Have you ever been to a consignment shop? If you answered "no" my reply would be "why the heck not?!" I love good consignment shops. Unlike thrift shops, a good consignment shop owner/buyer has a discriminatory eye and only accepts items that look new and usually focus and well-known brands or unique items.

As a seller it's a fantastic way to declutter your closet without having to feel guilty that you're throwing away items in good condition. Do you have any clothes in your closet that still have the tags on them? You know, one of those things you look at and think, "what was I smoking the day I bought that?!" Well, you can make a little return on your money by selling the garment through a consignment shop. Plus, you'll have the peace of knowing that the garment has found a new home.... not in YOUR closet.

As a shopper at a consignment shop you can find unique items at a fraction of their original cost. The last time I was in to my favorite local shop I bought two long cardigan sweaters, the kind you see in all the stores right now, for about $10 EACH. Most consignment shops will also sell some new accessories to make an outfit. Some of favorite items to look for at a resale shop are special event garments (because they are normally only worn a few times, if not once), jeans (because they're already worn in) and purses/bags. But I always find something I love and don't have to feel guilty buying because the price is amazing.

An added bonus to shopping at a resale shop is that you're supporting a local business. Most consignment shops are run by their owners who take great pride in their store and community. It's always great to help support local business owners, especially in today's economy. In a season where you're spending a lot of cash on other people's gifts, consider a consignment shop for finding your holiday party outfits!

To find the shops in your area just search "consignment shop" or "resale shop".

In the Ann Arbor area I recommend:

The Resale Boutique 107 East Michigan Ave, Saline, MI 734-295-3030 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Saline-MI/The-Resale-Boutique/230749620018?v=wall

Happy shopping!!

Want help finding that holiday party outfit? Want to give someone a gift certificate to boost their style confidence? I'm your girl! Check out my site: http://www.stylesuccess.net

For some women the winter weather presents a new fashion challenge: how to stay warm without adding bulk. For example, I think that some puffy coats are adorable. Unfortunately when I wear them I look like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. Considering the fact that most of my outfit choices are geared towards making myself look thinner, you can as where this might be considered counter-productive. Luckily there are many coat choices out there. There is also an alternative to adding warmth only with bulky sweaters. They're called Cuddle Duds.

To put it simply, they're long johns for women. But instead of your run of the mill waffle weave cotton numbers... as sexy as they may be... Cuddle Duds are silky, soft and thin. They add a lot of warmth without all the bulk. Perfect to put under your tops, pants and fine knit sweaters.

You can find Cuddle Duds at Macy's, Target, JC Penney and other retailers. To see the full line visit the Cuddle Duds website: http://www.cuddlduds.com

A special thank you to my client back in Houston that first told me about Cuddle Duds. I'll be thinking of you this winter!

Tuesday Tips & Tricks: Consider Consignment

Tuesday Tips & Tricks: Bulk-free warmth