Next Stop: Diva Boutiques for Trendy Accessories (and some answers!)

Check out my recent interview with Lisa, owner of Diva Boutiques -- a lovely, LA-based online store that makes you wanna shop 'til you drop! See the image below? This is Lisa's idea of OVER-accessorizing (agree?). Keep reading to see what she's talkin' about, and how this might influence your next shopping trip.

I believe that accessories do not necessarily "make the outfit," but I DO believe that they add a final touch to an already unique look or add style to a plain, simple outfit. What are your thoughts on the importance of accessories?

I think accessories are important to a woman's outfit, it brings a certain outlook on a woman character & personality.

How does Diva Boutiques stand out among other online shops?

Diva Boutiques is a lifestyle boutique. WE are a destination. We do more than sell purses, accessories & shoes. We provide services to suit the lifestyle for our customers to be chic & original from the rest.

If someone visited your boutique and had only 50 bucks to spend, what item would you recommend as a must-have without knowing that person's wardrobe?

Clutches & flats are the rave for spring 2008, so I would recommend our Bambi Clutch ($20.00), which comes in 6 beautiful colors & our Bamboo Flats ($29.99), which comes in 3 colors. You will always be able to find something to go with these pieces.

Is it possible to over-accessorize an outfit?

I do think there is a such thing as over-accessorizing; it will make you look either overdressed or like you forgot to take off last night's jewelry. Too many accessories will also undercut their own impact. Using a single piece of great jewelry or a fab belt makes more of a statement than lots of different things.

I do say wear big accessories, but only a few. Something delicate like gold necklace is one thing, but a long string of bright glass beads, chandelier earrings, or a chunky bracelet can add oomph to a simple jean & tank outfit.

When I dress up, I make sure I get the attention and look of "Wow, you look great! " or " Your outfit is hot." I don't want to walk out of the house and get looks of "She is doing to much" or "She looks real busy." There is moderation to everything you do and that also includes accessory "Dos & Don'ts."

...Any other thoughts you'd like to share about Diva Boutiques and your merch?

At Diva Boutiques, we strive to give you the "intimate" experience of a brick & mortar store front - but from the comforts of your own home. We are focused on building one-on-one relationships, understanding the needs and desires of our client - our team is a breath of fresh air in the world of online shopping!

Photo Credits: Courtesy of Diva Boutiques

Jeans For Your Unique Shape, Size, and Height!

I was recently chatting with a friend-slash-new client during her phone consultation recently, and she turned me onto a fabulous site dedicated to jean shopping: Zafu.com. And let me tell you, this isn't just searching for your size - it a true, fitting room experience. The jeans in the style you want, the size, the length, etc. are brought to YOU after selecting your preferences.

Although I am still a big fan of trying on before purchasing; this seems to be a foolproof way of saving your gas $$ (SoCal - like $3.10/ gallon) and a pretty penny if you're able to! Did I mention you can even browse the jeans selected for you by price?

Check it out, search for jeans, and tell me your thoughts! (The lady who showed me this site recently lost a good amount of weight and is now searching for great-fitting, sexy jeans. She was in love with more than a handful of her selected jeans!)

My question to you is: Do you prefer to shop for fashion online and deal with shipping prices OR in-stores and deal with pushy or not-so-helpful sales associates?

And thanks "Big Sis." You know who you are!!!

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

Here Comes the Bride, All Dressed in Red...

What Jana wants for her wedding, Jana will get!

I am determined to find her the most gorgeous ruby red, vintage earring and necklace set. She already has a beautiful, sexy white, halter-style dress and a wedding location with her name all over it...

So with dark red roses to hold, and a big dimpled smile to go with her special day, these accessories would give this Betty Boop-lovin' chick the cherry on top she needs.

If you have an online boutique with the perfect idea in mind, know of a local jewelry shop in the Inland Empire/ LA area that sells quality, or would rather sell a bride your own fabulous set instead of selling it on ebay -- please contact me!

Put On Your "Big Girl" Panties....

A POEM ABOUT OUR GIRLFRIENDS (this, including the image, was sent to me by my mama via e-mail as one of those messages to pass along. I owe my "suck it up, move on, and learn from it" mentality to her. She raised me good, that woman!)

Someone will always be prettier.
Someone will always be smarter.
Some of their houses will be bigger.
Some will drive a better car.
Their children will do better in school.
And their husband will fix more things around the house.
So let it go, and love you and your circumstances.
Think about it!
The prettiest woman in the world can have hell in her heart.
And the most highly favored
woman on your job may be unable to have children.
And the richest woman you know,
she's got the car, the house, the clothes~~~~
might be lonely.
And the word says, 'If I have not Love, I am nothing.'
So, again, love you.
Love who you are.
Look in the mirror in the morning and smile and say,
'I am too Blessed to be Stressed and too Anointed, to be Disappointed!'
'Winners make things happen~~
Losers let things happen.'

So in conclusion, I say: May you smile, stand taller, and enjoy your reflection!

(..and how hot is this Iman-meets-Cruella Deville love child? What an image...)

The Bejeweled Giveaway! All You Have to Do Is...

Post my banner ad on your blog, starting today! (If it's already posted, thank you)

Then just answer this question:

"How would your wardrobe benefit from THREE Bejeweled tanks during the winter season?"

My fashion-conscious boyfriend, Steve, will help me determine who would benefit the most from this gift (worth over $400)!

Good luck my friends. The winner will be chosen in 2 weeks on Jan. 31st!

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

Fabulous Giveaway Worth Over $400!

I have an exciting fashion giveaway for you -- the first of many from the Good Girl Gone Shopping!

If you are a Beauty Chat fan, you know the tons of fun the gals and I had in the Bejeweled photo shoot a few months ago. The one-size-fits-all black, skull tank with gold Swaravoski crystals fit us all differently and yet, extremely comfortably! Denice of KDC Events and Leeann of Join the Gossip, both who are Beauty Chat contributors, can vouch for this.

Soooo....guess what I have to giveaway in a set of 3, worth over $400??? That's right -Bejeweled tanks! I am very excited to offer you fancy tees that can be worn a variety of different ways.

The styles and colors will be a suprise! So check back this Thursday, the 17th to see how to win! I'm soooo very excited for you.

Stay tuned!

Now Available: Phone Consultations with the Good Girl

Holiday parties have passed and we are now no stranger to the year 2008.

...But what about your winter wardrobe? Did you shop for everyone else, and put your own needs on the backburner?

The Good Girl Gone Shopping is here to ease your worries, offering even the most fashion-concious and stylish-of-the-stylish affordable services. Plan your couture-inspired outfit accordingly, and let me help you!

If you are interested in a 15, 30, 45, or hour-long phone consultation, please contact me. With this service (a small fee attached per time increment), you will receive:

* A free accessory based on your individual style and needs

* A new outlook on how to stylize your wardrobe

* Tips on how to be a speedy shopper

* How to build beneficial relationships with sales associates

*....and more!!!

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

Britney Spears vs. Kelly on YouTube

"These shoes rule...these shoes suck!....These shoes rule....these shoes suck! (electric guitar riff)"

I could listen to "Shoes" by Kelly over and over again! So because I am such a big fan of her (that "betch"), I was going to play the original YouTube video for those who have yet to jump on the fabulous drag bandwagon. But guess what I found this time around? It's a combo of "Gimme More" by Britney Spears and Kelly's "Shoes," all wrapped into what else but: "Gimme More Shoes."

If you don't love it, you soon will. ("Let Me Borrow That Top" and "Muffins" is another fave my friends and I like to gather around and watch. My friend Chuck just bought the Kelly CD...I gotta get a copy.)

I gotta know if you like!!! Gimme Gimme...

Cute Shoes Make the World Go 'Round

Thanks to those who took my poll on what they consider affordable for shoes!

Turns out the majority of people who voted consider anywhere between $15 and $60 affordable for shoes. I have to say that I am in aggreeance (is that a word?) with you. For me, buying a hot pair of heels or boots for $100 + means that I'm splurging. And once in awhile, I LOVE splurging even though it can be extremely dangerous. So, for me, when I can score something great for my feet within my budget, I just want to run down the shoe aisle...jump up and click my heels twice. (Not only could I not even do that if I tried, but I would knock over the lady next to me who has too many shoes in her hand to try on and didn't see a big mama coming her way. WOW -- my imagination really took a hold of me for a minute....)

So, ANYWAY, now that I kinda have an idea about my readers' idea of affordability, I'm curious about something else: where do you typically wind up purchasing your shoes?

From the ooh-la-la eluxury.com to -- my buy-back vintage favorite -- Wasteland on Melrose, the options these days are so vast. So tell me, I'm dying to know!

...and tell me that is not the most AWESOME picture of shoes. I found it on a past section of www.newyorkmetro.com. It's like a mirror of my brain.

The 'Good Girl Gone Shopping' is Morphed!

Who's that girl carrying all those bags? It's me, it's me. I said who's that girl lugging all those clothes? It's me, it's me. (My take on an old SNL cheer...)

Thanks to Divapreneur's creator (and DP Mag's editor-in-chief), Elaine Biss, I have an individualized, unique illustration of me. We just HAD to leave the glasses in, because well...it's such a big part of my style. From the green bracelet to the bright pink-red blouse, I'm all about this look. If you're seeking an artist to create a personalized image for you and your business, you can contact Elaine to learn more of her services on her deliciously-chic Web site: http://hipnchic.com/. (Currently, she might be booked, but at least you can see samples of her designs and read testimonials of her clients!)

Chelsea Handler (Apparently) Also Has Haters

In my recent post from Wednesday, I discussed my liking of comedian Chelsea Handler's fashion sense on her late night show, "Chelsea Lately." As the Good Girl Gone Shopping, I enjoy learning about other people's fashion sense. And whether you agree with what I like or not; I still respect your opinion.

...So this blog post is not dedicated to my friends who inspire me day in and day out (I already wrote about that, and you know who you are!); it is for a recent comment by someone who chose to remain "Anonymous." This person also inspires me to continue sharing my diary with the world.

Here is his or her comment to "Chelsea Handler Has a Handle on Her Style":

"I'm not sure what Fashion Style she is supposed to represent? It's obvious that someone else dresses her and that atrocious black dress she was wearing the other night looked like a freaking reject from the 80's.However, if you think Jillian Barberie Reynolds is a fashion icon then I am a total loss for words. (gah!) I think I wil stick with REAL fashion icons but nice try, I guess for the trailer park crowd."

To which I replied:

"OK, so "Anonymous," I LOVE when people disagree about fashion. It's so stimulating! I never dared use the word "icon" when it comes to Jillian Barberie or Chelsea Handler. Feel free to re-read my post. My opinion is this, for a female talk show host who has big-time competition, I think she looks great. Period. Does Jillian Barberie know a little something about fashion? Of course! But the way she chooses to wear her outfits aren't always savvy enough for the morning audience. And also like you said, there is a stylist behind each of those women...so what? Then maybe instead of attacking them, a little research on who their stylist is would be a fabulous move.Thank you for reading my blog post, and being so opinionated. I'm doing something right!"

Do you agree with my response?

Just as I will chat about Chelsea Handler, I will chat about Anna Wintour, and chat about any other public fashion figure that I deem interesting and appealing.

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

Chelsea Handler has a Handle on Her Style

She might be a bit risque...a bit gossipy...and a bit much for you to handle sometimes. But when it comes to her fashion sense as a television talk show host - I think she is right on the money. As a comedian, I think Chelsea Handler could go so many ways with her style for nighttime TV on E! Entertainment.

But she keeps it simple, classic, sexy, and professional. I love her guest panel of comedians and her one-on-ones with Reality TV celebs such as tattoo maven Kat Von D or Holly of "The Girls Next Door," and her pushy, genius interview skills.

Most of all though: I love her sassy style. Does anyone else tune into her show just to catch what she's wearing? (I used to do that with Jillian Barberie Reynolds in the morning on "Good Day LA." But I found listening to music at 6 a.m. more peaceful then her rants and raves....)

Chelsea is a comedian full of style -- love her!

Check out some of her clips on E! Online if you dare (I don't necessarily agree with the topics or opinions discussed. That's my disclaimer): http://www.eonline.com/on/shows/chelsea/. All of the clips show her cute style...

Photo Credits: http://www.hicelebs.com/

http://www.starpulse.com/

I HAVE to Have a Pair of My Own Ankle Boots!

I can't wait to invest in a pair! My goal is to find ankle boots that I will get good use out of for no more than $50. YES - I will really have to do my research and really hunt these down.

Whether they are worn with leggings, pencil jeans, a mini-skirt, or dress...they will definitely add some nice pizzaz. Last week, while I was looking for accessories (so I was working...), I rushed into Express, and I stopped in my tracks, almost forgetting that I was looking for a black dangly necklace that Jacquie requested (which I didn't find there). The greeting girl at the front had bright red suede, ankle boots, dark skinny jeans, and I don't remember the color of her sweater. Of course, I gave her kudos to such a fabulous ensemble. She worked it.

Have you added this type of shoe to your wardrobe? If not, do you dig it?

(The shoes and styles featured above are currently the type of looks I'm eyeing....most of them can all be found on sortprice.com -- a great site full of deals galore. From top to bottom: Steve Madden, Jessica Simpson, Newport News, Via Spiga.