Fall Fashions Are On My Mind!

This morning it smelled like Fall and I am so excited! I love the fashions and style of Fall the best of any season. I love layering and sweaters and boots and fabulous accessories like scarves! This Fall there are a few easy ways to look chic and keep on a budget. It starts with buying smart, remember trends come and go but classics always look great. When you dress to flatter your figure you will always look good even if it is not the newest trendiest look. So get to know your body type and what flatters you best.

Next you need a fabulous pair of jeans that will look great with everything you pair them with. If you splurge on one item jeans are a good one just remember to wash them inside out and not every time you wear them. Excessive washing will wear them out quickly and unless you got something on them they should not be washed with every wear. As for tops buy pieces you can layer and mix and match, use the rule of 3. If you cannot take an item home and make 3 different outfits with it you shouldn’t buy it. For example if you find a fabulous crew neck sweater you can wear it with jeans, wear it with a skirt and wear it with a collared shirt underneath it = 3 outfits so it’s a good buy. Buying tops in solids make them fabulous backdrops for accessories. It is much cheaper to have multiple accessory items then to have multiple tops.

Boots I firmly believe every woman should have a pair of leather (faux leather) knee high boots for the fall and winter season. Why? Well besides the fact that they look fabulous and are flattering on every one they are very universal so a great investment. A heel is great but even a wedge is perfect. You can wear knee high boots with pants and they create a nice clean line, you can wear them with every length skirt for a great look plus extra warmth on your legs. I suggest buying a very classic pair that you can wear year after year. Take care of them and you will have a fabulous staple to add to your wardrobe. My last pair cost me $80 and lasted 5 years with care and only 1 re-soleing. In college I wore them to cross campus multiple times each day on an almost daily basis that is what I call a good deal. When I replaced them last year I got a pair for $40 from DSW ( my favorite shoe store). When buying a knee high boot make sure you get a good fit in the calf so it isn’t falling down or sloppy or else get a stiff boot that stands up on it’ sown slightly away from the calf.

Those are my thoughts on Fall staples watch for some future posts on how to snag the latest trends on the cheap. Did I mention I love Fall!!!

Makeup:Spending Where It Counts

As you  know by now I love saving money! I am always on the hunt for a good deal and love bargains but more than that I love quality. A deal on junk is still junk and you have wasted your money and I hate wasting money. Over the years I have learned to pick and choose what items I have to have the more expensive brand of and what I can go cheaper on. Today I wanted to talk makeup and when to splurge and when to scrimp. Here are my thoughts on where your makeup money should go.

Let me start by saying not all makeup is created equal. Department store makeup IS better than drugstore makeup but that doesn’ t mean you can’t mix and match both. I suggest deciding what makeup items are most important to you and splurge in that area. For example I wear the makeup basics everyday: cover-up, blush eye shadow and eyeliner. For my cover-up and blush I buy the cheap or free stuff from the drugstore. I have found that the shades are always fine and the application looks good so I am set. My eye makeup is a different story. I buy Clinique eyeshadow, yes that’s right this week I dropped $17.50 on one eyeshadow duo at Clinique. Are you thoroughly shocked? Don’t be I think it is worth every penny. I have tried to use cheaper eyeshadow and liner and it is just not the same. Plus I have very sensitive eyes and Clinique looks the best while being the gentlest on my eyes.

Truth be told if my budget was unlimited I would buy all my makeup at Clinique, but it’s not so I save where I can to spend where I want. When I pay nothing to only a little for all my other makeup needs combined I do not have a problem splurging every few months on my eye makeup. Plus if you time it right you can always hit the gift with purchase ( I love gift with purchase). So what are your thoughts, do you mix and match or are you brand loyal? I would love to know.

HT Naturals: Another Seller of Bamboo

As I promised I have another great company that carries bamboo products to introduce to you: HT Naturals. HT Naturals carries only organic and eco-friendly fashion so of course they have some great bamboo options. The sent me the reversible halter with print and matching reversible knit capri to try out. Since they are bamboo and I got the black and khaki combo I am in love. The black is a great true black ( have you noticed I love a really deep black color!) and the reversible option is fantastic. Unlike most reversible options the underneath layer folds over at the waist band of the pants to give you a pop of color, it looks fantastic. I love that the two layers are not sewn together at the bottom which gives it a more fluid and comfy fit. The bamboo is very durable and drapes the body fabulously as well as having a bit of stretch. Once again I have found bamboo clothing that I highly recommend. HT Naturals is offering Thrifty & Chic Mom readers a FREE hemp tote with any purchase over $100!

My New Found Love: Bamboo

This week I am going to share with you some of the amazing products that are made from bamboo. Over the past couple of months I have reviewed some amazing bamboo products and I have 2 more companies to introduce you to this week. Bamboo is getting a lot of exposure due to its eco-friendly nature as well as versatility not only as a wood but as a fiber.

In the past I have reviewed bamboo clothing and I just LOVE it. Bamboo is my new favorite fabric! I love how soft and flowing it is and the colors are rich and vibrant. If you are familiar with modal fabrics bamboo is very similar in the way it lays on the body and holds color longer than other fibers like cotton. Bamboo also makes a fabulous terry cloth that can be used for towels or robes. Be sure to check out these great makers of Bamboo Clothing and other textiles:

• HT Naturals ( great place for stylish clothes for mom)
• Dream Sacks ( for some stylish, comfy clothes)
• Bamboosa ( for all your baby needs like blankets, ect.)
• BabyBam ( for all your baby needs including incredibly soft towels)
• Organically Hatched ( makes the cutest bamboo kids robe)
• Bambooya ( Bamboo products for thE whole house)

A few quick facts about why bamboo is amazing.Bamboo is…

• hypoallergenic
• anti-bacterial as well as odor preventing
• thermal regulating
• moisture wicking ( absorbs double that of cotton)

I will leave you with a quote I found describing one persons thoughts of bamboo and all I can say is I agree!

“Bamboo looks like expensive Pima or Egyptian cotton and drapes like silk. It has less shrinkage than cotton and does not pill. It has been described as feeling like pure cashmere.”

Jimmy Choo at H&M

Have the heard the fabulous news? Jimmy Choo has paired up with H&M to bring his amazingly stylish shoes to those of use who make regular type salaries! I have a HUGE shoe fetish and this is not helping me kick my habit. Oh well, I will be anxiously anticipating November 14th and the release of the new collection. This picture is a sneak peak, don’t those shoes just make you feel amazingly chic just looking at them! Imagine wearing them, I CAN’T WAIT!!!! Who says fashion isn’t affordable, not me and apparently now not Jimmy Choo either!

Save Your Skin By Faking It

Everyone wants to look healthy and glowing in the summer and most women want that sunkissed look for when they are showing more skin (thanks to the heat). But do we need to sacrifice our skin and potentially our health to get it? As much as I enjoy sunbathing ( I truly love the feeling of the sun on my skin) I know it is not a wise decision to overdo it. Sadly there is no such thing as safe tanning, you can load up the sunscreen to decrease damage but you are still doing damage. Damage that will age you and may possibly cause serious health issues in the future. So what is a stylish girl to do who craves a tan? Why fake it of course! The super models do it so why can’t little old SAHM me. The key is doing it right so it doesn’t look fake. I mean have you ever looked at Heidi Klum or Giselle and said”she is using fake tanner” no because they do it right. So as a long time user of fake tan ( yep I proudly admit it) here are some tips I have picked up over the years.

• Pick a brand you trust or is recommended by someone who uses it. I suggest using the lotions that build your tan gradually to decrease on streaks and the orange hands effect. ( I like Jergens and Olay)
• Make sure you are honest about your skin color and be realistic about your tan color. If you are fair skinned don’ t buy the super dark just because you want to be dark. It will just look silly.
• Once you have your lotion do some prep work: loofah your body getting rid of all the dead skin. Dead skin will turn orange and suck up the lotion in excess.
• Shave your legs before you add self tanner. once it is on shaving your legs can peel some of it off with the skin.
• Apply lotion evenly over your body so you do not have any dry spots that will absorb too much lotion.
• Once your lotion is completely dry and absorbed you can begin, try to work quickly and apply evenly.
• Go very light on tough spots like elbows, knees, and hands. DO NOT DO YOUR FACE!!!!!!
• Once you are done IMMEDIATELY wash your hands to avoid orange palms.
• Allow yourself to dry completely without touching anything ( yes this means standing) or you will rub it off in places and ruin whatever you rub against.
• Do not shower for 24 hours.
• As for your face use a bronzer I do not recommend putting fake tanner on your face.
• Too nervous to do it yourself? Try a pro like Mystic Tan just do the same prep steps before you go for best results. I did Mystic Tan for my wedding and it looked fabulous no one had a clue.

I would love ot hear your thought and tips on fake tan or horror stories

Is your face covered?

I am constantly shocked at how many women do not wear sunscreen every day. The sun is out year round and doing damage constantly. So I am begging you please please please wear sunscreen everyday. Every major company makes a daily lotion or foundation that includes an SPF. Need a recommendation? How about Oil of Olay it is $9.99 at CVS and their is always a coupon out plus watch for ECB deals and stock up. It comes in various versions ( like normal, sensitive, oily) and has an SPF of 15 so you don’t have to worry about adding an extra step to your daily skincare routine. A word of caution though when summer comes and you are out in the sun longer you need something stronger. You can either switch your moisturizer to one with a stronger SPF or just buy some sunscreen specifically for your face.

Don’t stop at your face be sure to apply under your eyes and use a chap stick with SPF in it. That’s right your lips can burn easily. Once you have done major sun damage their is no undoing it. Plus who wants to age any faster than they are supposed to? So protect your skin and wear your sunscreen all day year round. Craving that summer tanned look? Here are a few tricks

• lighten up your makeup, make your eyes lighter and your lips too it will give your face the appearance of being sun kissed
• use a bronzer to fake the sun kissed look
• use a good fake tanner ( all the models do it)
• don’t worry you will still get some color wearing sun screen you will just get less damaging effects.
• wear colors that flatter your skin and make it appear more sun kissed

Knowing your body type!

Knowing your body type is one of the best things you can do as a woman. This knowledge will help you to dress to flatter your figure best and will save you tons of money in the long run. When you know what styles flatter your body type it is much easier to shop and can help you to avoid making unflattering purchases. I remember sitting in class in college the day we covered body types and the do’s and dont’s for each type. It made so much sense and was eye opening. I love helping my friends discover the secrets to flattering their body and not trying to look like a model or a mannequin.

Knowing your body type is also a great way to help you appreciate the beauty of your body, every woman wants to look like someone else, sadly it is our curse. My thought is to be the best you can be and play up your assets because you can be sure someone else wishes they had what you have. So as I went to type out all my tips and thoughts on this I found a great and very thorough article so instead I will point you here and say enjoy and then go to the mall and try things on, even if you aren’t buying, and enjoy your new found knowledge.

FREE Caress Evenly Gorgeous Body Wash

Request your FREE sample of Caress Evenly Gorgeous Body Wash here. I will be reviewing this product in the next week or so but it looks great! Plus go here to build a virtual you and find the most flattering new trends with the help of Carson Kressley!

Being Chic When You Just Don’t Feel It

Today I had an early doctor’s appointment ( by the way in case you haven’t caught all of my subtle references I am expecting #3 and THRILLED) and was really dragging as I got out of bed. As I stared at my closet I was really tempted to throw on my velour track suit but instead I put on some cute jeans, a bright sweater and some heels. Now while I did not have time to do anything great with my hair I did my makeup and put on some coordinating jewelry. So why am I telling you this? Because I truly believe you can affect your attitude by your appearance. If I look frumpy I will feel frumpy and yes even act frumpy. If I take the time to put myself together in the morning I feel more confident and ready for the day. As a stay at home mom I could easily wear lounging clothes all day and no one would know but then I would feel like lounging. In the business world the say dress for the job you want and I am not trying to be a gym rat.

So here are my thoughts on shaking the frumps and kicking yourself into chic even when you don’t feel it.

• Wear clothes that not only fit but flatter. Just because it fits and is cozy doesn’t mean you should wear it. If you don’t feel good in your clothes it will reflect to the world.
• Complete your outfit, make conscious decisions about jewelry, makeup, shoes and all accessories. Putting in some thought and effort will help you feel accomplished which is a great way to start the day.
• Fix your hair. Even if all you have time for is a pony tail make it a cute one. Use a fun hair tie, wear it low or high but don’t look messy.
• Dress for the occasion. I am not saying where a silk suit and heels to the park but you can wear cute fashion shoes with a flattering tee instead of a baggy sweatshirt and your gym shoes.
• Love yourself. Self confidence starts from within, but it can help to like what you see in the mirror.

I hope these tips can help you shake the frumps and put your best self forward each day. I know I am at my best when I feel good inside and out, from head to toe!