Style, Beauty, and Fashion | for Real People
Big Lots is making a comeback in 2025, with 70 stores reopening in more than a dozen states across America. This expansion is partially due to new ownership – Variety Wholesalers. After filing for bankruptcy, over 200 Big Lots stores were acquired by Variety Wholesalers, which is pushing the brand back into the limelight with…
Friends wasn’t just a sitcom; it was a fashion time capsule. From Rachel’s trendsetting ensembles to Phoebe’s eclectic flair, the show’s wardrobe choices became as iconic as its one-liners. Each character brought a unique style to the screen, influencing ’90s and early 2000s fashion trends that still resonate today. Over ten seasons, viewers witnessed a…
Everyone pictures survival as bunkers, equipment, or bug-out bags full of MREs and tactical gear. But the Amish? They’ve been ‘off-grid’ for decades—long before it became hip. In fact, their entire society is built around being resilient. No internet, no cars, no electricity. And they’re doing just fine. They don’t just survive disaster—they hardly flinch….
The Met Gala has always been a spectacle of fashion extremes—remember Jared Leto’s severed head in 2019 or Kim Kardashian’s full-body black morph suit in 2021? This year, fashion’s biggest night somehow raised the bar. With a $75,000 ticket price and a theme—“Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”—that celebrated Black dandyism, the 2025 Met Gala fused personal…
Many headlines suggest the U.S.-China trade war is finally over—but that’s far from the whole story. While a new 90-day agreement has slashed tariffs on imports, this deal is more pause than peace. Beauty products, fashion items, and everyday essentials may see temporary relief, but real prices aren’t dropping overnight. One overlooked figure? Tariffs on…
The latest US-China tariff deal is making headlines—but don’t expect prices to return to normal just yet. After skyrocketing to 145% in April, tariffs on Chinese goods have been slashed to 30%, thanks to a trade truce reached on Monday. Starting Wednesday, import taxes will be sharply reduced for 90 days. It’s a rare moment…
De Beers is an iconic brand and leader in natural diamonds. But now, the company is shutting down its lab-grown diamond brand, Lightbox. The company will continue to focus on what has been its strength for the last 135 years, which is natural diamonds. Lightbox was initially created to sell more affordable diamonds to consumers….
Turns out, Americans are putting their foot down, just not in new shoes. A recent survey found that 78% of shoppers are walking away from buying footwear, citing one major reason: the price tags are simply too steep. The number has grown steadily over the past year, with inflation and stagnant wages making that perfect…
Most Americans still think of Shein or Temu as quirky internet finds. But behind the scenes, Chinese companies are reshaping the way we shop—with beauty and fashion at the center. Shein now commands 43.6% of the U.S. fast fashion market, while Temu attracted 44.5 million U.S. visitors just four months after launch. This isn’t luck—it’s…
Yard sales are treasure troves for those with a keen eye, especially when it comes to kitchenware. While many overlook these weekend events, savvy shoppers know that some of the most valuable kitchen items can be found nestled among the bric-a-brac. From vintage cookware to rare utensils, these sales offer unique opportunities to snag high-quality…
For decades, American consumers have been spoiled for choice, with store shelves laden with products from all over the world. This abundance has been facilitated by the United States’ deep integration into global trade, including its dependence on imports from countries like China. Yet President Trump has made sweeping new tariffs a central part of…
A former retail pariah, and then mall royalty, Abercrombie & Fitch’s roller-coaster ride is one of reinvention. Its bare-chested models and elite image swept up teens in the early 2000s. But behind the glamour, its culture was criticized as racist, sizeist, and elitist, and its sales and reputation began to tank. In 2017, Fran Horowitz…
For months, American shoppers have braced for impact as tariffs between the U.S. and China soared, raising prices across everything from toys to tools. But that could be changing. In a surprise turn, both countries just agreed to slash tariffs for 90 days. U.S. duties will drop from 145% to 30%, while China cuts theirs…
Americans are prepping for immense change as the global supply chain is under siege from the new tariff policies. The sweeping 145% tariffs on imports from China and across-the-board duties on goods from other nations are triggering a cascade of shortages across the retail industry. Consumers are already feeling the pinch as small businesses are…