Tuesday, October 26, 2010

The SCARIEST part about Halloween!

As a mother of two small children, I love everything about Halloween.  In my house, it's the start of the holiday frenzy, as you start pulling out skeleton, ghost and witch decorations, line up school and neighborhood parties and race around the shops gathering all you need to create that spectacular costume.

However, I also know about the downside and the SCARIEST part of Halloween and no, it is not the ghosts and goblins!  If you are like me, you know that a bunch of candy and fattening treats in the house is truly the SCARIEST part of Halloween!

Don't turn your kids' trick or treat fun into your diet downfall!  You've worked too hard to fit into that little black cocktail dress with your new Black Suede High Heels.  Just remember how much fun you will have showing off your new figure at the Holiday Party!  No time to blow it now!  Only 49 days to go!

So calling all moms out there in my dilemma, here are some great "tricks" you can use to keep away from the calories that haunt us all.

Have your kids look through the treats they got and select only their favorites. Then take the stash that's leftover and try one of these ideas:

1. Put all the extra candy in a large paper bag and staple it closed on Halloween night to resist the temptation of polishing it all off before the end of the night! Will-power ladies!!


2. Drop off your leftovers at the nearest college dorm room or sorority house.


3. Seal any leftovers up in a plastic bag and put it away until December. Left over candy will make the perfect embellishments and decorations for a gingerbread house.


4. Put any extra treats in the freezer...WAY in the back. Out of sight, out of mind. But if you do choose to snack on any, a frozen piece of candy takes a lot longer to eat.


5. Call your child's teacher and see if she needs extra treats as rewards or to fill the treat box.


6. Keep in mind; you bought it to give it away! Don't bring home more than what you gave out.

We have less than a week to go before Halloween is behind us.  Just don't allow the treats to remain on our BEHINDs for the rest of the holiday season!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Fall into Fashion!

Isn't this a great time of year?  You can feel the changing of seasons in the air as we move past Labor Day and jump into fall.  The breeze is a bit cooler, there is a whip in the wind and a changing leaf or two on the ground.  Fall will officially be here which means it's time to switch up your wardrobe! 

 8 ways to stay on trend this fall and winter to get you started.

1.  Clogs

Don't you just love to slip into a pair of reliable clogs?  Well, this season clogs are back with a vengeance.  This time around, they have more edge to the design and detail such as open back wooden soles, metail studs, and combination wood designs with peep toe bootie.  This Coach pair is a real steal!  60% off retail value!


2.  Suede Finishes
So soft and comfortable!  Suede has always been a favorite material for the sophisticated.  Most suede styles this season are in neutral tones like black, beige, brown and navy.  It's always fun to add a little "pop" of color with popular berry tones too.



3.  Lace Up Details
It's all in the details, ladies.  This year, lace up decorations on shoes is the way to go.  Place a lace on any type of shoe ranging from heels to boots and you have a fashion winner.


4.  Shearling trim
Keep your toes warm this fall and winter with cozy shearling trim shoes and boots.  You will find lots of shoes that are sheepskin lined.  Many feature sheepskin accents that peep out the top of the shoe, or feature a fold over top that reveals an inch or so of sheepskin.  So comfortable while staying on trend!

5.  Masculine Details
Men' shoes have traditonally been more comfortable, right?  Ever think who really invented the high heel?  However this season, ladies rule the runway with more masculine designs and comfortable shoes.  You will see motorcycle styles with buckles, rings and studs, combat inspired styles, oxfords, shoes with serrated soles and wingtip designs. 

6.  Wedge or Platform Heels
On trend this season are wedge and platform heels once again!  Many styles and choices to select from to ramp up your wardrobe this fall and winter.

7.  Thigh High Boots
Sexy, sexy thigh high boots!  Not just for the adventurous at heart, you will see this as a mainstream trend.  Above the knee boots are just as popular as they were last winter. If you already bought a pair, you are in luck because they should fit right in. If you liked them last season, but weren’t ready to take the plunge, here’s your second chance.

8. Decorated ballet flats

Ballet flats have always been popular with the woman on the go. Stay comfy this year with a pair of black leather studded ballet flats such as the ones shown below by Penny loves Kenny.





Monday, August 9, 2010

Ten Shopping Tips for Finding the Best Online Buys

The evolution of technology has never made shopping easier.  Forget about the hassle of driving across town to find the perfect gift for you or a loved one. These days, you can still be in bed while getting great savings on your favorite pair of Frye leather boots or Coach handbag with just the click of a button.  These 10 tips offered to you by coolsavings.com and onelittlebox.com. will guide your e-shopping experience with ease.

1.  Do your homework. Check out retailer sites, online product comparison sites and savings sites. Find out what is available before you open your wallet and you'll save money.


2.  Bookmark your favorite online savings sites. With two simple clicks you can easily browse for your preferred websites and bookmark them to your computer's "favorites list." When you're ready to make a purchase, open this list and shop away. This saves you time searching for websites again and again.


3.  Promotional codes are an easy way to save. Your favorite retailers often extend special deals to valued customers. Find promotional codes by signing up for the company's newsletter, searching google under company's name, and becoming a return customer.

4.  Let the savings find you. Various websites have features that simplify shopping. Check items you are interested in buying and the Gift List will notify you when there are special deals on those items.


5.  Shop at the end of the month.  Most shops want to make room for more incoming inventory, therefore slash prices and offer the best savings on products toward the end of each month.


6.  Be aware of where you compare. Online product comparison sites are helpful in laying out the pros and cons associated with different brands. However, some sites only compare their advertisers' products rather than all products in a category. These sites should not be taken as the end-all of product comparison, so visit several.


7.  Avoid shipping and return policy frustration. Many retailers offer free shipping as an incentive to buy online. Read the fine print and look for retailers with a variety of options. Some shipping deals and return policies only apply to certain items.


8.  Keep records of your online transactions. Always print or save your order confirmation screen, product description and contact information for the retailer. If there is continued correspondence, such as a notification of an item on back-order, keep those in the same file.


9.  Be bold, but smart when buying online. A few simple rules will help you be a safe shopper. Use different passwords for each site, only buy from vendors you trust, look for an icon that designates a secure site for transactions and pay with your credit card.


10.  Search for printable coupons. Online printable coupons offered on websites are always there, (no waiting or paying for the Sunday newspaper!) and you can easily find savings for the products you want to buy.


Now you are ready and Shop Online with Confidence!  Enjoy and Happy Shopping!