Black Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year and it is quickly approaching.  Some of the deals are available online but the real steals are only available in-store, hence the name “door buster deals.” So here is a guide to help you shop efficiently and effectively on Black Friday.

  1. Research! Check your favorite stores to find out what time the doors open and what deals they have. Get together all the sale papers so that you know what is on sale and where to find it. You do not want to waste any time browsing for items only to discover that they’re not on sale. If you’re shopping in one store, construct an informal map that leads you from floor to floor or department to department. Your organization will give you an advantage over other shoppers.
  2. Set a budget and stick to it!
  3. Make a list. Know what you want to shop for and go get it.
  4. Arrive early. You will still have to face a line on Black Friday but it won’t be nearly as long as it would be a couple of hours into the sale. If you arrive later, you also risk having the items you want to buy being sold out.
  5. Continually consult your list of items so that if you see a long line for one product, you can go to another department that might be less crowded and buy something else.
  6. Monitor your cart closely. Desperate people may snag sold-out items from your cart.
  7. Wear comfortable clothing. Heels are not needed for the occassion.
  8. Shop with a group of people. If you shop in groups you all can split up and grab items for each other.
  9. Shop online. At least there’s no pushing, shoving or fighting and you can dress however you please.
  10. Relax, don’t get overwhelemed if you do not get your purchases.

Here are a list of websites that have a list of stores for Black Friday

So its one of my favorite times of the year again: THANKSGIVING! I love the meaning of the holiday because it is all about giving. The spirit of generosity should not be confined to one day, it should be year round, but for some it is so lets just make the best of it.

Besides this time being about the spirit of giving, it is also about spending time with family, friends, and eating great food! I told my cousin who is the family chef that I’m looking forward to some fried turkey, mac and cheese, potato salad, collard greens, sweet potato pie…I’ll stop there lol. So here are my suggestions for looking stylish, feeling comfortable, and camoflaging the thanksgiving food belly

1. Comfort is key! Wear things that stretch

  • Leggings
  • Tights

Choose a funky design or pattern or stick with the basic colors

Republic $27

Mod Cloth Stripe for Success Tights $35

2. So now that we are in our comfort zone with leggings/tights we need to pair them with something that is roomy to hide the bulge

  • Oversized or belted cardigans and sweaters
  • Ruffled Tunics

Anything large that gives your midsection enough room for expansion is key

Yes Style $42

Old Navy Jet Sweater Cardigan $45

Dorothy Perkins Animal Print Ruffled Tunic $50

This thanksgiving I’ll probably wear one of my many sweater dresses (I have more than enough to choose from) So here are some options for the all-in-one look

Alloy Megan Dolman Sweater Dress $42

Yes Style Knit Sweater Dress $44

Jane Norman Sweater Dress $42

As for the footwear, take it simple 5-inch pumps is a bit much for grandma’s kitchen. Try a cute pair of embellished ballet flats, riding boots, flat over the knee boots, or a cute lace up or wedge bootie. Anything over 3 inches may cause a serious side-eye.

Happy Eating!

Because this collection is so high in demand, H&M has instituted specific rules for shopping the Lanvin collection this weekend. There has been chaos in the past before and so they finally wised up and came to a solution. The rules are pretty specific, so if you are shopping this collection please pay close attention:

How To Shop

H&M is launching Lanvin for H&M November 20th. Since the collection is in very high demand, we’re expecting a crowd.

What do I do if I arrive before opening hours?

If there is a line, please wait in line, and H&M store staff will inform you on how to shop.

How does the queuing system work?

The first 320 in line will receive one of 16 different colored bracelets, 20 people for each bracelet color; on the bracelet you will be given a specific time for shopping in our designated area. The bracelets are only needed for the women’s collection. Customers buying the men’s collection will not require a bracelet.

When your time slot arrives, you will enter the designated area to shop for 15 minutes.  Our goal is to create a better shopping experience for our customers.

If you are not one of the first 320 in line, you will of course have the opportunity to shop from the rest of the collection or within H&M.  When the 16 groups have finished their shopping, we will also open up a designated area for all our customers.

To make sure as many customers as possible are able to buy the collection, we have a shopping limit. Every customer can buy from the entire collection, but with a limit of purchasing two pieces per product i.e. not more than two sizes (shoes/garments) or pieces (accessories) per product per customer. The shopping limit covers the entire Lanvin for H&M collection. Your place in line does not guarantee any items from the Lanvin for H&M collection.

Here are the select locations where the collection will be

  • Scottsdale, Arizona: Scottsdale Fashion Square.
  • Boston, Massachusetts: 100 Newbury Street.
  • Costa Mesa, California: South Coast Plaza
  • Glendale, California: Americana at Brand.
  • Los Angeles, California: Beverly Center; Westfield Century City.
  • San Diego, California: Fashion Valley Mall.
  • San Francisco, California: 150 Powell Street.
  • West Hollywood, California: 8580 Sunset Boulevard.
  • New York, New York: 1328 Broadway; 150 East 86th Street; 435 7th Avenue; 515 Broadway; 640 5th Avenue; 731 Lexington Avenue.
  • Columbus, Ohio: 140 Easton Town Center.
  • Portland, Oregon: Pioneer Place
  • Seattle Washington: 520 Pike Street.
  • Washington D.C.: 1025 F Street, NW.
  • Orlando, Florida: The Florida Mall.
  • Palm Beach Gardens, Florida: The Gardens Mall.
  • Atlanta, Georgia : Atlantic Station.
  • Chicago, Illinios: 840 North Michigan Avenue.

I am having 2nd and 3rd thoughts about this collection. I thought it would be in all H&Ms but those 6 stores will be in pure chaos! I have to ask myself is it really worth it. I would have to leave my house around 5am to be on line for 6am and I probably won’t even be in the . I have not stood online hours before the store opened in like 10 years when I was in my Jordan phase.

I think these designer collaborations are great for the fashion world, but is this worth it? Most likely I will not partake in these festivities. If the collection was available at more locations I would, but 15 minutes to “shop” that’s ridiculous, I am so not a “grab and go” shopper.

How many of you will be in the trenches, throwing elbows, to get pieces from this collection?

With a new season comes a new set of rules! Take it from Fashion Designer Michael Kors

DO return to classic camel. It’s a chic alternative to black that works around the clock.

DON’T do the same shade head to toe. Mix in other neutral, like Kate Hudson did, to give things some life.

DO wear simple outfits with bright accessories that keep your look versatile.

DON’T skimp on investing in the best quality so what you buy will last for years.

 

DO get inspired by the look of 50s fashion. (Belt your waist)

DON’T be afraid of curves. It’s all about an hourglass silhouette.

DO invest in a pantsuit like Elle Macpherson’s. It can be worn with everything from a tee to a sequined tank.

DON’T confuse it with a politician’s pantsuit. You still want to look you

Source

In an exclusive interview with Lloyd Boston, Anna Sui reveals the essentials for all women and her best-kept style secret.

What is your best-kept personal style secret?

When you find what works for you, stick with it (bangs, red lipstick, etc.)

What are the three fashion essentials every well-dressed woman should own?

  1. A great coat. During the winter, you don’t remove your coat at a lot of places that you go. So the only thing people see is your coat.
  2. Great boots. They always make the outfit cooler.
  3. A great handbag. It tells so much abouto you

Who is the most stylis woman in existence, in your opinion? And what do you appreciate about her look?

Diana Vreeland and Marilyn Monroe. They both had their looks down.