A Sale Indeed: Coldwater Creek's History

 My dearest darlingest Mumsie and I went out for coffee this morning and stopped by Coldwater Creek (mainly because I heard that they were having a sale on top of a sale. Incidentally, she'd heard that too). I surprised myself by purchasing something--two of the double lace tanks, one in grapevine and one in spring lake. Normally, I'm more inclined to forgo the lace and stick with the four season tank, but I didn't like the colors on sale for that one. Anyway, not only was I able to buy a size smaller than I usually do, but, including tax, I got out of the store for $25! Please note that the tanks regularly priced are usually $30+. So I'm quite proud of me.

Anyway, while I was there, we ended up having quite the conversation with the saleslady, who was very knowledgeable about Coldwater Creek and its history. Apparently, the company started out as an in-home business that specifically sold authentic Indian Jewelry. It was highly successful, and on a lark, the owners decided to sell a single Native-American sweater design. The sweater was a huge hit, and thus began Coldwater Creek's journey as a clothing store! All of its designs are unique to the company, and with new policy changes, they are following the indie style of clothing production; rather than having a large collection that sells for several months before the next collection comes out, the collections are smaller and there are only so many of each item produced. This makes me a very happy girl.

I then asked where most of the clothing was made. I was a bit disappointed to find that it was made all over the world, because I think it would be really awesome to have a line made and designed by Native American  people. I mean, that was how the company got started. Fortunately, though, their clothes aren't all mass produced in China. They come from a variety of different nations--China, Sri Lanka, the US, India, Africa...you name it. So I suppose I can forgive the partial abandonment of American roots.

Isn't that interesting?? They have a new rewards card program, too--obviously, I signed up for that. I'll definitely be keeping an eye on their sales. I'd love to score some more well-made, indie-esque clothing for very cheap. In the mean time, I'm going to head to the gym. I'm hoping that buying a S instead of an M means that my gym time has been effective, not just that they're being more generous in their sizing. ;)

P.S. Oh, yeah. There is a sale both in-stores and online right now for Coldwater Creek. 40% off all already discounted merchandise in-store, 30% store-wide online. Check it out at http://www.coldwatercreek.com
Also, if you aren't following me on twitter yet, please do! I post lots of sales and cool stuff on it--stuff that is really too short to merit a post here.

Veteran's Day and Remembrance Day 2011

To all those that I love, or, in some cases, that I've never met, who have served their country bravely. I love you all. 

Heroes

By Jared Jenkins

For every life, there is a soul

For every soul, there is a life

For those who have died, we show great appreciation and remembrance

For those who live, along with them live the horrific memories of battle

Some, memories of defeat

Some, memories of victory

Our veterans were more than soldiers

They were, and still are heroes

Kenneth Flowers

F. X. Stevens

R. Nierstheimer, Air Force

 Control their minds with instinct fit 

What time, adventuring, they quit 

The firm security of land; 

Grant steadfast eye and skilful hand 

 Aloft in solitudes of space, 

Uphold them with Thy saving grace. 

O God, protect the men who fly 

Thru lonely ways beneath the sky.

Lord, guard and guide the men who fly 

Through the great spaces of the sky; 

Be with them traversing the air 

 In darkening storms or sunshine fair 

 Thou who dost keep with tender might 

The balanced birds in all their flight 

Thou of the tempered winds be near 

That, having thee, they know no fear 

D. Bevans

For the Fallen

by Laurence Binyon

They went with songs to the battle, they were young, 

 Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow. 

 They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;

 They fell with their faces to the foe. 

 They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: 

 Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. 

 At the going down of the sun and in the morning 

 We will remember them.

Will You Stop For The One?

Heidi Baker works with Iris Ministries, especially with the Stop For The One child sponsorship program. One of my friends, activist Claire Johnston, has been working with this ministry during her Miss California campaigns. You can visit www.irismin.org for more information on Stop For The One.

Red White and Blue Hues

If you haven't noticed, today is Independence Day in the U.S., more commonly referred to as "The Fourth of July." For me, Memorial Day and the 4th seem a bit like repeat celebrations, because celebrating our declared independence from Great Britain makes me think of all the people who have sacrificed to defend our nation, and celebrating all the people who have sacrificed to defend our nation reminds me of Independence Day. Either way, I end up thinking red, white, and blue, and this morning, I realized something. 

I can't see anything patriotic in my closet.

That was an awful realization. Perhaps it is because I am normally required to wear a navy blue skirt and white button down on July 4th. I have two patriotic scarves, but that is it. No flashy bejeweled flags on my shirts. No Nothing. In this absence of red white and blue, I've been reduced to wearing black with a rose screen printed on my shirt. In sharp contrast, my first 4th was so thoroughly patriotic you couldn't even see baby. There is a better picture from when I'm about six, but I gave up on finding it. It was much cuter, and less drool-ridden. I apparently drooled a lot as a baby.

Bereft of patrioticness, at least in dress, I drifted over to etsy to see what patriotism was on display there. There was a variety of great artistry, including the canvas pictured above (by KLynnae), as well as a variety of dog tags. I've always admired people who have a way to make dog tags into a tasteful accessory. They're cool, and I think its a nice way to announce your support for the troops. My discoveries ranged from tags with different military seals (the Marine tag is pictured to the right) to USA earrings made from charms and dog tags. Quite cute.

My personal favorite, though, was a necklace that is done to help the Pinup Patriettes raise funds for various military/verteran support groups. I've had a little trouble determining who exactly the Pinup Patriettes are, since their site is down, but it appears to be founded by some pinup girls and their friends who travel around to different events selling flags and pins and other patriotic mementos. The proceeds go to various military and veteran support groups, such as the Wounded Warrior Project. My main focus, however, was on the necklace. It has patriotism spattered all over it. It is made up of two dog tags and some beading, the bottom tag having the flag on it, the upper tag having the PP's logo on it. Pretty, not too complex, and patriotic. 

And, as a plus, I can wear it with a blue skirt and a white button down shirt. Happy Independence Day. Remember those who make our Independence possible. 

Dressing to Make A Difference

Could you wear the same dress for a hundred days in a row? If you could, could you take it a step farther and create one hundred totally unique outfits with just one dress? Miss Elaini can. Elaini is wearing the dress pictured to the right for one hundred days. Today is day 64, and she has created her 64th unique outfit. Her goal? To raise awareness about the plight of Indian orphans, and to raise funds to provide for them. Her goal is to be able to raise $50,000 in the one hundred day period.

I must say, I admire Elaini in about a million different ways. I promise you I won't list the entire million, but I must list a few, and then after I list them, you must go visit her blog and be inspired.

First off, she's willing to do something. Most people will agree that something must be done, and perhaps they will write out a check, but the majority of the time, they leave it at that. Perhaps they put a bumper sticker on their car. Elaini is a walking billboard.

Elaini also doesn't feel sorry for people. Instead, she loves them. I think there is a huge difference. Someone who feels sorry for others is looking down their nose at them. If you love people, you come down and help them up. Elaini loves the orphans just as much as she loves her own family. Her parents are her best friends (so are mine. My best friends, I mean, not hers. ).

Elaini is an overcomer. I was recently thinking about how many people who are challenged physically are those who are strongest spiritually. Whenever someone talks about this, I inevitably start thinking about a girl I once taught at a conference. She was about six, and she had spina bifida. A six year old should be able to walk. This girl couldn't. If she wanted to go anywhere, she pulled herself along by her hands, perhaps carrying something in her mouth or tucked under an arm or on her lap. I can't think of a sweeter, patient-er, understanding child. Some day, that girl is going to do great things, and I hope she finds a unique way of doing them, just as Elaini has. Elaini's story is so different, yet so much the same. She doesn't have spina bifida, but she has had many health challenges. And she has risen over those challenges and created something that is helping others and glorifying God.

Elaini uses fashion to make a statement--but not the usual sort of statement we think of. She's saying "HEY! WE'RE BLESSED! We are SO blessed, and we don't even realize it! Let's take some of our blessing and give it to others, so God can bless them through us!" The concept of wearing the same dress for 100 days is a little challenge in and of itself. But think of it. How many people wear the same thing day in and day out because that is all they have? Wow.

Think about it. Go take a look at Elaini's blog. It will challenge you. It challenged me.



P.S.--All of these pictures are, obviously, pulled from Elaini's blog. Also, once you reach about page 7 on her blog, you can start reading her other observations about the little things in life. So don't just look at the first page!