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I Don’t Need to Buy More Clothes

Posted on April 20, 2014 by Ching under Outfits, Shopping.

“You don’t need to buy new clothes,” I always remind myself. It used to be that I would tell myself I don’t need to buy new clothes just because the old ones no longer fit. I just needed to lose weight. That was always my mantra, and a way to keep my weight/figure in check. However, I’d still feel the urge to shop for new outfits on a somewhat regular basis, and I’d often fail to resist. I’d cave and end up with even more clothes that I don’t need in my closet.

I have a new mantra these days. Since joining Stella & Dot a couple of months ago, I learned that I really don’t need to buy more clothes. I just need to accessorize. Whenever I’d get bored and feel the urge to go shopping, I remind myself that I really don’t need to go shopping. I just need to review the contents of my closet and combine the clothing and accessories that I already own in new and different ways.

I don’t need to buy more clothes. Neither do you. What we need are versatile accessories that we can use to spice up our wardrobes. I will prove it.

Fashion jewelry can change the whole look of an outfit. You can have the same top, dress, suit, or other foundational piece but look completely different based on your choice of accessories. Accessories such as scarves, jewelry, belts, and shoes can instantly transform an outfit. Here’s another example:

You don’t really need several black dresses. One will suffice as long as you accessorize. I’m not just saying this to sell you jewelry either. Style expert Bridgette Raes recently posted how you can wear a simple, summer dress in five fashionable ways. It’s true and it works.

I can’t believe that I just now came to this conclusion. I wish I would have known this years ago. I could have saved myself a lot of money. LOL. Anyway, I’m paying it forward by sharing this knowledge with you. You’re welcome.

Now that I’ve had this epiphany, my next project is to pare down my closet to just the basics. That may be more challenging because I’m a bit of a pack rat. I’ll let you know how it goes. In the meantime, if you’re looking for some awesome accessories to spice up your wardrobe, head on over to Stella & Dot.

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My Stella & Dot Launch Party

Posted on March 22, 2014 by Ching under Projects, Shopping.

About a month ago I decided to embark on my first MLM business. Brian was completely against it because he grew up watching his mom try several of these ventures (Avon, Mary Kay, etc.) with limited or no success. He didn’t want to see me throw money at some new project only to watch me fail at it months later. Plus, he has this perception that all MLM businesses are pyramid schemes.

My friend Darcy at work kind of holds the same views. When I was telling her about it — and I can’t help but get excited because the products (jewelry, bags, scarves, etc.) are amazing — she just shook her head with disapproval. I got to the part where I was telling her how I have the opportunity to make even more money when other “stylists” (as we are called) sign up underneath me. She was like, “So it is like a pyramid scheme!” While there is a sort of pyramid structure that naturally happens when new stylists sign up under you and other stylists sign up under them, the term “pyramid scheme” just sounds so negative. It implies that there is little to no added value in the endeavor when in fact there is. I absolutely love Stella & Dot jewelry. The quality of the items are better than most name brand products and their customer service is out of this world. Seriously. I am always delighted to contact them.

Anyway, Isaac has his photo booth business. Carmen has her Origami Owl business. Now I have Stella & Dot so I’m feeling all entrepreneurial. LOL.

I didn’t really expect much out of this new venture. I decided to become a stylist mostly because I love the jewelry and wanted to be able to purchase them at half off. It’s a lot like how I got started with Zumba really. A couple of years ago I became a ZIN (Zumba Instructor Network) member just to get discounts on Zumba gear and also to get Zumba music. I originally had no intention of actually teaching Zumba. An opportunity to teach Zumba for the city of Wichita came up and I took on the the challenge a few weeks after getting my Zumba license. It helped me cover my monthly ZIN costs. It didn’t cover the money I was spending on workout clothes, shoes, and other Zumba gear or other expenses (such as conventions and conferences) but in my mind I’m actually saving money because I would buy these things anyway. As a ZIN I’m actually getting them at a discounted rate. Fast forward to today… I teach Zumba for the Greater Wichita YMCA (I gave up my class at Evergreen Recreation Center for several reasons but the biggest reason is that it’s just too far of a drive; however, I can still sub for the city whenever someone needs me to fill in). I would never have realized that I had a talent for teaching Zumba classes and a passion for bringing people a joyful and enjoyable workout had it not been for my Zumba gear shopping problem. Sometimes things just end up working out the way they’re supposed to…

But I digress… Brian and Darcy’s perspective that I somehow got roped into some kind of pyramid scheme wasn’t very uplifting so I really had no expectations whatsoever with this whole Stella & Dot business. I was quite shocked at the success of my launch party. I earned hundreds of dollars of free jewelry just from the trunk show orders and I still have a few more orders trickling in from work.

I was so worried that no one would show up for my launch party trunk show. I had attended several parties of all kinds in the past for various friends but I’d never had the desire to host a party of my own because I was always worried that no one would show up. I didn’t want to be the loser who had two friends at her party. I wasn’t even concerned about making any sales. I just needed bodies.

I had a few cancellations the day of the party so I was a bit nervous. Brian, the supportive husband that he is, offered to cater my event. I asked him not to make so much food because I was worried that I wouldn’t have any guests to feed. My friend Misty who was initially calling to cancel because she hurt her ankle the day before could sense my concern over the phone. She actually came over despite her injury. Not only that, she actually placed an order. God bless her!

Brian is convinced that the reason my launch party did so well is because of his food. I guess since people knew he was making food they decided it was worth the trip. LOL.

Seriously though, I have the most amazing friends. The launch party wouldn’t have been a success without them. And, I can’t believe I got all of those orders. They added up really quickly and got me awesome hostess rewards such as 50% OFF four times in addition to over $250 of free jewelry. My sponsor/upline Amanda was impressed.

I actually credit Amanda for the success of my party also. Because of a fiasco with USPS, who delivered my package to the wrong address, I hardly had any samples to display. Thankfully Amanda brought all of her beautiful jewelry.

Check out her display compared to mine below.

I’m so glad Amanda talked me into hosting a launch party. Between Brian’s delicious catering, Amanda’s wonderful trunk show display/presentation, and my awesome friends my Stella & Dot business is off to a great start!

BTW, shipping is so fast that everyone who ordered during the launch party (except for Kate because the earrings she picked were so popular that they’re on backorder) received their items on Thursday.

By Friday Faith and I were sporting our Stella & Dot jewelry.

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Grocery Shopping with Grandma

Posted on December 21, 2013 by Ching under Family, Games, Shopping.

Following breakfast we took grandma to do her grocery shopping at Dillons.

Grandma said that she knows approximately what her total is each time so all three of us made our bid before check out. Guess who was the closest? We agreed that very day that, among the three of us, I would probably be most qualified for The Price is Right. LOL. Which amazes me because I rarely ever do any grocery shopping. I’m just really good at guessing prices, I guess.

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Red Envelope Makes Me Happy

Posted on December 15, 2013 by Ching under Shopping, Wishlist.

I always love getting presents from Red Envelope. It doesn’t even matter what’s inside. LOL. I just love the beautiful red box and ribbon. The lovely packaging never fails to pique my interest and I eagerly anticipate what’s inside.

Nothing extravagant in the boxes this time — just our personalized Christmas stockings. It doesn’t matter what you get really. I’ve never gotten anything from Red Envelope that I didn’t like. The best part is that you can get 10% cash back from Ebates for every Red Envelope purchase. If you’re not a member of Ebates and if you’ve never purchased anything from Red Envelope, you’re totally missing out.