Fashion Cents – shemakescents

{World Recycle Week} How To Save On Purchases By Donating Unwanted Clothes

Published on April 14, 2016February 17, 2017 by Danielle YB Vason2 Comments

“90% of textile waste is recyclable”

Yesterday after my outdoor yoga class, my friend Dana and I found our way into H&M where the window featured signage about World Recycle Week. During the campaign period, April 18-24, H&M aims to collect 1,000 tons of unwanted or worn out garments from customers worldwide in its more than 3,600 stores. The initiative is part of H&M’s goal to close the loop in fashion, recycling unwanted garments to create recycled textile fibers for new products.

Woman Closet

The timing could not be more perfect because I have started a Purge, Edit, & Organize (post coming soon) overhaul for my closet. My plan is to sell the clothes that I no longer wear or fit properly. Whatever doesn’t sell will be split between the Goodwill and women’s shelters in Atlanta. Everything else, that I would have normally tossed, will go to H&M for recycling. I’m not sure if this is the case for all locations, but my local H&M is offering 30% off your entire purchase if you bring in items for recycling. This could be a win-win situation if you are in the market for a trendy new piece to add to your wardrobe or home.

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{Style Cents} The Most Stylish Way to Destroy A Credit Card

Published on May 13, 2014May 12, 2014 by Danielle YB Vason2 Comments

{Photo Source: Clossette}

I saw this picture not too long ago from the blogger and self-proclaimed JeDIY master, Yuka Yoneda, of Clossette.com and my mind started to race. That’s right, you are looking at a fabulously easy DIY name necklace repurposed from her old Macy’s card. People cut up credit cards all the time to celebrate a BIG pay off, to keep themselves from going into further credit card debt, or because they were issued a new card. No matter the reason, this is definitely a more stylish option than going all Edward Scissor Hands on your old card. I still can’t fathom the thought of doing the “big chop” on my credit card once it hits a zero balance. It’s hard to shift that paradigm of having a credit card simply “in case of emergencies” but I am starting realize that is what my emergency fund is for. I’m not sure if I am ready to cut my current card, but I have a card or two that had to be replaced because of a corporate breach. If you are taking part in this DIY, remember to first demagnetize the card, shred the card after you have removed your “name plate”, and dispose on trash day.

Chic or Cheap?

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{Fashion Cents} Alexander Wang for H&M

Published on April 15, 2014April 14, 2014 by Danielle YB VasonLeave a comment

ALEXANDER WANG

I’m sure you have heard by now that New York based fashion designer, Alexander Wang, will be doing a line for H&M. The announcement was made two days ago at Cochella Music Festival and I know fashionistas everywhere are counting down until November 6, 2014 when the full collection will be available in 250 H&M stores worldwide and online. I think it’s cool how major designers are teaming up with brands like H&M and Target to make designer labels affordable. Wang explains in an statement for H&M, “This will be a great way for a wider audience to experience elements of the Alexander Wang brand and lifestyle.” This is the first time that an American designer teams up with H&M, and the Alexander Wang x H&M collection will feature apparel and accessories for both men and women. It think someone was using their “fashion cents” when they chose Wang!

Which Designer Would You LOVE to see at H&M?

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{Friday Fashion} Smart Investments in Style- One Dress 5 Ways

Published on November 1, 2013January 19, 2016 by Danielle YB Vason3 Comments

I was cleaning out my closet the other day. You know that seasonal purge of clothes that no longer fits my style, clothes I have outgrown, and fads that frankly may be tipping the scales of age appropriateness. As Denia, a SMC contributing writer would put it, “I’m approaching the stage in life where shopping at trendy places like Forever21 should feel…well…awkward”. Don’t get me wrong, I never miss a chance to stop in a Forever21, but I wouldn’t build a wardrobe around it. While I consider trendy clothing essential to an eclectic closet like mine, I know it is better to have a foundation of well-made classics as opposed to a closet full of cheap and cheerful pieces that constantly needs replacing.
Sure, every stylish woman’s closet should include staples such as the LBD and a classic trench; however, I am here to introduce you to a versatile piece of clothing that has become my favorite new investment piece – the Nikki 5-Way Dress. When I first tried on this convertible dress, by designer Abi Ferrin, I have to admit that I had a “get it girl” moment in the mirror, similar to how I felt in my first DVF wrap dress back in the day. This multi-functional dress flatters in five different ways; as a one-shoulder Grecian style (my favorite, by the way), as a one-shoulder with a peplum accent, as an asymmetrical tunic, tied to the side, or crossed tied for a belt effect. My favorite thing about the versatility of this dress is that it is good to my wallet because you can get five distinctively timeless looks for the price of one dress.

Check Out All FIVE looks!

There isn’t a SINGLE reason white this signature Nikki dress belongs in every jetsetters, power-players, party girl, and busy bee’s wardrobe, but FIVE reasons. Starting at $155.00, that’s only $31.00 per look, you can’t afford not to add this to the list of foundational must-haves of well-made classics. Cha Ching… that’s the sound of me investing in quality and quantity at the same time. Want to invest in your style? Check out Ferrin’s others style staples on her site.

Thank you to the sponsors of this post, Brandstyle Communications on behalf of Abi Ferrin.

Which Look is Your Favorite?

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{Shopping Confession} I Spent More Because It Was On Sale

Published on June 18, 2013July 2, 2020 by Danielle YB Vason6 Comments

So Good…It’s a Steal

It was last Wednesday, the hottest day of the year thus far in Atlanta. I had just completed FREE yoga in the park with some of my girlfriends from work when I decided to see if H&M still had a swimsuit I saw just two weeks ago. I walked in and didn’t really notice anything out of the ordinary. Nevertheless, before I could even get to the swimsuits, I walked pass a rack of collar shirts in the front of the store, that would be perfect for summer. I picked up three. They are on sale for $7.00 a pop… that’s a steal, I thought to myself. Then I proceeded to the middle of the store where I was ~~flooded~~…no… completely overwhelmed with red sale signs. My cousin, who witnessed this too, saw me transform from She Makes Cents… back to Danielle who gets a high from shopping. Sometimes I forget we are one and the same. Thirty minutes and fourteen hangers worth of clothes later, I was on the way to the dressing room. For so long, I have done such a great job controlling my spending that I forgot just how good it felt to shop.
Thank goodness for bad fits and wrong sizes because I ended up putting back practically everything, except two pairs of flats and a white sequin blazer. I got to the checkout, opening my wallet knowing that this purchase would max out last week’s shopping/entertainment category for my envelope system, and I swiped my debit card anyway. It’s okay….I thought to myself…I saved money because I decided against all those other outfits I tried on.

The Morning After

I woke up the next morning with a major hangover…a shopping hangover, that is. You know, when you are hit with the remembrance of last night’s out of control shopping escapade. All of the warm and fuzzies have worn off and I am left trying to recall what exactly I spent my money on. Things became clearer in the light of day and I realized that the left ballet flat was a size 6 (my size) and the right flat was a size 8 (not my size). Not so cute anymore, huh? And how about that blazer? I was forced to ask myself the same question that my cousin asked me in the midst of my excitement the night before. Where in the hell are you going to wear a white sequin blazer? That night I swore I would wear it in Vegas, but in reality, it will be over 110° when I am there. Yes, outside of the pink iridescent ballet flats that remind me of my old pointe shoes, my trip to H&M was an epic fail. They didn’t even have the bikini I walked in there for.

Can You Relate?

Tell Me About YOUR last “Hangover”.

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{Financial Cents} What Your Wallet Say About You?

Published on March 9, 2013April 16, 2013 by Danielle YB Vason1 Comment

leath_travel_wallet_7

What’s In Your Wallet?

I’ve heard it said that you can tell a lot about a women based on the style of purse she carries and the contents within. Is she well taken care of? Polished? Neat? Messy? High maintenance? Laid back? I want to take this a step further and look at the center of money- the wallet. A women’s purse may reveal a lot about her, but her wallet sheds light on what she finds important and how she spends her hard earned money. Parents my keep photographers of their children. Entrepreneurs may carry business cards. Me, I carry a mix of business and pleasure. Below is my emerald green Cynthia Rowley leather wallet that I bought myself for Christmas and some of the contents within.

What does your wallet say about YOU?

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{Fashion Cents} Budget Friendly Fashion Statements

Published on February 15, 2013July 2, 2020 by Danielle YB Vason3 Comments

Wait… what does her bag say???

Years ago, the fad was to show people “how” many things you could afford, as people would brag about how much they spent on this or that. While this is still true in many cases, I am noticing an even cooler trend that is fun, witty, and fashionable. What is it, you ask?- Fashion Statements! No these aren’t the statement shirts and bags that were super popular in the early 2000s that had quotes from people like Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie. These are fashionable acknowledgements of the times, with phrases like, “Can’t Afford a Birkin” and “My other bag is Louis Vuitton”. Occasionally, I would see someone with a bag like this and I would always chuckle a bit at the boldness of these women. I guess I was just surprised by the fact that these women were the opposite of the masses I see rocking fake labels, act like they are real, and suddenly make others feel bad for not having what they have. I mean seriously, no one believes your Birkin is real on a $22,000 salary and it doesn’t even come in that color, and having a purse doesn’t make you better than others…I’m just saying. I think the problem is that sometimes great style is confused with a name brand. Trust me, not all designer fashion is stylish, but the examples of these awesome, budget friendly, designer inspired fashion finds below, are.

Below are a few of my favorite “Statement Looks” :

Photo Credits: Skreened, If You Seek Aimee Fashion, & Style With Benefits

Which look would you rock?

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{Fashion Cents Cheat Sheet} How to Accessorize Popular Necklines

Published on January 16, 2013January 18, 2013 by Danielle YB VasonLeave a comment

Thanks Charming Charlie for this Cheat Sheet!

{Honesty is Free} What Does the “Fab Life” Mean to You?

Published on June 27, 2012December 27, 2012 by Danielle YB Vason5 Comments

So I took a little hiatus…okay, well a longer one than expected, but I am back with a vengeance. I needed some time to have new experiences so that I can have something exciting yet honest to write about. To be honest, the original idea behind this site was to inform and inspire ways to use your “cents” to live a fab life. Along the way, I believe I got off target. So as we prepare for our upcoming one year mark (March 1^stJ), I want to take things back to basics. To do so, I’ll start with a simple question; what is the fab life? My answer could be ever-changing, but at the moment, great people, great food, great fashions, great adventures, great love, great leaps of faith, and a greatly styled place to come home to.

Fab People

Fab Fashions

Fab Adventures

Fab Love

Fab Faith

Fab Home

So that is what I’m going to write about…how to get the fab life without breaking the bank, my budget, or my financial integrity. I hope you join me along the way and learn from both my successes and my failures. That’s life and sometimes, you don’t learn the lesson until you fall on your face and have to get back up.

Talk to me! What is the “fab life” to you?

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Splurge vs. Save: Fashion Basics Every Woman Should Own

Published on June 13, 2011June 22, 2011 by Danielle YB Vason8 Comments

I remember being in college trying to explain to my Dad how and why I spent $300 on a pair of Dolce & Gabbana strappy wedged heeled sandals. I tried to compare my growing shoe collection with his collection of art. Both deserve to be seen, both are an investment, and both, shoes and art, are an expression of personal style. My Dad redirected with one irrefutable point, shoes unlike art don’t increase in value over time. Ugh!! Looking back those shoes are still in great condition, 7 years later, which got me thinking. When faced with the choice to splurge or save, how do you decide?

Personally, I suggest splurging on the basics and saving on more trendy items. Check out my inspirations below!!

SPLURGE