QUALITY

Unfortunately I think that too many people think that the products that are in these two stores are rejects of some sort BUT THE FACT IS, they are not.  Over 95% of what comes to these stores are FIRST quality like you would buy in finer department stores.

WHERE and WHEN

Do you ever notice how most stores get things in seasonally??  Well not TJ Maxx and Marshalls.  Nope, they get stuff in WEEKLY, insuring that you are getting the latest, hottest trends regularly.  These guys send buyers all over the world (60 countries and thousands of vendors) to bring you the latest fashions.  Huge buying power and it totally sets them apart from others.

COUPONS & SALES

You won’t find them at these stores and in all honestly, there’s no need for it. They already bring you rock bottom prices that are many times, un-freakin’-believable!

Which leads me to one of the games…….

After hearing about the company and how they purchase–etc, we were asked to play a game.  They showed you an item that can be bought in their stores.  You were told how much it would cost in a regular department store and then asked to write down what the TJ Maxx/Marshall’s price was.  Fun huh?? I loved it!  The folks that came closes got their name put into a hat where the winner drawn would win that prize we were determining the price of!  Soo much fun to play and I learned quickly how low the prices were.  Seriously.  I was wrong every time because I was pricing too high.  The final prize???  A Gucci handbag.  ((drool))  I’m sure many of you know what a handbag junkie I am so I wanted to win badly.  The price paid in the high end store??  Over $2,000.   The price paid if bought at TJ Maxx/Marshalls??  $599. OMG, I died  because everything else had been much lower than I thought with the other prices, I went too low. Sadly, I did not win it but was excited for the gal that did.  She hugged it and wouldn’t let it out of her site. Good thing too ’cause I was ready to sneakingly shove it my swag bag.

The point is, we played a super fun game but at the same time, learned all about the off-pricing and just what kind of deals you can get by shopping at these two fine stores.  THAT was my favorite part–Learning mixed with Fun.

HEELLLLOOOOOO EIGHTIES!

Tell me that you didn’t have an outfit like that in your closet!!  You know you did and heck, if you still have it, you’re SOOO gonna be stylin’!  How adorable are those looks??  They brought out some of the cutest fashions ever from Kenneth Cole to Nike and I have to say, they were all WAY under budget compared to what you would pay for them in a regular specialty/dept store.  And you see all those books and toys? Well they’re gonna have even more in their stores. I had no idea that the books were such a hot deal but Alli kept going on and on about it so now I have to check that out. I normally run to the handbag section. heehee

You absolutely MUST get your back to school fashions here, especially if you wanna save some  MEGA BUCKS!  I’m envious of those who get to shop their regularly. Mine is 2hrs away but lemme tell ya, I’d be in there every week to see what’s new.   I wouldn’t say that if I didn’t mean it and I hope you know that.  I freakin’ love these stores!

The event was one of the best.  I had fun, I learned, and I had some memorable 1am girl time with a few lovely ladies.  I met so many other great folks while I was there and since Susan linked their twitter handles, I’ll copy and paste hers. Hopefully she won’t mind!

@gograhamgo, @fashionablegal, @acowboyswife, @petit_elefant, @onechicmama, @alliworthington, @ADramaticMommy,@audreymcclellan, @bostonmamas, @5minutesformom, @susancarraretto, @mommieswithcent, @stacieinatlanta, @akblessings, @jentifa, @3PsinaPod, @mommygoggles, @busymomblog, @jodigrundig, @mindicherry

And  two of the very kind & lovely PR folks holding the event – @sdefino and @happysquid.

One last note…. SAVE THE CHILDREN

Something awesome that T.J. Maxx is doing is helping save the children and you can help too!

Beginning on August 3, all T.J. Maxx stores will carry limited edition reusable shopping bags for $0.99. The bags are designed with Save the Children original children’s artwork, and for each bag purchased, T.J. Maxx will donate one basic item such as; socks, underwear and backpacks to Save the Children’s U.S. programs, up to 25,000 items. This initiative marks 25 years of partnership for T.J. Maxx and Save the Children.

Even Jennie Garth took part by buying one of the reuseable shopping bags!

Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change for children in need in the United States and around the world. For over 75 years, Save the Children has been helping children survive and thrive by improving their health, education and economic opportunities and, in times of acute crisis, mobilizing rapid life-saving assistance to help children recover from the effects of war, conflict and natural disasters. It is a member of the International Save the Children Alliance, comprising 27 national, independent Save the Children organizations working in more than 120 countries to ensure the well-being of children.

Thanks so much for an awesome time guys!

(stolen pic)

P.S.  A HUGE thank you to JO-LYNNE for loaning me the extra cash to buy my beautiful leather Bob Makowsky handbag. I had left my wallet at the room but she saved the day for me!!  MWAH!

Anyways, on Friday evening while at Blogher, I’ll have the absolutely wonderful opportunity to hang out at the Nikon party, play with the latest Nikon gear, and meet & interview Carson Kressley.

I am so excited that I can barely stand it!  Carson wants us to look good in pictures and is giving tips and answering questions so if you have a question you want me to ask him, leave it here in the comments and I’ll do my best.  On the list so far is how to hide a double chin, the best stance for women, and do we really need to cake on the makeup for photos?   If you check out the site, you’ll find tons of video tips and advice to help you look your best in photos.  That newborn baby is ADORABLE!!  Lots of interaction going on over there with comments and rating. You can even ask Carson a question!  I found several interesting videos about what celebrities think it takes too look good in photos. My favorite answer was CONFIDENCE.  Something I lack for sure but will get better once I lose more weight.

Getting the chance to play with Nikon gear fills me with  butterflies of excitement. Seriously.  Being able to speak with Nikon representatives about their products is awesome and meeting a stylist guru rawks!

Anyways, I’m stokked about the entire event and look forward to finding out if I’ll be a fashion do or don’t for the evening. Surely he’ll tell me the truth right??

I was recently hired by Sears to help promote their clearance sale, offering 75-80% OFF ORIGINAL PRICES ON FALL & WINTER APPAREL from now til April 18th, and because I’m a new fan of frugal, I knew it would be something of interest to you guys!

Sears has been around for a long time and has an excellent reputation.  Probably more well known for their Craftsmen Tools around these parts but offer so much more than that.

Okay, now for the Sears clearance fashions. WOW!!!  I was just browsing through and saw women’s fashions for $3.59! THAT is crazy sales.  And if you really want to be frugal, you’ll stock up on their jackets and coats and save yourself a ton for when next winter comes around.  I saw $120 coats for $14.99.

I saw some CUTE dresses for both casual and evening that I would love to have I’m sure you know how expensive dresses can be right?  This is the exact reason you should take advantage of clearance prices like this.

And see that cute top to the left?  CUTE!  Would look HOT with a pair of black bottoms and nice heels to dress it up or flats for a more casual look.

I thought it would be fun to pick out an outfit, show you the look and how much it would cost!  I took one top and two bottoms.  One casual and one a little more dressy.  I photoshopped these and not very well I might add but you get the idea.

• Top: Apostrophe Banded Bottom Tieneck Top $5.99 Reg. $36
• Capri Bottoms: Apostrophe Solid Essential Crop Pant $10.79 reg. $24.08
• Skirt Bottom: Metaphor Godet Skirt $11.99 reg. $68

and

There are tons of clearance items in every single department so check that out.  Be sure to sign up to get Sears Emails and get $10 in coupons!

These HOT Cowgirl Flip Flops came from Saltwater Cowgirl.  They were extremely comfortable and of course, made me look cool:) I even let my girl Ari wear them when her feet were hurting so bad.  You can find some really chic stuff at Saltwater Cowgirl, not just flops.

I also wanted to point out that I’m wearing a belt.  I think it made me look a bit thinner and less frumpy because I’m still wearing the same size and all (which is a 16/18).  Big girls can look cute too:)  Hopefully this isn’t all in my mind!  THAT would be embarrassing!

If you feel the urge to buy me any jewelry or flops from Saltwater Cowgirl, I wear size 10. Thanks!  heheehehe

I’m leaving for BlissDom tomorrow, SXSW  in March, Blogher in July, probably BWE too and others along the way so how could I not want to show up with this piece of art in my arms??  I would be the “cool” one fo sho!

With the help of a very cool fashionista, I’ve been able to learn some great ways to take my current wardrobe and create a new look.  With my own self taught hard work in the world wide web, I’ve learned that having a laptop is essential  if I want to stay on top of the happenings and relay the events that are happening.  I also need something that is small in size so that I’m not breaking my back carrying around a laptop bag, handbag and camera.  I need a mini fashion statement.

The HP Mini Vivienne Tam Edition Notebook incorporates all those things; style, size, and the ability to whip it out wherever I am and check email, twitter who’s speaking and why it’s compelling..or not.

With my new makeover and my new clothes, there would be nothing more fitting for me than to have a new clutch; not just any clutch ,the HP Mini Vivienne Tam, the red hot one that will keep me connected to you all during my travels and make me look good.

I’ve worked hard for the past two years to get to where I am and feel completely worthy of such a chic digital clutch………don’t you?  (please say yes, please say yes)

So, do you think it would look good “on” me?  :)

*Ultra-chic 8-color Peony design with matching Vivienne Tam sleeve
*Ultra-sleek 10.1″ display; just 2.45 lb. and a mere 1″ thick

See, when you walk into CATO, on the left side, you’ll find all the plus size clothing and on the right, you’ll find regular sizes up to 16 & XL.    I always shop on the left.  I’ve always bought my clothing way bigger than need be but that’s how I am.  I’m insecure and hoping that that 2X shirt will hide the 3 tidal wave rolls I have been given by my blessed children.

Well, yesterday I was shopping on that same side and this cute dark haired beauty says, “hey, can I tell you something?” and I say sure….She says, “you don’t belong on this side.  These are way too big for you.” And I say I’ve always shopped on this side and I am big.  She decides to drag me to the “skinny” side and starts picking out all these clothes that I know I can’t fit in.  You know why?  Because they are Large….Ummmm, I haven’t worn Large since I was a baby.  So I play along and take all those clothes with me to the dressing room.   I try on the first one which was this one:

Now this doesn’t look like much on the hanger but lemme tell ya…it looked freakin’ awesome on me and I NEVER say that about any of my clothing!  I had it on with some black slacks and I was just staring at myself in the full length mirror for about 2 whole minutes.  I looked casual but business casual?  Lots of oooooing and awwwwing over how it looked on me and the color.  And they tell you the truth.  They gave me several thumbs down on other pieces.

So, next up I wanted something more for evening like and this is something I chose myself:)

And yes, it’s in Large…and much more fitting than anything else I wear but it looks good!  My problem has always been buying clothes that are too big on me.  ugh!  And I’m really not a pink girl but I thought this was super cute!

So I wanted a couple of casual shirts and here is the first one that I fell in love with.

Cute huh?  Or no? LOL  You can be honest, I have my big girl panties on!  This next one was picked for me by that cute gal and it looks much better on that it does on the hanger.  It actually shows an hourglass figure which is obviously an illusion of sorts but I’ll take it!

And this next one probably made me look the slimmest and I was so surprised at how it looked on me.  I felt very stylish even though I wasn’t used to so much color!

My husband loves brown on me……so I had to get something that was brown!  I went with a silky belted shirt.

There were more that I bought but I wanted to show you a few at least.  I also splurged on some chunky jewelry that she picked out since I’m jewelry challenged……all of it was clearanced and around $1.99 a piece!

My shopping journey was inspired by Audrey from Mom Generations.  You must read up on her fashion advice people!!  She gave me advice on what to buy and recommended COLOR!  I tried to be more open about what I bought and I’m extremely happy that I stepped outside of the box this time!  I wanted some great looks for all the future conferences that I’ll be attending this year and I think these will fit the bill!

Sooooo, what are your fashion faves or worries?  Do you wear what’s in style, what’s comfortable or are you like me and tend to buy oversized clothing to hide it all;)????

If I could cute casual every day, I would dress like Helen Hunt on Mad About You.  Remember that show??  She was so casual but cute.  Jeans & T-shirt, Khaki’s and blouse…always comfortable.  You’re probably saying, well, it ain’t that hard to dress like that..but for me, being close to 190bls…it is hard.  Everything is too frumpy or big girl clothing is too oldish looking, etc.

Anyways, if I were to pick a fall fashion outfit, I’d still want to be comfortable/casual but with a little style.  This is an example of what I think would look hot this fall..and on me when I’m about 40lbs thinner.

I love browns and they love me and when you have neutral colors, you can mix and match which is not only fun, it’s a money saver.

So there it is–my fall fashion look………if I had one.  OH, and where can you buy this??  At my favorite place to shop from home, QVC baby!

Inspired by Jessica and her Flip Video Camera teasing.

I loved checking out everyone’s clothing, shoes, and handbags.  I was really surprised to see so many different styles & trends.  I’m used to seeing everyone doing one style and that’s it…very boring.  It got me to thinkin’…..if I could dress any way I want, how I would I dress?  After sitting here thinking for what seemed like forever, I decided I liked Helen Hunt’s day look on ‘Mad About You” series which was very comfortable and casual.  For the evening look, I love anything dressy but I would have to have matching handbags and accessories:)

How would you dress if you could dress any way you wanted to??  You know, I would totally go for a nice fitting pair of wranglers with a spagetti strap top, sorta like Sissy in Urban Cowboy!!! SEXY & COOL:)…LOL

Get rid of them ladies….they’re not flattering at all no matter what you think;)

WTH??? Do I even need to say anything? Well, I’ll say one word….SKANK!

Oh purty…….

HDMI Butt Floss!

Obviously those shoes don’t go with that outfit :/

Maybe these Gladiator shoes would have!

Get a bigger size;)

And finally, for all you cowgirls out there….Please keep your hoochie mama self in the city.