What's all the FUZZ about????

 Here on the Rox it is mid-winter. Well kinda. It is also FRIDAY {insert insanely large cheer}.

But seriously, is it early spring or what? Hello mid-sixty-degree  weather.  If you count all those butter cups popping up (which is a huge concern for me right now considering at my wedding reception they ALL stole the show in the SPRING). Will they come back if winter really gets to be winter here? I mean are we coming to the end of the world or what? We will have 70 degrees, then 27, then 65, then 38... I just don't get it.  Doesn't it say something in Revelation about the seasons not changing anymore, and so on and so on...(note to self, must study Revelation)?????

Anywho, my main concern for this post is a bit of Fashionista "How-To" advice for some staple items of your winter wardrobe. You know how mid-winter your fave sweater or coat starts looking like this........???????

All knotty and fuzz ball-ish??

Well this lovely lady I spent the afternoon with last Saturday..... reminded me of a little trick that my mama taught me about taking care of the mid-winter sweater blues. She had the most delicious teal cable-knit sweater on (which was the perfect color for her complexion by the way) BUT it had some serious fuzziness and lint ball problem. Then, I magically remembered how my mama once showed me how to fix this.

Here is what you need:

Run the cheapo razor lightly against the sweater in a downward or upward motion. NEVER left to right. This will remove lint balls and that extra "fuzz" that comes from wear and re-wear on your favorite sweater. And it's way better than those sticky lint rollers- and cheap!

You are welcome fashionistas! 

 (And yes! I am so "pinning" this!)

Have a great weekend! 

XOXO

Retail Therapy Options

Just FYI, I am about 95% done Christmas Shopping. Including SANTA! How about you? Well, if you are not off to an OH-SO-GREAT start, consider these local possibilities for all the ladies and little girlies in your life! 

As Promised I am giving you updates on some local shopportunity. This past weekend, I had a great experience at the RCS Holiday Extravaganza. My company Specialty Design Co. set up camp and had a great turnout from repeat and some new customers. Just need to add that Monogrammed Scarves are HOT right now!!! Good gracious!

Check out my catalog for more options!

I love my little side-j.o.b so much because I can put my creativity skills to work as well as earn a little extra cash for my own personal upkeep (and y'all know I requires a LOT!) as well as saving some. I also hope to take my baby to Disney in the Spring next year so Mama is workin' hard! Most of all, I enjoy interacting with customers and giving them a great product that they love and not having to spend a ton to get something personal! I also love to see people's faces when they get something they love (ps. my Love Language is Giving/Receiving Gifts). Nothing makes me happier than to give someone a little prize!

When ever I attend these events I always like to scope out other various vendors because I love to support the locals!!! Well this past Saturday was a huge bonus score for me. I found this sweet little Boutique from Durham. I still consider local - who doesn't go to Durham? Seriously...Our options on the Rox are limited. It's called Smitten Boutique . I can't wait to go visit their store!

I got the BEST shoes from these ladies! I am so excited about them I couldn't help but share. I have gotten a lot of 3 for 1 deals before but not like this.

Oh my goodness! I am so in love. As the days of open-toe peeps are coming to an end, I needed a re-vamp in my closet for Fall. These are so very perfect!  First, they come with 3 amazing interchangeable snaps that give you  a 3 for 1 deal!!!! These flats are velvety, stretch and so completely comfortable. Pair them with some leggings, sweater dress, and a Pashmina and you are completely accessorized.

My fave are the pink, bling-bling snaps that I wore yesterday. I felt so sparkly all day!!! You can tell they are well-made too. After wearing them for 2 straight days all day they barely looked scuffed on the bottom.

I also got my mom the latest in comfortable fashion slip-ons. My Mom is real trendy on...the...real... Always looking her best and completely accessorized.  So, I decided to surprise her with some red slips ons that she cold rock over the HoLiDaYs! Pair those red shoes with her sassy new hair cut and color and she's a total knockout! 

These are also comfy and cute with jeans or leggings. I dare to say I bought myself a pair too. The same shoes as my mama.  

Scary. 

So, on your next run to Durham, you have to check out Smitten Boutique. They had a ton of baby and kids Mud Pie items (trunk show Nov. 9th) and their website showcases all the lines they carry. Even PANDORA!

Next on the local shopping list: 

- If you are a mama of a sweet little girl like me, you have to be in-the-know with the latest Hairbow diva that I have discovered. Meet Lesley Annas from Pink Pixie....a Girly Boutique.

The best thing about this lady is her AmAzInG prices! If your a cost-conscious mama you will be blown away by her skill and pricing. She has bows in all sizes and even the grippy stuff to keep them from falling out. She also has headbands, clip-ons, and pony tail accessories. Check out the handi-work!

 

I especially love these rosette clips and GA loves them too!  And if I can get a bow in her hair then, I call it SuCcEsS! 

Hope this gives you a little fun start on shopping and some new places to visit! 

Next on the list: THE MEN in our life... What to buy them??? 

Any ideas anyone?

XOXOXO Happy Shopping XOXOXO

Would you wear these?????

First lemme just say that very rarely do I talk about my business ventures via blog. But, I figure what the HECK. There is nothing wrong with a little consumer input right? Recently, my at-home business Specialty Design Co. has been picking up speed and people are planning for Christmas already!
(It is like 8 weeks away you know?)

Here are a couple things from my last Home Show which was SUPER fun and a success!!!

Jewelry and anything Monogrammed!!!! 

 Metal Arts :)

So, in thinking about Christmas and all the fabulous products I have already, I can't help but think about adding to my product line.

Have you even been planning your tailgating outfit and worried that you might ruin your fave pair of cowboys or heels in the mud or scrape up the bottoms on the nasty pavement walking in???? I SO have. Need I remind you all that we park at the water tower and migrate FOREVA to get to the stadium.

So, what do you think about these?????

There are also tons of matching accessories for game day.

Can't you just see me Packin' away??????

I need input STAT!!! Like or HATES????

Why do I Coupon??? Let me count the ways..............

Reasons to Coupon.... 

Duh, to save your money for real necessities!

Exhibit A: 

 And NO! I am not taking up horse riding. 

I just want some riding boots to accentuate my Fall clothing line. 

Tights (or leggings) + cute dress + boots = Magical Day

I did not purchase and now I am so mad at myself. It just kills me to pay full price for something.  Thank You to Target.com for access to those purchases which should have been an impulse buy :)

Exhibit B: 

The "Kathy" Van Zeeland  Clutch/Mega-Sized Wallet ...completely studded with some bling framework and gold accents!!!!

patent leather, card holders, outside pocket on the back

BAM! Lots of room for all my monetary needs + a zippered coin pouch. Don't you just love the magical gold lining? I do!

Way bigger than my last wallet.....You can't even tell the ginormous size of this thing.

I really love large things and I am completely in heaven with this wallet. The BEST beach purchase EVER!!!!! Even better cause it was about 70% off! Ain't you glad you get to see Kathy's debut?  This overly-large wallet is just perfect for all my cards, receipts, store coupons (like VS, Belk, etc.), and maybe even the checkbook if I get permission ;) It can also hold my BlackBerry if needed for a night out with the girlies! Achievement for sure!

See why I have recently taken up the art of couponing???? Not to the extreme I tell you. I'm more of a Couponista if you will. However, I must say that I'm pretty proud of my most recent transactions. Here a few of my last shopping adventures:

Transaction #1

I nearly robbed the CVS last week. I am dead serious.  The Rox PD may come a knockin' any moment. I feel I took poor advantage of the young girlie at the counter but I really didn't know I was at the time I promise.  If CVS goes out of business it may be because I am exposing ways to shop them out of house and home. Sorry CVS! 

First of all, I had a raincheck for some of the Zhu Zhu pets and accessories that were on sale a few weeks ago 5 for $10. That's a pretty sweet deal to stock up on Christmas presents and a little prize for my sweet girl. I've been waiting for them to get some more in. Meanwhile I was in there and I got what I thought were just the accessories. I was tired of waiting for the rest to come in. Boy was I wrong on what I was buying!  BUT I racked up a huge bonus!!! Some of those things were $17.99 and they were NOT the ones that were originally on sale. I did not realize until I got home and looked at the receipt. Oooooppps! So, some that were $17.99 I got for $2...Cha-Ching! Note to self: CVS Staff...ummmm not-so-knowledgeable + keep raincheks! I also had a coupon for $4 off a 20 purchase just for signing up my rewards card online. BONUS!!!! Here is what my total order looked like: 

5 Zhu Zhu pet "accessory" toy thingys, 1 box of Cascade, 2 lunch plates (for ma man!), 3 air fresheners, 1 bottle brush, 1 pack of batteries, 2 packs of dental floss (for $.99 on clearance - WAS $3.49), 1 mini-conditioner

I only paid $21.44

 Transaction #2

Last week CVS was also giving away FREE stuff. Some of the things included a 30 pack of CVS bandaids, Candy bars, and Carefree panty-liners. All you had to do was scan your card upon entering. They were out of stock of some of the FREE items but they gave me the coupon discount anyway when I checked out. If I got a cheaper item, the coupon took $$ off of the other items I bought. Here is what I got for $1.47: 

2 boxes of 12pk. sugar free crystal light stuff, band-aids, and a candy bar. I saved over $5.00 just from scanning my card at the scan center.

So, Here are some of my coupon tips for the week regarding CVS: 

1. Pay attention to store Ads for what is actually on sale vs. the coupons in Sunday's paper. You can get additional savings! 
2. Get a Raincheck for items on sale if they are out of stock. At CVS the rainchecks never expire. I lucked up on that one!
3. Use the scanner in the front of the store to get additional coupons upon entering the store.
4. Look for name brand items on clearance to use your manufacturers coupons. At the beach, I got a large tube of Crest toothpaste for 18 cent because it was a clearance item and I had a coupon!!

More coupon blogs to come but I just had to share my CVS adventures before I burst! 

To Spanx or NOT to Spanx ?

First....How smart am I? Last night I researched HTML codes in order to center my blog photo in my heading and I totally pulled it off. Like it?  I am in shock that I completed this without failure on the first try. MOVING on.....

Most of you local followers + my newest not-so-local ones already know, I am planning my class' 10 year reunion. Get excited here.

During the planning, I have come across quite a few minor dilemmas. However, I am not even stressed about any of it. Really I'm not. Everything is moving along fabulously with just less than 2 weeks to go. Thanks to my wonderful class members (except those of you I am still waitin' on checks from... ;) Just Kidding (sorta)...
My real only major dilemma? What to wear...what to wear...{Insert ginormous sigh}.... We are going to finalize this little situation during this post....I am certain I will work it out via blogging.

I promise you right now, Sean Austin has to be the best man on earth. He has probably heard me 23,243,245,439,847,328,598,743 times say, "I don't have anything to wear....grrrrrr" Meanwhile I slam both closet doors from which I inhabit in our bedroom. Poor thing, Sean has to live from the guest room with his wardrobe. Then sometimes for extra effect I might even shed a small tear during the dreaded PMS week which is the only week I can use a believable excuse for not fitting in my clothes....

What I really enjoy (NOT) is for the hubby to give me advice on what I should wear....randomly picking out something and saying, "What about this?" Seriously Sean...Seriously? That only happened like once since we have been married. Learned his lesson good the first time. That's the fun of being married to a man who loves clothes as much as I do. And may I also say that Sean is such a great sport for being a mini-target in so many of my blogs. Entertainment value....just for ratings honey, I swear...<3

Anyways,
Here is where the core of my dilemma comes in to play.... I absolutely refuse to go and spend money on a dress for the reunion when I have more cocktail dresses in my closet than anything else (accept shoes...which have their own separate closet). I am a dress L-O-V-E-R. And you know I live for the heels and mega cute accessories to go with.... BUT...Big BUTT here (snicker).


Many of my dresses REQUIRE a leeeeetle help from from an outside source....aka...tha SPANX....

 And this photo...just for sheer fun....

And for the record, the Wal-Mart and Target brands do not "do the same thing." Until you have had the real thing don't let me hear that phrase.... Pa-lease! It's like replacing Diet Coke with a store brand...Umm..not gonna happen. Spanx have to be the best $50 dollars I have ever spent at the Sacs Fifth Avenue and quite frankly they are worth every penny and MORE. A fashion MUST. Nothing else other than an herbal cleanse and a 48 hour fast can knock you down a size and be completely worth it. A fashionista's staple piece of underclothing!

BUTT, it is wayyyyyyyyyytoo HOT up in the NC to be sportin' the Spanx in Mid August. They raise your body temperature by at least 10 degrees I swear. It could result in Death by Spanx...I can so see it in the headlines of the Courier Times....."Reunion Planner Dies in Tragic Spanx Related Accident."

Maybe I get so hot in them cause I'm not used to being squished that much...and I am a leeeetle claustrophobic? If I wear them, Y'all might find me laid out in the bathroom hyperventilating every time I need to go potty (yes...mommies say potty). And Sean can't be in the ladies bathroom to help me breathe and pull them up. OK so problem solved, whatever dress I chose, rest assured there will be no False Advertisement. All the curves along the way are the REAL deal. Ok, so there it is...Decision made...Some of my classmates who read this will be like...what??? Well, that's cause they haven't had a baby yet. End of discussion.

The most hideous office supply EVER

Whilst strolling through the office supply store with my office companion I stumbled across quite possibly the most disturbing office supply / accessory EVER. Now, in order to actually purchase and wear this product you must quite honestly have a diagnosed mental disorder such as OCD or even worse. Clearly the Dial company is in need of some serious profit boosters in which they are targeting the OCD population. I consider this a health, retail, and more importantly fashion concern. Meet fashion's biggest mistake in office wear since the dreaded name badge/lanyard.

What is this madness? Purpose? To ruin any career oriented ensemble? Even if you work in a Dr.'s office, dentist office, or any public facility where germs quite possibly are a problem...you still have a desk right? A counter? A bathroom where you can wash your hands? There is no need to wear hand sanitizer as a daily accessory in order to fight germs. I draw the line at name badges. If lanyards are an absolute must, could you please not wear your health and sanitation practices as part of your outfit? Here is a close up.

Complete disgrace to the working population. It's like a reward for NOT washing your hands at work. Eww

Ok, I'm finished.