Brand New Day

I hope everyone's holiday was a blast. Thanksgiving, I hung out with family. I did a little shopping Thanksgiving night and into the wee hours of Friday morning and then BAM...it hit me. I'm sick! I missed a lot of wheelin' and dealin' this past weekend, so I'm very upset. But the holiday season is young and I have a lot more to do.

Changing things here at the RL camp. Starting January 1st, we will have a new blogger. She will be sharing her experiences in dating and love. RL will also have a family and marriage segment once a week. There is more to plus size than just fashion. We want to make sure we are covering all aspects of the plus size woman's (and man) life. We would like to hear a man's point of view. So calling all males...If you are plus size or like plus size women and you want to blog, then email me at rubyleonne@gmail.com.

Stay tuned, on December 1st we will be starting our Christmas wish list contest. (Hint: something to keep you soft in these hard winter months) So keep an eye out on the contest details and what you need to do to get sign up.

Ta ta for now...the Dayquil is wearing off.

Janelle

Thanksgiving Weekend PLUS Size Deals

I'm a big bargain shopper. Black Friday is my dream. I love running through the stores, snatching hard to find deals and occasionally trampling over people. I can remember when my sister was seven months preggers, running people over with her belly and cart, yelling and screaming for people to move. But there are times Internet shopping is more satisfying than charging the streets in a Braveheart like fashion. Here are a few sales so far this weekend circulating the Internet.

Sealed With A Kiss Designs is giving away their "Pink Turkey" discount of 50% off your purchase. You must register for your pass. You can use this discount from Black Friday to Cyber Monday. HURRY, passes are given until they run out.

Lane Bryant left a message on my voice mail a few minutes ago promoting their "BOGO" sale that starts tomorrow through Monday. The sale excludes Spanx.

Torrid is starting their sale early by offering its BOGO sale on jeans, shoes and jewelry.

I will post more as I learn of more deals. 

~Janelle

Life is a Bowl of Cherries

Hello everyone! I've been going non-stop the past two weeks. I've neglected my blog...yet again. Please be patient with me as the diamond dust starts to settle. First, the fall semester is coming to a close. I'm excited. This has been the hardest non busiest semester since I've enrolled back in school. The biggest thorn in my side is a group project that I have to do. I hate school group projects. I'd rather have blood taken and I hate needles. Second, I have a public relations internship with Aesthetic Design Style (ADS) here in Indianapolis. ADS is a liaison between independent fashion and accessory designers and retailers around the country. I'm so amped to be working with them. {Doing my mashedpotatohappydanceinmychair Ahuhn Ahuhn!}

I want to thank all our readers and followers. The blog will be a year old in February. Gawsh, time has flown by. I want to prepare you for some exciting things as we grow. This is a new experience and everyday I learn something new. Thanks again!

Stay tuned for our holiday hands contest!

~Janelle

It's So Hard to be Broke

Reading through my favorite blogs, I see Plus Noir featured a vintage rockabilly dress. I fell in love. No really, if you could marry a dress...I would marry this dress! So in my search for my future life partner, I happened on a website, Daddy-O's, that sells rockabilly in PLUS SIZE. I don't have any rockabilly pieces in my closet...yet, but there will be SOON!

Here is my rockabilly wishlist.

My favorite piece. Going on my Christmas list!

Right now I'm broke, so my shopping spree with have to wait. In the meantime, enjoy this flashback!

Calloway's I Wanna Be Rich

~ Janelle

Local Love: Fashioning the Law of Design

Last night, I attended a lecture sponsored by the Indiana University School of Law, the Herron School of Art and the IUPUI Kelley School of Business. The lecture called, "Fashioning the Law of Design", explained the laws many designers would like Congress to pass concerning the copyrights of fashion design. The speakers in attendance were Kenan Farrell, an IP attorney for KLF Legal, and Beth Bennett of Beth Bennett Couture.

Some of the top fashion designers, including the Council of Fashion Designer of America (CDFA), wants the government to crack down on explicit copying of their work. Both speakers warned against the goverment enforcing copyright law within the fashion industry. Farrell fears the law would force too many fashion designers and retailers into needless litigation. Bennett says as a fashion designer, she looks to other designers ideas and trends, not to copy them, but to find her own creativity and inspiration. Bennett feels knockoffs will never be an exact duplicate of an original piece because of quality.

What does the law mean for consumers? Many designers with mid and lower end retailers get their ideas from the haute couture fashion designers. Today's popular Target sweater walked down the runway last year at New York Fashion Week. Creativity and innovation may suffer; prices may increase.

Moral of the story (per Farrell): Be careful what you ask for.

Two Herron School of Art students showcased pieces last night. Both students are fine arts majors at the Herron School and the work they presented was awesome.

Designer Emily Schorn

Designer Ashten Houpt
Ashten made this piece from bridal magazines.

~Janelle

Local Love: Ruby's Fall Luncheon

On Saturday, October 16, Ruby Leonne held its first luncheon. Thanks to everyone, especially Anjie and Koko, who supported us and came out. If you didn't get a chance to come, don't worry...we will have another one soon. In the meantime, here are some pictures of the afternoon's highlights.

~Janelle





Reflection: Back in the Day

Lately on Facebook, I've been reconnecting with people from elementary school. One of my classmates started the madness by posting an old class picture. Soon after an avalanche of people came back into my life along with some old feelings. 

When I reminisce my childhood, I remember the music and clothes of the 80's. I remember the toys we used to play with and the movies I've seen. But finding all these people made me remember issues I had back then I've forgotten. I was the eldest child and my mother was a single parent and VERY religious. She would get child rearing advice from people who either had no kids and/or considered themselves "holy" and influential in the church. I would get the most pressure from her because I was the oldest, the trial and error child. So now, as everyone is reconnecting about things they did and outings they went on, I start to remember...I missed a lot in my elementary days. 

I couldn't go to places like skating parties or even birthday parties because of my mother and her advisors of Christians. They even tried to coerce my mother into making me quit choir because they thought the songs we sung were "too fresh" for a 10 year old. (Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation...really???) My mom took me out, but later let me rejoin.  I had to sneak to listen to secular radio. I couldn't participate in things because it was either not God-like or my mother didn't have the money.

When my classmates would talk about what they did or how they hung out, I would retreat into myself.

I felt lonely even though I was surrounded by friends both at school and at church. I felt like I was always competing to be liked on every front; home, church and school. Even though I was happy on the outside, in my heart I was a lonely conflicted little girl.

I started talking to Jay about my experiences in elementary school and noticed myself slipping into that world again, watching all my old classmates reminince over their crushes (I had plenty), faux boyfriends/girlfriends (I had none.), first kisses (not until I was in middle/high school), parties and outings. I reminded myself, those times shaped who I am today. 

I'm glad to connect with my classmates and start a new chapter in my life. This time I can do it on my terms.

 (My sixth grade graduation. Everyone was so dressed up, don't really remember why I wasn't.)

~ Janelle

Ashley Stewart Bought by Investment Firm

More Ashley Stewart news! I have a good friend that works as a store manager for Ashley Stewart. She told me Urban Brands, Ashley Stewart's parent company, has dissolved. Ashley Stewart has been sold to an investment company. According to my friend, this is the same investment company that owned Steve & Barry's and Goody's, both defunct brands and stores.

Store managers are told to work 50+ hours a week and can take no vacations or days off to increase sales. Meanwhile, many district managers have suddenly taken a leave of absence. It doesn't seem like very promising times for the plus size retail giant. More information as it comes.