Get Inspired By the Spirit of Giving

This time of year it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. If you’re anything like us, you probably still have shopping to do, sugar cookies to bake and a huge Douglas Fir tree to trim.

Oh, and only 8 days to get it all done.

We try to remember “it’s better to give than to receive” as we wait on the mile-long line at the store and fight rush-hour traffic on the way home. Something about the holidays seems to make our stress levels increase and our free time disappear.

Take a minute to relax and remember that the holidays are a season of giving. There are countless ways to give back to others this December. The holidays are a great time to volunteer of your time and give back to others. Helping out at a local shelter or donating to a charitable organization in your community are great ways to get in the spirit of giving.

Need an organization to get involved with? We are proud to support:

• Deborah’s Place, Chicago, IL
• Community Housing Association, DuPage, IL
• The Salvation Army, Chicago, IL
• Women’s Resource Assistance Program, Harvey, IL
• Joy House, Milwaukee, WI
• Sharing and Caring Hands, Minneapolis, MN
• People Serving People, Minneapolis, MN

Spreading warmth and comfort to others is especially important to us. These organizations rely solely on donations to make a difference in the lives of individuals, families and children in need, and will gratefully accept your time and donations.

Doing good for others this season will make your celebration even more special. So as you look down at your list of things to do today, try to make some time between the decorating and wrapping to bring joy to someone who really needs it.

After all, isn’t that what the holidays are all about?

Wink at Old Man Winter!

He’s here already! We’re not buying the “experts” that say the first day of winter is December 21, 2010.

A quick look at a weather map will look pretty enough with its blue and purple hues spread across our great nation.  Still, look at the corresponding temperatures and you’re sure to shiver, even if you’re sporting a Softwear with Stretch top and legging under your pantaloons, inside, under an electric blanket.

Usual suspects such as Buffalo, Milwaukee and Chicago already have received the joy of their first big snowfall, but now even those Southern hotspots where we usually migrate for at least a winter weekend are learning to successfully pair their car’s defroster with a windshield scraper. This week, it dropped below freezing from the Northeast all the way down to North Florida!

But with this chilly weather comes unexpected fun. Hey, it’s not every day you can build a snowman with your kids, and let’s not forget about that fire pit in the backyard that toasts marshmallows to perfection.

We know it’s not easy to look cool when you can’t feel your teeth or tell if your nose is running, but it is possible. Try coupling tweed winter shorts with a Softwear with Stretch legging when you’re grabbing hot chocolate with friends.  Add a knee-length coat, insulated boots (at least for the commute and car cleaning!) with a faux fur trim, a cute winter hat with ear flaps, some mittens and a smile.  You’ll stay warm, look hot and feel like a kid again – actually enjoying the cold a bit!

The Dog Days Are Definitely Over

Last night, millions of Glee fans watched as the cast closed with one of our favorite tunes –  Florence + Machine’s  “The Dog Days are Over!” Of course, with December approaching, most of us don’t need a reminder that summer is long gone.

As the weather gets colder, there’s two traps that we can easily to fall into.  The first is wardrobe-change denial, which can lead to colds and the flu.  (Yes, flip-flops are comfy and convenient, and we all look fabulous in our sundresses but not when the temperature barely hits 40!)

Secondly, this “winter wonderland” can quickly turn into the deep, dark doldrums as the days grow shorter, leading to laziness and lethargy.

There’s a simple solution that will kill two snowmen with one snowball. Stick to your daily regime!  Do the same things you did in the summer and the fall to begin each day and keep you in the groove.

We prepare to fight Jack Frost – no matter the wind chill factor – by keeping the fun and effective routine of playing one of our favorite songs as we slip on our Climatesmart V-Neck for our daily walk or put on our comfy leggings and read the latest Twitter updates with morning coffee.  We promise that  if you take our advice, you’ll be tweeting about how great you feel every day….no matter what the season!