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

Ladies...To The Clearance Racks!

Right now is the BEST time to save money in the fashion world. End of the season clothes are moving to the clearance racks! Start early and create a new wardrobe for next spring/summer for the whole family.

 Getting one size bigger for kids is a smart way to go since they're still growing. Ladies swimwear is expensive, you already know you going to the pool or beach next summer, so stock up on a few suits.

Shopping online you can save more, but I like going into the store and checking out deals. This is a great way to shop for future events, gifts for birthdays, graduations, mother/father days, or planning a family trip.

Online stores with killer clearance deals:

Torrid

Lane Bryant

Yours Clothing UK

Fashion to Figure

Domino Dollhouse

SWAK Designs

Happy Shopping!!

Takia

Lane Bryant's Online Discounts

Lane Bryant has been very generous lately. They've been shelling out discounts and codes left and right and today they're having a killer sale right now...ONLINE ONLY! I've really had my eye on their Denim Moto jacket. Buying it!!!

Lane Bryant's Denim Moto Jacket (retail $69.95)

He's Speaking to You

At GLY Headquarters with the team (left to right) Vanessa C. Negron, Alexandra Reyes, Paola Vazquez, Irma Santiago, Carmen Sierra & Mariam Mohammadian

 GLY Plus Boutique had a press conference on May 24, 2011 to officially announce their online store. With a positive feedback of those present, GLY entered the e-commerce business. I went to the website and found the merchandise to be beautiful and affordable; and with the economy the way it is right now that is a plus. This company is distinctly Puerto Rican; which makes it amazing. As I blogged before, Mariam is the GLY President and a very spiritual person. She put this verse on the website with her interpretation. I just had to share.

Mohammadian & Juanita Sanabra de Zayas (her 99-year-old grandmother)

Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness  

   and speak tenderly to her.”  Hosea 2:14

 God uses difficult times in our lives as a wilderness to attract us to Him. I've noticed when we are in front of a difficult situation with no support behind us, we have no choice but to look up; that's where He wants us. Not the suffering or pain, but total surrender to Him in everything we do.

  God speaks to our hearts every time, but sometimes we hear His voice better when we open our hearts in sadness or loneliness. He will pour His love and refresh your soul if you accept it. Surrender your heart to His presence and hear what He has for you.

God loves you and me!

Eileen Guzman of Casiano Communications, Mohammadian & Marlyn Torres VP of Ejecutiva Banco de Desarrollo de Puerto Rico

  I loved her interpretation of the verse as it made me think long and hard about life. She has another big surprise about GLY, but she is keeping it a secret for now. You can be sure when she reveals it, I will blog about it right away. Good luck Mariam as you embark on a wonderful adventure!

Mohammadian with some of GLY models

Blessings to all,

Marta

Belle of the Ball: Mariam Mohammadian

Hope you are having a great week so far!

Mariam Mohammadian

Today, I am going to blog about a lovely business woman on the Island. Her name is Mariam Mohammadian. Mariam had a casting for models for her beautiful boutique named GLY. My daughter went and told me that Mariam and Gly Boutique were amazing. I decided to give her a call and ask her about her boutique. She had an amazing story I had to share with you.

Mariam told me she was born in the US; living most of her life in Puerto Rico. Her father was from Iran and died when she was two years old. Her mom is from Puerto Rico. She studied Business Administration at Universidad de Puerto Rico and worked in manufacturing and service companies in management positions with high demands and responsibilities.

As a single mom of a three year old and care provider, for mom and grandparents, she always asked God to provide a job that gave her the flexibility to care for them and the income necessary to comply with all the responsibility. After losing a job, God provided another with one fourth of her previous salary. It was in this job, God transformed her heart and made her look at Him only…to trust in him.

 With that salary, she bought a new car, moved back to her home (she had to rent it) and had food on her table. INCREDIBLE!

Ana modeling for GLY Boutique

Mariam learned all the areas of a business there, with hands on experience. Only after one year and with nothing in the bank, really nothing, she decided to resign and start her own business for plus sized women. GLY was born. As everything in her life, GLY had God written all over it.... Even its name, God Loves You. Her new car had GLY on the license plate, people thought she did that on purpose.

GLY Promo

 Mariam started with a 800 square feet location, in May 1, 2006 (the day the Puerto Rican government closed) As she opened the boutique, a lot of people said she was crazy! Today, GLY is recognized as the first boutique for plus size women on the Island. She is going to have a surprise for her fifth anniversary and you can be sure I will blog about it! She has been blessed with so many wonderful people God has put in her path in her journey through life. Through my next blogs you will get to know GLY Boutique a little bit better. If you want to be the “Belle of the Ball” for any activity GLY is the place to go and get your beautiful clothes.

http://www.glyplusboutique.com/blogs/news/3214642-gly-plus-in-transformacion-total

Mariam, it was a pleasure blogging about you. May God bless you always.

Blessings to all,

Marta

What I NEED For Spring

This weekend is my seasonal closet shift. I think I got Goodwill pile happy last season, because there are A LOT of pieces missing from my wardrobe. (I threw in a few things that I WANT too...of course.)


1. Old Navy Women's Plus Double Weave Blazer retail: $44.94 sale: $39.50
2. Lane Bryant Short Sleeve Denim Jacket retail: $59.95
3. DSW Birkenstock Women's Arizona Birkoflor Sandal in Black retail: $69.95
(I travel a lot during the summer. Birkenstocks are comfy to walk in. I need them for Disney World in July.)
4. Kohls Sag Harbour Tiered Crinkle Skirt retail: $44.00 sale: $30.80
5. Torrid Emily Khaki Steen Roll Up Tab Cargo Pant retail: $48.00

I have to look through all my totes and boxes. These are main staples of my spring into summer wardrobe. I would hate to have to repurchase them...but it will give me an excuse to shop. *Reminder ~ to go by that new Marshall's on the way home.*

LOTD & Weekend Love Mash Up: Roc Da Mic Media Day

I don't post a lot of pictures of myself on the blog. You know when I look at my own pictures, I cringe. Not that I don't think I'm gorgeous, I just cringe disbelief...that's what I look like. I can't explain it. AND I can't find my tripod and my fiance is a HORRIBLE photog! I feel left out sometimes...so many blogger routinely do LOTD. I'm going to try!

 

Anyhoo...it was cold and rainy today, but I felt like putting on a mini. I helped one of our (Aesthetic Design Style) clients sell tickets for his fashion show tomorrow. I thought I looked kinda cute.

Shirt: Old Navy, Denim Skirt: Torrid, Necklace: JCPenney, Shoes: Shoe Carnival

I definitely need to work on some LOTD post. I did score some great clearance buys at K&G Fashion Superstore today!!! I can't wait to get into that stuff....PLUS the goods I got from Torrid on Friday from their 50% clearance sale. My fiance says I have an addiction...no I just can't turn down a good sale!

Shopping is Exhausting

I try with all my might to get motivated about shopping. This past weekend the hubby and I went to a fundraiser. 

We started out with finding my hubby's attire; a great white shirt outlined in black thread at the collar and cuff, red ascot, silver cufflinks, black pants, shoes and hat. So now since the hubby has his evening wear, I wanted to see what I can find. 

 I went on this mission to find a dress that will light up and make the angels will sing.. I had a shopping buddy with me to get me hyped up to finish this mission, because the event was in 24 hours.

After looking at five dresses, I finally had my top two picks. How could I make sure my hubby was going to love this dress? Then my AH HA moment kick in, use technology and send him a pic text. He saw dress number two and text back, "Do you have bail money?".  All I could do was laugh and pick dress one.  If he thought that dress was hot, then it was the winner!

Now on to the shoes...when I was in high school I had no problem wearing heels; but now with some weight gain thin heels scares me.

These past two months I've brought two pairs of heels each with different heels in inches.  I think I've done a great job these last couple shopping trips. So here are my findings from my mission. Who knows maybe I will like shopping soon, but until then I'm ok with styling others.

~Takia