I am guilty.

I have wasted more than a few hours of my life watching infomercials, and even more time, researching some of those products online. Yes, I did make a purchase (or two) but I had very valid reasons. My face was feeling tired and I needed a miracle lift that their products promised to deliver. In addition, my wooden floors needed to be super steam cleaned to prove that I was a worthy housekeeper. Who says that you and your home can’t be beautiful at the same time?
If you have ever indulged in watching the infomercial, you know you must act fast for either the extra special give-a-way or the super payment plan. I am smart enough to know that if I purchase the product days from now, it will still be honored, but it keeps flashing on the bottom of the screen that this is only a limited time offer, which definitely hastened my purchase.

Now, I am not going to reveal which skincare line I bought, but I had to watch several different famous and beautiful models tell their secrets before I made my intelligent decision. After googling all the choices and reading real user comments, it appears that each had their positive and negative statements, so I went with the best price package. I was happy with my selection but not enough to purchase again, and I think the over-the- counter products are just as successful. Perhaps, I should wait for the gift with purchases from the department stores to entice me next time. I am a true sucker!

Can you even imagine if ChaChaBella rings were on an infomercial? By the end of the show, you would have ordered the 5 must have rings to mix and match with every possible color combination outfit. The models and rings would be so dazzling that you just couldn’t decide and the super package price would have made you dizzy! Oh, if there was a “gift with purchase” special, ChaChaGirls would rejoice with “Yay Me!”

If you have ever made an infomercial purchase on something life-changing, let me know so I can check it out, and if you want to know my 5 must have rings….I am happy to share. But, respond fast, as I have a super secret blog special if you are one of the first 10 responders!

Suzanne Taylor at s@chachabella.com
Blog contributor

Did you hear the screams?

I recently went bathing suit shopping and did my best to not cry at the image in the fluorescent three way mirror. I believe it is a conspiracy to bring the bathing suits out in the middle of the winter before you have lost the holiday weight, gotten your spring bikini wax, and started applying tanning crème.

I know you all have been in this predicament, looking for a bathing suit before your spring break trip, yet your body isn’t ready for this event. I am still hiding under bulky sweaters and looking forward to the arrival of the Girl Scout cookies!

It doesn’t matter if you are a size 0 or a plus size, trying on bathing suits is our own worst nightmare because we are all self critical. I love that some boutiques have heels in the dressing room. Yes, they do make my legs look longer but I won’t be wearing those at the pool club or on the beach. Perhaps, if I was taking a trip to Vegas, they would be appropriate, but for now, I’ll have to use the wedge flip flop or (gasp!) go barefoot, which doesn’t elongate anything!

I haven’t worn a bikini since I was in my twenties! I am a tankini girl thanks to my two beautiful children. I also prefer the halter top to help lift my breasts up. So, right away my choices are limited. My friends love the bikinis and can order them right from the Victoria Secret catalog. Sure, they may have to return a few for being see-through or lack of coverage, but they have so many choices online and in the stores it makes my head spin.

Like most of you, I have figured out a few brands that work well with my body type and concentrate on those. I need two types of suits, one to wear in a lake for boating activities (dark color and not as pricey since may get ruined more easily) and then one for sunning at the pool, which can be prettier and more flattering since I am not covered in life vest. It seems crazy that something so thin and small can cost so much, but per wearing, I guess it works out. At least, that is my cost-benefit rationalization, as the more expensive ones always look better on me.

Whether you shop at bathing suit specialty shops that let you mix and match sizes, department stores where you can bring in 25 suits at once to try on, or discount stores where you can sometimes pick up steals, I suggest bringing a friend.

ChaCha brides and ChaCha girls need a female companion to remind you that your smile is the best part of your body and to stop obsessing over the way the suit makes you look!

Let me know your nightmare bathing suit story, and you will be entered to win a ChaChaBella Friendship ring to help you feel better.

Suzanne Taylor, Contributing Blog Writer
s@chachabella.com