Carolina Herrera's 10 Style Rules

Carolina Herrera is basically the classiest woman on the planet.  Please pay attention and take notes.  

1.  A full-length mirror is the most important accessory a woman can own.

2.  Do not be afraid to wear color.  A woman who walks into a room full of black dresses wearing red, pink or orange is stunning and everyone turns to look.

3.  Trends make everyone look as though they are wearing a uniform. It is best to wear what is most individually flattering and appropriate for the occasion.

4.  A crisp white shirt looks wonderful for the day or evening; every woman should have one they love in their closet.

5.  It’s important to dress for your age. What looked good at 15 will not look good at 40.

6.  Don’t forget to be feminine. Glamour and elegance are always something that attracts attention.

7.  Dress according to your personality.

8.  Your hair and makeup are very important. Women over 40 should maintain short hair.

9.  If you don’t have taste, you will never be stylish. Style is a state of mind. It is how you live, how you wear your clothes, what you read and what you love. It has nothing to do with money.

10.  Be mysterious. Mystery is the most important quality for a woman. Elegance is an attitude.

Image and text courtesy of SaksPOV.com

Never Fly Coach Again

What I looked like during a layover in Vancouver from Hong Kong to NYC (Economy class)

I'm heading south of the border for a long weekend, so I thought these tips on how to never fly coach again from Entrepreneur magazine were quite fitting.  I am normally a pretty good sport when it comes to flying coach---oh I'm sorry, economy---but, I had a nightmare experience on American Airlines involving a red-eye to London, 6 inches leg room, and what I thought was mild deep vein thrombosis.  It was the one time since being 13 and at my 8th grade dance that I have hated being tall.  Have any tips of your own or economy class horror stories?  Please share in the comments section.  Enjoy, and have a great weekend!

Here are the tricks :
1- "Get elite status on one of the three global airline alliances by qualifying with the carrier that has the lowest requirement.  Take United Airlines, part of the Star Alliance:  You need 25,000 miles a year to become elite on United, but only 4,000 on its partner Aegean Air."  Looks like it's time for a trip to Greece!  Your newly elite status transfers so you can nab all the perks like upgrades (huge if you have extra long legs or love an in-flight glass of bubbly), no luggage fees, and the crème de la crème: access to the business lounge on any airline in your alliance.

2- Book flights when airlines post their lowest fares -- between Tuesday afternoon and Thursday afternoon.  My, isn't Wednesday a fantastic day to book a flight to a far-off place?

3- Forget Travelocity or or Expedia.  Use websites like ExpertFlyer.com, KvsTool.com, or my favorite, ITASoftware.com.  I also love Bing travel which predicts whether you should buy now, wait to purchase, or if prices are holding steady for specific travel dates.

¡Buen viaje!

Excerpts courtesy of Entrepreneur magazine, November 2010

Let's Get Fired Up!

I am so excited about heading to D.C. this weekend to go to the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear.  Yes, I am one of many Americans in my age group who gets a healthy dose of their news from the likes of Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert (along with the NYTimes).  Hey, I'm a busy girl and if I can get news and laughs at the same time well count me in! 

So, I am packing for my jaunt this afternoon and am asking myself....what does one wear to a political rally?  Especially one whose sole purpose is to promote reason.  The obvious choices include comfortable shoes since I will be standing and walking around all day (very reasonable), and I guess nothing that constricts the arms too much since I will want them available for wildly shaking fists (or not since that wouldn't be very reasonable).  And on top of that I need some sort of Halloween costume to wear on Saturday night (throw reasonable out the window).

In all actuality, I am a master of the traveling arts with a black belt in packing.  I think it has been years since I checked luggage, and it helps that I have no problem with wearing the same pair of pants three days in a row (just change the tops and accessories!).  So here is the wardrobe rundown: 1 pair of pants, two shirts (one dressy one casual), one layering sweater, two undies, two pairs of socks, sleeping clothes, and one blond wig for my Halloween costume.  All this + what I am wearing on the megabus.  Many times I have been called "The Voice of Reason" by one of my best friends, and this weekend I get to express all my reasonableness loudly and proudly!

REMEMBER TO VOTE ON TUESDAY NOV 2ND!!

If you don't then no bitchin'!

Check out user-submitted rally signs at SaneOrNot.com.  So funny!

S-C Guide to the Ultimate Dinner Party...with a Little Help from GQ

Sometimes I am totally blown away by things I find in GQ, and I immediately think 'why the hell don't I find articles like this in women's magazines?'  This goes for everything from how to brew amazing iced coffee at home to my newest fav: Everything You Need to Know to Entertain at Home with Style and Ease.  Of course, my apartment can hold all of 6 people and is basically standing room only, so that is not going to work out.  However, my bestie just moved into a new place that is screaming for some adult entertainment (dinner party....not naked dancing people).  GQ gives you 26 guidelines to be the ultimate host, but I think I can condense that down to 10.  Full the full list click here.

For the Host:

1. Keep the menu simple: pre-dinner nibbles, main, side and/or salad, and dessert.  No one is expecting a 7-course tasting menu, and it's even better if you can do something like pasta or anything braised.   Your place will smell amazing, and you just need to assemble ingredients or pull it out of the oven and voila!

2. One word on pre-dinner nibbles: Simplicity.  Good olives, cheese, crusty bread, tapenade/hummus/dip, or roasted nuts.  Done.  I even think a bowl of really good potato chips would be amazing.

3. Clean as you cook.  Perception is reality: if the kitchen looks calm and orderly, your guests will automatically be at ease.  Everything will seem under control...even if it isn't.

4.  Make it luxe with lighting and fresh flowers and not those awful pre-mixed bouquets.  Stick with one type of flower for a chic look and something unscented like tulips.   Luckily in NYC you can find a good assortment at most delis.  Also, you can pick up a dimmer extension cord for $15 if you don't have your lamps on dimmers.

5.  Get an ice bucket ready for white wine, champers, and sparkling water.  Nothing says party like an ice bucket, and this keeps guests from having to run to the kitchen to get a refill.

6. Have the music going and unscented candles lit before your guests arrive.  If your party is four hours, make the playlist for six.  And, DO NOT have the television on (unless you are watching the Super Bowl).  Instant party killer. 

7. Immediately get a drink in your guests' hand and make a few introductions if they don't know each other....especially if you have to duck back in the kitchen to finish anything.

8.  Refill, refill, refill--never let a guest's glass go empty.  Enlist someone to help you with this.  This also prevents people from counting how many drinks they have had, and we all know more drinks means more fun.

9. Go back to basics for dessert like you did with the nibbles:  Fresh baked cookies, really good ice cream with toppings, fresh seasonal fruit with creme fraiche or whipped cream (not whipped topping).  Yum.

10.  Don't hide out in the kitchen all night!  Your guests are all there to socialize with you.  Get as much done as you can beforehand, don't be afraid to enlist a guest or two to help you a bit, have a cocktail, and enjoy yourself!

For the Guests:

If you want to be invited back, you need to be a good dinner party guest:

1. Arrive no more than 15-30 minutes late.  You are being served dinner, people are hungry, and you are an ass if they have to wait on you.

2. Never show up empty handed - a bottle of wine or a bag of ice are my two fav party bring-alongs.

3. Don't touch the music.  You are a guest, not a DJ. And if you are a DJ volunteer to do the playlist prior to the party.

4. Don't stay too long.  No one likes the person who can't get the hint that the night is over.  You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here.  Make sure you are out of there by midnight.

5. Send a thank you note or email.  It is a huge pain in the ass to have people over so thank your host.

The Art of Working a Room

I am in the thick of my minimum one book a month New Year's resolution, and this month finds me in the middle of a book called Disco Bloodbath.  Don't laugh.  I inherited this book from an old boyfriend of a friend, and I am finally getting around to reading it.  I won't bore you with the gory details as the title suggests, but I just loved this little bit about how to work a room.  Really an important skill for anyone, but the delivery is kind of spot on and completely worth a whirl.

For this exercise you need a partner.  You must always have a partner when going to functions...no one wants to tell people they showed up alone or latch onto a newfound friend like a social parasite.

"Enter the room in a clatter of commotion.  Circle the room, once together, smiling and saying hello to every person in the room.  Even if you don't know them.  Especially if you don't know them.  Pretend that you do.  You should make a snappy comment about something they're wearing.  Smile and acknowledge every person in the room...in a clockwise rotation--never stopping, never pausing--always moving, always smiling...brilliant...animated...ON!  (This takes 20-25 minutes) 

Then separate!

Both of you circle, alone, in opposite directions.  Pretend you are searching for each other and be sure to involve every person in the club in your desperate hunt. (This should take no longer than 25 minutes)

Finally, regroup and scream with transcendental bliss at the thrill of finding one and other again.  Now, lock arms and work the whole room again, telling all your newfound friends not to worry, we found each other.

Then leave.  Never stay longer than an hour and a half.  Always leave them wanting more."

 Now on to the Very Important Life Lessons:

1. If you are at a party with a photographer, always stand on the right side of the people you are taking photos with.  This way, in the picture, you will be on the left and the caption will read, "Barbara K. and so-and-so were at whatever gala," so psychologically, you will get top billing. 

2. Try to get your picture taken...for Patrick McMullan, Facebook, whatever.  It's like the whole 'if a tree falls in the forest and no one is around, does it make a sound'.  Where you really there? 

3. Wear something interesting...but not too interesting.  In a sea of black and gray wear a shot of color or wear bright lipstick and you will automatically look more interesting and stand out.  But, don't look like a freak or completely out of place.  I know of a gay male friend who wore a sequin tank top to La Caprice at The Pierre and was never allowed back.

4. Go to everything you are invited to.  I joke that I know people who would go to the opening of an envelope...and guess what--they are invited to everything.  Even if you only stay for 30 minutes and have a cocktail, your name was checked off on the guest list.  RSVP-ing yes and not showing is no bueno.

As the author of Disco Bloodbath, James St. James says, "Do this every night, for three months, at the hottest club in town, and I personally guarantee that for the rest of your life you will know everybody in every room of every party, everywhere."  Haha.

Excerpts from Disco Bloodbath by James St. James (c) 1999 Simon & Schuster

The Dealist

Do you live in NYC?  Do you love to do random stuff?  Do you love to do random things at a fraction of the normal price (which in this city can basically be an arm, a leg, and your first born child for an evening of entertainment)?  If so, The Dealist is completely for you.  Sign up for a daily email of steals and deals on everything from the New York City Opera, to yoga classes at Fierce Yoga, to the tasting menu at stellar neighborhood restaurants.  For example, right now they have NYC Opera tickets to Madame Butterfly with a backstage tour for $35!  You can even submit ideas for deals and users can vote on which ones they want the Dealist team to offer ASAP.  Want to take that special someone on  helicopter tour over the city or just get your ass back into shape?  No one has to know that you saved a ton of coin...but you will.  

Check out their website and sign up for email alerts here.

GQ's 15 Dress for Less Rules

While I love watching the videos on GQ's website (well-dressed, handsome men are always a sight for sore eyes), and for their 15-day Dress Better for Less countdown you must watch 15 videos at 2-3 minutes a pop. So, 30 minutes later you may feel like you are best friends with the two hosts, but you have lost out on a half an hour of your life. I have taken the grunt work out for you, gentleman, and have put myself through a grueling session of 15 back-to-back webisodes to bring you GQ's quick and dirty 15 tip to dress better for less. Just in time for the holidays....your family won't know where this stylish young man came from and where he hid his former frat boy.

1. Give a dark suit more mileage (and a more casual, updated look) by mixing in a printed button down shirt. GQ loves the plaid. Just make sure there are collar stays so it doesn't look sloppy. Pair with an un-busy tie in dark colors. This could be an amazing Holiday look too.

2. The camel coat is a versatile, practical, and sophisticated topper on cold days. Wear over a suit or on the weekend with jeans.

3. Add striped socks --- Ah, the Brits will love this one. Don't get crazy with awful Santa socks or four-leaf clovers. Stripes in subdued colors. Simple. Whatever you do, though, ditch the athletic socks.

4. Incorporate a pocket square into your suit life. Love this look. There are two ways you can go: 1) If you are a pocket square virgin stick with with white and straight across so you see a sliver of white. So Don Draper. Yum. 2) For you more adventurous types, and for a more casual vibe, look for vintage squares in patterns at thirft shops or even places like J. Crew. Just make sure you fold with a straight edge at the top so it doesn't look like a handkerchief.

5. Tweed Jacket - The perfect in-between from the sweater to the top coat on moderate fall days. GQ recommends Uniqlo for the tailored, slim cut....an unbeatable price.

6. The down vest can go so wrong so easily. Too puffy and you look like you belong in a rap video, too bright and you may as well be on mountain patrol or picking up trash on the side of the highway. GQ loves the vests at Lands End for three reasons: They are not bulky, they come in sophisticated colors (like gray), and it is under $30. Love this.

7. Sneakers + Suit - Leave your Dunks at home. When rocking the sneakers and suit be sure to go with classic sneaks in neutral colors. Also, if you have been tromping around the city in your shoes forget it. Clean and new-looking please. Adidas Originals styles work really well.

8. Great suit for under $500? Yep, find it at Banana Republic.

9. Getting a little chilly now that it is the end of November? Add a scarf to your sweater, blazer, or top coat. Cashmere is uber expensive, so go with a ribbed wool scarf in a neutral color. They usually have nice options Gap or Marc Jacobs. Guys, if you don't know what ribbed means you haven't been getting laid enough.

10. Incorporate a merino v-neck sweater to your suits. Is it is as cold in your office as it is outside? At one job I actually kept a blanket under my desk so I understand. Merino is a warm, thin, well-priced alternative to cashmere. The v-neck is perfect for wearing a tie. Go with neutral colors that won't clash with your suit (camel, gray, navy) and be sure to get slim fit so it isn't blousy.

11. Dark, straight-leg denim - Forget all this destroyed, whiskered crap. It looks so 5 years ago and is a telltale sign that you are from either Long Island or New Jersey. The Gap has great jeans from its 1969 collection that look so Marlon Brando or Johnny Depp. Wear with boots and roll them up a bit. And, unless you are gay or a hipster don't do super skinny.

12. Wingtips are the shoe of the fall, and they are classic so you can enjoy them for years to come. Don't spend an arm and a leg: Head to J. Crew, Florsheim, or Johnson & Murphy and go with brown.

13. Striped oxfords from Club Monaco - Nice slim fit, and a great mix-up to solids.

14. Skinny tie - www.TheTieBar.com.

15. Plain, black rolling suitcase - Do not keep using that awful duffel bag. GQ and Shitty Chic recommend the one from Muji. I bought this after seeing it on the video, and I love it. Great pockets, great price, and plain black with no logos. I am a convert to the four wheel roller. Love it.

OR, if you would like to watch the vids click here.

Your $5 Savings Plan

I am a horrible saver, so thank God for automatic transfer into the savings account because it's the only thing that keeps me doing it. I was reading a back issue of Self Magazine last week about personal finance, and they had a really great trick to help you save a little mad money for a rainy day....or a few days somewhere fabulous and not rainy at all at the rate I am going.

So here is how it goes: Every time a $5 bill crosses your wallet you have to save it. Put it in an envelope, stick it in a jar, whatever. Easy as that.

I use cash to pay for most things, so I have saved about $100 in six weeks which is much more than I anticipated. But, I can imagine if you are constantly swiping the plastic it will be slower. It is almost a little fun (am I sick for saying that?!) in that it is totally out of my control what type of change the cashier gives me. Now, when she slips me that fiver it is like it's my destiny to save it.

Moo Mini Cards are a Must

I just love MiniCards from moo.com. Here is my top 10 list as to why everyone needs to have these.

1. These are not your run of the mill business cards. I use them for my personal info: cell #, email, blog so I don't get anyone calling my office or emailing me at work. Let's try to keep business and pleasure separate as best we can.
   
2. When I am out and about, the last thing I want to do is pull out my phone to start typing in names and numbers (and what if you don't remember their name, God forbid). Too many times have I had to type in "red shirt guy" or "glasses girl" and hope to high heavens they don't see me do it. Since you just slip them your card, no awkwardness.
3. Phones get lost in cabs and occasionally dropped in toilets, so it is nice to give out things in hard copy.
4. They are little and cute.
5. In this insanely digital age it really sets you apart from the pack when you pull out your little card.
   
6. You can choose from tons of motifs OR upload your own pics! I am won over.
7. Publicize your website, your business, yourself, give your number to hotties, give fake numbers to not-hotties, there are a million things you can do with these cards.
   
8. You get 100 for $20 + shipping. Love that.
9. The website is moo.com. Have you ever played the game "Hey Cow!"....probably not if you aren't from Texas.
   
10. Finally, whenever I hand one out the recipient always says, "Oh my God, this is so cool". Yes, you are right dear sir, it is.

Check out the mini cards from moo.com here.

Rent the Runway--Netflix for Designer Fashion

Sorry to be too Gossip Girl, but OMFG. I just read about Rent the Runway in the New York Times, and I don't think I have been so excited about anything clothing-wise online since I figured out that I can get a $25 credit for referring friends to Gilt Groupe....thank's for the free shirt, guys!

Think Netflix, but Barneys-style. What do I mean by that? Let's say you are going to a wedding next month. You want to look fabulous, but since a ton of your friends will be there and you are going to be photographed in what you are wearing, your dress will most likely have a shelf-life of 3-4 wears. If you are looking to buy something even quasi-designer this can run you at least $350...which comes down to roughly $100 per wear. That is not a saavy shopping move.

With Rent the Runway you can rent a dress from $50 to $200 for a four-night loan. Perfecto for your weekend wedding. Search through the online inventory to find your one-night-stand of a dress, pick your size & reserve the dress for when you need it, and it arrives at your door complete with prepaid package to mail it back. I'm sorry, but this is just genius for when you want to look extra special....or if you are one of those people who gets invited to tons of events and would be mortified to show up on Patrick McMullan wearing the same dress twice.

Sign up now for the waiting list. Just like any venture (or hotspot) worth its while, overcrowding ruins the experience for everyone.

www.RentTheRunway.com

The End of "Insufficcient Funds" Forever!

I know this is very NYC-centric, but I have been waiting for this to happen for the past THREE years. While living in Chicago, I always had a CTA transit card that was hooked up to my plastic and automatically refilled every month. I was nothing less than shocked when I moved to New York City to find that I had to physically buy a new Metrocard every month. For a city that has a couple million legs up on the public transit in Chicago I thought this very strange and like I had reverted back to the Stone Age....or at least a time before things like online bill pay, cell phones, and hotel rooms with actual keys instead of swipe cards.

But now my dreams have come true, and New York is finally offering an EasyPay XPress Metrocard that is linked to your debit/credit card and automatically refills. READ: No more running to the turnstile in hopes of catching the train that just pulled into the station only to be denied by running into the locked turnstile bar and seeing "Insufficient Funds" pop up on the screen.

There are two options:
1- The unlimited monthly which will refill automatically every 30 days
2- The "Pay-Per-Ride" card that will put $45 on your card and refill when the balance drops below $20 (you still get the 15% bonus).

This is a total no-brainer. Saving time, limiting stress, reducing trash (no tossing cards after 30 days), and making that train when you are running 10 minutes late is always chic.

Click here to get your card.

Fabulous Fur on Ebay

I am a total sucker for vintage fur. Maybe it's that I love Anna Wintour and her "suck it PETA" attitude, maybe it's that I am a child of the 80's and was an impressionable youth when my parents were watching Dynasty, or maybe it really just is the most luxe thing you can have in your wardrobe. I am a huge fan of vintage fur because it really does make me feel a bit better about the purchase: I am giving a beautiful something a good home. Although, I will say I probably crossed the line when I bought a mink stole complete with stuffed head that bites its tail to clasp it together at the 25th Street flea market, but devil may care...I love it.

Last winter I lost my favorite coat in London during a crazy debaucherous night with my gays (seriously, it was held hostage by a coat check guy at G-A-Y). Anyway, I needed to replenish my coat coffers on the cheap, so I went to Ebay. Vintage fur abounds!! I had not been on Ebay to make a purchase since I bought a stuffed squirrel for a prank in college (they have everything on Ebay....and more fur obsession haha). I came away with two wonderful coats (including the one pictured above) for under $100 including shipping. Score!

Key to buying vintage fur on Ebay

• Search "Vintage fur coat, -faux, -fake" to get the riff raff out of the way
• Check the measurements carefully. Vanity sizing has made us all think we are a size 6...not so much 40 years ago when you were most likely a size 10.
• Don't buy anything without pictures of the lining of the coat. You may be in for a ratty surprise. A coat isn't necessarily a bargain in you need to put in $$ for repairs.
  
• As always, check out my 5 steps to win an online auction.

Click Here to see what is on the auction block today.

5 Steps to Win an Ebay Auction

When you find something great on eBay, chances are there is at least one other person who is looking for the exact same thing. If everyone (even your competing bidders) are smart about how they play the auction you can keep the price low and come out with some great bargains on fabulous things. Try to imaging yourself as a sniper....waiting....watching. No one knows you are even there until the last second when you go in for the kill.

Here are the 5 steps to get you in the right mindset to win an eBay auction:

1. Only follow items you absolutely love. There is way too much garbage on eBay to waste your time on so-so finds. This also allows you to focus on items you really want to win.

2. Don't fall in love with any item where you can't be sitting at your computer ready to submit your final bid at the last second of the auction. Tracking the last 15 minutes of the auction is the most critical part. This is when most of the action happens, and it is also how you get outbid by $1 over your maximum bid.

3. Don't bid place any bids at first. Put items you love in your "Watching" folder. This is a very important step because:

• You don't want to draw attention to the auction by bidding (simple psychology says people want what others are interested in).
  
• You don't want to drive up the price by getting into an early bidding war.
• You can watch the item over the course of the auction and remove it if the price goes above the maximum you are willing to spend (and now you have opened up your Saturday afternoon).

4. Ok, so it's 15 minutes before the auction ends. Log in and check the status. If the auction's bid is under the maximum you are willing to pay, put in your first bid. This will let you know whether you need to beat a pre-set maximum bid from another person....and it gives you a little time to decide whether it is worth it to you. Important: Getting your bid in also allows you to enable one-click bidding. This is where you can quickly place multiple bids for an item without having to confirm your price (takes way too long in the last minute of the auction).

5. Have your eagle-eye on the countdown clock during the last minute of the auction with your mouse on the "one-click bid" button ready to pounce. Ebay is notorious for people coming in with two seconds left to beat you by $1. Get ready to be quick and outbid them at the last second. You want to be the sniper...not get sniped.

At the end of the day, you may lose some things you love, but I bet you will win a fair share of treasures too. Just remember they key is to keep hidden until shortly before the close of the auction and fire away!

The Zoe Report

Love her or hate her, Rachel Zoe has definitely branded herself as queen bee celebrity stylist. While I do tire of her 1970's wardrobe redux, the woman's can definitely put an outfit together. Last week The Zoe Report, a daily fashion newsletter, was launched. Having watched season 1 of The Rachel Zoe Project I was immediately intrigued. How many times will the words "Bananas" and "I Die" (both of which she has supposedly trademarked) be used? Will her assistant, Brad, be a guest blogger? Will she give us tips on how to stay impossibly thin? I had to opt in ASAP.

Ok, so now I am on day two. This "daily candy" of Rachel's own favs and must haves is definitely not as entertaining as I imagined. However, the uber dramatic pics of Zoe are good for a laugh. The last two installments have featured a Prabal Gurung Cashmere Capelet ($2400) and Barton Perreira Starlet Sunglasses ($525). I am impressed that she has a 'Parallel Universe' selection for more affordable versions of the crazy expensive things she loves. But, the wardrobe advice gives you a bit of 'duh' feeling: "Fall is all about accenting your grays and blacks with statement brights"....duh.

As with wine and cheese some things get better with time, so I am going to keep reading and hope Rachel gets into her groove. I would really love to see more general posts on how to make an outfit amazing, how to shop for vintage, or how to live off of three pieces of asparagus a day. Seriously, give me something I can really use!

Click here to sign up for Rachel Zoe's daily dose of glamour for your inbox.

Truism of the Day #1

I can't remember where I heard this, but it is something I think about whenever I leave the house, contemplate throwing on something that would end up in US Weekly's "They're Just Like Us" (i.e. dressed horribly and looking like a mess at Starbucks), or feel like I have a closet of clothes and nothing to wear:

"It takes just as much time to put on something that looks fabulous as something that looks horrible."

When you think about it, at the end of the day it is simple: top + bottom or dress. It takes the exact same amount of time to pull on sweats as it does jeans...or trousers. The exact same amount of time to pull a wife beater over your head as a gorgeous shirt. The key is to fill your closet with things that look great and work with a million other things in your wardrobe. This way, when that Juicy Couture velour track suit is singing its siren's song you can hold strong and go for the skinny jeans, ballet flats and fabu top.

- babs

Vogue's Budget Savvy Wedding Tips

I believe June officially kicks off wedding season, and this month's issue of Vogue has a great run down on how to make your nuptials personal, where to splurge and where to save, and generally good ideas for anyone planning (or paying for) a wedding. This is the perfect thing to tear out and add to the binder. The key to these events, regardless of how large or small, is to make it intimate and personal for everyone involved. Sorry to deflate your tires boys, but you are the last piece of the puzzle.

Click here to read about a couple who did it right!

1- The Planning: Be you own wedding planner by documenting things you love and creating a binder or journal. (Yes! The binder idea gets the gold star for the day!)

2- The Ring: Shoot for something simple. I have seen some of the most inventive and unique engagement ring/wedding band combinations, and let me tell you, bigger is not always better. Be unique and let your personality come through.

3- The Theme: Set a dress code (black and white, masquerade, trailer-trash, etc.) and let your guests become part of the backdrop. This cuts down on money spent on decor and will make for wonderful photographs (and is an easy way for guests from different sides of the aisle to start a conversation).

4- The Location: To avoid the insane cost of renting spaces for the ceremony and reception, find a friend or family member who has a fabulous house, second house, field, barn, whatever and ask if the ceremony or reception can be held there.

5- The Invitation: The internet is your best friend here. I love the site FineStationary.com. Face it, most of your invitations are going to get dumped in the garbage after your event so spend with caution.

6- The Registry: Not everyone has the same budget for wedding gifts so make sure you register for things on both ends of the price spectrum. And, if you have a destination wedding, your guests' presence should be your present.

7- The Dress: One need not spend thousands of dollars on a dress to wear once. J. Crew has lovely wedding dresses, consignment shops now feel super-luxe (a favorite is White Chicago), and you can always find an amazing dress in a shade of white. All you need is a good tailor to make a dress from any random place look amazing for your red carpet moment.

8- The "Something Borrowed": Anything can be borrowed---Mom's dress, the getaway car, Grandma's heirloom jewelry, vases for flowers, etc.

9- Decoration: Incorporate potted plants into the decor and have guests take them home to plant or pot. Doubles as decor and a nice party favor for guests....may be hard to get a rose bush on the plane, though.

10- The Bouquets & Flowers: Splurge on the bridal bouquet since it is in every pic, but save on the bridesmaids' bouquets by using petite arrangements with seasonal flowers. For centerpieces, long-lasting and seasonal are key. This way they can be used throughout the weekend, and they will still look fab.

11- Personal Touches: Ask a friend with great handwriting to do the placecards, a music buff to create a playlist for cocktail hour, your professional swing dancing cousin to perform during the reception, etc.

12- The Music: An iPod is key. The days of a DJ showing up with a bunch of records, CD's or anything in non-digital format are over. You can either make up playlists for cocktail hour, dinner, and the reception or kick yourself for paying someone to sit in front of a computer and start the "Generic Wedding Music" playlist.

13- The Menu: Sit down dinner is really the classiest way to go. Who wants to feel like they are at an all-you-can-eat buffet at the Golden Corral? Serve only one course: a main (and a meat-free alternative if needed) and do family-style sides for the table.

14- The Cake: If you are a baking maven you can always DIY the cake....or for those of us who are less inclined to tackle that, a fun idea is doing cupcakes in very sophisticated flavors and decoration.

15- The Send-Off: Be realistic...no one wants a CD of your favorite love songs. Treat them with baked goods for the morning after or a late-night snack box to nibble on when they get home or back to their hotel.

16- The Honeymoon: My first inclination is to use all the money you have saved and go on a completely memorable adventure, i.e. African Safari. It is really whatever floats your boat.

Spend your wedding having fun and creating memories...not worrying about how much you spend creating said memories.

Steal Their Stylist

Through my past professional lives I have worked with fashion stylists, prop stylists, home staging stylists, food stylists (even one who specialized solely in ice cream), and just about every type of stylist known to man. They are great at what they do and magazines, brands, retailers, etc. pay them a lot of money to work their magic on a heap of clothes, an un-made bed, and yes a pint of ice cream. Why not use all this to your advantage? Some of my favorite places to look for new outfit combinations and juzhing ideas are Vogue magazine, J. Crew catalog (one of the reasons I am obsessed with rolling my jeans right now), Barneys in-store merchandising, and Style.com videos (fahion lovers: you can sucked into this site for hours so proceed with caution). Or, just walk around and get the wheels spinning. I am always inspired by the way people put themselves together. Elle Decor--and the now defunct Dominio magazine--are perfect for fabulous home decorating ideas.

When I find something I love from one of these sources I tear the page out, take a pic (I am always carrying my camera), or bookmark the webpage. I keep a binder --NERD ALERT-- with clear plastic sleeves to keep my finds. I literally have dividers for fashion, home, travel, and places in I need to check out (or blog about immediately). When I have a "closet of clothes, nothing to wear" moment I go to the binder: Crisis averted. When I go shopping I check the binder to see what pieces I am missing to replicate outfits I love. When I need to spruce up my tenement a bit I go to the binder and find a little idea I can incorporate or a new way to arrange something. I also keep the business cards of my "support staff": hair, nails, doctors, etc. for quick reference and easy appointment scheduling. It has really been a lifesaver when I have been in a wardrobe bind and has kept my purchases focused to things I will absolutely love.

Barneys Warehouse Sale Survival Strategy

You know what your mother said about why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free.... Well for my first post I feel like that is what I am doing. But who cares, let's jump in head first.

This is really one of my best strategical moves in finding expensive things at rock bottom prices. The Barneys Warehouse Sale happens twice a year, and is really the only time I let myself completely splurge and buy whatever I can get my hands on (disclaimer: whatever I can get my hands on that I am absolutely in love with and find the deal too good to leave for someone else). This is not shopping for the faint of heart. Get ready to disco with throngs of people you don't know, throw some 'bows, and see someone your mother's age with no shirt trying on a Balenciaga mini-dress dress from two years ago.

Plan of attack:

1. Find out when the sale ends. Go the day before when everything is marked down 60-75% off the sale price. Don't torture yourself by going early and getting a sneak peak at what won't be there in two weeks when it is actually affordable.

2. Give yourself a 3-hour window to shop. At 11am I waited outside the building to get inside for 15 minutes, in line for shoe matches for a solid 25, and another 30 to check out. You don't want to be rushed because trust me, there is a reason this only happens twice a year: it is all human patience can bear.

3. Wear clothes such as leggings, tank tops, and ballet flats. Mobility and body-hugging are key. You don't want to be messing with shoe laces or trying on dresses over jeans. There are no dressing rooms, so thongs are probably not a good option either.

4. ipod is critical. It is the only thing that keeps me sane. It really helps you focus and block out the crowd.

5. Something I wish more people would wise up to: For Christ's sake, please try on the shoe available before waiting in the heinous line to get the match. If the shoe doesn't fit or looks horrible put it back on the rack so it is available to others. If you love it, then get the other one. Saves a ton of time, and is courteous to your fellow shoppers.

5. Get ready to sort through racks of garbage to find the diamond in the rough. Obviously no one wants Kate Moss TopShop from like 2 years ago, but I always tend to find lovely little cashmere pieces which are cash-miracally expensive full price. I always look for pieces that transcend seasons and trends. Buy things you can modify to wear year-round and that won't go out of style in 6 months.

Ok, so you may be asking yourself what I came away with today. Here is the lowdown:

Original Price:
Co-op cashmere racerback tank dress - $158
Co-op cotton thick strap knit tank - $98
Ernest Sewn high-waisted jeans - $195
Castaner wedge espadrilles - $160
Barneys New York brown leather platform wedge sandals - $220
Total: $831

My Price:
Co-op cashmere racerback tank dress - $20.70
Co-op cotton thick strap knit tank - $14.70
Ernest Sewn high-waisted jeans - $20.70
Castaner wedge espadrilles - $32.00
Barneys New York brown leather platform wedge sandals - $44.00
Total: $132.10

The numbers don't lie kids. Remember to buy what you love, transcend trends and seasons, and hold out till the bitter end before you go!

Imelda Marcos is coming...buy more shoes!