I was in the check out line of Raleigh’s Super Walmart. Normally I’d be impatient from having to wait in line…one of the things I dread doing. And besides, one of the reasons I moved from the suburbs of a major city to Raleigh years ago was to get away from the busy crowds and having to wait in line. But anyway, this time while I was waiting in line, I felt a sense of peace… seeing people shopping and spending was a good feeling. I can’t really describe why. But I know it has to do with our current economy.

For men, sports and their hobbies like cars, motorcycles, golf are often what they think about all the time. For women, it’s simple, shopping is our big escape. (Women aren’t simple, it’s shopping that’s simple). Nothing wrong with shopping (thank goodness). But the real question becomes, when does shopping become too much!? And too shallow?

As with most things, there are two extremes and usually somewhere in the middle is the best balance. For me, I know that when I wear a top or pants that fits well or an outfit that is very stylish… or even better, a new outfit… I feel prettier about myself. It goes beyond the clothes. It’s like when you put a little bit of blush on, it just makes you feel prettier and more alive. Hey, my thoughts are this: if you can feel better about yourself without causing harm to others, then why not?

It’s no secret…my favorite shoes are my Skechers. Did you know besides stylish slip on sneaks, they sell the most comfortable pretty sandals too???

Well…whether sneakers or sandals, right now Skechers has a special $10 off coupon.  Just click on this link to shop around and at the checkout put in this coupon code: SRWEB (good only until 6/15/09).

For Lilly Pulitzer fans, there are some Raleigh stores and boutiques that carry her colorful designer prints and patterns. You can find her signature bright pink prints that I call Palm Beach Pink, mixed with dark lime green clothing at Belk Department Stores, Nowell’s Clothing, and Palm Avenue at Cameron Village.

Recently 9 celebrity moms including Gwyneth Paltrow, Marcia Cross, and Brooke Shields designed some Lilly Pulitzer styles.

Oh, and Lilly doesn’t just make clothing, she also has print accessories and stationery that you can find at places like Swoozie’s. There are a couple Swoozie’s stores in Raleigh. I really like prints and patterns in general because they’re interesting and unique. Lilly’s colors and patterns remind me of Florida relaxed elegant clothing which is where her inspiration comes from.

Do you remember ESPRIT? They were (and are still) a stylish name brand clothing line that I grew up with in the 80’s. I remember those big ESPRIT catalogs with happy, smiling, pixie short hair cut models jumping in the air wearing layered colorful outfits. ESPRIT clothing used to be in the teen areas of department stores.Today, ESPRIT still targets super post-teens like me who grew up with the 80’s brand, and who want to still wear comfy, well made with nice fabric, clothing. Well…lucky for me and you…they’re having a BIG sale where you don’t even have to leave your couch to take advantage of.  I have the “inside scoop” online 60-70% off sale that I’m sharing with you.

Here are some looks I saw that I liked…like this lightweight cashmere turtleneck is only $19.99 (regularly $69.50) and comes in cool colors like this hot pink…(also in kelly green, java brown, marble gray and off white)

basic wool cashmere turtleneckbasic wool cashmere turtleneck

click on “read more” button to see more cool clothes on major sale! ———>

Tallest Man at Myrtle Beach's Margaritaville!

Know anyone who lives in Myrtle Beach? I don’t personally but I know people who own vacation homes there.  Afterall, it’s only about a 3 hour drive from Raleigh. 

Almost a year ago today we were having a beach weekend there. Never in our wildest nightmares would we dream there would be a wildfire on an east coast beach…and a busy one like Myrtle Beach. I mean hurricane destruction, yes…but not a wildfire! Of course, this is what’s going on in the news now…

Michael Stars Collection

25% off all Not Your Daughter’s Jeans. But only through tomorrow! Where? At C.T. Weekends…for Women stores in Raleigh. If you haven’t heard of NYDJ Jeans, it’s the growing popular jeans for real women who want to wear a jean size smaller. The jeans have a stretchy lycra material along with denim (of course…otherwise they wouldn’t be jeans) …and they are meant to be comfortable enough to wear all day and during low intensity workouts like pilates and yoga. I don’t own a pair but they supposedly help flatten the belly and give butts a lift. What non-stick figure woman doesn’t have one or both of those needs? Would love to know if anyone owns a pair and loves/hates ‘em…

If you go to the sale, be sure to check out the Michael Stars clothing line they have too. Have you heard of him? He designs clothing that has caught on with many celebrities like Jennifer Garner was seen and photographed wearing one of his tops.

It’s Earth Day here in Raleigh and everywhere else in America! I know where I was exactly 19 years ago when Earth Day was born. I was down on the mall in Washington DC. I lived in that area growing up…it’s still strange for me to call that area around the Smithsonian and Washington Monument, a “mall”. I mean there’s not much shopping that goes on there as much as education in the nearby museums. When I was younger, at school we’d go to the Natural History and American History museums for field trips.   My favorites though were the National Art Gallery’s East Wing and the Air & Space Museums where the original 3-D movie “To Fly” played…see, I remember…

Where’s Apollo’s favorite Raleigh hangout? Well…besides the many Raleigh parks and outdoor areas, he likes to hang out where the food is. Unfortunately restaurants don’t look too favorably on him even when he gives them his best puppy dog look. I mean who can resist that??? …but they do. ..and it all works out ‘cause he doesn’t know how cute he is and they don’t know how housebroken he is. So, he (with the help of his parents who have opposable thumbs to drive him where he wants) likes to go to Panera Bread where they have outdoor seating. 

Something I really miss from living in Virginia is a diner like Silver Diner. They have the retro 50s juke box and the mini ones at each table. And they’ve got the red shiny vinyl seats. If you’ve never been, it’s your classic American diner chain serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.Remember the sitcom”Alice” from the 70s and 80s? It was about 3 diner waitresses named Alice, Vera and Flo who worked for Mel’s Diner. Mel was the mean boss who Flo used to respond to cynically in her Texan accent, “Youuu can kee-ss ma greets!” or “Whan don-kay’s flah!”