Here are the 7 deadly signs that you are a Shopaholic:

1. You buy things even though you can’t afford them

2. You believe others would be horrified if they found out about your spending habits.

3. You write checks even though you know that there is not enough in the bank to cover them.

4. If you have any money left at the end of a pay period, you feel complled to spend it.

5. You make only the minimum payment on your credit card statements (if you make any at all).

6. You feel anxious or nervous on days that you don’t go shopping

7. You buy things to make yourself feel better

It’s a vicious cycle! We buy things to feel good and then start all over again. But don’t let the holiday season feed your addiction! Make some smart choices and help quiet those shopping demons within!

Plan ahead! Make yourself a holiday budget and stick with it.

Monitor your Money! The simple act of looking at your spending will help you cut back.

Change your Environment! This is the most crucial part of recovery. Don’t put yourself in the middle of a mall during Black Friday. You will not be able to control yourself!

Make smart choices when shopping. Look for great deals on great merchandise and limit your spending. With these few tips, you should be able to survive the holiday season without falling off the wagon!

What’s more perfect on a hot summer day than a long, flowing maxi dress? Today, I’m wearing one of my favorite black maxi dresses with some really colorful vintage color-blocking detail at the hem.  My mother used to hate my hippie ways, but now hippie is chic.

With Woodstock’s 40 year anniversary approaching this coming weekend, I thought I’d touch on the looks of the summer of love.  Peasant blouses and Levi jeans flooded the streets of San Francisco as the hippie movement moved East.  With the movements, the hippie style evolved into a sort of DIY style with gypsy skirts, beaded dresses, patched jeans, crocheted babydolls and shoulder bags.

This approach and view on clothing is coming back around appropriately for our current economic times.  The general idea is to make the most of what you already have.

As WWD puts it, “Further proof that, at this festival, the clothes set a casual movement in motion. And the Woodstock fashion beat goes on.”

I really thought this article would be a great addition to our blog since we haven’t discussed Groomsmen accesories and how-to’s for the big day.  Don’t forget to visit this site and their accessory section to order all your groomsen accessories to MATCH any Bridal Party colors! The prices are unbeatable. If you want a little extra something, check out this style tie and pocket square in 20 colors!

Thank you to Gift_Girl and Wishpot Blog for allowing us to Re-Post this blog.

The left pocket square has been neglected for too long in my opinion. While some men prefer to put their glasses or business cards in it, others have totally neglected the use of their suit pocket altogether. It’s time to liberate the threads that shackle them to the suit. It’s time to decorate…with a pocket square.

Pocket squares have a utilitarian origin (not surprising). Men and women would use pocket squares to blow their noses or wipe sweat off their beaded brow. Then, one day some brilliant mind turned it into a piece of fashion.

There are a few reasons I would opt for a pocket square over the beloved and more traditional, boutonniere.

First, it’s much more versatile than a boutonniere. By creating different folds, you can actually change the look and feel of your outfit. Straight fold is more modern. Corner fold is more traditional. And, puff fold is very, very old school. Here’s a good video on how to fold pocket squares.

Second, there are so many playful combinations of colors and patterns. Sure. Blooms, ferns, fronds, occasionally feathers make its way into the boutonniere arrangement. But, you can be, at times, limited to what colors nature has provided. With a pocket square, you are sure to find one that perfectly matches your wedding color scheme.

pocket squares by sshih on Polyvore.com

Finally, pocket squares last beyond the wedding date. So, he can wear it (if he doesn’t lose it) for years to come. Want something extra special? Get it monogrammed with your wedding date.

Here’s a good tip to remember. Coordinate the colors of your pocket square and neckwear. If your tie has a hint of yellow, try to find a solid or patterned pocket square in a complementary, but not exact, shade of yellow. Whatever you do, don’t buy those matching tie and pocket square sets at the department store. Just don’t do it.

Remember any guy can be square.

If you have questions about your groom’s style, please contact me!           

Info@dresscodeformal.com

My Prom Makeover blog belongs to Shop4Prom.com which is a great resource for all you high-schoolers out there getting ready to graduate! Even if you aren’t going to Prom, you can ask their expert Gigi any questions you may have about styling, hair, shoes for any formal event coming up.  Don’t forget to get your perfect dress!

ORIGINAL POST: (http://my-prom-makeover.blogspot.com/2009/05/bridal-hairstyles_24.html)

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Budget Idea for Dresses: Think Prom

As a mom, I hate that kids’ clothes look so adult these days. As a short shopper on a budget, I love it! It’s one of the few benefits of being short, kids’ clothes and shoes cost less than adult clothes and shoes. I’ve found a few places where the smallest adult size and largest kid size are identical, except for pricing.

Even if they aren’t short, your bridesmaids can take advantage of a similar “youth discount.” Instead of looking for bridesmaids’ dresses in bridal salons, consider looking for prom dresses. They won’t necessarily be smaller than dresses made for adults, and many of today’s top prom styles are surprisingly sophisticated.

Hopefully, this was not your prom.

With prom season wrapping up, now is the time to check out the teen section at a local department store, resale shop, or an online site like promgirl.com or dresscodeformal.com for even better deals. If you’re buying online, you may want to consider buying slightly bigger than usual, with plans to get it altered if necessary. Clothes made for teenagers usually have a slightly more slender cut.

Can you still fit into your prom dress? Do you want to?

1. Some people would argue, but I believe there are actually 4 main, visible areas to accessorize: neck, wrists, shoulders, and the waist.  Think about all 4 areas while you contemplate your bridesmaid dress, evening gown, prom dress, or other special occasion outfit.

            - Theoretically, you can accessorize one or all of these areas, if you do it properly.  Do not forget to continue through all the accessorizing tips, to make sure you don’t overdo it.

2. Decide if your dress or outfit of choice is simple, elegant, fancy, flirtatious, embellished? Is it monochromatic or which colors make up your outfit? Where are you going? Take all of these mental notes to make sure you not only choose trendy accessories, but also appropriate accessories. 

            - Remember, even though feathers may be trendy, they may not be appropriate with your graduation dress.

3. Less is More. 

            -Once you have put on your matching tennis bracelet, your faux pearl necklace, your costume jewelry or faux gems, take a second and third overall look at your outfit and remember “Less is More”.  If you’re not a seasoned accessory-user, you can be certain that removing one item will be beneficial to your overall look. 

            - I always like to look at myself in the mirror as if I am a stranger and I ask myself “what would I think of that person?”  It takes practice, but it works!

4. If you are done with your bracelets, necklaces, and rings, you can move on to your shoes.  Shoes should always be comfortable and they should always look elegant.  Please leave your clear plastic platforms in the closet!

            -If you are wearing stockings, choose neutral or skin-tones for a formal affair. They should be subtle- no fishnets!

            -If you need an extra something, you can always create or buy some shoe clips. They are a cheaper alternative to buying new shoes, and really revamp your look.

5. Now we’re ready for a wrap or jacket.  This is usually the hardest part for people to get right.  If you purchase a bridesmaid dress with exposed shoulders, look for a company that offers a matching shawl.  Shawls and wraps are my favorite because they are the most inexpensive and easiest to store.  I tend to keep too many shawls because they don’t take up much room in my closet.  Just make sure whatever you are using as a cover up, that it matches in texture and color.  For example, if you are wearing a light, airy gown, you do not want to wear a leather or heavy satin jacket.

6. Carry a purse or small evening bag.  This bag can be matching fabric or beaded and can be used to add a lot of interest to your overall look.  Your purse or evening bag should be large enough to hold your keys, lip gloss, cash, and other small personals.

Sometimes it’s harder for a large corporation to make the types of changes necessary and quick enough during these tough times.  When you build yourself up to a certain image, it is hard to tear that down and build a new one.  In order to stay afloat, companies have downsized, cut collections, took extensions and loans from suppliers, and put off store openings.  Now, retailers and manufacturers who are not productive are being forced out.

There are some companies who are using the Recession as inspiration for their business model.  They are using this as a sign that the times have changed, and our market has not changed alongside it.  Now, what we have is a desperate attempt to create balance.  Companies like Dress Code Formal, are offering the same quality and services as in retail dress boutiques, but they are eliminating retail mark-ups by selling the gowns via an online boutique.  This allows them to keep their overhead low during shaky times, and also allows you to benefit from direct savings, great quality, and getting product straight from the manufacturer.  Did you know that dressing up will boost your self-esteem and help if the recession has put you in a rut!??

While the recession is heating up and worrying us all, the trends that have been hitting the runways have been bright and neon.  Colors that offer a bright side to our sour economic situation are hitting the market for Fall from all the top designers.  Even items that are supposed to be sophisticated and luxurious, are more appealing these days in bright, fun colors!

Whether it is your jewelry, your shoes, a hair comb, your leggings or your dress, be sure to liven up your look with some bright shaded hues this season.  Shop Dress Code Formal for all the latest trends–for less!

OK..so for all of you Project Runway fans out there…finally there is some light at the end of the tunnel.

If you have been going crazy like I have with the feeling of emptiness on Wednesday nights without my Project Runway episodes, then you’re in for some good news.

The legal issues between NBC and The Weinstein Company over moving the show from Bravo to Lifetime has finally reached a settlement. The show has been in limbo after The Weinstein Company announced last year that they are moving Project Runway to Lifetime. NBC filed a lawsuit against The Weinstein Company for breach of their 5-year contract with Bravo.

We do not know how much The Weinstein Company had to shell out in order to settle their contract and successfully move the show to Lifetime, but the show will air this summer! It must have been interesting shooting during February’s Fashion Week without having the public know who the contestants are!

Anyway, I’m super excited for the show to air…and I can’t wait to check out the new Bravo show “The Fashion Show” partnered with Harper’s Bazaar which airs May 7.

If you’re looking for a way to save money during the Recession–staying in and watching some reality fashion and style programs is a great free activity!!

If you have already found your perfect prom dress, that’s great but the work doesn’t end with the selection of your dress. First, you’ll want a small purse or handbag for prom. Your overstuffed every day tote is not going to be appropriate or easy to pull-off. Your purse for prom only needs to be large enough to hold and emergency kit of: stockings, lipstick, cell phone, camera, and a few safety pins. Dress Code Formal’s selection of handbags can be ordered in 20 different colors to match your dress and complete your perfect look!

While fashion is important, the most important aspect of finding the perfect prom shoe is comfort. It doesn’t matter how great the shoe looks if you can’t dance in it or if it will leave you unable to walk for the following 2 weeks. Plus, you can always add a shoe clip from DCF’s accessory section to match your look, without buying a new pair of shoes! Heels are a wise choice for prom as they emphasize the shape of your legs and “force” you to use better posture. Just make sure they fit well and are comfortable.

Now that the biggies are out of the way you can concentrate on the small touches that make prom night special: your jewelry. You will want jewelry that matches the personal theme you are trying to set for the evening. DCF has something for everybody, whether it is elegance or fun that you are looking for. If you are going for elegance you will want understated simple jewelry, if you are going for a fun theme with bright colors you might want to find jewelry that is fun to match your mood. Most importantly, select jewelry that you will wear again at some point in your life. Your jewelry is the icing on your cake for the prom so you do not have to overdo it in order to make an impact. Plus, you won’t have to beg your parents for all that extra cash or your favorite necklace as a birthday gift. This time, with Dress Code Formal, everything becomes affordable!

If you feel a little exposed in your prom dress or are worried about a chill in the air as the night wears on, you can opt to wear a shawl or wrap that compliments your prom dress. This can be a beautiful addition to your prom attire, especially considering that it is not exactly appropriate to wear a jacket for warmth. Your shawl or wrap is an excellent choice for added modesty as well as warmth on your prom night. Be sure to check our accessory section often as it is currently under construction and will continue to have additions of handbags, vests, shoe clips and wraps/shrugs in the next couple of months!