Weekly Dose of...Phobias

An appropriate feature for the Hallow-week. Even if we can’t admit to it, we all have at least one uncontrollable, irrational fear of a specific object, situation, or activity. A phobia can haunt your subconscious mind, or be debilitating enough to take control of your life. Maybe you fear graveyards, tunnels, washing your hands, or snow. Or maybe you fear something more superficial that doesn’t interfere with your daily activities, perhaps hanging on from your childhood that just won’t let go.

To this day, my childhood phobia creeps in whenever I participate in fun loving aquatic activities. Yes, I grew up in the Jaws era and I tell you, it certainly had an impact on my water phobia. You see, I can’t even swim in a fresh water lake without wondering what lurks beneath even though I know sharks need salt water. I hear the theme song, I envision swimmers scrambling to shore and pulling themselves out of the water just in time. And, just in case this fear wasn’t cemented in my mind for all eternity from the movie, my parents took me to Universal Studios in 1986. I was perfectly happy to stop the tour at the Amityville house, but no, we took a trip to the Jaws set and rode a boat past the mechanical shark that in turn jumped out of the water and tried to snap our head off. It was creepy to say the least and not helpful. Thanks Mom and Dad.

I doubt I will ever overcome this phobia, although it does get better each year. In fact, in 1999 I was able to attempt surfing in Hawaii for all of 5 minutes. Keeping all body parts out of the water while grasping the board and allowing my teacher to remain full bodied in the water (prepared for the onslaught of sharks that awaited us at dawn), I caught my first (and last) wave into shore and I was out of there (taking pics of my husband as an excuse not to return - no hon, you go ahead, seriously, I had fun - let me take some photoes...crap, was that a fin? ). Last year I tried to wakeboard and told myself that the board would be the first bite, not me, and that I could then swim to safety.

So we all have phobias, and this week is a good time to get in touch with them, explore the links behind them and try your best to let go of them. I am trying but the scars are deep. Please readers, do share your phobias and let me know that I am not the only one!

Holiday Sweepstakes Week 1

We are beginning our countdown to the holiday season and are celebrating by giving away something each week. Watch our blog posts each Monday through the end of December as we will announce the sweepstakes gift and instructions for entering.

This week, we are giving away a Kenneth Cole Down Scuba Jacket (featured in our Channeling Martha post). This jacket is awesome, brand new with tags, down filled yet lightweight in a pretty ivory color with faux fur trim on the hood. It is a women's size Large and nicely fits a size 8-10. It retails for $149.00.

Here’s what you need to do to win this and any of our upcoming sweepstakes items:

1. Check our blog each week for the sweepstakes entry (we will post one every Monday or Sunday evening).
2. Sign up for our newsletter and all entries for that week will be included in the drawing and all upcoming drawings.
3. Or, if you hate newsletter lists, place a comment on this blog post and be sure to leave us a link so we can find you if you win.

Channeling Martha

We like to get in touch with our domestic side and create things that make us feel like we are fulfilling our Motherly duties. This is especially true in the Fall. With the abundance of apple cider, pumpkin pie and farm festivals in the Midwest, it’s hard to resist channeling Martha Stewart. So one Autumn afternoon as we meandered through a corn maze with our children, Stephanie began maniacally gathering corn husks. We were on a mission, but this wouldn’t do. After picking pumpkins, she spied something near the farmhouse and disappeared. Five minutes later she reappeared with another women carrying two huge corn husks at least 7 feet tall and a barrel of hay. Never mind that we had five children plus ourselves to get home, but we hoisted the first husk into the air and pushed it through the back of the minivan over the seat, SCORE - it fit . The other was a tight squeeze, but we managed to get it in (excluding the fifth back seat in the process). Determined to leave no child (or corn husk) behind, we place the youngest child on the lap of the oldest and buckled them in the back, next to the corn husks. Then we were off, giggling and squealing like ten year olds as we made our way home, spying our cramped “children of the corn” through the rearview mirror. Luckily it was a short 25 mph drive home.

We waited two days after this tiring adventure to create our Autumn Scarecrow decked out in the perfect Midwestern farm attire, denim. I think Steph and I had more fun putting it together than the kids did (they left us for a corn fight). Although it didn’t turn out as good as the image in our minds (Martha would not be pleased), we finished it and decided to use the decoration front and center in our first blog sweepstakes. So feast your eyes on our beautiful scarecrow wearing our first item, a Kenneth Cole Down Scuba Jacket. And, to add insult to injury, a picture of me wearing the jacket (we chose the worst picture to spite my husband who said I looked like the unibomber and that we definitely shouldn’t post this one). Don’t get me wrong, this jacket is awesome, brand new with tags, down filled yet lightweight in a pretty ivory color with faux fur trim on the hood. It retails around $149.00.

Here’s what you need to do to win this and any of our upcoming sweepstakes items:

1. Check our blog each week for the sweepstakes blog entry (we will post one every Saturday or Sunday).
2. Sign up for our newsletter and all entries for that week will be included in the drawing.
3. Or, if you hate newsletter lists, place a comment on the blog post and be sure to leave us a link so we can find you if you win.

Q&A - Holiday Dresses

Q. I am looking for a versatile dress this holiday season for office parties, going out, as well as New Year's. Suggestions please within a $50 budget?

A. This can be a tough time of year for a women's wardrobe. If you don't already own a LBD or a similar dress that makes you feel good, then you better start the hunt NOW. Don't wait one week or one day until the event, have it in your closet and ready to go. We have several options in our store that are easy on the wallet and range from trendy to timeless. Get yourself a pair of simple, classic black heels (maybe in a patent leather for the holiday), or a metallic silver or gold (remembering that gold pairs nicely with warm tones and silver with cool tones). So here are some options based on your style preference:

Our Red Party Dress is sexy and fun. It is a great dress for the price and is a timeless addition to your closet, plus it looks good on any body type. Throw on a shrug or trapeze style jacket to wear this look to an office party.

For a more conservative holiday look, try our Black Sweater Dress, Double V Back Dress or Drape Neck Dress. Add some color with opaque tights instead of nylons or bare legs (we like the look of a deep purple).

If you want trendy, shiny, standout style go for the Trumpet Sleeve Shift Dress or the Platinum Party Dress.

The important thing is to find a dress that makes you feel comfortable and beautiful and in our opinion, the above meet those requirements!

You Look Pretty Cute...For A Mom.

I have not really paid much attention to fashion over the years, usually wearing what’s affordable and comfortable. (Yes, that was me in some of the eighties pictures and I guess if they had fashion police at the time they would have arrested me: “guilty as charged”.) So as I’m beginning to approach my mid thirties I’ve started to become a bit more conscious of what I wear, realizing that at times my clothes do make some sort of statement of who I am and who I still feel like on the inside.

I was told the other day by one of my classmates that I looked pretty cute...for a mom. (She’s about eighteen and cute as a button, mind you.) I was taken back by this comment because I don’t feel like a mom, in fact when I wear this shirt by Magenta, I feel twenty one again and ready to hit the town with my friends. My arms, thighs, and derriere may giggle a bit more than they use to, but I’m still gonna shake what my momma gave me! That’s what a certain article of clothing can do for the psyche. I love finding trendy and affordable clothing that makes me look as young as I still feel.

Weekly Dose of...Proper Peeping

Last week Michelle touched on a subject very dear to me, shoes. I love the peep toe trend. It is a wonderful, classic look that can make just about any foot sexy. It's great to see feminine fashions that make us daydream about how fabulous we are.

A question I have asked myself (and you may have as well)... Is it acceptable to wear stockings with peep toe shoes? Sources say, yes. Style Bakery says to keep it simple. There are a couple guidelines. Sheer and opaque hose are both acceptable. If you are wearing a sheer stocking, sandal foot is a must. As we move into the cooler months, take advantage of this trend to hide your not-so-tan legs and any other imperfections that may take away from the star of your ensemble...your amazing peep toe shoes.

For myself, I am still working to embrace this trend reversal. I may need more positive fashion re-programming as memories of my grandmother's neighbor haunt me. She would wear open toe shoes and sandals with reinforced toe hose that would gather around her ankles. (she was probably holding on to a fashion guideline of her younger years when it was appropriate to always wear hose with a skirt or dress). As a child I instinctively knew this was wrong and I still have flashbacks, even if it is on a model in fabulous shoes.

Deal of the Week

This is one of our favorite tunic tops from a favorite manufacturer, Soprano. The square neck and bubble sleeves are so trendy right now and balances a pear shape nicely. We would pair this with a sleek pair of skinny jeans and some boots or comfy black leggings with ballet flats.