One of the ways the economy is affecting me is that I haven't been able to do much clothes shopping lately. Yet, fashion is an important part of my life and clothes make me feel good. So, over the years I've developed ways to feed my fashion fix in good times and bad. Here are four ways to make your wardrobe recession proof:
*Make the old new
*Find a wardrobe that's "you"
*Maintain your size
*Accessorize
Make the old new
The pictures in this post demonstrate two recession-proof tips. One is make the old new, the other is accessorize.
I bought a this two-piece tank and blouse set years ago but I never liked the tank. I love to embellish my clothes and give them a little bit of pizazz.
So, I cut up the tank top and took a few of the flowers off. I then sewed these cut-outs onto my blouse and embellished them with beads.
Most of the beads in this picture come from a pair of earrings I got free at
Warehouse 1333 during some kind of art show. The earrings were too heavy for my ears so I cut them up and used them on this blouse instead.
Maintain Your Weight
I don't have to tell you, buying a whole new wardrobe just because you put on 20 lbs will cut a hole in your budget. If you've been dieting, you've probably lost and gained the same 20 lbs over and over again. I got off the diet rollercoaster years ago and now I wear the same size year after year. Because of that, I can easily follow recession proof tip #2: Find a wardrobe that's you.
(To find out more about how I maintain the same size year after year with ease,
go to donateyourweight.com).
Find a wardrobe that's "you"
Finding a wardrobe that's "you" will save a ton of money in the long run. It will also make it easier to get dressed everyday. Pink has become my signature color. (And even though I wore pink before there was a Pink Magazine,
I like the way they describe the power of pink on their website if you want to check it out).
Pretty much every item in my closet is pink, has pink in it or is in the "pink family" (red, maroon, purple, peach, salmon, watermelon, etc.) I also have classic pieces like black pants, black skirts, white dress-shirts and jeans. Since all of my clothes are in the same color scheme, I can literally walk in my closet blindfolded and choose an outfit that matches. In fact, a bonus recession-proof tip is to find a brand new combination of your old clothes. If you always wear your pink sweater with the black pants, try putting a white blouse underneath it or a hot pink scarf over it, etc.
Accessorize
I'll close the article with the fourth and final tip: accessorize. You will be surprised how far your wardrobe will go with some accessories like belts, bracelets, necklaces, broaches and scarves. You can turn a pair of jeans and a t-shirt into a fashion statement just by putting on a scarf or a hat. People will say "I don't have time to dress nice like you" and you'll get a smirk on your face because all you did was wrap a scarf around your neck and throw on a hat! Underneath it all you've got on some comfy jeans and a t-shirt. How hard is that?
The other day, I had my iPod on shuffle. I was listening to music mostly but all of the sudden, my shuffle landed on a piece of audio by Stan Goff. It was a lecture or discussion of racism, sexism and the economy. I found it fascinating and wanted to share it with you. It's about 6 minutes long. 
It's been almost two years since I held a subscription to In Style magazine. Ever since then, they've been sending me letters like this, letting me know that they want me back.
As much as it feels good to be wanted, it feels better to deny In Style.
My decision to cancel my subscription was not without hesitation. I do love pretty pictures, clothing and accessories. But one day, as I sat at my table with the 500 page magazine before me, I had an epiphany.
As I turned page after page of advertisements and eyeballed one unattainable image after another it struck me: I was paying money to be advertised to.
Not only that, I was paying money to feel rotten about myself. That's not a wise move.
I wrote an article about this back in 2007. I concluded that since the magazine often led me to desire things I could not afford, I was paying to be dissatisfied and in debt. Again, not a smart way to spend my time or my money.
Today, I choose my media input wisely. I spend within my means and do my best to concentrate my mental energy on things that are uplifting and empowering. Every small step I take towards honoring myself makes me just a little bit stronger and if you ask me, it's worth the effort.
If you need help learning how to love yourself as you are, consider the Love Your Body, Love Yourself hypnosis and affirmation CD or the Donate Your Weight program. 
Is your budget giving you the blues? Exercise is a proven depression-buster among other things. In fact, exercising at home with your own equipment can help you get some serious bang for your buck.
Here are the benefits of working out at home, listening to your own cool music versus paying a membership fee at a gym you never go to anyway:
1. Save on heating costs - You'll get so hot from exercise that you'll be tempted to turn on the air conditioner, but never the heater
2. Entertain yourself - What a great way to pass the time; listening to music and moving your body
3. Reap all the benefits of exercise - You know, all that good stuff like your heart, your lungs, your blood, your skin, they all love it
4. Manage you moods - on-going, vigorous exercise will keep depression and anxiety at bay
5. Set your own stage - At home, you have complete control of the music selection and 100% freedom to lip-synch and play air guitar. At Bally's Fitness, you'd probably hesitate before screaming out "You gotta fight for your right to party". At home, you are free to blurt these things out with wreckless abandon 
6. Prepare for "battle" - whether it's a battle of the mind, a job you're less than excited about or the need to kick some serious arse, regular, vigorous exercise will give you a mental and physical boost that can help you take control of other aspects of your life
If negative self-talk, poor body image or being "too busy" often prevents you from adhering to your exercise routine, maybe my book From Sabotage to Success will help. I also frequently post workout playlists with songs that motivate me to move my body, check 'em out, they might motivate you too. 
One of the ways the economy is affecting me is that I haven't been able to do much clothes shopping lately. Yet, fashion is an important part of my life and clothes make me feel good. So, over the years I've developed ways to feed my fashion fix in good times and bad. Here are four ways to make your wardrobe recession proof:
*Make the old new
*Find a wardrobe that's "you"
*Maintain your size
*Accessorize
Make the old new
The pictures in this post demonstrate two recession-proof tips. One is make the old new, the other is accessorize.
I bought a this two-piece tank and blouse set years ago but I never liked the tank. I love to embellish my clothes and give them a little bit of pizazz. 
So, I cut up the tank top and took a few of the flowers off. I then sewed these cut-outs onto my blouse and embellished them with beads.
Most of the beads in this picture come from a pair of earrings I got free at Warehouse 1333 during some kind of art show. The earrings were too heavy for my ears so I cut them up and used them on this blouse instead.
