Technologically Fashionable

Image from www.choice.com.au

The lovely and exhilarating aroma of your favorite store; The different beautiful soft fabrics against your skin; The possibility of trying on anything without being obligated to buy it; The joy of finding out there is another extra discount when handing your credit card to the cashiers; And don’t forget getting that medium (Oh, let’s make it a large!) latte with a slice of your favorite dessert; Umm…The true joy of the shopping experience.  Does it feel the same when buying online?

Image from www.pdxneatsheet.com

When surfing the internet you move at the speed of your fingertips (Unless you still have DSL of course!).  You get to see as many options as you want and the different sizes and colors of your choice. There are no gas expenses, hectic traffic and the typical car spot fights; neither any agglomerations of people, long exhausting lanes or that precious waste of time when trying to remember where you parked your car.

With social media and electronic devices being such a big part of our lives today, online shopping has become more popular and convenient in our society. There are many great deals at all times at an inch distance of your mouse. And the fact that you receive them on your phone and that you are able to do a transaction right there makes it so easy.

Not to mention…the Holiday Season, where shopping online is such an amazing and liberating alternative. It is great for organized individuals who can immediately look for items that their loved ones might like and compare them with all competitors at once.  You can check prices and alternatives in a matter of seconds without walking the whole mall not even once. Plus, you don’t have to deal with all the chaos and the hysteria of the season. We can say it is truly a blessing.

Great websites to check while shopping online are:

 http://www.shopittome.com/ “You can think of Shop It To Me as your free personal online shopper. Once you tell us your favorite designers and sizes, we'll take over. We'll work as your personal shopper scouring the Web to find the items you love and send you personalized e-mail alerts that feature the latest markdowns, secret promotion codes, and VIP sale events.”

http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/ “Think of Bag Borrow or Steal as your "pinch me this can't be true" closet — full of the most coveted designer handbags and accessories. All waiting for you to enjoy! See how fast, easy and fun it is to rent and/or buy authentic luxury.”

http://www.shopbop.com/  “ Shopbop offers a comprehensive collection of designer apparel and accessories to suit every style and occasion. Shopbop's commitment to staying ahead of the curve and providing a personalized shopping experience continue to be driving forces behind the company's success. A champion of new design talent and a pioneer in the magazine-meets-boutique approach to online shopping.”

Image from www.ew.com

And for the rest of us out there who have watched Confessions of a Shopaholic and feel extremely identified with the girl with the green scarf, enjoy the traditional shopping experience when going to the mall. Hey! Shopping online has made more room for all of us at our favorite stores. So go ahead, give thanks to the innovations of technology and shop ‘till you drop!

A Piece of Joy from Abroad

Jaffa Flea Market in Israel. Picture from www.wherejesuswalked.org

Asian Kimono dress
Picture from www.styleandwisdom.com

A stylish woman wants to own a wardrobe that wows a crowd. One of the most delightful and meaningful ways to accomplish this is by traveling. When one travels, the senses awake and new sceneries, aromas, flavors and sounds inspire our minds in many different ways. Some people experience reflections that evoke new promises and goals, while others enjoy a peace and tranquility that bring passion back to their lives. For true fashion devotees a new world suddenly opens in front of their eyes and fresh ideas blossom by the second. The mix of new elements such as exotic stones and metals, beautiful fabrics of vibrant colors and patterns, and never seen designs bring an exceptional twist to the closet back home.

Traditional Venezuelan shoes "Alpargatas"
Picture from www.taringa.net

The perfect places to find wonderful new pieces are the local flea markets. The native artisans give a taste of their history through everything they sell. It isn’t about buying a souvenir to put on the door of your refrigerator or to keep something in a box of memories for when you are old. It is about buying that spectacular, bold and unique piece that no one else will have and that you can sport all your life.

Arab scarf. Picture from
www.villainouslyvintage.wordpress.com

Traditional handmade accessories and clothing items can be considered classic. They do not go out of style. When you buy a beautiful silk scarf with a gorgeous Arab design in the Middle East that is an asset to your wardrobe. That piece becomes that special little thing that creates a whole new and improved outfit that makes you shine. That is why you have to be very careful when choosing what to buy when you are away.

Brazilian jewelry
Picture from www.greenupgrader.com

Some questions you should ask yourself are: what is typical of the place or culture I’m visiting? What can update my wardrobe or any old outfit I have at home? What accessory looks interesting and versatile without being too costumy? And this later question is key. Remember that when building an outfit it’s important to have a certain piece that pulls it all together and makes you sparkle. You don’t need 3, 4 or more items to make it interesting. If you put more than 1 thing and sometimes even more than 2 in one look the outfit becomes a spectacle instead of the highlight of the night.

American Cowboy boots
Picture from www.zigoti.com

It is true that many cool items can be found at home when visiting other flea markets, garage sells, and vintage stores, but the plus of buying something abroad is that a little piece of the trip comes back with you. The art, the music, the folklore, the foods, everything is packed in that certain item or items you pick. So go ahead, enjoy your journey and bring a little of the joy back home and relive it every time you wear in your own special way. 

New Year Style Resolution: Closet Friendly

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Picture from Straight-Up-Glam.blogspot

Okay, so the Holiday Season is over, family members and friends went back home and new resolutions are fresh out of the oven. Some of you are about to start working again and others may be already trying to get back on track. Now the facts are that 2012 just kicked off and lots of touchdowns are planned to be scored all year long. Take advantage of the enthusiasm and start this journey with a closet that will prepare you for all there is to come!

Take the time this week to do little by little every night, decide on one afternoon, or just set a time next Saturday to do some changes that will transform the daily dressing routine into an experience as exciting as Carrie Bradshaw’s gorgeous closet in Manhattan, New York. Knowing that Big is not part of our lives and that an amazing apartment in the Big Apple may not be the case for some of us, it still possible to have a beautiful closet that we’ll love.

Keep in mind when doing this transformation for the sake of your 2012 style that you don’t need to throw everything away and start from scratch. This is about little changes that will improve the experience a 100%. Just like Stacy and Clinton from What not to Wear say, keep the things that work and toss the ones that don’t.

This month’s edition of InStyle Magazine reminds us all in the Editor’s Note by Ariel Foxman that, “You can’t simply chuck everything in your wardrobe, as tempting as that may be sometimes. The bottom line: You’ve got to work with what you’ve got, which is definitely a challenge.” And as you keep reading this article we will give you some tips to make this challenge a reality.

First, take out all the things that need to be repaired: any pants that need to be hemmed, the blouse with the missing button, or that skirt that still has a stain. Put them all in a shopping bag on the side of your bed and schedule a good 10 or 15 minutes one night of the week to fix all these or to take them to the cleaners or seamstress of your choice. Put away in another bag all the items that make you feel self-conscious, ridiculous and not pretty at all. You don’t need your own clothes to do that to you. Give them to someone else that will enjoy them or that might need them. You can always give clothes in good conditions to the Salvation Army, Goodwill or your local Church. Put also aside all the items you have not used in a year and that you honestly know you won’t use this year as well.

Your closet is the ultimate fantasy come to life: your personal store where you can afford it all. Think about it this way, when you go to a store you want to take everything you like home. When you are at home your stuff has already being handpicked by you (in its vast majority) and from all your favorite stores around the world. So at your personal store you like (or should like) everything that it carries, which is a big plus. Now, if you are those kind of people that buy things because they are on sale, high quality, or you simply keep all gifts from aunts and grandmas because of sentimental value although you hate them, there is another New Year’s resolution for you: stay with what you like and looks good! If you happen to have many items of great value that you don’t want to give away so easily there are other solutions too. You can sell your stuff online to someone interested in lightly used items, do a garage sell or sell it to a thrift store. Make someone else happy out of your misery.

A big difference between the stores and your closet is the way they display the merchandise, the furniture and the decorations. Think of chairs, mirrors, and colors for the wall and re-decorate. Remember this is the place where magic takes place, so do things to make it happen. Organize your shoes, bags and accessories so they are accessible and visible. If there are key pieces in your wardrobe that inspire you or make you smile display them. Include books, furniture, frames, posters or a sculpture if you like. If you have a very small closet then think of creative ways to make it work.  Arrange your clothing in a way that is appealing to you with boxes, racks, and shelves. There are millions of options for tight spaces in stores like Ikea or The Container Store that will make your life easier and more enjoyable. 

 Another great tip is to organize clothing items by categories and/or occasions. For example, put all your pants together in the same area and separate them in groups (Nighttime, daytime, or work clothes and going out clothes). This will help you make outfits faster. If you are going to the movies at night and you want to look put together, but not over the top you can take a pair of jeans from the daytime pile, combine them with a sparkly top from the nighttime stack and use a blazer from the jacket area to tame it down.

If you noticed, I haven’t even talked about buying clothes for the New Year style and this is where my last recommendation comes in. Revise your closet and check which classic items you have, miss or need to replace. This is crucial to the “I have nothing to wear” crisis. If you have the basics they will take you through the whole year. As you may already know I’m talking about a little black dress, a white t-shirt and button down shirt, a pencil skirt, a great pair of jeans and a blazer. To add a little sassiness to your wardrobe and your basics you can also buy something with bold colors like skinny jeans in electric blue, red or emerald and a great pair of heels with a fierce animal print or interesting pattern.

And remember, fashion is fun and style is owned. Make yours count and let the experience take on!

Happy 2012!