shopping suggestions.....

iPad & Chardonnay & online shopping often ='s returns. So sad.  You look online and imagine the perfect pair of pants or the dress that will knock every one's socks off.  UPS guy/ brown santa drops off your package and the anticipation grows.  Then the trying on......then some frowny faces.  what brown santa actually brought is pants that make you legs look linguisa and a dress that your husband asks if it's a sack. 

I love to shop but always think that shopping on line will save me time.  I am not sure that it does.  It seems so simple.   You can sit at home, appear like you are enjoying the 500th Bruins game of the year, when you are being productive by shopping and having things shipped.  In reality I return about 70% of what I buy online.  Hers my most recent pile of sadness....

Something I have learned after 20 years in retail and a lifetime of shopping........shop in a brick and mortar score and try the blessed thing on!

In the past, I have been morally opposed to trying on.  I am now a convert.  To quote Leigh Anne Tuohy, "if you don't love it in the store you won't love it any more once you get it home."  You don't really need lots of clothes.  You need key items that fit perfect and that you love.

In less than 20 minutes I found 12 LBDs in my size at Marshalls. Yep, I tried on 12 dresses.  And found the perfect one!  $79.99 Cynthia Steffe.  Unique and definitely my style.  So thrilled!  Here's the link but mines in black. 


http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/cynthia-steffe-hartley-bead-trim-crepe-shift-dress/3633476?cm_cat=datafeed&cm_ite=cynthia_steffe_%27hartley%27_bead_trim_crepe_shift_dress:991384&cm_pla=dresses:women:dress&cm_ven=Google_Product_Ads&mr:referralID=942ea42a-a00f-11e3-9f1f-001b2166becc


Here's to braving the dressing room!

Just arrived home from a wonderful vacation in St John USVI.  We stayed at Concordia Eco Resort near Coral Bay.  I would highly recommend this as a place to stay but with some recommendations.  Check out their website http://www.concordiaeco-resort.com/

Here's a few things that you need.....

Bring staples for cooking.  The kitchen is adequate but helpful to bring some basic ingredients.  Olive oil, spices, frozen meats and specialty items.  There's some good markets on the island but they are expensive.  If you have any food allergies, you should bring what you need because availability of GF items is limited.  Also if you plan on eating in and doing real cooking vs food prep, I'd bring a good chef's knife. 

Bring your climbing legs.  This place has stairs!  Lots of them!  We stayed in P10 and each trip from the pool/restaurant was 138 steps. It was worth it for the privacy but a little daunting with kids or folks that may not be in the best shape.

Bring a camera and a tripod.  Its really windy on the island and a tripod will help stabilize your camera.  We had amazing views in both units we stayed in.  P10 was closer to the water with amazing coastal views.  P3 was more inland towards the cove with killer sunsets. 

Bring some noise cancelling headphones or earplugs.  Being near the water is amazing but the wind and waves at night get loud.  Also there are people close to you and the tents have screened windows.  So if you're next to a hellcat you might want some peace. 


We loved this as an option to have a warm Caribbean vacation and still feel like an adventure.  The islands are amazing but sometimes the resorts can feel a bit crowed and enclosed.  Eco Concordia and St John give you the best of both worlds.   Eco Concordia has a pool, a bar and a great restaurant.  So you feel like there is a resort feel.  They make a super rum punch!  Right from the parking lot there are challenging hikes with great scenery that lead to white sand beaches. 50% of the island is National Park so there are loads of hiking options.  Of course there is snorkeling and beach bars and regular Caribbean stuff to do, but it has so much more to offer.  You should go!