Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

My boyfriend and I have been going out for a little over a year now and he's starting to surprise me with gifts. I wouldn't have a problem with this if they were things that I like, but they're not my taste at all. I really appreciate the gesture but I'd rather he not spend his money on things I'd rather return. Can you give me some tips on how to break through to him without hurting his feelings?

Signed,

Gifted Girl

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Dear G.G.,

Its rather hard to believe that after a year of being together that he still doesn’t know you well enough to get you a gift you would like; but then again, as most men can attest, if a woman is faking it its not always easy to tell.

So it sounds like he's a little off the mark with these surprise gifts - where's the harm in that? It's not as if its your birthday or anniversary. Maybe these are things he wants you to have, or things that made him think of you and so he's considerate enough to take the time - and funds - to get them for you. It sounds like you've never asked him why he got you the gifts, but feigned warm feelings for something you would never want. So you can't really blame the guy, especially since his actions are earnest and pure. Yours on the other hand are up for debate.

Even if you wanted to put him back on target and drop subtle - or blatant - hints about the gifts its a lose-lose situation. You will have to come clean about not liking any of the gifts he's given you which will make you seem not only deceitful but ungrateful considering these are unsolicited gifts.

Either way you should let him know so he can stop wasting his money. Just be prepared that after you lift the veil you risk him withdrawing gift giving all together. But that’s the price you pay for not being honest upfront and for having your boyfriend of a year lavishing you with things that you didn't appreciate. He has every right to feel foolish or even a bit deceived because, well, both are valid responses.

On a much more optimistic - yet unrealistic - note, the two of you could laugh it off and he’ll take cues from you from now on whenever he wants to surprise you with something, or maybe just reserve his giving spirit to holidays and special occasions. Either way, let this be a lesson to you: honesty is the best policy. Especially when you could have saved him and yourself from this unnecessary situation if you would have nipped this in the bud early on.

Just prepare yourself for the worst and hope for the best. Not the most comforting advice but its the most realistic.

Scary thought though, isn’t it?

Need sartorial advice? Email me: Dwaun@shoppingsavage.com

Beauty Unbeautiful: If You Knew Better, You Would Do Better

It's safe to assume that we've all fallen prey to beauty fads that in hindsight may not have been as spot-on as we originally thought. I'm all about expressing individuality but I'm also a firm believer in the saying, "If you knew better, you would do better." So here is a short list of some outdated beauty trends that you - or someone you know - should leave in the past. Hopefully this will help save some poor misguided souls who obviously don't know better.

1. Unblended Lip Liner

Remember the 90's when this trend was all the rage? Well today, there is nothing worse than a nude lip with a brown or black liner covered in lip gloss, but unfortunately there are some who still perpetuate this outdated look. Here's hoping that this look never makes it back to mainstream - and even more, looses its favor with those women who still can't seem to let go of the liner.

2. Drawn On "Crazy" Eyebrows

There's nothing wrong with drawing on your eyebrows if you have to (and by "have to" I mean some sort of medical condition that forces you to do so). However, shaving off your natural eyebrows in exchange for a drawn on eyebrow is a no-no, especially when there are less permanent - and shocking! - ways of taming unruly or undesirable brows.

3. Mile-long Nails

Anyone who knows me knows that nails are a really big deal to me. However, nails that seem to go on and on are a problem - literally. Whenever I see women with these gnarly nails I often wonder how they are able to function in this technological world. How do you text? How do you type? And how do you not put your eye out - or someone else's? The good news is the obituary on this trend was read and for the sake of women everywhere, I hope that it never rises from the dead.

4. Super-charged Pastel Eye Shadow

This trend can be tricky because if applied properly it could work. However, making it work takes some serious skill - I would venture to say that you would have to be Pat McGrath or her equivalent to find a way to perfect it. What makes this trend so undesirable is that more than not, people who try it end up looking like clowns...and not the type that make you happy. In a nut shell: leave it to the professionals.

5. Permed Hair

Sarah Jessica Parker's character Carrie Bradshaw tried this on Sex and the City, but even this style maven couldn't pull it off. Besides, these unnatural curls have a way of looking a bit kooky and honestly, have an unusual smell that is permanently tied to the '80s era, where these synthesized curls belong...for better or worse.

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