Are you a BLACK FRIDAY or a CYBER MONDAY shopper?  Do you already have your list of stores to hit?  As you may know, the Black Friday sales start the week of Thanksgiving.  Many stores, Old Navy for example, are starting their discounts the Monday before Thanksgiving.   If you haven’t made your list yet, there's still time.  Since it looks like there will be no Talking Elmo or Cabbage Patch Doll to fight over, Black Friday er Thursday shopping may be relatively tame this year.  You may have time to pick up a few of those clothing items on your list as well.  A little advice:

1. Shop with a plan.  Core pieces first, matched or coordinated, worn together or as separates, working with add-on items updated a piece at a time.  Use the Cluster Concept to guide your shopping options and inspire your wardrobe styling.  Rely on that periodic wardrobe evaluation.  Discard what doesn’t work and make a list of what you need.
2. Shop with a purpose.  So many people discover a clothing need too late, then dash in and grab something, anything that’ll work for right now.  Over the long term, it amounts to closet clutter and makes you feel guilty.  Make it a habit to anticipate your clothing needs according to your calendar.  A periodic “impulse buy” makes sense when you take time to think it through.  Do you have something the item will go with?  Do you have someplace to really wear it?  Do you have some money available to cover the cost of this piece and the quality replacement you’ll soon have to purchase?  When you know what’s in your closet, love plus logic can make that impulse buy the perfect purchase you smile about for years to come.
3. Shop with a dollar-amount in mind.  You’re looking for the best quality at the price you can afford.  Shop the quality stores and catalogs with clothing priced in harmony with your ability to pay.  Then pick the best piece on the rack.  Scout the higher priced, higher quality stores for sale items generally displayed toward the back of the store.  Or, like me and many others, plan to shop the outlets as well.  Sales will continue throughout January.  As you anticipate the New Year, start thinking about your coming clothing needs and planning your budget allowances for 2016.  
4. Keep calm and shop on with the knowledge you have stuck with your plan, shopped with a purpose, and stayed within your budget.  You can do it!!  And of course, if you need a little help, I'm just a click away.  

Check out this site for more details on how to shop the sales next week and great Cyber Monday tips:  http://dealnews.com/features/black-friday/predictions/apparel/

Written by Dani Slaugh and Judith Rasband, AICI CIM 

You've heard about Paul Revere, but have you heard of William Dawes?  According to Malcolm Gladwell's "The Tipping Point",  both men strapped on their boots and made the same ride to alert the New England colonists the British were coming, but Paul Revere's ride became history and William Dawes' ride faded in oblivion.  In his book, Gladwell speculates the reason for this.  Revere was a connector.  He was involved in many different social, political and business circles; his local church, the Masonic club, the pub where he met with underground patriots weekly, in addition to political and business groups that took him away from town often.  Because he had so many connections, he knew who to alert as he rode through the towns on that night in April 1775.  He was able to help more people and prompt the young Americans to begin the battle for their freedom.  As I consider the upcoming Veterans Day and the great sacrifices that were made for our country, I want to say thank you by strapping on my boots and doing some good in return.  

​Because serving in the military is highly unlikely for me at this point, I'm looking for other ways to use my knowledge and skills to give back.  Isn't funny how when you open your mind to new possibilities, a door opens?  Call it the law of attraction or a signal the universe.  As soon as I thought about ways to branch out, to be involved with different groups, I received two calls.  One was from the Jordan School District, who asked me to serve on the Advisory Board for Clothing, Fashion and Textile classes and the other was to donate time and services to the Cancer Rehabilitation Center, (who is holding an event on November 20th btw).

​There are many different wars to battle that may or may not include riding through the night on horseback.   I have been inspired by some remarkable clients who serve and are involved in so many different ways.  What a great time of year to reflect on what we have, who we are, and what we have to give.  It may be donating food and clothing to the homeless, reading to children at your elementary school, digging deep to serve family, or it may be using your talents and knowledge to benefit others in the community.  How about you?  In what ways are giving back in this month when we honor our veterans and give thanks?