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Seven things I've learned not to waste $$ on

6/23/2015

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I can't promise I'll never spend money on any of these things again, but I'll sure try!

1. Getting my hair done for an event

I used to get an updo or get my hair curled at a salon before a special event. The first time I got my hair curled was to see a production of Cats. As I was bathing before getting dressed up, I accidentally dipped my hair in the bath, & the curls got wet & fell out. $25 dollars or so down the drain :-)

Another time I got an updo done for an awards ceremony. The style was pulled up so tightly & felt so unlike me that I ended up taking it down before the event. So much for another $25 or so. 

I will confess that I did get an updo for my wedding, but I'd known my hairdresser for years, & she did a trial run before the big day. 


2. Getting my makeup done for an event

I've only gotten makeup done once. As I left the salon, I felt like everyone was staring at me--like I was overly made up & looked a bit like a clown. I washed off the makeup before the event.  
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Fancy updo from our wedding day

@OpenMindFashion Yep! Same with having make up done !

— Section 411 (@Section411) June 18, 2015
3. Uncomfortable shoes 

Nothing irks me more than owning a pair of shoes I don't wear. But it's so hard to reach for the pair you know will hurt your feet. Best not to buy them or to return them before you've worn them outside the house in the first place if you sense trouble on the horizon. I currently have a pair of sandals that hurt my feet that I wish I hadn't kept (boots would never treat me this way).
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4. Rain boots for the kids
When will I learn that they will not wear rain boots, no matter how cute they are, no matter if it's pouring with rain? (My son has asked me to clarify that this is because they are boys over the age of seven :-)
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Joules Boys' Matt Rain Boot Wellies, Dark Olive, $30.55
5. Final sale items

I'm not sure what the problem is here. Many final sale items are just fine, but most of the time, I'll still wish I could return them--some strange psychological phenomenon. I have a dress I bought final sale I can picture in my closet right now that I keep wearing, but I don't really like it. 
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6. Clothes from two particular stores
I've learned not to buy from two particular stores since I always end up returning anything I buy there. Do you have a couple stores like that?
7. Clothes that are too small

Because I do shop sales, I sometimes find myself buying clothes that aren't my size (the only size available) & then try to adapt them or tolerate them. While I can sometimes fool myself that the piece works in the short term, it rarely does long term. I also won't wear too-tight jeans no matter how good they seem to look the first time I put them on. 

I have less trouble with things that are too big, but it's best if I make sure everything I buy is pretty close to the right size.
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These are but a few of the things I've learned not to waste money on. I think perhaps it can only help to make a clear list & post it on the frig or something to help me stop making the same mistakes. 

What have you learned not to waste $$ on?
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The white layer

6/21/2015

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I love the look of white layered under white or of a crisp white shirt layered under almost anything. 

A couple examples of layering white under white...

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Banana Republic Medallion Lace Top, $59.99 minus 40%
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Image from Zara
Least expensive--from New York & Company:

I typically choose a sleeveless white shirt to layer, so there's no bulk in the arms. Below are several sleeveless white shirts shown from least to most expensive...

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New York & Company Embroidered Sleeveless Shirt, $7.99
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Banana Republic Layered Sleeveless Blouse, $49.99-$59.99 minus 40%
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Uniqlo Women Premium Linen Sleeveless Shirt, $34.90
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Uniqlo Women Rayon Sleeveless Blouse, $19.90
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J. Crew Factory Sleeveless Infinity Shirt, $39.50
I got this one on sale for $29:

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GAP Floral Jacquard sleeveless Shirt, $35.99 minus 30%
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H&M Sleeveless Cotton Shirt, $10
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Madewell Sleeveless Composer Shirt, $49.99 minus 30%
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Boden Sleeveless Shirt, $40.60
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Banana Republic Cropped Sweater Tank, $39.99 minus 40%
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Image from Zara
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Banana Republic Bonded Short-Sleeve Pullover, $24.99 minus 40%
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Banana Republic Mesh Cropped Pullover, $24.99 minus 40%
More examples of layering white with white...

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Banana Republic Ottoman-Stripe Cropped Pullover, $54.99 minus 40%
Do you wear a white layer some times?
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Year-round leather: a slideshow

6/16/2015

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Here are several images that lead me to believe you can wear leather or pleather year round...

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Orange & blue?: a slideshow

6/16/2015

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Of course I wear orange & blue during Bronco season. But in the off season? Does it work? These images lead me to believe it does...
Do you own any orange? Will you be wearing orange with blue this summer?
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Put your back into it

6/8/2015

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Some of this year's summer dresses show more back in more new ways than ever...

From American Apparel

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American Apparel Printed Crepe Crossback Midi Dress, $72
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American Apparel Crepe Crossback Midi Dress, $72
From GAP

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GAP Twist-back Dress, $59.95 minus 30%
From Urban Outfitters

More Urban Outfitters dresses with unusual backs here

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Urban Outfitters Ecote Strappy Back Safari Maxi Dress, $98
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Urban Outfitters Ecote Strappy Back Safari Maxi Dress, $98
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Urban Outfitters Silence + Noise Strappy Cross-Back Maxi Dress, also in black, $49
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Urban Outfitters Silence + Noise Superpower Drape-Back Dress, $59
From Abercrombie & Fitch

More Abercrombie dresses with unusual backs here

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Abercrombie & Fitch Floral High Neck Maxi Dress, $68
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Abercrombie & Fitch Patterned strappy Swing Dress, $44
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Abercrombie & Fitch Lace Swing Dress, $54
From Loft

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LOFT Frond Cut-out Dress, $49.50
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LOFT Strappy Pinwheel Sundress, $98
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LOFT French Hen Strappy Midi Dress, $89.50
From Zara

For more Zara tops & dresses with unexpected backs, type "back" here

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Zara Dress with Straps on the Back, $59.90
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Zara Mid-length Flounce Dress with Open Back, $99.90
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Zara Strappy Dress with Back Knot, $79.90
I've noticed surprising backs on swimsuits this season too like on the Strappy Swim collection from Victoria's Secret.
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How to dress to make a striking impression

6/2/2015

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Ever since I was very young, I've taken note of the most striking woman in the room. Who is the woman who stands out from the others in the audience the theater? Who is the most striking woman in the restaurant? 

Here are four tips that will help us make a striking impression...

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Image from Zara.com; Black Mid-rise Jeans, $49.90
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Boden Iris Dress, $118
1. Wear bold or unexpected colors
3. Wear jeans & a bright white blouse
2. Wear all black
It's a striking dress because of its bold colors. Put it on a tall woman with blonde blunt cut hair, & it has a striking effect.
A couple weeks ago I went to a benefit breakfast in the gym of my high school. A table of teachers sat at the back, cheering on scholarship winners, the choir, & their principal. One woman stood out from the others at her table. 
I'm pretty sure she was wearing this dress:

At the Broadway lightrail stop yesterday, I noticed a woman dressed in all black. She stood out partially because it was hot yesterday, & she was dressed more warmly than we were. But even in sleeveless silk, she would have stood out from all of us in our complicated combinations of colors & textures because of her elegant simplicity. 

It's as easy at that. Make sure the blouse is bright white. Add red lipstick & voilà!
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Alexis Bledel, image from xdesktopwallpapers.com
4. Wear the color that matches your eyes
I recently visited the art museum with a friend of mine who was wearing a blue dress from Three Islands Lifestyle. As we greeted each other in the parking lot, my first thought was that she'd gotten blue-tinted contact lens (she hadn't :). Her eyes looked so blue! If you have blue or green eyes, play them up by wearing that color. Or if you wear glasses, wear a color that matches your frames.

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Image from Banana Republic
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Image from prAna Facebook page. Lizzy Top, $65, & Kara Jean, $85
Have you noticed the woman who stands out in the midst of a crowd?  Please suggest additional ideas on how to dress to convey a striking impression. Of course, often it's not a woman's clothes at all but her poise or her smile that lights up a room. 
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