Nov 25

We all love getting gift cards because then we can pick what we like but what happens when the store you have the card for will no longer honor it or the store itself is out of business? You lose your money.
Best advice in these times is: Watch those store money cards and gift cards.. and credit vouchers!
My new policy for this past year was to spend them as soon as I got them as you may forget about them, some have expiration dates, charges for every month not used, etc.
Now a new challenge: stores closing down or stores in financial trouble that may close down in the future.
Take note: The stores below have informed the Security Exchange of closing plans between October 2008 and January 2009.
Check your wallets, old birthday cards, etc for gift cards to spend NOW- the holidays with their sales are a great time to get more bang for your buck.
Take particular notice of those stores that are shutting down ALL stores or all REMAINING STORES= out of business completely.
PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO ALL YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. (copy and forward this link)
http://www.clothesandmakeup.com so they can read this too.
Circuit City stores- closing 155 stores nationally
Ann Taylor- 117 stores nationwide are to be shuttered
Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug ,and Catherine’s to close 150 store nationwide
Eddie Bauer to close stores 27 stores and more after January
Cache will close all stores
Talbots closing down all stores
J. Jill closing all stores
GAP closing 85 stores
Footlocker closing 140 stores more to close after January
Wickes Furniture closing down all stores
Levitz closing down remaining stores
Bombay closing remaining stores
Zales closing down 82 stores and 105 after January..
Whitehall closing all stores
Piercing Pagoda closing all stores
Disney closing 98 stores and will close more after January.
Home Depot closing 15 stores 1 in NJ (New Brunswick)
Macys to close 9 stores after January
Linens and Things closing all stores
Movie Galley Closing all stores
Pacific Sunware closing stores
Pep Boys Closing 33 stores
Sprint/ Nextel closing 133 stores
JC Penney closing a number of stores after January
Ethan Allen closing down 12 stores.
Wilson Leather closing down all stores
Sharper Image closing down all stores (Some stores have offered to give discounts to those holding Sharper Image gift cards, i.e. Aerus Corp (www.aerusonline.com) is offering customers 50% off their purchase up to $200. in savings no matter how much the gift card was for- they make vaccum cleaners)
K B Toys closing 356 stores
Loews to close down some stores
Dillard’s to close some stores.
PLEASE PASS IT ON (Copy and paste) http://www.clothesandmakeup.com
Tags: list of stores closing, store closings, use gift cards, worthless gift cards
Nov 13
Fashion Trends- Tunics- Here is a short video on why Tunics are hot right now and versitile.
Tags: fashion, tunics, winter fashion
Nov 01
By Suze Yalof Schwartz
With our current economic situation, and hearing the word “recession” every other minute, I decided I needed to chill on my spending, BIG TIME. With that, I’ve been looking for a way to inexpensively rework my wardrobe and yesterday, I enlisted help from my friend and talented celebrity stylist, Inge Fonteyne. She has worked with some of the best in the business—from Catherine Zeta Jones to Sarah Jessica Parker. While she was helping me out how to make the most of what I already have, she revealed some of her favorite tricks–here’s a few I think you’ll love!
1. Shop your closet.
Take absolutely everything out of your closet, put it on a rolling rack (or a shower rod!) and turn your bedroom into a store-like space. (Except in this one, everything–should–fit you!). Line up your shoes, bags, and belts on your floor. Look over everything carefully, as you would when shopping, and if you like something, keep it. If you don’t, it doesn’t go back in the closet.
2. Don’t keep clothes just because you feel sorry for them.
My closet is filled with pieces that sadly, I love, but never wear. It is those pieces that end up clouding my view of the great stuff, and, unfortunately for them, it’s time to say bye-bye. Think of it this way: When going on vacation, you only end up packing things you absolutely love. Wouldn’t you like your whole closet to be like that?
3. Find your own most-flattering length and tailor, tailor, tailor.
I’m short, so usually, anything below the knee that doesn’t hit the floor makes me look even shorter. I ended up making a huge “to be hemmed” pile and went directly to the tailor. Not only will you look fantastic, but everything that’s been sitting in your closet because it didn’t fit right, is now brand new and ready to wear!
4. Edit your jewelry.
Dump your jewelry (yes, all of it) out of its boxes onto the floor. You’re eyes will be opened to so many pieces that you’ve been hiding from yourself! Edit, and start piling it on!
5. Sometimes it takes a fresh eye to get you out of a style rut.
Yes, I know, not everyone has a celebrity-stylist friend like Inge. But, everyone has at least one friend with great style! So, ask your stylish pal to come over, and help you put together outfits using what’s in your closet (also a great excuse to get together!). I guarantee she’ll show you combinations you never thought of before. In my case, Inge had me belting everything, layering full blouses under my shift dresses, and adding textured tights and ankle boots to transform something ho-hum into something amazing!
Tags: fashion, fashion budget, rework wardrobe, save money on fashion