Mom Hacks 101; the Art of the Fashion Repeat.

As a busy mom, time is at a premium for me. While I don't consider myself a mommy blogger, I am a mommy and a blogger. I've been lucky enough to be a stay at home mom for my kids and fortunate that I've been able to find blogging as an outlet to maintain my sanity, thou some might argue that calling myself sane or any mom for that matter is debatable. There's this concept that women can have it all but I'm here to tell you that you can't. There is no such thing as having it all. Everything comes at a cost. If you have an amazing career, chances are you have a nanny raising your children. If you stay at home with your kids, you probably won't have money to afford that Chanel or even cleaning help. I've long given up on having a tidy house. And that's OK. The first lesson as a mom is to learn is that it's okay to be perfectly imperfect and you just gotta do whatever it takes to make it through the day.

I recently wore this look to New York Fashion Week. I never plan out my outfits in advance (it stresses me out - plus I'm local so it's not like I have to pack) so when I woke up in the morning I decided to repeat. And not just repeat and re-accessorize, a full head to toe repeat. I've spoken to other moms who have confessed to me that they too wear outfits for several days in a row. Like I said, you do what you gotta do. I did visit the Bauble Bar showroom earlier that day thanks to @sequinloveaffair who took me as her plus one. They gifted me these adorable furry earrings - so at least there was one new element to this look from the last time I wore it when I went to meet Sophia Webster.

From head to toe:

• Sunglasses: Moschino, Century 21, free after rewards (they were selling them for $59.99), RV $295
• Earrings, Bauble Bar c/o
• Jacket: Marshalls, $24.99
• Dress: Shop Tobi c/o (also seen here)
• Bag: Jimmy Choo Lockett, sample sale, $350 (RV $2,895)
• Fringed belt: Zadig & Voltaire, sample sale, $40
• Shoes: Sophia Webster Keira Doiley sandals, sample sale, $95 (RV $750)

I was wearing my favorite MAC Miley Cyrus Viva Glam lipstick and it drove me nuts that I didn't have my Urban Decay Menace with me, which is the perfect pink for these earrings. Another note, these earrings come in blush pink too! This little furry touch is such a great way to add some color to your look - and they are super light and comfortable. So good!

Shop my style here:

To create some balance in my life, several days a week I'll go out sans makeup and in mommy-mode so chances are even if you bumped into me, you may not recognize me. I'll confess that some days I run out without even washing my face. I think women in general put waaaaay to much pressure on themselves to look perfect. You don't need to put on a full face of makeup and have your hair done to hit the supermarket. If I'm lucky enough to have 5 minutes to get ready, I'll grab a lipstick, some tinted moisturizer or BB cream, sunglasses and head out the door.

I take pride in knowing I'm physically and emotionally available to my children. My cost is that I've long given up any hopes of having a power career as a lawyer or fashion editor. And my dream Birkin is still out there waiting for me. Luckily I can sate my fashion itch with sample sale scores, thrift stores and the occasional Nordstrom Rack or TJ Maxx find. Speaking of thrifting, I recently put together a few tips on thrifting for thredUP - check them out here.

If you're a mom, what are some of your hacks to make your life easier? How do you deal with the mom guilt of trying to have it all?

Photos were taken by the amazing @littlefashionstylist. Thank you Belle for your endless patience :)

As for sample sales, I just got notification that Rebecca Minkoff is back! While it hasn't been as epic as the good old days (see past sale reports and hauls here, here and here), you can still find some good deals throughout the sale. I always go for the first day, at least one day in the middle and last day for markdowns. Also, there is an amazing fur sale by my adorable friend Shirelle, for those of you willing to travel to Brooklyn. And last but not least, Oscar de la Renta will be back - hopefully with amazing shoes for less than $100 again!

Fur Event
October 21-22
Sat 8pm-11pm, Sun 11-6
1393 Carroll Street, Brooklyn

Rebecca Minkoff
October 23-29
M 11-8, T-F 10-8, Sat 10-7, Sun 10-4
260 Fifth Avenue

Oscar de la Renta
October 24-29
T 10-8, W-Sat 11-7, Sun 11-4
151 Wooster Street

Happy shopping!

XO
Michelle

Post #100! ...and it's raining jewelry!

Happy 100th post! Just wanted to take a moment to thank all of my readers who have been with me since I started - and those who have joined in along the way. Exciting things are starting to happen. I had my first press writeup this week on Huffington Post - check out the article here.

When it rains it pours! I've been stocking up on inexpensive jewelry left and right. I won a Bauble Bar giveaway for a $25 giftcard and used it on Cyber Monday - combining it with their 30% discount. I would have used it Black Friday when they had 35% off but they didn't send me the code in time :(

I used to wear a lot of gold jewelry but lately I've been collecting silver and gunmetal. Plus I'm a little obsessed with Dannijo but similar pieces cost $300-500. The Dannijo sample sale is this week but I'm trying to be good and skip it. We'll see...

I selected the $44 Chapman Cone Bib which is now out of stock. It cost me just $5.80 out of pocket! Thanks Bauble Bar!

I paired it with my $20 BCBG faux-fur vest and Rag and Bone sweater ($15, refurb) - both from the Rack. Picture is unfiltered and I'm sans makeup. I have to confess that I like to let my skin breathe most days and rarely wear makeup. When I got hit with adult acne in my 20s I spackled on a face daily for a good 2-3 years. After trying everything under the sun, I discovered Murad which cleared up my skin and saved my complexion. I've been using it ever since because I'm afraid to stop LOL.

Chapman Cone Bib, $44

Then a couple days later I found Bauble Bar's Spiked Lily Necklace at Nordstrom Rack for $14.97. I had a Rack scratch off coupon for $10 off $75 so I grabbed a cute $60 dress and essentially got this $44 necklace for under $5! Score!

ETA - If you want one too I just noticed that it's on sale online for $32 right now :)

Here I paired it my necklace with my Altuzarra for Target dress that I scored for 70% off ($12) and my Andrew Marc $50 leather moto jacket (Nordstrom Rack). I'm proud to say that when I got this jacket last year at the end of season it didn't fit and now it does :) I'm also wearing my stud earrings from the Rack ($5) and my new Sephora Rouge Shine Lipstick in Secret Affair.  It's such a pretty, sheer pink/red but it has a weird smell. Once you start wearing $20-30 lipsticks it's hard to go back because there really are subtle difference - like smell and formula.

Bauble Bar Spiked Lily Necklace, $44

Sephora Rouge Shine Lipstick - Secret Affair, $12.50

Last week when I was at Burlington returning a couple dresses and having a sensor removed I peeked at their jewelry section. Most of it is pretty junky but I did notice a few Bauble Bar dupes for a fraction of the price.

Bauble Bar Amazon Medallion Bib Necklace, $44

For example I almost purchased the Amazon Medallion Bib Necklace with my gift card and then looky what I spotted on sale for $9.98 by Sophia & Kate in Burlington...

In this pic I'm wearing my $24 H&M coat that I pushed down so you could see the neckline on my Altuzarra for Target dress (70% off, $12) and I also have a few Yosca bracelets stacked (past sample sales, all less than $10 each).

Here are a few more pics of pieces that are worth a mention - all for $6-$20 each. Some of them are available online with free shipping!

Chain link Drop Bib necklace (pictured above on the right), $14.99 available online here.

 

Layered bib necklace, $19.99 - available online here.

I do have to say that the quality isn't as good - several pieces were broken, the chains were flimsier and a couple stones were missing here and there but the price was right. I resisted buying anything and it was a good thing I did because I'm pretty happy with my Bauble Bar pieces.

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When I noticed Tracy's Notebook of Style's Instagram pic alerting me to H&M's sale I was all over it LOL. I ran in the next day, but unfortunately I had fit issues with EVERY SINGLE PIECE that I tried on. It's funny, when I was younger I used to have issues with H&M but over the last couple years I've been pretty successful. I think now that I'm getting smaller I'm starting to get particular about fit again. Or maybe they cut this past collection badly. Anyone else have problems with H&M of late?

I had high hopes when I was greeted by this selection.

This print on this $25 skirt looks so 90s Prada - I wanted to love it but the skirt was just too full in the hip and not so flattering on me.

 My favorite ruffle sleeve dress went down to $10! I just don't need another so I left it.

And of course, most of what caught my eye wasn't on sale. Good thing the Bergen Mall has their coupon booklets out with a 20% off one full price item :)

I love this $34.95 Dolce & Gabanna wanna-be, especially in this shade of orange. Too bad they cut too narrow in the hips and too large on top.

 It even came in black! Argh! Why can't it fit?

How pretty is this $34.95 sequin top? I didn't try it on because I'll wait for it to go on sale LOL. I'll do a H&M dress for $35, less 20% but not a top. Just one of my things...

When I went into the City for a couple sample sales this week I popped into the H&M Flagship on 5th. They always have the most amazing displays. This time I was greeted by a sea of blondes and beautiful sweaters. They also had Tony Bennet and Lady Gaga on a large screen playing over and over. Seriously, what's not to love?

They actually had even less of a sale selection than my local store but it's still always fun to look there.

My first stop that day was the Gerard Yosca sample sale. I've been hitting that sale for 15+ years - I even got my wedding jewelry there. They do product development for other companies too, like Banana Republic, so I picked up a couple BR pieces as well. But it's the Yosca pieces that are really special. I always select the past season items which are sold for 70-90% off.

I try to pick up a couple extras for gifts for the year but I always take a couple special Yosca pieces for myself. The most expensive piece I selected was the cuff for $25 (I LOVE his cuffs and similar pieces retail for $200+) and the earrings in the center for $20. I almost didn't get the earrings because one of the Swarovski crystals were missing and they told me they couldn't replace it. Then later when the designer was visiting the sale (he always pops in to say hello) he noticed me considering them so I made sure the mention the missing stone and Voila - he put another one in. Over the years I've learned it's all who you ask :) Thanks Gerard!

In case you're wondering, the Banana pieces are the turquoise necklace ($8), gold hammered earrings ($5) and the silver tassel earrings ($5). The long chain necklace ($8), chain bracelets ($5), and bangle ($5) are all Yosca (in addition to the cuff and Swarovski drop earrings).

I'm sure you'll be seeing mod shots of all these pieces over the next few months :)

Afterwards, I made out like a bandit at the AV Max sample sale. I love their gold hammered cuff that I purchased at the Rent the Runway sample sale for $17 + tax. Here I scored 8 cuffs for $55 ($5-10 each, no tax). I might not have needed all of them but it's hard for me to leave a $5 cuff because I love cuffs so much!

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And last but not least is the ongoing saga of Alexis Bittar. A few days after placing my order I noticed a pair of earrings was missing from my shipping confirmation. This is problematic because I used the Gilt City voucher and then $50 of my credit would be lost (as the small-print read that it was for one time use, no credits). My husband told me not to worry, perhaps they would be shipping it separately. I still called and emailed and didn't hear back. Well they didn't ship it AND when I got my order they sent me the wrong bracelet which was cheaper, and not my taste. The SKU numbers were pretty similar and the style wasn't so far off so I can see how whoever packed the order got confused.

These are the earrings that I didn't get and were essentially the reason I ordered in the first place :(

And this is the bracelet I ordered but didn't get. They sent a narrower bangle version without the print which was kinda blah.

Two of my correct items arrived -  I like oversized earrings and these are pretty light.

They only had a size 7 of this ring so I took it anyway - it's a little big on my center finger but it's still cute. The gold is also yellower than pictured which I don't love but I don't hate either.

So yeah, after my order came I called and emailed some more and nada. Finally I called one of the NYC stores and explained my situation and the sales associate assured me they would pass along my information to the correct channels. Magically the next day I get an email from UPS that I was getting something from Alexis Bittar. After days of emailing, calling and even tweeting, my correct bracelet arrived with a return shipping label for the wrong one - but still no earrings. Mind you nobody even contacted me - they just sent me my bangle. Hello? Where are my earrings Alexis Bittar? So while this was a step in the right direction we are not done here. 

If something was out of stock they should have contacted me so I can select another piece so I wouldn't loose my credit. Anything less is poor customer service or just plain stealing my money.

I would like to apologize if any of you had problems as well - I feel really bad when I recommend a sale from what I thought was a reputable company and then they screw up so badly. I'm so disappointed that there has been zero communication, and no apologies. I'm have hope they will make good but if not, I'll be contacting both Gilt City and the Better Business Bureau. Again, I'm so sorry if you had any issues with your orders as well.

And thus ends my jewelry saga - unless I go to Dannijo. Must. Resist...

Happy Shopping! Wishing you many successful shopping adventures :)
-Shoppinggal