Lael's Shopping Rules and Tricks ... Part 2 of 2

Hi readers! I'm so sorry I've left you hanging for part two of my shopping tricks and rules.... computer troubles, oh well.

Trick: Now that you have those clothes tried on it's time to pick out your pieces and *druuuuuumrooooolllll* TAKE THEM HOME!

Rule: Now that you have weeded through what fits and what doesn't, it's time to weed some more. Joy!
Now it's time to think...
Think about:

• How many pieces do you have weeded through so far?

-If you somehow still have 20 pieces then congrats! You either have an amazing figure or have lots of time, either way all doors are open to you! But of course i hope you aren't planning on buying all of them. 

• How much money do you have?

- If you have $10 than you really have to stretch that don't you? (I know this from personal experience $10 in change can = 1 dress+ 4 pieces of jewelry!) 

- Some people have more of a shopper's conscience than others. I have my personal rules for what i will spend but others have different standards.

- Basically if you are spending more than $100 for a single piece YOU ARE PAYING TOO MUCH! (of course there are certain occasions where that is OK but not on a casual shopping trip) 

• How many stores do you have left to go to?

- If you are at your first store of a whole mall and are already spending more than half of your money you need to rethink what you are buying

• If you don't want to buy it now will it be there next time?

- If it is a big blow-out clearance sale chances are not... if you love it and it passes all rules above for the most, part get it!

• And finally do you love it? 

- There is no reason that you have to spend all of your money in one trip. Unless you LOVE it do NOT buy it!

You should consider each and every one of these things before bringing your choices to the counter. 

Now buying!

This i simple and you can use it when  buying anything.

• Be prepared with your items already picked and laid out
• Have an estimate of how much your things will cost and have the money out and organized

This may seem like a lot of rules and i definitely don't want to make shopping an overbearing uncomfortable experience but if you follow these rules to an extent you will soon be able to formulate your own shopping process which will all-in-all make shopping a much more enjoyable and productive trip to the mall!

Lael's Shopping Rules and Tricks ... Part 1 of 2

My favorite thing: FASHION. So basically that means clothes, and THAT means shopping. I, like most of you, do not have money to throw away, but I love shopping for clothes so much. So over the years I have formulated some rules and tricks to help me get the most out of that rare $20.

Trick:   Research.

                  
Before you go shopping have an idea what your looking for. You don't have to get that and that only but it is helpful to have in mind what you want.

Rules: 

• SALE! CLEARANCE! SALE! You never know what amazing treasure you will find. 

Trick:   Be prepared to go shopping.

                    
Whether or not you plan on trying stuff on... more often than not, you do. 

Rules: 

• Avoid jewelry and lots of accessories. Taking off and putting on clothes in the dressing room also means you must take off...and once again put back on all those accessories, if you must accessorize, stick with something simple like a scarf.

• Do NOT spend a lot of time on your hair. Static-y shirts and dresses will only undo all of your hard work. Preferably put your hair up in a fool-proof ponytail, bun, or even pig tails.

• Try things on. No, I mean try lots of things on. NO, I mean try LOTS of things on! Even if you don't expect it to fit try it on because every so often there is that piece that will make you happy you tried it on. Also with trying things on you will get an idea of how clothes fit you and it will all-in-all build your shopping intuition. Expect things not to fit and don't let it get you down. Usually if you go into a dressing room with twenty things you will come out with four. Remember this is ok! You didn't really expect to buy all twenty things did you?

• Bring a friend. Bring someone with patience to stand outside and give you opinions. If you want return the favor do the same for them.

Stay tuned for more Shopping Rules and Tricks! 

cont...

Stay tuned!

Stay tuned for laels shopping rules and tricks!

Lael's tip of the day: layering

One of my favorite things is layering. It can make a simple outfit more unique and fun. A simple layering trick is to pick one piece in your closet such as a t-shirt and build an outfit around it. First look at the piece. Don't just look at the main color, look at the small bits of color too. Next, put something over it; something light such as a vest or button down. After that add something else on top of that; this is usually something medium-light such as a sweathshirt. Last but not least... Accessories. Add a belt over your layers for a nice tied-together effect. Add scarves and/or jewelry and you are set. This is just one layering idea, feel free to use it, but be creative. Just make sure it isnt TOO bulky because you don't want to lose your style (or your body) in your clothes.

Emergency Fashion!

Have you ever stood up to your knees in clothes in your room before school with NO IDEA what to wear? You have 10 minutes til the bus is supposed to pick you up and you can't decide what to put on?

I have. And trust me, nothing ruins my morning quite like it.    

Well, believe it or not, I have tips that just might save you from the nothing-to-wear-morning-panic-attack!

Tips and tricks:

Plan ahead.

• Pick out your outfit the night before
• Plan ahead for weather, or special days like picture day or spirit day
• Always consider your school dress code

Get out your 'Go To' Outfit.

• Have a 'go to' outfit (something that's flattering & always makes you feel good)
• Easy to wear and not complicated with a lot of accessories
• Can be your favorite T-shirt, jeans, etc.

Lay it out.

• Laying out your outfit helps get you ready & organized
• Once you've decided on an outfit, set it aside so you can get to it easily the next morning

Be prepared.

• Make sure all of your other morning chores are done such as making a lunch, getting your homework organized, cleaning your room, etc.
• Be ready for weather & have your umbrella ready or your coat

Look and feel great!

Being a teenager is complicated enough. But, planning ahead and staying organized can help take the 'tough' out of getting dressed!

Here's to unlocking YOUR closet's potential!
Love, Lael

Spice Up Your T-shirt!

 

One thing everyone has in their closet, no matter what age or size, is a T-shirt. Spicing up a T-shirt is an easy way to show your style and be unique without breaking your comfort zone (or your parent's bank).

I like spicing up my T-shirts so that I can stand out in the sea of jeans and T-shirts.

You can spice up your T-shirt if you want to:
 

• Break away from your normal everyday look
• Dress it up for a special occasion
• Bring it into a different style
• Make it more feminine

Many of the items you can use to spice up your T-shirt are hiding right in your own closet!

I like using my J-BOS rule when spicing up my T-shirts: 

Jewelry

Belts

Outerwear (jackets, cardigans, vests, etc)

Scarves

Below are pics which show how you can spice up one gray Tshirt and a great pair of jeans.

Jewelry

  

Use pretty necklaces such as this mega strand of pearls. Since it's a simple T-shirt, don't be afraid to pile on the glam!
(Necklace: H&M, $12)

Belts

 

You know those plain skinny belts that come with shirts or pants? Well, that's what I used here. I stacked three of them loosely. It's ok to mix brown and black. So, next time you want to toss that boring belt, think twice!
(Knit cap: Lodges (local shop) $3; Skinny belts: Free...found in mine  & Mom's closet)

Outerwear

 

Here I used a great denim jacket that I'm completely in love with! I also added some girlie touches with some great colorful jewelry and a pretty pin.
(Jacket: Kohl's, $30; Necklaces: FREE, Mom's jewelry box; Bracelets: H&M, $5; Pin: Claires, $1)

Scarves 

 

Here's a great trick to do when you're on the go... Just throw on a funky cool scarf! You can wear an open scarf with a bold necklace for a fun way to add a little something extra!
(Scarf: Macy's Outlet, $7; Necklace: Forever 21, $6)

PS...I know how hard it can be to step out of your jeans and T-shirt comfort zone. But if you're looking to change up your style and don't know where to start, think J-BOS! It is the first step to unlocking your closet's hidden potential while creating your very own unique & fun style.

Here's to unlocking YOUR closet's potential!

Love, Lael