A lot of gratitude and maybe a little shopping...

Joan King

November 25, 2020

Gratitude. I have so much appreciation and love for the people in my life that I don’t get to see nearly as much as I would like as of late. I find myself missing so many loved ones recently and wishing to hug them all. Soon, I tell myself, soon.

So many of us are struggling with loneliness, anxiety, depression, the list goes on and on. A little kindness goes a long way these days. And it can come in so many forms.

Lucky for us it’s gift-giving season! What a wonderful excuse to show a little extra love to those around us. I’ve always appreciated the village it takes to keep my family running. When that was suddenly pull out from under us, the adjustment was overwhelming. We’ve slowly put the pieces back together (and still not fully) but I’ve never appreciated these people more than I do now.

The essential workers who have kept us going have my endless gratitude. The teachers who are showing up every day for their students amaze me. I am in awe of the healthcare professionals who have worked tirelessly all year. These and so many more are deserving of our thanks this season. For those who touch your life directly, what a great time to send a little gift of thanks and appreciation.

I have always had gratitude in my life. I am so thankful for everyone who supports me and my family. I am grateful each and every day for both the little and big blessings in my life. And I take special care to show my appreciation for these angels at this time of year.

Your appreciation can come in so many forms. Don’t be burdened by a price tag or a dwindling bank account to show how much you care. A homemade card, or a heartfelt note can go a long way in giving a much needed boost to the special people in your life.

Should you have a little extra to spare. there are all sort of gift ideas and gift shops curated just to get you started on the right path. If this is in your plans, let’s start with taking advantage of those Black Friday deals. Oh, and no need to wait until Black Friday, those deals have already started!

Throughout this pandemic my shopping has been online and Black Friday will be no different. I suspect most retailers will have inviting online offers for shoppers. They already do! One of my favorite retailers has a perfect gift boutique for the ladies in your life with an added Black Friday savings that is already activated!

Check out a few of my favorite ideas below from Anthropologie!

Soap has never been a more meaningful or precious gift! And how unique and beautiful is this packaging for gift giving!

These slippers provide warmth and style in the form of cozy footwear. Available in neutral hues, they pair easily with all your favorite leisurewear!

Rifle Paper Co.. for Anthropologie Garden Party Monogram Mug

I love a beautiful mug! Whether it’s for morning coffee or afternoon tea, the perfect mug is a daily necessity. Anthro has a variety of styles, prints and sizes to choose from!

This snood provides both function and style for keeping warm this winter! It’s perfect for when you want a little extra warmth as you’re heading out the door.

With so many of us spending so much time at home, candles that create a relaxing and inviting environment are more than welcome. Whether you crave a specific scent or size, there are a number of options available to choose from.

Dishtowels are used constantly and always prove to be a useful accessory in your kitchen. These brightly colored towels are a compliment to any kitchen!

A throw is a gift of warmth and cozy that can compliment any room. Pick neutral tones that will easily pair with furniture and even holiday decor.

I love a beautiful glass. Especially when it’s a wine glass…. filled with wine. But whatever your beverage of choice, a beautiful glass can add a little sparkle to a dining table.

Joan King

July 10, 2019

Freshly Cut Styles for Summer

Joan King

July 10, 2019

It makes me sad to think about the end of summer. This is clearly my favorite season. But as I’ve been telling you for a few weeks now, where retail is concerned… summer is almost over.

Why do I keep repeating myself? Well, it seems like the sort of intel that you might find useful. If you know that summer is slowing down for retail, you’ll be prepared for all the price slashing you’re seeing and you won’t be surprised when all you find in stores next month are Fall Back to School deals!

So now that you know to expect deep discounts in the near future, how should you proceed? Well, here is my tip… shop now for any remaining summer wardrobe needs you might have. While the sales will keep getting better you will run the risk of inventory running out if you wait. In particular, you run the risk of not finding what you want in your size. That’s usually my biggest hassle! There might be an amazing sale happening but I won’t get to take advantage because the items I desire are no longer available in my size. Over time, I’ve learned to keep an eye on items that I like so when they first go on sale, I can take advantage of a discount but still find items in my size.

This has also been a tip to my clients when shopping. Try on everything you like in a store, regardless of price. That way if you fall in love with something in the dressing room that is a little to steep for your pocket, you’ll know what size you need when the next sale comes along!

Seeing as the sales are in bloom, take a look at a few favorites below from the current fresh cuts at Anthropologie!

Joan King

August 4, 2017

How it Looks on the Hanger

Joan King

August 4, 2017

Most of us (dare, I say all of us) shop online. MANY of us shop for clothes online. It's so much easier to shop from the comfort of home after we've put the kids to bed than to try to find time to go to a store. The flexibility of shopping online outweighs the disadvantages of not being able to see the product up close. But what about trying it on?

An item of clothing does not fit everyone the same way. So trying an item of clothing on is an important step to deciding if it will work for you. How it looks on the hanger can be deceiving. So if you are going to shop online be sure to check out all the pictures of the item. Normally you will find anywhere from 2 to 6 pictures of a clothing item that is being sold. Often you'll see a picture of someone actually wearing the item. This can be helpful.

Even though it's not your body, you can get a sense for how the item looks on someone. Two dimensional pictures of an item that is lying on a white background will not help you to determine how that item will look on you. A picture of the item on a model will at least give you a sense of dimension (where the hemlines are, how an item falls, where the seams are and so on). Pay attention to the details to get a sense of how that item will look on you!

This is also true in store. When you see an item on a hanger, keep in mind that item may look differently onyour body, This is why when you do shop in store, it's so important to make sure you try things on. This is your chance to see how different styles and colors will look on you!

Here are a few items from Madewell that will help you to see the difference between an item on a hanger versus an item on a body. The Madewell website features all items photographed on a hanger. However, once you click on the item you can see additional pictures of that item on a model. Check out a few examples, I've posted below to see the difference.