What's in MY Shopping Bag?: Stocking My Bookshelves

I cannot seem to get enough of the fashion world. In the eight months since I have completed my undergraduate degree, I have found myself missing the education behind the fashion world. Because of this, I have been researching fashion textbooks, dictionaries, and leisurely reading material in order to add to my small book collection and to increase my knowledge beyond my education.

The most difficult aspect of trying to find the right book is getting it at the right price. I have checked out bookstores, which are incredibly over-priced and more times then not, flipped through and ruined. However, with online stores like Amazon.com, I have been able to visually see what there is available in the stores and am able to find brand new copies online for much cheaper.

The whole process is very much so trial and error. I have been searching for anything related to fashion, reading about each book, and following up with the customer reviews. I am trying to make my purchases relevant to my life, interests, and educational background in order to support my growth and future career - cheesy, I know. I am recalling textbooks and authors my professors required us to read and am trying to find anything similar.

I will let you know my end result, but I am planning to make this a long-term goal. Amazon.com, here I come!

Here are the books I am looking into, so far, on Amazon.com:

- "Costume and fashion: A Concise History (World of Art)" by James Laver - $13.57

- "The Fairchild Dictionary of Fashion" by Charlotte Mankey Calasibetta - $44.97

- "The Thames & Hudson Dictionary of Fashion and Fashion Designers" by Georgina O-Hara Callan - $13.45

- "Valentino: Themes and Variations" by Pamela Golbin - $47.25

- "Writing For the Fashion Business" by Kristen K. Swanson, Judith C. Everett - $76.66

What does your bookshelf look like? Would you ever be interested in reading books about legitimate fashion (none of that "A to Zoe" crap)? Does anything in the fashion world interest you?

*Images: Amazon.com

Finishing Matte

While I was out and about searching for the perfect brush the other day, I was distracted by shiny little bottles of nail polish. I walked into the beauty supply store and the overwhelmingly stocked wall of O.P.I. had me at "hello". I have been searching for a color similar to something that Kelly Ripa wore a few months ago on "Live With Regis and Kelly" but I have been very unsuccessful ever since. It was very neutral and fit in just right with my obsession with anything blush-hued.

"You Don't Know Me Jacques" is the next best thing to the color that Miss Ripa had on. It is a little bit gray with a hint of brown and just a dash of purple - and it is matte and kind of looks like dried mud!!! Kelly had on something much lighter than this color that I found, but there was something so similar between the two that I simply had to have this nail color.

My purchase may have been somewhat of an impulsive act, but I did get a great deal onthree O.P.I. nail polishes. Not only did I find something intriguing and versatile, but I replenished my favorite color, "My Chihuahua Bites". I spent $18.50 for one bottle of matte finish polish, regular polish, and received a free nail base polish because I already had two nail polishes.

With a change in nail color brings a new attitude to your wardrobe and your style. Spicing up the cold weather can be as easy as opening an $8 bottle of nail polish that will last longer than you would believe. The best part about investing in something like O.P.I. nail polish, is that you can give yourself your own manicure whenever you please at a very Fashion, Friendly & Frugal price.

*Images: http://www.blushminerals.co.uk/images/OPI.jpg

http://61.172.198.140:8115/_media/20090309/dragonfly_nail.jpg

Published Again!

Here is my most recently published article from "The Betty" (the FCS department newsletter at CSUN). Please check it out and ENJOY!

Issue 35: December 2, 2009 - "Garment District in Jeopardy"

http://www.csun.edu/~matthews/betty%2035.pdf

A Terrible Dream

A few nights ago I had a very interesting dream, to say the least. Not only was it straight out of "Sex and the City", but it was flat out ridiculous. SATC fans will know exactly which episode I am referencing, but here is a recap for those of you who are not so familiar with the best show of all time. Carrie Bradshaw and her gay husband show up at a friends' newborn baby celebration dressed to the nines. Of course, Miss Bradshaw is merchandised with Mr. Manolo Blahnik - a silver pair of $485 d'orsay heels. They are told to remove their shoes and unwillingly Carrie parts with her brand new babies. By the time Carrie and Stanford leave, her shoes already took off. She freaks out, she is left wearing a funky pair of tennis shoes, and no one knows where her Manolos are.

My dream left me feeling the same exact way, only it was not Manolos that were taken from me, but my only pair of black cardy Uggs. Yes, I own Uggs and yes I was very upset in my dream when I realized someone walked off in my shoes. I had shown up to a party with a bunch of very random people. We were forced to take our shoes off. I was stressed the entire party about not wearing my shoes - but not in the way you feel while standing in the airport security line. I was getting ready to leave and realized my shoes were no longer there. They may not have been Manolos, but apparently they were my pride and joy in my dream... I may have been sweating when I woke up.

I question what kind of sign this was and what in the world it means. Am I that desperate to hold onto my comfy, kick-around boots? Or is it something bigger? And why in the world was is it exactly like that episode of SATC? I think the biggest question is, why am I admitting this? I guess my dream is the frugal version of what happened to the not-so-frugal Carried Bradshaw. I will never remove my shoes for a party, and you can quote me on that!

*Images: http://stores.exquistefashions.com/catalog/Ugg%20Black%20Cardy.jpg

http://thechicspy.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/satc-manolo.gif

A Tangent to Target

I was on a mission Sunday morning to find the perfect brush. I recently had my hair cut and my fabulous friend used the most wonderful brush to blow out my hair. I vowed not to sleep until I found what I was looking for. Needless to say, I did sleep and my mission was not impossible.

I kept a firm budget in mind; anything $30 or under (these brushes can get pricey). The kind of brush I needed was usually a fairly expensive brush, being made of boar's hair and ceramic. I checked out a local beauty supply store because they were having a very Fashion, Friendly & Frugal blowout sale. However, I encountered a very select few brushes to choose from - all of which were awful.

On a whim, I decided to check out Sally Beauty Supply. They tend to have sales and a large variety of hair products. But what put a damper on my mission was more than just the unexpected rain. It was a Sunday at 10:38am and the store was closed!... they opened at 11:00am. I was hopped up on a double espresso and ready to find my brush, there was no way I could have sat there for twenty minutes. Luckily the most resourceful Target was near by, so I edited my plans just a little.

I stream-lined for the hair accessories and zeroed in on a line by Conair. The brush I found was ceramic with boar's hair bristles and was only $8.79! Talk about a steal. Not only did I find the perfect brush, but I found a matching swimsuit. Well, it does not match at all, but it was damn cute and at $14.99 a piece, it was a must-have frugal find.

My mission to find the perfect brush may have been diverted by poor store hours at one location, but I believe everything happens for a reason. Had Sally Beauty not been closed, I would have never stopped by Target to find a great brush at a great price, and had I never found the brush, I never would have found the swimsuit to "match" ;) .

*Images: Target.com

Valentine's Day Uggs: A Nationally Recognized Holiday

Valentine's Day seemed to be the national "Wear Your Favorite Pair of Uggs" day. I never got the memo, but unknowingly joined in on the festivities yesterday while on a mission to see "Wolfman". As I have mentioned before, I am very observant and because of my background, I tend to pay close attention to what people around me are wearing. Sunday was no exception.

I walked into the lobby of the movie theatre and immediately focused on a lady in head-to-toe blue velour tracksuit (most likely Juicy), with tan Uggs gobbling up the bottom of her pants. To my surprise, I was then asked by a family member how I felt about Uggs in that particular situation - I was very amused, to say the least. HORRENDOUS!

Admittedly so, I was sporting a pair of black knit Uggs (my only pair) with skinny jeans and justified my fashion pick of the day. My Uggs blended in with my dark-wash denim and I unbuttoned the boots so I could fold them down creating a shorter boot. However, the ladies at this particular movie theatre enjoyed their Uggs in very different and interesting ways.

Not only were they paired with a blue tracksuit, but I saw a navy blue tracksuit with black leather Uggs. Dear Lord. Then I saw cream-colored cable-knit Uggs with black, knee-length leggings which exposed everything from the knee to mid-calf. What?! Finally, the theme of the day was black leggings accessorized with tan Uggs. Why?

Uggs are a very situational fashion item. They are comfy and should never be worn seriously; never think you look fashion-forward when you are lumbering around in Uggs. No matter what, do not, I repeat, DO NOT wear Uggs with sweats or tracksuits! Talk about looking sloppy. Keep it simple and pair them with leggings, skinny jeans, or even a pair of jeggings! And whatever you do, never ever wear them with skirts or shorts when it is a million degrees outside (SoCal I am talking to you).

The moral of this story is to search for alternatives. If you want to be comfy in Uggs, do so while avoiding loose or cropped bottoms. If you want to lookcasual, try some flats; they may not have soft lining, but they create more style than some cold weather boots. Be aware of your surroundings and who you may be offending when you wear Uggs with things like tracksuits.

Honestly, how many pairs of Uggs do you own? How do you wear them? What is the worst outfit you have seen "complimented" by Uggs?

*Images: http://www.gzjuicycouture.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/1260554419857-300x199.jpg

http://www.footpop.com/ugg-boot-7799.jpg

http://www.ozonweb.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/UGGS1.jpg

Definition of Artist: Alexander McQueen

Tragic news. I got off work an hour ago, eager to indulge in another new episode of Project Runway and was very satisfied with the show. As the show was ending and as I was on my way to bed, my mom told me that Alexander McQueen took his own life. I was, and still am, speechless.

I will not go into details about his suicide but you can find more information at this link from the Los Angeles Times: "Alexander McQueen, iconoclastic fashion designer, dies at 40". I wanted to post something because he was such a well-known, unique, inspirational, and often imitated artist. He had the talent for longevity, innovati

on, and was always pushing the envelope. His legacy will live on through his vintage designs and hopefully in the hearts and minds of anyone in the fashion world. Gianni Versace now has a fellow artist and fashion designer by his side.

My thoughts and prayers go out to anyone touched by this unfortunate tragedy. We truly lost an immensely talented human being.

Here is a link to New York Magazine Online. You can view his runway shows and bio information. : http://nymag.com/fashion/fashionshows/designers/bios/alexandermcqueen/

*Images: http://media3.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/02/11/PH2010021102474.jpg

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http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/JMn-yD-XHsT/Alexander+McQueen+Paris+Fashion+Week+Ready

http://www.fashion-ation.net/System/Assets/paris-am.jpg

http://blogs.reuters.com/oddly-enough/files/2007/10/fashion-butterfly-300.jpg

http://gracemagazine.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/alexander-mcqueen-1.jpg

http://shoeminx.com/images/2008/06/alexander-mcqueen-celebrity-shoes.jpg

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Seriously?

I do not know what to say. There are no kind words that come to mind. How did this happen and who allowed it to happen? Priced from $59.00 up through $159.oo you too can own an over-priced, tacky ensemble "designed" by the Kardashians!

WHY?

*Images: Bebe.com

Go Shopping!

This is a huge transitional point in seasons for fashion. We are going from the chilly winter, to pre-spring apparel. Retailers are prepping for the first set of shipments for their spring fashions. Here are just a few of the great deals I found while shopping online:

1.) Urban Outfitters is having a HUGE sale. They have over 900 items on sale ranging from $3.99 to $399.oo. So check out this fashion forward retailer for the hottest new trends and the best deals on previously regular-priced items.

2.) GAP just got a whole new shipment of apparel. I was told that many of the new items recently available online, will be in stores today! So if you have seen something online you really like, but have been unsure about the fit, go check out a brick and mortar store so you can utilize the fitting rooms! As for the brand new items, stop by their website and see what they have to offer. Gap is looking very spring-friendly.

3.) American Apparel is once again posting 15% discounts for many of their California stores. Plus, if you sign up for their E-mails, you can save an additional 15%! I toured this company for a class at CSUN and it is a great company (aside from all of the lawsuits against the founder). This is a company you can feel good about investing in because everything is produced in California in a very ethical way - you are getting great prices for American-Made!

These are just a few of the deals and new merchandise I found online today. Take the time to check out some of my "Frugal Hotspots" or any of your favorite retailers for new shipments and/or new markdowns. Spring is just around the corner and I cannot wait - it is my favorite season for fashion!

What deals have you found recently? What new garments have you recently acquired? What is your favorite fashion season?

*Image: http://image3.examiner.com/images/blog/EXID1342/slideshows/f8f4271d-8878-46d5-ad80-6a704164a66f.jpg

Designers?

Apparently I have been living under a rock. The Kardashians have a line of apparel to be released by Bebe next week! Seriously? And I thought sequins and shoulder pads making their comeback was scary. Although this is great marketing for Bebe and the Kardashians, I see no other real reason as to why these ladies should be allowed to "design" - design being the operative word since none of them probably lifted a finger to design a single item.

I for one cannot stand Bebe. They are overpriced, very cheaply made, and anything but inconspicuous (unless you like "BEBE" across your chest like a bad billboard). So what exactly is my motivation to purchase something "designed" by the Kardashians for Bebe? The word tacky keeps coming to mind...

These women, if I can call them that, are famous because of a sex tape, which lead to a "reality" TV show, which lead to another dreadful "reality" TV show, which lead to a pregnancy, which lead to a shotgun, gold diggers' wedding. So... where is their credibility?! Bebe should be searching for the next big mass market designer with aspirations, ideas, and most importantly talent. Bebe: I never thought very highly of your brand or products, but now you have hit an even lower, low. All I can say is that I hope none of their "designs" say "Kardashian" across the chest like a bad advertisement for their terrible "talents".

What are your thoughts on the Kardashians "designing" apparel? Would you purchase their creations?

*Image: http://www.limelife.com/blog-entry/The-Kardashian-Bebe-Collection-Unveiling-At-Fashion-Week/32441.htm

What's in MY Shopping Bag?: Go Nude!

Wearing your Birthday Suit has an all new meaning now that blush tones are the hot new color for Spring. Above are just a few of the items that I am absolutely obsessed with right now. Pair them together for an overall flushed look, or mix and match these pieces with other items from your wardrobe for just a hint of "skin".

(Clockwise from top left corner)

Arden B ~ Two-Toned Dress $59

Steve Madden ~ Platform Pumps $99.95

Urban Outfitters ~ Flower Earrings $16

Urban Outfitters ~ Sunglasses $10

Urban Outfitters ~ Sandals $34

Urban Outfitters ~ Earrings $12

Urban Outfitters ~ Skirt $58

Old Navy ~ Cardigan $26.50 --> Only a few left!

Arden B ~ Draped Tunic $29

Arden B ~ Cowl Neck Top $38

Old Navy ~ Handbag $29.50 --> $14.99 SALE!

Urban Outfitters ~ Flats $28

Gap ~ Cropped Pants $49.50

Old Navy ~ Shorts $22.50

Nordstrom ~ Free People Jeans $98

Steve Madden ~ Flats $79.95

Steve Madden ~ Clutch $40

Urban Outfitters ~ Cuff $9.50

What have you found or bought in a blush hue? Do you prefer pink or brown undertones?

*Images: ArdenB.com

Gap.com

Nordstrom.com

OldNavy.com

SteveMadden.com

UrbanOutfitters.com

Don't Make Me BLUSH

With Spring just around the corner I am very interested to see what the hot new colors for the next season will be. Usually designers rely on light colors like yellows and white. However, there has been a huge rush of blush and fleshy-toned hues swirling around on all kinds of runways and red carpets. The big question I have is why nobody picked up on these barely-there colors sooner?!

Rocking any kind of blush hue can be as easy and small as a clutch or as big and bold as a gown like Chloe Sevigny at the 2010 Golden Globes. No matter how you wear a nude garment, make sure it is the right color for your skin tone and overall coloring. Believe it or not, it is very easy to look washed out in something too similar to your own skin tone. Depending on your individual coloring, pick items that have more pink or brown tones in order to avoid looking washed out (and to keep from blending into your clothing).

My favorite fleshy-toned item that is a must-have in any wardrobe is a pair of blush pumps. On the other hand, cropped pants are the "it" item for the upcoming season, and what better shoe to enhance your cropped look than a pair of skin-toned pumps, flats, or sandals! Do not be afraid to purchase cropped pants because you think you may be too short or your legs may be too short. Blush colored shoes elongate your legs so you can work cropped pants this season no matter how tall or short you may be!

Be very aware of the silhouettes you choose. Something slim and fitted is risky and daring because not only will it show off your figure, but you may look like you are wearing your birthday suit. Search for garments with interesting silhouettes. Something with a strong shoulder, a dramatic ruffle, or princess seams will add interest to the garment and divert attention away from the fact that you may look kind of nude. No matter how you choose to wear this undeniably perfect color for Spring, be sure to acquire something in a blush, nude, or fleshy hue.

What is you favorite color to wear. What looks best with your coloring? How do you feel about going nude - wearing fleshy colors, that is?

*Images: ih5.ggpht.com

JustJared.com

Yahoo.com

Rent's Due: Why Blog?

After watching "Julie and Julia" a few weeks ago I realized that I needed to personalize my blog. Although all of my fashion advice is mine and mine alone, it occurred to me that I was not letting my readers see the real me. So, here is a long story made short about how I came to be a Fashion, Friendly & Frugal blogger.

I graduated from the amazing California State University Northridge last May from the wonderful department of Family and Consumer Sciences. I focused on and earned my BS in Apparel Design and Merchandising and minored in Marketing (one of the top 300 business schools according to the 2008 Princeton Review). The two fields went hand-in-hand, which seemingly should have been a match made in heaven upon my graduation. However, the terrible economy plus my 2009 graduation was the perfect equation for unemployment.

I had the perfect internship at a wonderful company in Beverly Hills my senior year at CSUN. I had the inside scoop (and connections) on a training program with a company based in the area that I grew up in which would have began a few months after graduation. I graduated, applied, nailed the interview and waited. No more than a month later were my dreams of the perfect life after college graduation shattered... via email.

So this is where I am today. Currently over-qualified for retail sales but "under-qualified" for anything else in the fashion industry. Through my education and guidance from a professor and friend, I discovered my love of writing about fashion. Also, through my brother's advice, I created this blog. I may not be earning a living doing what I love, but I am still actively pursuing my dreams through this blog (dreams that I have had since fifth grade). The economy may not be what it once was, but in time I will find the perfect career, just like the perfect pair of Christian Louboutins! But until that day comes, I will continue to blog for all of my wonderful readers and followers.

What are your aspirations? What is your dream career?

*Images: http://socialentrepreneurs.typepad.com

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