The As Women

The words “lingerie” and “expensive” are often seen together. Still, most women would not mind getting their hands on some. After all, lingerie items are not only attractive, they also make women feel confident. Self-confidence is the key to a woman feeling sexy. In many cases, great lingerie can transform a shy girl into someone who believes she can do anything she puts her mind to.

Longing for Elegant Yet Inexpensive Lingerie

Lingerie is usually associated with high-end stuff, but this does not mean you will never find anything in your price range. There are items that look elegant without costing too much. If you are curious about how you can save money on some lingerie, consider the tips mentioned below. While getting affordable lingerie might seem tough to do, it is entirely possible.

• Check department stores – Do not be afraid to do this. All you have to do is walk through the local malls and see what is available. Even the nearby shops and popular general merchandise stores serve up a few affordable, fashionable lingerie choices.

• Flip through fashion magazines – The fashion or style how-to pages often include low-cost apparel items, or the stores that carry them. Pay attention to the advertisements too. Most of the magazines also have online sites where you might get some fashion advice and other info – another place worth checking.

• Run for the clearance and sale items – In terms of saving money, this one might seem pretty obvious, but most people rarely bother with it. There are awesome deals to be had even at the shops you normally would not give the time of day. Timing is crucial. The perfect time of the year to check is after the end of each season and during the holidays. Keep in mind that there is usually a significant price difference between sale and clearance items on sites. Clearance objects are often more inexpensive.

• Shop at local shops – See if any local stores sell lingerie. Even if you prefer going to department stores, you should not ignore the local shops. They may have some great deals waiting for you. This is an excellent way to keep more cash in your pocket, depending on your current residential location.

• Use coupons – Local newspapers carry awesome department store coupons. Those who have shopped on the Internet at cyber lingerie or department stores are generally sent coupons that come in the form of promotional codes. Whether offline or online, what matters is you keep an eye out for coupons. Most retail chains and local stores serve up special coupons and deals on their sites. You may find the latest notices of special sales and other news on websites that may not be available offline. Companies like Lavinia Lingerie and Frederick’s of Hollywood offer discount codes on lingerie you might find of interest.

• Go for sets that match – Many lingerie shops sell undergarments and do not include the matching thongs or panties. Some just show the bottom and top and do not sell the whole outfit as a single set. When examining a sexy outfit, read the item description so you can be sure you would not have to buy extra accessories.

• Free shipping is good – Shipping cost could add to your order’s total price. Take advantage of free shipping provided by some stores.

When shopping for affordable intimate apparel, always comparison-shop. This is one of the absolute best ways to snag unbelievable bargains. Instead of doing it store-to-store, try comparing prices over the Internet. This way, you are able to view multiple price lists at a time. Enjoy shopping for that next sexy piece of lingerie.

In the world of wedding fashion, your name is your trademark. From couture one-of-a-kind dresses to breezy ready-to-wear styles, these five up-and-coming designers represent the next class of high-style designer names to remember. Move over Ms. Wang…

The Island Fashionista – Tamara Catz

Peering from the panoramic window of her ocean-side studio on the island of Maui, it’s easy for Tamara Catz to understand that a sweaty, satin-and-tulle-encased bride isn’t a great look for a beach wedding. Instead, she envisions the kind of dress that can “make a girl want to walk barefoot in the sand with the man of her dreams – flowy, feminine, simple.” Catz, 36, modeled her line of romantic, bohemian-style wedding dresses after her breezy sensibility.

The Buenos Aires native spent seven years creating contemporary resort wear before she felt the artistic urge to foray into the world of bridal wear in 2007.  “A wedding dress is probably the most special garment a woman will ever put on, so I knew that my bridal designs could be a little more dreamy and unique than those for my every day clothes,” says the 36-year-old. The Hawaiian-inspired designs feature relaxed feminine shapes, simple cuts, and organic accents like shells. Rather than overpowering the bride, Catz’s simple silhouettes and light, flowing fabrics “make a women feel like herself,” something she believes, “the traditional Cinderella-like wedding dress doesn’t always do.” Naturally, they’re most at home as alternative-style gowns for beach weddings, and many are even versatile enough to wear after the wedding. The best part for that special day, though, is that a Catz design can feel just as refreshing as sand between their toes.

Tamara Catz, Paia, HI, tamarakatz.com, 808-579-9184, $450-$1,500

The Custom Duo – Miosa Bride

“Miosa” combines two names: Michael and Sanea Sommerfield. Miosa Bride combines two visions: that of a husband and a wife to craft couture of the highest quality in a surprising location. Based in Sacramento, California, Sanea, 42, brings her business expertise and insight into the female psyche, while Michael, 46, draws from experience gained sewing outdoor wear at his father’s store and running a Sacramento tailor shop. “Sewing is like breathing to him,” Sanea gushes. “I am still amazed most of the time at his understanding and knowledge.”

The decision to stay in Sacramento despite a zip code that lacks an obvious couture culture was in part an effort to bring high style to the capital city, but it was also a personal one. “We had four children and did not want to move the family,” Sanea explains. “Family comes first, so we had to build a business that could function here.” Their exquisite fabrics and design techniques have earned them a local following, and now that the kids are grown, the duo plans to begin branding nationally this year.

The consultation phase is an integral component in the process of creating their gowns. The team takes detailed measurements to draft an initial pattern that accurately mimics the bride’s body with respect to her level of comfort. They then gather information about her and her wedding so they can weave her personality into the dress, whether soft fabrics for a romantic or a daring silhouette for a sophisticate. Pieces of the gown are then individually cut and sewn in-house, often using 100 percent silk fabrics imported from Europe. The result is a couture gown inspired by the natural aesthetic of the woman wearing it.

Miosa Couture, Sacramento, CA, 916-443-1301, miosabride.com, $1,600-$10,000

The Green Pioneer – Deborah Lindquist

Deborah Lindquist raised a few eyebrows when she launched a daywear line made exclusively from recycled fabrics in 1983, long before the terms “eco” and “green” had been coined. Raised on a farm in Willmar Minnesota, surrounded by gardens, orchards and corn fields, Lindquist was 5 years old when her grandmother taught her to sew. “Life on the farm sparked my respect for the earth, and I knew that if I was to make an impact in the fashion world, I would have to do so in a manner that remained true to my love for the environment,” says the 52-year-old.

Lindquist highlighted a 2005 fashion show with a wedding dress made of hemp that drew national interest – from brides who read about it in blogs to a USA Today article on help farming that featured it. So in 2007, Deborah launched a green wedding collection made entirely of recycled materials, hemp blends, and soy silks.

If the idea of wearing hemp conjures up thoughts of scratchy ill-fitted clothing, brides can rest assured that these luxurious, highly-stylized gowns are more suitable for a walk down the red carpet than a stroll up Haight-Ashbury. Lindquist’s dresses have a romantic, feminine feel with a bit of an edge. Detailed lace, beadwork, and ribbons embellish her creations with an air of elegance, while flirtatious bustiers and corsets lend a cutting-edge aesthetic. In an era in which greening your wedding is oh-so-stylish, her designs allow you to wear that environmental commitment – and look good every step of the way.

Deborah Lindquist, North Hollywood, CA, 818-762-7199, deborahlindquist.com, $935-$3,000

The Southern Belle – Suzanne Perron

A fashion designer rooted in a culture of debutantes, oversized weddings, and Mardi Gras queens seems somehow destined to create magnificent white ball gowns steeped in timeless elegance. For New Orleans-native Suzanne Perron, that ambition took root when she received her first sewing machine from the Easter Bunny when she was 5 years old. “I dreamed of making beautiful romantic wedding gowns that mirrored the traditional aesthetic of this beautiful historic city,” she remembers.

First though, she had to learn her craft by studying under Carolina Herrera, Ana Sui, and Vera Wang in New York City. Thirteen years later, a homesick Perron returned to New Orleans to set up her bridal boutique.

Suzanne’s designs are clearly inspired by the city’s distinct culture and celebrated architecture. On her gowns, you will find pintucking that mimics a fluted column on a St. Charles mansion or beadwork inspired by the intricate filigree and plaster work that finishes door frames and ceilings throughout the city.

She admits that she’s “not looking to be fashion-forward” and instead describes her designs as “once in a lifetime gowns in white and ivory,” despite the many stylists and editors who insist color is en vogue. It’s a natural union for a designer who continues to make a name for herself in a city where traditions are preserved and celebrated.

Suzanne Perron, New Orleans, LA, 504-899-6895, suzanneperron.com, $6,000 and up

The Embellishment Artiste – Mariana Leung

For Mariana Leung, it’s a wedding dress’s smallest detail that affords the greatest self expression. “I love that my imagination can run wild with embroidery, since I can adapt an embellishment for a woman of any shape, size, taste and budget,” she explains, “no other aspect of a wedding gown grants such freedom.” Leung has channeled that creative streak since childhood when her father convinced her she was talented enough to make her own clothes. “Every time I asked for an outfit in a store window, he responded that I could make a better version of it myself,” she remembers.

Leung honed those skills designing couture embroidery for the bridal industry’s top houses – Monique Lhullier, Vera Wang, and Giorgio Armani. “Bridal was the perfect fit because it’s the one outfit that is purchased on emotion instead of practicality, granting more room for creativity,” says the 34-year-old. Now, she’s parlaying that experience into her own gowns, conceptualized and built around an intricate embroidery pattern. Most of her brides bring a motif to incorporate, such as the detailing of an heirloom piece of jewelry or a pattern from a grandmother’s
wedding dress. Others peruse Leung’s “look book” of embroidery designs for inspiration.

For such a personal, hands-on experience, Leung has a surprising number of out-of-town clients. For one project, a bride e-mailed a picture of flowers from her family’s backyard, and Mariana designed a bolero jacket with fabric appliques inspired by the flowers for the bride to wear over the very basic gown she had already purchased. “The project proved that customization and luxury can be affordable,” she says, “you just need to get a little creative.”

Weng Meng Design Studio, New York City, 917-453-1979, hautecoutureembroidery.com, $150-$20,000

Learn more about emerging wedding dress designers, search thousands of designer wedding dresses, and get even more style tips, trends, and advice for wedding dresses at Elegala.com – Elegant Galas Made Simple.

Dear Home Party Consultant, Direct Sales Rep., & Direct Selling Business Owner,

In my last article, An Open Letter To : Direct Sales Consultant, Direct Selling Business Owners On How To Triple Home Party Sales we laid the foundation for improving direct selling ratios. Today we are going to focus our minds of increasing and improving home party sales ratios. This will lead to more home party sales and direct sales profit!

There are 5 ratios that will factor into your tracking:

1. Dialing/Contact Ratio : How may dials and/or contacts to do you make a week?

2. The Home Party Booking & Appointment Ratio — Of the people you do connect with or have a conversation with, how many of them book an at home party?

3. The Hosting/At Home Party Show Ratio — Of those who make the appointment to host an in home show party, how many actually showed.

4. The Closing Ratio — Of those who showed, how many of those resulted in home party sales? In other words how many people made a purchase? These sales do not have to be limited to your in home party demonstration. Did you send out catalog to your hostess to hand out to those who are unable to attend home parties?

5. Follow Up & Follow Through Ratio — How often to you follow up with those have expressed an interest but haven’t nailed a time or place? What about those that show up to a home party and don’t purchase? What about catalog sales? The are sales waiting to happen. Don’t drop the ball because you got a no or a not now.

The most powerful direct sales training tips I ever got were from a man name Jeffery Zalweski “the power of 45”.

To get on the right track you must first set some benchmarks. For example, depending on what you are selling and how frequently people buy what you’re selling, set a target amount of people to speak to per day this is what we call a benchmark!

I recommend a 10 a day regimen. Most people will tell you that sales is a numbers game and they are right about that. Problem is what numbers count? Make it about quality not quantity! Make 10 dials/per day or 10 -15 contacts/day

Then, set a benchmark for the number of people you want to make an appointment to host a home party. Finally set a bench mark for the number or amount of home party sales you would like.

Start each day by tabulating/documenting exactly what happens. That will give you a rough idea of what your ratios look like.

The Appointment Ratio – 40% (If you speak to 10 people, 4 people will book home parties)

The Show Ratio – 60% (If you make an appointment with 10 people, 6 will show/attend the in home party)

The Close Ratio 50% – (If you do a home party demo/presentation to 10 people 5 will buy).

Based on these ratios, to get 3 sales per day, you would need to contact 40 people per day. Of those 40, 12 would make an appointment, 6 would show and 3 would buy.

As you put this process in place, you will see what your true ratios are, but it’s at the very least a starting point. As time goes on, you will also begin to figure out how many calls you need to make each day to reach your estimated goals. This right here is the key to home party plan success, knowing that it takes to get you to the next level.

Here is the best news ever, with time you will notice an interesting phenomenon, that once you improve your booking ratio, you will need to speak to less people to make the same amount of money. Or you could speak to the same amount of people and make more money.

In either case, you will be in a better position to be successful in direct sales, once you start learning direct selling ratios and managing your home party business based on real time numbers and not hear-say or upline advice.

Myself, and Ann Sieg, the Renegade Network Marketer, top notch sales people and others who are successful have been using these strategies for years.

Here’s to a more profitable home party business.

Party Plan Pat