Rantings of a Creole Princess

Fashionable Plus Sized Clothing

JUNE" GRECIAN DRAPED DRESS - WHITE

Those of you who STAY ready and have a few extra pounds on you...where do you shop?  What stores cater to your sense of uncompromising fashion?  In department stores...which designers are the ones you go-to?

Square iPad Credit Card Register

If I owned a store, booth, kiosk, etc.  I would SO buy this!  This is seriously the hottest thing EVER!!!!!!!!!!

Square Debuts Its Latest Hardware, Stand, A $299 Card Swiper For iPad Registers

 

Abercrombie & Fitch Bruhaha

Earlier today, one of my Facebook friends said something along the lines of starting a boycott against Lane Bryant because they don't sell clothes under a size 14.

Interesting.  

I mean...we all know that stores like Lane Bryant exist because there was a need for fashionable clothing for plus sized women seeing as though other stores tried to make it seem like plus sized women weren't interested in being fashionable.  Just covered up.

So I guess I call foul on that.

David Therriault - #INSPIRATIONAL

I met the most fascinating man yesterday in the simplest way possible.  See...I have a neighbor who is really into her landscaping and I was checking out her new perennials.  I asked her where she purchased them and she told me that someone told her about this super cute little nursery that a man owns behind his house.  I was looking for some different shade perennials so I figured I'd give it a try.

It was only about 12 miles away from my home and it was a stunningly beautiful and yet cool day so a drive was just the thing.  I put the country ribs I had marinating the fridge in the oven on 225 degrees and set the oven timer for 3 hours leaving The Robinator with instructions to simply take them out when the timer went off.

I listened to music as Kadijah (the GPS lady) directed me to the address and oohed and aaahed over the simple, country style homes with porches and big, fenced in yards that I see in my future.

I found the house and followed the gravel around to the back as the signage directed me to do and I was presented with this:

#WiiU Lego City Undercover Review!

Yall know Nintendo knows I'm a big kid at heart and sends me free stuff to try out right?  Right.  Well...last week the FedEx guy dropped off a new game for me to play and it's been sitting here neglected while I do some real life stuff to keep everyone off my back.  

You know...responsibilities and whatnot.  The joys of being an adult.  UGH!

So...I called in an expert to help me and he got right down to it giving me an opportunity to continue working while he took it on a test drive for me.

When he finished playing, he allowed me to interview him so I could add his findings to a post about the game.

Did you enjoy playing the game?

Expert:  YES!

What's it basically about?

Expert:  It's about a policeman named Chase McCain who is solving a big crime.  He has to catch a lot of criminals and take them to jail.  He's involved in car crashes and he has to help people when they ask him to.

What kinds of things do you get to do?

Expert:  Jump flagpoles, chase people, drive cars among a lot of other things.

What was your favorite part so far?

Expert: Chasing the people because I enjoy chasing people at school.

Are there any parts which you found particularly difficult?

Expert:  Yes.  Jumping the flagpoles is pretty difficult.  

Would you recommend this game?

Expert:  Yes.  I'd recommend it to all my friends!

How do yall think he did?  It was his first interview as an 8 year old but I seriously predict big things in his future as he has quite a way with words!

Mattress Shopping

So...I've been looking at mattresses lately and I have to say I'm a bit annoyed at mattresses these days.  The top of the line ones can't be flipped twice as I'm used to doing (left to right, top to bottom) and that makes no sense to me at all.  I mean sure...it's better for the mattress makers because mattresses which can't be flipped twice will wear out sooner than I'm used to but it's a lose for the consumer.

Then I looked at the middle of the road ones and you know what?  They've done the same thing.  They've made it so that only one side of the mattress can be slept on and yall...that's a bother.  I flip our current mattresses pretty regularly and that's why they last and stay comfy.  It's time to start thinking about a new one and well...the options out there aren't conducive to how I like mattresses.

Did you notice this too the last time you went mattress shopping?

Have you purchased a good mattress recently which can be flipped twice?  If so...PLEASE share.  PLEASE!

Those of you with the pillowtop mattresses...how long have you had them?  Any issues yet with not being able to flip twice?

Those of you with boobs...

...keep moving right on past this post.  LOL!

Those of you who don't have boobies like me...this is the best t-shirt bra I've ever owned and now I own 5 of them!  GO ME!  Shimera Seamless Bra

Brand New Car?

How many BRAND NEW cars have you owned?  Not brand new to you...brand new period.  Not a demo.  BRAND.SPANKING.NEW.

 

Sonia Kashuk Completely Organized

Sonia Kashuk® Completely Organized

I bought one of these a while ago from Target and it's pretty darn awesome.  All of the essential things you keep in your purse fit in it and when you want to change bags you just pull it out and plop it into another bag.  I'd seen something like this before and considered buying it but couldn't wrap my brain around the price so finding this one for $14.99 made me feel all awesome-bargain-shoppery.  GO ME!

Shelly Bean liked it so much she got one too!  It has all kinds of compartments inside and it's really kept my bag pretty organized.  ESPECIALLY when traveling.

Do you have anything like this?

What say YOU?

'Fat letters' sent to parents of obese Massachusetts students

Read more: http://www.wjla.com/articles/2013/02/-fat-letters-sent-to-parents-of-obese-massachusetts-students-85776.html#ixzz2MDiHES7K

Mattress Caddy

I bought one of these and now my nightstand stays clean.  

GO ME! 6 Pocket Bedside Storage Mattress Book Remote Caddy

Do you have anything like this?  

My New Pajama Philosophy

Gilligan & O'Malley® Women's V-Neck Tee

Gilligan & O'Malley® Women's Knit Sleep Pant

In my world...a new pair of lounging pajamas makes everything better.  :)

Shelly had these on last week and I had to have them.  The pants have pockets AND a drawstring.  Since it's cold...I'm wearing a long sleeve t-shirt under my shirt.

And I feel REALLY, REALLY awesome.  

When's the last time YOU bought new pajamas?  Do they make YOU feel good too?

Could you walk...

...to the closest grocery store near your home?

Circle Completed

JCPenny...Doing it right!

We're currently in San Diego visiting VeggieBee for the Carlsbad Marathon.  She had been looking for curtains to finish off her living room and I pulled up the JCPenny website to show her where I buy curtains cuz really...JCPenny has AWESOME.SAUCE curtains.

We went to the store and we were walking through to get to the escalators when I started noticing that JCPenny had some really cute stuff out.  Then I stopped when I saw this jacket, took my jacket off and slipped it on:

Worthington Tuxedo Jacket

Um...it fit NOICE.

I started looking around mo' betta and I found 5 pieces that I decided I HAD.TO.HAVE.

My favorite piece?

MNG by Mango Peplum Skirt

The MNG by Mango line is super cute.  Whenever I'm in Miami I go to Mango in South Beach so I was excited when I saw their brand there.

Have YOU looked around at JCPenny's lately?  And the prices??????  SWOON.

Fruit and Vegetable Container from "Modern Family"

I saw this on an episode of "Modern Family" and decided I want one:  Progressive International Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Keeper

I always have too much fruit and veggies to fit in the fridge bins so this would be nice I think.  What do yall think?

Question...

Where do you buy your socks?  Are you the type who buys a few at a time or do you purge your sock drawer and then replace what you purged once a year?

Broom Groomer Broom Cleaning Dustpan

Seriously...this is awesome.sauce.  WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT?????  Broom Groomer Broom Cleaning Dustpan

Heated Foot Rest...YES PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!

Toasty Toes Heated Footrest

Okay...seriously...I want this.  Thank you in advance. 

What vitamins should I buy? - Monnie & Robby...Healthy

Robby (Age 43, healthy, training for marathon, weight training): GNC MEGA MEN SPORT

Monnie (Age 43, healthy, active): GNC Womens Ultra Mega Active

Monnie AND Robby (Age 43...non-milk drinkers): GNC Wellbeing® Be Balanced - Dulce De Leche

We take two vitamins per day.  One with breakfast, one with lunch.  We chew one calcium chew per day.  

Kensie Snowflake Microfleece Jumpsuit

I was in TJ Maxx and found this jumpsuit for $24.99.  I bought it in a large so it would be totally comfy for cold days chilling at home on the sofa.  

I really wasn't thinking it was going to be groundbreaking or anything...it just looked all comfy, warm and toasty.

I put it on this morning and tucked them into my shearling slipper boots (yes...the ones I spilled gumbo grease on one of last year and tried to clean them but the color on the toe of the greasy one stayed dark and still is which The Robinator HATES, HATES, HATES!...ROFL!) and I am over here in 7TH.MOON.DOG.HEAVEN!!!!!!!!!

So I decided to look online and see if I could find them in other colors and I found them on Amazon, but for the full price.  I don't know if I'd pay $52 for them but then again I might cuz they are seriously the softest thing I've had next to my skin in forever and the kid is LOVING.IT!  Kensie Going Navajo Microfleece Jumpsuit

If you hit up TJ Maxx today, go see if you can find some.  I PROMISE you won't be disappointed.  SIP's honor.

This is often my question and answer...

Best New Christmas Thing I've Purchased!!!!!!!!!

No more crawling under the tree to plug the lights in getting my hair caught on the branches and coming up looking like a shook cat!  GO ME!!!!!!!!!   All-Purpose Foot Switch

BEST.SHIRT.EVER!

Do you have anything you've purchased and you just had to go back and purchase another one because it was just SO.AWESOME???????

Me?  I had to buy this twice:  Mossimo Supply Co. Juniors Long Sleeve Thermal Top

I bought mine in a size medium because I knew it would shrink something major.  It fits so well and is so comfy that I purchased another one the other day.

And I might need to get me just one more to wear under my Ravens jersey!  GO ME!

 

Veronica Marche Custom Illustrated Cards!

http://www.veronicamarche.com/

SIP:  That's hot.  

Thanks SingLikeSassy!

Baking Soda Caddy

 

 

 

My sister asked me where I got my baking soda caddy from because she loved it.  

Figured you guys might like it too.  

Baking Soda Caddy

Reisenthal Easybags

I've decided that I need these bags in my life.  That is all.  Reisenthel EasyBags

Can we talk about this dress?

I wore this dress in LA last week.  It fits me really well and I was happy with the dress.  At least I was happy UNTIL I started finding those flowers falling off the dang dress.  Yup...no less than 5 flowers fell off the dress as I was wearing it because there is like this thin thread holding all of the flowers in place.

So...I've rocked the dress and been photographed in the dress.  With my track record...I might never wear the dress again.  

BUT I DID WEAR THE DRESS.

So...what would YOU do?  Would you take the dress and the 5 flowers which fell OFF the dress and return the dress?  

Target Skirt Love!

As far as clothing goes...I don't buy bottoms from Target.  I can always find tank tops and t-shirts there but bottoms are a no-no other than workout tights.  The waist is far too big when I try on the size that fits my butt and, if they are pants, they are usually too short.

Dresses are kinda the same with the waist.  The waist is just too big on me and not flattering at all.

So I stopped even considering their bottoms years ago.

Not too long ago I was in the store and saw this skirt: 

Mossimo Supply Co. Juniors Short Skirt - Assorted Colors

It was only $14.99 so I bought it.  It's super light t-shirt-y-ish so I figured it would be perfect to throw on with a tank top.  Since it was one of those roll down bands...I knew I could wear it on my hips and not my waist.

Yall...I LURVED IT!  And have since bought every color I could find.  The great thing about the band, on me, is that I didn't have to roll it and just pulled it straight down over my hips and butt for a pretty nice fit if I do say so myself ESPECIALLY after I washed it!  WHOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO!  GO ME!

DOING THE HAPPY DANCE!

They are so cool and comfortable and light.  I feel like I'm wearing pajamas!  LOL!

What was YOUR last Target clothing purchase that made you happy?  

Bathing Suits

Anybody buy a nice, good bathing suit for grown women lately?  Where did you get it?  

What would YOU do?

You purchase a new pair of super hot shades.  

They look REALLY good on you.

Like...HOT.TO.DEATH!

You wear them for the first time and your hair gets caught in the metal parts of the glasses and you have to remember to hold your hair back before you take the glasses off so you're not ripping out hair.

Would you return the glasses cuz that's too much trouble OR would you be able to remember to hold your hair down while removing them?

Pre-Sale Events

I was at Nordie's yesterday and the pre-sale event signs were all over the place.

Cool.

I was on the fence about a dress and decided I'd purchase it and take it home and sleep on it...try it on again and then decide if I wanted to keep it.

The lady helping me let me know it was going to be 40% off (MAJOR, MAJOR SCORE!) but...since it's the pre-sale event...I'd have to pay for it today but couldn't pick it up until Wednesday.

I'm familiar with how pre-sale events work and have participated in them before but suddenly...it made no sense to me at all.  Like...for the first time I REALLY thought about how ri-damn-diculous a pre-sale event is.  I pay for something and they put it in a bag, staple my receipt to it and put it in the back somewhere for 3 - 4 days and then I return to pick up something I've owned since the moment I paid for it.

Like...I have to DRIVE back.  More gas...more time out of my schedule, etc. to pick u something I already own.

And it would seem to me...that it would be trouble on the part of the store too.  I mean...they gotta keep up with all the purchases people have made and go back there and search find your purchase when you come back to get it.

I don't get these events at all.

Because I was in a foul mood I didn't buy the dress and now I'm really annoyed.

Yeah...pre-sale events suck.

Have YOU ever thought about them as it relates to it not making simple common sense?

Or is it just me?

Tote Bags

 

 

I found this the shopper tote bag version of this at TJ Maxx for $12.99.  It is so well made it's ridiculous.  Whenever I'm going somewhere and will need my computer and I'm not going to be doing a lot of walking...you know...just in the car, out the car...I use it to carry my computer, notebook, chargers, etc.

I found it where the gift bags hang so look out for one if you see them cuz they are seriously awesome!

Here is the site:  http://www.emiliesloan.com/market-tote.asp

Here it is for $25:  Emilie Sloan Isabelle Shopper

Super Brella Beach Umbrella

Um yeah...this is hot:  Super Brella Beach Umbrella

I want one.

Travelpro Rolling Business Tote

When I'm working out of my home, I have to carry a lot of stuff.  Heavy stuff.  Stuff which makes my back scream eventually.

When I'm traveling, I carry a lot of heavy stuff too and I never survived a trip without having to take something for my back cuz I'd have a backpack on filled with camera equipment, laptop, etc.

The Robinator got tired of it and made me get, what I call, a rolly bag.

Travelpro Crew 8 Rolling Tote,Black,One Size

It's the same brand as my luggage and the handle comes up to a comfortable height for me even though I'm tall.  I slide the straps of my purse around the handle and sit it on top of the rolly bag and I get my airport hustle on.

I remember thinking it was mad overkill initially but after a few trips with it...I realized how much of a back saver it really is. 

And The Robinator was smug as hell.  LOL!

It's totally like my absolute FAVORITE thing!

What do you keep your laptop in when YOU travel?

Ace Hardware Free Paint Offer!

Go like their Facebook page to get a coupon for a free quart of paint tomorrow!  Ace Hardware: Find Your Soul Paint

Question..

Where was the last piece of GOOD JEWELRY you acquired from?  Would you buy jewelry from there again?

Dear Target and Dove Extra Fresh Men + Care:

I boycotted Target once for 4 months.  It was hard as hell but I took a personal stand and, according to my husband, saved a crap load of money during the boycott.  ROFL!

Earlier this week I needed to get Robby some of his soap and went to Target first.  I was shocked at the price:

$8.44!  That didn't sound quite right to me.  Like...I felt I'd definitely have remembered if it had been $8.44 at Target.  This isn't like some super dooper awesome stuff ya know?  IT'S DOVE!

So I left in a huff and went to Walmart thinking they HAD to be cheaper!

$3.97???????????  HOLD THE HELL UP?  So I can buy TWO of these at Walmart and still come out cheaper than one at Target?

Now yes...the one at Target is 18 ounces or so and the one at Walmart is 13.5 ounces but can anyone seriously justify that less than 5 ounces would mean we had to pay MORE.THAN.DOUBLE??????????  SERIOUSLY???????????????????????

I CALL BULLSHIT!

And now?  I want to compare EVERY.SINGLE.THING I buy at Target to the price at Walmart.

Seriously.

I can see fifty cents to a dollar more ya know?  But more than DOUBLE???????????  C'mon Target...yall gotsta do better!

What say YOU?

Is this crazy to YOU???

Tribe No Shopping Challenge!

I was reading about a group of women who didn't shop for themselves for 3 months.  I told The Robinator about it and he was like...you couldn't do that.

I didn't agree or disagree with him but I did think about that a lot.  You know...about him thinking I couldn't do it cuz he said it all matter-of-fact and whatnot.

So...I think I'm going to try it.  I'm thinking that the fact I already unsubscribed to most of the shopping emails I was subscribed to is a good sign because I did that before I even read the thing about the no shopping challenge.  So...it's like I was already kinda prepping up for that.

Kinda.

I think.

I know it's going to be EXTREMELY difficult for me but I also know that I have enough clothes to last me until I either gain a lot of weight or lose a lot of weight and I'm not trying to do either.

The end of the season sales usually make me very, very happy and I've had my eye on this particular coat that is probably going to go on sale around Valentine's day.  I'm feeling some kinda way about missing out on that already.

I don't buy a lot of bags anymore since I stopped using big bags daily because of the problems they bring to my back.  The nylon bags I use are pretty nice and well...you can only buy so many nylon bags without wanting to scream but yeah...they work better on my back.

Back to it.

Shopping challenge.

Yall wanna try it?

What should the rules be?

If we February 1, 2012 we can't buy anything until May 1, 2012.

Oh...and I'm already going to put it out there that I'm giving myself a pass for a new dress to wear to the premier for our movie cuz seriously...that's kinda huge and I do want to look fly.

So again...what say you?  You in?  Can I still do HotNESS or HotMESS posts while we do it if we do it?  What about eDress me?  Should we ban Erica B. during that time?  Cuz yall KNOW she's gonna be making all kinds of super fly ish that makes you want to find something like it right?  Right. 

Okay...TELL ME!

UPS My Choice...so smart it's SCARY!

This right here?  GROUND.BREAKING!  UPS My Choice

FYI!

 

Bath and Body Works has the big three wick candles on sale 2 for $20. 

Even the Aromatherapy ones! 

They are usually $20 EACH and make AWESOME gifts!!!!!

I purchased 8 of my favorite one!  GO ME!

I put mine in the Metal Candle Sleeve at the house so they look nice!  GO ME AGAIN!

Shutterfly Crooked Cards:

Today is an official bust.  My Christmas cards arrived and they are crooked.  Same thing happened last year but since Shutterfly gave me such exemplary customer service,  took a chance on ordering with them this year again.

I've learned my lesson.

No more Shutterfly.

*sigh*

Cabot & Sons Socks at Runaway Store!

Remember this?  Wool Socks

So...I was in TJ Maxx (or was it Marshalls?) last week looking for new wool boot socks.  I was mad because all of the Cabot socks I saw were made of acrylic.  *sigh* 

I figured they were making cheaper changes and I was SO.WAY.BUMMED!

But it wasn't a deal breaker because my Cabot & Sons socks from last year are still holding up AWESOMELY!

Yesterday I got a gift in the mail!

AND THEY ARE THE MERINO WOOL ONES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  TALL ENOUGH TO WEAR WITH MY TALL BOOTS AND WARM ENOUGH TO WEAR WITH MY RAIN BOOTS!

GO ME!

Turns out that Bill over at www.RunAwaysStore.org has a whole kit and kaboodle of them!  AND HE HAS PINK!  (Gonna get me some of those pink ones STAT!)

The only thing about this gift is that even though there are 4 pair...only 2 are for me.  The other 2 are for The Robinator.  WHO SAYS HE SHOULD GET TO GET NEW CABOT & SONS MERINO WOOL SOCKS?  Humph.  Nobody cares if his feet are toasty good too.

LOL!

Special shout out to Bill for being so lovely and sending these to us cuz I was seriously bummed that the ones I saw last week were were acrylic and not wool.  Whose feet are going to be all toasty in acrylic???? THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Nobodys.

SIP:  Did you see they have Extreme Hats too?

Me:  YEAH BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

HotNESS or HotMESS? (SM)

Set of Two AudioBulb Wireless Illuminated Speakers

Okay...seriously?????????????  I NEED TO KNOW IF THESE WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  IF SO...HotNESS!!!!!!

Underwear Beware

Who buys your S/O's underwear?

Would you have a problem if his mother did knowing she ALWAYS buys him underwear (t-shirts, boxer briefs and socks) every year for Christmas sincce he was a kid?

Extreme Couponing

I was behind one of those extreme couponers the other day.  I didn't know it until it was too late.

I did wonder why the guy had like 15 boxes of some random cereal but hey...I didn't pay attention to much more than that.

He'd also purchased everything in the bin for beat up cans and boxes, etc.

And I thought to myself...is all that really worth it to your quality of life?

Sure...he paid like $20 for a basket full of crap but seriously...it was a basket full of crap.

What do YOU think?

Tell the truth and shame the devil!

When's the last time you purchased a calendar? 

Oxo Laundry Drying Center

I must have this in my life STAT! OXO Good Grips Laundry Drying Center

Doesn't this look AWESOME???????  I have a wooden one that is kinda flimsy I've been wanting to replace.  GO ME! 

Do YOU have an air drying thingy?

Tell the truth and shame the devil!

I have a stack of gift cards RAT.NOW and I'm looking at them thinking to myself...If only they were all to SEPHORA!  LOL!

 

What's YOUR favorite type of gift card to receive?

Plus Sized

What do you think about stores which offer plus sized clothes online that they don't sell in their stores?  Would you shop there?