Here it is, the final week of July, and retailers have been rolling out their back-to-school merchandise, sales, and discounts with so much vigor, you’d think it was the final week of August rather than July. Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t these ads used to start popping up sometime in August? I’ve been seeing back-to-school ads for about a week now and all I can say is, my heart goes out to school-age youth everywhere. I can remember seeing those ads when I was a student. They were a tragic reminder that my relaxed, fun summer vacation was about to come to an end. Bedtime curfews, studying, and homework were looming just around the corner. Not only that, but the whole season of summer would be coming to an end. I mean, who doesn’t love summer, with its long days and sunshine aplenty? School meant the onset of autumn, which meant cooler weather that quickly turned into cold, short days. Blah.
Yes, there was some excitement about going back to school. There were the new school supplies, new clothing, and the excitement about entering the next grade level. Beyond that I, like most children, would’ve rather had a year-round vacation.
Many parents seem to love back-to-school time. By August they have had just about enough of their children and eagerly await that 6 hour break from them that school guarantees. And, of course, then there are the sales. Ah, yes, the sales. Just about every store has got them going on and, as I mentioned from the start, their ads have been promoting all their back-to-school wares. Ok, I’ll admit, even though I don’t have any school-aged children and I’m no longer a student myself I have paused and taken noticed at some of the deals, such as the one trumpeting Huge Savings On College Essentials At Walmart.com
. They make dorm room furniture, bedding, and accessoriries so enticing. Now, if only knew someone who was in a dorm…
Now really is a great time to shop. You can stock up, little by little, and by the fall your kids will be good to go. But for all you retailers out there, I still say give the kids a break. Don’t show your back-to-schools ads until the middle of August. Let them squeeze every ounce of enjoyment out of their vacation.
Posted under
Uncategorized on July 31, 2007 at 9:37 am and has no comments.
Well, it seems that the summer travel season is officially upon us. Like most people, I too am looking forward to getting away for a few days and enjoying the sights and sounds of a new destination. For me, one of the drawbacks of traveling has always been packing. Actually, I take that back. Packing is not a big deal–the excitement of going on vacation motivates me and therefore I don’t mind doing it. It’s unpacking that I hate. Ugh! You come home, tired from traveling, lugging your heavy suitcases into the house and the thought of unpacking everything and putting it away is loathsome, to be quite honest. While there’s no getting around unpacking your luggage, the best way to avoid having to unpack a ton of things is to pack lightly. Allow certain clothing items to do double and triple duty. For instance, for a 5-day getaway you could pack just 2 pairs of pants, skirts, shorts, or whatever it is you are planning to wear on your bottom half while rotating 3 tops. That’s because you’ll only really need 3 complete outfits to pack on a 5-day trip. The clothes you wear traveling to your destination should be same clothes you wear traveling back home–that’s my mom’s rule of thumb to save room in the luggage. If shopping is going to be a major part of your itinerary, you could get away with packing even less. Just pack a couple of neautral bottoms, like khakis or jeans, and you’ll be able to easily match new tops to them on your shopping trips. Even if your plans involve switching from casual to more dressy attire in one day, it still may not be be necessary to pack an extra outfit. You can pack something that can easily be both casual and dressy. For ladies, this summer’s hot look, walking shorts, can do this. Buy a pair with a cuff or crease, and wear them with a simple top during the day and switch to a nicer blouse for the evening. Add different jewelry, change your hairstyle and shoes, and you’ve got a totally new look without having to pack extra clothing. Also, keep extraneous items to a minimum. Before packing, think about everything you will actually need each day on your trip and eliminate anything you know you will not use. Extra items will only result in more to keep track of and more to unpack when you get home. If you’re traveling as a couple, it’s not diificult to travel light. But if you’re traveling as a family, it gets pretty tricky. Planning and organization is the key. Making a list of what each family member needs to pack may sound like a headache but it’s a lot easier than you think and will help ensure that uneccesasary items don’t get tossed in.
Another tip to to keep in mind is to have a budget. The last thing you want is to be greeted with is a stack of huge credit card bills from your trip once you get home. Many people seem to be resigned to have this happen but it doesn’t have to turn out this way. Again, here’s where planning before your trip comes into play. Take everything into account, not just lodging and travel costs, such as meals, souvenirs, shopping, and activities. Look out for special deals and discounts for the places you want to visit on online, which can save you some money.
One easy way to save some cash is to pace yourself when it comes to eating. Everyone goes crazy with food while on vacation because typically you are eating out constantly and enjoying yummy food everyday. However, it all adds up not juts money-wise but when it comes to calories as well. You can save some money (and possibly your waistline) by eating lightly for breakfast and lunch. If possible book a room with a refridgerator and microwave. That way you can bring travel- size cereal boxes with you, purchase a small carton of milk, and the issue of breakfast is settled. You can even buy a bottle of soda or container of juice to put in the fridge so you don’t have to keep running to the vending machine everytime you get thirsty while in your hotel room. Keep lunch simple as well, and then go out for a nice dinner in the evening.
Activities are the highlight of any vacattion but it’s also important not to overdo it. This especially holds true if you’re on vacation with your children. There’ll be a lot less whining, crying, and what is generally termed “melt-downs” if you give them some down-time back at the hotel. Eat your meals in the hotel room instead of in a restaurant if you see signs your kids are getting tired, such as being agitated. Don’t make it seem like a punishment, rather, keep the atmosphere relaxed and fun. Who knows, they may even want a nap. Of course, you don’t want your children to be bored either, so striking the right balance is the key.
Enjoy your summer vacation!
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Uncategorized on July 2, 2007 at 6:40 am and has no comments.
Let’s face it, it seems everybody is stressed out these days about something–work, family, health, finances, the list goes on. In fact, it is widely known that Americans work the longest hours of any industrialized nation, so it’s no wonder we are always stressed! Most of us look forward to the weekend when we can finally have some time for ourselves to unwind. However, why put off trying to relax yourself just a little bit during the week as well? I know what you’re thinking: impossible! Believe me, though, there are simple and quick ways you can relieve some of your stress during the week. Here’s how:
1. Unwind by watching some of your all-time favorite television comedies
available from Amazon.com. Just about every show you can imagine, from classics like The Dick Van Dyke Show and Bewitched, to more recent shows like Growing Pains and the Cosby Show, are availabe on DVD.Some are availble by season (for example the first season of Silver Spoons) or as complete series sets containing every episode ever aired! Some of the advantages of owning the DVD of your favorite televison show are, of course, no commercials and you can pick which episodes you want to see and in what order. So put on your pajamas, slip under the covers, and get lost in the nostalgia. What a great way to end a hectic work day!
2. Get a hobby and work on it bit by bit during the week, rather than waiting just until the weekend. It wasn’t until recently that I discovered that I no longer had any hobbies. I missed having something beyond the daily grind, so to speak, to occupy myself. So I taught myself to knit (yes, my family made fun of me and called me “granny.”) Recently, I’ve also started making a scrapbook. During the week there isn’t a lot of time to devote to it, but I try to set aside a little to write down new themes for the scrapbook, pick out what accessories and photos I will use, and design a page layout. Working on it piecemeal like this is fun and relaxing for me. So, if you don’t already have a hobby, find out what you’re interested in doing and then make the time to devote to it during the week as well. Trust me, it’s worth it.
3. Being an avid reader myself, I can tell you that books are the perfect way to relax and pass time by getting swept up in a fascinating story. When was the last time you browsed the current best sellers list? Or perused through lesser-known works by up and coming authors? Whether you prefer mysteries or memoirs, science fiction or sports, there is sure to be something that will be of interest to you. If you feel that at the end of a busy work day the last thing you want to do is concentrate and look at another word, audio books on CD are a terrific alternative. All you have to do is sit back, listen, and enjoy. Both books and audio books make a great way to relax during your commute.
4. What could be better than a soothing bath in the evening before turning in for the night? Bubble baths, foot scrubs, soaps, and other scented products make it special. Stop by Bath-and-Body.com 
now for a full collection of delightful, scented products. And remember, bath fragrances and body care products are not for women only! Gentlemen, check out their line of men’s products.
So, stop making excuses why you can’t relax during the week and start making time for yourself.
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Uncategorized on June 18, 2007 at 11:09 am and has no comments.
As soon as you have children you start to notice it happen: space in your home seems to shrink by the day as room by room becomes overrun with toys of every shape, size, and color. Your once tidy home is now your child’s plastic wonderland of scattered toys. Have no fear, though, because there several ways to get back the home you once knew and enjoyed. Or, at least close to it. It’s time to wrangle those toys and bring some order to your environment.
There are lots of diffrent storage solutions that will help get your kids in the habit of putting away their toys with ease. Storage bins are a terrific option, such as this brighly colored, kid-friendly Nine Bin Toy Organizer 
available from Ababy.com. The open bins will allow your child to easily choose what toy to play with and then quickly toss them back in when they’re done. It is also availble in a 15 bin size.This other Nine Bin Toy Organizer, 
shown below, has lids to keep toys from overflowing and being seen. The neautral wooden sides mean it’s likely to blend better into your child’s bedroom than more colorful ones. However, the bins on this one are not especially deep. Therefore it would be better for storing smaller toys, like action figures or blocks. Cubby storage provides a similar solution as the toy organizer but, since they open and close like drawers, they allow the mess to stay hidden without having lids. That’s why I really love this Cubbie Storage Center . Check out how deep its bins are, meaning it’s ideal for storing larger toys.
The classic toy storage solution is the toy box. I had one as a kid and it’s where just about every toy wound up being dumped. They come in numerous sizes, shapes, and designs. The Denim Captain’s Toy Chest is great option for your little boy while your girl may love the Princess Toy Box with Bench. 
Ababy.com has a wide selection of toy storage options. Click here to buy baby products from aBaby.com .
Although children should always put their toys back where they belong (generally, their bedroom or the increasingly popular playroom), it’s handy to have places for toy storage in other rooms in the house, like the living room or family room. However, you are unlikely to want a bunch plastic bins in the living room and maybe not in the family room either. That’s where ottomans, trunks, and storage benches come into play. They are functional, yet they will not detract from your decor. Browse Overstock 
, Bellacor , and Amazon today for these great storage options. Remember, school-age children are used to putting away everything they use in their classrooms, so with a little reinforcement, they can do the same at home.
Have you ever visited someone’s home and noticed how beautifully arranged and coordinated their home furnishings and accent pieces were? I’m sure you have and if you’re like me, you’ll leave inspired to add a few more decorative accessories to your own home. Remember, furnishings such a sofas, love seats, beds, and armoires, are just the first step. It’s the decorative accessories that add that finished, and if done right, designer touch. They’re the ideal way to showcase a room’s accent color and they add visual interest to your interior.Today I’ll be focusing on some home decor ideas for your living room.
When you are getting ready to select your decorative accessories steer clear from picking anything that looks like a knick-knack. This especially holds true if they represent a theme, such as dog figurines (I’ve seen these!) or vacation souvenirs. You also don’t want to go overboard and have too many objects scattered across every inch of your living space. Both of these decorating mistakes will only add clutter and, let’s be honest, decrease the overall elegance of your home. Rather, well-placed and tasteful items, such as vases, display shelves, and art will truly give your home a sophisticated, thought-out look. To start my search for accessories, I visited the home furnishings site Bellacor 
recently and saw this Lattice Wall Shelf. It caught my eye for a couple of reasons. First, the ebony finish and design of the shelf give it a contemporary feel, which I like. Second, there is a lot of versatility in how you can display this shelf. You can use it to display other decorative items, such as small vases, or leave it unadorned and it would still make an artistic statement. It also comes in about 15 different finishes, although I’m not certain it would look appealing in a lighter shade. 
I also saw this Red Mahogany Bamboo Floor Vase and Square Tray shown below, at Overstock . This deep shade of red can add a great pop of color to your home interior. It would be an easy way to bring vibrancy to a room done in all neautral shades, for example. This decorative Infinity Instruments Orange Cased Bowl
done in a rich, burnt-orange, is a fantastic accessory as well. Love the graceful etching on it. Grouping decorative pieces together also looks wonderful, so it’s a good idea to purchase iems that come in a set, such as decorative vase sets, or buy a few items separately and coordinating them yourself. These Black Finish Mirrors 
, shown below, come in a set of three and will add a sleek, modern touch to your wall. Another way to infuse style into a room is with your storage choices. Storage doesn’t have to mean unattractive plastic containers hidden under the bed or in closets. There are plenty of stylish alternatives. A perfect example is the Darcy Espresso Storage Bench . The sumptuous, dark leather and clean lines of the design will instantly update any room’s decor. It’s a fabulous way to hide children’s toys or other clutter in the living room as well.
When it comes to choosing decorative accessories, the possiblilities are endless. So be creative and have fun bringing style and elegance to your home interior.
All right ladies, has this ever happened to you: you’re about to pay for something in a store and find that the handbag you are carrying is so small that you have to fumble with your wallet just to get it out? Ok, maybe not but it happened to me recently and I realized that my oh-so-small handbag had to be retired. Thank goodness the trend of carrying micro-bags has seemed to pass. Big handbags are hot now and I couldn’t be happier. I dropped by Zappos.com 
recently and they have oodles of them. Hobos are quite in these days but this weekend why not go with a large satchel instead? The stachel I’ve chosen below is perfect for putting all your odds and ends in, including a magazine or novel for a relaxing read, in addition to your everyday stuff, such as cosmetics and cell phone.
Not Rational Handbags - S.U.B. Leather (Bubble Teal) - Handbags 
Now that you’ve got the bag it’s time for the rest of your weekend wear. These To The Max by BCBG Bootcut Pants 
have an undertstated appeal and the khaki color means it will match with just about anything in your wardrobe. How about pairing it with the V-neck tee shown below? The teal shade is slendid for summer and the stone embellishments along the neckline mean you don’t even have to worry about searching for a necklace to accessorize. Now for something to add a pop of color to this ensemble. These fabulous tangerine colored thong sandals, called Rocket Dog - Jemini (Spiced Orange) - Women’s shoe, are super cute and flirty. They add just the right punch. Now you’re ready to grab your designer shades and step out the door in style!
Caprice Short Sleeve V-neck Tee
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It seems many men struggle just as much as women when it comes to looking good in the summer. The hot weather makes everyone think that casual is the only way to go. However, does casual always have to mean jeans and a tee? Or shorts and flip-flops? Here I present an alternative. How about this casual Men’s Alibi Pant instead of jeans? One customer review said they are not only comfortable but fit like jeans. This means they’ll provide the same relaxed feel denim lovers crave but have the added benefit of being made from a lighter weight fabric. It’s avaliable from the outdoor clothing and equipment site Altrec.com and comes in 4 easy to match colors. Buy one in each color and they can become a staple in your summer wardrobe. If you want to keep your look simple, I would suggest topping it off it off with a basic polo shirt such as the Men’s Pique Vitaliti Polo Shirt. It, too, comes in a variety of colors, giving you terrific versatility. Another great look with the pants would be the Men’s Short Sleeve Puckerware Shirt . This button-down shirt is fabulous for hot weather and is available in number of colors and patterns. For shoes, I headed over to zappos.com where they have men’s casual shoes a-plenty. 
I think the Skechers - Crusade (Stone Stressed Leather) - Men’s shoe will give you the option of having sneaker like comfort without having to wear sneakers. And there you have it; men’s weekend wear made easy.
By the way, they are offering Free Shipping on Select Outdoor gear and clothing at Altrec.com 
so be sure to check them out! �
Now that summer is just about here and school will be out for the next few months, it’s time to get the kids outside and having fun. We’ve all heard the complaints–and warnings–about today’s children staying indoors and being way too inactive. Give your children plenty of reasons to get away from the tv, computer, and video games by enticing them with a host of outdoor activities perfect for the warm weather. When I think of my own memories of summertime fun, I immediately call to mind the hours I spent with my friends and siblings on our backyard swing set. Children’s swing sets provide classic outdoor fun and come in a variety of sizes with a number of different features. I saw this Sherwood Wooden Swing Set
while browsing Amazon recently. It looks like even more fun than the one I grew up with because it has a tire swing and a club house! Now, can’t you just imagine your kids playing for hours on this swing set? 
Another summetime favorite of mine was playing in the sandbox. We’d get our buckets, shovels, toys, and water and let our imaginations take us away. The Frame-It-All Hexagon Sandbox 7′ x 8′ x 6″
is perfect for toddlers and older kids alike because its large size allows them to sit inside. I would’ve loved to have this when I was growing up! However, for those of us who are short on space the Naturally Playful Sand and Water Activity Center
makes a nice alternative. Knowing that kids love to mix sand and water, it’s great that they combined the two with this sandbox.
And, of course, what’s summer without some games that get you wet? Here’s a novel product: Waterball ML 100 - Single
. It’s like a watergun that shoot balls of water! How how cool is that?
There are tons of possibilities for great outdoor play. Browse Outdoor Activities at Amazon now for more fun ideas!
Want to know a secret? I’m relatively new to the world of online shopping. I always felt that the drawbacks outweighed the benefits: shipping charges always seemed to drive the price of otherwise inexpensive items sky high, you can’t see all the details of an item as you would in person (and when it comes to apparel, there’s always the concern about fit) and, of course, you don’t even receive your purchase immediately, unlike traditional shopping. However, today there are numerous sites that have solved these problems. For example:
Many offer low, flat-rate shipping charges, free shipping if you spend a certain amount, or simply free shipping. One of my favorites sites to buy from (not to mention to simply browse) is Overstock . They offer $2.95 shipping on your entire order! They also frequently have promotional deals where shipping is even less than that. Cosmetic giant Sephora.com
is one example of a retailer that offers free shipping if you spend a minimum amount ($75). Zappos.com 
has free shipping all the time and is currently offering free overnight shipping. Really, does it get any better than that?!
To solve the problem of not being able to see all the details of an item before purchasing it, many sites employ the latest technology so that you can not only zoom-in on items but view them from multiple angles. I love this feature. Check it out at zappos.com, the fabulous shoes and accessories site. After selecting an item, just click on “multi view.” Even better than this, though, are customer reviews. I consider them to be the best asset any online retailer can offer. Most sites offer this feature and I always read them before purchasing something. What better way to find out about an item’s quality, real-life color (the color shown on your monitor is not always accurate), fit, and appearance than from someone who already owns that item?
Now, no one has come up with a way to beam your purchases to you instantaneously, however, there are sites that are better than others when it comes to processing and shipping your items quickly. I experienced this, for example, when I ordered from Overstock and Perfumania.com 
(free shipping on orders of $59 or more, by the way). I received my purchases in just a few days.
So, what are you waiting for? Keep visiting Shopnetime and get into e-shopping now!
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Posted under
Uncategorized on May 22, 2007 at 4:50 am and has no comments.