Black Friday!

Shopping is a woman thing.  It’s a contact sport like football.  Women enjoy the scrimmage, the noisy crowds, the danger of being trampled to death, and the ecstasy of the purchase.  ~Erma Bombeck

As readers of my blog can attest, I don’t partake in Black Friday.  I do not like crowds, prefer not to wake at 2AM the day after Thanksgiving, really enjoy internet shopping, and quite frankly, I value my life…That being said, many people do, so a friend shared a Black Friday website, with tips from “Brad”, and I thought I’d share these with my blogging followers.  Now, these tips are not from me, I’m just pirating them…but will add a few visual aids, as well as my comments, for your pleasure!

My comments are in bold following each tip.

Brad’s Top 10 Tips for Black Friday Sales

1. Research: start your Black Friday 2010 sale research on Thanksgiving day or earlier.  Of course, would have been nice if this blog appeared on Wednesday. 
2. Make a plan: identify what you want to buy, which stores have the best sales on Black Friday, and what time they open.  Make lists…I live by my lists (and fashion journals) .
3. Timing is everything: arrange stores by opening time from early to late.  I think Kohl’s opening at 3AM is kooky!  I have provided a list of Black Friday Store Hours at the end of my blog.
4. A fool and his money: be wary of Black Friday deals with quantity limits. If a store only has 10 items at that price, go elsewhere.  Sage advice, as you don’t want to take down all in your path!  To help with hands-free shopping, remember your cross-body purse, as previously mentioned in my It’s all in the Bag blog!
5. Visualize: know where your items are in the store.  Kinda tough – if you ask for a map before hand, store security may think you are going to rob them.
6. Stay Safe: Previous Black Friday sales were honestly deadly; please don’t trample or shoot anyone!  I acquiesce to this!  This is good advice for any aspect of your life.  Truly!
7. Power of numbers: go with a team and attack separate stores or separate sections of the same store. Designate a meeting place.  Plus, you have your peeps with you to enjoy a cup of coffee, or a glass of wine.   I, however, do Much better shopping alone.  I find it more efficient, but I see “Brad’s” point…safety in numbers, and maybe your friends can help carry your bags!
8. Bring a snack: only amateurs stop at the food court on Black Friday! (Or the bathroom – so go before you leave.)  I say a stop at Starbuck’s is a must…and there is really nothing healthy, ever, at a food court, so pack some crackers, a banana, and nuts, and you are good to go. Also, a bottle of water, so you don’t have to spend $2 on it at the mall.  As far as going to the bathroom before you leave, when nature calls, not much you can do.  Especially after your stop at Starbuck’s.  
9. The quiet ones: don’t ignore stores that don’t advertise. They will have Black Friday deals too!!  Check online for these, and don’t forget to use your coupons from our favorite coupon websites!

retailmenot.com

Froogle.com

Smartbargains.com

Overstock.com

Coupon.com

Couponcabin.com

bluefly.com

Coolsavings.com

couponmom.com

      10.   Have fun: enjoy your family, friends and deals!  Isn’t enjoying your family during the Holidays an      oxymoron?  Kidding…it’s my favorite time of the year.  Black Friday shopping or not.

My friend Nancy says:    If you plan and shop effectively with the appropriate targeted “attack”, you can be finished and having a glass of wine with lunch!  To avoid the lunch crowds, consider the Nordstrom café – a forgotten gem!  If there is one at your mall.

In moderation, of course.

In addition, as Nancy lives for Black Friday shopping:    “PARKING!!!  From my experience, if your mall has car valets, use them…. The best $5-$10 you will spend all day.  They are just great, fast and usually will retrieve your car so you can pack it up with a load of purchases and then go back to the mall for round 2!  And one year the car valet returned (without my car) to tell me that I had a flat tire and asked permission to put on my spare.  Naturally I said yes and he was back in 20 minutes…. Nice young man who saved the day for me and it was well worth the extra $20 tip for him!”

Hope everyone has a Fabulous Thanksgiving, and Happy Shopping to those who dare.

xoxo

Terry

Buying something on sale is a very special feeling.  In fact, the less I pay for something, the more it is worth to me.  I have a dress that I paid so little for that I am afraid to wear it.  I could spill something on it, and then how would I replace it for that amount of money?  ~Rita Rudner

Black Friday 2010 Store Hours

Store	Thanksgiving Hours*	Black Friday Hours
Ace Hardware		7am
Babies R Us		5am
Best Buy		5am
Costco		9am
Gander Mountain	9am	6am-10pm
Home Depot		6am
JCPenney		4am-11pm
Kmart	6am-9pm	5am-11pm
Kohl’s		3am
Lowe’s		6am
Macy’s		4am
Meijer	6am-12am	5am
OfficeMax	7am	7am
Old Navy	9am (select locations)	12am
Radio Shack	10am	5:30am
Sears	7am-Noon	4am
Sports Authority		5am-9:30pm
Staples		6am
Target		4am
Toys R Us	10pm	12am
Walgreen’s	9am	7am
Walmart		12:01am and Electronics at 5am

Hair today Gone tomorrow

Good looks can open doors…but good hair blows them off the hinges! (Thanks NKO!)

Who can forget Reese Witherspoon showing up at the Academy Awards, with these long locks…She made quite the entrance, and basically said, “Ryan who”..(Ryan  Phillipe is her husband who cheated on her, and she left him and filed for divorce). 

We all know what it’s like to have a bad hair day…nothing goes right.  When I was pregnant with Patrick, circa 1997, I cut my hair short.  I liked it.  Thought it was snappy.  My father, not so much…and I know this because he said, “why would you cut your hair, it’s your best feature”?  Hmmm…not really sure what else to say, except  my hair is longer now, and my father seems pleased.

My hair looked similar to this… but while I matched Meg Ryan in perkiness, I did not quite match her in cuteness…perhaps that’s the problem.  That short hair phase lasted all of 24 months.

I know there is a lot of opinions on whether women over 30, or 40 should have long hair.  I heard this bantered about on Hoda and Kathie Lee.  I think if the hairstyle  is well coiffed, clean, and combed, then why not?  When I was 28, a woman mentioned to me that it was time to cut my long hair, because long hair wasn’t “becoming” on a woman my age.  I was 28! And for my loyal readers of my log, we realize that was a mere 4 years ago.    I know Kathie Lee Gifford is in her mid 50′s, and I think her hair looks fantastic.  Michelle Pfeiffer, Demi Moore, Cher, Madonna, Sarah Palin, and the list goes on.  The same goes for super short hair.  I think Annette Bening looks as good as anyone I’ve ever seen, and she rocks the short hair!

I don’t think there are any hard and fast rules for hair length.  If you like it, and feel confident with your hair, Good for You!  Wear it, and show it off.   You are fabulous…Long hair or Short!

Happy Thanksgiving!

xoxo

T.

It’s all in the Bag!

Handbags…Pocketbooks…Purses.  Love them all.  One may say I’m “obsessed”.   I’d prefer not to have the same pocketbook as everyone else.  I think the purse is the perfect fashion accessory.  It doesn’t matter if you are bloated, gained  or lost (god-willing) a few pounds…purses always fit!

I take great pride in finding just the right purse to go with my outfits.  And, yes, I have been known to change my purse every day.  It truly takes minutes, because this is what I carry:  small wallet, lipstick, pen, business cards, iPhone, Blackberry (yes, I carry both, and that’s a future blog), and that’s about it.  so, it doesn’t take long at all to switch them.  Purses make me happy, so why shouldn’t I change them to fit my mood, or fit my outfit.

I’ve already blogged about my new favorite, the Tiffany Bracelet purse, but I think it’s worthy of another mention.  Plus, I think it’s important to share that this is a small handbag.  Very Small.  My friend Kim thought it was Huge, based on this picture.  It is not.  It’s about 5×3 – like a  note card , but holds both of my cell phones, lipstick, credit cards, cash, and a small pen.   This is the Red handbag…mine is the black.  I didn’t want to repeat my same photo.

Glenda Gies…hands down, my favorite handbag designer.  Her motto..Bringing old hollywood style and glamour to a whole new generation.  It’s hard to find them, because they stopped carrying them at Von Maur.  I used to buy mine at Angelina’s in Barrington, but that boutique no longer carries them.  You can buy them on eBay, or google Glenda Gies, and find the stores that carry them.

Though I’m thinking this one should lose the bow…

I love the new cross body purses.  They are great to carry to a sporting event, shopping, and they keep your hands free!  Coach and Marc Jacobs have some great ones…and you can get some terrific ones at Target!

And since I am asked about purses and handbags, more than anything else…I thought I would share my Handbag Tips:

1.  If you cannot find the perfect color to match an outfit, go with a contrasting color.  With a red dress (and it’s really hard to match reds), go with a yellow, black, or turquoise bag.   With brown, go with a Tiffany blue.  With white, pop it with red, black, or metallic.

2.  Metallic handbags go with Everything.  I have a small shoulder bag in Gold, and another in Silver.  I match my jewelry to the handbag, so don’t  need to worry about matching the outfit.

3.  You can go with No Jewelry, and use your fabulous handbag as your only accessory…and it can be a show stopper!

4.  Go through your Mom’s or Grandmother’s closets, and see if you can borrow a vintage number.  I have many that were my Mom’s, and think of her every time I carry one.  They work great as little evening bags.

5.  Shop around.  Go to stores like TJ Maxx, Target, Nordstrom Rack, and small boutiques.   There is no need to have to spend a fortune on a great handbag.  I love sales, and find Nordstrom.com always has great handbags on sale!

This little number is available at Target for $26.99.  I love it!  (Sorry, the handbag is actually quite large, but this is as large as I could get the picture).

 

 

Have a fantastic weekend!

xo

T.

These are a Few of My favorite Things

I admit it…I have some really cute stuff.  People give me cute things, and I love shopping for cute, fashion-related stylish items and gifts.  People  ask how I have to the time to shop and find just the right things.  Well, I love to shop on the internet, and find certain websites, that are Cannot Miss!   Nordstrom, Abernook, Ballard Designs, Z-Gallery…plus, I have a few stores that I know I can always find just the right gifts:  G. Whiz in Barrington,  Nordstrom (see a trend here),  Dressed to a T (of course)… I also am very loyal to stores and vendors…and thought I’d mention some of the things that make me happy and I love.  Plus, this will be the first of many more installments.  Yes , I know, how exciting!

Abernook Gifts – I got the cutest ever, high heel shoe bottle opener…for the woman who has Everything.  Makes a great gift, with a 6-pack of Stella Artois, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, or bottled root beer!   I just received a new box this week of gifts from Abernook, and they are all fabulous.  Check them out:   www.abernook.com

Some of the cutest flowers I have ever received were from my friend Mary on my birthday.  A picture is worth a thousand words…not a thousand calories.

1-800-FLOWERS

Free e-cards, for every occasion.  www.someecards.com.  I send these daily for birthday’s, anniversaries, fantasy football, and just to cheer people up…even if those “people” are me.  And yes, again, they’re Free.  And Free is good.

Where does one store all their jewelry, when you’ve run out of drawer space?  I have just the ticket… a standing mirror, that doubles as a jewelry box!  It’s $199. at www.hayneedle.com

 

Those who know me,  know I Love to give Cocktail Napkins,with Sassy sayings.  It’s a great hostess gift with a bottle of wine.  It’s an immediate ice breaker, and a great conversation starter.  You can get these at Bed, Bath and Beyond, Abernook Gifts (www.abernook.com), G-Whiz (Barrington), Mik Wright, thekitchenoutlet.com.  Some of the sayings make me howl with laughter:

It’s our ability to shop that separates us from the animals; Cheetah, is the new black; Fashion before Function; Just because I flirt doesn’t mean I”m interested; WARNING: Consumption of Alcohol may lead you to think people are laughing WITH you.

My new Tiffany handbag that I received from Kevin for our anniversary…I have mentioned this before in a previous blog, and here is the long-awaited photo.    My friend Karin told me “it will be an heirloom”.  and she is correct!  The Tiffany Bracelet Bag:

Vistaprint!  I use this website for business cards, invites, and notecards.  I used them for Meredith’s graduation party.  You cannot beat the price, and you always find exactly what you are looking for.  And did I mention you cannot beat their prices?

I have (had) no eyelashes.  I always had a hard time wearing mascara, because it would  flake off, because I had No Eyelashes…Until now.  Rapid Lash.  You can get it at CVS, or drugstore.com.  It retails for $50.  You can get it cheaper on eBay, but I caution buying something you put on your eyes from eBay.  Warning.

Let’s give another plug to my go to song, shall we?  Build me Up Buttercup.  This song makes me happy.  So shoot me.  Can’t help it, whenever I need a little pick me up, I play it.  I use it as my cell ringtone, it’s the most played song on my iPod and my iPhone…And, the piece de resistance…on my birthday, out of the blue, it was played on the morning news.  Just like that.  And that my friends, is called karma.  Really good karma.  Even Wisconsin students got into it.  Go Badgers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mP6Y8kXp7I

xoxo

T.

Don’t be into trends.  Dont make fashion own you, but you decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way you live…Gianni Versace

“T” Tips

Everyone is busy.  And I, like everyone else I know am always looking for ways to build on efficiencies, so I thought I’d share a few of my “time savers” and “style helpers” with my blogging friends. 

It is very difficult to narrow these down, and I’ve tried to narrow these down to my Top 10.  I’d like to reserve the right to expand upon this in the future, if you will all indulge me. 

So, here it goes.  These are my favorite  Tips…T’s Tips, if you will:

1.  Pin your socks together when washing and drying.  You never have to search and spend time matching them, and this will eliminate mismatched socks!

2.  Sunglasses!  I wear them All the Time.  Helps alleviate squinting, which wards off wrinkles!  It also helps keep my hair off my face, and out of my eyes.  But the real reason I always wear sunglasses, is I burned my eyes in 1988, and cannot be outside , even when it’s overcast, without sunglasses…otherwise my eyes swell like a creature from the black lagoon.  So, I’ve decided to turn it into a fashion statement. 

I posted the above picture to let everyone know, do NOT take pictures wearing your sunglasses.  I don’t know what I was thinking.  But I have to say, I have more pictures wearing sunglasses then not wearing sunglasses.  From this point onward, I shall make a concerted effort to remove the eyewear!

3.  To stop blisters on your feet, or hands, rub gel deodorant on the spot that sports blisters, and Voila…I love high heels.  Love boots.  Love cute flats…love shoes and footwear in general.  Nothing takes the bounce out of a step, more than blisters!  I have a Fabulous pair of Kate Spade high heel sling back sandals.

The shoes look terrific (if I may say so myself), however,  the shoes feel downright Painful.  The tops of my toes, and my heels tend to attract the worst blisters.  I have googled and researched for any remedy.  I’ve  used band aids, Dr. Scholl’s moleskin pads, kleenex, lotion, and nothing helps…until now.  Enter…the miracle blister cure…Rub Gel Deodorant on the area of your toes and heels that form blisters, and VOILA!  Success.  No blisters.  The gel and deodorant help stop wetness, rubbing, friction, and No blisters.  I wore those heels, in downtown Chicago, for 4 hours, walking all about, and my feet felt great!  In the past, those shoes lasted 4 minutes, before the blisters started. 

4.  When washing your clothes, using liquid detergent, fill the cup, and throw the cup in to the washer, with the clothes.  when the clothes are done being washed, take out the little plastic cup.  It’s clean, and not sticky!

5.  In my car, I always have handy, hairspray, lip gloss, band aids,  and tweezers!  That natural light is terrific!

6.  Log your outfits – I touched upon this briefly in an earlier blog.  This ensures you aren’t always wearing the same outfit with the same group of people.  I mention this again, because visiting my daughter for her birthday weekend at college, I ended up wearing the same outfit I wore back in July , when meeting her roommate.  I also need to follow some of my own tips.

6-B.  I drive a lot, and at times, am wearing high heels.  I put scotch tape on the back of my heels to stop the scuffing.  You can also put a small hand towel on the floor of the driver’s side, to help stop the scuffing on those heels.  When you arrive at your destination, pull the tape off.  Voila!  No scuff marks.  Warning…be careful doing this with suede. 

7.  Use baby wipes to remove deodorant stains from your dark clothes!    And I learned these from my sister, Megan. 
Did you know with most fabrics that you get deodorant on, you can simply rub the fabric together (against itself) and that takes off the deodorants too!  Also, you can use baby wipes to quickly remove dirt and other debris from clothes you are wearing.  

7-B.  When bringing in your seasonal clothes, and they smell musty, spritz VODKA on them, and that must smell dissipates!  And no, you shouldn’t spritz it in your mouth either…but according to my friend, Louise, she says it can eliminate bad breath…so, yes, a Win-Win…spritz on your clothes and spritz in your mouth.   I stand corrected.

8.  Match books double as nail files.  That little “swiper” part, can be used to tame a snagged nail.

9.  I cannot tell you how often I get asked “what color purse should I wear with this outfit”.  Unless it’s black, matching blues, reds, browns, etc..can be difficult.  Go with a metallic purse.  Gold or Silver.  Match your jewelry with the handbag, and it pulls the entire outfit together, and it will give it more of a “snap”.

10.  This is a hard one for me, but my “tip” does help me.  Reduce the stress in your life…and how does one do that you ask?  Have a “go-to” song, that cheers you up, makes you happy, and makes you smile.  Use it as your ringtone, put it on your iPod, play it in your house and car.  There’s nothing like your favorite song, to put you in a great mood, make you forget your problems, and put that Much-Needed bounce in your step.  Mine…Build me up Buttercup.

11.  Bonus extra – when your hem comes apart, or there is a rip in your pants, or jacket, use “Tear Mender”…it works as glue on the fabric to hold it.  No sewing required…and after 10 minutes, you can launder, and it will forever stay mended.   You can buy it on Amazon.com, JoAnn Fabrics, Ace Hardware, or any fabric or hardware store.  Costs about $6 for 2 oz.

xoxo

T.

Men like cars, women like clothes.  Women only like cars because they take them to the clothes. – Rita Rudner

A rebuttal to my blog: Frugal is the new black

Who would have thought I’d have gotten so much flack re: my blog on Frugality?  I mean, really?

Admittedly, I did send out my Holiday Trunk show invite for my upcoming Etcetera show, within minutes of posting the Frugality blog…but in my own defense…it was pre-scheduled weeks prior (the invite, not the frugal blog…that was just shear of the moment genius ) So I shall acquiesce that I should not receive an A+ for timing.  (Similar to the movie Confession of a Shopaholic being released at the start of a recession).  Bad timing!

While out with some friends, their spouses,  me and Patrick (my favorite  date when Kevin isn’t here…actually, he’s still my favorite  date)  they were commenting on my new Tiffany Bracelet purse, and indicating that carrying such an “extravagant purse”  is the antithesis of frugality.  Well, again in my defense, it was a gift from Kevin for our anniversary.   But their point is when they think “frugal” the first person that pops into their minds is Not Terry O’Brien…and perhaps, not even the first 1000 people who pop into their minds.  Which, I believe, means I’m doing my job…I had no idea my frugality was such a well-kept secret.

Now, Kevin O’Brien…let’s toss the blame his way, shall we?   I am not sure he even knows what the term frugality means.  However, I do think he’s trying to change his ways.  A few years back, he poked fun at  my love of shopping , when he said, “Well, congratulations…you seemed to have bought Everything”.  He may have been correct.  So, yes, I am also trying to  mend my ways.  It’s a work in progress, and I take it one day at a time.  But I think I’m making great progress!

I really do try to cut corners spending…I love Sales, and always try to shop them.   Always.  I  use my Jewel card for the extra savings when grocery shopping.  (Oh, and here’s another tip, Target is a much better bet in buying groceries (not fresh produce), but cereals, coffee, crackers, pantry items, and freezer items.    Truly the prices can be half of those at Jewel…even when using your Jewel card).  See?  Frugal through and through.  And, because I love clothes, I sell Etcetera clothing on the side, to give me access to the clothes I love to wear.

I have also tried to instill in my children, smart shopping, and smart buying.   There is a difference with what you Want, and what you Need.  There’s a time and a place for everything. 

So, No judging…but I am loving the comments, feedback and banter from my blogs!   Keep em’ coming.

xoxo

T.