The Blonde Muse

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SISTERHOOD?

2013-11-11T12:51:00.000+01:00

To this day, reality television and soaps continue to mine the image of women as catty, two-faced, jealous gossips. This reinforces an old stereotype of women as very petty and small-minded, while men are off thinking "more important thoughts" and having it all together all the time. Like they are the smarter and better version of human kind. The funny thing about this oppression is that we, women, still tolerate it. Moreover, we aggravate it by being mean to each other.

I think that we have become so used to it that we even have stopped realizing it. But the fact is that whenever I get negative comments, it's always from girls. I am convinced that I'm not the only one here.

Where has the bloody solidarity gone? When did we become so warped?

I don't understand why we can't put that energy into uniting and supporting each other instead. In my opinion, men will keep having the power to be sexist for as long women don't stick together and keep hating on each other. If we don't believe we're as great as men, how will we ever get them to believe it too?

I want to ~~rant about~~/ give some attention to two issues here in short: our obsession with our weight and slut shaming.

Whether we want to admit it or not, we're all concerned about our appearance. We actually have no choice. Because look at what we're subjected to if we let ourselves slip and be human beings for a minute (read: eat). We get burned by our own gender as though we've committed some sort of crime. When did carrying a bit of extra weight become something to literally be ashamed of? When did food go from being pleasure to punishment? Before gluttony was one of the seven deadly sins, now it seems like even eating at all has become one. Paradoxically, the other side of the story is also not the place where you want to go, because then you're a "self-obsessed attention seeker with no life outside the gym".

We have got to stop being so hard on ourselves and each other and unite as one to accept all sizes. If you're not built like a Victoria's Secret, then forgive yourself because it's literally a model's full time occupation. On the other side, for as long as you're healthy, it's okay to be thin too.

At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what size you are. So let's stop obsessing about how you or other women look/ eat/ work out/ live/...

The other thing: Sex positivity doesn't make women whores and not wanting to be sexual doesn't make women prudes. We all like to wear different clothes, watch different TV shows and polish our nails in another color, so why on earth would one approach to sex work for all of us? Furthermore it's not our job to lecture women on what is and what isn't socially acceptable. It's a choice to make by everyone individually. No need to psych it out for someone else.

Since men are allowed to make their own choices about their bodies and the way they approach sex, women should be allowed to do the same thing. If Miley Cyrus wants to twerk up and down the stage in a nude bodysuit, that's her call. If you like to hang out with your cat in bed while wearing pajamas, that's cool too. That's her choice, that's your choice. Despite this common knowledge, we're still blaming and shaming.

But honestly, who cares? No offense, but I actually don't care about who you've slept with or not slept with, if you one night stand it up or haven't slept with anybody at all, if you like to show your curves or keep them for yourself. At long last, it's ridiculous to think we are the sum of our sexual lifestyle. So let's start minding our own business and not whether someone is a whore and who's not, and what distinguish them.

Geri Halliwell had figured it out a long time ago:

When I came out my mother's womb I screamed: "Girl Power!"

On this International Women's Day I cry out for more girl power. Stick together, girls.

JESS DAY, THE ULTIMATE MILLENNIAL

2013-11-07T23:44:00.002+01:00

As rain and cold have decided here to stay, it's become apparent that I watch far too much television.

I am a TV yoyo dieter. Summer is my diet period, I like to hoard my favorite shows for winter. So that I can binge myself half to death on a show when the days are getting shorter, watch episode after episode in one night sittings until I'm lying in the coach in the dark wrapped in a blanket at 4 in the morning, red eyes dry and itchy, muttering incoherently to my boyfriend that I really will come to bed after this episode and staring at a flickering screen with a brain incapable of registering any more of shopaholic Carrie Bradshaw, or, a new favorite, quirky Jess Day.

Aside from extreme sleep deprivation, there is another side-effect. I always get the unnatural propensity to identify with the characters in tv-shows. For example, I do think that every aspect of Carrie's relationships is applicable to my own relationships or to those of my friends. Of course, this is what scriptwriters want. To identify with a character is often to like a character. Liking is watching, which means money. Although Carrie always felt relatable, there always remained a distance. She was a woman in her thirties figuring it all out. I was only a teenager/ twenty-something.

However when New Girl was announced, I was instantly intrigued by Zooey Deschanels character. And after three seasons, all I can think while watching the show is: "Oh my god, she's me." "My girlfriends are her." "My friend X is Schmidt." "Z is certainty Nick." Etc. This recognition is what makes New Girl for a lot of twenty-somethings such a good show. This young group of friends is simply us.

Jess embodies the "Millennial struggle" and is the poster child for not having your life fully together. She is a 20-something that moves in with three random guys because she needed a place to live after a breakup. Relatable? Uhm yeah, living on your own isn't affordable any longer these days.

She had a job, until she's laid off. Unemployment and underemployment aren't so uncommon for Millennials, and the characters on New Girl really speak true to that unfortunate reality. A major part of your twenties involves a struggle to find out where you want to go with your career. I think I, miss I-don't-know-what-to-do-with-my-life, can raise my hand here.

She has a dating life but isn't in a serious relationship. Jess' love life ranges from insanely romantic to downright awkward. While she may keep things casual, in the end she fears she's going to die alone and worries about her eggs rotting. I think most of my girlfriends can raise there hands here for feeling the same way.

Still, PMSing sucks.

Moral of the show. No one in their 20s has it figured out. If you think you do, you're just fooling yourself. Challenge, conflict and struggle, that's the storyline for all of us. I am curious about how Jess' story will proceed. And of course my own.

Do you watch the show? And do you relate?

THOUGHTS ON SAYING YES

2013-10-25T08:00:00.000+02:00

all via.

We all have those moments when we should have kept our mouths shut ("Thank you sir" "I'm a woman..."), things we would have rather not done ("Yes, I want another gin-tonic."), places we would have rather not been ("So you're a friend of a cousin of the bartender? Thanks for driving me home.") But, where we are right now would honestly not be the same without them.*

As a person with anxiety, I find myself wanting to say "no" all the time. I am terrified of driving, of being lost, of crowds, of new situations in general. This limits me when it comes to the things I enjoy like traveling, taking new opportunities and attending parties.

For a long time, I said no because I believed my mental state (Zen? Relaxed? Neutral?) was a lot more important than a few unflattering photos of me holding a koala bear or a road trip with my best friend on the other side of the world.

But, I soon realized that plenty of people were going on these trips and parties and random outings and surviving. Moreover were they creating memories that I would never be a part of simply because I was too anxious.

We often are the ones who block ourselves from making our present moments the best they can be and for pursuing wholeheartedly. That's when I decided to not only prevent my anxiety from getting the best of me, but to consciously shift my mindset. By approaching life as if the answer was already yes, I was giving myself step by step permission to find more and more joy.

Life has only opened up and become so much wider, sweeter and better by saying yes more often. This year I have made memories and, I have survived them.

So.

Say yes to weekend adventures and say yes to that extra kilometer and say yes to appreciating the beauty in your everyday life. Say yes to yoga class this weekend and the surfing lessons next month and living abroad next year. Say yes to jumping into situations head first and say yes to living life to the fullest every single day.

Say yes to change and growth and challenges and lessons learned. Say yes to crazy things that come up that are unexpected and say yes to loving deep and passionate. Say yes to moments and situations that create resistance and say yes to things that turn out a little different than you planned at first.

Be the heroine of your life and I promise you will survive. I did.

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* The friend from the cousin of the bartender became a good friend, I met awesome people with a little help from gin-tonic and I always have a funny anecdote to tell.

THIS MONDAY'S MOOD

2013-10-14T20:49:00.002+02:00

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 - 15

Today was a manic Monday to square, you know, total hell. Two deadlines later, here I am, exhausted on the couch yet still having an overflowing mind. The best solution for that is writing it down, so:

In fashion, I am attracted to the minimalistic, relaxed style, this doesn't need to equal with boring. Leopard prints, fluffy pink coats and maxi dresses make my heart skip a beat this season.

In random, You know how people buy drinks for girls in bars? Why can't people do that in book stores? Like if I'm looking at a novel and some person walks up to me and strikes up a conversation and offers to buy the book for me there is a lot better chance of that working out in their favor.

In consciousness, I realized while I was depriving myself from eating an ice cream, how disgusting it is that it's considered healthy and normal for teenage boys to eat everything, yet (teenage) girls are obviously also growing but are fucking dieting all the time and shamed for eating while they're growing.

Okay, now I'm going to make myself an ice cream. What are your random thoughts this monday?

YOU KNOW THE TRUTH, BY THE WAY IT FEELS

2013-09-25T12:53:00.000+02:00

1/ 2/ 3/ 4/ 5/ 6/ 7/ 8/ 9/ 10/ 11/ 12

The last couple of months I haven't been around a lot on this blog. First of all, life happened, which made me forget about the www for most of the time. But the main reason is sadly another one. This blog doesn't feel like my home anymore. My interests have shifted. My main focus in life is by far not fashion nowadays. Instead of spotting me in the shopping streets of Antwerp, you can find me now in the gym, home decor stores, on the couch reading a good book and in the kitchen, trying to make a healthy, yet delicious meal. Creating outfits on Polyvore seems so ironic when all I've worn in the last couple of weeks are yoga pants, ripped jeans, cozy hoodies and sneakers (or unintentionally following a new trend).

So yesterday the thought "That's it. I quit. I'm moving on," popped into my head. I felt relieved. Because you know the truth, by the way it feels. At first, I was thinking about closing this blog. But after some soul searching it felt a little drastic. So that's probably not going to happen. All I need is some little time for reflection and finding a new voice and route which this blog will take in the future.

In the mean time I leave you with this by fall inspired mood board. Thanks for your understanding.

MINIMAL DAYDREAM ATTIRE

2013-09-12T11:51:00.000+02:00

clothing details via.

And all at once, summer collapsed into fall. Although the rain is pouring down, I'm so not feeling ready to part with lady summer.

This summer was ah-mazing. I had to stop counting the moments when I felt the sun shining on my face, my heart got filled with pure happiness and all I could think was "life's perfect". You know, those moments where it seems like there are no worries in the world and you feel completely at peace with yourself? Well, that is exactly how I felt during the last couple of weeks.

Our roadtrip was practically perfect, as we were having the most incredible time living the American dream, that I barely took any pictures and tried to just live in the moment. I am trying to compile a 'best of' post, but I don't seem to be able to bring myself to do so. Looks like I'm not ready to close this chapter of my life.

Anyway, the older I get the more Scandinavian I become: form and function and everything minimal around the clock these days. My skin has never been this good (knock on wood) since I stopped putting makeup on my face everyday. Besides that you'll find me in big knits, hoodies, ripped jeans, leggings and sneakers this fall. The above looks represent "comfy meets classy". Comfy enough to chill all day, stylish enough to leave the house and do some errands.

God, I am on such a high and really don't want this wave of happiness to end. So besides daydreaming, all I do these days is researching summerschools for next summer. Or maybe an entire semester abroad? Or what about a year?

THE HOLLY GOLIGHTLY LIFESTYLE GUIDE

2013-04-25T07:10:00.000+02:00

It's New York in the 1940's where the martinis flow from cocktail hour till breakfast at Tiffany's. That's where we meet Holly Golightly at 5 am. She's a heartbreaker, a traveller, a tease. She might even appear trivial and a little immature to contemporary viewers: the shopping, the flirting, the staying out late, the show-offy affections.

On further, deeper consideration, why shouldn't she be? Don't let that Givenchy dress fool you. She may go out with one guy and come home with another, she may love her own in the big city and throw the best parties and order booze by the caseload but she's just a young women figuring out her way out of her cage. But what cage!

No matter what people say, loving Audrey Hepburn and Breakfast at Tiffany's will never ever be cliché. Audrey was absolutely beautiful, classic and had an amazing grace to her. There's no movie that shows her off more than Breakfast at Tiffany's.

After meeting Miss Golightly, we all wish that we could add a little more glamor and spontaneity to our own lives. In honor of her grace, kindness and timeless style, I have compiled a Holly Golightly lifestyle guide. Some points might be not that feasible, but like any girl crush you can't help but be inspired.

Create a classic and minimal wardrobe

Although Audrey Hepburn's character led a chaotic, party girl lifestyle yet had style that exuberated simplicity at its most beautiful. To this day, Breakfast at Tiffany's is singled out as one of the greatest achievements in costume design, and Hepburn's image as Holly Golightly remains synonymous with elegant, minimalist style. Capped sleeves, simple silhouettes, ankle length pants and, of course, that LBD only starts off the list of all of the items that are seen as iconic today.

(Hepburn wears the same black dress about four times in the movie, but it looks different the way it's styled and accessorized!)

So, step one: de-clutter your closet from all the clothes you'll never wear, keep the classics and choose the right accessories to really stand-out. Think sunglasses, oversized hats, earrings, purses and headscarfs.

Forget home decoration

When Paul first walks into Holly's apartment, he looks around ans says: "Nice little place you got here, you just moved in too, huh?" Not exactly, but her empty decor would suggest so. I know people who live for interior design and fun DIY projects for the home, but unfortunately I'm not one of them thanks to my impatience and having two left hands. (At least I've tried.)

Holly's apartment has the essentials: a couch (or a quirky bathtub cut in half), a telephone, a bed, mirrors, and of course, a vanity. In the living room you can see a suitcase full of odds and ends and a tale with records and magazines on top. Do we need more?

Furthermore, her interior suggests she could pack up and move at any second, as if she has a non-permanent lifestyle full of adventure and travel, and that would be alright with me. (Paris? LA? Tokyo?) Anyway, it seems like she's too busy to care much for home decoration while spending all of her time outside, exploring the city and shopping.

So, step two: don't go overboard on the interior design. Keep it simple and minimalistic. The merrier the home, the less you'll go outside and get yourself into crazy fun adventures.

Go for a natural signature makeup look

Holly has this natural makeup with amazingly long lashes, pink lipstick and elegant eyeliner. It looks like she just wakes up looking amazing, which is pretty plausible when you are Audrey Hepburn.

Anyway, step three, try to find your own simple routine for every morning that creates a natural look with flirty, Bambi eyes.

Get that sophisticated accent

Another little piece of Holly Golightly's heart I think we all would love to tuck into our own is her frank manner of speech. She calls everybody "dahhling", says statements like "it's useful being top banana in the shock department." and "A girl can't read that sort of thing without her lipstick." and throws in some French phrases into her conversations. Even cursing isn't that terrible anymore when you drop a "Oh, Golly Gee Damn!"

Most of the time it's not the words she says but the way she says them. It just sounds so romantic and a fluid way of talking. If we adapted her beautiful tone of voice with accent as a packaged deal, we would probably lose all our current friends because they would think we had gone mentally insane. But I'm convinced we would gain so many more, non?

Step four: internalize an intelligent speech with a romantic inflection in the voice. Sounds easy, n'est-ce pas?

Live in your dreamworld

It seems like her head is always in the clouds, living in her own dream world. She's too busy with her fantastical ideas and living this glamorous persona that she forgets where she dropped the telephone, misplaced her alligator shoes, forgets what day it is and wanders around Tiffany's at five in the morning. Rather than worrying about insignificant details, she lives at her own happy pace.

Step five: give free rein to your imagination. Try to unbound yourself by so many of the rules most of us are happy to live by.

Don't belong to anybody

Holly lived alone in her apartment, moving through the city at odd hours, getting money her own way, most-likely spent a lot of her time alone (before Paul showed up), and was still this social butterfly at parties, very confident and the girl every guy kept an eye on.

Nearing the end of the novel/ movie, I was so mad at her because she abandons Cat in an alley on a rainy day to prove a point. She explains herself by saying "We belong to nobody, and nobody belongs to us". I remember thinking that it was incredibly reckless and damaging not just to herself but to the cat, and that of course people belong to us because I know what it feels like to belong to someone. Today her words make a little more sense. She wasn't saying that we're not allowed to feel loved or wanted or stable, she was saying that everything is fleeting and we should live our lives with a sense of urgency because of it. That kind of urgency that makes you jump into things with both feet because for all you know the world could end tomorrow, and it'd be really sad to think you missed out on anything cause you were too scared to move.

Remember, step six: Holly made up a whole life for herself and did whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted. Soak up every opportunity for spontaneity and every chance for napping with a super duper eye mask in a bathtub sofa.

Always act Holly Golightly-fabulous

It's simply impossible* to look Audrey Hepburn-perfect everywhere you go, but being fabulous is more than just looks. It's the attitude you have towards yourself. (*Or is it? Referring here to Audrey's luscious quote "Nothing is impossible. The word itself says I'm possible.")

Our final and most important, step seven: being Holly Golightly-fabulous means being confident, living with a purpose and looking absolutely stunning while living it

EXPERIENCE

2013-03-26T08:33:00.000+01:00

via.

Me and my friend after lunch at le pain quotidien:

Me: I'm still on the hunt for the perfect blazer to wear at my friend's wedding, maybe we can check some shops before class starts?

Friend: Sounds good.

In the first store:

Me: *Sigh*. Nothing seems appealing to me. It feels like my attitude towards shopping and new clothes has changed.

Silence.

Friend: Why don't we spend our afternoon at the bookstore and make wish lists for our future libraries instead?

Me: Sounds fantastic.

The happy end.

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Sometimes I wonder if my current attitude towards shopping and clothes stems from the fact that the whole online window-shopping thing and lust for beautiful clothes has been replaced by hours of daydreaming about my West Coast road trip and the quest for Beauty and the Beast's library.

I used to spend hours reading blogs and magazines searching for inspiration for creating my perfect world where I would frolick around in perfect outfits. But since the desire to create this so called perfect wardrobe has gone, I feel refreshed. The hassle of getting something new and looking it over and trying it on seems too much lately. Now I would rather spend my days in the sun, doing pilates or reading a book.

My closet is still far from complete, and it has never been emptier after my spring cleaning, yet I've never been happier with the things I do have. It just seems like I am bored by the constant influx of new stuff, finally.

Is it because blogs, and the internet in general, used to be my way to sate my boredom? Maybe it was my way to live vicariously through others? Either way, I think it's time to claim my own life and go live it. Starting with planning my big trip to California in August, starting today with a good workout and healthy meals. Because if there's one thing I have learned:

Experience > material objects.

HAPPY COUPLE SECRETS

2013-03-05T08:06:00.000+01:00

(via.)

After reading your comments on my previous post I had the feeling that some of you had misinterpreted me. And I plead guilty for the lack of clarity. Haziness is probably my middle name (between bookworm and day-dreamer). So let me explain myself for a bit.

I was not playing advocate for (destructive and endless) fights in a relationship but I am pro attraction and passion between two persons. Preferable in massive quantities. The attraction and passion between movie characters, like Noah and Allie of The Notebook make me drool. And I still believe it is possible in real life too.

Unfortunately I noticed in the last couple of months that a lot of people out there settle for less.

Something like: "You're my friend, I'm lonely and on paper we could work. So let's do this."

It sounds so wrong to me.

Yet it seems some others have given up on passionate love. Boo to that.

Of course, I know that there are more important things than being constantly head over heals in love with each other. But there is a thin line between being lovers and being lonely friends together/ acting like brother and sister.

Then again, where there is passion. There are fights.

Having the same values: fine (Secret number 1♥). But we can not agree on everything.

But the ratio between positive and negative interactions is high:

Apparently is 5:1 ideal.

(For the not so alert reader: we are beyond the point where I start trying to give this post a somehow useful twist.)

If you are already in a relationship, you obviously cannot influence your own or your partner's personality to make you more compatible. (Please do not even try.) But you do have the power to influence the other four factors.

You can consciously make an effort to...

2♥ fight from time to time but avoid the four toxic behaviors:

Criticism

Contempt

Stonewalling

Defensiveness

A total lack of fighting tends to be a sign of indifference or that one or both partners are censoring their opinions/ feelings. (And here I am again, no passion).

3♥ maximise positive interactions

4♥ Not shy away from commitment

Happy couple make plans for the future, have lots of rituals, view their partner in the same category as their closest family members etc.

5♥ Emphasize the good characteristics of your partner

People in a happy relationship tend to view their partner's actions from an optimistic perspective:

- Negative actions are attributed to situational factors: "He's late, the traffic must have been horrible."

- Positive actions are attributed to the partner's character: "She cooked my favorite dinner, she is such an amazing girlfriend."

Tadaa! That makes 5 "happy couple" secrets. And another incoherent rant about passion and attraction in a relationship. Good luck.

IN DEFENSE OF

2013-02-28T08:00:00.000+01:00

(via.)

Me and my friend over a cup of coffee.

Me: Is it just me? Or is love becoming for people just a matter of choice and convention?

Friend: It seems to go that way these days.

Silence.

Both: But I don't want it to be that way!

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First thought: it's getting creepy how my friend and I are starting to not only end each others sentences but also exactly know the beginning of the following.

Second thought: I am what people call a naive/ silly person who still believes in love. Real love. Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can't-live-without-each-other-love. Love that feels like your heart is going to burst, your head explode and you're constantly feeling nausea by all the butterflies. Love where you say: You're a nightmare but I love you, and I want this every single day.

That kind of love.

You can say: ~~Lady/Woman/~~ Girl, you've watched way too many movies.

But then I answer: Isn't hanging on, as you get older, to a dreamy, romantic idea of how life will turn out the best motivator? Otherwise, what's to point anyway?

Your turn.

NOT ONLY A SHOP STOP

2013-02-06T08:00:00.000+01:00

Last year I challenged myself

to stop shopping for 3 months

(here & here).

I succeeded.

Or didn't I?

I did stop shopping these three months

but did I become conscious of the big picture?

Maybe?!

I don't feel the need anymore to keep up with other bloggers,

want to update my wardrobe constantly,

and when I present my latest findings to the world

it are only items that I really love.

I don't lose myself no longer in this world of übercool bloggers,

who are living the dream

having a wardrobe filled with expensive branded clothing.

Yes.

From time to time I heave a sigh because I see something better, cooler or newer.

But I've made peace with the fact that I can't own everything that I want.

In fact.

I don't want to own everything.

Fitting in is so overrated.

Staying true to your personal style and trying to keep up with the latest trends

all at the same time

a mission impossible.

I've always been that kind of girl that felt comfortable in a very clean, elegant style with blazers, blouses, shirts and blue jeans.

Like Will Rogers once said:

"Too many people spend money they haven't earned,

to buy things they don't want,

to impress people they don't like."

So why would I add galaxy leggings and clashing prints to my outfit?

In 2012,

I've decided to stop compulsive purchases.

It was hard from time to time to find my real voice

and quench the rebellious voice in me that screamed "get this, get that" all the time.

But I did.

Of course, this blog is still about fashion I buy and other things strongly connected to materialistic things and consumerism.

But I hope you feel it isn't all about just buying more stuff.

I don't like the feeling anymore to own masses of things I don't need.

I want to invest money in

experiencing

something amazing.

I remember when I traveled in Australia

and everyday I had amazing experiences,

that didn't cost a cent

and still make me smile today.

Life is so much more than owning and controlling material things.

So let's make room for the good stuff.

APARTMENT COVETING

2013-01-21T10:23:00.004+01:00

via pinterest.

For all of you who've already taken a look at my pinterest it isn't a surprise that I love, besides street style and sentimental musings, interior design. Winter is almost over (I'm ignoring the snow outside like a pro) which means that we can start to bring spring and summer again into our homes.

During all of my study breaks you can find me pinning some good inspiration and possible DIYs to keep in mind for making my apartment summer ready. All pretty exciting if you ask me. Can't wait for my exams to be over. Until then it will stay all in the head, and pinterest of course. Sigh.

STYLE RESOLUTIONS TWO ZERO ONE THREE

2013-01-02T13:40:00.000+01:00

via.

Let me first of all wish you all a belated Happy New Year. I hope you started the year in style with lots of champagne and kisses. I already skipped January first by sleeping all day, and on day two of the new year, I'm still recovering from a smashing NYE party.

I'm pretty sure one of the most important things to help you grow as a person is setting yourself challenges, providing yourself with a never ending stream of self improvement and never letting your life become stagnant. But it's hard when you're in a sleep-study-eat-sleep routing to feel like making time for these projects.

So, for this year I decided to just keep doing what I am doing and not set personal resolutions that I'll probably forget after only a month.*

But, it's true, a new year would not be complete without any ambitious resolutions, so for 2013 I made up some fashion related ones:

SIMPLIFY MY CLOSET

Starting with donating everything that has not been worn within the last year, so I can make room for great pieces.

WEAR LESS BLACK, EMBRACE MORE COLOR

ACTUALLY WEAR MY GOOD CLOTHES

I have a closet packed full of loveliness but only wear a fraction of the sum total. I'm guilty of always reaching for the same tried-and-tested look when I'm dashing trough the door. So I'll stop being lazy and try to be a little more risky with new combinations.

DEVELOP MY OWN FASHION FORMULA

INVEST IN MORE TRANSITION PIECES

Living in a country where it's 80% of the time autumn, I'm in need of pieces I can layer.

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* Okay, maybe one: limiting my cursing because it feels like I developed a mild form of Tourette's syndrome in 2012.

SINGLE CHRISTMAS

2012-12-22T17:03:00.000+01:00

photo via.

Although I never believed in Santa Claus (which led to awkward discussions on his existence while sitting on fake Santa's lap), I've always loved Christmas. I especially loved it from the ages of 0-12 when it didn't matter what I looked like, what I asked my mom and dad for (Barbies of course) or what I wanted in life (more Barbies and a horse, please).

Now I am considerably older than 12, I find Christmas has become less about what I am and more about who I am, as shown in, who I am with.

The answer though remains the same: no one.

"OMG? No one?!" "Sweetheart, are you okay?" "Grab the gin and force it down her sorry throat." "There is a girl. At a party. At Christmas. And she's SINGLE." "How unfathomably tragic! She must feel miserable."

Well, sorry to disappoint you but I'm not miserable. Not one bit, in fact. What is sad however, is that no one reading this will believe me. Doubters assume I'm 'lying', 'pretending', 'saving face' and 'being stoic'. They whisper to me in hushed tones that I must not worry because 'I'm still young' and 'my time will come...'

Now you can pass that bottle of gin, so I can slam your face with it.

Surviving Christmas as a single has not to do with feeling lonely and unwanted. It's all to do with how to ward off the hordes who try to impose upon you a feeling you just don't feel.

And when I properly think about it, all those rude questions, horrible assumptions and inappropriate comments about my single status are actually insulting. Why should I feel bad about being alone? Is my company that horrendous I should dread every second of having to endure it on my own? Smiling graciously to those tick-tocking titterers and patronising pouters followed by fleeing the scene of interrogation is way too kind as a response.

If the worst thing that can happen is that I'm single and spending Christmas drinking champagne with my parents, who are both healthy and fine... Well, that's not that bad. There will come a time when they won't be here and I'll miss them terribly. So let's enjoy what is happening here and now.

In truth I actually end up feeling sorry for taken people at Christmas. The song All I Want for Christmas is You has little meaning if you already have the one you want.

And what remains of the fun of kissing under the mistletoe when everybody would already have been taken?

Also, Christmas with a significant other is wallet-cripplingly expensive. There's the big present for your lover (has to be a biggie if you really love each other) and "thank you for inviting me"-gifts for your in-laws. Instead you can, as a single, use the money to buy something yourself. As long as you spend less than you would have on a partner, you're actually saving money. Right? Probably? What the heck, who's counting?

5 STYLE COMMANDMENTS

2012-11-22T15:53:00.000+01:00

Fashion rules in general can be very helpful in many ways, but also very confining and restrictive depending on how you choose to incorporate style into your life. If you are one of those women who simply wear clothes for functional purposes, these rules are nice because they provide structure which eliminates thought. But if you're someone who chooses to express herself with her clothing choices or someone who wants to make a statement, then you will most likely want to tweak these rules to best fit your lifestyle and personality.

If you're reading fashion blogs I assume that you belong to the second group and love about fashion that while it isn't something serious, it can have a ver powerful effect in our lives if we handle it appropriately to help aid us live the life we desire.

In the last couple of months of shopping for my body type, getting comfortable with who I am and what life I want to live, I started to hone in on what works and what doesn't work for me now when it comes to fashion. Although I probably always will be a student of fashion, as I'm ever changing, I think I will shop by the following rules for a while because for me they're the timeless essentials to keep in mind.

Dress to flatter your figure and your personality.

Dress the body you have now, not the body you had in high school and not the body that you wish you had. Create your own style and don't just copy all the trends of this season.

Invest in quality basics.

The basic items that create the foundation of your wardrobe should be high quality because these items have to last. When you tend to purchase quality, you will find you need to go shopping less because the items you have last.

Strive for balance - keep it simple.

For me, less is really more.

Only shop for what you need.

What works for me is to always have a running list of what I need, and then I am always on the look out. By choosing to stick to a closet of fewer clothes, you will find you have more money to purchase high quality items when you find exactly what you want.

Navy as the new black.

I am obsessed with this color and I think it's a flattering color on so many different types of skin tones and body types and it works for every season.

Now I'm curious to your commandments, share below!

TODAY I LIKE TO WEAR

2012-10-23T07:56:00.001+02:00

THIS

source - source - source - source - source - source

OR THIS

source - source - source - source - source - source

OR THIS

source - source - source - source - source

OR THAT.

source - source - source - source - source - source - source

Which one would you love to wear?

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LOVE LESSONS

2012-10-17T20:10:00.000+02:00

via.

Now that the weather has cooled down and we're in the middle of fall, I can't help but reflect on how much my life has changed, probably for the better, these last couple of weeks. Love is such a tricky topic, and I really don't want to sound bitter in this forthcoming talk about turning a really crappy experience, my bad romance, into something empowering. I am not embittered, but I've learned my lessons when it comes to love.

My story goes something like this: when I was 15 years old I fell head over heels in love with this perfect guy. And the two of us were very happy. Until I realized he was really cool and I wasn't. I knew this because he told me so and, since he was really cool and I couldn't think for myself, it had to be true. Besides that, it happened that the boy I was in love with was really handsome too and I wasn't that pretty. I knew that because he repetitious pointed out my flaws. Also, this guy really knew how to have fun. I didn't know how to do that and I was always getting in the way of his fun. I knew that because he told me he was my babysit when we hang out together. Actually, I was the reason he wasn't getting anywhere in life. How did I know that? Well, he told me so.

For years I felt so extremely lucky to date with this cool, handsome, fun guy. So big-hearted of him to date me, even though I wasn't cool or handsome or fun. I believed that being in love is the most wonderful and important thing in the world. That it means you're handsome, even if your partner is unkind about your appearance. That it means you are interesting, even when your partner doesn't listen to you or respect your thoughts and preferences. That it means you're never alone, so you stay with someone that makes you feel lonely in the relationship.

Of course that is not true. My problem was that if he told me I wasn't good enough, I would believe him. I didn't object when he insulted me under the disguise of "constructive criticism" or "just joking". It took me a series of hurtful lies to realize that I couldn't take it anymore. There was no reason anymore to believe any word he'd ever said to me. I realized that my hope that someday he would turn into the guy I had always wanted him to be was a phantom. So we broke up.

So, love lesson number one: behavior is where you will really learn about people and start to crack their strange little individual code. If he says that he will try to change but keeps treating you badly; walk! You will never regret it, and you will make space in your life for a really, really fantastic person to appear.

Life is finally settling down though, and I feel happy and comfortable again on a constant, daily basis. I've had rough days, but I've learned so much about myself and other people. It's been good for me to experience something like this and grow from it. So I want to end with a little thank you to my ended relationship, you were beautiful from time to time and in the end a good lesson to me.

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APARTMENT WISHLIST

2012-10-13T18:29:00.001+02:00

I think one of the biggest advantages of the end of a relationship (and therefore living on your own again) is that you can totally redecorate your apartment in the way you want it. My apartment wishlist is growing and growing and right now I'm feeling neutrals mixed with some girly items here and there. Here are some things I've had my eye on as inspiration for how I want my apartment to look like.

inspired by 1 and 2.

One. ceramic oversized vase Two. diptyque scented candle Three. origami coffee table Four. faux fur throw Five. poofy pillow white and grey Six. Khloe crystal lamp from Lulu & Georgia Seven. sofa from ikea

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HAIR CRUSH

2012-09-07T15:30:00.000+02:00

Brigitte Bardot. Just look at her.. a total babe. Really, this is how hair and make-up should always be: big and blonde. Brigitte bardot has always been someone of true beauty. Over the years countless celebrities, models and magazine editors have borrowed from her style. Et pourquoi pas? She is the queen of mastering the bedhead whether its worn up or down. The messier, the better.

Although I've just grown out my bangs and hated styling them most of the time, I'm really thinking about cutting them back. And some layers too. But still hesitating, because I'm such a coward when it comes to my hair. Ugh, decisions, decisions. What do you think?

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FAST VS SLOW FASHION

2012-09-02T09:44:00.000+02:00

image source.

Last friday I attended the Babalon Blognight at The Public Image store*. Coco Chanel once said: "Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street. Fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening." This phrase could actually be the definition of this concept store. The store breaths fashion and offers a mix of items of different designers and brands addressed to ecologically friendly, street wear oriented customers.

Concept stores give the buying process a different meaning. It's all about the shopping experience for the customers. My thoughts started drifting away. Fast versus slow fashion, is it that difficult to choose for quality?

It seems that we've got a ravenous appetite for fashion. Clothes have gone from being investments to being disposable items. Garments have become more than a third cheaper than they were ten years ago, and the average woman owns more clothing now than at any other time in history. This is all thanks to the 'fast fashion industry'.

International chains like Spain's Zara, Sweden's H&M, America's F21 and Ireland's Primark have conquered the retail world by not only knocking off designer duds minutes after they appear on the runway, but completely restocking their stores with brand new fashions every two week or so. True story: where once there were two fashion cycles a year - spring and fall - we now have two a month.

I'm not going to point the finger at anyone else. We want to have fun with fashion and fast fashion can definitely be fun. It's great for those who are still trying on new styles to learn what suits then best and have small allowances to pay for it in any case. But for the rest of us, shouldn't we know better by now? Shouldn't fashion be more luxurious than this? Shouldn't it last?

One of the reasons we all fell for fast fashion was to express our personalities through our clothes. Ironically, all we've managed to accomplish is looking like everyone else out there. We're every few months wearing the same trends, how cocky :-)

There's a reason why nearly 20 years after her death, actress Audrey Hepburn is still considered one of the most stylish women ever to have graced the planet. She favored simple garments devoid of embellishment. She pursued clothing that remained chic year after year. Also, did you ever see Karl Lagerfield in anything else than a suit? And what about Grace Kelly?

Women like Audrey and Grace knew that timeless style is built on a few simple pieces. The key is to figure out which wardrobe staples - your from now on faithful basics - best flatter your figure. Should you invest in pencil or A-line skirts? Skinny or straightleg trousers? Should your white tee be fitted, loose, asymmetric or... what about black? Finding a collection of go-to combos that flatter your figure requires a little experimentation (and an honest friend or two).

But when you've found what you love and what looks best on you, the urge to buy fast fashion will take off. Dressing yourself in a few well-made basics that you can update with well-chosen accessories will make you feel so much more confident than dressing yourself with so much junk. We women have been dressing ourselves in nasty, flimsy, scratchy, badly made and ill-fitting clothes, all for the sake of being on top of a trend that lasts about two minutes. We're worth more than that.

Once you've got these essentials sorted, it's easier to figure out which trends to incorporate into your wardrobe and which to leave on the rack. As a general rule: the more details a garment has, the more quickly it becomes outdated. For example take stripes: they've been popular since the early 1900 when Coco Chanel first designed tops inspired by French fishermen. Right now, stripes are back. But when you buy a striped tee with embellished shoulders and military-style buttons on the cuff it will feel like an expired rend by this time next year. So ladies, keep it simple.

I once bought (read: grabbed) something at F21. When I came home I saw that the stichting was already ripped and that besides it was already damaged, it really didn't suit my figure. I gave 10 euros for something that was already damaged and would probably not look good on any woman's body type. Pfff.

This is the reason why fashion guidelines always used to say that women on a budget can't afford to buy cheap clothes. Those inexpensive garments just don't last. It's better to buy less but high quality items that are locally produced and ethically made. At least they will last more than one season, probably for years.

Keep in mind that an item's expense doesn't guarantee its quality. The trick is to shop like your grandma would have done: turn down the seams to see if they're well finished or if threads are loose and the stitching is uneven. Is the garment lined? Are heave-use areas such as buttons or zips reinforced? Is the fabric durable? The list of questions goes on.

It can be expensive. I think that when a garment is extremely well made, it's worth a splurge. The old idea of actually saving up to buy something special instead of racking up more debt on a whim has something "romantic", right? Invest in your clothing. Invest in your style. Invest in you.

------------------

* The Public Image

Wijngaardstraat 16

2000 Antwerpen

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MY NINE-TO-FIVE LATELY

2012-08-23T20:23:00.000+02:00

find all the image sources here.

Interior design is probably my newest obsession. Not that I wasn't very interested in it until now (as seen here, here and here). But it wouldn't surprise me that in the last couple of weeks I spend more time in stores like ikea and habitat than in the normally "daily" visited clothing stores. The reason of this all of a sudden obsession is probably: too much time. Not that I'm not able to fill my day with ~~meaningful and serious~~/ irrelevant and trivial matters, still I'm sitting here in my apartment thinking "this really doesn't feel like my place".

I remember my move to this apartment: it had to be fully renovated before I could move in. So when that was finally done, school had already started and we just put some furniture in it with the thought that we would finish it later, that I would give the place my own twist later.

Well, four years later and not that much has changed. I still have the same old leather coach that my cat made his favorite scratching post, there's still hanging that big poster that not only makes my living room way smaller than it actually is, I'm also sick and tired of looking at it every single day. And the process of decorating the place is slightly slower than expected.

And then there is vacation, lots of spare time and pinterest. To cut a long story short: I am redecorating my apartment into a space that truly feels like my home. It will probably never look like the rooms showed above but, you know, I have this feeling that in a couple of weeks I will be crazy in love with my prettified place.

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FRENCH GIRLS DO IT BETTER

2012-08-16T12:24:00.001+02:00

Refined. Feminine. Powered. Extremely confident; French women always look like they just stepped out of the cover of French Vogue. They radiate a je-ne-sais-quoi attitude that we so admire and envy, but never can imitate.

Sophistication and balance, that is the essence of the Parisian chic style. A Parisian follows fashion, but not too much. She is sexy, but not vulgar. It's all about balance, the right mix. Casual chic, that's the goal.

Haven't you ever looked at a particularly chic woman and thought to yourself, oh, she looks so Parisian. Yet, she is not from Paris at all! That is simply a complimentary way of saying she looks very elegant or stylish. The look of the Parisians is good for reference because it tends to be classic and the elegant, free of fads or silly trends. It is also one of the easiest looks to maintain and has passed the test of time.

Simple, elegant, classic style is timeless. Rarely is anything we consider a style classic actually "new". The little black dress, perfectly fitting jeans, blouses, cozy sweaters, ballet flats, knee-length skirts, trim heels. These are nothing new. Nevertheless, they always manage to look fresh and elegant. Epitomizing chic style.

How does one accomplish this effortless, easy way with style? By playing up their good features and downplaying the features they dislike. By accepting certain things about themselves that will not change. By having the confidence to try things and be as stylish as they wish to be on any given day. By being true to themselves.

Sophistication and balance, that is the essence. A Parisian follows fashion, but not too much. She is sexy, but not vulgar. It's all about balance, the right mix. Casual chic, that's the goal.

Blend elegance with sensuality, a casual look with a touche sophistiquée. The biggest mistake you can make? To look overdressed. The really fundamental rule is always be neat. You should be clean, your clothes ironed, your shoes polished. Reach with the minimum the maximum. That's the Parisian motto.

Excess is rarely the best approach towards elegance. Why do we think we need so much? Many women have tons of clothes but "have nothing to wear". Pair down to the basics. Have a love affair with your clothes! If you love everything in you closet, you will radiate the confidence that comes from being dressed in an outfit that makes you feel fantastic. Own nothing unacttractive. If it does not fit, is ugly or simply does not make you feel good; donate it! If you own nothing unattractve, you will never have to worry about looking anything less than good.

On the other hand are French women born individualists. They do not care a fig what people think. They want to impress, surprise, be different. This attitude is called Nonchalance ultraparisienne.

If you are grooming yourself to impress other women, trust me, you will never, ever, truly feel that you have succeeded. In fact, you will probably end up looking worse and having zero self-confidence. Also is jealousy absolutely nuts! Pay no attention to jealous people. they are not important. Avoid them and keep them out of your life as much as possible. Do not let them undermine your confidence or personal style in any way.

Personality. Self-confidence. A French woman dresses for herself, tries above all to please herself in the way she looks - because she must, if she's going to please others. A French woman never feels she's offering herself. There's never a sense of surrender, but an attitude of 'I belong to me'.

French women, we still have much to learn from them.

PS: I updated my "ABOUT" page. Take a look, pretty please.

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HELLO, YOU'RE AMAZING

2012-08-03T09:08:00.000+02:00

via design love fest

Here I am again with a post that may be too long but I think it can be an interesting one. I'm already thinking a long time about posting something on this matter. Now, you probably think something like "Again? You already said that in your previous post, blablabla", but, hey, that's called a writer's block. When VILA, the Danish high street fashion brand, asked me to write a post about having confidence and being true to yourself, I finally could make myself sit down and start writing.

Confidence, probably one of those everlasting struggles of life. (Other examples of eternal struggles are 1) not letting your money leak through your fingers*, 2) eating healthy. Every. Single Day. But more on that another time.)

Well, let me tell you a little story about self-confidence, or the lack of it.

A few weeks ago on Tuesday, 9:31pm: I'm sitting in front of my closet and I have nothing at all to wear. This is really not the best timing for that, tonight I'm going to a party where all the (so told) "rich and famous" will be. I have to make a good impression.

9:35pm: I start painting my nails mint to limit the "nothing to wear" problem, but then think about how clashing colors is the newest trend. Yeah, that helped.

9:41pm: thanks to my new awesome rapid dry coat I can resume the outfit quest by displaying everything in my closet on my bed.

9:43pm: Cavalli dress, mint colored blazer; Yay, I'm ready for tonight!!

....

10:28pm: arriving at my friend's home to leave for the party. She gives me a huge smile and tells me she likes my dress. Ha!

....

10:56pm: we enter the party scene and... How fabulous and pretty can anyone be? Ugh.

10:57pm: really, it looks like all the girls have model sizes and wear heels not less than 4 inch. I'm wearing ballet flats and it looks like I'm the kid in the house. Great.

10:59pm: nope, I'm not going to dance. Just sitting here and watching all those confident girls having fun.

11:01pm: this is a really good song.

11:02pm: it's not good, I love it! Maybe...

11:02pm: And then... drum rolls... I get up and dance.

11:03pm: fun part: no one cares. No one sizes me up.

11:03pm - ....: dance. Dance. Dance.

Sorry to lead you on, but nothing happened when I started doing my thing. People weren't staring at me like I was an alien or judging me. What happened was that I actually had an amazing night. I had nothing to be afraid of and there was nothing or nobody to feel self-conscious for.

Conclusion: it's never worth losing your head. Never cancel a party for stupid reasons. Never take yourself too seriously. Most of the time people really don't care what you're wearing and how you look. We're way too preoccupied with ourselves for that.

And if they talk, remember that doesn't give them the power to ruin your day or to make your feel sad. You only have that power over you. So be who you are and figure that people can take it or leave it. Have your own distinct style and wear what you feel best in.

Now I'll leave you with the movie where the VILA campaign is focused around. When you're watching this short video you will scream a lot of "ouch"'s and "oh"'s when you see all those models stumble on their high heels. And maybe laugh a couple of times. But the thing is; you don't have to feel sorry for that because after their fall they also start laughing and keep going. In the end they are also just woman with a job and try to survive in this world with high expectations. The only thing you can do, is make the best of it.

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* Incredibly difficult for me, keep here in mind that I live less than 5 minutes from the shopping streets.

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THOUGHTS ON BLOGGING

2012-08-01T09:48:00.002+02:00

The last couple of weeks it feels like I'm getting a little bummed out about blogging. This morning, this comes in the form of an incoherent ramble, when pondering my time spent blogging, I decided to type it out. Although this may be just some rambling, I want you to know that I thought long and hard about posting my thought on blogging lately because I didn't want to come off as some whiny brat who makes a big deal about something not so big. I am doing it anyway.

First and foremost, blogging is for the most part absolutely wonderful. I never thought I would meet so many lovely people through blogging and that so many people would take a part out of their day to read and comment on my posts. Reading other people's blog also gives me happiness; I get inspiration from so many of your blogs and to be honest I don't think I would have continued blogging had it not been for the community.

I probably shouldn't be upset, but I can't seem to help it. Lately I've just been feeling like I have to put a lot of work into making this blog both a reflection of myself as well as an interesting place to come, with a variety of content. It actually takes a lot of my time and I spend hours trying to come up with stuff that isn't just a "filler". This is a good thing, it makes me able to be more proud of this little space.

At the same time though, I get really discouraged when actual time is spent on a post and the response is just dead. That little reader interaction and response made that I couldn't make myself to spend a lot of time into blogging in July.* The strange part is that when I post something that took only 15 minutes, everybody comes out of the dark. I'm not blaming you for anything but it makes me question the time I spend on here and it actually makes me feel so less creative when the non-inspiring stuff are the ones that people flock to.

Bye bye to my creative mojo! Hello stupid writer's block.

It's just hard to feel inspired, encouraged and creative when it seems like visitors are just looking for a quick read and nothing else. The question "does blogging make me happy?" popped up in my mind the other day. To be honest, not all of the time. While some days are fantastic, others only feel like a lot of work. Then I remembered the day when I started my blog. I did start my blog to empty my head, to write about what I love. I didn't start to blog to please other people. One of the best things about blogging is that we don't have to answer to anyone: we're free to post what we want and when we want to. That's the most beautiful part of blogging; you can write about anything you like. And when other people love that writing great/ amazing/ dazzling, but sometimes people won't like it and that's also just fine.

So, rather than moaning, I want to do two things: (/or how to try ending a somewhat negative post with a happy ending...)

1) Thank you for your continued support! I may not have thousand of followers but I am happy to have a loyal few. It really does mean a lot to me.

2) Ask you if you have thoughts on this matter. Did you ever have the same thoughts on blogging and what did you do to overcome the typical writer's block?

So, while I am re-evaluating my blog please understand if I won't post often; I think that it's better to rather publish one good post a week than lots of crappy ones, am I right? Fingers crossed I'll be feeling re-inspired again soon.

--------------------------
* I also refound my love for reading books. I always loved reading because it lets me leave reality for a little time. I'm one of those people who always get really hooked in to books and feel as if they're in the book themselves. So happy that I refound that joy.

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Sane sales shopping

2012-07-02T23:27:00.000+02:00

Great bargains, red sale signs and hoards of women rifling through bins piled high with reduced items, like bees round a honey pot, jostling with one another for that must-have bargain buy. Yes, there is certainly no better way to test my new shop spirit than during the sales. Because today my no-buy was officially over, it was time to test that the super responsible shopper in me.

Sharing is caring: so here are my tips and tricks for keeping it all sane during the sales. Because let's be honest: it's funny how sales shopping brings out the best (or worst) in women. Honing in on their hunting instinct, turning into warriors at the mere mention of a sale. A sane woman can turn positively irrational at the sight a 50% reduction rail. Sales can be overwhelming and it have often led me to waste money, but not this time: now I have a plan.

Before shopping

Plan ahead

Browse the online shop of your favorite store to pre-select what you want to try on in the actual store. One important thing I learned during my no-buy is that I lose all bit of common sense when I fill that online basket.

Make a wish list

Sales clothing tends to be fashionable pieces which are likely to become out-dated quickly, so if the item you have your eye on is just coming to the end of its trend, then consider how long you'll able to wear it. Think about what you still need? Non-seasonal pieces or basics like a leather jacket (check), denim shirt (check), parka, shirt dress (etc.) are perfect sale buys.

Balance quality and price

Sale is the time to get a high end item for what you'd normally spend on the high street. Same goes for fancy fabrics like silk or cashmere. High quality, low price... Score!

Set a budget

Set a budget and stick to it. But because nobody is perfect you can allow yourself one 'must have' that you run into. Now you're ready to hit the shopping streets without bankrupting yourself.

During shopping

Go early

It's best to wait until the midpoint of sales season to go in for the kill, knowing that it's usually the second price-markdown that offers the best values. Waiting until the very end of the sales will provide the most substantial discounts, but choice is often limited by that point, and when shopping for clothes, finding the right size becomes a challenge during the last days.

Ask yourself these questions:

* Would you buy it full price?

Do not get distracted into buying clothes just because they are in the sale. How many times have you come away from a sale with a bagful of clothes that you honestly never really wear, or don't feel good in? Getting a cheap item might be exciting in the store, but once you wear it, the deal becomes irrelevant. The garment still looks, feels and fits the same. So always ask yourself, would I still but this if it wasn't reduced?

* Will you like it next season?

Take a look at your wish list: does the item suits your style? Will it last all year long or is it just a one season wonder?

* Does it fit my style and other pieces in my closet?

All super fancy eye catchers don't make an amazing closet, try to find some classic and timeless pieces that you can wear throughout the year.

Wear comfortable clothes

Wear something comfortable that's easy to change out of. And flat shoes, because only superwoman can survive a whole day of walking errands with high heels. Also, wear clothes you love to wear, so you can see if the item would fit with your current wardrobe.

Hold on while shopping

If you see an item but you're unsure about it, don't buy it and don't ever look at it again. If you're not that radical, hold on to it while making your round in the store. Sale shopping goes quickly so this way you won't be disappointed to see it's gone once you decide to get it.

Check it and test it.

Don't buy anything without a visit to the fitting rooms. Since a majority of clearance items are overstock or returned products that have been sitting out for a long time, be sure to give things a thorough once-over before purchasing. Closely check the items before purchasing them because sales are final. If you discover a hole after you've already paid, the item is yours.

Have fun

Don't stress and maybe you just run into an unexpected new-favorite item.

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