If you're going to be using it a lot, and for a long time to come, you want to invest your money in something that's going to keep working for a long long time...
I bought a Durabrand stand mixer at Walmart for $30, but then shortly thereafter bought a professional KitchenAid, because i can throw all my ingredients in the bowl and walk away.
I would recommend KitchenAid (of course), Delonghi, Bosch or Cooks... you want something with planetary action (meaning the beaters move around the bowl, so everything gets mixed and you don't have to babysit your mixer) and something with a lot of watts (300+).
Hope that helps 
Alot of people have recommended the Kitchen Aid mixer, which can be purchased at Walmart for $200.~ give her take a few bucks. I've seen it as low as $169.~ Currently it is priced.... $198.96 here's the link http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2636043 I think for what you do that would be your best bet, no need to go head over heels and buy the Pro 600 that costs over $500.~ Just my opinion. I was looking at the Sunbeam one from Walmart but a few CC'ers have commented that it breaks down quickly so I've opted away from that and plan to purchase this after the first of the year at tax time unless I can sell a few "special" cakes like I made this weekend and charge what she would've paid for it lol. Made a naughty lady cake and she said "I would think you'd charge about $300.~ or more for that cake how much would you charge?" I wasn't sure so I just said I dunno lol but if I could sell a few at that price I'd be having me my pretty purple mixer in no time! 
I recommend Kitchen Aid Heavy Duty. with 450 watt. I think if you're going to be doing icing and especially breads you want a good motor. I got mine on sale at Macy's for $180. 5qrt bowl lift. I Love Love Love Love LOVE IT!
I like my Cooks from JC Penny. Quite a few here have purchased it and say they love theirs too. Here is a link to it and it is on sale now for $199, watch the sales I got mine for $139. It has the same features as KA and has a 700watt motor. Very powerful and affordable. I too only use it one or twice a week so I went with it due to price over the KA and am thrilled that I did.
http://www5.jcpenney.com/jcp/ProductsHOM.aspx?DeptID=21476&CatID=21559&CatTyp=DEP&ItemTyp=G&GrpTyp=PRD&ItemID=1010d86&ProdSeq=1&ProdCount=3&ShowMenu=T&ShopBy=0&SearchString=cooks+mixer&RefPage=SearchProducts&mscssid=6af90df78436c4baf92400208b0e98c28xMnVNoVza1WxMnVNoVza1o200B58652AF4643FC6F8AB06E83EF53F290E0632321&CmCatId=SearchResults|SearchProducts|25439&FromBanners=N&S4DeptID=25439&S4PageNum=1&S4PageSize=28&Dep=housewares
I got the KA 600 Pro in seashell (light purple) for $300 PLUS free extra bowl. Williams-Sonoma in the malls have good deals usually.
They are listed at $399 right now at http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/e095/index.cfm
but there are usually in-store savings and sales.
I got a refurbished Kitchen Aid Pro 600 as a birthday present last month, and I LOVE IT!!! It's my first stand mixer, and I wanted the big daddy one. Seriously though, I got it straight from Kitchen Aid and with shipping and everything it was only $255. I really don't think you can beat a deal like that!
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