Black Thursday?

Jingle All the Way...Source

I love shopping I do. And I love a bargain as much as the next girl or guy. But I also believe that holidays are a time to be rest and recuperate and spend time with friends and family. I was in hhGregg the other day and the manager commented about "black Thursday." I was puzzled. I knew sales started crazy early on Friday but somehow I had missed them starting Thursday. I know our economy needs a boost. I get that. And I know that Thanksgiving weekend is the biggest shopping weekend of the year. I get that too. But I'm not sure I can fully support the shopping industry having their stores open at 8:00, 10:00, etc on Thursday night. Now I suppose some employees might not mind having to work. Maybe they don't have Thanksgiving plans but still I'm sure there are some who really would rather have a full day off. As for me I'm blessed to work somewhere where I have Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday off next weekend. 

What are your thoughts?

What I'm Loving!!

Here are a few things I'm loving right now...

My Brooks Trance 11 Running Shoes...

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I have knee issues and my foot tends to roll out particularly if I'm tired (like at the end of an event) and I never have that problem with these. They are great shoes and I love them. I can't recommend them enough.

My Urban Decay Urban Defense Tinted Moisturizer...

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Sometimes I just want a little bit of coverage/color and this works perfect. Plus it has SPF 20 so it protects my skin too. I even use it on race days because it holds up pretty well. (obviously if you get too sweaty it comes off but it even holds up to Virginia humidity)

My It's a 10 Miracle Styling Cream...

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This stuff is a true miracle for naturally curly, thick hair in a humid environment. I use about a quarter size dollop of this stuff for my whole head of hair. And it gives nice hold without crunch and without fading throughout the day. It is wonderful!

My Victoria Secret Yoga Pants...

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I live in these pants at home. They are so comfortable and I love them. I've even walked the dog in them because they fit so nicely. I will say if you are shorter they run a bit long even with the shortest inseam but they are great. And I love the waistband because it is so comfortable.

My husband's name popping up in my email box...

Because of his schedule underway email is sporadic so I'm very excited to see an email from him. I will confess that although I know he won't be emailing me every hour on the hour I still check my email every hour on the hour (and sometimes on the half hour).

What are you loving right now?

My love of shoes strikes again...

One of the things I love about my dance classes particularly my pole classes is it gives an excuse for shoe shopping. You have to have the right shoe...so I have these ordered and on their way they are here...

And I'm thinking of buying these at the studio...in pink

But for every day wear I wear Danskos...I have worn and loved their clogs for years. This summer I've branched out to their sandals. So I have this style.

And I'm thinking of getting this style...

If you have knee, back, ankle, etc problems Danskos are great! I love them for everyday wear and if you have to stand for a long period of time they are great for that too.

So what are some of your favorite shoes?



Bra Shopping...Exciting or Torture

This weekend I'm going to The Full Cup for a bra fitting. They are a wonderful place with wonderful staff who treat those of us being fit for a bra delicately. As a girl who is well endowed in that area this has always been a torturous experience for me and they make it bearable. Because of my size I'm self conscious about standing in my bra in front of someone other than my husband or my doctor and they put me at ease.

Every time I go for a fitting I think back to my first bra buying experience. I developed early so in 4th grade Mom took be to buy my first bra. And because "it was a special occasion" it was a production. We went to a department store in Anchorage (we lived in Eagle River at the time) and we picked out a training bra. I will never for get that bra...it was padded and had this horrible itchy lining. But the sales clerk said it was great. Then because that wasn't enough fun we went to dinner "to celebrate." To this day I don't understand the celebration over buying a bra. I mean I get the whole womanhood thing but as a 10 year old girl a bra is not exciting at least it wasn't to me. None of my friends had them so I was the first.

Well I ended up getting a raw spot or a rash due to the lining so Mom decided the bra needed to go back. We went back to the department store only this time the clerk was a man. Whoo hoo can it get any better. So Mom explains as my face is getting redder to the clerk about the fact that this bra has a scratchy lining and that it is causing issues so we want to return it. Not believing he decides to feel it himself and surprisingly agrees it is scratchy. So he shows us some "preteen" bras made of cotton. To this day those were my favorite bras. Little triangles of pink, yellow, and white cotton with no underwire. The most comfortable bras I would ever wear...little did I know. So although having a male clerk was embarrassing to a 10 year old girl he knew what he was doing and did a great job. 

No wonder I hate bra shopping...I've been buying and wearing bras for 24 years. Holy Cow that is crazy. Boys have it easy...

Exciting Bead Happenings

Jen Valasquez of Jen Judd Rocks! is coming to Hampton, Virginia! Our local Bead Haven is having an open house in her honor on Saturday, August 21st from 11 AM - 2 PM. This is exciting news!!

And the weekend before that August 14th & 15th the Intergalactic Bead and Jewelry Show is coming to Virginia Beach, Virginia! I've never been a large bead show. This seems exciting and dangerous all in one. I have it marked on my calendar...if you're in the area let me know and we can meet up.

In September the first annual Art Bliss Workshop is happening September 24th-26th. This sounds exciting and fun and originally I had thought about going since my friend Elisabeth offered to let me stay with her but that is the weekend before J leaves for Japan so I'd like to spend it with him. But I'll be ready for next year... 

In November the Bead Mercantile Show is coming to Williamsburg November 20th-21st. I've been to this show a couple times and there is always a good selection of supplies and beads. They also offer classes too.

So lots of exciting things coming up. What about you what are you looking forward to the rest of this summer and this fall?

Shoe love

I live in flats because I spend a lot of time on my feet at work. And sometimes I have to climb ladders, climb into an attic, and even move tables which are not things to do in heals...easily. Well my beloved dog Ares destroyed my beloved black flats and my brown flats died of old age so it was time to replace them. I searched and searched...either they had my size but wrong color, right color wrong size, or the cost was more than I wanted to pay. The other day on Famous Footwear I found these beauties...on sale. So I bought them... 

Unlisted Women's People Person Flat

 

 

 

 

  Me Too Women's Nyle 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Etsy Love

I think Etsy is a wonderful site! I love browsing through to see what is out there and to see the really amazing ideas other crafters have. Here are some of my current favorites...

Peace Dove Necklace

by bead up

Mediterranean Sideswept Stacking Set

by onegarentgirl

 

Handmade Hairpins

by ericcavanaugh 

The New Yorker Wristlet Pattern

by The Crochet Diva 

happiness

by swoondimples 

TIE ME UP TIE ME DOWN
Chocolate Addiction NECKTIE HALTER TOP
by Glamarita