Look Fashionable on Any Budget

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From the Editors of Girl World Daily

To avoid breaking a budget in a flailing economy, lots of girls are keeping their wardrobes replenished by relying on thrift shop finds or hand-me-downs. So you loved your sister’s blouse, but that was two years ago. Now it’s yours, and the blouse — and your love for it — has faded. How do you wear it without becoming a fashion “don’t”? Read on for our tips on how to make old clothes snazzy and looking like new again!

Try New Colors
You can totally change the look of a piece of clothing by changing its color. Make sure it’s dyeable — dying works best on things made of cotton, while polyester and nylon are much harder to dye. Ask a parent to help, since dye is messy and can permanently stain anything it spills on. Also, wash the dyed item separately from other clothes for the first few washings (as much as you may love it, your family might not want everything they own turning violet).

Change the Buttons
Flashy new buttons give an instant lift to a tired sweater or outdated jacket. Pick buttons that are really different from the original buttons — but be sure they’re the same size so they’ll properly fit the buttonholes. Use shiny metal or rhinestone buttons to add some bling. Or, go with a geometric design or contrasting color — anything that pops!

Shorten the Length
You can really change the look of an outfit by changing its hem. Take a too-long skirt and custom fit it by hemming it to just above your knees. Wear it with flat-heeled leather boots and thigh-high knit socks. You love the tee, but it’s too long? Take it up a notch. The jacket fits, but the sleeves are too short? Make it short-sleeved or even sleeveless.

Lavish Embellishments
Add adornments, dah-ling! Sew a cool strip of ribbon or lace around the cuff of a hand-me-down sweater. Iron a patch onto the back pocket of those worn-in jeans. Use crystals, rhinestones or sequins to jazz up a plain denim jacket. Use your creativity and imagination to turn basics into one-of-a-kind pieces that turn heads. Your sister is sure to come asking for her blouse back now!

Disney Haunted Holidays

Looking for something unusual to do during this holiday break? Head over to Disney’s Haunted Holidays page for some unique activities. There are some very cool things to do, especially the Pirates of the Caribbean page!

“Haunted Holidays” brings together scary attractions like the Haunted Mansion, notorious villains from classic films like “Snow White,” and then embraces the holiday “spirit” literally with special features on the upcoming “Christmas Carol” film from Walt Disney Studios.

From Pirates to Muppets, from London to New Orleans, “Haunted Holidays” on Disney.com brings together an array of exclusive and never before seen features from some of Disney’s most popular films and characters. Highlights include:

The Haunted Mansion

Often picked as a favorite attraction by Disney Parks guests around the world, the Haunted Mansion is celebrating its 40^th anniversary this year, and on Disney.com you can watch exclusive behind-the-scenes videos that look at the history and Imagineering that went into creating the spookiest place at Disneyland. The Haunted Mansion Chapter features:

• “Choose your Demise” game, in the “spirit” of the real Haunted Mansion elevator portraits the portraits featured in this game may not be as they appear.
• Exclusive flip book of Haunted Mansion images and artwork
• Exclusive, behind-the-scenes videos and fan videos at Disneyland Resort

The Muppets

The Muppets have “dug up” their favorite spooky jokes in honor of Halloween – check out all-new videos and shorts, you don’t have to be a werewolf to howl at these jokes, even our mummy likes them. Chapter features are:

• Hidden “pop-up” Halloween jokes
• Original Halloween-themed videos
• Fan-favorite Muppet sketches

Nightmare Before Christmas

What holiday is complete without a visit to Halloweentown with Jack Skellington?  Continuing a Disney Halloween tradition, the “Nightmare Before Christmas” Chapter features:

• Video of Rise Against’s music video “Making Christmas”
• Links to Disney.com Create portal photo mash-up featuring “Nightmare” characters

Disclosure: We were compensated for this review. Our opinions are our own and were not influenced by compensation provided.

BLASTER’S BOOT CAMP

Basic Training Course

Listen up boys and girls! Being part of G-FORCE isn’t all fun and games! It requires special skills and training. When you’re on an important, top secret mission you need to know that your team has what it takes. Do you have what it takes? Find out if you’re ready to become part of the special government task force known as G-FORCE!

Boys Stink and Other Facts of Life

Girl World Daily: can you relate? Boys Stink and Other Facts of Life From the Editors of Girl World Daily Say you just ran into your crush or your best guy friend. He’s staring at his sneakers, stumbling over his words and…are those sweat stains under his arms? You’re not alone if you walk away scratching your head and thinking, “Huh? Wha…?” But we’ve got the straight-up facts, right here. Fact: Boys are just as intimidated by you as you are by them. Boys tend to get embarrassed around girls, but why? Well, on average, boys mature at a later age than girls. So guys don’t always know how to act in a way that’s, um, composed. And because of this lack of maturity, they have a thing for making fun of each other. So if you’re talking to your crush, you can bet he’s probably thinking, “Sheesh, I hope my friends don’t see me hanging out with this girl! They’ll bust on me, for sure.” Fact: They have a harder time talking about their feelings. Girls are way better at expressing their emotions than boys are. Some of this has to do with hormonal differences, but part of it has to do with societal expectations. Guys are “supposed” to be rock-solid. So do boys have feelings? Yes, absolutely! It’s just that they have a more difficult time putting them into words and spitting them out. Fact: Boys don’t menstruate, but they have mood swings! Mood swings aren’t just about having your period. They’re a part of puberty for girls and boys. The difference is that while girls tend to get sad and sometimes weepy, boys lean more toward anger and frustration. Is he grumpy? Don’t take it personally. Fact: Their voices go whacky right around when they turn 15. You used to call your guy friend on the phone and couldn’t tell if he answered or if it was his sister, right? And then one day, he picks up and you think it’s his dad! What the heck? Before that, you might have noticed that his voice was squeaking and cracking when he got called on in class. That’s because his larynx, or voice box, has been growing larger and thicker. This happens to girls, too, but your voice only deepens by a few barely audible tones. This may come with a whisker on his chin… Fact: Boys’ sweat gets smellier as they get older. Again, puberty is the culprit. Those pesky hormonal changes cause sweat and body odor. And, yes, girls have this problem, too. But girls tend to have better personal hygiene, which means bathing regularly and using deodorant. So he comes off the field after practice, and he’s all dirty and dripping with stink. Ick. But hang in there. As he catches up with you in maturity, he’ll care about how he smells. Because he won’t worry anymore about what his friends think when he’s talking to a girl.

The Self-esteem Makeover!

The Self-esteem Makeover!

From the Editors of Girl World Daily

Karate chop! It’s time to whip your self-confidence into shape. Hasn’t anyone told you that you can learn to be fabulous? It’s not about your looks — it’s your thinking. Your happiness, appearance and relationships all hinge on how you perceive — and present — yourself.

Tell Your Inner Nag to Shut It!
Stop hating on yourself, would ya? Everyone from the Dalai Lama to Oprah talks about how our thoughts transfer to our experiences. Thinking you’re fat or dumb or not good enough for some guy is the reality as long as you’re believing it.

Try this: When you catch yourself listening to negative self-talk, stop. Picture something you adore about your life, your looks or your little quirks. Like the cool bond you have with your sis or how that blue dress looks so much better on you than it does on the hanger. Smile. Hold that grin.

Believe in Your Own Greatness
Maybe you feel other girls are so much smarter, prettier, cooler.…Well, we can’t argue with the fact that there are a lot of great gals out there. But guess what: You’re one of ‘em!

Try this: Being your total self is about rolling all the best parts of you into one impressive presentation. Instead of wishing you were a clone of someone else, take a look at everyone around you. Realize that you have just as many good qualities as the girl sitting next to you. It’s just that each of you has a unique blueprint. Rock yours!

Give Ugly the Day off
Everyone has that friend who obsesses over her looks. She can’t pass a store window without stopping to adjust her shirt, inspect her lips, tuck a hair. She picks, picks, picks until she scoffs: “I look horrible!” Meanwhile, she’s cute as can be. Um, pardon, is that friend…you?

Try this: Do a single glance in the a.m., then totally avoid mirrors and windows (shiny spoons? dang, vain!). Break free of the focus on your physical appearance so you can look within. Are you getting good grades, feeling fit and hanging with the right people? No mirrors! To pump up your self-esteem, it’s time for inner reflection.

Be a Green Teen

Girl World Daily: just for kicks Be a Green Teen From the Editors of Girl World Daily <!– /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Courier; panose-1:2 7 4 9 2 2 5 2 4 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:modern; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:”Cambria Math”; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1107304683 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:”"; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Courier; mso-fareast-font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-bidi-font-family:”Times New Roman”;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family:Courier; mso-hansi-font-family:Courier;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} –> Being a BFF to the environment isn’t always about rallying for big global changes. You can tweak simple things in your day-to-day drill to help save the environment. Get with the green routine! Good Morning, Sunshine! • When you wake up, don’t reach for the light switch. Let the sunlight in. • Don’t linger in the shower. Cutting just two minutes saves gallons of water, plus the fuel it takes to heat the H2O. • Don’t scrimp on brushing your teeth, but shut the water off while you’re doing it. • Is your school close (and safe) enough to bike or walk there? Good exercise and kind to the planet. The Lunch Bunch • After your lunch is perfectly prepped, put it in an eco-friendly reusable bag. • While you’re at it, ditch the sandwich baggies. They don’t biodegrade, so try a plastic container you can use again and again. • Toss used cans or bottles into a recycling bin. No recycling program in your school? Make it happen! After-school Cool • Homework? Use scrap paper when possible before you recycle it. It’s perfect for working out math probs or printing your history rough draft on the unused side. • When your computer is at rest, nix the screensaver, which is an energy waster. • No. 1 rule? If you’re aren’t using it, shut it off. Do you really need three lights on and the TV as background noise? What’s for Dinner? • Go veggie once week. Turns out, the meat-producing process is tough on the environment. • Switch to cloth napkins — classy. • Don’t run the dishwasher unless it’s full. If yours has an energy-saver mode, use it. • You do dishes the old-fashioned way? Don’t leave the water running while you’re washin’. Fill the basin, scrub away the ick, then rinse. Into the Night • If you like to read before bed, use a fluorescent bulb. It lasts 10 times longer than a regular bulb and uses 65 percent less energy. • Shut off your computer, TV and radio. Better yet, unplug all electronics. Standby mode uses up lots of unnecessary energy. • Layer up so you can turn down the heat. Lights out!

Prezzies for Your Besties!

From the Editors of Girl World Daily No money? No problem. Hate mall madness? Don’t bother. Whether you’re stumped on what to give an awesome BFF, your pesky little bro or the grandma who has everything, we’ve gotcha covered.… Beauty Sleep Mask A great gift for all the gals on your list. This is so simple you could make it with your eyes closed! Flannel-backed satin Scissors Fabric glue Rick-rack edging Black-fringe fabric Elastic Flaxseed or rice Dried lavender or thyme Funnel 1. Cut two pieces of the satin, approximately 4 inches by 8 inches. Use the scissors to round the edges and cut out a center notch along one edge to go around the wearer’s nose. 2. On the satin side of one piece, use the glue to attach rick-rack. Cut out two 2-inch lengths of fringe and glue on for “eyelashes.” 3. Run a line of glue around the flannel-sided edge of the other satin piece, leaving an inch-wide gap on top (for filling). Glue the ends of a 6-inch piece of elastic to each side of the flannel. 4. Lay the other satin piece on top, flannel sides facing each other, and gently press the pieces together along the glued edge. Allow glue to dry overnight. 6. Use funnel to pour 5 tablespoons of flaxseed or rice and 3 tablespoons of lavender or thyme into the opening. Glue the gap shut. 7. Create a gift tag with instructions: As a cold or hot treat for tired eyes, store in freezer or heat in microwave for 20 seconds to warm. Merry Carry-all Caddy Little kids can toss their crayons in it, or your buds can use it for hair accessories. Decorative scrapbook paper Ruler Pencil Scissors Hole punch Glue stick Thin ribbon 1. Trim scrapbook paper to 9 inches by 9 inches. Fold in half diagonally both ways, with the decorative side facing in, then reopen to your original square. 2. Next, fold the square in thirds with the decorative side this time facing out, top to bottom and again from side to side. When you reopen your square, it should look like a tic-tac-toe grid intersected by a big X. 3. Punch one hole near the edge of each of the four corners. 4. Fold the basket by bringing the corners together. Weave ribbon through the punched holes, and tie it up in a bow! Mad Mosaic Mirror Transform junk-drawer castoffs into mosaic magic. For your brother? Think Legos, Hot Wheels, plastic critters or “metal mania” — old hardware, screws, coins and keys. Doo-dads, such as costume jewelry, puzzle pieces, game parts (anything goes!) Tacky glue Paintbrush Mirror or frame 1. Lay the mirror or frame flat. Working a section at a time, generously spread glue onto the frame with a paintbrush. 2. Arrange pieces in a layer, overlapping and even letting parts extend beyond the frame. 4. After decorating, allow the glue to dry completely. (Stray drops of glue on the glass can easily be peeled off.)

Get That Look!

Sure, most celebrities have a sense of style. But most also have a stylist, who pieces together fabulous outfits for them. Here’s how to get the designer looks for less!

True Jackson, VP — Nickelodeon
Keke Palmer plays 15-year-old True, whose tuned-in fashion sense lands her a top job at designer empire Mad Style. Being in the fashion biz means walking the line between snazzy and professional attire. True often goes for button-down shirts with a twist, such as ruffles or embellishments, along with a pencil skirt and a wide belt. Or maybe she’ll opt for a conservative dress and layer a tank underneath for a pop of color, plus add a funky jacket on top to give it that edge.

Get the look! Shop discount chains for dress shirts, skirts, belts, dresses, tanks and jackets for a fraction of the price of department store designer duds.

The City — MTV
Whitney Port moved from Los Angeles (The Hills) to New York when she got her own reality show — and a bit of a culture shock. But she’s breathing fresh air into the NY fashion scene, where it seems everything goes back to basic black. With her soft fabrics and color-splashed prints, Whitney brings a California girl vibe to the office, where she works for legendary designer Diane Von Furstenberg (DVF).

Get the look! The DVF fashion line has that L.A.-inspired influence but it’s pricey. Pick up similar pieces in eye-popping prints at mid-price shops, such as H&M.

Wizards of Waverly Place — Disney
Selena Gomez is wiz kid Alex Russo, the only sister in her magic fam. On the new Supernaturally Stylin’ Wizards DVD, catch three fashion-fueled episodes. In the first, Alex scores an internship at Fashion Fatale magazine. In an art-imitates-life scene, an editor at the mag takes credit for Alex’s fashionista vision, eerily similar to an incident on The City in which co-worker Olivia takes full props from higher-ups for a magazine cover ensemble Whitney put together. “I pulled that look!” Olivia fibs.

Get the look! To get into the girl-wizard groove, have these basics in your closet: denim skirt, skinny jeans, knit baby doll tops, long-sleeve tees, striped cardigan, high-top sneaks. Mix and match, then hit the accessories store for leggings, chunky jewelry, fingerless gloves, woven caps and a studded belt.

iCarly — Nickelodeon
Miranda Cosgrove is a practical dresser, as is her character, Carly Shay. “Her clothes can be worn anywhere…from school to the Groovey Smoothie, to the Web show, to detention, to the mall,” says the show’s stylist, Kris Dangl. “Carly is no-nonsense, but she maintains a femininity. Miranda looks best in saturated jewel tones, like magenta, purple, jade, burgundy and cobalt blue. Use colors near your face, and cut it with ‘boyfriend’ T-shirts in white, grey, navy and black. Thermals and classic gray hoodies are great, too.”

Get the look Kris likes these wardrobe basics: skinny and boot-cut jeans, Converse sneakers, leather boots, ballet flats and a classic trench coat in navy or khaki. “It’s always cool to pull in a little tomboy with your pretty florals and colorful stuff,” she says. “I recommend getting some fabric paints and making your own designs on hoodies. A boy’s blazer is cool, too. I also suggest having navy, gray and black leggings to ground out colorful flouncy skirts.”

From the Editors of Girl World Daily