Black Friday Deals!

 5 Secrets to Finding the Best Deals on Black Friday

It’s time to get your shopping lists ready for one of the biggest shopping days of the year.  To help you out, I have some terrific websites and suggestions to getting the best deals this Friday.

Tip #1:  Know Before You Go

First you must go to bfads.net for an early look at the sale papers to your favorite retail store.  The website has the secret scoop on all the hot items that are going on sale this Friday.  I already have my eye on a new DVD player at Target for $47 and some jammies for the kids at Walmart for only $3—granted they will not be the best quality—but they will do fine for one season.

Tip #2:  Get Your Coupon Codes

There are several websites that offer coupons codes to save you money.  But first you need to know the difference between two types of coupon codes. Certain sites offer printable coupons, where you print out the coupon and then take them with you to the physical store.  Another type of coupon is a cyber or online coupon, where you are offered a coupon code to be used only online.

BradsDeals.com offers printable coupons that you can take with you on your shopping trip.  Also, Printable-Coupons aka Mommy Saves Big, has a nice array of printable coupons.

If braving the stores is not your thing, but online shopping is, KeepCash.com is a good site to consult for coupons for online purchases.  You also will want to check out freeshipping.org for free shipping offers to nearly 2,000 stores.  But be very careful to only go to freeshipping. ORG, the .com site looks like you have to pay for the services, while FreeShipping.org is free.

Tip #3:  Don’t Forget Your Sale Paper

Stores like Walmart are in a bidding war this year with other retailers, so be sure to bring your sale paper and ask if they will meet or beat the sale price listed in another store’s sale paper.   Every little penny helps…

Tip #4: Make an Itinerary

Many of the stores open at staggering times allowing consumers to attend several “Door Buster” sales.  After you have reviewed  the sale papers, give yourself an itinerary with regard to where you want to go and in what order.  I have found that giving myself a time-frame for each store allows me to get through quickly and on to the next sale.

You may also want to think about how long it will take to get to the next store.  If your city doesn’t boast a bevy of retail opportunities, consider going to a neighboring town that will put you in closer range to hit several stores in a short period of time.

Tip #5: This is Not a Fashion Show…

Black Friday is not the day to be strutting around in stilettos.  A seasoned Black Friday shopper knows that a comfortable pair of running shoes, several layers of  relaxed-fitting clothes (including a warm winter coat and gloves) are a must to keep you warm outdoors in the long lines.

Also, there’s no need to primp too much.  A quick rinse-off before you go, a ponytail-holder and a swipe of mascara will suffice.

Good Luck this Friday and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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Old School Hospital Gowns Get a Makeover

 

The hospital gown carries a long history of bare bottoms trailing behind it, but one group from the College of Textiles of North Carolina State University is looking to change the future of the hospital gown.

In a report this morning by the WSJ, a small team of students and faculty from the College of Textiles are utilizing a $236,110 grant to revolutionize the ill fitting and over-exposing hospital gown into a more comfortable, and fashionable alternative to it’s predecessor.

According to the article, the hospital gown can be traced back as far as the 1800’s where it was no more than a nightshirt with a slit up the back.  Since the 1920’s, only minor variations have managed to make their way to hospital rooms.

Speaking from experience—two children and a 4 day stint last summer after having my jaw broken—I feel confident in saying there must be a better way to preserve ones pride, while remaining accessible to doctors and hospital staff.  The only thing worse than wearing the embarrassing, body bearing sheet, is the paper bolero that you are provided prior to a visit to the OB/Gyn.

But did you know that patient gowns are a $76 million dollar business, with each gown costing as little as $2-3 each?  I’m sure that will come as no surprise to anyone who has worn one of these scanty gowns, while clutching each side of the fabric closed  to prevent sharing a little too much with their neighbor in the hospital room.

The North Carolina State University team has been working for the past 2  1/2 years to find a better model.  “ ‘We thought that it would be a much easier problem to tackle,’ says Prof. Traci Lamar who has been leading the effort.”  The team has experimented with different sleeve styles, pockets and fasteners for their prototypes and showcased their ideas during an in-house “fashion show”.

It was interesting to learn in the article, that Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack N.J., hired popular fashion designer Nicole Miller, to re-invent their patient gowns.  How I would have preferred to wear something like that last summer, vs. the pale blue string-tied sheet that I suffered in. 

As you might assume, the designer hospital gown is double the price of it’s conventional counterpart—hence the lack of orders by other hospitals.  Bummer.

So we shall have to wait and see what sort of progress the NC State University will make; who are also responsible for the marketing and production of the garments.

Do you have any funny hospital gown stories?  Leave a comment and let us know.

To read more about this story, go to WSJ.com.

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Mom’s Night Out

In celebration of Mother’s Day this Sunday, I’m going out with a group of girlfriends tonight for drinks—and I recommend that you do too.

To get you in the mood—and get your fashion mojo movin’—I have a few looks for you for your night on the town.

 

Cusp.com, Black Jumpsuit; Nordstrom.com, ruffled snakeskin print gladiator; Target.com, Peacock print clutch, silver earrings.

 

 

AnnTaylor.com, Pink blouse, wide leg pants; Macys.com, Nine West black sandal; TheLimited.com, silver earrings; Macys.com, Coach Bag.

 

 

VictoriasSecret.com, black dress; Barneys.com, Manolo Blahnik shoes. Braclets from top: Forever21.com, rhinestone bangles;  NeimanMarcus.com, David Yurman cable cuff; Forever21.com, painted reptile bangle, black sewn metal bead bangle.

 

Happy Mothers Day everyone—especially my mom, step-mom and mother-in-law!!!

 

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Fashion Sensei Says…

 

 

Gone But Not Forgotten…

So you have the perfect shade of eyeshadow that you have been buying for years and suddenly, the company has decided to stop producing it.  A very frustrating predicament to be sure, but I have discovered at least one source that you can tap while looking for that now elusive cosmetic product. 

Estee Lauder has a program called Gone But Not Forgotten to help you reunite with your favorite products.  The program includes all of the cosmetic companies under the Estee Lauder umbrella, including: Bobbi Brown, MAC and Clinique.  You simply call (800) 216-7173 to initiate your search.  Good Luck!

 

 

Anna Sui “Target’s” Discount Consumers…

Photo: Anna Sui Fall 09’ Collection Style.com

It was announced yesterday that Detroit native, Anna Sui, will be producing a capsule collection for Target set to arrive in select stores from September 13th through October 17th.  Only one other designer, Alexander McQueen, has been asked to participate in Target’s Premiere “Designer Collaborations”.  As part of the collection, Sui was asked to identify a muse for the line:

“When I was in Asia last year, all the young girls kept asking me about the different locations in New York City where the characters from ‘Gossip Girl’ live,” Sui told WWD. “I liked the idea of creating a collection reflective of each characters’ style, sensibility and unique approach to fashion. By combining the elements of art, city, spirit, punk and glamour, we created a collection that exudes New York City fashion.”

 

 

Goth Vibrations…

Photo: Tokyo Premier Style

As silly and strange as it seems, there’s a new fashion muse in town and it’s dark.  The Japanese fashion movement called Goth Lolita or Goth Loli—which evolved from the Lolita fashion movement dating back to the 1970’s in Japan—is showing it’s influence in fall 09’s fashion line up.  According to WWD.com several designers including Rodarte and Givenchy have been “bitten” by the Goth bug.

Unlike the western interpretation of Goth, Japanese Goth Loli’s are more of a cartoon version of a teenage witch and a frilly doll.  

It’s certainly not my style, but now you have a reference point when you see a insurgence of the dark, immortal style.

 

Speaking of Being Bitten…

Ok this isn’t fashion related, but I feel the need to confess that I have been sucked in by the Twilight series.  I can’t help it, it’s like I’ve been bewitched!  I am not a big fan of vampire stories or anything associated with the genre—but I was at the library and it was sitting there—so I picked it up.

It has been 10 days and I have devoured three of the four, 500 page plus books and I am only 100 pages from completing the last 700 plus page book.  I know those of you who have read the series know what I mean when I say it has taken everything in me to tear myself away from the book.  Now that this post is complete, I am off to finish it off before my next appointment.  Don’t tell me what happens! 🙂

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How Was Your Weekend?

Not much to do with fashion today, just catching up…

Last Friday I attended my dad’s 60th birthday party.  It was a lot of fun and was nice to catch up with two of my cousins that I haven’t spoken to for some time.  One may think that a 60th birthday party would be a staid affair, but not this one.  I was amused as the night went on, how my dad and his best buddies broke into loud beer drinking songs—much like you would expect to hear at a fraternity party—several times that evening.

It’s interesting when you turn that corner in your relationship with your parents and you become more like a friend.  Sometimes it’s still a little shocking to see the adult side that was hidden from me as a child—like my dad’s secret passion for karaoke—which I think is hilarious.

Let’s see, what else can I report about the weekend?  I had planned on going shopping for something new to wear for my trip to Chicago this weekend, but we had a pretty strong storm on Saturday that even knocked out my cell service for awhile, so I stayed home.

Then, just when I had the perfect outfit picked out online for the trip,  I learned that the weather report predicts cold, rainy weather for the weekend in Chicago.  That’s so disappointing.  Now I need to regroup and find something relatively warm for a rainy weekend in the upper 50’s.  Boo-hoo!  I am hopeful that by some miracle, an unexpected warm front moves in instead.

The last time I went to see my girlfriend, I was caught in a terrible rainstorm after leaving the El train station.  Picture me with my hair all ready for a big night out, and the crazy wind is blowing my umbrella inside out—and my freshly salon styled hair with it.  This time, I am planning on getting ready when I arrive, rather than the other way around.

Oh, I also received my new gladiator jelly sandals that I won from Running With Heels on Friday.  They are very cute, and best of all—they fit! 

Just as an FYI, RWH is giving away a Clarisonic Skincare brush today, so you better hurry and leave a comment!

                                                                     Photo:  runningwithheels.com

Well, that’s about it for now.  I’ll talk to you again soon!

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Thanks For The Love !

Blogger Mizz J Sends Fashion Sensei An Award

I have just a few minutes to post today (I have a crazy busy day), but last week Mizz J from Being High Maintenance, Not Bitchy awarded me the I Love Your Blog award and I wanted to thank her.

To pay the love forward, I recommend you check out a few blogs that I love to read:

Coffeerama– A blog about my biggest vice—coffee.  I think I need another cup…

Ninu Nina– A new blog to hit my radar.  It’s about music, pop culture and my other biggest vice—fashion.

Running With Heels-  The hottest on-line magazine dedicated to shoes.

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

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Please refer to the Fashion Sensei Services page for more information on Wardrobe Styling Services in the Metro Detroit area or advertising opportunities.

Fashion Sensei Says…

 

Hi everyone, this very late edition of Fashion Sensei Says… comes with some fancy new fonts that I have been experimenting with.  I just discovered that there is a new edition to Windows Live Writer so I have been playing with some of the new features.

My apologies for the scarcity of posts.  I think the stomach virus’ that have been wreaking havoc in my household have finally subsided (fingers crossed).

 

Man Skirts?

The NY Times is blaming Marc Jacobs for the new skirt trend seen on Paris runways during Men’s Fashion Week.  Designers, including Number (N)ine, Comme des Garçons, Yohji Yamamoto, Jean-Paul Gaultier and Rick Owens- all had fellas strutting their stuff in skirts.  What no minis?  On second thought, I don’t want to see that either. [Photo Source: Vogue.com]

 

Silly Monkey…

(click on images for photo source and shopping info.)

Someone reportedly paid $2,025 on eBay for a pair of Naughty Monkey shoes that Sara Palin wore during her campaign for Vice President.  The shoes that regularly retail for $100 were sold by a person who identified herself as Palin’s niece.  As a bonus- the Alaskan Governor is supposed to sign the shoes too.  [the cut]

I did a little searching and found the exact same pair on Endless.com marked down to $86.90.  I mean if you want to be a Naughty Monkey, why not go for a pair of shoes like these?

I “Double Dare” you…

Check out more about Governor Palin on the cut, where they also report her $180k wardrobe has been stuffed away in garbage bags.

 

Forgive Me For Finding Humor In the Following Statement…

I was just reviewing a long list of press releases and this one struck me as funny: “L.L. Bean Recalls Ice Cleats Used During Winter Weather Due to Fall Hazard”  [PR Newswire]  Man that sucks.

 

This One’s Not So Funny…

“Vermont Teddy Bear’s Limited-Edition ‘Recession-Proof Love’ Bear Brings a Bit of Humor to this ‘Bear Market’ “  [PR Newswire]

There’s nothing humorous about losing 40% of your 401k’s value.  Nor would I want a broke bear to remind me of it.

 

 

 

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Apples & Pears Fashion Lesson #2

I will be starting a series of fashion lessons on body shape over the next several Friday’s.  This week, I will cover the Pear Shape.  A Pear Shape is sometimes defined as having a defined waist, curvy hips and rounded thighs. 

There can also be many variations.  Some women with a Pear Shape may have rounded shoulders and a smaller bust.  Consider that as the trade off for your amazing abs and tush!

When you have this shape, you want to be aware of a couple things.  Accentuate you assets and maintain proper proportion. First, you want to highlight  one of your biggest assets, your waistline. Wear belts, cinched dresses or jackets and even high waisted jeans.

Next, you want to make sure that you maintain proper proportion in your overall look.  We have all seen someone who is wearing a pair of painted on jeans or skirt that just makes their thighs look too big.  A prime example are the skinny jeans.  A big fashion trend, but not for Pear Shapes.  Another example for a Pear Shape don’t, are the high waisted tapered leg pants otherwise known as the “Mom Jeans”.

Opt for something that drapes from your thigh.  The wider the line horizontally, the more structured the material you need.  Here are some great examples of some flattering outfits for the Pear Shape.

 Outfit #1 (left) 

Here, I have an adorable jacket from Forever 21. This selection adds volume to the bust and the ruffled collar and sleeves adds dimension to the shoulder to camouflage a narrow shoulder.  It is also cinched at the waist to bring you in at your smallest point. 

The jeans are a trouser fit from the Gap.  This fit will create proper proportion with the wider cut.  The back pockets are flat.  As Pear Shaped gals know, you must be careful with back pockets.  A pocket with a flap will only add volume to an otherwise ample backside. 🙂 (I’m jealous, I am in the flat tush catergory)

Outfit #2 (right)

I have chosen a Boat Neck Sweater which will make your shoulders look wider with the horizontal line. There are also buttons on the shoulder of this sweater which adds to the effect. I have included a belt to cinch in the waist and the A line skirt will hide your thighs without adding bulk. It’s all in proportion.

I have added a pointy toe shoe to elongate the leg. If you have a thick ankle, be sure to avoid an ankle strap shoe.  You will only accentuate that area. 

I hope that this information is helpful. If you have a figure challenge that you would like me to write about, e-mail me at shopwithapplesandpears@comcast.net and I will include it in this series.  For more information on the items discussed in this post, please click on the Polyvore image.
Bad Fashion Photo Source: Glamour.com

Fashion Lesson #1

Ok, so it’s Friday and I thought it was time for our first .  In this first lesson, we will be going over undergarments.  Depending on where you come from, the names vary: knickers, panties or draws (leave a comment of your favorite term) and the most important being the bra.

We’ve all see those women who are either not wearing one or have had their ill fitting bra for the past 10 years.  I am here to wrestle that old bra away from you and convince you that those girls need your support!  Don’t ignore those loveys or soon gravity will have them staring sullenly at the ground.

So here’s my advice.  Go to your nearest professional bra fitter and get fitted.  I don’t mean Victoria’s Secret.  They have never done an accurate fit in my experience.  Go to someone who is certified to get the job done.  Each make and line of bra has their own fit and a store owner knows her product.  She can get you to the right style that will have you looking like a 19 year old pin up girl again.

Next, don’t ignore the knickers.  Unless you have the body of a goddess you need to keep certain areas sucked in.  Spanx are always a perfect go to to keep everything neatly tucked away.  If Spanx are not in the budget and lets face it at $22 to $46 a pop, it’s an investment.  Look a little harder the next time you are out and take the time to make sure that your undergarments leave a nice shape.  No one likes to see your butt cheeks hanging out and muffin tops under your clothes.

Finally, if you are wearing a form fitting dress, you MUST buy Shape wear.  Here is an example from the Spanx site and Nordstrom‘s live pic of the same item.  The advantage of this particular body shaper is that it also lifts your backside, but does not create a “uni-butt” where your lovely lady lump is one big flattened silhouette.

Slim Cognito Seamless Mid-Thigh Bodysuit

Remember all lessons require comments, so let me know your best stories.  Have a great weekend! 🙂