It’s President’s Day Weekend and that means sales.  I a few emails from my favorite places to shop with discounts and sales going on, so I thought I would share them with you.

Avenue is having a Final Clearance Sale over the weekend with an additional 50% off the lowest ticketed price.  Be sure to use the Coupon Code of AV111040

Avenue.com

Fashion Bug is having a 50% off when you buy any other item at regular price plus $15 off your regular priced purchase of $50 or more.  Enter code 776441909 at checkout.

FashionBug.com

Joann Fabric and Craft Stores – for those of you who like to sew has a sale going on too – online or in the store.

Joann.com

OSP Fashion Show

Just finished watching the OSP Fashion Show that I thought was supposed to be a live show - NOT.  I have to say I was very disappointed.  It was the same model over and over again.  She was wearing the same cuts of clothing over and over again, just in different colors. 

And I have to say, the cuts and angles and sleeves of different lengths just were not that flattering.  The model was beautiful, but her hair was so distracting.  You couldn't see the back of the garment because of her hair.  Some of the pieces looked like pajamas or capes.  If that is what we have to look forward to in the plus size fashion for fall, I think I will just stick to my classic timeless pieces.

Price of Cotton Rising?!

This morning I was watching the news and one story caught my attention.  The headline was about cotton prices rising.  I listened a little closer and then I started digging for information. 

Apparently the price of cotton has doubled over the last year and many manufacturers are not going to be able to maintain current prices of clothing because of it.   The reason the price has doubled is because of horrible weather conditions in the crop growing countries of China, the U.S., Pakistan and Australia.  Then there have also been restrictions on exports from India, the world’s second largest exporter of cotton.  And on top of all that, the demand for cotton has risen with the improvement of the global economy.

Bottom line is that we, the consumers, will pay higher prices on spring clothing and then possibly higher prices in the fall.

What are some ways to save on clothing then?

Below are some tips for buying clothing a little more frugally:

·         Sign up for texted discounts from your favorite stores.

·         Use the coupons and “fashion bucks” you get from stores.

·         Shop at your local consignment stores.

·         Consider the quality of your purchases.  Clothing that is of a higher quality will last longer and your price per wear will make it a better bargain.

·         Ask yourself if you really love the item before purchasing it.

·         Pick and choose very carefully what “trendy” items you will buy.

If you have a solid wardrobe consisting of basic classic pieces, then you don’t have to spend a lot of money to freshen it up with a couple of new pieces for the Spring season.  Basic classic pieces being items like mid-rise boot-cut dark wash jeans; A-line skirts, fitted jackets,  mid-rise trousers with wide waistbands, etc. 

You can still have a great wardrobe on a budget!  You may just have to spend a little extra time looking.

First Meeting with CBCWJC

I have my first meeting tonight with Common Bond Christian Women's Job Corp (CBCWJC).  I volunteered to be a mentor for women that are trying to improve their lives and get better jobs.  I am not really sure what to expect, but I am excited.

I am also a dog trainer and my business, Sunshine Canine, is listed - incorrectly I might add - in the yellow pages as a veterinary hospital.  How?  I have no idea.  Anyway, I received a resume from a kid looking for a job over the weekend.  I took a look at her resume and I was very underwhelmed.  Basically, the only information I gained about her was her name, address, phone number, email address and a picture.  All of the rest of the information was pretty much useless.  She said she went to school for Equestrian Studies.  Ok, well, not being a big horse person, I don't have any idea what that would include.  So I sent her some suggestions on how to improve her resume.  Hopefully she didn't just delete my email and not try to improve it.

I have really been thinking about this image consultant career and where I could find my niche.  Besides preferring to focus on plus and full figured women, I believe that I could draw on my 26 years of office experience and really focus in on creating a professional image.  This could include:

• reworking your resume,
• creating a professional business card,
• creating a professional interview and work wardrobe,
• coaching on appropriate behavior in the office,
• coaching on appropriate travel behavior
• coaching on business presentations - the outfit and the actual presentation itself.

There are so many people that are looking to get a job, get a better job, improve their station in life, and improve their odds of getting promotions.  Basically, that is what I will be doing on a volunteer basis for CBCWJC.  They even asked if I would be willing to teach some courses and hold some workshops.  Yes!!! I would! 

So, I guess I will keep you posted on the meeting tonight.  Wish me luck!

Got My InStyle Magazine

So excited!!  I got my March 2011 InStyle Magazine today with 500 pages of Spring Fashion in it.  It's sitting right next to me and I keep putting off looking at it because I know once I dive in it will be hours before I come back out for air!!

Last fall I looked through the magazine at least 20 times.  Picked out the upcoming trends and ideas that could be translated into plus size fashion.  I even picked out a couple of ads from the magazine and recreated the look in a much less expensive version that was tweaked for my full figure.

Ok.  I'm going in.

Audrey Smaltz - She may be my new hero


I saw this posted by Fashion To Figure on Twitter the other day.  I took the time to really watch and listen to the interview today.

She is so right, you have to come out of your box.  You have to believe in yourself.  You have to work hard.  You have to Net Work.  You have to study. 

I guess when I am feeling like I can't do this, I need to just watch this inspiring video.

Kiyonna Wrap Arrived!!

My Kiyonna Wrap arrived!!  I have been anxiously awaiting its arrival.  And for whatever reasons the fates have dreamed up, the full picture of the whole outfit that my son took for me and posted on facebook yesterday has disappeared.  So all I have is this picture I took of myself in the bathroom.  The whole outfit looked great and I felt great in it.  And it wasn't all that expensive.

The Kiyonna Parisian wrap was $65
I bought a pair of Riders By Lee Slender Stretch Mid-Rise boot cut jeans in black and blue, each was only $19.88!!
I had a black shapeware camisole  from Fashion Bug that was $16.99
And then a pair of black boots that my daughter gave me for Christmas, I'm guessing those were about $50.

Total for the outfit, not including the jewelry, was $151.87 - Not Bad!!