From the category archives:

Shopping

My son David almost ended up with Cadbury Cream Eggs for Valentine’s Day.

My husband Dave and I were shopping Friday afternoon, after our son left to go to my parent’s for the weekend, when I realized we forgot to get him something for Valentine’s Day. It was kind of a busy, hectic week and it just slipped my mind. (I know. Bad mommy! Bad mommy!) So we headed over to the seasonal aisle to pick up something to give David when he came home on Monday.

We arrived there to find just a few bags of Hershey’s Kisses. Where was everything? Surely they couldn’t have sold out of all the Valentine’s Day stuff?

Then I glanced farther down the aisle. There were stock boys filling empty shelves with chocolate Easter bunnies and egg coloring kits the day BEFORE Valentines’ Day.

The holiday wasn’t even over yet, and they’d already put away the lacy red hearts full of chocolates, and brought out the chick-shaped Peeps!

We weren’t the only people milling around looking dazed and confused, checking the date on our cell phones to make sure it was indeed still February 13th.

I thought it was insane when after trick-or-treating on Hall-O-Ween we went into a store to pick up some milk, and were greeted by a 20 foot fully decorated Christmas tree at the entrance. At least that holiday was in it’s waning hours before they moved on to the next.

I really didn’t know what to do for a moment as I stood pondering if David would think it strange to get a basket full of Robin’s Eggs for Valentine’s Day. Just how much would that confuse a four-year-old? Would it lead to years of therapy discussing issues about Conversation Hearts and Peter Cotton Tail?

We did find something for David at another store. But seriously. The hastiness of the retail sector to finish off one holiday so they can put their fingers in our wallets for the next is getting a little ridiculous.

I’m off now to go buy a chocolate bunny before they replace those with flags and plastic flowers for Memorial Day.

I’m pretty sure getting a wreath of fake red, white and blue carnations that says In Memoriam for Easter would lead to years of adolescent turmoil.

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As The Children’s Trend Expert, Tot Trends Weekly is the trusted resource for both parents and retailers looking to stay ahead of the fashion curve.

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This week Swag is featuring Stella Rocco. You’ll find pretty Tees and Tops for women with modern botanical designs at Stella Rocco’s on line store.

I came across Stella Rocco a few months ago and the simple, elegant artwork on the shirts caught my eye right away. Owner Dina says the designs she and her sister create are inspired by, “Beautiful flowers and patterns found in nature.”

Stella Rocco first launched in 2004. “I wanted to create a line of modern & comfortable tees with original
artwork.  I started with four nature-inspired designs created by myself and my sister, and a website. We named the business after my sister’s dogs,” says Dina.

Dina says hearing from happy customers is the most rewarding part about running Stella Rocco. “It is wonderful to get feedback from people who like the designs we created!”

Dina sent me the Orchids short sleeve Tee in coffee to try out it. It was just as lovely as the photos on the website. And the fabric was so soft and comfy. A Stella Rocco Tee will quickly become one of your favorite things in your closet.

Win It!

Stella Rocco is offering one lucky reader the chance to win the Orchids Cap Sleeve Top in coffee (medium brown). The neckline has a wide scoop.  The fabric is a super soft lightweight cotton with slightly metallic gold flowers and a dark brown stem. Retail value is $28.00.

To enter, visit Stella Rocco, then come back here and leave a comment ON THIS POST with your favorite item. Comments not following the rules will be disqualified.

Earn an extra entry by posting about this contest on your blog, and linking to this post and to Stella Rocco. If you do the extra credit, let me know by leaving a separate comment with the link to your post.

Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. The contest is open internationally.

The contest will run until 11:59 p.m. EST Dec. 10th.

I’ll randomly draw a winner, and announce the winner on the next addition of Swag.

The winner will also be contacted by email, and will have three days to reply. If the winner does not reply in three days, another will be chosen. You may also check Prizey Fetch to see if you’ve won.

Have a women-owned business you’d like featured in a Swag giveaway? Send me an email (see the side bar) and let me know.

Need a unique gift for a special occasion or to comfort a loved one or friend? Visit Cake and a Prayer, an online purveyor of delectable cakes and spiritually uplifting gifts.

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Il Divo Giveaway

December 1, 2008 · 120 comments

I’ve got something fun to give away just in time for Christmas. Il Divo’s The Christmas Collection album and the deluxe CD/DVD version of their brand new album The Promise. This would make a perfect gift for the music lover on your Christmas list. Or maybe you want to just keep them both to enjoy for yourself.

This POPera group has a unique sound that brings a contemporary influence to their operatic style. You may think opera isn’t your thing, but give Il Divo a chance before you write them off.

The Christmas album features classics like O Holy Night, White Christmas and Silent Night. The songs are beautifully performed, and have a very peaceful, serene quality about them. Like standing outside on a moonlit Christmas Eve as the snow falls silently around you.

The Promise features some well-known songs as well, The Power of Love, She and Amazing Grace. It doesn’t disappoint either. The songs are sung in Spanish, Italian and English. Their voices blend well and they bring depth and emotion to music.

You can pre-order your own copy of Il Divo’s The Promise or purchase their Christmas album from Amazon.

Win It!

One reader will win a copy of each of these albums. To enter just leave a comment on this post by 11:59 p.m. Dec 7th.

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I have seen it all

October 22, 2008 · 5 comments

Grocery shopping the other day I came across this.

Yep.

Vitamin water for dogs.

It took me years before I could bring myself to buy bottled water for myself. It just seemed ridiculous to pay a dollar for what comes out of the well for free. But for a dog? A creature that will happily drink out of the toilet if you allow?

No way.

Never, ever.

Sorry pups.

I love you, but you won’t be getting vitamin water in your dishes any time soon.

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Girl Talk: Shopping Trip

October 11, 2008 · 6 comments

My husband Dave gave me the best gift EVER a few days ago. He sent me out for a night of shopping ALL ALONE, and he even gave me some money to spend GUILT FREE! In fact, he told me I had to spend it all on myself. I absolutely was not to use it for anything else.

It was fantastic to actually be able to take the time to try things on, and with out a three-year-old whining in the corner of the dressing room about going home. And then to make a purchase, and not think, “I should be saving this for something else.” Oh the FREEDOM!

It really wasn’t an enormous amount of money. I’m sure many people wear shoes that cost more than what I had to spend. But it was a lot to me. Way more than I would ever think to go out and blow on myself. Because it is our money, and I try to spend it responsibly. And, well, because I like to be able to eat and heat our house and other frivolous things like that.

But Dave insisted, and I did even protest a little bit. In the end I decided this was one time I ought to just shut up and do what I was told.

I was determined to stretch my little windfall as far as I could, so I studied all the sales fliers in the Sunday paper. I even managed to find a couple coupons on line to use at some of my favorite stores. I had a list of specific items I wanted. Mostly things I decided I couldn’t live with out after watching What Not to Wear.

On the top of my list was a pair of wide leg trouser jeans. Just the thing, according to Clinton and Stacy, to slim my chubby thighs. I must have tried on 25 different styles at five different stores. I have a few things to say to denim designers.

1. Wider hips don’t equal longer legs. Why does the length increase by, like, half a foot when the waist increases by one size?

2. Most of us do not need sequins and fancy swirls and flowers emblazoned on the back pockets thus drawing even more attention to the span of our rear ends.

3. Can’t you all get together and agree on a standard sizing chart, so that I don’t go into one store and try on a certain size to find that it’s too big, then go in another store only to find that I can’t even get that same size past my knees?!

O.K. I feel better now.

Anyhow, I did finally find a pair of wide-leg trouser jeans that fit like a dream. And they do take off at least 10 pounds. Everyone — short, tall, fat, thin — needs a pair of these. Well, maybe not thin, because if you’re thin you should be wearing those skinny jeans. You’re the only ones who can wear those skinny jeans. If you don’t wear them who will?

So, as I was saying, these wide-leg trouser jeans create a slimming, straight line from hip to toe, and if you wear them with a nice pointy heel, you look like you have legs that go on for miles. And you can dress them up or down. These things are right up there with the skirted tankini as far as fashion advances for woman kind.

I love my trouser jeans. I don’t want to take them off. I wore them three days in a row. But I decided I should take a day off from fabulousness, and wash them before they get up and walk by themselves.

I also picked up a pair of shoes and a few tops, a jacket and even a foundation garment or two. And with my coupons I managed to add an extra $32 to my little wad of cash. It was a shopping success all around.

I had so much fun, and it was nice to have some time away. So thanks Honey for the treat!

Now I’ve got to go get those jeans in the wash, so I can wear them on Monday. I have to hang them up to dry. I mean, you just don’t put risk putting pants that fit that well in the dryer.

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What a Deal!

October 9, 2008 · 7 comments

I’m not a die hard bargain shopper that goes out of my way to find all the best deals. But when I accidentally happen across a great bargain, I snap it up. Although I really have to give the credit to my husband for this one.

We were at the mall the other night, and of course our son David wanted to go into the Disney Store. We were about to escape the store with out buying anything when my husband Dave found this in the clearance section.

It was marked down to $8, and David loves Lightening McQueen. So we gave in and decided to buy it for him. To our surprise it rang up for only $5!

It’s a huge backpack with several compartments. It will hold everything David needs for a weekend at Grandma’s house.

David was happy because he got something from the Disney store, and we were happy because we got something actually useful. Not just another toy.

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