Fall/Winter (What to Wear?)

Charlee B. Fashion, Beauty and Finance Chronicles

Fall/Winter (What to Wear?)

Hello Beautiful Ones,

I apologize for not keeping my word. I did not post on Monday I was celebrating family over the weekend and I must have partied too hard. But, I am back to talk fashion with you none the less. If, you reside in the North Eastern coastal area have you noticed that the weather has been very inconsistent.  For the past, few weeks in the Tri-state area it has been very cold one week and then warm another week. Making it very difficult for some to figure out how they should dress especially because it is Flu season. Everyone should know in the fall/winter months you should be layering your clothing and it’s fun to add and take away throughout the day. If, you work in an office setting you know this is important because during the cold season your office will still have the air conditioning running because of the office computers. So, what do we wear?

Fall/Winter Coats

Wool Coats

In the Fall/Winter months you should always have two types of outerwear items one being a wool coat any length depending on your preference. This is a must have for the fall and winter because its versatile and you can get them in lightweight versions that are very inexpensive. This coat gives you a polished look and you can add accessories such as hats, scarves and gloves when it gets really brisk out there.

Parka's

The other item should be a Parka coat. If you’re not always looking for that sophisticated look of a wool coat but want to be more casual during the fall/winter months this is the outerwear go to piece. I suggest this piece for the really icee days but there are lightweight versions on the market. You can also dress this coat up with your fiercest stiletto boots, pumps or wedges.

Layering

This weekend it got a little warm all of a sudden and it made you want to take your coat off.  Are you dressed appropriately for the drastic change? This is where layering comes into play. See theses layering styles below for inspiration.

Personally,  my go to looks for the season are Blazer, lightweight cardigan or fashion scarf,  Button down blouse or a tee shirt, skinny jeans( love my skinny jeans) with a boot or my favorite converse sneaker.

Question of the Day:

What is your go to look for the cold seasons? Send your pics or just tell us your key items you go to for a fabulous appearance.

Stay Gorgeous Always,

Charlee B





The Gift of Giving (Xmas Gift to Me)

Charlee B. Fashion, Beauty and Finance Chronicles

The Gift of Giving (Xmas Gift to Me)

Hey Beautiful Ones,

There are 17 days until Christmas are you shopping for gifts for others this year? Well, every year I plan to shop for others and get them these amazing gifts. But it seems like the shops and online stores gear everything to me and what I like. I can share this with you all because I am fierce enough to admit that every year since I was a little girl I have had good intentions of buying my friends and family members that perfect gift and every year like a ritual I end up getting more gifts for myself.

This year I have been doing a lot of searching inside myself to be better and do better.  So, I started my short journey of Xmas Gift to Me. Every holiday season I would shop for gifts the weekend before Christmas because I can never decide what to get people. Some believe that you get better deals on Black Friday but I have found that to be false. I have tried it and all I have gotten was a headache and out character with other shoppers. This year, I will be shopping earlier than usually and I created a budget because I am now a conscience shopper and I cannot go a penny over my budget. I also set a price limit for each person on my list that balances out to my shopping budget. The smartest way to do this type of shopping without going over budget is to shop online and stay out of the malls. The key for not gifting myself was self discipline and holding myself accountable for not having a gift to present to a particular person when it came time exchange. The first thing I did this year was subscribe to sites that make it their business to find deals on great stuff and all the designer things we all love.  Next, I picked up a visa gift card from my local bank and loaded it with the amount I had reserved for my holiday shopping. The visa gift card is a great option if you want to keep track of your spending and not have your personal bank accounts targeted by cyber thieves or yourself be tempted to use your household money for overages if you happen to go beyond a gift limit. There are some great places to shop in the Tri-state area (DE, PA, NJ) and you want to make sure you shop at the best tim, which in my opinion are from 9:30am -11:30am and 4:30pm – 6:30 ( this is based on a Saturday and Sunday shopping trip). The best thing I could have done this year is ask my friends and family what they would like to get for Christmas. In the past, I would stress myself out trying to figure how to put the biggest smile on their face. Every year, no matter how posh the gift was if it wasn’t what they wanted you could tell. Now, that I have an idea of what they want it makes things a lot easier. I hope this helps someone who has been victim to the Xmas Gift Me Syndrome.

Will I be able to keep from gifting myself while in the stores? Wish me luck and I will follow up with you after Christmas to update you on if I have survived the Gift of Giving to myself.

Question of the day:

What do you love about holiday shopping?

Stay Gorgeous Always,

Charlee B

Neiman Marcus for Target was it the right Collaboration?

Charlee B. Fashion, Beauty and Finance Chronicles

Neiman Marcus for Target was it the right Collaboration?

Hello Beautiful Ones,

Let’s get right to the T! So, this week the Neiman Marcus for Target Collection showcased itself in Target stores across the nation and at Target online. Well, what do you all think? Was it what you expected or did it exceed your expectations?  Was it the right collaboration for Target Stores? Months before the launch of this collaboration with some of the country’s top luxury designers I was able to sneak a peek at some of the items that were to become available for purchase. In that moment, I wasn’t sure if I was that impressed by what I had seen I was told it was created to increase sales for the holidays in hopes consumers would purchase all these items as gifts. Being a Target shopper myself and also loving most of the designers that collaborated with them in the past I noticed that there were some items that were very reasonable priced like the Tory Burch Lunch Bag and Thermos and the 4 piece plate set by Tracey Reese among other items.

Target had prepared for an ambush for these designer labeled items thinking they would get the same frenzy as they did with the Missoni Collection for Target some time ago. The consumer turn-out for this multiple designer collaboration was lack luster in comparison to the past collaborations. You may be thinking but it’s just the first week but in the retail/ fashion industry that can be crucial for revenue when it comes time to tally up at the end of the year. So, I visited a Target in my area and was surprised to see so much of the merchandise still on the racks. Online I found that only some designers’ collabo items were sold out but not all the designer collaboration pieces.  For this event to had been a success I believe they should have stuck to what works much similar to what they did with the Missoni collection. One way, would be by introducing each designer as a collection with apparel and homes goods but in different intervals of the seasons.  It is easy to see people are buying the designer(s) they love and those are who are being sold out.  I think this was the right collabo but the wrong way to showcase the items and the wrong price points for majority of the Target consumer.  On the other hand, I appreciate Target for wanting to bring luxury to us working class and middle class consumers who want the look of luxury and what they consider budget friendly prices. Honestly, I wonder if majority of the Target customer even knows who half of the designers are that are showcased in this collection. This thought could have something to do with why everything is not sold out, most people buy for brand name first and then quality.

Well my fashion followers I enjoyed sharing my thoughts with you and I welcome your thoughts as well catch you on Fabulous Friday.

Stay Gorgeous Always,

Charlee B

Hello! Fashion Lovers its great to meet you

Charlee B. Fashion, Beauty and Finance Chronicles

Monday December 3, 2012

Hello friends,

It’s Charlee B. I am a self proclaimed style maven here in the Greater Philadelphia area. I have decided to form this blog for all that love FASHION, BEAUTY, SHOPPING and care about their FINANCES.  Yes, I have a fashion background having graduated from an accredited fashion university and work experiences with some well known design houses on the east coast. I want this blog to be a resource for all  that read it. We will dish on the best shopping deals online, what to wear and what not to wear and how to wear it. For my beauty lovers we will discover new beauty regimens and ways to play up our looks and what products to wear for our skin types. The portion of the blog that helps to make everything fashion make since is our money. I love to shop and throw on something fierce but if my many isn’t right that makes it hard to shop without feeling guilty later.

When I told my friends and family that I was writing a fashion, beauty and finance blog, some of them where looking at me like WHAT? fashion and finance how does that mesh together. Well, it does and I will show you all how periodically throughout this blog.  So look forward to reading my thoughts on Fashion, Beauty and Finance (not all in that order) every MONDAY, WEDNESDAY and FRIDAY. On each blog post I will ask a question of the day, don’t be shy I welcome your thoughts and what things you have done to improve your fashionable lifestyles.

Question of the Day:   If you could have any fashionable gift this year what would it be? Like I said don't be shy.

**I want a Philip Stein Watch I will even settle for the "Fruitz" Collection**

Stay Gorgeous Always,

Charlee B