Favorites

Favorite Things by afedell featuring post earrings



With Christmas shopping in full swing and Gift Guids a plenty all over the internet, I thought I would share some of my tried and true favorites. Things I have bought in multiples and wear almost daily.



Old Navy Mid Rise Rockstar Jeans. These are my favorite jeans. They have a great rise that hold in all my baby "leftovers" and the stretch is comfortable and does not wear out after this first wear. I have a variety of rinses and colors. You can always find a sale at Old Navy and I have bought these for around $15 before. Never pay full price at Old Navy. Their stuff cycles through sales ALL the time. A word of advice. Size up. I wear a full size to two size larger in these. Swallow your pride, get a  larger size and a good fit and enjoy these comfy and flattering inexpensive jeans.

Forever21 Heathered V Neck Tee. These are the perfect tee. Soft, comfy and with just the right amount of drape. For $5.90, you can have a variety of colors and the perfect slouchy tee that can be dressed up with statement necklaces and a blazer or dressed down with distressed jeans. I took a large for a looser, slouchier fit.

Sabine via Piperlime earrings. Unfortunately, these exact earrings have sold out, but any type of fun, sparkly earring is worth grabbing. I get more compliments on these earrings than any other pair. Piperlime always have free shipping and returns and you can find great deals in their sale sections. Most of their sales are final, so double check all our measurement. Here are a few fun options here, here, here and here.

Smith's Rosebud Lip Balm. It is an old school brand that has made a comeback and now these are offered in a convenient tube. I have the Mocha, Strawberry and Mint and I love them all. Super moisturizing and smell fantastic. They are not sticky at all, and that is a huge bonus. I have these linked to Anthropologie, but you can also buy they at Sephora. Burt's Bees lip balms are another favorite, if you are wanting more color.

SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus lotions and body scrubs. I love this stuff. Their body and hand sugar scrub is fantastic. Right now, it is sold out at Target online, so I can't link it, but check your stores. It literally melts into your skin and leaves your hands and body so soft. The lotion smells fantastic and absorbs quickly. I love the story behind the brand, making it just that much better. I have not tried any of the other fragrances, but I want to. These would be perfect stocking stuffers (hint, hint hubby)


If you are interested, I could also do a kid's favorite things post.


What are some of your favorite things? Any tried and true item that you swear by?
Let me know!

It's Game Time

The holidays are officially in full swing with Thankgiving coming up in a few short days and the shopping frenzy known as Black Friday.

I, personally, hate Black Friday and the madness it ensues. No amount of discount is worth the lack of dignity. I don't get it. I love shopping and I love to shop, but no amount of sales will get me out into chaos with swinging punches.

However, I LOVE some Black Friday sales...

source

Online.

It's game time.

I get 80% of my Christmas shopping done online, usually during Black Friday and with ALL the doorbuster deals that people stand in freezing cold lines to get it.

Silly people.

I just woke up, sipped my coffee and clickity-clicked my doorbusters right into my checkout cart and was done.

Simple as that.

So, here are few tips and tricks that I use when I nab all my online shopping spectacular.

USE EBATES. No, seriously. Use Ebates. Here is a link if you don't subscribe. You get money back just for clicking through their website. Simple and easy cash. Plus, right now there are lots of double cash back deals.

If you are subscriber to Lucky magazine, sign up for their rewards program. They tend to have cash back on clothing retailers that Ebates does not carry, like 5% back at Anthropologie.

Kohl's has it's Black Friday deals online NOW. Their 19.99 doorbuster toys are available. You can get 6% cash back via Ebates and use the code GREETING15 for an additional 15% off your entire purchase. Shipping is free for orders of $50 or more. They are giving out Kohl's cash as well. So for ever $50 you spend, you get $15 Kohl's cash for use the first week of December. I made my order and all but finished the kids Christmas gifts this morning. My favorite item? Discovery Kid's digital cameras for the boys. Normally $69.99, I got them for $17.50. You just can't beat that.

Target has some of their Black Friday deals available now online. If it is out of stock, you may be able to do in-store pick up. This year, Target is offering free shipping and free returns for the season. A nice bonus for sure!

Walmart is having a special a day and you can order online. I did the ship to store feature last year and it was a nightmare. Long pick up lines, items that did not get there and so forth. So, proceed at your own risk with them.

Anthropologie usually has some sort of discount on Black Friday (though nothing huge, as it is Anthro) They will be doing a fun popper in store for all those that make a purchase. It can hold gift cards,  discount codes, housing gifts and other fun items. I have had their poppers before and they ARE fun:)

A few years ago, I bought a few electronic "door busters" from Best Buy online. Shipped for free. Used Ebates. It was a win.

Gap/Old Navy/Banana Republic also do their door busters online. They are all part of the same family and use the same checkout cart. $50 is free shipping and returns for all 3 stores (plus Piperlime and Athleta) so you can combine purchases if needed.

Whatever store you love, I would check them out online first.


So, relax people. Spend time with your family. Give thanks for all the multiple blessing that you have. Rest. Converse. Laugh.

Save the crazy ladies punching each other for another day.

Boycott Thanksgiving Day shopping.

Get up on Friday, drink your coffee and find your favorite deals.

It really is the only way to do it.


And today, I am thankful for the internet and it's highway of shopping glory.

~Fall Wishlist~

It is September 1st!

For most parts of the country that means fall is around the corner...for us, it means that temperatures may drop in the 80's. Either way, I am excited. Fall is, by far, my favorite season. I love everything about it.


Since most of the retailers have been pretending it was fall for the last month or so, my thought have drifted away from flip flops and shorts, to boots and chunky sweaters. With the changing of the seasons, I thought I would compile my Fall Wishlist. Some of these items are wants, some are needs and some are just both!  Let's get started.

Dark Rinse Trouser Jeans

Emerson Made

I loved a good dark trouser jean. I had a great pair that I wore all last year, but since losing some weight, they no longer fit. So, the hunt is on. These jeans are way out of my price range, but definitely my inspiration.

Soft Silky Blouse

anthropologie

I have been loving soft, flowy blouses lately. They hid a world of wrongs, yet still look pulled together and polished. I love the neutral color of this top and it fits beautifully. I think it will be very versatile. Definitely sale stalking this one.

 Colored Pants

anthropologie

I like this color pant trend. While I like the idea of bright red, cobalt blue and gold, I don't want to invest in a quick trend. Forever 21 will work for those type items. However, I love the deep wine color of these pants. The cut will work with heels, flats and boots. Daughters of the Liberation pants fit me better than any other pants I have owned. I have always gotten them on super sale, so I am anxiously awaiting a sale on these guys.

 Mustard Shoes/ Heeled Loafers

anthropologie

I have wanted a pair of yellow/mustard shoes forever. Really. For. Ever. I love yellow, but I can not wear it anywhere close to my face. Because of my skin tone, it makes my skin look green. Not cute.

However, shoes, shoes I can do. And I love these. LOVE. love. love.

My birthday is also in October. (hint.hint. hubby) 

Red Pumps

Urban Outfitters

Red heels are like a basic. Everyone needs a pair. I need a pair. My shoe collection has died a bit after the birth of my second son. Half of my shoes do not fit and I am in dire need of some basic, classic pumps. I love the whole look of these guys. They come in lots of colors. 

Comfy Flats

TOMS

 I really need some comfortable shoes for fall. While I love some heels, I am a mom of two small, active boys. I need something that will move! My flats include flip flops and knee high boots. Nothing in between. I love everything about TOMS and I love these guys. I hear they are very comfortable. These could just be the perfect fall flat.

Freaking Awesome Shoes

 

 anthropologie

I may not have a great NEED for these beauties. But come on. Look at them. Pretty much perfect. The color, the design, everything. Love. There is not a whole lot more to say about that. Just look. Sigh. So freaking awesome.

I am also on the lookout for a chocolate brown cardigan. I have been on the lookout for YEARS. I mean, really, how hard is it to find a simple, basic, chocolate brown cardigan? Apparently, it is really hard. I have looked for just a basic cardigan for over a year now. Dumb. Someone please tell me where to buy one. Target does not carry one. Old Navy, Banana Republics, Nordstoms BP, H&M...the list goes one. I could not even find a decent internet picture of one. Ridiculous. 

So, the hunt continues.

So, that's my list.

What is on your fall wish list?

Anything good?

Let me know!

 

Friday Favorites: Anthropologie Alone

 

It is no secret that I have a great love for Anthropologie.

If you have never been in a store and you have the oppourtunity to, go.

Do it.

You don't have buy anything.

Just go and breathe it in.

Pretend that you get to live in the perfect displays, with the flickering candles and pitch-perfect music.

You may just find yourself falling a bit for this store.

I live 2 hours from an Anthropologie.

If I am lucky, I get to go twice a year or so.

Really, it is quite a travesty.

But this friday, this fabulous Friday, I am going to Anthropologie.

There are 3 on my way north to a wedding.

THREE.

I can go if I want. 

I can try on clothes at my leisure.

I can browse as slowly as I want.

No baby or husband waiting for me.

It is just me and Anthropologie.

Throw in breakfast coffee from Caribou, lunch at Pei Wei and a best friend's wedding prep that night and it just about the most perfect day.

Definitely one of my favorites. Ever.