Sorry, but I don’t know how to get a Vimeo video embedded into my blog. Don’t let that stop you from checking out this invisible bicycle helmet! Brilliant. Seriously, check it out!!
I’ve needed to refresh and update my wardrobe for a while. The problem is I don’t like to shop. That wasn’t always the case. When my daughter was still at home she would help me find all sorts of great outfits. She knew what looked flattering on me and was quite honest when it didn’t! She was good. Now we are 1500 miles apart. I haven’t put much effort in these last couple of years.
Well, I was belly-aching at work about clothes again and a co-worker sent me this blog post from Pocket Your Dollars titled, “Do You Hate Clothes Shopping As Much As I Do? You May Not Have To Do It Ever. Again.” WHAT?! A woman after my own heart! I read the post and found out I could have the services of a personal shopper for FREE! I had nothing to lose so I made an appointment but had a three month wait.
My appointment finally happened. Enter Michelle from ARC’s Value Village personal shopper extraordinaire! To prepare for the appointment I filled out a questionnaire which she used to pull together a bunch of outfits and single items based on my preferences. Well, let me tell you it was well worth the wait! Michelle did an amazing job pulling outfits for me to try on. I still can’t believe the service is FREE. As a side note there is no pressure to buy but I did end up purchasing many of the items that Michelle picked out.
I now have 19 new pieces to add to my wardrobe. To break it down for you I purchased two pair of shoes, five necklaces, twelve pieces of clothing (one pair of pants, one spring jacket, two dresses, four blazers, and four tops). I spent about $160. Almost all the things I purchased are new (with tags) or have absolutely no signs of wear! Here’s a few of the items I brought home.
Pair One – Brown Heels
Pair Two – Black Wedges
Five Necklaces
Michelle put together this versatile jacket, brown dress and necklace.
Spring jacket – can’t wait to wear this!!
Here’s another combo: black jacket, print top, and accent necklace!
Michelle the miracle worker and me.
Michelle and me in one of the outfits she put together. This is a sleeve dress, jean jacket, and scarf.
Bottom line, I’m going to schedule another appointment with Michelle. During the appointment I forgot I didn’t like shopping. True story.
Have you worked with a personal shopper? Are you a thrifter? What’s your favorite “find”? I’m guessing you know mine is Michelle!
Here’s a link to ARC’s Value Village scheduler!
I don’t know about you, but I find adding a scarf an easy way to update or dress-up an outfit. I found this video from Eileen Fisher demonstrating a nice variety of ways to tie a scarf. What do you like to do to accent an outfit?
Posted in Clothing
Tagged accent, clothing, eileen fisher, Fashion, heels, How to tie a scarf, Life lessons, shopping, sisters, style, support and encouragment, ways to tie a scarf, women
Did I ever tell you about the time when hubby and I were riding his Suzuki 550 on a back road and we flew off the bike over the handle bars? This happened almost 33 years ago when we were first married. A helmet was the only gear we each were wearing. We both landed on our heads but were not seriously hurt. I did have a bad case of road rash across my back which was scrubbed out. >insert< SCREAM!
I happened to catch a local news story last night about a young man’s experience not wearing gear. He experienced a broken back, but should fully recover.
Teen Daredevil
What about you? Gear or no gear? Me, I’m all in!
Thought I’d share a collage of some things that I’ve made. Last year the combination of not riding and expecting a grandson inspired me to create a few things!
I’ve made a hat for my grandson, crocheted a pair of Chucks for him too, several t-shirt infinity scarves in countless colors, crocheted various winter scarves, crocheted reusable Swifter covers, several pairs of fingerless gloves, an octopus, and a Barcelona soccer jersey (also for my grandson to match his dad’s). Many of items have been given away, sold, or posted on Etsy.com.
What do you do when you’re not riding?
Left work on Friday with butterflies in my tummy because I was so excited to go for a ride on the VStrom. When I got home our neighbor and her truly adorable little guy were visiting. Although it delayed our getting out on the road, I so enjoyed playing ball with the 22 month old tot! Plus, he seemed to like my motorcycle. As he sat on the seat he was making all sorts of sounds. I think motor sports are in his future. He’s sat on his dad’s lap since birth (with sound cancelling headphones) on a riding mower.
We finally left with less than two hours before sunset; new bike and I haven’t done any night driving so I’m a bit cautious. Hubby led and off we went on an adventure on the back roads. Bumps, rail road tracks, stop signs and lights, smooth straight lines, S-curves and the like! We were able to get in over 50 miles before ending back at home.
Having my husband out on the road with me was awesome! I’m so happy (actually pig squealing happy) for the new ride.
P.S. I also ordered a girly riding jacket with full armor and a PINK stripe!
Posted in Clothing, Honda, Lady Riders, Motorcycles
Tagged first motorcycle, Honda, motorcycle, riding, women
I’m thinking y’all are like me. I look in my closet and have several pairs of shoes {heels!} to choose from and some days its just not a quick decision. It’s too easy to take for granted having shoes until you watch something like this:
Sole Hope Promo 2012 from jason garris on Vimeo.
Sole Hope’s mission is to offer HOPE to widows, orphans and others within impoverished and forgotten communities around the world by teaching the simple trade of shoemaking which provides jobs and shoes to those in need.
You, me, and as many as we can share this with can help … for free. It only takes a few minutes to vote for this organization over at Cultivate Wines.
According to their web site, “Cultivate is giving away $100,000 per quarter to non-profits via a democratic voting system. The winner will receive $50,000, and the five runners-up will each receive $10,000. To vote, you can either register or login through facebook. Once you’re logged in, you will have 1 vote per day. To get started, click any “vote for this” button, then log in to cast your vote. So be sure to come back and vote again each day!”
The voting is over at the end of the month (March 2012). Join me and vote everyday until then for the wonderful cause Sole Hope. >click here to vote<
For more information about Sole Hope and discover other ways to help check out their web site: SoleHope.com
Bet this isn’t what you were thinking!
Last week I flew into Chicago, joined my older sister on a flight to Houston to see our younger sister. My younger sister’s home flooded back in June while they were on vacation! Think Texas, June, six or so inches of standing water for a week in a house shut-up tighter than a drum. Not a pretty sight and an even worse smell. Needless to say her house has been stripped down to the 2 x 4s. The insurance company has moved the four of them into a two bedroom apartment. Tight squeeze with the addition of my older sister and me for a week.
Last year about this time my older sister and I drove my mom down to Texas to visit my sister and her family. {I’d like to publicly thank @toddmccann for the best directions ever!} We lost our mom this past March so this trip was a bittersweet anniversay. While we were together we celebrated our mom’s birthday (9/27) by shopping for new lipstick and purses. Why? Because last year when we were all together in Texas my mom bought us all a new purse.
So here I present you with my new purse! It is black leather with silver studs! The two front pockets have very cool studded zipper pulls. Another more discrete zipper pocket on the back of the purse. The main body of the purse has great pockets and storage and the whole thing can be zipped shut! I’m a fan! What do you think? Kind of has a motorcycle feel, yes?
My new purse in memory of my mom.
Happiness is bugs on my helmet … because it means I’ve been out riding.
Happiness is leaving with a full tank of gas and riding until it’s empty.
Happiness is coming home sopping wet … because I wore all my gear on a 90 degree day!
Happiness is when extraneous thoughts fade away … because you are focused on riding.
Happiness is having helmet hair and not caring!
Happiness is making new friends who share a passion for motorcycling!
Can you tell I was out riding today??
Helmet or Heels: I'm comfortable in either! 