Finally, something new!

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

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!

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!

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!

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

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!

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