book review and giveaway: shoo, jimmy choo!

I was asked to review another "fashion related" book:

SHOO, Jimmy Choo!
The Modern Girl's Guide to Spending Less and Saving More
by Catey Hill.

While at first it might look like a book focusing on fashion advice, SHOO, Jimmy Choo! is actually a very "fun to read" personal finance book, that focuses on young female readers (about 25 years old) with a passion (problem) for spending.

I have read many personal finance books from big financial gurus like Suze Orman and Peter Lynch, and at first I was worried that I was going to get bored reading yet another personal finance 101 book.

Fortunately, Catey Hill approached the sometimes dry subject with a fun attitude and while I was familiar with most of the content, it was still interesting to read and at times it even made me chuckle (financial books are not usually a laughing matter).

Chapter by chapter, SHOO, Jimmy Choo! delves deeper and deeper into each of life's sectors, by first analyzing it and then providing the necessary suggestions that will help a person achieve financial freedom.

The first chapters guide you in understanding what is your spending style (shopping personality). You can take your pick between Impulsive Spender, Compulsive Spender, Social Spender... I am an Emotional Spender, meaning I am more likely to spend if I am happy or sad.

After you've recognized your weakness, the author then suggests ways to overcome your spending triggers. For example, among tips for the Emotional Spenders are:

1) If you are feeling down/happy/whatever your trigger emotion is, don't take your credit card with you, just bring limited cash.

and

2) Try an activity that will make you feel better (or that you'll enjoy), but that won't put a dent in your finances. Go for a run, take a walk with your girlfriends, lay out in the park, or rent a movie.

And then the book turns into a full-fledged personal finance introduction book, with advice on how to set up a budget, how to tackle your debt and how to use your credit card wisely.

It also touches subjects like how to save and invest your money, how to manage student loans, what kind of insurance you need, how to advance in your career, interesting facts about taxes and tips for financially sound relationships.

The two chapters that I really enjoyed were, ironically, the ones focused on buying: buying a car and buying a house. Here Catey Hill gives out excellent and specific advice on what kind of research one needs to do:

1) To look up the dealer invoice price for the car you want, visit Edmunds.com
2) If you are buying a used car, visit kbb.com and look up the value of the used car

and

3) To compare mortgage interest rates in your area, check out the Mortgage section at Bankrate.com

The only fault I've found in SHOO, Jimmy Choo! is that at times it can be repetitive, but considering that it is geared towards readers new to the subject, it makes sense that the author wants to make sure that each new lesson sticks before moving on to the next one.

Is this book for you?
If you still are in your 20s and you don't know much about personal finance and want to learn, yes! If you are in your 30s or older, some of the book's advice won't apply to you, but you could still benefit from most of it.

How to win a copy of this book:
For a chance to win a copy of SHOO, Jimmy Choo! leave a comment on this post with your financial reason for needing/wanting this book, by Monday, February 1st, 2010. I will pick a random winner on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010. US addresses only. Good Luck!

For more information, and to enter the $500 Shoo, Jimmy Choo! Shopping Spree Sweepstakes, visit www.ShooJimmyChoo.com. You can also follow Catey Hill on Twitter @cateyhill

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And the winner is... Victoria! Congratulations! :)
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shop gorjana today

Go to gorjana.com
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an update from taryn

Here is a great update from Taryn, our reader featured on the how to be more fashionable post:

"Browsing around my closet last night, I've come to the conclusion that I have 10 million pairs of jeans, and I wear only four. I also have a few pairs of leggings that if I wore them 3 times that's plenty.

Today I decided to wear boots to work. I don't typically wear them to work because I didn't know what others would think. I went with your advice and wore the boots. These boots are so great I would wear them all the time. Very comfy, and are the ones you tuck in your jeans. As I walked in the door, I felt very uncomfortable. I sat at my desk and begin the workday. I received massive amounts of compliments! Not only on how great had I looked, but also on the boots!

I also started to save photos from chictopia and other sites for fashion inspiration. I am starting to see what kind of style I really like.

I have a few pieces that are considered "trendy". I think part of it has to do with the insecurity issue and dealing with other people's opinions.

And like you said, it won't be an overnight thing, but I already feel like I accomplished something :)

Thanks!!!!!!

Taryn"

ann taylor: spring 2010

Once again, I find myself in love with Ann Taylor's new collection. I love their put-together looks and they feel perfect for the office (a little less for running around the house with the baby).

Their prices are a bit on the expensive side, especially if you try to buy a whole outfit, but they are still so much cheaper than designer stuff.

These are some pictures of their windows I took this weekend, because I wanted to make sure I remembered which pieces I want to buy:





What about you? Are you in love with any particular name brand this Spring time?

necessary surgery vs elective surgery

I want to apologize for being missing in action, but last Sunday I ended up in the hospital and had to have surgery to correct a stupid incarcerated hernia.

What I hated more than the surgery was being away from my little baby for two long nights. :(

I wasn't happy at all, but I had no choice.

Being in the hospital is always an eye opener for me and it makes me realize how lucky we are for every day we spend "outside" of such sad place.

Maybe I am just a pansy, but the whole "anesthesia, being cut and then the recovery time" deal is just not for me. I would pay millions (if I had them) to avoid surgery.

And then I read about Heidi Montag, and I wonder...

... how much must you be unhappy with yourself for doing something like this?

Article from the Huffington Post talks about the 10 plastic surgery procedures she underwent all at once!
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reader's question: how to be more fashionable

Dear NY Spender,

I am looking to try new fashion trends. I was always one not to try a few just because I wonder what people will think of me.

This town I live in isn’t exactly about “fashion”. It’s a very small town, and you see plenty people in sweats and jeans. So I guess out of habit, I start dressing like that as well. If someone in my town would attempt to dress “fashionable”, they would get those “are-you-crazy” looks. I do not want to dress in sweats and jeans all the time! I want to dress like these people here:

http://www.chictopia.com/browse/people

Nothing makes me more confident than feeling “put together”.

There are a ton of real people out there with great fashion sense (you included!) I want to be open to these fashion trends.

However, I get overwhelmed and don’t know where to start. I tend to buy different pieces sporadically, but never wear them because, well, I don’t know how to wear them or what to pair them with!

What advice would you have for a person (like myself) trying to re-do her closet and get into all these latest fashion trends?

Thanks!!!!!

Taryn

Dear Taryn,

you don't specify your age (I am guessing it can be anywhere from 12 to 30 years old), but one thing is for sure: it's never too late to start dressing up the way it makes you comfortable and that makes you feel "put together". Just don't waste anymore time on it, start today!

Also, stop wasting money on things you don't wear, and stop caring about what people think about you.

If you want to be fashionable, especially in a town where nobody is fashionable, then you have to be ready to have all eyes on you. And you have to learn to enjoy that feeling.

If you start dressing up with style, wearing nicely put together outfits, showing off all your charm and "I-can't-help-it-I-am-so-fashionable" attitude, yes, maybe you'll initially get the "are you crazy" stares, but soon enough, inevitably, those stares are going to turn into secret admiration from all the other girls in town. I promise.

I come from a town similar but opposite of yours, a small Italian town where everybody dressed up all the time! Where people would iron their jeans. Where the only people wearing sweats and sneakers were the PE teachers. Where you would always wear a new outfit on Sundays! Everybody judging everybody.

So I understand what is like in towns like these.

But I would have loved a town like yours! You have it easy! Without much effort, you should be able to rise above all of them, and, who knows? Maybe start something?

Maybe you could be the girl that brings winds of fashion change! Maybe you'll become the girl that other girls will look up to for inspiration...

So where do you begin? Let me step-it-out for you:

1) You need inspiration and you need to be informed. Fashion education is vital. Get it from the internet, on websites like chictopia, and browse fashion magazines at the bookstore. Get a good idea of what you like and figure out your style.

2) Compare this new style and your closet. Make necessary adjustments. Clean up your closet of the things you know you don't want to wear, and that don't fit in with your new style.

3) Until you become more experienced buying separates, try buying entire outfits right off the mannequins. If you see a look you like in a clothing store, study the mannequin and see if you already have any of the pieces at home. Then buy what you are missing. Lots of clothing websites have "look ideas" and "shop the outfit" options that put the look together for you.

Martin + Osa - Bebe - Ann Taylor - Forever 21 - NY&Co

4) Keep reading NY Spender! ;)

Your style and your confidence won't show up overnight, these are things that need to be built and worked on everyday, but with time and patience, you will blossom into the most fashionable girl in town. I just know it.

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Update: an email from Taryn describing her first fashion accomplishments. :)
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shop abercrombie for the cutest things

I know Abercrombie can be expensive and most of the time I only fit in their XL sizes, but I still like it!

I don't feel fat buying the XL sweater because I understand that the person that came up with their sizing charts is a weirdo and doesn't want to sell to anybody that's bigger than a size 4. But. I still like A&F.

I understand that they exploit a little these young kids by plastering them naked all over the store, especially the boys, and also they promote this image of A&F people that is sooooo not what I look like. But I still buy their clothes.

I mean why let any of it bother me? At the end of the day I look good in their clothes and they feel very comfortable as well. For all I care, A&F could stop any advertising campaign, change their sizes to "squirrel", "cat" and "elephant" and I would still buy the pants in the elephant size.

I guess these mind games don't work with me.

What works with me is these cute tops!

And the fact that a lot of their stuff is on sale right now.

Go check it out for yourself, Abercrombie, and don't worry about the elephant sizes, it's not us the fat ones, it's them the malnourished ones! ;)

this is a bit unusual, but still a giveaway: furniture

To read rules and enter the giveaway, please visit Layla Grayce's blog

chanel advertising doesn't convince me

I love this advertising!

"It's a lifting, firming and smoothing fluid makeup, that helps your skin firmly resist the look of aging."

The model on the ad is Natalia Vodianova, supermodel extraordinaire.

Her date of birth is 02/28/1982.

And that is the only reason why her skin looks flawless: because she is 27!

Shouldn't they target an older crowd when trying to sell a firming product?

Why the 27 year old model?

Her face doesn't look so young because she is using the cream... it looks so young because it is!

Nope, I'm not sold on this cream (I want a "much" older model)...

and the winner of the Saltbox giveaway is...

Naghma!!!

Congratulations! :)

If you didn't win, don't despair! Saltbox runs a Monthly Drawing, to learn more about it check out Saltbox blog

weekend beauty reads

For this week’s best in Sass, Style and Substance beauty and fashion news!

• Raging Rouge
  Raging Rouge wonders: what are the best bangs for your face shape?


• Bags, Bling & Beauty
  B,B&B profusely thanks Nine West for solving her shopping conundrum!

• Beauty Match
  Sexy Celebs over 35 with short hair.


• Splendicity Accessories
  It's cold and snowy out there, but we need to have some fun, so let's go shopping for spring shoes!


• STYLEnosh
  Re-think your approach to getting dressed this year.


• A Touch of Blusher
  A Touch of Blusher reviews StellaNude by Stella McCartney.

a happy trench coat for a change

Is it just me, or trench coats have a tendency to be boring?

I understand they have to deal with gray and rainy weather, and that can put a damper on anybody, but c'mon!

Why is the standard color for trench coats tan? Or khaki if you prefer. Why this non-color preference?

Do you know what happens when I wear a khaki trench coat? Thanks to my pale complexion, I disappear!

So what are my other options if I want to buy a trench coat? Bright yellow! Oh, yes, that's much better!

Sure, there is always the safe bet of a black trench coat, but where is the fun in that?

Considering we think about buying a trench coat for Spring time, and considering it is supposed to mark the end of the cold Winter months and the much anticipated return of fun Spring that will then lead to the happy Summer, then I believe the trench coat should be more representative of this transition, and should come in much happier colors than khaki.

Like this one from Bebe.

Why does it have to be so difficult finding a colorful (and tasteful) trench coat?

So far this is my favorite one, only because it is the only one I've found in such delicate and pretty colors, and at the great price of $79.00!

Anybody out there know of any other pretty ones?
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why didn't i know about this athleta store?

As we all already know, GAP, Old Navy and Banana Republic are all part of the GAP family, and recently (end of 2006) Piperlime was added to the bunch.

If you go to Gap.com you can buy from any of these stores (each has its own tab at the top of the page) and pay one flat shipping fee.

But not too long ago, I noticed another tab next to all the other ones, Athleta.

What is this Athleta? I wondered. And so I started browsing it.

What a pretty sport apparel site for women!

After a bit more research I found out that Athleta was a women’s active apparel company based in Petaluma, California that Gap bought last year.

And what better time than the beginning of a new year to get motivated into action by browsing all the pretty outfits you can wear while exercising?

They carry a whole selection of stylish sport apparel, you can sort the clothes by sport, and they also have outfits ideas that help you put together a pretty look.

From the Yoga section, for example, I like this outfit (and the pose, too).

So I have the option to buy the top, the pants, the pants in a different length and even the headband.

Unfortunately, her flexibility is not for sale!














I don't ski, but this outfit makes me want to!

I have been trying to find a way/reason/excuse to wear something like this, so that I can buy this outfit.

It's so cute (and geeky, I know!) I love it!

Maybe as a pajama???














I really like their bathing suits, very colorful and pretty.

Take a look for yourself, Athleta, buy something, and start getting in shape! ;)

saltbox accessories giveaway

I was recently introduced to Saltbox Accessories, a line of canvas totes, bags and accessories with an interesting background story: before turning to totes Saltbox was originally a "fashionable shower curtains" business.

It didn't take Nicole (the founder) long before she started using her beautiful patterns on bags and various accessories, and fortunately for us she did!

I mean why keep such beauty in the bathroom!?!?

The line includes so many different styles and patterns that it is impossible for me to list them all here, but I can show you some of my favorites:

The tote in their classic basketweave pattern

Totes come in large and small sizes and in so many different and vibrant colors, from this juicy berry to orange to lime.

They are made of heavy weight canvas that is also water and stain resistant.






The Day Bag

The day bag is a little fancier than the tote, in that it has more faux leather and brass details.

This day bag on the left is in the squash basketweave pattern.

The basketweave pattern is the classic Saltbox pattern, but there are also many other patterns.




The Carryall

This carryall bag, for example, is shown in a plaid pattern, and comes with a detachable shoulder strap.












The Travel Bag

As you can see, size is not a problem with Saltbox, and if you need something big for your travel needs they've got you covered!


The travel bag is sturdy and big and stylish all at the same time!

Finally, they have smaller goodies, like wallets and cosmetic bags.










And here is your chance to win two of their products!

Up for grabs are a medallion large tote in sorbet and a basketweave cosmetic bag in berry! If you win, you get them both!


To enter the giveaway, send an email to info@saltboxnyc.com with NY SPENDER in the subject line. Giveaway ends Sunday, January 10th 2010 at midnight EST. A random winner will be announced here on NY Spender on Monday. Good Luck!

If you want to know more about Saltbox Accessories, you can read their blog or follow them on Twitter!
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ringing in the new year with two new products

As part of my resolution to start taking better care of my "new mom self", and thanks to some Christmas gift certificates, I recently bought myself two products I've been wanting to try:

Nars Makeup Primer

The last decade saw many beauty breakthroughs, and one of my favorite ones was the makeup primer.

Some women don't really need a primer, as their skin is perfectly hydrated and flawless. Some other women like me were jumping from joy the day they discovered primers on the beauty market!
See my skin is far from flawless and with age is only getting worse, thanks to dryness and blotchiness.

What a primer does is create a first invisible layer between your skin and makeup (usually the foundation). This layer makes your skin softer and silkier than what your skin would feel like without the primer. And the makeup goes on more evenly and nobody will ever be able to tell that you're wearing a primer.

Since the first introduction of face primers, they have come up with some other primers a bit more useless in my opinion, like eyeshadow primer, eyelashes primer, and lip primer.

I don't think I would care much about these other primers, but I will always use a face primer.

The first primer that made beauty history and that is still a best seller is the Smashbox face primer and it was the first and only primer I had ever used. It works great as it leaves a silicone-like film on your face making it feel so smooth to the touch.

I ran into a problem with it when I switched my foundation from Clinique to Chanel. The Smashbox primer seemed to clash with the Chanel foundation, meaning it would make it clump.
So I stopped using the primer and eventually I stopped using the Chanel foundation too, as it was crazy expensive.

For a while I haven't used a primer (especially while I was pregnant, I stopped using a lot of products, but now I feel I can start using them again).

But thanks to the holidays I had a gift certificate that I could spend on beauty products and I decided to try a different primer: Nars.

I was happy to discover that it is a better match for me since it's not a silicone film but more of a light moisturizer that creates that smooth barrier without feeling too "silicony". And it's supposed to be good for your skin too, plus it has SPF. And it works great with my L'Oreal foundation! I feel this is the beginning of a long relationship with NARS' primer...

Soft Clean Moisture Rich Foaming Cleanser (Dry Skin)

The second product I bought, and that I'm loving so far, is this Soft Clean cleanser from Estee Lauder.

It's a moisturizer slash cleanser that you use to take off makeup.

And while the instructions say to apply and then take off with tissues, so that the moisture will stay on your skin, I find that I wouldn't feel clean like that, so I rinse it off with water, and it still leaves my skin pretty hydrated!

What I also love about it is the scent. It smells so good. It makes me look forward to using it at night before going to bed, and I can use the motivation factor.

So far 2010 is looking, and smelling, pretty good on the makeup front! :)
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