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The Color of Your Clothing Sends Messages

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You may not realize it but the colors that you wear convey very strong messages. There are specific colors you should wear if you want to convey power, authority, love, compassion and sympathy. The problem is if you aren’t sure what specific colors mean you could be sending conflicting messages to those around you.

If you have just received a Reach prepaid card and are yearning to purchase new clothing, here’s a look at what a handful of colors means. This will help you choose clothing that sends the message you want them to.

The Color Black

The color black is a very brooding, dark color but it conveys a very strong message. Psychologically speaking people who see others in black view them as authoritative and as someone in a position of power.

The Color Red

The color red brings out a mix of intense emotions. Studies show that when the color red is shown to people it can increase a person’s heartbeat, and cause feelings of anger. With this in mind, wearing red would not be recommended if you are trying to calm or sooth a person.

The Color Yellow

If you are looking to grab people’s attention then yellow is your color. Studies have also shown that when the color yellow is introduced it can cause people to brighten up and feel more optimistic about situations.

The Color Purple

The color purple has always been associated with royalty, luxury and riches. Wearing purple sends off a vibe that you are rich, powerful and wealthy.

Understanding what these basic colors mean can help you pick clothing that will send out the message you want it to.

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Filed Under: Formal Attire, General, Popular Patterns Tagged With: Clothing, Color, Color Purple

Preparing for a Special day Responsibly

Planning for a special occasion gives some people the desire to go a little crazy with their spending. Sometimes it can even become a serious problem if it’s left unchecked. Fortunately most people aren’t full-fledged shopping addicts. But while the most major problems rarely occur, everybody knows what happens when you spend beyond your means. So no matter how important the occasion may be, you have to keep it reasonable.

This is the best reason for the Reach prepaid card. While not everyone will drain their checking account just because a special occasion is coming up, it can be all too easy to sacrifice your savings and your bill-paying fund just to pay for the little things that add up all too quickly. When you start to spend, it can be very difficult to stop. This is why a prepaid debit card is a great idea — you can keep your special occasion money separate from your bill money.

So when you get to the point where you’re going to spend a lot, don’t try to be too cheap. Just choose how much money to load onto your prepaid card, and then spend as the situation calls for it. Once that happens, you won’t want to bother with the tiny details. You’ll want to focus on on having a good time and making things happen. After all, a special occasion is no time to be worrying about your finances. That’ll ruin the experience. You just need to think ahead a little.

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Filed Under: General, Popular Patterns Tagged With: Debit card, Stored-value card, Transactional account

Saving Money on Special Occasions

Bride, 1968. "Here is my mother on her we...

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Special occasions, like prom, can become very expensive. The dress itself can cost several hundred dollars, not to mention accessories, a special hairdo, and other expenses included. As far as fashion goes, it can be easy to spend too much on your prom or wedding dress. Here are some tips that may help you stay within your budget.

Avoid Credit Cards

It’s easy to go over your budget when you’re using a credit card because you don’t realize how much you’re spending when everything begins to add up. Try bringing along only the amount of cash you intend to spend or using a Reach prepaid card. A prepaid card allows you to choose and easily stay within a budget.

Make the Most Out of Your Money

If you’re planning for a special occasion, you may want to consider if you will ever wear the same items again. This can actually help you save money in the long run so that you’re not spending more to buy two separate items. You may have two parties that you’re going to attend, so try to pick a dress that can be worn at both rather than buying two different dresses.

Look for Deals

You can easily find gorgeous clothing that is on sale. You shouldn’t always go with something just because it’s on sale, but it won’t hurt to look because you might find something you like for a great deal. If you don’t find it on sale, you can always look at other items, but don’t pass by the sales; they have amazing deals.

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Filed Under: General Tagged With: Credit card, Prom, Stored-value card

Closet Essentials

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You don’t have to spend a fortune to build a truly fantastic wardrobe. You only need to shop smart, and pick versatile items that can be worn for both casual and formal occasions. Here are a few wardrobe essentials that should be in every woman’s closet.

Black Tank

Choose one simple black tank that’s form-fitting yet comfortable. Black tanks are ideal because of their versatility; they look good with a pair of jeans, but they also can be dressed up with accessories and be worn with a cocktail skirt.

Black Pants

Another versatile item, black pants can be worn at nearly any occasion. They can be paired with a jean jacket for a simple day of running errands, or with a printed silk tank top for a night on the town. Be sure to purchase a fabric that can be worn during any season, like tropical wool or viscose.

Printed Blouse

Purchase a bold printed blouse as a statement piece for your wardrobe to break up the simpler black and white tops. This piece should be worn with solid pants, such as jeans or khakis, and is sure to garner compliments.

Cocktail Skirt

Every woman should have a show-stopping cocktail skirt in her wardrobe for formal occasions. To spice up the traditional cocktail skirt, look for one with details, such as volume or sparkly embellishments.

Party Dress

Although formal events don’t happen often, it’s worth it to splurge on a party dress for such occasions that will turn heads. Look for a timeless piece that’s figure-flattering, and, most importantly, it should be a dress you feel fabulous in.

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Filed Under: Formal Attire, General Tagged With: Clothing, Denim, Skirt

Socially Responsible Fashion

Being socially conscious doesn’t always mean you have to sacrifice style; these days, it’s becoming more and more trendy to sport fashion that sends a message. Big-name designers are joining the cause: American Apparel, for instance, has committed to a sweatshop-free message. Levi’s offers organic jeans, and Wal-Mart has sold organic cotton T-shirts among its other fashions. Smaller businesses are also helping the cause.

fashionABLE

fashionABLE was founded by Barrett Ward, an activist who lived in Ethiopia for a year. While there, he was introduced to the group Women at Risk, which works with women who have been affected by the sex industry. One of the biggest challenges, he learned, was finding women full-time employment to keep them off the streets. Ward founded fashionABLE as a way to help these women generate income. fashionABLE is headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and the women make beautiful handmade scarves that are sold on the company’s website. All the profits are given to the women to help them restore and rehabilitate their lives.

BeadforLife

BeadforLife is an organization that is committed to working with impoverished Ugandan women to help them thrive economically in their community. The women who work for BeadforLife create beautiful handcrafted bracelets, necklaces and earrings using colorful recycled paper. In turn, BeadforLife’s goal is to help these women to become financially independent from the organization within 18 months. BeadforLife believes that providing entrepreneurial training is a more sustainable approach than providing simple donations; members of the organization can build their knowledge and business skills while participating.

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Filed Under: Formal Attire, Popular Patterns Tagged With: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Fashion

Best Online Shopping Sites

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The Internet presents a world of options when it comes to shopping for apparel. Dozens of sites offer high-quality designer clothing or bargains that you just can’t beat. Before packing up your car to hit the mall, think about expanding your closet through online retailers. Here are some of the best sites to search.

Shopbop.com

Shopbop.com is for the woman who loves hip designer clothing. From classic wrap dresses by Diane von Furstenberg to eclectic jewelry from House of Harlow 1960, this site has it all. Users can search by brand, exclusives, trend or discount and can even browse designer lookbooks.

Tiffany.com

Tiffany.com takes the pressure out of shopping at a high-end store. You can wear sweats while you browse the sparkling rings, bracelets and necklaces featured on the site—whether you’re looking to browse pieces by Elsa Peretti or shop for classic Tiffany items. If you’re on a budget, you can even customize your search to look for jewelry under $250 or under $500. You can also get a taste for what Tiffany does beyond jewelry; their collection of barware, stemware and vases is also available on the site.

Gilt Groupe

Gilt.com is the perfect site for shoppers who love scoring deals on designer pieces. Gilt.com is different from traditional shopping sites; you must become a member of the site to access the deals (membership is free). Once you’re a member, you’ll gain insider access to top designer labels discounted up to 60 percent off. You have to act fast, though: the full collection of merchandise is available when the sale starts, and it usually sells out quickly.

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Filed Under: General, Popular Patterns Tagged With: Gilt Groupe, Online shopping, Shopping

Looking Younger With Fashion Accessories

Fashion accessories can accomplish much more than just give your outfit a little color or provide some added warmth; they can change your entire physical appearance. One such area is your age. While some women spend thousands of dollars on cosmetic treatments like Botox and plastic surgery for a more youthful look, similar results can be achieved with a few everyday fashion accents. While the right fashion accessories can’t take you back in time, they can make you look like you did.

If age has added a few wrinkles too many to your neck, cover it up, and the past, by putting on a nice silk scarf. Plus, tying a scarf can be done in various fashionable arrangements for added effect. One very unfortunate circumstance of getting older as an adult is puffy eyes. Therefore, you should carry a pair of sunglasses in your purse at all times–even during the winter season. Also, by wearing a chic hat you can not only fit in with the younger crowd, but the brim will help cast a shadow over any unsightly wrinkles on your face.

Looking younger with new fashion accessories can also be accomplished in the torso area. If you’ve developed a bulging tummy over the years, disguise it will a low-slung belt. Meanwhile, a decorative belt will attract the eyes of the others. Another fashion accessory with great affect is the purse. Trade in your outdated purses for something that’s been popular this decade. Nothing sticks out more than a carrying a fashion item older than half the people in the room.

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Filed Under: General, Popular Patterns Tagged With: Design, Fashion, Fashion accessory

Finding the Bathing Suit That’s Right for You

Bathing suit season is the time most people fret over exercising and diet with the goal of having a smoking body while they lay out on the beach. However, the reality is that no matter if you’re skinny or full-bodied, not every bathing suit will good on you as some fit certain body shapes better than others. The right bathing suit is one that compliments your particular body shape. And tyring to use your bathing suit to hide supposed flaws is actually counter productive as it just tells people that you have something to hide.

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Instead, when you go shopping for a bathing suit concentrate on one thing: balance. A bathing suit that has balance is one that makes your body look proportional by seamlessly blending you top half with your bottom half. Symmetry is a natural attraction for humans, so it’s important to achieve in bathing suit since it’s when you are the most bare in public. And while hiding flaws is frowned upon, a bathing suit that accentuates healthy curves is ideal.

There are for basic body shapes: hourglass, triangular, inverted triangle and rectangular. The hourglass body shape is the most versatile, and can fit most bathing suits. But avoid skimpy bikinis if you have a larger chest. With a triangular body, feel free to mix and match bottoms and tops. Those with an inverted triangle body shape are more top heavy and so need to pay attention to the level of support a bathing suit provides. Rectangular shapes are best for one-piece bathing suits, but bikinis with accents can help emphasize your curves.

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Filed Under: Formal Attire, Popular Patterns Tagged With: Bikini, Shopping, Swimsuit

What to Wear for Your Memorial Day BBQ

Most Americans are given Memorial Day off from work, which means a well deserved three-day weekend and plenty of time for extended families to get together. And the common way families celebrate summer’s first holiday is with a classic outdoor barbecue. This brings ups many questions about what to wear to such an event. For one, what are you comfortable wearing around a bunch of food that usually is eaten with your hands and can get messy. Also, you’ll likely be seeing family members you only see once every decade, so it’s important to look presentable.

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Since barbecues are casual affairs–even when its a family reunion on a national holiday–simplicity should be the theme of your outfit. While you want to look nice, no one will be sporting suits or ties while standing over a flaming grill. Donning a basic summer dress or skirt is always a safe, comfortable choice, but a pair of shorts with a buttoned shirt is a great alternative. Of course, be sure everything is in bright colors that reflect the season.

Another factor to consider when choosing an outfit for your Memorial Day BBQ is the weather. Likely, the temperature will be warm and the sky sunny, so wear garments that let you show a little skin you can not only stay cool, but get a little tan. If the weather is less than optimal, you can simply throw on a thin sweater or cardigan over your outfit without having to go back to the drawing board.

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Filed Under: Formal Attire, Popular Patterns Tagged With: Barbecue, Memorial Day, United States

In Need of Fashion Help

If you have a friend that is turning into a fashion train wreck, you may be tempted to get involved and help her out. While this is very gracious of you it can also be difficult and something that puts a strain on your relationship. When you decide that you can’t take it any more and you have to speak up, take her feelings into considerations and attempt to assist in a positive way.

Use comments from the dressing room to make your point. When she tries something on in the dressing room that is really hitting the mark, let her know. Make a big deal out of it. Give her the specific feedback about why you like it, how it makes her look, and why she should buy it. This positive information doesn’t come across bad and you are still being a good friend.

Mention things that you think would look good on her. You can say things like, “Have you ever thought about trying on a pair of skinny leg jeans?” With you planting an idea, it may be all she needs. Maybe the next time she goes out she will consider purchasing skinny jeans. Much like in the dressing room, be sure to point out what this item is going to do for her figure and encourage her to give it a try.

This last idea may seem a little underhanded but at least you aren’t just calling her out for wearing “mom jeans” or a shirt that makes her look larger than she really is. If an occasion or holiday is coming up, plan to get her something to add to her fashion arsenal. Even if it is an accessory, a pair of shoes or a t-shirt, work to incorporate good items into her wardrobe.

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Filed Under: Popular Patterns Tagged With: Changing room, Fashion, skinny jeans

Picture Perfect

The Color of Your Clothing Sends Messages

The Color Black

The Color Red

The Color Yellow

The Color Purple

Preparing for a Special day Responsibly

Saving Money on Special Occasions

Avoid Credit Cards

Make the Most Out of Your Money

Look for Deals

Closet Essentials

Socially Responsible Fashion

Best Online Shopping Sites

Looking Younger With Fashion Accessories

Finding the Bathing Suit That’s Right for You

What to Wear for Your Memorial Day BBQ

In Need of Fashion Help

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