I wish I could do that….

Hello again!

Upon a recent night out, I was able to catch a fashion show with some local Denver designers, no biggie. Oh, who am I kidding?! It was awesome!! The Goodwill Exchange for Change Fashion Show was held at the EXDO Event Center and featured Project Runway All Stars Winner, Denver local, and all around amazing person, Mondo Guerra. Fashion show attendees were encouraged to bring 10 items of clothing to donate to the clothing swap that took place after the show with all of the donated clothing. So ideally you bring 10 items and leave with 10 new items. The fashion show featured local youth designers that were given $20 to shop at Goodwill and get everything they needed to create a runway-ready look. These were some talented teens people! I was amazed as great look after great look came down the runway and was also relieved that I wasn’t the one having to decide a winner. After the show and a few drinks, my girlfriends and I were discussing all of the incredible talent that we had seen that night and found ourselves saying; “I wish I could do that” over and over. When mentioning the same thing to my Mother, she kindly pointed out that there’s nothing stopping me from doing each of the things that dazzled me that night. Well…..good point. Right here in our own city lies the tools to create new skills, new fashion and save some green along the way.

Using staples does not count as sewing.

Who knew? Apparently there are ways to learn to create and repair clothing and accessories that doesn’t destroy it and will hold up in a washing machine. You can lean this magical craft at a variety of stores around Denver just by using Google and seeing what’s in the area. The following are my favorites, first being Fabric Bliss. This modern little store is located in the Santa Fe Arts District and offers a huge variety of classes from absolute basics all the way up to advanced design. You can learn to knit, to create accessories, home furnishings etc… and there is truly nothing better than something made at your own hand. Imagine being able to make gifts instead of purchase them? Cha-ching! Classes range between $30-90 and have a wide range of availability. Last but certainly not least, is Fancy Tiger Crafts. Be prepared to stay awhile because this store is awesome! Fabric and crafts and cool people fill this shop with life. They offer a wide variety classes that allow you to dabble in a few things or really fine tune your sewing and crafting skills in a certain area. Their very cool sewing classroom makes you feel like you’re on project runway and Tim Gunn is about to come out and whip you into shape. Classes start at $35 and go up depending upon the class. This is also a great way to meet new people; common interests can create great friendships.

 

Paint it on

Your face that is. My girlfriends and I often say “thank god for makeup!” There are days that I scare myself a little after I put my contacts in. Most of us learned to apply our makeup from trial and mostly error. Blue eye shadow is usually involved. Learning how to apply your makeup properly can be a real game changer. What foundation is right for me? What is my skin type? How do I shape my own eyebrows? I could think of a million more questions but let’s just get right to the answer. Take a basic makeup seminar. No, I don’t think you should enroll in Beauty College to learn to put your makeup on, but a crash course is good stuff. If you are wondering a specific technique like smoky eyes or lash application, YouTube is for you. You can learn every hair and makeup technique under the sun and watch it infinite times until you’ve got it. For the whole deal you’ll want to do a workshop. Much like what is offered by The Denver Makeup Guru. She offers individual makeup classes for $85 that includes a skin and brow consultation and whatever you wish to learn about makeup and your own skin. Once you know what looks good on you, you don’t have to break the bank on product. There is a drugstore equivalent to almost all of the designer makeup sold at department stores. Most beauty maintenance can be done at home too; you just need to learn how. Makeup can be so much fun and you can make it as individual as you are.

 

Giving Back

Helping others feels good. Plain and simple. But why not incorporate helping others into our fun? For starters, have your own fashion swap! Get your friends together, and some of their friends, the more the merrier. Everyone brings 10 items to swap and ideally everyone can swap and leave with 10 new items. Incorporate some great cocktails and snacks and it’s a fashion party. Any leftover clothing can be donated to your local thrift store. However, your good doings aren’t limited to clothing. Whenever you are throwing a get together, choose an organization you would like to benefit and plan accordingly. It could be a coat drive, canned foods, pet supplies etc… There is so much good to be done and so much we can accomplish by pooling our resources.

Long story short, get out there and try to do the things that you find interesting and challenging. There are so many things at your fingertips to save you money, expand your horizons and just live a more fulfilling life. Enjoy!

 

XOXOX

 

Links to companies mentioned in the article:

Mondo Guerra: www.mondoguerra.com

Fancy Tiger Crafts: www.fancytiger.com

Fabric Bliss: www.fabricblissdenver.com

Denver Makeup Guru: www.denvermakeupguru.com

Goodwill Industries of Denver: www.goodwilldenver.org