Book
Send a Photo of Yourself with the Book and Win!
Loved the book? Here’s How to Help Spread the Word:
- Purchase additional copies of the book-
the
book makes a great gift for stylish friends, not so stylish friends,
and friends who need a little extra push in the style direction
-Write an Amazon Review-
If you loved the book and want to tell the world, please write a review
on Amazon.com. The book already has 21
five star reviews.
- Review the book on your blog.
If you’ve got a blog with at least 500 pageviews a day, then send
me an email with the name of your blog, number of visitors
per day, your address and I’ll get a copy out to you to review.
-Make sure your local library has a copy.
Give your local library call to make sure they have a copy of the book
in their collection.
-Make sure your local Barnes and Noble,
Borders, or Favorite Independent bookstore carries the book.
Call you local bookstore to make sure they carry the book.
-Donate copies of the book to a local charity.
Donate copies of the book to your local Dress
for Success or Women’s
Alliance closet. The book also makes a great resource for
women’s groups, teenage development programs and workforce transition
organizations.
TBF on Great Day Houston
Make sure you tune into the morning show “Great Day Houston” on Monday and watch me dish tips from my book. I think I’ll be on at the 9am hour.
Denver Book Signing Event
All Denver Fashionistas, Please join me for a book signing event/reception sponsored by the Aspire Day Spa and Lauri Harrison.
WHEN: Thursday, August 24, 2006, 6pm-8pm
WHERE: Aspire Day Spa, 455 Acoma Street, Denver, CO 80204, 303.777.8300
REGISTER: $20 includes signed book, wine and cheese refreshments if registered by 8/10; otherwise $30.
For more information and to register, contact www.lauriharrison.com.
books fashion trends coupon fashion shoppingweblog budget fashionista Clothing
Fashion Expert budgetfashionista shopping
Glossary of Different Types of Tops
I created this little glossary of different types of tops (and bottoms) when I was writing the book. I was going to include it in the book, but the powers that be decided that it was too long. So, here it goes. Please feel free to add any additional types of tops to the comments section below.
Bandeau Tops: band-shaped covering specifically the breasts
Blazer: generally a long-sleeved sports jacket with lapels
Bolero jacket: a jacket that is loose and waist-length and open at the front
Cap sleeve: a shorter sleeve than normal that forms a stiff cap or falls on to arms providing minimal coverage
Chemise: A simple, straight unbelted dress with different lengths and sleeve styles
Corset top/boned bodice: usually strapless bodice with laces or snap closures that is extremely form fitting.
Cowl neck: a piece of material attached to a garment at the neckline, usually used as a hood or draped loosely at the front neckline or back.
Crew neck: a round neckline that sits close to the base of the neck encircled by a ribbed banding.
Cropped top/jacket: a top or jacket where the hem is cut above the waist.
Dolman sleeve: a sleeve designed without a socket for the shoulder-creating a deep armhole extending from the waist to the wrist. A.k.a. batwing sleeve.
Double breasted: normally a jacket where one-half of the front lays over the other, and usually has a double row of buttons and a single row of buttonholes.
Double-tee top: one t-shirt over the other, giving the effect of layers.
Draped bodice: extra pieces of material laid over the bustline.
Empire waist: a waistline that begins below the bust.
Halter top: a sleeveless shirt that meets on the top of the neckline creating a high choke or wrap neck and is normally backless.
Jewel neck: a round and high neckline that rests at the base of the neck.
Keyhole neck: a round or tear shaped cutout that meets at the front or back neckline.
Mandarin collar: an Asian inspired collar that is short and stand-up.
Notched collar: a two-piece collar that can be worn open.
Off the shoulder neck: a neckline that displays uncovered shoulders, above the top of the bustline.
Peasant top: a romantic style top that often has a low neckline, ruffles, and is made from free flowing materials.
Scoop neck/round neck: a u-shaped/round neckline.
Shawl collar: a one-piece collar that is turned down to form a continuous line from the back of the neck to the front.
Shrug: a small, waist-length (sometimes shorter) jacket.
Split neck: a round neckline that forms a small “v” in the center.
Square neck: an open-yoke neckline shaped to form a half-square.
Sweetheart neck: an open-yoke neckline shaped to form the top half of a heart.
Tankini: a two piece bathing suit in which the top portion resembles a tank top.
Trapeze top: a tank top with flare bottom.
Tunic style: a simple slip on garment usually knee-length or longer worn as an under or outer garment.
Unitards: a one-piece, tightly fitted garment for the torso, legs and feet, and arms.
V-neck/v-back: an open yoke forming a “V” shape midway down the bodice.
Wrap top/surplice top: a garment created by cross-wrapping fabrics, sometimes in the front or back and associated with a high/low neckline.
Cited from: http://www.dressking.com/search/glossary.htm
fashionfashion advice fashion trends shoes fashion shopping weblog budget fashionista Clothing
Fashion Expert budgetfashionista
Love the Book (and Site)? Help Spread the Word!
Thanks to all of you who went out and purchased “How to Be a Budget Fashionista” and made the book in the top ten of Amazon fashion books for the past 3 weeks! I still need your help to keep the book trucking along.
Here’s How to Help:
- Purchase additional copies of the book- great gifts for stylish friends, not so stylish friends, and friends who need a little extra push in the style direction
-Write an Amazon Review- If you’re broke or don’t have any friends or just loved the book so much and want to tell the world.
- Write a Review of the book on Your blog. If you’ve got a blog with at least 500 pageviews a day, then send me an email with your address and I’ll get a copy out to you.
-Call your local library. Make sure your local library carries a copy of the book.
-Call your local Barnes and Noble, Borders, or Favorite Independent Bookstore. Make sure they carry a copy of the book.
-Donate copies of the book to a local charity.
Contest Alert: Win a $750 Shopping Spree to AngelaMoore.com
THIS CONTEST HAS ENDED
Join the Budget Fashionista, Stylebakery, and Angela Moore is celebrating the release of my new book, How to Be a Budget Fashionista .
Head to Stylebakery.com, register for their newsletter, and be entered to win a $750 shopping spree at AngelaMoore.com or a signed copy of How to Be a Budget Fashionista.
Register for StyleBakery’s newsletter
Visit Angela Moore
Buy How to Be a Budget Fashionista
How to Be a Budget Fashionista: Book Party and Signing
This past Wednesday, we had a small book signing and reception for the book at the fabulous Madame X Lounge. Although it wasn’t a big event, we had quite a few people show up including my friend Pamela Edwards from Essence Magazine, Rachel Kramer Bussel from the Village Voice and Gothamist, Cheryl Williams-Barnes from ABC’s much talked about “The View”, Miss Megan, Julie and crew from Coutorture and tons of other fabulous folks. I have a few of the pictures up on Flickr (more coming later this weekend).
Latest Book Reviews: How to Be a Budget Fashionista
Thanks to everyone who read the book and posted a review. I REALLY appreciate it, especially the support from my fellow bloggers. I made a commitment to taking a “blogroots” approach to getting the word out about the book. If you write a blog and would like to receive a copy of the book to review, please contact me with the name of your blog, address, and estimated number of readers.
Recent Book Reviews
Metro NY
Gothamist
Detroit Free Press
Verbal Croquis
Flamingnet Book Review
Simply Chic
La Dolce Divas
Cheap Chica
The Glamourous Librarian
Budget Fashionista Book Party: June 28th
THIS CONTEST HAS ENDED.
I will be having a small book party next Wednesday, June 28, 2006 in NYC. Unfortunately, it’s not a public event (although I promise to have one soon), but I’ve snagged five invites for my blog readers. Just send me a quick email about why you would like to attend the book party (hint: goody bags)—if you’re a member of the press or fellow blogger, send me a quick email to be added to the guest list.
FREE Book!
It’s so hard to copies of segments from the station themselves, so I will send A FREE SIGNED COPY OF THE BOOK to the first person who sends me a tape or DVD of one of my local TV appearances.
THIS CONTEST HAS ENDED.
Please include, your name, address, etc so I can get a book out to you.
For upcoming appearances, check out the right side of the site.
Also, continuing on the blogroots marketing efforts for this book, if you write a blog, please send me an email and I will get a review copy out to you ASAP.
The Budget Fashionista on Tour: Mall of America Tomorrow (6/10) at 3pm
Hey all—
I will be at the Barnes and Noble at the Mall of America tomorrow, June 10th at 3pm, signing books and chatting away about shopping, fashion, and my teenage escapades at Lake Harriet. If you just happen to be in the Twin Cities, stop by and say “hi”.
Book Reviews: They Like Me . . . They Really Like Me
I big thanks to my fellow bloggers at Sales Rack Raider and
Fashion Tribes/LA Story who took the time out of their lives to sit down and read my book. It’s one thing for print and TV to love you, it’s another thing to be accepted by your own.
I also want to say a big thanks to Michele and the peeps at AmaZE Magazine for such a cool interview. And a thanks to the lovely women at Redbook and Jolie Magazine who both featured the book in their June Issues.
Book Tour Schedule and Get a FREE Book
Hey all. I recently added a calendar to the right side of the site with the dates of various events associated with the book tour. Here’s a feed for the calendar to put into your reader: http://www.rsscalendar.com/rss/feed.asp?t=m&k=1dc4ba5caaba57334a8814d7ab736e76
THIS CONTEST HAS ENDED.
It’s so hard to copies of segments from the station themselves, so I will send A FREE SIGNED COPY OF THE BOOK to the first person to send me a tape or DVD of one of my local TV appearances. Send it to:
TBF Group, LLC
113 Pavonia Ave #683
Jersey City, NJ 07310
Please include, your name, address, etc. so I can get a book out to you.
(I would like to send a shout out to my BookExpo Buddy, Village Voice Columnist, and major celeb in her own right, Rachel Kramer Brussel for the calendar idea)
Shopping Rumor: TopShop and Nordstrom Headed to Manhattan?
I must have done something right . . .
First the book is doing well AND I just got a note from a secret spy that Topshop and Nordstrom’s are casing Manhattan for locations. Now all I need is for Andre Leon Talley to come pick me up in his limo and whisk me away for a shopping spree at Target.
Reviews of How To Be A Budget Fashionista
Here’s the very first reviews of the book. I was ecstatic that the fabulous Lloyd Boston, the woman who wrote the book (actually several books) on proper dressing Leah Feldon, and my stylish friends at Stylebakery folks loved the book.
Here’s what they had to say . . .
“Kathryn Finney’s tips help real women everywhere be their own stylists. A fun read that inspires you to shop smart!”
- Lloyd Boston, style contributor for NBC’s Today show, author of Before You Put That On
“Whether you’re used to splurging at Saks or bargain hunting at T.J. Maxx, Kathryn Finney’s book is chock-full of indispensable advice for getting the best deals on the stuff you want.”
- Alison Deyette and Jennifer Davidson, co-founders of Stylebakery.com
“With Kathryn Finney’s savvy tips and sage advice tucked snugly under her discount Prada belt, any budding fashionista can give Paris Hilton a good run for her money.”
- Leah Feldon, author of Dress Like a Million
Fashion Advice: Classic Men’s Style on a Student’s Budget
Dear Budget Fashionista
I am a poor undergrad who is very tired of seeing hordes of banal A&E, Hollister, and Abercrombie zombies wandering my campus. How can I make a tasteful and rather classical appearance with a minimum amount of damage to my pathetic wallet?
A: College campuses, once the seat of all things cool and hip, now look like something the Gap threw up after a wild night of partying at the local bar. No longer is college the place to experiment and try out new things. Campus fashion has become as boring and as tedious as an 8:00 am class.
The first stop on your way to dressing classically is to purchase the book “Dressing the Man” by Alan Flusser . This book is an excellent reference for any guy looking to develop his own classic style. We suggest that you check if your bookstore will allow you to pass the book off as a “textbook” (tell them it for a class on reconstructing the current paradigm of the contemporary definition of masculinity through the use of apparel).
After getting the book, head to the nearest Salvation Army or
Goodwill. “Sally” and “Goody” are the best places to score key finds like classic suit jackets, overcoats and more. Look for jackets that are fully lined, made of either 100% wool or cashmere. Leave the polyester alone. Tweed is always in for men, so pick up a few here. These stores are also great places to land trench coats (think Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca)—a must for any classic male wardrobe. Take your thrift store finds to the nearest dry cleaners and have them tailor the items to fit you perfectly. In fact take all of your finds (whether they are from a thrift store or from the Nordstrom’s) to a tailor. If you are daring enough, ask the tailor to throw on a couple of suede patches at the elbow for good measure.
As far as pants go, you can still shop at the same spots as your unfashionable brethren. The Gap, Banana Republic
, and Abercrombie are great places to purchase basic pants. Again, look for pants made of 100% wool, cotton, or other natural fabrics. Pay attention to the rise (the distance between your crotch and waist). Your pants should hit you right at your waist. They should not be low risers, as is the current trend. The inseam (the length of the pants) is also very important. As a rule of thumb, the pant leg should “break” at the front of the shoe and approach the top of the heel at the back. Cuffs add additional weight to help pants drape well. Make sure your tailor adds an additional 1/4-inch to the length. Pants, even when they are dry cleaned, tend to shrink a bit.
Now to complete the classic look, you need accessories. Wearing a tie is a classic option and is something that will definitely set you apart from your college mates. Learn how to tie a Windsor knot (the fat knots wore by bankers) and you might be able to score a free lunch or two from friends who want to learn how to make such a stylish knot. The tip of your tie should hit the top of your pants—no shorter, no longer.
Stay away from designers like D&G and DKNY, all of whom tend to be a little trendy with their menswear designs. Also, always wear a nice belt. You local Marshall’s or TJ Maxx is a great place to find these items. For shoes get a pair of classic loafers or driving moccasins from http://www.minnetonkamoccasin.com. If you are brave enough, buy a pair of Dexter penny loafers and put a dime in the shoe.
Clean, collegiate, and classic.
Publisher’s Weekly Review of How to Be a Budget Fashionista
HOW TO BE A BUDGET FASHIONISTA: The Ultimate Guide to Looking Fabulous for Less
Kathryn Finney. Ballantine, $12.95 paper (240p) ISBN 0812975162
This delightful little guide to the fashion good life is perfect for money-conscious shopaholics who “love purses because they can instantly identify your personality and be used to ‘fake’ your income level.” After teasing out the all-important personality and style differences between Sex and the City and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman women, Finney rates everything from discount designer web sites to outlet malls so that readers will be assured of their catch. The author also proves herself to be more than mere fashion tourguide as she takes time out to explain the Value Added Tax, the surprising ways to spot a designer fake and how to safely purchase high-end goods on eBay. While this fun-to-read frippery won’t reveal too many new secrets for die-hard Vogue and W fans, some of the author’s more practical advice (“Take Care of Your Clothes Like a Stylist”) make the upbeat guide well worth the price of admission. Finney’s personal quest for the sartorial best on a budget, combined with her knack for sniffing out the best designer deals, will win her legions of fans. (June)
How to Be a Budget Fashionista: The Book Tour
For those of you who care, here’s the tentative schedule for my upcoming book tour. I think I’ll be at the Mall of America when in Minneapolis and, if so, I plan on giving an impromptu pep talk to employees at Lerner’s New York (now New York & Company)—my firstreal job. I want them to know that there’s life after minimum wage hell. If you happen to live in any of these cities, please stop by and say hello. I would love to meet you and swap shopping war stories.
But first . . . please, buy the book.
How to Be a Budget Fashionista Book Tour
May 30 - June 5th- New York City/ National Media (aka dang this girl is EVERYwhere week)
June 6th - Hartford, CT
June 7th - Boston, MA
June 8th - Chicago. IL
June 9th - Minneapolis, MN
June 10th - Minneapolis, MN
June 11th - Minneapolis, MN (nervous breakdown #1)
June 12th-13th - Los Angeles/National Media (oh, more of her)
June 14th - San Francisco (I will find a way to sneak out and head to the Goodwill on Haight)
June 15th - Dallas, TX
June 16th - Atlanta, GA
June 17th -19th- Home, unless Oprah calls, nervous breakdown #2
June 20th - Philadelphia/DC
June 21st - New York at the Princeton Club
June 22nd -Philadelphia/DC
July 31/August 1st - Delta Sigma Theta National Convention
August 3rd - Brooklyn Public Library
Hopefully, more than my mom and Tobias will buy the book. If not, the book will be located in the dollar bin next to “Commodore 6400 for Dummies”.
Also, if you happen be located in these cities and are a member of a non-profit group (women’s club, church group, etc.) and would like me to speak, please feel free to contact me.
(portions of the tour are sponsored by Marshalls)
Advertisement
Featured on TBF
Copyright 2003-2009 TBF Group, LLC.