Plus Size Blog - Plus Size Lifestyle and More

Now is the time of year when many people get the “blues” and just want to get away from the “ho-hum” of their usual lifestyle. When the weather is not conducive to outdoor activities, and you are tired and bored being inside and cooped up, why not try some of these suggestions?

Treat Yourself to a Spa Treatment

It would be great if you can afford to go to a local day spa and totally pamper yourself. Check the newspaper and internet to see if any spas that are close are having any specials. Also check on the internet to see if there are any product codes available to reduce the cost. I don’t know about you, but I always forget about the coupons in the phone book, until after I need them. Look at them now and see if there are any you could use.

If going to a spa is out of the question financially, it doesn’t mean that you can’t still have few of the luxuries of a spa right at home for a fraction of the cost! Set up some candles in your bathroom and get some fragrant bath salts or bubble bath. Now is a good time to buy all of those gift baskets leftover from Christmas as they are marked down. Get the supplies needed to give yourself a manicure and pedicure ready. Claim a block of time just for yourself and let everyone know you don’t want to be disturbed unless it is an emergency. Put on some soft, relaxing music; light the candles; indulge yourself in a nice hot bubble bath until you feel all of the stress leave your body. Work on your nails. Massage your hands, feet and legs.

You will emerge relaxed and ready to face it all.

Take a Trip

Now is a good time to plan a short getaway or even a cruise. Expedia has some great specials now. Save up to 35% off hotels and weekend packages for Martin Luther King Day! Hotels from $27, air +3 nights from $178 - Expires 1/19/09

If you’ve always wanted to go to Europe, here’s a great deal for you. Europe: Book early and save! 4+ Night Packages from $612 - Expires 3/1/09

And, if you act quickly, you can get a great deal on a cruise. Last Minute Cruises from $189 - Expires - 1/7/09

Get Away Locally

Don’t have the time or money to leave town? Expedia Winter Sale: Save up to 30% on hotels in 90+ North America destinations - Expires 2/26/09
. It’s amazing what a night at a hotel can do to revive and refresh you. Combine it with a night on the town at your favorite restaurant or club, and you’ve got a custom made mini-vacation.

Take a Hike

No, I’m not telling you to get lost! But if the weather cooperates at all, get outside on the next pretty day (hopefully before Summer) and take a walk. The fresh air and sunshine works miracles on improving moods!

Whatever you do, it is possible to get away from it all. Whatever it takes and is within your means to do, it will give you the boost in spirit and energy to make it through these ho-hum days.

Of course, with a New Year, it is only natural to think about what you want to accomplish in the coming year. And to set goals with a plan to accomplish them. Goals need to be realistic, and fall into either shortterm, medium term, or long term goals. It is best to make your goals measurable so that you will know that you have reached them. This means that you need to have some objective way to indicate your progress toward a goal. For instance, a measurable goal would be to write two posts per week to Plus Size Blog. With this goal, I will know immediately if I have accomplished it if I write two posts each week. If instead, I were to put that I wanted to be more active blogging, would I accomplish tis goal if I blogged once a week or once a month?

With all that said, here are the goals that I have defined for Plus Size Blog for 2009.

1. Post two blogs per week.

2. Bring up-to-date news of interest to plus size readers by adding one articler per week from outside sources.

3. Refine the manner in which affiliate opportunities are presented.

4. Increase traffic by marketing blog to one new opportunity per week.

5. Increase Google page rank to #3 within three months.

6. Review one plus size fashion item per week.

If your family is like mine, there is at least one member who really loves to read and actually wants a book for Christmas. Here are some of my favorite books and ones that I am thinking about buying as presents.

The Christmas Sweater

The Revolution: A Manifesto

Tales from the Dad Side: Misadventures in Fatherhood

Jim Cramer’s Stay Mad for Life: Get Rich, Stay Rich (Make Your Kids Even Richer)

Most of these would especially be appropriate for that man in your family  you find difficult pleasing.

Just got word that Silhouette is having a great new contest.  They want their customers to look their best for the holidays.  Follow this link to enter the contest.  They will be giving away a $1,000 wardrobe every week from now until January!

I’ll tell you about other specials as I hear about them!

Hot off the press. Emitations jewelry is having a Cyber Monday special. You can save $10 off $40 or more purchase! If you are not familiar with Emitations, they have fabulous jewelry that imitates celebrity jewelry, only it is affordable!

One of the best things about Emitations is that they have a special section for Plus Size jewelry. You can get rings from sizes 9 to 12, sterling silver bracelets 8″ long, and sterling silver necklaces 24″ long. You really need to check this out.

Emitations also has a very useful guide for shopping for yourself or others: Shop Emitations 2008 Holiday Gift Guide. Jewelry gift ideas under $15, $25, $50 & $75.

Hurry! Don’t wait! The Cyber Monday specials expire tonight at midnight!

Enough of the bad economic news.  Let’s get ready for the busiest shopping day of the year.  This year there are some really good discounts available as the retailers do their best to get you to spend your money with them.  Here’s some of my favorite bargains.  Are you ready?  Let’s go shopping!

Amazon is ready for you. Amazon Black Friday This is the page that goes right to all of their Black Friday deals.  I just love Amazon.  Especially if you live in a rural area.  Amazon brings the world to you.

Ready to go shopping for yourself?  Kiyonna has a Black Friday deal for you! Black Friday: 30% Off Storewide at www.Kiyonna.com with the Coupon Code: Turkey08. You’d be a turkey not to check this out.

The season for parties is beginning.  I’ve got some great coupons for you to use to look your best.  Beauty Choice is offering several discounts. $5.00 Off any beautychoice.com order over $50. Coupon Code: pepperbeauty2. Expires: 12/31/08

If you’re looking for a bargain, and who isn’t, check out Torrid. Huge Savings at the Torrid.com Clearance.  They have party dresses, boots and accessories and you can enter to win $1000 shopping spree!

Silhouettes has some great deals, and a few surprises that I can’t tell you about until Friday. Check out these.

And, if you want to get a jump start on getting active,

Don’t let the economy get you down. And if it does, you can always go shopping!