2011 is going to be the year of the babies…I can just feel it.  My family is perfectly complete, but I have many friends/acquaintances who are looking to expand their families this year!  Since I am the mother of a two-year-old, being pregnant is still fresh enough in my mind to give some shopping tips.  I was wearing maternity clothes by week 16 and I remember not wanting to shell out a lot of money on clothes that I would only wear for a bit of time.  I was lucky enough to get some *hammy downs* but because of seasons and stuff, I still needed to buy A LOT of new clothes.

Here are my tips: use a BellaBand to extend the life of your regular pants,  invest in a good pair of jeans, one nice dress (preferably black), and ditch the heels for something much lower and comfortable.  I wore pretty intense heels to two different weddings at 7-8 months preggo and ended up in physical therapy for 4 weeks.  Heels will totally screw up your alignment when you’re preggo so just stick with flats (especially at the end).  Also, with leggings and tunics being the trend still, you can get away with wearing non-maternity clothing for much longer.  I would live in leggings and maternity tops if I were preggo right now!  For the remainder of your wardrobe, I recommend looking at:

*Old Navy: You can’t beat the prices…typical ON quality, but it will last for at least one pregnancy.  I stocked up on tanks and some dresses for dirt cheap.  They have the best long, beater-type tanks!

*Target: Cute styles, totally affordable.  Definitely the place to stock up on your basics.

*GapMaternity (mostly online):  Maternity line looks so similar to their regular clothing line which made me happy.  Loved their shorts and and tanks (I had an August baby).  They have great bras too!

*Nordstrom: Look here when you need something for a specific event or special occasion.  I loved pieces made by Olian, Michael Stars, and Moody Mamas.

*Pea in the Pod: Very stylish clothing but you will pay for it.  They have great sales, so keep an eye out and shop when one hits!

To those of you who this post applies to…congrats and good luck!  Please share with anyone you think it could help

The Shopaholic wishes you a happy, healthy, and stylish new year.  Shops Love!

ps…the only “normal” undies that will get you through an entire pregnancy are Hanky Panky.  Buy a few pairs and at least they will work before and after!

It’s mid-November and I’m actually surprised that the weather isn’t colder.  I haven’t worn my gloves yet this season and I can count with one hand the number of times I’ve worn a scarf.  That probably means that December is going to play payback, so I want to be fully prepared!  Since scarves, gloves, and hats are a necessary evil – it’s important to find cute ones that will add to your look in a positive way.  Here are my top two fave from each category.  Stay warm and Tis the Season!

Scarves

Love Banana Republic’s Cozy Cable Scarf ($69.50).  It’s design is so subtle, the color matches nearly everything, and it’s soft too.  With BR’s get more save more sale, you can get at least 15% off if you spend $75!

Nordstrom’s Cashmere Muffler is on sale for $59.90 – you cannot beat that for solid cashmere!  Don’t worry about itching with this luxurious scarf available in over 10 colors!  Buy 2 and you won’t need anything else.

Gloves
Love these J. Crew leather zip gloves. $98, but they will last for seasons to come! The zipper makes them feel special and adds some dimension to an otherwise simple glove.

Old Navy’s Fleece gloves are only $7.50 (check them out in black rather than the striped pattern featured below – nothing would match those!).  Everyone should own a pair because you won’t care if you lose them and they keep you hands warm!  Buy a few colors and leave them in your pockets – you’ll be so happy when a cold day sneaks up on you and you’re actually prepared!

Hats
This J. Crew cable knit hat is so perfect for the season. The ivory color will match any coat and complement your rosy cheeks. $45

Gap’s Sparkly Beret makes keeping warm look chic in a French sort of way.  I like the beret because it keeps you warm without adding all of the static that a tight knit hat would add.

And last is my wildcard addition for any cold weather accessory wardrobe: Burberry Earmuffs. I have a pair and love them especially when I don’t want to put my hair under a hat. Keep your ears toasty while looking super chic! $175

stay warm & shops love!

Weather forecast: mid-50s, drizzly, cloudy, all-around gray outside.  This weather typically makes me want to wear sweats and not leave the house until the sun makes an appearance – unfortunately that’s not going to happen soon enough and I’m not exactly looking to become a recluse.  On the bright side, the color gray is becoming more and more fashionable – so in honor of this gloomy *gray kind of day* I will showcase all things gray (and chic).  Enjoy and hopefully wherever you live, the skies are clear and the sun is shining!

Wedges by Nine West
Hobos at Bluefly

What you see, clockwise from left:

Free People Appliqued Henley ($88), Seven for all Mankind Smoke Gray Skinny Jeans ($148), Old Navy Utility Jacket (59.50), Nine West Orro ($99), Sorial Steel Grey Large Hobo ($232)

The Shopaholic rules still apply – everything in moderation.  Nearly every color looks great with gray, so have fun with it!

shops love

Labor Day officially celebrates the economic and social achievements of workers in America, but for most of us, it’s marking the end of summer.  A chill is beginning to hit the air, college football is underway, and the stores are all having back to school sales.  Fall is here and we can start to *turn* our closets.  Don’t put away your skirts just yet though!  The fact is that skirts are sexy, feminine and when accessorized correctly, can be worn year round.  Skirts are the perfect transition from summer to fall.  I’ll actually admit that I don’t wear skirts that often, but I’ve bought two in the last month and I’m quickly changing my attitude.  The newest versions are pleated and gathered making them super *girly*.

The good news is that they are everywhere right now, so finding one in your budget is going to be an easy task.  The first two are mine, so I can tell you that I’m happy with their fit and style.   The first is from Urban Outfitter’s ($58) and the second is from Old Navy ($29.50).  Lucky for me, Old Navy makes all of their sizes available as Petite for those of us under 5’4″.  The third is a dotted beauty from Anthropologie.  The details are spot on, which is probably why it costs $198.  The good news is that you could pair it with something super simple on top.

All of these skirts can be worn bare-legged or with tights as the temps begin to drop.  Be creative, be yourself, and remember – a girl in a skirt is a girl with confidence.

Happy Labor Day – you deserve to buy yourself something real nice

shops love!

So as of tomorrow, with a high of 65 in Syracuse, I can officially talk about fall clothing and not feel crazy.  Fall brings a number of possibilities (and necessities) back into our wardrobe and I’m actually kind of excited to reunite with my scarves.  Scarves are so timeless, classic, and practical that they rarely go out of style.  While I do weed them out year after year, it’s only because they become too ratty to wear, rather than finding they are out of style or dated.  Depending on the brand or store, a scarf can range in price (are we shopping at target or saks), but no matter where it’s from, you will not regret the purchase!  I tend to err on the side of neutrality when buying a scarf – whites, blacks, beiges – but every so often I see something so striking, that I need to have it!  Here are some thoughts on what’s available in stores today!

I love this black/white, polka-dotted/tie dyed scarf from Madewell ($49.50).  It’s lightweight and perfect to throw on when the chill hits the air.  I would pair it with a solid white tee for a casual, yet polished look (black and white is always classy).

Lightweight fabric, zebra print, variety of colors, and under $40 – what more could I want in a scarf?  Each one has a contrasting colored stripe which only increases the number of colors you could pair with it!  As one Nordstrom reviewer said, they are ‘downright zippy!’

I’m hearting this Old Navy, teal green, textured scarf.  The little dots are super-soft spun cotton that makes it difficult to resist.  It’s a steal at $16.50 and will work from summer until spring! 

And lastly, who doesn’t want to wrap themselves in cashmere all day?  When I’m spending upwards of a $100 on a scarf, it better match everything – my tops, my coats – everything!  So here is a solid-colored, neutral oh-so-soft cashmere scarf.  Worth every cent of $78…

I could post hundreds more, but if you’re looking for a scarf, don’t be afraid to be bold!  I tend to stick to neutral colors, but it’s mostly because I’m too indecisive to choose just 1 pattern!  Enjoy the cool temps this weekend and have fun with your fall clothes!

shops love!

ps…if you’re feeling super creative/crafty, try to knit your own!  Not only will you look super stylish, but people will be very impressed!

It’s that time of year – shopping for a good cause!  The Give and Get Event sponsored by Gap, Inc allows you to enjoy a 30% discount on all of their brands – Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy!  In addition to the savings, Gap will give 5% of your spending to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (the charity of my choice)!  After you participate in this sale once, you’ll be on their list for future Give and Get sales.  Once you’re on the list, you’ll pick your own charity and invite up to 50 people to share in the sale!  It’s really a win-win because we’re not only saving money, we’re helping to save lives.  That’s deep, right?  Below is a link to the savings, so enjoy!

If you’re curious as to what’s available on Gap, go back to my post “Old Friends can be the Best Friends” where I showcase a few of my favorite things from their Fall line.  But remember it’s not just Gap - Banana Republic and Old Navy have some great things too!

“Enjoy 30% off from August 26-29 at Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy and we’ll donate 5% of what you spend to a non-profit.”

via Give and Get is Here!.