Buy This not That

Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! Scream all the promotion cards, and websites with 30%-60% off prices. Yes, hurry indeed and buy our ill-fitting, poorly made merchandise because we will soon be out of business.

Right now is time for good deals, so keep a look out for low-priced items and combine them with promotions codes, easily found online, to get a fantastically priced bargain. But, do NOT be seduced by a piece of clothing, no matter how lowly priced it is if it’s cute, but a little tight, cute, but you really don’t need it, cute, but unworkable with the rest of your wardrobe.

As my wardrobe has grown over the past year I’ve learned by trial and error what I should have bought instead of items that now occupy space in my closet but are difficult to incorporate into outfits. Too easily seduced by needing something right away and settling for an item that was less than it was worth, or an item that was so-so, but not something that I really loved, or that was compatible with the rest of my wardrobe, I’ve wasted many a dollar on shirts that are too short, sweaters that are too tight, shoes that are painful, and jewelry that I’ll never wear. All those $5 and $10 keep floating around my mind, nagg me, reminding me on what I could have spend them on.

1. Instead of a 3/4 length hoodie that only works with short sleeved tops, I should have bought a long-sleeved hoodie in a neutral color; white, cream, black, grey, and paired it easily on casual days in the wintertime with long-sleeves and jeans.

2. Instead of a lightweight, long-sleeved cardigan that gets rumpled easily and gets lumpy when paired with t-shirts and blouses, I should have bought a thicker weight sweater, still long-sleeved, in a neutral color that will easily stand up to heavier tops during wintertime.

3. Instead of the low-heeled loafers that slip off my feet and don’t look good paired with socks, I should have invested in a pair of Converse shoes that are a more fashionable choice than sneakers but are just as comfortable and look classy and retro paired with jeans and a t-shirt, or casual top.

4. Instead of blah-colored, pullover sweaters that are cute on the hanger but when put on hit me at the widest point of my hips, I should have invested in a long-sleeved, fine-knit pullover sweater in a longer length that ends just above my crotch area. But NOT one that emphasizes my hips and makes me look like I don’t have a waist.

5. Instead of a couple of cotton blazers that don’t fit easily over my tops, I should have bought a trench or a cropped trench for those times when a wool coat is too heavy but a sweater by itself isn’t enough.

6. Instead of ugly-as-sin bracelets and necklaces that might, possibly, look cute if I squinted my eyes and wore them once in an unnoticable manner, I should have invested in more simple looking, elegant jewelry. It needn’t be expensive, but a necklace that makes a statement when worn with a demure top, a more simple necklace, a bangle bracelet, and (if my ears were pierced) medium-sized silver hoops, and black, drop earrings would be plenty to choose from when adding accessories to an outfit.

7. Instead of cheap eyeshadow, powder, and foundation, I should have invested more Almay and Neutrogena products, focusing more on skin products than on eye makeup products. The current trend for makeup is to focus heavily on the eyes, than on the skin, I think that one should focus more on glowing, healthy looking skin than on heavy eye makeup. I use Almay eye concealer, a small amount of Almay foundation, only in the spots were I need more coverage, a light dusting of Neutrogena powder, and a bit of rose colored, Neutrogena blush for my skin. I do believe that my eyes are the focus of my face, so I use makeup to emphasis them, but not in a blaring way. I line my top lid only, usually with a black or dark brown eyeliner pencil, sticking close the the base of the lashes, and then give my eyelids a dusting of light tan, or nude colored eyeshadow, and then put Maybelline mascara on my lashes.

So stop, think twice, and remember a few of the items listed here the next time you are out buying!

Thanksgiving Outfit Ideas

What to wear on Thanksgiving Day?

1. Staying at home outfit:

>Dark wash jeans, bootcut, or straight. Dressy enough to impress any guests, relaxed enough to move around in and comfortably eat your Thanksgiving meal in. I’ll be wearing my dark wash, straight legged, American Eagle jeans.
>Simple knit top, tunic, or sweater, in a longer length. I’ll be wearing my black, mock turtleneck, knit top from Banana Republic.
>Statement piece of jewelry, or scarf. Pick ONE piece of jewelry that compliments the top you’re wearing, either earrings, or a ring, or a bracelet, or a necklace, or a scarf. Not two combinations
or else you’ll overwhelm your outfit. I’ll be wearing either my skinny purple scarf, or a bracelet.

2. Going over to someone’s house outfit:
>Dark wash jeans, jean trousers, or black/brown/grey pants.
>Simple, no-fuss, knee-length skirt, either a straight style corduroy or denim skirt, or a fuller skirt.
>Knit top (see above), sweater, or blouse in a complimentary color, style, or length to your pants/skirt choice.
>Again, a statement piece of jewelry, or a scarf.
> Hosiery (if it’s cold were you are.) Black, brown, or a muted color.
>Low-heeled pumps, or ballet flats.

Makeup ideas. Keep it simple and clean, as always, not too heavy, but not 0 makeup, either.

Hair ideas. As one of the cooks today I intend to keep my hair up in a bun, or ponytail. If you are a guest, then you can keep your hair down if you like.

Colors that say “Thanksgiving” to me: Rich, but muted, purples, dark greens, cranberry reds, mustard yellows. Either pair a colored top with a neutral bottom, or wear a neutral outfit (like I am, black top, dark wash jeans) with a colored accessory that will make the outfit “pop.”

Everyone have a happy Thanksgiving!