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Emily Meet Emily.
She has had 766 visits from family and friends in one month!

What makes Emily such a popular woman?

Emily is popular because she a pretty neat lady and because she is my
sister-in-law.

She has had 766 visitors because she was diagnosed with cancer in June 2007 and as a result, one of her brothers created a CaringBridge (non-profit) personalized, no-cost web site so family and friends can stay in touch during this significant health crisis.

When I learn about something as wonderful as CaringBridge.org. I am compelled to share this information with my customers. As women, we want to help when someone we love has a health crisis but we don't always know what to do – especially if you live clear across the United States or further.

With CaringBridge a friend or family member can quickly set up a no-cost personalized web site that includes journal entries from the "patient" about news, progress, and photographs. Well-wishers visit the site to read updates and leave messages in the Guest Book. If you know ANYONE - a co-worker, your neighbor, your kids' teacher, someone at church, a sister, brother, cousin, aunt, uncle, the bank teller, a waitress - who could benefit from CaringBridge please send them to www.caringbridge.org It will be the best thing you can do for them in their situation.

If this message helps at least one family, Emily and I will be two happy campers.

Love,

Emily and Jackie (no wise cracks about the mammoth glasses)

Emily and Jackie (no wise cracks about the 1980's mammoth glasses)

Emily and Tom’s wedding reception

Emily and Tom's wedding reception




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Meet Millie (the mom) and Tillie (the baby) my sock monkeys. They are named after two old spinster sisters that lived at the farm next to ours. Did any of you have a sock monkey when you were a little girl? Once upon a time, I went shopping just to browse. You know the "just looking" shopping activity we learned from our mother. Blame it all on the historical Sears catalog. They started the "just looking" shopping activity years ago that has now transformed into our Internet, the big daddy of "just looking" activity. Anyway, many years ago at a holiday craft fair, I stumbled onto these two sock monkeys. They triggered a nostalgic feeling and I found myself smiling as I remember playing with the one my grandmother made me. Since I was really looking for Christmas decorations, I put the monkeys back on the sales table and went on my way. But then ... I was hooked in the same way when you see a great handbag or a pair of shoes that you can't live without. You just have to have it. You think about it, and think about it, and give yourself ten good reasons why you don't need to bring one more blasted thing in the house. But then ... Most of you can relate to this, even though you don't need anything new, ya panic and are afraid someone else may buy what you want. Yup, I made a bee line back to the sales table hoping no one else snatched up my sock monkeys. Ah hah! They were still there – am I in luck or what? That was a close call. My husband thinks my pursuit and quest for these sock monkeys was over the top. He believes these two stuffed Farm & Fleet socks would have been for sale at the next 200 craft fairs but what does he know about sock monkeys? Shopping. Why do we do it? It's the thrill of the hunt many of us enjoy. It's all about the little things, ya know?

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The photos you see are from a "Shopping and Tea Social" I hosted for ladies who live in an assisted living apartment community for seniors in Racine, Wisconsin. The purpose of the tea party was to provide an opportunity for ladies to dress up, enter a contest for the "prettiest table" and add some That Style Works merchandise to their closets all in the convenience of their home.
(rollover small photos to see larger)

Ladies enjoyed creating whimsical place settings of centerpieces, china, crystal, and sterling. They loved showing off their favorite cherished collectibles. High style and fashion radiated throughout the room and hats, gloves, pretty dresses, and of course, proper tea etiquette dominated the event.

Ideas for a tea party of your own:

Seniors. If you have a loved one in assisted living, the program director would be happy to work with you on organizing this social event. Residents could invite their daughters, nieces, friends, or other lady friends to help.
Fundraising. I participated in our local art museum's fundraising event although this would work for any non-profit. One feature was a $10.00 ticket to view "table top designs" of spectacular crystal, china, linens, sterling, and floral arrangements. Tables were sponsored by individual ladies. Table items were on loan.
Tea and Bridge. Add an afternoon of playing cards and you have an automatic fundraiser or social event.
Mother and Daughter. Most large city upscale hotels offer a "high tea". Sponsoring a mother and daughter tea will teach young ladies all about "high tea" including appropriate dress, table manners, and general etiquette.

Here are a few helpful links:
The Tea Pot Shoppe.com
Seeds of Knowledge.com
Tea Laden.com
What's Cooking America.net


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Lest we take ourselves too serious, let's have some fun with the business of the 1970's fashion era. Yeah, I know the 70's clothes are now considered "vintage" but let's have some honest middle-age, baby-boomer, girl chic chat. Not all trendy fashions in the 70's were a good idea...

Busted! And I'm not talking about 36C. Yeah, I admit it, I wore these little elastic beauties when I was nineteen dancing to the Crocodile Rock and perky… you know what I mean. But I'm talking 'bout those baby-boomer hippy types I've seen at the mall that still think they are groovy man. The Smithsonian probably has a museum sample so it's OK to let your tube top go to a good cause. Don't you dare donate them to Goodwill. Fact: if you have an original tube top the elastic is about 30 years old. Ver-r-r-r-y scary.

"Listen, do-da-do, do you want to know a secret? Do-da-do"… This was a great Beatles tune. I used to sing it with my cousin Vernetta when we were tweens in the 60's. But honey, there are no secrets if you are still wearing leggings. Please tell me you don't have a white pair. Leggings are basically thick tights which were meant to be worn by 19 year old size 2 women during a Jane Fonda workout video. Unfortunately, the full figure woman (anything over a size 2) squeezed into them, found them comfortable and wore them with their husband's oversized football logo sweatshirts shopping and to the movies. Close your eyes. Get the picture?

OK, these were sorta cute on a 12 year old going to a birthday party in the 70's but not so cute when your grandmother made matching "his and her" vests for you and your boyfriend to wear to the Hullabaloo on Saturday night. If you kept them long enough you could convert them into a pillow cover for the sofa – which by the way – matched the afghan you received for your hope chest. Oh, I forgot, what ever happened to your matching crocheted hair bun cover? Lost? Oh darn, now you don't have a matching outfit anymore. And no, just because the vests have lots of colors, they don't "go with" everything. I'm convinced this crazy fashion trend was launched as a conspiracy by the crochet needle and yarn industry. Thumbs down on this one.

Most women do not leave the house without Kleenex, lipstick, comb, breath mints, keys, Advil, cell phone and credit cards, money, and a driver's license. Now pack all of this in that nice little $112. designer fanny pack. This dandy little fashion accessory now is so blasted full that it sticks out 5 inches and hangs low right on top of the pot belly. Add one more inch to the protrusion if you are wearing fly zip up jeans. Now, go to your mirror and stand sideways. Does it look better wearing it in the front? Or the back? The front? The back? How 'bout the side? H-m-m-m-m-m. The front? The back? These deserve honorable mention in the 1970's category even though they were an 80's creation. Originally designed for the hiker to be able to maneuver rocks and climbs with both hands, the fanny pack was an excellent, functional piece of outdoor hiking equipment. Fashion statement? No, not on anybody, anytime.

I am simply shocked. Yes, shocked. Retail stores and the internet still sell the sweatshirts with ducks, geese, garden flowers, and if you are from Wisconsin, "up north" scenes of whitetail deer and evergreen trees appliquéd on the front. Get ready for the big news! Only $50.00. Aw come on. They are advertised as "too cute" and "fun" and GREAT for MOM. Save money if you buy a matching mother and daughter outfit. Hey all you groovy cool moms out there – any takers? Wear these to your next mother-daughter luncheon and amaze your friends. Going once, going twice…going twice again…

Wet look boots, wet look jackets, bell bottom polyester jumpsuits, Dr. Shol's clogs, Frye boots, gaucho pants, Dingo boots, dickies, terry head bands, maxi's, mini's, midi's, moon boots, Nehru jackets, peace sign chains, and everyone's favorite, puka shell choker necklaces....


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	There is an art to being well-dressed, and the Parisian women live their fashion and have made looking good anywhere in public an art form. It is a part of their culture. Whether having morning coffee at a little outside café, shopping in a department store, or riding the subway, women were well-dressed everywhere. But this does not mean that all the well-dressed women are wealthy and shop at the Paris salons. Au Contraire, Madame! "Being fashionable and stylish is not about displaying wealth. Being fashionable and stylish is all about having a complete, put together look that is always well thought out for the occasion."

(Paraphrased from the book: Casual Power, How to Power Up Your Non-Verbal Communication and Dress Down for Success by Sherry Maysonave.)

In summer we tend to be more casual. Here is a good reminder of fashion "don'ts" for the office.

Sleeveless attire – great for luncheons, a date, and shopping, but not for the workplace except under a jacket, evening attire for a formal occasion, or a company picnic.

Nails – no nail art, chipped polish, too long nails, or too dark or unprofessional colors.

Bracelets – forget those that jingle, jangle, jingle.

T-Shirts (certain industries) – too relaxed on their own but they are acceptable if they are solid, worn with a jumper, nice slacks, or skirt topped with a jacket, vest or sweater. And, they must be pressed.

Jeans or denim skirts – denim is not the dress down fabric of choice - you must be fairly slim to look good and the baggy jeans always give the illusion of extra pounds.

Leggings, sweatpants, stirrup pants – they carry the image of comfortable leisure or active housework.

Shorts – shorts will shorten your career.

Scruffy shoes – scuffed toes, dented heels, overrun soles, dirty, sloppy work out shoes announce your destination as "No Where Noteworthy".

Short leather skirts – hazardous.

Knee Boots with pant legs inside or thigh high boots – you'll be booted out.

Costumey or loud prints – blatantly unbusinesslike.

Cutesy little girl and sweet prints, bows, and barrettes will disempower a woman.

Floral dresses – great for church, weddings, luncheons, and other social occasions – not for a woman serious about her career.

Poorly coordinated or incomplete outfits – you will look like you hurriedly chose an outfit without thinking – it may convey you are disorganized.

Failing to create a coordinated look with separates is a common sabotaging error women make when dressing down.

Failure to accessorize – even casual outfits look more finished and polished when properly accessorized.

Accessory overload – multiple earrings and rings on every finger are examples that may look like you have trouble making a decision.

Mangy hosiery – no lacey hose, colored patterns – wait for Saturday night.

Chewing gum – it's impossible to show off verbal skills with gum in mouth.

Sandals and naked feet – This communicates you have taken unofficially time off.

Sneakers – no, not even new ones.

Whimsical attire – save your parrot pin, cow earrings and t shirts with a duck on it for the weekend.

Political statements –such attire is deadly for salespeople.

Wet hair – leave your wash and wear hair at home – wet hair is grossly unbusinesslike.

Clothing with animal hair –If you must cuddle your pets or take them in your car for Sunday afternoon rides, at the very least buy a lint roller – one for the car and one for the office.

Perfume that follows you down the hall may cause irritation in more ways than one.