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

May Flowers

May is my favorite month, because I get to celebrate Mother’s day, my Birthday and my daughter graduating from Kindergarten. Sunday is Mother’s Day. I’m proud to be a mom of two beautiful children. To be a parent is an honor and some people don't realize that.

My children

My mother had six children and we range from ages 51- 31. My mother passed away when I was seven from cancer. I’m so thankful for her. She gave me a family that I love to the fullest. I think about her a lot now that I am a mother...so many questions. How could you have six children?! Wondering what advice would she share with me? I miss her. If your mom is still around don’t take her for granted. Tell and show your mom how much you appreciate her every day, not just one day out of the year.

I love taking pictures; it captures moments and creates memories you can look back on. We took family pictures back in March and we had fun!!! We felt like we were at a photo shoot for a billboard. As our kids was posing hubby and I seen future of teenagers with some of their poses. I looked at them and it still amazes me that they are MY KIDS!!! I recommend taking family pictures, and create albums for your children and their family.

Great Mother’s Day Gift Ideas 

• Gift cards are GREAT!!! (from grocery, clothing, favorite restaurant or gas station.)

• Weekend get-away with her friends or alone (send her to visit relatives or friends)

• A day at the spa (pamper her with love)

• Lunch / Dinner

• Flowers and card with a special message from you!

• Jewelry (with kids birthstones)

• Gift Baskets with all her Favorite (candies, movie, cd, perfume)

~Takia

Family Wednesday: What's For Lunch?

I remember as a child, the cafeteria was the Wall Street of food. Kids would bring lunches from home. Your lunch would determine your status in the lunchroom; any cupcakes or Twinkies you were considered first class and cookies middle class. No sweet was disappointing or turned away.

Having a character lunchbox was a plus too! Choosing a lunchbox highlighting your favorites shows, cartoons, characters and having the same as your friends was so COOL!!! Taking a lunch to school also set the mood for later when you got home.  Your feelings toward your parents depended on your lunch status for the day. Winter days included soup in the matching lunchbox thermos. Chicken noodles and tomato soups were my favorite...and don't forget the crackers! I remembered a time when we went outside and played; we didn't sit in the house in front of the TV or a video game.

Moving on to 2011...today we are having a huge FOOD FIGHT!!! Today we are dealing with food allergies, food nutrient and special diets (no pork, red meat and vegan). Some schools are sounding off on what your child can or cannot eat; taking the pop machines out of the school, no white flour, no sugar, no processed food or fast food.

So next time you pack your child lunch, add more fruits and vegetables. Give them flavored water and make their sandwiches on whole grain bread.

The school systems wants to give our children healthy choices, but they want to take away gym, health classes and recess. With this being done, teachers and staff must eat healthy lunches to show the students they believe in this method; no soda, no fast food nor takeout food for them.

Parents, fight for your kids’right on what they can eat.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20110411/us_yblog_thelookout/chicago-school-bans-homemade-lunches-the-latest-in-national-food-fight

~Takia

Family Wednesdays: Are You Saving or Destroying Your Marriage

This blog is personal to me. The hubby and I was watching TV late one night, flipping thru the channels we watched the ending of Divorce Wars. After the show went off I ask myself, what I do to save or destroy my marriage.

I’m coming from a personal angle on this one. I’ve seen a lot of marriages growing up; some were good and some was bad. When you get married, not only are you becoming a new member to your spouse's family, but you are becoming someone friend, lover, care giver, psychologist and co-worker. Some people are not ready for those roles. Marriage is not about who's controlling the relationship and many people get it twisted. It's about how well you can work together and seeing the end results. Don’t compare your marriage to another. Sometimes we get so caught up with what other people have and we don’t realize the needs in your relationship.

Communicating can save or destroy a marriage. How? Talking to bitter, lonely or people who don’t like your spouse can lead your marriage the wrong way. Surround yourself with other positive couples who support your marriage and know how to listen to you. Learn to communicate with your spouse in a positive way. Ask them about their goals, fantasies and LISTEN.

Enjoy each other's company. Many marriages fall apart because they didn’t spend enough time with each other. Take a class together from sports to cooking. Create a calendar for you and your spouse, pay bills together, plan family events, date night, shopping and BEDROOM DATE (doesn't have to take place in the bedroom...wink). Take time out to look at your spouse inside and out.

Compliment them. Make your spouse feel special about themselves, and let them know that you appreciate them. Practice healthy habits, help your spouse stay in shape and groom regularly. Your attractiveness is what makes your spouse want you more.

Marriage is a JOB. You and your spouse should be on the same TEAM.

• Learn together

• Talk to each other

• Work together

• LOVE each other more each DAY!!!

Fireproof was the movie we watched and it reminded me to never take a person for granted.

~Takia

Let's Get Physical

Lately the media is focusing on the younger generation; labeling them as the fattest generation. What has happen over these the years? Are families sitting on the couch more? Are parents allowing children to eat more? I noticed the past generations was more physical; they had to walk to school, church, or work and not everyone could not afford car or bus fare. Riding a bike was another past time children enjoyed. So encouraging our children to ride their bikes can be easy for some parents. but some children are glued to their TV or video controllers.

These children are becoming husky, busty or just thick before their time. Is it something in the food or genetics? Some parents are in denial calling it baby fat when their child is looking like Baby Huey. It’s time for us parents to step up and take charge of our family's health. We need to change our eating habits. Becoming an active family is not hard, there are so many activities families can do.

Here a few PHYSICAL Activities.

• Bowling

• Skating

• Field games (Kickball, volleyball, basketball, football, baseball)

• Walking

• Swimming

• Dancing

Those are activities you can invite another families to join the fun.

From elementary we are taught exercising is very important to our body. We have some school systems removing Physical Education to make the budget, while you have some kids out of breath by the time they walk up a flight of stairs. Let the school systems know that you support Physical Education programs.

Last year, our First Lady launches a campaign LET MOVE!!

For more ideas and resource check out

http://www.letsmove.gov/

~Takia

My Name is Takia...and I'm a Bargain Shopper.

Last week, I expressed how I didn’t like to shop. I like deals, sales, discounts, discontinued products...you get the picture. I could care less about name brand clothing; only if I can get a deal on them. So hubby introduces me to a thrift store called Value World. 

It's been my second trip and I found two purses that suits my style. Both purses were tagged for $1.69. I already purchased some pumps, so I knew this purse would go great. 

Purple purse from Value Village (thrifted $1.69)

 

Purple pumps from Cato (retail $12)



Frankie & Johnny Purse Value Village (thrifted $1.69)



~Takia