NashVogue

Your world… in Fashion!

July 30, 2009

Sale Spotter: Tennessee Sales Tax Holiday

One of the best times to shop is quickly approaching! The TN State Sales Tax Holiday begins a week from tomorrow, Friday August 7, and ends Sunday night, August 9. I’ve been saving my money and hope to knock out a lot of fall clothes shopping for my family and I.

The sales tax holiday is a fabulous time to get all of those much needed back to school items and other things you know you are going to need for the upcoming fall/winter season. Here are some tips to hopefully make this gold mine of savings a bit easier.

1. Know what is included in the TN Sales Tax Holiday.

Not everything is covered under the tax free status. Any clothing over $100 – not tax free. School supplies $100 or less are a go, as well as any computer under $1500. My suggestion on the computer – either go to a store or call a help line. Don’t place an order online because it may not be configured for the TN tax holiday. Dell is extremely helpful in this situation.

2. Know what you want ahead of time.

I plan to visit some of the stores I know I will find things at sometime during the upcoming week and scope some things out. Try on some things ahead of time, because the fitting room lines will be outrageous. It’s much less stressful if you know what size you are ahead of time. Then it’s just a case of seek and buy.

3. Look for ways to double up your savings.

A few weeks ago, I purchased a “Birthday Boy” shirt for my son’s first birthday at Carter’s. I was given a coupon good for the month of August that gave me 20% off a $50 purchase. It also had a 20% off a $40 purchase at Osh Kosh (right next door at The Avenue in Murfreesboro). Add those coupons to the sales they already have and the lack of tax and I know my first stops for clothes for my little man. Since the sales and coupons are issued from corporate, the tax-free part is an added savings bonus.

4. Be patient and have fun!

This is more just a warning. The crowds will be high (especially Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday night). Several retailers I’ve spoken to say the sales are higher than that of Black Friday!! So expect the crowds that go with that kind of sales. My guess is they will be even worse this year given the state of the economy and people desperately trying to cut some corners. Take everything in stride and have fun! Let me know your savings when your done. I’m curious!!

By the way, if you aren’t in Tennessee, check this out for a tax holiday schedule in other states.

Technorati Tags: , , , ,

April 17, 2009

Fashion Trend Friday: Stripes

A popular trend this Spring and Summer seems to be stripes. Vertical or horizontal, wide or thin, it doesn’t really matter what your stripes look like. Stripes are covering everything from tops to bottoms and handbags to sandals.

While they can look absolutely adorable on some, stripes can be a very difficult thing for many women to wear as they tend to have very strong affects on the shape of your body. For example, if you are a little on the wide side, avoid horizontal stripes, as they just make you appear even wider.

Vertical stripes are great for adding height. If you are a bit on the short side, vertical stripes have an elongating effect. On the flip side, if you are tall and don’t want to be any taller, avoid vertical stripes.

Stripes can very easily be a friend or foe. If the shirt is too tight, the stripes might become more like waves. A definite fashion faux pas.

I think stripes are a fantastic look in the right circumstances. Everyone can wear stripes, but not everyone can wear the same stripes. Have fun with stripes and just be a ware of what your body can and can’t handle.

Technorati Tags: , , ,

February 22, 2009

Oscar Night Twitter Role

For the Golden Globes, I live-blogged the red carpet. Tonight, I decided to try twitter to voice my opinion of red carpet fashions. So here, for your fashion-loving pleasure, are all my tweets over the course of the night. Let me know what you though!

#oscars Miley looks like a glittery flower!

lol #oscars apparently Miley’s dress weighs about 100,000 pounds….that’s right…100,000 lbs

#oscars I have to admit, that I really like Miley’s dress. It’s grown up and youthful in all the right ways

RT @luxaholics: Miley’s beaded dress on the red carpet is Zuhair Murad — from the Zuhair Murah Haute Couture Spring 2009 Collection #oscars

I am not digging Zac Efron’s slicked back hair. #oscars

Vanessa Hudgen’s hair is gorgeous…the dress isn’t too bad either #oscars

#oscars Mrs Kevin Kline looks very polished…and young

#oscars Got a full shot of Vanessa hudgens dress – it’s a sleek mermaid style dress. Not too bad, but I’m rethinking my opinion of the top

RT @luxaholics: Oh Cyrus Family…first time Mom’s ever worn diamonds?! Really?!?! #oscars

#Oscars those Slumdog kids are absolutely adorable! Freida Pinto’s dress is fabulous. I love the color!

RT @OnGlamFashion: #Oscars The young actors from Slumdog Millionaire are adorable in Brooks Brothers

Heidi Klum’s dress color is great, about I dont care for the neck line. A little too…high…for me #oscars

Viola Davis looks great in that antique gold dress. The cut fits her fantastically #oscars

I like the E! comment about Heidi’s dress having an "origami" feel

Taraji henson’s outfit is fantastic – great dress, great hair, great jewelry

I love Amy Adams dress! It is a great compliment to her complexion. I’m not so sure about her necklace though. #oscars

Vanessa Hudgens is in MArchesa #oscars

I love the bow on Amanda Seyfried’s dress. #oscars

glad to see Mickey Rourke did not disappoint in his apparel tonight. #oscars

Sarah Jessica Parker looks fabulous in her dress. Her waist looks absolutely tiny! #oscars

Josh Brolin looks like he has too much spray tan. Orange is not becoming #oscars

I don;t know who she is, but James Franco’s date has a gorgeous dress on. The gold belting is great #oscars

Marissa Tomei looks like a walking seashell. I don’t think I like it. And as always – the hair is bed-fresh

#oscars Natalie Portman’s hair looks very regal tonight. I really like her hot pink dress too!

Normally, Anne Hathaway is very chic, but I don’t really like her dress tonight. A little too glitter-tastic for me

Sophia Loren’s dress is a little too 80’s prom night in the shoulders

Mickey Rourke looks like a used car salesman tonight #oscars

I do not like beyonce’s dress…the graphics are somewhat ill-placed at times

Queen Latifah looks fantastic tonight! #oscars

Meryl Streep looks fantastic. Very classy. #oscars

I do not like JEssica Biel’s dress. It looks like someone put a really long napkin in her neckline

Angie’s wearing black! Imagine that?! oh…wait…she always wears black…#oscars

Phillip Seymour Hoffman – lose the beanie! #oscars

Daniel Craig is gorgeous. #oscars

Kate Winslett is gorgeous. I love her hair and the asymmetrical lace on the bottom of her dress

RT @YuliZ: I’m officially over Angelina’s fashion choices. she crossed the line between classy and boring #oscars – I totally agree!

wow..angie is wearing color…but it’s a little early to break out the St. Patty’s day earings #oscars

RT @avelle: Kate Winslet in YSL stunning as always. And another one shoulder gown on the red carpet. #oscars

Tilda Swinton’s top looks like something my grandma might have worn! #oscars

@collegefashion Tilda Swinton is currently my vote for worst dressed. #oscars

@scarbiedoll Kate Winslett has my vote for best dressed #oscars

I like anne hathaway’s first dress better #oscars #jb-oscars

Goldie hawn looks great! #oscars

Tina Fey looks absolutely stunning #oscars #jb-oscars

Jen looks fabulous tonight. She will always be prettier and classier than bard and angie combines in my book #oscars #jb-oscars

I love the straps on Reese’s dress. The interesting layering of the skirt is interesting and the color is great. #oscars

*Oscar graphic from www.oscar.com.

Technorati Tags: , , ,

January 11, 2009

Golden Globes Fashion

Ah… The Golden Globes. The first of the awards shows for 2009. A slideshow of celebrity fashions. A time to criticize and celebrate the good and bad. I thought a live blog post would be just te thing! Enjoy! Please, join the conversation. Tell me what you think!!

For a band, The Jonas Brothers sure don’t know how to coordinate. One is formal, one is “business”, and one is a Johnny Cash wanna-be.

Rainn Wilson actually looks really good! The silver tie is very chic.

Nancy Odell looks like she tried WAY to hard to get that “Grecian Goddess” look.

Christina Applegate looks great! I love the flares in the bottom of her gorgeous Roberto Cavelli dress.

Miley Cyrus is wearing a very mature dress…then she opens her mouth. It’s like great!

Eva Mendes dress has too much fabric in the chest. It’s like there is air in her top! On a good note, the necklace is great! I love the color and design.

Deborah Messing’s hair is…wow.It must be humid in LA! However, that dress, fabulous! The is perfect for her.

Maggie Gyllenhaal’s dress is great! The print suits her fantastically (although it’s not somethins I personally like). I don’t like the extra fabric at her chin though. It overshadows her petite face.

Drew Barrymore’s hair looks like she got it done here in Nashville. Country music big hair, anybody??

Hayden Panettiere’s dress is gorgeous! The purple shade is beautiful on her. Her hair is in a classic style.  The cute fits her petite frame and shows off her hourglass figure perfectly.

Zac Efron and  Vanessa Hudgens look more like they are going to their High School Musical Prom instead of the Golden Globes. And what is up with his hair??

I love Kate Winslet’s dress!! The velvet bow around the waist adds to the elegance of the dress and the classical style that is Kate.

Anne Hathaway is gorgeous. The dress fits her like a glove and accentuates her figure in the most flattering way. Her make-up is great. The bright red of the lipstick compliments her porcelain skin.

Marisa Tomei’s gone a little too far into the “pirate” look. The top is too baggy and too ruffled. All I can think of is Seinfeld’s “Puffy Shirt” and the drama that went with it.

Beyonce looks great in the goldish color of her dress.

Sting just doesn’t look right with a beard…

Blake Lively’s dress is way too tight under her bum. It would be much nicer if it fell straight down. Now she looks like she has too much junk in her trunk…

J. Lo needs to stop with the low cut dresses. She’s been there, done that, taped it to her chest…

Sandra Bullock is so “girl-next-door”. Her dress is, dare I say, cute? It suits her perfectly.

Keep tuned! I will continue live-blogging during the Globes!

More on J Lo’s dress, the half shiny, half not part at her hips does NOTHING for her pear-shaped body.

Sting should know that it is NOT cool to tuck your sunglasses in the neck of your shirt when you are presenting at a formal event!

Rumor Willis looks grown up and mature. She seems to have really grown into the fame her name has thrust upon her. The color of her dress compliments the hue of her hair wonderfully.

Eva Longoria Parker’s red dress is a gorugeous color for her. However, the cut on the best is just asking for a wardrobe “malfunction”.

Laura Dern’s dress is cute in a vintage sort of way. The sheer above the bust is class, and the cut of the sleeve is perfect for her slender shoulders (to create that great hourglass look).

I like Eva Mendes dress even less now that I see the big blob of fabric at her hip.

Sally Hawkins pulls off the sheer top dress much better than Laura Dern. The trim adds a subtle sparkle to her face. The shape of the skirt is flattering and detailed without being too over-worked.

Demi Moore’s outfit looks great. The cut is flattering and makes her appear younger – younger than her daughter Rumor!

Colin Farrell, the suit is great, but ruined by the whole gum-chewing incident!

The color of Laura Linney’s dress is entirely unflattering for her. She’s blonde all over! The shape is great, but the sparkle a the waist, when looking straight on, gives her the look of being pregnant.

Rene Zellwegger, a normally strong fashion maven, is a total flop tonight. The sheer top andsleeves are all wrong. Even though everything is covered, the shape does nothing for her petite torso and pin-up curves. The wide flare dress throws her proportion all of whack and makes her look bottom heavy.

Glenn Close looks like she is wear a sparkly version of my grandmother’s curtains. The cut is unflattering and old. There are much better options for her.

Emma Thompson’s dress is very mother-of-the-bride. Too unflattering and almost morbid – like she is on her way to a funeral.

Is Mickey Rourke dressing in character tonight? What is with the sequined scarf WITH the neck tie??

Another Golden Globes done. Some great speeches, some great clothes, and more of the opposite. I’d love to hear what you all have to say about it. Have a great night!! (I will try to get some pictures up tomorrow.)

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

January 3, 2009

Happy New Year!!

Happy 2009 to Everyone!! I am currently on vacation to Montgomery, AL visiting some family. I have some great ideas for 2009, so check back!! Monday, I will being posting again!

I’m sorry for being somewhat remiss in my posting as of late. The holidays have been crazy this year.

I have some big plans for NashVogue this year. We will be redesigning the site (it will be great!!). The rest…well…you will just have to wait and see.

Happy New Year everyone! Thanks for reading in 2008, and I hope you enjoy 2009!!

Technorati Tags: , ,