by Sandy Fitzgerald

There are very few brides who see a celebrity wedding and sigh…if only.

But let’s face facts. Not all of us have the budget of a movie star, or even of the only daughter of former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton – whose wedding will cost at least $2 million!

Let’s face it, though, throwing any kind of party can cost a lot of money, and even “normal” wedding budgets for non-celebrities can run into the tens of thousands of dollars, once you pay for food, the cake, the dress….

Ok, you can spend a little less on your dress and still look as lovely as you should on your wedding day. And no, you don’t have to go to the local thrift store and buy another bride’s castoffs!

We know, your mother is probably telling you that it’s not the wedding that’s important; it’s the marriage. After all, we can all name movie stars who have had amazingly beautiful weddings, only to be divorced a few short years later.

That’s all well and good, but doggone it! A bride really does want to look her most beautiful on that one day when she is supposed to be the most beautiful girl in the world.

The problem is, those movie star dresses cost thousands of dollars, and we normal women don’t have thousands of dollars to spend on a dress we’ll only wear once.

A great informal dress can be found for as little as $99, or even less and are beautiful for outdoor weddings or even for brides who are making a second or third trip down the aisle.

And don’t worry. If you really want the train and everything that goes with a more fairy tale-type wedding, there are many more formal dresses that can be found for under $300, shoppers visiting IMshopping have learned.

Now that you’ve found your dress, there are some other ways to cut costs and still have a lovely wedding.

For example, you really don’t need a seven-course meal at your reception. Consider different food options that might include a local church group that does catering, or even a cake-and-punch reception. Many couples have had great receptions at a local park, which allowed everyone to change out of those still go-to-wedding clothes, let down their hair and have fun eating fried chicken!

Consider your style, consider your budget, and remember…start out your married life in a way that reflects not only your taste, but your sensibilities as well.

And put down those extra thousands on your first home!

Slap-slap. Slap-slap. Slap-slap.

Don’t know what that is? It’s that all-too-distinctive sound the perfect pair of flip-flops makes, and if there’s one sound that means summer, it’s the sound of flip-flops!

There’s a lot to like about a pair of flip-flops, and not much not to like. After all, they’re comfortable, easy to put on and off, they keep your feet cool, and they’re so casual.

And the great thing is that they come in all kinds of colors and styles, and for just a few bucks, you can build up a wardrobe of summer shoes that will match just about any color you’re wearing.

Of course, just like anything else, flip-flops vary widely in quality. You can wear the simple rubber ones, such as Old Navy puts on sale for a couple dollars a pair, or you can get high tech with flip-flops made by most makers of athletic footwear, such as Lands’ End, Nike and more.

But what should you buy?

If you’re looking for some quick sandals to put on to go out on the porch or wear out in your back yard, the $2 rubber flip-flops are just fine. However they won’t give your feet much support, so it’s not smart to wear these kind when you go shopping or driving. Your feet will become tired if you try to do much walking in cheaper flip-flops, and driving in them? You may as well be driving in your bare feet, which you know is never a great idea!

The higher end flip-flops, which can cost nearly $100, are engineered with side supports, arch supports and ensure that your feet not only will be cool, but you’ll feel like you can walk a mile in them.

So what should you look for?

Mainly, you want sandals that will be comfortable, no matter what you’re paying for them. Try them on, even the cheapies. Make sure they feel good between your toes and don’t rub anywhere else, or you’ll get blisters. Try to walk a few steps in them and make sure that they’re not so big that they’re flopping instead of flipping.

And most of all, save these for casual wear, no matter how much you paid for them. Flip-flops are really not suitable business attire, no matter how casual your office is!

Wouldn’t it be great if there was something you could wear when you need to be cool, or in the winter, or on “casual Friday,” or even on the weekend when you’re going to the grocery store?

If you haven’t discovered the charm of a good pair of khaki pants, there’s no time like the present.

Khakis come in many styles, but when most people think of a pair of khakis, they think of slacks or trousers that come in a light tan or are made in a cotton twill. They have also come to describe any comfortable cotton blend pants, and can come in colors ranging from white to forest green.

The great thing about khakis is that you can add a jacket when you want to be dressier, a t-shirt when you want to go casual, a sweater when it’s cold outside, or a crisp white dress shirt that will let you wear them to a casual restaurant.

They’re a great go-to staple for any wardrobe, so it any wonder that shoppers on this site and everywhere are in constant search for the perfect pair of khakis?

If you’re looking for khakis for a man, you should look for a pair that aren’t too tight or too loose, and that are made of a fabric that can be easily washed and dried several times. In addition to holding up better, a good pair of khakis just gets more comfortable when you wash them.

While many stores are still selling pleated khakis, pants without pleats really do fit more body styles. A heavier man wearing pleats just has a pair of pants that fit him not-so-well, and a thinner man looks even thinner in pleats. They add nothing to the body style and just a lot of extra bagginess in the front of a pair of pants.

The same thing goes with women’s khakis. Who needs or wants something that adds anything extra to their abdomen area? A pair of straight, plain front pants fits most body types much better.

Of course, women shouldn’t be left out of the joy of having some nice khakis to wear around. As with the men’s, don’t be tempted to buy something too baggy or too tight. The charm of a pair of khakis is in its comfort and style. You don’t want to look too sloppy, and too-tight pants don’t look good on anyone.

When buying khakis, you might also want to consider a pair or two of shorts. These come in numerous styles and pocket options, and like the longer pants, you can dress them up or down. They’re a great casual, cool look for a weekend away, but they’re also just as great to wear when you’re outside mowing the grass. The cotton breathes, and that’s important for staying cool in the summer months!

Whether you’re buying pants or shorts, just remember, if you buy too cheap, you’ll get cheap. If you’re looking for something that you’ll be wearing and washing a lot, it’s sometimes better to spend a little extra so your new pants will hold their shape and style.

After all, these are likely to be pants you’ll reach for again and again.

It’s just a short time until June, and that means one thing – weddings.

Most young women dream of being married in a beautiful, flowing white gown, until reality sets in. Those beautiful gowns can cost thousands of dollars, and let’s face it, not everybody has thousands of dollars to spend on a dress they’ll only wear once and then put away in storage until a daughter or granddaughter maybe wears it.

On IMshopping, there are many brides who are looking for dresses that will allow them to look beautiful on that special day and still have some money left to spend on the honeymoon.

And judging from the gowns shopping assistants have helped find these brides, being a little short on cash is no reason to not be beautiful on your wedding day!

For example, if you’re looking for a great informal dress, did you know that there are dresses to be had for as little as $99? These dresses are great for those ever-popular beach weddings or the ones held outdoors at a beautiful little park, and nobody will ever know how little you spent – except for you.

If your wedding is going to be more formal and in a church or other more upscale setting, don’t worry – you don’t have to break the bank to be a beautiful bride. How does under $300 sound for a dress that will make you look like you’ve spent thousands? IMshopping’s assistants have found plenty of choices for the more formal wear as well.

Now that you’ve found your gown, how are you planning to accessorize? A beautiful veil is important for most brides – there’s nothing as nice during a wedding as when the groom folds back the veil to see his bride’s happy face. But most brides are shocked to find out that that piece of gossamer netting can cost nearly as much as the wedding dress!

Veils are purchased separately from the wedding dress, and there really is no reason to spend a small fortune on one. Just be sure that the veil you purchase is the same color as your dress (no white veils with champange dresses, for example) and that it’s comparable in scale to your dress. A more formal dress calls for a more ornate, larger veil, where a less formal dress calls for simple veil – or none at all.

While wedding veils can be expensive, there’s really no reason to spend more than $100 for one, if you spend nearly that much. IMshopping visitors have learned that beautiful veils, complete with flower designs, if you wish, can be found quite inexpensively, for even less than $70.

We know it’s your wedding day – but learning early how to spend your money properly is a great foundation for any marriage, and that includes watching your pocketbook on your wedding itself.

It seems we just got through Easter, and here’s another holiday – and it’s an important one to a lot of people. Mother’s Day is on May 9!

Don’t tell me you forgot about Mother’s Day. After all, how often do you get to recognize the woman who gave birth to you? The one who diapered you, kissed your skinned knees, made you peanut butter sandwiches with the crusts cut off? How could you forget?

Okay, enough of the guilt trip! Now that you know Mother’s Day is only a short time away now, it’s time to turn to that all-important question – what are you going to get her for her special day?

It doesn’t do much good to ask your mother what she wants. Most mothers, when you ask, will just say “oh, don’t worry about it. I just want a hug.”

Here’s a secret. Hugs are nice, but moms like to be remembered, too. Just because a woman has had a child, that does not mean she’s given up her love of nice clothes, pretty jewelry, perfume and presents that make her feel special.

So, what are you getting your mother for Mother’s Day?

Well, you’ll have to think about what she likes. A piece of jewelry won’t be a good present for a woman who never wears it, and while some moms would be thrilled with a new kitchen appliance, others would be very disappointed.

If you’re still looking for some ideas, assistants at IMshopping have come up with some very good answers to that question.
For example, have you thought about giving your mom the gift of indulgence with some nice spa treatments? Most women are busy these days, whether they work outside the home or not, and everybody loves a little bit of luxury. A basket filled with bath salts, loofah sponges and the works would be something your mother could use more than once, and she’ll feel special every time she reaches for it.

Sometimes you might not be looking for a gift for your own mother, but for another mother you love, such as your wife. The same principles go here – buy her something that goes with what her interests are, and you can’t go wrong with something pretty.

For example, there’s a reason why flowers are such a great seller for days like Mother’s Day…they’re so pretty. Consider having them delivered a couple of days before, on Friday, possibly to her place of employment. When a husband or significant other sends a woman flowers that others can see and enjoy as well, the woman may seem embarrassed, but she usually loves the little extra touch of attention! And contrary to popular belief, delivered flowers don’t have to be expensive.

You might also want to consider a nice piece of jewelry. Many people choose a mother’s birthstone necklace or ring, with the children’s birthstones serving as decoration. There are many varieties of this type of jewelry, so there pretty much is a type to suit any mother,

Food also makes a great gift. Whether it’s a breakfast in bed basket or one of those edible fruit arrangements, mothers love food that isn’t more macaroni and cheese and hot dogs!

So what are you waiting for? Don’t forget Mother’s Day!

]]> /blog/what-are-you-buying-your-mom-for-mothers-day.html/feed 0 /blog/designer-purses-its-more-then-just-a-handbag.html /blog/designer-purses-its-more-then-just-a-handbag.html#comments Thu, 01 Apr 2010 13:27:06 +0000 Sandy /blog/?p=1386

Men just don’t get it, do they, ladies?

After all, they just shove their credit cards, money, pictures and everything they can into that same beaten up sad wallet they carry until we get sick of looking at it and buy them a new one.

What makes the difference, anyway? The wallet just goes into their back pocket and gets sat on all day, right?

Well, when it comes to something to carry our credit cards, money and more in, we can’t get away with sticking our belongings in our back pockets. For one thing, our back pockets wouldn’t hold it all and secondly, a good purse is just an important part of a wardrobe.

And there’s nothing like a really, really good purse. After all, anyone can go to the local discount store and buy a  purse for $10 or $20.

That purse might have the right look, and it might even be in the right color, and really, you can carry that purse here and there and it will serve its purpose. You can carry your belongings in it, your make up, your money, your hair brush, and it will work out pretty well for you.

The thing is, when it comes to purses, you really do get what you pay for. And there is a reason the names Coach, Kate Spade, Louis Vuitton and Prada will always remain in high demand.

That’s because those are just a few of the purse makers for whom substance will always be as important as style.

And when you put a bargain purse beside a designer purse, you’ll quickly see that there is no comparison.

A designer purse will always be made of high-quality material, whether it’s leather, canvas, or the designer’s material of choice. The stitches will always be perfect. The lining does not sag, the fasteners and snaps always close easily, and the zippers never catch in stray threads.

There’s a certain weight a designer purse has, a certain balance that is never duplicated in a cheap department store item.

And that brings us to the number of designer knockoffs that are out there. There are so many counterfeiters who think nothing of slapping a fake designer label on one of their copy-cat items, and many of them get away with it because shoppers either don’t know any better, or if they do, they don’t care.

Still, there are many purse shoppers who want to know where to buy a cheap Coach purse. And there are places where you can buy discontinued ones, or if you don’t mind a replica that trick the eye, whether it’s Coach or any other designer label.

However, if its a true designer purse you want, your eye and your wallet will be able to tell the difference. There are signs that will show you if you’re buying a fake bag, and if you don’t mind the difference between a replica and the real thing, then you can save a lot of money with the replica.

But if it’s a true designer purse you want, and if its something that you want to collect and maybe one day hand down to your daughter, then you’ll consider a true designer purse an investment, not just a splurge.

Do you have your Easter bonnet ready?

It’s been such a hard winter across the United States, it’s little wonder shoppers are looking forward to Easter and all things spring!

And what’s not to like about Easter decorating? Bunnies and eggs and flowers, oh my!

Easter, of course, is all about rebirth and renewal. In Christian tradition, the holiday commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For everybody, the holiday is a wonderful way to usher in spring.

Whether you choose to celebrate Easter with religious décor or with bunnies, or a combination of both, this is a holiday that everybody – young and old – can really enjoy.

Many parents, who are helping the Easter Bunny bring his baskets of candy, also like to supplement the candy with toys and presents. For example, one shopper recently came to IMshopping to look for help finding a giant Easter bunny for her daughter, and was delighted to find a selection of choices ranging from the expensive to the not-so-expensive. That little girl will probably snuggle up with one of those selections for years to come!

Of course, IMshopping is also a great place to visit when you just don’t understand what it is that your children want the Easter Bunny to bring. For example, one aunt was quite perplexed when her niece’s wish list included something called the Cotton Candy Bunny.

Turns out, these are from the Webkins collection of stuffed animals, and would really make a cute Easter gift for a lucky child, boy or girl.

For those parents who still don’t know what Webkins are (and probably, with the popularity of this toy line, there are not that many parents left), they’re toys that allow children to play online as well. Here’s how it works:  After the child gets the toy, they log into Webkinz World, (www.webkinz.com), where they enter the code, adopt and name their pet, and are invited into a virtual world where they feed and care for their new pal, dress it, take it to the vet, play games and do trivia quizzes, or visit with other Webkinz members.

What kid wouldn’t want something like that for Easter – and at about $12, the Cotton Candy Bunny is cute and very affordable.

Are you looking for a unique decoration? Many people are interested in small Easter trees.

Generally, they come with small Easter themed ornaments, or you can buy or make your own. These trees are a lot of  fun for children as well, who will enjoy changing the cute little ornaments.

And don’t forget to color some eggs!

It’s long been said that in the spring, a young man’s fancy turns to love.

Well, in the spring, a young woman’s fancy – if she’s a teenager – turns to prom.

And while some might think that the most important part of the girl’s prom is her date, in reality, it’s all about the dress!

Do you pick sweet or sexy? Short or long? One piece or two? Classic or ultra-modern?

Decisions, decisions, decisions! And that’s before they even think of what shoes they’re going to pick or if their hair is going to be up or down.

On IMshopping, even though it’s just the end of March, the prom dress questions are starting to come in. Girls want certain kinds of dresses, and many are going online to look for them.

Shopping online for your prom dress can work out very well. After all, teens can likely find a unique selection that they won’t be able to find in their local stores, and they’ll get a great price. Also, when you shop online, a girl can lessen the chance that someone ele

Also, if you shop online rather than in the local stores in your area, you lessen the chance that someone else might be at the prom wearing the same dress.

However, if you’re planning to buy your dress online, allow yourself some time and don’t order it at the last minute, in case it doesn’t fit right and it needs some adjustments. Also, you might get your dress and find that what looked great on a website just doesn’t work well for you.

So what is going to be popular this spring? What dresses are going to be the ones that make the girls’ fantasies come true?

Well, there are no hard and true facts this year when it comes to a girl’s prom dress. The styles are as different as the girls themselves are.

Are you planning to let your inner rock star shine? Look toward buying a dress with lots of sequins and shine. While most rock stars wear black, you can project some attitude with the way the dress is styled. A flowery dress won’t project a rock star attitude, but a lower-cut blue one with sequins sure will.

And if you’re looking for a little black dress, there’s no better way to show your sophistication and style than in bringing out your inner Audrey Hepburn. Many shoppers visit IMshopping in search of these dresses, not only for prom, but for lovely, stylish day or evening wear.

One thing to remember when shopping for a prom gown is to try to stay age-appropriate. A sexy, showy gown may be lovely for an adult, but remain inappropriate for a teenager.

So if you’re one of those teens who wants to make yourself the center of attention this prom season, take some time online this season to see what kind of styles are out there. Even if you don’t want to buy online, you’ll get some ideas for your shopping trip.

After all, it IS all about the dress, isn’t it?

]]> /blog/prom-its-all-about-the-dress.html/feed 0 /blog/chi-flat-irons-frizzy-hairs-worst-enemy.html /blog/chi-flat-irons-frizzy-hairs-worst-enemy.html#comments Sun, 28 Feb 2010 21:51:31 +0000 Sandy /blog/?p=1326 Curly hair can be a beautiful, romantic thing.

After all, what girl hasn’t wanted, at one time or another, to have beautiful golden curls cascading down her back?

However, even those few women who are blessed to have naturally curly hair have been searching for years to find a way to make their hair straight and silky instead.

Through the years, women have resorted to using soda-can sized curlers (and sometimes, even soda cans themselves) to try to straighten out their tresses.

Other steps have included brushing the hair stick straight as it dries, and in a very sad and desperate attempt, actually using clothes irons – both the ones you plug in and the ones that were heated on the stove  – in the hopes of straightening their hair.

That is, if they were lucky to straighten their hair without burning it clear off.

And nobody has ever wanted to trade their curls for a burned-up crew cut!

In recent years, hair straightening has gotten much easier through the advent of electronic straigtening irons.

These all pretty much work in the same way and kind of like a curling iron. However, instead of having  a round barrel that makes curls, straightening irons have two heated plates that flatten the hair between them instead.

However, while straightening irons work the same way, not all irons are created equally. Many women (and men too, for that matter) have found that cheapest is not always best when picking a straightening iron.

At the very least, cheaper straightening irons don’t have the power to pull curls out of a curly head of hair. In this case, the hair is flattened into a frizzy mess that really isn’t straight – just flat, flat, flat.

Ugh.

That’s if you’re lucky. Far too many people have bought cheap irons that have burned their hair to a crisp, and there’s only one way to fix hair that’s been burned – cut it off.

Again, with the burned-up crew cut!

The one brand of curling iron that has met with rave reviews, both by professionals and do-it-yourselfers, is Chi.

The Chi straightener is made by Farouk, a Houston-based company that manufactures high quality professional hair care and spa products. The company is owned and operated by a team of hairdressers, and has been providing professional hair care products for several years.

The reason the Chi works better than most hair straighteners is that they are made with ceramic plates that heat thoroughly to straighten your hair without burning it. Plus, have you ever had one of those unfortunate flat iron accidents that have left you with odd burns on your neck or forehead? You won’t with a Chi. They’re made with protection in mind.

Now all this professional care is going to set you back a little bit. After all, these aren’t the flat irons you buy for $15 at your local big box discount store.

Many shopper are looking for the best buy or sales, and Chi products are offered in many locations. However, if someone is offering you a Chi for under $45 or so, it’s likely it’s a counterfeit.

And who wants that?

And even with spring coming, there’s still a good foot of snow on the ground in much of the land east of the Mississippi, so it’s no wonder shoppers want something to keep their feet warm.

And some of the most envy-inducing, tootsie warmers go by the odd-sounding name of UGG.

While the name might be pronounced “ugh,” there’s not many ugh factors where these warm, stylish boots are concerned.

Now, when a lot of us think of UGGs, we think of those big blue furry things that movie stars like Pamela Anderson were wearing a few years ago. And let’s be honest, most women can’t carry off what looks like a baby bear wrapped around their legs.

But UGGs aren’t all about fur and extreme looks – they’re a boot that keeps feet warm in the coldest of winters. And they’ve become popular enough that there are a lot of knock-offs that are sold at local Wal Marts and other discount stores, but they do not compare in looks, comfort, style or quality to a real pair of UGGs.

UGG boots have a very interesting history. According to the history on the official UGG website, the boots came to popularity after 1978, when Brian Smith, a young surfer from Australia, took a trip to the United States with a bag full of sheepskin boots. Like many fashion trends, the boots gained popularity in California, and surfers loved the funky UGG style.

Deckers Outdoor Corporation acquired UGG Australia in 1995, and by 1998, the product line had grown to include two boots, four slippers, and a few casuals. In 1998,  UGG Australia brand first stepped up alongside the world’s finest luxury footwear brands, and eventually became to be regarded as a high-end luxury brand.

In 2003, UGG was named Footwear News’ “Brand of the Year” and was responsible for the creation of an entirely new category of footwear.

A lot of shoppers would be surprised to realize that UGG doesn’t only make the signature sheepskin lined boots, but the company also has a full line of other casual wear.

Of course, all this quality doesn’t come cheaply, but really, UGGs are surprisingly affordable. Some of the more expensive models, such as these gorgeous leather and sheepskin-lined boots are around $225, which may seem a little high, but these are boots you’ll reach for every time the temperatures drop. They’ll go not only with your boot-cut jeans, but wonderfully with skinny jeans. They’re made with real twin-faced sheepskin and feature a removable/replaceable fleece insole and a mylar lining that provides extra warmth.

Visitors to IMshopping are interested in fashion, only not paying a lot for it. And really, there are plenty of good websites that offer nice discounts on designer wear, including UGGs. For example, this shopper learned that yes, she can indeed find UGGs for under $80 through many fine retailers, including zappos.com. So by taking a few minutes to post a question, our shopper found that she can save a great deal of money on the UGGs she’s wanting – and maybe she can use that extra money to buy a great hat or pair of gloves to keep her top half toasty warm too!