Should Moms Wear White?

Shopping in Target the other day, I had to run back to the fitting rooms to nurse my baby before leaving the store. Of course, as you walk through the clothing department and see all the new spring styles, you find some things that you fall in love with. (Plus, I've just been thinking that I really need to get a cute pair of pants that fits...comfy sweats and yoga pants around the house until I can zip up my pre-4th pregnancy pants only work for so long; still love skirts, too, but I don't wear them everyday).

One of the always-in-style pieces for spring and summer is a pair of white jeans or capris. They're so versatile. You can wear them with anything. They look crisp.

But do they stay clean? That's the problem when you're a mom.

I skipped out on the white, and bought myself a pair of these instead:

The best part is the elastic/drawstring waistband. :) And still more fashionable than sweats...

Yet, during a recent dinner, they still managed to collect splashes of orange baby food and drips of Italian salad dressing (while eating and holding my baby at the same time). Said splashes of baby food also ruined my brand new white t-shirt (although I put some Dawn on the spots right away and sprayed Oxi-Clean on it bbefore bed, so we'll see when it comes out of the wash...).
I gained new confidence in my decision to forgo the white in this season of raising little ones.



What do you think? Is there a way for moms to safely wear white (and keep it white)?!


Sharing with:
The Better Mom Mondays
Raising Homemakers 

Why I'm Loving Skirts

The post-baby belly prompted my aversion to pants. No thanks, buttons-that-don't-button because you're on fabric that's two sizes too small. My children and I all love muffin tops, but not on Mama. Goodbye, pants. Hello skirts!

Skirts (particularly long skirts) are not only pretty and feminine; they're also incredibly comfortable, making them the perfect postpartum piece. No zippers (generally). They lay nicely, draping modestly from the hips, rather than following the outline of all the curves.  It may be my imagination, but I feel like men treat me more like a lady (opening doors and minding their manners) when I'm wearing a long skirt. It's as if femininity brings out gentlemanly behavior.

To find out what skirts are most fashionable for fall, I contacted Shari Braendel, considered America's leading Christian fashion expert and author of the new book, Good Girls Don't Have to Dress Bad: A Style Guide for Every Woman


Here's what she had to say:
 

"Hi Cheryl, the trendiest skirts for fall are longer in length and have some fullness to them...a little flair. Old Navy is showing them in their new arrivals for fall. Short and straight is not in...it's longer and full with some flair...most body types can wear them....wear with boots."

[and more info sent from Shari, found on MSN.com:]

Midi-Skirts


"Lazy Girl's easy approach to fashion requires lots of well-tailored pieces that are easy to mix and match. Thankfully, fall's new hemline, the "midi" length (which hits anywhere between the bottom of the knee and mid-shin) flatters most figures and makes finding work-appropriate outfits a no-brainer. When looking for these low-dipping hemlines, pick a darker hue, like [a] black Brioni pencil skirt, to help elongate legs, and always opt for a heel to enhance the appearance of toned calves."

*picture from Old Navy (Jersey maxi skirts)

I also like some of the women's skirts at modestmom.com, particularly the Nantucket Denim Long skirt. I contacted her to see if she would be willing to do a skirt giveaway or sale in exchange for featuring her products, but she declined.

To make fall fashion more frugal, I always love to shop nice-quality thrift-stores first (if you have a few minutes). I found a few great black knit skirts, very similar to the Old Navy Jersey maxi skirt, for a few dollars, rather than a few twenties. One of the best ways to increase your income is not necessarily to earn more, but to stretch what you do have further. 

Fashion meets faith, and frugality!

(linked to Frugal Friday)

Now's the Time for Winter Clearance

One of my friends posted on Facebook that The Children's Place is having a great clearance sale right now, and it gets even better when you use the coupon code RETAILMENOT1C for an extra 15% off. Many items are $5 or less. If you need some items for next fall/winter, it's worth checking out.

Yesterday we ran to Target to pick up a few things, and they had a lot of things on clearance too--especially toys leftover from Christmas for 50% off. Winter boots hit clearance, but I stopped by a little too late and missed out on the selection (only a few sizes were left). The clearance racks were packed with kids' clothes.

I've blogged before about Sears' KidVantage program (where they will replace clothing and shoes that gets holes or tears in it while the child is still in that size). If you have time, it may be worth checking what's on clearance at Sears (prices may continue to get lower up until March). If you can get a brand-new shirt for $2.50 (or less), and you know if anything happens to it, the store will replace it with something similar, that beats thrift store prices.

Have a great day!

Frugal Pedicures

With the arrival of warmer weather (finally!), it is time to think about our toes. What mom is not on her feet all day long? My feet are often quite tired and sore at the end of the day. Even if you do not wear open-toe sandals, a good old fashioned pedicure always revives the spirits. But paying for a pedicure can take a bite out of the budget.

I'm on the left, my sisters on the right, my baby in the middle

The cheapest professional pedicure in our town still costs $25 (the local beauty school charges $17). While my sisters were visiting, I thought it would be fun to take them out for a pedicure. Unfortunately, some unexpected big bills came calling, and I didn't have the money right now to spend $75 plus tip for a fun sister-time treat.

Yet, that did not mean we had to forgo the pedicures--just not at the salon.

One of my friends has her cosmetology license and took us with her to the beauty supply store, where all the salon products are sold. We picked up a travel pedicure kit for $11 and a new OPI polish each at half the price they are in the salons. Then, enjoying the sunshine, nice music, and iced coffees/waters, we did our pedicures at home. We still had fun--perhaps even more fun, and saved a bunch of money.

Being frugal does not mean missing out on fun experiences; it just means getting creative at how you can have the experience for less.

You could even do a pedicure more frugally than we did. You can soak in a few drops of tea tree oil, or even baby wash (a suggestion from my cosmetologist-friend). Instead of buying a scrub, you can make your own out of salt. Plain old regular salt, with a bit of water to make a paste. And I'm sure we all have tons of extra lotions lying around.

If you haven't already, I encourage you to give yourself a pedicure asap. You could even get some friends together and show them that frugal really is cool!

Linked to Frugal Friday.

Oh How I Love Thrift-Store Shopping!

Feeling so invigorated and blessed by my last thrift-store trip, I'm running over at the brim and wanted to share!

I stuffed two bags full of wonderful clothes for $15 a bag! (Tomorrow is buy one bag, get one free, but the things I wanted would be gone by then, I'm sure! Plus, this supports our Christian homeless center so it's like donating to charity, right?!) :)  I found four beautiful blazers, which is the way I prefer to dress. They look so classy and yet casual enough with jeans. I guess this is a preference developed from my news anchor days, where I wore a suit jacket each day. They make me feel good! And just because we're home all day with our kids doesn't mean we have to look like it!

While blazers are bulky rolled up and these bags are little (the plastic ones from the grocery store), I stuffed much more into my bag! I found a fleece Cabela's nightgown in my favorite color (sage green), at least four very pretty and fashionable blouses, some high-end dressy summer shirts, a skirt, three sweaters, some ribbed turtlenecks, a pair of dress pants for my son, and a black dress and some pretty silk scarves inspired by Jen. (I'll try to get some pictures edited in later today).

A few quick tips about thrift store shopping:

• I happen to know that a local high-end consignment store donates items that don't sell within four weeks to the thrift store I went to today. A lot of people in our area know this and shop there for great quality clothing at an even greater value. You could call consignment stores in your area and ask nicely if they donate unsold items, and where. (Or ask the thrift stores if they get things from consignment stores and when).
• Our thrift store groups items by style and color (blouses one rack, sweaters and blazers another, jeans, skirts, dresses, etc). You can get a pretty good idea as you run your hand down the rack what is worth taking a closer look at, and what you should pass on. Feel for textures and design features. Without having to pull each piece of clothing out for a closer look, you can spot the difference between really worn items that have been washed too many times and those of almost-new quality.
• Shop frequently. The selection always changes. I would go every day if I could, but I can't (thrift store clothing racks and three little people who like to hide in such racks is too stressful for me to manage). So sometimes I run down on Saturdays when my husband can watch the boys, and I can take a closer look.
• Don't just look at the clothing! I found a Cuisinart grind-and-brew coffeepot that I had wanted for a long time for $5! It was featured in the Macy's ad once on sale for $149. My husband is wonderful at cleaning up electronics; and after a little "degunking work," it works great! I just bought a filing cabinet I desperately needed for $5. I frequently find almost-new, brand-name shoes for my boys for $1 (and shoes for me too). Spray them with Lysol, and they're good to go!
• When you have a need, check the thrift store first! If you have the time, you'll save lots of money. If you don't have the time, you'll have to make up for it by spending more money. It's a trade-off. 
• Remember you won't be able to snatch up every deal, and that's ok! I'm sure if I browsed the thrift store each day, I'd find a bunch of things I could use--maybe even need--and would save a bunch of money. But I can't get there everyday, and that's ok! When I stay home, I don't know what I'm missing. Finding great quality clothes like I did today is a wonderful blessing. But there will be more great clothes (and other housewares/electronics/furniture/etc.) tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that. Trust that God will provide for your needs, and then remember as you look around your closest and house, you probably have everything you need anyway.

If Clothes Could Talk Book Giveaway Winner

The winner of the book giveaway was comment #3: The Thorsrud Family. Congratulations Liz!

Thanks everyone for participating! I enjoyed reading your comments. I will post some other helpful hints from the book one of these days. Is there anything you'd like to learn about? (makeup colors for your skin tone/what colors look best on you/etc?)

Thanks again to Shari for taking the time to share tips with us, and for donating the book!

Fall Fashion on a Budget: Interview with Shari Braendel (and a Giveaway!)

Last year, I won a giveaway on Lysa TerKeurst's blog and got a chance to chat with fashion and beauty expert Shari Braendel. Joining with Proverbs 31 Ministries, Shari is a sought-after speaker for Christian women's retreats, conferences, and youth events all over the nation. A fabulous, fun, and refreshing fashionista, she regularly hosts workshops for women to help them appreciate their beauty, discover their natural assets, and learn what to wear so they can look and feel their best.
She also sent me a copy of her wonderfully informative book, If Clothes Could Talk...AND...she's so generously agreed to give away a signed copy to one lucky reader here today.
Read what she has to say, then leave me a comment about any fall fashion trends you might try to follow, how you balance looking trendy and being frugal (or how you don't balance it!), or anything else you want to share. I will close the contest next Thursday night at 7pm Mountain Time and post the winner. (Be sure to leave me a way to contact you if you're the winner).
Without further ado, here's Shari!

What are the fall trends you recommend we follow?

RED: This is the pop color of the season! Wear red shoes, carry a red purse or don a red jacket.

LEOPARD PRINT: This goes without saying…leopard never seems to go out of style but this year it’s bigger than ever! Find a pair of leopard ballet flats you can wear with everything. Depending on your budget, pick up a pair by Merona at Target or pay big bucks for Coach.
LEGGINGS: Ranging in price from $15 an up, these fashion come-backs must be worn with long tops and jackets. Bright patterns, denim, lace, leather and of course, black, will have you looking quite fashionable.
BIG TOPS OVER SKINNY BOTTOMS: (Skinny jeans or leggings, not skinny bodies, silly!) Big tops are everywhere and this look can be quite casual and laid back with flats or you can glam it up with lots of accessories for a night on the town.
BRIGHT LIPS: ‘Tis the season for a new lip color. Maybe this is where you should add RED to your wardrobe!
RUFFLES: Gracious, ruffles are everywhere! You’ll find them adorned on sweaters, tops, skirts, boots and purses.
MENSWEAR: Vests, blazers and menswear inspired trousers will help you look the fashion expert! Go plaid, herringbone, or stripes for authentic style.
VINGTAGE JEWELRY: Pull out your old charm bracelets from high school or grab one from your mother’s jewelry box and wear it with high style. Ribbons, brass, chain link necklaces, crystals and silk should beautify your wrists and neckline.
SPARKLY SHOES: This fall trend is an easy way to spruce up your outfit when it’s looking a little drab. Worn with jeans or your fanciest dress, these beauties will put a little spring in your step!
EMBELLISHED TEES: Let’s face it, since most of us live a rather casual lifestyle and would opt for a t-shirt most days anyway, why not add one with built in accessories? A little glam or a lot of glam, this is one way to be a bit more dressed up than usual, yet still have the casual factor going on.

You don’t have to wear every single trend listed here, but trends always update your wardrobe and make you look fresh and new. Try a few that strike your fancy!

How can moms be fashionable and frugal? Please share your advice for looking cute and trendy on tight budgets.

Have some basics that work. If you mostly wear jeans, then have 2 pair, but have at least 4 different tops or sweaters to wear with them. Have one pair of boots and a casual pair of flats so you can change up your look and finally have some great accessories to wear with these basics. If you only own one pair of boots or shoes, they should coordinate with your hair color so you can wear with most everything you own. The same goes for your purse!

If we're short on time, what "go-to" stores do you recommend (places you're sure to find cute things at fairly low prices?)

H&N, Target, New York and Company are sure to please every-time!

[Cheryl here: of course you can adapt Shari's suggestions and scour yard sales, your favorite second-hand store or thrift store to take those prices even lower!]
For moms short on time, what are the basics you would say are non-negotiable each day for taking care of ourselves?
Please, please, please wash and moisturize your face every night before you go to bed. Did you know that for every day you don’t take your makeup off, your skin will age 7 days? Yikes!!!!! Someone told me that when I first started in the fashion business and it has scared me to the sink EVERY single night since! It doesn’t have to be expensive skincare, but make sure it suits your skintype. Personally, I love Mary Kay’s Timewise products, but Neutrogena and Avon have good products, too, along with the department store brands. As for everyday makeup, try a mineral powder in a natural shade in place of liquid foundation because it’s fast, apply a coat of mascara and add a dab of tinted lip gloss and GO!
How can moms who are in a rut of wearing "comfy stuff" around the house break out of that habit, and should they (if they think it's no big deal)?

Oh girl, I have some stories about that but we don’t have time here…but come one gals, it IS a big deal. When you look good, you feel better about yourself, it’s as simple as that. I know that comfy is important, but why not get a comfy sweat suit in a color that is flattering to you, and wear this when at home. I have a beautiful orange one I wear and even though I know I’m wearing it because it’s comfortable, others (like my hubby and son) think I Dressed up for them! Also gals, remember that your husband is most likely at work with well dressed women all day…when he gets home, you shouldn’t look like the wash lady, got it? At least comb your hair and smile!
Anything else you would want to add?

Remember it doesn’t take any extra time to pull on a pair of nice fitting jeans and a pretty sweater or v-neck tee than it does to pull on a pair of gray ugly sweats. Really. And, buy a full length mirror. I’m amazed at how many women don’t own one. Look at yourself from all angles before you head out the door.

Finally, remember you are beautiful, no matter your size or shape. Buy clothes that fit well, and that don’t cling. Clothes one size larger will make you look thinner. Try it!

Beautiful Blessings,

Shari Braendel
inspiring girls and women to embrace their self-worth by connecting fashion and faith
http://www.sharibraendel.blogspot.com/
http://www.sharibraendel.com/

(This post is linked to Frugal Fridays)

Coffee Talk Thursday: What are You Wearing?

That sounds more like what a creepy caller would ask in a raspy voice on the other end of the telephone, doesn't it? Well after getting past that initial reaction, let's now have coffee since it's Coffee Talk Thursday!

And you probably guessed, let's talk about what we're wearing around the house each day.

If your doorbell rang right now, would you:
a) answer it cheerfully (you feel confident about your appearance)
b) run and hide
c) quick change/slap on some makeup and then hope the person's still there

Well before we get to your answer....I have a story to share.

When my second son was about seven months old, I still hadn't lost all my baby weight and was in the habit of wearing my comfy velour sweatsuit everyday most days. One fine fall day, my mom was visiting, and on this particular day we didn't have any plans to go anywhere (I actually planned to get my floor mopped), so like any other day, I reached for my trusty sweats. No one's going to see me anyway, right?

Well, later in the afternoon, nice day that it was, we decided to take a little walk. Problem was, we walked right past the pumpkin patch at the church up our street. And of course, with Grandma visiting and the cute little pumpkins beckoning "Come take a picture by me!", we had to go in. Now mind you, I didn't have my hair done, I didn't have any makeup on, and to top it all off, under my sweatshirt, I had put on a "Jim Beam Rodeo" t-shirt. It was a particularly hot fall day, so here I was in the pumpkin patch of the little Christian church wearing a "Jim Beam Rodeo" shirt!

But it gets better (worse, depending on perspective). While at the pumpkin patch, I saw not one, not two, but several of my friends, including people I used to know when I worked in news (for those who don't know me in real life, I anchored the morning and noon news for our NBC station in pre-mommyhood). I really wanted to stick my head in the center of a pumpkin and not come out until dark! (I did try to find a picture of this day for your viewing pleasure, but I burned it couldn't find it).

When I saw that picture awhile back, I could not help but think, "What was I thinking?" In my mother's terms, it looked like I had "let myself go." Yes, I had recently had a baby and wasn't back to my usual size, and being frugal, I didn't want to spend a lot of money on clothes that I hoped I wouldn't have to wear too long. But really. It was a turning point for me.

While the sweatsuit is now in the back of my closet, I still struggle with finding the balance between being comfy and looking trendy. It's even harder if I know I'll just be home all day. Usually I feel like I want to "save" my good clothes; why, I do not know. Plus, there's the factor that being dressed too nicely makes it hard to get housework done, because I don't want to ruin my clothes, and good clothes just don't feel "worky" (yes I made up a word!).

What it boils down to for me is: if I would never want the outside world to see me looking the way I do somedays, then why in the world is it ok for me to present that picture to the world within my walls--my most important world, my family? If I'm too embarrassed to answer the door or go anywhere without changing first, I should probably not have been wearing what I was wearing in the first place. Please don't think I'm trying to criticize anyone; I'm just sharing my reflections that apply to me while we share coffee this Thursday. So I challenged myself to dress each day in a way that is both comfortable and reasonably fashionable. My litmus test? If an unexpected visitor was at the door, and I could answer without secretly inwardly cringing, I pass my own test!

Now, I realize I'm getting a little long-winded here:), but I am super excited to tell you that Shari Braendel, fashion expert, Christian speaker and author on fashion and beauty, and part of the Proverbs 31 team of women, will join us tomorrow to tell us all about fall fashion trends and how we can be fashionable and frugal at the same time. PLUS...she agreed to give away a copy of her newest book, If Clothes Could Talk. I've read it; I love it! Tons of helpful information--dressing for your body type, the best colors for you, handbag rules, and much more! So leave me a comment--what do you think about all of this? How do you balance comfort and style? Have a great day, and let's visit again tomorrow!