I have a crazy idea

My friend Shelly had this brilliant point that it doesn't come down to what clothes you own, oh no, it comes down to how you style your clothes.

Thus brings up the fashion vs. style argument. Fashion (to me) is labels and trends vs. style which is expression and attitude.

It's never worrying what to pack no matter where you are going because when you arrive you know you will look great. You will look great because you are staying true to yourself.

Some days I have awesome style. I put clothes together that exude confidence on me. Some days, just feel awkward.

My crazy idea is why not take pictures of your best outfits, tack it on your closet wall and use it as a quick reference guide for pulling an ensemble?

Huh? What do you think?

Some Really Really Good Advice

DON'T BUY LUXURIES UNLESS YOU HAVE THE CASH

Don't take out a bigger loan to buy that BMW (when a Honda will just do)

Don't buy those Jimmy Choos with your credit card

Don't take out money from your retirement to go on vacation (bad! bad! bad!)

It's simple but good advice a good rule.We covet, fantasize and ogle over those luxe goods but the one thing, the one thing to remember is:
Luxuries are special because they are rare. When you make splurging a habit, luxuries start losing their glimmer.

Keep them to a minimum.
My trick is to pair classics with one luxe accessory that is my trademark. Like my vintage Gucci watch. I take good care of it and wear it with everything. You only need one. My theory is if you overkill the labels in one outfit, they start cancelling each other out.

-Tiff

Planning 1 Month Ahead of Time

Hello,

Although it's only the 26th, I've went past my monthly budget. The plan is to have enough money left over to roll over into a ROTH IRA, stocks, an emergency fund and, if I am lucky, a vacations/splurges fund.

I won't give figures of what my budget was or how much I was planning to save but I initially went $30 over.

Some of you may be thinking "well $30? that's not that bad." But the whole point of a budget is that it has to be concrete. Definite and Precise. An end all, say all of what you can spend in a month including fixed and variable expenses. You can spend less, always, but not a penny more!!

What happens if you're car breaks down or your boyfriend surprises you with a weekend get away? Then use the money in your emergency or vacations fund. Then immediately start rebuilding it back. That's what they are there for! What you have in those saved away funds gives you figure of what you can spend in those situations.

Well, then I needed some bins and a shoe rack from Target and then I bought some books to read on the airplane so now I'm about $150 over budget. Great. I'm such a hypocrite.

On top of that, there are some medical bills I would like to pay off because the longer you wait the more detrimental it is to your credit score (which will cost you hundreds by the point in the future.)

So my plan is to take that out of next month's budget. To come into August with the mindset that I have $500 less to spend on movies, clothes, food etc... touch but doable and very necessary.

Anticipating is part of the strategy. When you do your budgeting for the month, anticipate what needs to be paid next month, also anticipate what you want ( a new handbag? new face cream?) and make sure you have enough dough. Don't have enough? Delay gratification and spread out your purchases. Do you really need that new Louis that bad?! Will you be just as happy without it? Also, don't forget any upcoming trips/concerts/special occasions because if you don't set a spending amount you'll usually spend a lot more than you expected. eeek

Clothing Diet?

Have you read this in the NY Times?

Shoppers on a 'Diet' tame their urge to buy

Some do it for the challenge, some do it to save money, some just don't want to think about what to wear in the morning anymore.

6 items for a whole month seem a little extreme to me. I could probably do it with 20? 30?

Although I've realized that's what I practically do every week. I fit a week's worth of clothes in a carry-on. I consider myself a professional packer now.

Here's a  list of what I would typically pack for a 5 day business casual trip:

1. White Brooks Brother's button-up
2. Black silk pleated skirt
3. Red gap cardigan
4. Khaki pencil skirt
5. Floral silk top with flutter sleeve
6. Black flats
7. Black pumps
8. Long Tous pearl necklace
9. Pair of gold earrings
10. Thick black belt

For me, the simpler the better based and on everyday classics. I like to keep my style clean but feminine. And comfort is a must! Running through the airport in painful heels is hell. duh.

The first day I would probably wear the BB's button up with the pleated skirt and Tous necklace and flats. Add the red cardigan buttoned up belted at the waist without the necklace but with heels and the earrings and you have another look.

I manage to change it up every week with different dresses/pieces/colors/accessories/outerwear.

But some of the guys got this 6 pieces a month down to a science. They leave 3 shirts and 3 pairs of pants at the dry cleaners Friday to have them cleaned over the weekend and when they fly back on Monday, they just pick them up on the way to the office.

It's been a while...

I was going to drop this blog completely when my life went crazy. Crazy in a good way and crazy in a bad way. Mainly work took over my life, there were a lot of deadlines to hit and a lot of late nights at the office (while pigging out on Indian food.) 


I was a city coordinator for the UNICEF Tap Project in D.C. On top working 15 hours a day at the office, I was spending another 10-12 hours a week coordinating volunteers, planning events, publicizing the cause and recruiting restaurants. Very rewarding and a great success. I'll post pictures later.


And on top of all that, staying connected with friends, maintaining my relationship, visiting my parents (to let them know I'm alive,) trying to NOT have my health go to hell and I joined a new group called SCYPS. 


SCYPS stands for Supply Chain Young Professionals Society. Check us out here 


I've had some time to think about what I was doing and what I was trying to accomplish here.


Not shopping for a whole year sounded good on paper, it also sounded kinda gimmicky. 


That did not happen. In fact, I shopped a lot. I like shopping, I like clothes. Cutting myself cold turkey is like being on a diet and not having one nibble of chocolate. Simply, I did not have the discipline. There I admitted it.


What did I buy? Everything. Shoes, purses, scarves, hats, chunky necklaces, dresses, silky tops, creamy wool jackets...etc... AND IT WAS HEAVENLY.


But lately, I've been shopping less. A lot less. And being a lot more frugal in general. And it dawned on me, there aren't a lot of personal financial role models out there fore women. There are a lot of career role models ( I am heavily inspired by the women in my own family) and fashion role models like Carrie Bradshaw, Alexa Chung, Heidi Klum and Gwyneth Paltrow. But have you noticed, we're not all multi-millionaire celebrities who could drop 5 figures on a piece of clothing but probably get tons of free samples from designers anyway?!


Why do we mere mortal everyday women do you not spend more time talking about our finances?! We work so hard for our money, isn't it about time we respect our paychecks and do us a favor by saving first, investing smart and spending carefully? Maybe because it's a faux pas to talk about dollars and sense with your girlfriends, you may look cheap or greedy or insensitive. 


It's also a little dry. Talking about your favorite stock tips and mutual funds isn't as fun as talking about Lindsey Lohan's jail sentence or what new French bistro place everyone has to try. 


There is also the impression that today's modern successful woman has to have it all. Yes, life is hard but we can handle it and then we reward ourselves with Louis Vuitton bags, luxurious vacations and piles of shoes. There's a recesion but it's a fundamental belief we invest in. We support each other in it. When we go shopping and our girlfriend asks us if she should get that BCBG black cutout cocktail dress, do we go "yes it looks so  cute on you, you should totally get it" OR do we go  "can you afford it?" Awkward. 


But let's not kid ourselves any longer. Wardrobe Rework is now my journey on becoming a personal finance guru. It's a new mentality. It's forming a new lifestyle that's not just a quick response to the recession but a series of changes where I come out as a happier, healthier and wealthier person :-D

Copy Dries Van Noten's Spring Look

The ethnic trend continued strong with Dries Van Noten's Spring 2010 look in rich luxe fabrics and asian motifs.

They masterfully mixed silky prints in bold colors melting Indian, Chinese, African and classic American culture together.

So how can you copy this designer look for thousands of dollars less?

Try heading down to your local flea market (here we have the Eastern Markets by the Hill,) Asian goods store in your mall or even your local Asian grocery store for traditional jackets, dresses and pajama pants. Many of them stock cheap ethnic basics such as silk Qi Paos, unisex jackets and kungfu uniforms.

If you're lucky enough, there might even be a World's Market with plenty of African tribal jewelry, scarves and totes.

Still no luck? Go online to Asian supergoods sites such as http://www.pearlriver.com/ (the original store is in NYC's Chinatown) and http://www.eaststore.com/

A 'Mighty Michelle' shopping tote from Pearl River

 

Unisex Jacket from Pearl River $39.50

 

 Tai Chi Shoes $6, Pearl River

Style your new finds with neutral basics like the looks above such as khaki trousers, black jackets and gray knits.

A silk embroidered jacket with frog clasps that was gift from my mom. I wear this over my basic shift dresses.

Accessories I've picked up over the years from vintage stores and flea markets.

Hello Kitty Accessories for the Busy Travelling Professional

I'm reverting back to my 10 year old self with these adorable Hello Kitty Accessories @ Target. I'm finding any excuse to buy everything but these finds are necessary for any busy travelling working beauty junkie!

Hello Kitty iTouch cover for $14.24

Hello Kitty Wireless Mouse $24.99

I actually really dig the nail files for only $1.99, great for throwing in your purse and fixing that chipped nail on the go

Hello Kitty Cosmetics Case Set for $9.99

They also have these Hello Kitty bubble gum scented cleansing hand wipes packs that come with 20 wipes for only $1.99. They're actually my favorite because consultants are germ-a-phobes who are constantly wiping down their laptops, backpacks, luggage, hands, shoes etc...

And these all can be found at Target.

DIY, Turn Slouchy Boots into Over-the-Knee Boots!

I have a pair of nudish-brown suede boots that would stay over the knee with skinny jeans but would slouch, slouch, slouch with nothing underneath. The super soft suede is perfect for light spring, summer days and yes, they do look cute when slouchy. Slouchy is great when you're going for the bohemian vibe but what if I'm feeling more Brigitte Bardot?! That's when I need them to stay OVER the knee to give me that extra sex appeal when I'm wearing them with shorts or skirts.

Ahhh, so this genius solution just came to be out of nowhere (don't you love it when that happens?!)

I'll add a snap on the top of the boot that will close on the inside and hold the boot up! and when I want them to be slouchy, I can leave them unsnapped.

First I took them to a cobbler but realized it would be a lot cheaper if I did it myself. I headed to my nearest Michael's Crafts Store to pickup a DIY snaps kit for only $8. I measured where I wanted the snaps to go, cut the holes to place the snaps and then hammered them in. In 20 minutes, I was done!

The boots when they're slouchy

And when they are tall, they just don't stay this way

The DIY snaps kit I bought at Michaels for only $8

Measure where you want the snaps to be, I placed mine 1.5 inches in from the back of the knee

Basically follow the instructions on the snaps kit. I cut a small hole where I measured and hammered in the snaps

The finished product

And when I want them to be slouch, just simply unsnap

I'm showing off my craftiness with the Spring Events Fairy at the Eastern Markets

To purchase boots, click here

It's Warm Again (In DC) yayyyyyyy!!!

Tonight, UNICEF threw their Tap Project Launch Event with DC's greatest at Local 16. It kicks of World Water Week and raises awareness of the devastating World Water Crisis. With over 1 Billion people today without clean water, over half being children, Tap Project is an opportunity for everyday people to contribute to this dire cause by dining at a participating restaurant in DC, NY, LA, Seattle and Chicago.

Find out which restaurants are participating at http://www.tapproject.org/

AND it was warm, like 70 degrees warm. And Local 16 was packed to the walls with tipsy 20-somethings buzzing with to-be sex.

I rocked a pink shimmery Antonio Melani shift but the weather was perfect for mixing and matching your summer and winter wardrobe.

Which gave me an idea....

That I will share with you tomorrow. Spoiler! It's a DIY

Ohh! Tomorrow I'm heading to the Eastern Markets to rock my new look.

Antonio Melani looks, click to see more looks Antonio Melani Spring 2010

The dress I wore

"Douglas" dress for $169

"Riviera" dress for $249

"Mina" dress for $169

"Splenda" dress for $179

I Need A 'Get Out of Jail' Card to Shop Zac Posen's Target Collection!

I have been crying, screaming, jumping for joy ever since I learned Zac Posen has a Target line coming out April 25th!!! (part of Target's Go International series)

Only 29 years old, Zac is a celebrity favorite of the stars such as the beautiful Natalie Portman.

Natalie and Zac with Natalie in Zac of course

Taking my 8 ball out, I predict there will be women (fashionistas or not) camping outside of their local target just like when nerd gamers lined up outside GameStop when Halo 3 came out.

Now Let Us Obsess with a First Look from Fashionista.com!

Spring, Summer, Fall, An Outfit that Fits Multiple Seasons

Looking to my lookbook for inspiration, it's not all luxe evening gowns and fantasy pieces, some of my pages are how I would like to look on an practical everyday standpoint.

And again Tod's manages to take my breath away with one simple look

Breaking it down, what do we have? A pair of black leggings (they look so comfy!) their white signature loafers, a spacious leather handbag, a brown versatile suede jacket over a boyfriend white cardigan and last but not least a pair of your favorite Jackie O's.

How simple is this? But how chic this is! Now tell me you can't pull that off in a cinch.

Can you swap the loafers for a heel? Of course! Replace the handbag with a longchamp's tote? Why not? And use that white cardigan to cover up your trouble spots like your tush and stomach as long as the jacket fits close enough to the body (baggy on baggy does NOT look good.)

I'm losing weight not because I'm Vain but Because I'm Frugal

My favorite foods are...

Mushroom Risotto with truffle oil, Godiva Almond Butter Truffles, foie gras, my mom's General Tsao's Chicken, Butternut Squash Soup...

No wonder I've gained some weight. Most would consider me svelte just not as wispy as I used to be. In my mom's words, I look more "womanly."

But here I am eating my preplanned meals from Wholefoods. I'm not being vain. I'm not a cult follower of fashion edict that only thin is fashionable, that only thin (and designer-cut thin) is beautiful. There is an ideal weight for every individual woman and it's up to her to decide what weight is most beautiful for her.

I'm losing weight because I'm frugal. I can't buy clothes (check my very first entry.) Last week I had a sexy red Ralph Lauren short-sleeved dress tailored into a more body hugging shape. Red is a very powerful color and I didn't want to be overwhelmed by it. The tailor did an excellent job but when I put the finished piece on, my growing belly was there to greet me under the thin stretchy fabric.  A mole hill of a belly and not a mountain yet but I'm starting to belt my trousers one hole less. I still fit into everything I own but some pieces, like the little red dress, just doesn't look as good to be perfectly honest. I'm not in bikini shape but with the proper styling, I could hide my flaws.


I'm not saying you aim for a 5'10" 120 lb frame like most runway models but you're not starving yourself to  go back to the weight you maintained for the last 5 years.

So keep this in mind as your New Year's resolution to get back into fighting shape starts to wane, reworking your own closet may be your biggest motivation. Especially if it's a well invested wardrobe made of beautiful shift dresses in richly embroidered fabrics, sentimental presents from girlfriends and Mom (that Easter dress to entice you to come home, a Qi Pao from study abroad,) trophy buys (snagging that last Rodarte lace dress, the Burberry trench you saved up for a year) and worned down favorite sweaters. They all would be a terrible waste if you were to 'grow' out of them, sitting in your closet mocking you.



And yes, Fashion can be your biggest champion and loudest cheerleader. Welcoming you back with open arms as you slip on your favorite jeans and jump in ecstasy.

Ask Karl Lagerfeld, legendary designer and diet book author said:

"One morning I woke up and didn't like my looks any longer. I wanted to dress differently. I wanted to wear the clothes designed by Hedi Slimane (first at Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Homme and now at Dior Homme). But for that kind of fashion--which was shown at his collection on very, very skinny boys (and not men my age), I had to lose 90 pounds--even a little more if I could.


I decided to become a perfect 135-pound, five-foot 11-inch hanger. My desire to lose weight was only about clothes--not about health problems or because I wanted to be more attractive to others. I admit my reasoning is considered superficial by some, but I think fashion--for women as well as for men--is the healthiest motivation for losing weight. What is important is that you take the superficial and use it in a creative, productive, and finally self-preserving way. "
-Harper's Bazaar in Feb 2002

I encourage a healthy attitude towards dieting, eating fresh veggies and fruits, moderate excercise and cutting back on sugar and alcohol. Anything drastic or gimmicky and you'll probably gain it all back. For me, it's been going well, I have a workout buddy and I get cranky when I'm hungry so I'm definitly not starving myself. What are some of my tips? Tighten your belt around your dress or pants to prevent overeating and eat soups (none cream) for dinner if you work out at night. I also eat very slowly when I'm out and try to eat only half the portion I'm served.

My Fashion Pet Peeve

My Fashion Pet Peeve is:

When women go out in public in sweats or a sloppy outfit with a designer handbag

No offense to Jessica Simpson who has a slamming body but this doesn't make sense!

Seriously, carrying a Louis or any expense handbag is NOT a cover-up for having no style! No one is going to be impressed that you may be a millionairess-next-door just because you rolled out of bed but remembered to show-off your new Marc Jacobs bag!

Please give your statement bags the love and respect they deserve by pairing them with a fabulous outfit.

Even today, Audrey Hepburn can pass for chic with her Louis Top Handle

Look Book!

Want to define a signature style but have no clue where to start?

For me, I looked to my favorite magazines and ripped out my favorite pages to create a Look Book. I put them in a binder but they don't have to be an actual book, lots of fashionistas create shared look books online at fashion portals such as http://www.style.com/

Look Books give you an idea of what to shop, where to shop and how to style.

And they are true to you! I have pages from years ago but I still fall in love with the styles.

Here I pulled 6 of my favorite pages from my look book to prep for spring style.

From Top, left to right
I love busting out skirts and baring some leg when the weather starts warming up (not today though, it's rainy and depressing today in D.C.) Bright colors, full volumes and even matching prints makes it even more fun and feminine.

Next, I am always inspired by the simplicity of this Chanel look. The straw hat gives it a fresh young look and luckily cuban hats are everywhere this year.

A detailed look of  different take on the one shoulder look. I keep my favorite looks from my look book in the back of my mind when I go shopping or even better yet, you can take them with you as a guide!

On the right of the top row is a glam Michael Kors dress and matching fur coat. I wouldn't do the fur in the summer! but I'll be wearing bright bright colors like hot pink not only at night but in the day!

Spiegel Signature Sateen Safari Dress in Pink Raspberry, $69

Click here to buy

Keira Knightly is rocking polka dots and aviators on the bottom left. Usually I shy away from polka dots but done in a sexy pinup 50's way they actually look pretty cute.

Target Merona Polka Dot Dress, $39.99

click here to buy

The T-Strap Heel gives it a more vintage feel!

In the middle is one of my favorite all-time prints, leopard. But it doesn't have to just be leopard, animal prints are big right now and can be done in big ways! You can add a leopard print in a heel or flat to spice up a basic dress or do a whole shift in leopard or snakeskin! I also love it in a bag such as a (fake) embossed alligator tote.

Macy's, INC "Princy" Pump, $49.99

click here to buy

Christian Siriano for Payless Downtown Zip Sandal for $24.99

Click Here to Buy

On the bottom right is the lingerie as regular wear trend. And I like the being unabashedly feminine confidence of pairing it with soft hair and makeup. You don't have to bust out your Victoria's Secret but look for delicate materials like chiffon and intricate details such as ruffles and thin pretty straps.