Random musings

Bargainista’s new year resolutions

1. Learn to sew. After all, those designer jeans are no bargain at all if they sit in your wardrobe for months waiting to be taken up.
2. Stop being such a wuss about haggling. Everyone’s at it these days - the salespeople expect it.
3. Read the care labels and wash accordingly.
4. Invest in rainwear. If we’re talking cost per wear, a great trench is worth all last summer’s unworn maxi dresses put together.
5. Start saving. You want those McQueen heels by May? Better sacrifice that morning latte then.

I am so excited; I think I’ve discovered a positive twist in these tricky financial times. I am eating less! It looks like Grazia has backed up my findings with their recent survey uncovering the “Recessionista”.
Although half of the women surveyed are cutting back on their spending habits with that 20% of us are cutting back our weekly food shop. Credit crunch, the new weight loss program without the milkshakes! 83% of us are still shopping for clothes, accessories and beauty products at least once a week and who wouldn’t swap meals for the deals you can find on our site!
Spend a few pounds - lose a few pounds - the bargainista need not go hungry.

What’s hot and what’s not, bargainista style

Fabulously frugal: Michelle Obama

The subject of Sarah Palin and her $150,000 wardrobe must surely be exhausted by now; so let’s hear it for Michelle Obama who got it right when she appeared on the Jay Leno show in J Crew, as flagged up on the retailer’s website here. Grand total? A credit crunch-tastic $337.98.

False economy: shopping in the States

Cancel that flight to New York: now that the pound has tumbled against the dollar, can we really justify those transatlantic Christmas shopping trips (or even shopping from American websites) any more? Still, let’s look on the bright side. If you are headed Stateside, you can at least enjoy a holiday without the usual shopping list for friends back home. And no more breaking into a cold sweat at the airport on the way back - when there is not a bargain to be had in the whole of NYC, you really will have nothing to declare.

Oh Happy day. This video shows what fashion designers of the 1930s believed lovely ladies would be wearing in 2000. These designer greats include removable evening sleeves, big hair and an electric belt to ‘adapt the body to climatic changes’. Just what the doctor ordered. Brilliant narration - look out for the ‘Ooh swish’ midway through, had me on the floor.

Enjoy.