Monthly Archive for November, 2008

Ready. Set. Go – Let the Holiday Shopping Begin! (Online that is with Cyber Monday)

Black Friday.  Is the crowded mall parking lot enough to make you want to turn your car around and head home?  Do you find yourself questioning your sanity as you fight for that last pair of cashmere gloves that would’ve been great for Aunt Kay if that old lady hadn’t snatched them out of your hand? 

 

Growing up I LOVED shopping on Black Friday, it was tradition in my family that all of the women (girls included) spent the day at the mall (which usually meant 2 or 3 malls).  At the tender age of 18 months, my niece Jada, claimed her birthright and became a full-fledged member of our shopping ritual.  However, braving the madness on the Friday after Thanksgiving isn’t for the faint of heart.  It seems that lots of folks were bypassing the Black Friday sales entirely and waiting until back in their offices on Monday to kick-off their holiday shopping sprees from their computers with no lines, hassle, or stress.  Great minds think alike; this Black Friday bypass is now known as Cyber Monday.  Cyber Monday is to Black Friday what  yin is to yang.  So, if the stress of Thanksgiving dinner is all you can handle this weekend, no worries.  There will be deals galore on Cyber Monday.  Check out sites like CouponCabin.com to find out about even more special offers and bargains before you let your fingers do the typing.

 

A few holiday shopping tips:

1. Create a budget

2. Determine who you’re buying gifts for, how much you plan to spend on each recipient, and what you’d like to get for each one.  A hard to please individual?  A power toothbrush is a great idea because it’s something most people wont buy for themselves.  I like Oral-B’s Triumph with Smart Guide, www.oralb.com.

3. Come up with a shopping strategy so that you maximize your time at the mall or online.

4. Keep you list with you while shopping so that you can check off your purchases as you go.

5. Keep track of your spending and receipts.  Remember to ask for gift receipts.

 

Happy Shopping!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Can a Stylist Do for You?

If you’re looking to take your game up a notch, you know do a true overhaul of your wardrobe, you may want to hire a stylist.  Stylists aren’t just for celebrities – a stylist can help you hone your sense of style and teach you how to edit and refine your wardrobe.  Think about the best-dressed person you know – She’s not particularly trendy.  He’s not flashy. But they are well put together, their clothes make them seem polished and poised before they even open their mouths.  And we all know that first impressions are lasting impressions.  Someone once said, you dont get a second chance to make a first impression … Those who stand out from the crowd are people who’ve created consistent signature looks for themselves. Some just have a natural flare for it. Others hire folks like me to help them get there; it doesnt matter – well dressed is well dressed, right?

The biggest complaint I hear from clients is that they have a closet full of clothes but never have anything to wear.  Unfortunately, too many of us find ourselves in this dilemma on a regular basis.  Having too much to wear is almost worst than having nothing to wear.  There’s nothing wrong with a little retail therapy every now and again, we’ve all engaged in from time-to-time. Having new things provides a momentary high, but shopping for the sake of shopping often leads to a closet full of clothes, not a wardrobe.  I teach my clients to shop strategically so that they have exactly what they need for just about any occasion.

I cant speak for all stylists, but the goal is to help you out by providing you with the tools you need to look good on a daily basis.  My Wardrobe Evaluation is nothing like what you’ve seen on TV, or at least I hope it isn’t!  My job is to take away your anxieties and worries about getting dressed in the morning.  I want to learn about you and who you are so that I can help you make the clothing decisions that are going to be best for you.  I view this as a collaborative process.  So, I ask my clients to be open to the possibilities of new styles and to contemplate stretching their comfort zones a bit … all in all, my intent is to make this a fun and positive experience.  It’s just clothes after all, not rocket science.  I’m successful when a client calls to tell me they followed my advice and achieved their signature look on their own.

On November 13, 2008, I had the opportunity to work with SheFinds.com’s Guy Friday.  Check out what he had to say about my Wardrobe Evaluation at:  http://www.shefinds.com/blog.

To learn more about my Wardrobe Evaluation go to www.kalynjohnson.com/services.html. Questions? info@kalynjohnson.com

Word to the Wise from a Newly Minted Recessionista

We’re on the precipice of a finanical meltdown, right?  I’m over the moon that Barack won last night, but I’m not sure our economy is bouncing back anytime soon … so, why do I keep getting emails and flyers with great deals on everything from shoes to clothes to really cool & unique items I feel I must have?!?!?!?!  It’s like the retail gods are playing a cruel joke on us mere mortals.  Take JCrew for example.  I feel like I get a daily email with re: lines that are like crack for folks like me — 30% off the sale price, free shipping, 20% off and free shipping.  The lures are hard to resist …  I’m sure my Financial Planner, Ellen, would say that now is the time to sit tight and wait for the markets to re-bound.  Her advice is usually prudent and practical and I really do try to take her advice to heart. But, some of the deals are just too good to pass up!  I’m no financial expert by any measure, but as a professional shopper I’ll tell you this — stuff is on sale in a way I havent seen before.  If you can swing it (try giving yourself a realistic budget to work with) now is the time to snatch up a few items at great prices.  The retail gods will hate me for this, but only (1) buy what you need or have had your heart set on; and (2) buy when it goes on sale, ‘cuz it’s going on sale, trust me.  Shopping for the sake of the deal is not what I’m getting at; there’s a time and a place for retail therapy and this isn’t it (well, some may beg to differ with me, but you get my point) … Before surfing the net or hitting the brick & mortars make a list of what you need and then shop accordingly.  Don’t be afraid of the discount or low-end stores either … I mean, a t-shirt to wear underneath your sweaters is a t-shirt.  It’s nice to have James Pearse, 3 Dots, and the like but I saw some t-shirts at Strawberry for $6.99 yesterday that will definitely fit the bill this go-round.  We’re in a recession after all.