The Origami Wrap: A must for all women!

A recent entry was about how wonderful a shopper I am, how I get a lot for my buck 

and how I'm such a bargain hunter... and that is all true.    Except when I splurge.   

Today, I splurged.   Twice.

    

I bought not one, but TWO Origami Wraps at ECHO in Beacon, NY.  

How many ways can it be worn, I am not exactly sure but there has to be a number.    

This piece, although expensive, is well worth it!     

 Here are some photos of the ways this item can be worn.

Below the photos you will find the YouTube link for a tutorial/demonstration on how to wear it.  

You're welcome   :-) 

The video:    

YouTube Video for the Origami Wrap

For more info on Origami Wrap/ECHO Party coming to Westchester this fall, stay tuned.   

The owner of the boutique is doing an event in Scarsdale area soon.    Details to follow.  

An excellent gift for that friend who has everything.    It is one size fits all and comes in a variety of colors, not shown above unfortunately.     Shades of blue, red and pink, a deep purple and more. 

For more items by Lilla P and for info on Echo, click below

  http://www.echobeacon.com/  

The Importance of Date Night: A Lesson from Kate Middleton

Everyone loves Kate Middleton.    How can you not?   She symbolizes all things good.     Comes from a normal-ish down to earth family, has amazing style and great taste in men.   

She chose William at a young age, when most girls her age are picking the "wrong guy" she knew.     I believe their love is genuine and I think she earned some major royal points for producing a male heir right off the bat.  

We watched her marry, have her first baby and do it all (with the world watching her every move) with a smile and with class.    Typically, the British tabloids are talking about her "Date Night" with William this week.   Her baby is under 2 months old and there she is, going out with William, dressed up and looking fabulous, as always.


Some probably think:  

• "Must be nice."   
• "When you have servants to watch your infant, you can go out."   
• "I did not leave my child until he/she was 6 months, at least."

Not me.   Nope.   I love her for it.    She knows how important it is to stay connected to her husband, her best friend.    I hope to see her out more often.    It does not mean that she loves her baby any less than those that stay home and care for theirs 24/7.    She is looking for adult time, adult conversation and is resuming a normal life.   

Some parents give up on a social life once they have children.   They even stop socializing with their spouse.    Since my first child was born almost 8 years ago, my husband and I chose one night a week for our date night.   This was our night to go out and forget all that was going on at home.    This is the night to wear the new shirt that has been hanging in the closet, put on some eye make up, eat dinner without interruptions and go out on a date, like we did for weeks and weeks and weeks before getting married.    

In America, we will imitate Kate's clothing style, her haircut, even replicate her wedding dress!   We should take it the next step by following her example and observe how she behaves.       

Confessions of a Shopaholic: Emma's Trip to Denny's Childrenswear

It's no secret that I love to shop.     Some think I overspend, and at times, I do.   But I love a good bargain.   I love shopping off the clearance rack, on discount sites like Rue La La, Groupon, etc.    It would never cross my mind to walk into a high end department store, buy off the rack, no sale/no coupon.   For myself, I like TJMaxx, Fox's in Eastchester, Annie Sez, stores like that.

For my kids, I like the standard Gap staple items;  Lord and Taylor when I have a coupon, which is almost always; and websites like Zulily for some of the name brands that I love, because they are discounted.    For shoes, I like Stride Rite outlet store.  I buy their Converse in Kohls's when I have a 20-30% off coupon rather than buying at Modell's.   So yes, I admit that I shop a lot but I get more than most for my dollar.   

Do I splurge?   Yes!  For a dress to wear to a wedding, yes.    A jacket that I know will not be available in my size by the time it goes on sale, absolutely.   Holiday card outfits for my kids, obviously.  I am not *that* in control.     A store that is hard for me to resist is Denny's Childrenswear.       Their layette section is boutique-like.    Very fashionable, original type items for babies.    They have great brand name clothing-- expensive, yes...but often reduced so it's sort of like, marked up so it can be marked down.       Here are a few things that I bought today.      

While I would love to complain about the prices, I really can't.  

• The outfit on the left was on the SUPER SALE rack, with items 40% off and up.    The tank was marked $26.50.   Rang up $7.50.  The shorts, marked 22.50, rang up $6.25.    Super clearance about 70% off.  
• The denim vest with black cotton sleeves  (So Nikki, a great brand) was shockingly regularly priced at $49.50.    I expected it to be a lot more than that, considering what a denim jacket goes for in a store like the Gap.    
• The Keep Calm and Rainbow Loom On Shirt-- Marked $27.50, rang up $22.  (20% off)

Boys clothes are never as much fun to buy as girls clothes, but today was one of the rare days that my son wound up with more things than his sister!     (Not all items shown.  My husband reads this.)   My little guy loves Superheroes so I found these cute shirts with pants to match.  A little pricier than the Gap/Old Navy (or worse, the Children's Place) Junk Food Tees, but around $25-$29 each.    High for a tee shirt, yes, but I balanced my savings out with solid pants to match them, on the super sale rack.     I also found the cute Adidas outfits there, discounted 20% too.   

Lastly, what I will not include are the accessories.   Not on sale, overpriced, but irresistible.   Cute baby bib in chevron print for an upcoming baby shower;  a $20 headband for my gorgeous niece, and a few pairs of underwear that's say, "a little too pretty for a 7 year old to wear."     Those items did not make the blog entry, but worth every penny and well deserved for my good shopping choices.  

Next stop:  Epstein's in Tuckahoe.    Standard items like sneakers, sporty shorts but whoever the girls 7-16 buyer is, has shopped at Denny's!    Lots of the same brands;  So Nikki, Pinc Premium, etc.  

Fundraiser for the Eastchester Public Library

Children's Book: Comforting Kids after 9/11 Tragedy

 

In 2001, I was working as an elementary school teacher.   The events that took place during the school day on 9/11 was something that no one was prepared for.  Something that was not included on a college syllabus; how to deal with a terrorist act.  
The news was coming in and the teachers were buzzing in the halls. Ones who lived close by ran home to watch it on TV.  Some sat in cars listening to radio coverage.  Very few of us checked in with our loved ones via text, if we had the phones that were capable of sending or receiving text messages.  

Living within close proximity to NYC, many of our students parents worked in Manhattan.   Being the first week of school, we were not sure which parents did and no one dared ask.   It came up in casual conversation that day, as we tried to survey which children had parents that "took the train to work," or "which parents drove to work."  Most teachers abandoned lesson plans for that day and tried to assess what their kids would go home to on 9/11 and how they would return to the classroom on 9/12.   Before sending them home that day, we gave them a blanket message about something happening that day and that the teachers were riding the bus home that day for a change-- because we wanted to be sure that each child had someone to meet them at their stop.   I vividly recall a beautiful 10 year old girl saying, "Can you tell us what it is??  My mom won't know.   She works in NYC."  

Needless to say, 9/12 arrived and all of my students arrived the next day with stories (some worse than others) but everyone was OK.   The sun rose, the birds chirped and the school was still there.   This book is a great resource and comfort for kids to explain that yes, some very bad things go on in the world, but everything will be all right.     I sent this in to school with my little one this morning (after reading it last night.)   A note to the teacher saying this was a gift to her classroom library.

Who knows what her experience on 9/11 was.  She was also teaching that day, had friends and family to check in on and students to greet the next morning.     She asked the children to wear red, white and blue to school today.   I am sure 12 years later, she has perfected the message but this book is one that will likely be a special addition to her collection of teaching materials.  

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Regents Exam Prep LLC

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