I have a vision dilemma. I’ve worn glasses for near-sightedness since about 4th grade. I’ve worn contact lenses off and on since high school. The problem with contacts has always been that I can’t read with them in. I have to wear cheater glasses to see my computer screen if I’m wearing my contacts. That kind of defeats the purpose of contacts, you know? On the plus side, I’m 53 years old and I still don’t wear bifocals. My reading vision is just fine (so far).

Since I’ve resigned myself to wearing glasses, I decided to look into buying less expensive glasses online so I can have a wide variety of eyeglasses as fashion statements. I’d heard that there were online companies that sell prescription eyeglasses at great prices and I was determined to find a reputable one. I got lucky on my first try.

The site has changed a little since my first order but the selection, quality and prices are still the best. I love that I can search by color, shape, price, style, and type. I love that my whole order ships for just $4.95. I love that I can have any pair of prescription eyeglasses sunglass-tinted for an additional $4.95. And I really love the huge selection of $6.95 eyeglasses. Of course, when my reading vision does start to deteriorate, Zenni Optical offers bifocals from $23.95 and Progressives from $28.90.

With such great prices, there’s no reason not to buy cute glasses for every holiday. There’s turkeys for Thanksgiving, snowmen or snowflakes for Christmas, pumpkins or black cats for Halloween, and hundreds more holiday themes. Let’s face it, we all spend more money on ugly Christmas sweaters just to wear one time, so why not some festive eye wear for the holidays?

Zenni Optical doesn’t sell expensive brand name frames. They make and sell their own brand. They don’t spend a lot on advertising because they figure if they concentrate on providing the best product for the best price, happy customers will spread the word. And we do! Every time I get new glasses, I show them off at work. My co-workers and my bosses have been checking out Zenni Optical’s site and a couple have started a Favorites list.

The only downside to buying from Zenni Optical is the time it takes in the morning to decide which pair of glasses I’ll be wearing. Pink glasses with my purple blouse? Red frames with the black jacket? Purple glasses with my yellow sweater? Decisions, decisions…

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The other day I was reading an article on married couples that decided to renew their vows. Naturally, as a wife and mother, I was interested in this idea, and it sparked a few questions. These ceremonies aren’t a new idea, but they have steadily grown in popularity over the years. It’s just average people wanting to do something new to re-dedicate themselves to a life partner and show how much they love and appreciate the time they’ve spent together. It also discussed how when younger people get married they don’t tend to have much money, so they buy less expensive rings. In these cases, it was commonplace to find other stone options for the ring, instead of a diamond. This got me thinking. If you’re interested in renewing your vows, or even if you’re getting married, here are a few affordable options to upgrade your wedding ring with more original choices.

In the past few decades we’ve come to understand the horrors that come along with supporting the diamond industry. Blood Diamonds or conflict diamonds are mined in war zone and support war efforts, warlord activity, which tend to be violence toward citizens, and insurgency. It’s really hard to know that these diamonds encourage a climate of fear and violence. There are conflict-free diamond companies, but some are expensive. Black diamond engagement rings are a beautiful alternative that is stylish and original. With designs customizable to suit any style or budget, they’re the perfect choice for standing out in the crowd.

I ran across this website called, Off Beat Bride, and I loved all the alternative options for weddings. One article was called “Non-Sucky Wedding Rings,” and I had to laugh. It talks about how people want alternatives to diamonds, and it lists options, such rubies, sapphires, blue diamonds and a many others. It’s a really neat website that has a ton of other ideas for your celebration, that are a little offbeat but worth considering.

If you’re not as concerned about cost and you’re more interested in the symbol, then you might want to consider getting a pendant or pair of earrings. My Jewelry Box isn’t a place that you should necessarily choose to buy your jewelry from, but it does offer many alternative bridal jewelry options for someone looking to get some ideas. I recommend at least giving it a look see.

Coming up with just the right idea can be difficult. This is especially true if you’re buying for someone else or you just want to stand out, but I’m confident that these selections, even if they’re not what you choose to go with, will get you headed in the right direction. Everyone has different tastes, so remember that you don’t have to let other people decide what’s beautiful when picking a ring or other jewelry.

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It’s been almost 3 decades since I first shopped for maternity clothes and over a decade since the last time. Well, until recently, that is. No, I wasn’t shopping for myself. I was shopping with my daughter-in-law and I was just as frustrated as the Nana-to-be as I was when I was pregnant.

Back then, I had a lot of trouble finding maternity clothes that didn’t have teddy bears and lollipops dancing across them. I kept thinking, “I’m not a baby; I’m having a baby. There’s a difference!”

Things got a little easier over the years or maybe I just learned a few tricks, like shopping in the men’s department or the large women’s shop. Since I didn’t work outside the home, I didn’t need many “dress” clothes so I somehow got by. I just expected to have an easier time finding jeans and stylish tops as well as more professional work clothes for my daughter-in-law recently. Many pregnant women work throughout their pregnancies. I mean, designers have kept up with the trends, right? Well, uh… maybe not.

After doing our research about what pieces to buy and making a list, we soon found that several major department stores no longer carry maternity clothes in their stores. A few of the big box stores had virtually nothing to offer. After five hours of digging through racks and racks of clothes, we gave up and headed home to search the internet. Smart move, it turned out.

If you’re looking for Trendy Maternity Clothes, Belly Dance Maternity is the only site you need to visit. They offer everything from basic jeans and activewear to gorgeous dresses and nursing clothes. No matter your style, Belly Dance has something to appeal to you.

Having been through pregnancy a number of times, I’ve learned a few things along the way. For instance, pregnancy doesn’t last all that long and in the end you’ll be better off with a few really nice mix and match pieces than an entire new wardrobe that you’ll just have to put into storage in a few months. That’s why I really love the Ingrid and Isabel Essentials Collection. The Everywhere pant is exactly that, pants that go everywhere, from work to play to wherever! And the cami and ruched tank are perfect toppers for every occasions. But what really caught my eye (and made me wish I’d had it when I was pregnant) was the bella band. It’s a stretch band that can be worn over your unbuttoned pre-pregnancy pants to extend your normal wardrobe. And if you’re like me, it’ll come in handy after the baby comes, too.

My daughter-in-law preferred the selection from the Juicy Maternity line. She liked the cut of the Liverpool Cali jean because it could be dressed up or down, and thought the black velvet jean would be a nice alternative to a dress for Christmas with the family this year. Her favorite was the stretch corduroy pant, though, just for the comfort factor.

The great thing about all these clothes is that they’re the same style as the clothes you wear before you get pregnant, just sized for your expanding tummy. That’s how maternity fashion is supposed to be. Feeling beautiful and looking pulled together during these very special months goes a long way toward making pregnancy enjoyable. It would be great if all store carried a full line of maternity clothes but most don’t. Luckily, Belly Dance Maternity is just a mouse click away.

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This is the first summer in almost a decade that I did not go out and buy a few new dresses. I don’t know what it is about summer that makes me want to buy dresses, but I always do.

I guess since I’m not working and I didn’t go to Hawaii this year, there was no reason to buy a new dress. Of course, that doesn’t mean I haven’t been looking around. I love this dress from Victoria’s Secret, especially in in black. I love a black dress. Wouldn’t it look great with Akoya pearls and strappy heels?

Even the the price says “special” I’m not sure I can justify the cost since I really have no place to wear it. And then there’s the issue of fit – I’m almost certain I wouldn’t fill it out the way the model does, and that’s the look I’d want to acheive.

Oh, wait! That is Victoria’s Secret, right? Let’s see how far we can push up and out. I’ll let you know how it goes.

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Back when I was younger, I wore a lot of jewelry. I went through phases like my silver and turquoise phase or my precious gem phase.

Naturally, there was a diamond phase, too, but I could neve afford as many diamonds as I would have liked. For a little while I was really into crosses and other religious jewelry but that didn’t last long. Not enough variety, maybe.

Right now, I wear almost no jewelry. I wear my wedding ring set and my birthstone ring and that’s it. No necklace, no bracelets. I don’t even wear my Mother’s ring because Levi’s stone, a tiny pearl, fell out. I used to feel naked without several pounds of jewelry hanging on me. When did all that change?

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You have to believe me when I tell you that I’m really not all that into jewelry these days. I used to love jewelry; I could spend hours at the mall, trying on rings or bracelets or necklaces. It wasn’t unusual for me to just buy two or three of my favorite pieces rather than trying to choose between them.

Today, I wear jewelry only when I leave the house. I wear my wedding rings and my birthstone ring. Sometimes I wear my watch. Seldom do I put on a bracelet or necklace. So why is it, then, when I find a site with exquisite pieces, some so unique I’d never seen anything like it before, that I start to figure in my head how many items I can afford with the money in my paypal account? I hate to admit it but jewelry is still a weakness. It doesn’t matter that I don’t have many opportunities to wear it these days; the baubles always draw me in and make me want to buy.

Honestly, I was being strong, just looking and clicking away. I almost got lost looking at the exclusive perals and semi precious stones. The diamonds took my breath away, but I was strong. And then I saw it. I saw the ring that I must have. Now keep in mind, I do have a Citrine ring, which is my birthstone, kind of. Technically, my birthstone is supposed to be a smokey Topaz. Not a citrine, not smokey quartz, but Topaz. Do you know how often I look for a Topaz ring? Always. Do you know how often I find one? Rarely. And this one at Palas Jewelers is so beautiful and so unique that I’m sure no one else will have one like it. Yes, I want this. This is the ring that will reignite my passion for jewelry! Okay, so maybe my passion for jewelry never really left. Maybe I’ve just been able to hide it well. I’ll admit that.

So I’m printing out that picture and hanging it on my refrigerator with a calendar counting down the days to my birthday. I did this before about 15 years ago and it worked. I’m hoping it will work again. Once every 15 years isn’t bad, is it?

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There are people in my past who I would consider very dear friends. No matter how much time or distance is between us, we will always be friends. And there are people who crossed my path only momentarily, that I barely remember their names or how I knew them. And then there are those who are somewhere in between those two extremes. We spent time together but for only a specific period of time. For that reason, there is usually a very specific memory associated with that person. For example, Becky.

Our family went out to eat at a buffet-style restaurant recently. We were a large crowd and were separated from other diners by a half wall. When I stood up to use the restroom, I glanced over and saw Becky. I nudged Brian. And naturally, we both went over to speak to her. Just one memory of her was stuck in my mind.

Becky had grown up with Brian but I met her through another mutual friend, Terri, before Brian and I married. Becky and Terri invited me to go to a local mall with them and since Brian would be working I was grateful for something to do. On the way there we bought a bottle of Blue Nun wine and poured it over large cups of ice. (We were young and stupid. I do not condone drinking and driving and consider us very lucky that nothing bad happened to us.) We laughed and sang along with the radio and generally just had fun.

When we got to the mall, we were all feeling pretty good. I barely drink at all and usually feel tipsy on one drink and downright drunk on two. So, yes, I was probably more inebriated than either Becky or Terri. Which would explain my purchase that day.

As we walked through the mall, I noticed a store I’d never been to before: Fredrick’s of Hollywood. Now, I don’t even remember if there was a Victoria’s Secrets back then; if so I hadn’t heard of it. But everyone had heard of Fredrick’s and most of us had catalogs from them. I just had never actually walked into the store. This day was going to be different. We not only walked in but I bought my first negligee – a black see-through number with a matching crotchless panty. Becky and Terri, of course, encouraged me to buy it and Brian was speechless when he saw it.

I have no idea whatever happened to that outfit but seeing Becky that day brought back so many memories. I whispered in her ear about it and we both got to giggling. I’m sure the rest of my family was wondering what was so funny. I just love how the past sometimes comes up and tickles your funny bone.

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Smart women know that beauty comes from the inside. And it’s that concept that is behind the Belisi Fashions blog, Beautiful Me. From fake tans and cosmetic acupuncture to yoga and spinning, this blog keeps up with the latest trends and the industry’s hottest products. I love that Beautiful Me mentions both Ulta and Sephora in the same sentence! Those are two of my favorite shops ever.

Since Peter Belisi is behind this, you just know that you’re going to love it. I’ve covered Belisi before and I’m still a fan. The more he branches out, the better it is for anyone interested in fashion and beauty. And yes, the older I get the more I realize that beauty absolutely comes from within. There’s just nothing wrong with feeding the inside good stuff while treating the outside to good stuff, too.

Right now I’m really rethinking my hair. I’ve had bangs forever. I’ve had curls forever. So I’m really interested in the Big Bang Theory. This isn’t just a fluff read; it’s an article with excellent advice about bangs according to your face shape. This is exactly the information I need.

I just love this blog. Beautiful Me is an attitude. It’s a celbration of all the wonderful things we do for ourselves, because we know that feeling good leads to looking good. With Mother’s Day just days away, Beautiful Me Blog is a terrific reminder of all the great ways we can take care of ourselves.

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We spent last weekend cleaning closets and storing things in the attic. It’s amazing how much stuff we just keep around even though we don’t use it. It’s wasteful, too, having things just sitting that could be used. Case in point: Brit’s old Nursing Scrubs that she wore when she worked daycare. They were all folded up, sitting in a basket in her room.

I don’t know if you’ve ever worn them, but these scrubs are comfortable! They’re great for lounging around the house or doing your regular chores. And they wash up so nicely, too. Since I spend so much of my time babysitting Kendyll, washing clothes, sweeping and mopping, comfort is quite welcome.

So I snatched up all of the scrubs. The problem is, now I have too many clothes again. How does that always happen?

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Every woman knows that finding clothes that fit is a major dilemma. Men don’t understand this. I man walks into a store and buys his correct size. If he’s a 34 waist, that’s what he buys. No need to even try the jeans on.

Not so for women. For one thing, every designer sizes their clothes different. I can wear a 6 in one brand but nothing smaller than a 12 in another. It makes shopping for clothes nearly impossible.

And then there’s the issue of body type. I’m convinced that no one should be allowed to design clothes until they have studied the female form extensively. Designers make assumptions like “all fat people are tall so plus size clothes should fit those who are 5’11″ and taller.” Because they’ve never met a short, fat woman.

For some reason designers also believe that small or average size women never have big boobs. Well, until now. Eris Apparel has developed a new size for women’s clothes and it takes into account the large busted woman whose body is of otherwise normal proportions. Finally! Real clothes that fit real women, in styles that are fashionable and flattering.

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