CHADWICKS BLOG : BEHIND THE SEAMS

How to Dress for an Evening Wedding

2010-08-31T15:37:00.012-04:00

With a couple of evening weddings coming up I wanted to know if the rules had changed since the last evening wedding I had attended. Dressing for an evening wedding is a little more formal than an afternoon wedding, but I didn’t know exactly what the rules were so I did a little research. I came across the article below at the eHow website. (http://www.ehow.com/). I found the information very helpful. Let me know what you think?

How to Dress for an Evening Wedding

By an eHow Contributor

Evening weddings are more formal than their daytime counterparts. Invitations may say black tie; if not, opt for semiformal. So just what does that mean?
Instructions:
1. Consider an evening wedding as an occasion to dress up. Leave your daytime clothes in the closet and pull out those really dressy things you thought you’d never have the opportunity to wear.

2. Remember, the more formal the venue, the dressier the attire.

3. Rent the tux, guys, or pull it out to its hiding place in the closet. Black tie means just that: a black bowtie and cummerbund.

4. Opt for a formal gown or ensemble for black tie, ladies. Keep the lines simple, the accents subtle and the color complementary to your coloring. Consider a sleek velvet dress with a little lace, or a full shimmery skirt with a sequin stretch top and color-coordinated satin wrap.

5. Regard semiformal as slightly less dressy than black tie. A man may opt for a cummerbund and tie that match the colors of his date’s dress, or a very nice dark suit and tie. A woman might consider an elegant cocktail dress that hits just around the knee.

6. Select shoes wisely. You’ll be on your feet socializing and dancing well into the evening, so keep them comfortable. Women Stockings are a must.

The dresses below from Chadwicks are a great pick for a night wedding.

Office Staples to "Must Have" Items - CHADWICKS Here I Come!

2010-08-24T12:05:00.009-04:00

Yesterday’s CHADWICKS facebook post on office wardrobe staples left me asking what are my “must have” items? Or do I have any of the office staples on my “must have” list? So last night I went home and opened my wonderful walk-in closet, boy was I amazed at what I found! Yes, I have all of the office staples but beyond that I found my closet to be somewhat boring. I need color, I need diversity in my items and most of all I need to make my office and weekend attire blend seamlessly! What did I do next you ask? I opened up the latest CHADWICKS catalog and circled all the items that will help me achieve my goals! Turned out to be a big list but they did become my “must haves” items...I need to order them! I know you’re waiting for it so below is a breakdown of my Fall 2010 “must haves”.

A Bridemaids Bliss

2010-08-20T09:27:00.004-04:00

Happy Friday! Tomorrow is my BFF's wedding and I’m super excited. In fact, I’m not even nervous that I’m her only her only bridesmaid. I mean how could I be? Especially when I got to buy whatever dress I wanted, without any interference from the bride (boy am I glad she trusts my taste). I immediately bought the Stretch Satin Party Dress, its’ been on my list for a long time and I finally got the reason to purchase it!

My weekend duties will include the toast (I’ve been practicing for weeks), paying the vendors (checks are cut I just need to deliver them during the reception) and of course helping the bride with anything and everything she may need. I’m always good in a pinch so this will be easy, or at least I thought…Last night the Bride called me in a tizzy insisting I make her an “emergency bag”. If this kit were for me I’d just throw in some chap stick, a few Band-Aids and some travel deodorant. That however, will not fly with this girl! She carries a large purse everywhere “just in case” she needs something. Help, what do I include in an emergency bridal kit?!? I want to please the bride but I also want to be practical and not lug around an over-sized bag all weekend.

I LOVE CLEARANCE!

2010-08-18T15:37:00.013-04:00

I am proud to say that I am one of those shoppers that walks into a store and goes directly to the sale rack. Or I pick up a catalog and turn to the clearance section. I love to get items at a bargain. This is my first year working at Chadwicks. And the Summer Clearance catalog is phenomenal! I got shirts, jeans, and a jacket at amazing prices. Each of these items are under $10!

Check out our website at www.chadwicks.com for even more bargains.

Purse Persuasion

2010-08-17T11:10:00.007-04:00

So if there’s one thing you need to know about me it’s my obsession with accessories, especially bags, purses and clutches! I love them so much that my new walk in closet has an entire wall dedicated to my beloved items. But with so many to choose from I find myself actually using two bags on a regular basis while the others are used for specific occasions/outfits.

My two go to bags are:

Satchel Bag (medium sized) – fits everything I need on any given day, the arm loop is big and comfy and it’s a solid color that will either coordinate or add a pop of color to my wardrobe.
Small Leather Clutch – Its length and slimness fits just my necessities, Chap Stick, ID, credit card, cash and Blackberry. I only use this bag in the evenings whether it’s a girls night at the bar or out to dinner with the hubby a clutch add instant class to any ensemble.

What are your top bags and purses? Do you find yourself using one style verses another?

Sweaters Among Us!

2010-08-16T17:30:00.010-04:00

Say it isn't so, that there's only a few short weeks of Summer left! I do love a warm beautiful Fall day though. It is time to pull out some long sleeve tops and some light sweaters for those cooler Summer nights. Sweaters are so versatile today with all the styles and colors to choose from. You can dress in layers or simply wear them alone. Who doesn't love a great comfy sweater on a damp rainy day too? The season is here to start shopping for Fall Sweaters for your everyday jeans or casual pants to wear to work. Do you have room for some more sweaters in your closet? I always do!

Family Fun in the Backyard

2010-08-12T10:20:00.012-04:00

Since the economy has hit a "snag" there has been a resurgence in yard games and backyard fun. I remember playing Crocket, Tetherball and Bocce growing up but not since I was 10...until last summer that is! My husband and I are addicted to Ladderball; our neighbors gave us the game last summer and we've been playing it ever since. It’s a great way to laugh and unwind after a long day. We enjoyed our time in the backyard so much we went out and bought more games including Bocce (my favorite from childhood), Bean Bag Toss and Washer Toss.

And backyard games are not just for BBQ's or family reunions anymore. Whenever I have friends, neighbors or family over we always end playing games in the backyard, even if it wasn’t our original intention. So fellow CHADWICKS are you as addicted as I am? What is your favorite yard game or way to relax in the backyard with your family?

Comfortable In Capri's

2010-08-09T14:45:00.005-04:00

At 5’5 I am by no means tall or short but that leave me without issues of finding the proper pant length. With shorter legs and a longer torso I fond it difficult to wear capri’s without long like I shrunk my wardrobe. Until this summer I wore long shorts (falling just above the knee) but now I proudly done ankle length capri’s! How did I pull it off? I followed a friend’s 3 basic rules for capri’s and well I wanted to share the wealth!

Never wear flats even if the heal is ½ inch – 3 ½ inches it will create the effect of longer legs!
Make sure the pants have movement to them. Opt for something besides a straight cut, if a pant pulls away from your body at the cuff it will make you legs look slimmer and your body longer,
Make sure the hem hits at least 2 inches above your ankle anything falling at or above this height is too short to be considered waders, making it obvious that your wearing cropped pants.

f I can finally rock the cropped pants look without sacrificing my style or height so can you! In fact I now live in my Not Your Daughter’s Jeans® Ultra-Slimming Ankle Pants.

Farmers Market Fresh

2010-08-06T10:01:00.002-04:00

I don’t know about you but I love to cook…ok well at least attempt to pull off a good meal! Summer is one of my favorite times to experiment and try new dishes. So many fresh fruits and veggies peak in the summer, making it the perfect time to try a new flavor you might not have considered before. I visit my local farmers market for the best products they offer a wide variety of items and can often offer advice on how to integrate them into your meal. After my last trip to the farmers market I made an amazing grilled chicken breast topped with a fresh basil, mint, papaya, peach and apple salsa. It was so yummy that my husband had thirds! Sad part is I don’t know it if I could replicate it because I just threw a bunch of ingredients together and crossed my fingers that it worked...

But that got me wondering. What are your favorite summer recipes? Can you offer me any advice for fresh summer cooking? Please feel free to share your post your ideas or recipes below

Legging Longevity

2010-08-03T13:21:00.006-04:00

Leggings are all the rage and we know it can be scary to try something this bold. Lets be honest it’s a fashion statement that really puts your fashion sense on display! Personally I’m a fan of pairing the leggings with shirt dress and finishing the look with a large loose fitting belt. If you want to wear them to the office and it’s within your dress code try pairing them with a cute skirt or dress you typically wear on the weekend. My only stipulation on this is that all assets must be appropriately covered before the leggings are added! Keep in mind that outside the workplace leggings are great under many things including empire waist dresses, tunics, over-sized boyfriend shorts/button downs even skirts.

Follow my quick tips and I’m sure you’ll be trying the leggings in no time!

Do:

Make sure the fabric breathable to help keep you cool.
Try a legging in basic black, its slimming and easy to pair with almost any outfit!
The leggings should end a few inches above the ankle, think Capri or clam digger length.

Share your thoughts and post below. Do you have any tips and tricks for making leggings work for you?

Summer Reads

2010-07-30T08:45:00.009-04:00

TGIF! The work week is coming to a close which means its time for one of my favorite summer activities…hitting the beach and getting lost in a great book! Reading, especially while at the beach hearing the wave’s crash in the background, is very relaxing and the perfect way to wind down from the office hustle and bustle. This summer there seems to be tons of great novels I’m finding it hard to pick just one. Currently, I have two lists that I’m slowly picking my way through the “must read list” that features more hard hitting serious novels and the “beach read list” which as you can imagine highlights chic lit at its finest.

I’ve included my lists below and would love to hear what’s on your lists. Do you have any great novels you can recommend? What’s on your summer reading lists? Oh and if you’re a book-alcoholic like me check out www.goodreads.com it’s a great site for book-lovers!

“Must Read” List:

Tinkers – Paul Harding
The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake – Aimee Bender
The Help - Kathryn Stockett
Still Missing – Chevy Stevens
Innocent - Scott Turow

“Beach Read” List:

Heart of the Matter – Emily Giffin
One Day – David Nicholls
Best Friends Forever - Jennifer Weiner
Belong to Me - Marisa de los Santos
A Vintage Affair - Isabel Wolff

Comfortable Chic

2010-07-26T13:21:00.006-04:00

I love summer, I love the outdoors and I love staying active BUT I despise the heat and humidity. Don’t get me wrong I enjoy the nice weather and everything summer brings but I have trouble trying to not break a sweat just by walking from my front door to my car. Trying to beat the summer heat, while staying comfortable and chic can be achieved (if I can do it so can you!). Follow my tips for simple and chic summer styling; hopefully they will help you stay cool, comfy and fashionable all summer long!

Wear light colors – they reflect heat while darker colors will absurd it.
Try a jersey dress – lightweight and breathable fabric is key!
Invest slightly above knee length skirts – East, breezy and well beautiful!
Rock the boyfriend shirt – Over sized clothing is less restricting.

Do you have any advice? Share you tips for comfortable summer fashions below.

Summer is a wonderful thing!

2010-07-23T10:11:00.018-04:00

I just had a fantastic week off. I really love summer. I spent a lot of time at the beach as the weather here was 90+ degrees and very humid. Everything about the beach is great in my eyes. We visited three different beaches so far. Two I had never been to. Old Silver Beach in Falmouth is my all time favorite. It has white soft sand, warm clear water and fried dough. You cannot ask for more than that! The first time I go to the beach each year brings the same feeling for me. Apprehension. How am I going to look in my bathing suit this year? For some reason I didn’t have that feeling this year. Gone was the feeling that I am not good enough or that there is something inherently wrong with me. I was very comfortable in my skin. (Though far from perfect) What I have found is that most people at the beach are just like me. They do not have the perfect body and wear bathing suits that cover most of the things that need covering. Who said we had to look like models to enjoy the beach. Yes, there are some young people in the little bathing suits getting their summer tan. (See me when you are 50 after all of that sun). For the most part it is the average mother and father with their kids or grandparents with their grandchildren just enjoying the beach. Everyone with the pails and shovels, cooler full of goodies and of course the big umbrella for some much needed shade. I am planning on taking advantage of every opportunity to visit new beaches this year. Once summer is gone I want to feel like I didn’t miss a thing. Check out these bathing suits on the Chadwicks of Boston Website. All on sale!

Jeans, Jeans - Bring them On!

2010-07-22T16:52:00.011-04:00

Whether it's Summer or the start of the Fall Shopping season, jeans know no season! Jeans are like a part of your daily diet, you just have to have them or you cannot survive. They go great with a cute summer tee or a colorful Fall sweater. You can dress them up or down to fit your every need or desire and you have an instant outfit for working all day or playing all weekend. After all, who doesn't love a great pair of jeans that feels and looks good. I say bless the person who invented stretch denim too because that's the ultimate in a comfy pair of jeans. The great thing about jeans is that they have different washes too like dark, medium and light so you can get them all and create different looks. Chadwicks has a great denim collection to fit your style so why not try on a pair today. What's your favorite fit jean? I like bootcut and sits at natural waist.

Accessorize!!

2010-07-21T15:16:00.003-04:00

Dont you just love summer accessories? There are so many great ways to update your summer look without spending lost of money just by changing up your accessories! Jewelry pieces in silver, wood or even colorful plastics are inexpensive, but add a pop to your wardrobe. Straw bags and totes are another inexpensive but fun look for the summer. And a great belt is always an easy way to change up your look. Check out all of the great accessories at Chadwicks!!

Summer Fashion Statements

2010-07-21T09:09:00.001-04:00

I find summer to be a relaxing and fun season. There’s nice weather, family BBQ’s, vacations and playful yet classy summer clothing. For me, summer is a time to make bold fashion statements the best way I know how…with an amazing accessory! I like to make sure that my accessories can go with any outfit, transition from day to night and carry from the beach to a backyard BBQ or possibly a fancy night out! My top choices are large (and numerous) bangles, over-sized sunglasses, cute sandals and big floppy hats. Each has their benefits from sun protection, to comfy footwear to classic chic style. So how do you accessorize in the summer? Do you have a favorite piece or must have fashion accessory?

CHADWICKS Celebrates Successful Partnership with “The Balancing Act”

2010-07-16T10:37:00.004-04:00

CHADWICKS and “The Balancing Act”, a weekday morning show exclusively for and about women airing on Lifetime, are pleased to announce their recent success. Three segments focusing on fashion and featuring CHADWICKS clothing won Telly Awards! What are the Telly awards you ask? Well, these awards specifically honor the very best local, regional, and cable television commercials and programs, including film and video productions. In fact, they are a highly coveted industry award!

It has been an honor to work with and be featured on “The Balancing Act” a morning show the both inspires and empowers women. If you haven’t already please be sure to watch the three segments “Dressing For Special Occasions”, “Changeover Fall Fashion Makeover” and “New Host’s Stylin In Boston”on our YouTube channel now.

So commemorate this special occasion with us. CHADWICKS is now offering 30% off one item with code CHBA. You must act fast because this offer is only valid through 7/22/10. Shop us today.

It's Like Riding a Bike...

2010-07-14T15:01:00.007-04:00

You know the phrase "it's like riding a bike, you never forget!" well it's not entirely true, you're a little nervous and shaky at first, but you will remember eventually. Lately, I've been really into bike riding - I've been going so often, I outgrew my cute little beach cruiser and bought a real (grown-up) road bike. There are a number of bike-friendly trails all across Massachusetts and New Hampshire that make for a great leisurely ride, a good workout and all around good time! We went on one trip - it was 14 miles of paved, flat, shaded bike path that ended near a lake and had a little picnic lunch, totally beats sitting in the hot car waiting in traffic to go to the beach!
I'm no 'Lance Armstrong' but I do enjoy a 10+ mile ride every once in a while, but I'm not really sure about the cyclist fashion style - tight spandex shorts and lycra, form-fitting shirts, soccer cleat looking shoes - I'm sure all that fancy clothing makes for a more aerodynamic, smoother ride - but I just don't have the figure to wear spandex all over! I think I'm going to opt for a casual pair of shorts, t-shirt and a hoodie - this terry set from Chadwicks is already sitting in my cart :) Because in the end, it's really what you're comfortable in. The most important bike riding gear is a proper fitting helmet: You always want to protect your head in case of anything!

So, pack a picnic lunch, ditch the car and bike ride somewhere!

Exclusive Friday Free 4 All Contest via Twitter

2010-07-09T10:16:00.006-04:00

To celebrate the enjoyment of Friday’s we are launching an Exclusive “ Friday Free 4 All Contest” via Twitter. Starting today and continuing through the rest of July we will be tweeting one question related to CHADWICKS every Friday at 12pm EDT. Tweet us your answer by 3pm EDT that same Friday and you could win FREE CHADWICKS merchandise of your choice!

We will choose 3 random winners from all the correct answers. The winners will then be able to choose one free category item (related to the question) as their prize. Please know that it may take 2-3 weeks to receive your prize.

So now is the time to find and follow us on Twitter, CHADWICKSDOTCOM, because you don’t want to miss your chance to win free merchandise!

Show your 4th of July Colors!

2010-07-01T16:19:00.010-04:00

4th of July is one of the best days of the summer, especially if you live near the Boston area. The city is filled with festivals, parades, historical tours, Fireworks, and of course the Boston Pops on the Esplanade. Make a splash with your wardrobe this day and show your American pride, without having to wear funny hats or Abraham Lincoln paraphernalia. Here is a great simple dress, pair it with a denim jacket and some colorful shoes, and you look stylish and festive!

I want to be a Toys"R"Us Mom Promotion!

2010-06-30T16:22:00.002-04:00

CHADWICKS® is proud to partner with Toys “R” Us in recognizing all you moms with the: I want to be a Toys R Us Mom Promotion!

Join the celebration at one of 50 new Toys “R” Us stores opening nationwide June 4 - October 15, 2010; from New York to California and Texas to Washington! Be one of the first 100 people at your local event 9:30 a.m. Friday morning to receive your free gift bag valued at over $100, including a Chadwicks coupon and a fun Chadwicks fashion accessory!

Locate a Grand Opening or Re-Opening near you by clicking on www.iwanttobeatoysrusmom.com Find the state you live in, download your ‘secret coupon’ and redeem it on Grand Opening/Re-Opening Weekend to reveal your shopping discount.

For more information visit www.iwanttobeatoysrusmom.com

Coookouts and Stains, Don't Worry!

2010-06-30T16:06:00.003-04:00

The weather has been heating up and so has the battle against stains during all the cookouts and summer outings. Here are some quick tips to save your favorite tees and shorts:

Butter (corn on the cob, yum) – scrape off with dull knife or spoon and, if possible, pre-treat stain with liquid dish soap. Don’t rinse stain with water at this point. At home, treat with laundry detergent and wash according to care label instructions.

Ketchup (burgers) – scrape away as much as possible and rinse thoroughly the stain from back to front with cool water. At home, gently rub a little detergent into the stain and let it set 5-10 minutes and then launder as usual with a regular bleach for whites and non-chlorine bleach for colors.

Salad Dressing (macaroni, tossed) – sprinkle baby powder or a packet of artificial sweetener on stain to absorb excess oil. At home, pre-treat with liquid laundry detergent or dish soap and launder following care label instructions. Repeat if needed.

Beer and Wine (icy cold) – Beer, blot stain with paper towel or napkin and rinse out with cold water from the back (if possible). Red wine, pour club soda on the stain from back to front and blot again. Launder following care label instructions and do not machine dry until stain completely gone.

Most importantly, have fun and don’t sweat over the small stuff like stains! Carry a stain stick too!

self confidence

2010-06-29T09:21:00.003-04:00

I recently read an article in a magazine that gave 39 tips to help build self confidence. The tips consisted of things like; accept praise from others, reward yourself, imagine success, which I think are good tips, but I feel one of the most important ways to boost self confidence is to feel good about how you look. When I am wearing a great outfit, and I spend more time on my hair and makeup and feel really pulled together - dont you agree?

What makes you feel more self confident?

2010-06-28T12:13:00.001-04:00

Attention Frizz fighters
As I am sure many of you have heard of there is a hair treatment out there that is suppose to be a miracle worker for those of us gals that have frizzy, unruly hair! Well, I happen to be one of those ladies that after spending an hour straightening their hair, gets this sort of halo effect of frizz two hours into the night! But there is help out there for us! There is this new (semi-new) hair treatment that has become very popular called Keratin. Keratin is an actual protein that helps strengthen your hair and also cuts out all the frizz. This treatment is offered at many salons and can be kind of pricey, but the good thing is that it lasts up to 6 months! So, I have broken down and decided to get it done this weekend! I am very excited but at the same time very nervous because for three days, I can’t wash or pull my hair back, not even with a small barrette. That may be tough especially if it is going to be as hot as it was this past weekend, but I am thinking it will be worth it! So, if you are one of those people that are always fighting frizz, you should definitely look into a Keratin treatment, I think you will be very happy!

T.G.I.F.

2010-06-25T08:20:00.005-04:00

Yes! The weekend is here! It's been a crazy busy week and I definitely need a couple days off. Last weekend I hosted get-togethers on Saturday and Sunday and I have another one this Sunday. Plus we have a 40th birthday party to go to on Saturday. And to top it off my sister is up from Florida and her and my nephew are staying with us for a few weeks. My social calendar is definitely booked solid! And because of that, I need some cute, casual outfits to wear to all these functions and luckily we have them right here at Chadwicks.

I love the Knit Peasant Dress for outdoor parties and the Bermuda Shorts for cookouts. Also the Cotton T-Shirt Blazer and Trouser Jeans with any of our cute tees are great for going out to dinner. It always helps to have these basics on hand so I can be ready for anything.

8 ways to deal with Jealousy

2010-06-24T09:24:00.006-04:00

I read an excellent article about dealing with Jealousy on the CNN website. It’s by Wendy Atterberry. Let’s face it we all have bouts of jealousy. Dealing with it in a productive way is the key. Otherwise it will eat you alive. There are so many areas of our lives where the green eyed monster can rear its ugly head. For instance the article mentioned if we are having a “fat week” we can be jealous of women with great figures. If we do not like what we see in our closets we can envy women with seemingly effortless style. We can have issues with money, lifestyle, and the career success of others, some days it can seem like everyone is better off than we are. It is important to realize that life is not a competition. Here are 8 ways to deal with “woe is me” when it strikes.

1. Identify exactly what it is you are feeling jealous of.

2. Ask yourself whether/how attaining it really will make you happier and more fulfilled.

3. Determine whether it’s actually possible for you to attain.

4. Find alternative and attainable ways to bring more joy and satisfaction into your life.

5. Make a plan.

6. Celebrate your own unique talents and skills.

7. Acknowledge the work it takes to achieve success.

8. Realize that no one’s life is perfect.

We all have talents and skills. It’s important to recognize these in ourselves to keep us focused on what we have rather than what someone else has. It’s a matter of keeping things in perspective. Make a list of things you can do right now that will enrich your life. You have the power to create joy and fulfillment in your life. It's you that sets that in motion.

Fashion Advice

2010-06-22T16:20:00.002-04:00

Just curious- what do you trust most for your fashion advice? Do you like reading through magazines and seeing what is hot? Or would you rather browse the web to find something that catches your attention? Maybe its something you see a friend wearing or their advice that you prefer? We all value our individual style, where do you create yours?

SALE Away this Summer!

2010-06-22T15:07:00.008-04:00

Summer just started and do you know what that means? Summer Sales! Fashion moves at such a fast pace, that lucky for us shoppers, the clothes we need to wear now are just getting marked down. Stores need to start making room for the next season and before we know it the fall collections will be pouring in, some as soon as mid July!

But who buys a leather jacket in July? Well, honestly … me! I’m all about the fast fashion craze. I like to buy before the season and plan my key purchases ahead. So what if I’m buying heavy wool coats in September and bathing suits in February? My friends think I’m crazy. They would much rather shop for summer clothes now and score them on sale. Don’t get me wrong I do visit the sale racks but I gravitate towards pieces that I can wear all year round, like this adorable Ruffle-Front Shirtdress on sale for
only 34.99!
I can wear it this summer and in the fall I can add a cardigan, tights and boots … talk about versatile!

As a matter of fact Chadwicks is having a sale as I write, and it’s a good one! Now is the time to grab all the best deals, but stay tuned for the fall collection the way things are moving it will be here before you know it. And let me tell you there are some exciting new things on the way like unbelievable designer-quality denim (but you didn't hear that from me!)

Summer Sun Tips

2010-06-21T15:54:00.005-04:00

Happy First Day of Summer! The long awaited (or long dreaded) day is here! 'Fun in the sun', 'School's out for the summer' you get the idea - Some of us might be dreading summertime - Summer = beach = bikini = should not have eaten that Boston creme pie donut this morning. We spend so much time thinking about how our bodies look in certain clothes, but maybe not so much time on what we're exposing our bodies to.
Here are some summer sun-safey tips:

For those sunny summer days, don't skimp on the sunscreen! Dermatologists recommend a nickel size amount for the face and two shot glasses worth on the rest of your body, apply at least 20 minutes before going outside to let it sink it and reapply every 90 minutes.
Apply sunscreen even on those cloudy summer days, UVA rays and get through the clouds!
Make sure you get a "broad-spectrum sunscreen" with UVA and UVB protection - that's the way to stay fully protected.
Don't forget to apply sunscreen to your head/scalp and your lips!
Stay hydrated = drink lots of water! You're sweating extra when you're laying in the sun, so replenish those liquids.

Follow these sun-safety tips, and enjoy the summer while it lasts!

Fashion I don't Understand

2010-06-18T13:24:00.000-04:00

I really like the previous post so I decide to make a similar post of it - Fashion I don't Understand.

The first one is Björk's swan dress back in the 2001 Academy Awards, a dress designed by Marjan Pejoski. The dress itself looks kind of cute. However once you wear it, it looks like dead swan hanging on your neck...

The interesting thing is that you can probably still find a counterfeit one on ebay now...

Another one is Ashley Olsen's recent look... A look that reminds me of my old days in NYC when I had to compete seats on the E train with some homeless people every morning & every night.... Her style just looks like them...

Trends I Love but Will Never Wear

2010-06-11T12:07:00.004-04:00

A lot of times we love trends that we would never attempt to wear. Whether it is because we think we cannot pull it off or we just feel uncomfortable trying. Here a couple of trends I love but you will never see me wearing:

The Forehead Headband

This bohemian trend has been rising in popularity as celebs like the Olsen twins, Nicole Richie and Mischa Barton have been seen on the streets sporting this look. Although I think it looks cute when I end up seeing their pictures in my gossip mags, I’m not sure if an ordinary person like myself could pull this off on any regular day.

Monokini

This one piece, cut out bathing suit first seemed to be designed for those who were feeling too old or self conscious to be wearing a bikini but still wanted to bear a little skin. Now monokini’s are a hot swim trend and many people are wearing them because they are just as sexy as, or even sexier than bikinis.

Super High Platform Shoes

Anything past a 4 inch heel is a bit too high for me. Add another 1 ½ inches of a platform on top of that and my 5’ 6’’ easily turns into an uncomfortable 6 feet for me that I am not willing to do. I have always dated tall guys so I can wear whatever shoes I want without being taller than them, but some of these shoes may start exceeding my guy and could possibly have me toppling over.

What trends do you love but are unsure about wearing?

Name Brands!

2010-06-09T14:07:00.003-04:00

I am so excited that Chadwicks is carrying name brands at such great prices! It's perfect timing for me. Summers are crazy-busy. I don't want to run around to stores looking for a new top for a BBQ or a new dress for a cocktail party. Now I can order some of my favorite brands while enjoying a little time off on my deck. So for the Fathers Day cookout and Wedding the following weekend, I am set! I just ordered a cute top from August Silk and a go-anywhere dress from Nina Leonard.

Now to get a little sun and relaxation in for me...

Stop! It's the Fashion Police

2010-06-07T10:52:00.016-04:00

Have you ever been pulled over by the dreaded Fashion Police? For those unfamiliar with the term, those are the people (any people, really) that critique you for what they see as a fashion faux pas. Maybe almost everyone has someone in their lives that serves that function. My friend’s teenage daughter is happy to provide her with that service. The other day she accused her mom of wearing “clown pants.” And her pants just looked kind of normal to me. I wonder what she’ll say about these pants that I plan to purchase from us that also look like regular jeans to me…

What doesn’t look so normal to me is this pair of jeans that I found online.

What do you think of them? What would the Fashion Police say? I say that whoever is wearing these jeans should hope that they never run into my friend’s daughter!

by AEL

Hot Weather, Cool Feet!

2010-06-04T15:40:00.009-04:00

Studded Slingbacks, Cork Wedges, Gladiator Flats and Mule Espadrilles! When the weather heats up so does the shoe selection at Chadwicks. There just aren’t enough days in the week or the month to wear them all. It’s so hard just to decide which color, style and which brand name too! If your like me and love those hot summer styles but love cool feet (I’m into all the flats myself but that’s just me) in lots of colors, check them out before their sold out! Whether your walking, working, socializing or just love sandals and shoes at really great prices Chadwicks can surely add to your collection.

Layering for the Summer weather

2010-06-02T10:37:00.010-04:00

It is hot outside! And the AC is officially on at work. I need layers that I can put on and take off throughout the day, but still look nice! My favorite Chadwicks page is ‘Shop by Outfits’. It gives some great layering ideas in addition to some easy outfits to put together. These along with my Turn-it-Around Tank and I can create outfits for cool days in the office and still step outside for a quick lunch and a few rays of sun without melting!

Back to work!

2010-06-01T11:26:00.006-04:00

This past weekend was beautiful here in New England. The weather was great except for a few showers late in the day on Saturday. But it is always a little tough to get back in the swing of work after a 3 day weekend. So I'm glad that we can wear jeans to work. It definitely makes it easier come Tuesday morning. I got my new jeans last week and I am wearing them today. And they are really comfortable! They are the High Waist Jeans and they fit great! All I had to do was grab a top and some heels and away I go. Well after make-up of course! I already ordered another pair.
Now if only the things that I have to get done in the next 4 days were so easy...

Stretch your clothing dollar with pieces you can wear year round.

2010-05-31T12:59:00.008-04:00

1. Little Black Dress

It’s the best seasonless buy you can make. Even if it’s sleeveless, you can wear it year round. From weddings to cocktails it eliminates the need for season specific dresses.

2.T-Shirts

A perfect tee will take you through the year. I love T-shirts. I wear them under sweaters in the Winter and alone in the summer.

3.Jersey Knit dresses

Jersey Knit dresses are travel friendly as well as season spanning. Look for styles with plenty of drape so you won’t have cling in the wrong places.

4.Boot Cut Jeans

A great pair of jeans is perfect for year round wearing. A nice pair of Boot Cut jeans is trend proof. They will stand the test of time.

All of the great money stretching items can be found on the Chadwick’s website!

To Cook or Not to Cook...

2010-05-26T15:43:00.006-04:00

We had an interesting conversation one day during lunch - one of my colleagues does not like to cook, so her and her significant other tend to eat out a lot. Another colleague said "I can't believe you don't cook for your hubby, don't you care about him?"

We've been polling everyone in the office ever since, and it's a pretty even split. Some people believe that cooking should be left for a special occasion - we're all busy and between work, the gym, the dry cleaners, picking up the kids - there is little time left to cook a meal from scratch. But on the flipside, there is a level of joy when you slave over that hot stove for the ones you love. There's the old saying "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach" and I don't know how you ladies feel, call me old fashioned but I think it's true! Almost nothing makes me feel better when I have a nice, hot dish made with L-O-V-E.

Who says you can't be a power woman and wear a power suit and make a knock-out dish to wow your family? What do you think - is the stereotype of the 1950's woman fashion forward or fashion faux paus?

White Blazer

2010-05-25T15:13:00.012-04:00

I am a big fan of People.com. So while I was browsing my favorite section, "Would You Wear These Trends?" I found this really cute spring style - White Blazer + Pink Dress + Black Heel

I immediately went online to Chadwicks to look for these items and here's what I am thinking.

The Key Item - White Blazer $39.99

The Little Pink Dress $69.99

The Heels (Black One) $39.99

I think I am going to purchase the white blazer first since it's a big trend in this summer :)

Summer Breeze

2010-05-17T17:16:00.003-04:00

With all of summers upcoming events, a go to dress is a wardrobe must have. Summers "little black dress", this year is anything but black. As I look ahead at my summer calendar, I realize, I better start shopping now! First is the color, with so many colors to choose from this year it's a little hard to decide but for me I am loving various shades of blue. After color, the next most important thing to me is the style and cut. I need something that I can easily dress up with a pair of heels and some jewelry as well as dress down with a pair of leather sandals. Fabric and cut are key to summertime attire and I absolutly love a comfy soft knitted dress! It's an easy fabric to dress up or down and is very low maintenance. The cut is equaly important, a cut that always works in the summer is one that is simple and femine, a basic empire waist is flattering and timeless. With the right "go to dress" summer events are a breeze!

Trends to Love this Season

2010-05-17T11:46:00.001-04:00

Although it was so beautiful this weekend in Massachusetts I spent most of my time indoors at the mall. Do you ever get an urge to spend a generous portion of your pay check on re-vamping your wardrobe? I had that feeling this weekend and I acted on it without an ounce of guilt which is greatly needed from time to time. Some trends I saw in every store I went into were; tunic length shirts, ruffles and rosettes, and denim galore!

Tunic length shirts are great to wear with leggings or skinny jeans. A couple of my favorite tunics from Chadwicks are the Linen Blend Tie-Front Tunic and the Pintuck Tunic. Wear these tunics belted to add an extra touch of style or unbelted for a more casual comfy look.

Ruffles and rosettes are also big trends for the spring and summer this season. The Ruffle Wrap Shaper Dress is a slimming dress that provides just the right amount of style with a ruffled neckline that carries on throughout the length of the dress. The Rosette-Trim Pointelle Sweater is a babydoll style sweater with a rosette detail on the neck line. Rosettes turn a plain sweater or knit top into a dressier top for work or even for a night out!

Finally, denim is a big trend that has expanded beyond denim bottoms and into denim shirts, jackets and dresses. Our Oversize Denim Shirt is a great basic item to have. Tunic length, it looks great with a pair of black leggings and flats.

I have tried to incorporate all of these trends into my wardrobe this season. Fortunately it is has been easy to do so because many of these items are versatile and can also be worn dressed up or down. The ruffles and rosettes add a touch of detail that turns basic into unique while tunics and denim styles are comfortable and casual for relaxing summer weekends and nights. What trend do you like best this season?

Casual Fridays!

2010-05-14T15:10:00.007-04:00

Friday is finally here. Yeah! My favorite day of the week! Although I love the weekends of course, I think Friday is my favorite because I still have the weekend to look forward to. And everyone tends to dress a bit more casually on Fridays. Our dress code here is business casual all the time but a lot of companies have Casual Fridays which everyone loves because they can usually wear jeans to work. It's just easier to get ready for work on Fridays for some reason. You don't have to put as much thought into what outfit you are wearing.

There are some really cute items on Chadwicks.com that would be great for Casual Fridays. The Eyelash Tiered Top paired with the Easy Crop Pants is a great casual outfit. Then just slip into the Nina Thong Wedges and you are on your way. What is you favorite Casual Friday outfit?

2010-05-07T13:01:00.015-04:00

My mom is all about trends; my grandmother was too. However their wardrobes looked like they were colorblind at times, or at least pattern-blind. They were famous for taking a look from a trendy magazine and adding their own spin. It didn’t work. They looked like two crazy ladies that could not make up their minds on what to wear, so they just wore it all. Or that is what my teenage eyes saw. Therefore I became the kid who feared patterns. And my wardrobe consisted of neutral colors.

Jumping forward about 30 years (ouch), my kids now tell me that my clothes are boring. And worst of all, Nana is hip! So I need to reevaluate. I am still a bit shy with patterns. But I admit I need to add some trend to my wardrobe. As a compromise, I am going with solids with a pattern, such as this shirt from Chadwicks. Maybe I can add some accessories - and I will finally measure up to my mom!

Happy Mother’s Day, mom!

Gwyneth Takes a Risk

2010-05-05T09:10:00.011-04:00

I just loved the first Iron Man movie (very fun) and I can’t wait til Iron Man 2 comes out at the beginning of May. But first I wanted to see the stars at the premiere to see what they wore. For those people who don’t follow that kind of thing, Gwyneth Paltrow broke with tradition (I think, anyway) and wore a shorts suit. Of course, it was no ordinary short suit—it was designed by Giorgio Armani. What do you think of her outfit? Fashion-forward? Or fashion faux-pas?

I kind of like the idea of wearing shorts whenever and wherever I can, so I liked Gwyneth’s style choice. Opinion seems to be split online as to whether she or Scarlett Johansson, another of the movie’s stars, got the red carpet award for best dressed. Me, I’m voting for Gwyneth, probably because it takes nerve to take that kind of fashion risk.

Maybe I’m hoping that it will rub off on me. There’s a certain white shorts suit in Metrostyle’s (our sister company) summer catalog that’s calling me, and though I don’t have any premieres planned, there is a graduation party coming up…

By AEL

Capris and Shorts, Bring it On!

2010-05-03T09:49:00.015-04:00

It's May and the warm weather is finally coming our way in the Northeast, yeah! There's nothing better than a bright blue sky, a warm feeling from the sun and a walk outside to energize you. It's great to be able to get out and enjoy on a weekend while quickly putting on a great pair of capris or shorts depending on where your headed. This is one of my favorite times of year when I can truly put away those winter clothes and break out my Spring/Summer clothes. It's when I feel most comfortable. I've heard many other women say the same.

Chadwicks offers a great selection of capris and shorts to get you started or simply freshen up your wardrobe. White capris are awesome as you can dress them up or down, add a red or blue top and your all set for Memorial Day, 4th of July or even a quick nautical look. A great pair of comfy shorts make it easy to slip on over a swimsuit or for just hanging around. Either way, you can't go wrong. Don't you agree?

Summer Reds

2010-04-30T11:05:00.000-04:00

“When In Doubt, Wear Red”
- Bill Blass

Do you agree that red is a very flattering color on most people? Every woman can find a shade of red that looks great on her, and the color red is believed to effect us both mentally and physically; increasing enthusiasm, energizing, and instilling a sense of confidence.

The color red throughout history has symbolized power, strength and passion, and in the Chinese culture, red is considered a lucky color.

Chadwick’s has 2 new “reds” to offer you this summer – red orange and salsa - why not try one out?

Fashion Jewelry vs. Fine Jewelry

2010-04-29T11:43:00.003-04:00

Over the last decade, it seems as though fashion jewelry has squeezed itself back into the market place, allowing women to wear cheaper jewelry while still looking trendy. As a young adult in the 90’s, I as well as my peers always wore real gold jewelry (that we have since traded in for Cash for Gold). It seems that the trend then was to spend more on rings and earrings and get the real stuff than to go to the mall and buy the fake earrings that turn your ears black! But now, this has changed! Many women are buying fun, trendy jewelry at a cheaper price, that they may only wear a few times. I personally buy “fashion jewelry” because I love the new funky earrings and bracelets that are cheap enough to buy and only use three or four times because they will probably go out of style soon…..and I also have a problem with losing all of the expensive jewelry that I have ever owned! I feel like as though many women have been in the same situation as I have where they have lost one diamond earring, and have to replace it with a fake one so that their significant other (who bought the earrings for them) won’t notice!! And since working at Chadwick’s I have been able to take of their fun, fashion jewelry offered online a pretty reasonable price! Would you rather wear fashion jewelry or fine jewelry? Share your comments!

by Coco

When you look in the mirror, do you like what you see?

2010-04-27T11:40:00.003-04:00

Is your body image positive or negative? Most of us focus a lot of attention on our bodies. Women in the US are under pressure to measure up to a certain social and cultural ideal of beauty, which can lead to poor body image. By presenting an ideal that is so difficult to achieve and maintain, the cosmetic and diet product industries are guaranteed growth and profit. Instead of trying to conform to the rigid beauty ideal promoted by the media, experiment with finding a style or look that expresses something about yourself and feels good to you. For me it is comfort. If I am not comfortable in my clothes I am not happy.

It is certainly OK to be concerned with looking good and it is very important to be concerned with our health, it is another thing to believe our self worth and value is based on how our bodies look. We all want to look our best, but a healthy body is not always linked to appearance. Notice how much time you spend worrying about your looks instead of being aware of what is going on inside of you or around you. Being unhappy with your body can affect how you think and feel about yourself as a person. . It would be sad to miss the wonderful version of “you” that so many other people see and appreciate because of something inside of us that is not based on reality. Changing your body image means changing the way you think about your body. Developing a positive body image and a healthy mental attitude is key to a woman’s happiness and wellness. There is one rule that if followed will save us many failed diets. This comes from a dietician:

The rule is this: Only eat when you’re truly hungry, and stop when you’re full”.

Listen to your hunger, and eat a healthy meal or snack when hunger calls.

Our bodies are an important aspect of who we are, but far from all of who we are. Our body weight does not determine our worth. We need to create a healthy loving and empowering relationship with our body through healthy eating, regular exercise, and plenty of rest. Remember, healthy lifestyle choices are key to improving body image.

For help with making healthy choices here is a great website.

http://www.blogger.com/hungrygirl@hungry-girl.com

We are much more than our bodies!

How much do you view your value as a person based on the way your body looks?

2010-04-26T10:26:00.003-04:00

What is a Special Buy?

Because this is Chadwicks Behind the Seams, I’ll give you an inside look! Special Buys is a concept that takes items that have proven themselves time and again to be customer favorites and offers them at an amazing prices and an array of colors that competes with any other retailer. And the reason it's "special"? Because there are limited quantities of these super-low priced items.

Where else can you find great quality, essential tees for $9.99, classic jeans for $16.99 and comfortable, yet stylish knit dresses from $19.99? The best part, there are tons of colors to choose from! We wanted to bring you the unbeatable value you expect from Chadwicks in your favorite items, and do our best to listen to what you really want.

So check out the Chadwicks Special Buys and love the opportunity to save BIG!

Fun Weekend Wardrobe

2010-04-23T09:53:00.002-04:00

There is no reason to wait for the weekend to have fun with your wardrobe! If you have great taste, everyone at work should know it! The constant struggle between having a strong career and a fabulous social life is a seemingly forlorn battle. What we often lose sight of is that we can’t be successful in the workplace without having fun on the weekends!

As the summer approaches think about what you can do with your wardrobe during the week to give a peek into your private life style. Don’t be shy to throw on a vibrant tank under a blazer or a floral print with a basic pencil skirt. You should have fun with your clothes 7 days a week!

By: The Chadwicks PR Team

Ladies Night Out!

2010-04-21T11:49:00.005-04:00

A few weeks ago, we invited a few hundred of our Chadwicks customers to our first "Ladies Night Out" Chadwicks fashion show! We had our very own associates model the new Summer line, raffle giveaways, some food & drink and just an all around great time! I was one of the photographers and it was A BLAST! It was so great to meet our customers (we saw a couple with Chadwicks outfits on), get an idea of what they think of us and see some of the clothes, that we only get to see online or in the catalog, on real, live women.
It's so important for us to know what our customers think of our product and we want you to know that we love doing what we do! The show definitely helped us 'meet and greet' with customers just like you! Thank you, because we couldn't have done it without you! The show was such a success, we hope to host more shows just like this one. You can see more pictures on our Flickr page :)
Many thanks to Stacey Helbig who is our VP Brand Manager of Chadwicks, Stacey's merchandising team, all the beautiful models, all the helpers and everyone involved, and most importantly to you, our customers!

My Aunts...

2010-04-20T15:31:00.009-04:00

My mom has 5 sisters. 4 out of 5 live in LA and they all ~~think they~~ look like those hollywood moms.

Last week we had our summer book in home so I sent my aunts the left over copies that I got at work. 2 called me back after they received the book and asked me to get them this 4-piece outfit, an outfit that made them scream.

"It's amazingly classic! Do you have to be super skinny to wear it?" they asked.

"No, not really. My friend (alright, fine... I admit it.. it's really me) is 150 pounds and it looks great on her (my colleagues can prove it!!!)."

"Even the sand color one?"

"Yes, my friend [I] got the sand color one."

"Can you get it for me? I can't find any Chadwicks stores around here in LA," they said.

"Just go online to get it because we don't have retail stores" I said.

"But how am I going to get the employee discount then?"

Employee discount?! How do they even know I have employee discount? "Sure, I will get it for you and bring it to our family reunion," I said. So now I have to buy another 2 women's 4-piece outfit....

2010-04-16T14:17:00.000-04:00

Remember this dress? It was featured in the March issue of All You magazine and it's now on sale for $49.99! Our Crisp Cotton Wrap Dress comes in some bright springtime colors and it would make a great dress for a special occasion like a spring wedding or party?
You can check out the All You article here.

Floral Prints

2010-04-09T10:23:00.001-04:00

I've never really been a fan of floral prints. They've always reminded me of wall paper in some old fashioned house. Spring and summer are the seasons for florals and every year I avoid them, not this year! This Spring, floral prints are popping up everywhere and on everything from dresses and shoes to handbags and its hard not to notice the trend. The difference this year being that the designers finally got it right! Gone are the days of tacky wall paper floral prints. This seasons prints are much easier to wear due to the variety of colors and flower patterns that are very different than expected making floral prints a must have in your spring wardrobe. Smaller prints and delicate flower choices make you feel less like a walking bouquet and more like a trend setter. Florals are a great way to add to and update any outfit. My advice is to add a little flower power to your closet this spring and enjoy this newly improved trend.

Warm Weather Dreams

2010-04-07T11:18:00.008-04:00

I have to admit it; I’m looking forward to the appearance of summer, much more than I usually am. Perhaps it’s because over the weekend, I found a pair of capri’s that never got packed away for the winter. I just don’t have the room to leave my wardrobe for this season, and the past and future seasons, hanging in the pathetically small spaces that pass for closets in my condo. So lately, a bathing suit top or a pair of shorts pops up from a drawer or shelf when I least expect it, and suddenly I’m deep in the throes of yearning for open-window and flip-flop weather.

So what’d I do to combat this very specific urge? You’ll laugh, but I put on the capri’s and wore them to bed. I suppose I was hoping for warm weather dreams. Though it didn’t work, I’m not giving up—over the weekend, I plan to wear the tankini top like a cami. It was one I got from Chadwicks a few years ago, so it’s soft and comfy, but that means I’m due for a new suit this summer. Time to go shopping!

Do you guys supplement your winter wardrobe with warm-weather stuff, too? Or am I the only one out there combining seasons in hopes of capturing that warm weather rush, if only in my very vivid imagination?

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

2010-03-31T15:05:00.003-04:00

I guess you can say the northeast has gotten more than its fair share of rain this month and there is only one thing good about it (except the fact that we will all have lawns that look like Fenway Park!)……we get to wear cute rain boots! I recently got rain boots for Christmas and I think that I got them just in time due to the amount of rain we received this year already. They are super cute black high boots with big white polka dots all over. To tell you the truth, I even wear them when it’s not raining. It seems that these rain boots are every where, I see them in all the stores with crazy designs and colors, making it actually fun to wear them even though rain isn’t too fun! They also have really cute kid’s boots, my niece has a pair that looks like little frog faces and she also has the matching umbrella! All in all, even when it rains you want to look your best, so go grab a fun pair of rain galoshes and make a statement!

By Coco

Rain or Cool Shine!

2010-03-30T10:08:00.026-04:00

I don't know about you, but I am tired of all these rainy weather days! It becomes old real fast especially when mother nature teases us all with a few nice days of sun and warm temperatures. Even when the sun does make an appearance, it's still days of driving through huge potholes filled with water and many days of pumping water from every place it can possibly get into. So, how can you keep yourself a little bit dryer and warmer when those damp and lately drowning days are upon you and you need to cover up? Like me, I'm sure you pull apart your closet looking for your best coat that may be water resistant or some other type of coat that keeps you somewhat dry and warm. Even when it's finally not raining anymore, sometimes it's still a little cool even with the sun when you just want to wear perhaps a shorter lightweight coat.

Chadwicks offers two great coats, a water resistant trench coat for those rainy days and a shorter casual trench coat for those slightly cooler days even when there is sun. These coats are for Spring, Summer and Fall seasons due to their versatility. Both coats are machine washable, comfortable, and stylish. Why not get one of each in your color choice so that mother nature doesn't catch you off guard.

I love them both !

Girly Tees

2010-03-29T15:47:00.007-04:00

I just love it that there are so many different styles of tees now. When you need a quick and easy top to throw on, you don’t have to wear a boring old tee that has no style to it anymore. They come in all types of styles and Chadw icks has a great selection. Now when you put on a tee you can still feel a little girly instead of looking like you have your husband’s tee on. Here are a few of my favorites:

I like the covered bead trim detail on the Embellished Tee.

The empire waist and pleated style of the Surplice Goddess Tee is good for hiding a little bit of a belly.

The beautiful bright colors of the Braided Belted Tee gets me thinking of spring days.

Does anyone else have a favorite style of tee?

How to Hide a Large Tummy

2010-03-29T12:28:00.018-04:00

Anyway you look at it; a Large Tummy can be a frustrating figure problem to deal with.

I know this from personal experience unfortunately. It is not impossible to dress in a way that will downplay this problem area however. Here are a few tips that I found on line:

1. Choose the right undergarments.

Shapewear is the best solution for over 40 tummy problems. It is supper stretchy, more lightweight and very thin, making it very comfy. It can make you look like you dropped 10 pounds. (I don’t know about you but that works for me).

2. Watch your Posture.

Learn to throw your shoulders back and pull your abdominal muscles in when you stand and walk. At first this may seem difficult, but over time it’ll become second nature. Abdominal toning exercises and aerobics can help to tighten your abdominal region so you won’t need to disguise it.

3. Dress to Hide a Prominent Tummy.

The way you dress can have a big impact on the appearance of your stomach. A wrap dress can hide the appearance of your stomach. Try a colorful patterned wrap dress. Add some chunky jewelry. Also, an empire style dress with a high waist can help to disguise a plump stomach. A V neck will draw the eye up towards your face and away from the problem area. Wear a supportive bra. Another strategy is to highlight one of your better figure features. Do you have great legs? Emphasize your legs with a shorter skirt and high heels. Here is a summertime tip: Use some baby oil on your legs to add a little shine for a healthy glow. Below are a couple of Chadwick’s dresses that fit the dress style mentioned above along with some of our body shapers.

Your Shopping Style

2010-03-26T10:44:00.005-04:00

Last night after work I swung by the mall on my way home. I had seen some ads in my favorite magazines and wanted to check out the stores for some specific items. I cruised solo through the mall... a girl on a mission. That's how I shop, alone.

I am usually prompted by an advertisement or by one of my favorite websites, and if there is a store nearby, I want to check it out in person, by myself. Friends, family and boyfriends can't and don't want to keep up while I go store to store...and store to store. Shopping is a personal thing. I know some who won't shop without friends, who like to have a second opinion. Some people avoid malls (or busy shopping streets) like the plague and opt for catalog and online shopping.

I do make a lot of purchases online. I find something at a store and if they have a website, I take the night to think about it then go back and order it online. Same thing for catalogs. I get the catalog in the mail, if I see something I like then I go to the website to check it out then possibly buy it. So I'll throw the question out to you, how do you like to shop? Do you bring a friend or go solo? Do you prefer catalog, online or in-store shopping?

New Hairstyle...or clothes?

2010-03-25T09:17:00.002-04:00

Just curious- when you are feeling like you need a change in your life- would you rather get a professional and expensive new hairstyle, or a completely different wardrobe?

Which one changes the way you feel more?

Get "Ruffled" Up this Season!

2010-03-24T14:31:00.002-04:00

I'm not usually one to buy into one-season fashion trends, it's just too hard (and costly!) to buy tons of items in a trend and then have it go out of style in a few months. Enter, the trend I love (and it's sticking around)! RUFFLES! They're everywhere, accenting the hem of a trench coat, dolling up a cute pair of booties, and adding that special feminine flair to that "oh-so-tired" white button down shirt. I love this Ruffle-Front Shirt from Chadwicks, pair it with a pair of dark-denim skinny jeans and hot red booties or flats for a shopping day with the girls, or tuck it into a pair of great trousers and throw a sleek cardigan over it for work! So versatile and I love that it makes the outfit look unique.

The ruffle can show up anywhere and just between me and you, even if this trend fizzles in a few months, I think I'm still going to keep it in my clothing rotation -it just makes me feel pretty! :)

Put some spring into your step!

2010-03-19T16:45:00.001-04:00

This spring think HAPPY! Forget the recession and dull, dark days of 2009 and start thinking bright, vibrant colors, eye-catching prints, and blooming shapes! The spring season is here and it’s time to burst out in style!

Dresses are all the rage these days and Chadwicks has some great looks to spruce up your wardrobe for spring! Dress them up with a pair of heels for an occasion or dress them down with your favorite flats for work. A great spring dress is a staple for any wardrobe and an affordable one that looks great is even better, like the Crisp Cotton Wrap Dress that was featured in the March issue of All You!

So make yourself smile by wearing clothes that make you shine. Bright colors and bold prints will make you feel optimistic and cheerful! Just looking through your closet and seeing a rainbow of colors will make you forget all about the cold, dark winter and think SPRING!

Maternity Fashion

2010-03-15T10:17:00.006-04:00

You find out your pregnant and probably the last thing that comes to your mind is what you will wear but sooner or later you are faced with the ever growing belly and the ever dwindling choices for clothes in your closet. This leads to shopping and many women dread maternity shopping. I discovered while pregnant with my daughter that it doesn't have to be a chore but rather a fun and exciting experience. I've found that you do not need to give up your own personal style or sacrifice your fashion sense just because your waistline is expanding. You can still wear the current trends and still shop at your favorite fashion stores and websites. There is no need to run to the maternity store and spend money on clothes you will never wear again just because the style really isn't your own. With the current fashion trends you can buy fashion forward clothes that will work on a pregnant body without breaking the bank or sacrificing your sense of style . Leggings have long been a maternity staple and now more then ever you can find a wide assortment of fun prints and colors everywhere. Some leggings are even made with denim. This is an amazing breakthrough that has solved the crisis of wearing the trendy skinny jeans while pregnant. Baby doll styles in dresses and tops are a great way to show off your belly and the return of tunics are a flattering solution to the issue of the what to wear on top of your leggings. With leggings and tunics also comes the great footwear known as flats, they are perfect for the ever expanding feet and serve as a fashionable alternative to wearing sneakers. Giving up your heels is hard but nothing throws off your balance like a protruding belly not to mention the back pain you will experience. I'm a heel addict and love the way retailers have made flats just as fun and stylish as pumps. It's sometimes hard to feel fashionable while pregnant especially while your body changes sizes daily but with leggings and tunics you can still be comfortable and fashionable while you grow. The best part about buying clothes you love and not just clothes you settled on while pregnant is that after you have your bundle of joy you will be able to wear your new styles over and over again(we all know you just don't go back to the size you where over night.) I know after the arrival of my daughter I lived in roomy tunic tops and leggings I bought while I was pregnant. With fashion being the way it is today, its a great time to be pregnant !!! Now that I am 5 months pregnant with my son and showing I am looking forward to shopping at my favorite web site Chadwicks.com and buying the clothes I love and would have bought anyway regardless of my pregnancy! Shopping for great new clothes is now just another fun perk of being pregnant. If you are pregnant try your favorite stores or websites before you run to the maternity store or department you may just be surprised as to what you will find:)

Your Boyfriend's Back

2010-03-11T14:02:00.004-05:00

And it will keep you out of fashion trouble! Ever wonder why there are so many boyfriend styles this year, and what it actually means? Well, it's cozy, cute, loose and flattering, almost as if you could cherry-pick your sized clothing out of his closet…what a concept! Doesn't your boyfriend always look so comfortable in his clothes? They fit more loosely and still look stylish.

And stealing your man's look is all the rage. Hollywood has grabbed hold and stars like Sarah Jessica Parker and Rachel Bilson are going for comfort and pulling it off. And with this look, there’s no compromising style. Paired with a fitted tank top and boyfriend blazer this look is perfect for spring.

2010-03-10T12:31:00.003-05:00

Shoes Galore!!
The other day someone asked me how many pairs of shoes I had, and when I told them about 100, he looked at me like I had ten heads. In my mind it is normal for women to have that many pairs of shoes, but after asking a few other co-workers, I came to the conclusion that it really isn’t that normal or should I say common to own that many shoes. Well actually if I asked my sister, she would agree that having a lot of shoes is a staple! She has way more shoes that I do, to the point where she has to hide them from her husband. She actually just bought a really cute pair of sandals from Chadwick’s that she had to intercept from the UPS man before her husband got home.
I love shoes, they are the one article of clothing that you can never look fat in and they always look good on you!! And I also think that shoes can make or break an outfit, for example you could be wearing the cutest black top with a nice pair of jeans and throw on funky pair of bright pink heels giving the outfit a totally new twist! Or you could put on a pair of shoes that you still have from high school and completely ruin the outfit! Whatever the case, you should always be conscience of your shoes and make sure they make a statement!

by Coco

Vote for your Favorite Swim Look

2010-03-09T15:17:00.000-05:00

With it still being snowy, windy and freezing for us in New England it is hard for me to think of buying a bathing suit for my pale, out of shape body however, like all retail companies we have started to sell our spring and summer product and it does cheer me up to see these beach looks and remind me of the reasons why I do love New England in the summer time. This week we are offering 20% off all swimwear to you-our loyal blog follower! With new product always being higher priced at the beginning of the season this gives you a great opportunity to receive a discount on our NEWEST swim arrivals. Take our poll and tell us what swim look you like best and then use promo code CHSWIM to get your 20% off! (offer expires 03/16/10)

Hopping to Find a Dress for Easter!

2010-03-04T18:10:00.001-05:00

Is it March already? That's what I've been sitting here thinking and where does the time go? What, Easter is April 4th this year, wow that's early (two weeks actually)! I'm not ready and I have nothing to wear. I've been looking at all these great clothes for Spring and suddenly realized I've got to find a dress soon for Easter! It sure would be nice to have a casual and yet comfortable dress that I could wear to my Mom's for Easter. It's so hard sometimes to find just the right dress or outfit and you want to look just right in it too. In my daily routine here at work, I'm always wrapped up in the compliance end of it with packaging, labeling, testing, etc. Then the samples arrive, you see the web updates and advanced copies of catalogs and the excitement about what I'm going to buy starts!

Well, I am so happy that I found the dress for me (and not just for Easter). It's Chadwicks new tie front shaper dress. It's going to provide me with that little extra for the shaping in those areas where needed and yet I can feel comfortable enough to wear it all day. The fabric and colors are great and I can wear it just about anywhere. It's easy to care for and easy on your wallet. Now, this is my kind of dress! I chose the royal blue floral, but they are all great colors, what will you choose?

Special Buys

2010-03-04T10:05:00.004-05:00

Chadwicks is currently offering select items that all of us here love to call our “Special Buys”. These items are in limited quantity and are selling out fast as they are great essential items at even great prices. We currently offer a small selection in the latest catalog and on the web, but are adding a lot more web only items coming up. To check out our current collection click here , and keep checking back with us to see our new web only arrivals!

Swim Ready

2010-03-03T11:19:00.004-05:00

Swim season is right around the corner! I know it’s hard to believe with the weather we are having in the Northeast. But, yes, summer will be here

before we know it and we are going to need some new swimwear. I personally will be going on a long weekend trip to Miami and I have been searching for some swimwear and most importantly some cover-ups! Whether you are going on vacation soon or looking for that perfect swim piece that will flatter you, yet is fashionable; there are so many options out there already. I know it takes me time to really determine what bathing suit I want to invest in, so start your search now, and be ready for summer.

Check out Chadwicks- we have some great Slimming Suits available!

Picture Perfect!

2010-03-02T07:28:00.003-05:00

Do you remember having to buy camera film or even having to drop it off to the local Fotomat to have developed? If you do than, you have been granted a unique view of the advancement of digital camera technologies unlike the younger generation.
It was around 1994 when the first consumer digital camera was available to the general public. Since then, digital technologies have advanced faster than most of us can keep up with buying the newest cameras. No matter how many mega pixels you have or how big or small your camera is. There has been one question that no technologies can really answer well. How do I take a good picture? Seems like a point/shoot camera should be easy, just hold the camera up, press the button and I have a picture, but here are a few tips to help you avoid deleting bad photos.

1. Lighting: No matter how good your camera is. Light is essential to any great picture, putting the flash on is a good idea even if you think you have enough light. The flash can fill in some dark areas and put additional light onto your subject. Avoid placing your subject in front of a sunlit window.

2. What is that?: Look at your backgrounds in relationship to the person or object you are photographing. The pole sticking out of Uncle Freddy’s head is strange looking or maybe it is Uncle Freddy? Kidding aside, avoid background objects that look as if they are growing out of your subject. Try breaking up your pictures into thirds and placing your subject on the left third or the right third. Some cameras have grids you can see through the viewfinder or on the screen to help you with this.

3. Don’t be a wallflower: Don’t be afraid to get close to the subject. So many missed pictures are taken too far way. If you are photographing a flower you like, don’t include the entire garden. Physically get closer to your subject.

4. Tell a story with your camera: Take some surrounding shots, then move closer to the subject take a few more, then some close ups, this will give you the most images to work with and tell a story of where the objects are located.

5. Try unusually angles: When photographing children, try getting down at their level, or try standing on a chair to take picture of large crowds, the straight on eye level images are ok, but be adventurous, you will be amazed how better things look from a different angle.

6. Know your camera: Most point and shoot cameras have what is called an ISO setting (how sensitive the image sensor is to light.) when out in bright sunlight use an ISO of 100 - 200 this will give you the clearest pictures. Check your camera manual for instructions.

7. To zoom or not to zoom: Avoid using digital zoom at all cost. Digital zoom on even the most expensive cameras, does not work, instead approach your subject and only use optical zoom if you must.

8. Earthquake avoidance: If your camera is capable of shooting video, whether it is high definition or VGA, keep your hand steady. We all have seen videos that make us seasick. To avoid this prop yourself against a wall or rest your arm on a fence. Use the same technique (#4) taking some steady video of the entire scene, stop shooting, then walk closer to your subject and begin to shoot more video. Avoid using zoom or moving the camera too fast. Use a monopod or tripod for times where the camera needs to be absolutely still.

9. You aught to be in pictures: If you are on vacation, get some pictures of yourself too. Ask someone to take a picture of you and your travel companions. Also, take time to enjoy the scenery other than through your viewfinder or screen on your camera.

Digital photography can be a great way to capture moments in time and document special memories. Take the time to take great pictures and always have fun in the process.

-Sightseer

Fashion for the “Golden” Girls

2010-02-26T09:31:00.011-05:00

Boy, I really can’t help myself. Since I work with fashion, I find myself critiquing what people wear, no matter where I see them. And that includes the 2010 Olympic games.

What was the deal with the ski outfits that the female freestyle skiers wore in their events? Guess they must have lost the coin toss with the Alpine skiers. That cute Hannah Kearney (didn’t she look adorable with her pigtails!) looked like she was wearing a pair of baggy old pajamas while Lindsey Vonn and her teammates looked all sleek and glammed up in their skiwear.

Does anyone know how the USA team picks their gear? And if there’s some reason why the Alpine skiers got the better part of the fashion deal? Are they dressed for speed and the free-stylers dressed for protection? Not that it seemed to matter, both women won GOLD even if one of them, in my opinion, didn’t hit the jackpot style-wise!

By AEL

Dress for work success

2010-02-26T09:09:00.006-05:00

When we go out what we wear tells the world who we are!
Today the trend is towards a more relaxed atmosphere in the workplace giving us more options about what to wear. Since our choice of clothing has an impact on our personal reputation, we need to be careful not to be too free when it comes to our work attire even when we have the option to be very relaxed. This can leave room for a misstep.

For example on an episode of "How Do I Look?" the other evening, the
mid-twenties woman was wearing things she had since age 4.
She was a graphic artist, and the host presented her work to a group of
Industry professionals. They loved it. However, when they met her, she
was dressed in her typical child's clothing and had cat ears in her hair.
They immediately discounted her as a potential candidate.

Though we are dressing for comfort we can still be very stylish. We can assert a little bit of individuality and personal style while at the same time staying one step ahead of the expected. It’s ok to throw in some fun, unexpected pieces. Know the trends. Keep an eye out for the special trend that is just right for you. This can boost our confidence.

“While clothes may not make the woman, they certainly have a strong effect on her self-confidence - which, I believe, does make the woman.”Mary Kay Ashe

I thought the styles below would be a great choice for a graphic artist.

By JAM

Fashion Week (weak for fashion!)

2010-02-25T11:23:00.004-05:00

Right now in the Creative Department, where we design the catalogs & emails you receive (and also where I work), we are just wrapping up all of the summer books and starting to come up with ideas, or as we call them internally, concepts, for fall. And let me tell you… there is some good, no GREAT, stuff coming your way! Because we work ahead of the actual calendar, I often find myself brainstorming about swimwear stories during Christmas and writing about holiday gifts in mid July. It is a funny way to work that does take some getting used to, but once you do, it is a blast!

So I guess, In my mind I’m right in line with the Fall 2010 Fashion Shows that have been showing in NYC and London these past two weeks. I already have a mental list of my must-haves for this coming fall & winter (a shearling jacket!). Like this one, on sale now at Chadwicks

But before I get too ahead of myself I am going to enjoy the warm weather and work on my spring shopping (getting the items I’ve been scouting since last September…finally)! And first on my list: this fun Python-Print Dress, it's a sophisticated way to embrace the safari/tribal trend and lucky for me it's also on SALE... let the spring shopping begin!

Shoes, shoes, shoes...

2010-02-24T15:12:00.000-05:00

I only own 5 pairs of shoes, some dress shoes, casual shoes, sandals and sneakers. My wife on the other hand, has more than I can count. Shoes in the kitchen closet, shoes in the bedroom closet, shoes in bins stored in the basement. I understand the argument (well, maybe I just accept the argument), that she needs multiple options depending on her mood and outfit styling- but when do you reach the limit of options. At some point, she just starts re-buying the same type of shoe that is only slightly different from another pair she owns.

Meanwhile, I wear the same shoes until they no longer function- then I’m forced to go out and replace them. My shoes get years of use, hers get maybe 6 months before they are put away.

It’s great that Chadwicks has such a wide variation of shoes for her to browse. She can even find style of shoes she doesn’t already own.

Reunion Outfit

2010-02-19T16:40:00.009-05:00

My 8^th aunt called me the other night for a family reunion that will take place in this coming summer in Toronto. In my memory, a family reunion is usually a serious event in which we all have to dress up 80% formally and 20% casually. Since I will be representing my parents, who are only willing to take flight within 2-hr distance, I’d better start thinking about what I am gonna wear for the family reunion.

According to my mom’s rules, I should wear dress/skirt that can cover my knee during the family reunion. No jeans, no pants, no sleeveless top & no open-toe heels.

Here's my outfit plan:

Skirt Suit: Even though those flower sandals look amazing with the skirt suit, I will have to pick other heels this time :(

Here are the heels that I am thinking about....

Name Your Color

2010-02-17T17:39:00.002-05:00

Ever wonder how retailers determine the names of the season’s colors? I know I have! The name can tell so much about the product. Daffodil is one of our new spring colors, and it just screams SPRING IS AROUND THE CORNER! The color Palm reminds of a beach with swaying palm trees, very far away from Boston. Clover makes me think of green grass and Red Pepper sounds spicy! All of these are so appropriate whether it’s for new spring styles or sassy sweater dresses.

A Weekend of Celebrating and Loving You

2010-02-13T12:02:00.005-05:00

A major event this weekend is Valentine's Day. So it gets me thinking, even though it's not as important of a holiday as the other one's, it's about the celebration of love and all of it's variations. We are not just celebrating our relationships with our boyfriends or husbands, but sisters, girlfriends, cousins or whoever we provide caring, love and support for all year long. (Our parents already have designated holidays so that's why they're not listed and everyday seems like a holiday for our children so they do not count.) What about loving yourself? I mean really, who provides love and support to you more than yourself?-YOU! All too often we get caught up caring for others and not ourselves. It is not selfish to recognize our own self worth once and a while and to celebrate it, indulge a little!

To pay homage to loving myself, I will have a weekend of "Loving Me" and treat myself to a few things I've been wanting for a while now and just haven't had the excuse to indulge. Of coarse I will have a few little surprises for some loved ones this weekend but I will spoil myself a little this weekend as well. I think you and I both deserve a little me time once in a while and this Valentines Day is the perfect occasion! So let's celebrate. I cheated and started early this morning on my first self indulgent treat. I made myself a red velvet Valentines Day cake!! Since no one in my family likes this cake I made it for me and me only! The cake is quite easy to make and the recipe and directions are as follows:

Ingredients:

1 yellow cake mix
3 large eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup oil
1 Tbsp. white vinegar
2 oz. red food coloring (2 large bottles -- yes, the whole bottle)
8 oz. cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup frozen whipped topping (such as Cool Whip), thawed
2-4 Tbsp. water
Valentines day sprinkles

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray two 9-inch round cake pans or a 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray.
With an electric mixer, beat cake mix, eggs, sour cream, buttermilk, oil, vinegar and food coloring together on high for two minutes.
Pour batter into prepared cake pan(s). Bake 28 to 32 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let cool completely, then frost.

For Frosting:

Beat cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth.
Beat in powdered sugar. Stir in whipped topping.
Add just enough water to make icing spreadable.

This is I certainly did enjoy eating this cake!

My second gift to myself will be purchasing a new outfit or two! It's been to long time since I've indulged on new clothing and I can really use a new spring wardrobe. Chadwick's has just released their New Spring Collection featuring over 150 NEW STYLES and you can bet today is going to be one of those carefree easy stay at home shopping days! The New Collection can be seen here. Happy Valentines Day ladies! Enjoy and indulge a little, you are worth it!

I would love to hear ideas of things you do to celebrate you.

spring fever!

2010-02-12T16:14:00.002-05:00

I'm not sure about any of you, but I am starting to have a case of Spring Fever! While I am very happy to have several more weeks of skiing ahead of me, I am itching to pull out my spring dresses. I think I'll even be cheating in the next few weeks and layering them over long sleeve tees with boots and leggings. When the weather warms up I'm excited to try them with desert boots or a nice gladiator sandal.

Bring on the Spring!

Tickets please!

2010-02-10T14:16:00.003-05:00

Valentine’s Day is coming up and there are a couple of movies that are totally date night worthy. The two choices are “Dear John” and “Valentine’s Day” and depending on what type of mood you’re in both of these movies should make for an enjoyable evening. I was hoping to get my husband to take me to see “Dear John” but I am pretty sure it’s going to be a tear jerker so I need to be prepared…pockets full of tissues. And I am also pretty sure I am going to fall in love with Channing Tatum after watching this movie! So, if you are in the mood to cry "Dear John" is definitely the way to go but if you are looking for more of a romantic comedy I would go see “Valentine’s Day”

By: Coco

Commercials during The Big Game

2010-02-09T10:24:00.005-05:00

Like the rest of America, I love watching commercials during the big game and critiquing them. Working in marketing here at Chadwicks, I enjoy seeing what other companies are doing out there even if during a football game is not a time where women’s apparel is really advertised. Regardless, here is my opinion on my favorites and the failures of these companies’ million dollar advertising initiatives.

My Favorites:
Doritos
My favorite Doritos commercial was “Dog Gets Revenge” where a man eating Doritos tells a dog he has to bark in order to receive a dorito, however the dog is wearing a “no bark” collar that would give him an electric shock if he did bark. The dog ends up taking his collar off, putting it on the man, barking, and then eating the Doritos while the man is getting zapped.

Snickers
Snickers Betty White commercial showed a group of men playing football and telling one of their friends that he is playing like Betty White. Betty White then takes a bite of a Snicker and magically turns into the man. I found it odd that Snickers was promoting eating their candy bar to play football better (something that Gatorade might advertise) but overall Betty White definitely made the commercial what it was. I hope I am as funny and hip as her when I am 88 but chances are I will be drooling in my wheelchair or long gone.

VW
As the majority of people in America have punched someone or gotten punched at least once in their life after driving by a Volkswagen, I thought this commercial probably had a large likable factor across the board since people could relate to it. And of course the ending with Stevie Wonder definitely made the commercial what it was and had me cracking up.

The Failures:
Monster.com
I thought Monster could have done a better job promoting their site to be a more credible source of finding a job besides showing a beaver playing a violin.

Dockers
There are many other things I would like to see before a number of middle aged, out of shape men in their tighty whities. However Dockers noted to go on their web site to receive a free pair of pants. I checked it out and their site has an area for you to enter your email address for the chance to win one of the thousands of pairs of khakis they are giving away.

In the end there were many more favorites than failures!
What commercial did you like best/least during the big game?

-LC

Getting there is half the fun!

2010-02-08T10:11:00.003-05:00

Whether you call it a holiday, a vacation, or “my time”, a break from our 9 to 5 routine is essential for healthy mind and body. Planning your vacation can be an exciting time, but it can also be a time of stress as well. Deciding where to go and what to see is daunting enough. Do I take a week or two weeks or even just a weekend? Do I stay in a hotel, condominium, or bed and breakfast? How much will it cost? All these questions, in time will need to be answered. Planning is essential to a successful and low stress vacation.

Putting aside these questions, in preparation for a trip myself, I realized I had overlooked an essential question. What do I wear? And how much to pack? I thought this would be easy, I am an average guy with a healthy fashion sense. so I googled it. I was utterly amazed how many people struggle with this question. There are many blogs, travel websites and books written on this subject, all giving advise, some good, some great, and some just odd. Then it hit me. Keep it simple and have fun! Here are just a few examples how to make your wardrobe functionally fun and vacation ready.

• Most airlines charge for baggage and have size limitations, so know before you go!

• Research your destinations weather and plan accordingly. A wool sweater in Bermuda need I say more?

• Mix and match separates. Shirt, shorts, pants…oh my!

• Keep clothing comfortable and have a good pair of walking shoes.

• Coordinate colors so you can maximize your outfits. Basic colors can make this easy. Don’t wear a shirt that can only go with one pair of short or pant.

• Limit the amount you pack. Unless you are Mrs. Howell or Ginger from Gilligan’s Island, packing a steamer trunk for a 3 hour tour might be a bit excessive. If you are going for two weeks then pack for one week. Some clothing can be worn twice.

• When in doubt, leave it out!

• Treat yourself, before you go, add new colors, new shorts or a special bathing suit to freshen up an existing wardrobe.

Just remember, it is a your vacation, is not a fashion runway. Most people are too busy enjoying their vacation to worry what you are wearing, so why should you? Enjoy and happy traveling.

-Sightseer

And the Winner Is...

2010-02-05T09:00:00.010-05:00

Looks like it’s a win for jewel tones this award season. Although there were a few actresses that went with pastels and looked sensational. Or at least that’s what I got by watching the award shows like the Golden Globes, the SAG awards and the Grammys. Here are my favorites in those dresses that glowed like the jewels they are named for:

At the Golden Globes: I loved Ginnifer Goodwin’s short, electric blue dress;
at the SAG awards: Lea Michele, (from TV’s Glee), took home the gold as far as I was concerned; that emerald (or was it teal) dress was a gem; and at the Grammy’s: I liked Fergie’s neon blue dress with the gold snakey stripe. In the pink/purple range, Mariska Hargitay worked a fuchsia gown and Anna Kendrick showed up in royal purple at the SAG awards, they were a close second in my opinion.

Speaking of the Grammy’s, my local radio station was giving away a free trip and I got to thinking about what to wear if I won. I can dream, can’t I? It would be from Chadwicks, of course and it would have to be jewel tone. I just wonder if jewel tones can be worn by someone who’s a bit (oh, alright, I’ll admit it—a lot) older than these actresses. Can anyone help me out?

by AEL

Striving For Improved Service

2010-02-04T14:58:00.005-05:00

Many of you may shop strictly on-line, but if you ever need to talk to a live person to answer a question or to place an order, we have now fully transitioned to new call center locations. This took quite some time and a lot of teamwork. We have a specialized team just 15 minutes from us over in Taunton, MA and we take many of our orders over the phone in Kansas City, MO. This is an exciting year for us as we have dedicated associates focusing solely on our brand. Our prior call centers were taking orders for many different catalog companies and were not as familiar with the products we offer and what we stand for. They were good at what they did, but we feel we have made significant improvements in service and will continue this trend over the months to come. Have you called lately? Do you feel a difference? Chadwicks order line is 800-525-6650 / Chadwicks customer service line is 800-525-4420 Oh, and we're working on a new and improved website as well! Stay tuned... by ROBB

Caring with Heart!

2010-02-03T16:06:00.018-05:00

Have you ever really looked at those care labels in your garments? Well, don't be so quick to cut them out before reading them. Why you're thinking? Every day in my department, there is alot of work that goes into providing those care instructions. Believe me, it's a long process that involves everything from fabric development, color approvals and garment testing. All this is done so that the best possible care is provided to our customers. What's more important is that when you care for your garments as instructed on the label, they last much longer. Who doesn't want their favorite pair of jeans, sweater or tee to last? Let's face it, we all love to shop for new clothes but still have our favorites we go back to. I call them my comfy clothes.

So, during the month of February which is typically known for the big day of the heart, Valentine's Day, put some passion into caring for all your garments. There's definitely a "Passion for Fashion" here at Chadwicks and we put our hearts into it every day. We offer many great styles with easy-to-care for instructions such as the twist front mesh tee (purple is my favorite color). What's your favorite item and color?

Day in the Life

2010-02-02T12:26:00.003-05:00

As our 2nd book of the season is in home (and in all of your hands). I thought to myself what do our readers and customers really want to know? How about a glimpse of a Day in the Life of a Chadwicks Associate? Today is the day that we analyze and dig into the 2nd Spring book. We compare actual sales versus our plan for each item in the catalog and make any recommendations for future books. It is amazing how different the performance can be for an item based on the color it is featured in or even the actual shot of the item. For example this shirt to the right, when it was featured in a purple colorway it actually perfomed better than the yellow. We adjust our plans to reflect the differences in each shot, and we are constantly analyzing and making sure that each catalog is as best as the next. We are monitoring our inventory levels to ensure that you are not on backorder for considerable lengths of time, and to ensure that we are offering enough of a particular size! The tasks and decisions we make today truly affect the future books of the season! This is just a glimpse of our day....Do you have any questions that you have been dying to know about what we do at Chadwicks? If so...let me know!

What is it about fashion?

2010-01-28T17:06:00.039-05:00

I have been watching a variety of entertainment television shows where the hosts critiqued the styles worn at the SAG awards and couldn't help feeling like I must not have been born with the fashion gene. What is it about "high" fashion that I just don't get?

The critics overall gave Sofia Vergara's gown (red) a pass while Marion Cotillard received raves for wearing a couture dress straight off the runway. What are the critics seeing that I'm not?

I do like fashion and try to stay on top of the latest trends, the ones that make sense for my lifestyle, and I love to accessorize. I'm one of those people that thinks that you can't have too many pairs of shoes or handbags. But high fashion - I just don't get it.

Chadwicks Latest Trends

2010-01-26T17:02:00.005-05:00

Which Chadwicks latest trend do you like best? Cast your vote and let us know!

A) Nautical- you don’t have to be on vacation to dress like you are ready for some fun in the sun

B) Glamazon- glamour meets the amazon in these new prints and colors

C) Sunday’s Best – the perfect look for any weekend outing

Everyone's Favorites

2010-01-25T13:31:00.016-05:00

Two of the top selling items this past week were sweaters from our new Spring Collection.

The #1 item was the Boyfriend Cardigan. I really like the Bright Rose color featured and also the Royal Blue. These look really cute with the matching Woven Cami. And this item can be worn now layered over a turtleneck or blouse during the cold weather.

The #2 item was the Braided Cotton Pullover. I love the Topaz color and it looks great as shown with the Medallion Necklace. This sweater comes in some great colors to brighten up even the dull and rain days, like it is outside today.

And I don think it is any surprise that the Skechers Shape-ups are the #3 item this week considering it is the time of year that many of us have resolved to lose weight and get healthy. The sneakers are selling like crazy and after I got mine, I can see why! They are so comfortable and I can feel them working the muscles in my legs when I am on the treadmill.

What are your favorites from the Spring Collection?

Finally, something new!

2010-01-19T08:35:00.005-05:00

Is it just me, or does winter last forever? I am so excited to see some warm-weather clothing just so I can have some hope! When I see tank tops and sandals it brightens my mood. In Boston, the weather doesn’t warm up until April and sometimes even May…but when it gets here I want to be ready. So, I’ll take my secret credit card and spend the next couple of months preparing for spring and summer. Of course, when my husband asks if I've been shopping again, I'll tell him I've had this outfit for two years, don't you ever look at me?! I’ve already been eying the Empire-Waist Dress in Black and Canvas Espadrilles in Natural. May can’t get here quickly enough!

Spring and Summer Trends

2010-01-18T17:04:00.005-05:00

Spring and summer trends for 2010 have started popping up everywhere. The most dominant trend that I’ve seen while out shopping this past weekend is the nautical trend. From stripes to polka dots, and even floral prints, these red, white, and blues are being showcased in many retailers’ windows and displayed in the front of their stores. I personally love the nautical trend because it reminds me of the beach and vacationing. Here are a couple of my favorite nautical items from the new Chadwicks catalog. The Pleated Shift Dress 39.99 (left) Nautical Knit Dress 39.99 (right) To get these looks and to check out even more nautical looks click here! What spring/summer trends have you been seeing out there?

Sick of the gym?: A New Way to SHAPE UP!

2010-01-14T11:29:00.003-05:00

Has anyone else noticed how packed the gym has been ever since New Years? My friend and I went the other night and she joked that with all the new people, there could at least be some new eye candy to look at, but unfortunately there isn’t, and waiting 20 minutes to get on a treadmill is not my cup of tea. I think I will wait out the gym rush and start going back in February/March when majority of people will forget their resolutions until this time next year.

In the meantime I’m going to try out the new Skechers® Shape Ups. This recent popular sneaker is known for getting you in shape without stepping a foot in the gym!

Here are a couple of perks to these sneaks:

Firm your muscles from your rear to your calves and burn calories
The special rounded sole and shoe design make your muscles work to balance, strengthening them with every step

The best thing about all this, is that Chadwicks is currently selling them! Click here to check them out yourself. And if you are sick of the crowded gym, change your resolution to treating yourself to a pair of sneakers that not only look good but will make you look even better!

Let's Get Started!

2010-01-13T12:31:00.021-05:00

Every year, we all strive for the same thing when the New Year starts. Eat right, get healthy, stop smoking, etc., etc. All those resolutions we all make and perhaps start out on the right track but then amazingly, we don't quite make it down that track. Been there, done that? I have many times. This year I'm starting again with eating right and getting healthy (not using that four letter word d i e t ) in hopes of inspiring my family and others to do the same. I have to admit that it is very hard to change your own eating habits and those around you but it can be done with alot of encouragement and support. It doesn't happen overnight and with alot of love and patience and, of course, making a little fun out of it......it all changes for the better. Adding a little bit of daily exercise is good too to get the juices flowing and that cardio in shape. I'm sure you've heard this all before but take it from someone who has experienced first hand the importance of taking care of yourself, it matters! Here's some easy tips:

Don't have time to cook a healthy meal since you work all day (like me):
Easy Crockpot Chicken - 1 whole chicken (remove skin), rinse; two jars Salsa sauce (medium or mild - your choice); put chicken in crockpot and pour Salsa over top. Cook on low 8 hours or you can do on high 5 hours. Serve with veggies, salad or brown rice...it's awesome and your family will love it, mine did!

Like to walk or on your feet all day, then check out our sneakers and comfortable footwear on line. We offer various brand names such as Skechers and the new Shape Ups which are awesome!

Got any great tips for me? I'd love to hear.........

Spring Fashion!

2010-01-13T10:08:00.002-05:00

Now I know most of you are not thinking about summer (just yet) but for me, January is the start of the spring season (and the official countdown to my wedding). I am beyond excited to think that the warmer weather is just around the corner. Not only do I love the warmer weather, but what I love even more are all the cute fashion, attire, and bright colors for the season. By this time, I am tired of wearing heavy sweaters and dark colors, and this month is always a transitional month. How can I introduce new spring fashion into my wardrobe and still be seasonably appropriate? Spring/Summer season is by far the best for dresses. I always feel like dresses are so easy, just throw one on and your outfit is complete. There are also great styles from the fall that are still considered the “It” item. For example, the Boyfriend Cardigan, this most definitely needs to be a staple in everyone’s closet. It is a great layering piece and a great length that can literally be thrown over a basic tee, a cute cami, or even a dress. Of course you can always spruce up your wardrobe by adding in accessories. I honestly think this is the easiest way to add color and have fun with your style. Bangles are still great and can be stacked together or worn alone, and don’t forget a great bag is a must to carry all of your essentials!! Anyone else ready for the warmer weather??

Baby Blues

2010-01-12T16:24:00.003-05:00

My wife and I had to go through the toughest day in our short time of being parents: dropping our 4 month old off at daycare for the first time. We've been used to him being with one of us for 24 hours a day (ok, I admit mostly my wife- but not by choice). Now, maybe we are over-reacting a little bit, but we feel a little jealous that someone else gets to spend time with him everyday and watch him experience new things. We do have the luxury of having him close by, so that if either one of us wants to visit him during lunch it's an easy trip (and something we have already taken advantage of), but it's still tough to walk out of that in the morning. We definitely appreciate the nights and weekends we have with him even more, if that's even possible.

Anyone else had to go through this recently? Any advice for a couple of new parents going through this?

Write a Review!

2010-01-11T09:24:00.010-05:00

I really don’t think that you can only learn from your own mistakes (although some people think that’s the best way); I’m discovering all the time that the world (or should I say the on-line community) is just dying to give you direction and opinions that will make your buying decisions a bit easier and maybe a little less stressful.

Let me give you an example: I wanted to buy a hairdryer and I wondered about the ones that claim to use ion technology to dry your hair faster and leave it in better condition than ever. And the manufacturers of these dryers also made a very important (at least to me) anti-static claim that I was hesitant to believe though I definitely wanted to as when I wake up in the morning during the heating season, my hair is a disaster!

So armed with my skepticism and a heartfelt desire to be proven wrong, I went on-line to check out the products. And there were loads of dryers at loads of places! I was stumped as to how to choose one and to be sure that it did what it was supposed to…until I started looking at the reviews from customers who had actually purchased (and sometimes returned) the dryers.

To my surprise, I found a reasonably priced ion dryer that got good reviews from most buyers and it wasn’t 100’s of dollars like the ones that I had first had my eye on. I bought it and agreed with the reviews and went ahead and returned the favor for the rest of the on-line world and wrote a review of my own.

Buying stuff with your hard-earned $$$, while fun, can be a bit hit-or-miss. I’ve discovered if I want to “hit” a lot more than I “miss”, I better pay attention to what my on-line friends have to say. I now encourage everyone to read and write reviews, it’s so easy and yet so powerful to give your opinion to the world.

Speaking of reviews, the websites for both our sister companies provide a convenient place for our customers to give their feedback on everything we sell. Since I’m looking for a good pair of boots, I’m just waiting to see reviews of one particular pair. Please help me out and give me an opinion!

AEL

Are wrinkles really a sin?

2009-12-11T12:50:00.002-05:00

A few days ago I woke up, got dressed and ready for work like any other day. I was feeling pretty good this particular day, until my wife saw what I was wearing. It's cold in Massachusetts, so I thought it would be a great idea to wear a sweater over my dress shirt, wrinkled or not. I didn't even notice the wrinkles, until they were pointed out to me. If I didn't notice them, would anyone at work? I believe the exact words out of my wife's mouth were "I'm not suggesting you don't wear that sweater, I'm telling you...you cannot wear that! You look ridiculous!".

To her chagrin, I ignored the friendly advice and went to work anyways. No one said a word about it at work, and when I returned home that night, I told a little white lie that I was complimented at work on my sweater. She immediately saw through me so I fessed up that there were no compliments that day. But it made me wonder, do people really care if their clothing is wrinkled? Is it just that women are more offended by it than men? Let's face it, everyone has some wrinkles, but I guess sometimes there is a line that is crossed. I'm sure I crossed that line this week and hopefully my coworkers will forgive me.

What's In Your Bag?

2009-12-08T17:40:00.012-05:00

Don't you just love a good bag, handbag that is? There's always so many styles and colors to choose from when shopping around for one. I can't get enough of them when I'm in a store, looking at a catalog or even on line. It's like a piece of chocolate calling my name out loud every time I look at one. I've practically run out of closet space to store all those seasonal bags, just for fun bags, it was on sale bag, couldn't live without bag, had to have one in that color too bag and let's not forget those designer look-a-likes we all know and love! What's a girl to do? It's not easy passing up all these great deals today and the quality bags you can now buy are just awesome for the price! At least that's how I justify my next splurge on a handbag, even though all true. It's doesn't get any easier either when I look at my Chadwicks catalog or on line and see all the great handbags being offered. It's a tough job but someone's got to do their part in this rough economy and buy a few good bags, right girls? Why not check out some of the Chadwicks handbags and treat yourself to a special holiday surprise or buy an extra one for gift giving. You simply can't go wrong with a great Chadwicks handbag this holiday season. That's what's in my bag!

Chadwicks featured on Good Morning America

2009-12-08T09:35:00.004-05:00

Chadwicks was featured December 2^nd on Good Morning America when GMA and Glamour teamed up to do a segment called “Get Your Holiday Dresses for Less”. Our Sculpture Dress (originally $49.99 now $24.99!) was featured as a great alternative for the little black dress. Although this dress does come in black, GMA featured it in Forest Green. To view the video and article click here. To buy this dress click here .

Taking Better Care

2009-12-07T10:05:00.004-05:00

Well, I’ve done it again. I sometimes try to do things the easiest and cheapest way and guess what— it just doesn’t work out the way I planned. Here’s the latest mistake that I made in the name of trying to out think the manufacturers that make the clothes.

I bought a down jacket that I was quite pleased with, especially cause I got it at such a great price. And all went well until it was time to get it cleaned. I looked at the tag and it said dry clean. Well, all of the other down jackets that I have ever bought were machine washable in a front loader and then dryable in the dryer. Why would I want to spend $$$$ on an expensive dry cleaning bill if I could do it just as easily in a regular washer?

The answer to that became apparent when I took the jacket out of the dryer. Did I mention that it had a cute faux-fur trimmed hood, emphasis on the word had. Apparently, the heat of the dryer is not a good thing to subject faux-fur to. What used to be long, flowing strands of faux fur, now resembled some kind of faux animal with a really bad perm. I did try to wet down the jacket again in a vain attempt to get the hood to go back to normal, but it stayed just as cooked and melted together as ever! I guess things might not have gone so badly if I had unzipped the hood and washed it by hand but I guess you live and learn.

So, now I have a good-looking jacket with a really bad-looking hood. And I’m ashamed to admit that it’s not the first item that I’ve destroyed in the washer, but more often in the dryer. You’d think I’d know better than to experiment with clothing care since I work with clothing; we actually have a testing specialist that works with the vendors to determine the best way to care for your clothes. And they know what they are talking about, so the next time I get a bright idea about how to wash/dry something that isn’t washable/dryable, I hope someone will stage an intervention on me and force me to read (and follow) the instructions on the tag.

Well, the bright side of all this is that I feel better about having my eye on a new jacket that’s in our catalog. And now I feel like I can buy it without feeling guilty. But, I would feel better about the whole experience if I knew I had company (misery does love company, you know) with an unfortunate washday experience. What have you done to mistreat your clothes lately?

AEL