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Aldi Launches Dog-Friendly Frozen Treats in Time For National Ice Cream Month

July 13, 2019/0 Comments/in Lifestyle, Shopping /by Contributing Writer

Now that summer is here and temperatures are starting to soar, many of us are trying to come up with ways to stay cool. It’s hard enough for humans to get comfortable in the heat, but your dog might have an even tougher time with all that fur. Since 44% of U.S. families have at least one dog (there are over 75 million pet dogs in the U.S.), you’re probably just as concerned with their well-being as you are with your own. Fear not: your pup can cool down with something yummy from the frozen foods section of your local grocery store.

When outdoor temps are unbearable, a nice swim can do wonders. While 37% of U.S. adults can’t swim farther than the length of a standard pool, pups are built to do the doggy paddle. But if you don’t have a swimming pool or access to a body of water, there are other ways to ensure your pet can chill out. When it comes time to reward yourself with an after-dinner frozen treat, you can grab one for your dog, too — as long as you make sure it’s made especially for them.

Most U.S. households have at least one pet, and the majority of pet owners know that regular ice cream and frozen treats can wreak havoc on their furry friends’ tummies. But popular grocery store chain Aldi has a solution. They’ve created new frozen treat products under their Heart to Tail brand. Each package, which looks like doggo Dixie Cups, contains four treats with two of each flavor. Aside from the “original” flavor, there’s also a bacon and cheese blend that your dog will presumably love. Plus, these products are free of preservatives, are gluten-free, and cost only $3 a box. Clearly, keeping your pup comfortable can be an affordable and delicious errand.

That said, you won’t want to dilly dally. Since these frozen treats are part of the “Aldi’s Finds” category, that means they’re a limited release. If you find them at your local store, you may want to stock up so that your pup can enjoy their own ice creams throughout the rest of the summer months and beyond.

Of course, you can always make your own dog-friendly ice cream at home. But if you’re not a DIY kind of pet owner and would rather have something convenient on-hand, you may want to make the extra trip and scour the frozen section so that your good boy (or girl) can be instantly rewarded this season.

Tech Talk: What Deals You Should Look For On Amazon Prime Day

July 12, 2019/0 Comments/in Coupons and Deals, Lifestyle, Shopping, Technology /by Contributing Writer

Technology continues to morph the way we interact with our business and our personal consumerism. Businesses have selected voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) as their number one choice in telephone use, a technology that only found its initial footing in 1995. Similarly, consumers are head over heels for a platform that was only born in 1994 and was originally an online bookstore. Perhaps you’ve heard of Amazon? Twenty-five years later, the company is obviously much more than a book store and this July, we’re gearing up for Amazon Prime Day.

Or rather, Prime Days. The online giant will feature exclusive deals for Prime members on July 15 and 16 to celebrate its 25th birthday. From toys to pet supplies to clothing, this giant has it all. If you’re looking for deals on tech, you’ve certainly come to the right place. A recent statement from the company noted that there will be more than a million deals across all categories on the site.

After all, electronics are one of the three most valuable commodities moved by logistics companies today. Here are some of the top tech deals happening on Prime Day(s) this year and who should keep their eyes peeled:

For the Health Nuts: Keeping it Clean

Prime Day is known for its commitment to health, offering some of best deals of the season on inspirational electronics. One of Amazon’s most popular fitness choices, of course, is the Fitbit.

This health-tracking watch took the world by storm and it shows no signs of slowing down. From monitoring your sleeping habits to your levels of (in)activity, it’s become one of the easiest ways to keep you motivated and accountable for your health. Last year, Business Insider notes that Prime members were able to save $60 on the Fitbit Alta. As one of the company’s most popular designs on the market with more than 3,500 positive reviews, BI expects similar savings to occur this year.

If you simply can’t wait for those summer savings, there are a few earlier deals that you can snag, too. The Fitbit Versa, which can store more than 300 songs, is currently on sale for $31 off its retail price. Paired with Apple AirPods running for $20 off, there’s nothing stopping your tunes from playing during your workout. Of course, this also makes it a great deal for music lovers.

Better yet, healthy eaters are getting special privilege in the days leading up to Prime Day. By spending $10 at whole foods, Prime members will also get a $10 credit to use during the two-day holiday.

Beauty lovers will love the savings on FOREO’s best-sellers, offering up to 35% off their beauty tech must-haves. The LUNA 2, LUNA Mini 2, and LUNA 2 for Men are all 35% off. The LUNA 2 and LUNA 2 for Men are originally priced at $169 USD and $219 CAD, but on Amazon Prime Day, they are reduced to $109.85 USD and $142.35 CAD. The Amazon Prime Day price for the LUNA Mini 2 is $195.30 USD and $244.30 CAD, down from $139 USD and $179 CAD. Everyone’s favorite smart masking device, the FOREO UFO, is also available at 30% off. The Amazon Prime Day price is $195.30 USD and $244.30 CAD, down from $279 USD and $349 CAD. The coordinating UFO Masks are 35% off; get them for these great Amazon Prime Day prices of $6.49 USD and $9.10 CAD for the Make My Day and Call It A Night masks and $12.99 USD and $16.84 CAD for the Matte Maniac, Shimmer Freak, H2Overdose, Glow Addict, and Youth Junkie masks.

For Small Business: Computers and More!

It isn’t just the happy homebody looking to catch the best deals this year; many business owners are also looking to bolster their company, whether it’s improving efficiency and operations or simply crafting a more welcoming work environment. While small businesses can deduct up to 100% of insurance premiums from their taxes, improvements to a company, including purchasing new office equipment, can also be deducted.

This encompasses a range of products, including important technology like computers or external hard drives for their business. In fact, experts estimate that 25% of business owners never test their disaster recovery systems. If a company is able to improve its operations and save money (both through killer deals and on taxes at the same time), it’s an endeavor worth pursuing on Amazon’s birthday.

Luckily, Amazon has plenty of tech deals to satisfy the aspirations of any growing business. In the days leading up to Prime Day, the company has unveiled a couple of deals already.

For example, the ever-popular iPad is currently $100 less than its retail price. Now, the 128GB tablet costs only $329 online, while the 2018 model at 32GB is only $249. This is great for creative offices with graphic designers or startups who want to stay on the cutting edge of new technologies.

But any business can benefit from the Lenovo Chromebook. This office staple is easy to use and weighs only 2.6 pounds when you opt for the 360-degree Chromebook C330. Bring it to your meetings when you want to take notes or take it on the road when you meet up with important clients. This laptop is lauded for its compact power and portability.

After you’ve gotten your new computer or maybe a new phone, check out the 20%-60% Amazon Prime discounts on 138 cases from Catalyst. Get 60% off Samsung Galaxy S9, S9 Plus, and Note 9 cases and various sizes of MacBook Sleeves; 50% off waterproof and shockproof cases for iPhone 6s and 6s Plus / 7 and 7 Plus, floating lanyards and tempered glass screen protectors; 40% off waterproof and shockproof cases for the iPhone 8 and 8Plus; and 30% off the Samsung Galaxy S10 series shock proof cases, Apple watch bands, XR and XS/XS Max waterproof and shockproof cases.

For the Busy Student: The Best of Both Worlds

Students can enjoy all of these deals with the added perk of joining the Amazon Prime membership for free. With a student email, you can get six months of free Amazon Prime perks with the click of a button. Invest in a FitBit or buy that new gaming computer you’ve been eyeing: the world is your oyster.

From tech to clothing to toys, there is no better time to visit the popular eCommerce site. It’s thanks to online retailers like Amazon that the average American has amassed more than 30 outfits at one time. Keep in mind, however, that the deals are only available to Prime members. If you’re looking for deals across the board, you may have to wait it out until Labor Day comes around.

Charmed, I’m Sure: Don Lucas Jewelry SS 2019 Collection

July 9, 2019/0 Comments/in Accessories, Collection Previews, Lifestyle, Shopping /by Dynelle Skinner

When it comes to fashion, nothing beats a classic. Whether it’s clothing or accessories, a classic piece will absolutely serve you well. We had the pleasure of getting to know a classic jewelry brand that captured our hearts. With a legacy that honors the lost tradition of America’s native and artful history, Don Lucas Jewelry is authentic wearable works of beauty. We had the pleasure of previewing the Don Lucas Jewelry SS 2019 Collection featuring handmade and crafted charms.

The Don Lucas Jewelry SS 2019 collection has a wide selection of sterling silver, fine silver, and various metal jewelry. The handmade and handcrafted jewelry features several gems and potent semi-precious stones, including Turquoise, Coral, Gaspeite, Onyx and lots more from all over the world. The art of handcrafting these exquisite pieces was first introduced to him by Native Americans in Arizona. The brand continues to produce these unique jewelry pieces in the same tradition. Some of our favorite pieces include the multi-strand beaded necklace with the multicolored stone pendant, white buffalo earrings, infinity cuff, and summer fans earrings.

The main highlight of the evening was the multitude of Don Lucas Charms and how they could be added to necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. We couldn’t wait to jump right in and create our own jewelry piece.

We had the pleasure of meeting with members of the Lucas family, who are very much involved in the creative process of this Southwest jewelry brand. Attendees had the pleasure of creating their own pieces and personalizing them.

While we opted out of the engraving (our charm choices were too small), we went all bronze. We settled on a bronze necklace with a bronze little luna charm with a mountain charm on either side. Take a look at our classic beauty below:

We look forward to wearing our necklace, especially when the charms have so much history and have so much positivity in their meanings. We’d love to hear your thoughts on the Don Lucas Jewelry SS 2019 Collection and of course our necklace.

Measure & Made Jeans and Pants: One Size Fits YOU

July 7, 2019/0 Comments/in Fashion, Lifestyle, Shopping /by Glasgow Skinner

We all come in different shapes and sizes, each equipped with our own personal style. So it’s no surprise that custom, made-to-measure clothing is becoming the go-to shopping option. Did you know that an estimated 68% of American women are over size 8? And even a group of women who all wear the same size can come in different shapes. These are just a few of the reason why custom, made-to-measure clothing is making an impact and why Measure & Made jeans and pants will be your go-to. They are the best fitting pants you’ll ever wear.

For any woman who has struggled to find pants that fit properly, Measure & Made is your savior. As women, we are already fighting the old “one size fits all” absurdity but we’re now finding that what’s supposed to be our size, doesn’t quite fit either. We (and several women we know) are “blessed” with ample thighs, a bodacious booty, and a smaller waist; so there’s always an issue getting jeans and pants that properly fit our thighs, hips, butt, and waist.

Any woman whose waist is smaller than her hips and thigs knows about the dreaded waist gap. Thanks to Measure & Made unique patented sizing system, Fitlogic, we found the perfect fitting jeans. How does it work? The Co-Founders behind Measure & Made, Cricket Lee and Natasha Gabrielle Lee, conceptualized and created the Fitlogic technology, fit quiz, and a size shape decimal system to come up with your personal fit identification over a 15-yr period. So you know they are serious about making sure their pants and jeans fit perfectly.

The Fitlogic Fit Quiz features questions about your height, where you gain weight the most, where do your pants feel the tightest and the type of pants you’re looking for.

After taking the fit quiz, our perfect size and jeans shape were classified as 10.3. Measure & Made offers women’s pants, jeans, capris, and shorts in sizes 0-18. They offer a 30-day money back guarantee and next month, they’ll be extending their sizes with the addition of sizes 20-28.

We’ll be rocking our Measure & Made jeans this week, so be sure to keep an eye on our Instagram page for our fit opinion.

Hahn Merriman Holiday 2019 Collection Presentation

June 30, 2019/0 Comments/in Collection Previews, Fashion, Shopping /by Glasgow Skinner

Although the holiday season and holiday fashion may be far from your minds, we want to highlight a collection that has us looking toward the future, the Hahn Merriman Holiday 2019 Collection. The former style blogger turned fashion designer presented a stunning collection that celebrates her lifelong love affair with fashion. Hahn’s first holiday collection was inspired by elegant abstract influences, featuring modern, soft and bold details.

The adventurous collection, which was a mix of structured pieces, layering looks, a small variety of textures, and abstract details, featured a black, white, and grey color palette. The collection’s elegant edginess was what stood out for us. The exaggerated collars, structured draping, voluminous pieces, and modern sensibility were the stars in the crisp white looks.

The grey and black looks featured more everyday wear details. It’s quite easy to find pieces from this ready-to-wear collection to marry into your wardrobe as they pair well with many classic pieces. We love Hahn’s juxtaposition of fabrics, her tonal color palette, and her general design aesthetic. Sheer fabrications and layering pieces are prominent throughout the collection.

With her Holiday 2019 collection, Hanh Merriman isn’t recycling old style ideas, she’s inventing new ones. She founded her eponymous collection in the Spring of 2018 as a fashion and lifestyle brand that’s committed to supporting luxury manufacturing in the United States. She describes her women’s ready-to-wear’s aesthetic as “The perfect pairing of pop and restraint.”

Every season, Hanh Merriman adds the essence of her personal style and sensibility into her designs, so they can breathe accessibility and ease; expressing herself artistically through her designs. Although this is our first experience with Hanh Merriman, we hope her Holiday 2019 collection isn’t our last.

We’d love to hear what you think of the looks from the Hahn Merriman Holiday 2019 Collection? Do you have any favorite looks from the collection?

Size Inclusive Lines Are Becoming Standard, But Finding Them Remains Challenging

May 20, 2019/0 Comments/in Fashion, Frontpage Article, Lifestyle, Shopping /by Contributing Writer

Body positivity and size inclusivity are movements that go hand-in-hand. As women come to accept and embrace their bodies, many are no longer willing to be confined to what society (and, specifically, fashion brands) feel to be the “ideal.” Given that 68% of American women wear a size 14 or larger, many companies are finally starting to listen with size inclusive options — and are making a whole lot of money as a result.

Despite all the progress that’s been made, there’s at least one glaring omission in the way that size inclusive clothing is presented to the modern consumer: while a straight-sized woman can potentially walk into just about any store and find something in her size, women who fall into the “extended sizes” category often have no other choice but to shop online. Seeing that businesses are losing $62 billion per year due to bad customer service, like not catering to the needs of the clientele, this oversight is helping to fuel an e-commerce boom.

Given the steadily growing popularity of e-commerce, that might not sound like much of an issue. As of August 2017, women’s apparel was the number one top-selling item on the internet. With so many shoppers preferring to shop online than go to their local mall, it might seem like brands are smart to focus their efforts on their websites rather than in their retail locations.

But that doesn’t mean that plus-sized women don’t want to shop in stores. When finding their size in person isn’t an option, it makes sense that they’ll turn to brands that will actually cater to them. But some women feel it’s an issue that brands want to claim the inclusive label without making all sizes accessible to all women. Despite the fact that well-known companies like Madewell, Anthropologie, Ann Taylor LOFT, J.Crew, and others have made concerted efforts to expand their size range during the last year, none of these brands carry those expanded sizes in their brick-and-mortar locations; customers have to go online and order them, which completely eliminates the store try-on experience.

As reported in GARAGE, “…Neglecting to offer [size] 14+ options in-store seems at odds with logic, as well as with the values of inclusivity and diversity that so many brands like to espouse for woke points. What appears to be happening, then, is that brands … want to have it both ways; they want the good press that comes with body inclusivity, without having to make the financial commitment of offering inclusive sizes in-store at all their locations.”

Although there may be some practical concerns like floor space and the fact that many physical retail locations struggle to stay afloat already, there are other inclusive brands that don’t see those as valid excuses.

As Brooke Cundiff, founder of a popular plus-sized clothing site, told GARAGE: “This is exactly why we started CoEdition — to give these women access to great style, in the sizes they want. Traditional retailers ignore or take these women for granted. If they do carry their sizes, they hide the clothes on a rack in the corner. That’s insulting.”

That said, CoEdition doesn’t have a physical location, either. Neither does Universal Standard, other than pop-ups and limited stock showrooms. Lines like Savage x Fenty and GabiFresh’s lines with Playful Promises and Swimsuits for All are online-only, as well. And although Eloquii has now opened its sixth retail location and Torrid stores can be found across the U.S., these brands cater specifically to plus-sized customers (or those who fall right on the cusp between straight and plus sizes); the brands that carry the entire gamut of sizes typically exclude larger sizes from their retail locations, choosing to stock only smaller sizes instead.

Ultimately, it illustrates that fashion still has a long ways to go before it’s truly size inclusive. Nearly one in four adults will eat at least one piece of candy every day — while many brands have superficially stopped shaming women for what they eat or what their body looks like, there’s a big difference between creating garments available for purchase and ensuring that all women are able to share the same experience when shopping for clothes.

Style Doesn’t Stop: Nic+Zoe Spring 2019 Collection

April 29, 2019/0 Comments/in Collection Previews, Fashion, Lifestyle, Shopping /by Dynelle Skinner

Although the spring season hasn’t been the amazing weather experience we’ve been wanting, we know it will get better. We’re a bit late on highlighting this collection but we have lots of time left to wear these amazing pieces. As stated, style doesn’t stop, for anything, including bad weather. Today we’re sharing some of our favorite pieces from the Nic+Zoe Spring 2019 Collection.

There’s so much to love about the Nic+Zoe Spring 2019 Collection. Every item is effortlessly chic and flattering, with pieces that are essential to your wardrobe. This season’s collection brings wonderful textures, wardrobe staples, statement basics that coordinate very well with each other and what’s already in your closet.

If you looking for everyday style, foundation pieces, or stylishly comfortable clothing, you will find those in the Nic+Zoe Spring 2019 Collection. The majority of the collection boasts neutral colors. Expect lots of black and white, light sage, pale blues, soft pinks, and greys with pops of colors like red here and there. There are several pieces we have our eye on. The white On Board Denim Jacket is the perfect Spring topper; you’ll love the fluffy texture of the sleeveless Clip it Up Shift Dress and the coordinating long-sleeved Clip it Up Blouse with split sleeves with ties; the lightweight Plush Party Cardigan (available in white and black) that’s perfect for the office.

We also love the multitasking Dusk Dress Jacket, a modern shape that can be a topper or belted to be worn as a dress. Speaking of dresses, we must note the feminine silhouettes in the collection, available in both woven and knitwear options. The fashion options from Nic+Zoe are perfect for those who want to stay away from the overly structured style in both their work and personal lives.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on the looks from the Nic+Zoe Spring 2019 Collection. Do you have any favorite looks from this season’s collection?

Dressed for Success: 3 Tips for Choosing Outfits for Work Events

April 23, 2019/1 Comment/in Fashion, Frontpage Article, Shopping /by Contributing Writer

When you get invited to a work event, it’s important you know how to dress appropriately. Whether it’s a holiday party, a networking event, or even a corporate event, which Damon Guidry, Global Event Strategist at Adobe, says “help engage employees… and make the places they work a more interesting place to be”, you should always dress to impress. So if you’re new to navigating the world of work events, here are a few simple tips that should help you choose the perfect outfit. Ready to be dressed for success? Try these tips.

Know the Dress Code

If you are told the work event has a dress code, it’s essential you know what it means. For starters, a casual dress code means you can wear whatever you want, within reason. You still want to dress appropriately but you can let a bit of your own fashion sense show. If the dress code is business attire, you want to wear something that you could also wear to a meeting with a client; something that is work appropriate but can be dressed up too. For a cocktail dress code, wear something you think is too fancy to wear to work, like a short, black dress. And black tie dress code means you have to get dressed up. Wearing a nice dress and comfortable heels is a good formal option for work events. Knowing which dress code means what is key to dressing appropriately.

Be Comfortable

Most work events involve you standing or walking around to talk to different people. This is why it’s so important to make sure you dress comfortably. And if you fell victim to making one of the 16% of unplanned purchases encouraged by a display noticed while shopping, you probably have a few items in your wardrobe that aren’t comfortable or that don’t fit right — these are the items you do not want to wear to a work event. This is especially true if you’re working all day and then going to the event immediately afterward. So keeping comfort in mind, make sure you wear shoes that won’t be painful to walk in or give you blisters. Additionally, make sure you dress in layers so you can add or remove clothing if you get hot or cold. And make sure your clothes are comfortable to move in and aren’t restricting. This way, you can sit, stand, and walk at the event without any issues.

Think About Your Audience

One of the best ways to ensure you’ve dressed appropriately for a work event is to think about who your audience is. Are you going to a casual party with just your coworkers? Or will there be people from other businesses and potential clients there? Your outfit should reflect the vibe of your audience. Dressing more conservatively, fun, or fashion-forward may depend entirely on who else is going to be at the event. Thinking about who you’re going to interact with is going to guide you in choosing the right outfit.

With the number of fashion consumers being predicted to increase to more than 1.2 billion before 2020, there are a lot of professionals of varying titles always on the lookout for the perfect work event attire. So for your next work event, keep these tips in mind to ensure you’re dressed for success.