ModCloth's Revel in Rewards Sale!

The ModCloth Revel in Rewards Sale begins today and there are THREE fabulous ways to save while you shop and treat yourself!

1. Enjoy FREE US shipping on orders $50+
2. Spend $100+ for free EXPRESS shipping
3. Spend $125+ & get $25 back to spend on yourself in January!

Check out all of ModCloth's adorable dresses, fun graphic tees, shoes, cardigans and even apartment and home accessories. And, don't forget to check out the ModCloth Gift Guide, you can shop for Him, for Her and there is a even a fun selection of gifts under $20, you are sure to find something for everyone on your list!

mama style - 3.1 phillip lim for target

i wanted to start doing some "mama style" posts- posts that will show you that becoming a mom doesn't mean you get to just wear yoga pants and a tshirt forever.  i won't front- i do wear yoga pants and a tshirt- at home.  moms- get cute, and get out of yo house! 

so, like most people in the world- i love designer collaborations.  the chance to own designer goods for a minimal amount of money is something that i think anyone can get behind.  i believe target started it all with their go international collection- which i owned a few pieces from long ago, but now they're everywhere it seems.

everyone on the interwebs seemed to be freaking out over the 3.1 phillip lim collection- me, not being able to pass up a good bargain went down to check it out.  let's say i no longer share that enthusiasm.  maybe it's because i just had a baby, and i've still got a little bit of baby weight.  maybe it's because i'm short- and i can't afford to carry extra weight.  i don't know- but i'm beginning to think these collections are made for skinny people only.  this one was certainly a punch in the proverbial crotch of my self-esteem.  i don't know what it is, but the sizing is ALL OVER THE PLACE for these collections- at least on me.  i tried on nearly everything my store had - my thoughts follow!

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Sparkle Sweater...

Price: 39.99

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Silky Skirt -Animal Print

Price: 29.99

thoughts:  the sweater was super-thick and would be perfect for winters up here, but i felt like it just hung on me and made me look dumpy.  plus, you can tell the sleeves have extra length on my arms, but i wish the sweater itself had more length.  maybe the sleeves are supposed to be scrunched up though?  this sweater was a medium and i felt fit me just fine.  the skirt- i really liked, although i don't wear a lot of skirts b\c i never know how to style them and i don't like how they sit on my waist- i would go back and buy this skirt on clearance.  i needed a 14 in this skirt (yes) which is 2-3 sizes bigger than the jeans i am currently wearing.  i like the skirt though, so i wouldn't let the number sway my decision.  i really wanted to try on the leopard print dress- but they didn't have it in the store on opening day- however, they did have it when i went to target yesterday, but i didn't get the chance to try it!

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Sparkle Tank -Grey

Price: 24.99

 thoughts:  this tank was probably my favorite thing that i tried on, but i'm not paying $25 for one.  i'd definitely pick this up on clearance though! a medium worked for me in this style

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Sparkle Dress - Blue

Price: 49.99

 thoughts:  this dress obviously didn't work for me.  on the left is a large, which hung on me like a potato sack.  on the right a medium- which was snug all over.  oh well.  a definite no.

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Sweater Dress

Price: 44.99

thoughts:  this is the worst picture of me of all time to go on the interwebs.  the dress on me screamed "hey everyone, i just had a baby..."  ugh.  this was a medium.

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Pullover -Navy/Emerald

Price: 34.99

thoughts:  i really liked this top, but i tried on a medium and a large and couldn't lift my arms up.  if anyone knows what that means- tell me, b\c even in my pre-baby days when i was much smaller i had the same issue with tops/jackets.  target had an xl when i was there yesterday, i might try that b\c this was my favorite thing from the look book. 

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Silky Skirt -Navy

Price: 29.99

thoughts:  this fit well.  was the same as the animal print skirt. 

thoughts:  cute floral shirt dress, but i tried a large AND an xl and couldn't lift my arms up over my head- seriously.  wtf.  i don't have broad shoulders... what is up?

so overall, this collection was unfortunately a bust for me.  did you give it a try?  buy anything?  maybe i'll have better luck next time- and by next time i mean- today!  catherine malandrino for kohls!

long weekend

sorry if i upset any of you with my previous post- we are not expecting.  again.  sorry. 

i have been very lazy with the blog lately.  mostly because i do not budget my time wisely, plus i have a crazy house & a crazy son- plus i feel like i have a lot less time to do these things now that he is bigger- he requires a lot of my attention.  plus.. potty training. 

for memorial day weekend, we headed to ft. wayne, in to see dave's family (gma, aunt, uncle, cousins) & to have some family/ian photos made.  having photos made of a 2 year old is kind of a joke.  he wasn't having it.  dave's cousin's wife, julie, is a talented photographer though, and i'm sure she was able to make some magic happen somewhere.  other than the photos we just took it easy.  we did spend one day out at dave's aunt & uncle's lake house- heaven!  ian loved going in the water and playing in the sand.  lakes kind of make me nervous, but i went in a couple times and we had a lot of fun just enjoying a gorgeous relaxing day & spending time with the family.  plus.  we want a lake house now.  ahem parents & in-laws....  i definitely wish we could have stayed longer b\c i hate that you spend almost a whole day driving... which is a bummer.  plus, i secretly (or not so secretly) love ft. wayne.  definitely love it more than here.  i don't know what it is about that place-  but i just want to live there! 

it's another busy weekend for us.  dave's sister & her husband are in town from philly & saturday we are celebrating the family may/june birthdays + mother's/father's days.  6 birthdays + the moms & dads.  luckily, we already had a bday party for the nephew & the other nephew is only a month old- so it's actually only 4 birthdays.  best part- one of them is mine! 

i am throwing in the towel on ever losing weight & being thin ever again.  i might as well just have the rest of my children and then let the biggest loser take care of me eventually.  actually, i'm going to have some blood work done soon.  we'll let that be the deciding factor. 

i've been looking for this necklace ever since i found out i was the last person on the planet to know of its existence.  i've found some that i like on ebay.  they may not be of the best quality, but i can't argue at those prices.  thank you china & hong kong!

i'm off to bed for now.  another crazy toddler day.  fits & potty training galore tomorrow. 

wishlist friday: rainbow connection

a couple weeks ago i did a modcloth contest where you constructed a rainbow-colored wishlist and a winner was picked at random for a gift card.  unfortunately, i didn't win (and i had a darn good wishlist), but i can still publicly pine over these rainbow goodies.

as a matter of refract dress 

beach club dress

red-y for tea dress

instant wishes dress

boardwalk with me dress

you say tomato dress

coral-y invited dress

bosc in the glory dress

blossom day soon dress

you look migrate dress

lakeside brunch dress

coach tour dress in azur

from what i gather dress

i thought my roygbiv inspired wishlist was perfect- and this was only a fraction of it!  i love all the colors for spring & summer- no blacks & greys here.  i think i'm loving corals & greens this spring- definitely coral (of course, i always love coral).  and yourself?

(gentle) opinions needed

the jason wu for target collab came out about a month or so ago, and i once again dragged myself out of bed and woke the baby early for crying out loud to check it out.  i had my eye on the pink/yellow striped dress, blue floral dress & the blue poplin dress (google them b\c i'm too lazy to link)- neither of which i could find in the store when i arrived about 15-20 min after it opened.  when the missoni collection was at target last year i went to the tiny target by dave's office and was able to snag the one thing i wanted before anyone in the illinois suburbs found out what a missoni was.  jason wu was a little different, and i live near a different target- so the collection was picked through in just that short amount of time.  they didn't even have either of the dresses i wanted, so i grabbed a few things to try on that i thought might work.  in the end i went home with a black pleated skirt, a blush-colored tie top, a pale blue cardigan and a red striped dress.  

initial thoughts-  skirt- could barely squeeze into a size 8 (?!), but wanted a basic black skirt.  tie top- cute, but not bowled over.  cardigan- size small seemed to swallow me, but loved the color and snaps.  dress- my favorite, but shapeless. 

i wasn't 100% crazy about them, but i felt i wanted something from the collection.  i ended up letting them sit in the tgt bag on my floor for almost a month.  i got everything out about a week ago and tried it on again.  i ended up swapping the blush top for a modcloth dress, i put the dress in the laundry to be washed and was still undecided on the other items (now leaning toward returns). 

so like i said, i washed the dress.  to the instructions- machine wash cold, tumble dry low.  i even did delicate cycle with the wash.  i should've listened to my gut and not dried the dress, but our low dry does really well with things... big mistake. 

my dress is now pretty short, but since i'm short it's too long to be a tunic...  this is where i need you dear reader...  is this a keeper, or should i try to sell/swap it?

dress: jason wu for target

belt: target

sandals: sperry topsider

see- it's short.  i feel like it has to have the belt though or else it has no definition to it.  now without belt:

just kind of hangs like i'm wearing a sack.

b-t dubs.  i have my hair in a milkmaid braid- totes cute

 man, my back part is awful... and my hair is not the greasy hot mess that it looks- i promise.  just dark & shiny.

your thoughts on the dress though... belted, unbelted or see ya later?

happy birthday bb

my first consignment sale

after some nudging from my friend kristen last week, i decided i would join her for a consignment sale adventure.  this was one of those serious sales that started at the ungodly hour of 7:30 and had a limited time frame.  i somehow managed to pull myself out of bed at a quarter to 6 and get myself looking halfway decent for kristen's arrival at 6:30.  we're both not morning people- but get a little starbucks in us and we're not so bad.  the sale was crazy when we arrived- it's at the dupage county fairgrounds- and they have several sales going on all at once spread out through the buildings.  we tried to hit up one sale to start with, but could barely squeeze in the door- so we moved on to the big sale.

right away we wanted to grab a couple big items- a new baby gate (that isn't made of wood and barely holding on) for both of us- then we quickly perused the toys (i found a goody on the way to the toys).  i found this cute little combo baseball/football/basketball toy- and i dropped that off with my gate to be held.  then it was on to the big show- clothes.  i decided to skip over most of the 2t (maybe foolish) and head straight for the 24 month stuff to procure more summer clothing (we got started at his birthday, and i just wanted to flesh the wardrobe out a bit).  basically you find a clear spot to nudge in, put your laundry basket on the floor by your foot and start flipping through clothes- you find something you like, you toss it at your feet. when you finish with that pile, you scoot your basket and keep moving.  once you've grabbed what you can (doesn't take long for boys- there just aren't as many options)- you head to a sorting area and sort- where you can get the opinions of other moms and maybe pass long what you don't want to them!  after sorting, we stood in line for 30-40 minutes, but i found myself something else + it didn't seem like the line took so long- they're pretty efficient.  fun times.

here's my haul:

 - plastic swing baby gate (sadly not wide enough for where i want it)

- sports toy

- 7 pairs of summer pjs

- 1 swimsuit/t-shirt combo (looked brand new)

- 1 l/s shirt (cookie monster)!

- 4 pairs of shorts

- 9 outfits (8 rompers b\c i love rompers on little boys and this is the last summer for them & 1 dress outfit)

- this dress

yeah, you saw that.  someone put a forever 21 dress in the girls size 16 dress section- you'd be crazy to think i wasn't going to be all over that action.  it's loose and comfy and perfect for 80 degree days (like TODAY)!!! 

so i got all that goodness for only $60!!!  so awesome!  but that's not all.  i got one additional "big ticket" item.  it's something i had been wanting for a while, but definitely couldn't afford!  

i got this bag, which normally retails for almost $200 for only $60!!  yippee!!  it holds stuff more comfortably than my old diaper bag, plus you can wear it as a backpack.  it's a super cute bag!  

the consignment sale was definitely a success- i spent a little more than i was expecting to, but got a lot of great steals, plus ian is outfitted for the summer (minus sandals)!  i'd definitely do it again.  

have you shopped or sold at a consignment sale?  successes?  horror stories?

wish list friday: modcloth duds

1.  look on the bright cider tunic - i have a weakness for bright red, holiday themed sweaters, and this one does it without being ugly sweater party material.  looks warm too, and i need it- it's 26 today!

2.  lieutenant lovely cardigan - love the colors and button detail.  would be cute alone or over anything.

3.  new hire and higher dress - this dress looks slimming and classy.  can't go wrong with that.

4.  what's the peter plan top - adorable top.  i know i'd feel just like madeline!

5.  strawberry waffles dress - adorable dress that could be styled so many ways

6.  freedom of the dress - lovely dress- and it has sleeves!

7.  streetcar tour dress - a classy dress that comes in a variety of colors that's appropriate year-round!  yes!

8.  london collar-ing dress - love this sweet dress.  the color is a winner

9.  loving care dress - another sweet dress.  i think it could be hit or miss on me though!

10.  three square teals dress - knit retro-looking dress.  very cute
11. double your output top - stripes and lace.  i think so
12.  presidio pose dress - cute, but way out of my price range
13.  snow news is good news dress - perfect sweater dress for illinois weather
14.  radiant ruby dress - i'm in love with everything about this gorgeous red dress
15.  evergreen and gorgeous dress - love the color of this pretty maxi dress
16.  brunch date top - i really love this top, can't figure out why it was only available for about a month!

like anything you see?

wish list friday: shooooes

shoes, shoes and more shoes.  i am a lady after all.  i don't wear heels much anymore- i'm a flats girl.  i call that embracing my height.  here are the cute heels & flats on my wish list.  

1.  spotlight heels- modcloth.  adorable cut-out oxford heels
2.  naughty monkey combat heels- piper lime.  i could use some new black pumps- they're always classic.
3.  all tide up flat- modcloth.  these canvas rope-trimmed flats are so cute.  summer, where are you?!
4.  room to bloom flats- modcloth.  another easy way to wear mustard this fall/winter
5.  kiltie conscience flat- modcloth.  adorable loafers.  i could use more shoes like these.
6.  how do you dewey heel- modcloth.  oxfords in a fun color.
7.  can't hardly slate wedge- modcloth.  adorable perforated wedges- and they're vegan. 
8.  the to-toes heels- modcloth.  these are seriously too cute.
9.  seychelles- ampersand.  love these.
10.  naughty monkey untamed heels- piper lime.  cute heels.

do you prefer heels or flats?

wish list friday, er, monday: winter boots/shoes

i skipped last week b\c we were at the movies late...  and i took this past friday off for thanksgiving... this is off to a poor start, but no worries, i'm back

what girl doesn't love shoes?  a crazy girl that is.  i'm always looking for new shoes- unfortunately you don't really get to wear pretty shoes in the midwest.  i spent most of last winter wearing my sweater boots- which are comfy and warm, but not necessarily the cutest.  most heels are basically out- so i need cute, flat shoes that are warm.  oh, and they most likely can't be suede or anything like that b\c the snow will ruin them.  it's a shame.  a real shame.

 here are the boots on my love list. i'll be back later this week with heels & flats!!  ;)  maybe...

1.  undercover studs boot- modcloth.  cute, flat and under $50.  yes, yes, yes.  

2.  jersy boots- blowfish.  the partially hidden zipper is a cool look.

3.  sueded desert wedges- old navy.  my old navy shoes have lasted for years.

4.  write now bootie- modcloth.  out of mama's range, but cute.

5.  riley tall slouch boot- payless.  extended calf.  sometimes i think i need this.

6.  xhilaration kainda boot- target.  i bet i can't navigate ice & a toddler in these...

7.  coconuts dylan boot- piper lime.  flat boots, yes.  ended up getting boots similar to this at target for $10!!

8.  merona kasia boot- target.  most wanted: tall, flat, black boots, but sorry target- $50?!  ha.
9.  xhilaration sadella heeled booties- target.  cute, except that i am scared of heels b\c of all the ice & snow!
10.  naughty monkey misfit- piper lime.  not a wedge, not a heel.  manageable!
11.  elzinga boots- aldo.  my fave on the list- love the hidden wedge!
12.  b.o.c by born martina boot- dsw.  these look like they have a super safe sole + look super comfortable!
13.  naughty monkey detective boots- endless.com.  again with the not-heel, not wedge thing.
14.  clooney by coconuts- piper lime.  these look identical to another pair listed... but with a wedge
15.  faux leather riding boots- old navy.  i've been happy with all my inexpensive old navy shoes- they always hold up well.

i ended up going with a pair of flat motorcycle boots from target that didn't even make my most loved list, yet were only $10- and that always makes my list! 

wish list friday: winter coats

i'm starting something new here called wish list friday in hopes that i will reinvigorate my blogging and blog reading.  and because i want a lot of things, and we're broke so i get no things.  it's like a collection of dreams.


first up, in honor of it SNOWING today.  grrrrrr brrrrr.... winter coats!

1.  candy cane cutie coat in frost by jack/bbdakota- modcloth (could replace my old white coat)

2.  duffle coat- delias (i love toggles)

3.  philanthropy chair charmer jacket by tulle- modcloth (cute short jacket)

4.  the icing on the coat in red velvet by knitted dove- modcloth (mmm, red velvet)

5.  calvin klein double breasted stand-up collar coat - lord & taylor (could use a new black coat)

6.  the perfect piccadilly coat by tulle- modcloth (cute retro plaid)

7.  ojai coat- jack by bbdakota (unique + love my current jack coat)

8.  polka dot margie coat by tulle- fred flare (sweet.  plus the dots are stitched, not printed)

9.  regimentary my dear coat by tulle- modcloth (love the zipper!)

10.  double cloth metro coat- jcrew (love the cobalt blue)

11.  very vermont jacket by jack/bbdakota- modcloth (looks warm!)

12.  candy apple chic coat- modcloth (belted & ruffled)

i doubt i'll be getting a new coat this year, but these are just so pretty to look at!

my biggest wish-  a safe & happy veterans day.  thankful for all those who served & who continue to serve- esp my family & friends.  praying for a safe return to the states this holiday season for my cousin carla's husband, austin. 

just bragging on myself, that's all

guys, i can be, well, a bit of a cheapskate.  it's not that i don't spend money, b\c believe me, i do.  but unfortunately, we're not made of money, and our never ending hospital bills due to our horrible medical insurance are cramping my style- so i gotta save where i can!  so when i get a good bargain, i just wanna shout it out to everyone!  and i've gotten a couple really good bargains lately!!

after our car accident, we had to get a new seat- the accident wasn't that serious, but i called the seat manufacturer and they recommend that seats be replaced regardless of crash severity.  we decided to go w\ the sunshine kids radian car seat.  i've heard nothing but incredible things about it- but the price was always a bit steep...  then a friend from my mom's group tipped us off on a sale that buy buy baby was having on the seats- 20% all sunshine kids seats- taken off immediately at register!

seat- $299 (regular price)
         -20%   (that's almost $60!!)
_________
$239

then, i always make sure that i hang on to my buy buy baby & bed bath & beyond coupons- the ones for bed bath can be used @ buy buy.  that's another 20% off!!

$239
-20%  (that's almost another $50!!)
________
$191.36

add in 10% for tax and that makes my grand total... $210!!  whoo hoo!!

my next great deal was something i've been pondering over for months- the ergo carrier.  highly touted and does something that my beloved bjorn doesn't do- allows me to carry ian on my back or hip!  baby steals has offered this carrier a few times before and i didn't bite- but this time it seemed too good to pass up- so i stole it!

 

ERGObaby sport carrier $115 regular price.  baby steals price- $57!!  with shipping/tax $69!!

if someone had told me i could get a new convertible car seat & an ergo carrier for less than $280, i probably would've laughed in their face... but i did it!!

boo ya!

i want to know about your great bargains!  i'm always looking for new deals!

mommy shops- GO international designer collective

so i was really excited to sneak over to target today and take a peek at the GO international collection.  target is celebrating the 5th anniversary of the collection by re-releasing the most popular dresses from the collection.  i remember when the collections first started debuting- i was a skinny 25 year old who had just moved into midtown.  i bought 4 pieces from the luella collection...  i have mostly been too poor or too pregnant since to partake.

so, i didn't get to target until around 4- 8 hours after the store had opened..  here's what they had left.

luella bartley- hot pink empire dress
richard chai- navy tuxedo dress
tara jarmon- colorblock dress
jovovich-hawk- mini dress, floral dress, dot dress
libertine- crepe dress, striped tunic
zac posen- pink wrap dress, polka dot dress,
proenza schouler- palm-print dress
rodarte- lace-print dress
rogan- leopard print dress
alice temperley- ruffle-front
thakoon- colorblock shift
tucker- ruffle-back dress, black floral, pink floral

that's out of 34 dresses total in the collection.


dresses i wish i could've tried on that weren't available:

tracy feith- hibiscus print dress, white eyelet dress
erin fetherston- bunny print dress
rodarte- peach slip dress (this was in stores right after i had ian- trying it then on probably would've damaged my self-esteem forever)
jonathan saunders- colorblock dress
thakoon- printed b/w dress


what i did try on with reviews (sorry, no pics of me wearing them b\c 1.  i had little time, 2.  it's better this way.

1.  Libertine Black Crepe Dress

this dress is super cute- would be perfect for work if i had a "real" job and i liked the thick material.  i grabbed a medium, which i could barely zip, and then had to jump around like a monkey to get off.  it looked nice in the front though.  also, i had to rip the tag off the belt to even get it on...  sorry, target.  i passed on this.

2.   Rodarte lace-print dress

this was the first dress that caught my eye while perusing the racks.  i tried this in a medium and it fit perfectly.  i love the print.  i think this would be a wonderful dress for easter, which is what i'll probably save it for.  the material is thin, but it didn't appear to be see-through, plus if we spend easter in atlanta, it will be perfect b\c i will think 80 degrees feels like 120 degrees after spending winter here.  i think this can be brightened up with a colorful cardigan or jacket, and i think my nude pumps would go perfectly with it.  took this one home.  boo ya.

3.  zac posen pink wrap dress

i wish i could say i tried this on all the way.  it's actually a wrap dress with a slip underneath.  the slip was attached to the dress, and i had an impossible time trying to figure out where to step and put my arms.  i managed to rip the string that kept the dress and slip together on one side, but couldn't get it on the other, and therefore, couldn't get into the dress.  needless to say, this one stayed at the store...

4.  zac posen polka dot dress

this dress is a little twee, but i seem to go for that, so i grabbed it.  i currently wear a 6 in jeans (8 if the fit is slim) and a 4-6 in dresses.  i picked a 9 (i think they had a 7, 9, and 13), and well, i should've grabbed the 13 if that tells you anything.  i got into the dress easily, but the zipper wouldn't even come up a millimeter.  i tend to stay away from clothes if i have to size up so far that it hurts my feelings, and this did the trick. 

5.  tucker signature floral-print dress

this picture doesn't do the dress as much justice as the picture from the actual link.  i tried on a medium, and really liked it, though i thought it was too poofy- so i decided to get it, but grab a small on my way out.  i haven't tried the small out yet.  i think the print is really pretty and springy.  and i need some spring in my life in a major way.  i hope it works out.

so, those are my reviews.  i would definitely encourage anyone who wants a designer label, but has no designer budget to give this collection a look.  there's something in it for everyone