Shopping
Photographed by David Dunan for Blanco
I am sure all of you ladies agree that shopping for men is much harder then shopping for your girlfriends or your family members.
Most men unlike women don't have a never ending 'want' list out of which they pick something and then try to 'hint' their other half what they want just on time for holidays or birthdays, they just go and get what they need so you really need to pick their brain or think long and hard to get them something they will like. Most men prefer more practical, useful or funny gifts versus us ladies who just 'have to have item of our desi(gn)re'.
Last couple of years I managed to find more great gifts for my boyfriend browsing online shops then by going around the stores in shopping malls. Rather then getting one bigger gift I try to put together a variety gift box with some small stocking stuffers like: socks, boxers, travel games, t-shirt with funny sign or coffee mug and then one or two bigger items I am 100% sure my boyfriend will love. If there is a chance I try to customize at least one of the gifts with his initials, jersey number or a name.
I DON'T KNOW HIM/HER SO WELL! WHAT SHOULD I BUY?
CUSTOMIZED GIFTS.
SHOP BY TYPE.
A Business Man.
Business people travel a lot so you can get him a toiletry bag and fill it up with travel size cosmetics he usually uses. Great gift for travelers is also a luxurious travel pillow and leather passport cover or business card holder. A nice customized gift for a business man can be a framed office photo of you two or (if he is more high tech) USB photo frame with your photo slide show.
DIY GIFTS.
Even though I highly value my girlfriends fashion opinions and love their unique individual styles, I usually shop alone and plan it ahead in order to avoid impulse or PMS or 'I don't feel good so I need new shoes buy'...I m trying to make shopping my little relaxation ritual, part of my 'me' time and not let it become a dangerous credit card swiping rehab from life which unfortunately affects many women around the world and puts them into serious financial problems.
First, I do a little research on items I really, really want, I actually have a folder in my computer and on my iPad named 'WANT' in which I store the images of the items which I really really like and want to buy. Also I keep the links to these items in my favorites folder so I can come back to them and check when they are on sale (this refers to more expensive items)...and then I finally go ahead and buy them when on sale! :)
For this post I selected some of my favorite sales this month online and offline:
Lei Lou by Alex Dojčinović Summer 2013. sale where many of the brands Fall/Winter and special collaboration items are discounted up to 50% (like Lei Lou Dr.Martens special edition line of booties, sequin and 3D laced evening gowns and leopard print tube dresses). I actually got this beautiful floral tube dress called Fani, it fits really nice, I wore it on the wedding I went to last weekend.
Photo source: Lei Lou Facebook page
Free People, one of my top 10 favorite brands, just launched their new catalog (you can see it on my blog tomorrow) with Anja Rubik in the main role. I used to buy their dresses and booties when I lived in NYC, the quality is really great and even though some items are a bit pricey, it is still worth of getting them as they last long and look and fit beautifully! I love the three dresses below, currently on Summer sale in brands online shop:
Lastly, one of my favorite online shops, Nasty Gal, always has a great sale, this time I selected a couple of jackets and sweater which I can all wear to work but also combine into more casual outfit, also, I had my eye on these black ripped skinnies for a while now and now when on sale they still have my size. Nasty Gal delivers from US and has really amazing customer service and good quality products. Last I ordered were those black booties with golden plate on toes and heels, now they are on sale as well.
Did you notice any good sales lately lovelies? Do share! :)
Fall is here and
you got nothing to wear? Look no further than your friends’ closet!
We all totally
crave for full Burberry collection for this fall, me personally, I am a McQueen
dreamer....but the reality is that one would need to sell a car to buy one of
these collection pieces, however this doesn't mean you can't look fabulous and
have a piece or two to follow this fall seasons top trends. As we all know,
fashion recycles.
My suggestion is
(and something I have been doing for years with my girlfriends) is to organize
a clothing swap party, as the saying saids
„One person's trash is another person’s treasure! “ If you live with your
parents you can also go „closet shopping“in your mum’s, sisters or grandmas
closet, just try to make sure they know you are doing it!;)
There are some
ground rules to organizing swap party:
- Invite a group of friends to your house whom you would like to participate in a swap
- Determine the average condition the clothes should be in: No wholes (unless the trend) / recently washed / not faded / no undies J
- Each person should at least bring one piece but maybe more
- Ask to have clothes brought a day before the swap so you can categorize it per size/type
- Mark a room to be a dressing room
- Prepare light snacks & drinks for your guests to feel welcomed
- Ensure that everyone has fun and that swap is fair in terms of the amount people take away
Here is my
favorite sweets recipe – macaroons ala Laduree!
Xoxo,
Economize
Dictionary: e·con·o·mize (ĭ-kŏn'ə-mīz')
1.To practice economy, as by avoiding waste or reducing expenditures.
2.To make economical use of something
Right, Webster was a really smart fellow. I am not so sure that he was a fine dresser. Anyhow, one thing is for sure, recession is hitting us on all fields, so is the case with dressing and shopping. Does this mean we should stop spending money on clothes, shoes and make up?
Of course NOT!!! It is very important to continue to stimulate economy by continuous input of fresh cash. In short, by spending, you are actually helping general bad state of the economy.However, the key is, spend less than what you earn. It does sound simple, but it is the hardest thing for people to learn. I am the prime example.
Now, the current state in retail is seemingly very beneficial for the consumer, right? Sales everywhere! This however encourages you to shop for things that are cheap, not those that you necessarily need or are of a good quality. Basically with the economic situation as it is, you simply cannot afford to buy cheap stuff. You are looking for good quality pieces that are timeless and fit your personality.
So we could have seen on Paris, New York and Milan Fashion Weeks for Fall 2009. your timeless dark and light grays, blacks, browns, beiges all were spiced up with zippers, shoulder pads, big chunky statement industrial jewelry , tie high boots, lather pants, sequins, men shoes, interesting head pieces etc. Designers could not afford to make cheap and weak collections.
Cost saving was definitely noticeable, but not in a bad way. In contrary, many designers showed their strength by going back to their roots and covering basics.
Gareth Pugh did a video fashion show which showed fashion pieces and fabrics in a whole new dimension.
Botega Veneta did many feminine value added pieces: white coats, great detailing, low back dresses.
Marni focused on investment pieces as well, he did great fur coats and peacoats, short skirts, huge chunky jewelry and line chain necklaces.
Angelo Missioni had a vision of ice princess who wore layered cardigans, light and delicate lace pieces in pale pink and baby blue armored with huge chunky knits.
My favorites were:
Zac Posen - Zac's story happened in Paris in 1920's Patty Smith era, he did gorgeous silk dresses and suites in pale pink and gold. His message to women was to create their goddess existence.
Ana Sui did not disappoint, her collection was of course colorful, hippy, feminine and gothic-cool, she used feathers and designed some great head pieces.
I loved Alex Wang's rock and roll minimalistic look. Alex did leather pants and tailored jackets, great texture and finishing in black and white, beading with bras-nickel metals, beautiful purple dresses and great sequin hoods and hats.
I also loved Oscar de la Renta's gowns, smokey eyes, duchess hair puffs kind of look and wool-fur combinations in red, orange, blue and purple.
Donna Karan created gorgeous gowns and skirts by cutting and draping, these easy and flexible pieces came in purple, red, burgundy and blue.
Of the chart were my top favorites "beyond fashion" designers:
Galliano for Dior - with Ukrainian virgin bride muse who wore coin necklaces, gray, silver green and red pieces - see-through silk pants and wide and long sleeve dresses with gorgeous beading.
Ana McGibons made a great collection for Chloe, great capes, rolled up pants, black velvet overalls, military colors, tall shorts, oversized coats and a special beige sleeveless dress with high neck.
McQueen did a very strong collection - colorful tights, long skirts and coats, great hats, all in red, white and black, very fetish, fierce and gothic.
While Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel did super cool retro hats, deep V front tops in black, white, jade green and pale pink, body suites, high neck and half sleeve.
In conclusion, try to pull the inspiration out of next seasons designer pieces, pay attention to details and invest in timeless pieces which are always in style.
Luckily, many spring items are still in, like harem pants which just got sequin detailing for fall, chunky jewelry and zippers are back, red lips and high tie boots are still in-style from last fall. Please note that shoulder pads are optional trend worth of passing.
Let the recession inspire you to recreate, reuse, shop for vintage pieces, go through your grandma's closet or simply organize a little yard sale or trade among your girlfriends with stuff you grew out of or were given and it doesn’t fit your personality.
If you are a designer wearing girl, you can now get the designer jewelry for less: Erickson Beamon did jewelry collection for Target, in Croatia Leonarda Boban did a cute jewelry collection for Kozmo drug stores, so there is something there for every budget.
Get inspired!
xoxo
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