Most celebrities wear dresses that are either customer designed
or inspired by them. Now unless you're Tyra Banks or Angelina Jolie
that probably won't happen.
But you can still get a custom made dress for a great price!
For New Years I wanted a fabulous dress that complimented me.
So I went online, looked at my favorite celebrity fashions.
Next I searched the local art schools, craigslist and friends of friends for seamstress
once I narrowed my choices down, I examined their work.
How was the stiching? The last thing you want is sloppy stiching.
I also asked for references. How long would it take for
them to finish my dress? Was it an acceptable time frame?
Once I found a seamstress who was up to
my standards, I went to fabric row and picked up some
fabulous materiel. Yes, it was a little more
costly then Joannes, Walmart, or Franks.
But fabric stores have a better selection, and
better quality fabrics. The fabric for my dress cost about $30.
The seamstress charged me $200 to make my dress.
Next I needed shoes. My dress is a deep red, so it's very hard to find
the same color to match. So I visited David's Bridal.
I bought a pair of dyable shoes in the style I liked. Then I sent them
off with a piece of sample material to be dyed.
Total cost of shoes- $60.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Designer Steals!!!
Anyone who knows me can tell you I have two weaknesses- designer handbags and designer sunglasses! But if you're anything like me, you don't have $1,000 plus to spend on one handbag. For designer deals at knockoff prices try buying on ebay, Amazon, even Craigslist. In this ecomony, consignment shops are popping up everywhere...there are even shops that specialize in "recycling" designer goods.
I got a Real Kate Spade Handbag for $50, retail price-$400. Thats a BIG saving! While it was used, it looked brang new.
Now a true diva would never rock a fake handbag, or at least not an obviously fake one. There are steps you can take to varify that your handbag is real.
#1. Look at the material. If the bag is leather make sure that it smells like leather. Also, it should be heavy like a leather jacket.
#2. Verify the logo. Bags with Logos: The most "knocked off" bags are the ones you should be careful of because it's so easy to be taken advantage of. Most Design houses like Louis Vuitton who make bags with their signature logo or monogram have ways to tell if it's fake or real. Louis Vuitton's signature "LV" bags are the hardest to detect a fake. When you look at the stitching on the sides and you see the "LV" it should be continued onto the other side of the bag and this also goes for the other symbols on the bag. The leather on the handle, after a few weeks, should look like a good worn leather jacket does. It should have that aged look.
#3. Look for evidence. Look for things to see if it is authentic. Look for a serial number, a stamp inside that says the brand (may not be in all bags). Also, check and see if the logo is true when it comes out of a dust bag. For example, most knockoff Chanel bags have interlocking Os instead of Cs. This actually makes it legal to sell. Then they snip it to make it look real when it comes out. Beware of this.
#4 Examine stitching. Make sure that the stitching on the bag is nice and neat. No sloppy stitching! Design Houses take pride in the quality of their products.
#5 Check the tags. Make sure the tags inside of the bag are either stamped into leather or hand-stitched (example of an obvious fake: the tag on the inside doesn't have a name on it). Also look for a tag on the outside. Many designers have authenticity tags on the outside of the bags.
If you are purchasing the bag online, ten be sure to only purchase from a respected seller. Read the sellers reviews. And ask for close up pictures on the bag including the inside, tags, and lining.
Check out sites like Bag borrow or steal. Its a handbag rental site that gives you the option or purchasing their handbags!
I got a Real Kate Spade Handbag for $50, retail price-$400. Thats a BIG saving! While it was used, it looked brang new.
Now a true diva would never rock a fake handbag, or at least not an obviously fake one. There are steps you can take to varify that your handbag is real.
#1. Look at the material. If the bag is leather make sure that it smells like leather. Also, it should be heavy like a leather jacket.
#2. Verify the logo. Bags with Logos: The most "knocked off" bags are the ones you should be careful of because it's so easy to be taken advantage of. Most Design houses like Louis Vuitton who make bags with their signature logo or monogram have ways to tell if it's fake or real. Louis Vuitton's signature "LV" bags are the hardest to detect a fake. When you look at the stitching on the sides and you see the "LV" it should be continued onto the other side of the bag and this also goes for the other symbols on the bag. The leather on the handle, after a few weeks, should look like a good worn leather jacket does. It should have that aged look.
#3. Look for evidence. Look for things to see if it is authentic. Look for a serial number, a stamp inside that says the brand (may not be in all bags). Also, check and see if the logo is true when it comes out of a dust bag. For example, most knockoff Chanel bags have interlocking Os instead of Cs. This actually makes it legal to sell. Then they snip it to make it look real when it comes out. Beware of this.
#4 Examine stitching. Make sure that the stitching on the bag is nice and neat. No sloppy stitching! Design Houses take pride in the quality of their products.
#5 Check the tags. Make sure the tags inside of the bag are either stamped into leather or hand-stitched (example of an obvious fake: the tag on the inside doesn't have a name on it). Also look for a tag on the outside. Many designers have authenticity tags on the outside of the bags.
If you are purchasing the bag online, ten be sure to only purchase from a respected seller. Read the sellers reviews. And ask for close up pictures on the bag including the inside, tags, and lining.
Check out sites like Bag borrow or steal. Its a handbag rental site that gives you the option or purchasing their handbags!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
A Hairy Situation
Ok, so in this economy, who can afford, or wants to spend big bucks going to the hair salon every week? If you are like me, and can do most styles yourself, then do it.
But if you are like most women (and some men) you either can't or don't want to do your own hair. You can save $$$ by either finding a home based stylist or going to a beauty school.
Home based stylist can be licensed or unlicensed. They do hair out of their home, and usually charge lower fees then salons but higher then beauty schools.
There are some styles and services I wouldn't cut cost on, such as anything using chemicals (i.e dying, perms, relaxers, highlites)
If you opt to get hair weaves, most hb stylist are a good choice. At a salon, a sewn in hair weave cost over $100 not including the cost of the hair. While a good home based stylist will charge about $70.
Beauty schools such as Gordon Phillips and Empire are good for hair trims and new styles. At beauty schools you only pay for the cost of the supplies. Its also a good way to try hot new styles. Beauty schools also do nails, hair removal and sometimes even makeup application. The students at beauty schools are supervised by stylist and cosmotology teachers with tons of experience. So you have next to nothing to worry about.
Now, if you decided you want to try doing your hair yourself. I have found Youtube and other such video sharing sites are a great way to find tutorials on different styles. Lets say you think Ashanti's hair on the Body on Me video was hot...all you do is search Ashanti or Body on Me hair tutorial. Then you'll get a whole list of hair tutorials. Don't try the first one you see. Like anything else. Shop around. Go for the video where the hair texture/length is simular to yours. Some posters are better at explaining the steps better then others.
Hair tutorials can also help you learn how to do your favorite salon services, such as deep conditioning, hot oil treatments, even cutting your own split ends. Just keep in mind, most of the posters are not professionals. Be sure to read the comments, other then the fact that they are very entertaining (on occassion) they can be helpful as some viewers and suscribers offer feedback, reviews and tweeks.
Now we go on to what can be the most expensive part of taking care of your hair. Products.
DO NOT skimp on your hair products. Buying cheap products can damage your hair.
Learn your hair and what your hair needs. If your hair is dry, then you need a shampoo and conditioner that will add moisture to your hair. So using a shampoo high in protein wont help you. Sometimes we gravitate towards the less expensive shampoos because we're trying to save money, or our parents used it...there are a number of reasons why we do it. Im not saying you have to buy expensive salon quality shampoos. But make sure the Shampoo and conditoner is a good one, read the ingredients. Places like Target, Walmart and drug stores often sell a large supply of quality drug store brand shampoos that cost no more the $7. Once again- READ THE REVIEWS! Stores like Sally Beauty, which is a beauty supply store, also has great deals on GOOD hair supplies.
Lets move on to curling irons, flat irons (bumpers), blow dryers etc. Conair is a cheaper but good maker of styling tools, but not always the best. When buying a good flat iron, I would opt for one with a degree setting and not just high, medium, low settings. That way you can find the right temp for you. A temp too low wont get your hair straight enough, and a temp too high will surly damage your hair. This can apply to curling irons too. A good, but inexpensive flat iron can run between $40-70. Curling irons vary with the size, but can be anyway between $30-50.
I purchase at least 70% of my products from Sally's. I got their green or loyal customer cards. It is definitly worth it! It gives me sometimes a 50% savings.
But if you are like most women (and some men) you either can't or don't want to do your own hair. You can save $$$ by either finding a home based stylist or going to a beauty school.
Home based stylist can be licensed or unlicensed. They do hair out of their home, and usually charge lower fees then salons but higher then beauty schools.
There are some styles and services I wouldn't cut cost on, such as anything using chemicals (i.e dying, perms, relaxers, highlites)
If you opt to get hair weaves, most hb stylist are a good choice. At a salon, a sewn in hair weave cost over $100 not including the cost of the hair. While a good home based stylist will charge about $70.
Beauty schools such as Gordon Phillips and Empire are good for hair trims and new styles. At beauty schools you only pay for the cost of the supplies. Its also a good way to try hot new styles. Beauty schools also do nails, hair removal and sometimes even makeup application. The students at beauty schools are supervised by stylist and cosmotology teachers with tons of experience. So you have next to nothing to worry about.
Now, if you decided you want to try doing your hair yourself. I have found Youtube and other such video sharing sites are a great way to find tutorials on different styles. Lets say you think Ashanti's hair on the Body on Me video was hot...all you do is search Ashanti or Body on Me hair tutorial. Then you'll get a whole list of hair tutorials. Don't try the first one you see. Like anything else. Shop around. Go for the video where the hair texture/length is simular to yours. Some posters are better at explaining the steps better then others.
Hair tutorials can also help you learn how to do your favorite salon services, such as deep conditioning, hot oil treatments, even cutting your own split ends. Just keep in mind, most of the posters are not professionals. Be sure to read the comments, other then the fact that they are very entertaining (on occassion) they can be helpful as some viewers and suscribers offer feedback, reviews and tweeks.
Now we go on to what can be the most expensive part of taking care of your hair. Products.
DO NOT skimp on your hair products. Buying cheap products can damage your hair.
Learn your hair and what your hair needs. If your hair is dry, then you need a shampoo and conditioner that will add moisture to your hair. So using a shampoo high in protein wont help you. Sometimes we gravitate towards the less expensive shampoos because we're trying to save money, or our parents used it...there are a number of reasons why we do it. Im not saying you have to buy expensive salon quality shampoos. But make sure the Shampoo and conditoner is a good one, read the ingredients. Places like Target, Walmart and drug stores often sell a large supply of quality drug store brand shampoos that cost no more the $7. Once again- READ THE REVIEWS! Stores like Sally Beauty, which is a beauty supply store, also has great deals on GOOD hair supplies.
Lets move on to curling irons, flat irons (bumpers), blow dryers etc. Conair is a cheaper but good maker of styling tools, but not always the best. When buying a good flat iron, I would opt for one with a degree setting and not just high, medium, low settings. That way you can find the right temp for you. A temp too low wont get your hair straight enough, and a temp too high will surly damage your hair. This can apply to curling irons too. A good, but inexpensive flat iron can run between $40-70. Curling irons vary with the size, but can be anyway between $30-50.
I purchase at least 70% of my products from Sally's. I got their green or loyal customer cards. It is definitly worth it! It gives me sometimes a 50% savings.
Hola!!!!
Hola readers,
My name is Mel. I am a self proclaimed socialite, diva, homebased hair stylist, model and writer. I enjoy shopping, looking good, and having fun. Unfortunatly, I wasn't born with Hilton money, so I find ways to be divalicious on a budget.
I'll list reviews for makeup and hair products, feature hair and makeup tutorials, list great inexpensive finds, and other tips on living a Champagne lifestyle on a flavored water budget.
My name is Mel. I am a self proclaimed socialite, diva, homebased hair stylist, model and writer. I enjoy shopping, looking good, and having fun. Unfortunatly, I wasn't born with Hilton money, so I find ways to be divalicious on a budget.
I'll list reviews for makeup and hair products, feature hair and makeup tutorials, list great inexpensive finds, and other tips on living a Champagne lifestyle on a flavored water budget.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)