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7 Type of Boots Every Woman Needs In Her Shoe Closet

During the winter months, boots are essential for getting through the season of snow, wind and cold. For fashionable and stylish women, the frigid temps rep another opportunity to show off her style. There are essential styles of boots that every woman should own and keep in her winter wardrobe.

1. Over-The-Knee Boots

The over-the-knee boot is edgy but this style of boot is also  great for keeping the leg warm while wearing a mini dress or skirt. It usually comes in variety of heel length and in suede or leather. Some are accessorized with functional tie ups or other trinkets for flare. These boots are slimming as well and can be worn in the Fall and Spring as well.

2. The Heeled Bootie or Ankle Boot

A low cut ankle bootie can come in a chunk or stiletto heel and is perfect for wearing with an outfit that is in between  classic and feminine. It’s the perfect boot for dressing up a look or rocking during an after work happy hour.

3. The Rugged Boot

For being out-and-about during the weekend, mall trekking or errand running, a good pair of leather rugged boot is a must-have in the winter. Get one with a sweater at the calf to add some sporty yet chic accents. These boots are easy to put on and go  and are great for when it is snowing, icy or sleeting out.  They also keep the feet super warm.

4. Practical-Chic Rain Boots

 An iconic pair of rain boots is functional to keep the feet dry in rainy days but also are a stand out and known for being stylish, especially the Hunter boot. They are perfect for wearing with jeans and can be slipped on and go!

5. The Riding Boot

The classic riding boot never goes out of style. They can be dressed up or down, depending on the outfits. They’re not meant for actually riding a horse in but for showing off your sophistication and appreciation for the equestrian look.  You can get a pair with buckle or detail zippering to really make it stand out as well.

6. The Cowboy Boot

You don’t have to be a cow girl or cow boy to appreciate a good stylish cowboy boot with embroidery and design on the side. These boots are usually always leather and can come with studs or mock spurs for stylish. If one invests in a durable pair, they can last a long time. Just don’t go trying to wrestle real cows in these. Just like with the Riding Boot, the fashion cowboy boot is a version for fashion are not that functional.

7. The Wedge Boot or Chelsea Boot

The wedge boot is a fave for elongating the calf and giving you a little lift. It’s a fave for those 5’4″ or shorter but they are also fabulous and chic as well.  The Chelsea boot, known for the town in London where the boots came popular, are usually in a wedge variety though a lot come in a chunk heel as well. They are modern and can be worn to the theater, a concert, outdoor gathering or other event. They too can be dressy casual and dressed down.

With these 7 boots any woman would be prepared and amply prepped to rock any and all occasions. The daily grind or the occasional high fashion outing — none is out of range. Date nights are made easier too in these fun, stylish, chic and versatile variety of boots!

Get these Boots from the Graphic Above from our Partners at Shopstyle:

As-Elisa Over-Knee Boots • Ash • $105–160

Christian Louboutin – S.i.t. Rain 100 Leather Ankle Boots – Black • Christian Louboutin • $1,095

Rieker – R1094 Women’s Zip Boots • Rieker • $150

Hunter ‘Tour’ Packable Rain Boot • Hunter • $150

Tory Burch Sofia Riding Boots • Tory Burch • $199

Lucchese – Grace Cowboy Boots • Lucchese • $338.95

La Canadienne Gaby Waterproof Tall Suede Wedge Boots • La Canadienne • $209.45

What to Do If You Don’t Celebrate Valentine’s Day

Bellyitch Rewind
Valentine’s Day is around the corner, but not all people celebrate it. Some may not have a partner in their lives and others just might find the holiday too much about consumption and plan to skip it.
Unfortunately for those people, the season is upon us and everywhere they go, they’re seeing restaurant ads, red and pink chocolate and teddy bears in their face. What’s a single or anti-Valentine’s Day person to do!?!Q
We dug back and pulled up this list of links of things to do if you don’t celebrate from years past including:
Some of it is kind of rough because it makes single people appear bitter when many are not. Actually Single Awareness Day on February 15 is an alternative holiday that many single people celebrate to take time to appreciate themselves.

 

Daddy Makeover Trend: All You Need to Know

Daddy Makeover photo1

By now, a lot of people have heard of the term “mommy makeover” which refers to the plastic surgery that some women get after completing their family to get their pre-pregnancy body back, but did you know that Daddy Makeovers are a trending now too?

They are the surgical procedures that more and more men around 40-55 years old (usually already married and fathers) get to restyle and correct small imperfections of their body and face .

Why Are More Men Getting Daddy Makeovers?

It is commonly known that most women gain weight while pregnant, usually from increased calorie intake and a growing fetus. It is very common for dads to join in the extra snacking and to thus pack on excess pounds during their partner’s pregnancy. It is called “sympathy” weight gain.

Also, those men who are middle age and are experiencing empty nests, have more times to refocus on themselves, take  exotic vacations, entertain more, get out more regularly, and with that, they want to regain their youthful body.

Daddy Makeover photo 2

Male Plastic Surgery Is More Common Than You’d Think

Nationally, men account for 18 percent of cosmetic surgery procedures. A lot of professionals between the age of 45 and 55 who do sedentary desk jobs, spend less time in the gym. They now have kids to come home to and shows to binge watch. They’re not taking care of themselves as often and find they’ve accumulated a few extra pounds around the abs, hips and notice their skin sag around the chin.

They look in the mirror and see themselves aged and realize they can afford to get a nip and tuck and the stigma that was once associated with plastic surgery is not there that much anymore.

Common Daddy Makeover Procedures

We talked to Dr. Paul G. Ruff, the Medial Director at West End Plastic Surgery in Washington DC, who said he has seen a significant increase in interest in daddy makoevers during the last five to eight years.

He gave us some insight into this trend. The common procedures that men seeking a daddy makeover get include:

  • VASER Liposuction: high definition body contouring which involves sculpting the body by removing unwanted fat from specific areas of the body
  • Gynecomastia  (Man Boobs): correcting and reducing breasts tissue
  • Eyelid surgery
  • Neck Contouring
  • Pectorial Implants: adding pecs to create the appearance of a more buff chest.

Daddy Makeover stats and trends

There are other nonsurgical and surgical options aside from these more common ones. Each practice has its own and each year, the industry comes out with new and unique options.

And of course, non-surgical procedures like Botox are common and even more popular than ever. A quick review of the latest stats from 2016 put out by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery show that nonsurgical procedure accounted for 44 percent of expenditures in this area. These include nonsurgical skin tightening, injectables like Botox and chemical peels.

Daddy Makeover stats and facts 2

The Ryan Gosling Effect is Real

Daddy Makeover photo 3

“Mostly men, just like women, want to look like a refreshed, more vital version of themselves,” says Ruff.

And just like with women, men too have a celebrity muse they want to emulate.

“On occasion we have people reference current stars like Brad Pitt, Ryan Reynolds, and Zach Efron,” Ruff shares.  “I am always leery when someone is requesting to look like a specific star.”

Certainly, we’ve seen controversial media stories of people who go overboard trying hard to change their natural appearance to look like a celebrity.  The Iranian Angelina Jolie fan comes to mind as does actor Nicholas Ryan who got a load of plastic surgery done to look like Ryan Gosling. 

Dr. Ruff explained that among the considerations that are discussed during a consultation is whether the patient can emotionally, financially and physically handle surgery so we imagine that they’d weed out those with unhealthy expectations out during this process.

Among the issues to discuss is whether there will be someone at home to help a patient through recovery. But not all do so they may elect to stay nearby. Ruff says his office, which conducts in-office procedures and surgery, has a relationship with a nearby hotel so that those who come from out of town who do not want to travel far to return home can stay there for a day or two before returning home.

 

You’ll Never Believe How Short Recovery Can Be

In short, there really is no need for a hospital stay. These procedures are generally outpatient surgeries or treatments and the recovery depends on the amount of work to be done or the combination being performed.

“For simple VASER Liposuction, the recovery to return to work and routine daily activity can be as little as two to three days,” Ruff shares.  Larger and combination procedures may have a recovery that can be up to two weeks.

This information should always be part of thorough consultation.

(Speaking of CONSULTATIONS, mention you saw this post when you call the West End Plastic Surgery center, and get a no cost consultation, a Saving of $150. IMPORTANT NOTE: if you cancel your appointment, you’ll be billed a no-show fee)

Daddy Makeover photo 4

It’s A World Wide Thing

We asked if the male or daddy makeover is a phenomenon just in the United States or are European, Asia, Australia or other parts of the world experiencing it as well.

In this generation of rapid transit of information, Ruff explains, people all over the world are in contact with information. Also, the US is fourth worldwide in plastic surgery, and thus, areas of the world like South East Asia and South America have high rates of male plastic surgery patients as well.

“Statistically men are an increasingly higher percent of the cosmetic practice,” Ruff adds.  “Still nowhere near the percent of women in most plastic surgery practices.”

But more practices are adjusting their office spaces even to make them more accomodating to male clientele.

This shift “is underscored by the modifications of offices to be more inviting to men based on color schemes, seating choices ,art and the availability of men only office hours and events,” sates Dr. Ruff, adding, “the daddy makeover is definitely a more specific interest and one that we see regularly rather than a couple of times a year.”

Daddy Makeover stats and facts 3

We are not surprised to note that in America, the Mid-Atlantic region which includes New York City, one of the fashion capitals of the world, and the West coast, home of Hollywood, tie for the region of the country getting the most plastic surgery (17.8%) compared to the rest of the country, according to American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Average Daddy Make Over Cost and Can You Afford It?

The cost of a Daddy Makeover will depend on region, combination of procedures and surgeon experience. The range can be as low as $2500 to over $20,000, says Ruff.

A chart of data from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reveals that an average practitioner’s charge for liposuction is about $3300, $2700 for a chin lift, and about $5,000 for male boob reduction and for non surgical procedure, Botox is about $375 per treatment, and sclerotheraphy cost close to $360. Of course, prices are different per region of the country.

While those who are  professionals and from middle to upper income levels are more likely to get plastic surgery, there are financing and creative funding options available at practices nationwide and world wide.

“If you want to get more than one surgery done, you can also save money by getting them done simultaneously,” suggests Dr. Gregory H. Croll is one of the top plastic surgeons Columbia, Missouri has. “Doing this  not only saves you and the surgeon money, but it can really work better for you as well. That way if you have to ask off work for recuperating time, you are recuperating from both surgeries instead of having to ask off for days for two separate surgeries. It can also save money and time for both you and the surgeon because

you only have to go under the knife once.”

No Longer a Secret

We asked if men are keeping quiet about it or are they open about having work done and were surprised by the response: both.

“Men are usually quiet about the inquiry but more talkative about the experience, especially if the result is excellent,” Ruff shares.  “Talking about expectations and maintenance is part of the satisfaction level and ultimate transparency about having something fixed.

“Men have that hunter mentality engrained either socially and genetically and then the celebration of the kill.  The same goes with these procedures.”

Couples Do It Better Together

Also, more and more, mom and dad and other types of couples are coming in together for consultations.

This is true at Dr. Ruff’s practice as well.

“Having support in the decision making and perioperative phase if tremendous and leads to better outcomes and satisfaction” adds Dr. Ruff.  “This tends to bring couples together because it is another journey in which they can share.  When couples decide to do these makeovers together, we find there is more empathy between them.”

Now that you’ve gotten some comprehensive insight into daddy makeovers, the next step is to talk to a doctor, if you are so inclined. As mentioned above, if  you mention you saw this post when you call the West End Plastic Surgery center, and get a no cost consultation, a Saving of $150.

[IMPORTANT NOTE: if you cancel your appointment, you’ll be billed a no-show fee]

Our Editor in chief, JJ, visited the offices this week and expressed satisfaction and excitement over the quality of professionals, doctors and practioners there, the proximity of the office to area hospitals, George Washington, Georgetown University and Sibley Memorial in DC; the top-notch quality of the office space and friendliness of the staff, overall. And she was gifted a generous $100 gift certificate to use for services but that gift does not impact the opinions shared in this post which are hers and honest.

 

Daddy Makeover infographic

10 Pretty Amazing Things About Being Preggers (INFOGRAPHIC)

One of the best things to experience as you grow older is starting a family.

Of course pregnancy has its downsides. There are many symptoms associated with pregnancy, and all women are at risk for it. They may be quite painful and uncomfortable, keeping you up at night and lashing out at people around you.

And while it’s also irritating to deal with, it does not compare to the beautiful bundle of joy to come your way in a matter of months.

Many women tend to get discouraged and feel down about themselves while they are pregnant, and that’s nothing to be ashamed of. Pregnancy takes a toll on their emotions, a roller coaster ride that has them going up and down.

That doesn’t mean you should stay down and go lower! There are ways on how you can get back up and feel the joy of carrying your little one.

You can take a relaxing bath or a well-deserved spa day. You might even want to go shopping to make yourself feel better! Another awesome way to get back up and feel better about yourself during your pregnancy is to remind yourself of the little things.

Here is a  short and meaningful infographic to help you out.

These are just little things that help you move forward, reminding you why pregnancy can be an amazing thing. From the heartbeats and kicks, you feel down to all the attention you’ll get while carrying your little one, you have more things to be thankful for amidst the discomfort you feel!

So read up and remind yourself why you are here in the first place and where you will be in a few months. You’re almost there, be happy and look forward to what’s to come!

Here is a graphic from  HomeRemediesForLife.com

 

10 Amazing Things About Being Pregnant

8 Habits Most Wealthy Practice and Pass to Their Children

There is a saying that money is the root of all evil and in our culture, there is an emphasis of valuing quality of life over the accumulation of wealth.

It is understandable and lofty to be a good person but the fact of the matter is that money can help alleviate some stresses related to increasing one’s quality of life and I don’t think we should begrudge those who strive to become rich during their lifetime.

If you are not wealthy and you might want to become so, you certainly can and should consider adopting some of the habits of the most wealthy people.

Also, you might want to fall out of the bad habits exhibited by those who are not setting up their future generations for a more comfortable existence.

Thomas Corley did an exhaustive study from 2004 to 2007 , trying to uncover the underlying differences between the wealthy and the poor, then he spent another 16 months analyzing and summarizing all the data he acquired from his extensive interviews.

The people in the wealthy group had an annual gross income greater than $160,000 and $3.2 million in net assets. The individuals in the poor group had an annual gross income of less than $35,000 and $5,000 in liquid assets.

He uncovered eight core habits of the rich and wealthy which blueprint for accumulating wealth and success.

I love the fact that the list includes habits for children. Here is list as summarized by blog millionaire Brandon Gaille:

#1 Listen to Audiobooks or Podcasts During Your Commute

Thomas Corley’s study found that 63% of the wealthy did this and only 5% of the poor did this.

#2 Live Within Your Means

  • No More than 25% on Housing – The house is typically the one area that families stretch way to far on. They tend to look at their total income and ask, “can we afford it?” The correct way to identify your housing budget is to look at your after tax yearly income, and then multiply that by .25. That number is your budget for your mortgage, home insurance, and property taxes.
  • No More than 15% on Food – Eating out at restaurants can easily get out of control. The best practice is to limit eating out at restaurants to once a week, and never order alcoholic beverages during a meal. Just a couple of drinks will double your bill.
  • No More than 5% on Auto Loans – The car is another area where people tend to overspend. The more expensive your car is, the higher the bills will be for maintaining your car from year to year. If you want a nicer car, then consider buying a low mileage used car that has been on the road for two years.
  • Contribute maximum percentage to retirement that the IRS allows –

#3 Maintain a To-Do List

81% of rich maintain a to-do list compared to 9% of poor doing the same.

#4 Take Care of Your Body

76% of the wealthy exercise aerobically 4 days a week, compared with 23% of poor doing the same.

#5 Limit Your Television Time to Less than 1 Hour Per Day

65% of the wealthy watch less than an hour of television each day. Only 22% of the poor practice the same habit. When it comes to reality television this statistic shows an even larger gap. 77% of the poor watch reality television, and only 4% of the rich indulge in this time consuming habit.

#6 Teach Good Success Habits to Your Children

Here are a few stats on how the wealthy and poor raise their children…

  • 74% of the rich teach good success habits to children, while only 1% of the poor did the same.
  • 70% of the wealthy make their children volunteer 10+hours a month, compared with only 3% of the poor.
  • 63% of the rich encourage children to read 2+ non-fiction books per month, and a mere 3% of the poor followed suit.
  • #7 Set Goals the Right Way

    67% of wealthy people write down their goals. Only 17% of the poor do the same.

  • #8 Never, Never, Never Give Up

    In Corley’s study, it was apparent that all of the people that were classified as wealthy never stopped pursuing their goals. The poor had the bad habit of always stopping short before they made it.

8 Core Habits of the Rich and Wealthy

Winter Activities To Keep Your Kids Sane While Confined to Indoors

The winter months can be challenging for kids. Their energy level doesn’t go down just because the roads are covered in snow or because the temperatures dip below freezing. Whatever the weather, kids still need the opportunity to get outside and take in some fresh air, release stored up energy and engage their minds and bodies through active play. Here are some ways to help your kids from going stir crazy during the winter months.

Bundle up and enjoy your favorite activities. Cold temperatures and snowy roads don’t mean you can’t get out and enjoy the great outdoors. Sure, it takes a lot more time and effort to get ready to go outside, but it’s worth it. Once you get putting on the snowsuit, boots, hats and gloves down to a routine, you’ll practically whiz right through it. And when you’re all bundled up and outdoors, kids can enjoy many of the same things they do in other seasons. You can go for a walk, play on the swings, run around the backyard or hit the slide. You can enjoy being together and being active, even when the thermometer dips.

Get back to basic outdoor fun. There’s no beating basic winter fun like sledding down a favorite hill, building a snowman complete with carrot nose and button eyes, having a snowball fight with siblings or neighborhood friends or ice skating on the local frozen pond. This is the stuff childhood memories are made of. Instead of watching from the sidelines, be an active part of the memory making. Jump on the sled for your own ride down the hill. It’s just as fun as an adult as it was as a child.

Create new winter games. There’s no end to the creative ways you can have fun outside during the winter months. Make colored icicles, paint in the snow with colored water, add fun shapes to the iced sensory table or set up a snowball target game. You can create a fun, engaging outdoor environment that your kids will enjoy and learn from. Get kids involved in developing new, fun things to do outside. Kids have amazing imaginations, and with a few simple household supplies they’ll create games and play spaces that will keep them occupied for long stretches of time.

Take advantage of local indoor play spaces. Many community centers offer indoor play spaces during the winter months. These spaces usually offer a free play area where kids can run, jump, twirl and bounce. Tumbling mats and cushioned climbing squares allow kids to release their pent up energy in a safe environment. Indoor spaces also offer riding toys like tricycles, scooters and kid sized cars. Some even provide kid sized props like stop signs, gas pumps and police stations; encouraging kids to create their own cities and towns. This type of imaginary play can keep your child busy for hours on end.

Head to the pool. It’s seems like an odd time to go swimming, but the winter months are the perfect time to enroll your child in lessons or reinforce his current swimming skills. It’s a perfect way to get some exercise into his weekly schedule and it’s lots of fun to boot. When summer rolls around, he won’t be spending his time learning to swim or getting reacquainted with the water. He’ll be ready to enjoy the local pool, lake or beach.

Find a local playgroup. If you have to be inside, it’s always more fun with friends. Connect with other parents or caregivers in your area through online sites or local parenting groups. Some groups have a multiple age make-up, which is a great fit if you have more than one child. Other groups focus on one age range, which is perfect if you have one child or are looking for a social outlet for a particular child. These weekly groups give your child a fun activity to look forward to and they provide you with social connections, resources and support.

Do some of the things you don’t have time for in the busy summer months. When the weather’s nice, chances are you’re too busy to take on some of the projects your kids would like to do. Wintertime is your chance to catch up. Spend an afternoon baking cookies for the local fire department. Pull out all the arts and crafts supplies and create new art pieces for your child’s bedroom wall. Long, dark afternoons can be the perfect excuse for tackling those put off projects.

Winter doesn’t have to be a dreary season. By planning some fun activities for you and your child, you can enjoy all the winter months have to offer.

Baby Bucket List: 70 Things to Do Before Having Your First Child

You’ve heard of the Baby Bucket List:  Things to do before you have your first baby and your life changes forever. When you are a DINK and have Dual Income, No Kids, you have more discretionary income to do lots of fun and crazy things.
Check out Marc and Angel’s list of 70 Things to Do Before Having Children.  Here is a sample:
  1. Live in a high rise condo with an amazing view.
  2. Take a month long vacation on the opposite side of the world in a city with a completely different culture.
  3. Attend the Super Bowl live.
  4. Jump out of a perfectly good airplane.
  5. Make love in places you aren’t supposed to.
  6. Swim with the sharks.
  7. Scuba-dive to a large ship wreck.
  8. Audition to be on TV or in a movie… even if you’re just an extra.
  9. Throw the house party of all house parties.  Supply all the booze and invite everyone you know.
  10. Take sexy photos of yourself (keep them somewhere safe).
  11. Learn to fly a plane.
  12. Become skilled with a musical instrument.
  13. Live in southern California for at least a year.
  14. Live in the heart of New York City, Chicago, Boston or another major city for at least a year.
  15. Spend a few weeks vacationing on the beaches of Kauai with your partner.
  16. Surf a Hawaiian wave.
  17. Learn to speak a foreign language.
  18. Visit the North Pole.
  19. Attend The Tonight Show or The Late Show as an audience member.
  20. Read at least 30


    books.

Read the rest at Marc and Angel Hack Life – Good luck! some of those things on this list…I don’t know! ha!

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Looking for Valentine’s Day Activities for Your Kid? Here are 10!



Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching and soon you’ll be scrambling to find activities for your little ones to do while celebrating the day together! Here are a few ideas to get you going.

1. Make heart shaped pancakes – Make heart shaped pancakes for breakfast! Put pancake batter into a squeeze bottle and draw heart pancakes on the griddle! You can also cut sandwiches, deli meats, and fruits into heart shapes using cookie cutters. Creating heart shaped cupcakes or muffins is simple, just drop a marble or rolled up piece of tinfoil between the baking liner and muffin tin before baking to create an indent in the finished product, it will look just like a heart!

2. Create a conversation heart wreath – Cut the middle out of a paper plate to create a ring. Have your children help you cut out hearts and write short messages on them such as “I love you” or “You rock” and glue the hearts onto the ring to create a conversation heart wreath. Be creative with your phrases and make them special to your family.

3. Make your own valentines – Younger children will usually have a party in their classroom to celebrate Valentine’s Day with their classmates, so take some time to help your child create their own cards. They don’t have to be fancy, all you need is some construction paper, glitter glue, stickers, doilies, and adhesive to jump start the creativity in your child. Encourage your child to be creative and let them create whatever they want to, the cards don’t all have to be the same as long as there is one for every child in their class.

4. Valentine’s Day scramble – Post a piece of paper on the wall that has the words “Valentine’s Day” on it and see how many words you can create from those letters, adjusting to the age of the children around you. How many words can you find? You could also add the traditional candy heart phrases and see what additional words you can make using those letters.

5. Hold a Valentine’s Day dance party – Invite your neighbors over for a fun, family friendly dance party! Decorate the room with streamers and balloons, choose a few fun songs together, and get ready to dance!

6. Themed worksheets – A quick search online will turn up dozens of Valentine’s Day themed worksheets, from math sheets to crosswords, so you can easily find something to meet your child’s needs.

7. Love themed books – Hit up the library for books with a Valentine’s Day or love theme; most libraries will have seasonally appropriate books on a separate shelf, which makes finding them easy. Check a few out and read them together!

8. Create coupon books for family members – Talk about what love is and what it means and then discuss various coupons you could create to show family members that you care about them. Offer to walk the dog for free, give a back rub, have one on one time, play a game together or offer to sweep the floor. The receiver can then choose when to redeem the coupons. Coupon books are a great way for kids to be able to give back to the family without a monetary contribution.

9. Go pink and red! – Create a pink and red theme! Pink lemonade, strawberry milk, cupcakes with pink frosting, watermelon, beets, strawberries, and apples are all great pink and red foods to offer for snack time.

10. Make a paper heart chain – Use your cutting and gluing skills to create a chain of hearts to hang up in your house! You can either create a chain by cutting hearts out like you would with paper dolls or cut out hearts together and tape or staple them together to create a chain of unique hearts. Hang them where everyone can enjoy them.

Have fun!

Disney On Ice Presents Frozen is Coming to DC, MD Area! (Discount Code)

Disney On Ice presents Frozen is on tour!

The exciting show is making its way down to the Washington DC, Maryland area in coming weeks. I’m planning on taking my daughter, a friend and  her little girls to see this amazing show. My little girl and I had such a fabulous time attending the last Disney On Ice show to pass through town that we jumped at the opportunity to experience it all over again.

The costumes are bright and the dancing electryfing. It takes the Disney story to new heights and when you attend, you vibe off the excitement in the room of other kids who are totally in awe of seeing their fave characters come to life, steps away.

If you want to attend, you can use my code: BLOG at checkout to save $5.00 on your ticket! That can be a savings of $20 for a family of 4!

The show rolls into the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, Maryland from January 31 to February 4 and to DC’s Capitol One Arena from February 14 to 19. You can redeem your offer when you purchase from Ticketmaster.com, calling 1-800-745-300 or at the venue box office.

 

I am a Feld Family Ambassador, and in exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to Feld shows and opportunities to attend private Feld pre-Show events. Even though I receive these benefits, I always give an opinion that is 100% mine.

Your Complete Guide to Thrifting and Upcyling Like a BOSS!

Saving money is trendy, believe it or not and so is Thrifting! When thrifting for larger items that you may fix up, polish, reupholster and DIY (Do-It-Yourself) into a new masterpiece, it’s called Upcycling!

Rare finds like vintage armoires and antique dressers are among the best pieces of furniture to repurpose, collect, or display in your home. But even ordinary used furniture and housewares can be transformed into unique and functional pieces! Collecting and repurposing furniture and household items is all the rage right now. Images of refurbished and made-over salvaged pieces can be seen splattered all over Pinterest and Facebook.

Since part of an upcycler’s job is turning trash into treasure, it’s important to learn the ins and outs of thrift shopping. If you are new to this, knowing where to begin can be tough. This guide helps you learn what to look for while thrift shopping, where to go, thrift shopping etiquette, and money-saving tips for garage sales and estate sale shopping. It also includes suggestions on what types of housewares are easiest to upcycle, and types of furniture that are best for beginners to refurbish or make over.

Do Your Research

Start by conducting some online research. A great source for finding estate sales in your area is Estatesales.net. This site offers photos, maps, and directions, and you can search by city or county. Other sources are your local PennySaver magazine and Craigslist. Craigslist has a section for local garage sales, and under “for sale” there is a section called “free.” You can find real-time curb alerts in your area. You can also download a Craigslist app to your phone to make treasure hunting easier.

To find the best places to go, ask your friends and join social media groups. Goodwill, for example, has a vast selection of housewares available most of the time.

What to Bring

Preparation is key when thrift shopping. Keep a small bag in your car for planned and unplanned shopping trips. Here are a few things you should keep inside this thrift shopping emergency kit.

A Thrifter's Emergency Kit


Source: Fix.com

Tote Bags: Many estate sales and garage sales do not provide bags. Keep a few neatly folded in your emergency shopping kit.

Newspaper: Newspaper or scrap packing paper comes in handy for delicate items.

Measuring Tape: Keep a small tape measure to ensure accuracy when shopping for large items.

Screwdriver: For large items that may need to be disassembled to fit in your car.

Cash: You shouldn’t necessarily keep a wad of hundreds in your emergency kit, but keep in mind that most estate, garage, and yard sales will be cash-only.

Wish Lists: It’s important to remember your needs versus your wants. It’s never a good idea to shop frivolously. Even if you are getting a good deal, it’s good to know when to say no. Keep two lists – what you need and what you want – to prevent overspending.

List of Measurements:This is handy if you are furniture shopping. If you are looking for the perfect chair for your living room, for example, make sure you know the dimensions you need. This way, you’ll be certain your new piece will fit perfectly.

Before heading out to find the perfect coffee table to paint or armchair to reupholster, be sure to measure your room. Measure its length and width, as well as any relevant wall space. Consider doors, windows, fireplaces, and existing furniture. It helps to make a rough sketch of your room and placement of your furniture. Don’t worry – it doesn’t have to be to exact scale, but this way you’ll have a better idea of what fits before making an ill-fitting purchase you may regret.

Standard Measurements for Living Room Furniture


Source: Fix.com

Thrift Shopping Etiquette

Now that you are armed and dangerous, thrift shopping etiquette should not be overlooked. Here are a few helpful hints to keep in mind. Estate sale shopping is a little different than thrift store shopping. There are two schools of thought when it comes to upcycling at estate sales. You can get there early and be the first person there, or wait and go at the very end. Getting there early is good because you will have the most selection. However, if you wait until the end you have the most negotiating power. If you are just browsing, you may benefit from waiting until the end and finding an awesome deal, but if you have a specific item in mind, your best bet is to get there first.

Next, be sure to shop with heightened sensitivity. Estate sales are often conducted by someone who has lost someone that they love; the items on sale have meaning to the seller. Finally, have fun and be patient. It may take a few estate sales to get used to the process.

Money-Saving Tips

Just because you are “thrift” shopping, doesn’t mean you are always getting the best deal. Use your smartphone to compare prices to equivalent and newer items that are similar. Second, be aware of sales. You can call ahead to your local thrift or donation stores to find out about upcoming sales. For example, Goodwill stores have a special “colored tag of the day.” Look for the colored tag and get 50 percent off. Third, if you see a chip or other blemish you can easily repair, don’t be afraid to respectfully ask a thrift store clerk for a discount. Nine out of ten times they will give it to you! Finally, be nice. Try not to play too much hardball when negotiating at yard sales and garage sales, especially if it’s early in the day. It won’t be well received. Simply ask, “Can you tell me your best price for this?”

What to Look For

Estate sales, garage sales, and thrift stores are great places to get inspiration and find your next DIY project. With a little preparation, knowledge, and fortitude, you can find hidden gems and turn someone else’s trash into treasure. But for beginner upcyclers, perusing cluttered shelves and tables can be overwhelming.

Sturdy glass vases, containers, baskets, and wooden bowls can be easily painted, frosted, wrapped, decoupaged, or embellished. They can be used not only for flowers or fruit, but for storage, organization, and gift wrapping as well. Mirrors and frames can easily be transformed and repurposed as well.

Upcycled Creations Before and After


Source: Fix.com
Small furniture pieces like chairs, side tables, accent tables, stools, and ottomans are great pieces for newbies to make over. Examine the piece before you buy it. Make sure it can be easily taken apart and put back together. If it looks too difficult, pass on it until you are more experienced. For upholstered pieces, if it smells bad, just say no and move on. Some smells are impossible to get rid of. Also, do not pay attention to the color or fabric. It can always be changed. Rather, look for the shape, lines, and curves that interest you. Small scratches and blemishes can be easily repaired as well.

Your trash to treasure adventure can now officially begin. You know where to look, what to bring, how to act, and what to look for. Ready, set, thrift!

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