By Andrew Stratton

Here are five great ways to spruce up your wardrobe without spending a lot of money.
Most women have noticed that times are tough and there is less money to go around. It is easy to get stressed when funds are low and it can be especially depressing when you grow tired of your wardrobe but have no means of purchasing a fresh look. But don't despair; there are still ways to keep you looking good without emptying your wallet.

Check out the following ideas for staying fashionable for less:

1. Go through your closet
Like most women, you probably have clothes you don't wear often and have even forgotten about. Well now is the time to do an inventory check of your wardrobe.

Most likely you will find forgotten treasures that will feel like new clothes again. Also, be creative and try to make your old clothes work in new ways. For example, add belt to that old black dress you found and you will have created a whole new outfit.

2. Shop second hand
Your local thrift store may become your favorite shopping spot. There are many great women's fashions hidden in the racks at thrift stores. You are sure to find many gently used clothes that usually cost less than ten or even five dollars.

After a careful search through the racks, you may walk out of a consignment store with a pile of new-to-you clothes for the same price that would only buy you one blouse from a department store. And don't worry; no one will know they are used if you don't tell them.

3. Throw a clothing exchange party
Throw a little party and invite some of your closest girlfriends with the charge to bring their old clothes they are tired of. At the party everyone can trade clothes and go home with different outfits.

This is a great way to freshen up your wardrobe with new clothes because one girl's trash is another girl's treasure. You'll have fun partying with your friends and then you'll leave with new-to-you fashions that you didn't even pay a dime for.

4. Stock up on the basics
When buying clothes, make sure that you stock up on the basics, meaning clothes that mix and match nicely and clothes that go well with anything. This means that instead of buying a cool but loud patterned blouse you would be better off buying a less crazy top that works well with more bottoms and most accessories.

Another example includes buying neutral shoes instead of the bright red pumps that only match one dress. Your wardrobe may not be as exciting and unique, but your wallet will be fuller and you will have less stress during these economically hard times.

5. Get creative and crafty
When you don't have the money to buy loads of new clothes, sometimes your only option is to get creative. Try things that you have never done before. Find some new funky buttons at your local craft store and sew them onto an old sweater to create a whole new look.

Try making your own jewelry; you can copy more expensive designs at a fraction of the cost or you can create your own unique pieces. Also ribbon is inexpensive and can be used to spruce up all sorts of outfits as headbands, belts, or whatever. Get in touch with your creative side and you'll be sure to save money and possibly start a new trend in women's fashion.

By Saima Sheikh

A lot of women who are plus size tend to have difficulties finding outfits that fit them. Thanks to the powerful influence of media and advertising, women's clothing have become more inclined to the average or slim body types that women who are plus size have a hard time looking for clothes that actually fit. Not only does this take a lot of time, this puts them often in a state of embarrassment because they would have to keep asking the saleslady for bigger sizes. There are times that plus size clothes are available, but most often they aren't. So what's your next option?

No, it's not to go into a killer diet and starve yourself to lose weight. You can actually buy plus size women's clothing online. A lot of department stores nowadays unfortunately don't display plus-size clothes; if they do it is usually located somewhere unnoticeable that not many people actually realize it's there. Through online clothes stores, you can be assured that you'll have a wide variety of plus size clothes to choose from and at the same time won't have to worry about facing the salesladies or have to keep feeling bad that you can't fit into another blouse or skirt again. Believe it or not, a lot of online stores have plus size outfits that look wonderful and are designed using all kinds of styles and color for every woman's preference. You might even have a difficult time deciding on where to start since there are just too many choices to actually pick a really good outfit.

To make things a whole lot easier, you should first decide on what type of clothing are you planning to buy. Are you looking for a pair of plus size jeans, t-shirts, blouses, or jackets to add to your wardrobe? Are you looking for clothes that are for a special occasion? You have to decide because online retail stores have a lot of items put up on sale and it might take you hours just to decide what to put in your shopping cart that will fit your budget. If you don't put a certain limit on yourself, like a list of clothes that you need, then you might end up looking at a really large credit card bill at the end of the month. Also, try not to buy the first thing that you see on the first to the third page of the catalog because you may never know what good stuff may be hidden in the next sixth to eighth pages after all.

By shopping online for plus size clothes, this is your chance to shop without having to face other people who might criticize you for your size. Browse through as many online clothes stores as you can so that you'll be able to find the perfect plus size outfits to add to your wardrobe. This way, not only will you be able to choose with ease and comfort, you'll become the eye candy of the day.

By Don W Bernard

The tendency to overlook the stark reality of the basic man starts early in life. The first dress that's purchased in order to grab the attention of a "special" boy is where it begins. Then come fancy haircuts, cosmetics and diets. In the end, probably 90% of all the efforts failed to register.

Men are oblivious to much of what women do to interest and attract them. I said "much," and this is where it's easy to lose track of what is and isn't getting through.

Let me set the scene: an elegant restaurant in a fancy east coast city; 4 men in their late twenties and early thirties are enjoying dinner; there are lots of laughs and excellent conversation around the table. A good looking couple enters the main dining room. The woman is wearing a see through blouse, without a bra.

What a surprise! The guys notice. They aren't looking at her eye shadow, or notice that her gold earrings match the bracelet. They are admiring, her breasts.

As the couple moves across the room, it becomes perfectly obvious that they are being watched by an appreciative audience. When she gets into range, the woman turns to the nearest man at the table and snaps, "What do you think you are staring at?" Under the circumstances, it's a question that rates with Grouch's "Who's buried in Grant's tomb?"

What did she think they were staring at? What was the point of wearing the revealing blouse in the first place? Those four men weren't blind.

But again, they didn't notice the expensive haircut and the manicure. It wasn't a matter of being rude, or immature, or sex-crazed. When it comes to women, a man's optic nerves run directly to his crotch.

The news shouldn't be much of a shock, but the facts of life get rearranged by those who like to sell a new line of fall fashions, designer cosmetics, or high speed liposuctions.

Men are "supposed" to be turned on by a particular shade of lipstick. Men are "supposed" to be turned on by little button noses. Men are "supposed" to be turned on by skinny women. Says who? Cosmetic czars? Plastic Surgeons? Millionaire diet doctors?

The message that gets lost in the chorus of special interest pleading is the most important one of all - Men are attracted to breasts. Simple.