January 2013 | Blueprint for Style

Technology

No Hotel Wi-Fi Fees

This is for the travelers, bloggers, tech-addicted ad anyone who has traveled and returned home to huge international roaming charges on their bill. There are a number of options including: FoxFi (foxfi.com) ~ if you have an android, this service lets you share a mobile connection with your laptop Tether (tether.com) ~let’s you use your Bluetooth or USB to connect to your laptop for $29.95/year XCom (xcomglobal.com) ~ for $14.95/day, you have your own unlimited wi-fi connection and device Boingo

2013/01/31

Buzz

The 25 Most Expensive Stores In the United States

Which ones do you shop at regularly? Here’s how the most expensive stores in the United States were determined: bundle.com looked at proprietary data from 20 million Visa and Mastercard holders plus average receipt amounts based on millions of transactions (and filtered out places like wholesalers, manufacturers, and big department stores). 25. Prada, New York City: $1,429 per visit 24. Saks Jandel, Chevy Chase, Maryland: $1,457 per visit 23. Escada, Beverly Hills: $1,466 per visit 22. Vera Wang Bridal House, New York City: $1,493

2013/01/29

Beauty

Do “Vintage” Long Hair [VIDEO]

I don’t have long hair but, if I did, the vintage look would be me. What about you? Ever wonder how they do it? Well I happened upon a terrific video where celebrity stylist Tippi Shorter shows how to do it right….a girl can dream!

2013/01/27

Health & Fitness

Fashionable Fitness Bits n Bots

It’s winter and, if you’re like me, you have to battle your inner demons along with the outside temperatures to really maintain (or start) your fitness regiment. What makes it easier for me are fun and fashionable fitness accessories that at least make me smile while I’m running in 37 degree weather. What’s your fashionable fitness accessory to make winter bearable? Here are a few of mine because if they can make me roll out of bed perhaps they can

2013/01/25

Grooming

Men’s Facial Hair

“Back in the day” having facial hair meant you simply needed to have the genes that allowed for fruitful growth but, that was then and this is now. Today, you need to trim it up and make it neat to win any double-takes or brownie points with the ladies. I had a chance to see facial hair done right the other day….he has it trimmed just perfectly around the lips, the sides come down to meet the beard without looking

2013/01/22

Dresses & Outfits

Extra Edge With Grommets & Gold

I’ve been slipping on my plus-size insights and while many of the posts are flexible enough to size up (or down), and provide the versatility to go from work to weekend, sometimes we all just need a little extra love! I love this combination ~ it goes to work with a fitted blazer on top along with a pair of straight leg pants; and then takes you into the night or weekend by losing the blazer and adding a metallic

2013/01/16

Style Tips

Not So Basic Black

Black is not only a basic but, “the” basic, right? It’s the go-to color for the majority of folks and frankly overutilized many times. Here’s the deal: If you’re going basic in color, make it pop another way If black is your go-to, opt for something that has black with a pattern If black is a must-have then try adding flair by mixing styles I like black….not a lot…not as much as navy blue or camel but I’m comfortable saying

2013/01/14

Wall Street, Custom Suits & Men’s Aversion to Fashion [Video]

WSJ talk with contributor J.J. Martin about the new style standard for men of means ~ the custom suit. The custom suit says so much without saying a lot ~ you can go with an English tailor {known for more rigid styling}, Italian {known for softer cuts and fabrics}, or stay local {Bryn Keith}. The custom suit is about a little bit of fashion but, more about personalization, understated wealth, perfect fit, and convenience (once you’ve ordered your suit that

2013/01/08

Buzz

52 Week Money Challenge

Want a fairly painless way to save $1,378 this year? Take the 52-week Money Challenge ~ each week you deposit the number of the week that were in a savings account. For example, this is the 1st week of 2013, so you will deposit $1.00 into your savings account. Next week will be Week 2, so you will deposit $2, and so on. I started a special savings account at HSBC (click here) that has no monthly fees, no minimums but

2013/01/05

Just Because...

Why Style Resolutions Matter & What They Should Be

Perhaps counter to popular thought, my style resolutions were not very easy to put together…albeit a tad less complicated given I’d nailed down my 2013 theme and expectations. My style expectations and goals include a full month moratorium on shopping (NO purchases for the entire month of January. It’s is in part so I can fully assess what I’ve got and in part so I’m not tempted by the last minute retailer discounts on items that I don’t really need

2013/01/04

Footwear

Use Your Rubbers

Swims is the ultimate in protection (not Trojans) but, if you’re interested in hanging loose, we love love love Prada‘s answer to soggy weather! This shoe was introduced at the Milan fashion show – it’s dipped in rubber to save your investment. However, sometimes going cheap is all you really need and, in those cases, these or these will do.

2013/01/03

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