Don't Forget to Feed Your Fashionable Piggy!

I know what it's like to spend your last dime on someone you love, especially during the holidays. Just remember to always save a little for yourself. Once every other day or so, I look in my wallet and take anything from a penny to a $5 bill, and walk over to my piggy bank in the kitchen and drop it in! One time, Steve and I filled up a piggy bank so much, that when we cashed it, we were able to go on a major grocery shopping spree. I know -- exciting, right? But really, it came at a perfect time.

No matter what your budget level is, EVERYONE could use the extra change! And why not find a little piggy, or some sort of mini bank, that is fun and fashionable? Mine looks like a tzedakah can (Can I hear an Amen from my Jewish sistas?!), with a 1950s style couple saying "Saving Up to Quit My Job!" (My Employer: If you are reading this, I think it's hilarious. Not really my plan, I swear!) And the other bank Steve and I had was a bronze elephant that we found for cheap at the Chino Outdoor Swap Meet.

So what matches your personality? Here are a few cute styles, and options, that I found when I Googled "fashionable piggy banks":

After all, shouldn't saving money be fun? My biggest tips to saving using your bank: Purchase one that you have to actually break in order to open, and only open when you can no longer insert coins and dollars. Because when you DO open it, you will be like "Cha-Ching" and revel in the fact that you had so much self-control.

To read more about savings and fashion, visit Chic Galleria and check out my article, "Turn Your Pennies Into Quarters With a Personal Shopper." Have a budget beauty tip? Visit Beauty Chat and share it with us! If we choose your tip as the winner, you score a spot as a guest blogger!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS. Stay fabulous.

Photo Credit: (from bottom to top) http://www.lootlady.com/, http://www.piggybankpage.co.uk/, http://www.refinery29.com/, http://www.fashionfling.blogspot.com/, http://www.heregadget.blogspot.com/ http://www.i.dailymail.co.uk/

The Lucky Denim Challenge -- My Last Attempt to Sway Your Votes!

This picture of me, which I posted previously on Good Girl Gone Shopping, was my response to The Lucky Denim Challenge: "How Would You Dress Up Your Jeans for a Night Out?" (a link to my profile). Many of you have already seen this pic.

So the story is this: After I received an e-mail telling me about the contest, and encouraging me to enter, I submitted this photo. Please note: this was uploaded two months ago (before the contest deadline said January 5th), so I will admit that if I were to submit a photo now, I may have stylized myself slightly differently. Maybe some chunky necklaces, possibly skinny jeans (I have lost a few pounds since that shot)...who knows?! But I am still happy that I went for the "Chic With a Rocker Edge" look because I believe it to be classy.

The winner gets to stylize a photoshoot for Lucky Magazine. What an opportunity! So instead of simply rating me on my look, please check out the other gals and see the kind of comments I have left for them regarding THEIR styles. I am not a hater! I enjoy seeing how others interpret trends and style of dress to fit their personality. To ME: critiquing others, providing tips, giving kudos to what worked...those are traits of a stylist. And even though the contest is based on we stylize ourselves....I don't know.

Get what I'm tryin' to say? Anyhoo, may the best gal win! Runner-ups get to be featured in the mag. Still great exposure.

Thanks for your support, and to those who have already voted!

New Year, New Me, New Design!

Tracking my diet and exercise on the daily plate (it's genius!), continuing to use cash instead of credit cards, scheduling styling photoshoots for my new before and after photo gallery, and giving my all in tae bo/kickboxing at the gym are just some of the ways I am approaching the new year.

Another big way is with my blog's redesign. While it is still the Diary of a Personal Shopper, feel free to refer to it as Good Girl Gone Shopping -- many of you already do. I am fine with you linking to my blog under either name.

I know it looks completely different, which I am happy about. This style and color reflects more of my personality and I believe, many of yours as well. I am still creating new categories and features, so please bear with me. And I would LOVE to know your thoughts. (The header image is a shot of me -- the same outfit I am wearing in my profile pic. Just up close and personal in a different way.)

Happy Sunday!

Your Style Star Interviews the Good Girl!

When Monique of Your Style Star (YSS) tweeted about wanting to interview fashion bloggers, I jumped at the opportunity! And she took me up on it. So do us both a favor, and check it out! I talk personal shopping, styling, Gwen and Tyra, my mother's hippie fashion sense, and my hopes of becoming a one-name wonder.

Read "This Good Girl's Gone Blogging" and if you're a fan of my rambling thoughts, follow me on Twitter.

Is Your Guy Confident Enough to Wear the Fedora?

Here is an excerpt from my first article for the men's section on ChicGalleria.com! Feel free to leave comments either here or there. I am definitel interested if your boyfriend, husband, brother, father, son, or you (being a girl gor a guy) dig the fedora:

"This hat is for the confident, cool, and collected man who wants to add a little pizzazz to his outfit. While Brad Pitt can chic up a plain T-shirt with the hat that reminds us of the silent actor Charlie Chaplin, the late comedian Bernie Mac was known make his sleek suits even more sophisticated with a wider-brimmed style. Are you ready to trade in your Dodgers or Dallas Cowboys cap for more fashionable headwear?

The holidays are great time to make a statement and fancy up your look (or even cover up a bad haircut!). Of course, as you try on the hat, be sure to..." READ MORE

Photo Credit: http://www.chicgalleria.com/

Lumberjack Chic -- Flannel Button-Ups All the Rage in Shops On Melrose!

Yesterday, I decided to head west to West Hollywood to see what I can do with a few odd items of mine that I haven't worn for years. Four years ago, I had decent luck at Wasteland on Melrose; I sold several items for cash, such as Juicy Couture sweatsuit jackets, Custo Barcelona blouses that shrunk, and Blue Cult jeans. While I walked away from a bunch of costly items with a mere $135 bucks at the time, I remember being ecstatic. Because those clothes were just sitting in my closet, making a profit was better than ignoring those items and seeing hundreds go down the drain.

So, as it almost hits 2009, I figured I would have amazing luck with 5 designer pieces. This is what I brought with me:

- Marc Jacobs gaucho pants

- Gucci black shades

- Limited-edition canvas Louis Vuitton handbag

- Yanuk jeans

- Citizens of Humanity jeans

And guess what? The gal who checked out my stuff passed on EVERYTHING. She said that faded and distressed jeans aren't selling very well at their store and that they looked used. I almost laughed because it's like, "Well, duh. This is a vintage shop, and you are buying someone's stuff." My friend Leeann, of Join the Gossip, came with me, bringing a pair of dark Sevens, and two cute tees, and also had no luck. While it was truly my mistake in not calling Wasteland first to ask what trends, designers, styles, and sizes they are buying now, I stll felt ripped off. (So, ebay, here I come?)

So take make a long, disappointing story short, Leeann and I decided to check out the other shops on Melrose, as neither one of us had walked the avenue for awhile. And as we did, the theme of the afternoon was: flannel button-ups for women. I absolutely love plaid tops, so in witnessing such a selection flannels; I was very impressed with the various options stylistas have to choose from.

There was the: guy's oversized style, the empire-waist new women's style, the sleeve-less, long button-up, and the A-cut flannel dress in long or short sleeves. Yes, I know, the flannel isn't new to the scene, but the 90s grunge dejavu feeling definitely got me excited to go home and ransack Steve's closet and wear one of his. I personally like the androgynous ovesized look. Figure I could just throw a belt on top of it for instant girly appeal. Leggings, heels. Muah! It's the Mary-Kate anti-celebrity, boho flair.

I talk all the time about finding fashions to express your personality. So I love that the flannel trend offer various renditions for various types of gals. I even think the businesswoman can take a black and white flannel and pair it with black slacks, some long necklaces, and a blazer -- and she is still office chic.

The average cost across the Melrose shops seemed to be about $35, which is, eh, not too bad for the fashion flannel. If you are like me and like the men's cut the best, head to your local thrift store, and I guarantee that you will have some luck finding one for just 5 bucks. (OR, see what your boyfriend, husband, father, brother, or even son has in their closet!)

And as the lumberjack chic look is quite the rage throughout Hollywood and big cities, I can't wait to see this trend reach Inland Empire shopaholics.

So ultimately, the profit-less trip to LA was a success because it was nice to get out of town, and immerse ourselves in the city that shares our passions.

(Oh, and seeing JC Chasez walk out of the Slow boutique was kinda cool.)

Photo Credit: Mary-Kate Olsen - http://www.ashburyvintage.com/, Lindsay Lohan - http://www.coolwebgossip.com/, Rihanna - http://www.blogs.nypost.com/, Kirsten Dunst - http://www.denimblog.com/, Jessica Simpson - http://www.elle.com/, Miley Cyrus - http://www.urbanbloc.com/, Diane Keaton - http://www.offtherack.peoplestylewatch.com/

The Top 5 Affordable Gifts All for Under 20 Bucks

Still in a shopping slump?

Check out my recent article on Chic Galleria, "The Top 5 Must-Give Gifts of the Season for Under $20." This might be just what you need to gain back some hope as the winter holidays are right around the corner:

"Trends come and go - we know this. So when it comes to gift giving this season, think hard about the style pieces you purchase for others.I firmly believe that gift cards are the best route to go when it comes to holiday gift giving if the person is a) a new friend who you are still getting to know, b) a good friend but who you really have no time to shop for, c) a loved one who has specifically told you that a gift card is what he or she prefers, d) a coworker or colleague whose name you got from a gift exchange.

For the other people on your list, I would suggest..." READ MORE

Photo Credit: http://www.shinystyle.tv

KROQ at the Slidebar in Fullerton -- I Saw the "Miss Double D-ecember" pageant!

In addition to the rundown of the "Miss Double D-ecember 2009" article on PlasticSurgery.com, I thought I'd share two pics of me and two rockin' DJs of the-world-famous K-R-O-QQQQQUUUUEEEE!

In the cute beanie is Nicole Alvarez and in the cute coat is Lisa May! And that's me sporting my PlasticSurgery.com Tee. Audrey (PS.com's cool SEO marketing manager) and I passed out tons of T-shirts and rub-on tattoos to a crowd of 90% guys who got to the Slidebar at 6 a.m. Talk about wanting to be up close in line to see boobies! Quite a phenomenon, I must say.

Hosted by Ralph Garman, the winner of the "Miss Double D-ecember" pageant was....Cassandra from Chino Hills. A local! I had a tank top and two of my business cards waiting for her, and I offered a modeling gig for our site, if she's ever interested! Muah! Perfect opportunity to get our name out there.

(Oh and I wore my Betsey Johnson black gladiator wedges with my new Forever 21 skinny jeans, and I will proudly say that I was comfortable even though standing and walking for a few hours. Just an FYI.)

Swimsuit Shopping in the Fall? Check Out My Top 5 Affordable Web Sites!

Visit Fashion Chicago Magazine to see my Top 5 Web Sites for Affordable Swimwear! In my monthly column, I give you reasons why shopping for swimwear now will save you money in the summer.


Photo Credit: http://www.myspace.com/fashionchicago