I have to start by thanking my dear friend Tara for giving me the inspiration for this story. She and I share several passions but one of the most would be SHOPPING! What is better then getting all dressed up to go and spend the day at your favorite store; Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks whichever one it might be. You may possibly purchase something; sometimes it is just about the browsing and then you get to go home with this beautiful shopping bag (which I always keep) and you’re present. Followed by taking out what you bought and adding it to your closet. Doesn’t that just make you feel good? Well to us it does. But then things happen and you have a family. Bills start to add up and you just don’t have that freedom to buy on every whim. So here it is February and you are going into withdrawals because you haven’t been to the mall since Christmas. You have forbid yourself to drive within a 10 mile radius of it. If you get to close you might fall of the wagon and enter. So minding your own business trying not to seem so cranky you go and get the mail. You walk up the drive way, you enter the house; you sit down at the table to go through what is normally junk mail. But wait there is a rubber band around it; it has a different weight then just junk mail. You start to break into a little bit of a cold sweat. Should you just throw the entire bundle out? No, it is ok you tell yourself you can handle it. You take the rubber band off and there they are. The Spring Preview Catalogs!!!! No! How can they do this! It’s not one, not two, but THREE.

Saks Fifth Avenue featuring the Gucci San Python Bamboo Hobo bag priced at $3,690. Neiman Marcus featuring the YSL Downtown Leopard Media Tote priced at $2,195. Finally, and possibly her favorite designer Salvatore Ferragamo featuring the Marisa Perforated Calfskin Tote priced at $1,490. My dear friend sent me email expressing in the funniest of words and smiley faces how she felt. She knew that I would understand and she just felt it so unfair that they bombard her like that. She was feeling quite depressed when she emailed me and she asked me not to judge her, and I didn’t. As I am sure you all wouldn’t. It is so hard when you are a fashionista and you are on hiatus. I suggested that she go up to her closet and find something with tags on it. I told her; wrap it up, put it on her bed, and leave the room. Then go back in and you have a gift. I know this sounds extreme but I also know there are some of you who know exactly what we are talking about. This does work, go ahead try it, we won’t judge you. So when you get those catalogs remember that your friends, Gucci, Salvatore, and YSL have not forgotten you. It’s ok if there are tears. We understand and we still love you. Be You – Be Fabulous!