ALLURE: Hot Shoppers

Impulse buying with little thought for consequences may be a particular problem for women who consider themselves of above-average attractiveness.  This preliminary finding came out of a study of impulsivity by Margery Lucas and Elissa Koff, professors in the department of psychology at Wellesley College in Wellesley, Massachusetts.  Women who rated themselves most attractive and stylish compared with other women their age tended to score low on reflection about their purchases.  The study's authors can only speculate as to why, but they cite research showing that people are more likely to make indulgent choices when they feel proud, seemingly out of a sense that achievement of one goal (such as enhancing appearance) permits one to disengage from another (such as saving money).  

Source:  Allure magazine, July 2014, pg 84.

Another Fabulous Fashion District Find

Have I mentioned I love love LOVE Fashion District? :D  I don't visit it as often as I would like to.  However, every time I do, I inadvertently come back with another terrific find.  I should post them here more often.

Once again - perfection does exist...  even if you have to search for it for a few years...  It's even more satisfying for only $5.

UPDATE: Currently Craving: High Heeled High Tops

The 08/26/12 Currently Craving is the most viewed post on this blog.  So I know that you remember my search for the perfect high top sneakers.  I wanted them to go with leggings, skinnies, and, of course, with all my fabulous skirts that I wear all the time now, since the weather is always beautiful in sunny California.
Well... perfection does exist...  even if you have to search for it for a couple of years...

It was love at first sight, even though I had to wait for a couple of weeks to order them (since I just bought a tooth.  Yes, all the way down to da root!).

By the way, Currently Craving is now on Pinterest.

Shopaholic Addiction Statistics

Another CreditDonkey survey yields un-surprising results.  

http://www.creditdonkey.com/shopping-addiction.html

Warning signs of shopaholism include feeling guilt or shame after shopping (which 36.7 percent of respondents have experienced), hiding purchases from their families (20.5 percent), and checking available credit at least once a week (26.7 percent). However, just 4.7 percent of respondents said they have been labeled “shopaholics."

RANDOM TIP: 25 Easy Tips, Strategies, and Ideas for Small Space Living

1. Install wall-mounted shelves above other furniture, and shelves above doorways.
2. If you don't love it or need it, get rid of it.
3. Remove doors for an open layout. Hang up curtains where needed for privacy.
4. Use the "One In, One Out" strategy.
5. Buy infrequently and with great care. Focus on high-quality and long-lasting pieces, even if you have to save up for them. Make sure they fit your space perfectly.
6. Buy a bed with storage capabilities, either drawers underneath or a one you can jack up or loft.
7. Use a pot rack.
8. Get rid of your microwave. Use the oven or stove top instead.
9. Hang cup hooks of different sizes everywhere. They're inexpensive, don't take up a ton of space, and keep things off the counters and floor.
10. Install vertical storage and built-ins.
11. Bring in natural light as much as possible.
12. Get small appliances and small pots and pans.
13. Go for a fairly neutral color scheme, involving shades of the same color (with a few pops), or...
14. Go for a bold color scheme because it provides some 'wow' and dark colors hide corner shadows. But more than bold or neutral, go for a cohesive colors scheme.
15. If a particular spot seems to attract clutter, devise a shelving or other type storage solution to contain it.
16. Choose upholstered and case goods with legs that give them floor clearance. Air (or negative space) provides the visual illusion of spaciousness.
17. Buy multi-functional furniture, like an ottoman with storage inside the base.
18. Rip your CDs to a secure and reliable hard-drive and sell off your albums.
19. Put anything you don't use daily in a storage container.
20. When you finish a book, immediately post it on Paperbackswap.com to get it out of the house.
21. Play with a room arrangement on paper until you figure out what works best.
22. Use the corners. Don't let the precious space go to waste.
23. If you're a collector, rotate your collections in order to keep visual clutter to a minimum.
24. Add an orchid or fresh flowers seasonally.
25. Use mirrors or any reflective surfaces to give the illusion of added space.

Source: Apartment Therapy www.apartmenttherapy.com/the-best-tips-strategies-and-i-115579

LA FAB: The Perfect Flats

Yay! Another fabulous find at the fabulous Fashion District (FD)!  Finally!

As you probably guessed, I am generally NOT a flats girl. However, I have been converting ever since I moved to LA, because I walk so much here.  Sadly, I have tried many many MANY different brands and styles of un-heeled dressy shoes over the years – none fitted me correctly in one way or another. But I was determined to find THE perfect pair.  I stumbled upon these in one of the tiny shops on Santee Street (not to be confused with Santee Alley). 

I wore these flats at the FD today all day. No, I do not go there too much.  These shoes do not fall off.  They do not rub you wrong in any places.  No socks – and not a single blister. Not a scratch.  Not a single damaged toe. And of course, I can make it in them through the whole day at work.  

Bonus: they come in so so SO many varieties with so so SO many beautiful embellishments – I thought I died and gone to heaven.  Well, truth be told - I feel like that every time I go to the FD. 

And the best part? The super fantastic price of only $5! So naturally, I couldn’t keep it all to myself.  But please, ladies, don’t buy them all – I need me at least one more pair – with the rhinestones.  Well, and a pair of red ones.  And a pair…  And…

LA FAB: My Happy “birkin”

As you all know, I am undeniable, hopelessly, madly in love with LA City.  One of the things I love the most about LA is the Fashion District.  You never know what you will dig up.  Here is my latest fabulous find – a “birkin” bag.  ;D 

And it is truly fabulous.  Oh the softest crocodile pleather! Oh the shoulder strap! Oh the adorable padlock! Oh the dumbly useless tassel! Oh the Eiffel Towers on the zipper pulls! Oh all the handy pockets! Oh the unbeatable price of $10! But what makes me the happiest is the perfect orange color.  Oh my happy “birkin”!

 

P.S. Did you notice that my happy bag looks just like the one Samantha had in Abu Dhabi in the "Sex and the City II" movie? 

Currently Craving: High Heeled High Tops

Currently Craving

I would so totally love one of these adorable Kate Spade handbags for spring.  They come in such juicy colors.  Cannot wait until they start making knock-offs.  :D

Yeah, there are actually a couple of her designs I’d love to get my paws on.