This is not MY original idea for a discussion topic since it was discussed recently on Faking Good Breeding but I will pose it here anyway. What effect does reading fashion/beauty blogs have on your spending habits?

I myself am new to these blogs in an attempt to become better informed about fashion and beauty products but I have found that I recently bought 2 very inexpensive items on a whim after I saw them mentioned on blogs. One was the Band-Aid anti-blister stick and another was Sally Hansen Teeth Brightening Lip Gloss. Oddly enough I have not used either YET so it did make me wonder if I was impulse buying? Yikes...just how suggestible am I?

I justify my blog reading by only reading "budget" blogs and I love the forums because the exchange between members is very helpful in avoiding an expensive mistake but even budget buys can add up if you don't think carefully before buying.

I only read fashion mags when I am at the salon but I notice that even Oprah and Simple are full of MUST-HAVES...When did ugly things like Uggs or jeans that cost $250+become MUST HAVES...but now I digress so back to the original musing I was having. I'm beginning to sound rather daft...sorry.

HOWEVER,I would love to hear what other forum members think about how fashion/blogs influence their spending habits for good or for ill.

Blog reading is more habit for me than anything. I enjoy the tips that I find out from you all. Plus I like to be surrounded by people that love the things that I do.

I know EXACTLY what you mean. I used to visit a certain blog on makeup and found that I was spending more money on makeup than ever before. Yikes! Well, I don't visit that site anymore and now I like reading blogs that show what ordinary people like myself are wearing everyday to work and other sites that pertain to fashion but not necessarily encourages people to run out and buy the latest "it" item. I have enough credit card bills I'm trying to pay off. Also I try to use my knowledge and background in fashion to offer practical advice but I don't have my own blog, per se. My other method of avoiding too much online shopping is that I like to read about celebrity nonsense. LOL

Thank you Perez Hilton - LOLLLL

For me, I go through cycles of blog reading. If I am totally bored I will surf the net & read blogs to see what is what. My bad habit is "window shopping" on-line or going to kaboodle. But the beauty is that you can look without buying. Save the site & you can think about whether you want it or not.

Blog reading keeps me entertained and has become habit. I like the ideas, comments, and questions that people post. You get an idea of what other people are saying and doing in different places. I did make a purchase based on a cosmetic blog but it was a purchase I don't regret. I love the stuff!

Window shopping is a good way of describing it.

PS: The Band-Aid Anti-Blister Stick was another item I purchased based on a magazine "It Item" and I actaully use it. It's gotten me out of a couple of blister situations but this is just one gals experience : )

Interesting thread Judy…

I do know that my fellow bloggers often write about the stuff they would like to purchase, few actually buy the stuff they write about. I find this to be a problem because you can't really review or suggest an item unless you've tried it.

Since I've started writing a blog, I've actually buy less- focusing my pennies on purchasing things that I can wear and that I know works for me.

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Interesting thread Judy…

I do know that my fellow bloggers often write about the stuff they would like to purchase, few actually buy the stuff they write about. I find this to be a problem because you can't really review or suggest an item unless you've tried it.

Since I've started writing a blog, I've actually buy less- focusing my pennies on purchasing things that I can wear and that I know works for me.

Ah...Kathryn...you probably have very little spare time to be window shopping online, you are extremely disciplined, know your personal style and. after all, you ARE the Budget Fashionista! You are our role model in terms of keeping up with trends...the good, the bad, the ugly, and the overpriced. Thanks!

Thanks Judy for the kinds words.. but I still have my moments.. I went to the michael kors show today and there was so many truly beautiful things on the runway for spring that I wanted to jump down and take stuff off the models (like it would fit me) but you get the point… but I try to stay focused.. all I have to do is think of my cc bills from before.

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Ah...Kathryn...you probably have very little spare time to be window shopping online, you are extremely disciplined, know your personal style and. after all, you ARE the Budget Fashionista! You are our role model in terms of keeping up with trends...the good, the bad, the ugly, and the overpriced. Thanks!

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...I went to the michael kors show today…

I was at L&T today & wouldn't you know it they STILL had some MK swimsuit. They were marked down to a WHOPPING $14.99! Now, that makes designer togs more then affordable!!

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Thanks Judy for the kinds words.. but I still have my moments.. I went to the michael kors show today and there was so many truly beautiful things on the runway for spring that I wanted to jump down and take stuff off the models (like it would fit me) but you get the point… but I try to stay focused.. all I have to do is think of my cc bills from before.

YUP...it is the monthly CC bill that "keeps it real" for me too! I don't want to start looking too much like my avatar!!

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YUP...it is the monthly CC bill that "keeps it real" for me too! I don't want to start looking too much like my avatar!!

CC bills are no joke. I think I mentioned it on another post on how they keep me check when it comes to spending (sad but true)....judY you made me laugh out loud b/c on occasion I do feel like that and sometimes on a bad hair day look like your avatar too...lol!!

I like to read blogs for information.  I have read a few things that pike my interest and I will look at it online but for the most part I have not bought on impulse because of a blog or an article.  I am more of a creature of habit.  If I have been using something for a while it is difficult for me to try something new.  I guess that I just don’t want to spend money on something that might not work or be as good as what I have been using.  But lately I have been reading about a few different things that I have been willing to try.  Like I had to buy more mascara and I opted to get Maybelline instead of my usual Mary Kay.  I have to say I am pleased.  And I don’t think I would have done that if I had not read in the forum how please a few of you ladies have been with Maybelline.

I enjoy reading blogs especially a well written one. I think that it’s a kind of entertainment and it’s fun to read about other people’s opinions. There are even items that I would like to try out from reading it in a blog. The results have been good so far.

I read a lot of different fashion web sites and blogs almost daily and I would be lying if I said they didn’t influence my spending habits.