How To...

Have you gone shopping for your Christmas look? Or for what your going to wear for New Year's? (Yea, it's time to start thinking about that, December 31st is next week). Tomorrow is perfect to day to go. Did you know that there are right ways to shop? What I mean is, that there is a way to shop to find clothes that fit, be time efficient, and still enjoy the experience. How you do this is about what you do before, during and after shopping. So, let's make a plan:

1) Schedule the shopping appointment with yourself. You cannot put it between errands either ( i.e. groceries, picking up kids, before a meeting, etc.). You will be rushed and not focused. Make this a priority. It is a time you need to take for yourself, that way you will shop smartly and efficiently.

2) Know what you already have. So before you take your expedition, go into your closet, dresser, storage and take inventory of what you have and what you need. Think, what's missing, what needs to be replaced, what is outdated?

3) We all have premature Alzheimer's, so write all this down. This way, you can refer back to the inventory list when the seasons change!

4) Do your homework before shopping. Go online and check out sales, new designers (Hello, Rodarte with Target!), trends and new stores. Then when you go, you will know what trend your looking for, who has it best, and an idea of how much it's going to cost.

5) I know us girls love to take shopping trips with other girls, but this kind of "on a mission" shopping trip needs to be treaded alone.

It does matter what you wear when you go shopping. Make sure to wear make-up that day. You will be looking at yourself all day in the dressing room mirrors. Make-up will help complete the picture. Be sure to wear shoes that you can easily slip on and off, like ballet flats. Wear the right undergarments. Think about what your shopping for: halter, strapless, blouse. Make sure to wear the right bra for the purchase and go for a nude colored one. The best pantie choice is a seamless bikini cut pantie or thong. I would defiantly bring a big roomy bag, one that fits easily over your shoulder. This is so you can easily browse with both hands and you can store your essentials such as heels, a snack, and water.

Make sure to get there before 12 P.M. Remember, getting their early you get staffers at their freshest and best. Also, the store is clean, organized and stocked. Easy for finding what you want.

When you get to the stores, keep an open mind on sizes. No one makes clothes the exact same, so you could be completely different sizes in two different brands. Save time by getting one size up and one size down of the item that you want, and bring all with you to the dressing room. Use the three-sided mirror. This will let you know if you look good from all angles. Ignorance is not bliss when trying on clothes. Don't dilly-dally. If something does not look good or right take it off ASAP! Staring at yourself in the mirror with something on that doesn't work is only going to discourage you and deflate your spirit. Remember, the clothes don't wear you, you wear the clothes. When you shop for shoes, you walk around in them before buying them right? Well do the same thing with clothes! Sit, bend, twist, reach up, spin-test it out. You want to see how comfortable the garment is. If it's not comfortable, you're never going to wear it.