Mochi Magazine » shopping

The Sky’s The Limit

Mochi Magazine — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:19:28 +0000

This winter, flaunt your figure in the best styles for your body type.

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This Season’s Best of the Best

Destynee Powell — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:58:36 +0000

Mochi Beauty Director Destynee Powell picks this season’s must-haves, including haircare, skin care, fragrance and makeup.

Gold eyeshadow (Tarte in Mrs. Robinson) brightens up any eye color.

Courtesy of Tarte Cosmetics

Purple, green and blue eyeliner from Make Up Forever emphasize eyes’ subtley.

Courtesy of MakeUpForever

This winter’s much-coveted Chanel jade-green nail polish.

Courtesy of Chanel

A great four-in-one crème eyeshadow palette from Revlon.

Courtesy of Revlon

Protect your hair from windy days with Aveeno’s nourish collection.

Courtesy of Aveeno

Lorac’s nude lipstick keeps smiles pretty and simple.

Courtesy of Lorac

You’ll look forward to long, luxurious baths with Philosophy’s bubble gum shampoo, conditioner and body wash.

Courtesy of Philosophy

Smell like a flower in Marc Jacob’s Lola perfume.

Courtesy of Marc Jacobs

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Nothing to Wear? How to Reinvigorate Your Closet

Noel Duan — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 03:57:46 +0000

There is a well-known fashion rule that many girls strive to follow: “Never wear the same thing twice.” But in our limited closets, never repeating an outfit just doesn’t seem feasible. Many have made recycling clothes and repeat outfits just as fashionable as a new outfit.

Sheena Matheiken founded The Uniform Project to fundraise for The Akanksha Foundation, a non-profit organization in Mumbai, India bringing education to children living in the slums. She pledged to wear seven identical dresses, one for each day of the week, for an entire year. The dress is accessorized with pre-owned, vintage, or handmade items that are donated by the public through the project’s website. Matheiken makes wearing a uniform look easy, citing some benefits like “having something you don’t have to think twice about and becomes part of your skin.”

For accessorizing and spicing up the same basic dress over and over again, Matheiken recommends taking advantage of hats, scarves, shoes, belts, and collars. “This project is also an attempt to freshen up the dialogue of sustainability in fashion and to prove that the style and sustainability needn’t be mutually exclusive,” said Matheiken. “It promotes recycling and encourages people to shop their own closet and get creative with what they already own. Admirers from all around the world who visit the project website agree.
If the idea of wearing a uniform is still daunting, another way to engage in thrifty and eco-friendly fashion without breaking the piggy bank is by hosting a clothing swap with some friends. A clothing swap can update one’s wardrobe with new clothes and boost new life into old clothes as they find a new owner.

The number of clothes swappers should be comfortably intimate since everyone will be trying on the clothes in proximity, but large enough to gather a variety of clothing types and sizes so no one gets left out. Having fifteen people is a realistic numberto start. Have at least one full-length mirror available (two or three would be even more ideal) and advise more modest friends to wear a tank top and leggings underneath for changing in front of others. Invest in simple and clothing-safe refreshments for a party atmosphere — clear sparkling mineral water, cold cuts, and gummy candy are some options. Play some upbeat music to create a slumber party meets sample sale vibe that clothes swappers won’t forget.

Additionally, set a minimum number of clothes that each person must bring on the invitation and make sure that everyone washes and presses their clothes. A few garment racks can create a retail store atmosphere and make the clothing easier to see and access if the swap gets crowded. Remind everyone to bring accessories, too In a successful swap, everyone goes home with an entire new outfit.

Next time you find yourself worrying about not having anything to wear, think about these easy solutions for recycling and reworking what you (and your friends) already have.

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Window Shopping — with an Internet Browser

Eunice Roh — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:45:07 +0000

Almost anything can be bought online these days–clothes, electronics, music, make up, and even the highly sought after ‘Mary’ toast. Although online shopping can be a bargain and variety haven, it also can be a curse in disguise. There are endless online vendors, stores, and websites that offer ridiculously low prices. Sometimes, they are too good to be true. So in order to be a savvy online shopper, here are some tips.

1. Watch out for shady sellers

There are scammers everywhere – and not just on eBay. Look out for bad ratings, amateur web design, and vague information about the product. When shopping online, make sure to shop safely, either by making sure the site or seller is reliable or by using a good money transfer source, such as PayPal.

2. Learn to compare

The Internet is full of e-commerce stores and many of them have the same product available for different prices. Compile a list of sites that you frequently shop at and constantly check for markdowns. There are also engines like Google Products Search that will list the site with the lowest price that you have entered in the search bar. Just make sure the store is legitimate!

3. Hunt for coupons, deals, etc.

Whether it is your mom clipping grocery coupons or your brother scouring the clearance gaming section, there are always ways to save money. One of the best ways to get a bargain is to look out for online coupons. Major sites, such as J. Crew or ShopBop.com, almost always have one valid coupon code whether it is free shipping or 20 percent off. You can find out about these coupons through sites such as retailmenot.com or by signing up for sites’ e-newsletters.

4. Try these great sites

bluefly.com (a great site to save a lot on great designer pieces)

fredflare.com (full of quirky items that you never knew you needed)

etsy.com (vendors sell handmade or vintage items)

ebay.com (the original variety and bargain haven)

yesstyle.com (the place to go for Asian-inspired goods)

Have any more tips? Comment and share them with other Mochi readers!

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Getting the Best Deals at Vintage Shops

Keila Fong — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 08:39:36 +0000

At vintage stores, the overflowing racks of clothing and the smell of mothballs can be overwhelming. Luckily, Mochi’s here to help you with the hunt for the hidden deals and vintage styles. It’s worth it, we promise!

Getting started

If you’ve never been shopping at a secondhand, consignment, or thrift store, the best place to start is online. Search for stores around your area using Web sites such as Citysearch.com and Yelp.com. If you’re looking for higher-end pieces, check out the consignment stores in upscale areas.

Be sure to check the stores’ hours. Look out for any announcements of sales or a schedule of when they stock new merchandise.

Once you get there

Take a deep breath. The overflowing racks may seem a little different from your favorite boutique, but with a little planning, you can find the hidden gems.

Because of the sheer volume of merchandise, it helps to go in with a game plan. Knowing what types of pieces you’re looking for makes it easier to find them. Start by narrowing down the section (women’s, petites, etc.) and the type of item (dresses, shirts, etc.). From there, start looking through your size. Grab any pieces that catch your eye, but keep the following tips in mind during your treasure hunt:

Be discriminating.

Without standardized sizing, styles, or cuts, it can be difficult to figure out will actually fit. Many stores have fitting rooms, which you should definitely take advantage of. Still, don’t grab every piece off the rack to try on. If you don’t like it enough to buy it, don’t try it.

Love it or leave it.

Even the best deal isn’t worthwhile if it’s destined for the back of your closet. Don’t be distracted by the price tag—buy it only if you’ll actually wear it.

Buyer beware.

Most consignment shops and secondhand stores have strict return policies. Check for stains or holes and make sure everything fits before you check out.

Think differently.

It’s all about how you wear it—don’t be afraid to venture into different sections. Try an oversize cardigan or men’s button-down with a belt, à la the current menswear trend.

Take chances.

Thrift stores are a great place to get trendy or risky pieces without breaking the bank. One-of-a-kind pieces can help you define your signature style, or just help you stand out from the crowd. These stores are also perfect sources for costumes.

It’s all in the details.

Spice up your existing wardrobe with stylish (and cheap!) accessories. Secondhand stores often have treasure troves of costume jewelry. Also, look out for scarves and handbags.

Quality and quantity.

Especially at upscale consignment stores, you can find quality fabrics and brands for a bargain. Keep your eyes out for materials like cashmere and wool, and your favorite designers. Often, pieces are in mint condition.

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