Tag Archives: Retail Therapy

The 2018 Fall Essentials

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2018 Fall Essentials

We have officially made it through the first month of Fall.  Which means the weather has probably changed sufficiently enough for you to justify some much needed retail therapy.   Or at least that is my story and I am sticking to it.  I am typically not one to follow the crowd when it comes to Fashion Trends.  But, I am excited to say that a lot of what appears to be “in” this season is ca-yute.  After being home with my girls for the last six years, my work wardrobe has been seriously lacking and in need of some serious help.  After going through my closet,  I realized that even though I still had a lot of staple pieces,  I needed some help in bringing them to life.

So with that in mind, here are some of the trends that I am feeling this year.

PLAIDS

Fall Essentials - Plaids

Of course, we all know Plaids fall into a very classic category, but what if you add belts and grommets to it.  That kinda makes it next level, does it not?  Well, that is what I am going to tell myself.  There is nothing like a classic with some oomph added to it.  I also really like the way that plaid looks over a bolder color, not only does it tone the other color down, but it dresses the entire outfit up.

REDS

Fall Essentials - Reds

Typically we associate Red with the holidays, and Christmas but because their are so many hues in this color family.  Red is now making its way into our fall repertoire.  This one will take a little effort on my part, simply because I don’t generally go this bold.  I tend to stick to a more traditional color palette.  But, I admit that this year I find this color catching my eye, over and over again.

BOOTS

Fall Essentials - Boots

I can’t lie my favorite part of Fall and Winter is Boots.  Not only because my feet are almost always cold, but just because of the way they add to whatever you are wearing.  This season the choices are many and varied, which is a-ok with me.  This year I find myself being partial to the animal prints, the knee highs and of course the COMBAT boot.  You may not get the last one but I was raised a Jersey Girl, in Jersey Snow.  So… maybe that will explain it.

Everyone has their favorite articles of clothing from every season.  What are you excited to slip into this Fall?

The 2017 Spring Must Have List

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2017 Spring Must Haves

When I originally started writing this post, I was rejoicing over the mild winter we had here in Atlanta, and that we were already experiencing Spring Weather.  And then, almost as if Mother Nature was trying to spite me, we had two or three days of arctic weather (below freezing).  Thankfully, it only lasted for a few days and we are now, hopefully back on the right side of things, just in time for the official start of Spring.  So in addition to the great weather that Spring brings.. minus the rain, Spring means time to pull out your Spring wardrobe, and decide what needs to get dumped and what still has life.  And, it’s the perfect excuse for some retail therapy.

Statement Jackets:

As with every season the biggest part of successfully maneuvering the climate changes lies in your transitional clothing.  Those items that can seamlessly go from winter to spring or from spring to summer.  This year even more important than the sweater is the Statement Jacket.  Everywhere I look I see variations of this jacket from Bombers to Faux Blazers and even the Classic Leather Motorcycle Jacket.

2017 Spring Must Haves

Photo Source: Macys White House Black Market

Dresses, Dresses Everywhere – Feminine, Romantic, Edgy

This time of year tends to bring out the “springy”, playful side of fashion.  At least for me it does, after spending the winter layering and trying to keep warm.  Spring offers the opportunity to be free, show some skin and indulge in the sights and smells of the outdoors.  A super popular dress trend this year centers around the Feminine and the Romantic side of things.

2017 Spring Must Haves - Dresses

Photo Source: Macys and White House Black Market

Crop Pants:

Many moons ago, I used to love Culottes.  And, yes I know I am dating myself with that reference.  I am surprised to see them making a come back.  Though, I shouldn’t be because Fashion tends to Cyclical.  But, even better than the culotte is the Crop Pant.  It’s a way to feel like you are able to dress down by not wearing pants/slacks,  while still being both stylish and professional.

2017 Spring Must Haves - Crop Pants

Photo Source: Macys

So there you have it!! Happy Hunting!!

10 Tech Tools that Run My Life

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10 Tech Tool Apps that Run My LifeThe Right Tools are Essential in Every Area of Life.  Check out my Go To List of Tech Tools that Run My Life.

1.  Google Calendar.  Even though I am still very much a Pen + Paper Girl, I keep my appointments in Google Calendar, as well.  Mostly, because of the Reminder Feature.  I like the option of being able to set (2) reminders for myself.  I also like the option of being able to share my Calendar with my Hubby and share appointments or events with others. When my Sissy was pregnant with the twins, she shared all her appointments with me and it helped to keep me on track.  Plus thanks to Google Calendar, I very RARELY forget a birthday or important event.  If you made it on to my Google Calendar, you have ARRIVED (jk, sorta).

2.  Notes:  The Note App on my iPhone could very well hold the secrets to TAKE OVER THE WORLD.  Or maybe, I just use it because my 38 years are starting to catch up with me.  We all know that my Phone goes every where I go.  So, whenever creative genius strikes, or I get a blog idea, think of something I think I need to remember later.  I will whip it out and type it in.  Not to mention, that I use it to make impromptu grocery lists, or plan out my To Do list, before I leave the house.  It is the ultimate tool to keep me from being a hot scatterbrained mess.

3.  Sell on Etsy App:  I am sure this one is NO SURPRISE.  I love being able to see my orders come in for my Etsy Shop,  no matter where I am.  Also on shipping days, I can just sit in the car outside of the Post Office and send all of my Tracking Confirmations.  It also affords me the luxury of being able to have immediate conversations with customers, see what the traffic is to the site each day, and know what items are popular.  I almost forgot the most important thing the Cha-Ching!!  **Every time you make a sale the App makes the Cha-Ching aka Cash Register Sound.  The high that you get from that sound if enough to make the APP worth it, even if it did nothing else.

4.  Facebook Pages App:  For those of you who don’t know, this is where you can Manage your Business FB Page.  I do at least half of my FB Posting & Content Creation from my phone or my iPad.  Even though admittedly I still spend a lot of time in front of the computer, this still keeps me functional when I can’t be.  When we add new items to the Shop I can post them directly from Etsy to the Business Page with ease.  I can also respond to Messages and Comments.

5.  Instagram & Pinterest:  I am going to combine these two, because for me their purpose is similar.  I find inspiration there in droves, not to mention that I have met some amazing like minded people, fostered great networking relationships and have been directed to some phenomenal blogs, websites, and local events.

6.  Bank of America App:  I think this one is self explanatory.  I like to keep a close watch on whats going on in our Accounts, especially with Identity Theft being soo rampant.

7.  Threadflip, Groupon & Living Social:  Retail Therapy…Retail Therapy…Retail Therapy (all clickable links)

8.   SIMS Freeplay & Word With Friends:  Stress Relief…  It can’t be business all the time, sometimes you need a little play.

9.    TweetCaster:  This is the app that I use to manage my Twitter Page.  There are a million different kinds on Twitter Type Apps.  But, this is my favorite.  Very User Friendly.

10.  Kindle App & Feedly: I’m  a Book Worm.  I LOVE to read, I always have.   If I don’t know about something I will try to find out about it.  I am not a fan of paying for books, even though I do. So, I also love all the Free Kindle Books.  I try to post the links to them on our Facebook Page, whenever I can.  So if you are an avid reader as well, follow us on Facebook.  The only thing I enjoy reading as much as books, are good blogs.  There are soo many I couldn’t possibly share or read them all.  But, the Feedly app combines them all in one place, and whenever I get some time I indulge.

“ONE OF THE GREATEST AND SIMPLEST TOOLS FOR LEARNING MORE AND GROWING MORE IS DOING MORE.” – WASHINGTON IRVING

What are some of the  Tech Tools or Apps that you just couldn’t do with out?