Tip #120: How to Whiten Discolored Nails

Cut a lemon in half and rub on your nails for up to 7 minutes. 

The acidity will help remove any yellow tint.

Tip #119: Every Target Customer should know THIS!!

Target's mark down schedule...

MONDAY:    Kids’ Clothing, Stationery (office supplies, gift wrap), Electronics

TUESDAY:   Women’s Clothing and Domestics

WEDNESDAY:  Men’s Clothing, Toys, Health and Beauty

THURSDAY:   Lingerie, Shoes, Housewares

FRIDAY:   Cosmetics

If the price ends in 8, it will be marked down again. If it ends in a 4, it's the lowest it will be!!

Tip #118: TopCashBack.com!

I did some research to make sure I was getting the most out of my rebate sites and found this site that seems to outdo most others in the % cash back department.

www.topcashback.com offers:

Kohl's = 6.5%

Groupon = 15.5% first purchase. 5% after.

Restaurant.com = 31%

BJ's = 3%

The Groupon cash back is HUGE for me.  For example, I bought a Memory Foam bed topper for my daughters old full mattress for $119.  With the 15.5% cash back, it was actually $100.

Use this link to join!

www.topcashback.com

Tip #117: DSW Discount + Discount + Free Shipping + 7% Cash Back

I had a $20 off $49 purchase offer from DSW in my In Box.... apparently they "missed me".  I like being "missed"... it equals savings :)  So, I went shopping....

Of course, I went to www.ShopatHome.com first to get my 7% cash back and see what OTHER coupons were available because DSW.com STACKS coupon codes!!

Look at how I got 2 pair of boots for $52.37 + 7% cash back ($2.75) or 2 pair of boots for less than $50 by stacking 3 coupon codes and a certificate.

Tip #116: Neon is BACK

Growing up in the 80's, I wore neon.  Yes, I admit it.  Looking back at pictures, I swore I would never wear it again....

Yet - here it is...  thankfully, neon as 'a pop of color' is in... NOT neon from head-to-toe :)  (thanks to the Mom at MOPS in Ashburn for pointing out this new trend!!)

Pair neon accessories with colorful print dresses in saturated colors (sunny yellow, bright blue, for example).  These shades compliment, but don't compete with, neons.  Or brighten up a white shirt with a neon pink clutch.

BEWARE... a little bright goes a long way!!! Don't wear more than 2 (MAX) neon colors together.  More than 2 and you should go back to the 80's.

Tip #115: Defining the term 'Body Type'

If you like your body shape, congratulations - you are in the minority :) 

Whether you like your body or not, if you understand what your current shape and proportions are and know a few style guidelines for your shape you are well on your way to looking your best.

So, what does 'Body Type' mean?  It is a combination of many factors...

• Your Vertical Body Shape
• Your Horizontal Body Shape
• Your Face Shape
• Your Weight
• Your Height
• Your Bone structure
• Your shoulder size and angle
• Your neck length and circumference
• Your Age
• Any figure flaws such as a large bottom, a large stomach, or saddle bags

I know... sounds complicated.  God made everyone wonderfully unique. Remember - there are no 2 snowflakes the same, but each one is beautiful.

P.S. If you live in the Northern Virginia area, my services include Style Assessments (Body Typing + Color Analysis) for $30.  You take away a personal Color Book and a personal What to Wear (and Not) List.

Tip #114: 2012 Handbag/Purse Trend

Thank you to the Anonymous question from a reader... she asks "Any tips on bags/purses for Spring?!" 

GREAT QUESTION!!

Handbags, purses and clutches are accessories that can be used to appropriately enhance your wardrobe. For example, a zebra print handbag looks best against a toned down outfit and may clash with other animal prints or colors you're wearing. Similarly, an elegant satin clutch doesn't pair well with a hobo-chic ensemble donned while errand-running.

With the following trendy bags for 2012,  any woman will have a bag that will fit her requirements...

Color Blocked Satchels
A satchel is a handbag that's carried on the shoulder. It typically has a flap, sometimes secured with a clasp, other times with a buckle. The satchel silhouette is pretty classic in terms of purses and handbags, which makes a color blocked satchel new and interesting. It's the juxtaposition of archetypal form with flashy, unexpected color combinations that makes this handbag trend a must-follow for spring 2012.

Western Cross Body Bags
Last year's Western trend continues thriving in the fashion world. Throughout spring 2012, you'll continue to find a plethora of cowboy-chic apparel and accessories, including always smart cross body bag. From leather bags with funky inlay designs to colorful, intricate beading to the stud-adorned variety, you shouldn't have a problem finding something that fits seamlessly into your current wardrobe. FYI: Cross Body bags get their name because of their long straps, which cross over the chest and allow the bag to hang around your waist or hips.

Pastel Clutches
The feminine among us shall now rejoice, for pastels and lace are a mega "do" for spring 2012. The more ice cream and Easter-inspired the hue, the better. Think sherbet orange, minty green, cool gray, bubblegum pink and soft, butter yellows. Don't be afraid to layer the pastels, either. Designers didn't shy away from pairing and overlapping pastels with other pastels on the spring 2012 runway.

Printed Bags
Some seasons, prints just don't seem to pair well with on-trend apparel. The clean palette of spring 2012, on the other hand, lends itself very well to big, boisterous, look-at-me-prints adorning handbags, clutches, wristlets and coin purses. For example, the Dolce & Gabban's spring 2012 collection showcased bags with unexpected prints, including bags with onions and other foods. Fendi's spring 2012 collection also showcased modern, abstract prints that popped against clean ensembles. From floral to polka dot to abstract and beyond, printed bags will spice up any outfit.

Colors
The hottest trend for handbags is a flood of colors; bold, bright colors. The color trend broadens to include not only solid colors but a combination of bold colors in one handbag. Colors and animal prints are also seen in sync in some fantastic combinations.

Vintage handbags
Another hot handbag trend for 2012 are vintage handbags or handbags inspired by handbags popular in the 60s, 70s and 80s. This includes shoulder bags, clutch bags and top handle satchels, three of the most foremost handbags of those decades. But one thing noticeable about the shoulder bags for 2011 is the length of the straps. If in years past, shoulder bags were designed to fit right under the armpit, the 2012 shoulder bag has longer straps. In fact the straps are long enough to reach the hip and can even be used to cross the body.

Hobo bags
A big handbag trend for 2012 is the hobo bag. A hobo bag is typically large and crescent shaped with a long strap designed to be worn over the shoulder. Hobo bags for 2012 come in a wide array of colors and patterns with plenty of decorative features such as buckles, outside and inside pockets and even matching wallets. They are also made out of a wide range of materials, from the very elegant leather and suede to the more casual vinyl. Hobo handbags are the ideal handbags for women who are always on the go and needs a roomy bag for all the items she needs for her busy life.

Tip #113: GO SHOPPING!!

I am so very sorry for my lack of posts over the last month. 

My excuse? A vacation to Cancun, my 40th birthday and lots of shopping :) 

So, if there is one tip I can give to you right now....

GO SHOP CLEARANCE!!! 

The deals in stores right now can be amazing, with winter clothing at up to 90% off.  You may have to dig, but it is worth it :)

Tip #112: Is it Dicky, Dickey or Dickie?

Are you wondering what the heck I am talking about?!?!?

Ever wonder how people where a sweater and a white shirt without seeing the bulk of the shirt underneath?  Yes, that's right.... a Dickey!

I was watching the Nate Berkus show today at the gym and saw this fashion tip (from the Fashion Editor at Glamour)... Apperently, a Dickie (also spelled Dicky or Dickey) is the next big thing. 

According to Wikipedia....  Dickey is a type of false shirt. Cloth dickeys simulate many different styles, some often seen examples include dress shirt front and collar, formal frilled shirt front (popular in the mid seventies with powder blue tuxedos) and most commonly in modern times as false sweater fronts. Cloth dickeys can simply be a cut-off collar and/or front of a dress shirt.

So, I did an internet search on Dicky (and Dickey and Dickie.  'Dickie' is also a brand, so be careful.)  It was hard to find them!!! Apparently, Glamour says this is a fashion tip, but the 'popular' stores have not picked up on it yet! 

I found some collared dicky's at http://www.wdrake.com/WalterDrake for $10.   http://www.countrystorecatalog.com/ has them for $6.99.  They don't have a top collar button though and I can't speak to the quality of these products. 

Maybe Hip Bargain Chick (and Glamour :)) has found the new 'it' thing and we will soon see them everywhere in the stores!!!... Or maybe not.... I will be buying one :)