WHERE EVERYBODY KNOWS YOUR NAME, AND CREDIT CARD LIMIT

Lornacopia (310 Sixth Street, Racine, WI) is a tucked away boutique in downtown Racine. It hit me right between the eyeballs the first time I saw it! Colorful, well-dressed manikins and designer handbags filled the window. I rubbed the tears of joy from my eyes and dashed in!  

Sandy, a blonde beauty with eccentric ray ban specs greeted me. I was inquisitive about all of the markdowns and realized quickly that I had won the lottery! A high-end boutique consignment shop. Wow! It just doesn't get better than this. I was finding all of my brands: Anthropologie, JCrew, Banana Republic, Free People and the high-end luxury designers from France, just to name a few.  

We got right down to business. I saw a peony Coach bag on display. I knew that it was going to be hard to walk away; it was just what I was looking for! My mind started racing like it usually does when I find a once-in-a-lifetime steal. I started playing with my hair, putting it up in a Pebbles Flintstones do –  "maybe I should place it on hold?" I thought. Sandy reminded me of the gravity of the situation. This was a steal. I paused for a minute, but reached for my visa. It was mine... All mine!  

This wasn't my only go round with Sandy in my newfound shop, but I spent an afternoon that I won't soon forget. I began looking around for my usual vintage attire when it became apparent this was going to be more than a single lightning strike of a day! I could feel my senses perking up and I was all in. :) Sandy started gathering my favorite designers and I have to admit I felt like a celebrity. It was like we had been shopping together for years, and she was my fashion sister. The suggestions were piling up and I was starting to do the mental count in my head. Then I switched to the calculator which works best in these situations (when the shopping rush starts), the one that actually adds numbers, not just emotional victories.  


WAIT, THERE'S MORE??

Sandy started referencing the drop-off in back. She said every once in a blue moon a lady comes with brand spankin' new tags on – designers from France – because she just didn't have the time to wear them. I thought, “wow!! I wish I had that problem.” I asked, “why are they in the back?" My platinum-haired concierge ushered me to the dressing room, and I waited… I began looking for my service bell as I anxiously awaited her return.  

She came back with 5 items, all in bags on wooden hangers. I was tapping my fingers nervously when she said; "I was going to keep these until fall, but I like you." I started the try-on process… the stakes were high. I began my fashion show, modeling the couture and for the first time in my life I felt part of an elite club. Everything looked great and I knew I was going to have to narrow my decisions. My calculator was adding up to about $500 in the must-have pile and I was getting a lot of positive feedback in the store from Sandy and other customers. I argued to myself, “How can you pass up couture from France? It all looks amazing!!!” The walls were closing in on me but I relied on the advice of Sandy that day to get me through.  

This was that rare moment of torment in every woman’s life when she has found so many well-fitting clothes that her hands are tied and worse, this could legitimately bankrupt her. I took some deep breaths and common sense brought me back to reality. So I made a few, but wise purchases. I can’t wait to go back… this store has me hooked.  


JUST CALIFORNIA DREAMIN, AGAIN

Personally, I have had some disasters with tanning products over the years that have almost caused me to accept my ghoulish fair-skinned roots. Showing up for an event with orange and white tiger streaks all over my legs was enough to send me into complete vamp mode. "Why do we do this to ourselves?" I often wondered. I also gave spray tans a try and inhaled the mist. And yes, I had visions of the Ross from FRIENDS tanning episode. Thankfully, I remembered to turn around.  

Thankfully this year, I decided to try to several self-tanners again and spent some time with proper application and research of products. It's even fun to take a sticker and make a fun little tat. "You want to look like a sun goddess... Right?" 'I hope this helps. I believe it will.  

TOP PICKS OF THE WEEK (BRAVO)

Brazilian True Tan jojoba oil: $40, sold at Sephora
Jergens Natural Glow $8.99 (prices vary), sold at target. Face and body lotion sold separately.
Bliss a tan for all seasons: $36, a mist helpful for getting hard to reach areas such as your back.  


THE PROCESS

• The Right Self-Tanner: See above for my favorites
• Exfoliation: Will remove dead skin cells and enhance the tan
• Tight-Fitting Disposable Latex Gloves: These help with the application process keep palms free of product.
• Lotion Strap, Wand: These are used so you can reach your back or find a partner.
• Vaseline: Protect your eyebrows from tanning lotion.
• Mirror: So you can see what you’re doing!
• Time: Make sure you have about an hour for preparation and application. And then a few hours for the product to dry and begin working. The best time to do this is before bedtime so you can leave the product on overnight. You can use a blow dryer to speed up the time if you are in a hurry.

  *** DEAL OF THE WEEK - FOR PATCH-READERS! ***
Starting Friday, 5/31/13 to 6/7/13, customers new and old who come into the Lornacopia store (310 Sixth Street, Racine, WI) and mention “the Patch” will get 30% off any dress or skirt. Now THAT’S a sale!!!  



LAST, BUT NOT LEAST!

Please stay in touch with my writing and other fun activities I'm finding humor in by LIKING MY FACEBOOK AUTHOR PAGE. You can catch up on other tips, inspiring quotes, and even excerpts of the books I've written. Thanks for staying tuned!