Saturday, October 10, 2009

the little black book

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So this is kind of dorky, but I'm going to share anyway.

Many of my fashion bloggers have mentioned over the last few years that one of their best shopping tips is to make a collection of all of your inspiration looks and a list of items you'll need to make them happen. It's well known that when you make a list before you go in the grocery store you'll buy less, buy healthier and not take home any random impulse pieces you'll regret later. This is basically what the fashion chicas were saying. When you know what you're looking for, shopping becomes more of a treasure hunt for those perfect items that you've already planned to add to your wardrobe. You won't waste money on items that you'll later wish you hadn't impulse-bought.

SOOO for my fall wardrobe I started printing/clipping/taping little bits and pieces here and there - from catalogs like JCrew and Anthro and some of my favorite blogger's looks. Once they were all together in the book it was pretty easy to see what aesthetic I'm going after this season and what common items I need to start looking for.

It's amazing how disciplined I've been shopping over the last month or two as a result. Amazing sale at Banana... I walk out empty handed (unheard of). I just kept my eyes out for the items I knew I really wanted and when I couldn't find them, it just wasn't meant to be. BUT when I do find one of those items it makes it extra exciting!

Sorry for the long explanation - but I definitely encourage you to create your own look book and let it guide you in your fall shopping! Here are a few images from mine...
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11 comments:

Brittany Miller said...

I love it! I love the styles that you have. Little parts of feminity. The dramatic jewelry pieces are my favorite. I used to work at Express and I can't tell you how many pieces I bought like that. Very pretty.

I love this season! I can't wait to go out and buy some sweaters and some new boots :)

debra@dustjacket said...

Fabulous idea and love your look book. Very cool indeed.
xxx

Mireya said...

Super cool idea and great money-saving tip!

MissBliss said...

Great Idea... much happier closets that way :)

ScotchTapedPrincess said...

Very cool "look book." I'm struggling with my own personal sense of style, which I just blogged about, finding it almost hilarious that I'm obsessed with you hip fashion blog chicas and still manage to put together things that are just all.wrong. I am planning on getting a bunch of new fall/winter clothes, though, so I appreciate any inspiration I can get!

Rock on, girl, rock on! :)

Anonymous said...

oh i do that..i start with 'editing my wardrobe',list the essentials im missing, flick through my scrapbooks to see how best mix what i have already and then see what i could buy to further improve...then i can shop from the list and ONLY the list

Maria Confer said...

I love your clippings. I'm always inspired by Anthro and J.Crew!! They're so amazing.

lululetty.blogspot.com

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

That is such a fabulous idea. I've never thought to do it for my own personal shopping. Thanks lady!

Anonymous said...

great idea!
this was you limit any compulsive buying.. love it!

Anonymous said...

That is a great idea. Shopping scares me normally - but perhaps with a list it wouldn't be so bad.

Courtney said...

Yay for you! And I love these snippets of your book (is that your handwriting?? Beautiful!) I started a file on my desktop to do this very same thing for fall, but I have not been as diligent in sticking to it. Perhaps I need to take if off the computer, and put it into a notebook!