Accidental Purchases

Have you ever accidentally bought something? You know, you don't intend to shop, and you weren't planning to buy something, but somehow you come home with new things anyway. Last weekend I was on my own, as my sweet husband took our three boys out of town (you're the best, honey!) and I was indeed shopping. Hard to believe, right? But I was only looking for a wallet, as mine is falling apart and I keep losing important things like pennies and receipts. I was only looking for a wallet and managed to get in and out of several stores quickly without finding a wallet and certainly without buying something extraneous.

Then I walked into J. Jill. I've been there once or twice before, but never bought anything. I loved some of the looks up front which included linen items - I'm a sucker for linen. And as I headed to the back where they keep accessories like wallets, I naturally ran my eyes over the clearance racks. And since I liked what I saw I looked closer, rummaging through my own size. Since I am... curvy... and short, I often have problems finding things in my size and that are flattering on me. And there were several things on that J. Jill clearance rack and they accidentally came home to live with me. And I love them. It helped that all clearance items were an additional 40% off. If only they had wallets. But here are the new items in my closet:

J. Jill Authentic Fit Skinny Jeans    Skinny jeans are a bit hard for me, but I like them and my previous pair just wore through into holes in unseemly spots. These new ones are very dark & look nice - no distressing, whiskering, or holes. And they were about $20!

J. Jill Shimmer Linen Skirt    I completely fell in love with this soft grey, linen skirt when I pulled it off the rack. But it was a size too small. The sales person said they didn't have my size and that I should try it because they ran a little big. And she was right! On me it falls all the way to the tops of my shoes - a true maxi skirt. And the little, gold, metallic weave through it dresses it up a little and I noticed it helps to hide spills and stains. Of which I have many. Totally my kids fault.

J. Jill Linen Camp Shirt    They had quite a few linen shirts on sale and I tried on several and decided on this one. I love how they are crisp and soft at the same time and I favor cuffed and tabbed sleeves lately. Linen shirts are so classic - especially white.

April Outfit of the Month

I explained the concept of the Outfit of the Month series already, but to sum up: each month I will feature an outfit that I wish I was wearing, either from a magazine or somewhere online. Then I will create a look with a similar feel, with pieces that would fit into the budget of a Well-Rounded Woman. 

April's outfit comes from Lucky magazine and I listed each piece, including price. They add up to a whopping $3,868. And I don't know about you, but that's about six or seven years worth of clothing for me.

Below are the pieces I found, at significant discounts. In fact, at a total of $226 for the entire outfit, that comes to less than 6% of the price of the Lucky outfit. And naturally I don't have $226 to spend each month, but I can usually pick up a piece or two. I already have the pin and I made the necklace recently, and I think I'd like to get a pair of light-weight jeans like this for the summer. I spent a lot of time learning how to make an image map, so please click on specific pieces for the links to where you can get them.

Last Day for Big Savings

Tomorrow is the last day to use your savings code at Expressionery.com. Type in BZZ40 to save 40% off all products on their site. I've been ordering from them for years and love their stationery, stamps, and accessories. I ordered the cutest return address label stamp for Christmas and also some sweet bookplates on clearance for my oldest son. They have a retro looking Pinto on them, and that was my husband's first car. I also picked up some Christmas stickers with our last name that I added to our plates of goodies for neighbors and friends this year. It was so much easier than making labels and they were super cute. I have plenty left for next year too.

Since I am part of the Buzz campain through Bzz Agents, Expressionery.com also sent me some free notecards to try out. Since I've ordered several sets in the past I knew what to expect. The quality is extraordinary and the patterns run from beautiful to chic to sassy. I chose some colorful butterfly cards this time and had Thank You added to them. I love customizing my items - there are some great fonts.

Expressionery.com has great gifts for boys, girls, friends, teachers, mothers, and yourself! Check out the holiday clearance items while you're there.

The One Hundred

It’s no secret that I love to shop. And watch Project Runway. I’ve wanted to read Nina Garcia’s The One Hundred since it came out a couple years ago. When I was reminded of it recently and added it to my to-read list on Goodreads, I was gratified to see that at least four of my friends added it to their list also. So as an aid to at least four people in the world, here is my review.

When you read The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own, please keep your laptop handy and your browser page set to Google. I imagined Nina Garcia’s book would be huge, and covered with beautiful color photographs showing examples of all the important pieces that should grace your closet. Instead, this book is a modestly sized hardback, with a gorgeous silver exterior and showcasing beautiful illustrations on every page. I am now enamored of Ruben Toledo’s artwork, if I was not already in love with illustrated art (I was). This guide is also a lesson in fashion history, with all one hundred entries giving background and interesting facts about the piece. I had to look up many, many women who were mentioned, and there were occasionally specific instructions on what to google to find examples of a certain piece or style. While Garcia does give some specific examples of brands and iconic pieces, she often sticks with general descriptions of pieces, and really encourages buying pieces that work for you, despite trends, brands, or prices.

In the end, I was thrilled with Nina Garcia’s book, which has enough writing for me to have read every word and to classify it as non-fiction, and plenty of pretty things to look at too. For most of my adult life, I have had a running document on my computer called Classic Wardrobe. I add and subtract things, mark items off as I acquire them, and basically keep track of the things I think I need to be considered stylish and well-dressed, at least in my own mind. Obviously Nina’s top 100 items doesn’t match up with mine, but I’ll make a few lists here that show the intersections of my real life with Nina Garcia’s One Hundred.

Top Ten Pieces for a Mormon SAHM
1. Jeans
2. Havaianas (or your favorite brand of flip-flop)
3. Ballet Flats – for when you need something fancier than flip-flops
4. Watch – to pick up the car-pool on time
5. Statement Necklace (important when your blouse selection is mainly solid-colored t-shirts)
6. Spanx (or the Target equivalent) – to make you look like you’ve only birthed two children instead of five)
7. L.L. Bean Tote – to carry your primary/Cub Scout/Young Women’s stuff
8. Hobo Bag – to contain the detritus of four children and still have room for your chapstick and keys
9. iPod/Blackberry – to keep track of soccer/dance/date schedules and to contain some vestiges of your pre-Mommy music (or to drown out Veggie tales CDs in the car)
10. Boyfriend Cardigan – or any cardigan that can keep you a little warmer and hide some of that baby weight (from three years ago) around your middle

Top Ten Items I Still Want to Bring Home to my Closet (for reals, Honey, be prepared)
1. Statement bag (I’ve been eyeing Coach bags for almost ten years and think someday I can drop the $300 for one of those more easily than the four bags that Nina listed that run more like $3000)
2. Camel Coat, trench style
3. Cashmere sweater
4. Pencil skirt
5. Wrap Dress
6. Blazer
7. Striped Sailor Shirt
8. Suit
9. Aviators
10. Polo Shirt

Luxe Items I’d Love to Own But Can’t Easily Justify
1. Frye boots
2. Luchesse Cowboy boots
3. Exotic Skin Bag (Nina’s exact words) – I would love to own a black alligator bag, preferably satchel/doctors bag shaped
4. Gloves – something beautifully soft and expensive
5. Luggage – maybe once my boys are all grown
6. Gentlemen’s Hat
7. Wellington Boot – maybe when I move somewhere where it rains more than 4 inches a year
8. Clutch
9. Driving Shoe
10. Missoni Knit – maybe when I lose 50 lbs

Check out my other book reviews on Goodreads.

Beauty Comes in Small Packages

The start of fall (it was only 93 deg yesterday) always puts me in mind of beautiful paper goods. After stalking Night Owl Paper Goods for over a year, I finally placed an order this morning. Check out all these lovelies!


Letterpressed cards can sometimes seem like a luxury, but try their sale section, where they have limited amounts left from previous runs. Many of the cards I ordered were $1. Even when you spread out the $5 flat shipping, that's much less than I would spend on a grocery store card, for a far superior product.


Night Owl does amazing work on wooden cards too. I ordered two red, love-themed prints that were intended to be sent as postcards, and that I intend to hang on my wall as art.


Don't you love your friends and family enough to send them beautiful cards?

School Shopping

I've had many of my friends talk about taking their kids school shopping recently. And I'm finally in on it a bit. My almost-kindergartner received a letter stating that all he will need of his own is a backpack... but, if we would like to donate things for the classroom they can use crayons, markers, glue sticks, etc. And we happily purchased those things for our school shopping, while I tried to reinforce the idea of sharing and that these things would not be for his personal use only.

But when people talk about school shopping, they usually mean new clothes for their kids, most of whom are growing quickly. But even when done growing, new clothes for a new school year seems to be the thing to do. I remember getting a few new outfits through junior high and high school, and even during college I made sure I had some new things every year.


But now, as it turns out, I have a totally different shopping style. I had a very interesting shopping experience last week, for which I am working on a post. Check back - you'll love it. Let's just say that my shopping style is called: iwantneedtoshopasoftenaspossible-itis. It's a gift and a disease. Thankfully I'm all about the bargains, or my husband would have left me and the inevitable credit card statements years ago. I try to keep things under control. So shopping for my brand-new gradeschooler should be nirvana for me. But I've already been living off that high for the last several years, which is when I started buying him clothes in size 5. And now he has a more than adequate wardrobe for kindergarten, all carefully logged into a huge spreadsheet that lists every stitch of kids clothing we own from size 2T to 8. My oldest is 4. And his mom is a freak.


The awesome camo backpack with orange trim that I bought for $6 at Gap Kids held up extremely well through a year of preschool and will be debuting at the local elementary school too. That left the ubiquitous lunchbox as our sole personal school purchase this year. And there was no question about what my son would pick. Transformers, all the way.

If it was up to me (and money was no object), my firstborn would head off to school with this adorable set, indicative of the monkey he is.

And if I had a girl, which I never will, this cute bunny set would do.

Right now I'm just thankful he's happy with the $7 lunchbox and a not-new backpack. It's going to be a great year. Good luck to all the new students out there! And to the moms who do their school shopping.

A Visit From the Toothfairy

Today my first-born babe lost his first tooth. It's been loose & "wigg-i-ly" for several weeks but our dentist told me it would probably be several months before it fell out. And now my baby big boy will be starting kindergarten in less than two weeks and he will have a cute gap-toothed smile. And he's only four! I'm beginning to feel a little old. He will be five soon though, and I'm sure that will make all the difference in how I feel, right?

In the meantime we are woefully unprepared for the process of losing baby teeth and all the toothfairy legends that it involves. He seems to know all about it, but I want to find some cute tooth pillow type vehicle for him to transform that teeny tooth into cold hard cash (but not too much of it). So I turned to my favorite online shop: etsy. Love that place! A quick search revealed 50+ pages of listings, but here are a few of my favorites. What do you think? Remember that I will use this for all three of my boys and zero girls. I like the ones that we can hang on the doorknob because my kids are light sleepers and there's no possibility of the toothfairy sneaking in successfully.

Are You a Follower Too?

Sometimes I am really persuaded by other bloggers, especially on products they post about and love. I've seen Japanese masking tape all over my google reader in the last 6 months, in the category I call Design & Crafty Blogs. The online retailers were often sold out but I finally found some here, and spent a total of $9 of my mad money to order 3 rolls of green patterned tape. My husband thought I was crazy. But they are so cute!

When I opened up the package, I was a teensy bit disappointed at first. Because the rolls are teensy. I had imagined them as regular-sized rolls of masking tape. Below is the shot of the tape next to a AA battery, and my well-known marker - a can of Mt. Dew. BUT, I really love them. Actually the narrower tape is much better for any crafty kind of stuff I might use it for. So far I just taped up my 32 Goals on the back of my bedroom door. But I am imagining many more uses - even in my boys' bedroom.

I also saw many posts about the Charley Harper kids' items at Old Navy. And when I was finally at a store this week the little board books kept my baby occupied for quite a while during my shopping. And on a whim I had a sales associate check the price for me, because they were at the back of the store and I knew they had been out for a while. And despite the lack of sales stickers or signs - all the products were on clearance! I bought the ABC and 123 books for $3 each and a set of Memory Cards for $4.50. I played 3 rounds of memory with my four year old today and while he loved the game, I loved the amazing pictures. Charley Harper was one talented guy! (May he rest in peace.) He might be a favorite new designer. I would add Todd Oldham's book about CH to my Christmas list except, you know, it's $126. I'm not finding many of the products on Old Navy's website now - and they are marked at full price. So run on down to the store now. IF, you're a follower like me. (I also found some of these products for reasonable prices on Amazon.)

Spring Fashion Trends

Boo Mama recently linked to a fashion news article from Fox and mentioned that perhaps her friend, Big Mama would expound on the trends. I follow Big Mama's Fashion Friday posts but she didn't mention the article at all this week, so I volunteered myself for the challenge. Fox kept all their picks under $30, and most of mine are too. I did add some items that were more because I liked them so much - but I don't think I would ever pay more than $30 for an item of clothing. Except maybe jeans or a swimsuit - items that get worn multiple times a week. I'm a big fan of Target, Marshall's, TJ Maxx, Ross, etc. but they are not all online. I like to look for cute things at department stores, then search out their look-a-likes at discounts.

10 Top Spring Recessionista Finds
Categories by TLC's Andy Paige, details from the Well-Rounded Woman

1. White jeans - I have always been a fan of white jeans and chinos. Most people seem to shy away, and plenty of moms have told me they wouldn't want to try and get stains out. But I've never had any problems. Denim comes clean, even in white. And if you pick a heavier weight chino, you won't have problems either. Ankle length is best for jeans, and longer trouser length for chinos. I found pairs at Kohls, Gap, Old Navy, L.L. Bean, Land's End, etc.

2. Neon or day glo colors- I'm not sure about neon, so I'm going for bright yellow with this trend. Or maybe a turquoise. A bright pop of color is especially good in jewelry or accessories. I like this head scarf that can also be worn as a belt. Although not around my well-rounded waist.

3. Scarves, I'm totally skipping this one because I live in the hot, hot Arizona desert. I do think scarves are very cute though - and they have plenty of light-weight ones for spring.


4. Ruffles - I like them and they seem to be big for spring. But in last week's episode of ANTM the judges said one of the models looked like she was wearing pajamas, rather than a pink, ruffled top. It may be better to go with this edgier plaid top. I like this bright, solid red tee too, and it seems more modern & less girly because the ruffles are down the side.





5. Florals - I could use a shot of femininity in my wardrobe. Enough of the solid tees. This floral top with lace trim from Kohls is gorgeous. Florals are everywhere right now - from larger, bold graphic prints, to pastel, floaty designs.




6. Jewelry - I hear stacks of metal bangle bracelets are in, as well as big stones for necklaces or other pieces. I'm not sure this would work for me because the things I see in my price range always look so fake and cheap. I guess I like a more classic look for jewelry. I do still love the layered necklaces look, and a bright pop of yellow or red.


7. Aviator sunglasses - I've so been in on this trend for years now. See, I'm not totally out of it. Classic aviators never go out of style, but you can also try some trendier ones with colored rims or lenses. I've seen some with aviator shaped lenses, but wider plastic arms in fun prints. Check out me & my sweet hubby out at our wedding almost 8 years ago.





8. Nautical - I love sailor-themed fashion. This skirt from Victoria's Secret is very versatile- plus I'm starting to think VS has the best white tops. I've always wanted a french sailor's shirt, except I worry about horizontal stripes for me. They are tres chic though.



9. Bright Cardigan - for me a spring cardigan must be short sleeved like this cashmere one from Land's End. Even then I can only wear it until the end of March really.


10. Colorful handbag - I like this one from Kohl's, which is colorful AND floral.





After those nine trends, I'd like to add a few things of my own, that might not necessarily be trends, but signify spring to me. And usually I need to add these to my wardrobe in spring.




1. Skirts - I have been hungering for this denim skirt from Gap ever since Marta posted about it in January. I could use a jersey knit skirt or two to wear practically every day this summer. And I could live in this Victoria's Secret outfit as shown.





2. Polos - I like polo shirts, but they must be feminine with a long, narrow placket and shirred sleeves. Old Navy has them for $15 in lots of spring colors.


3. New Shoes - I want to find some cute and comfortable neutral-hued sandals that I can wear often. I also really need new flip flops every spring - I wear them about 75% of the time. I used to swear by J. Crew's, but they went to a narrower design and I don't like them. This year I'm trying to decide between these L.L. Bean's and these Reef's.


6. Hair Accessories - I am seeing gorgeous flower clips, pins, and headbands everywhere lately - especially featured on blogs. I love them and have even imagined myself making some (I know lots of people who do). But I worry that I will look too much like a follower. Hopefully I'll do it anyway. My hair needs some excitement!

7. Swim Suit Cover-up - This comes from Big Mama's latest list. Mom's spend plenty of time at the pool with their kids and the point here is COVERAGE. I want to pull this on as soon as I exit the pool and am not completely dripping, prefereably before I tend to my children. And if I have to run into a store or to a friend's house I wouldn't be embarassed by this gauzy dress from VS or this comfy jersey dress from Gap.

Mad Money For You?

While my husband and I were engaged, we attended counseling with our bishop, our ecclesiastical leader. He told us that managing finances can be stressful for a couple. And that to keep both people from harboring resentment on spending (or lack thereof), each should have their own bit of money every month. To spend or save however they like. Mad Money. And this system has worked pretty well for us. Even though my husband is a saver, and I'm a spender - he can't say anything about my little piece of the budget.

So my question to you is: how much discretionary income do you personally have every month? And on top of my primary question: Do you just spend however you want? Is your spouse always on you about your spendy ways? Do you live by a budget? Or are you a saver?

My husband and I each have $80 a month to spend on anything we want. That includes work lunches for him (we budgeted more money for him when he worked at a business lunch type of firm) and fun lunches out for me and my little boys. And anything else our little hearts desire. I have been saving mine for a new iPod Touch (which I am days away from ordering). But usually I'm pulling out that mad money for all the tempting things at Target and filling my tummy with delicious (and usually not-nutritious) treats!

We do have a budget item for clothing, so occasionally I can fob a purchase off to that category, but not often. Somehow my husband doesn't consider teal, strappy, wedge sandals as a necessary clothing purchase. I know, crazy.

But I see women around me spending hundreds on little luxuries, so I'm not sure how things are different for them than for me. Obviously it could be that they simply have higher incomes than me, but often I don't think so. Different priorities? Help me out here. What do you spend? And on what?

Can You Wear Stilettos?

Sometimes advertising really works. I'll be the first to freely admit I am often taken with a television or magazine ad for a new beauty product. Last week I saw a tv commercial for Maybelline's new Lash Stiletto™ Ultimate Length Washable Mascara. I loved the 40s glamour girl vibe, and I love the branding of calling this mascara stilettos for the eyes. Even though I can't wear heels for very long, I love what a tall pair of stilettos does for my legs. And now my lashes can look just as good. I picked up a new tube at the grocery store, on sale for about $6.



Maybelline's website says the Pro-Vitamin B-5 formula conditions and smoothes for black-patent shine. And there really is something patent-leather-like about this mascara. It seems thinner, blacker, and glossier than others I've tried. My lashes really do look a little shinier, like patent leather. Stilettos, of course. All I know is my lashes have never looked longer. I look exactly like this model! Almost.

I've been using that XXL mascara, the kind with the dual wand - the white one to plump and lengthen, and black one for actual mascara. It's been a regular in my makeup bag for a couple years, and it turns out Maybelline makes it too. I really like the new Lash Stiletto, but the XXL does a better job at fuller lashes. I'm keeping them both. Hmm, maybe I should check out some of Maybelline's other products.

My tip for each of you (if you are a woman above the age of 14) is to head out and buy a tube of Maybelline Lash Stiletto™ Ultimate Length Washable Mascara from your local grocery or drug store. For other great tips check out Works For Me Wednesday.

If I Had a Little Money

A trip to Target for 1 utilitarian item was almost the death of me the other night. Those Target marketing gurus place the handbags and accessories right as you walk in the door and they just beckon to me every time I visit. Since I was by myself for once, I decided to just browse through. And let me tell you, if you have a little money to spend - and I do mean just a little - Target can make you happy.


Remember that I am saving every penny for a new iPod Touch to replace the one with the 5-day lifespan. But if I wasn't, I would have spent a little of my mad money on a new bag at Target. I think they have a great selection of bags, and have been thrilled with the last one I bought. Right now there is a HUGE batch of clearance handbags and accessories so I thought I would post just a few of my favorites.

I am loving the pops of yellow - anxious for spring, I guess. Or at least spring colors. I am glad to know that in a month or two I'll be able to find some lovely yellow accent pieces for a decent price. Of course the things I was most tempted by are un-find-able online, but here are the lookalikes I found online (for $240 and $395):

In reality it was an Xhiliration black envelope clutch for $20. It looks a lot like the first picture, but had silver accents like the second. Very classic.

I actually found the beret in winter white & loved it. And for the low, low price of $3.24 I certainly could have worked it into my budget. I was just worried about working it into my wardrobe. Sometimes I am tempted to buy for the style I want to have, rather than the one I do. Or maybe I mean the lifestyle I want to have. Moms of three little ones who don't always get a shower every day and who live in sunny Arizona don't often get to wear cute berets in winter white. But maybe someday. I do want to start editing my wardrobe and begin buying more for the style I want to have, and the person I want to become (style-wise). I recently read a couple books on this - look for reviews soon!

For more shopping tips, and others, visit Works For Me Wednesday.

Stocking Swap

Stockings from Etsy: Dick and Jane Rick Rack Stocking by lucky17, eco stockings by rikrak, The Bestest Felt Christmas Stockings EVER by cuzifeltlikeit, peace dove stocking in tweed by 3rdlife, Fireworks Christmas Stocking by howaboutorange, Delightful Swinging Monkeys (suede) Christmas Stocking by buckland

Christmas stockings are a cherished tradition at my home, with my husband and I both having grown up with specific stuffers that each child received every year. For him: chocolate oranges, pistacchioes, smoked oysters, and a new toothbrush. For me: chapstick, jewelry, and plenty of candy. We have taken items from both sides of the family and added a few of our own.

But... When Santa comes to your house on Christmas Eve, is Mom's stocking the only one left flat and empty? Or does it contain a few token things, that you probably wouldn't have chosen for yourself? Or do you, like me, fill your own or give your Mr. Claus minute instructions on how to fill it? Last year I followed some excellent advice from the FlyLady and swapped stockings with my fabulous sister-in-law. We had a lot of fun, and I had been debating on broaching the subject with her again, when I had an idea.

I am hosting a stocking swap here at The Well-Rounded Woman. If you are interested in giving and receiving some fun & creative stocking stuffers this year, please join in the fun. I will assign each participant a new friend for whom they will prepare and ship a stocking full of little sussies (a term borrowed from nicole). And another new friend will be shipping goodies to you too.

Details:

1. Sign up to participate by sending me an e-mail at thewellroundedwoman@gmail.com. Please include your ship-to adress and your blog address. The deadline to sign up is Sunday, Dec. 7th.
   
2. I will e-mail you the info for the person to whom you will be sending stocking stuffers. You should receive your assignment by Dec. 10th. Get to know them and find gift inspiration by reading their blog.
   
3. Choose gifts - crafty, original, fun, useful, pretty, important, keepsakes - whatever you would like. We are encouraging you to use your imagination rather than your wallet. I don't want to have a dollar limit, but I also don't want anyone to feel they got shorted, so I am recommending a range of $10 to $20 total. And they should all fit into a standard size stocking, which you will NOT need to provide. Let's assume everyone already has their own stocking. If you need one, check out Etsy, where I found the beauties above. I would send the first one to my friend, Jane.


4. Ship your stuffers by Wednesday, Dec. 17th so everyone will have them by Christmas.


5. When you receive the little package at your house, please keep the fun going by passing it unopened to someone else, who will open it and fill your stocking on Christmas Eve. Then you can enjoy the magic of discovering everything Christmas morning.

I really hope many people join in on the fun here, but even if only one or two or three want to participate it will make for plenty of fun. Please feel free to invite a friend, or post about The Stocking Swap, or grab a button for your blog. This swap will be Working For Me this year, and I hope other Works For Me Wednesday fans will join in. Happy Christmas!

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