My Body Shop Grab Bags

Got them today! Remember, I was supposed to get:
a full-size body butter
a mini gift (sample)
a makeup item
a spa wisdom item
an accessory
Now, for accessory, I really thought I'd get something little, like a make-up brush or mini loofa. My two grab bags were similar in content to each other, but here's what I got :
A: Pomegranate body butter, cream blush, dual eye shadow, single eye shadow, spa wisdom milk bath, $25 home fragrance collection with lamp ring, sample of mango body butter, sample of moisture cream.
B. Pomegranate body butter, shimmer lip balm, copper eye liner, sparkle eye liner, spa wisdom milk bath, $25 home fragrance collection with lamp ring, sample of mango body butter, sample of moisture cream.
In each bag I got 2 bonus make up items and 1 bonus sample item and neither of my "accessories" was a lamo-$2 thing.
AMAZING deal - still available! Go get it!

Oakleys

This weekend, the big sale at 6pm.com is Oakley Sunglasses. They are super nice and they have some pretty stylish options available. Here are a couple:

Prices start at just $39.95. Oakley fans, you know this is a good deal. Others are available for $69.95. As always with this site, get there soon! The selection goes super fast.

The other sale on the site is on Romantic Soles footware. These are women's shoes. Not super gorgeous . . . . but some very cute flats. These are starting at just $8.95! Nice price, right?

Both of thesse deals are advertised on the home page, so surf over! Here's the link:

http://www.6pm.com

Beauty Deal at The Body Shop

Do you ever have a shop you just love? Like, "Hey, my birthday is coming up honey, just buy me ANYTHING from ***********!"? Well, I think The Body Shop is one of those places. There isn't really anything in there I wouldn't put on myself. Which makes THIS a good deal:
GRAB BAG FROM THE BODY SHOP
Only $15 gets you $50 worth of products!
At a minimum each bag has:
1 full size 6.7 oz. body butter
1 spa wisdom product
1 mini gift
1 accessory
1 makeup item
and some bags will have more! Only 2 per customer!

If you're shopping online (you know how fun kids are at the mall!) use the coupon code WEL103 and get free shipping on orders of $30 +
Put that in your stocking! No, really, do it! Loves!
Mo

Where have I been?

So, I'm pregnant with kid no. 2 and I have awful morning sickness, so I haven't been so awesome at shopping, let alone finding and posting great deals. If the tone of this blog turns to maternity clothing, rest assured we'll be back to the good stuff in June! Hopefully I'll get some great stuff on here for you soon. Actually, I do know of a good site for SHOES . . . . more on that next post! For now, lets talk about the coming shopping concern . . . . CHRISTMAS SHOPPING. Here are a couple good tips:
1. KIDS: They want toys. Toys R Us has good sales, so be watching their weekly circular (comes with your Sunday paper) for the best deals. Another great resource is eBay. You know how kids are . . . . there's always a few toys they're in love with at the store, but never touch when they get it home. People eBay those and you can get some GREAT deals.
2. TOUGH GROWN-UPS: You know who I'm talking about - grandparents, the bachelor uncle, people who've got everything they want. Handmade gifts are a great idea, but if you're like me, its easy to start 12 projects and finish 3. A great place to get the "handmade and one of a kind" beautiful gift is Etsy. com. I've actually got an Etsy shop (I see hats and a few hair accessories) but I have some really great hints for using Etsy.
A. When you search for something like "men's hat" you get 100 pages of items. Too many and you're probably missing the good one. Try being super specific. "Camo Men's Hat" or "Wool Men's Hat" or "Felt Men's Hat" will cut the pages down significantly and you won't have to look at so many that aren't ANYTHING like what you want. Throw a color in there too!
B. Add some favorite seller and items when you find something you might like to give. Search results are listed by how recently the item was put on. In a day or so, you won't be able to find that cute item again.
C. Convo. If you see something you like, but its the wrons size/color/etc. just convo the seller and they are almost always happy to make what you're looking for.
Most of all, have FUN doing your shopping. If you're happy and excited about your gift, chances are, the recipient will be too. Happy shopping!
Mo
Oh, here's my etsy shop if you want to check it out:
http://moandozzy.etsy.com
Be sure to look at my favorite items and sellers . . . I've dug up some cute stuff!

SHOES, need I say more?

Ok, so if you love shoes, and your husband, and you don't want to make him mad, check out 6pm.com . I got all four of these pairs of shoes for under $40 including shipping. I mean, each shoe was like, 8 bucks and the shipping was 7. SERIOUSLY! All of these shoes had MSRP's of at least $100. These are shoes I drool over, cannot own, and settle for some, admittedly still adorable, other, less expensive shoes. These are well made and of real leather with AMAZING detail. More impressive in person than in the pictures! No gross glue glops or missing rhinestones here. Shoes are as low as $4.95! Go shop!

6pm.com sells more than just shoes. I have looked at the bags and if there's a brand you covet, its probably a good place to send your hubby for your Christmas present, but I wasn't overly impressed with the bag prices. Haven't looked at clothing yet, but I will certainly let you know when I find another amazing deal. Happy shopping!

A couple GREAT fashion deals

Go to Target. You know you want to. :) The reason? Chinos. Great flat front, straight leg trousers. One of those basic items you use forever. $15. FOR REAL. Get the Merona chinos for 15 bucks. I recommend the black or brown. For moms, light colors aren't practical. If you're an apple shape (skinny legs, bigger torso) go for the oyster. A darker color on top and lighter below will balance you out. If you're hippy, go dark, or it'll exaggerate the hips.

Don't forget to go to Shopko! Ok, to be honest, I've purchased a handbag or two here, but clothing . . . not so much. This week you can get the thick, on trend tights in great colors 2 for $10.

I'm going to pick up that great berry color, black, gray, brown, and maybe an oatmeal. I bet they'll be so cute this fall with a little shift , pumps, and that dark berry wool coat that's been waiting for me in my basement. :) Go shopping!

InStyle

If I were you, I'd be wondering, "what is that cheapskate mommy doing buying a magazine like Bazaar for that price that doesn't have coupons in it?" Well, I'll tell you.

In August, I was on Amazon.com and discovered that you can get 1 year subscriptions to some magazines for 5 bucks or less. I don't think Bazaar is one of them right now, but InStyle is! Order it before Sept. 30th though Amazon and its 5 bucks for a year. Now THAT is some style inspiration, delivered to your home, and a great excuse for a 1/2 hour in the tub. Go get it, ladies! And check Amazon often. The cheap magazines change every 6 weeks or so!

GREAT deal for this week

If you get the paper, I bet you already know.
IT IS NEVER TOO EARLY TO SPOIL YOUR SKIN! Eye treatments and lotions (with SPF 15+, of course) are a nice way to pamper yourself and avoid confusion when the teacher thinks grandma brought junior to school today. I LOVE Olay Difinity lotion. It comes in a clear tube and in it you can see tan and white stuff spiraling together. LOVE IT. Talk about fewer steps! Sheer foundation, anti-aging, moisturizing, and SPF in one step. SERIOUSLY. SO, a few weeks ago the Sunday paper blessed me with a $3 coupon for it. This week at Walgreens, you can score Olay products buy 1 get 1 50% off. I'm buying my lotion and an eye roller. If you buy the eye roller and a bottle of Pantene (you all know that stuff is great, right?) and send the recipt and a printable form found on Olay.com to Olay, they send you $20. And, it just happens that I've been collecting coupons and a bunch are for Pantene. AND ITS ON SALE AT WALGREENS! 3 for 10. SCORE! Get gorgeous with me at Walgreens this week!

Let's Talk About Fall Fashion . . . .

I KNOW! I haven't posted in forever! But, if you check out my other blogs, you'll see I've been busy picking up a new hobby and cleaning food off my 1 year old. :)
Anyway, on to the topic at hand . . . FALL FASHION.
Now, lets be realistic, us mommies and standard issue ladies cannot revamp our wardrobes every season (can you imagine what the hubby . . . . and the bank . . . would say?!?!) but I was reading Bazaar and thinking, hey, some of this is TOTALLY doable . . . . and some is crap you'll be freecycling in March, so here's the scoop.
PANTS:
Now, fashion powers that be (bossy people, but rather creative) are toting cropped pants. If you live in a warmer climate, have at it. (If its already threating snow where you live, this is completly rediculous, right?) Lets rememeber ladies, these will make you looks so stinkin' short if you don't bother to put on some AMAZING heels. Put the ballet slippers down if you're picking these babies up. If you pick these up, you can probably pull them out again in the spring for some puddle-jumping-no-more-snowing good times!
They're pushing pleats. These are NOT going to hide your mom pooch, so leave them at the store. Remember those old pics of mom in pleated pants? Remember how we took her shopping after seeing those to buy her something straight and flat front? We were smart. You skinnie minnies, however, can rock them if you choose.
Skinny Jeans. For skinny people. Enough said.
Good news - liquid leggins are a thing of the past! What's cool? The SUPER THICK TIGHTS. How cute are these going to be under a dark dress or tunic and a great coat? YES!
BLAZERS
Ooh, tough this time. Check it out.
They're pushing the bofriend blazer. If you are thin, this will look fine and dandy. If you are curvy, you are losing your best assets in these things, so keep shopping.
One thing that looks seasonably tough and can work for most is the biker jacket. We're talking cropped above the hip and leather. If you can find a tailored one, you have found something great to wear all fall long.
COATS
Wool. Warm. Beautifully cut. Longer length (think knee-length or more). Looks like plaid will work, camel, red, brown . . . . find one you love and you should be able to get some good fall and winter looks for a few years.
You can also go down filled. Congratulations upper-midwest and Canada. Rock that parka! Remember, if that down isn't essential (hello, west coast!) Can make you look apple shaped, not trendy.
DRESSES
The basic shape is tailored. Not those big poofy ones I really liked before baby (now I don't feel so bad that I couldn't fit into them and sold them on eBay!). Subtle A-line, straight, and pencil skirted types. Minis are fading away and we're going about knee-length. Very flattering for everyone! If you're worried about some, ummm, bulgy parts, go with a heavier weighted fabic.
One shoulder is a big trend. If you've got modesty issues with that, please don't buy one and wear a t-shirt under it. Maybe a turtleneck in very thin knit with NO RIBBING will be ok. You're probablt best to find a different style.
Long sleeved dresses are coming out in florals (often bright and 80's reminiscent). These will not be great choices later. Unless you love it, leave it.
SHOES
Are going all strappy. Even the booties (which I can't bring myself to bother with) are strappy and open-toed. The big difference is the studs and metal details. If you want to go nuts with your bedazzler on a pair of heels, this is your big chance. Details are big in shoes this season.
COLORS
While the text was endorsing neon (or as they called them, sour colors), most of what I saw was black and white with splashes of color. Loved the thick purple, red, and black tights. If you really want to get trendy, try some neon accessories. Metallics, as always for fall and winter, are a big deal. We're going for the gold! Bronze and gold sparkle appear to be gorgeous this season, from sequinned tanks and chuncky bracelets down to gold bold studs on those shoes.
MAKE UP
Seems to be classicly fall. Browns, pink cheeks, grays, and purples. The big advice? Red lipstick, stain, or gloss. Whichever form you're more comfortable with.

Freecycle

Hey ladies - don't forget to Freecycle! Go to freecycle.org and find your nearest city. Join their group. My local group is a yahoo group, but it wasn't hard to get an e-mail address and join. Sometimes you can get clothing for free. If used isn't your thing, its a pretty great idea to pass your too small, too big, too much work to fix, out of style, and mistake items on to someone who can't afford them. Great way to declutter the house too!

Charlotte Russe, anyone?

Free shipping right now at charlotterusse.com . I know their stuff is really trendy, but its inexpensive and they have lots of good sales. You even score 3% from UPromise! They've got cute tops for less than 10 bucks and some tie die scarves that could summer up a stuffy outfit. Just click on sale and then under $10! Best news is you can order 1/2 sizes in those hot heels they carry! If you go in-store, you get shoes at a buy 1 pair and score the second pair for $10. Summer's not over and its time to shop!

Bras for mommies and/or plus sizes

Do you have any idea how hard it is to find odd bra sizes? I'm a 36 DDD. They don't carry that in the mall! Best place I've found so far is Lane Bryant (online or you can order in store). I was surprised because I'm not really the size for that store (12). They actually carry my size and the ones I purchased fit great. I strongly recommend the demi push up and the balconette. Warning - when you pull the balconette out of the box, it looks huge. but the silhouette it gives you is AWESOME. Anyhow, if your boobs will never be the same after baby and Victoria's Secret is no longer being shared with you, its a great option. They are expensive - over $30 each - but if you catch them at a buy two get two free sale, its great. Right now you can buy one and get one half off. Check it out, ladies!