time to take command of your personal style

Screen shots from a little dress-up game coming soon to Fashionmash.com

I found this video from Justshirts.ca, they buy their shirts from this collective of workers in El Salvador.  They are one of many companies that sell Fair Trade Certified Products.  That means someone has investigated that the workers that made the product are employed under a certain standard of working conditions. 

Laurie brought to my attention an upcoming reality TV show where British teen girls are sent to work in a clothing factory in India.  We could all learn the lessons these girls learned about the terrible conditions many of our clothes are made under.

I recommend applying the 3 Rs of waste reduction to your wardrobe.

• REDUCE - Get to know what is in your closet by putting your clothes on a wardrobe organizer site like FashionMash.com.  Organize your clothing into outfits and then buy only what you really need to complete the outfits you want.
• REUSE - Discover new looks and combinations within your own wardrobe. Personalize and re-fashion your clothing with your own bits of bling.  You don't have to know how to sew to do this often you just need to add some accessories like a scarf or belt or even for a temporary change, hot glue gun on some beads or bows.  
• RECYCLE - Find out which items don't match anything in your closet, don't fit you or ones you are just bored with.  Organize a party with your friends to swap clothes or look for a large clothing swap in your area.  Or you can donate your clothing through freecycle.org or give to a local charity or thriftshop.

I've started some forums about preloved clothing finds and cool re-fashion ideas you've applied to your own clothes. Maybe some of us can even connect to swap some clothes!

How often have you bought some clothing item, and gotten home only to find that the seam is torn, or there's a snag in the fabric? Then you have to go back to the store to either exchange or return it, or even worse, if it can't be returned, then you have to pay to get it fixed...IF it's possible to fix.

So get into the habit of checking your clothing item carefully once you have selected it for purchase. Hold it up and look for makeup (esp. around the neck), dirt (especially near the floor), other stains, snags, or other marks on all sides. It is best to do this while you are trying it on, if possible (but don't forget to check the back). Then take a close look at the stitching...the seams, the hems, buttons, any decorative stitching/beading.

This is especially important for things like formal dresses where most sales are final (due to the sad practice of some girls trying to return dresses after they have worn them). If you find a problem, then try to find the same item without damage. If you can't find one and REALLY want the item anyway, try to determine if you think the item can be washed or fixed, but still point out the damage and ask for a discount.

- the Dollar Stretcher.

If you like this tip and would like to hear more ways to save your money and your time, check out the Dollar Stretcher website.  I have been receiving their great newsletters by email for more than five years.  Subscribe to the Dollar Stretcher today and get all the best tips and tricks to make your money go farther.

With Mother's Day coming, people are looking for the perfect gift to wow Mom this year.  What better gift of love than a diamond ring she can appreciate all year long?!  I especially love this one with the gorgeous heart detail around the band.  Or how about choosing one of the lovely colored diamond rings available now?  The blue diamonds are 10% off at the moment and are just gorgeous.

Applesofgold.com has a great menu system so you can find just the jewelry you are looking for right away.  They have a great feature where you can personalize different types of jewelry with a special message or someone's name. I also like their gift ideas section that let's you browse through terrific items.  They also have an under $100 category so you can even shop on a small budget.

They have a wide variety of necklace chains in many different link patterns in gold and white gold.  The pendants available are stunning.  My favourites are the pearl ones since that is my birthstone.   (hint hint!)

And bookmark their site because you'll want to look at their watches next month for Father's day.  I'm going to check back with their site for all the coming birthdays, anniversaries and occasions that come up this year.

Right now, I'm trying to shape up my wardrobe for spring and I just came across this must-have tool. Teresa Morisco, wardrobe therapist, of Wardrobe911.com has made Recipe cards for each body type! 

Aren't sure what your body type is?  Try Teresa's body type quiz. The Wardrobe 911 Recipe Box shows you how to put together outfits that complement your shape best and how to develop your wardrobe. 

This is exactly what every woman needs as they put away their winter clothes and re-evaluate their wardrobe for spring and summer!  Get your Wardrobe 911 Recipe Box today!

Last night, I got to attend a fashion show/silent auction charity event called "No Food For Thought."  It was to raise money for one of Edmonton's inner city/homeless organizations, the Bissell Center and to kick off Edmonton Fashion Week.

I finally got to meet Jessica Halabi, who won "Best Emerging Designer" at last year's Edmonton Fashion Week.  She has made a beautiful dress for one of my friends & was one of my early testers for Fashion Mash. 

I was a total silent auction loser.  I only bid on a few things, and I tried to compete, but everything went out of my price range.  (Which is nice for the Bissell Center who is benefitting!)  My friend however managed to successfully bid on a bunch of stuff:  2 pretty hand painted ceramic plates, a beautiful bracelet/ring combo, a makeover, & a makeup kit. 

On our seats was a lovely spray little spray bottle of unisex perfume called Gaultier2.    And there was a lollipop from the Mercury Opera.  They gave a short performance of a song they are going to do for Pagliacci in August. 

The Fashion Show was a teaser for the week and each designer participating got to have two models.  They had to walk down 2 flights of marble steps in high heels instead of having a cat walk to strut on.  Lots of variety and fun.  There were even a couple of cross-dresser models in gothy prom dresses in the mix! 

My favourite performers of the night were:

Martin Kerr- I absolutely love his song "Undiscovered Geniuses."  I can't find a good link to it, so go to his myspace page & play it from the music player there.
http://www.myspace.com/martinkerr

Vibe Tribe- A tribal bellydance troupe that did hula hoops, swords and fire in their dance!
http://www.vibe-tribe.ca/thetribe.php

Emily & Samantha Schultz are two sisters, now ages 14 and 17.  Below is a video of them from last summer singing a song they sang last night.
http://www.myspace.com/samanthaschultz15

I'm helping with the Fair Trade Fair & Film Festival here in Edmonton May 17 that is put on by  the Edmonton Small Press Association.  If you are elsewhere in Canada, here is a list of Fair Trade week events.  If you are in the United States, here is where to find out about Fair Trade events near you.

I've also started a new focus this spring for Fashionmash.com to support the 3R's of sustainability:

REDUCE - Explore your wardrobe and buy only what you really need.

REUSE - Discover new looks and combinations within your own wardrobe.

RECYCLE - Find out which items don't match anything in your closet and donate them!

What do you think?  One of the things I would like to start doing is a seasonal clothing swap.  Have any of you been to a clothing swap before?  I'd love to hear your good and bad stories about clothing swaps and what you think of the new focus for Fashionmash.com.

Sweet Sandals

The Open Toe Shoe Pledge

Alright Ladies, it's that time of the year again. Just a friendly reminder!! Please raise your big toes and repeat after me: (The Open Toed Shoe Pledge)...

As a member of the Cute Girl Sisterhood, I pledge to follow the Rules when I wear sandals and other open-toe shoes:

I promise to always wear sandals that fit. My toes will not hang over and touch the ground, nor will my heels spill over the backs. And the sides and tops of my feet will not pudge out between the straps.

I will go polish-free or vow to keep the polish fresh, intact and chip-free. I will not cheat and just touch up my big toe.

I will sand down any mounds of skin before they turn hard and yellow. I will shave the hairs off my big toe.

I won't wear pantyhose even if my misinformed girlfriend, coworker, mother, sister tells me the toe seam really will stay under my toes if I tuck it there.

If a strap breaks, I won't duct-tape, pin, glue or tuck it back into place hoping it will stay put. I will get my shoe fixed or toss it.

I will not live in corn denial; rather I will lean on my good friend Dr. Scholl's if my feet need him.

I will resist the urge to buy jelly shoes at Payless for the low, low price of $4.99 even if my feet are small enough to fit into the kids' sizes. This is out of concern for my safety, and the safety of others. No one can walk properly when standing in a pool of sweat and I would hate to take someone down with me as I fall and break my ankle.

I will take my toe ring off toward the end of the day if my toes swell and begin to look like Vienna sausages.

If I have been privy to the magic that is Foot Soup, I will share that knowledge and experience with the non-initiated.

I will be brutally honest with my girlfriend/sister/coworker when she asks me if her feet are too ugly to wear sandals. Someone has to tell her that her toes are as long as my fingers and no sandal makes creepy feet look good.

I will promise if I wear flip flops that I will ensure that they actually flip and flop, making the correct noise while walking and I will swear NOT to slide or drag my feet while wearing them.

I will promise to go my local beauty school at least once per season and have a real pedicure (they are worth EVERY penny).

I will promise to throw away any white/off-white sandals that show signs of wear...nothing is tackier than dirty white sandals.

Time is money!

I'm a real thrifty and frugal junkie. I'm always hunting around for the best deals and sales. Boy is it time consuming! And sometimes, I get all the way over to a sale, only to find out they don't have my size.

I just found out I can have my own personal shopper. Someone who can tell me about sales on my favourite brand names and even make sure they have my sizes! And it all comes right to my email box.

Shopittome.com is a great site that is going to revolutionize your shopping! When you sign up at their site, you select all your favourite brands and let them know your sizes.  They send you emails like the one to the left that lets you see what is on sale!  You can save tons of time and money with their service.  Sign up now & start the savings!

Have you ever looked closely at what colours show up the most in your closet?  I was going through my favourite clothes, putting away the winter items and pulling out the spring things.  I noticed something odd.  I have a very drab colour palette for my wardrobe: orange-brown, green, blue, black and a few pinks. 

When you think spring, what colours come to mind for you?  I think of white and yellow the most.  I don't have any of either!  I think its time for some spring shopping! 

What colour shows up the most in your closet?  What do you reflect in the palette of your wardrobe?