THE FASHION CLUB

Guess what my newest fashion adventure is??  A Fashion Club.  What is this you ask?  It is similar to a book club but with no obligation other than attending a meeting to learn about the style topic of the night.  Initially we will plan to meet bi-monthly.

I approached our local Talbots with my idea and volunteered to coordinate the meetings if they would provide the commentary.  The store manager was very enthusiastic and thought it was a unfilled niche in our area.  I suggested to the store's stylists that meeting topics could include pattern mixing, how to accessorize, dressing your body type and Fall 2012 fashion trends. I designed handouts (pink of course) for the check out counters explaining the Fashion Club, when our first meeting will  be (August 1, 2012 @ 6:30 pm) as well as sign up sheets so meeting reminders can be sent.  My hope is that the club will be not only a source of information about style and fashion but also an opportunity to meet other women who enjoy these topics and want to look their best.

MY LOVE AFFAIR

Did you think I would be revealing some juicy gossip about myself????  Hahaha...the only affair I am talking about is my love affair (some would say obsession) with fashion and style blogs. I spend (waste) hours each day looking through my favorites.  At the beginning of this love affair I would bookmark each blog I wanted to read.  However once BlogLovin.com came into my life I discovered a way to organize my favorite sites, see which blogs had new posts and divide them into categories  (decorating, specific stores, handbags) should I choose to do so.

Style blogs offer so many fun ideas.  I learn new ways to wear the clothes already in my closet.  In addition I have discovered color combinations I never would have thought of, different ways to accessorize, the list goes on and on.  It makes me happy to look at pretty things.

As I shared with you in an earlier post, I live in a small town with limited shopping options.  By following certain bloggers I find out when stores have new inventories, when sales are coming up, free shipping codes and many other ESSENTIAL and VITAL pieces of information for fashionistas everywhere.

Some of my favorite blogs are

Youlookfab.com

Effortlessanthropologie.blogspot.com

Fabulousafterforty.com

atlantic-pacific.blogspot.com

Brunchatsaks.blogspot.com

Anotheranthroblog.blogspot.com

cakeandvalley.blogspot.com

What blogs do you enjoy reading?

WHAT STORES SHOULD I SHOP AT? I AM ____YEARS OLD AND SIZE____

Wonder why I left the above spaces blank after age and size?  Because neither of these answers should dictate which stores you shop in.  It seems to me that women feel like if they are over a certain age or size there could never ever be anything in a store like Forever 21 or The Limited for them. I am telling you that is not at all true.  I do not visit these stores on a regular basis nor will they ever be my "go to" shopping favorites. However that said when you live in a small town with limited shopping options  like I do, you have to explore EVERYWHERE.  That means you at least cruise through the jewelry, accessories (look for evening bags that are used a few times a year or a neon belt) and trendy items like a  fun colored sheer blouse to go over a sleeveless top/dress. This is the same principle I apply to visiting stores like Chicos that are generally considered to be for the more "mature woman" ( which is probably my age range but definitely not my mind-set).  I would never EVER go to any store and buy a holiday sweater or capris with cute little animals on them  Again, it is never a waste of time to go in and check our store's merchandise.  I  recently purchased a beautiful turquoise necklace (looks very much like a piece from Anthropologie) as well as a versatile scalloped black sheath dress from Chicos.

My favorite store in the whole world is Anthropologie.  I LOVE their jewelry, household items, clothing, etc etc.  Are there a lot of items there that fit me in both actual size and lifestyle?  NO, there are not. That doesn't mean I don't go in to Anthropologie ever chance I get. I always find things I want and will eventually buy (those who know me well know that means when it goes on 2nd or 3rd cut depending on how much I love it).  Other stores I frequent are JCrew, Target and Talbots.

Ladies, let's put the FUN back in shopping-lets not shop where we think we should. Lets shop where our hearts are, stores that make us happy.

What are your favorite stores?