December 3, 2007 | Everyday Wisdom, For the kids, Questions Answered

The very pretty Jean writes:

I looooooooooove your idea of having a gift stash. My question is, how do you decide what to put in there? I want to give gifts that kids will love, but how to figure out what that is? Any suggestions? My son is 3.5 and is already starting to get invited to a ton of bday parties. Thank you your pretty-ness

In addition to being a world-class suck-up (thank you, Jean—you’re looking quite beautiful today, yourself!), Jean asks a pertinent question for those who are new to the idea of a gift closet: How do you know what to buy?

Let’s face it; get this one wrong, and you could be squandering lots of money rather than saving it. Having a stash doesn’t mean “buying everything on sale,” it means “buying things you know you’ll be able to gift throughout the year.” So how do we do that? (more…)

November 27, 2007 | Everyday Wisdom, Questions Answered, What to Wear

Suzanne writes:

Dear Mir,

I was searching the web for tips on how to redo my wardrobe, and I came across the perfect site… yours! I am a 16 year old girl on a rather small income. My parents won’t let me get a job until I’m done with high school, and I have to pay for gas. I get $100 a month from them. While this sounds like more than enough for someone my age, my problem is that I would like to give my wardrobe a little make over. I’ve always been the boring T-shirt and jeans kind of girl. Recently my style taste has changed and I’d like to wear something more fashionable. I am into darker clothing, without going over into the goth/emo area. I really like the layered look too. Also, most of my friends are guys and I like imitating their styles with a feminine touch. I have a closet full of clothes, but it seems like I’m missing what I need to complete my look. Do you have any advice on some key pieces that I could use to boost my style a little (without leaving me stuck at home because I can’t afford gas)?

I’m so touched that there’s a teenager in the world who doesn’t think I’m hopelessly dorky, that I am now mentally hugging Suzanne and stroking her hair. She, on the other hand, is now questioning her decision to write to me.

Today we’re going to do something a little bit special. I shared Suzanne’s query with my buddy Susan over at Friday Style, and we’re teaming up to give a complete answer that covers both style and shopping. (more…)

November 14, 2007 | Questions Answered, Quick Tips

The very pretty Jaime writes:

Dear (beautiful) Mir,
I know most shoppers already have their Christmas shopping done, but I am not one of them. Do you have any inside word about stocking stuffers? Preferably socks and underwear, deodorant and razors for my husband? We are keeping it simple this year with a $25 max for a stocking and I have to squeeze every last dollar til it screams.
Thank you!

First off, I feel the need to point out that—contrary to Jaime’s assertion—most Americans don’t even start their holiday shopping until after Thanksgiving. So do not fret, pretty Jaime! There’s still plenty of time, and you needn’t heap more stress on yourself this way. Please repeat after me: “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, I am going to get some bargains.” There. Don’t you feel better? (more…)

October 16, 2007 | Questions Answered, What to Wear

Last week while we were talking revamping your wardrobe, Dave popped up with with this:

Any insights for men? My wardrobe is starting to get worn, and I have neither fashion sense nor a wife to dress me.

Now, I know that the majority of Want Not readers are female, but we do have our loyal little contingent of men, and I think this is a fair question. I spend a lot of time discussing fashion for the ladies; what about the guys?

There is, as far as I’m concerned, one cardinal rule of fashion that goes for everyone (male or female), and the rest of the rules follow from the first. Listen up: Your clothes should fit. (more…)

October 10, 2007 | Everyday Wisdom, Questions Answered, What to Wear

Let’s talk about clothes, baby!

Kristin writes:

Hello pretty Mir! I’ve got a bit of a dilemma I hope you might be able to help me with. I lost a pretty significant amount of weight this year. Hooray, right? Yes, mostly, except for one thing - I quite literally have nothing to wear! Winter is approaching and my wardrobe consists of two pairs of jeans, a handful sweaters, a few of pairs of slacks to wear to work and one really rockin’ dress I bought myself as a reward. I need to do some major shopping and haven’t tripped over any buckets of money lately. I can’t wait for the end of season clearances like I usually would because I will very soon have to leave the house naked. I need pretty much everything - casual weekend clothes, business casual clothes to wear to work and a few cute things for date nights and the like. I not a clothing snob, but I don’t want everything I own to come from Old Navy, either. I generally prefer to spend a little more on something that is going to last. Also, I’ve worked hard and want to show off a bit! What does one do when faced with having to replace an entire wardrobe quickly and on a budget? Help!

Have I mentioned you’re so very pretty?

Thank you!

Congratulations on your weight loss, Kristin! That’s an awesome accomplishment, and you definitely deserve a fabulous wardrobe to go with your new bod. (more…)

October 1, 2007 | For the kids, Product Talk, Questions Answered

The very pretty—erm, wait, I think maybe handsome—Nick writes:

Mir, You are very very pretty and your blog is the bomb dot com. I was wondering if you could help me out finding some deals on things for little ones, more specifically the very very little ones. My good friend and his wife just had their first baby, a little girl. I would like to get them a present, but don’t have a whole lot of coin these days. I almost ordered the little bear costume you posted the other day, but wasn’t sure if blue was appropriate for infant girls. Also, any advice on what new parents might need would be helpful, as I am only in my 20s and this is my first friend to have a little crumb snatcher. Thanks again my pretty friend.

Nick

This is a great question, because most of us reach an age where suddenly all of our friends are spawning, and the “what do we buy for a new baby?” question starts coming up a lot. Fortunately this issue a lot easier to deal with than you might think. Because it turns out that there is no shortage of stuff to buy for babies! (more…)

September 26, 2007 | Product Talk, Questions Answered

Pretty Holly writes:

Pretty Mir,

Can I ask you about sheets? I’ve read your site long enough to know you’re a fan, and probably have vast knowledge. I, on the other hand, seem to be a bit of a nincompoop. After my current sheets wore out (holes I tell you!!), I decided it was time to shop for new ones. Newly familiarized with Overstock.com from your site, that’s where I started. I found some 820(!!) thread count sheets for about $80 and thought that would be the height of luxury at a good price, so I ordered them right up and waited patiently by the door for the UPS man. Anyhoo, they came and they feel like cardboard! I am not even remotely persnickety, but they’re really non-stellar. So that leads to the big question — how does one choose sheets?? I assumed that the thread-count number was directly proportional to the goodness number. Alas, it is not so. Fortunately the Overstock was kind in taking the cardboardy sheets back, but I’m stuck now with no knowledge regarding the purchase of new sheets — now that my thread-count number equals goodness number theory has been shot I feel paralyzed by ignorance. Any ideas?

Ooooooh. There’s nothing worse than buying something expecting it to be luxurious and having it arrive and be… not. I’m sorry your sheets were like cardboard! That’s no fun.

As to whether I have ideas, well yes, of course I do. I have lots of ideas! Oh, and some of them are even about sheets. (more…)

September 19, 2007 | For the kids, Questions Answered

The lovely Heather writes:

So, Mir, what’s your take on Halloween costumes, and getting the best bargain on them?

The last couple of years I’ve gone through eBay and been pretty happy … This year, my 3.5-year-old wants to be a T-Rex. The eBay costumes are pretty expensive, especially with shipping, so I’m thinking about doing it myself. But I’m not a sewer and I’m wondering if, by the time I buy the materials and spend the time doing it, I’d be better off shelling out $25 or so on a used costume from eBay.

So, what do you do? Any bargain-hunting tips for costumes? Got a spare t-rex costume lying about?

I find myself feeling a bit of deja vu, because a lot of what I’m inclined to say can be lifted directly from yesterday’s post about buying boots. But let’s hit a few other points as well. (more…)

September 18, 2007 | For the kids, Product Talk, Questions Answered

Um, I mean, when you’re on a budget. Not your little one. Because that would just be weird. Moving on….

The very pretty Jean writes:

Mir,

You are so wise, so pretty and have so much great advice (and ITA with you about bacon…yyummmmmm) So, I have a question. I know you no longer live where it is cold and where you need boots, but so many of us are still facing the long cold winter ahead. I have a 3.5 year old boy who grows faster than I can even tell you. I don’t know from year to year what size she he’ll wear so I always miss out on end of season sales. What’s the best place to look for decent winter boots without paying a small fortune? He’ll only wear them a few times in a season and I hate to spend a lot for that short a period of time.

Ahhh, winter boots for tiny ones. Have you ever noticed that they seem to cost just as much as their (much larger) big-kid counterparts? They’re one of the things that I truly hate to spend the money on. It can feel like such a waste. Still, you can’t exactly toss your kid into a snowbank in his sneakers, I suppose. (more…)

September 11, 2007 | Everyday Wisdom, Questions Answered

The lovely Katie writes:

Not sure if it’s the season for it or what, but my son has received 5 bar/bat mitzvah invitations over the past couple of weeks. Not being Jewish, I have no idea what’s expected here. I’m a single mom on a tight budget, so any ideas would be great. I know money is acceptable, in multiples of 18, but if you’ve got any great ideas for a tough age to buy for, I’d love to hear them. I hate the thought of giving cash, and would prefer to find an appropriate gift that won’t break the bank. Thanks for anything you come up with! I’ve got 4 boys and 1 girl to buy for. Ugh!

Thanks again! Love the site, check it daily!

This is definitely going to be a reader-participation type thing, and I’ll tell you why: Times change, and areas are different. I’ll give this one a shot but I’m afraid I won’t have any sort of “ultimate answer.” (more…)