Ladies, I don't know about you, but this is the time of year I tend to clean out my closets and drawers and pull out the sweater boxes from the attic.

Inevitably I donate much of the clothing that's been following me around for several years. That skirt I wore once. The jeans I wore pre-children. The shoes that didn't go with anything.

For those of you looking to off-load some of your clothing (and I'm not talking about that stained shirt from 10 seasons ago), there's a new option in the Champaign-Urbana area.

St. Joseph native Jessi Lawhead-Wrench, now living in Milwaukee, has partnered with a friend, Jessica Purtell, to launch Divine Consign, a three-day sale in Urbana.

The event will be held from Oct. 1 to 3 at the Stone Creek Clubhouse, 2600 Stone Creek Blvd.

They will sell lightly used women's clothing of all sizes (including petite, plus and maternity) and styles (active wear, business, coats) as well as accessories such as jewelry, purses, belts, gloves and hats.

Back in January, when faced with a pile of her own clothes she no longer wanted, Lawhead-Wrench, who was familiar with One Week Boutique – the biannual sale held in Champaign that features lightly used children's clothing, furniture and accessories – wondered, "Why not do this for women?"

"With the struggling economy, people are looking to save money and make a little money," she said.

The two friends held their first sale in Milwaukee in April and decided to bring the concept here after the first sale was a success.

Because "brand-name means something different to everyone," Lawhead-Wrench said, they focus on selling clothing and accessories that are current.

That means designer or higher-end clothing, but they won't shy from items that were bought at Old Navy or Kohl's, she said. They also accept clothes from all seasons.

Sellers can earn 50 percent to 80 percent of the selling price depending on whether they price the items themselves or have the organizers price them, and whether they volunteer to work at the sale.

Consignors and volunteers can shop the pre-sale, two to three hours before the sale begins. A half-price sale is held on Saturday.

Prices are expected to vary from, for example, $4 to $300 as "it depends on the brand," she said.

Unsold items will be donated to A Woman's Fund.

Sellers can register online. If you want to sell, you can price the items yourself or you can drop them off and have the organizers price them.

Consignors can register by visiting the site at www.divineconsignsale.com or by calling 414-213-6557.

New Urbana shop

As reported a few months ago here, the newest shop to The Pines shopping center at Philo and Windsor roads in Urbana is Frogs and Fairies. The "upscale resale" boutique, which features lightly used and closeout clothing for children, opened last week.

The owners, Tracy Clayton, Laura Wetherell and Lisa Cook, reported business has been brisk, and they're planning a grand opening celebration on Saturday. A photographer will be on hand to take photos of children ($5 for a 5-by-7-inch photo), and designers who sell items, such as custom tutus and monogrammed onesies, will be in the store. There also will be Kindermusik demonstrations, balloons, cookies and lemonade.

The shop is a cash-based resale boutique; they buy the clothing (up to size 12) from buyers continuously, no matter what the season.

In addition to the used clothing, the store features closeouts from Gymboree and boutique items such as new bows, room decor and ornaments. They also have Halloween costumes and maternity clothes.

Frogs and Fairies is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. It is located at 2860 S. Philo Road and can be reached at 267-6700 and www.frogsandfairiesboutique.com.

A little nip or tuck?

Advanced Aesthetics Surgery & Laser Center in Champaign, along with the Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Center in Urbana, DiscoverPlaces.com and BodiBronze Sunless Spa in Champaign are marketing "Cosmetic Stay-Cations."

The idea behind the packages is that during the recession, the surgery and laser center's competition is anything that is competing for customers' discretionary dollars, said Michelle Matteson, marketing director for Advanced Aesthetics.

So if you're not sure whether you want to spend your discretionary income on a little enhancement or a vacation, you can now do both, she said.

The center's solution is to give clients a vacation while they're having a procedure done, Matteson said. And throw in some deals for the client's companion, too.

Patients can receive deals on rooms at the Holiday Inn (such as having cooked-to-order dinners and breakfasts delivered to their rooms), specials at BodiBronze and coupons from DiscoverPlaces.com for area businesses such as restaurants and shops.

Are you opening a new business or changing an existing business? Christine des Garennes can be reached by phone at 351-5388 or 800-252-3346; by e-mail at cgarenne@news-gazette.com; or by regular mail at The News-Gazette, c/o It's Your Business column, P.O. Box 677, Champaign, IL 61824-0677.