Archive for the ‘Style’ Category
Trying new things — for less
What’s Cracking Good — Trying new things at a discount
Thanks to the influx of local daily coupons to the Valley, I have tried several new yoga studios, gotten a discounted massage, eaten at one of my favorite fast-food Japanese joints and joined the Botanical Gardens for half-price.
I still have coupons for a class at Trapeze U (which I’m scared to try), a day of ice skating, and a trail ride.
I have friends who have used them for laser hair removal. I’m tempted to try one for a rock climbing wall if it comes up again.
Basically, these (usually) 24-hour coupons are a good catalyst to try something new, often at half the price.
I sign up for all I can and enjoy checking my email in the morning to see what opportunities await.
Am I missing any?
Pump up your outfit
What’s Cracking Good — Pump Up the Volume outfits
During a night out, a friend and I discovered that a younger companion had never seen a slew of ’80s and ’90s films so we compiled our quintessential slumber party movie list.
A selection from that list:
Girls Just Want to Have Fun
Heathers
Say Anything
Pump Up the Volume
My husband also had never seen the latter, so it went to the Netflix list. A few weeks later I got the email alert the DVD was on its way and started worrying that a movie about a 1990s pirate radio station for disgruntled high school students might not necessarily stand the test of time.
It did and didn’t.
Students tune into the radio show on their boom boxes. Christian Slater talks on a brick-sized portable phone. But the clothes, at least Samantha Mathis’ clothes, would still be cool now.
Here’s a sampling of her PUTV ensembles:
- Lightweight Wool Blazer, $98
- Sunnydale Dress, $74.99
- Floral Brooch, $24
- Combat Boot, $285
- Draped Collar Vest, $88
- Drop Waist Shirt Dress, $53.92
- Checked Tights, $51
Emmy fashion
Everyone interested in fashion has an opinion on red carpet styles — myself included.
I gave my opinion of Emmy Award bests and worst on my azcentral blog, Spinning Wheels, which includes (but is not exclusive to), these hideous heels worn by Rita Wilson.
Animals say cheese
What’s Cracking Good — Animal photos
I was half-heartedly browsing my Google Reader when Creature Comfort‘s link to The Animal Print Shop photos caught my attention.
Photos of farm animals, baby animals, hoofed animals, birds and reptiles taken against an all white background. Somehow the animals look natural and playful — like they might be in the middle of their natural habitat ready for their photo op.
The first day of class
Monday I attended my first day of classes.
What I wasn’t wearing: these outfits from Shopbop.
Are Shopbop’s main offices in Alaska?
As much as I like blazers, scarves and wooly skirts, I would probably collapse somewhere between the lightrail line and jellyfish net sculpture if I wore any of their suggested back-to-school items on my first day. I might, however, wear them around midterms.
Here is my idea of a good Arizona-friendly first-day outfit:
1.) Cocoa Powder Shorts, $39.99
Comfy, casual, cool.
2.) Ring of Desire, $12.99
Make a statement.
3.) Breezy Button-down, $38
Wear sleeves up or down, depending on the classroom A/C.
4.) Trouser Flat, $69
Comfortable shoes to traverse the campus.
5.) Double-studded Belt, $58
Pull it all together.
6.) Nuo Eco-Friendly Bag, $43.99
Keep organized with eco-friendly style.
The indispensable yellow cardigan
The single most worn item in my closet is a yellow cardigan (I actually have more than one).
3 seasons out of the year (she gets a break in winter), I probably wear a yellow cardigan — or have it in my purse — 3 or 4 days a week. Okay, maybe 5.
Yellow blends with just about every color — black, grey, browns, blues, greens, florals — which often don’t contain yellow — so I don’t look too matchy-matchy.
Ask anyone who knows me what my “signature” item would be — it’s likely they’d say a cardigan. I’d narrow it to a yellow one.
Currently my Delia’s-brand sweater is looking a little frail. I’m on the look-out for a new cardigan for the rotation. Here are a few possibilities:
1.) 3/4-sleeve Jersey Cardigan, $24.90
2.) School Uniform Cardigan Sweater, $38.50
3.) V-Neck Cardigan, $49.50
Note: For some ideas on wearing the pieces, check out azcentral.com’s “5 pieces for 10 days” challenge which includes, what else, a yellow cardigan.
Phoenix consignment: Poor Little Rich Girl
Poor Little Rich Girl (PLRG) a women’s-wear consignment store, is located right around the corner from my house.
I saw it go in several months ago, but didn’t give it much thought until a friend raved about it, “I got my new favorite dress for $8!”
With that ringing endorsement, it could no longer be ignored.
PLRG, located in the Sunbrite strip mall next to Luci’s and the old Richardson’s, specializes in casual clothing and accessories and carries brand names like DKNY, Ann Taylor, Brooks Brothers, and other popular, classic brands. The items are nearly new — don’t plan on selling your well-worn kicks and ratty clothing here.
The store is small, but well-organized. Shirts and sweaters are arranged by size along the wall. On the shelf above, shoes are lined from small to large. Hanging on the wall are some of the standout outfits and bags. Racks of dresses are scattered around the store. There are several areas dedicated to accessories: necklaces, bangles, flower pins, etc.
The prices are reasonable ($14 for a top or $24 for a dress) and their deals are a steal (blue tagged items are currently 75% off).
Put your clothes on consignment and get 40% of the sale price in cash or 50% in PLRG credit, which is good at both locations. Take a look at their list of acceptable items; they are currently only buying up fall items.
The best thing, since the store is consignment, there’s an ever-changing rotation of clothes. I plan on stopping by frequently.
Poor Little Rich Girl
1576 E Bethany Home Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85014
Open Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
OR
3730 E. Indian School Rd.
Phoenix, AZ
Open Monday – Friday from 1 – 8 p.m.
Saturday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday from 12 – 5 p.m.
Peeling back the years
What’s Cracking Good — Cheaper anti-aging solutions
During my sister’s visit, we cashed in a couple of Groupons for anti-aging facials — which revolved around a lactic acid mask.
“It was nice, but I can do something similar at home,” says my sister.
Say what?
“I got some professional-grade peels on Amazon,” continues sister, “I just brush it on for a few minutes.” My sister is in her 30s and has been a smoker for probably 15 years — yet has beautiful skin.
“Tell me more…”
Here are the products she uses:
- Glycolic Acid 35% Gel Peel, 30ml (Professional)
, $18.95
- Salicylic Acid 20% Gel Peel, 30ml (Professional)
, $18.95
- Neutralizer skin pH balancer, $10
- Glycolic Fan Brush
, $3.99
Here are the steps she takes:
Step 1: Wash face with a regular cleanser and blot dry.
Step 2: Pour a bit of the glycolic or salycitic peel (or whichever you choose. Look at reader comments) into a shot glass. Dip the fan brush and start putting a thin layer over your cheeks, nose, chin and forehead.
KEEP AWAY FROM THE LIPS! This is a lesson my sister assures me you don’t want to learn on your own.
Step 3: Wait about 2 or 3 minutes.
Step 4: Sweep a cotton pad with neutralizer across your whole face.
Step 5: Wash your face thoroughly and reapply neutralizer (just to make sure you stop it from working).
Her tips:
- If you feel burning — STOP, apply neutralizer, wash your face and neutralize again.
- Don’t go too strong. My sister uses between 20 and 30% strength. She tried a higher (50%) — and immediately felt her skin burning. If that happens, STOP.
Note: Neither my sister nor I are anything close to dermatologists. It would probably be wise to read all the reviews on Amazon, and test an area before trying your whole face. If you want to be really careful — talk to someone who knows about this stuff.
Relief for my iPhone?
What’s Cracking Good — Giant iPhone cases
It has undergone 5 different surgeries in its brief, but climactic lifetime.
My husband performed the first surgery to replace the screen after I dropped my phone at the post office. He sweated and cursed while watching a YouTube video on repeat. It was nerve-wracking, but it worked — except he forgot to reconnect the camera.
The second time he opened her up was after the phone fell out of my pocket and into a bucket of water. He unscrewed, blow-dried, re-fastened, and re-hooked the camera. iPhone good as new!
The third surgery occurred after I dropped my phone face-down on a concrete floor and it failed to turn on. By now, performing surgery is old hat to my husband.
The fourth and fifth operations were performed after my phone fell out of my purse and hit a tile floor when I bent down to pet a dog. These final surgeries have taken a toll on poor, abused iPhone.
Currently, I have to use headphones to hear incoming calls and the keypad works about 40% of the time.
At first, when hearing my iPhone travails people would marvel at the luck, the skill of my husband. Now I just get dumbfounded looks and an occasional, “What’s wrong with you?” or “You need a better iPhone case.”
I DO need a better case. I’m thinking of something along the lines of a hollowed out Nerf ball. Then my husband alerted me to something better: The Arkwhat Hippo case.
Headwear is looking Rosie
I’m a sucker for a cool hat. A well-fashioned scarf — well that works, too.
Visit the Arizona Costume Institute’s “Are you a Rosie?” event and learn to make a headdress in the vein of Rosie the Riveter (see right) — or get inspired by the current 1940′s-era displays in the In the Mood exhibition at Phoenix Art Museum.
The event is free and materials are provided — all you need to bring is a little creativity and a willingness to learn about the history of fashion.
Phoenix Art Museum
1625 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85004-1685
Free to the public
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
