Sweater Fun from Old Navy!

 You guys, Old Navy is at it again. Giving me free stuff. Not that I'm complaining.

The crayons kept our boys busy.

Last week my friend Mel and I got to peruse Old Navy's extensive sweater collection and pick out one for each of us.

Whereas my last Old Navy trip was a frivolous girls' night out, this one was a true mommy-style mission. Mel had both of her kids with her, and I had one of mine. Oh, and I had gotten about four hours of sleep due to a wakeful toddler. Whoo! High fashion at its best.

SO many choices!

Lucky for us, Old Navy has coloring table in the back of each store. Yes, a coloring table. A bucket of crayons and tons of print-outs to keep the kids occupied. They also have bins filled with kickballs. When our boys got tired of coloring, they rolled the balls back and forth around the back of the store. Employees at any other store probably would have gifted us with dirty looks and sighs, but the Old Navy employees were patient and helpful.

Mel strategizes her sweater selection.

So taking turns wrangling kids and trying on sweaters, Mel and I set about narrowing down our choices. That part might have been harder than chasing the kids! I knew I was ready to branch out from my usual solid sweaters to some fun stripes, but there were so many options! Mel struggled over whether to pick a traditional cable knit, a fun fair-isle cardigan, or a versatile sweater dress.

We both decided to go the classic sweater route, although I went a little crazy for me and got -- gasp -- multi-colored stripes! I don't know about Mel, but I feel like I will live in my sweater this winter. It's soft, flattering, and just the right length (I can wear it with my skinny jeans and not have to worry about showing skin as I chase the kids on the playground).

Thanks to Old Navy, Crowdtap, and the employees of Old Navy Northside Marketplace for a fun sweater sampling experience!

Showing off our sweaters along with some artwork from our little guys.

Disclaimer: I received coupons for free sweaters for me and a friend through Crowdtap and the Old Navy Style Council. I received no other compensation for this post. 

Round Up and Reviews

Just some bits and pieces.


So, thanks to you lovely people, I had enough Modcloth referral credit to get these boots--



--for about $12. THANK YOU!  Thank you, thank you. If you want in on the Modcloth fun and you haven't ordered from Modcloth previously, you can use this link to get $20 off a $50 purchase until October 31st (I think it reverts to $10 off after that). If you HAVE ordered from Modcloth before, then you can get your own referral link and earn credit to buy your own boots! Or cat sweater. Or jams.

Not an easy weeknight meal.

As part of a BzzCampaign, I made baked ziti with Progresso Recipe Starters Fire-Roasted Tomato sauce. It was yummy, but I didn't think the Recipe Starter made the meal any easier or tastier. I wonder if I would have been more impressed with the mushroom sauce or white sauce. Anyway, if any of you know me in real life and want a .75 off coupon, let me know! (I got to try Progresso Recipe Starters for free as part of the campaign, and BzzAgent gives me reward points for blogging my honest opinion.)


 Also as part of a BzzCampaign, I've been trying the Glade Expressions line of products. We're really not an air freshener family, but now that we have two little boys in the house we notice unusual smells on occasion. We put the Glade Expressions Oil Diffuser in Fuji Apple & Cardamom Spice in our guest house to drive out the musty smell, and, um, wow -- it's rather strong. We can smell apples while standing in our driveway. I have the Glade Expressions Fragrance Mist in Cotton & Italian Mandarin for use inside the main house, and it's much more subtle. I don't know if that is a difference in the fragrance or the method of dispersal. If you want to try Glade Expressions for yourself, check out this coupon for $4 off an Oil Diffuser and this coupon for $2 off a Fragrance Mist. (And here we go again -- I got to try Glade Expressions for free as part of a BzzCampaign, and I get reward points for blogging honestly about my opinions.)


And finally, I'm sending you to another lovely post from Life.Edited. "What if I just stop worrying?" Gotta love that.

Old Navy Cardi Party

Our new fall outfits! We got to take them home thanks to Old Navy.
(The dog mannequin stayed at the store.)

In my current state as a mom with young children, scarves are my thing. I love scarves. I'll wear scarves when it's 85 degrees outside.

I can't wear a necklace right now. My toddler will chew on it and yank on it until it breaks. But scarves? Fair game for chewing. Great for peekaboo, too. Oh, and bonus points to scarves for being big enough to hide stains on t-shirts.

Trying out a few options

So when Old Navy offered to send me and three of my friends on a fall shopping mission to find skirts, cardis, and scarves, you can bet I was ready to go. And I took my friends Danielle, Mandy, and Rebekah along for the fun.

Once at the store, we scouted the styles to see what we liked the best.We each tried on a few different looks to find the perfect style to take home.

Mandy and Danielle add splashes of color.

Mandy wasn't sure where to start, but she found some in-store ideas that helped her create a great look. Danielle found an outfit that looks good now and will still work for her after her sweet baby arrives in a few weeks.

Rebekah, whom we discovered can rock a hat like nobody's business, found so many great options that she's already planning a return shopping trip!

I found myself drawn to the pencil skirts. My friend Jessica, one of my fashion heroes, says every woman needs a black pencil skirt in her wardrobe. I tried to go for a Mad Men-type look with the black pencil skirt, but I found that the corduroy skirt was more suited to my casual style.

Rebekah with some Tennessee style.

I think all of us found extra pieces we decided to buy in addition to our free skirt/scarf/cardi combos. I usually shop alone (or online), and combining shopping with a girls' night out was a really fun experience. The encouragement I received from these sweet ladies made me feel like I could step away from my normal look and try some new things (hot pink stripes, anyone?!).

Thanks to the employees and store manager at Old Navy Nashville West for their patience and good humor during our visit, and thank you to Danielle, Mandy, and Rebekah for a terrific evening of shopping. What a fun event!




You can see more of our photos from the Old Navy Cardi Party at Flickr and Pinterest.

Disclaimer: Old Navy provided free clothes to my friends and me, and Crowdtap gives me points for writing honestly about my experience. However, the opinions expressed are my own.

First World Problems?

I'm getting my hair cut later this week. I keep thinking I'll just get a trim.....I like having long-ish hair so I can do all the trendy hairstyles like side braids and sock buns. But then I see my friend S, who has short, wavy hair that looks fabulous, and I think how easy short hair would be.....with short hair, I could just run my fingers through my hair each morning and be ready to go.

Then I think about how slowly my hair grows, how it would take me a year to grow my hair back to shoulder length.....

And then I read this beautiful post from Wild and Precious...perfectly timed for my week.

I urge you to check it out, too, and find out how Blair is using her lovely locks to help rescue women from the sex industry.

PSA: The Oil Fields of Your Eyes

Apparently I have oily eyelids. Until a few months ago, I had never really thought very much about my eyelids. They certainly weren't on those "t-zone" charts that I always saw as a teenager with typical combination skin (for the uninitiated, that's skin that is dry is some areas and oily in others).

What I have known is that I can only wear one type of mascara. Regular mascara runs down my face in minutes, and even waterproof mascara gives me raccoon eyes after a couple of hours (and then I have to use a chisel to get it off -- ugh!). The only mascara that will stay on my eyelashes is the kind that needs warm water for removal (I love Clinique's version, and Sephora has another type as well).

As I get older and more courageous about letting out my inner 1940s movie star, I've been bolder about adding eyeliner to my makeup regimen so I can occasionally achieve a vintage look (I love this glam tutorial!). Once again, however, I find the eyeliner all over my face in less than an hour.

I first tried some ELF liquid liner to get the cat's eye look I wanted, but when it didn't last I invested in MAC's gel liner, hoping for a better result. To my disappointment and surprise, the gel liner smudged throughout the day.

My eyeliner arsenal: MAC gel liner, ELF liquid liner, and MAC Paints.

I turned to a local MAC counter for help, hoping they could find a solution for my problem.

I told the MAC artist about my issues with eyeliner that won't stay put, and he suggested the gel liner.

"Um, that's what I'm using," I said nervously.

He looked at me for a second. "The GEL LINER runs? Hm....Do you have oily eyelids?"

"What?! Um, not that I know of...." I stammered. Oily eyelids? I had never heard of such a thing. My skin tends to be pretty dry, so I was pretty sure I didn't have any extra oil anywhere.

The makeup artist examined my eyes. "Ooh, yeah, there's some shine there."

Um, ok. So apparently I have oily eyelids. I'm not sure how I feel about that.

BUT the good news here is that once the source of the problem was found, a solution was offered. Now, whenever I want to glam with my eye makeup, I first apply MAC Paints in Bare Canvas to my eyelids. My makeup lasts all day, even when I switch back to my cheap ELF liquid liner.

(Side note: Apparently some colors of MAC Paints have some questionable ingredients. Bare Canvas is fine, but others have health warnings. Ick! I'm looking for a healthier and eco-friendly alternative.)

So anyway, I'm thinking there might be a few other ladies out there who suffer from chronic raccoon eyes like me. Be comforted, ladies -- whether your eye makeup taste leans toward Taylor Swift or Betty Draper, with the right tools you can get a look you love!

Put a Little ModCloth in Your Heart

Friends, I've gushed before about ModCloth.


They are, after all, the site that sells this fantastic swimsuit:

(Not me)

And they are the source of my favorite-est dress ever:

Me

And now they are doing a friend referral program. If you are a first-time ModCloth shopper and spend at least $50 in your first order, you get $10 off! Just for being my friend! Because I'm cool! Just use this link to shop, and you'll be all set. 

ModCloth will send me credit for referring you, as well.

So now let's talk about what we can do with all this ModCloth money:

Yes

No

Yes

No

Yes

With that quick primer and this referral link, I will leave you to your delightfully mod shopping.

Bedrest Fashion

At the beginning of my pregnancy, my stylist friend Jessica sent me a list of "10 Things for Every Pregnant Woman's Wardrobe." I selected a few things off the list to supplement my maternity wear, my favorite of which were skinny jeans and a maxi dress.

This knit faux-wrap dress from
motherhood.com combines style and comfort..

Now that I'm on bed rest, the skinny jeans aren't exactly comfortable for daily wear, but I don't want to sit around in my pajamas or workout pants all day. Getting dressed is one of the few ways I still feel like a "real person".

These active pants from oldnavy.com
can pass for comfy dress pants.

Jersey knit seems to be my friend. I've found some really cute knit items that are still comfortable to wear in bed all day. I have some gray jersey pants that were intended to be workout pants but can pass for dress casual when pair with a nice top, and I found a knit wrap dress from my first pregnancy that promises to be an essential piece this time as well.

These leggings from oldnavy.com have a modern
flair with hook-&-eye details

This apeainthepod.com tunic is cute
but comfy-looking.

Leggings, which were one of Jessica's original recommendations for me, have been very useful. I can wear them with a knit tunic top, or put them under a short dress to add some modesty.






I've traded some of my hospital white compression socks for black and skin-tone compression socks, which blend a little better with my clothes. The thigh-high compression stockings actually add some glamour to my look!

Even if you haven't done bed rest per se, I know several of you have had recuperation periods for surgery and various illnesses. Did you have a go-to wardrobe item that brightened your day?

Purse Predicament, a.k.a. Diaper Bag Dilemma, or, Alliteration is Alluring

I think I may ditch the diaper bag.

I love the diaper bag we received for Ian, but I'm realizing it's not the ideal solution for my lifestyle right now. Ian and I run errands several times throughout the week, so I tote him and the diaper bag many places. But when I go somewhere without Ian, I have to switch all my stuff from the diaper bag to a purse. After all, it would look silly to take the diaper bag with me without the kiddo, and Paul might need the bag when he's in charge of Ian. However, the constant switching of stuff is time consuming and means that I often arrive places without my coupons/camera/lip gloss/keys.

For reference, here a diaper bag that is similar to what I use now:

So I think it's time for a change. I think it's time for a mom purse. I'm ready for one of those giant, hold-everything-plus-a-roll-of-duct-tape satchels to tote everywhere I go. I'm sure I'll still use the larger diaper bag for longer outings with Ian (zoo day!), but I like the thought of one bag for a some baby stuff as well as my own junk.

I've started keeping an eye out for the right purse. My friend Jessica recommends I find one with lots of pockets to help me keep everything organized. I'm thinking basic black is probably a good color choice. Ideally, I would love to find a fair trade bag, but I've checked several fair trade sites and haven't found any that are appropriately gargantuan or particularly stylish (and while I'm succumbing to the mom purse, I still want to be stylin', yo?). I might go vintage; that way, even if it was made by sweatshop labor, at least it was sweatshop labor a long time ago.

There are some fund diaper-bag-disguised-as-trendy-purse options, but most of them are a bit out of my price range. Here's a cute diaper bag I found on saksfifthavenue.com, and it's only $550! (Ummmmm.....no.)

This one at Diaper Bag Boutique is only $128! (Ummmmm, still no.)

It's funny being at this point in my purse life. I used to pride myself on carrying the smallest purse I could, trying to be an accessory minimalist. I think becoming a smart phone junkie heralded the end of that era, since that meant I couldn't fit my phone in my jeans pocket. Now I'm back to the level I was in 5th grade, when I carried all sorts of random things in my purse "just in case" (extra water in case of natural disaster? check).

I have a feeling I'll be upgrading to a bigger diaper bag, too, if our family grows any time soon (no, nothing to report there). As a naive, first-time expecting mother, I figured my cute little square of a bag would provide plenty of room. Then I got introduced to babies with reflux and their never-ending need for burp cloths. Of course, now I just need room for tons of extra socks since someone likes to chew on his.

So, other mommies out there, I would love to hear your thoughts on purse vs. diaper bag, and what you have found to be helpful.

And now, the moment you've all been waiting for....

We proudly present for your viewing pleasure....The Microsoft Windows 95 Product Team!

No, just kidding. That was some vintage geek humor for ya.

So what you've REALLY been waiting for -- the results of my makeover!

My stylist, Jessica, took $200 and 5 hours of shopping and gave me a wonderful wardrobe refresher.

Here's my "before" picture:

Below you can see our purchases, which rang up at $206.16. Jessica was quite adept at finding sales -- both pairs of jeans were $15 at Old Navy, and the sweater dress was discounted 20%. And the best part? Everything is machine washable!

In case you can't tell from the picture, that's two pairs of jeans, one pair of leggings, one rockin' sweater dress, a cardigan, a plain cami, an embellished cami, a striped top, an Assets camisole (Target's Spanx-ish line), black flats, a flowered headband, black tights, a belt, and an awesome necklace. Yep. $200.

So here are my "after" pics, complete with hair and makeup by Jessica as well.

The outfit with the cardigan is my absolute favorite. I feel like I can hold my own at Green Hills Mall now.

Jessica was able to give me some style tips that will carry me through the rest of this season, such as adding a scarf to a thermal and jeans for some extra flair. She also saved me from spending the rest of my life wearing pants that are too short, lovingly informing me that I am no longer allowed to by regular-length pants. Tall sizes only for my 5'9" self.

We took one afternoon and went through my closet, donating pieces that no longer fit or that I really didn't like. Having someone with me helped me be brave enough to get rid of a ratty, old sweater that I'd had for 10 years, as well as a blazer that was "too nice to throw out," even though I  hated it.

So I think I'm set, style-wise, until.....March, perhaps? Unfortunately, my favorite fashionista is moving to the land of all things stylish -- Italy -- in February. Here's hoping she can do long-distance styling!

Makeover

I get a makeover tomorrow!

My friend Jessica, who has worked in the fashion industry for several years, is going to survey my wardrobe and then take me shopping to infuse some style into my life.

I've always struggled in finding the knowledge and patience to dress well, so I'm excited to receive help from a professional.

Now that I'm a mom, I need outfits that are machine-washable and easy to throw together. I find myself wearing jeans and Predators t-shirts more often than not, with the occasional workout pants thrown in. I have a couple of cute outfits, but they generally have baby drool on them after a couple of hours; then I'm back to jeans and t-shirts until laundry day.

I do have several nice pairs of pants and jackets that are dry clean only -- right, like those will see the light of day in the next five years.

I am a little nervous about the makeover. I don't weigh what I would like to weigh right now, and buying clothes in my current size means admitting to myself that I'm not as healthy as I would like to be. I think that vulnerability and honesty is only going to help me be more confident in my clothing choices. If I'm feeling brave, I may post "before" and "after" photos for my fashion adventure. Wish me luck!

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow?

So I'm trying to figure out what my "mommy" hairstyle will be.

I had visions of letting my hair grow out during pregnancy so that I would have long, luxurious princess hair when my baby was born. However, I failed to consider that a)cutting my hair short at the beginning of the pregnancy would not help this goal and b) my hair

grows

incredibly

slowly.

So now I have medium-length hair that is BORING, and I'm trying to figure out my next step.

I still want the princess hair. I've never had very long hair, and right now my hair is the longest it's been in years, so if I'm going to do it, now's the time. I have curly/wavy hair, so I imagine it looking something like Buttercup's in The Princess Bride. Yeah. Maybe after 20 years of no hair cuts.

However, I'm realizing that perhaps long hair is not the wisest choice for a new mom. It seems to be a great tug/chew toy for baby, plus I keep finding it wrapped around his diaper, his neck, his sleep sack, etc. Also, long hair can be pretty hard to style for us curly-headed lasses. Any hairstyle other than a quick ponytail requires the use of a blow dryer or straightening iron to avoid a frizzy mess, and I just don't have the patience for that.

So it seems that a short 'do is the way to go. I could totally do short hair. I imagine myself as an emo-chick with piecey, pointed black hair and face-framing bangs. Wait, what? No dyeing my hair black while baby is drinking breastmilk? Oh, well I can do the rest....what? Curly hair can't be piecey and pointy without hours of straightening that requires time I just don't have? Booooo. And the bangs? Well, if I had a picture of myself from the last time I had bangs (circa 1991) you would see why curly hair and bangs just don't go together.

I really do want the bangs -- I just don't like short hairstyles without them. But I don't know that I can invest the styling time bangs would require. And remember, since my hair

grows

incredibly

slowly,

if I find that my new bangs are a mistake, I get to spend years trying to undo it.

Then there is this other issue. Wow, I'm really not sure the world is ready to see this yet. Well, here goes:

That's my angel 'fro. I have these short, little hairs that form a halo around my head, and there is nothing I can do about them. Extreme amounts of straightening and styling product might tame them for a time, but they are always there, mocking me. Even a simple ponytail can go from decent to laughable when these things make their appearance. Apparently that part of my hair is so thin and fine that it can't grow to a decent length.

So there is only one option. I'm going to shave off my angel 'fro and rock the Elizabethan hairstyle.

If you would like to save me from a lifetime of looking like a Renaissance-era noblewoman, leave a comment with your hairstyle suggestion. Even better, link to a picture!

Beauty Tips for the Holidays

Okay, ladies. I'm definitely not an expert, but I figure I have a bit of street cred on the beauty front due to my brief stints as a performer and makeup consultant and my current occupation in the fashion industry. Straight from my research, classes, and personal tribulations (mostly the latter), here are my holidays beauty tips for you.

1. Treasure clear mascara as your dearest friend. I love clear mascara as a way to give my eyes definition without risking "raccoon eyes." With my allergies and my tendency to cry, clear mascara is my go-to eye product that I know will look good all day and into the night. No, it doesn't pack the punch of triple-your-lashes-ultra-black, but it's reliable and easy. Plus, it doubles as brow gel to tame those unruly eyebrows.

2. Keep that eyeliner sharp. I discovered I get a neater, more professional look when I take the time to make sure my eye pencil is sharp before lining my eyes. When lining with a pencil, I use a traditional sharpener. If I am using a cream-based stick, I roll the tip of it in a tissue to mold the end to a point.

3. Let makeup be makeup, and sunscreen be sunscreen. Never the twain should meet. I learned this one the hard way. For years, my "special occasion" makeup that I used for photos, performances, and other events was thick cream foundation that included sunscreen. These products often include light-reflecting material as their active ingredients (titanium dioxide or zinc oxide). Well, when a bright light -- such as a flash -- hit the light-reflecting particles on my face.......um, light was reflected. In other words, I looked as pale as a ghost. So for those holiday photo sessions, skip the built-in sunscreen. A better option for protection is a product that contains a chemical sunscreen like oxybenzone.

4. Carry a dryer sheet in your purse. With my frizzy hair, this is definitely a style-saver. It may feel silly, but running a dryer sheet over my hair in the middle of the day is a great way to reduce flyaways when I'm on the go. Plus, I can eliminate any static cling still plaguing my clothes after I get to my destination.

5. Boost your confidence. Finally, I try to remember to do something that makes me feel confident about who I am. This might involve a bubble bath, a manicure, or a few minutes spent with a good book. I find what recharges me and spend a few minutes to remember who I am. Making sure I feel great on the inside is the best way to look great on the outside.

The Hair Dilemma

To cut or not to cut? That is the decision looming on the horizon for me. My hair is the longest it has been in several years, and I am trying to decide what comes next.

I find that my inner fairy princess is battling my inner cool kid. Do I want long, flowing curls or an edgy, hip cut? I've started asking people their opinions over dinner, hoping to find a consensus. Even if I do make a decision, I usually change it the next day.

Here's what the past few days have been like:

Friday: Hair is a static-y, frizzy mess. Definitely cutting it.
Saturday afternoon: At Holiday Craft Market. Seeing many hipsters with cute haircuts. Definitely cutting hair.
Saturday night: Watching Enchanted. Wavering on that haircut idea.
Sunday: Hair is cooperating and falling into princess curls. No frizz in sight. Keeping hair long.
Monday: Hair is flat and stays in a ponytail all day. Husband mentions he likes the shorter hair cut. Thinking I might cut my hair.

So you see, I definitely have a problem here. Right now I am wondering if I should shave my head and buy wigs to fit each mood. Or I can cut my hair but get some clip-on extensions for those princess days.

In reality, I probably need to lighten up on the vanity and stop worrying about my hair. I think my hair angst probably represents other things in my life that I can't control, and my indecision reflects my inability to accept my powerlessness. Or maybe I'm just wishy-washy.