Tracie's Gone Shopping

Where? Target. Need I say more?

Target has upped its clothing and accessories department in the last couple of years. Their focus now is on the "Frugal-ista." A "Frugalista" are those ladies, like me, who love fashion but don't want to spend big bucks on it. In the midst of the recession, this is such an exciting direction...to offer mouth watering pieces at bargain prices.

If you haven't been in the jewelry department lately, take an extra 10 or 15 minutes to take a turn through. The Target around here moved everything out of its cases and put them on top on easy to see and reach stands. My latest purchase was a wonderful cuff bracelet. See it left. It is a nice shiny gold toe and adorned with luscious glass "crystals". It is solid construction and looks to cost much, much more than it does. It retails for $24 but I got it on sale for $20. When I wear it, I get compliments left and right from people I don't even know. I was at a bar the other night with my husband and this lady next to me literally coveted my Target find. I think I could've sold it to her and made a profit and I wanted to let it go. But as long as it lasts, it is a main stay in my bracelet collection.

On the same day, I took a bit of a turn through the clothing department. In the past, Target has leaned more towards the Junior set. Since I turned 40, I've decided that I need to choose clothing a bit more carefully. Focus on quality and style rather than what it "in" right now. Imagine my thrill when I saw this gorgeous dress pictured left. It is a glorious swirl of green, blue, yellow & white watercolor-esque pattern. The design is a fresh twist on a traditional look. it has a hidden zipper and is fully line...and it only cost $39. Better yet, it look fabulous with the bracelet just picked up in the jewelry department!

Bracelets: One of My Favorite Things

I was an English Major at a liberal arts college (Austin College, Sherman, TX: http://www.austincollege.edu/), so the power of words is extremely intriguing to me. I actually have words & saying painted throughout my house...over doors, on walls, in mantel frames. The words add such warmth and meaning to my home. People who visit us, know how a I feel about family, friends, life.

One of my most favorite accessories (next to my wedding ring) is bracelets. If I am well, awake, & not working out, I usually am wearing at least one, but probably a stack of 3-5 on my right arm and a couple on my left. Imagine my delight when I discovered there were bracelet with WORDS on them! Ahhhhh!

When I first learned of Jessica Kagan Cushman bracelets, I just had to have one. Having learned scrimshaw from her father, who took up the craft in the 1960's in Nantucket, Jessica has taken the artform to a new level - creating scrimshawed antique ivory bracelets that lie somewhere between a tattoo and a bumper sticker. Jessica takes quotes and phrases, from movies, literature and in some cases, New York graffiti and transcribes them via scrimshaw onto fossilized wooly mammoth ivory bracelets - combing a venerable traditional craft with wry, modern wit. For those of us opposed to ivory or who simply can't afford it (me), Jessica designed reproductive resin ones that retail for around $130.

There was a little boutique in town that was going out of business. When I went on one of its last days, it had a few bracelets left at half price. I bought one for myself that said: "Vodka Martini: Shaken Not Stirred." I figured I could wear it on date night and just show the bartender what I wanted without speaking. I also purchased a little witty one that states the most important question: "Does This Bracelet Make Me Look Fat?"

Since then, I've purchased three more. One is in celebration of the Southern Girl in me; it says: Kiss My Grits (HAD to have it). The other two pay homage to one of my most favorite movies & books (again, the southern girl in me): Gone with the Wind. I have one that quotes Rhett Butler: "Frankly My Dear, I Don't Give a Damn" and another that quotes Miss Scarlet's final line: "After all...tomorrow is another day."

I might wear them together or stack them with other gold, black and ivory colored bracelets...sometimes even a touch of red. I love, love, love them!

Purchase yours at: http://www.jessicacushman.com/about/. Right now, until the end of January, they are having a buy two, get one free deal. I hear tell that there are some a TJ Maxx Jewelry Department as well. There are other retailers on line you can find by GOOGLING. Some are having sales right now. Apparentaly Jessica only makes a certain number of bracelets, so once they are gone, they are gone! You can find a quote to fit just about any one and it will be the perfect, stylish gift.