With online shopping, boutiques, and malls the choice of companies to buy from are endless. The quality of the product and service can be a bit hit and miss, though. Not just from company to company, but sometimes even within a company. Every now and then, though, you find a good one. One worth being faithful to. A company that not only appreciates their customers but doesn’t mind taking the time to spoil and invest in them…..before they’ve even bought anything.

That’s basically how my first experience with Gaiam has been. As I told you the other day, I’m finally making an exercise routine I can stick with. Yoga is something I’ve dabbled in and read about off and on since before Lil was born. Recently, though, I’ve jumped all the way in. I’m doing it.

Sunday evening was my first session. As suggested by a lovely friend from high school soccer, I checked out Gaiam on Hulu. Then I browsed their website to see what all they had to offer. By my second session on the living room carpet, I realized why they used the yoga mats. With and without my socks, my feet and toes had no grip on the floor to hold my poses. I decided I needed a mat.

Just in the knick of time, a fabulous family friend came to the rescue. One who just so happens to work at Gaiam. What luck, right? She offered to send me one of her spare mats, which was super nice of her. What started out as a generous offer, though turned me into a loyal customer. My friend talked to a coworker and before I knew it, a care package was on its way to Kentucky.

That’s right, some sweet lady made me {and Lilie Jo} her project for the day.  She gathered up all kinds of goodies and overnighted a package to us. I could not be more grateful or surprised by their generosity. Gaiam wins. I’ll be sure not to purchase any more of my yoga necessities anywhere else. They’ve won over my pocketbook and my heart. Not to mention, the products truly are wonderful.

Lilie Jo and I each received our own standard thickness yoga mat along with one thick one which will be good for harder surfaces. Yes, count that again: THREE yoga mats. Ms. Generosity also sent us two organic cotton Gaiam tote bags that fold up, two yoga mat bags and two water bottles {which I was already a fan of}. She also threw in a couple of foam activities for Lil. Too much.

We hurried upstairs and changed to try the new mats out with one of Gaiam’s family yoga sessions on Hulu. I cannot thank Gaiam enough for their generosity. I’m on a search for a name and address to personally send her a thank you.

I also want to pass along some good old fashioned word-of-mouth advertising.

Please go check out the Gaiam website. Its full of great information and products. If you’re into fitness, green living, personal growth, health and/or wellness check them out. Some of my favorites to add to the cart are this gorgeous fair trade necklace made from wood, these really cool yoga socks because I always have cold feet, this comfy looking every-day tank, or this ballet wrap skirt, which I’m totally digging for work or everyday where.

Have you ever had your own wonderful experience with a brand? Tell me about the company and why you made the decision to stick with them?

No, not Christmas in July, but I am making a list.  Though it may not be Jesus’ birthday, it is time for mine.  August 1st is just around the corner.  Along with that is my shiny new job.

I haven’t had a job outside the home {other than school} in a little over a year.  That meant lots of jeans, t-shirts, and leggings.  When I traded in my life as a working woman for one of a full time mama/student, I also traded in my shopping allowance and a lot of my efforts to look anything other than comfortable.

With the power of these two events combined, I have been lucky enough to be gifted with a personal shopping spree to refresh my professional wardrobe. I. am. ecstatic. Not to mention thankfully blessed.

Being the die hard list maker I am, I’ve been organizing my shopping trip.  Creating a sort of mental list and needs.  This also allows me to plan ahead while shopping, in order to get the most out of my dollar.  I may not be able to get everything on the list, but I will keep an eye for good deals specifically on these.  I like to buy some what classic pieces with which I can mix up with each other and existing pieces to create more outfits.

Note my dress code for the salon: mostly black, white and/or gray.  Jeans allowed in these colors.  I can accessorize and wear shoes with color.  I need to dress professional, but take into mind my industry {I’m leading a salon}.  I’d like to be some what stylish, yet sophisticated and classy.

Though the temperatures show no sign of dropping too soon, I plan to shop with the coming seasons in mind.  I can mix these right in with what my current collection.

Sources:
1Target  2Charlotte Russe 3Target 4Style by Marina  5Charlotte Russe  6H&M 7Target  8Blowfish Shoes 9Bamboo Shoes 

I’ve been pinning like crazy, to my Style board.  I’m crazy over plaid and/or wool blazers.  Also, shoes.  Always shoes.  Being that I won’t be working behind the chair, my feet will be able to manage wedges or a chunky heel, more often.

Though we still have a couple months left of Summe weather, what fashion trend are you most looking forward to this Fall?

It has arrived.  My last weekday before school starts.  My last Friday to lay around in my jammies ’til noon, if I see fit.  Monday, its back to routine, back to schedules, back to work. 

At least this semester, thanks to my amazing fiance, I have just school and my family to keep up with. I’m not trying to keep up with a job and all the responsibilities that come with it.  What a load off.  Shew.

Well, on with the wedding planning, yes?  I’ve been searching for the perfect dress for Lilie.  I still haven’t quite decided if I’m just going to make it myself or buy one.  Either way, I’ve been surfing the net for ideas.

I don’t want anything fancy, complicated or swimming with design and color to defer from her natural beauty.  I’m thinking just a sold maxi would be great, with some flowers thrown into her wild curls.

Let me share a few that I’ve found and taken a liking to.  You know what my little sprite looks like, so picture them on her and let me know you’re thoughts.  

And, as usual, just click on the images to be taken back to their home site.

{I thought it would be sweet to have her wear white, since I obviously shouldn’t, according to tradition}

{I love Lilie in brown. I thought this one would be especially cute with a black eyed susan in her hair}

{Ok, I know I said no patterns, but I do so love this one}

{I like Lilie better in bold, rather pastels, but I thought if I went with the navy dress, the lace/crochet details would go well together}

The more I look, the less I find that fits the idea I have in my head.  I may need to go fabric shopping soon.

So, what do you think?  Tell me, both, your faves and the ‘not-so-much’ ones.  I’m going to pick my top three, once I do some more looking around, and then pull in the little lady to make the final decision.

Thank you so big for your help!  Happy Friday and I hope your weekend is awesome!

Whew!  Do you feel that?  That’s called sun and humidity, my friends.  Welcome to Southern Kentucky, where we’re no stranger to muggy weather.  Let me pour you a glass of sweet iced tea and see if we can stand the heat out on the patio for a chat, shall we?

The grass is bright green and in need of regular mowing, now.  The dandelions are in full bloom and the wish balls are ripe.  My herbs are really starting to pop up, which means sweet tea with a touch of fresh mint, soon.  Dorothea Benton Frank’s books are making it hard to get the house work finished–by the way, have I mentioned that she will be here, in Bowling Green, in July for a book tour?!  I don’t know about you, but that bit of information caused lots of jumping up and down with excitement for me.

Summer is definitely here.  I’m desperately saving for a trip to the beach.  We’re averaging about a pitcher and a half of tea every day and the temptation to turn the A/C on, full time, is really starting to wear us down.  Sun dresses are my daily attire and braids and pony tails are a must.  Goodbye tinted moisturizer; hello lotion with sunscreen.  I made one attempt at sunbathing and failed miserably after barely an hour of laying in a pool of my own sweat glisten.  Who needs skin cancer, anyway, right?  I’ve decided to proudly own my porcelain skin, instead.

My next decision is to invest in a fabulous wide-brimmed sun hat, to help protect my freckled fair skin.

I’ve decided to shop around online to make this purchase.  The only drawback is that I can’t try it on in-person.  But hey, as long as it blocks the sun from my delicate white face and shoulders, I’ll be happy. During my pursuit to find said inexpensive fabulous hat, I found some of these lovelies, and thought I would share (click photos to go to the sites):

Amazon $24.99

Ebay $16.99

Ebay $5.99

I love all of these because they are wide enough to give me plenty of coverage from the suns crude rays, each one is a neutral shade so they will match anything and they all look light in weight and floppy and loose for extra comfort.

Do you have a great summer hat you can’t part with?  Where did you find yours and what do you love most about it?