Shop 'til You Drop

2:47 pm
We found a pair of silver flops with quilted soles. They are really comfortable. Granted I wouldn’t pay $25 for them. But apparently my cousin would as she is currently handing over her money to the cashier. Now that we both have found what we were looking for it is time to call it a day and head home.


2:44 pm
My cousin has dragged me into the store across from Old Navy. I don’t even know the name of it. They had some shoes in a display window and she unilaterally decided we had to go in.


2:42 pm
Old Navy does not appear as packed as the other stores we have passed. I believe this is due to the immense proportions of the store. There are probably as many people; they are just more spread out.

On to the shoes! They are spread out here. The flip flops are not on sale, but the sandals that were $19.99 are now $12.50. If I actually needed a pair I would be tempted. But I try not to buy just because things are a good deal. My cousin doesn’t seem particularly enamored with any of the shoes so we are moving on. Pity after all the time it took to get here.


2:30 pm
The mall parking lot is clogged. Clearly, numerous other people decided to see what the Easter sales would be like. Something about Easter must send everyone into a frenzy of buying for their summer wardrobe.

2:15 pm
The car is within view and we have both selected s singe pair of shoes to purchase. Narrowing it down to a single pair has been no small feet for both of us in this store. We put our purchases in the trunk and we are off.

1:52 pm
We are still in ‘Ladies Paradise’. I have resisted the urge to try on various shoes for a good twenty minutes and finally succumbed. I am not shopping for anything in particular. Mostly, because I have already located a pair of shoes that will work. They are a mustard yellow spike heel with a single strap around the ankle and another over the foot, beautiful on their simplicity.

1:43
No, I have not moved on to the next location. My cousin has been trying on every pair of black heels in sight. I cannot convince her to try on the ankle boots. Personally, I think they are exactly what she should be looking for.

1:35 pm
We arrived at location and indeed there is no sale. There are numerous pairs of heels that are exceptionally cute and some great espadrilles. The only thing missing are tennis shoes. I do not consider that to be unfortunate because good tennis shoes are an investment and getting a cheap pair is usually a bad idea. Next!

Friday 1:29 pm
An excursion to check out the Easter sales is underway. Our first stop is a hole in the wall store called “Ladies Paradise” where all shoes are $5.99- $12.99. The prices remain so good here one hardly needs a sale, but it would be nice nevertheless.

Up and at'em

One of the best ways to ruin a great outfit is to wear it wrinkled. It makes it appear as if you wore it the previous day, went to bed in it, and then got up and wore it again. If you ask have to ask what's wrong with that, you've got a serious wardrobe malfunction. I know you don't want to iron your clothes. That's o.k. There are alternatives.

Alternative one: Pick out clothes in materials that don't easily wrinkle. Wool and wool weaves hold up well. Cotton and silk are not good choices. Although, some have been treated and are wrinkle resistent. Read the tag and check. If it says it is, then, it should be easier to upkeep.

Alternative two: Hang up all your clothes upon immediately removing them from the dryer. The problem comes from hanging them up in your closet. If it is overly crowded your clothes will get wrinkled anyway. A second dilemma occurs if you own clothes you can't put in the dryer. However, that 's not an insurmountable problem. Their are some sprays which you spritz on your clothes, smooth out the wrinkles, then, hang to dry.

Alternative three: Don't worry about it and if your clothes do get wrinkled hang them up in the bathroom, put your shower on hot, then, blast it. Make sure to close the door. In most cases, this method of steaming your clothes will get out the wrinkles. If not, there is a handheld steamer you can use.

Alternative four: Let your clothes air dry and use a spray for dry clothes.

Alternative five: Give in gracefully and iron them already! It probably takes more energy to fight it, than it does to just get it over with. That being said, I go to any length to avoid ironing my own clothes so, I am well acquainted with the age old dilemma.

AUGH!!! Big Fashion No-No

Quick! Someone call the police! I know that girl over there has somehow managed to climb Jack's beanstalk and steal the giants handkerchief! And now she is flaunting it as... ewww, a dress. Now, wearing them as bandanas is bad enough, but hunting down a giant hankie to make into a dress is disturbing on so many levels. At least when Scarlett O'Hara scavenged, she chose a material with some potential. I'll take green velvet over red paisley any day of the week.

To be fair, the dress style looked cute. Generally, You can't go wrong with a classic spaghetti strap, a-line skirt combination. Unless, you make it out of one the most unflattering materials known to mankind. And really, who wants to be reminded of their last head cold every time they look at you?

As I see it, there are two ways to fix this look. Grab a cowboy hat and a pair boots and head down to the ranch nearest you, or get some fabric dye and change the color of the dress. When dying it, remember to go with a dark color palette that will cover the details of paisleys.

One Word: Goodwill

I know; I know. I probably sound like your father. "Why don't you shop at Goodwill like me? Think of all the money you would save." You take quick stock of how exceptionally unfashionable your father is, and know that you are never stepping foot in that store. Well, I am here to turn all your preconceptions upside down. Shopping at Goodwill is actually a good idea. Don't believe me? Here's a few tips to help change your mind and leave your pocketbook a mite heavier.

Most Targets donate their cloths from the sale racks to the Goodwill. That means you can buy them cheaper and they still have the tags on them. I got two pairs of Capri pants, one for 94 cents and the other for a mere $1.27. And if you think that's good...

My sister discovered a Louis Vuitton purse; not a knock-off, the real deal complete with key and serial number. Normally, those things can cost anywhere from $300 for a small clutch, to over $1000 dollars for a purse. The one my sister found was still in mint condition, and she got it for a mere fifty bucks. If she wanted to, she could sell it on e-bay for more than that!

An added benfit to shopping at the Goodwill stores is the fact that you get to help others through your monetary contributions as you enhance your wardrobe. There is nothing like doing a little good, while simultaneously having some retail therapy.

Auf Wiedersehen

Last week, Project Runway was particularly difficult because it was down to the top five. That means you have numerous challenges to get attached and cheer on your favorite designers. It also means the people left are on their game. Sweet Pea was the unfortunate eliminated. She has always been as nice as her name suggests. I don't think I have ever heard her say an unkind word about another designer. She has had the occasional flop when it comes her runway designs. In particular, the candy store fiasco where she had to start her garment completely over. Still, it is hard to watch a designer who has overcome so many hardships leave the show.

The challenge that her sent her packing based on art. Everyone was to pick a painting or a sculpture on which to base their design, but to reflect their aspirations as a designer. Sweet Pea picked a picture of a peacock. Apparently, the judges considered this to be something of a cliche. They also said it was nothing they hadn't seen from her before. It was declared yet another of her sweet, day-time dresses.

The second challenger to be eliminated is yet to be decided. For the first time in the history of Project Runway, there was a tie between two contenders, Romi and Chris.

Now, Chris also based his final design on a previous dress he did for the show. It had an identical Avant Garde flair and the same basic pattern he had used before. I suppose he thought, if it worked once... His saving grace from immediately losing was the seeming elaborateness of his dress.

Romi seemed to fall into the same pothole as Sweet Pea and Chris. Once again, he presented a garment based on his incredible skill with draping cloth. There is no denying he makes an impeccable garment when he uses that technique. The judges just want to see something new, as do I.

So, Chris and Romi will battle it out for the third spot during New York Fashion Week.

New York, New York

It has been brought to my attention by a friend, that I have yet to address New York Fashion Week. My reasoning is simple. Three finalists from Project Runway will go to New York fashion week and all three finalists have yet to be announced. Well, that and the winner of this year's season will be selected. I am doing my utmost to keep from discovering the winner before it airs. Therefore, once the finale is over, I'll address the Holy Grail of fashion.

AUGH!!! Big Fashion No-No

I was rushing furiously down the path completely wrapped up in keeping papers and books from spilling out of the depths of my bag when I saw something that made me freeze where I stood. Could it be? Surely not. But it was! A long held childhood dream come true at last. Big Bird was a mere ten feet in front of me! Miraculous. And then, he turned...

AUGH! It wasn't even a boy. No, before me stood a girl in a ridiculously long yellow sweatshirt that hung to her knees with the hood pulled up. But it got worse. Apparently, she had just spotted a friend because she started jumping up and down with her arms flapping like a demented yellow canary attempting flight. The sleeves were certainly large enough to aid her in her endeavor.

Now, I know we all own a sweatshirt or two that we swiped from a significant other or our father. They are comfortable and great for lounging around the house as we are wont to do on occasion. Unfortunately, this sweater was clearly bought in the women's section. It was a light lemon color with Aeropostale emblazoned in baby blue on the front. Why anyone would buy a sweatshirt so horribly large it can be worn as dress I don't know. But it is a huge fashion don't!

Occasionally, your mood and the weather will necessitate the usage of a sweatshirt. I'm not saying they should never be worn. I just ask you to try to wear one that actually fits. Preferably, in such a way that doesn't make you resemble a Sesame Street character.

This section will likely become a series of fashion no-no's that I spot.