THE REFINERY wishes everyone a Happy Halloween! Have fun playing dress up, handing out candy, and having a ball being silly! Today's the day you can pretend to be anything you want so have some fun!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Stylish Tax Deduction for Small Business Owners
Did you know that personal style coaching is a fully tax deductible expense for small business owners? All the more reason to invest in yourself, your employees, or a gift for your customers. You will be creating a positive face for your brand, and putting your best foot forward!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Toronto Designer Spotlight: Pricila Gomes
Pricila Gomes specializes in gorgeous hand crocheted jackets and sweaters. Her pieces are elegant, natural, and feminine all rolled into one. As a designer and producer, Pricila has a keen attention to detail, which I absolutely love! I am always encouraged when a designer is more fastidious about the details on a piece than I am - I know it's well made!
Pricila makes one-of-a-few pieces that you can see on her website, but her passion lies in creating custom pieces with her clients. Contact her and she will rise to the challenge! www.pricilagomes.com
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Bargain Shopping
I am a learned bargain shopper. I find shopping in a store where I know they will have my size, and I can easily see what each garment looks like much more civilized. However, I have slowly taught myself how to shop for a bargain in order to get quality pieces at fantastic prices! Here are some of the strategies I use in order to make bargain shopping manageable:
1. Choose a target item: Focus on shoes, or pants, or shirts, etc. The more focused you are, the more manageable the coverage area.
2. Know your colour: Having a focus on what colour you are looking for makes it easy to weed out other items. Rather than look at every pair of pants, you can walk down the pant racks, and pull out an item when the colour catches your eye.
3. Be skeptical of items with a lot of inventory: there is usually a reason why a great brand has a lot of one style left, the style doesn't fit well. You will find the best treasures when you dig deep and find the odd dress that is left in your size. Lucky You!
4. Keep a reminder: if you find something in another size that you love, pull it out as a reminder to look for it in your size.
5. Scour all marked size areas: discount stores are usually disorganized, so you will find items in your size in areas where they shouldn't be.
As the saying goes, "patience is a virtue." A virtue that you must have to find pieces that look fabulous on you and significantly discounted. Remember, it is only a bargain if the piece you buy gets worn a lot! When you do find a piece that is perfect - what a feeling!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Wendy Woulds | Dry Clean Only
This week's style question submitted by Amanda L.
"Are clothes labeled 'Dry Clean Only', really 'Dry Clean Only' or can I wash them at home in my machine?"
Water, warmth, and agitation can cause fabric to shrink. A 'dry clean only' label tells me the manufacturer is worried about garment shrinkage. In the end there may be a few pieces that you could wash at home, but I would suggest getting the "okay" from a dry cleaner you trust.
"Are clothes labeled 'Dry Clean Only', really 'Dry Clean Only' or can I wash them at home in my machine?"
Water, warmth, and agitation can cause fabric to shrink. A 'dry clean only' label tells me the manufacturer is worried about garment shrinkage. In the end there may be a few pieces that you could wash at home, but I would suggest getting the "okay" from a dry cleaner you trust.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Friday Afternoon Fun
A client recently sent me a link to a really fun website where you can plug in your body type, height, weight, etc. and play around making outfits on a model that looks just like you!
It's the perfect website for a Friday afternoon at the office - don't tell your boss!
Check out My Virtual Model at http://www.mvm.com
I spent 5 minutes playing on the site and came up with this model and outfit. http://www.mvm.com/cs/media/p/41908.aspx
I may be addicted! ;)
It's the perfect website for a Friday afternoon at the office - don't tell your boss!
Check out My Virtual Model at http://www.mvm.com
I spent 5 minutes playing on the site and came up with this model and outfit. http://www.mvm.com/cs/media/p/41908.aspx
I may be addicted! ;)
Friday, October 2, 2009
THE REFINERY Shopping Secrets Revealed
Soia and Kyo and Sense of Independence are holding a 15% off coat event on Thursday October 8 from 6pm-9pm. Sense of Independence is located at 511 Eglinton Avenue West. To RSVP call 416-481-8242.
Labels:
boutique,
coat,
discount,
sense of independence,
shopping,
soia and kyo
Tie One On
"I love this scarf; I just don't know what to do with it!" Sound familiar?
I hear this sentence all the time during Shop Your Closet and Wardrobe Overhaul services. It comes from clients who own scarves that range from cotton H&M scarves to the coveted Hermes silk scarf. My advice on "what to do" is dependent upon the size, shape, and pattern of the scarf, and the body proportions and personality of the client.
As a starting point for soon-to-be clients - and a reminder for current clients - a step-by-step video on 4 easy ways to tie a rectangular silk scarf.
I hear this sentence all the time during Shop Your Closet and Wardrobe Overhaul services. It comes from clients who own scarves that range from cotton H&M scarves to the coveted Hermes silk scarf. My advice on "what to do" is dependent upon the size, shape, and pattern of the scarf, and the body proportions and personality of the client.
As a starting point for soon-to-be clients - and a reminder for current clients - a step-by-step video on 4 easy ways to tie a rectangular silk scarf.
Labels:
personal style,
silk scarf,
tie scarves,
video,
wendy woods
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Care-Full
As I offer alteration suggestion while organizing women's closets, I am often asked to name the people trust to care for my clothing. I am always happy to share!
ALTERATIONS
As You Like It is at the top of my list for alterations in Toronto. I have been going there for 4 years, and I continue to be amazed at the quality of their workmanship. They have two locations in Toronto:
92 Avenue Road ~ 416.962.4167
8 Craighurst Road ~ 416.486.6915
DRY CLEANING
I found Queen Street Cleaners after two years searching Toronto for a cleaner I trust. Finally a dry cleaner who cares about my clothes, as much as I do!
1390 Queen Street West ~ 416.533.5583
I found Queen Street Cleaners after two years searching Toronto for a cleaner I trust. Finally a dry cleaner who cares about my clothes, as much as I do!
1390 Queen Street West ~ 416.533.5583
Labels:
alterations,
clothing care,
dry cleaning,
toronto
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