Fall Boot MUST-HAVE!

Living in Chicago, a pair of good boots are a must-have. I found this pair by Not Rated on http://www.zappos.com, a great place to cruise for deals. I love this pair because of the versatile style and great price! They come in black, grey, navy and chocolate, but grey is my personal favorite. I love this boot because it is easily taken from workday to happy hour. Pair these with some black skinnies or your favorite pair of tights and you are instantly chic. The boots are up to the knee which makes them sexy and also practical. The heel is only three inches and fairly thick which makes them comfortable for walking a distance in rain or even snow. Best of all, these killer boots are under $50!

Get them online at http://www.zappos.com/not-rated-starlet-grey

A Beginners Guide to Vintage

My heart beats faster, my eyes widen, a chill comes over me; I've just seen a 1970's Diane Von Furstenberg wrap-dress at a flea market in St. Louis for $49- a fashion ecstacy. As my fellow vintage lovers know, the happiness brought from finding that precious item can be intoxicating, but there are a few simple rules to remember when shopping vintage.

1. Don't be blinded by the label.
So they are YSL pumps, does that make up for the fact that half of the heel is missing? Just because something is a designer label does not mean you should automatically buy it. Sure, everyone wants to be able to brag about that designer vintage piece they hold as their prized possession, but what good is it if it isn't wearable. Clothes are meant to be worn and enjoyed! Take into account how much wear you can honestly get out of the item first and foremost.

2. Does it even fit?
When shopping for vintage, you may not have the opportunity to try on an item or you may feel that fit is not that important. However, fit is the difference between looking chic and looking clown-like. A correct fitting classic riding blazer will take your fall look into socialite status, whereas an over-sized loose jacket takes you to librarian. Pay attention to the darts in a jacket. Do they hit you at the correct spot; about an inch below the bust line? Bunching in the front of a pair of trousers or a skirt is a sure sign the fit is too small. Make sure your fit is dead-on, or find a good tailor! He may become your best friend.

3. Don't be afraid to modify.
Not all vintage items can align with current trends. Sometimes they need a little update. Don't be afraid to alter! Yes, the garment is vintage, and yes, it represents a time in history that was undoubtedly fab, but that doesn’t mean you should walk out of the door looking like you've just popped out of a time machine. I love taking long flowy 60's and 70's patterned dressed and shortening them to fun, flirty babydolls. The vintage feel remains, but it now becomes current. Take your acid wash jeans and make them cutoffs. Get comfy with your scissors and use your imagination.

4. Inspect before you buy.
With vintage, one expects a little wear and tear, but make sure you thoroughly inspect your garment before you buy. A missing button is a serious issue, since that type of button may not be manufactured anymore and is therefore irreplaceable. Are you sure any stains will be able to be removed? Rips and tears are common in vintage items because they have often been cared for improperly and fabrics may be deteriorating. Check the fabric content, lining, and stitching. Just because it is vintage does not mean it’s not still important to ensure your purchase is well-made. There is nothing worse that bringing something home only to discover a hole or other imperfection. Don't forget! Never machine wash vintage items. The fabrics are extremely delicate!

5. Be Green
Buying vintage and used clothing is truly the greenest way to enjoy clothing. Loving vintage also helps our environment. How convenient! Recycling your own old or unwanted items helps as well. Don't just be a taker! Resell your items to thrift stores and resale shops or donate to a charity. Help keep our vintage and second-hand stores thriving so you can enjoy them and others can too!

A few of my favorite spots to shop vintage:

Carlos and Sarah's Surplus of Options

3664 N Lincoln Ave

(between Patterson Ave & Waveland Ave)

Chicago, IL 60613

http://www.surplusofoptions.com/

Lenny & Me

1459 N Milwaukee Ave

Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 489-5576

http://www.lennyandmechicago.com/

Silver Moon

1721 West North Avenue

Chicago, IL 60622

(773) 235-5797

http://www.silvermoonvintage.com/

Kokorokoko

1112 N Ashland Ave

Chicago, Illinois 60622

(773) 252-6996

www.koko-rokoko.blogspot.com/

Ruth's Vintage Clothing

2003 Cherokee St

Saint Louis, MO 63118

(314) 865-1091

The St. Louis Gypsy Caravan

http://www.gypsycaravan-stl.org/media.htm

Steal of the Day

I found this little gem at a local resale store http://www.buffaloexchange.com/. I love the retro feel of this golden treasure . The abstract lines and unique clasps in thie piece make it a perfect statement necklace to take that plain blouse from drab to fab. The best news, I got this for only $4.50. It was originally priced at $9, but I noticed that the clasp was broken on the back. Broken clasps or links are usually a simple quick fix with a pair of pliers. Never afraid to ask for a discount, I asked the uber friendly shopgirl if she had noticed the damage. She was happy to give me half off. What a steal! Can't wait to pair it with a flowy neutral tank and brown leather jacket.

Getting the Most for your Online Buck

Online Shopping addicts listen up! We all know there are a multitude of deals to be found online. From Ebay to designer wholesalers, it's hard to pinpoint exactly where the best deals can be found. For label whores like me, online shopping can be a nightmare. Constantly analyzing photos and comparing websites to avoid the horror of waiting three weeks only to receive a cheap knockoff. There is no possible way to tell if what you are buying is the real thing or just a fake with a good photo.

But then God sent us Private Sales (insert angelic harmonies). Companies like http://www.gilt.com, http://www.ideeli.com and http://www.hautelook.com are clearly a gift from above. Not only are you guaranteed that your items are authentic, but these sites offer private access to high end designer brands at an extreme discount. You can get anywhere from 15-75% off on labels normally carried only at high end retailers or department stores. Membership is free of charge and with your membership you receive an email each day with details of which designers will be on sale that day and on the sales coming up in the next few days.

You may be wondering, "So how do these sites make any money?" It's simple really. These retailers collect your online cash payments long before they are required to pay back the vendor where they purchased the items. The private sellers have already made their profit in advance thanks to the convenience of online money transfer. Private Sales companies also only receive certain types of items from designers. Many times the batches that private sales receive are irregular items. Ok, ok, you heard irregular items. I can see you shaking your heads. Recessionistas get your noses out of the air! Ask me if I care that my label is on the right instead of the left for 50% off! Irregular does not necessarily mean dysfunctional, torn, stained etc. It often means an extra stitch, different thread color or any other number of completely unnoticeable irregularities.

So what's the catch? There isn't one. If you don't mind daily emails, you will have access to fantastic brands at fabulous discounts! But get online early, items sell out FAST!!! So start your morning out with a Starbucks Skinny Vanilla Latte, a half price cashmere sweater, and a smile.