I used to be the girl who would walk into a store a have to buy something. Especially if it was on sale.
"Ohh, the shoes are an extra 50%, let me get them in every color please!"
I would be that girl that had 20 pairs of black pumps from Aldo that looked exactly alike. Things would just start to pile up in my closet, and I wouldn't wear half the things in my closet. I started to feel very guilty.
With that said, I love clothes and shoes and I ESPECIALLY love accessories. And I love them even more when they are on sale. I am a bargain hunter. My friends and family are always shocked at the deals I get on name brand things. But that doesn't mean there aren't those "few" essentials that I will pay regular price for. Especially if it is going to be something you will wear all the time.
That is what I call "Investment" Shopping and Closet Essentials. It's things I feel that every girl needs to have and possibly splurge on. Possibly. When I say Investment, make sure you stick to a budget and what you can afford. My budget may allow me to spend $400 on a classic blazer. Maybe your budget allows you to spend $80. Maybe someone else can spend $2000. Stick to what you can afford. I never used to do that. I was the young, naive girl who was opening department store credit cards and spending money like crazy. Money I didn't have. That is because I felt like I had to impress people. Now, I am only in the business of impressing myself and that is it.
Something I find really helpful, fun, and motivating is to save up for something I really want. All you need is a Mason Jar and a label. If it's a pair of shoes that are $300, I write on the label, "Shoe Fund" and leave it on my kitchen counter. Throw a $1 in it, maybe $5 every now and then, and before you know it, you've saved up for that item. And sometimes, your mind changes and you want something else or need the money for something else. At least you have the $300 sitting there.
Essential Investment # 1: Jeans
I used to walk into Bloomingdales and buy a pair of $200 Seven jeans. What a mistake. Don't get me wrong, I love great quality and I feel like jeans need to fit you right. People get emotional about their jeans. I know I do, and they have to fit me right and I have to feel good in them, and if that $200 pair is "the one", then I am going to get it. But, If you have the patience to look through lots of racks, like I do, stores like Nordstrom Rack, Saks Outlet, and Lohemans have all the Major name brands for 1/3 the price. I've gotten some of my favorite jeans for $40-$50. Recently I've been really loving Lucky Brand and Zara. They fit me great, and are very comfortable and stylish. Here are some of my Favorites:
Hi-Wasted jeans by Zara for $59. Personally, I like a high waist jean, because it holds my stomach in. Lol.
These jeans are the Charlie from lucky brand, a great pair to have and fits my curvy shape great. $90
Essential Investment # 2: Jackets / Blazers
There is something about owning a nice jacket or blazer. It makes an outfit look chic. Lately, I've had an incredible amount of luck snagging up some pretty amazing pieces. A really nice jacket or blazer will run you around $500. Zara has great ones that range from $50-$120. But if you practice patience and are diligent enough, you can find great deals on classic pieces. Here of some of my recent findings.
Here is one of my great finds. Its a Tibi Motorcycle Jacket that retails for $450. I got it for $100 from Cusp. They had it marked down with an additional 25% off. A great jacket.
This one was a rare find. I was visiting my family in FL for Thanksgiving and went to Sawgrass Mills Mall. I happened to walk into the Burberry Outlet, because their rain boots caught my eye. I noticed they had a clearance section labeled : 70% off clearance. Needless to say, this $900 dollar jacket, that they STILL sell in Bloomingdales, cost me $70. I've had it for 3 years now and constantly get compliments on it.
I got this $500 Parker blazer on Sale for $150 from Bloomingdales. It was on sale, with an additional 40%. I Love their sales.
And again, this Lucky Brand Leather Jacket for $80, originally $350.
I say Essentials, because they are, but don't always need to cost you $$$$. And I still consider these "Investment"pieces, even though I didn't pay regular price (on all of them).
Essential Investment # 3: A Nice Purse
My philosophy on handbags has always been this: I would prefer to have ONE really nice purse then twenty bags I got on sale and rarely wear. When I say really nice, Zara has great leather bags for $100. Marc Jacobs has affordable pieces. Not everyone can wear Louis Vuitton or Chanel. Catch Saks Outlet when they have a sale, you can find great deals. My sister got an adorable Black Mark Jacobs Leather bag for $50, originally $400. There are many great options, you just have to find whats right for you. I used to buy a lot of bags from H&M and Forever 21. Honestly, I would wear them a couple of times and they would rip or tear on me. If I could add up the $$$ I spent on these bags, $20 here, $30 there, I could have spent that money on a nice piece instead. With that said, that DOES NOT mean you can't buy Designer bags on sale. Here are some of the deals.
I got this Dior clutch for $140 from the Dior Outlet in Orlando over 10 year ago. I want to say the original price of this was $1200. I still wear it until today and always get compliments.
The bag my sister got from saks outlet. A great piece.
A leather tote from Zara. Cute and Classic. $159
And a leather messenger bag from Zara for $99.
There are so many brands that offer a great bag at affordable prices. Do you research, set a budget, and be patient if you are looking for a bargain. And if you can afford to buy a Chanel Caviar Bar for $5500, go and buy it. I would. Maybe I need a mason jar for that. ;)
Essential Investment # 4: Shoes
I love shoes. Especially classic pairs. BLACK AND NUDE pumps are staples. There is something so sexy about a black patent leather pump or a nude peep toe shoe. As I stated in the beginning of my blog, I would literally buy 100 pairs of shoes on sale, and never wear them. Now, I own 3-4 nice pairs of black pumps and that is it. $40 here, $80 there, $20 here. It adds up, and instead of owning so many pairs, I have 3 nice pairs of black designer pumps. This works for me. I wear these shoes left and right. I don't feel guilty, because I really get great use out of them. Recently, I donated 60+ pairs of shoes that were sitting in my closet, worn maybe once, or not at all. I really felt guilty about it. And again, you can get amazing deals on Designer shoes like Mahnolo, Jimmy Choo, Prada, etc. Neiman Marcus, Saks outlet, and Nordstrom Rack all sell these brands. Some of my personal favorites that I own.
Got these from Nordstrom Rack for $350, originally $900.
Christian Louboutin Lady Peep Pythons. Not allowed for sale in CA, and no discount on these. I know I'm crazy, but these babies set me back $1700. Wow, That actually hurt to type. But I love them. They are beautiful. And even if I never wear them again, Ill frame them.
Another favorite, The Nude Patent, Vendomes. I wear these all the time. And Absolutely love them. They retail for $845
Lady Peep Black Patent ($945)
Classic Black Jimmy Choo Pump ($545)
Nude Pumps by Madewell, $160. EXTREMELY flattering, especial if you have a larger shoe size like me, and honest amazing quality.
Essential Investment # 5: YOUR CONFIDENCE
It doesn't not matter what you wear and how much money you spend, if you lack confidence and self-esteem, it all becomes pointless. Be confident in who you are. Love yourself. Be humble (PLEASE). Feel good from within. Be grateful for everything you have and don't have, because at the end of the day, that is what counts. Impress yourself, not others.
Here is Our Trendy Mendy Confidence Rap, that I wrote and Love reading out loud. It boosts my confidence and makes me happy and grateful. Hope you like it:
Trendy Mendy's Confidence Rap
What's Fashion and Style really about?
Not what you wear or or the clothes you pick out.
It's not the amount of makeup you wear,
Or the way you color and style your hair.
It's not about the brands you buy,
or How you dress to impress "that guy".
Its not what they write in these magazines,
That say "Wear this and that to feel like a Queen".
Its not about the latest nail trend,
Or what to buy and how much you spend
Its not about the "new colors for fall"
Or the heels you wear that make you feel tall
Because Honey, that is not fashion at all.
I'll tell you what I think fashion is,
Fashion is what you feel from within.
Fashion is YOUR confidence and Attitude.
Being grateful and showing your gratitude.
Boost your confidence. Have positive thoughts.
Think style is my attitude, not what I just bought.
So When you wake up to start your day,
Look in the mirror, get ready to say:
"Hey they beautiful, you're looking real fine."
"Fizzy hair, no makeup and the crust on your eyes."
"You're one sexy lady and so fabulous girl."
Take a good look at yourself and do a few twirls.
So stop putting yourself down all the time.
Have tons of confidence and empower your mind.
And then what you wear will only reflect,
The important things you tend to neglect.
Think positive. Be Confident. Eliminate your blues.
You wear your clothes, they're not wearing you.
Always remember, there is no expiration date when it comes to confidence.... and confidence NEVER goes out of style. How up-to-date are you?
Rock it, Rock it Right, and Stay Fabulous
Blogged with Love By Trendy Mendy
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