Everyone loves a bargain, especially these days when your wallet can really get on the thin side very quickly! Should your TG Life then suffer?  Forget it!  Heaven forbid.  When the going gets tough, the tough party! And go shopping.

Shopping for your TG self can sometimes become a mystery, let alone, an expensive excursion.  But there are always deals out there, even if financial times are tough.


FYI – TG Life Advertiser Specials

I always ‘plug’ who supports TG LIFE first with their advertising dollars, so here’s three of our own with some money saving specials for you!

Exceptional Hair has wigs and alternative hair at prices you won’t believe!  Check these out:

The ‘Human Hair’ Long Cleo Wig – Sale Price - $53.99



Here’s the info:  The Cleo wig is great if you desire long styles. This wig has the long bob cut with full Cleopatra bangs, and can be worn as-is, professionally cut for additional style or curled with a hot curler or rollers.







The Synthetic Sugar Wig – Sale Price - $19.99



The short synthetic Sugar wig is great for any occasion and has a short "bob" cut with bangs for added volume.









Here’s an item from the Bodice Store at a great price!



A Low Plunge Lace Beauty Bra for only $13.20!



This is a gorgeous strapless lace underwire long-line bra. The back is low lined so that it can be worn with dresses etc. Perfect for bridal, evening gowns and proms and the lace is a floral pattern.



And my friends at the Breastform Store are running specials also.  Not only on what they sell a ton of, breastforms, naturally, like the Transform Classic1 Super Soft Silicone breast form for only $149.00 a pair…







But also their Cheeky Stretch Laced Panty for  $19.95














Making Thriftiness Your Mantra

Ever shop at a thrift store?  I have and so have most costume designers and wardrobe people in Hollywood. Don’t be afraid to save a few dollars and find that Treasure!

Sure, everyone likes a brand new dress, skirt or blouse, or even a new pair of shoes, but if you’re shopping on a budget – check out this advice from thebudgetfashionista.com

Basic tips for shopping at Thrift Stores.

1. Go to Where the Rich People Live. Head to a wealthy area, as you can often find awesome items donated by people who, for whatever reason, can’t be seen in an item twice. Their excess is your treasure.

2. Wear tight fitting clothing. Many thrift stores do not have fitting rooms; so unless you want everyone looking at your goodies, wear tight fitting clothing like leggings and tank tops, so you can try on items quickly and somewhat modestly.

3. Start small. Purchase accessories and basic clothing items like jeans. Once you become a seasoned thrifter, then you can go into coats, blazers, etc.

4. Do a smell test. It an item is musty and has strange odor in the shop, it will probably be very difficult to get the smell out. Note: it’s nearly impossible to get musty smells out of synthetic fabrics like rayon, and acrylic.

5. Make Friends with the Sales Associate. Ask sales staff when they put their new stuff out and/or the best day to shop. The early bird really does get the worm (or… Prada) when it comes to shopping a thrift store.

6. Clean Your Purchases. Clean the item when you get home. Donated items aren’t always cleaned before they are donated.


And Stephanie of Eco-chick.com adds…

Take stock of what you’ve got. It may be time to purge the things you haven’t worn in a long time, and determine where your wardrobe is lacking. Do you have a beautiful blouse that you haven’t worn because you just don’t have any skirts that match it? Could you update those 3-year-old tunics with a wide, colorful belt? More than likely, your closet already contains the bones of a great wardrobe – you just need to augment it. Make a list of the kind of items you’re hoping to find – say, brown sandals, a 1970’s hippiefied frock and a sun hat for spring.

Plan your shopping day wisely. First, check out ThriftShopper.com to find all of the thrift stores and consignment shops in your area – it’ll pull up a full list including maps, store hours and even reviews. And, you’ll want to find out which days of the week your local thrift stores get new shipments, so you can get first pick.

Try things on. Some garments just fit weird, and you don’t want to find out once you get home that those awesome, trendy high-waist jeans make you look like a dorky mom from the ‘80s. Also, if you’re looking for something to go with clothes or accessories you already have, wear them to the store so you can get the full effect.

Shop online armed with your current measurements. Clothing sizes were way smaller way back when, so that adorable size 12 1950’s cocktail dress is actually more like a modern-day 6. Ignore the size number and just focus on measurements instead. Need help determining your measurements? Check out the instructions at Vintage Swank.

Don’t buy things you aren’t totally in love with. That $3 top isn’t a bargain if it’s just going to hang unworn in your closet for months on end. Thrift shopping takes time and patience – keep in mind that they’ll have a whole new set of clothes to browse next week!


Buying Makeup can be a Steal, Too!


Recession Friendly Makeup Tips from the blog: http://juvenescent.wordpress.com

Lips

Instead of: Shiseido Perfecting Lipstick to enhance your pout, try: Maybelline Moisture Extreme lipstick, Max Factor Color Perfection lipstick, or L’Oreal Colour Riche lipcolor [$8 Retail]


Eyes

Instead of: Stila Cosmetics Kajal Eyeliner to create the seductive smokey eye, try: Covergirl Perfect Point eyeliner, Prestige Waterproof pencils, or Rimmel London Soft Kohl Kajal Pencil [$4 Retail)


Blush

Instead of: Paula Dorf Cheek Color Cream to give you that baby faced glow, try: Sonia Kashuk Cream Blush, Wet ‘N Wild Twist-Up Blush, or NYX Cosmetics Rouge Cream Blush [$6 Retail]


Mascaras

Instead of: Dior DiorShow mascara for thick, flirty lashes, try: Covergirl Lashblast mascara, L’Oreal Voluminous mascara or Mark. Lash comb mascara. [$6 Retail]








So… even if your name isn’t Ivanna, Rihanna or Paris, you can still look like a million, while saving big time. Now get out there and Shop till you Drop!