Summer Fashion: The End

Big Secret: Tim has been gone in Ukraine for the past 2 weeks – and he’s coming home tonight (TONIGHT!)! I didn’t mention anything on my blog because I didn’t really want to advertise his absence, but oh-how-I’ve-missed-him.

in the mirror yellow tank Summer Fashion: The EndIn fact, this is the longest we’ve been apart from each other since I was 17. My heart could hardly stand it. I missed his voice, his smile, his wisdom, his friendship. And – I’m not gonna lie – I missed his help (What a glorious sound the garage door opening is at the end of the day, am I right?).

I planned the fashion series in part because reviews are generally pretty easy to write; it’s undemanding work. The other part is that I really like hosting giveaways. It makes my day to be able to e-mail winners and say, “You won!” (I have to admit, though, that I sometimes wish that I could always pick a regular reader/commenter instead of all of the sweepstakes people that come over…but I gotta keep things fair).

Even so, the odds are pretty good so I hope you’ll keep entering. And just to show that you can indeed win, tell me in the comments if you’ve won anything here in the past and, if so, what it was. To give hope to the masses.

keen paulina mary jane sandals Summer Fashion: The EndAlso – I mentioned what my tinies have been wearing on their feet, but I don’t want to close out the series without mentioning my new Paulina Mary Jane sandals, compliments of KEEN (pictured: right). They are super comfortable & breathable (AND made of real leather – no stinky feet!) – equally perfect for wearing with shorts or a skirt. I particularly like that they’re not completely flat (I’m not a fan of flats) so they actually offer support when I’m walking.

Here are three ways you can interact w/ the KEEN brand:

  1. If you’re looking for high-quality sandals, water shoes, or hiking boots, do check out their collection.
  2. If you want to win KEEN shoes and an Open Diving Adventure in Hawaii for you & a friend, do that before July 31st.
  3. If you would like to keep up with the KEEN brand, you can Like KEEN on Facebook or Follow KEEN on Twitter.

I hope you enjoyed perusing my fashion finds (I also hope that it is obvious that I am super picky and put great care into what I feature here).

Now it’s back to personal posts and musings. Yay.

Do you like it when I have periodic themed giveaway events here?

Summer Fashion: Eleven Collection

green polo dress Summer Fashion: Eleven CollectionFor the longest time, my 3-year-old’s favorite color has been green. And not just any green. “Dark Green,” in particular.

Other parents often express a bit of shock when my blonde-headed, blue-eyed beauty pipes up with her favorite color. Not pink! Not purple! Not even red! Green, it is.

Someday she may change her mind and that’s okay (I believe in giving people freedom to change their minds), but – for right now – I love the sparkling uniqueness of her favorite color.

Our one dilemma, however, is that most things for little girls are pink. Dresses. Shirts. Shoes. Toys. Etc.

Fortunately, Eleven Collection is different. They offer stylish, modern shoes of superb craftsmanship for early school age children (ages 3-8).

And they offer GREEN…for GIRLS! [Click on each shoe for specific details]

categ1 Summer Fashion: Eleven Collection chloeg1 Summer Fashion: Eleven Collection junig1 Summer Fashion: Eleven Collection

Adorable, no?

They also offer shoes in silver, white, orange, black, brown, and champagne…in addition to the more traditional pink & purple colors. Best of all, these shoes are butter-soft and they fit just right. Truth be told, Eleven is my very favorite shoe company for kids. Also, there is FREE standard shipping on all orders in the USA!

P.S. If you would like to stay connected with Eleven, you can Follow Eleven on Twitter or Like Eleven on Facebook.

logo20100309 c Summer Fashion: Eleven CollectionWIN IT! One winner will receive a pair of shoes from Eleven Collection. To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Saturday, July 17th at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

* Eleven Collection sent me a sample for review purposes and is also providing 1 pair of shoes for the giveaway.

*UPDATE* The winner is #59 chelsea. Congratulations!

Summer Fashion: Robeez

My 16-month-old gets more confident on her feet every day.

picking out books to read Summer Fashion: Robeez looking out the window Summer Fashion: Robeez

She still has the “new walker waddle” and I just can’t get enough of it.

I am enamored by the way she stands up, walks around, smiles a toothy grin…sometimes stopping to clap. It takes all of my willpower not to just scoop her up and bury her in kisses. But I try my best to just let her be as she explores the world and comes into her own.

lounging in the purple chair Summer Fashion: RobeezThis parenting gig is pretty amazing – the most breathtaking and brave thing I’ve ever done actually. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

NOTE – In these iPhone photos, my daughter is wearing the Petite Cakes shoes by Robeez (on-sale now for $16.99). They’re soft, stretchy, sturdy, and sweet. And machine-washable! I highly recommend Robeez’ soft-soled shoes for crawlers and new walkers.

P.S. If you would like to keep up with Robeez, you can Follow Robeez on Twitter.

2840H 9 150x150 Summer Fashion: RobeezWIN IT! One winner will receive a pair of soft-soled shoes (0-24 months; winner will specify gender, but not specific style…it’s a surprise!) from Robeez. To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Saturday, July 17th at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

* Robeez sent me a sample for review purposes and is also providing 1 pair of shoes for the giveaway.

*UPDATE* The winner is #65 Sarah T. Congratulations!

Summer Fashion: Vincent Shoes

I’ve mentioned Vincent Shoes before, but I wanted to take a quick minute to tell you about the Summer Clearance Sale (up to 75% off!).

Here are the shoes that caught my eye, but there are many more options to choose from!

vincent ally sandals Summer Fashion: Vincent Shoes vincent bobby sandals Summer Fashion: Vincent Shoes vincent djungel boots Summer Fashion: Vincent Shoes vincent tobias boots Summer Fashion: Vincent Shoes

PICTURED – Left to Right: Ally ($11.25), Bobby ($11.95), Djungel ($8.45), Tobias ($19.95). Note the prices – all under $20! Get ‘em while they’re hot.

Vincent offers high-quality, designer shoes for pre-walkers up to about age 8. [My 3-year-old has the JILL sandals and they're darling].

Have you tried Vincent Shoes?

Screen shot 2010 05 02 at 6.39.42 PM 150x57 Summer Fashion: Vincent ShoesWIN IT! One winner will receive a $50 gift card to Vincent Shoes. To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Saturday, July 17th at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

* Vincent Shoes sent me a sample for review purposes and is also providing 1 pair of shoes for the giveaway.

*UPDATE* The winner is #113 Molly K. Congratulations!

Summer Fashion: GlassesUSA

Have you noticed my new eyeglasses? I’ve been wearing them quite a bit lately.

Here’s my vision history in 10 points:

  1. I first got prescription glasses when I was in high school.
  2. I should have had them much earlier, but my parents didn’t really believe in the whole going-to-the-doctor thing.
  3. I have astigmatism in one eye.
  4. At the time, I only wore glasses when I was driving or when I had to sit in the back of classrooms.
  5. It continued this way for years.
  6. After I had my second baby, I noticed a DRAMATIC decrease in my vision.
  7. When I went to the eye doctor, she confirmed what I already knew and said, “Changes in vision are VERY common during/after pregnancy and breastfeeding.”
  8. I requested contacts and, after a few days of craziness trying to figure out how to put them in and take them off, I finally figured it out. Now I like them a lot more than glasses (for a variety of reasons).
  9. Glasses still come in handy, however, and I recently got a new pair from GlassesUSA.
  10. Someday, after I’m all done having babies, I hope to get Lasik.

OLD GLASSES:

old glasses black and white Summer Fashion: GlassesUSA

NEW GLASSES (they’re the First Lady frames):

first lady frames black and white Summer Fashion: GlassesUSA

Which do you like better (or do you think another style would look better on me)? Tell it to me straight.

Screen shot 2010 07 09 at 12.26.24 AM 150x45 Summer Fashion: GlassesUSAWIN IT! One winner will receive a pair of single vision glasses online from GlassesUSA. To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Saturday, July 17th at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

* Glasses USA sent me a sample for review purposes and is also providing 1 pair of glasses for the giveaway.

*UPDATE* The winner is #30 Allison. Congratulations!

Summer Fashion: maurices

Screen shot 2010 07 09 at 2.59.05 PM 150x63 Summer Fashion: mauricesMaurices recently sent me a gift card and invited me to review a piece from their online store. I browsed and pondered and then…decided to give the gift card to one of you instead!

From what I can tell, maurices is geared to teens/20s. The looks are trendy, young, and modern. The prices are somewhere in-between Old Navy and Gap.

Here are a few items that caught my eye [Click on each image for more details]:

maurices metalic print v neck Summer Fashion: maurices maurices stretchy split dress pant Summer Fashion: mauricescutoff shorts with belt Summer Fashion: mauricesdistressed cowboy hat Summer Fashion: mauricesmaurices plaid textured henley shirt Summer Fashion: maurices maurices dark wash boot cut jeans Summer Fashion: maurices

Have you ever shopped at maurices? Is there one in your city? Is my impression of the store correct or did I get it all wrong?

p6020043v380 150x106 Summer Fashion: mauricesWIN IT! One winner will receive a $60 gift card to spend at maurices. To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Saturday, July 17th at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

* I received no product or monetary compensation for this post. I’m just excited to give one of you the opportunity to buy new clothes!

*UPDATE* The winner is #18 Andrea. Congratulations!

Summer Fashion: Undertease

suzy q undertease Summer Fashion: UnderteaseOnce when I was in middle school, I went to a “Colors” workshop with a friend. Remember those? A specialist held up all kinds of fabrics to my skin and gave me a tiny booklet that told me all of the colors I should wear (and which ones I shouldn’t). I don’t really remember what colors were “my colors,” but I think turquoise was on my “yes” list.

There was also a fashion show to demonstrate “How to Dress for Your Body Type.” “Hourglass” people like me were advised to wear v-neck and scoop-neck shirts, wrap dresses, bootcut pants, pencil skirts, and monochromatic outfits. I was also told to avoid turtlenecks, light-colored tops, and baggy clothes. I generally agree with all of those guidelines (except  for the wrap dresses and shirts – I have yet to find one that looks good on me).

I especially love V-necks (the deeper, the better) and scoop necks…but I also am keenly aware of modesty. So I layer. Often.

Logo 150x32 Summer Fashion: UnderteaseI recently had an opportunity to try a few tops from Undertease, a Utah-based company that offers tanks, tees, and camisoles in an array of colors that are specifically designed for layering. The Signature Line is the original line w/ plentiful sizing and style options. The Suzy Q line is new and specifically designed for climates with warmer weather. Want to guess which line I prefer? Clue: I live in sweltering Arizona.

I wear my rose-colored Suzy Q cap sleeve tee often (see above right). Suzy Q pieces range in price from $16-$22.

Maybe I better get a turquoise one next… ;)

Have you ever been to a Colors Workshop? Do you think they’re bogus or brilliant? Also – Do you agree with the “dress for your body type” advice that is commonly dispensed in books and magazines?

SuzyQCapSleeve Clay S 112x150 Summer Fashion: UnderteaseWIN IT! One winner will receive a Suzy Q Cap Sleeve Tee ($18) from Undertease. To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Saturday, July 17th at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

* Undertease sent me a sample for review purposes and is also providing 1 tee for the giveaway.

*UPDATE* The winner is #42 Lisa. Congratulations!