Everyday Cori By Corine Ingrassia

Look, Feel and Live Your Most Well-Lived Life

shopping

Be The Best Holiday Gift Giver (Even If You’ve Totally Procrastinated All Season Long)

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Every year we promise ourselves we won’t do it. We won’t wait til’ last minute to do our holiday shopping. Nope. We will not be buying last minute holiday gifts!  … But here we are, days before Christmas and there are still  a few gifts on our shopping list.

That being said, I did make a lot of progress this past weekend at the outlets! Outlet malls are the best for major shopping hauls. It’s so easy to find something for everyone and for great prices.

So if you’re like me– always shopping right up til’ the last minute– you’ve come to the right place because at this point? I’m kind of a pro.

Below are a few of my best-kept shopping tips for snagging last-minute gifts that are SO perfect, they’ll never know that you procrastinated (again).

Take A Tip From Santa– Make A List!

It is always easy to spend, spend, spend during the holiday, but it is extra easy to go over budget when you’re under the gun on time and don’t have a list! So before you brave the crowds, make a list and note a budget next to each.

Do Your Research.

Before heading to the stores, it’s important to have at least a general idea of the gift you are hoping to find. Check out holiday gift guides and retailer websites to brainstorm. In malls and outlets you can often sneak peek some of the sales going on via their apps and websites. Make note of your finds!

Take Advantage Of Holiday Shopping Hours.

Extended hours always make for the best shopping hours. Afternoon, prime-time shopping days before Christmas is total crazy town. Go during the extended hours! I am notorious for doing one last haul at around 11pm the day before Christmas Eve– which sounds crazy, I know– but by that time the crowds have usually died down and shopping actually feels a little less stressful.

Map Out Your Haul.

If you are headed to a mall, once you have your list of people to buy for, general gift ideas and you’re in the know on the latest sales, check out the mall directory and map out your game plan. This will help you from walking in circles and save you TONS of time!

Know When To Stop.

When we are last minute shopping, we often find ourselves shopping even after we’ve purchased gifts for everyone on our list. We think “just one more thing”– and if we are being honest it’s probably due to our own last-minute shoppers guilt– but just because you purchased something last minute doesn’t mean it’s not perfect.

My Picks For 2019 Best Holiday Gifts

Products from Amazon.com

Shop Today, Wear Tonight: 9 Places To Snag The Perfect Outfit Online + Pick It Up Same Day!

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When you have an important or special day coming up, it is always of course #goals to have that perfect outfit planned out days (or weeks!) ahead of time– but let’s face it– sometimes, that’s just not the way life works. Our days can get crazy, we’re sometimes just focused on surviving the 24 crazy busy hours in front of us and sometimes? Plans are just plain old last minute!

I recently found myself struggling with this dilemma when I had a photo shoot that required solid, brightly colored clothing.

Do you know what’s kind of hard to find in New Jersey in the middle of January? Solid brightly colored clothing.

And do you know what I’m apparently not a big fan of? … Solid, brightly colored clothing.

It’s actually not something I ever noticed about myself until I was on the hunt– BUT– as they say, when there is a will there’s a way!

I could have blindly headed to the mall and shopped around– but when juggling a pre-schooler,  that wasn’t ideal (although, Avery has become an excellent shopping buddy– always willing to offer up his honest, uncensored opinion when I’m trying on clothes–ha!).

Luckily there are quite a few stores that allow you to shop from their website and pick up at your local store the same day. In case you ever find yourself in a pinch similar to mine, below is a list retailers that allow you to shop site-to-store!

It’s a Godsend, really!

Shop Today. Wear Tonight.

9 Retail stores to snag an outfit online + pick up in-store

 

How To Slay The Holidays and End Holiday Shopping Procrastination!

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This post was written in partnership with The Mills At Jersey Gardens

Holiday shopping procrastination is a vicious cycle, am I right?

We start out with the best of intentions. Then our calendars and to-do lists fill up, social events, cookie exchanges…  we miss that flash one flash sale… and thennnn the procrastinating begins and we begin to avoid our shopping list– or at least certain items… like. the. plague. 

I’ve been guilty of this more times than I like to admit, but there is a silver lining in everything, right? And being a recovering holiday shopping procrastinator has given me some insight into some simple and effective ways to AVOID holiday shopping procrastinating.

I recently hosted a blogger breakfast at my favorite indoor outlet mall, The Mills At Jersey Gardens for a little holiday fun with the kids (They have THE BEST Santa set up!) and during the event I spoke with attendees about how we can really slay our holiday shopping list this year, like a pro!

(credit: the always fabulous Erika Batista)

HOW TO END HOLIDAY SHOPPING PROCRASTINATION

Ask for suggestions early so there’s no guessing

When it comes to holiday shopping, there is nothing more overwhelming than having no idea what to get for someone on our lists– and when we feel overwhelmed we tend to procrastinate. So send out a quick text to those on your list and ask them for a few hints or suggestions before you head out to get your shop on!

Make a list and check it twice

Once you have your suggestions, make a master list and be sure to update it as you purchase your gifts. It is a rewarding feeling to cross things off your to do list, and it will help keep you on task and avoid impulse purchases that can cause us to spend extra money!

Keep your list in a place you see will see it every day

Keep your master list in a common area in your house that you are going to see everyday– like the refrigerator! This will serve as a daily reminder and keep you on track for getting your shopping done!

Map Out Your Shopping

One of the reasons I love The Mills at Jersey Gardens is that I can pretty much find something for everyone under one roof without compromising quality or feeling like I’m “settling” (which always ultimately makes us end up settling on a gift, right?). The less time spent in the car, the quicker we can get our shopping done.

The Mills At Jersey Gardens has department stores like Century21, Saks Off 5th and Neiman Marcus Last Call to individual designer outlets– you can easily find a gift at a great price for everyone from your family to teachers.

During the our blogger breakfast, we challenged attendee to find a great gift under $25 for a ‘White Elephant’ gift exchange… and you guys, the gifts that were unwrapped were incredible; from a Kate Spade wallet to Alex & Ani Scarf to a 3 piece, hand picked travel themed gift from Burlington!

Point being, if you can power shop outlets (especially indoors during the winter!) –––doooo it.

Set Yourself Goals And Reminders

Am I the only one who uses their phone to cover up for their early on-set dementia? I use Siri to remind me of EV.ER.Y. THAAANG– using Siri as my personal shopping assistant during the holidays just came naturally and it has changed the game.

 “Hey Siri, remind me when I leave the house tomorrow to pick up a teacher gifts at Sephora!”

Another game changer?

Breaking up your list into smaller more manageable goals! 

For example: buying all of your kids gifts by the first weekend in December (before moving on to anything else– FOCUS is key here!) When you’ve completed this small goal it will make your list feel more manageable and make you feel more accomplished and pumped to tackle the next small goal.

Five 90’s Shoe Style Trends You Need To Own

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One of the best parts of the changing seasons are the changing styles, trends and shopping hauls that come with it.

This month I teamed up with The Mills At Jersey Gardens and some of my favorite fashionable blogger friends to scope out some of this year’s must-have shoe trends– and let me start by saying, my vintage 90’s loving heart runneth over with joy because “90’s shoes” are everywhere you look!

Sure, we began to see this style revival peppered into the trends in recent seasons (chokers here, patches there), but it’s official… this season’s big rubber soles and  platform sneakers, will have you channeling your inner Spice Girl.

{ Check out more of my finds today over on The Mills At Jersey Garden’s Instagram! }

FALL SHOE TREND REPORT

Lush floral patterns, muted jewel tones (ruby, sapphire, emerald, and topaz) and fun fabrics–

2017 is all about making a bold statement with your footwear!

Chunky Platform Heels

This is possibly the trend that I am most excited about because chunky platform heels = comfort! You’ll see this trend incorporated in all of the styles below. For ultimate comfort, the secret is to choose a shoe that not only has a chunky block heel but also has a bit of a platform in the front.

Velvet Crush

Like a perfect red lip,  velvet shoes can make any outfit feel special.  From tops and dresses to casual sneakers,  velvet and crushed velvet is all around us.

Check out these hot Vince Camuto over-the-knee sock boots on the gorgeous Melissa of Melissa’s Sweet Style! These boots can be so versatile and the block heel means they will not kill your feet!

The stunning Lillie from Jersey Fashionista paired up these velvety Michael Kors booties with her dark floral Zara dress. The heel on these are perfection– not only are they chunky– but they have a super cute gold chain accent around them.

New mom Jessica of What’s For Dinner Esq. styled these blue and black crushed velvet patterned Mary Janes with her casual look. Cute flats are a new Mom’s best friend!

Combat Boots

Combat boots have been popping up more and more for a few years now, but this year they are being taken to all new levels with funky embellishments and unexpected colors. Everyone needs a pair of these boots in their closet because they are not only effortlessly stylish but crazy comfy! The beauty of the combat boots that are out this season is that they are all SO different, you can trust that there is one to fit your style.

Below are 3 pairs of combat boots styled in very different ways.

Kristin from Beauty And The Burbs knows a thing or two about beauty and fashion and was instantly drawn to this rocker chic pair we found at Century 21. The studded detail, metal buckles, and chunky block heels are swoon-worthy!

Andrea from Fashion Icon Drea paired up these burgundy Rocket Dog boots for a more Moroccan vibe with her lace duster. I love the leather fringe on these boots!

No one does combat boots quite like Doc Marten– and while Doc Marten never went anywhere after 90’s, this brand is definitely having a moment in the spotlight again this season!

Melissa owned this glittery rainbow Doc Martens look. These boots give an unexpected, ultra-fem pop her outfit, futher proving my point that we should always play with the trends– try on all the things– you just never know what you’re going to fall in love with… like glittery pastel rainbow Doc Martens.

Dark Florals

Bright Reds and lush pink florals mixed with dark colors can be found on everything from combat boots to chic booties.

The red rose grunge design like the one below from Doc Marten is a popular one. Perfect for pairing with jeans and leather moto jacket!

Suzanne Cohen from Gotham Love and I both fell in love with these tapestry embroidered booties from Neiman Marcus Last Call. They are so unique and perfect for adding a little detail to an everyday outfit.

Bright Reds & Muted Jewel Tones

One thing this season is definitely not lacking is color! It’s all about making bold statements. Red is a color that never goes out of style, but is particularly on trend this fall when paired with a lot of the darker, more casual outfits.

Karen from Mami Does It All loved these red open toe suede Vince Camuto shoes.

Half priced Loubs are always next level amazing and we found 2 pairs of red ones at Century 21.

Popular YouTube vlogger, Ashley of Beauty By Ashley quickly locked her eyes on these striped transparent Loubs.

And Tammy of House Of Leo paired these solid red’s perfectly with her jeans for a dressy-casual look. I mean, look at the zig-zag red heels!  Sitting shoes, for sure– but a total show stopper!

All Photography by Tammy Cedar

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Are you getting the itch to go shoe shopping??

To celebrate shoes, The Mills at Jersey Gardens is giving away a pair daily from September 12 – September 30 and offering shoppers a chance to win a Simon® gift card to put toward new shoes.

  • Vans® Shoe Giveaway – The Mills at Jersey Gardens Facebook fans will have the chance to win a pair of Vans shoes every day. Each winner will receive a Vans voucher to redeem for one pair of shoes inside the Vans store at The Mills at Jersey Gardens. Shoppers can enter to win by commenting on the Sweepstakes Facebook post on The Mills at Jersey Gardens Facebook Page, which will be live each day at 10:00 AM EST. The winner will be announced daily on Facebook by 10:00 AM EST the following day. The official rules and regulations are available at Guest Services located inside the mall.
  • Mystery Shoe Box Giveaway – The first 20 customers to stop by The Mills at Jersey Gardens’ Guests Services on September 15 – 17, 22 – 24, 29 and 30 will receive a Mystery Shoe Box. Each box will contain a retailer gift card ranging anywhere from $20 – $100 for shoppers to use toward their new fall shoe wardrobe. The official rules and regulations are available at The Mills at Jersey Gardens’ Guest Services booth.
Disclosure: This post was written in a paid partnership with Simon Malls and The Mills At Jersey Gardens. All commentary and opinions are my own.

Smashbox Photo Events: Picture Perfect Beauty For The Everyday Woman

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– Sponsored content –

Every woman deserves to experience her very own professional photo shoot that makes her feel like a celebrity and at least one professional photo that she feels captures her beauty– especially when her makeup is on point!

This weekend I had the opportunity to partner with The Menlo Park Mall here in New Jersey to take part in its Smashbox Photo Event, an event that gives everyday women the red carpet treatment and the opportunity to feel like a star.

Smashbox travels around the country hosting these live events throughout the year.

Menlo Park Mall hosts them with Sephora once or twice a year– and I highly recommend checking them out!

During the event, customers who make a minimum purchase of $75 worth of Smashbox cosmetic products have the opportunity to be transformed by a senior makeup artist and have their photos taken by celebrity photographer, Steven Kahn.

So 9:45 Saturday morning, I arrived fresh-faced and ready to let my Sephora senior artist do her thing.

I didn’t have my morning cup-o-joe (which is unheard of for me) but the high-energy atmosphere quickly perked me up– and Starbucks was just a quick escalator ride away.

My Sephora senior artist, Kiara ( who by the way, had the fiercest purple locks and eye make-up!) started our sesh by asking what my make-up style was (bright, glowy and natural/nude hues– always), and getting to know my skin type (currently still grossly-winter-dry) and made her selections for me from there.

(Do you see Zara there in the background? Yep. I did some serious damage there after the event. Zara obsessed!)

Smashbox’s O-gloss (a magic-like gloss that goes on clear and transforms into your own shade of pink based on your skin chemistry) has long been a favorite of mine, but during the Photo Event, I discovered a few other great products as well. My favorite new find– the Brow Tech pencil in Matte Taupe. It matched my brows perfectly and the point on the pencil is so fine it is easy to fill in your brows with small, natural looking strokes.

When make up was done, Kiara provided me with a list of the products she used (linking to some of favorites at the bottom of this post) and then it was time for my close up!

Steven Kahn was a true professional and made me very comfortable right away. He gave great direction on how to position myself, tilt my head, etc. and quickly snapped about 20 shots.

In total, the photo shoot lasted 5 minutes– maybe– and I’m not going to lie, I was skeptical. Not that I doubted Steven Kahns skill, but more doubted myself to have nailed a great professional picture in such a short amount of time– I’m known to be a blinker– ha.

The hi-resolution photos are emailed to you via a download link later that day. I got mine about 3 hours later and I was amazed!!

That is some serious “Mariah Carey approved lighting“, am I right?  I would pay big money for that to follow me around!

You can really see how what a great job Kiara did on my eye makeup in the pictures.  The reddish brown colors from the Photo Matte Eye Pallet really complimented my brown eyes.

Below are some of my all time favorite products as well as the ones that Kiara used on me at the Event.

Local friends, Menlo Park Mall hosts a lot of events through out the year. You can find upcoming events here.

Psst! And don’t forget to sign up to be a Simon Insider and earn rewards back for your shopping hauls. For my serious shopping friends,  the parking perks are AH-MAZING.

If you are interested in attending a Smashbox Photo event in your area, you can see their full schedule here.

 

 

Disclosure: This post was written in partnership with The Menlo Park Mall

Spring Shopping At The Mills At Jersey Gardens + Betsey Johnson GIVEAWAY!

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There comes a point after a long winter, a gal is ready to pack up those comfy cozy sweaters and break out the lighter fabrics and vibrant colors. I, my friends… have been beyond that point for a few weeks now.

My latest Instagram takeover with The Mills At Jersey Gardens could not have come at a better time! I practically hopped on a jet plane and flew over to the outlets– bring on the florals and open toe shoes, please and thank you!!

Spied at the Kate Spade outlet– soooo much 40%-50% goodness goin’ on over there!

Want to the scoop??

Follow along @TheMillsAtJersey for all the colorful, spring-vibing details!

Today and every Tuesday this month, local bloggers will be taking over The Mills At Jersey Gardens Insta-account and sharing amazing finds, trends and deals– AND giving away some fantastic prize packs along the way!

MORE THAN PINK GIVEAWAYS!
From April 10 – May 31, SIMON Malls has partnered with Susan G. Komen to support the organization’s Bold Goal of reducing the mortality rate of breast cancer by 50% within the next 10 years.  Through the More Than Pink movement, SIMON centers, including The Mills at Jersey Gardens, will raise awareness and funds by selling $10 Discount Cards, which provide 25% off one item at participating retailers, with all proceeds benefitting Susan G. Komen, as well as donating  $1 from every purchase of a Susan G. Komen branded Visa gift card to support the cause. Staff at the Guest Services booth will also get into the spirit by wearing pink accessories throughout the campaign.

In honor of SIMON’S More Than Pink campaign, I’m thrilled to be giving away these awesome summer staples below to one lucky reader, courtesy of The Mills at Jersey Gardens.

Whether you are planning a spring break getaway or just plain ol’ planning for those easy breezy beach days of summer– you will want to enter this one!!

ENTER TO WIN!

Cejon Glorentine lace cover-up $34.99 / Betsey Johnson Two Tone  Panama Straw Hat $19.99

Available at Century 21 at The Mills At Jersey Gardens!

HOW TO ENTER


More Than Pink– Mills At Jersey Gardens Giveaway!

Must be 18 years old to enter. US only. No purchase necessary. 

Winner will be chosen randomly through Gleam.io Random Selector and contacted via email. A reply to the winning email is required within 24 hours before a new winner is chosen. The winner’s entries will be verified. BMLPR will be fulfilling winner prizing directly. Please allow 2-4 weeks for delivery of prize. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are in no way associated with this giveaway. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Corine Ingrassia reserves the right to choose a different winner in the case that the randomly chosen winner refuses to co-operate with rules, reply to winning email in 48 hour time period or does not have verifiable entries. 

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