{Sale Day Fashion} Generations of Value

Better enjoy it! It's the last one for spring!


We ended our last sale for the spring sale season on May 11. Thus, I know this post is a tad bit late. I have been taking the time to unwind, de-stress, and enjoy a little down time. Minus a few ads I have had to proof over the last few weeks.

Up until lately it hasn't been super warm. Even in Georgia. Though I was having a good hair day!

Sweater: Talbots
Jeans: Lane Bryant
Necklace: Stella & Dot (here)
New Phone Case! Initial Outfitters

I've enjoyed sharing what I wore throughout the spring. It has definitely made me think twice about what I was wearing and not duplicating outfits. Looking forward to the fall sale season - well not just yet! 

Abercrombie can kiss my plus-size butt!

(I try not to get on my soap box very often, but I read an article this morning that struck a cord with me. Please bare with me if I begin to ramble.) 

I do not hide it that I have been a "bigger boned" girl my entire life. There were times during my younger years that I really struggled with it internally, but as I have gotten older (and wiser) I have accepted my uniqueness and went on with my life. 

As a teenage girl, I went with my friends to the mall. Of course, many of them were shopping at Abercrombie and Fitch. They could fit into the small sizes that A&F market. If you ask me that awful strong cologne smell always got to me. For many years I tried my hardest to squeeze into some size Large A&F clothes. Some of the t-shirts had suggestive sayings, and since all my thinner friends were wearing them I thought I needed to as well. Of course none of these clothes made me feel good about myself because I always felt like I needed to suck it in. 

Recently, the CEO of Abercrombie and Fitch, Mitch Jefferies has made statements against "large women shoppers" at A&F. He has also made comments that A&F hires "good looking" people to work at their sale, and that is who they market to. Stating, "We don't market to anything other than that." According to A&F, fat chicks will never be apart of the "in crowd." I thought I did just fine. 

Perhaps even more disturbing is that Jefferies doesn't think he has said or done anything wrong. 

These comments have obviously struck a cord with shoppers, both male and female alike. Which, I, too  was bothered by. With the amount of bullying that goes on in our society - no person should be made to feel bad about themselves - ESPECIALLY from a clothing company. Our schools and society are hard enough to live in with the amount of negativity, peer pressure, and stereotypes that surround us. No clothing company has the right to make a person feel bad about themselves. I personally think that shows the improper morals and down right meanness that the company and the CEO possess. 

In the article I read it named Jefferies as one of the bravest and most successful brand builders. Because he sells sex and skinny. If these are the two things that you think you need to be pushing to teenagers than maybe you have some moral problems personally and professionally. Abercrombie and Fitch is known for their scandalous advertisements with naked to semi-naked models. 

I could encourage you to not shop at Abercrombie and Fitch, but it really is not my business. I would just ask before you do go shopping or walk into their store you think about the morals of their company, and what they are teaching our youth today. 

(I hope my soap box wasn't too high)

The gift of leadership

Being a girl with a background in the FFA and the American Junior Simmental Association, you would guess that I love leadership. I love to study it, to read about it, to live it. Back in the good ole days of FFA, I read my far share of John Maxwell books for quotes and stories to use in my speeches. I loved taking the Strengths Test to find out my Top 5 Strengths. It made me excited and driven to be a better leader for whatever organization I was in. 

One of my Top 5 Strengths also had to do with giving. I love to give gifts. Whether it be tangible or not, making someone day is a beautiful thing. Making someone smile or letting them know you are thinking about them is important in my book. 

But one day.. I came home from a sale to find an envelope in the mail with my name on it. 

What was inside?

I open it to find a sweet note along side a book. Rachel Cutrer of Ranch House Designs and a standout in the marketing and advertising world of the cattle industry had sent me a special package. Along with her note was a book by Chris Boleman entitled "Lead on the Bright Side." (and it was signed!)

Being friends with many Aggies I had heard of Mr. Boleman before. Of course, loving leadership I was excited to get back to my old ways and dive into this book. 

I am the type of reader that once I dive into reading, I hang close to it until I am finished. The book was a light and easy read. It is filled with stories and Dr. Boleman's speciality - poems! I'm not talking those boring poems from English class. I am talking poems that have a real meaning and relate directly to the topic at hand. Some poems are associated with a story, but there is a whole section with poems written by Mr. Boleman. 

I won't give away all the good stories in the book because I think you should go pick up a copy. One of the stories that led me to tears is about a sweet ferret named Ricki IV. Yes, I cried over a ferret. It is a beautiful story of a positive attitude and including everyone around us and loving them.

Aside from crying over a ferret I will leave you with my favorite quote from Dr. Boleman's book - 

"There is a reason the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror." (I just love that)

Thank you Rachel for thinking of me and sending me this wonderful leadership book! 

Now go get a copy!

{Sale Day Fashion} Family Traditions

This past weekend was the Family Traditions sale in Auburn; which just so happens to be the sale that we (HTP Simmentals) sells our own cattle. It is one of the bigger sales for us for the spring so I wanted to look nice that day. 

Well...I looked nice when I left the hotel. It was pouring down rain the day of the sale. They got just over 4 inches at the sale barn. But don't worry we had plenty of umbrellas and ponchos for customers to head out and look at the cattle. 

But the rain did not do great things for my hair. I kept walking around asking everyone if my hair was "this big" with my hands out to the side of my hair. I felt like I had a fro. So by the time the sale started my hair was half up. 

Jacket: Lane Bryant
Top: Lane Bryant
Jeans: Seven at Lane Bryant
Earrings: Stella & Dot
Necklace: Stella & Dot
Bracelet: Stella & Dot

Rain and frizzy hair aside it was a great sale! We are so lucky to be apart of a successful sale and have some great customers - rain or shine!

Creative Pay it Forward - #1

A warm fuzzy. 

With the events that happened today in Boston I thought I would share something warm, fuzzy, and happy with you. 

Back around the first of the year I saw this thing on Facebook called the "Creative Pay it Forward." Basically you put up this status that you were participating in this, and the first 5 people to comment on the status would be your lucky people. Those people would get something from you this year. Sometime, whenever, wherever. It could be anything you wanted, but its purpose was to brighten someone's day. 

I was in. This was so my thing. 

So I put it up. And I got more than 5 comments, but I was ok with it! I hung them up on my bulletin board and waited for the perfect moment. 

I have been looking and gathering materials for a few of my "Creative Pay it Forward" events. I was so happy to recently package up two special items and send them out! And now I am been waiting patiently for them to arrive at their destinations. 

And then... earlier on twitter & instagram I see this little thing. Amber Martin had received her gift! Amber used to work with us on our website. We miss her and I miss e-mailing her 100 times a day :). So I was very happy that she was one of the people on my list. 

I can't wait to make someone'e else's day - SOON! 

{Sale Day Fashion} Ohio Beef Expo

Hello beautiful people! We've been on "break" the last two weeks. Meaning we don't have a sale to run off to, but doesn't technically mean we are on break. 

I've had this outfit to post for awhile, but I keep finding something else to do besides this. Even though I am really excited about our new gear! 

A year ago or so I saw a company with some great sweaters with their logos. Becky over at The Brand Company who also hooked us up with our t-shirts did these sweaters for us. There is another version also, but you will have to wait for another day. 

Sweater: The Brand Company
Button Up: Ralph Lauren
Jeans: Lane Bryant
Necklace/Earrings: Stella & Dot

If you didn't know already, I have became a Stella & Dot Stylist. I love their jewelry and the strong woman that are involved with their company. I have worn the jewelry for years. It is quality product that is always on track with the current trends.  If you want to take a look around here is my website.

This is actually the necklace and earrings I am wearing above.
They are called Fiona! 

Happy One Year Tucker!

No it's not his birthday. That was back in January, but today marks the one year anniversary that little Tuck joined our family.

We picked him up from Casey and Amber at the Ohio Beef Expo on Thursday of last year. He was so little. And so dang cute. I love corgi puppies- they might just be one of the cutest things ever. Gabby, of course, was not thrilled. I think at times Gabby still wants to send him back, but I know she loves him.

Life with Tuck has been difficult at times, and never a dull moment. We couldn't imagine our life without him now. We love you Tuck and are so happy you are in our family!