Oh Henri!

Henri Bendel is having a sale! Here are the deets!

ENJOY $25 OFF EVERY $100 YOU SPEND+
FREE SHIPPING FOR EVERY PURCHASE
USE CODE BFWSPENDSOME AT CHECKOUT until Sunday November 25th.

Plus receive a $25 splurge card on any purchase!

If you are shopping in store today, they will give you an additional missy bendel piggy bank with a $150 purchase! Happy Shopping!

xoxo,

Kat

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go Shop!

It's that time of year again: BLACK FRIDAY! Forget Black Friday Lines! Nobody has time for that. Shop Now on over 85+ Sales! If you're not a wait-in-line kind of girl, you've come to the right place. Shefinds.com has done all of the work. They found over 50 sales (on everything from Marc Jacobs handbags to under-$25 stocking stuffers) that are just as good, if not better, online. So sit back, relax and click away. If you haven't already, you should follow them on twitter. Shefinds.com make my shopping so much easier! http://www.shefinds.com/2012/forget-black-friday-lines-aint-nobody-got-time-for-that-50-sales-to-shop-now/

I love a good sale! I don't think you should EVER pay retail for anything. You should check out Shefinds.com for early scoops on the latest deals. The busy career woman doesn't have time to shop; however, we all want to look good and stylish. Shefinds will help you figure out what to buy. They study trends and surf the web for the best items, then pass on the info in newsletters and their blog. They even find online coupon codes and amazing sales-just sit and click. Happy Shopping!

30% off at DVF with code SHEFINDSDVF

Up to 50% off at Net-A-Porter

40-50% off at Nordstrom. Plus, every order ships for free!

Spend $250, Save 20%; Spend $500+ save 25%;  Spend $1000+ save 30% at Shopbop with code BIGEVENT12

25% off everything at Madewell, plus free shipping with code TREAT

80% off at Bluefly, plus free shipping on orders over $150 with code SHIP150

Up to 50% off at  Zappos

Up to 85% off at Last Call

30% off at Club Monaco

20% off everything at Piperlime

Get free shipping worldwide at Ssense with code FREESHIPWW

20% off at All Saints

Get an extra 25% off the sale at Anthropologie

Get free shipping at Kate Spade, plus more deals

Up to 40% off at Bergdorf Goodman

25% off at J. Crew, plus free shipping with code COLOR25

40% off at J.Crew Factory, plus an extra 15% off with code GIVEANDGET

Up to 50% off at Bloomingdale’s

20% everything at Alice + Olivia (including the sale!)

50% off outerwear and take an EXTRA 50% off the sale at Saks Fifth Avenue

Up to 50% off at Rebecca Minkoff, plus free shipping

Take an EXTRA 25% off the sale at Ralph Lauren, plus free shipping

30% off at Theory with code THANKS2012

50% off at the Reiss sale

35% off at Charm and Chain

20% off denim at Earnest Sewn

Buy 2, get 15% off; Buy 3, get 25% off; Buy 4, get 35% off at  Baublebar

Spend $300+ get 20% off, Spend $500+ get 25% off, Spend $750+ get 30% off at Tory Burch

25% off at Banana Republic

Up to 50% off at Old Navy

20% off select items at NARS

30% off at Vince Camuto with code HOLIDAY

20-70% off at Macy’s

30% off at the Loeffler Randall sale

25% off at Steve Madden, plus free shipping with code GIVE25

30% off coats and knits at ASOS, plus free shipping (EXTRA 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAYBONUS)

Up to 50% off at Topshop

40% off at Farfetch

50% off at Express

40% off full-price items at Ann Taylor and 25% off the sale with code THANKS

40% off everything at LOFT with code ENJOY

25% off full price items at C. Wonder, plus free shipping

40% off at Jessica Simpson

20% off select boots at Sorel

Deals starting at $5 at Urban Outfitters

Up to 65% off at Neiman Marcus

Up to 50% off at Revolve Clothing

30% off at Splendid with code THANKS30

Get an instant $15 gift card with orders of $75 at Kiehl’s, plus free shipping

Up to 65% off at 6pm

Tons of great deals at Target, changing hourly

500 Early Bird specials at Kohl’s--starts at midnight, ends at 3PM CST

Up to 50% off at Barneys New York

30% off at Rachel Roy

Up to 75% off at  The Outnet

Up to 50% off at Bath & Body Works

50% off all outerwear & cold weather accessories at Calvin Klein, plus free shipping over $50

Great deals, like jeans for $10, bags for $2 and more at Forever 21

Shop the final sale at 7 for All Mankind

Free shipping on orders over $150 at Coach

Up to 90% off at Amrita Singh with code BLACK12

70% off new styles at Nicole Miller

30% off everything at Anne Klein

Up to 40% off at Bare Necessities

Take an EXTRA 15% off the sale at YOOX plus free shipping with code YOOXTHANKS

20% off + free shipping on orders over $50 at Shu Uemura with code WISH2012

Up to 50% off at BCBGeneration

Bliss: Up to 50 percent savings on select luxury items. *Pop over on 11/23 for free (!) manicures, pedicures, and foot massages while shopping eBay’s best on your smartphone or tablet.

80% off at Beyond The Rack, plus $10 off for new members with code SHEFINDS

50% off at Modcloth

15% off at Brooks Brothers, plus free shipping

5% off at C Wonder, plus free shipping

20% off everything at Capwell & Co.

Up to 50% off at Guess

Up to 75% off at Hanky Panky

20% off at the Rebecca Taylor sale

Take an EXTRA 20% off at Trina Turk

10% off at Hartstrings with code SHEFINDSBF

30% off plus free shipping at Lands End

$25 off every $100 spent at Henri Bendel, plus $25 splurge card with any purchase and free shipping

40% off at Levi’s, plus free shipping on orders over $75 with code BLKFRI

30% off at Stylefly with code SHEFINDS30

30% off select styles at Linea Pelle with code LPBF30

15% off all maternity at Isabella Oliver with code SHEFINDS15

20% off at Swimspot with code SHEFINDS

15% off at K Kane with code SHEFINDS

60% off at Stylemint

30% off at Soludos

xoxo,
Kat

Obsessed

What girl doesn't love fashion? My love affair with fashion happened when I was around four and it never ended. I'm still obsessed with shoes, clothes, jewelry, and bags. My sisters, cousins, and I use to dress up and have our own little fashion show.  I love how what you wear can say a lot about you.  I love looking chic and timeless. The little fashionista in me is obsessing over these items: 

You can totally take charge in this sweet mint suiting that's totally boss! You can get this look at Nastygal. 

I'm obsessed over this J Crew wool cashmere coat! It's perfect for the Winter!

I want this perfect J Crew sequined polka-dot top. It's perfect for dressing causal or going out. 

My latest obsession is Alexander McQueen's clutch! You can find McQueen inspired clutches at many stores. Not everyone can afford a McQueen.

Loads of beautiful baubles at J Crew! I died. I love there statement necklaces! 

These are just some of the things that I am obsessed with! Happy shopping or window shopping!

xoxo,

Kat

Shrinking Violet

Is it possible to shrink at 24? I didn't think so. My sisters and brother have either all grew or I have dramatically shrunk. My twin is even taller than me! We use to be the same height. I have shrunk vertically and horizontally! How is this even possible? I am now the next smallest in my family besides my mom. I always knew that as we get older, we get shorter. But what many people don't realize is that height is just one thing that shrinks with age: our hearts, facial bones and sex organs all shrink, too.

Most of us lose at least one-third of an inch in height every decade after the age of 40. By 80, most men will be 2 inches shorter than they were in their prime, and women as much as 3.15 inches shorter. Women shrink more than men because levels of the female hormone oestrogen-which helps protect bone health in men and women-fall rapidly at menopause. Men also tend to have more muscle, which supports their frame.

As well as the bones shrinking, height loss is also caused by the flattening of the discs that sit between the bones of the spine. The 23 jelly-like discs, which act as the spine's shock absorbers, are made up of around 88% water. It is normal for them to become compressed during the day as we stand and move around, which squeezes out the fluid. Then at night, when we lay down, the discs reabsorb fluid and plump up again-which explains why we shrink by as much as half an inch during the day, only to regain the height overnight. As we aged, the discs flatten slightly, permanently reducing our height.

I've become a shrinking violet! In my case I think I have shrunk due to all of the medication that I need to take. One of the side effects of the medications that I take is bone loss. This explains my rapid height shrinkage. I am not even slouching and you can tell there is a height difference between Jenny and I. How I wish I could grow a few inches taller.

As to horizontally shrinking, I have lost an additional 9 pounds from last time. I have lost a total of 24 pounds. I am proud of myself for finally losing the prednisone weight gain. For a while there I didn't know if I would be able to lose the weight. It just didn't seem to be coming off. It took me over a year and a half to lose the weight. When I went off the prednisone I started to eat healthy, changed my sleeping habit, exercised more, and portion control. I cut down on sugary foods, and sweets. I rarely drink soda. You don't need to finish everything off of your plate. Stop eating when you feel full. I was very happy when the weight kept coming off.

 It was horrifying when I kept on gaining weight with the medication. I didn't like looking at myself because I knew the girl I was looking at was not the real me. It was pretty devastating when I couldn't fit any of my pants. I kept all of my designer jeans and put it aside because I knew one day I would wear them again.

At first when I started to lose the pounds that I gained, I couldn't see any difference with my body. But as the months went by, the clothes I wore started to hang from my body. My face has become more define since there is no water retention to create the "moon face." I finally look like myself again. My butt, boobs, stomach, arms, and legs have all become smaller. What sucks about losing the weight is that my boobs are gone. It would be nice if they could have stayed. Ehh...you win some, and lose some.

The other day when I was cleaning my clothes, I decided to try on all of my pants. They fit. I cried. I am finally able to wear my clothes again! I actually look good in my clothes and I don't look like I bought a size too small. I am finally able to fit into my Marc Jacobs' shorts! Yes, it is a size zero.  Cheers to losing and keeping the weight off!

xoxo,
Kat

Election Day

Have you voted today? I did. I voted two weeks early by mail.  If you haven't voted yet, please go vote. It is our civic duty as Americans to vote.  People need to stop complaining about being dissatisfied with the government. If you don't like the decisions our leaders in government are making, go vote. There won't be change if you don't vote.

Change takes time. I don't think Americans are giving President Obama enough credit. He was elected President when we are experiencing another recession. I think that if Mitt Romney won this election, all of President Obama's work for the pass three years will be discredited and in vain. I don't understand how Americans can vote for Romney based on his views about women.

Mitt Romney simply doesn't get women's health. Here are some reasons why I did not vote for Romney. He has shown that he's willing to throw women's health under the bus in ordered to get elected. He was crystal clear when discussing which programs he would eliminate, his answer: "Planned Parenthood, we're going to get rid of that." Here are the top five things you need to know about Romney and where he stands on women's health issues.

1. Mitt Romney opposes access to safe and legal abortion. When asked if he believes the Supreme Court should overturn Roe v.Wade, his answer: "Yes, I do." when asked if the repeal of Roe would be a good day for America, he responded "Absolutely."

2. He announced his support for the Blunt amendment, a bill that was introduced to restrict access to birth control by allowing any employer the right to deny health insurance coverage for any benefit based on a "moral" conviction. He has aggressively supported this stance, launching a petition against the Health and Human Services ruling to include birth control as basic preventive care.

3. If elected, Romney has pledged to repeal the Affordable Care Act "on day one" of his presidency, meaning one of his first acts would be to cut off millions of women and families' access to affordable preventive care by returning to the days when you could be discriminated against for pre-existing conditions and overturning the no-cost birth control benefit.

4. Romney supports extreme and sweeping measures like a "personhood" amendment to define life at conception (which could ban common forms of birth control and in some cases, in vitro fertilization) or his belief that states should have the right to ban contraception.

5. "The actions I'll take immediately are to remove funding for Planned Parenthood." Romney has made his position clear: protecting access to basic preventive care is not what he's about and he must be held accountable. Romney doesn't understand that in states like Texas and Tennessee that Planned Parenthood is the ONLY provider for women. Getting rid of Planned Parenthood is detrimental to patients who rely on their health centers for lifesaving cancer screening, well-woman exams, and birth control.

Women should be allowed to make decisions about their bodies. We should have the right to decide if we want to have a child or not. At the second presidential debate, President Obama showed his continued commitment to progress for women. Meanwhile, Mitt Romney didn’t offer a single policy or solution when asked about the problem of pay discrimination, just anecdotes. While the President talked about women as breadwinners, Romney talked about them as resumes in "binders."

Four years ago,  I voted for President Obama while attending UC Berkeley. The atmosphere was of student activism, hope, and change. I was very excited to witness a historic moment in history. I remember the midnight parade that I got to witness when President Obama became president. Everyone was shouting, yelling, hugging, cheering, and drinking. I voted for President Obama again. I think that universal healthcare is necessary. It is going to take time for it to be enacted; however, I think that it can be done. Go Vote!

xoxo,
Kat