Me Time branded apparel is where fun meets fashion, and where you can identify with the important me time message among our many fashion top designs. From shopping to sunbathing, wine to dog walking and everything in between, we have your favorite me time activities covered. Our tees make a statement and will draw comments and smiles.
I don’t know about you but this time of year, I find myself a little short on patience! I get in a bad habit of trying (rather unsuccessfully) to “do it all.”From work to kids sporting events, holiday crafts & parties, the Christmas cards (that I’m sorry to say aren’t going to make it out this year) I’m just stretching myself too thin! This past week I have found that my kids are a little more tired from long days and late sleepover nights and tend to bicker back and forth. I find myself sounding like a broken record! I’m tossing around one-liners like they are going out of style! “Finish your breakfast”, “brush you hair and teeth”, “stop arguing”, “be nice to one another” and the all important “santa’s watching – be good” are just a handful of phrases flying out of my mouth these days.
Last night as I was checking my emails, I came across one from my cousin with a video attached! It gave me such a laugh and a reality check! THANK GOODNESS – I’m NOT the only mom out there who is experiencing this! Have a look and a laugh! Happy holidays!
As the holiday shopping season unfolds, do you have any advice for budget-friendly fashion finding?
Signed, Frugally fashion-forward
Dear Frugal,
Boy do I ever!!! Due to the economy, 52% of consumers plan to buy fewer holiday gifts (according to recent survey by SmartBargains.com). These tough economic times may change your holiday shopping habits, but it doesn’t have to affect your gift giving spirit. In fact, it’s now more than ever a time that it is better to give than receive! I spoke with Shari Shakun, head “bargainista” at Smart Bargains, and we came up with great tips that I’ve incorporated into my own smart shopping:
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Buy as a group – If a few people pitch in, you can get a much more valuable present than if you each shopped at your own separate budgets. This is also a great way to spend time bonding with your family and friends discussing what you think each other will like.
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Decide what you are willing to spend and then stick to it – Searching online will allow you to search in your specific price point.
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Avoid extra charges – Check shipping deadlines and place your orders in enough time for holiday delivery and make sure your retailer has a return policy that allows you to send items back without being charged.
Are the rules the same regarding “power suits” when going on a job interview? I have one coming up and I’m not sure I’m wardrobe-ready.
Signed, Powerlessly panted
Dear Powerless,
Do not worry! The rules, they are a-changing!
While it’s important that you look professional, always, different interviews call for different attire. What would be appropriate to wear, say, for an interview at a bank would stick out like a sore thumb at a fashion magazine!
In general, in current trends, women are wearing slimmer silhouettes and (finally!) saying goodbye to the boxy suits of the prior decade. Also, gone are the black/gray rule – Michelle Obama and Sarah Palin showed us during the election that red truly is – and always has been – a power color. So, maintain those staples, but consider that splash of color – it can’t hurt, and just may help show some personality.
The shape of things to come is more slimming and body skimming. Skirts should be right at knee length — or slightly above or slightly below – but minis are a no-no, unless you are interviewing to be a go-go dancer!
Do not take the rule of dressing for the interview in tandem with how you would dress for the job too far though. Dressing nicely is a show of respect to the person you meet, so if in doubt, err on the side of dressing better than you might need to – even if you may be wearing jeans on the job, you aren’t going to wear it when trying to put your best self forward on that first meet and greet!
When you want to show your special someone a night on the town without breaking the bank, look to your very own kitchen. We all know that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, so a cozy, candlelit dinner at home can be the ultimate date night. Whether you want to invite a new honey over for some romance or reignite a flame with your hubby, you can strut your stuff in the kitchen without spending the day slaving over the stove. To allow yourself more me time and take the stress out of being the hostess with the mostess, try these quick tips to wow him off his feet.
Plan, plan, plan ahead– Women today are busy. Between juggling jobs, children, blackberries and a social life, there aren’t enough hours in the day for the modern woman to check off every item on the to-do list and take some me time for her. Plan the menu for your mini-soiree a few days in advance so that you can shop for ingredients in multiple trips, leaving yourself a few moments at the end of the day to take a deep breath and put your feet up.
Shop online – Rather than spending time wandering from aisle to aisle debating between Shiraz and Pinot Noir, Wine.com, the #1 online wine store, as ranked by Internet Retailer Magazine, will do the thinking for you. With shipping available to 26 U.S. States, you can order your favorite wine for delivery right to your door – and learn about the history of its variety and origin for dinner table fodder.
Put your best foot forward – Don’t get so wrapped up in the detail that you forget to set aside some me time for one of the best parts of the night – getting glam before your date arrives. While the wine is chilling or the oven preheats, pamper your tootsies with a quick pedicure. Take ten to place your feet in plastic bowl of warm water with a few drops of essential oils: chamomile will soften and lavender rejuvenates so you can start your evening feeling calm and pampered.
Keep It Simple – We all want to go above and beyond when we’re entertaining, but by keeping the menu basic and the dishes simple you can slash hours off your prep time. Stick with a simple one-dish meal such as AOL Slashfood’s Chicken Pasta Parmigiana, alongside a simple green salad and crusty Italian bread paired with extra virgin olive oil for dipping.
Make enough for leftovers – If you’re cooking for two, make enough dinner for four. Refrigerate the two extra portions and you’ll have lunch for the next day as well, saving yourself a step from the morning rat race. And maybe you’ll even have enough to send your sweetie off with a doggie bag!
It’s Your Party and You’ll Cry If You Want To
Don’t forget that even though you’re doing the cooking and prep, you’re there to enjoy the evening also. Let him do the dishes if he offers – while you sit back and enjoy the much coveted me time with a second glass of vino.
Maris Callahan: Since graduating from Susquehanna University in 2006, Maris has worked in the world of PR. While she began her career in the fashion/beauty industry, she now works in the consumer sector. She maintains a personal blog, In Good Taste, primarily about cooking, food and life. In her “me” time she enjoys running, knitting, yoga and a good latte.
