Hidden Magnolias

Just read an article about iconic brands closing. You can read it here. What I thought was very interesting is the H&M is closing some stores in the USA. I was happy when I read that sentence because they are one of the worse pushers of "Fast Fashion."  (Read the book,  Overdressed  to learn more.) Image: Hypebae I was happy, I was dancing. But then....I stopped in my tracks when I read this sentence: "However, while they are booming, the H&M’s in the U.S. are showing slower growth and they plan to close 160 stores. The good news is they’re planning to open more stores in other parts of the world." They are going top open more stores in countries whose consumers  are not conscientious  as those in the USA. More and more we are saying NO! to fast fashion.  But many other countries are not.  Two  brands reducing their stores: Charlotte Russe "Since 1975, the Californian-based retail chain, Charlotte Russe has been the ul...

I just thought I would check in and let you know how some of my "projects" are going. First - the Buy No New Clothes I have really been pleased with this one. It is now May and I haven't spent money on clothes at all this year and that is really good for me. I am usually buying something at least once a month. However, when I examined my Spring/Summer clothes, I noticed 2 pairs of  dress pants for work that really cannot go another year; thus I will be replacing them. Also, for full disclosure, my hubby gave me a little money to spend as I want. He often does that and I faithfully squirrel it away but this weekend I visited my favorite boutique and bought a few blouses -- again for work. Even though I didn't hit the mark 100%, I feel good about the progress made. Second - Spend No $$$ Weeks This one I have done surprisingly well. I have had several weeks since the new year where I spent no money at all --None, Zero, Natch, Nada -- with the exceptio...

As someone facing retirement in the not too far future, I am saddened and dismayed by some of the blogs I read. One senior blogger tells of how many food banks and senior food services near her are closed, moved, or redistributed. She depends on a bus service to get her to the food banks and now it is a long walk for her to get any food at all.   She received grocery gift cards for Christmas but is too afraid to use because she might need later since food prices in her area are going up and up. This made me very sad for her and fearful for me and mine. This is a country where people are spending $300,000 on a car and this woman’s grocery budget is $30. Ouch. Don't get me wrong, I AM NOT ADVOCATING SOCIALISM. But I cannot help but feel we have the least prepared group of people fixin' to retire. I don't want to be one of ill-prepared people. What am I going to do about it?  Pull in the reins.  I have always been...

I have been reading lots of frugal blogs lately and have found some really good ideas about where to cut the budget. Being frugal in this day and age is really hard, especially if you are a working woman and you need work clothes. One of the themes I have seen in all the frugal websites is: “ MAKE DO WITH WHAT YOU HAVE. ” If you are like me, your closet probably burps when you open the door. So, I pulled everything out – and I mean everything . I sorted through. Made the three piles: Keep, Repair/Clean, Give.  And then put it all back. After all this, I made list using Notes on my iPhone. I listed various combinations, and even found some combinations I hadn't thought of before. Then as I wore them, checked them off. I used various icons to make it more fun. The list helped me realize that there are clothes I hardly ever wear. There are combinations that I wore often and some I only wore once or twice. This was a surprise!!...

For several months now I have been very conscious about what I buy. It seems like each time I look at an article of clothing, shoes, household items, etc., it has the ubiquitous tag "Made in China." So I made myself a promise -- try to buy Made in the USA . This has proven harder than it sounds. For several reasons: You have to hunt for Made in the USA items -- Nordstrom's has a Made in the USA search that will bring up various items -- but few other departments stores do. Reading through various research most department stores carry less than 2% of US made clothing.  Made in USA items are often found in the high end stores -- Neiman Marcus, Barney's, Bloomingdales's, Von Maur. Many of us don't even consider going to a high end store because of the prices. What I want is just not made here --Sure you can find socks, some jeans, men's wear, workout clothes, t-shirts and stockings, but what about clothes to wear to work? Almost nonexisten...