Reason #1: Jeans are comfortable, flattering, and fashionable. I sometimes see moms that successfully pull off the stretchy yoga pants and tee look with confidence, but I always feel sort-of grungy in that get-up.

Reason #2: I run around our great room daily, as my girls laugh and yell: “Chase me!” I play “Duck, Duck, Goose.” I jump across pretend oceans to escape pirates and sharks. Such is life with an 18-month-old and a 4-year-old. Don’t get me wrong – I like pencil skirts and flouncy dresses too, but…they’re not particularly conducive to the life of a young mother.

Reason #3: Jeans are extremely versatile (thus, they are very affordable if you look at them from a cost/per wear perspective). If I buy a well-fitting pair, I can wear it a hundred different ways. With tank tops, fancy blouses, even dresses. [I might try to bring back the dress-over-jeans look].

Dressbarn (a clothing retailer with over 800 stores nationwide) recently sent me shopping and I have to admit that I was a little bit skeptical. I’ve always kind of thought DB was for…ahem…older women. Shockingly (to me), I found a pair of embroidered jeans for $29.99 and a blouse-y peasant top for around 30 bucks (see picture) within 10 minutes of walking in the store.

P.S. DB just announced their online shop. You can now buy the brand’s clothing online for the 1st time ever. Click each image for more details:

Do you shop at dressbarn (why or why not)? What do you wear on most days?

WIN IT! One winner will receive a $25 dressbarn gift card. To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Monday, October 4th 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.

* Dress Barn provided me with 1 outfit for review purposes and is also providing 1 gift card for the giveaway.

*UPDATE* The winner is #90 Annette D. Congratulations!

I was never a “review blogger” per se, but I did enjoy sharing fun new finds through my Themed Weekend series. (And I still think product reviews by bloggers can be extremely useful because they tend to be thorough & personal – and they often come from a trusted source).

I have to say, though: I am so glad I made the transition from productville…to simply blogging the “everyday extraordinary” of my life. It’s meant more engagement (thanks for your comments, ya’ll!), closer friendships, and better content on my blog.

All that being said, the PR company for CAbi [Carol Anderson By Invitation] recently asked me if I wanted to sample some clothing from their Fall 2010 Collection. I took a look at the website, picked my jaw off the ground, and said, “Yes, please!” The collection is sophisticated, without being stuffy…modern, without being juvenile.

Apparently, Carol Anderson used to be a designer for Nordstrom, but now exclusively designs for CAbi. The pieces are upscale and trendy, while still retaining classic sensibilities.

Here’s the catch: you can’t buy CAbi online or in stores. The collection is exclusively sold through house parties that bring women together for fashion & fun. To find a Consultant near you, check the CAbi website.

If you’re interested in the career side of things, there’s a website specifically for that. Essentially, you sell clothes to your friends – and receive a commission.

Here’s a sample of the Fall collection:

Do you ever attend (or host) “house parties” for products? Do you enjoy them? What do you think about the CAbi collection?

In 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.

Also – 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?

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:

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

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

WIN 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!

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]:

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?

WIN 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!

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.

I 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?

WIN 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!

• I don’t like the disorganization or the “ick factor” of thrift stores.
• BUT I shop at them because I can find like-new, completely-new, and vintage-cool stuff at them…for rockin’ prices.
• I try not to buy articles of clothing that are over $20.
• BUT I make an exception for bras, jeans, and shoes. And fancy dresses.
• I don’t really have a “fashion icon.”
• BUT if I had to pick one famous person who best exemplifies my ideal style, it would probably be Queen Rania of Jordan.
• In my dreams, I wear super-cool dresses, frilly skirts, steep high heels, modern business suits, and chic accessories.
• BUT - in reality – you can usually find me wearing a pair of designer jeans and a dark-colored tee, tank, or hoodie.
• If I could shop absolutely anywhere, I’d probably choose Nordstrom, Chip & Pepper, and small boutique shops.
• BUT – in reality – I don’t shop very often. When I do shop…I go to Gap, Target, Nordstrom Rack, etc.
• I know that people make judgements about my character and competence based on how I dress so I strive to look pleasant and professional.
• BUT I also acknowledge that clothing is superficial and the truth is that I’d rather spend my money helping people.

Over the next few days, I’ve put together a mini-series of giveaways that revolve around fashion. I hope you’ll enjoy perusing pretty things – for yourself and your kids (and entering to win too).

I’ll link all giveaways to this master post for your convenience. All giveaways will close on Saturday, July 17th, at 11:59pm.

• Cake Lingerie – Plum Pudding maternity/nursing bra & panty set
• Bravado! Designs – Sublime Nursing Bra
• Petunia Pickle Bottom – Picnic in Provence Boxy Backpack
• Lands’ End – Toddler or Kids’ Outfit
• Lil’ Dressers – Drawer Labels Package
• UV Skinz – Sun Protective Swimshirt
• Undertease – Cap Sleeve Tee
• Maurices – $60 gift card
• GlassesUSA – single vision eyeglasses
• Vincent Shoes – $50 gift card
• Robeez – pair of shoes (0-24 months)
• Eleven Collection – pair of shoes (ages 3-8)

What is your “fashion philosophy”? Who is your “fashion icon”? What are your favorite stores to shop at?

As I mentioned in a previous post, we’ve been pretty FOCUSED around here as of late (and that’s a good thing).

We’re making great progress on the new website/blog and that dream is so beautiful, so expansive…we can’t possibly keep it just in our hearts. I can’t wait to invite you to be a part of it. Let’s see. I should give you a clue. It’s about making the world better – one day at a time. For now, we rush-rush-rush and stay-up-late. Because we hope to launch this baby before…ahem…we conceive a real baby. But we’ll see how the timing works out. Both Tim and I are ready for baby #3.

On another note, thanks for your summer ideas on my Nanny Nature post. Today, we woke up at 8:00, ate cereal and blueberries, delivered whole wheat bread and sparkling cider to my sister-in-law (who just had a sweet baby boy last Tuesday), went to a local consignment store, and stopped in at the library. All before 11. Sa-weet. Right at this minute, my 3-year-old is watching Anne of Green Gables (the cartoon version) and my 1-year-old is napping.

And me? I’m typing one-handed (as I always do – crazy, but true), thinking about my to-do list, and missing Tim.

P.S. Here are our finds from the consignment shop. We brought in a bag of our old clothes and left with these. Total at cash register: $0.

Do you shop at consignment stores?

ALSO – Have you seen the animated version of Anne of Green Gables (For the record, it’s not even half as good as the non-animated version starring Megan Follows…)?

As such, it’s fitting that Michael Stars has generously offered a Cool Breeze Scarf ($42) in the color Punch to SLY Award recipient Sarah Bessey.

The scarf reminded me of her because it’s breezy, laidback, and beautiful…just like she is! It is a soft, lightweight, and lovely accessory piece. The fringed edges add just the right casual touch for that “I’m-put-together-but-not-pretentious” look.

If this is your first introduction to Michael Stars, you’ll want to check out their tees first (it’s what they’re famous for…and there’s one for every occasion!), but the brand also offers fashionable dresses, sweaters, bottoms, and accessories.

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WIN IT! One winner will receive a Cool Breeze Scarf ($42) in the color Punch from Michael Stars. To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Sunday, May 9th at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a U.S. or Canadian mailing address.

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Michael Stars has generously donated 2 Cool Breeze Scarves for this SLY Awards promotion – one for Sarah and one for the giveaway. I received no product or monetary compensation for this post. I’m just excited to celebrate Sarah and…you.

*UPDATE* The winner is #15 Jennifer. Congratulations!

But it can make packing a tad bit difficult since space is a high premium. As such, I try to pack at least one “in-between” top when I am away from my closet. What I mean by that is a top that can be dressed up or down with ease.

Take, for example, this Cap Sleeve Cashmere V-neck Sweater by Lands’ End Canvas. It’s stylish and ultra-soft and equally easy-to-match with a pair of distressed jeans, a pair of gray slacks, or a pretty pencil skirt.

You’ve heard of Lands’ End, right? Well, Lands’ End Canvas is a new off-shoot brand that promises, “clothing that is real and relevant for how you live today.” As far as I can surmise, the brand is targeted to Generation X and features wearable, modern pieces that are classic and preppy. The selection isn’t huge, but I actually really like almost all of the current offerings. Up next for the brand? I hope they come out with a bright yellow trench coat, royal blue high heels, some cute denim shorts, and a great pair of trouser jeans.

YOUR TURN: What is your impression of the Lands’ End brand? What do you think of the new Canvas collection?

WIN IT! One winner will receive a Cap Sleeve Cashmere V-Neck Sweater ($120) in his/her choice of color from Lands’ End Canvas. To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Tuesday, February 2nd at 11:59 p.m. (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).

* I received a product sample for review purposes.

*UPDATE* The winner is #197 Michele. Congratulations!