Love my Chico's

I love my Chico's, and so does the mother of the best swimmer of the world! I found the following in USA TODAY. We have tons of beautiful Chico's at a faction of the cost. Come and see our winning selection at www.less4luxury.com. Have a great weekend, Victoria

By Laura Petrecca, USA TODAY
Michael Phelps' sponsors, such as Speedo and Visa, have gotten their money's worth in rub-off glory from his record eight gold medals. But an unexpected brand, not a paid sponsor, also has gotten buoyancy from his performance in Beijing: women's clothing retailer Chico's (CHS) .
That's because Phelps' mother, Debbie — a loyal Chico's customer, but not an official endorser — has worn its garb throughout the Games. Every time she's been seen in print, online and TV coverage in her Chico's attire, the chain has gotten free exposure.
OLYMPICS: Coverage of the Beijing Games
It's also been swamped with demand to buy Debbie's fashions, brand President Michele Cloutier says.
"Customers have been coming in and asking for what she's wearing," she says. "They're saying, 'I want that jacket,' and they can describe it perfectly."

Ride the rides? Think twice.

Ride the rides, think twice before you trust a stranger to tuck in your precious little one.

We have beautiful fair grounds here in Grass Valley, California. People come from miles around to eat the favorite treat on Treat Street at the Job's Daughters corn dog. The lines are huge (for Grass Valley) and they sell 10,000 to 15,000 battered dogs during the 5 day run. Fair has games, with hopes to win the big prize. Lots of rides to ride, how about seeing who has the largest hog. And working all year to enter their handcrafted items hoping to win the blue medal under our tall pines.

But what I'm about to tell you could happen anywhere.

My daughter took her little girls, ages 9 and 6, with a young friend age 8, for a fun filled day with all of the usual county fair expectations. The three little ladies, proceeded on a large, colossal ride that throws you from side to side, up and down....lets just say that you wouldn't catch me on it. The containers would only hold two, so the two sister got in one and the extra girl in another. My girls were strapped in. My daughter noticed a look of panic on their young friend's face and realized that she didn't get strapped in!

The young mother flew over to the operator of the ride and reminded him that the little girl was not strapped in yet. He brushed her off as if to shoe away a fly as he walked away to set the ride in motion. She came to find out that he couldn't speak ENGLISH. Terrified that he wasn't taking her seriously, she began jumping up and down, waving her arms like a distressed bird, she then finally got him to understand.

I'm horrified to imagine what would have happen if she had been looking the other way.

to be continued tomorrow......

Good by Bernie Mac

I was shocked to wake up to the news that comedian Bernie Mac has passed away. My heart goes out to his family and friends. He will be greatly missed.

CHICAGO - Bernie Mac, the actor and comedian who teamed up in the casino heist caper "Ocean's Eleven" and gained a prestigious Peabody Award for his sitcom "The Bernie Mac Show," died Saturday at age 50.

"Actor/comedian Bernie Mac passed away this morning from complications due to pneumonia in a Chicago area hospital," his publicist, Danica Smith, said in a statement from Los Angeles.
The comedian suffered from sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease that produces tiny lumps of cells in the body's organs, but had said the condition went into remission in 2005. He recently was hospitalized and treated for pneumonia, which his publicist said was not related to the disease.

Olympics Opening Ceremony

Whatever your political views on the Olympics being held in Beijing, you can't argue that the opening presentation was amazing!!

I wanted to find out more on the designer of the extraordinary design of the Bird nest. I was quite surprised or should I say, not surprised at all on what I found.

A Conversation with Ai Weiwei, the Disappointed "Bird's Nest" Designer

Following up on yesterday's story of Beijing's "Bird's Nest" stadium designer Ai Weiwei complaining about the Chinese government's handling of the upcoming Olympics, we ran into this interview with the designer in the NY Times, talking about both the construction of the National Stadium (its proper name) and much, much more on his political views.

Here's a bit:

Q: Are you going to the opening ceremony?
Ai: I'm not attending the opening ceremony, I'm not interested in it, and I haven't received any invitation. If I need to be more clear on why I'm not willing to be part of the ceremony, it's that I think it's too far from the spirit of freedom. I've always thought of this ceremony as a product of government bureaucracy, rather than a natural celebration and expression generated among free citizens. I feel that there are too many regrets in this ceremony, which could make me unhappy.

Over the top fun!

Universal Studio's "Mama Mia".....Christine Baranski, Meryl Streep, Julie Walters and Pierce Brosnan lead a Greek chorus in the musical romantic comedy. Sophie's mother Donna (Streep) freaks out when she learns that the men she'd loved and lost are back, and an already chaotic time gets even crazier.

This chic flick is exuberant, delightful, and walked out of the theater singing! Time to dig out my ABBA CD's.

I'm not going to give it away, but, be sure not to leave before you see all of the credits. "MAMA MIA!"

Going on a road trip

I'm really looking forward to this weekend. Heading down to my old stomping grounds in the Bay Area to see my Sister. Packing my travelers pants and jackets, wrinkle free, no worries here. My Sister, Mother and I will be going to Nantucket's for dinner, and taking in a movie "Mama Mia". Should be a lot of fun.

Cool off with food

Speaking of watermelon. It's a great diet food too! Now that sounds like fun. I just had to pass this along. Dr. Liz always has something good to say.

Health Notes from Dr. Liz:

Cool Off with Food
Stay hydrated and cool during these dog days of summer with some refreshing foods. Your fluid needs can increase several cups daily with the sweltering heat. Besides drinking more fluids, you can hydrate and cool off with food. Nutrition scientists calculate that 20 percent of your daily fluids come from the foods you eat.

Hydrating foods such as fruits and vegetables are at least 80 percent water by weight, and in fact, watermelon is 95 percent water (hence the name!).
During cooler months, you should average 4 ½ cups or more of fruits and veggies daily, and now with summer full swing, tack on another 1 to 2 cups. Not only do you stay hydrated, but you get a wealth of key antioxidants vital for immune health and fending off age-related ailments.

Here’s a day’s worth of hydrating foods to include with your meals:
Breakfast: 1 cup berries and a sliced banana with yogurt
Lunch: 1 cup carrot, celery, and cucumber slices; 1 peach
Snack: Topical smoothie blended with 1 ½ cup total of mango, pineapple, and melon
Dinner: 2 cups spring salad mix topped with tomatoes, green onions and snap peas, 1 ½ cups fruit salad with shaved chocolate
—Liz Applegate, Ph.D.

Latest news on the fires

More dry lighting is expected this weekend up in Lake Tahoe. By chance could this the result to of global warming? I remember hearing Australia experiencing the same crisis. The humidity that we are feeling is not something that we are used to. Experts say that this is the "Green House Effect". Please tell me that this isn't going to be something that will be a common occurrence every summer.

Thousands evacuated in California and Washington fires - Fri Jul 11, 3:25 PM ET
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Heavy smoke and thick fog hampered efforts on Friday to control a raging fire threatening the northern California town of Paradise, where more than 10,000 people remain out of their homes, officials said.

Greetings from not so sunny California

Here is a view of the ridge over looking Butte county from my window at home in Nevada City, Ca. It's been like this for 3 weeks now. Smoke is nestled in our canyon with fires pretty much all around caused by dry lightening storms. The latest big fire is the one in Paradise. We are all hoping for the best. I lost my home back in 1988 due to similar conditions. My heart goes out to all who are involved.

Summer Fun

It just doesn't get any better than this. Jazz up your wardrobe for less. We have exciting Chico's buys for those hot summer days. Accent your present collection with our new with tags, Chico's Jewelry. If you can't find what your looking for, just drop us a line. We're here to help.

Thank you

To all those who came to our Chico's BIG 4th of July Sale, thank you! It was a huge success. We love it when we make our Chico's ladies happy. Our next sale will be on this coming Wednesday, July 9. We will be offering many of our select Chico's at great savings. Don't worry, if you are new to Chico's or eBay, we would be happy to assist you. Hope to see you soon.

Sparks are flying!

Happy 4th of July!! We are celebrating today with a store wide 4th of July sale. Everything at http://www.less4luxury.com/ is marked down. Wow, it just can't get any better then this. Chico's Name Brand, New with tags, in every size. Jackets, sweaters, dresses, skirts, tops, pants, suits, slips, necklaces, watches, bracelets, and earrings. It's a one day only, Chico's extravaganza!

Rule: Women, never wear black or white to a wedding?

Reality: This rule still stands but is in need of an amendment. While it's still advisable to stay away from white dresses for fear of offending or outshining the bride, wearing black is perfectly appropriate for a city wedding or an indoor affair.

In fact, more and more brides are selecting black bridesmaid dresses as a chic and sophisticated option. Thinking about that chic black and white look, see our Chico's Irene necklace and matching bracelet.

Yellow poked dot bikini

"Cut 3,000 Calories A MonthSlim-down swaps that work with your eating habits"
by Karen Ansel, RD

In a perfect world, dropping 10 pounds over a year would be as easy as grade school math. Just multiply 10 pounds by 3,500 (the number of calories you need to burn to lose one pound), then divide by 12 months. Presto: You need to trim about 3,000 calories a month, or 100 calories a day. But in the real world, math is only half the equation. We've zeroed in on five eating "personalities"-find yours, then follow the tips for zapping about 100 calories a day without giving up the foods you love.

Swap your macaroni & cheese for veggie lasagna.Calories saved: 120Adding spinach to your lasagna adds filling fiber without extra calories. Bonus: Spinach contains potent phytochemicals that help keep your eyes healthy.
Swap your 8-oz bowl of tomato bisque for 8-oz bowl of gazpacho.Calories saved: 214. To read more visit http://www.womansday.com/health/13071/cut-3000-calories-a-month.html

Track your calories, carbs and other nutrients and find the calories you burn during exercise Welcome to our feature packed site that provides you with the tools and information you need to succeed. Whether your goal is to lose weight, gain weight, make a few friends or simply track your diet and exercise, we're glad you're here. FREE calorie counter www.my-calorie-counter.com

Keep'in cool

CHICOS TRAVELERS LAGUNA BAY VIVA DRESS. NWT $98. CHICO'S SIZE 0.

A GREAT DRESS IN A SLEEVELESS STYLE WITH A KNEE LENGTH FIT AND FULLER SKIRT. THE PRINT IS A FLORAL AND LEAF DESIGN IN BLACK AND WHITE. WASH AND WEAR. THE SIZE IS A CHICO'S SIZE 0 WHICH APPROXIMATES A MISSES 4/6. NEW WITH TAG, THE ORIGINAL RETAIL PRICE IS $98. Our price only $62.99

FABRIC: 95% POLYESTER, 5% SPANDEX

CARE: MACHINE WASH

MEASUREMENTS: WAIST 28 INCHES , LENGTH 37 INCHES, HIPS 35 INCHES , BUST 30 INCHES.

New recipe from the Nugget!

When I'm not working here at http://www.chicosdeals.com/ I'm cooking up a storm and always looking for luxury meals to make at home. This barbecue oyster dish looks so yummy, I just had to pass it on to you. The following entry was taken from the ever-informative newsletter from the nugget. If you have a recipe or two that you would like to share for those hot summer nights, let us know. _V

I love to barbecue Pacific Oysters! I prefer smaller-sized, but just about any size will do — for some folks bigger is better. Use ample heat and be sure to watch them carefully. As soon as they pop open the oysters are ready to eat. Shells will be hot so please be careful handling them. Make sure all of your favorite condiments are ready to go, whether you are topping them off with our Wasabi Mustard Sauce , a compound butter, or a simple squeeze of lemon and a dash of Southern-style hot sauce — barbecued oysters are to be eaten HOT off the grill! Light beers pair nicely with barbecued oysters but the best pairing by far is a light, crisp, citrusy Sauvignon Blanc.

- Rachael Levine, Nugget Markets' Executive Chef

Who's next?

American Idol: Season 7

Syesha Mercado was asked to leave last night on American Idol. Now it is down to the wire. All that’s left is David Cook and David Archuleta. While Archuleta sings like an angel and you just want to squeeze the sweet cheeks of his, I will make my prediction that David Cook will be the final winning vote! Both Mercado and Archuleta will have producers knocking at their doors if they haven't already. Amazing talent!

After 56 million votes, the final two predicted months ago will belt it out for the title. To read more click on http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1587511/20080514/id_0.jhtml

Who do you think will take the prize home next week?

Chico's Clothing On Sale

At Less4Luxury.com Chico's women's clothing is always on sale. Your favorite one stop shop for Chico's deals offers authentic brand new with tags, Chico's items, for less than retail prices. This eBay store will be a favorite once you discover the top-notch customer service and huge selection of the very best Chico's items. Weekly on Wednesdays we feature select items on sale. Shop with us and save!

Looking for delicious food, fun and travel? Here are a few great things, perfect to fit the plans for your quick getaway or dream vacation! www.ForbesTraveler.com highlights some tasty festivals that take place at some of the most desired travel spots around the globe. In June the Lobster Festival takes place in beautiful Belize! What could be better? A tropical destination, pure paradise, while leisurely sampling this fresh delicacy? Belize offers kayaking, river rafting, rain forest hikes, and all the beach activities you can dream of. Check out this fantastic site that will help you plan your trip to Belize on a budget. Accommodations from just $21 a night! http://www.toucantrail.com/

Ever thought about going to Alaska? The Copper River Wild Salmon Festival is held in the small fishing village of Cordova, Alaska during the month of July. Enjoy the most spectacular wildlife and nature views while participating in one of the highlight events this sanctuary state has to offer! Visit the Copper River site for more details http://www.copperriverwild.org/ Cordova, Alaska is surrounded by many breathtaking sites including Child's Glacier, Crater Lake Trail leading to Mt Eyak, and the village itself is located at the top of Orca Inlet in Prince William Sound. An adventurous trip awaits!

Get Carried away!

Sex and the City is coming to the big screen in a feature film adaptation of the hit HBO television series.

The film will follow the continuing adventures of the series four main characters - Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda - as they live their lives in Manhattan four years after the series ended. Stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, and Cynthia Nixon are all on board to reprise their roles, while the film will be written and directed by Michael Patrick King, who executive produced the original television series.

Additionally, Chris Noth, David Eigenberg, Evan Handler and Jason Lewis will return as the women’s love interests. Academy Award-winning actress Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls) has also joined the cast of the film and will play Carrie Bradshaw’s assistant, a new character to be introduced in the film. Sex and the City is scheduled for a May 30th release.
http://www.sexandthecitymovie.com/


I'm really looking foward to this one. Loved the series on HBO and hated to see it end. What do you think about Mr. Big? HAH!

Stretching that all mighty dollar

Many of us are using our tax money from the government’s rebate check, stimulus funds to put toward necessities, like bills, food and GAS! But a sure way to make your dollars stretch is at http://www.less4luxury.com/.

There you can save on top Chico’s designer clothes for women at a fraction of the retail cost. Hey, come to think of it you will be saving on gas too.

On-line shopping, the green way to save. www.chicosdeals.com

Wednesday Chico's Deals~chicos clothing on eBay

Happy Wednesday! As many of us approach the middle of our work week, we may be humming a certain tune from Tuesday evening's American Idol program. It is tough to stop watching once you start and while they are all talented, and music is the main focus, you can't help but notice the fashions! Syesha had, while very trendy, a glamorous, flashy look, and paid great tribute to the fashions that Paula Abdul once flaunted while dancing and singing in her music videos back in the 1990's.

You can visit the American Idol site to view profiles of the contestants and get quick facts on your favorite judge, even find out who the musical influences are of your favorite singer. Syesha favors Zap Mama! Just give them a listen on our ~Music to Surf the Web By~ playlist.

Oprah Winfrey hosted guest Barbara Walters on Tuesday May 6th and gave milllions of people a brief glimpse into her life. According to Barbara on Oprah, her new autobiography titled "Audition" chronicles her life and the people along the journey, including the deep relationships with her family. Barbara's words were comforting and inspiring; she confirmed that she truly is much like everyone else with the peaks and valleys of life. Barbara shines because she has worked toward her goals and acheived her dreams, much like the American Idol contestants. We are reminded to strive for our best, no matter what, and to always look for inspiration!

That brings us right back to fashion...what is your latest fashion inspiration? Browse your favorite Chico's Clothing eBay Store for unique items at less than retail prices http://www.less4luxury.com/ With Chico's Deals you are certain to find the beautiful clothes you have been looking for. Stay inspired!

Shopping for Mom?

There are only a few days left until Mother's Day and many of you may be in search of that perfect gift. Something unique and thoughtful that will delight and surprise Mom while appealing to her senses and bringing her joy. Here are just a few places to check out online that are pefect for those still shopping!

For the largest selection of shoes on the web visit Zappos.com. You will find free expedited shipping and an overwhelming collection of the latest and greatest name-brand styles. Gift certificates are available! And, have you seen the ads on TV lately for edible fruit baskets? Edible Arrangements has beautifully arranged treats, available for delivery to Mom on this special day. Is Mom a big music lover? Sirius.com highlights all the packages available for sattlelite radio at home and on the road. Browse for the gift of music and surprise your loved one with a gift that will last all year! Sirius is also available at Circuit City and other retailers, who provide installation of the unit for your vehicle.

If you are here visiting our site, you must have a Chico's woman in your life, if you are not one yourself. If the Chico's woman that you have in mind is a Mom, you simply can't go wrong shopping for gifts at http://www.less4luxury.com/ eBay store.

Happy Mother's Day to all!