A Comic for Fun

I came across this cartoon today and I felt like it was a perfect example of the way I'm feeling this week.
Enjoy!

I know it focuses on getting involved in church activities, which I do a lot of too but I think it can be applied to work, school, friends, family, everything cramming my agenda planner. :)

Penciling In

Today I took a good hard look at my very messy planner page for this week. It's a blur of colors, times, arrows, X's, and plans I've made. I took a big long breath in and out to brace myself for this week to come. As my life goes on I find myself getting busier and busier. Not that I should really complain, because as my family knows I'm one that loves to keep myself busy and moving nonstop. I do enjoy the occasional downtime but for the most part, I don't like just laying around doing nothing.

Literally just 10 minutes ago, with agenda planner and pen in hand, I walked over to my roommate's room and sat down and said, "OK, let's figure out when to carve pumpkins." Which is so sad that I have to pencil a specific time in. Not because I'm an obsessive compulsive planner, but because I fear I will accidentally book myself up and not have time to do it. So while it make seem ridiculous to have "carve pumpkins" in my agenda, I have found that it is the best way to do it. Especially if you have the tendency to over-book yourself.

I don't ALWAYS highlight like I did below, but sometimes it helps to draw my attention to something I might have missed.

Work is really crazy this week and so that will take up a big portion of my time but I know that it's worth it and I am extremely greatful to have a job in this terrible economic times. So I keep my head up and I think positive thoughts because complaining never gets anyone anywhere.

With that being said, I thought you might enjoy an actual picture of my agenda planner for this week of October 25th-30th.

Here's a color key:

Pink = School-related things

Green = Work Schedule

Orange = Any extra fun

As you can see, it's not all required stuff that I jam my life with. And I don't let school take over my life. I get my work done early so that I can get stuff done that is more enjoyable during the rest of the week. I learned this the hard way from last year and being a procrastinator. However, I do still let assignments sneak past me and I end up scrambling.

All in all, this was really just a reflection of my life and me telling myself how much I enjoy it and how much I really love the people who are in it. :)

Obsessed with These Fashions

I have never been a huge follower of fashion trends. I'm never super up-to-date on the ever-changing fads of the runway. However, when I first saw these next two styles, I thought I might give it a go.

Style Number One

Shirt tucked into short combination. You should have seen my face when I first saw girls walking around the their shirts tucked into their shorts. I thought, how old fashion, that trend will never catch on. I was wrong. It's more popular than ever. I'd say there are a certain percentage who can pull this look off and I decided to try. What really drew me to this combination is the fact that I already had the items I needed. Here's what I came up with (I feel the need for a belt, however I didn't bring any with me. Gotta get one soon):

Note: I have found, through trying on many different combinations. Chose shorts that aren't worn

out and ratty with holes and distressed pockets. It doesn't match the style you're going for. Also, when choosing a shirt, here I tried a looser fitting tank and it worked. But I personally think it looks good with a tight tank or long sleeve v-neck too. I'm not one for the boots on the girl above, but i think she pulls it off well.

Style Number Two

This one is similar to the first but it's a skirt. I think this is adorable. I first spotted it at church and at first glance I thought it was a dress. BUT at closer evaluation, I saw that it was a shirt paired with a skirt with a tight band in the middle, giving it the illusion of a dress. What made me especially excited for this look was the fact that I could mix and match my shirts and skirts to make a bunch of cute combinations. I don't own a lot of skirts and I was not thrilled to run out and buy one. However, my roommate's mom bought her an adorable floral printed skirt that was perfect for this look and I asked to borrow it to experiment. Here's what I came up with:

Now, for this look, I have found that it looks best with a loose, printed skirt and a tight fitting tank, v-neck short sleeve short, or any long sleeve shirt. Pairing a flowy skirt with a flowy shirt just doesn't do it for me. And you can use a solid skirt with a striped or patterned shirt if you so choose. So there are lots of combinations. I chose some short camel-colored cowgirl boots to complete my look, but there are many types of shoes you can choose to fit the occasion. Wear heels to dress it up (above) or some flats/sandals to dress it down.

Shopping Woes

Everyone loves shopping... right? Not. Plenty of my friends HATE it. Not only do they not enjoy it, but they avoid having to do it ever. It's so sad to me. Because I truly enjoy it. Recently though, I've found that that might be a result of my working retail. Seeing "behind the scenes kinda" deal has it's advantages. So, in order to pass on my knowledge, I'd like to offer you a few tips!

1. Time. You need time to go shopping. Unless you know EXACTLY what you are looking for and you're looking to make it an in-and-out trip, time is a necessity. Especially if you are looking for bargains. You have to be willing to look through every item of the sales rack because that's how people get deals. Check items outside of your size sections, things don't always get put back where they should. So, make sure to leave some extra time for searching in those clearance sections. Most of the time, it's worth it. Plus, then you get to brag to all your friends who compliment you, on how little you paid for it.

2. Ask. Associates are there for a reason. We aren't just there to run the registers. We are there for customer service. And, 9 out of 10 clothing stores, have a stockroom. They have to, you can't run a clothing store without one. Therefore, stockroom means they might have sizes in the back. And sometimes associates are too busy to make sure all the sizes are out so asking one of them to check never hurt anyone. If they don't have it, no big. But if they do, score.

3. Triple check. When you think you're ready to make a purchase, check the items you have in your hand, the sizes, the styles, the prices. Be 100% sure about your purchase. Add up the approximate total cost. That way, when you hear the total you aren't shell shocked and frantically trying to lower it at the register.

4. Price check. Not all associates hate their job. With the exception of the occasional hateful, depressed, moping, sulky, workers, most of us are happy to help you with anything you need. If the item looks like it's in the wrong place, if the sale price isn't clear, or if it might have additional markdowns, ask for a price check. It takes two seconds at most stores and the associates don't mind at all.

5. Sign up for e-mail coupons. Yeah yeah, I can hear the grumbling already. I know how obnoxious this can be. Getting millions of e-mails from a bunch of stores of updates and sales and coupons that you don't have time to read. I understand that. I hate it to. However, these can be very worth it. My suggestion? Create a free email account just for coupons. Make it short and quick to write down, enter, or tell the associate. You don't have to check it every day and it won't clog up your work or personal e-mail. Then if you plan a shopping day, take a gander at that e-mail. See what coupons or sales the stores are having. Print them real quick and stick them in your purse just in case you decide to look around that store and see something you like. There's nothing I hate more than knowing you had a coupon but couldn't use it.

6. Check price tags. Here's a secret that I've found in working at Children's Place. Corporate is smart. And so is the Marketing department (maybe that's why it's my major!). However, they know the ways to say things to make you buy it without comparing. For example, we sell denim all year round at the store. Regularly the big kids sizes are 2 for $22 (12.50 ea). When they go on "promo" they usually go to around $11 a piece. This might sound like a deal because of the nice even low number. BUT, it's only a dollar cheaper than they normally are when you buy 2 of them. So just be sure to check how much an item is regularly in comparison to the promo price. Sometimes it's worth it, sometimes it's not.

Hope these tips help some shopping ventures in the future! Now go out and "shop till you drop".

Disclaimer: It has come to my attention that these tips probably don't have a huge affect on men. I apologize, however, I can't help you much. You shop differently and more straight-forward. And most likely, you will hate shopping no matter what.