Retro Rewind: Layaway Is Back

I remember when I was a kid, my mother was the queen of layaway. She was a single parent with two kids and a disabled mother, so layaway was a jewel from the shopping gods.

But soon layaway went out of existence, with the increase number of people who have credit cards. Since the credit slump and the recent economy, many people have done away with their credit cards. As many retailers face quarterly losses, they are trying to find new ways to increase consumer

spending.

DAH DAH DAH DUM...Layaway is back and more retailers and consumers are taking advantage. With a little down and a small payment every week or two, you can get your heart's desire without going into debt or accruing any interest charges.

With the Christmas shopping season coming soon, I figured I would take advantage of layaway and wanted to see who still offers it.

Here are a few retailers that have an in-store layaway program:

Ashley Stewart

Burlington Coat Factory

Dress Barn

KMart

Marshall's

TJ Maxx

Sears

Walmart

Can you add to the list?

Janelle

Ghost in the Computer

So this morning I had the worst shock of my life. I opened my email and got two emails from Paypal thanking me for approving two different mobile payments for $500 a piece to some guy named Rob Millards.

I called Paypal and they noted the two transactions fraudulent, but could not stop the transactions from posting to my account which is fed from my bank account. I needed to call my bank to have them do a stop payment on the transaction. I called my bank. They could NOT do a stop payment because both charges are an ACH debit charge. The fraudulent charges would have to post to my account before anything could be done. But both agencies assured me Mr. Millards, if that's his name, will not receive one red cent. I was advised by my bank to set up a new account and let the old one ride out all the craziness.

As I rushed to my bank this morning, I grew angrier and angrier at Paypal. Why would they not see these charges were fraudulent before it went this far. I don't spend more than $50 using Paypal at a time AND I've NEVER used Paypal mobile. They assure their customers its a safe and secure site. I will be deactivating my account as soon as this is all over.

I spend online because there aren't a lot of physical stores I like or can shop at. Now this incident is going to make me rethink if I will be doing any online shopping. Now I have to go back and continue to change all my passwords and switch things around. It's been a long crazy day! 

Ruby Needs Your Help: Shopper's Psychology 101

If some of you don't know, I work for a fashion public relations/marketing house called Aesthetic Design Style. So two things: make sure you stop by the blog, aestheticdesignstyle.blogspot.com, (I write for this blog as well) and read the tribute we're doing for Black History Month. Everyday we will feature an African American pioneer in the fashion industry.

I like you to do me a favor and fill out a survey. Aesthetic Design Style wants to see your how and where you shop. Filling out the survey and providing your email address to subscribe to our newsletter enters you in a drawing for a chance to win this limited edition ShaSAM3 neck piece. One entry per email. Survey and contest over March 28, 2011. Winner will be notified by email April 1, 2011.

Complete the survey below; it will take you five minutes...really! Thanks guys!

Pull the Thread: Avid Accents Review

I ordered a cardigan from Avid Accents about a month ago. Avid Accents is an online boutique selling both plus and standard size apparel and accessories. The price points range from $10 to $25.

 I haven't worn the sweater yet, so this weekend I decided to give it a try.

Let me just say, when I got the package I was at work. Everytime I receive clothes at work, it brightens the rest of my day. Opening the package, I found a little hand addressed card with a coupon code AND a free pair of earrings. It was a plus the purple leaf earrings matched the cardigan perfectly. Too bad the holes in my ears are now closed and I've been forced to wear clip ons. (I've had my ears pierced four times since birth; I refuse to get them done again.) So the earrings {sniff} will be regifted.

Notice the coupon code.

I LOVE THIS SWEATER! It is truly one of my favorite things in my closet. The construction of the garment is beautifully done (which scared me because the sweater was only $15). The material is breathable and the colors are vibrant. The only thing wrong was the belt that was included; It didn't fit at all. But I had a black belt in closet anyways, so I wore that instead.



Cardigan: Avid Accents (retail $15)
Black Tank: Old Navy
Belt: Lane Bryant
Jeans: Source of Wisdom from Torrid 

I got many compliments about this cardigan and shared my experiences with Avid Accents with everyone that asked. I will be ordering from them again! Stop by their website RIGHT NOW for 30% off the retail price on ALL their items.

~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