by Kathryn Finney

Is it possible that retailers soak sweet virgin pretties in dopamine? How else can we explain the new outfit addiction? Kathryn Finney begins to explain how to manage and train the well-dressed monkey on the back.

For example:

“The more you save, the more and longer you will be able to spend. Budget fashionistas must save as much as they spend per month on clothes. For example, if you have $250 after paying all your expenses, at least $125 of it should go into your savings account. Deposit the other $125 into a completely separate interest bearing checking or savings account with its own debit card and checks, to be used specifically for shopping. That way you will be able to keep track of the money you spend on clothes.”

or

“Know the names of sales associates. Sales associates are a great source of information on upcoming sales and have access to Friends and Family coupons, which offer up to an additional 25% off merchandise.” And might I add, maybe your salesy friend will call you when the pair of pants you’ve been lusting goes on sale.

Check it out from your local library, and in the meantime check out the Budget Fashionista Blog.

Feed me fashionably fresh

by Nina Garcia

“confidence is captivating, powerful and it doesn’t fade, and that is endlessly more interesting than beauty.”

A petite, eloquently penned guide on fashion basics. Quaintly illustrated and dotted with quotations by famous designers. It prettily presents tips on how and when to wear an ensemble, clever combinations of colors & textures, finding inspiration for signature style, and quite a bit more.

However, my favorite theme was guidelines on projecting confidence onto your imperfections:

“I marvel at a six-foot tall woman in stilettos, a big bottom woman in a curve hugging skirt, a flat chested woman in a tight, low-cut t-shirt. When a woman embraces her imperfections, they can become her greatest strengths, definers of her character and spirit.”

Write that in lipstick on your mirror, and join me tomorrow for another addition to your nightstand.

Feed me fashionably fresh