While it may sound ominous, the term "Black Friday" actually has a positive meaning. Retailers look forward to the day after Thanksgiving because it's their chance to turn a profit, basically turning the "red" ink on their financial statements into "black" ink. The term only came into use in the mid 1960's but since then it has become associated with great sales, crazy traffic and lots of crowds.

While it may sound ominous, the term "Black Friday" actually has a positive meaning. Retailers look forward to the day after Thanksgiving because it's their chance to turn a profit, basically turning the "red" ink on their financial statements into "black" ink. The term only came into use in the mid 1960's but since then it has become associated with great sales, crazy traffic and lots of crowds.

So whether shopping on "Black Friday" is already an annual tradition for you or you're gearing up to join the fun this year, a plan of action is a necessity to ensure you keep a smile on your face all day long!

• Strategize your Shopping - Write a list of the top stores you want to go to, and the key items you want to buy, then hit their websites to research their Thanksgiving Day promotions. Also be sure to get the Thanksgiving Day paper, as lots of sales aren't announced until the last minute.
• Map out your Schedule - Figure out where you are going first, second and last. Some sales are time-sensitive, and some stores open earlier than others, while mall stores are open later than free-standing boutiques. Plan a route that factors in all of these variables and you won't be driving in circles all day or scrambling to catch the perfect sale.
• Dress comfortably - You want to be warm enough for the time you'll spend outside, but wear layers that you can remove so you won't self-combust inside stuffy, crowded stores. Comfortable shoes are a must and so are portable snacks and drinks.
• Chose a Dream Shopping Team - Unless you want to feel frustrated all day, think hard about who will get into the spirit of shopping and bargain-hunting, leave your bah-humbug friends and family members at home!

And so are most fashion designers and fashionistas out there. Red is the color to wear this holiday season. First hinted at the MTV Music Awards when Beyonce rocked the red carpet in a red mini dress, the red brigade came out in full force just weeks later at the Emmy Awards with Blake Lively, Hayden Panettiere and Angela Kinsey all sporting fabulous dresses in the vibrant hue. So, what's it mean to you and me? Well, it's time to high time to buy something in red. We promise you'll find lots of it out there! If you're a little too shy for a red dress, may we suggest a scarf, a blouse, or perhaps red shoes?

And so are most fashion designers and fashionistas out there. Red is the color to wear this holiday season. First hinted at the MTV Music Awards when Beyonce rocked the red carpet in a red mini dress, the red brigade came out in full force just weeks later at the Emmy Awards with Blake Lively, Hayden Panettiere and Angela Kinsey all sporting fabulous dresses in the vibrant hue. So, what's it mean to you and me? Well, it's time to high time to buy something in red. We promise you'll find lots of it out there! If you're a little too shy for a red dress, may we suggest a scarf, a blouse, or perhaps red shoes?

Red Shoes?
They work with more looks than you think, you just gotta know how to wear them!

• DO pair red pumps with brown, navy or cream. A cream pantsuit with a red shoe - very chic.
• DO wear red strappy stilettos with jeans -- perfect with blue, even better with the new denim styles in gray and black.
• DON'T match your red shoes with anything pastel or any primary colors - it just doesn't work - ever!

Men, you've got some choices to make this season. No matter what you're looking for - casual, dressy or athletic, Off Broadway Shoes has a larger selection for you than ever before. That's because designers have stepped up to offer men more style, more shapes, more colors and more fabrics - making it a perfect time to pick up a new pair.

Men, you've got some choices to make this season. No matter what you're looking for - casual, dressy or athletic, Off Broadway Shoes has a larger selection for you than ever before. That's because designers have stepped up to offer men more style, more shapes, more colors and more fabrics - making it a perfect time to pick up a new pair.

Consider stepping out of the box and into one of these new trends:

• a dress shoe in cordovan (a deep reddish brown)
• a slip-on loafer in suede
• a longer, pointed lace-up shoe

All three looks will up your style quotient, giving you a more confident stride.