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.