BCBG Final Cut

BCBG Max Azria has recently started a new store format called BCBG Final Cut, and according to the website the store offers "designer mix of former-season favorites and always on trend pieces at fabulous discounts." So in simple terms an outlet store. Lucky us a Final Cut opened August 6th at the Tanger Outlet Mall in Branson, MO. I got to check it out over opening weekend.

Overall assessment: Definitely worth a trip if you are in Branson but not worth going to Branson just for a store visit. The retail space was bare bones with no atmosphere. However, the sales people made-up for what the atmosphere lacked. They were helpful and pleasant, but not pushy. Once clued-in on my name, they always addressed me as such. The merchandise was a hit or miss with both the collection and the price. The great: The dress selection (which is always one of Max Azria's strengths) is amazing with plenty of totally on-trend and sophisticated dresses perfect for any upcoming weddings. The good: I recognized several pieces from just this spring but at a third of the price. The OK: The collection is much too classic for my taste, but perfect for a chic, professional woman. The bad: All the items I wanted were still $80 to $100 ... too much for me to pay at an outlet.

I did get a very funky parachute, navy jacket that I can't wait to wear this fall, and I signed up for their email blasts so I am notified about sales and specials.

If you are not a NWA gal, while researching for this post, I found out that they have an online format of Final Cut. Check it out here and happy shopping!!!!

Picture Source: http://poshglam.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/bcbg-outlet-melrose-51.jpg

Closet Intervention - Part 2

So now that you have purged and organized your closet (or at least thought about it), let's talk how to ideate fantastic outfits. Doing the prep work of creating 10 to 15 well thought out looks removes the stress of getting ready in the morning. Trust me ... this helps set a much better tone for the entire day.

3) Ideating

To get started choose 10 to 15 key pieces that you love or would love to create a look around. The pieces can be anything: pants, skirts, dresses, accessories, etc. Next, seek inspiration! Prior to an ensemble-building session, I get my fashion juices flowing by browsing through my favorite blogs, websites, and of course my trusty Lucky magazine. Don't take the inspiration too literally. Don't look for looks you can completely replicate because you likely won't find any. Instead, look for shapes, colors, and general concepts you can copy.

Once you are good and inspired, take one piece and begin to ideate and create. Think outside the box. Choose things to try that you never would. I made Katie try on three or four things before we found one outfit.

Here are the things I think about when I create outfits: Layer! I love vests, cardigans, and jackets. Layers make an outfit look more purposeful and put together. Use belts! Belts can transform an outfit's shape by taking a frumpy shirt and turning it into a sexy, hourglass look. Go for contrasting colors! I love two bright, off-setting colors that add a punch of intrigue. Seek balance! If you go flowy and voluminous on top, look for slim, streamlined pieces on the bottom (or vice versa). Finally, don't forget to accessorize! Choose layered necklaces or scarves to complete your look.

Once you are satisfied, be sure and take a picture. I use my cell phone, so I can easily browse through my options while standing in my closet.

Now to reveal some of Katie's new looks from her Closet Intervention ...

Closet Intervention - Part 1

Every season I prep for the weather change by purging, organizing, and ideating outfits from my closet. Since fall is teasing us, I thought I could challenge you to conduct a Closet Intervention. I recently helped my friend Katie with her closet and have some tips:

1. Purge!

Create three piles -- 1) Donate, 2) Throw away, and 3) Mend. Become your own worst fashion enemy. I was ruthless with Katie. If it had a hole, was pilly, or she hadn't worn it in a year, I forced her to put it in a pile. Often people hypothesize that I have a huge closet of racks and stacks of clothes. Quite the contrary. It is easier to see unique combinations when you have less to pilfer through.

I know as women we can become emotionally and irrationally attached to things, including clothes. Taking this into consideration, I allowed Katie to keep five "emotional pieces" ... but that was it. What is the point of cluttering up a closet with clothes you don't wear just because it was the shirt you had on when you got your first kiss?

As you are going through all your clothes, make note of what you have and what you need. I had Katie create a wish list of wardrobe must-haves (Katie needed jackets/blazers, a tailored vest, and a good pencil skirt). This will help focus your fall shopping.

2. Organize!

To help see all the wonderful wardrobe options at your fingertips, you need to organize your closet. How you do that is up to you. I prefer to do it by sleeve length and Katie preferred to do it by color.

After organizing, comes the fun part ... But you will have to stay tuned for the next post. I will give you tips on how to create a whole arsenal of outfits and show you some of the outfits Katie now has to pick from.

The Danger of Fashion

So a friend of mine clued me into this story, and I felt I had the duty of letting my faithful followers know:

Skinny Jeans Dangerous???

Though skinny jeans look great doctors say they can be dangerous for our health. According to some experts tight jeans might cause a nerve problem called meralgia paresthetica.

Together with high stilettos skinny jeans put great pressure on the femoral cutaneous nerve that runs through the thigh. As a result ladies often feel tingling and burning through the leg.
The affliction has already been named as “tingling thigh syndrome. A woman who developed the one said: It felt really strange - it felt like my leg had gone to sleep.”

However, the condition is not new and has largely appeared in construction workers, pregnant women and obese people; even young, fit women do suffer it sometimes.

Dr. John England of the American Academy of Neurology said: The nerve, in some people, is susceptible to compression. It is a pure sensory nerve - it doesn’t go to muscles or provide strength. Anything that is tight around there could potentially compress the nerve that goes there.”

But before you decide to throw your skinny britches away, remember that the damage is not permanent as it is eliminated as soon as you remove the pressure.

Just don’t wear skinnies all the time, make alterations in your appearance and everything’s going to be all right.

Source: http://www.theinsider.com/news/2210117_Skinny_Jeans_dangerous

It is going to take a lot more than soon silly nerve damage threats like that for me to toss my skinny jeans. Everyone knows true beauty comes with a price ... and that price is pain.

Pretty sure my toes are going to be deformed by the time I am 40, but even then, I vow to maintain my 3 -5 inch heel wearing habit.

How far would you go to keep your fashionable persona?

Fashion Funk

It's official ... and I should have seen it coming because it happens every season ... I am in a fashion funk. The funk starts with early morning frustrations, not wanting to wear anything in my closet, then is proceeded by complete and utter boredom with what the stores are offering. Then as I seek condolences from my trusty fashion blogs and websites, I find all they are talking about is fall clothes. And in 90 degree plus weather, the last thing I want to think about is tall boots, chunky sweaters, wool peacoats, and ribbed tights. So I thought I would look to my small, but hopefully loyal, following. Please, PLEASE help me reclaim my fashion inspiration. What inspires you? What is the one thing you are loving wearing? Anything to help my hopeless style slump...?



Photo source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9sh9WLo1utPGfSC9fUgNlKSNQH6aIS2sMBcfw_8cyA2nbyD4F0wKfYHd7HDtTNk-sNeROPsnZPO7vx0d80uUI_dBICA7wX1Y4-5Xf84NFO2CZBMrq6lx_nUDrHkYgZHW4a2o12lhsA/s320/bored_frustrated_pink-41.gif

Beauty Test Tube

While fashion is still my one true love, I have been having a recent love affair with beauty products. I love trying new brands, new products, new shades, anything new I can get my hands on. I have recently found the most perfect outlet for my closet obsession...New Beauty's Test Tube. The website claims it is the most unique beauty sampling program and gives you the ability to try all different types of premium beauty products before you buy. For me, the test tube is like the most perfectly executed Christmas stocking, but instead of only one time a year, it comes four times a year. Every three months I receive a package in the mail with literally a tube of beauty products. I pay $35 for each tube and the site claims the tube contains over $150 worth of samples, full size products, and gift cards. I got one yesterday and had so much fun riffling through the teeth whitening gum, body spray, lip gloss, moisturizers, and other facial treatments. I hope my face thanks me later with a wrinkle-less complexion.

Local Sample Sales ... Huh?

While I love the calm, slow pace of a small southern town, one thing I wish we had were big city sample sales. I imagine myself losing my prim and proper demeanor and fighting another budget consious shopper to the death for the 80% marked-down designer shoes that we both happened to find at the same time. In this fantasy, I always come out triumphant and walk out wearing the designer shoes. While in reality, I think my polite southern girl personality would prevail as I watch my enemy strut off with my heels.


Another thing that makes my fantasy completely impossible is the lack of sample sales anywhere outside of a major metropolis. But thanks to several online organizations, sample sales are as close as a computer mouse. Three of my favorites are Ideeli, Gilt Groupe, and Hautelook. This is how it works: They send you a daily email with the day's sample sale. There is a limited time frame and limited quantity and sizes of the deeply discounted, often high end designer products (not just clothes). You can upgrade your membership for a fee and get first dids on the loot (I don't think this is worth it). The slight catch is these are invitation only, so if you have a hankering for sample sales without the cat fights, comment on this post and I will send you an invite. Happy bargain shopping!

I just bought this awesome studded flat sandals (per my previous post) from Ideeli for $54!