Calling all hot mamas: It’s still scorching hot outside, but what a better way to dream of cooler days than by picking up a few essential items for your own wardrobe for fall?

Maybe you’ve had your eye on a cropped jacket, a flattering wrap top or dress, a pair of skinny pants or a fun and flirty skirt and haven’t had time to do any shopping for yourself. It’s time.

A couple of years ago a girlfriend of mine turned me on to Etcetera - a women’s clothing line that offers a good mix of casually elegant mix and match pieces that you can dress up or down - that really does make it easy to look great. Read the rest »

If you are in or near Raleigh, NC, don’t miss the annual Patsy Aiken Outlet tent sale from Thursday, July 26th through Saturday, August 4th. Thousands of past season Spring and Fall items marked $5-$15. Also, the newest Spring ’07 line will be on sale at 35% off and Fall ’06 will be on sale at 50% off.

Hours are 9am - 5pm Monday - Saturday. 4812 Hargrove Road, Raleigh, NC 27616

Directions: From I-440, take Capital Blvd. Exit, go north about 4 miles. Turn Left on Spring Forest Rd. Left on Hargrove Rd. Patsy Aiken Designs is the 2nd driveway on the left.

Learn more on the Patsy Aiken website.

Harsh winds and cold spells can wreak havoc on the most resilient skin. Winter’s low humidity can sap moisture from the skin, leaving it feeling dry, itchy and cracked. In humid conditions, the skin can replenish lost moisture by soaking up moisture from the air. When the humidity drops in the winter, however, your skin loses the opportunity to moisturize itself. Couple that with the low humidity resulting from indoor heating, and your skin can become tight and dry. What’s a busy clever parent to do?

Not to worry! Now is the perfect time of year to adjust your skincare routine. A few simple steps can help you combat the effects of winter skin and make all the difference between a dull winter complexion and glowing radiance!

Wash with lukewarm, not hot, water and use a moisturizing cleanser.
Your skin contains thousands of oil glands that prevent the skin from losing moisture and help keep it supple and soft. When you wash your skin, however, you strip away oil, letting moisture evaporate and drying the skin. Hot water and harsh cleansers further strip the skin, so be sure to turn down the water temperature and avoid alcohol-based cleansers. Read the rest »

Season Moore has had an interest in photography for about as long as she can remember. That interest was piqued with her role as high school yearbook editor and again when a studio hired her as a photographer soon after graduation. “I worked closely with their experienced photographers and was just in awe of them. I traveled to schools all over the state of Georgia and would spend all day shooting cheesy, posed yearbook pictures. When I got lucky, I would get to go to a sporting event or dance and shoot candids. At that point I already knew where my real interest lay; not in posed or forced pictures, but in capturing real expression and moments as they happen.” Read the rest »

In Raleigh? Stock up on Chez Ami & Chez Belle goodies from Patsy Aiken during their outlet sale now through November 9th. Save 35-75% off childrenswear, including hundreds of new styles. Girls can choose from an assortment of bright, colorful leggings, shirts and dresses. Colors of fuchsia, aqua, pink and lime in solids and prints, fill the racks. For the boys, choose from bright coordinates for the chilly fall days that are approaching and overalls and turtlenecks, corduroys and polos.

Outlet styles are designed just for our outlet customers and aren’t sold through Patsy Aiken home parties. Learn more on the Patsy Aiken site.

Are you planning on attending A Shopping SPREE! at the RBC Center in Raleigh this week (October 18-22)? If so, be sure to stop by Queen Bee Designs and check out Allison’s beautiful jewelry. Mention Clever Parents for a 10% discount off of your purchase.

See more of Allison’s beautiful designs at www.queenbeedesigns.com.

Read the Clever Parents parentrepreneur feature on Queen Bee here.

Read more about A Shopping SPREE! including hours, directions and tickets.

When Patsy Aiken’s daughter, Holly, was young, Patsy made her clothes. When people started asking her to sew for their children, Patsy began a class to teach moms how to sew. Quickly realizing that she was accumulating more clothing than daughter Holly could wear, she started selling the clothes she made to a local children’s store and Patsy Aiken - the business - was born. As the business evolved, Patsy’s clothing made its way to nearly 1,500 retail boutiques and upscale department stores. “We had independent sales reps in the major markets –Dallas, Atlanta, L.A., Chicago and New York and Neiman’s, Saks, and Nordstrom were big customers of ours for many years,” says Patsy. Then, Patsy and her husband and business partner, Joel, made a radical change in their business model. Read the rest »