Sunday (Shopping) Social

This is going to be fun!  Today's questions are all about shopping:

1.  What your favorite store to shop at?

Target.  After that I do 99% of my shopping online.

2.  If you could afford anything and everything, which designer brand would you covet?

Chanel.  Tory Burch.  And I would definitely "need" a Hermes bag!

3.  What is your must-have closet staple?

V-neck boyfriend t-shirts.  I have at least 8-10 and I wear them throughout every season.

4.  What is your favorite kind of shoe?

I spend most of my time in fitness shoes, so that would be Saucony.

For non-work I love a great pair of flats.  Comfy moccasins or ballet-ish slippers.

5.  What is the best clothing deal you've ever gotten?

I am sure I have better stories that I will think of in an hour, but the best deal that pops into my head is from Gap.

This was from years ago when I worked in a mall and shopped on my lunch breaks.  During a clearance event I bough a wool coat (original price $98), leather and wood clogs (can't remember original price) and an army-green blazer (original price around $50) and each one was priced at $.97.  Yep.  Ninety seven cents!  I still have all three items and I wear the blazer a lot and get compliments on it like crazy!

6.  What is a style you would love to try?

I would love to wear a maxi dress or maxi skirt but I just can't get the courage to.  I have tried them in the past and look like I am in a night gown.

Your turn!  Answer the questions, grab the button, and link up with Neely or Ashley!

If you aren't a blogger, let me know your answers in the comment section!

Ps:

Let's Be Friends Week 5

Seriously?  I have already been doing this 5 weeks?  Where o where did the time go?
Click here to get caught up!

Beautiful view of KC from the Kauffman Center!

I had a really fun day yesterday with my silver BFF.  Some of you may remember that I have called her my old lady BFF before, but I feel that silver is nicer.  I will have to run it by her :)

We went to see the musical "Hair" yesterday, which, for those of you that don't know, is set in the late sixties and follows a group of hippies dealing with the Vietnam draft.  I remember my mom talking quite a bit about the musical when I was younger and that she had seen it in the height of it's popularity/controversy, so when my SBFF asked if I wanted to go I was excited.


A little backstory here:  A few years ago my SBFF's husband passed away.  It was the same summer that my anxiety was really bad.  That next fall she invited me to go with her to use season tickets to a fine arts performance series that she and her husband had purchased.  That is really how we went from being Pilates teacher/student to friends.  For a while there I hated driving long distances, going out past dark, being far from home and not knowing when I would be getting home.  I always have loved driving so the fact that I was "scared" of it was so aggravating.   It was the anxiety mixed with my low blood sugar and it made me miserable.  So her asking me to do this was a big assignment for me for overcoming my anxiety.  I would talk on my phone to JF or a friend for the 15 minute drive to and from her house.  While we were at the performance I would try to make myself just enjoy the experience.  And I did--I saw greats like Renee Fleming and Joshua Bell--lucky me!

On the road.  No fear!

Over the course of the half year or so I grew as a person and conquered my fears.

Yesterday was a nice moment to step back and reflect on how far I have come.  I wasn't nervous to drive to her house.  I was perfectly fine going to the "big city" and I am back to feeling like the 20 minute drive is super quick rather than torturous and long.
I didn't ask myself if I felt "real" ONE time.  We went to dinner and then shopping.  No panicky feelings  of wondering when I would get home.  I was anxiety-free and felt very much like my old, pre-panicky self.  It.  Was.  Great.

Shopping!

Alright...now onto the questions for YOU.  Since I just shared a bit about overcoming a hurdle in my life, I want to know about something you have overcome.  I know not everyone likes talking about internal feelings, so these answers can be very light if you would like.  A fear of spiders.  Not liking tomatoes.  Becoming more organized...whatever you feel up to sharing.


1.  What is something you used to be afraid of or that held you back?
Being 20-30 miles from home, my blood sugar being low causing me to panic and then, somehow not being able to get home.  I know it sounds silly, but most anxiety sufferers are scared of things that sound silly to others.

2.  How did you overcome this?
I forced myself, slowly but surely, to step outside of my comfort zone.  I went to musical performances with my SBFF.  I made spa appointments and lunch dates.  I emailed my therapist when I wanted to chicken out or called a good friend when feeling panicky on my drive.  And guess what?  It felt great each time I made it home.  And I always made it home.  Just fine.

3.  Do you still have problems with this?
Yes, but not to the same extent.  Before heading out I do sometimes want to "just stay home" but I never let it keep me from making plans.  I think most people would rather be on their couch than out and about, and that is where I am now.  It's fun to go out, I have always loved it and I am pretty much back to that!

As always, thanks for stopping by!  If you are a blogger write a post and join the link up.  Don't be afraid....wink wink.
If you are not a blogger, leave me your answers in the comment section below.

Thanks for being a friend!

I love restrooms at fine arts buildings...such great lighting.  Am I right?

Sally
ps-if you write a post and enter it in the link-up box but it does not post, please let me know!

Cutie Cases Giveaway!

Fun, functional and well made.  That pretty much sums up Cutie Cases.  Hand-made and custom designed to order by Rachel Pharris, you can order a Cutie Case in  any pattern and color scheme you would like.
  I have had my case for several years and it still is in great shape, despite that fact that I tend to be pretty hard on my belongings.
I bought the case for it's primary purpose, to keep baby wipes in my purse for when the boys (or I) need a quick clean-up while we are on the go.  It also works well to keep make-up and other small things in to cut down on clutter in your bag.  Most recently, I used my case to store my index cards for studying Pilates while traveling.  It was a great way to keep them from getting bent or torn while traveling.
I also had one made in Nebraska Cornhuskers material for JF to give a buddy as a "manly" baby shower gift.

 Like with any great product, once you have one, you will find hundreds of uses for it and you will probably end up wanting more than one :)

Visit's Rachel's page to order Cutie Cases just in time for the holidays!  Shop local and support a small, crafty business!

Rachel is kindly partnering with me to offer a Cutie Case for one lucky reader!  You will be able to have a custom-designed case (value up to $15) made to your liking and shipped to you!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't miss this!

Hi friends!
My fellow blogger-penpal-FRIEND Michele has something incredibly awesome going on this month on her blog.  She is hosting a giveaway EVERY DAY for the month of December.  That's right.  Each day will be a new, fun, exciting giveaway and all you have to do is follow the Rafflecopter prompts to be entered.  Simple things like commenting on her blog, heading to Twitter or Facebook...you know...things you already do!  
So, whether you visit blogs all the time or you never have before, make sure you check this out!  
So far this month:

This wonderful Weekdazed shirt.

Professor Fancy Fox Pin, by grrfeisty

And speaking of foxes, a t-shirt scarf made by the foxy lady in the picture ;)

Each contest runs for 10 days and you can enter each one multiple times!  What are you waiting for, go check out Short Girl, Long Island NOW!

Small Business Saturday

I love shopping at small businesses.  I have worked for a small business for right around 13 years now. From a restaurant to a Pilates studio, and mixed in there was a Physical Therapy clinic as well.  Today, to help celebrate Small Business Saturday, I would like to share a few online businesses that I will shopping at this season:


Rinse Bath & Body

We sell these items at the studio where I work.  We have carried the line for several years now and I have yet to find a product I dislike.  My absolute favorite are the Pucker Sticks.  I used Burt's Bee's for, geez, 15 years, and never thought I would stray.  Until I tried Rinse Pucker Sticks!  I keep one in nearly every room of my house ;)  

• Pucker Sticks
• Dead Sea Mud Bar
• Body Conditioner

Endorphin Warrior Jewelry

I love words.  I especially love words that motivate.  And this line of jewelry motivates and inspires.  You can pick a word or a running-inspired number, like 13.1 or 26.2.  The products are made in the USA and are perfect for anyone on your shopping list!

• Running Quote Leather Bracelet 
• Fearless Ring
• Warrior Key Chain

hi by hello merch

Cute clothing for the fashion-forward kid in your life.  Designed by a husband and wife duo and modeled by their adorable daughter, this line is super fun and can be worn by girls or boys.

• Logos Neon Baseball Shirt
• Bolts Leggings
• Mountains T-Shirt