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By Christina VanGinkel

If you are midway through your holiday shopping, which is about the average answer you will get from anybody you question on how far along they are with their holiday gift shopping, you may be approaching the 'tough to buy for' people on your list. I often shy away from giving clothes as gifts, even to my own children, as it can be hard to figure out their wildly changing tastes in clothes, but other times, there just is no other alternative. I have a friend whose daughter I have always bought 'a little something' for each holiday season. It started when she was just a baby and has progressed through to her pre-teen years. At a total loss as to what to purchase her this year, I asked her mother for ideas. Her response was to be her clothes. That she is one of those pre-teens who already believes they are a teenager and she is madly in love with clothes.

When I responded that I would not have a clue as to her styles or tastes, her mother responded by inviting me over on a school day to take a peak through her closet to get a feel for what she likes. As soon as I saw her wardrobe, I knew the perfect store to shop. The only problem was that the closest outlet they had was several hours away in a mall in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, which meant no quick weekend or after work shopping trip to that store. Then I recalled that I was sure they had an online storefront. I knew just where to go to find their online counterpart too; I went right to ClothingStoreOnline.com and was soon shopping dELiAs.com.

This store has a huge selection of tees that are set to please any pre-teen or teenage girl. They also have all the latest fashion in jean wear. Instead of traipsing all over town looking for the perfect pair, just head to dELiAs.com for a big enough selection that you will be able to find several pair that any young girl on your shopping list will soon be naming you the best gift giver of the year! If they are more into cords or twills, dELiAs has a fine selection of those to choose from also.

If you are looking for Hoodies, one of today's most popular clothing items among teens of any age, you again will not be disappointed. They have a selection that includes all the years' favorite colors and fashions, including zip fronts and pullovers. If you need the latest in boots, shoes, outerwear, even dresses, they also have a large selection of each of those. In addition, their accessories collection is as full of choices as the rest of their departments. They have a wide range of belts, bags, hats and gloves, and jewelry. To top off their huge collection of clothing and accessories, they also have a complete department just for dressing your favorite girl's room, with everything from furniture and curtains, to complete bedding sets!

By Christina VanGinkel

I am one of those people who love getting catalogs in their mailbox this time of year, who browse at their leisure, love all the deals being offered, such as free shipping, then, when it is time to order, I go online to be sure they have what I want in stock. I have been shopping this way for the past few holiday seasons. I have been a catalog 'junkie' for as long as I can remember, and the realization that almost every paper catalog arriving in my mailbox had an online twin was quite the revelation when it came. No more sitting on the phone waiting for customer service, or risking that the representative helping me would misunderstand me when I was giving an order number. This possibly due to the small lisp I have from oral surgery I received decades ago, or that the item I was telling them I wanted was being drowned out by a screaming toddler or the blaring of my older son's current music choice. I can order online with confidence that they understand the order, and that what I want to order is in stock and ready to ship.

The most recent catalog to arrive at my home that has an online counterpart is the L. L. Bean Holiday catalog, complete with its free shipping offer, no minimum purchase required. The free shipping applies to any catalog purchase, or online purchase, and is valid throughout the holiday shipping season. It is also valid in their retail stores. So, if you make a purchase, and would like it shipped somewhere, your local L. L. Bean store will do exactly that for you, free of charge. That has to be one of the best holiday shopping deals I have seen this year! That I have been a fan of L. L. Bean's clothes for years is just a convenient byproduct of this great deal. My favorite pair of jeans for years was the most comfortable, best fitting pair that came direct from them with their label branding them as jeans they wholeheartedly backed. So when this catalog arrived, I was all set to browse the entire catalog, but mostly their jeans, I actually ended up returning to the page that offered their Fleece PJ's for kids and their adorable animal paw slippers.

I found several pair of the fleece PJ's that will be perfect additions to my grandson's Christmas morning, and I just could not pass up the adorable moose slippers. I did manage to find something, just a little something, that would be perfect for my own holiday morning, and that was the Bean's very own silk underwear. I added them to the list I leave out for my husband to shop from each holiday season. To make it easy, I bookmarked the ClothingStoreOnline.com site, so he could quickly browse each of the sites I have so far added to my list. If he behaves himself, I may even point out a few stores there that he might find a little something for himself.

By Christina VanGinkel

Everyone has heard the phrase 'Spring Cleaning', but it would often be more correct to refer to it as 'Seasonal Transformation'. With the change of seasons comes the need to pack away certain items and pull out others. Each room has its own specific needs, and some are subtle, such as a bathroom undergoing a quick change of its shower curtain, rug, and possibly towels to reflect the season at hand. Other rooms require a much more dramatic, but less noticeable change to the visitor's eye.

Bedrooms are one such room. With the arrival of cooler temperatures, our lightweight summer wear must be packed away, and our warm sweaters, woolens, and fleece take their place. Sandals and slip-ons are exchanged for sensible shoes and boots. Even our under things are often swapped for warmer gear, with our briefs or lacy bits being replaced by long johns and thermals.

If you dread this task, start this season to make the next reversal easier. It can be tempting to pack away your off-season gear as quickly as possible by jamming it into the back of your closet, or tossing it into a few under the bed storage boxes, but a bit of organization and pruning now, will make the next seasonal swap much easier and less dramatic on your nerves. Before packing away any seasonal gear or clothes, take out anything you did not wear during the season currently at end, then make either note of why it was not worn or used, and determine if this is something that will pass. (Such as a ski jacket that never hit the slopes because nether did you!) On the other hand, if the item should be donated or tossed, such as that lovely sweater you received as a gift from a favorite aunt that is more in her style than anything you would ever wear. If an item needs to be cleaned, do it before storing it away. A quick glance at the item may cause irreparable damage, especially if a rash determination that it looks clean and can probably wait till next spring means it results in you pulling it out come nest season only to reveal stains that exposed themselves while the item was stored, irrevocably damaging the fabric. Keep in mind that not all stains are immediately visible to the eye, especially stains that are human by nature, such as sweat. If something was worn, clean it before storing it.

By limiting what you pack away to items that you actually use, the following year's swap will go much quicker. Knowing that everything is clean and ready to go will also make the transition much easier to swallow. By repeating the simple task seasonally on all clothing and gear that is going into storage, you will create a much more balanced affair each time you need to swap one season for the next. Be sure to properly store items also, in bags or closet areas made for long-term storage. Plastic garbage bags and cardboard boxes can result in moths and other insects and dirt creeping into your clothing.

In the past, if you were shopping for big and tall men's clothing, your options were pretty limited. There might have been a couple of racks at the local Sears or JC Penney's that had some bigger clothing sizes on them, but usually nothing more than that. National chains for big and tall clothing were practically unheard of. These days, however, that has all changed. Shopping for plus-sized men's clothing is not only easy and convenient, but is also likely to yield high-quality, stylish clothes that look like they belong to this decade and not the distant past. Let's take a look at some national chains that offer great clothes for big guys.

First of all, let's dispel the notion that big 'n' tall automatically means "fat". This is simply not the case. There are many physically fit and trim men who must shop at big and tall clothing outlets. For example, a lot of athletes, including football players, basketball players, and weightlifters have trouble finding clothes that fit at "regular" stores. I think retailers are starting to realize this, and are working hard to enhance the image of big and tall stores in order to cast the stores and their clientele in a more positive light. Here are some national big and tall stores that offer excellent clothing choices and super service.

Casual Male
Casual Male is definitely one of the best big and tall stores out there. First of all, they have a fabulous selection of merchandise. Many other plus-sized clothing stores are rather limited in scope. So you'll either be able to get a suit at those other places, or some great casual clothes to wear away from work. Rarely do stores carry a large selection of both. But that's exactly what you'll find at Casual Male. You can find everything from pajamas and underwear to sweaters and sport coats. They also have a lot of name brand clothes to choose from as well. If there's a Casual Male retail store in your area, I highly recommend shopping there. They also have a website, so you can make online purchases if you know the exact size you are looking for.

Rochester Big and Tall
Rochester Big and Tall is another wonderful place to shop for plus-sized men's clothing. Although located primarily in California, there are retail stores in several other states across the country, including Chicago, which is where I shop. And of course you can shop on their website, too, so finding a physical store isn't really shouldn't be too much of a concern.

Rochester Big and Tall carries what I consider to be upscale men's clothing. You can buy things like leather and suede jackets, plus nice name brand clothing such as Polo by Ralph Lauren, Burberry, and more. Rochester Big and Tall has a large selection of items in stock, so you're sure to find something that you like.

Shopping for big and tall men's clothing doesn't have to be a hassle. Check out these two great stores, and put more fun and style into your wardrobe!

Usually when we buy brand new clothes, we expect our purchases to be perfect. All the buttons are in place, the garment is clean and free from stains, etc. In fact, if we notice something wrong after we get home, we are likely to march right back to the store and demand an exchange or outright refund.

As I said, that's how clothes shopping usually works. There are times, however, when we expect our brand new purchases to have some defects. These pieces, euphemistically called "irregular", are factory rejects that are usually sent off to discount retailers. These discount retailers then clearly label the items as irregular or imperfect, and sell them at significant savings to consumers. So this represents a very attractive alternative for shoppers who really want name brand clothing without paying outrageous retail prices.

Purchasing irregular clothing is not a new trend, and there are some very well-known labels that operate their own outlet stores where they sell this imperfect merchandise. The Polo and Chaps brand names by Ralph Lauren are both widely available in this manner. Polo has factory outlets in several locations across the country where you can purchase their namesake polo shirts with the famous horse and rider logo for a fraction of what you would pay at a store like Marshall Field's. In fact, on a recent trip to North Carolina, a friend of mine stopped by a Polo factory outlet and purchased a bunch of shirts for $10 each. In a regular suburban mall, those shirts would easily sell for $50 a piece.

The catch, of course, was that the shirts were irregular. What, exactly, does that mean? Well, since we are talking about mistakes (either sewing machine error or human error), the actual irregularity varies from garment to garment. It can be anything from a small hole caused by rough handling to a dropped stitch resulting in the logo appearing a bit off. When talking about pants, it can be something relatively minor, such as a slightly loose belt loop, to a bigger problem, such as the legs being of different lengths. In addition, each garment is probably marked by the reseller in some way. For example, either the inner tag is cut in half or marked with a permanent, colored dot. This is common and is meant to discourage people from trying to return the item to a regular department store for full price.

Shopping for irregular clothes is not exactly the random crapshoot that it sounds like. Most of the time, the nature of the imperfection is stated on the tags. Then, you can inspect the merchandise, try the clothes on, and make your final purchasing decision based on the results of these and any other tests you choose to perform.

There are many stores that sell irregular name brand clothing items. Places like TJ Maxx, Marshall's, and Value City always seem to have a large selection on hand. They may even carry non-defective name brand clothing and still offer it at a discount, particularly if the items are from previous seasons or are in strange sizes (either very large or very small).

So if you want name brand clothing without paying big prices, try purchasing irregular items. You'd be surprised at the way very minor defects can turn into major savings for you!

By Christina VanGinkel

The holidays are the perfect time to crochet and knit slipper socks, hats, and mittens for local organizations that collect items for needy kids. In our area, many stores and businesses put out 'Giving' trees. Those wishing to donate one of these items can bring them in to the store or business where one of these trees are located and hang them on the branches. A week or so before the end of the holiday season, volunteers gather all of the mittens, scarves, and socks and with the help of a variety of organizations that have the knowledge of where these items will best be put to use, help distribute them. Most of them are put to use locally, but overruns can and will be donated outside of our area to other places in need. This year especially, with the many disasters affecting our country, I can imagine that some will even make their way south to the warmer states that many of these items are not normally thought of as needing them. Evenings and nights can be cold

Projects such as these are excellent ways to put your extra yarn to use, or to use as a task when you are teaching another person to crochet or knit. They also make great projects for knitting or crochet groups who use their skills to make items for other needy groups throughout the year, such as those that get together to make blankets for premature infants.

If you would rather devote your efforts to the elderly, ask if any of the places accepting donations, have outlets for the socks, mittens, and hats in larger sizes. If so, you could inquire if they also have a need for lap blankets. Many senior centers have a need for small sized crocheted or knitted blankets that they can use to tuck around the lap of a wheelchair bound individual. If you live in a location that is near to a large metropolitan hospital, there may also be a need for these for their general population of all ages. Call and inquire if they have any local groups you should contact to make a donation through, or if they accept donations directly.

While other clothing items are accepted year round and during the holidays, these items, which can be either handmade or purchased new for giving, fit a specific need during the chilly and cold winter months surrounding the holiday season. They are small, so can be made quickly, and often with leftover yarns. They are also a great way to bring together friends for an afternoon of coffee or tea and a bit of chatting. Invite a few friends over and tell them to bring a skein or two of leftover yarn and their hooks or needles. If you are looking for a way to donate this holiday season, and already know how to crochet or knit, or want to learn, this is a great reason to either put those skills to use, or finally to learn.

Written by James Fohl

The season of fall is here for some of us, and a lot of people simply are not yet ready for the cold weather that the fall season brings. I mean, really if you look around outside, you will see what I mean. It is fifty some odd degrees out, and some people are still walking around like its seventy degrees out; they have their t-shirts, jeans, and sandals on. No coats, no shoes, no nothing. Then these people wonder why they have a runny nose, or the chills a few days later. It is, after all, the fall season, so it is not going to be getting warmer any time soon, so these people who keep dressing like its still seventy degrees are just going to keep getting sick until they finally admit to themselves that summer is officially over and that its officially time to move on.


As I mentioned above, the leaves are beginning to change color and fall to the ground, so it is important for people to change their clothing habits. Fall is the perfect time for wearing sweaters, because not only will sweaters keep you nice and warm indoors, but they also allow you to go outside without having to wear a jacket of sorts.

While it may be time to put away the sandals and flip flops, you still have a couple months before you are going to have to pull out your winter boots, so you can wear your tennis shoes and dress shoes. Besides the flip flops and sandals, shorts will also be gone until next year, but khakis and dress pants are begging to be worn before winter arrives and brings out the sweatpants and jeans. Long sleeved shirts and hats of all kinds of shapes and varieties will also be making their appearances for the fall season, taking place of muscle shirts and the ever popular pair of sunglasses.


Now is the time that you should go in your closet and dressers and take a look see of what kind of clothes you have for the upcoming fall season. If you went through your clothes this past summer and donated or got rid of your fall clothing, then maybe it is time to take a trip to the mall to pick up some fall fashions.

Try to keep in mind that if you are going out to pick up some new clothes for the fall season, make sure you also buy some stuff that you will still be able to wear when the winter season comes around.

And just remember, that by the time you get all acquainted with your new fall fashions and new clothing style, winter will be roaring its head into the door and you will have to wear even warmer gear. So, while summer may indeed be over for most of us, we might as well take advantage of the fall season before winter shows up and ruins all the fall fashion fun.

Written by James Fohl

Ladies, are you looking for the perfect gift for your boyfriend, husband or other male figures in your life? You could always purchase them sweaters, pants, or of course the familiar underwear and socks, but are you looking for a present that they will use every day?

Forget sweaters, most men will wear them once and then the sweater will be locked away in a closet for the next decade. Pants are always a good gift, but what happens if you get the wrong size, wrong style, or wrong fabric. Men always need new underwear and socks, but then again you might not want to go into that direction.

One thing a lot of guys need is a new wallet. A lot of guys are carrying around torn, beat up leather wallets that they received a long time ago. These wallets are all beat up, and ripped to the point that whenever they are pulled out, half of their contents fall out on to the floor.

Most people do not give wallets a second thought. They think, that okay it holds money. The truth of the matter is that wallets hold their lives. From their money, to credit cards, and of course photos and drivers license, wallets pretty much hold everything that is viable in our world today.

So why do men still go around carrying beat up wallets that they were given ten years ago? Who knows, the only thing is certain is that wallets are more important than most people think.

That brings back to the perfect gift. A nice new leather wallet is a perfect gift for any guy. I mean, now he will be able to hold all of his cards, photos, and of course cash without having to worry about all the contents falling out when he goes to pay for something.

Now that we have the fact settled that a new wallet is a great gift for any guy, you need to remember that you just can not go out and buy any wallet. First things first, cheap five dollar wallets are a no-no. They look ugly, and will hold up a couple months before they look like the last wallet that they replaced.

Instead, shop around fine department stores. Look for warranty information, and choose a wallet that looks good and has a long warranty. Avoid wallets with fancy gizmos such as built in watches and built in ballpoint pens. Real men use a wallet to store their money, receipts, cards, etc; not to tell time or sign important documents with.

Next, choose a wallet with a color that blends in with the man. If he always wears light color clothing, with white shoes, don't go out and buy a midnight black wallet that will just shatter everything. A wallet is a part of a man's fashion, so it should blend in with the man, just as well as his belt blends in with his shoes.

Now that you have a little information on purchasing a wallet, go out and shop. A wallet is a perfect gift for any guy, and remember that every time he pulls out the wallet you gave him, he will be thinking of you.

By Christina VanGinkel

Every fall I go through the same routine. I attempt to shop for a comfortable coat that will get me through our chilly fall days and sunny warm winter afternoons. I always start the season out wearing last year's jacket, as I can never find exactly what it is I am actually hoping to find. This year, though I have been shopping for weeks already, I have yet to find the perfect one. I blame this partly on the fact that our temperatures have been well above average this year, and shopping with my whole heart into it just has not been happening. I also blame it on the fact that I rarely go clothes shopping and come home with what I originally went looking to buy. What I have found though, are several cardigans and button front shirts that I have absolutely fallen in love with. They are the kind that makes one think of being curled up in front of a fireplace while the snow rages outside. Several of them have what I refer to as a kangaroo style front pocket, or two separate deep pockets. Made of either fleece, or heavy knitted yarns, each looks warm enough to wear during the coldest months of the year, though I know that they would need to be worn with other layers for the frigid temperatures we do receive.

If you are the sort who often starts out shopping for one item, but comes home with something very different than what you went in search of, take heart, as I do this all of the time. If I am shopping for dress slacks, as I needed to do a few weeks back, I may come home with a pair, but chances are I will end up with a pair of jeans, or maybe even shorts or a set of pajamas. Why is it so hard to shop for what we need? In my own circumstances, it is because I am not particularly fond of clothes shopping to begin with. So, when I find something that does catch my interest, I am quick to purchase it, and I then lose track of what it is I am actually shopping.

Take for example a few weeks back when I needed a pair of new hiking boots. Living where we do, these are as much a necessity as a pair of dress shoes is for someone who works in an office. I started out the morning trying on several pair at a local outdoor store, one pair was even a good fit, and the price was not bad as they were having a sale. By the time I was done shopping, I had bought my youngest son a pair of hip boots for fishing, and forgot about the boots for myself. I ended up having to go back the next day.

I have decided that I need to make myself a list for clothes and apparel shopping the same way I do for grocery shopping. Some of us are just not cut out for shopping, and if there were a group to join for those whose minds wander when shopping for clothes, I would be the first in line to sign up for it!

By Christina VanGinkel

Every woman wants at some time in her life the perfect little black dress! Yeah, right! Watching a sitcom the other evening based around this whole subject made me try to remember if this item was ever on my most wanted list of clothing items. While not a clothes hound in any sense of the phrase, I tried to recall if at anytime I had coveted the proverbial little black dress. I had not been able to remember so, but when I mentioned this subject to my daughter, she recalled a time when she was about seven or eight years old, and sat on my bed watching me get ready for an evening out with her father.

She said I took everything, piece by piece, outfit by outfit, out of my closet trying things on. I would pull on one, stand in front of the mirror, and ask her in all her seven or eight year old wisdom if it looked ok. After doing this for quite a bit of time, I finally responded that what I really needed was a little black dress! I do not remember this at all. She said that she remembers it vividly, as she wondered why a black dress would work, if no other dresses were good enough, oh, the wisdom of a child.

Somewhere ingrained in each of us, male or female, is a desire for our clothing to look not only passable, but knock down gorgeous. The evening my daughter remembers must have been for an anniversary dinner, or maybe an evening out for my husband's birthday or mine. Those were the few times a year that we went all out, getting dressed up, and going out to dinner, other than the annual Christmas party for work, but I always wore something a bit more festive than black for those. We were never the couple who would get all dressed up just to go out. There had to be, and still does have to be, an occasion worthy of the effort. Do not get me wrong; I see nothing wrong with getting dressed up to go out, it just does not fit very well with the rural, very rustic type of lifestyle we have always led.

I still have times that, I wish a little black dress would work some magic on me, but I have grown to be even more conservative in my clothing styles through the years, if that is at all possible. My idea of getting dressed up now, means not wearing my ripped jeans, and a jacket other than my fleece lined jean jacket, or at the least, getting out of my fuzzy slippers sometime before noon. I honestly do not even remember getting all fancied up in the past year except for the annual Christmas party. Maybe a black dress (notice I removed the word little!) is exactly what I do need. Something to remind me that dressing up can be fun. That showing my spouse that there is more to me than a pair of jeans or sweats sitting at the computer. Then again, his idea of getting dressed up means finding a pair of jeans that look relatively new, and putting on a camouflage shirt that he has yet to wear hunting! Hmm, I wonder if there is an alternative to the little black dress for men.

When I was in college, I had to work a couple of different part-time jobs in order to help pay for tuition, books, meals, and living expenses. I didn't really have a lot of cash left over for extras, and on those few occasions when I was ahead of my bills, I usually treated myself to a lunch or dinner at a restaurant with friends. Consequently, when I graduated, I didn't leave school with many of the souvenir that other students had, such as hats, t-shirts, key chains, and shot glasses with the school logo on them. The one or two items that I did have were already well-worn and faded.

I can't say this fact really bothered me at the time, but once I was a few years removed from the situation, I started regretting the fact that I didn't have any gear to remind me of school. But these days, there are several ways to get authentic college merchandise from almost any institution in the country. So whether you are a current student or graduated long ago, you can still conveniently get the school souvenirs you want at affordable prices. Here's how.

The best place to get authentic college merchandise is directly from the school itself. Most every school sells gear from its bookstore, so that would be the first place to check. If you live a reasonable distance from your school, then purchasing items is simply a matter of stopping by whenever you have the time. But you can still order merchandise even if you live a thousand miles away from your alma mater. In this Internet age, nearly every college out there has a website. So all you have to do is find your school's site, navigate to the bookstore, and place your order. If the school doesn't have an online order form, you can e-mail the bookstore manager and ask him or her to complete the transaction over the phone. Nine times out of ten, your wishes will be accommodated.

Another great option is to get your college gear from retail outlets. If your school is big or has a nationally recognized sports team, then you will probably be able to find officially licensed merchandise at any sporting goods store across the country. The really big schools, such as USC, Notre Dame, and Michigan, have their gear available even at mainstream stores such as Target, Wal-Mart, Sears, and the like. If your college is smaller, you might have to go closer to the physical location of the campus to find stores that offer the school's gear. But you should still be able to find some items at off-campus shops.

Finally, don't forget to check other Internet sites such as eBay. By now you should know that eBay has just about everything under the sun. So even if you went to the smallest college out there, you can probably find some souvenirs pertaining to it on eBay.

If you missed out on college gear the first time around, or just want to get some merchandise from your favorite collegiate sports team, follow the suggestions listed above. You'll be able to get some great items no matter which school you went to!

By Christina VanGinkel

Snowboard and ski season will once again be upon us soon. In our area, the expected open date of the hills is usually the same week as Thanksgiving, which means snow is sometimes made by machines to get the hills prepared. While we have been known to have cold weather in the fall, we have warm temperatures just as often. This can lead to a variety of factors when my son hits the hills with his snowboard the first few weekends of season, including making sure he does not become overheated as much as keeping him warm.

Usually when thinking of snowboarding gear, we think of warmth. So sending him off in clothing that will keep him warm if he hits the snow, yet cool enough for numerous trips up and down the hill with temperatures in the high forties, maybe even a day or so warmer, can be a challenge. Our foremost way to deal with these early temperature differences, often within a single day, is to have him wear layers of clothing.

During these early weeks, snowboard pants are necessary to keep him dry, but he will oftentimes wear a pair of shorts beneath them, in place of sweatpants and long johns. The new Under Armour Body Wear, available in log sleeved and short sleeved tops, full legged length bottoms, and boxer style bottoms, is also ideal for this time of year, as it will help keep the sweat away from his skin. He will also bring a jacket, but usually leaves it in his locker, and hits the hills in a sweatshirt with a t-shirt or Under Armour Body Wear beneath. A pair of goggles is required, as the glare off the snow can be especially harsh this early in the season, and windburn is always a concern. Sun block is also necessary, right along with all of his clothing and gear. A warm cap is tucked in with his jacket, and usually left in his locker, but is there if he changes his mind. His boarding gloves are worn. He does have a thinner pair for these early weeks, and often will wear these throughout the season, more because he knows he needs something on his hands, and he is a very 'warm' child to begin with. Heavy gloves except for the most extreme cold days just are not comfortable for him to wear.

If the weather forecast for the day is more mixed than usual, he will bring along a few extra layers, sometimes wearing his Under Armour Body Wear along with a t-shirt, and a sweatshirt. If he gets too warm, he can always lose the t-shirt or Under Armour Body Wear.

Keep in mind if you will be sending a teen, or even yourself, off to the slopes at a time when extra clothing may be needed, but oftentimes is not; be sure to get a secure locker to store anything not being worn. Snowboard gear is expensive, and sadly, not everyone on the slopes is as friendly and honest as one would hope they would be.

By Christina VanGinkel

Do you have a little sister who is always stealing clothes from your closet, or are you the unfortunate parent who has to deal with a sibling 'borrowing' clothes from another household member? I have been there, done that, and thought I was all through with this possible scenario. That was until my youngest son at the rip old age of thirteen has grown to a proportion that he easily fits into his father's clothes.

Imagine my surprise when my husband asked me where one of his favorite sweatshirts was and I had no idea. That was until I walked into my son's room and saw it on the top of his laundry hamper. I found out later he had worn it the day before, taking it to school in his backpack as none of his own were clean. Not a big deal, until my husband suddenly went for a pair of clean socks, and to open his brand new pack of boxers that I had just purchased him a few days prior. His socks were there, but his pack of boxers was open with two pair missing. This time I immediately went to my son's room, and sure enough, one of the missing pair of boxers was right there on top of the laundry hamper. Apparently, he was wearing the second pair, which we confirmed when he arrived home from school. His answer when we asked him was straightforward. His clothes were getting small, again, and he figured his dads might fit. They did, so he wore them.

When teenagers borrow clothes, they often do not have a clue to the fact that their may be infringing on someone else's personal property. To them, it is just clothes. Now, if you were to go into their closet and 'borrow' their favorite sweatshirt, it would be a different story, but kids just do not think that way. They think in one direction. What is theirs is theirs, what are others is theirs!

Back when my two older children were teenagers, one boy and one girl, you would think they had nothing between them that the other would want to wear, but they did. My daughter was forever borrowing her brother's sweatshirts, along with the occasional t-shirt. He would raid her closet of any white t-shirts that she would buy new. She played basketball, so would purchase a new pack of men's Hanes shirts every so often to wear beneath her jersey. They fit just loose enough to be comfortable. He seemed to know when she would buy a pack, and inevitably, he would borrow one or two. From this, war would erupt.

I have a friend, with teenage daughters, who are only two years apart in age, and they are almost identical is size. She said that some mornings when they are getting ready for school, it sounds as if world war three has erupted. They both borrow from each other without asking, and neither sees that their own borrowing is wrong. Just when it is their item being borrowed, is something amiss.

I am glad that my time of referring those days is ending. I do not think I could live through two teenagers again, a son and husband is bad enough. Then again, that new sweatshirt my husband just bought sure would look cute with my new hiking boots and jeans!

Now that the weather is getting more and more miserable by the day, it's time to turn our attention to outerwear. It's important to have the right coat or jacket, especially if you live in areas where the temperatures regularly drop below freezing. If this is the case for you, then jackets become less about fashion and style, and more about function and safety. Over the years, I've lived in Chicago and various parts of Minnesota, which means I've had plenty of opportunities to purchase and evaluate winter gear. In my opinion, outerwear from Eddie Bauer is the best around in terms of warmth, durability, style, and value.

Eddie Bauer is a store that has been around since 1920, and they initially built up a reputation of being a supplier of rugged outdoor equipment, such as camping gear and the like. They've expanded their product line since then, of course, and now have everything from sleepwear to home furnishings. While I don't particularly care for any of their other products, I still think their coats and jackets can't be beat. I don't really see this type of variety and selection at other stores that I regularly shop at.

For me, the biggest test of any winter jacket is whether or not it helps me stay warm and dry. There are a variety of different materials that can help accomplish this, and Eddie Bauer seems to have jackets made from all of them. So it doesn't matter if I want wool, down, leather, suede, polyester, or Gore-Tex® because I know I'll be able to find a nice jacket or coat made from that material at Eddie Bauer.

The jackets and coats that I have bought from Eddie Bauer in the past have also been extremely durable. In fact, I've never gotten rid of an item from that store because it had fallen apart or stopped being useful. One of my absolute favorites is a down jacket that I purchased specifically for a winter trip to London way back in 1998. Here it is in 2005, and not only do I still have that jacket, I also still wear it every single year.

Of course I wouldn't be able to wear any coat or jacket that long if it looked dated. But that's the thing about Eddie Bauer outerwear. Their products usually have a classic look and fit that is timeless and never goes out of style. You can get short jackets that hit at or just below the waist, plus coats in a variety of lengths. I've had coats that have hit anywhere from mid-thigh to my ankles. This variety, selection, and styling means you can keep the same pieces in your regular winter rotation year after year without feeling out of touch with current trends.

Last but not least, I think Eddie Bauer has its competitors beat when it comes to value. I would describe their prices as being middle-of-the-road, but you definitely end up with top-quality merchandise. You can get a fabulous winter coat for $150 or less, and it will last you several seasons.

So if you haven't bought your winter coats and jackets yet this year, take a look at Eddie Bauer. To start shopping right now, click the Eddie Bauer links at the top of this page!

I went to the mall the other day and it was all there, in full swing: the holiday clothing collections. Never mind that it's still three weeks to Halloween and we still have that to get through. No, I've come to expect to see the holiday clothing out there amidst the pumpkins and Halloween costumes.
It's just that I was surprised to see the how fancy and furry the holiday clothing is this year!

Fur-collared outfits are everywhere, with matching faux fur jackets, capelets, shrugs and shawls to match. Leopard trimmed coats are in abundance, as are sparkly, sequined, shaggy fur dress coats.

I admit I like the look of faux fur--I think it adds a glamour and elegance to an other wise plain ensemble. But toddlers in fur? That, I'm not so sure about. Yet in every children's store and boutique that I visited, the fur was flying! Literally.

I can handle older girls in faux fur, but toddlers in faux fur? I need to digest that one for a minute. Okay, okay, I admit that my daughter's first jean jacket back in 2001 had a pink faux fur collar on it. And if my memory serves me right, when my daughter was a mere babe (age 14 months or so) I did invest in a honey-colored faux fur dress coat for her from Old Navy. She looked like a dream in it. And come to think of it, that very year I did buy her a red and green plaid dress with a leopard trimmed fur collar-- and that was her Christmas Eve outfit. So I guess fur has been in the children's department for a while now. This year it just seems more prominent.

When it comes to faux fur, you have to be careful, though. Too much of the wrong print and it can look downright tacky. I've seen the shaggy, leopard print handbags that are out this season-- cute, as long as you're not wearing a full length leopard coat and snakeskin boots along with it. Then it's just overkill.
And sequined faux fur? There's a very fine line between just enough shimmer and way too much. The sequin/fur look actually does look better on the younger girls-- it can be a bit glitzy for older women.

If you're looking for some faux fur or fur-embellished holiday attire for your little girl this year, check out Old Navy, Baby Gap, The Children's Place and Limited Too for some wonderful finds. The Children's Place, in particular, has a vast array of furry styles-- my favorite is the leopard print capelet (available in infant sizes up to size 4T-- bigger girls can wear the leopard faux fur jacket which goes up to a girl's size 14). The leopard capelet or jacket would look great with a red or white velvet dress. Baby Gap is offering a to-die-for white, faux fur hooded cape, which would add an elegant touch to any holiday outfit. Department stores and boutiques are also chock full of cute, fur-friendly styles. Some good boutique brands include Just Friends, Bonnie Jean, Green Dog and Cach Cach.

By Christina VanGinkel

What is behind a name brand clothing label, other than the name stamped on it and a high price tag attached? I often hear parents asking each other these very questions, especially when their teenager wants them to shell out X amount of dollars for a pair of jeans or a dress that resembles others on the adjoining store shelves and racks, except for the price tag and the name.

I have asked others and myself this same question, yet never really understood the answers others gave, or the conclusions I could come up with myself. That was until I met a young designer in training who hoped to have her designs someday make a splash on the walkway and catch the eye of a big distributor.

The name on the label represents years of training and desire, years of loving clothing design itself. The name represents all the years of hard work put into making a dream a reality. Does this equal the price difference so often accompanying the labels? Sometimes it does, sometimes it does not. A major label charges more to not only profit from this year's line. They want the high profit to spend on designing next year's popular favorite.

Does this all equal a reason for you to shell out the X amount of dollars to append your teen's desires? Absolutely not! What I have done with my own teenager is to talk to them about why they so want an item, and to discover if there is some way to mutually share in the cost, or to tell them why I will not pay a dime towards their wanted purchase. I do believe in buying name brands when I can afford it, as they are what drive the styles of the off brand clothing lines. They are often constructed better, and I recognize that. Still, sometimes I just cannot fit the wanted item into an already tight budget. If it is a seasonal item, I will let my teen take money from their savings if we agree that that it is something they will wear a lot or need. Last year for example, my son needed a pair of new snowboard boots. We found two pair that compared except in price and the name on the side. He did some quick research on why the name brand pair was top quality. Not to mention he absolutely loved anything by this one label. I still could not agree to the price difference, but I did allow him to take out the difference from his own savings. If it is not a seasonal item, I will discuss with them a way they could possibly earn enough to buy it in a few weeks time.

Therefore, the answer is a definite yes! Name brand labels do have a reason they cost more. However, it is still up to the parent and their pocketbook on whether that label is worth the extra on every single purchase or just a select few.

By Christina VanGinkel

Do you remember as a child being all excited on Christmas morning or your birthday to open all of your gifts, only to always get at least one present that was something you would rather not get, such as a pack of socks or a hand knit sweater two sizes too big? Now that I am older, I know why that doting Aunt or parent was so intent on giving these items to us children. When I was just a bit older, I suddenly had an appreciation for a soft, fresh from the pack pair of socks, or a sweater that may have been a bit big, but was perfect for snuggling in on a rainy afternoon. These gifts were actually the adult's way of showing the child that small things in life can mean a great deal. They never came with words of wisdom though, so their meaning was usually lost.

The best part of this though, is that now that we are all grown up, there is nothing stopping us from always having a drawer full of brand new socks, or a closet full of snuggly sweaters perfect for wearing while we curl up with a good book. All we have to do is remind ourselves why these small luxuries can mean so much. When life's stresses are big, often these small details lift the stress away. This is, however, not to tell you to go and blow your grocery money on that wild pair of magenta pumps that caught your eye. Do not create more stress for yourself. It is to tell you that the next time you have a few spare dollars, instead of grabbing the newest magazine on the newsstand with headlines about who in Hollywood is dating whom, buy yourself some of life's biggest luxuries that come wrapped in the barest of packages. After all, why should we worry about the stars lives, when our lives are filled with enough daily drama of our own these days?

Moreover, ff you happen to have an upcoming birthday party, do not try to refrain from bringing a package of socks as a gift, especially if the recipient is an adult. Then go for it, I say. Better yet, bring the ultimate basket fit for any adult. Fill it with several pair of the softest, snuggliest socks you can find. Toss in a pair of slippers, and even add a few things like a loofah sponge and foot massage oil. If you want to go all out, toss in the most luxurious bathrobe or pair of pajamas you can find. Want to raise the bar even further yet? Knit or crochet a sweater that is just a wee bit big for the person you are giving it to, but be sure to make it out of the softest yarn you can find. Include a good book or two, and a pair of slippers, to show them just how much you care, and to let them know the sweater is for snuggling in. Funny how the older we get, the more simple a gift, the more we appreciate it!

By Christina VanGinkel

You have a meeting with the big bosses in about fifteen minutes. The one thing you know for absolutely sure about them, that you know you have covered, is that they are both sticklers for appearance, everything neat and tidy, not a hair or button out of place. They feel that a neat appearance equals a good attitude. You are all set to head to the meeting room when you spill coffee down the front of your shirt, or snag your stockings from heal to knee. What do you do other than panic and know that you have blown it big time? You grab your survival kit you packed months ago for just such an occasion.

If the first part of the above scenario fits you, if you are at all accident-prone or have the bad misfortune to constantly snag your nylons (even the snag proof ones!), or just like to be prepared for all the 'what ifs' in office life, assembling this mini survival kit is a necessity. This is especially so if you spend a good deal of your time in a busy business atmosphere where appearance is important.

Whether you have a whole office, or just a cubicle, this kit will work, as it does not take up too much room, even though there are numerous items in it. First off, find an old bag that closes tight, (think dustproof) with at least two separate compartments. In the first compartment, you will store your two most essential items in the kit. An extra pair of nylons (two pair if you are extremely prone to snagging them), and a white shirt that will match any outfit in a pinch. Think button down, with a modest collar, of a fabric that can be shook free of wrinkles in a snap. If you have the space, hang the shirt in an out of the way spot, sealed in a zippered garment bag to keep it fresh and clean.

In the second compartment, stored in individual Ziploc bags, add a small pack of wet wipes to clean up small spills and spots, along with a small portable hairdryer that has a cool setting to speed along the drying. Also, include a stain remover stick, fingernail polish to stop tiny runs in stockings, deodorant, and a small sewing kit. If you are the type that cannot thread a needle if your life depended on it, be aware that craft stores and fabric departments in most stores carry pre-threaded needles in the most basic thread colors such as black, white, and tan. Add a generic styled brooch that can be quickly pinned over a small stain, and a scarf that could be used to cover up an otherwise 'unfixable'. When choosing the brooch and scarf, think of colors and designs that will go with just about anything. With the scarf, this could mean a multi colored affair, as long as the style is fitting to you. If you have the space, toss in a few other essentials such as hair spray and an extra pair of pumps for the inconceivable broken heel that should never happen but does more often than you would want to know.

While you may still encounter a clothing catastrophe, the ingredients in this kit will be sure to help you deal with the majority of them in a manner in which the boss may never realize how much effort you put into arriving at that meeting looking fresh and pulled together just for them.

By Christina VanGinkel

Ever open your closet one morning and discover there is not a single item inside that you want to wear? I just did. I have the proverbial dress clothes, comfort clothes, jeans and t-shirts, etc., yet I cannot find a single item hanging or in a drawer, that I want to go out in. Everything is suddenly looking very old and dated, worn out to the point that even if I did want to wear it, it would not be appropriate for much more than a quick jaunt outside to do chores. All of this has come about because I spend the majority of my time typing, or running kids to practices, with my most adventuresome task of the week being a visit to the grocery store or our local Wal-Mart.

This weekend I have an excursion out of town to an away game for my son's football team, followed by a dinner at a restaurant in the area. Nothing fancy, by most people's standards, but for me a major outing now because, as I said, my closet is empty.

I am terrible at shopping for clothes, so this is another major factor against me. I have no patience for clothes whose sizes apparently do not match those in my current repertoire. Why is it that a size nine is not always a size nine? In addition, this is not a problem inherent only to my closet, either! My daughter recently purchased a pair of jeans at an upscale boutique near where she is staying. They were in her typical size five, yet they did not even come close to fitting her. She had my grandson with her when she originally purchased them, so had relied on the tag for sizing, not trying them on. She ended up having to drive back to the store the following day to exchange them for a different size. This time, she had her husband keep their son, and she tried on several different pairs of jeans, as she could not believe her size had jumped. What she discovered was that she fit a size three, a size five, and a size seven. Most surprisingly, the five and seven were the same brand of jean, just a slightly different style, so she could not even break down her size by brand!

This means I need to not only go to the store and find an outfit, I actually have to try it on to make sure it is going to fit. Why can't clothing manufacturers get together, within their own companies even, and decide on a set standard for sizing? Is this really asking all that much? Oh well, I had better make time for a shopping trip this afternoon, one that includes enough time to not only shop, but to try things on. Unless my son and husband would not notice if I went to the big game in an old pair of pajama pants covered with reindeer and candy canes. I could always tell them I am trying out outfits for the big Christmas party we attend every year!

By Christina VanGinkel

With fall's arrival in the Midwest, come cooler temperatures. It also means many an afternoon watching my son participate in football from the bleachers or stands alongside whatever field he may be playing on. All outside, the weather can be a fickle thing at this time of the year, especially when he has an early morning game, before the sun has time to warm up as it often does on a fall afternoon. Checking my closet last weekend for my coat that I wore last fall, I realize that is has definitely seen better days, and it is time to buy a new one.

ClothingStoreOnline.com has become a favorite of mine the last several months whenever I am in need of a specific piece of clothing, simply because of their huge array of choices, and their ease of narrowing down what it is I may be shopping for. After browsing a few of their store links, I decided I would do a quick search for a 'Women's Fall Jacket' from their home page search box. I was not disappointed.

The search was open ended enough that the selection provided was still a wide variety of styles and brands, but narrow enough that by page three I had found the perfect jacket. A Black Diamond Sports Marlene Crop Wool Jacket (For Women), it would be perfect for not only heading out to football games, but it was stylish enough that it would carry over for just about any fall activity I would need it for. An afternoon of window shopping, heading to the grocery store, walking the mall's annual fall craft show, to school for volunteering, even out to dinner with my husband.

Styled from a wool blend, it is washable. It has a pleasing fall pattern of leaves on a stylish red background, a perfect fall design. It also has touches such as a fleecy mandarin collar and cuffs, giving it that bit of extra womanly flair, making it perfect for even a dressier occasion.

Sized from a women's small to an extra large, and at a price of only $49.95, I was able to both order a size that would fit, and at a price that would still allow me enough change left over to buy a few popcorns at the next big game.

Before ClothingStoreOnline.com, I was never able to shop in such a way that finding what I was looking for was so simplified. I would have ended up with whatever coat I first saw that came in my size. Now I am able to really find exactly what it is I am looking for, even when I am not always sure what that is beyond a basic idea such as a 'Women's Fall Jacket'. The next time you need a bit of help sorting out a clothing purchase, try the search field at ClothingStoreOnline.com, typing in as narrow or open ended a search as you would like. If you happen to have a favorite clothing store, remember that ClothingStoreOnline.com also has links directly to all the favorites. This is especially helpful if you are in search of a specific store, but you just cannot remember its name. Browse the list of stores and you will be sure to find just what it is you are searching for!