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Stressful Holidays are for the Stupid

Nov 20th, 2008 | By Style Snob | Category: Spotlight
Rating 4.00 out of 5

holidayshopping4 Stressful Holidays are for the StupidIt’s that time of year again. The shopping, the wrapping, the long lines, the major sales, the last-minute gifts, and…the empty wallets.  Not only can holiday shopping be stressful on the body, it can put strain on the bank if you don’t plan according — especially in this economy.  But we shouldn’t let the current recession inhibit the spirit and generosity of the holidays.  With a little bit of creativity and some timely organization, it is possible to show your appreciation and love without the anxiety.  Here are a few ways to make your holiday gift-giving fabulous and stress-free.

Make a list. You really do not have to give a gift to everyone you know.  Make a list of the key people you truly want to give something special to and spend time now to think about what to give them.  By preparing early, you can really find a gift that they love instead of one that will be returned or, gasp, re-gifted. If your mom has been talking about wanting those pearl earrings, start researching where to get them and order them early.  If your boyfriend is in desperate need of a wardrobe makeover, give him some key pieces to start him off to a stylish new year.  For the best friend who has everything, personalize a gift by decorating a beautiful frame with a great photo of the both of you, or give her a gift certificate to her favorite store.  Get the gifts, wrap them as you get them, and set them aside until the time to give is here.  By starting now and collecting gifts slowly, you avoid the long lines and stress of last-minute gifts.

Create a budget. And stick to it.  In the midst of the holiday season, our graciousness and generosity may move us to buy the newest and hottest items for the people we love.  But economic times are tough, and now is time to be conscious of your spending.  Set a limit to how much you are going to spend on each person and stick to it.  Love has no price limit, but your checking account sure does. The holidays are more about being with the people you love, not spending the rest of the new year paying off your credit card debt.

Have small “everybody” gifts.  For the people in your life whom you are well-acquainted with, but not good enough friends for the hassle of individual gifts, choose a small, signature holiday gift that you can give en mass.  Pick a favorite book and wrap a bunch of them with some homemade cookies.  Or stuff small stockings with treats and $5-10 gift cards.  For the ladies, another good idea is to fill fun makeup bags with travel-size lotions and body washes.  These gifts are also great to have on hand in case you accidentally forget somebody. Just make sure you remember to add that person to your list next year, or splurge for their birthday.

Set a weekend in early December to write all your cards. Block out an afternoon in your calendar to strictly write cards.  Prepare ahead of time.  Have the cards, the address book, the stamps, the pens and fun stickers all set on the table.  Add some hot chocolate and a warm cashmere blanket, and make that time an opportunity to really send them your wishes instead of a hastened and sloppy note.  Then, send them out ASAP.

Remember, start now and finish way ahead of everyone else.  This way you can leave the last few weeks of the holidays to truly enjoying time with family, friends, and loved ones.

Holiday cards at Hallmark.com!

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Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message

Oct 23rd, 2008 | By Style Snob | Category: Conscious Fashion
Rating 4.00 out of 5

Not one to wear your heart on your sleeve?  How about wearing your message on your shirt? Make a statement with your fashion and throw on a top that speaks your mind. Whether you want to tackle world peace, animal rights or environmental issues — find the shirt that matches your message.

Here are a few of our favorite picks:

155533_cha_c Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message155567_grn_c Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message

155466_blk_c Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message 154351_blk_c Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message

155403_pnk_c Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message155873_pnk_c Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message

153763_blk_c Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message152770_pnk_c Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message

154705_grn_c Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message154544_lty_c Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message

155174_nvy_c Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message154465_pur_c Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message
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From the top down:

Rainbow Recycle Hoodie Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message

Save Water Raglan Tee Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message

I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur Tee

Cooler Ways To Die Neon Tee Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message

We All Need To Be Tee Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message

No Smoking Tee Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message

Don’t Be Trashy, Recycle Tee

WWF Large Tee Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message

Save Our Planet Tee Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message

Protect Me Tee Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message

Peace Dove Tee Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message

Vegetarian Dino Tee Faves of the Week: Wear Your Message

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How Long Should You Keep Bras?

Oct 21st, 2008 | By Style Snob | Category: Conscious Fashion
Rating 4.00 out of 5

bras4 How Long Should You Keep Bras?We all have great bras.  From lacy to supportive to super comfortable, how long do they last?  When should we toss them?  Since every bra is different and based on how we care for them, an average everyday bra should last between six months to a year, longer if you rotate them enough and keep good care of them.

The more bras you own, the more you rotate among them, therefore extending the bra’s life supporting you.  A bra needs about 10-16 hours to regain elasticity.  Toss the bras when you start to notice lack of elasticity, when you don’t feel it’s providing you support anymore.  When the tightest hook still doesn’t give support, toss it.  Also, if the fabric starts to discolor or tear, that means it’s lived it’s last breath.  Just go buy another one to replace it.

To make your bras last the longest, handwash your bras in cold water and mild detergent and air dry.  Wash them after each use, as the lotions, perspiration and perfume all affect the material of your lingerie.  Never put them in the dryer, because the heat will definitely weaken the elasticity and even tangle up the bra straps.  Machine washing twists and jerks the straps and underwires around, and bras should be handled with care.  If you have to machine wash, hook the straps together and put them in a separate bag with cold water in your most gentle cycle.  Some bras are so delicate that they even need to be dry cleaned.  Just check out the care tags with your lingerie.

Take good care of your brassieres and they will give you many perky months of support!
HerRoom - Summer Clearance Sale How Long Should You Keep Bras?

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