CURVES AHEAD

If any of you, like me, are looking for a place to work out and exercise, you may want to check out Curves. For the rest of October they are waiving the joining fee (a value of approx. $190). I went up and checked it out and joined! I thought it looked to be a great program. You get an aerobic workout combined with a toning/muscle building workout, all in 30 minutes! I went for it hoping it has everything I'm looking for: variety, social(out among others), exercise (both aerobic and toning), convenience (right here in town on Main) and time (in and out in about 30 min.). Cost is $34 per month. Let me know if you're already a member or if you join, maybe we can meet sometime and kill two birds with one stone: workout and catch up!

COLUMBIA IS BOOMING WITH FUN SHOPPING OPPORTUNITIES

It just keeps getting better! There is actually more than one place for a gal to go shopping in Columbia, and I'm not talkin groceries! Got a few hours for shopping? Here's where to head:

Start on North Main at Curtis Jewelers, just off Route 3. There you'll find great jewelry from fine jewelry like gold and diamonds to a great selection of sterling silver jewelry with semi precious stones. Next head south on North Main to the Distillery Building and check out Elements Off Main home decor and furnishings consignment shop. In addition to the home decor you'll find an unbelievable selection of handmade, sterling silver and vintage jewelry. They also sell a line of handbags, wallets, scarfs, hair accessories, candles, gourmet foods and a whole lot more. Just down 2 doors in the Distillery Building is Agnes Ross, a great boutique carrying the k. hall line of moisturizers, oils, diffusers, candles and more. You'll also find great loomed rugs, pajamas, bed linens and more. Just a block away is Memory Lane Gifts & Florals. Pam, the proprietor, carries a great little line of giftables and silk floral arrangements along with a large array of fresh floral options. Continuing south on Main head next to the boutique at Vida Verde Spa. They carry a great line of women's clothes at not so "boutiquey" prices along with handmade jewelry, handbags, accessories and even original artwork. If you're looking for antiques, Evalina's is the place. They also carry coffee and sweets. Looking for a great bottle of wine? Stop in and see Andrew Traughber at Bon Vivant Wine Shop, voted by the RFT as the best wine shop in the St. Louis Metro area. At the other end of Main is the new shop Chic Junktique. The shop carries consigned items from home decor to jewelry and handbags to original works of art.

Have extra time? Maybe get a manicure or massage at Mist Day Spa or Vida Verde, both located along Main Street. And if you work up a hunger there's also plenty of places to put the feedbag on. Just off Main on Rapp is Our House Cafe. On Main you have your choice from Boccardi's, Thai House, Tiny's, Gruchala's and The Lantern. Or drive over to Marketplace Shopping Centre and eat at Mokka Kaffeehaus, well worth the short drive. Also in the plaza is Bully's and Tequilla's. So, did you ever dream you'd be able to spend an entire day enjoying Main Street in Columbia?

ITS HOT AT COLDWATER CREEK

Wow! I ran in to a great sale at Coldwater Creek in Fairview Heights today! First off, they had reversible sweater/wraps/shawls for just $10.99 each. I bought two! One that reversed from black to gray and one that reversed from chocolate brown to tan. Then I got an awesome purple jacket/blazer with stand up collar and great black buttons for just $14.99. With those great buys I was able to splurge on a great long-sleeved paisley tee with sheer sleeves for $28.99. I got all four pieces for under $70, less than the regular price of one of them! SCORE!! They just had a LOT on sale already for this time in the season. This was FALL clothes girls, not summer clearance. Check it out if you get a chance, but hurry, sizes are limited but wide ranging from petites to plus sizes!

GREAT NEWS! NORDSTROM'S RACK!

Great news from the world of retail! The St. Louis area is getting its first Nordstrom's Rack. Get all the info by clicking on the following link: http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2009/09/28/daily67.html?ana=from_rss#

I shopped at one last winter and Chicago and had a great time - and came out with a bagful of goodies. Clothes, Wacoal bra, shoes. I'm just so excited!! Thank you St. Louis Business Journal for the good news!