Purse Crisis Solved (pt.1): TJ Maxx + DIY

During the day I generally always have a big bucket of a handbag hanging off my shoulder. Something nice, mind you, but a purse that can hold my notebook and printouts of boards, digital camera, iphone, tapemeasure, wallet full of credit cards, environmental sacks, and all the other myriad of tools needed to style a job. However, when I go out at night, all I need is a couple of bucks, lipgloss, and my iphone. I need my hands free to dance and hold a cocktail, and I need the bag to be a cute compliment to a small dress. Gladly the cross-body bag has made a comeback, and I have been on the lookout for my perfect one for a while now. When it comes to shopping for myself, I am very much a hunter. I do not grab the first item that I see, I always have a long list of requirements (not the least of which is for an item to fit my style and what currently occupies my wardrobe). In this case I was looking for a small bag, just big enough for my iphone. I wanted something shiny, without being tacky, and I wanted mixed metal tones. 

This Liz Claiborne bag (well if you are gonna bring back a trend from the '80s, might as well be authentic about the designer as well) was found at TJ Maxx for a whopping $12.99. Yes, I said $12.99. It opens up like a wallet with a nice compartment for ID, credit cards, cash dollars, and change, as well as a pocket that fits my various sundries. When I first found it, it had an ugly strap, made with the same silver as the body. This I solved by purchasing a heavy duty brass chain from Toho Shoji on 6th avenue, as well as the right findings to attach the chain to the bag (I made it removable with clasps). I chose brass instead of silver to play up on the mixed metal theme of the snap closure. Admittedly, the chain I purchased cost more than the bag, but in the end, I believe the final piece to be worth more than the sum of its parts. I now have a fabulous bag that goes with everything I own, and is practical as well.

The moral here is to hold out for what would be perfect for you, but to also be prepared to make a few minor modifications. Let a fantastic discount merchant take you halfway to where you need to go, and the DIY stores will take you the rest of the way.

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Discount Diva

Well, kids, it's been a busy couple of weeks. Work is in full swing, but clients are still very wary about spending money. Meanwhile, discount merchants are flourishing, as well they should be. So I will continue to give my fashionista readers the benefit of my hunting abilities. One need not sacrifice personal style, even when our purse strings are cinched as tight as our corset belts.

So, as we all know by now, grey is the neutral color of the decade. Its subtle edge goes with absolutely everything, and provides the perfect background for anyones personal expression. Personally, I have been enamoured with the color for enough years that my closet is starting to look like the first few scenes of The Wizard of Oz. I think it's time that my house lands in Munchkin Land, and I get to be in technicolor again. So, I have been on the hunt for colorful and print dresses to wear with my beloved grey cardigan or black motorcycle jacket, and once again TJ Maxx had the goods.

Pictured above is a Vince print silk dress and a Magenta Catherine Malandrino crocheted dress that I spotted in the Manhattan store (18th street and 6th avenue) at deeply discounted prices. And FYI, on the same trip I also spotted my beloved grey in the form of a Mint dress and an Alessandro Dell'Acqua jacket.

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TJ's shoetastic adventure

With the economy continuing to vibe steadily on the low-end, the word 'recessionista' has become the new 'hot'. And in the commercial styling world, I find myself frequenting the discount fashion stores more and more . So why not share with you what I see in these stores? I'll be the first to admit that the moment I walk into a bargain retailer, I am immediately overwhelmed with the need to turn around and walk right out. The flourescent lighting, the racks packed tight with clothes without any sort of arrangement by color or designer, the lack of inspiring displays all conspire against you. Then if you do decide to brave the racks, it's like trying to find a book title in an old card catalog, if said card catalog was out of alphabetical order. However, if you have the time to really dig, more often than not you can unearth something special.

Today I am here to help. I saw in TJ Maxx (on 6th Avenue and 19th street in Manhattan) a selection of fine shoe wear. The exact items pictured above (which I have laborously found pictures of on the web) were gracing the shelves this very morning. LAMB pumps were down to $150 from around $280, Jimmy Choo suede peep toes were down to $330 from $945, and the much sought after Sigerson Morrison Huarache boot was available for $500 down from $900. They had sizes 8 and 9.

There. You have the inside scoop, and don't even need a metal detector to find your buried treasure.

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