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

Why pay full price? Be alittle thrifty.

There are so many people cash strapped each week more and more people  looking out for bargain in the shops. Have you noticed recently alot more sales and discounts in store.

Recently I took a trip shopping and discovered the beauty and joy of the sales.   I have never been one to find a bargain in the sale rack of any store, but since losing weight I have found that this task is much easier.   Sizes are more for me than ever before.    On my recent shopping trip I discovered clothes that were less than half price than their original price. These were classic items like those I previously described on fashion Friday.   So getting classics at a good price is always self satisfying.

But this makes think – if a store can reduce prices so drastically in a sale why do we need to pay full price for clothing?  Sale shopping can be madness and there are people who get up out of bed for a store to open at 0500am.  I am not one of those shoppers - never have been and that is not about to change any time soon.   But seriously, if you could get exactly what you wanted for next to nothing price wise would you do it? But when is the right time to get the items you want so that they are actually a bargain and a good deal.

Remember, something is only a bargain if you actually need it and will wear it, other than that you are wasting your money so please be careful.

Its all about planning.  Most stores once they get in new items will then have a sale on those items approximately 7 weeks after they have arrived.  So if you have the patience; hold out and see if the item you want really does go down in price.

If you are looking for winter items – you should buy them at the start of spring when the sales are on.  Remember if you are looking to buy classic you will always find something of a bargain and remember to buy something that will definitely bring you in to next year and not something that is good for now.  

Need summer items for next year – you should be looking now! Yes now.   Get out in to those stores now as there are many many sales which are currently on.

The above rules don’t only apply to clothing, but also to everyday items such as TV’s or washers.   These items normally go on sale around holiday weekends and especially the start of the New Year.   Of course, if your washer goes before then there is nothing you can do but shop around.

Under normal circumstances, shopping around is the best way to buy.  Remember to price stores in your local town along side stores on the internet.  For example,  if I buy my normal make up in my local two it will cost be 28€ plus 3€ to park.   Ok so now my make up is costing me 31€.  Compare that online, whereby I don’t have to leave the house it costs me 26€ and there is no other post and packing charges.   So, you see shopping around really will help you save money.

Why do we need to pay full price for any item when sales and research will help us get the items we want at a lower price.    This really is the way to go – take a few minutes before your next purchase and think – can I get this at a lower price?  Yes,  Do I want the item at full price? No – then I am going to chance it and wait it out.

Best of luck finding your shopping bargains and a great price.

Have you any other helpful hints and tips on getting a bargain in store or online.  Why not add them to the comments. 

S

Glossybox - OMG I need this.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Glossybox – this is wonderful!

Wouldn’t you love to be able to try out beauty products without actually having to fork out for a full size product?  Stay up to date with current brands and trend for a fraction of the cost.

This is the product for you.    You register and pay a monthly fee of £10 and each month fabulous products are delivered to your door.    You will receive 5 beauty miniatures so that you can try items out in the comfort of your own home.   The products will be matched to your skin type as you hve to complete a questionnaire on registration.  Isn’t this a wonderful idea  - check out what was in the July Glossyboxhere.

For any Americans out there reading you can check out Birchbox which is the equivalent. 

I love this idea so much I am off to register myself. 

What do you think of the glossybox idea – genius isn’t it.

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

Linky Love - Posts I have loved & adored this week

Take a look at some of the posts that I have really enjoyed this week.

Things I Love About Being A "Grown Up" by the Lady Named C

7 Life strategies I would tell my younger self by All Women stalk

Three day rule by A Thrify Mrs

Blogger Look of the week from Maytedoll

Celeb look of the week from Hollywood life

My Fashion Style

I love fashion but a long time ago I gave up buying magazines with over priced fashions that I knew I couldn’t afford – and in that I stumbled across the world of Fashion Bloggers.  These ladies are amazing and blog for the love of fashion. 

It was by reading online fashion bloggers that I discovered what my style actually is.  Looking at fashion magazines it confused me (btw it doesn’t take much) – each page had a different style but none were for a short girl with an hour glass figure.  I could never replicate what I saw on the pages of the magazines, but then with fashion bloggers – these are real women like you and me and they are showing us how they dress in clothes that we can go out and buy in a store and afford. And regardless of whether these women are tall or small you can see what real fashion is like on real women.   To sum it up – Fashion Bloggers are taking over the world of fashion.  Move over Vogue – these girls are coming.

One thing about losing weight it helps give you a confidence to go in to a fitting room with something you never thought that you could wear just to try it on.  You never really know your own style until you bring something in to that fitting room to try it on.  Don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself if something doesn’t suit you.  No one else sees you in that fitting room so its ok.

If I am to sum up my style to you in one sentence I would describe it as follows

Casual,   

Conservative, 

sexy, 50’s, 

professional.

In one outfit or another I encompass one of the above words.   So you see looking through a magazine where they have boho chic  or some other fancy word never actually summed me up.    

So let me share some of my daily reads with you. 

What I wore  

FashBoulevard  

Karlas Closet 

La Vie Petite  

Enjoy reading and discovering what your style is.

S