Sunday 13 January 2013

Discipline is SO Hard!

I'm finding that the discipline needed to keep myself from picking up on great after-Christmas deals, is really hard!  There are some really cute items, in great colours, that I almost tried on after the holidays.  Old habits are hard to break. 

When I feel the urge to buy "just this one top", I pull out my list of items I still need to complete my basic 10 piece wardrobe; a white shirt, black & white T-shirts, and a great pair of dark wash jeans.  AFTER I complete the 10 pieces, I'll be able to pick up accent pieces in my two colours of coral & turquoise, as my budget allows.  It's just so tempting when shopping, to pick up items in other colours that I love equally as much, but I'm determined to simplify my life, and stick to my plan.  I'm waiting until the new spring merchandise arrives, to find the perfect pieces to complete my basic wardrobe.

If I had a lot of money, I could go to the higher end retailers and probably find what I'm looking for right away, but that's not the case.  Because I'm simplifying my life, I'm on a strict cash budget, no credit cards. I have to buy my pieces over a period of months instead of being able to pick up $200-$300 worth of items at one time.  I only shop at a discount department store now that I'm on a fixed income.  When I think of the thousands of dollars I used to spend at the high end stores when I was working!  Now I'm relegated to shopping at the lower end stores.  A lot of their items are cheaply made and ill fitting, BUT, if you're persistent and shop with a list in those stores, you can find good quality, great fitting clothes at a price you can afford.

Sunday 6 January 2013

My Classic Trench Coat

I found what appears to be the perfect classic trench coat.  No one had what I wanted: A knee length coat, double breasted with a soft belt, in a timeless Burberry style and colour.  After searching online at all of the usual sites like AdditionElle, Penningtons, Reitmans, Sears, etc., I stumbled across a U.S. based online retailer, www.onestopplus.com that ships to Canada. They sell Plus sized clothing, dresses, lingerie, wide calf boots, shoes, jewellery, accessories, you name it.  I was on that site for hours when I found it!  

I've ordered my trench coat in the khaki shade, as having a black one doesn't appeal to me, but it may be what you would prefer.  One CAN have too much black though!  It looks awesome in the pictures, and was just what I was looking for.  It also was a fantastic price ($93 on sale), shipping was only $7.99, and it has a zip out lining.  I'll post pictures when it arrives.



Tuesday 1 January 2013

Additions To Your 10 Piece Wardrobe



Additions To Your 10 Piece Wardrobe

Spanx. I love Spanx, and any kind of body shaper always makes an outfit look sleeker. If the price is too high for you, just buy a pair of Secret Control Top Pantyhose in your size, and cut the feet off.  They'll work exactly the same way as the Spanx do, but unfortunately won't have the open gusset to make visiting the ladies room easier. 

Stock up on underpinnings. That’s the inside-baseball term for what goes under the suit. Please don’t let it be a once-was-white cotton T-shirt or a tank top that has taken too many turns in the dryer. Fashion has evolved to the point that sleeveless silk shells can be found in every colour at every price point, and every woman should have a few in her closet. They brighten up a business suit, and they’re a key ingredient of the pulled-together pencil-skirt-and-cardigan look.

Make a simple dress your all-occasion staple. There’s a reason women like Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy became style icons: They relied on the little sleeveless shift dress―and no list of wardrobe essentials would be complete without it. You can wear it to work, dress it down with sandals or flats, add a shawl for evenings, and throw on a cardigan anytime if you don’t relish revealing your arms. Not only is it a classic but it’s pretty much seasonless, too.


One pair of dress shoes in a glorious colour. A few years ago, I bought a pair of kitten heel slingbacks in turquoise suede, with a purse that matched. For me they were daring and sexy and whimsical and, as it turned out, entirely practical.  They give even basic outfits a fashion edge (think little black dress or even dressy jeans with a tuxedo jacket). And let’s not forget that great shoes fit every size.

Neutral Pumps.  With a stable stacked heel and a strap for support, These are great under trousers or with a dress

When it comes to flats, stick with chic. When Crocs came onto the market a few summers ago, my friend thought they were so clever. She bought them in every color…and never wore them except to do her gardening in.  Needless to say, one pair would have sufficed. Nothing is less attractive than big, clunky flat shoes. Opt for a great pair of ballet slippers or sandals instead, to go with your jeans, Capri's, skirts and dresses.  Buy them in the shade you've picked for your accent colour (mine is turquoise or coral), and they'll go with just about everything in your 10 piece basic wardrobe.

Put together a weekend uniform. Women often make the mistake of letting themselves go on the weekend and schlepping around in old jeans and grubby T-shirts. But if the whole idea is that you don’t want to think about what to wear, then having a great weekend uniform is the ultimate no-brainer. Try Capri pants and a fitted T-shirt in the summer; a pair of cords and a button-down shirt in winter. Remember―clothes can be comfortable and stylish.

An Animal Print Scarf or Shawl.  Mine is a classic leopard print, but you can also find these in black/grey/white combinations, or even jewel tones if that suits your colour palette.  I have one that is long and wide,in a lightweight fabric, which is great for tying at the neck, or I can even open it up and use it as a shawl if needed.  I also have a larger one in a heavier cotton blend, to wear over my trench coat in cooler weather, as a wrap over a turtleneck sweater, or as a hood under a winter coat.

A Statement Necklace.  I believe in having basics in your closet and playing with your accessories. The statement necklace can make a simple outfit look strong and feminine.  I collect vintage jewellery, and have several statement necklaces, but I could pick one or two that would work with my newly pared down wardrobe, and put the rest in storage with my dressy clothes that I rarely wear.

Opaque Tights.  A great pair of tights can make your legs look slimmer and help you get away with wearing a dress that's a little too short. Double them up for a more opaque look—and to keep you warm in the winter.  Awesome with boots.  Buy in black, grey, maroon, or plum for maximum wear.  You can also buy them in fashion colours like marigold, purple, red, etc., but remember that we're trying to maximize our wardrobe, while hopefully keeping the total number of items down, so think classic.

An Oversized Watch.  A watch is as much an accessory as it is a timepiece. A gold watch is a great way to dress an outfit up—try leaving it loose so it looks like a bracelet, or buy one with a leather band in your choice of accent colour. 

Flared Jeans.  This is a flattering shape for most body types. Pair them with platforms or wedges to get extra height while keeping the look casual and comfortable

Jean Jacket.  Crisp and classic, a denim jacket is the ultimate spring layering piece. Choose one that fits close to the body for a topper that will ward off chills without adding bulk.  Goes with everything from yoga pants to Capri's, your daytime dress, skirt, or black dress pants