When I was in junior high school, (now called middle school) I was so excited to have cowl necked sweaters. I just loved the way they curved down and didn’t tuck up under my chin.  The 70′s were so full of turtlenecks which I just despised.  It was a glamorous and needed change.  Well, thank God for deodorant! lol  I was determined to wear those cowl necked sweaters for the first week of school. That might be fine for someone living in Maine but in Maryland it was still way too warm in September.  I don’t remember my mom warning me it was too hot for them either.  She probably knew how excited I was and kept her mouth shut.  Let me learn my lesson on my own, kinda thing. lol  Boy did I!  I was roasting but that stubborn streak of a newly crowned “teenager” wasn’t going to let me admit it.  I wore them all week.

The past two days, my just turned 13 princess, decided that since the weather has brought us a nice breeze and a slight drop in temperature, that it was time to start wearing the winter jacket we bought her.  I admit, she has had more patience than I ever did.  She bought it in August and it’s now early October.  You might say she has good judgment! However, you have to take into account one thing, we live in central Florida. lol  Yup Our little drop in temperature over the past two days has brought us down to the upper 80′s. When  a front goes through here it doesn’t last long.  That wind just pushes is right along and off shore.

My daughter’s middle school has a dress policy that girls can’t wear spaghetti string or tank tops to school.  If you haven’t noticed layering those tanks is the “in” thing lately.  So, Natalia has lots of  little shrugs and light jackets to wear over her shoulders for school. They look adorable and have been perfect for dressing up what some people refer to as a “wife beater”.

Yesterday, she decided that she wanted to wear that winter jacket finally.  A bit too soon in my experience. So instead of letting her learn on her own, I just said it was a silly idea and that was that.  The End. The look on her face broke my heart. I thought about it all yesterday.  Was I wrong for putting my foot down?   No,  it was my job, as a mom, to impart the “wisdom” I’ve achieved.  Right? After all, she would have to wear the coat all day (continuously) because she was wearing a tank top!  It still nagged at me.  So this morning, when she pleaded with me again, I hit upon the perfect solution.  I said yes.  I said yes-BUT  she also had to bring a lighter jacket. I explained that this was just in case she decided for herself that it was too hot to wear the coat as the day heated up.  She could keep it in her locker and use her own common sense to switch to it when she finally figured out it was still too hot for a winter coat.  I was so pleased with my answer and her face lit up like a firecracker.  I love compromise.  I love my daughter.  She’s such a little me. I also love taking advantage of knowing what she is actually thinking.   I still remember the way my mind worked at her age.. That maturing little mind of hers.  I’ll let that guide me in raising her.  Here come the “teens”.

Business needs to learn to slow down. The fashion industry needs to learn to take a breath.  Always trying to get it out there “first”  is the theme of business.  I just wish someone would learn a little restraint.  That feeling of rushing is what makes our lives pass by so fast.  It makes our children grow up too soon and we get older faster.  Stop putting out the Christmas decorations in September. Let’s just stay in “this” season for a little longer.

Hugs, Claudia

Heels.com is running an exclusive coupon for the next couple of weeks. The coupon is for $20 off orders of $50 and up! By using the code HAPPY20 at check out, customers can enjoy the $20 off through 8/28/09. With over 80 women’s brands to choose from like Guess, Jessica Simpson, and L.A.M.B, anyone is sure to find the perfect fit.

I got word from one of my favorite online stores that Sarah was photographed in their shoes.   These sassy heels come in 4 classy color combos and really make a statement.

So many stars and fashionistas are enjoying a new trend. The Statement Necklace and other Statement jewelry can be seen in all celebrity magzaines and websites. Fun clothes and over sized baubles are making a comeback. Bold and chunky can be worn without looking like your statement is, “I’m playing in mommy’s jewelry box” . My personal style still is to tone down even these large pieces. I’ve never been able to seriously wear the Wilma Flintstone sized “pearls” lol So, these necklaces from Forzieri.com are just right for my taste. They have large prices but are still held together by a classic sterling silver chain.

Poster girl from Fashion Trend Guide gave some great tips for How To Wear – The Statement Necklace. Her first two suggestions were right on target. She says to avoid mixing bold jewelry with prints and to make sure to keep the neckline simple. I think these are key. You don’t want to look like a cacophony of wild animal prints and yard sale finds. Make your necklace look classy by making them the main attraction. For more great tips from her see How To Wear – The Statement Necklace.

Still not sure what I’m talking about. Check out the Accessory Report at WhoWhatWeardaily.com for some examples of stars going bold.

Have fun!
Hope

The rich and famous pay exorbitant prices to have exclusive control over fashion but the public at large has the numbers that bring in huge profits at small margins. Therefore the fashion industry is in two minds. Some still prefer to make exclusivity their unique selling proposition and cater to the elite few. Whereas others bring in mass-produced goods and either through marketing hype or by imitating the trend setters (or both) make a fashion statement of their own. There is the third type that sells a range of products and services and caters to the classes and the masses. The masses feel contented that by using the brand name they are in fashion. This is the contemporary face of affordable fashion.

Therefore Caribbean cruises have a higher fare for the more fashionable with everything included and a budget fare for affordable fashion that includes only the minimum with extra for the frills. Fashion houses produce the exclusive high priced range of garments in thousands of numbers, whereas similar (but not the same) moderately priced garments are manufactured in millions of pieces.

Affordable fashion has another aspect as well. If one has the attitude and poise one does not need big bucks to make a fashion statement. Funk jewellery, boldly and tastefully worn, can set a fashion trend. Faded and burnt and slashed jeans that are so much in fashion today were the creation of ordinary people who wished to be different. Jeans manufacturers entered the bandwagon much later.

So if you are gutsy and bold make your own affordable fashion. If not, there is plenty of it available in the market.

By Andy Morrison

Emily’s Online Fashion Store offers plus size apparel, jewelery and underwear.

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