Guest Post: Favorite Spring Fashion Pieces on a Budget

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Published: 05/16/2013

Guest Post: Favorite Spring Fashion Pieces on a Budget

by Molly of Stilettos and Diapers

Hey y'all, I'm Molly and I've lived in PWC for just over 3 years. I blog over at Stilettos and Diapers about fashion, motherhood and life in general. As much as I love fashion and wearing all the current trends, I'm frugal and never like to spend too much on my clothes. Today, I'm sharing with you some of my favorite pieces for spring and summer that fit into a Mom's budget. All these pieces are under $30!

Floral and Print Shorts

These are hot, hot this season. In tons of patterns and lengths, there are trendy shorts out there for everyone.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Maxi Dresses

These are all the rage again this year. I love them because I love to wear dresses, but short ones can be awkward when leaning over to tend to your babies. Maxis can be dressed up with wedges, or down with flip flops. You can wear them to the park, for a playdate or a night out with your husband. I love a good versatile piece that gets me the most bang for my buck.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Colors and Patterned Tops

Just like the patterned shorts, there is no lack for color in this seasons tops. Neon, floral, stripes and sheers are all over the place. Don't be shy with your color!

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Hope this easy guide helps you fill your closet on the cheap this season! If you want to keep up with me and more of my frugal fashions, you can follow me on my blog, Twitter or Instagram!

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Old Navy Stonebridge at Potomac

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Published: 11/08/2012

Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center is my new favorite place in the world. They've got awesome restaurants and beautiful shops and boutiques, and they've got Old Navy, which, when you have kids is pretty amazing. I love shopping Old Navy for myself, too, but when my kids grow like weeds there is nothing quite as amazing as a $5 graphic tee or when they run their jeans on sale.

I stock up :)

For those of you that have been lamenting the loss of Old Navy at the mall, it's coming back VERY soon in Stonebridge. The storefront is gorgeous- I love the colors:

And the interior set up is going to be similar to the Tysons Corner store. That's right, Woodbridge, we're classy now. They'll be featuring more fashion, jewelry, and clothing as well as vintage candy and sodas, and even video games in the future. You know the stuff by the registers- it's my favorite place to get a few special items for stockings at Christmas.

If you're worried that the prices are going to be higher because it's a "real" store and not an outlet, never fear- not only are Old Navy prices typically great, I've got deals for you- so keep reading!

Old Navy Stonebridge is on the opposite side from Wegmans, near PF Chang's and REI. They'll have their soft opening on Wednesday, November 14th at 5:00pm, and you're welcome to come and start shopping then. They'll also be open for a regular shopping day on November 15th. (Sunday 10:00am to 7:00pm and Monday through Friday 9:00am to 9:30pm)

November 16th through the 18th will be the grand opening celebration with specials and entertainment.

On Friday, November 16th, shop from 5pm-8pm and BRING THIS COUPON WITH YOU!!!!! and you can save 20% off your purchase, or 30% if you use or open an Old Navy card. This offer is ONLY good at Old Navy Stonebridge.

On Saturday, November 17th, they'll have $4 graphic tees, BOGO deals, and you'll receive a coupon book for the next year with your purchase with one coupon a month to use in the future. There will also be a DJ, food from Zoe's Kitchen, Starbucks, and PF Chang's.

On Sunday, November 18th, they'll have $4 graphic tees, BOGO deals, and you'll receive a coupon book for the next year with your purchase with one coupon a month to use in the future. There will also be a special Family Day celebration with a bear character, balloons, t-shirt decorating, and face painting.

All weekend long, you'll have a change to win a $500 shopping spree, too!

Aaaaannnndd.....

Oh, right!

What kind of a post would this be if there wasn't an awesome giveaway at the end?

A boring post.

Old Navy Stonebridge is offering a Super Awesome Fantastic Giveaway to a lucky reader of a $100 Gift Card.

One Hundred Dollars.

That'll buy a LOT of $4 graphic tees.

Enter using the Rafflecopter below :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck :)

PwcMoms was provided with a gift card in return for this post, however all opinions expressed are our own.

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Business Review: Jamberry Nails

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Published: 09/26/2012

Okay. Let's start with the basics. I am admittedly an idiot at nail maintenance. If I had the money, I would go and have acrylic pink and white nails put on all the time by some nice professional at a salon so that my nails looked good and I didn't have to fuss with them. I am skilled in cutting without taking off skin and in applying clear polish. You wanna see what happens when I try to do cute?

Bam. That just happened. I call this application "4th of July Glitter Seizure"

Right. Obviously nails aren't my forte. So, I was excited when Jennifer Dunkel wanted to send me some Jamberry Nail Shields to try. I've seen these on friends who have polish and style before, and I was excited to join the club.

Let's pause for a moment for me to tell you that they're still on (almost a week later) and they do not chip, because they're not polish, which is great. (They're vinyl) Typically when I get a manicure in a salon, I've lost at least some of the polish by day 2. So, once you get these suckers on they're fantastic.

Unfortunately, and I'm going to blame this on my lack of skill, I really didn't care for the process, even though the results were great. We got pink glitter shields to use on my daughter and peacock ones for me, although I ended up in pink glitter, too. We followed the directions carefully:

It took me a while, and I struggled with heating the shields without over-heating my fingers, although I have to say that when you get through the application process (or if you're less incapable than me and have no issues), your nails do look really good. I think that when I try the peacock ones I'll do one nail (maybe my ring finger) and then paint the other ones in a coordinating color. Again, this is probably mostly my own lack of still that made application such a procedure, but they did turn out really cute, I think.

If you like cute nails, but your polish chips a lot, or if you'd like fun colors/designs that would be practically impossible to create on your own:

Then Jamberry Nails has options for you. Colors range from exotic to floral to plain (they do have a line that includes plain colors, too), and there is also a children's line that comes with 2 mix and match prints for little girls. Sheets are $15 and are supposed to be able to complete 2-3 manicures, with trimming of larger pieces.

You can order your nail shields from Jennifer by visiting her website, or by hitting her up on Facebook. One of my friends told me she'll never forgive me for putting this out right before Halloween because now she wants all of the fun holiday shapes she could never paint on herself:

Jennifer is giving away 2 free sheets of nail shields to a PwcMoms.com reader!! Contest closes September 30th at midnight. Enter by leaving a comment with which two prints you'd like to win (and be sure to be specific!!) Thanks for sharing, Jennifer!

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Review: Gigi Hill Purses

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Published: 09/26/2012

Happy Wednesday, people!! Today in the mail I got the most fantastic review- a bag from Gigi Hill. This new company was founded by two moms at a soccer game, and I've gotta say, they did a good job! I selected the "Ingrid" bag in Athena Bronze for myself (and for a lucky winner, too!! Details on that at the end of the post!):

When the bag came, I was actually shocked by its size! it's much bigger than it looks online, which is FANTASTIC for me! I can fit my laptop (it's a Mac Book Pro), several school books, and a couple of snacks in this sucker, and since we're always on the go- that's exactly what I need. I'm not an authority on accessories, though, so I had to call in PwcGrandma on this one. She was a stay at home mother to me and my brother for our entire childhoods and sacrificed a lot to be able to be home. That meant that after she went back to work, she swore with God as her witness that she would never go without matching shoes and purses again, and is now busily filling our childhood bedrooms with accessory walls that would make Tim Gunn jealous.

I love her.

Anyway- PwcGrandma loves this purse, and she's an authority. Here's why:

First- they laminated the inside of the bag. Brilliant! When your lipgloss leaks or your child's cup tips over, your bag will not be ruined. She brings up a good point because I actually had that happen to the only leather purse I've ever owned.

Second- pockets, pockets, pockets! PwcGrandma is one of these people:

So it's really important that everything has a place to go so that it can be IN ITS PLACE WHERE IT BELONGS!! This bag has got pockets like you wouldn't believe. One front and one back section, with the middle section including 2 built in pen or lipgloss holders, three clear pockets, and a zippered pocket. Organizational chart optional. ;)

Finally, there's the details. From a key holder so that your keys don't sink to the bottom of your bag to a locking front clasp so that you don't have your purse popping open when you don't want it to, the details on this bag are adorable! Even the zipper pulls are heart-shaped. The quote on the pocket is a nice touch, too.

Moment of honesty- it took me 20 minutes to figure out how to get this sucker open. I turned the key and turned the key and tried pushing and pulling, and then my daughter walked in and pulled the button down. She's 4. She got the grandma accessorizing gene, though.

Details on the upcoming Gigi Hill Event follow. Giveaway details are under that!

Gigi Hill® Is Coming to Virginia to Find Fashion’s Next Great Sales Stars

The Direct Sales Company Invites Dumfries and Surrounding Communities to Meet the Founders, Hear Their Inspirational Story, See the Fabulous Fashions and Learn About Entrepreneurial Opportunities

Gigi Hill®, a designer line of fashionable and functional totes, handbags and accessories sold through home parties nationwide, is coming to the Holiday Inn Quantico Center in Dumfries, Va., Monday, Oct. 1 from 7 to 9 p.m. The company will introduce its fabulous handbag and accessories collection to women interested in new career opportunities. Currently with more than 1,000 stylists – or saleswomen – nationwide, Gigi Hill is looking for innovative, smart and fabulous women to join its team.

Headlining the events are Gigi Hill founders Gabrielle DeSantis-Cummings and Monica Hillman. The two women met on the sidelines of their daughters’ soccer field and became friends talking about how there had to be a better bag for a mom’s everyday life. They joined forces, designed their first bag, tested and perfected it with real women, and then started Gigi Hill in 2006. Those entrepreneurial roots went nationwide in 2009 and the company has continued to grow at astronomical rates ever since.

To meet the growing demand for the company’s dazzling bag and accessory line, Gigi Hill is hosting this Roadshow event so interested women and current stylists can learn more about the company and meet the founders themselves. At each event, DeSantis-Cummings and Hillman will show off the new Iconic Collection as well as some of their first drawings and designs. The fabulous women will also share their own inspirational story, talk about the boundless entrepreneur opportunities with Gigi Hill, and provide personal tips for success and work-life balance.

The event will also include training advice from Gigi Hill vice president of sales and marketing, Adrienne Murphy, and managers of field development and training, Shelli Reichardt and Karen Goodman. With a ton of experience from both the field and corporate levels, current and potential new stylists will leave with easy, know-how tips to help maintain and build a successful business of their own.

The Gigi Hill Fall 2012 Roadshow event is open to the whole community and there is zero obligation or cost to attend. To register, visitwww.gigihill.eventleap.com/virginiaroadshow. Doors will open 30 minutes early for a meet and greet with DeSantis-Cummings and Hillman. For more information on Gigi Hill, to learn about opportunities to become a stylist, or to find parties in your area, visit www.gigihill.com.

About Gigi Hill®

Smart, stylish, and fun, Gigi Hill® is the evolution of style. With standout fabrics and bags made of the highest quality construction, it bridges the gap where fashion and function collide. The fall 2012 collection is loaded with beautiful blues, reds, animal prints, and statement-making black and whites in a range of fun fabrics. Open a Gigi Hill bag to find a fully lined interior with complementary fabric and the Gigi Hill Signature Pocket Design^TM that ensures there is a pocket for everything. Based in Southern California and founded in 2006, Gigi Hill is a direct sales party plan company that prides itself on designing all of its products in-house and testing them with real-life women. Learn more about Gigi Hill and its fabulous line of handbags, totes, and accessories at http://www.gigihill.com. Confident. Fashionable. Gigi Hill®.

Giveaway Time!!

Win your own Ingrid Purse just like mine!! An $89 value, this great purse will keep your organized and stylish, and comes in a great neutral palette so that it can go with anything in your wardrobe! To enter, leave a comment on this post or email me with your favorite Gigi Hill print from the website.

Your purse will still come in Athena Bronze, but it helps me to know what you guys like for future contests! This contest closes on September 30th so that you can head to the trunk show and choose your own bag if you're not the lucky winner ;) Prize is provided by Gigi Hill, and will ship directly from them. Be sure you leave an email address!! Good luck!

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Guest Post: Freshman Fashion 101

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Published: 08/16/2012

FRESHMAN FASHION 101

The smell of school is in the air, and mini-vans are being packed to the brim with dorm room essentials as first-time collegians head off to their new homes away from home. In addition to must-haves like mini fridges and extra long twin sheets, there are a few fashion essentials for today’s college student:

Cute & Comfy Shoes

College students walk. A LOT. Even if you are lucky enough to have your own car, most freshmen often have to walk the equivalent of a 5K to get from the designated satellite parking to the dorm. Thus, cute and comfy shoes are a crucial ingredient in a college student’s recipe for success. Try a retro looking sneaker that evokes a casual hipster vibe…PUMA Outlet offers a great assortment of fun styles that are old school without being outdated.

2. Novelty Tees

In the first few weeks of freshman year, you’ll find that mixers galore are in store. As the “Where are you from?” and “What’s your major?” conversations get old, a novelty tee can inspire new topics. For example, a tee depicting a favorite band or destination can be an excellent conversation-starter. And gals, today’s tees are not the oversized, boxy styles of days gone by – soft fabrics, vintage looks and feminine fits make them a very cute way to showcase your “personali-tee!”

3. Premium Denim Jeans

Jeans are a wardrobe staple for just about everyone, and college students are no exception. Whether they’re worn with a North Face fleece or paired with a cute top and heels, let’s face it – we jeans! Since they will be worn regularly throughout your college career, invest in a pair with a flattering fit that will last from freshman orientation to graduation. Try True Religion Outlet for premium denim looks for less.

4. A Wristlet

Once in college, you’ll find that a backpack becomes your number one accessory. With pockets galore, there’s little need to carry a purse, so lighten your load and put the necessities (student ID, keys, debit/credit cards, cash, lip gloss) in a wristlet. This can easily pop into one of your backpack pockets, or it can be carried separately if you’re running to the dining hall or embarking on another backpack-free outing. Wristlets are also fabulous for budget conscious college students since they’re much less expensive than their full-size purse counterparts. Check out Coach Factory for trendy, fashion-forward styles featuring the quality for which this brand is known!

Caroline Barry Green is the Director of Marketing at Potomac Mills and the mother of two budding fashionistas under the age of three. All stores listed in italics are located at Potomac Mills.

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