It’s time to turn our thoughts to fall and winter. Like I mentioned last week, there is a strong possibility we will be seeing less inventory in the coming seasons, so if you’re in the market for something new, you’ll want to shop earlier and not later this year.
Happily a trend of the past is back in a big way. The blanket coat, over sized wraps and capes…anything the swaddles you in warmth is what this season’s outerwear trend is all about.
Quite obviously this is an extension of the casual pandemic comfy trend we’ve all come to know and love. The coats and warm layers of the season are basic blankets with little structure, layers of textiles and quilted details. Imagine your sleeping bag as a coat, or your sofa throw belted as a top layer. There you have it. Today’s coats!
Remember you can find many of these trends 2nd hand. You don’t have to pay full price unless you’re crazy for it. There are lots of these styles available online as well. So again, shop early for the best selection no matter where you shop.
We are now 6 months removed from the beginning of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Grocery stores had many of their items sold off of the shelves. As we enter into the “normal” cold and flu season in West Michigan, many in the medical field believe that another lockdown could happen. That said, here are a few items to make sure that you have on hand. While wedo not live in fear, these are a few items you could grab if you happen to see them at the store
Canned Goods
Cleaning Supplies
Paper products
Meat and Seafood
Dairy Items
Baking Items
Easy to prepare frozen foods
Rice
Canning Materials
And it is probably not a bad idea to grab your Turkey for Thanksgiving SOONER than later!
11 Reasons Why Dads Matter to Daughters
1. Girls whose fathers provide warmth and control achieve greater academic success.
2. Girls who are close to their fathers exhibit less anxiety and withdrawal behaviors.
3. Parental connectedness is the number one factor in preventing girls from engaging in premarital sex and indulging in drugs and alcohol.
4. Daughters who believe that their fathers care about them have significantly fewer suicide attempts and fewer instances of body dissatisfaction, depression, low self-esteem, substance abuse, and unhealthy weight.
5. Girls with involved fathers are twice as likely to stay in school.
6. Girls with fathers or father figures feel more protected, are more likely to attempt college, and are less likely to drop out of college.
7. Girls whose parents divorce or separate before they turn twenty-one tend to have shorter life spans by four years.
8. Girls with good fathers are less likely to seek male attention by flaunting themselves.
9. Girls who live with their mothers and fathers (as opposed to mothers only) have significantly fewer growth and developmental delays, and fewer learning disorders, emotional disabilities, and behavioral problems.
10. Girls who live with their mothers only have significantly less ability to control impulses and delay gratification, and have a weaker sense of conscience about right and wrong.
11. Girls do better academically if their fathers establish rules and exhibit affection. https://hubs.la/H0vsrLP0
This weeks tip is about the realities of shopping these days; what’s available, prices and raising shipping costs.
Our changing retail experience and dramatic halts in manufacturing means the holiday season could look very different this year. Manufacturing as a whole was completely shut down for weeks world wide in the first and second quarter of the year as we saw both luxury brands like Rolex and Louis Vuitton and more common brands like Levi’s halt production completely. Many companies and retailers are struggling to get their orders made and delivered.
As a result, we are seeing empty shelves, less variety, lower stock levels and sparse retails experiences.; if the stores are even opened. This is sure to be the same or worse for the Holidays.
In addition to low and no stock issues, we should all be planning on more expensive shipping with longer delivery times. Two day and overnight delivery on high demand items may simply not exist. We have to plan better.
So there are two things we should be doing to prepare for the Holidays.
1. Start shopping early this year to insure optimum inventory, timely delivery and lower prices. High demand and scarcity is what causes price increases.
2. Shop for used and 2nd hand goods. The resale market is booming. Quite often when you can’t find something from a retailer, you can find a “gently loved” version on a resale site. Don’t be afraid to buy and gift a resold item. As products become harder to get, a used version is sure to be cherished gold.
So start your holiday planning and shopping extra extra early this year. It’s a small step to keeping things a little normal in these unusual times.
My wife, Patty, and I were incredibly humbled, and grateful, for whomever left us a surprise on our front porch. We don’t know who left it, but THIS is what love is all about. After a long few weeks of my Mom being sick, and in the hospital, this gift blessed us in a big way! Oh, and we still have no clue who this “Angel” was.
Wednesday, Sept 23 is the Annual See You At the Pole Event. A day in which students are encouraged to gather at their flagpole to pray for their county, teachers, and fellow peers. This years’ theme is Return. Restore. Revive.
Last year, we remember hearing of a little girl who went to her flagpole to pray. She was alone. Yet, we know that God heard her!
