Little black dress.

Hello lovely ladies! (and gents, if there be some).

I'm writing to you this evening about one of my favorite fashion topics!
Give it any season- you can wear this classic item:

How many of us are scared to search for it?! They can be so expensive, never look right, your butt looks too big, and wow do I look like a football player with these broad shoulders!??! YIKES!

Well. After I taught you some trendy tips on how to buy your clothes, go get that sexy black dress you want to wear to that dinner party, Valentines date dinner, Summer is around the corner, winter holiday parties for the future...

One of the best places to find these dresses right now is at Plato's Closet. I went tonight to see for myself and I was very impressed.

Here are some classic looks from some of our t.v. ladies. (And just think... they're paying hundreds-thousands for these few yards of fabric- you come out paying $10 for a "copy-cat" look!

(This is one of my favorites. The neckline is high, but with the still sexy look of shoulders. It has that regal 'old fashioned' look.)

(This dress is so elegant, yet has that lower neckline... a more romantic look for a date or an evening out where you want to be noticed.)

(This dress is to die for! The cross over in the front, near the neckline, gives women with 'more to love' curves a cleaner look. The flares near the waist are dramatic, but with the neckline, it really helps calm the tone of the dress.)

(This dress is less formal. With some long necklaces and some heavy, thick bracelts, this dress can be glammed up. Or wear it to the beach with smoothie in hand.)

(What a beauty this dress is. Very modest to the neckline, and the pleating in the front gives it more a formal look, especially as the bottom of the dress tickles the knees. Best to wear to church, job interview, wedding... very versatile.)

AND MY FAVORITE OF THE NIGHT FIND:


(trumpets please...)

I am a sucker for lace! Such a beautiful dress! So elegant. The bow in front gives it a sweet, romantic, young look. The lace has an old, classic, elegance to it. It almost could pass for a plunging neckline, but with the sleeves so perfectly outlining the neck, it gives a soft look. BEAUTIFUL!

I saw most of these same dress looks tonight! Check for yourselves and get back to me! Get that Little Black Dress you deserve to wear.

Winter jackets in July... well, sort of.

Remember:

October-March (start buying summer clothes)

April-September (start buying winter clothes)

This will save you tons of money. You'll keep up on the current trends while not burning a whole in your pocket! Happy shopping!

The grocery store excuse.

            When I saw this picture of Sarah Jessica Parker I said, "Hey, that's me!"

The laundry never seems to end, the dishes are always piling up, the homework pile is teetering more and more, the cell phone keeps ringing, .... ahhh!!

Oh. And now the fridge is completely empty.

I find myself guilty of this excuse (a lot): "It's only the grocery store... no one will notice me!"

C'mon, ladies! Give yourself some more respect! What's the harm of walking into Walmart at 8pm and looking fabulous?! That doesn't mean you have to glitz and glam before you go... that's just weird. Just look presentable.

Here's a few tips to help you look, and better yet, FEEL nice when you think you're exhausted:

1) Wear earrings. I know- it sounds rediculous. But try it! I usually save my dangly, flashy earrings for a night out, but even if all you're feeling are studs- go for it!

2) Wear cute jeans. NOT SWEATS! Are you at a gym? No. Are you in bed yet? Hopefully soon, but no. Wear some cute jeans that fit your body type.

3) Wear mascara and eyeliner. Even if you woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning, your hair isn't straightening right, you have dry skin... who cares!? Put on some mascara and eyeliner, and you'll feel a little bit better.

I promise. Try this out next time you have to quickly stop by the store for those carrots and apples. You'll come walking out like this...

Share your comments and ideas!

Hey fashionistas!


I really want all of your comments and ideas! Send me pictures of outfits you've put together, comments about different stores, and new ideas that you'd like to share!

Shops4shoez@netscape.net

or

comment at www.diamondsfordimes.blogspot.com

the ten commandments.

What to do to find the "right" outfit at a used clothing store.

1. Location. Where are you off to? If you're getting ready to go to the club, you know you'll want something a little sexier. If you're going to a funeral, that would obviously be inappropriate (AND WRONG!) Think: simple. Don't try to overload your mind with accessories yet. Just the basics. The dress. The shirt. The pants. That's it!

2. The color. Is it dead of winter? Beginning of spring? Keep the colors in accordance to the season. You would never want to show up to a Christmas party wearing a hot, pink dress.... Barbie! Review your cool and warm color wheel that you still have made from the second grade before hitting the mall!

3. Get personal. Get to know the girls (or guys) that work in the store department you're shopping in. The friendly girl is the trendy girl. They'll want to help YOU before anyone else, and that gives you a chance to see more clothes selections.

4. Play around. Grab the shirt that looks fun! Try it on. There's no harm in trying something on that's "not quite you" because sometimes that's the goal. It only becomes official at the cash register.

5. Price. Here's my 8-12-25 rule. If you're shopping at a used clothes store (which, are the best!!) take advantage of their prices. Never buy a shirt that's more than 8, never buy a dress that's more than 12, and never buy pants that are more than 25. That's MY rule. Make your own! Work with a budget. Just remember: it depends on the article of clothing and it's necessity.

6. Group it. If you find that adorable black dress that you just can't live without, buy it! (As long as it's under your price rule.) But... is that too good to be true purple, sparkly, over-sized purse still taunting your mind and yelling, "BUY ME! BUY ME!" If it is, you have a choice. The black dress can be used on multiple occasions: funerals, clubs, weddings, dinners, family pictures, etc... the purple purse? Not so much. Group your items! Use that cute cardigan for five outfits, not just one!

7. In, check, out, check. Always check clothing! Used clothing stores are AWESOME! They offer wide varities of clothing styles, colors, types, shapes... everything. But always be aware that it was worn once, by someone that may or may not have taken care of it. Check inside for rips in the seams, and outside for tears normally near the bottom of shirts, ragged-torn jeans at the bottoms, and dresses near the zipper. Also, check for stains or discoloring.

8. Get smart and sassy. Sometimes I'm okay with a tiny stain. Because it's so unnoticable and no one will see! Sometimes I don't care if there's a rip-- I own needles and thread. But get smart! And get sassy! Ask the manager, (KINDLY) if you can have a discount. Usually, they will say yes. If a button is missing, show them! But be honest.

9. Buy it! The best part. Buying those clothes. There's something good about walking out of a store holding a pair of Seven Jeans that you only paid $35 bucks for. Ahhh. The good sigh of satisfaction. Keep the receipt. Know the return policy just in case. And wear those bad boys loud and proud!

10. Be the good samaritan. Take care of your clothes. Know how to properly wash them and hang them. Then, once that Christmas dinner party with your co-workers is finally over, take back that Gucci dress that you only paid $40 for, and re-sell it! That's the beauty of it. Your closet is a never ending cycle of cuteness and smartness!

My other twin.

On five fingers I can tell you why I'm a loser.

1. I'd rather go to the movie theater's alone for the BIG movies than go with a bunch of girls.
2. I secretly wish I was a gypsy-- I could live in a trailer the rest of my life if I wanted.
3. I always bite my straws.
4. When I walk to class, I often count how many steps I'm taking. When I get to 20, I start over.
5. I recently learned (well, in the past few years) how to e-mail. I hate technology.

Now on my other five fingers I can tell you why I'm the coolest person you'll ever meet (when it comes to shopping.)

6. I've never spent more than $50 on a new pair of hot, sexy, designer jeans.
7. I tend to buy outrageously weird shoes, and somehow match them with something I own.
8. I can talk down a price at a store... done it a billion times.
9. There's always five outfits to choose from in my closet for every outing.
10. Goodwill is like my Nordstroms.


There you have it, ladies. I have a twin.

Part of me is kind of lame... I mean really, someone that can't send e-mails? PULEAASE.

And then there's the cool side. The hip side. The girl that you want to take to the mall because you can put money down that she'll have you coming out looking like a million bucks. (When the receipt really said $12.99).

A lot of girls have this fear: PROM. They'll get to prom and be wearing the same dress, same color, same beadwork, as that "other" girl that they can't stand. Let me assure you, I'm here to help you yell: BRING IT ON!

Let the "other" girl dance the night away in her beautiful gown. And then at the end of the night, hang it up in her closet to collect dust. You're smiling inside, (and chuckling a bit) because YOU bought that same dress for half the price, and YOU are going to make money off of it the next day.

Really- what little sister wants your out-of-date-out-of-style-wrong-color-i-want-my-own-dress-hand-me-down?



... I'll teach you how. I'll teach you all of the dirty tricks that come along with it. Stay tuned.