Saturday, March 26, 2011

Whoever said Little Black Dresses were expensive, lied.

One staple item that should be in every woman's closet is the classic and much needed Little Black Dress. Often known as LBD, this piece is definitely a MUST have whether it be one that you find for a steal, or one that pinches the wallet a bit. You don't need to spend a lot to look like a million bucks. Trust me. Take a look at the ladies below. How much do you think their dresses cost?

Bedo $30
Urban Behavior $30
Urban Planet $1
Talula $90

(The $1 dress was a part of a buy one, get one for $1 deal, just in case you're wondering. You can continue to let your jaw drop.)

So now that I've proven that deals and steals do exist, how do you choose just one when there are so many options? One solution is not to! But if you're looking for the right piece without denting the wallet, the first thing to do is shop around. How much are you willing to spend? Even if your budget is $20, you can probably find something that works for you. However, if you're planning to have one classic dress to keep for a long time, you may want to think about investing a bit more. Whatever the budget, there's something out there for you.

Remember, when you're shopping for a dress, don't just pick the style you love the most because it may not be the most flattering. Visit a few different shops and bring a friend along for a second option. Preferably one who will tell you the truth! I try to steer away from the sales associates' opinions because their best interest may not always be your best interest.

What does your favorite LBD look like? And how much did you spend on it?


Tuesday, March 22, 2011

You CAN be girly and yourself at the same time.

Have you ever wondered to yourself, "How am I supposed to pretend to be a girl, when I'm really just a tom boy inside?" Well, it's not that hard. Like learning not to say certain things out loud to avoid getting a cold stare down, you can also learn to be more feminine and girly in certain situations.

They key is to consciously think about it. And of course, practice makes perfect. Eventually, you won't even notice you're doing it!

Here's something fun I found on Girly Girl Tips: "Did your mother make you walk around the house balancing the encyclopedia on your head? Mine did. Really ... I'm not kidding. And from there it progressed to walking up and down stairs with not only the encyclopedia, but the dictionary stacked up there too. Why? Because posture is important. I grew up hearing things like, 'it is not lady like to slouch in your chair' and 'a lady always enters the room with her head held high and her shoulder back.' Good posture adds an air of confidence or self-assurance.

Don't be mistaken, in the right environment I'm the first one to kick off my shoes, tuck my feet up under me, and slouch down into the sofa, but I've noticed that subconsciously, when I'm in a situation that warrants it, my back become erect. Put me in a nice restaurant and I'm immediately sitting with my ankles crossed and my back STRAIGHT AS A BOARD.

So, Ladies, dust off those encyclopedias and take a few laps around your home … it really is worth it."

What is it that YOU find the hardest to do when you're trying to be girly?


Saturday, March 19, 2011

Q&A: How Can I Become More Girly?

Q: I am not the most girly type but i want to become more girly. Please can you give me a step by step guide to becoming more girly and what i can do to be more feminine?

A:
Hi Girly :)

First things first -- before we start, I just want to make one thing clear. Being 'girly' doesn't mean you need to be obsessed with pink, squeal at everything that freaks you out or act like a total airhead. Being girly is simply embracing your femininity and paying a little attention to how you look. After all, the way you carry yourself can really say something about who you are.

The first thing to do is update your wardrobe. What are the stylish girls around you wearing? You don't need to buy designer clothes or spend a ton of money. If you're uncertain about what you should buy, start with the basics.

Get a pair of fitted jeans -- make sure they're not baggy around your thighs and knees but make sure they're not too tight that you have a muffin top! Get one that is boot cut or straight leg -- flared bottoms aren't as stylish and can make your outfit appear messy. If you want to be really stylish, get a pair of skinny jeans.

Look for versatile tops if you're not planning to go on a shopping spree. A couple of fitted tank tops/beaters, long sleeves and some dressier tops will do the trick but if you're uncertain of what to choose, keep it simple. You always have the option of dressing up your outfit by adding a statement necklace, a pair of fun earrings and some bangles.

What about your feet? Get a pair of ballet flats. They're not as 'boyish' as runners and not as impractical as wearing stilettos everyday. Depending on your age, you should also invest in a pair of heels for times when you need to kick your outfit up a notch.

For an easy outfit, slip on your jeans, ballet flats, a tank top and top it with a long cardigan. Put on some accessories. If you're wearing big earrings, go small on the necklace or don't wear one at all. If you're wearing a chunkier necklace, go simple with the earrings.

(You can get a free style report of the top 10 things every girl should own)

Lastly, in order to make your outfit look hot, you'll need to look hot too. Ever see a not-so-well-put-together girl wearing designer clothes? Hmm.... not so hot. Really, its not about the type of clothes you wear, its HOW you wear it. So apply a little mascara, bronzer and lip gloss -- if you don't usually wear makeup, this is a good starting point. You can also line the top of your eyelashes for more definition or line your top and bottom lashes for even more drama. And your hair? Make sure it looks well groomed. Is it frizzy and messy? Does it need to be straightened? Is it flat? Flat hair is one thing: boring. Tease your hair a bit for some volume.

Changing your appearance is can definitely make you look more feminine. When it comes down to it, you probably don't really need to change the way you act (unless you're rude and completely ill-mannered... which you're not right?). You can feel feminine without having to do a whole lot of 'girly things.' I'm definitely a girly girl, but I also enjoy being one of the boys.

Don't fret sweetheart, you're almost there.

With Love,
Bunnie