Changes Clothing and Jewellery Bar

Making Money From Your Closet

2012-01-19T16:13:00.000-08:00

Making money from your closet is easier than you think. You may be avoiding things such as a big closet clean because you don't want to be reminded of how much you have spent on things you don't use. The key is to turn the negative associations you have with this task into a positive change for your future. The stuff in your closet is just "stuff," so take off the emotional labelling that you have given those items, and look at them for what they are; pants that don't fit! Keep the memories, get rid of the clothing.

Sort things into three piles; Keep, Consign, & Donate. The first rule of a successful closet clean, is answering the question of how you feel when you wear that item, along with answering whether you have worn that item in the last year. If the answers to these questions contain the words, "frumpy, and "no," respectively, then get rid of it. Go through this ritual to be left with a closet that is full of things you like, and a clear sign as to what pieces you need to fill it in with. Use the money that you make from consigning to buy the pieces that you are missing in your wardrobe. No extra money will have left your bank account, preserving your savings plan, while still being able to shop and look good.

Investing wisely in pieces you will need is an art, which some may need help mastering. If you live close to Changes Vancouver or Calgary, book a free Diva Den. If not, then be sure to bring your favourite items to the store with you so that you can make sure the items look good together before investing in them. Shopping consignment will always save you money. Do not buy things, that you are not excited about, are too expensive, are dryclean only (unless it is a suit), or that you need to lose weight to wear. These purchases are for today, tomorrow, & next week. If you lose weight after that, great, but it doesn't change the fact you have nothing to wear tomorrow. Looking great is a good motivator to do what you can to keep looking great. Looking frumpy is a good recipe to end up as a "before," photo in some late night infomercial.

What else can you sell? Skis that you don't use, a bike that you swore you would ride all day, but haven't touched in 2 years? There are great places in every city to sell these kinds of goods, along with online sales places such as Craigslist. By freeing yourself of clutter in your home, closet, and life, you can make some easy money to feel more empowered while saving.

Dust off that piggy bank and start putting your change in it every night. Find ways to save your change by doing little things like parking for free or packing your own lunch, treat, & drink. Count up your savings at the end of the month to see what every street busker knows well; small change adds up to big bills. Use this as your me-money to make sure you feel and look great.

We will always live in a world that revolves around first impressions. With an increase in competition for jobs, it is all the more important to look great by feeling confident. Make sure your goal of saving money includes room to spend wisely on yourself now and then. Look to the "stuff," in your home for some extra cash, and next time you are using your change, ask yourself if you would rather stash it for a larger me-time indulgence.

Dress with Intention

2011-09-02T09:52:00.000-07:00

I always tell people that they need to be prepared to give clothing a great life. It was designed and intended for attending parties, having dinner with friends, wheeling, and dealing. The fashion trends of 2011 want to be taken out on the town and shown a good time, rather than be treated like a pop-tart for breakfast - mindless and bad for you.

This coming season will be filled with textures, prints, rich fabrics, sheen, and luxury. To me, a lot of the styles featured are very 60s inspired in their simple lines with bold colour blocking and accessories. The fashion is not mute, but rather, screams out, "Hello! Look at me!" Will women outside of the pages of Vogue be able to handle this kind of attention? (Insert a "Hell, Yah!" here)

As always, the details are what create greatness in everything - your job, parenting, client care, architecture, design of all kinds, and fashion. Every day before you leave the house, you should have at least 3 fab accessories visible with every layer of your outfit. So, when you are bundled up, accessories can be seen to make a statement, and when you get to where you are going, take off your coat to reveal an outfit that shows deliberate attention to detail - it shows you made an effort! This can be a scarf, brooch, a great belt, printed tights, amazing jewellery, and statement pieces like shoes, purse, and/or coat.

There is no doubt in my mind that I will get asked if the fall trends will hold through the ages. Uhhh... no, and the entire point is that they are not supposed to. Buy things that you love and you will love them for a long time. Buy practical pieces and you will be a practical person for a long time - whippee ding, just what every woman wants to be described as; practical.

Seeing as you can get amazing pieces for less by shopping at Changes, or consignment in general, money gets taken out of the question. It simply becomes a question of being artistic and detail oriented in your wardrobe art, OR being plain and thoughtless about what your clothing is saying about you. You choose.

Many women exclaim that they don't pay attention to what they are wearing because "they are a Mom," or they are "too old for that." Bullhooey. Stop hiding. Women who dress plain or frumpy do so because that is what they choose for themselves. It is a question of self worth. Dressing in comfort and dressing like you were issued a set of dingy yoga pants in 2003, that you are required to wear every single day for the rest of your life, are very different things. One has intention and style to it, and the other is a cop-out. If you can't do this for yourself, then do it for others. Your co-workers are the ones who look at you every day, and don't kid yourself in thinking that they don't notice what you wear.

Having a limited fashion vocabulary is no excuse to give up. If your car breaks down, and you don't know how to fix it, you wouldn't leave it on the side of the road to rot... I hope. So, if your wardrobe speaks more about the fact that you have ignored yourself than exuding empowerment, then it is time to find an expert to help you. Diva Dens are free at Changes. It is never too late to learn, change, and shine.

Look & Feel Great While Pinching Pennies

2011-07-30T12:31:00.000-07:00

You and I know we are living daily with the effects of a recession, whether the media reports the economy to be recovering or not. Our friends and neighbours are paying more and taking home less. So, when we are in penny pinching mode, how do we still feel and look great?

Summer clothing often gets the most wear and tear as we wear it to the pool, park, hiking, etc... Looking at my summer wardrobe, it is clear that it is time for a new look. However, if you feel poor - regardless of how much money you have - it never feels great to spend a lot of money on new clothing.

A new white tank, a white tee, a black, jersey sheath dress that can be worn with a bra, and a cardigan; these are the must buy basics for your summer wardrobe, while being the perfect crossover pieces for fall.

The dress, if black, can be worn with flip flops or a dress shoe, and everything in between. The cardigan should be versatile enough to tie in the front, leave loose, crossover ballet style, or tie back. This will give everything a different look. Grey would be a good choice for the cardigan as it looks good with all other colours throughout the year. Whites should be replaced every season. Chuck your dingy whites or those that have yellowed. You could avoid white altogether, but it is a great basic that will make everything you wear with it, look crisp and new as well.

It is almost August, which means we are in full swing for fall consignments. Take the time to look at your fall wardrobe now. It is probably packed away or at the back of your closet, so it should look fresh to you. donate or consign the items that you are not enthused about, or those that don't fit you properly. Don't waste emotions on trying to fit your body to clothing. get rid of it and get something you will love to wear. A lot of women feel bad for paying a lot of money for things, yet they don't wear them. Nothing will change, other than the item staring at you every time you open your closet, so cut your losses and sell or donate it. If you are not excited to look at your clothing, you won't be excited to wear it! Make a consignment appointment and try consign some items. The money you make from these pieces will be wisely re-invested into something you do like, allowing you to spend zero dollars for something new!

Book a Diva Den at Changes - a free stylist appointment - to save money and time in getting your existing wardrobe to work for you. We will show you the 4 basics that I have spoke about, but will also make these work with your favourite items from home to teach you how to create even more versatility in your closet.

While you're at it, try some hair accessories to stretch out the time between your next hair cut, saving more money. Twist a small amount of the front of your hair back and secure it with a hidden bobby pin. There are plenty of websites online to show you hair tricks and tips. If you let your hair go sloppy and you don't like what you are wearing, you might as well post a sign on yourself saying, "In Hibernation until the money rolls in again!"

Try some of the many bottles of hair products in your cupboard to see if you like them or not. Finish the dregs before buying new stuff. We all have makeup that we received as a bonus in some pack or another. Why not test out the eye shadows to see what you think. Look into your jewellery drawer and try on a few pieces you haven't worn in a while. If you don't like this stuff, then get rid of it, as clutter is another culprit to make the house and mind feel overwhelmed.

There is no question that spending money on "stuff," is fun. As a retailer, I want people to spend money in my store, obviously, but I want people to feel great and buy wisely so they keep coming back! At Changes, there is the unique twist of being able to consign so that you don't have to outlay more money, but rather, get your wardrobe working for you.

Spending your money more wisely at a locally owned and community invested store will be a great win-win. When you feel like you shouldn't spend the money, remember to consign, and never let a thrifty time be an excuse to feel unpolished.

To book a Diva Den, call: 604-222-1505. Enjoy your closet!

As Far As The "I" Can See

2011-03-14T13:41:00.000-07:00

I write this from the Big Island, Hawaii where turquoise waters meet black lava cliffs that are decorated with palms and hibiscus, creating perfection for the eye to drink in. For my Mom and I, Hawaii feels like home.

During the recent tsunami, we sat sipping a latte and marveling at the beauty of this island, while others scrambled to make travel arrangements back to the mainland. When a tsunami cannot chase you away, you know that you are exactly where you want to be. That blissful moment of being present and happy may not seem like much, but for a busy entrepreneur and constant planner like me, moments like that are rare.

The Farmer's Markets throughout every island in Hawaii are filled with artisans who are generally from the mainland USA. Most of the stories have the same theme in that they had visualized a better life for themselves in Hawaii, so made it happen. Most are not wealthy, and many left great paying jobs to make soy candles or sell organic veggies for a better world and life.

I love being around people who feel no boundaries in life. They know that happiness has only one obstacle which begins and ends with the letter, "I."

I cannot say that I "Live Aloha," all the time, but it is great to be reminded to keep trying.

Your Time To Shine

2010-12-10T20:01:00.000-08:00

The holiday season is about sparkle. Snowflakes are not drab, but rather, are one of a kind - like you. Why would anyone want to look like everyone else or blend into the walls by wearing things that are "basics." "Basic" is a word to describe the lowest level of anything. Is that really what we should be striving for?

My wish for women, is that they would take words such as "basic," "neutral," and "classic," out of their vocabulary, spit them on the ground and walk away. It is time for women to re-gain the confidence to stand out, look great, and be considered "top notch, instead of "basic."

Many women use the the fact that they are a Mom as an excuse for being too busy to try put together a great outfit or think about themselves much at all. I see it too often where customers of mine go from being confident, fashionable, and successful, to losing their identity once they have kids. Many women say that most of the pressure they feel comes from other women who seem to be judging. Where we could once blame a patriarchal society for creating pressures on women, we are moving toward being the oppressors of our own sex. By not taking care of ourselves first, we will not be the role models that our kids and others should be striving to be.

So, what does this have to do with fashion? Fashion is a fun, creative, and colourful outlet for expressing that we have taken time for ourselves. Of course I want you to buy things in my store and other great, local businesses, but more so, our partnership of women will be enriched by giving each other a break, lending a helping hand, and demanding 'me-time' for ourselves and our loved ones.

So, back to that holiday party. If you can buy yourself a new dress that you feel amazing in, do it - consignment is a great option, of course. If you can't afford that, then take what you have and glitz it up. Worn with confidence, anything will work in your favour, so forget about the "basics!"

Demanding Change in a Fickle Fashion World

2010-10-07T13:20:00.000-07:00

If magazines and designers said that women should wear flaming tire tubes on their heads, some women would do it, without a thought of the absurdity or the environmental impact. However, it is time for consumers to dictate fashion by demanding that environmental, human, and animal rights be the foundation from which the trends of our time are created upon.

It concerns me that fur is making a resurgence in the fashion world this season. Designers and consumers go from supporting animal rights one year to wearing animals the next. There is something utterly embarrassing in that human fickleness, which consumers, in particular, need to speak out against. Nothing should have to die for a fashion trend now that we no longer live off the land, trapping animals for our dinner and eating berries off trees for dessert.

Until all consumers, as a whole, take charge of actively choosing more ethically on a daily basis, I don't believe we will see any positive changes environmentally or otherwise. I am talking about the every day purchases from milk to jeans, not cars to airplanes. Instead of being hypnotized by cheap prices of brands such as Joe, Old Navy, H&M, etc.. all consumers need to ask themselves why that tee-shirt is only $4.95? Someone made it, it was shipped using expensive fuels, there are duty and customs charges, mark-up margins, and the overhead of the store, etc.. To then only be priced at $4.95 may seem like a screaming deal to the consumer, but I feel it is our responsibility as fortunate people to live in North America, to instead, put down that tee-shirt, walk out of the store, and choose to shop in a more humane and sustainable way.

The Best of Vancouver Awards came out recently in The Georgia Straight. For a city who seems to talk a lot of sustainability, fair trade, ethical living, and especially of shopping local, it disappointed me that a lot of the top stores listed as winners are US owned chain stores that carry this type of cheap clothing. I am wondering what these stores do for our communities and city? Owner operated businesses give endlessly to their communities, schools, customer's kids' fundraising efforts, yet are a dying breed due to lease rate increases, lower sales, and higher expenses.

We have seen many shopping areas of Vancouver such as West 4th Avenue, Robson, and South Granville become US owned strip malls in many ways. Most of the owner/operated businesses cannot afford the rents in this city, and when they close, only to be replaced by a big box chain, I wonder why people are not crying out more to preserve the makeup of our city? I am concerned by what this does to our community and therefore, our world.

Some businesses completely suck and deserve to shut down. They are a disgrace to those of us who pour our heart and souls 24/7 into our businesses, and treat it as an extension of ourselves; our legacy. I believe in survival of the fittest, but what I am moreso amazed at, is all of the many outstanding businesses that have been forced to close, only to be replaced by a now US owned, Tim Horton's or another chain store that sells cheap crap made in China.

When I was in New York City, recently, I found an amazing bakery cafe grocery store called, Butterfield Market, that was founded in 1915. Wow. They survived the depression and the introduction of the supermarket through their service and expertise. I am very thankful to the customers of Butterfield Market over the last near century as they had the dedication, loyalty, and respect for that owner / operated business. The customers are the ones who kept that store thriving through troubled times when there were many other easy and maybe even cheaper, options for them. My aim is to be a survival story like Butterfield Market, but again, it comes down to the values that the inhabitants of our city hold true.

"The Personal is the Political;" Our choices, however small, large, or fashionable, make a statement and change the world. Here's to choosing well. Changes Good.

Do You Have An Accessory Phobia?

2010-09-22T22:15:00.000-07:00

Snakes, spiders, heights; these are appropriate fears, but put a woman in a room with a scarf and terror strikes. Accessories are meant to add the finishing touch to an outfit. They are the wow factor that set a fashionista apart from someone who is wearing clothing simply to avoid an Indecent Exposure ticket.

The general rule for accessories is that wherever you add colour, texture, or your main accessory, is where you will draw the eye. If you want to minimize the bottom, accessorize and add colour to the top. If you want to draw eyes away from cleavage, put on a necklace that sits higher on your neck so people will look there or use a scarf and/or fabulous earrings, drawing the eye toward your face. Accessories can be used to distract from things like less than perfect nails. Wear a chunky, sparkly ring and no one will ever notice your nails, I can guarantee it.

Scarves:
Scarves are an inexpensive way to add colour and texture to an outfit and can be tied or draped in infinite ways. It is nearly impossible to go wrong tying a scarf, but what happens is that women over think it. They stand in the mirror for 25 minutes trying to "tie it right," only to undo it as they are about to set foot outside. This leaves the rest of the outfit bland and too boring for words. Tie it, leave it, wear it, enjoy the compliments.

Jewellery:
Bold, layered, or chunky jewellery generally makes the most impact and draws attention. A thin little chain with a tiny little pendant on it that you have worn since your sweet sixteen has got to go. I don't care how long it has been in the family. It is a fashion crutch for you that I am chucking. If you MUST wear it, then you MUST wear something else to layer with it. Vintage inspired layered necklaces are lovely together and can each have charms that are meaningful to you. BUT... change it up the next day please.

Earrings, necklace, scarf, rings, bracelets; can you wear them altogether? Yes. How much is too much? You want to wear enough so that you walk with a little power kick in your step that says, "yes, I am fabulous." I like my accessories to match in colour and general style, but they don't have to be a matching set. I will pick a theme of black and silver, for example, for my jewellery but will still wear a rich fuchsia scarf or some other colour that takes the outfit to the perfection zone.

Is it a Confidence Issue?
Some women have low self esteem which makes them want to blend into the walls. Rather than spending $5000 on a psychologist, spend $10 on a rich, teal scarf and wear it. Teal goes with every bland colour there is, and looks great with black, grey, and browns - all of the fashion basics. You will get compliments galore because teal makes most eye colours pop and is complimentary to so many skin colours. A deep raspberry fuchsia is too by the way, but one step at a time.

Is it Habit?
Some women simply forget to accessorize. Maybe they have a job where everyone looks like a beige wall, so they don't really feel the need to step it up. Well, life is too short be blah, so step it up and raise the bar for yourself and therefore others. Buy that same teal scarf that I have spoke of and keep it next to your coats - please tell me you have more than one coat. When you pick up a coat, put on the scarf. It is cheaper than a haircut and will get more compliments. Once you see how great this works, buy a few more scarves to keep it fresh.

Fashion is fun. TV shows and magazines that trash people for wearing certain things have got us feeling like we will be picked on if we choose poorly or try to stand out. Confidence is the most highly prized fashion foundation. Without it, everything looks worse. With it, anything is possible. Life is short, live in colour and sparkle.

Bye-Bye Boyfriend!

2010-07-28T16:32:00.000-07:00

Good riddance ripped up, shredded baggy, boyfriend jeans! You didn't clean up very well, and were always a little on the ugly side. I was too good for you, and you didn't do anything for my body, in the way I wanted you to.

Hello dressy, dark wash, denim from head to toe! A special shout-out to you, Mr. jeggings, who fit me like a glove, yet feel like I am wearing next to nothing. The ability for me to eat as much as I want comfortably, makes you my true soul mate this fall 2010 season!

You will find yourself coveting denim purses, jackets, shirts, skirts, and all sorts of jeans - from skinny and beyond this fall. Changes can help you create clean, sophisticated, non distressed, denim looks, for a fraction of the price you would pay retail! New and like-new, perfect premium brand denims arrive at Changes every day, and are priced to make you smile from $69 and up (regular retail $200 to $400).

Canadian 'Zip Code' Dilemma Solved?

2010-07-07T00:40:00.000-07:00

Those of you who partake in traveling through the USA, will inevitably find themselves at a gas station, trying to pay with a Canadian credit card, only to be prompted to enter a USA zip code. This leads to the game of "Crack the Code" by entering random numbers like 99999 or other combinations, that all end in failure. The subsequent step sees the traveler stomping over to the kiosk to declare that they do not have a zip code as they are from Canada. The attendant - rarely all that personable - proceeds to roll their eyes, press a couple of buttons, demands your precious credit card, and orders you to go fill up the tank and come back and pay.

My recent travels through Soap Lake, Washington, saw me follow all of these steps to a tee including the declaration of my non zip-code status at the kiosk. The attendant responded curtly without skipping a beat on her chip aisle stocking "Yes, you DO have a zip code!" ...Intriguing. I wondered if she was crazy or brilliant?

It turns out she is brilliant, as she instructed me to take the three numbers that are in the postal code of the credit card billing address in the order that they appear, and then add two zeros onto the end in order to bypass the zip code. If your postal code is V6Y 2Z4, you would enter: 62400 for your zip code and avoid all the hassles I have described.

CAVEAT: This theory has worked for me at Safeway gas stations in Washington and Montana. I am still in the testing stages at other stations...other than BP .. and Exxon.

Yes, I am a bad person for driving a car, but here's hoping this tip helps my fellow road trippers who, like me, are slow to transition to leaving their car at home to walk across America, fuel free.

Packing for Your Vacation

2010-03-16T11:55:00.000-07:00

It was at the point of teetering on mountain tops with sheer drop offs on either side of me, and tears of fear pooling in my eyes, that I realized that a "vacation," means different things to different people. It was during one of those moments that I realized that a vacation, to me, is something that does not include hyperventilation with fear, but rather is full of words such as "cabana," "massage," and "mai-tai (including virgin versions)." This blog is all about packing for a vacation - the kind where you will lose track of what day it is as opposed to knowing exactly how much longer a grueling "adventure," will take you to finish.

I write from Kauai, Hawaii, where I have just finished renewing my vows to the summer, jersey dress. This sacred event will help me remember that these gems are the must-have to every vacation suitcase. I have several jersey dresses with me and have used them as a bathing suit cover-up, a dinner dress, an easy throw-on to wear with flip flops, and even pajamas when the gorgeousness of the day has just been too much for me to consider changing.

If I had to choose one style that would be the best, it would be something in a bright colour that is not too low cut. If it is too low cut, then it may not pass for a dinner dress in some places, as well as not being able to cover up your chest from the sun as a beach cover-up. Again, my version of vacation includes a lot of dresses and a few pairs of shoes, so I don't really see the point of bringing just one dress. Dresses pack up tightly, and any wrinkles that might happen in transit, fall out nicely once it is touched by the tropical humidity. You could bring leggings and a layering tank, but in general, they require less pieces to complete an outfit than shorts or a skirt.

The key, as always, is to bring accessories like silk scarves, necklaces, shawls, cute jackets, cardigans, hair accessories, and shoes to give your dress the flexibility you are looking for from having to wear the same things during your vacation.

If you are lost as to what to bring on your vacation (& you live in Calgary or Vancovuer, Canada), book a free Diva Den at Changes. Bring in your favourite travel pieces, let me know about your trip, and we will find you some pieces that will complete your packing and make you walk with a skip-diddy-doodle of glee while you are in tropical paradise.

Surviving An Audit

2010-01-28T11:16:00.000-08:00

If you are an entrepreneur of a small business then you most likely wear many hats. You are the head of finance, marketing, buying, advertising, plumbing, and refilling the soap dispenser. There are not enough hours in the day to do everything you need to (even with staff), so when you get a letter announcing that you are the lucky recipient of a "random audit," I don't blame you for being overwhelmed. I was.

I am generally known to be extensively precise, organized, and efficient. That is, I am not one of those people who have shopping bags and shoe boxes full of unentered receipts, but rather, have always submitted everything on time and accurately, as far as I was concerned. I have had my business for 12.5 years and have been audited twice (once for PST, and once for GST / personal income tax). Both of my audits have been complete hell and a massive cost to my business, not to mention extremely stressful, so I cringe at business owners who avoid their business' accounting. If it was hell for me, it most certainly will be worse for owners who are not organized. So, I guess my number one tip is to get going, get accurate, and learn to be the expert of your own business if you are not already.

Don't Do Your Own Bookkeeping
The best employee you can have is to hire a bookkeeper who is excellent at what they do. I have found in both audits that the auditor can ask the bookkeeper things directly, saving you stress and time. It is my guess that by paying a GREAT bookkeeper to do your books, it gives you a better reputation for not wanting to try "cook the books," as the movies say. With an independent, third party working on things, it should be easier for auditors to believe that you are not making mistakes that benefit you on purpose.

Big Accounting Firms Do Not Mean Better Quality of Work:
Like anyone who you bring onto your team, it is important to interview your accounting professional and/or bookkeeper. Get a commitment from them that they will work on your books rather than leave them to rot in a corner while still charging you huge fees. My bookkeeper is spectacular whereas an accountant that I hired about ten years ago from a large firm was horrible, expensive, and didn't do any work on my file. At the time, I kept chucking money their way as I was happy to just have someone else deal with that job. In the end, a letter from Revenue Canada wondering why I wasn't filing anything let me know that the accounting firm loved my money, but had no interest in getting any work done for me. From that point on, I had to face this area of my business and take charge. I pay much less money now and have an enjoyable working relationship with my bookkeeper who is honest, hard working, accurate, timely, and has been a complete savior in both audits.

Neatness Counts:
Imagine yourself as an auditor and having to weed through ever receipt and every piece of paperwork imaginable in order to ensure that a business' books are correct. YUCK! I believe strongly that the easier and more organized you make things for them, the better your audit will go. I submitted my audit material requests in lovely matching duo-tangs, complete with title pages and legends. Between my books or some other chump who submits their whack of receipts in a torn up lunch bag, I feel that neat accounts will probably be treated with more respect. Trust me, anything you can do to get treated with more respect in an audit is a good thing. When you get the packages back, they are also a concise collection that you can more easily store.

"Fighting" the Audit Results:
Some of your friends who are not entrepreneurs, will tell you that you should "fight" the results to lower your bill. Perhaps if something is ridiculous or if your results cost you a lot of money, that might be something you could consider. In my opinion, however, surviving an audit is like surviving business cancer, so I was not interested in reliving that stressful, worrisome time all over again. People fail to realize that all of your main work in keeping your business going every day still has to be done by you, plus you have to try find time to gather every piece of information that they want from past years. Being blindsided by an audit forces you to concentrate on your business' past instead of its future, which is costly in time, energy, sleep, and sales. Keep this in mind when you get the final results.

Avoiding An Audit:
My organization and timeliness didn't prevent me from being audited. I believe that no audits are "random," and either someone reports you or something weird on your account will trigger an investigation. I had received a large refund at tax time, and 5 weeks later received a letter that I was being "randomly audited." If you are late on anything, you can pretty much guarantee yourself an audit at one time or another, and the stationery they use to announce your fate is not even a pretty colour to look at.

Small business owners make communities thrive. Most business owners make very little money compared to the hours they invest in their business and communities. It is important, I think, for audits to better acknowledge the cost to a business owner when it takes such a long time to complete. It is also the scoundrels out there who wreck things for everyone, making honest business people targets for audits solely due to sharing the same industry as the small few who are dishonest. It was recently reported that a few businesses in Vancouver bought special software to purposely pay less tax on cash sales. I refuse to go to any of these businesses now, as they have successfully made things more difficult for all business owners due to their greed.

May you be able to run your business audit free and full of prosperity. If the day comes when you are faced with an audit, I hope that my experiences can help you out.

The Job Hunt: It's Not Me, It's YOU!

2009-11-24T16:29:00.000-08:00

Over the past two months, I have received many resumes by email and in person, that have left me shaking my head. Some people seem great on paper, but have zero communication skills when speaking with them. Seeing as all jobs that I know of service people, communication is a key component to success. Furthermore, I have seen a plethora of outfits and resume presentations that have made me wonder whatever happened to the concept of dressing up for an interview and to selling yourself in the best way possible!?

It is completely up to the job candidate to sell themselves, rather than being up to me to force information out of them! I have had mumbling, fumbling, people come knocking with boring resumes that are written in the universal default font of Times New Roman, and who speak quietly to the point where I can barely hear them, or have others who yell and laugh nervously like hyenas. People have shown up dressed in torn jeans, dirty jackets, muddy runners, running outfits, and the Vancouver special - the sporty rain jacket - to a fashion boutique where I am hiring a fashion stylist / sales associate. Why would I want my customers who I love, to work with that?

Even if you are applying for a job where the dress will be casual or be of a sort that will need to get dirty, it shows total disrespect to the business in question, in my opinion, to show up in anything less than your nicest outfit when handing in your resume or for an interview.

Here are a few things that I would have loved to have interested candidates do before applying at my business:

* Do some research before going into a business that you might want to work in, or you may never get your shot at the job due to attire, demeanor, and your resume layout.

* Look at the company's website and go in as a potential customer to see what they sell, and what the other employees are like before applying.

* Learn about what the company does from a social standpoint to ask yourself if they are a company you would be proud to work for.

* practice speaking clearly and introducing yourself. You will most likely need to speak with others and communicate on the telephone and by email in any job, so fine tune these skills and practice them regularly if you are someone who has trouble in social settings.

* Don't apply to a workplace just for the sake of applying as you create extra work for the owner or person in charge of hiring. Get serious about where you want to work and go for that job instead of handing out resumes like cards in a game of 52 Pick-Up.

* Every company needs to sell their product or service, so make sure you tell the business how you plan on selling their specific services or products. Highlight any sales and service awards you have won.

*References should be from previous customers of yours and employers rather than any personal references. The employer will care about your work performance, not how much your Mother or Aunt Bessie loves you.

*Answer your phone professionally instead of sounding like you are high on Quaaludes, and change your email address to something professional instead of "sexypants@..com!"

Once you have done all of these things, get your best outfit together and get ready to sell yourself. Those who present themselves in their best way possible, will never be out of a job in any field and in any economy. Some of the people who I have had apply to my business, have made it clear that I would rather work all of the hours myself than to give a job to someone who can't even take the time to find out what I sell before applying for the job in an outfit that looks like they have either just been mugged, or have just gotten out of bed.

Thank you to those out there who try their best and respect the businesses that they are applying to, regardless of the size of them. Employees make or break any business, so thank you to every employee out there who gives 110%!

Use Your Makeup As An Accessory!

2009-09-11T11:24:00.000-07:00

I have recently re-discovered black eyeliner, which, when applied correctly with some fantastic shadows, makes your whole outfit sing a song of fashion delight. Think peacock feathers as an inspiration rather than a toddler’s crayon rendition of a rainbow. You want to blend colours rather than being able to see the layers.

To practice, draw a line of black eye liner on your hand and then soften this with a tapered, detail shadow brush to smooth it out. From here, practice applying different combinations of the eye shadows that you already own. This makes it easy to see what colours you like together rather than trying to squint in the mirror to see your eyes.

Most of the time when I go to makeup counters, they suggest things that make me look about 30 years older, and they fail to hear what I am looking for. I am looking to have fun with makeup – especially eye makeup, and want their help in making this happen. Most times, I tend to get dumped for wrinkle-free college students in mid query, only to be mobbed if I do happen to buy something, so that the clerk can claim my sale as her own hard work.

Last July, I happened across a makeup artist who was great. She explained which shadow colours would bring out my blue eyes as well as showed me how to conquer black eyeliner. This makeup expert let me in on the trick to eyeliner; apply it however it goes on and then use the right brush to smooth it out to for perfection, rather than trying to apply it perfectly in the first place. This was an eyeliner “a-ha” moment for me.

Finding the right expert in any field is crucial to having a positive experience and for saving time, and money. Like hair stylists, fashion stylists, and now makeup artists, it is important to find the person who is all about you, instead of themselves. If you feel worse leaving a store or service than when you came in, you have not found the right expert to help you in the way you deserve to be served, regardless of the amount of money you are spending. Retail sales is one of the hardest jobs in the world, so when you find someone excelling at this job, please let it be well known to the people who employ them.

AMAZING Photo by Katharina Fösel of Germany.

Following Mother Nature For Colour Inspiration

2009-08-25T15:16:00.000-07:00

Every season I get asked about 30 times a day what the

"hot" colour is going to be. Sigh....

During my travels this summer, I witnessed a lot of what Mother Nature has to offer us in the colour department. Now she knows how to design, I tell ya! Instead of just one shade of green, there are thousands in one forest...all worn together with a plethora of other colours thrown in. You don't see an all black tree unless disaster has struck it! Think of that next time you are wanting to wear all black for the third day in a row this winter. Sure, Mother Nature may use black as foundation colour, but in general, the main attractions are done up in plentiful colour.

This got me thinking how crazy it is that consumers are happy to have some designer somewhere choose just one or two colours to be the must-have trend each season when there are millions of shades of colour available. It is about time that designers expand their palette that they offer their clothing in, and time for consumers to get away from caring about what someone else has dictated that you wear this fall.

True fashion and style is having the confidence to try new ways to wear things, adding accessories in your own way, melding what you already have with new things you acquire, and having fun with the details of life and fashion. Adding textures, prints, and colours that you may not normally consider for fall, will allow you to have more fun this fashion season than you have ever had when it comes to getting dressed in the morning!

Next time you drive through a forest, try to count the shades of green alone, and let it be a reminder that colours should not have a season, they should just be allowed to thrive throughout our world to make it a brighter, happier place. I salute the women of Africa, the Caribbean, and Mexico for doing such a fine job in embracing colour in their lives.

The Sheath Dress Revisited

2009-08-04T16:45:00.000-07:00

The sheath dress has always been a must-have in my opinion as it flatters most women's bodies. Thanks to Michelle Obama, we have an alternative to the baby doll style that continues to be on the pages of this fall's fashion magazines. The baby doll, however, has made most of us look pregnant over the last 8 fashion seasons, regardless of how appropriate or biologically possible that can be.

Perhaps we should call Michelle Obama "Smart Lady," instead of First Lady as she is brilliant, but also knows what looks and feels great on her body. Remembering that confidence is the key foundation to true style, the sheath dress may just be the perfect addition to your wardrobe this fall / winter as they are one of the most comfortable dresses to wear, leaving you to think of changing the world, rather than wondering how many more minutes before you can change into your sweatpants! Sheath dresses are generally made of knit fabrics which contain a form of stretch to them - yes! Comfort is king when trying to get women to wear dresses, I find, so look at the fabric content on the labels, ladies, and make sure to get some stretch in that sheath dress of yours.

The key to making the sheath dress work for you is to adjust the length to suit your body. Most of us have spectacular legs, particularly from the knees down, so don't be aftraid to show them! The shorter you are, the more leg you may want to show, and the less you will want to wear shoes with ankle straps, as these will visually cut you off and make you look drowned by your outfit. Shoes without an ankle strap and with even just a bit of heel (the more the better... while still being comfortable), elongate the leg, so this is usually the best style for most of us to wear with dresses, in general. I would say that the sheath dress will keep its nice lines if hemmed somewhere between the calf muscle to just over the knee.

Sheath dresses are extremely versatile and usually travel well due to their knit fabric. You can wear the dress with boots, dress shoes, a blazer or jacket, a Pashmina, cardigan, belted, or with a blouse underneath. Never forget your accessories, of course, as these are what change an outfit around and make the finishing touches to it, like a cherry on top of a sundae. mmmm.... sundae.

Unleash Your Inner Rock Star To Attain True Style!

2009-07-13T15:27:00.001-07:00

"'In my rear view mirror my life is getting clearer."

(Lost Highway, Jon Bon Jovi)

My annual pilgrimage to Montana allows me giddy moments of pure joy as I belt out the lyrics to songs like, "Bad Medicine," while soaking up the gorgeous scenery with my best cheerleader beside me - my dog, Shadow. This glee got me thinking about how some of my customers would benefit so greatly from a little "me-time" of their own.

It is times like these that build your inner fighter - the confidence that keeps you on your own team. Confidence is the crucial ingredient and foundation of being stylish - not age, size, or looks. Without confidence, a woman will never be able to look at accessories, colour, sparkle ... and life without fear.

So, rather than mimicking other people's style from a magazine, unleash your inner rock star, embrace your confidence, and try something new, bright, and sparkly.

"'cuz if there's something better baby, well I haven't found it yet..whoa oh oh!.."
(Bon Jovi, "Bad Medicine")

Remembering To Bet On Ourselves

2009-07-13T14:47:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows me... even a little, knows I aspire to be the fourth Dixie Chick. Even without my supreme adoration for them, their "Shut Up & Sing," movie is such a fantastic inferno of inspiration to do whatever you want. The fashion is also STILL spectacular as an added bonus. I totally suggest you re-visit this movie again soon.

In the movie, record executives suggest the Chicks take the safe choice of accepting a tour sponsorship because of fears that it might not sell out. Natalie Maines' response is, "It would be harder for me to work on a tour...knowing that I didn't bet on myself when I knew I should. ...If you take a gamble on yourself, it lights a fire. It makes you fight! ... BRING IT ON!"

Bring it on, is right. Never lose sight of your power to achieve anything you want, even when all odds seem to be against it. ROCK ON!

(photo copied from www.dixiechicks.com).

Affinity Feather Hairbands!

2009-07-04T07:34:00.000-07:00

Flapper Meets Haute Couture with Affinity Hair Accessories!
Local designer Michele Pritchard designs unique hairbands, brooches, and hair accessories with one of a kind style. The hairbands are my favourite accessory that she does because they are so unique, posh, and are the mark of a true fashionista. Not bad for $16!

Available at Changes Vancouver or CLICK HERE to see more of the Affinity accessory line!

The Grip of Twilight

2009-07-03T15:59:00.000-07:00

The Grip of Twilight:

Who would have thought that SO many of my late nights and early mornings would be completed OWNED by this book series? Not me.

Stephanie Meyer's use of words certainly creates an electric craving between Bella and Edward that leaves the reader wanting a vampire like Edward for herself. When you add this chemistry to a little vampire adventure, the result is a book series that has taken my imagination and given it a ride that it has been craving since my very real dream of singing on stage with Steven Tyler of Aerosmith.

The Bella Twilight Jacket:
It is no wonder, then, that I am carrying the Bella Twilight jacket at Changes Vancouver and on my online store (www.changesclothing.com). The jacket is designed by BB Dakota, and is the same one worn in the movie forest scene where Bella tells Edward, "I Know What You Are" and the ballet stuido vampire brawl scene.

The jacket is fantastic because of the fleece lining, hood, fit, and the many pockets, not to mention the button detailing. The two front pockets are perfect for your keys, wallet and cell. This jacket is perfect for summer evenings and well into fall. I love mine.

CLICK HERE to shop for the Bella Jacket at Changes