Winter Sparkles For Mini Fashionistas with OshKosh + GIVEAWAY!

December 19, 2013 By Cori

Sponsored by: OshKosh B’gosh

If there is one thing I know about winter style for mini fashionistas it is that they love to sparkle.

My 5 year old daughter, who mourns her sundresses all winter long, is drawn to rhinestones and sequins like a moth to a flame.

So, when seeking out staples for her winter wardrobe (as I am now, because the child is growing like a weed!), adding sparkle is my secret weapon to get her more excited about her warmer winter clothes- which is why today, I am teaming up with OshKosh to explore the sparkly possibilities with their super cute new line of girls tee’s.

OshKosh has a variety of sparkly tee’s that pair perfectly with their velvet and denim skinnies– which by the way have adjustable waistbands- and aren’t those a GOD SEND when it comes to girls pants?

Versatility is key to great clothing. While pairing one of these sparkly tees with skinnie jeans are great for casual every day look, the velvet skinnies (pictured in the very top image) make for a more polished “dressed up” look.

Another reason these shirts and pants are the perfect wardrobe staples is because you can easily mix and match them with with sparkly ballet flats or accessories to create new looks all season long.

The best part is- whether you are looking to give a “put-together” look as a gift or if you are looking for some staples for your little lady’s wardrobe like me, Oshkosh’s Sparkly Tee’s and Skinnies are available in local OshKosh stores, as well as online for under $15!

WIN A $50 OshKosh Gift Card!

ENTRY IS SIMPLE!

To enter to win leave a comment below visiting OshKosh B’gosh online and letting us know, Which sparkle tee you would pair with skinnies this winter!

Ends Jan.2 at midnight.

Open to US Only. 1 Entry per person. Winner will be selected at random and contacted via email. Winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize. If the prize is not claimed within 48 hours we reserve the right to select another winner.

Disclosure:

OshKosh B’gosh partnered with Complicated Mama to promote Tees & Skinnies. As part of the program, we received gift cards to purchase our favorite products. OshKosh B’gosh believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words, and therefore did not require us to purchase any specific product or influence the opinion expressed in this post. OshKosh B’gosh policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations. The winner of any giveaway in this program will be randomly chosen and gift card fulfillment will be handled by a third party.

7 Back To School Styles + Trends To Love

August 22, 2013 By Cori

It’s back to school time! I can’t even believe it. The summer always has a way of flying by, doesn’t it?

Even though my kids wear a uniform to school, we still enjoy our “fall shopping”- because there’s just something about fall clothes that I can’t get enough of.

Over the past few weeks, We’ve gotten a few peeks at some back to school trends that we are LOVING, so I thought I would share!

1. Colored Denim

Ruum

Printed Peplum Top, $24.50 | Super Soft Skinny Pant- Ochre, $26.50 |Studded ballet flats: $29.50

I love everything about this outfit– in fact we own it. This season, I am feeling mustard color denim is a must have. It’s *just enough* color and goes with everything!

Ruum has a Back To School promo that offers 30% off when you purchase any 3 full priced items. This outfit qualifies!

Gap

Some older boys may be hesitant to try out this trend, but colored denim on boys rocks! My son owns several pair. Something else that rocks? Slip ons! Admit it, some days, they are just easier! These woven slip ons can be dressed up or dressed down- which I love.

2. Skinny Jeans & High Tops

Childrens Place

Grey 5 Pocket Color Jeans, $20| Sporty Tee, $6|Plaid Shirt, $15|Indie High Top Sneaker, $17|

At the age of just 8 years old, my son is a total “Sneaker Head”. Children’s Place, The Gap and Ruum all have some cute casual sneakers to make every day outfits trendier for boys. These casual sneakers are not to be confused with gym/athletic sneakers- but are great for the every day denim look.

Ruum

Sequin Graphic Pullover, $29.50|Super Soft Skinny Pant -Enchanted rose, $26.50|Burgundy red hightop wedge, $39.50|

There I go with the colored denim again! My daughter and my 18 year old sister both own these enchanted rose skinny jeans, by Ruum (Yes, my 18 year old sister fits in kids clothes… do you hate her? 😉 ) These burgundy red hightop wedge sneakers are adorable for older girls.

This outfit also qualifies for Ruum’s 30% off Back To School promo.

3. Girls Printed Pants

Look By Target

Cherokee Leggings: $12 | Cherokee Graphic Tee: $6.99 |Cherokee Cardigan: $16.99

There goes that mustard color again- and I love it with royal blue. From polka dots to tribal prints, printed Jeans and leggings are a great look for girls and it is everywhere!

4. Rocker Chic

Children’s Place

The Children’s Place really has some adorable stuff this season. Leopard print flats should be a staple in every girls wardrobe and these are super cute! Pairing this moto jacket with a girly ruffle lace top is a great way to be rocker chic.

5. 90’s Plaid/ Grunge

Back to school styles always have a lot of plaid out, but this year we’re seeing a bit of a “grunge” type twist on some- and the 90’s child inside is kind of loving it.

Ruum + Justice

Ruum

6. Casual Prep

Casual preppy looks never get old– polo’s, cardigans, and this year- super super cute oxfords for girls!

Ruum

OshKosh

7. Fringe

Crazy 8 + Kohls

ruffled denim jacket, $29.50|Sonoma Life Girls Fringe Boots, $39.99| Painted dot dress, $19.99|

Bottom line- I’m obsessed with the fringe boots and booties out for both women and girls! They go great with dresses and jeans which makes them worth splurging on in my book.

What are your favorite back to school trends? Have you caught any great sales?

Disclosure: Some items in this post were provided for consideration. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Girls Summer Wardrobe TJMaxx Haul {Pics +Video}

May 21, 2013 By Cori

As the weather warms up and we settle into our temporary home for the summer, I quickly began to realize that my darling little Laina has gone through a major growth spurt.

I know that they say most children are a size ahead of their age (ie- 4 yr olds wear size 5)… but that never rang true for our kids. In fact, Ry was always a size behind his age (age 8 wearing a size 7) and up until this point Laina had always been exactly her age/size. Now it appears she has practically skipped over size 5 and is a size 6!!

I didn’t want to spend a fortune, so I headed to TJ Maxx to see what I could find… and you guys, I walked out with an entire summer wardrobe!!

The Summer Wardrobe Steal:

9 outfits
3 dresses
2 pajamas sets
2 pairs of sandals

(wait for it…) … all for $220!!

It is my most proud haul to date.

Here are a few pics of outfits I snagged.

The top below is my favorite! It’s high-low, sheer… and that print is just so cute! The shorts with the neon skinny belt? Clearance – $7.50!!!

There were so many cute DKNY tops for kids. This one below is my favorite! Love the fringes– $7.50

TJ Maxx- Summer Haul- 2013 Girls Style Trends copy

A little denim on denim. I’m obsessed with these white denim capris below.

White pants on children are a magnet for dirt… but at $10? Worth the gamble.

Another hi-low, sheer shirt, with leopard print hot pink shorts and adorable rosette flip flops.

Neon is on trend, but not many adults can pull off neon shorts. For kids on the other hand? Love it!

The below Ralph Lauren shorts were on clearance for $12! Love this shade of blue/grey.

TJ Maxx- Summer Haul- 2013 Girls Style Trends

The girl is D-O-N-E!

How to Make A Hair Bow Bun – Step By Step + Video Tutorial

January 11, 2013 By Cori

It’s no secret, I am a little hair obsessed.

Braids, buns, curls- I love it all– thankfully, so does my daughter. So when I’m not playing and experimenting on my own locks, she lets me play hairstylist with hers.

–By the way, if your child has a sensitive scalp, I cannot recommend getting wet brush enough! My daughter loves ours and never complains about painful detangling. Game changer! (I’ll link my favorite below)

Hair Bow Buns are all over lately– especially if your browsing Pinterest! I think it’s a super cute hair style for little girls. So, a few weeks ago Laina and I gave it a whirl and not only did it turn out adorable, it was surprisingly easy.

If you’re tired of ordinary ponytails and looking for a fun and easy way to style your little girl’s hair, this is a great style to try out. I’m confident that even the most “hair challenged mom” could pull this off. I mean it!

Below is a step by step tutorial.

What you will need:

Products from Amazon.com

Step 1:

Make a tight pony. Do not pull through the last loop of hair completely. It should look like a bun with a strip of excess hair face-forward.

Step 2:

Secure strip with bobby pin.

Step 3:

Take the excess hair and smooth with gel.

Aussie Instant-freeze Gel is my personal favorite because it really holds everything in place nice and doesnt flake.

Step 4:

Separate the bun evenly and pull backwards the gelled strip of excess hair. Pin and secure in the back of the hair tie with bobby pin.

Step 5:

Wrap hair ends around and tuck under the hair bow with bobby pins.

Back To School With TJMaxx & Marshalls

August 16, 2012 By Cori

It’s no secret, I am OBSESSED with finding deals at TJMaxx and Marshalls. I love how I can go in there every week and find something new and on trend (because their buyers purchase year round vs. other stores that buy seasonally).

My husband is always in awe of my ability to find steals on name brand things. He says he can never find those deals, but truthfully? He just doesn’t look hard enough! {Men!}

Case in point:

Last week we visited Marshall’s to do some vacation shopping and I found him Penguin polo shirts half the price he had paid in Macy’s!

Designer deal seeking is a skilled art, my friends.

Remember this Calvin Klein dress I purchased at the beginning of the summer at TJMaxx for $39.99, only to find it later in Macy’s for $99.99?

I talked about that deal FOR WEEKS …and obviously, I’m still bragging. But I can’t help it. Getting that kind of deal puts you on a shopping-high.

My deal-seeking ~~obsession~~ talent was reconfirmed yesterday when I won this fab gold cuff bracelet during a game of the price is right at the TJMaxx/Marshall’s Back-To-School preview event.

Woot!

That Vince Camuto cuff? Originally $148. TJMaxx/Marshalls price tag? $59.99!

Oh, and that dress I have on? Yea, totally bought that in TJ Maxx at the beginning of the summer and ended up matching a top they had on display at the event. I felt like the girl who showed up for prom to find someone else had her dress on {slightly embarrassing!} ha.

While at the event, I learned some fun facts about my favorite stores.

Like, Do you know the 2 major differences between TJ Maxx and Marshalls?

Marshall’s has a shoe department for the whole family, while TJ Maxx’s shoe section is strictly ladies styles (which I’m totally ok with by the way)
TJ Maxx has a jewelry section and Marshall’s does not.

So what can we expect to see in TJ Maxx/Marshall’s for Back-To-School?

Bold Colors- Pops of color for girls and boys too! Golden yellows, reds, oranges and purple are popular for girls. While reds, bright blues and greens are perfect for boys!

Prints- Prints are popular this season, and as when it comes to lunch-time stains, they’re great camouflage 😉

Colored Denim- Colored denim is still in! TJMaxx Mom Spokesperson, Audrey McClelland says the trick is to not match your top to the color of your jeans.

Statement Shoes- Incorporate subtel pops of bold colors and pattens in your footwear.

Trendy School Accessories- The trendy colors and patterns out this season will not only be found in clothing, but school accessories such as calculators, headphones and backpacks.

_________________________________

Later this month I will be sharing my back to school finds at my local TJMaxx, and will have a fab giveaway to help with your back-to-school shopping as well!

Stay posted!

Style Your Little Man’s Summer Wardrobe For Under $100

May 14, 2012 By Cori

Shopping for my daughter is easy! My son on the other hand, is always a challenge.

It just always seems like a lot of the same. Moms of boys- you know what I’m talking about.

This week Old Navy has 15% off kids clothes [enter code: OnSave15] … and they have some really cute selections for boys this summer. With a little mix, match and layering these items can definitely liven a little man’s wardrobe.

Below ware some pairings that I’m looking at for my son this summer.

Ryan LOVES those ($8) slip on shoes. We bought a pair from Old Navy last year that he wore out and we recently bought 3 more pair. He likes them because they’re easy on- easy off , but I love them because contrary to what most men believe- sneakers DO NOT look good with everything. The slip ons are a fun alternative for boys.

With the 15% off coupon code, all of the above pairings I put together with 1 pair of those awesome kicks shoes- total up to just 97.89! … and shipping is free!

Old Navy also has a lot of great graphic t’s for boys to show off their latest obsessions.

These boys beach-ready sets that I put together are an average of $32 (board shorts, graphic tee and flip flops) I’m debating between the Marvel set on the left and the Diary Of a Wimpy Kid set on the right… decisions, decisions.

Set 1:

Graphic Dinosaur Plaid Shirts, $13.59
Red Poplin Cuffed-Cargo Shorts, $20
Yellow Boys Animal Tees, $8.45
Belted Denim Cargo Shorts, $20
Striped Graphic-Applique Hoodie, $17
Plaid Plain-Front Shorts, $8.50
Patterned Longsleeve Shirts, $16
Canvas Pop Kicks, $6.80

Set 2:

Angry Birds Tees, $13
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Tees, $11
Marvel Wolverine Tees, $13
Shark Graphic Swim Trunks, $15
Striped Color-Block Board Shorts, $17
Graphic Board Shorts, $15
Printed Canvas Sandals, $8.50
Faux-Leather Flip-Flops, $13
Printed Canvas Flip-Flops, $8.50

Kid Style

WIN A $50 OshKosh Gift Card!

1. Colored Denim

2. Skinny Jeans & High Tops

3. Girls Printed Pants

4. Rocker Chic

5. 90’s Plaid/ Grunge

6. Casual Prep

7. Fringe

What are your favorite back to school trends? Have you caught any great sales?

The Summer Wardrobe Steal:

Here are a few pics of outfits I snagged.

Products from Amazon.com

Step 1:

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Step 5:

Don’t Miss Out!