Today I'm Going to Be...

Maybe it's because I'm not rich and famous, so I wouldn't understand, but do celebrities wake up one day and decide they're "bored" of being rich and famous for what they do, and try (and mostly succeed) something else just for the fun of it? Kate Moss for Top Shop and Gwen Stefani for L.A.M.B are only some of the success stories for this new breed of celebrities turned designers.

We all remember Full House and the cute little twins, Mary-Kate and Ashley that made us wish we were a part of the most loving, dysfuntional family in America. Well they grew and got bored of the whole acting thing and wanted to try their hand at fashion.

In 2001, they launched an affordable clothing line and sold it through Wal-Mart to tweens all across the country. It sold like wild fire. So now they're 23 and even more "billionaire" than before and have become a fashion force worth paying attention to with their new lines, The Row and Elizabeth and James. Of course normal people can't buy into these new fashions, some sweaters weighing in at $400 and coats at $3,000 - I'm not sure if this will be like wild fire...maybe more of a smoldering ember. We'll just have to wait and see what kind of trends their designs trickle down to the stores for the masses. In the meantime, I'll shop at my fashionable (and affordable) metrostyle.com.

What's in store for the Olsen twins? Are they going to be the next hot pop music sensation or walk their skinny little behinds down New York's catwalks? Who knows?
By yn

Summer Job Searching; worthwhile or waste of time?

Whether you are ending a temporary summer job or have been struggling to find a new one in this economy, I just hope you haven’t taken a break from job searching because you have surrendered to the lazy days of summer. Stop postponing your job search until September...

You could you be missing your dream opportunity.

Many job seekers may feel as if they want to take the summer off, but by the time the summer ends, job seekers who took the summer off will be competing against even more job seekers who have followed the same strategy. Your time and effort can reap big rewards and even land you a new job before autumn.

Summertime can offer advantages to job seekers and it’s not over

yet! There are still a few precious weeks left so don’t let them slip away. In need of a little more job searching motivation... check out these Metrostyle steals on some new work clothes. These will surely make you want to get into the office asap!

In need of some Karma points?

If you’re like me, you own a few pairs of athletic shoes for all your exercise needs. I have a pair for running outside on pavement, a pair for running in the woods, and a pair for tennis. (Sounds a little ridiculous right?). And when I buy a new pair of sneakers, I always hold onto the old pair “just in case.” It’s always good to have a back-up pair, right?

Well you may feel differently when you think of the millions of people around the world who can’t even afford one pair of sneakers. You can help by donating your old sneaks to an organization called Soles4Souls or Shoe Bank.

Soles4Souls is a shoe charity that gives “gently used” shoes to those in need. The Soles4Souls team coordinated relief efforts for the Asian tsunami and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, netting over 1 million pairs donated for these disasters. Shoe Bank has provided shoes for 20,000 people every year, both in the United States and abroad.


I know I retire a pair of running sneaks after I’ve clocked 350 to 500 miles, but the pair I wear on the treadmill hardly looks worn. If you have gently used sneaks like these, you can mail them to one of these locations found on there website:

www.soles4souls.org

www.shoebank.org

And here’s a fun idea! Before sending along your lonely pair, why not compile a collection from your friends, family, and fellow exercisers? Shoes for all ages and sizes are needed. Ask and see if you can set up a donation box at your local gym! What shoes go around come around!

How would Carrie Bradshaw handle the recession?

One of my favorite Sex and the City episodes is when Carrie Bradshaw realizes that the down payment for her apartment had gone to her shoe collection. Finding herself in financial dire straights she says, I spent $40,000 on shoes and I have nowhere to live?

I will literally be the old woman who lived in her shoes!

I can relate. I may not have spent $40,000 on shoes (Not yet, anyway), but I do have enough of them that if I ever find myself homeless, I reckon I’ll be able to fashion myself a pretty sizeable cardboard-box-home from all of the shoe boxes I’ve collected over the years.

So how would the iconic Sex and the City character handle today’s economic woes? She would probably end up in a hospital or perhaps she would go back to her ’80s stuff and start bringing it out again. Maybe she should have bought a very similar shoe style with a not so similar price tag...

Accessory Rewind

Last night I was trying to get an outfit together to wear to work and was thinking how a couple long strands of pearls would look fabulous. It was too late to run to the store so, I asked my grandmother who lives with me if I could look through her stash of jewelry. Sure enough, she had about a dozen different strands of pearls in all different lengths. Success! Then my mom brought out her own collection of accessories and before I knew it, I was being handed beautiful pieces of jewelry, each one presenting a different style from past decades!

It was better than shopping because everything was FREE. No price tag, no tax, no shipping and handling, and in this economy what could possibly be better than that?! I suggest you all do an accessory rewind and ask your grandmothers, moms, aunts, older sisters, and even your in-laws, to look through their old stuff. Just think of all the necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and belts that are waiting to be worn again! You never know what piece of vintage jewelry will catch your eye. It’s also a good way to try out styles you wouldn’t want to purchase or would never think to try on your own. My favorite necklace is a choker my dad gave my mom way back when they were dating and now it's all mine! So ladies, give it a try, save yourself a buck, and don’t forget to let me know what you find!

By LB

NYC Fashion Week: Economy Chic

Mommy, where do trends come from? Why, from fashion week, my dear!

Friday, 2/13 through Friday, 2/20, fashion designers are unveiling their fall 09 collections on the runways of NYC, and with them, the next big trends in fashion.

What’s showing up so far? The common thread is economy dressing, though the interpretation of this is as varied as the designers themselves.

Some are opting for what’s being donned a “sexy uniform” of smartly styled mix and match separates, easy knits and monochromatic color palettes.

Others are focusing on dramatic statement styles meant to be offset with essentials. Think: bold prints, leather, lace and lots, and lots of shimmer.

While others still are using fashion as a form of escapism, taking inspiration from “the good old days.” Here we're getting glimpses of feel-good eras like the 80s.

Of course, the week’s not over yet… What could possibly be next?!


By: Bren B

In a Tough Economy, Accessories are the way to go!

It seems as though even when money is tight, people want to buy accessories. There is something about spending the money on a new handbag or belt for the season rather than spending the money on a new outfit. Also, accessories can be inexpensive depending on where you look, even the high end stores are carrying more inexpensive accessory gift items. Accessories can be worn with anything, whether it’s a belt that can be worn over a chunky sweater or a dress or even a necklace that can be worn with a suit or a top. Accessories are great for gift giving for any occasion! What’s your favorite accessory to buy in a tough economy?


By: Allie

Recession Proof Your Wardrobe

The economy is struggling. Times are tough. But looking good while strapped for cash doesn’t have to be! Its time to “recession proof” your wardrobe. By mixing and matching a few staple items in your closet, your possibilities are endless!

There are several items a woman must own. These are classics that can be paired with a variety of fashion items already in your closet to create many different looks. If you have a little black dress, white button down shirt, and trousers with a classic fit, you have a solid foundation for versatility.

Your basic white shirt can be worn with jeans and boots just as easily as it can be paired with a skirt and heels. Dress up your black dress with pearls and a wrap, or for a less formal occasion it looks great with textured tights and boots. Trousers can easily be worn all week long- with a jacket for work and a turtleneck or fitted tee on the weekend.

If you have a couple bucks and are looking for something new, buy something unique and different that will make you stand out. After all, with everyone cutting back these days, if you have the opportunity to splurge, you’ll want everyone to know!

Finally, a good way to extend the life of clothes that are already in your closet is to accessorize. Accessories can be inexpensive and trendy at the same time. They can make old look new and turn boring into funky.

Most importantly, be comfortable and confident in what you are wearing and you’ll inspire everyone to make do with what they’ve got in the best possible way!

By Sarah

Is the recession affecting your shopping habits?

Everytime I turn on the TV or check my favorite news websites I can't escape all the news about our supposedly failing economy. Though I do believe that times are tough for lots of folks out there it hasn't hit close to home to me quite yet.

In fact, I haven't altered my buying habits at all...just this past weekend I went to the mall and bought a coat for my wife as well as some shirts for myself. Unless I unexpectedly find myself out of a job I don't see myself altering my plans for gift shopping or travel this holiday season.

Has the supposed economic downturn affected how you''ll be spending in the coming weeks?

By Jon