Hello everyone, and welcome back to Dressed for My Day. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. We thoroughly enjoyed our Christmas celebration, which seemed like it lasted three days from Sunday through Tuesday. I guess that’s the best kind. I definitely enjoyed taking a little break from the blog, especially after all the Christmas shopping and such. But I’m excited to be back to work today, and I have some posts I’m very excited about on the calendar for the rest of this year and the next.
I’ve baked all the things, eaten all the things, unwrapped all the gifts and watched all the movies. Plus I’ve taken ample time to reflect on the spiritual significance of this holy season. Emmanuel, God with us.
Now I suppose it’s about time to take down all the decorations. Ugh. But first, let’s talk about what to buy with your Christmas cash and gift cards. That sounds more fun! Then we’ll talk about the great after Christmas sales going on.
Suggestions for How to Spend Your Christmas Cash
Usually I end up with some cash in hand at the end of Christmas. Things are a little different for James and me this year, so that’s not really the case this time. But if you had some cash gifted to you, it might be a good idea to consider some of your options.
Invest in Your Health
Last year I used my Christmas cash to start the new year off on a healthier path. After struggling for years to lose a little weight that had accumulated, I decided to try the FASTer Way to Fat Loss last January. I had lost and gained back weight already with Weight Watchers and the Fast Metabolism Diet. I was tired of yo-yo-ing and I wanted a program that offered more guidance as far as exercise and not just an eating plan.
I have to tell you, it wasn’t easy for me to fork over most of my Christmas gift money for a weight loss plan. But I knew that if I paid for the program I’d be more likely to stick with it. I saw it as an investment in my health, my future and my joy.
And it was totally worth it. Some of you may tire of hearing me talk about the FWTFL, but you have to understand that if I hadn’t done FWTFL this blog would not exist. It was only because I lost a good bit of weight and started feeling better in my clothes and about myself that I launched Dressed for My Day. That’s how much of a difference the FASTer Way made in my life. Not only did I lose weight, but I feel better physically and emotionally than I did a year ago this time.
If you’ve struggled to lose even 5 – 10 pounds that seem to hold on and not let go, I highly suggest that you consider using your Christmas cash the same way I did last year. Look into the FASTer Way to Fat Loss and then let me know if you have any questions. If you haven’t already, you might also like to read my post about my experience with FASTer Way to Fat Loss here. Ladies, it is so worth it to make that initial investment and get jumpstarted on a new path for fitness and sensible eating.
One more thing. If you register for FWTFL through my links, I’m offering you a free set of Fit Simplify Resistance Bands, too. And I’ll be available to answer any questions along the way.
Invest in Wardrobe Essentials
If you’re considering “go shopping” with your Christmas cash – which I would be prone to do! – you might want to focus on wardrobe essentials. I’m going to be writing a series of posts this year about the wardrobe essentials for each season, but meanwhile you can download my Wardrobe Essential Check Lists for Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter here if you are a subscriber. Remember, you’ll have to use your subscriber password, which I’ve included in today’s email in case you’ve forgotten it.
Bottom line, essentials would include items like basic tees, turtlenecks and blouses, jeans, dress slacks in your chosen neutrals, under garments, that classic blazer, a winter coat or neutral shoes in heel heights of your choice. Check the sale listings below for the stores you like to shop. Think over your wardrobe and consider where you currently have holes and what items you may need to replace. Then scroll through the sale offerings at your favorite retailers with these wardrobe essentials in mind.
Here are some of my favorite stores for shopping for wardrobe essentials:
Talbots is offering an extra 40% off all markdowns in their Red Hanger Sale, plus they have some “steals and deals” from $22.50.
Ann Taylor has 40% off full price items with code REFRESH and an extra 60% off all sale styles.
Nordstrom has begun their Half Yearly Sale with up to 50% off. This sale lasts through January 2, but hurry. Items will disappear fast.
J.Crew also has some classic wardrobe essentials and they’re offering 50% off all sale styles.
Soma intimates is having their Semi Annual Sale with up to 70% off. That’s a great place to look for under garment essentials.
Bloomingdale’s has items marked up to 75% off in their After Christmas Sale & Clearance.
Here are some of the fashion wardrobe essentials that have caught my eye. The prices you see are not necessarily the final sale price. Also, there are usually other colors or styles available in the particular items once you click through.
Splurge on Fun Fashion
But maybe you don’t want to spend gift money on essentials. Maybe that doesn’t seem like a fun gift to you! I get it! A cash gift affords us the opportunity to treat ourselves to something we wouldn’t normally spend our own hard-earned money on. If that’s the case, you might want to check out some of the fashions, accessories, shoes and handbags at these stores:
Amazon always has some great deals, and you’ll find new markdowns today.
Chico’s has up to 70% off on select styles.
J. Jill is giving you an extra 40% off sale styles.
Title Nine is giving you up to 40% off 4 great deals, including their wonder woman 1/4 zip top.
Loft is still giving 50% off full price styles, but they’ve marked a lot of things way down, too.
Gap has up to 75% off markdowns + 40% off everything.
Did you receive Christmas cash or gift cards? How do you plan to use yours? Do you hold on to them for a while? Or do they burn a hole in your pocket if you don’t spend them soon? Ha! I’d love to hear from you today.
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Blessed for My Day
I have a beloved tapestry hanging in my house that some dear former church members gave us years ago at Christmas. It’s a tapestry of three wise men carrying their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the Christ child. This beautiful tapestry hangs in my house all year long to remind me that wise men (and women) still seek Jesus…humbly, passionately, with teachable hearts and minds. But Matthew 2:1-12 reminds us that wise men don’t just seek Jesus, they worship Him. To worship means to give weight to, to heed, to recognize as Lord, to see great worth in. But we don’t worship in truth and in spirit (John 4:24) unless we also respond with obedience and allegiance. We also worship Jesus when we, like the wise men in Matthew 2, present Him with our treasures. What treasures do you have to bring before your King today? Your time, your money, your talents, your words, your health, the unique opportunities you’ve been given?
When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. ~ Matthew 2:10-11