5 Shopping Resolutions for the New Year

Hey guys!

If you love shopping as much as me, then you’ll know that simply cutting it out completely is not feasible. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of 5 great shopping resolutions to keep you stylish while keeping your wallet happy.

Here’s a sneak peek:

1. Don’t Buy Unless You Love It – Many of us see the sale rack and low prices and immediately HAVE to buy something. But, do you really have to buy something? Or are you just buying it because it’s on sale? Refrain from buying things just because. If it’s something you really love, then it’s a deal well spent!

Head on over to Shop It To Me to read the rest!

Staying Fashionable Without Going Broke!

With the recession in full swing and the holidays coming up, saving money is probably one of the first things on our mind. But saving money doesn’t mean you have to compromise on your look and style. In fact, there are tons of ways to keep your great style all while looking chic and stylish. These tips are only a few money-savers that will help you through these hard times.

• Don’t buy anything piece of clothing that’s so unique, you’ll only want to wear it once. Instead, buy classic and solid colors. You can mix and match almost anything without a pattern and tie it together with some unique accessories. Accessorizing is key to making your outfit different from the day before. Plus, it’s much cheaper to get a new necklace then an entire outfit.
• Check the SALE RACKS! Especially at stores like Bloomingdales and Saks Fifth Avenue, if you’re a hardcore designer shopper. Usually around this time, they have great sales going on so you can still keep your designer style at heart while saving your wallet. (Note: Also take advantage of Black Friday – the BIGGEST shopping day of the year!)
• Re-Make Your Clothing. Sites like Threadbanger.com offer endless tips and ideas to refashion something you already have into something new. If you don’t have any clothes worthy of cutting up, hit up your local GoodWill or Salvation Army.
• Shop the expensive stores, buy from the cheap. Usually a lot of the cheaper clothing stores like Forever21 have very similar if not, identical versions of expensive designer clothing. If there’s a MUST HAVE item, shop the more affordable stores first. Splurge when we’re out of the recession.
• Shop Online and Use Promotional Discount Codes. Online shopping makes it so easy to spend a lot.. and save a ton too! Look for discount codes by typing in the store name + promo code or discount code into Google. You can easily find coupons for most stores for a percentage off, free shipping or sometimes a free gift. Totally worth search.
• Make Homemade Gifts. Hit up your local craft stores or bake your friends and family members a tasty original treat that they can share. It’s the thought that counts, not the price-tag and the holidays are about sharing, right?
• Trade With Friends. Need a new cocktail dress for your work holiday party? Raid your friends’ closets and have them do the same. It’s totally free and you’ll both get something new to wear out of it. I even recommend trading items of clothing that you’ve just outworn and are tired of. in 6 months, that old piece of clothing will seem new again and you can trade back!

If I missed any tips that you’ve been practicing during this recession, let me know in the comments!!

Urban Updater is a ShopItToMe Trendsetter!

Hi Everyone!

News Update! UrbanUpdater was just added as a featured trendsetter on ShopItToMe. YAAAAAY! Now y’all know how huge of a Shop It To Me fan I am, right? If you don’t know what Shop It To Me is, it’s like a personal shopper that finds you the best designer deals online without even having to search! You just input what designers you like and your size and it does all the work. It’s the best site for deals out there and now UrbanUpdater is a trendsetter. Things couldn’t get better, could they? Thanks EVERYONE for your support!

XOXO, Linds

I can’t really afford expensive sunglass – well I guess it’s not that I can’t afford them, it’s that I choose not to wear them because usually what ends up happening is that I break them or leave them somewhere. Still, a girl can dream, right?

I love that Macy’s has a guide to buying sunglasses. Based on the size and shape of your face, it suggessts different styles that would compliment your facial structure.

My favs are these by Marc Jacobs. And before you critisize me for my expensive taste, just know that I am currently wearing $5 knock off Ray Bans from Chinatown in NYC. Ha!

“My friend once told me that the size of a girl’s sunglasses are inversely proportionate to their personality. is that true?”

Top 10 PINK Cars!

I am looking for a new car and you all know how much I love pink. Here are some of my top favorites:

1. Pink Corvette

2. Not sure what this car is.. Toyota? Nissan?

3. VW Bug!

4. Pink Modified Honda? Hmm…

5. Talk about bottlenose…. it’s the Pink Panther!

6. Corvette II

7. Audi TT Coupe: Cute, but bad visibility

8. Pinky Smart Car

9. Ford Thunderbird.. just had to make the list.

10. A mini Mini!

Ok so there you have it. Pink cars galore! If there anything that I missed of you have an awesome pink car that you’d like to submit, PLEASE let me know! Email me at lindsey g chen at gmail.com.

Also, which is your favorite?

Hands Free Handbags, please!

After owning so many over the shoulder handbags and being in many situations where they just keep falling off my shoulder, I’ve decided in becoming more practical for my everyday handbag use. Fossil has so many crossbody purses that keep you in style while being hands free. Plus check out the many pockets for all the extra storage use. Which one is your favorite?

Paige Butterfly Crossbody

Talita Crossbody

Weekender Print Crossbody

free people are my people!

Free People is one of my favorite brands… I love their 60’s hippie /boho yet casual and stylish look. Here are a few of my favorite dresses and tunics….

Carlos Miele Fashion Show ‘08

Just got back from the Carlos Miele Fashion show and I loved his collection. A lot of bright sparkly things, green and blues and RED RED RED. A lot of the models were wearing dresses that I would actually wear – cute tube dresses, long dresses – nothing too crazy, but very chic.

I really like how instead of a music track playing, he had an artist who was singing the entire time and actually interacted with the models. It gave the show a ver personable, friendly, fun feel.

Fashion Week with Rachel Bilson and Zac Posen

Well this is my first post about NYC Fashion week. Though I live in New York and fashion is all around me, I choose to pay attention to only the things I like. I’m not a big fan of all the high fashion designers because I don’t think those clothes featured on the runways look good on anyone. Though, I do love this lace dress that Rachel Bilson is wearing by Zac Posen. Nice touch.

Here’s another observation, why does she always look so stunning in whatever she’s wearing???

Summer Trends…. UGH is it really a trend?

Please help me decide what trends are actually going to work this summer. I see all kinds of crazy stuff around NYC and some of it I love, most I hate (and I guess this really tells a lot about my fashion sense.) What’s in? What’s out? HELP! Leave me a comment!

1. Lace – Lace tops, lace dresses… lace embellishments. Oh and by the way, does that mean that you can get away without wearing anything underneath?? I certainly would feel weird walking out without something solid under a lace top, but that’s just me.

2. Pastel Colors – I have dark olive skin and to tell you the truth, pastels look horrid on me. I’m not saying they look bad on everyone but is this really a trend? I feel like I’m a 5 year old when I wear pastel colors. Although this yellow color is beautiful. Anyone else feel this way?

3. The color purple – Some people say purple is the new pink. Take it as you will, I still love pink…. things. I’d never wear the color pink because it looks bad on me and I actually like the purple trend. Well, dark purple. Like I said, pastels look bad on me. Yay for plum purple outfits.

4. Gladiator Sandals – UGH I hate these. They look so freakin weird. Maybe they’d look better if they weren’t so freakishly tall. And what kind of tan lines do you get from wearing these!?! Please tell me this trend is going to go away… forever.

Are there any trends I’m missing? (I hope!) Let me know in the comments! Which trends to you love/hate?

Rainbow boot? Are you serious?

Ever since living and growing up in California, there has been on staple and that’s my rainbow sandals. I go through at least 2 pairs per year because let’s face it – I wear them year round – to parties, to class, to bars, to work (yes, I admit I had no dress shoes) and everywhere in between. I went on their website to order a new pair of flip flops and I saw ::gasp:: Ugg – inspired boots. What the hell!!! If this isn’t a sell out, then I don’t know what is.

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MBT: The Anti-shoe (I want them NOW!)

Ever heard of the MBT Anti-shoe? It looks kinda funky bit its really great for you muscles, joints and back.

“MBT activates the whole body: Activates Neglected muscles; Improves posture and gait; Tones and shapes the body; Can help with back, hip, leg and foot problems; Can help with joint, muscle, ligament and tendon injuries; Reduces stress on knees and hip joints.”

They come in tennis-shoe looking shoes, sandals or these mary jane look alikes. I love these black shoes. They are subtle enough, yet are great for walking around the city (since I do so much walking). And they give my short 5′2″ frame a little height!!! I talked to my mom and I’m getting them for my birthday! YAAAAY! So excited!

Michael Kors is actually pretty awesome.

I don’t really consider myself that much of a fashionista. Basically I’m a 20-something year old living in New York City and let’s face it. Fashion is all around. So I really can’t help but like to window shop. I say that because realistically who can afford rent in NY AND shopping? I have recently taken a liking to Michael Kors. I bought a purse (not pictured) and my boyfriend bought me some sweet sunglasses. It’s not even a name-brand thing, I just like his stuff. If he were Target, then I guess I’d like Target, haha. Anyway I guess this is my first real attempt to actually say I do have a favorite designer! Here’s a taste of some awesome Michael Kors stuff…

Smurf in the city!

I’m not sure exactly what this girl though when she was getting dressed. Either she’s colorblind or she was drunk. Still, I blame her friends for letting her walk out of the house looking like a smurf for a few reasons. Notice the blue tights are stirrups. Those have been out since the 80’s. Second off, the red shoes only make her look like she’s going for a patriotic theme. Third, tights aren’t pants. They are supposed to be work with bottoms. Where are her pants???

My favorite PINK kitchen gadgets

I love cooking, probably more than the next person. I find it like an art and by adding different colors, you create a whole new dish. Now, I admit that I don’t own many gadgets right now because I’m squished in a tiny apartment in New York City with no counterspace. But, often, I do dream about the day where I’ll have a gadget for everything… and yes, it will be pink. Here are my top 10 picks:

1. Pink Blender: For drinks, sauces, soups, smoothies – you name it. You gotta have a blender!

2. Pink pot holders / dish towels: Apparantly John Deere likes pink too. And these are not really gadgets, more of a kitchen staple. Who cares? They still make my list!

3. Pink Strainers: Not only are they a great pink color, but they have very stylish designs on it!

4. Pink Knife Set: It’s not just one knife – it’s a whole freakin’ knife set. Who knew cutting could be so glamorous?

5. Pink Wine Opener: How do you open your pink wine? With a pink wine opener! Just kidding, I hope you don’t drink pink wine….

6. Pink Cooking Utensils: Yesss…. more pink!

7. Pink Stove: What to cook on? A vintage pink stove! I’m in love – where do I find one?

8. Pink George Foreman Grill – an essential in every household.

8. Pink Cupcake Liners: What a perfect accessory to your next baking party.

9. Pink Water Dispenser: Need Water? Why not make it a cuter dispenser than the generic ones?

10. Pink Mixing Bowls: So many bowls that you can use them for soup, salad, mixing – anything!

Cowboy boots, please!

I have been wanting a pair of cowboy boots for a while. Why? I don’t know. I’m not really a fan of country music, I don’t ride horses and I hate western movies. But for some reason, I’m fascinated with cowboy boots.

Here are 3 reasons why I love these boots:
1.The heel height – they are short enough that they are comfortable to walk all over NYC, but tall enough to give my 5′2″ frame some height
2. The color. I LOVE this brown color. It’s so universal – you can wear it with brown, jeans, black, white, whatever you want!
3. The scrunch look. The scrunch gives the boots a great fashion-y contemporary look.

1 reason why I hate these boots:
1. The price. $150. WTF!!?!?!? Get out of here Steve Madden.

FutureFashion – A Sustainable Green Fashion Show!

Last week was Future Fashion, an all natural, fully sustainable eco-friendly fashion show put on by Earth Pledge in NYC. Though you may not associate high couture fashion with all natural and eco-friendly products, this may just give light to the whole “go green” image. Earth Pledge recruited hot designers such as Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney, Michael Kors, Calvin Klein and more to donate their time and efforts to this event. Armed with only all natural and recycled materials, each designer set out to create the most fashion-forward, yet sustainable look.

It was a hit. And come Feb 21st you can actually buy the styles that were debuted at this show at Barneys! Woohoo! Also, if you’re looking for something that won’t break the bank, check out H&M – I hear they have a green collection that features items under $25 bucks. Yaaay!

Thanks to Threadbanger for this tip!

DIY Halloween Costumes!

So we all know that Halloween is right around the corner and some of us (including myself) don’t have halloween costumes yet! Well don’t fret, here are some quick and dirty ways to make some fabulous costumes from scratch! A mummy, a fairy, pirate, witch!?

Check out Threadbanger.com for more tips on Halloween costumes!

There’s nothin’ better than seeing a picture of Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton, than seeing a picture of them looking like this. Amazing. No, glorious. It just goes to show, you don’t need to be smart or tactful and classy to have money. Then again, we all knew this.

Dye your jeans with COFFEE?? Find out how!

So if you watched the link below and want step by step instructions on HOW to dye your jeans with coffee, well today is your lucky day!

Instructables.com has a great site on HOW To’s – And with this step by step instruction, you will be wearing the coolest jeans on the block in no time.