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Black Friday Shopping Recovery

Written By: Holly Ralston-Oyler - Nov• 27•10

Well, you did it! Shopped till you dropped. And how long did you manage to stay out there in the maddening crowds?

According to CNN Money.com, 134 to 137 million shoppers were out there with you. Another 33.2 million were traveling.  So that means I stayed home and snuggled in with the rest of the 140 million Americans. I’m sure my day was not near as exciting as yours, but I can guarantee you that my feet don’t hurt like  yours do right now, and my body will not hurt like yours will tomorrow.

So it is time for a (more…)

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Happy Thanksgiving

Written By: Holly Ralston-Oyler - Nov• 25•10

This is a day of reflection for me – a long time tradition. It is always nice to think back over the years and remind yourself of all the things that have happen in your life that you are thankful for. The amazing part of doing that is that some of the things you are truly thankful for now were horrific events at the time they happen.

There is a song “On My Way To You” that pretty much sums up our lives. Good and bad things have to happen to us  in order for us to be where we are at this very moment in time and life. So for all of those things I am grateful.

This past year has been life changing for me in so many ways, I get tired just thinking about it.  I spent much of the year angry -  with myself, my life, the people in it, and (more…)

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Black Friday Shopping Comfort and Makeup

Written By: Holly Ralston-Oyler - Nov• 24•10

I have said it over and over, Black Friday shopping day is not about fashion or makeup. It is about comfort, comfort and oh, did I mention comfort?

Comfort does not mean 20-year old sweatshirts, ratty jeans and flip flop shower shoes. And do everyone in the Malls a favor, when you roll out of bed at 3 AM to be in the Mall at 4 AM -  please don’t forget to brush your teeth, no matter how sleepy you are. I’ve worked those early morning Mall shifts and believe me, you would be amazed at just how many people do not do that one simple thing.

If you are reading this blog I am sure you are want to be comfortable while looking your best. And guess what? That is fairly easy to do. (more…)

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Black Belt Tip – Layaway Now for Holiday Savings

Written By: Holly Ralston-Oyler - Nov• 23•10

The holidays are here. If you’re on a tight budget, that news may be enough to make you break a sweat. The holidays can be an expensive time of the year. Many families not only break their budget but actually go into debt to afford gifts. Layaway may be the answer you’ve been looking for. Growing up, layaway was the way to shop in my day. Everyone did it. Then came the Christmas Clubs and layaway took a back seat and eventually faded away.

Then came the biggies – credit cards and we threw caution to the wind and purchased what we wanted and paid for it later, and paid for it again, and again…well you know the story.

In 2010 Layaway is new again! (more…)

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Black Belt Shopping eCourse for Black Friday Shopping-2

Written By: Holly Ralston-Oyler - Nov• 23•10

Shopping safety is something we all take for granted on a regular basis. Only when we become a victim of violence or know someone who has does it enter our minds to be more cautious and make plans ahead of time.

I am going to assume you already know the basics, but some of them bear repeating no matter how many times you have heard them. Never one to skimp on words I am going to go right to the heart of the matter with short bullet points on the important stuff, then get into the rest of it down the line.

Holiday shopping in a nut shell concept. Do not  take any more than you absolutely need for the day and do not take or wear anything that you would be upset about if (more…)

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Black Friday Shopping Plan

Written By: Holly Ralston-Oyler - Nov• 23•10

Your Shopping Plan

Planning your shopping day correctly can make or break your shopping experience.

Making a plan may seem a bit over the top, but once you do it, you will never look back to the old way.

Things you will need;

~A list of ALL the stores you plan on going to -  divided into designated areas of city and shopping centers.

~A small keep-cold cooler with an ice bar or pack for your car.

~A variety of your favorite snacks, a lunch or dinner and plenty of bottled water.

~A pair of gloves – just in case it is or gets cold during the day.

~A pen, pencil and note paper that will fit into your pockets or the over-the-shoulder body bag (more…)

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Black Belt Shopping eCourse for Black Friday Shopping-1

Written By: Holly Ralston-Oyler - Nov• 21•10

It is “almost” here. Macy’s is in the tenth day of their one-day sale. K-Mart has layaway, the big-box stores have already extended their hours and the emails are flooding in-boxes with offers, incentives and information like never before. The holiday season has arrived, like it or not. There is even a daily countdown in the lower left hand of your TV screens telling you how many more days there are until Christmas. Not exactly politically correct, but  there just the same. Retail rules this time of year.

This weeks Blogs are devoted to what else – shopping on Black Friday, Grey Thursday and recovering from the week on Black Friday night (more…)

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Holiday Host and Hosting…Made Easy

Written By: Holly Ralston-Oyler - Nov• 21•10

Happy HollyDaze!

It is officially the start of the HollyDaze season. While driving around this afternoon, everyone seemed to be putting up holiday lights. Santa was giving horse-drawn carriage rides in a local shopping center already (kind of strange since it is 70+ degrees and sunny today) and the traffic was unreal. In my book, that makes it official.

As we start the holiday season this week with travel plans of our own or friends and family coming to see us, there is one common issue we are all faced with – limited space in which to pack, get ready each day, applying our makeup and getting dressed.

Routines are normally interrupted (more…)

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The Truth About Mineral Makeup

Written By: Holly Ralston-Oyler - Nov• 19•10

Mineral makeup has emerged as the must-have makeup over the past few years. If you listen to the infomercials, it will do everything but pay for your child’s college education. It is a wonderful product and it works beautifully for a lot of people. However, I don’t think it will ever be able to live up to its highly-hyped advertising and claims.

~The light silky qualities of the mineral make up ingredients create a beautiful finish if applied correctly.

~Application is a talent unto it’s own and must be learned over a few days of trying and doing.

~The crowning glory of mineral foundation is that (more…)

Posted in Advertising Hype, Application, Color Products, Creating a Glow, Ingredients, Magazine Work, Mineral Makeup , , , , , | No Comments »

A New Tradition And Turkey Cake

Written By: Holly Ralston-Oyler - Nov• 17•10

~Several years ago a long-time client called from Washington state to ask me a question about traditional Kentucky food.

~She was having a huge Thanksgiving dinner that year and one of the people attending for the first time had moved there from Kentucky.

~While making out the seating arrangements,  she realized there were going to be several people from out of state and she had a brilliant idea of how to make their holiday special. (more…)

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