25 good things about bad times

I was browsing the internet this morning and found this great article on "making the best of a bad economy" and I thought I would share it with you.
http://www.babycenter.com/0_25-good-things-about-bad-times-making-the-best-of-a-tough-ec_10311052.bc
It lists 25 good things about these hard times and highlights the following topics:
Recession perks for your kids
Recession perks for you
Recession perks for the planet
Recession perks for your family
Recession perks for your community
Recession perks for your finances
I found it very interesting and left focusing a little more on the bright side!
Also a little reminder... we are getting closer to the launch of the "bright side", just a few more days now! I just saw the graphic shirts yesterday and they are adorable! I'm thinking I'll buy atleast 3 of the designs. I can't wait to make my contribution and help a family in need and all the while, looking cute while doing it. It doesn't get much better than that!

ShadeClothing.com

Poll Day Wednesday

Ok, ladies, lets talk. It looks as though not many of you own our nylon cami yet! We polled it last week and I have to say I was suprised. I m telling you, you need to check it out, you will love it. I promise you whether its for working out, doing yoga, layering it under any top or just to wear to bed... you will love this product.

This week I am wondering about the swim bottoms here at Shade and which one you wear the most or like the best? Slimmer swim bottoms, shirred swim bottoms, the regular swim bottoms and last but not least the Swim skirt with bottoms ?

Slimmer swim bottoms

Shirred swim bottoms

Swim bottoms

Swim skirt with bottoms

ShadeClothing.com

Shade office style

It has been awhile since I've updated everyone on things happening here at the Shade headquarters, so today I'm giving you the "behind the scenes" on our office style. I ran around and took a few pics of a few or our employees and how they are bringing their own personal style to our Shade products. Enjoy!

ShadeClothing.com

Today's bright side is something quite "cute", www.cuteoverload.com, should be sure to make your heart melt over the cute things they post about and bring a smile to your face!

Operation NICE

I came across this "nice" blog and thought I would share it with you! Its so refreshing to see that there are some positive and nice people out there still supporting the cause. This site is great, she talks about nice things you can do for other people. Here's an idea I thought was great, go check it out and see her blog Operation NICE! http://www.operationnice.com/

Today's Assignment: Celebrate May Day

Won't you be my neighbor? When was the last time you rang someone's door bell and ran away? I'll bet it wasn't because you were trying to be sweet. But it's a really cute tradition that could use some reviving. I have great neighbors. The kind of neighbors that bring over cupcakes on holidays and take your trash can up your driveway on windy days. So I think they would be the perfect recipients of May Baskets.

Recipies by CK: Toll House Pan Cookies

I'm pretty sure I made these a few times a month all through high school and most of college. Well, sometimes it would just be the dough that would make it. My mom would come home and see all the dishes for making cookies in the dishwasher but no cookies and ask me and my brother where all the cookies went. We'd just look at her with guilty faces and full bellies and shrug our shoulders. But when they did make it into the pan and then into the oven, they were always a super hit with friends and family. The fact that they are in the pan makes them have a different consistency than regular cookies and so much easier.

1 cup butter, room temperature (seriously, it makes a difference - i warm up my butter for about 20 seconds in the microwave)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs, room temperature (again, it makes a difference - one way to do this, if you didn't think ahead, is to put them in a bowl of warm water and let them sit for about 5 minutes)
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 375° Grease a 9x13" pan.
2. Beat butter, both sugars and vanilla in large mixer bowl. (i beat the butter and sugars for about 5 minutes before i add the vanilla and the other ingredients. it makes the texture so much better)
3. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each.
4. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl.
5. Gradually beat flour mixture into butter mixture.
6. Stir in chocolate chips.
7. Spread into prepared pan.
8. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

The Bright Side By Shade- Helping families in need

We’re on the final countdown for the Bright Side launch – a tee shirt campaign to raise money for families in need. Take the Shade perfect tee, create a series of positive themed designs to print on them and sell them to everyone we know to raise money for families. With the help of United Way, 50% of the net proceeds will be distributed to families in need nationwide. Here’s a sneak peak at a couple of the final designs and inspiration that led up to them. There’s more to come, so keep checking back for the final reveal. They’ll be available at stores May 1st and online May 4th.

ShadeClothing.com

New arrival, the pleated neck dress

It has arrived! The pleated neck dress is here and now available at Shade! It's the perfect dress for spring and summer... soft, light and absolutely adorable! Check it out today:
http://www.shadeclothing.com/Product/Womens/Modest/Dresses/Pleated_Neck_Dress

ShadeClothing.com

Nominate an Everyday All-Star

I saw this and thought what a great idea to honor friends or family in our communities that truly make a difference. Take a look at the article below and if you know of anyone in your community be sure to submit and honor them today!

"Major League Baseball and PEOPLE mag today announced a national campaign, "All-Stars Among Us", that will recognize individuals who have served their communities in extraordinary ways. This initiative is part of the 2009 MLB All-Star Summer program dedicated to charitable initiatives and recognition of the important role of community service. A total of 30 everyday All-Stars, one representing each Major League Club, will attend and be honored at the 2009 MLB All-Star Game and one will be featured in PEOPLE.

For the last 35 years, PEOPLE has told stories of everyday 'heroes' whose acts of courage, commitment, strength and compassion are changing the lives of others. The "All-Stars Among Us" campaign will extend the PEOPLE "Heroes Among Us" franchise and will be a fully integrated online contest. Fans can log on to www.PeopleAllStars.com on April 22 through May 22 to nominate themselves as well as community "All-Stars" they know."

https://www.peoplecmg.com/peopleallstars/

Spring Sale...up to 50% off

It's time for a sale! Save up to 50% off new spring markdowns. Shop now and pick up your favorites from the season. Shop at shadeclothing.com or any Shade store.

new poll wednesday

And the winner is... the 4 pleat dress! It looks as though you ladies are liking Shade's 4 Pleat dress the best so far this season, and following close behind was our new shift dress. The striped dress is a fun and comfy dress for the summer, tie the bottom of it in a knot and pair it with sandals and you've got a hip, comfortable outfit for the day!

This week, I am polling one of our "best kept secrets" here at Shade. It is the nylon cami. Ladies, I am telling you this is one of my favorite products. Do you like to workout? You will love this cami in every yoga position possible, or the extra support it has for an intense work out such as kickboxing or running! It is also amazing for holding everything together under a shirt and can be layered under practically anything! I love the nylon cami, I sleep, workout, and live in this thing and you will too! I want to know if you have given the nylon cami a shot at becoming your new favorite basic or not?

Woman finds $357,959 check and returns it!

Honesty prevails! A woman finds a $357,959 check and returns it. I thought this was a great story, that honesty still prevails especially in this time of economic hardship. Enjoy and have a great day! 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090408/ap_on_fe_st/odd_big_check

Kittens, Inspired by Kittens

I have to start by saying, I have really enjoyed finding and posting about something positive and fun each day as we count down to the "Bright Side." It has given me the opportunity to start every day with a smile. And even better, today, I came across this clip that has done more than "start" my day with a smile, it has kept a smile on my face all day long... I m still laughing. Hope it brightens your day like it did mine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtX8nswnUKU

Also this week, the striped boyfriend tee is Shade's item of the week. You will fall in love with this shirt, it is perfect for just about anything. Wear it alone for a classic tshirt or layer it with a vest or cardigan to dress it up! Trust me you will love this shirt and this week it is ONLY $14.00 (regularly $18.50) check it out and order yours today!

ShadeClothing.com

What a great suprise!

Just in case, you haven't heard or seen the Susan Boyle story yet, I thought I would share it today. It's a fun "positive" story! Her voice is incredible and the judges admitted they were expecting the worst when she walked out on stage. It was great seeing a big smile brought to Simon's face, I mean how often does that happen?! Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY&NR=1

And on the bright side here at Shade today, you can win a $25 Shade gift card - become a shade fan and leave a comment on our facebook status today before midnight tonight and you'll be entered to win. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Shade-Clothing/59980680266?ref=ts Happy Monday!

ShadeClothing.com

Only Good News, Every Day

As the countdown begins to the "Bright Side", we'll be posting about something "bright" or good that's happening in the world everyday until the launch. To get started, I jumped online and began searching news, pictures, blogs...anywhere I might find a story about something positive happening in the world. I wasn't having any luck at all. It seems to me that the media focuses on the bad and sad things happening more often than not, am I right?

As I was just about to give up... I found it! There is a site out there that is dedicated to reporting ONLY GOOD NEWS, EVERY DAY. Glee Report. What a great concept! How many of you, like me, refuse to watch the nightly news because its so depressing at the end of the day? Well, not anymore. Now I can follow the good news. I love it - it is the best news I've had all day. A place we can all go to hear about good things happening in the world. Go check it out. I know you'll enjoy it as much as I did.. you'll even leave there looking on the bright side! http://gleereport.com/

ShadeClothing.com

The Bright Side – help us help 100 families!

There is so much negative news in the world today and so many people struggling, that it can be depressing at times. Here at Shade we decided we want to focus on the positive and find the good happening in the world, but also find a way to help the many who are struggling. This is how "The Bright Side" campaign came about. We started with broad ideas about “the bright side” of life and now we’re in the process of finalizing designs for graphic tees that will be sold to help raise money for 100 families in need. Here are a few pictures to show a little of our inspiration and "behind the scenes" of The Bright Side in the making. We can all focus on the good and bring a sense of hope to others, especially those in need during these hard times. After all, there is always hope for a bright future! Stay tuned for more details to find out how you can be part of "The Bright Side!"

Poll Day Wednesday

Alright ladies.. it's poll time! Last week, I discovered that the Balboa swim top is the favorite of the bunch. This makes sense because this style seems to flatter every women's body type! It also comes in a few great prints if your feeling like spicing up your swimsuit. Following close in line was the Hermosa Beach swim top.
This week I am curious about our Shade dresses. We have a few new dresses that will be fun for spring and summer this year, and I say that in hopes that we will actually see spring and summer soon here in Utah regardless, of the snow we seem to keep getting! Ick.. haha. But back to the dresses, I love them all and am curious about you and what you love! Take a look, cast your vote and even order your favorite dress today! ShadeClothing.com

Shift dress - jade/off white

Shift dress- cobalt

1/2 Sleeve Striped dress

4 Pleat dress- majenta (also offered in black and royal purple)

And the winner is...

We have a winner for the shorts & skirt give-away.

It's Danielle who said "That's such a cute skirt! Half of my clothes are already from Shade, and I would love to get more! Thanks for being an awesome store!" Please send an email to kim@shadeclothing.com with your address, the short or skirt you'd like, along with size and color.

Congrats & stay tuned for more give-aways in the coming months.

Fun news & last chance for giveaway

We were so excited to find out that a celebrity ordered our half sleeve dress. We can't say who it was, but we think it fits her style perfectly (and stripes must be a favorite because she also ordered the striped boyfriend tee).

It's also the last day to enter to win the tulip skirt or a pair of shorts. Leave a comment on the give-away post from April 8th before midnight tonight and you'll be entered to win.

Shorts & skirt give-away

It's that time again...another Shade give-away. Enter to win your choice of a pair of shorts (denim tabbed short or skinny bermuda) or the tulip skirt. Leave a comment on this post before midnight on Monday, April 13 and you'll be entered to win. We'll post the winners info on Tuesday, the 14th.

New Wednesday Poll

I know I say this every week, but here we are again... its poll day Wednesday! Last week, I learned that the majority of you who voted on the poll also shop online for your Shade products. Maybe this is because you live out of state and the computer is your closest location. Or possibly you live in state, but it has been so cold these last few months you don't want to leave the house! I know I feel that way on a cold day.. leave my house? ha are you kidding?! Although I have to say, yesterday was a beautiful day and it got me really excited for summer! In turn, I found myself wondering about Shade's swimsuits and which one I wanted this year for the pool? How about you... what is your favorite style of Shade swim? Is there one that you love the "fit" of that flatters your body more than the others? Or that you just absolutely love? Let me know, vote for your favorite swimsuit!

Balboa Swimsuit

Naples Swimsuit

Surfside Swimsuit

Bora Bora Swimsuit

Hermosa Beach Swimsuit

Venice Beach Swimsuit

www.shadeclothing.com

Fifi Lapin, what shall I wear today?

In honor of Easter this week, I have to introduce you all to Fifi Lapin, whom I just discovered and am totally in love with! According to Elle Magazine, Fifi is the world’s most stylish bunny! Here are a few adorable fashion illustrations from her blog.

Not only does this blog contain cute bunny storylines, but FiFi actually does an amazing job of showcasing a lot of current fashion. Its super fun and worth checking out!

www.shadeclothing.com

Easter favorites

Everyone must have a favorite thing about Easter - new dresses, egg hunts, great candy. Mine happens to be Cadbury mini eggs. They're incredibly addicting and I have to stop myself from stocking up at home so they last me well beyond the Easter holiday. If you happen to be looking for a new dress for Easter, you can't go wrong with the shift dress that just arrived last week. It can be dressed up or down, looks great belted or on its own and sells for just $38.50. It also comes in a solid cobalt blue or a geo-print jade. So, if your favorite thing about Easter is adding something to your wardrobe, this might be the perfect thing for you. I'll continue to enjoy the mini eggs for a few more days.