Vionic Shoes with Orthaheel Technology

June 10, 2014 by 4 Comments

Disclosure- I received the below  in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own and honest. Please see “Disclose” tab for more info.

When traveling, I try to bring as little as possible.  Shoes can be hard-  they take up so much space in your luggage, and I hate bringing more then a carry on with me (who wants to pay the airlines even more fees?  They already charge an arm and a leg for the privilege of annoying and molesting you and your baggage three or four times between each plane- why pay them more to do so?  Ha.)   Yes, we all know that while I love travel, I hate planes- and TSA even more.  Rude attitudes, taking things they are not supposed to, and dumping bags with no regard for people’s belongings will never help the airline industry or tourism, now will it?  Now that I’m done ranting about TSA, let’s talk about a more fun topic- Shoes!

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I’ve done a few posts on travel and packing tips, and I always advise sticking with a color pattern or using metallic shoes (since they match everything) so that you can mix and match and bring less, while maximizing your wardrobe. I recently took a trip to Mexico, and brought with me only a pair of flip flops (necessary for beach and pool), sneakers (worn on the plane and for hiking and riding horses), and a pair of sandals that matched everything from Vionic.  I loved them because not only are they pretty, but the color allowed me to match them to everything in my suitcase, and they are ultra supportive, comfortable, and even carry the APMA Seal of Acceptance (so you know they are actually good for your feet).
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Head To Kohl’s To Update Your Summer Wardrobe

May 29, 2014 by 9 Comments

Disclosure: The below was provided for me in order to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.

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I don’t like to spend a lot of time going from store to store to get what I need.  As a busy working wife and mother, I have a lot of hats I wear on a daily basis, and any way I can trim time I spend doing those “must do” activities is a bonus for me. That’s one of the many reasons I love shopping at Kohl’s- whether you shop in stores or online, it’s a one stop shopping experience that you don’t need to spend tons of time and energy on.  Bonus?  The prices are great- you can catch amazing deals, get rewarded just for shopping and buying what you need to (with Kohl’s Cash, good for anything in the store) AND they constantly mail out money saving coupons in the weekly mailers, snail mail, and the best ones come via email when you sign up to receive promotions.  Really, you should- there is not a reason in the world not to.  They only send you deals and updates, Kohl’s is not one of those places that bombard you with useless emails 300 times a week.

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While I usually enjoy shopping for me, shopping for my husband and son can be a less then fun experience, and one I prefer to either do alone or online.  My son is OK if he’s with me, but if daddy is also with us, he turns into a whine machine.  I don’t know why that is, but the quickness and ease of shopping at Kohl’s and getting what I need to for everyone in the family with no fuss is VERY appreciated by this mommy, let me tell you.  Maybe it’s a guy thing- but they just don’t make shopping fun, and it’s great to go in with a list, sizes, and be done with it.  Shopping online at 2 am is another great standby.  No one annoys me then, and since they are both dudes?  They don’t care what I buy them as long as it fits, and for the kiddo maybe has an Angry Bird or two involved, haha.
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Ready for Summer With Fresh Produce

May 28, 2014 by 6 Comments

When I’m looking for something easy to wear, I head for my Fresh Produce Harbor Dress. It’s become a favorite of mine, because it’s easy to dress up or down, it’s really comfortable, machine washable, and has pockets. The pockets don’t bulge out or make me look bulky in all the wrong places, which is a bonus. I often pass up dresses and skirts with pockets for that reason, but this pleasantly surprised me.

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Fresh Produce makes some seriously soft clothes that wear well. I like to be comfortable, and am not one to sacrifice comfort for fashion. Why, when you can have both? Makes no sense to me. This dress is cute, fun, and feels nice- the material is smooth and supple, and didn’t pill after I put it in the washing machine. (I hung it to dry.)

A bit more about Fresh Produce-

Fresh Produce has delighted women, for nearly three decades,  as a lifestyle brand known for its original prints, vibrant color and stylish, comfortable clothing.Today, Fresh Produce designs, manufactures and markets a leading women’s and children’s lifestyle brand of clothing that is primarily made in the USA.

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IGIGI – Dress For Your Figure

May 23, 2014 by 4 Comments

Disclosure: The below was provided to me to help facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.

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I am forever looking for clothing that fits my body. I know that nearly every woman has her “problem area” that makes shopping a challenge, but for me, it’s a little different. I have dangerous curves. No matter what size I am, or what stage of my life I have been in, my chest gets in the way and my hips don’t lie- this girl is not made for many of the cuts put out by clothing designers. This means that many of the things I buy hang on me like drapes, and don’t show off the curves that I’d like to.

The biggest issue for me is my chest- which is (in a word) large. Shirts and dresses are tight, don’t button or zipper, or are pulled up higher then they should (or lower, showing off more then I’d like to) making them look odd. I usually have to go up a size or two, which can make me look heavier then I am, and I’ve never met the woman who wants to look larger then she is.

That’s the thing I love most about IGIGI- they make clothing for women with curves, bodies, and the average American woman. The “average” American woman is a size 14. So why can’t we find clothes when we go to the stores and malls? Not clothes that fit or flatter, anyway. Options are often limited, and many times what is offered makes you look like a couch you’d find in your grandmother’s living room. No thanks!

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Sandgrens Environmentally Friendly Shoes

May 21, 2014 by 9 Comments

Disclosure: The below was provided to me to help facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.

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It can be hard to find shoes that are comfortable and cute at the same time. Some of us (this chick included) can fall into a rut of tossing anything on that fits and is easy to wear, even if it’s not all that flattering. Sneakers and flip flops are the footwear of motherhood, right? Sometimes, a girl’s gotta remember that….well, she’s a girl. And she was a woman before she was a mother (with a whole separate identity). Yes, your child(ren) come first, should, and always will. But what’s wrong with taking a few minutes (and dollars) for you now and again? As far as I know, none of us are martyrs destined for Sainthood, and it would do us good to be reminded of that now and again.

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You deserve to look and feel pretty. Invest in yourself- a few items that make you feel good, and that you can wear with multiple items of clothes (so the guilt monster doesn’t come to eat you). For Spring and Summer, Sandgrens clogs and sandals are adorable, comfortable, and versatile. They are able to be dressed up for formal occasions like weddings and anniversary dinners out on the town, but easy to dress down for regular use with a pair of capri pants and a cute tank top. I have worn my Caspain sandals with my long formal IGIGI dress that I adore to formal dinners, events, and a wedding. I also took them with me on a recent cruise, and wore them dancing (they really are comfortable) and for every day touring. I wore them with a cute tank top and shorts, capris, and summer sun dresses. They really do go with everything, and they can be worn for long periods of time without hurting your feet, unlike most heels and wedges.

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Travel Trends Event in NYC

May 21, 2014 by 6 Comments

Recently, I attended an event in NYC hosted by MomTrends. As the PaddlePak Ambassador, you know I had to be there or be square (and honestly, how cute are those watertight backpacks?)

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I was also a MiracleSuit swimwear model (I know, bringing sexy back, summer-style) just to round things out a bit. I had my hair done by the one of the stylists at Butterfly Studio while there, and I must say my locks gave the poor man a hard time. I had just landed home hours before, and my hair was a hot mess. It’s usually a bit iffy later in the day, since I don’t use product and I’m not what you’d call a vain woman (cough- see “very low maintenance” to put it nicely) but you know what travel does to your hair, yeah? Blah. I washed it before I got on the flight, but apparently that didn’t help much. Poor fella, he did his best, and I was in that seat longer then any three other women combined, LOL. Gotta give him an A for effort!

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I didn’t get a chance to talk to everyone in the room, since I was busy with the PaddlePaks and also with the MiracleSuit fun. I have to say, I love my suit as well. I didn’t initially think I’d love this particular style or cut, nor the cover up in the same exact print (seemed like too much) but I was really wrong. The girls were kept in place, I loved the print once it was on (and like so many things, you need to try it before you decide if you like it!) and it was slimming. Most importantly (for me) is the fact that it kept my girls up where they needed to be and inside the suit the whole time.

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You might be thinking “so? You were just walking around a room, how hard was that suit working?” I will give you that- which is why I waited an extra week before writing this post. I wore that suit nearly every day on my trip to Cancun this week, including horseback riding (where it preformed under EXTREME duress), pools, saunas, whirlpools, the ocean, and a cenote swim. I’d say it quite earned the 5 star rating I’m giving it. Plus? I just feel pretty in it. I was the only “model” who was plus sized- and I worked what the Good Lord and carbs gave me. Sexy comes in every size, you better believe it. No matter what size you are, you deserve to look and feel good, which is why I say you will love MiracleSuit.

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Midnight Velvet – Dress To Impress

May 20, 2014 by 3 Comments

Disclosure: The below was provided for me in order to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.

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Thank you to Midnight Velvet for providing me with this gorgeous blouse to inspire this post.

When I am going to a special event or meeting someone for the first time, it is important to me to look my best. A great outfit gives me confidence and allows my personality to shine, instead of holding me back with a case of the how do I look? jitters.

Midnight Velvet has an impressive selection of clothes that are designed to make you look and feel beautiful, stylish and classy. To sweeten the deal on fabulous fashions, the prices can’t be beat for such lovely clothing, accessories and items for the home.
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Lulu Avenue – Spring Bling

May 20, 2014 by 2 Comments

Disclosure: The below was provided for me in order to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.

I am always happy to see spring arrive. Sunshine, spring breezes, blooming flowers and the smell of freshly cut grass delight my senses and often give me a warm and fuzzy feeling. Even better than the world around me in bloom, is the knowledge that warm weather brings special events in abundance. Weddings, parties and fundraisers fill my calendar. Shopping for the outfits to dazzle my social circle is fun, but finding the right accessories used to be a challenge. As we all know, accessories can make or break an outfit.

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Lucky for me I discovered Lulu Avenue. They have a terrific assortment of jewelry that is affordably priced, always trendy and Lulu Avenue features core pieces as well as dramatic indulgences to take any outfit from nice to head turning.
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