you would never be without.  Share them in the comments section below.

S