Retail Therapy

Several years ago, one of our church families moved to Colombia, South America, as missionaries, to work with "Los Desplacados" - the people who were violently displaced from their rural homes by the drug cartels. These mostly indigenous people generally migrated to the larger cities, for protection and the hope of employment. Sadly, most were totally unequipped with any usable job skills, and ended up living in terrible conditions.

Our friends (Mom, Dad, and four precious daughters) moved to the slums, and began classes in teaching the people various skills. Several sewing machines were donated so the women could make tote bags from used burlap coffee bean bags.

Most recently, they were taught to make beaded jewelry, which took off like wildfire. Some of the jewelry is made from beads that are donated, and some of the beads are hand-made from recycled magazine pages. Their work is exquisitely detailed and beautiful.

With the money made from this jewelry, the women are able to buy food for their children, as well as school uniforms, and shoes and rain boots. (The annual rainfall is 84" per year; many villages turn to mud.)

I bought two necklaces, three bracelets, and two Christmas ornaments. Will try to post some pics.

I'll also try to see if they have an updated website, in case anyone is interested in purchasing some of these items.

$0.88! Gina!!!! I nominate you for best shopper of the year award!!!!!

I love Michael Kors! I keep thinking I should just ignore the cost and buy myself a purse! Maybe when I go to Florida in a March!

Global

Thank you! I will show my DH your post! I guess if I wasn't constantly buying so many pairs of boots it wouldn't be such a big decision. Lol!

Hugs!

blessings, do share the website for the beaded jewelry. Would love to take a look.

Here's a pic of my latest footwear, from Urban Outfitters. I've been looking for a pair without zippers and with a lug sole for 2 years. I told my 15-yr-old. "Your mother wears combat boots!" 😜 I wear them with mini skirts and purple lace tights.

Happy shopping everyone!

shoppy - Use anything to make your case for shopping.

kaza - Ah OK. I've seen that term used on Polyvore - the fashion site.

Ronda - I LOVE those boots.  I still have an awesome pair of black Doc Martens.

luvmygoats - I did some serious closet purging last weekend. Felt awesome.  Out with the old, in with the new.

I have been well I will admit envious (not a good Christian attitude) of a church choir member. Sweet, sweet girl - Tall, leggy, wears tall boots, leggings,tunics. At maybe 5'2" though prob. less now and 180# not my look. I ran through the town next door yest. which is growing and with the pains to show it in the traffic and road expansion. Had to pay the property taxes - 1st year house has been paid off. Yay but painful too. I found a couple of cute tunics but I don't understand the garment process. Where the sides came together was a white line where print stopped which with my size/expansion would most def. show (and not in the womens' sizes boo-hoo). I would have bought one to wear with black pants which I am accumulating.

Cute TV showing the little black dress on am show. Now N. Texas not usually that cold but may have sleet this weekend. Little black dress might be nice if it was fleece. LOL. I have to back to Ft Worth on Monday but rain and in the 40s. Not great shopping weather.

luvmygoats - I'm in the same boat. My personal shopper at Nordstrom is about six feet tall, willowy, blonde, young, beautiful, and wears lots of long sweaters, tunics, scarves, leggings, and boots. Oh, to look like that!

I finally found a way to make that look work for me. I buy a sweater or top in a size larger than I usually wear, and make sure it hits me well above the knees, and definitely below my hips. I've got several pairs of tight black knit leggings from Target and Walmart. I can't wear heels, so I picked up some cute, cheap scrunchy boots from Payless Shoe Store and Target. This outfit usually makes me look taller and skinnier. The only thing I'm getting used to is the scarves... after all I went through to get the New Girls, I'm not eager to cover them up!

I've also used this technique with a cream colored chenille sweater, a brown,tan,and cream velvet scarf, and some stretchy brown corduroy jeans over some brown boots. I've worn the jeans (they really are stretchy and tight AND comfy) both tucked into the taller scrunchy boots, and over the lower boots. It makes my legs look longer.

My favorite jeans are by Not Your Daughter's Jeans (NYDJ) and they make you look way taller and about 3 sizes smaller than you usually are. Unfortunately, they cost as much as a mortgage payment, so I try to make up the difference by shopping at discount places for other garments. Some of my favorite scarves I've gotten at thrift and consignment shops.

Love the combat boots! I also love tunics and tights with flat-ish boots. I have some leopard doc martins that I just resurrected out of my closet. LOL

And THIS is why we hoard clothing as it goes in and out of style (in case our husbands or SOs ask). Haha

Blessings I would love to order some bracelts etc from your friends. What amazing people.

I was at Michaels (craft store) yesterday and got myself a beading kit and some gorgeous glass beads. I have fallen back it my workaholic ways and I think this will be a nice way to RELAX!!!

Oh yes- Blessings- you can wear a very thin scarf looped over in the front and it is trendy but does nto cover the girls! LOL, I wear those with a few chains underneath. I dont like the bulky scarves much either.

Hugs to all and happy shopping!!!!

leopard Doc Martins indeed! Wow. Would love to see them!

I'm continuing on my shoe rampage. Bought a pair of electric blue suede flats from J Crew factory outlet.

Also bought a black Ralph Lauren turtleneck with white monogram on the neck. Both my son and I love Ralph Lauren clothes, and I especially love monogrammed "RL" or "RRL" things because it combines my first initial and my son's.

I've somehow, been lucky enough to be selected by White House/Black Market to receive FREE dresses. They sent me 2 black cocktail dresses last week. I just have to fill out a survey on how they fit, did I like them. I was thrilled to be selected and wore one to a party Friday.

Somebody please post some pics of your shopping victories! I don't want to be the only one.

Well I have managed to post the photo but I cannot get it to flip around. Hopefully everyone is on a mobile devise! Anyway I am wearing my new faux suede wedge Aerosoles boots in this photo. They are so comfortable! My 10 year old son took the photo!

Ok one more! My son is wearing his new Volcom jacket that I got at a steal of a deal! What a cutie! Love him! How do I get these photos to insert the correct way???

shoppygirl, your pics are right way up to me - and lookin' good!

Ok hope I am not being annoying but now I am on a roll. My most recent purchases have been Christmas decorations! Here are some of my purchases in my living room!! My favourite is the green mini tree on the table from Urban Barn!