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By Janet Evans
Sunday, Jul 27 2008, 05:56 PM
It’s that dreaded time of year. Back-to-school clothes shopping time. You can almost hear the “Jaws” movie theme music playing in the background as it creeps up on you. It can be stressful for parents, not only because of the enormous cost of clothes now, but also because your teens tell you they just can’t have "anything" to wear to school. They have to be in fashion. And, not only that…it’s unfortunate, but some of these kids are being watched and judged by each other and by what they are wearing. So, while it’s stressful for parents, it’s also stressful for teens.
Guess what? There's a new trend this year. It’s one that might make parents happy. It’s called “Cheap.” Because of economic times being harder on everyone, teens are going the thrifty way.
A Deloitte survey set for release this week found that 71% of parents nationwide expected to spend less on back-to-school shopping this year than they did in 2007.
Luckily, the economic woes have ushered in the hottest trend of the season: Thrifty Chic.
"It's kind of like the red badge of courage for teenagers to have something they got cheap," said Richard Giss, a partner in Deloitte's consumer business practice in Los Angeles. "I think it's a direct result of the economy."
Wal-Mart is suddenly cool, and teens are proudly shopping off-price chains such as Marshalls and Ross Dress for Less. Hipsters scour L.A. thrift shops, searching for vintage clothes. Goodwill and Salvation Army stores are "very in," said Kathryn Finney, chief shopping officer at the Budget Fashionista.
At Crossroads Trading Co. people can sell up-to-date styles and collect 35% of the appraised retail value in cash or 50% in trade.
"We buy all day, every day," said Emma Covington, manager of the Costa Mesa store.
Some kids are doing the unthinkable -- sewing.
"The DIY movement is becoming a big trend," Finney said. "There are videos on YouTube telling how to cut up your shirt and make a skirt out of an old pair of jeans."
Sandra Elyassian of Beverly Hills is working with a $200 budget this year. The UC San Diego sophomore has already spent part of it at Old Navy and plans to dole out more at Forever 21. She also likes the thrift shops.
"I make my way to Melrose on the weekend," Elyassian said. "If I need some cheap shopping I know exactly where to look."
Elyassian is something of a pro at this; she is among a group of teens who make a little extra shopping money by providing intel on teen trends to market research firm TRU.
Maddie Mayerson has a similar gig with Team Look-Look, a group of 14-to-35-year-olds who are paid to take surveys and act as field reporters, bloggers and photojournalists for Look-Look Inc.
"Shopping is my life," said Maddie, who lives in Tarzana and turns 16 on Tuesday. "I love fashion magazines, I love trend-watching, I just really love style."
This year, the Brentwood School junior wants leggings to add to her collection, the perfect fall handbag (something slightly smaller than an overnight bag), more vintage T-shirts and flat boots. Her favorite ensemble: a T-shirt, leggings and moccasins.
The T-shirt, which serves as a short dress, typically costs $5 to $20, Mayerson said.”
Does this sound like something that may catch on in Wisconsin? Thrift shop shopping? We’ll have to wait and see. In the meantime…expect to see a lot of coupons arriving in the mail this year from local retailers.
Read the complete article from the Los Angeles Times HERE.
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By Janet Evans
Sunday, Jun 1 2008, 08:05 AM
In honor of National Children’s Day today, I want to share a “recipe” I’ve kept in the front of my cookbook for over 30 years. It always reminded me of who I was cooking for, and about how my own life was when I was a child….
How To Preserve Children
To Preserve Children, Take:
1 Large Grassy Field
½ Dozen Children
2 or 3 Small Dogs
A Pinch of Brook
Some Small Pebbles
Flowers
A Blue Sky
Mix the children and dogs well together and put them in the field, stirring constantly. Pour the brook over the pebbles. Sprinkle the field with flowers. Spread over all a deep blue sky and bake in a hot sun. When thoroughly browned, remove and set in bathtub to cool.
and now, from President Bush....
National Child's Day, 2008
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
America has a duty to provide its children with the support and skills they need to become the next generation of responsible leaders. On National Child's Day, we underscore the importance of fostering the love, encouragement, and protection that empowers our children to become happy and successful adults.
Children are a precious gift who need the love and support of family and friends to lead lives rich in promise and fulfillment. Parents are the most vital part of a child's life, providing them with the guidance and discipline to make the right choices and understand the consequences of their actions. Family, teachers, and others inspire our youth to use their talents and to become confident and caring adults. Religious and community leaders also have a role in teaching values and encouraging children to love their neighbors just as they would like to be loved themselves. Together, we can all help our children be prepared to meet life's challenges and realize the great promise of our country.
My Administration continues to support programs that help prepare America's youth for the opportunities ahead. The No Child Left Behind Act requires that every child have access to a quality education. We have made significant progress toward that goal across the country, with students achieving record math and reading scores. The America COMPETES Act, which was built upon my American Competitiveness Initiative, helped strengthen our goal of staying competitive within the global economy. The Helping America's Youth initiative, led by First Lady Laura Bush, encourages adults to work to help our young people reach their full potential.
On National Child's Day and throughout the year, we honor the boys and girls of America and show our gratitude to those who work to support them. This day is a reminder to us all that our commitment to children helps make our country a better place.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 1, 2008, as National Child's Day. I call upon all our citizens to celebrate National Child's Day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I also urge all Americans to dedicate time and energy to educating our youth and providing them with a safe and caring environment.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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By Janet Evans
Thursday, Mar 6 2008, 11:10 AM
Parents do all kinds of running around to get their kids to sports practices and other activities on time.
It can be especially rough when you have more than one child to shuttle around.
Sometimes you have to wonder if the kids are doing these activities for themselves, or if the parents have their kids in the activity because they are living through the child.
Some parents will do anything for their kids. Some parents are just "plane" ignorant ..... Dad Lands Plane on Golf Course to Get Son to Tennis Practice on Time ÷ here
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