Big Sale at Avenue – Plus Free Shipping

As a current (and soon to be former) “big girl”, I’m a huge fan of the Avenue clothing store. I’ve gone there before photo shoots and movies (when I was modeling and acting) to go on sprees for stuff to take with me, and the people in the store have always been downright awesome with me.

Well, Avenue just sent me their second email in as many days promoting a huge sale they’ve got going on. (For what it’s worth, unless I’m madly in love with something and need it for an event, I never buy anything unless it’s on sale.) The coolest part, is that if you spend $75 or more, you get free shipping!

For under $20 each ($30 in some cases), you can fill your spring wardrobe up with loads of great items. I’ve put together one outfit combo here, but don’t assume this is all there is that’s on sale! You can check out the whole thing (including $10 pants!) by going through to Avenue’s Deals of The Week page.

1. Cutout Banded Bottom Top
   Was: $29.90 Now: $19.99
   Available Colors: Green, Navy, Beet Red (shown)
   Cutout details adds intricate style to this banded bottom top. 3/4 length sleeves with cutout detailing at cuffs. Cutout design at neckline with scalloped trim. Double loop button closure at center back neckline with keyhole detail. Banded hemline with double loop button details and slight ruching. Knit. Imported.
   Cotton/Modal. Machine wash.
   Approx 27″ long.
   Women’s Plus Sizes 14/16-30/32.
   Style #3421693A
2. Denim Lite Skinny Jeans (Also in Petite and Tall)
   Was: $39.95 Now: $29.99
   Available Colors: Jet Blue (shown), Rinse Blue/Black, Medium Wash
   Tiny slits at the hem give these slim leg denim lite jeans a unique fashion element. Absolutely flattering and sleek!
   Modern fit-designed to sit slightly below your natural waist. Single button and zip closure. 5 pocket styling. Constrast stitching. Small slits at hems. Printed ribbon lining with fashion stitching in waistband. Stretch. Imported. Cotton/Polyester/Spandex. Machine wash.
   Petite approx 28″ inseam, Average approx 30″ inseam, Tall approx 34″ inseam.
   Jet Blue and Seaside available in Average only.
   Women’s Plus Sizes 14-26.
   Style #3071622A
3. Criss Cross Beaded Cuff Bracelet
   Available Colors: Blue, Pink, Brown (shown), White, Black
   $6.90
   This criss cross beaded cuff bracelet is all you need to make a strong jewelry statement. Wire. Acrylic beads. Imported.
   One size fits most.
   Style # 3736751A
4. Paparazzi Sunglasses
   Available Colors: Brown (shown)
   Was: $6.90 Now: $5.00
   These sunglasses with decorative embellishment will bring out your hidden starlet! 100% UVA/UVB protection.
   Acrylic frames with gold tone metal design at temples. Imported.
   Style #3764363A
5. Leah Embellished Slide
   Available Colors: Bronze (shown), Black
   Was: $32.90 Now: $24.99
   A bold faceted stone marks the spot on these X-strap slides with a modern chunky heel. Man made upper. Stone embellishment at center of vamp. Imported.
   Cloud Heel Strike Pad® Flexible non-slip sole.
   Approx 2″ heel.
   W/7-13.
   Style #3166607A

So what do you think of my new outfit? ;) Total cost is less than $87 which qualifies for free shipping! (Free Shipping offer ends tomorrow April 30, 2009, so better hurry and get in on this!)

Please share in the comments how you felt about this post, as this is the first time I’ve done a post like this… If you like it, I’ll do it more often!

Funky, Nature Inspired Jewelry Pieces At Etsy

If you’ve never ventured over to Etsy, you need to do so right away. I’m addicted to it, because every single item for sale there is completely handmade! Jewlery, art, clothing, you name it… and some of the jewelry pieces have me chompin’ at the bit to get at!

Below are some current favorites, all inspired by nature. (Including one copper-dipped maple leaf, and some REAL moss!) Click on the pic and see if the piece of your funky fabulous dreams is still available, or browse the artist’s shop to find something you like!

Cubic Zirconia and Fine Silver Lotus Ring

Glass Pendant - Spring Flowers Yellow on Pink

Banana Leaf Fine Silver Ring with Ladybug

Moss Art Necklace

Speckle Pink Lampwork Ring

Spring in Negative - Maple Shield

Real Butterfly wing double sided pendant necklace, Sterling Silver (Donation from sale to Conservation International)

Fallen Leaf Earrings

Flower garden crocheted necklace

Copper Dipped Sugar Maple Leaf Necklace

(all images © their respective owners – click the images to learn more)

Spring Cleaning Madness (Challenge Time!)

I can’t stand it anymore. My house is a filthy wreck, and I’m not only disgusted but I’m ashamed.

I’m also so ready for Spring it’s really crazy. I’ve been known to battle with seasonal depression, and when other stuff goes wrong during that time, life can get pretty um… well let’s just say “messy”.

I’ve actually been out of the habit of cleaning regularly for some time. Don’t be mistaken, I don’t qualify for an episode of  “Clean House” or anything – but I’ve really been spending nearly every waking moment working online for the past few years now and I feel out of control at this point. Call it an epiphany, call it just flat out sick and tired, I don’t know, but I’ve decided to do something serious about it.

I’m issuing a challenge to myself. Feel free to join along, and report back with the weekly updates I’m going to make.

So here’s the setup…

There are 6 common rooms in the house that I share with my dad: kitchen, living, laundry/pantry, dining, bath, and another “extra” room that we don’t do much with but is basically another living area.

There’s then my office and my bedroom. That’s a total of 8 rooms in the plan. He can do whatever he wants with his own office and bedroom, I couldn’t care less at this point.

For this and the next 7 weeks, I’m going to deep clean one room every weekend (Saturday and/or Sunday – aiming for doing it all in one day). Once that room is cleaned, it gets assigned a day of the week for the “weekly touchup”.

Today, I attacked the bathroom. In fact, it’s still under attack – I’ve been stopping every hour and a half or so for a quick break (lunch, something to drink, writing this post, etc). The point is not just so that I don’t get burned out, but also so that I can feel that I’m accomplishing much more than just the deep clean for that room that day. I’ve also done two loads of laundry, some client work, and completed one and a half blog posts. When I finish this one, it’ll be two, and I’m planning on aiming for at least 2 more before my bed hits the pillow tonight. I digress…

My first step in today’s deep clean was the bathroom floor. I know, right? You’re supposed to start from the top and work your way down! But I couldn’t stand it any longer and just HAD to go after the dirtiest part of the bathroom first.

The bathroom itself is in dire need of a remodeling, but right now there’s neither the money or the time – however once my weekends free up (after this 7 weeks) the bathroom is first on the list for the major stuff.

Since I started only today, I’m not going to be able to get to everything – I should’ve done much of this yesterday, so in fact I’m likely going to be attacking more of the bathroom tomorrow, but that’s okay. I’ve carved out a 2 hour chunk of time in my schedule for it.

So far in the past 4 hours (less breaks) here’s what I’ve accomplished…

• Got down on hands and knees and scrubbed the floor with bleached, soapy water. I can count on one hand the number of times in my life I’ve scrubbed a floor on hands and knees. Bonus: My arms are already killing me! What a workout!
• Tossed about a dozen old makeup products so far.
• Scrubbed the lower half of the walls (can’t do the upper half – that’s the part in need of remodeling help), the molding around the floor and windows, cabinets, closet door (outside), bathroom door (inside and outside).
• Washed windows and mirrors.
• Scrubbed toilet, sink, and counter.

What’s left to this deep cleaning?

• Continue tossing out old cosmetics, products, and so on.
• Clean shelves and closet floor.
• Scrub tub and shower walls.
• Buy new shower curtains (inside plastic and outside fabric) and hooks. Put them up.

And the remodeling work list can be found on the 2009 Around The House Goal Sheet.

I think I’m going to add the deep cleaned rooms to the weekly touchup list in reverse order – so the bathroom is going to be the Friday task from this point forward. Weekly touchup for the bathroom will consist of:

• Scrub toilet, sink, tub/shower, and counter.
• Polish fixtures.
• Clean mirrors.
• Swiffer and mop floor.
• Towel laundry.

Eventually my plan is going to be to do the deep cleans once a month, say, the first weekend of each month or thereabouts (depending on whatever’s going on of course). If I find that that’s too often, because I’ve been so stellar at the weekly’s then I’ll delay it to every other month. We’ll see, this is going to be an adventure! LOL

Bathroom

First Deep Clean: March 1, 2009
Scheduled Touchup Day: Friday
Next Deep Clean: April 4, 2009

What kind of cleaning plans/structure do you have? Do you want to join the challenge with me? Check out the 2009 Around The House Goal Sheet and the Clean Home Challenge Roundup to follow along!

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• Shortcuts to Cleaning (organizeyourstuffnow.com)
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Sale Alert! Bath & Body Works President’s Day Sale – Up to 75% Off!

I’m a Bath & Body Works addict.

I’ve fallen deeply in love with their Signature Collection of lotions and perfumes, having a hard time deciding between Japanese Cherry Blossom, Sensual Amber, and Black Amethyst at times.

This is NOT an affiliate post, I get no money for sending you there… I just don’t want you to miss out, because today is the last day of the sale.

$7 Signature Collection Body Butters
$6 Wallflowers (Room air fresheners, like Glade Plugins but WAY better)
$15 Patent Totes

On top of all this? Spend $55 or more and get free shipping with this checkout code: FREESHIP55

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• Bath and Body Works Coupons (secondhandsaleonline.com)

6 Fabulously Funky Rainboots (Plus Coupon Codes!)

Okay so I know that the “rainy season” is far from my own grasp up here in the frigid Northeast, but I realize that there are some parts of the country that are engrossed in more rain than snow. Plus, give me a couple months and I’m sure I’m going to be complaining about all the rain, so I’m going to need some cute boots then too!

I present you with 6 fabulous rainboot finds I grabbed from Modista to help keep your tootsies dry, and do it with funky style! Aren’t these cute? (Coupon codes for discounts below the pretty boots!)

Graffiti-Z by Gabriella Rocha $39.00	Rainey Boot by UNIONBAY $49.95	Hearts Rain Boot by Kamik $54.90 (22% off!)
Paddington by MIA $60.00 (10% off!)	Tattoo City Rainboot by Chooka $59.95	Chooka Fat Bird Dots by Chooka Boot $65.00

Modista Coupon Codes

(I believe you can only use one at a time, and I’m not sure when they expire so give them a shot!)

Get $50 off $200 or more: MDSHOES50
Get 15% off entire order: MDSHOES15

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