TOMS Shoes

TOMS makes life more comfortable through its ultra lightweight design and the company's commitment to match every pair purchased with a donated pair to a child in need. There are no complicated formulas, it's simple...you buy a pair of TOMS and the company gives a pair to a child on your behalf.

Friends...TOMS Shoes is a rad company with a sweet concept. For every pair you purchase TOMS will donate a pair to a child in need.

Check out their shoes, but also their other gear. You can buy a trendy shoulder bag that will provide a kid with a school year of meals. The FEED bag is designed to raise awareness and funds for hungry children and to help them get into school and out of hunger.

Can you digg it? Pass it on. Spread the word.

A Weekender

The perfect bag. A farce. Seriously, it is a very difficult accessory to come by. And most often, that is how you find one. You simply come by one as you walk down the street. Or more realistically, someone passes you by on the back of moped-like mobile in the streets of Barcelona. There it is. There it was.

I'm on the lookout for a solidly delightful weekender. One that will satisfy my 1-3 days of being here or there. If you have any guidance for me, drop a comment. As I come across what I like and dislike, I'll post 'em here.

The search continues.

Makeover

been ohhh sooo long since i have written or posted anything here. i vow in the next week (probably after my half marathon on Sunday!) to bring more thoughts, consulting, and ideas to anyone that is going to begin to check this more regularly. and there will be more contributors. so look out. it's go time.

Following Trends The Creative Cost Effective Way

Check out this creative way to keep up with the FADs on a tight budget. This is taken from a recent facebook group I started and was posted by my friend Adrienne. Enjoy.

"I am convinced that with a little bit of skill and flexibility .. you can replicate almost EVERY current trend by shopping at thrift/consignment.

for example:

I picked up on the embroidered/patched logo-polo trend and started looking for vintage polos at consignment stores. In one particular case i found an 80's Eddie Bauer black polo and a grandma's red felt blazer with a GREAT patch. Both items were .25!! No way.. i cut the patch off of the blazer and sewed it onto the Eddie Bauer polo... i have the best looking polo I've ever owned and get several compliments every time i wear it. ... which allows for a lot of 'fashion story-telling' (the best part :)"

by Adrienne Clark

Shopping for Deals

1. Always go straight to the clearance section. You can peruse all the new items, and then head there if you like, but another smart shopper may have just snagged the item you are looking for at half the price.
2. Ask employees when they will be marking items down. Don't be bashful or embarrassed. They all get a discount, why shouldn't you?!?
3. Check back regularly. Pop in on a lunch break for five minutes to see if there is anything new. Ask your fashion inclined friends to drop by a store and see what they got. Hey, they might already be there!
4. Visit all the stores in your area. If there are 3 GAP stores near you, check them all out. Stores mark down different items at varying times, depending on location. Some may even vary slightly in the merchandise they carry. Don’t feel like driving there…have an employee call another location to see if it’s in stock.
5. Check out places who sell name brand clothing at a discounted prices like Marshalls or Ross. For more info on how they are able to do this visit Marshalls.
6. Visit a consignment shop, clothing reseller, or thrift store. You would be shocked at some of the treasures you can locate at your local Goodwill. My absolute favorite clothing resell shop is called Buffalo Exchange, founded in Tuscon, AZ in 1974 (what a great year) by Kerstin and Spencer Block. They now have 30 stores and 3 franchises in 12 different states. Click on the link on the side bar to see if there is a location near you!
7. Be patient. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, check back again or try somewhere else.
8. Search online. Many stores will carry the exact thing you are looking for from the designer’s website at a slightly cheaper price. And on some occasions you will be able to find one store trying to unload the very item you so dearly desire, at a super clearance price. If you find that deal, make sure you double check that they still have your size.
9. Visit superstores like Target or Meijer. They may not have name brand clothing, but they have great stuff when it comes to the basics. Socks, T’s, hats, accessories, and your new favorite film on DVD for 8 bucks.
10. Again, go to clearance/sale rack. Almost all of the locations mentioned above have an on sale or clearance section. And even if it was only $9.99 to begin with at Tar-jae, now it’s $2.97, which is cheaper than your grande vanilla latte at the nearest coffee fix of your choice.

Happy treasure finding. Come back often. Enjoy. Comment. Share.