Category: Fashion

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Trendy Jewelry

I don’t know about you, but I am a big fan of inexpensive and trendy jewelry. I love things like monogram rings, and flashy necklaces that have your name on it. One of the reasons, I think, that I like customized jewelry with my name or initials on it is because that makes it less likely for one of my friends or relatives to borrow it!

You may think that is a horrible thing to say, and I might actually feel guilty saying it, but, let me explain. Over the years, many of my friends, and relatives, have borrowed things of mine and never returned them. At some point in time, I sometimes ask for the item back, because I want to use it myself. The majority of the time, they have forgotten that they borrowed it from me, and deny having it! This has led to hurt feelings, and damaged relationships beyond repair, which is very sad.

So, now, I try to purchase inexpensive (but trendy) jewelry items to wear “out in public.” That way, when one of my friends or relatives admires it, I will thank them. If they ask me where I got it, and how much it cost, I will boast about what a bargain it was, that it cost less than a certain amount of money, and they usually lose interest in it after that!

You know, thinking about it, I could probably start wearing my “good” jewelry out in public again (it has been about six years) and deploy the same tactic – claiming that it is cheap costume jewelry, even if it isn’t!

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Personalized jewelry

One of my favorite types of jewelry is the necklace. I love the new, trendy look of layering necklaces because it allows me to wear several of my favorite necklaces at the same time! I have a very large peg-style rack (think old-fashioned, accordian-style hat/coat rack) hanging on the wall behind the door in my bedroom that is overflowing with necklaces. At the time that I put the rack there I thought it would help me keep them from getting all tangled-up, but to be honest, they still get easily tangled. I find that frustrating.

But, I digress. I was writing about how much I love the necklace. I especially love the personalized necklaces that I have been given as gifts over the years. I enjoy them so much that I have made a point of buying some for my nieces over the years, and they always tell me how much they love them, too. I especially like the ones that include a gemstone that represents the birthday month of the person that I am giving the necklace to.

I used to buy sterling silver necklaces because they are so pretty when they are new and clean. I have found that they tarnish quickly, however, even though the so-called experts say that if you wear the silver frequently they won’t tarnish. I find that my sterling silver still tarnishes, and then the tarnish rubs off onto my skin or clothing. I have stopped buying and wearing sterling silver now, and buy white gold instead because that won’t tarnish.

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A new Halloween store opening

It’s really great to have found out that tomorrow is the opening of a new Halloween store that is opening in town! Normally I will take orders from friends or the folks around here, to make costumes for their kids or even some of the adults, and I really enjoy making them. Some people who make costumes would be bummed about a big store of costumes and everything else one could think of for Halloween in the area, but not me.

I love to go into stores like this to get new ideas and also to buy the items I need to make All Hallows Eve the best time possible. From what I am hearing, this new store has thousands of costumes, mainly the pre-made and sold in packages type ones. But they also have loads of masks and also everything thinkable for this night of ghouls and witches, black cats and skeletons.

The opening of the Halloween store will be held in a few days and I of course will be going there to scope it out. As for buying anything, I’m going to wait until right before Halloween and then the day after, because I also hear tell, that the store will have tremendous discounts on the non sold special effect items and so make up, and blank masks which is what I am looking for, since one of my specialty hobby’s is making masks for all occasions.

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Razor strops

Have you ever gone to a barber shop and watched a barber use a straight razor to shave a man? Have you ever wondered where the barber got his supplies for wiping that razor back and forth on a piece of leather, and what that piece of leather was called? Well, I found out that piece of leather is called a leather strop when I stumbled upon a website that discussed these straight razor designs products for sale. I found the website by accident when I was looking for a new razor-cut hairstyle to consider the next time I go to my hair stylist! Isn’t it strange how sometimes you will do a Google search for something and find other stuff that you would not expect to find!

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To dress or not to dress

Each year by this time, I would already have my Halloween dress at least started and yet I have no creative energy hitting me. With the kids darn near all grown, except my 16 yr. old son, dressing up isn’t what it used to be.

I have made a few costumes for some kids that acquaintances commissioned me to make, and they turned out well, but to make my own, I’m just not into the spirit much.

Hopefully as the time gets closer, I’ll kick out something that is Halloween and party worthy. I’m glad I can work well under pressure, since I think it’s going to go down to the wire with this project!

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Early Fall

Waking up this morning, I literally was shivering and had to turn on the furnace to get the chill out of the air. Looking out the back yard, I could see what I thought was frost on the grass. Of course, I didn’t go outside to check it out, but this 53 degree weather is a far cry from the 110 degree weather of two days ago. I’m not looking forward to the weather changing cold.

With the fall, come my favorite holiday, Halloween! The stores aren’t wasting any time getting the Halloween displays out either. They started that last month. There is even a Halloween store that opened up in town before the kids were back in school.

Time to start my projects! I should have started on costumes a long time ago, instead of figuring I had more than enough time. I’m mainly sticking to making masks and a costume or two for those who have already commissioned me. So much to do and so little time.

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School day count down

Getting ready for my youngest son to go to school has been a bit bittersweet. He is my last child in school now and it seems like yesterday when all three of my kids were getting on the bus at the same time and going to school together.

We’ve brought most of his school clothes and supplies, which actually weren’t a whole lot because since he is in high school, he doesn’t want a whole bunch of new clothes. Why, I don’t know. I’m sure I’ll be buying the kind of shirts he likes when I see them in passing or if I see them online.

He did pick out some really well made and nice looking shoes online at his favorite shoe place, at a reasonable price. They should last him awhile if he doesn’t do his favorite past times, like skate boarding and BMX bike riding in them. I’ve never seen such sports that tear shoes apart like that does.

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Early school clothes shopping

Maybe I’m jumping the gun a bit, but I’m going to take my youngest son shopping for some school clothes tomorrow. He likes this one novelty type store that all the kids get a lot of their shirts and jeans from, so instead of ordering online, at least I can take him to the shop/store and make sure clothes fit, instead of sort of guessing like one sometimes has to do when ordering from the internet.

I haven’t gone shopping with just my youngest son in a very long time. It’s going to be nice to spend some alone time with him, since we haven’t had that opportunity to do so lately. He’s always off with his brother or hanging out with his girlfriend. Playing video games with him doesn’t count.

I think we’ll make a day of it, go shopping and out to lunch at his favorite restaurant. If there is anything else he wants to do, or any other stores he’d like to go to, we’ll also do that. I’m looking forward to this. I’m not so sure my son is, but at 15 he is pretending well, for me.

 

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Closet cleaning

Despite of the high temperatures we are having, I decided to clean my bedroom closet. I can not believe how many pair of shoes I have and also tops I have that I don’t wear. Unreal. I bagged up darn near everything and am going to take it to one of the homeless shelters in town. Someone may be able to use some of it.

While I was at it, I went to the store and got some really great extension type organizers and after I installed it, it gave my closet so much room and storage space that I was amazed. Needless to say, I’m on a closet cleaning roll, so to speak now.

While I was shopping, I picked up some nice mirrors to install on the closet doors also. And of course, I had to get new towels, since while going through the linen closet, I noticed that for some reason our towel supply is dwindling. I looked out by the pool, on the clothes line and in the washer and dryer. No towels. I got each of the kids their own beach towel (again) and this time, if they misplace theirs, too bad. They will go without. (mean mommie…)

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Shopping for summer

I’ve noticed this month is the best time it seems to shop for our summer clothes. I went to some various stores last week, and didn’t find many sales so instead I sort of held off in hopes of finding better prices on clothes and shoes/sandals that we could wear this summer.

While picking up some bath and shower items that my daughter and I were low on, I had to pass the woman’s clothing section. Wow! The store I was in had so many sales I nearly forgot the bath things. I got my daughter the basic skinny strap tanks she loves to wear for only about 4.00 a piece, compared to 11.00. I went a bit nuts on these, buying one of each color I could find. They will be put to good use though, as she wears these as “undershirts” in the winter also. I’m saving a lot of money so I’m glad I waited a week before buying these kind of items. I also got some great storage containers on sale to store the winter clothes after they are organized. I like this kind of shopping!

The shoe department at that store didn’t have much to choose from in way of sales, but I went to a popular shoe store at the mall and found great sales on sandals there. Some were buy one and get 50% off another pair, which was great, as most of the sandals were only about ten dollars. So all in all, I did pretty good this morning and it’s still early. I needed to come home to get my daughter so she could pick out her own short and underclothes!