One Day Shopping Deals!

In honor of Leap Day {not that Leap Day has much to do with shopping...at least, I don't think it does}, several retailers are offering one-day-only discounts online.  Thank goodness Banana Republic and Charlotte Russe did a "29% off" deal ~ no one else seemed to get the sticking-with-a-theme-is-cute memo!

All of these deals are online only and today only unless otherwise noted.


Banana Republic
29% off full-price items ~ use code BRLEAPYEAR at checkout

Barnes & Noble
25% off one item ~ use code LLDVWLK2KZVLA at checkout

BeautyMint
$20 off you purchase {first purchase only} ~ use code LEAP20 at checkout

Charlotte Russe
29% off any one item {sale items excluded} ~ use code LEAP29 at checkout

Children's Place
Free Shipping on every order; 25% off Spring Dressy {get those Easter outfits!} ~ no code necessary

Express
$25 off $75 or $50 off $150 through 3/4/12 ~ use code 1120 at checkout

Gap
15% off your purchase {some exclusions apply} ~ use code GAPGIFT at checkout

GW Little
20% off a purchase of $85 or more ~ use code LEAPSTER at checkout
12% off a purchase of $75 or more through 3/5/12 ~ use code XTRADAY at checkout

Old Navy
15% off your purchase {excludes Everyday Steals and Jeans} ~ use code ONSPRING at checkout

Petco
25% off sitewide ~ no code necessary

Sephora
Free shipping on orders over $29 ~ use code LEAPYEAR at checkout

Have fun saving!

xoxo
Bean

After-Christmas Sales -- Online and In-Stores!

Got some gift cards in your stocking this year?  Or, even better, the gift that always fits and never goes out of style ~ some beautiful, crisp Christmas cash...that's now burning a hole in your pocket?  Well then, you're in luck!  Retail stores and sites are rolling out super savings starting today, so while they use extreme markdowns to get in a last-minute fourth quarter revenue boost, you can pick up some great bargains!

Check out the list below for online and in-store deals I've come across ~ be sure to check the websites themselves for exclusions and fine print!


Aerie ~ in-store and online
Up to 60% off

AllPosters.com ~ online only
75% off {and more!} on thousands of items, including artwork and apparel

American Eagle ~ in-store and online
All jeans on sale

Banana Republic ~ in-store and online
In-store ~ Take an additional 30% off already-reduced items, for savings of over 60% off original prices
Online ~ 30% off already-reduced items with code BRSALE30

Barnes & Noble ~ online and in-store
Various savings, including 50% off top books and calendars, up to 50% off toys, games and electronics and up to 75% off music

Bath & Body Works ~ online and in-store
Up to 75% off as part of the semi-annual "Hello Yellow!" sale; plus, $10 off any purchase of $40 or more {online code HELLOYELLOW or in-store code 5463}

CB2 {owned by Crate & Barrel} ~ online and in-store
Up to 50% off furniture, rugs, and home accessories {including Christmas items}

Children's Place ~ online and in-store {today only!}
Online ~ Up to 80% off {online prices reflect discount}
In-store ~ Up to 80% off when you use your 30% savings pass {if you have one}

Crate & Barrel ~ in-store and online
Up to 50% off furniture, rugs and home accessories {including Christmas items}

Express ~ in-store and online
Last day to use code 9544 to receive $90 off a $300 purchase, $60 off a $200, $30 off a $100, or $15 off a $60, plus free shipping off a purchase of $100 or more; also, up to 50% select items

Gap ~ in-store and online
In-store ~ extra 50% off sale items {today only!}
Online ~ extra 20% off sale items with code GAPSALE {today and tomorrow only!}

Godiva ~ online only
40% off select items

Groupon ~ online only
Up to 50% off Conde Nast Beauty and Fashion magazine subscriptions {including Allure, Glamour, Bon Appetit and Vogue}
Over 50% off the 75th Anniversary Edition of "The Joy of Cooking"

Mixbook ~online only
30% off off Thank You cards and New Years cards {use code CARDSAVE30}

Neiman Marcus ~ online and in-store
Up to 60% off already-reduced items

Juicy Couture ~ online only
Flash Sale!  Additional 50% off select sale items

Old Navy ~ in-store and online
In stores ~ up to 75% off
Online ~ up to 50% off and free shipping {over $50}

Sephora ~ online only
Extra 20% off sale items {code EXTRA}

Williams-Sonoma ~ online and in-store
Up to 50% off already-reduced sale items
One week only ~ White Sale!  20% off all regular-priced tabletop items, with code WHITESALE


xoxo
Bean

Astrological Sign T's {On Sale Now!}

I was Christmas shopping for my brothers yesterday when I wound up in Charlotte Russe {I'm not sure why I thought I would find something for my brothers there ~ but I did find two great pairs of sparkly high heels!}.  I wasn't really looking through the clothing racks thoroughly, but I happened across these super-adorable zodiac sign Ts.  The front features the symbol and word for each sign, and the back has three words that describe that sign.

The best part?  Online, these shirts are on sale for $10!  {They may be $10 in-store too ~ call your local Charlotte Russe to check}. They come in sizes S/M and M/L and have every astrological sign available.  The model pictured is 5'11" and wearing a M/L {I love when sites include that info}, so as you can see they're definitely more of a juniors-type sizing and a M/L would probably fit up to a size 12 comfortably, but size 14+ girls {like me!} may find it a bit too snug.

At $10, these shirts can fit just about any budget, and would be a great birthday {or Christmas} idea for the teen {or fairly slender adult} in your life.  I love reading about astrology and the characteristics of different signs, so if they ever release this shirt in a L/XL, I'll be the first to snag one!

Click below for a direct link to each astrological sign T:

Capricorn T
Aquarius T
Pisces T
Aries T
Taurus T
Gemini T
Cancer T
Leo T
Virgo T
Libra T
Scorpio T
Sagittarius T


xoxo
Bean

Polar Express Storytime - THIS Friday!

 

Looking for a no-cost way to entertain the youngin's and give them a jolt of holiday spirit?  {As far as I know, storytimes are still free}.  This Friday, December 9th, bundle up the kids in their cozy winter pj's and bring them down to your local Barnes & Noble for a special storytime featuring a reading of the beloved holiday classic, The Polar Express!  It appears that most {if not all} the participating locations are serving refreshments and start at 7 p.m..  However, click here and enter your ZIP code above the graphic to find a participating store near you and to read the details your local store has provided.

A cozy Christmas storytime + no cost to you  = happy parents and kids who "Believe" for that much longer!  {Some locations even mentioned gifting children with a free jingle bell, while supplies last!}


xoxo
Bean

{photo credit:  cincinnatilibrary.org}

My Fave Drugstore Finds {Hint -- Stocking Stuffers!}

For some reason, I tend to have champagne taste.  I don't know why ~ my mother is the epitome of a bargain hunter, so it's not like I was raised to be particular about brands.  Once you try higher end brands, especially when it comes to skin and beauty products, I think you notice the difference when you go back to the more inexpensive products. 

The good news is, I do love a good deal, and I really don't care about what brand something is.  I like what I like, and I don't like what I don't like ~ sometimes what I like is a pricier or more elite brand, and sometimes I can gleefully find it at Walmart.

I've put together a list of my favorite skincare and beauty products that you can find at most drugstores and supermarkets, as well as Walmart, Target and Ulta.  {Note:  you may not be able to find all products at all locations}.  These items are great for your everyday routine {soaps and makeup}, to throw in your purse {lip balm and hand sanitizer}, and for stocking stuffers!  You could even create a beauty gift bag out of several of the items as part of an office Secret Santa exchange!


Beauty

Maybelline's Baby Lips  lip balm
This lip balm hit the market just a month or two ago.  The six shades {two are clear, four are tinted} contain SPF 20 and come in mostly fruity flavors {except peppermint}.  I tried Quenched {a citrusy clear} and Peach Kiss {tinted, with a peach scent}.  I like the look and feel of both, but the peach scent was a little unappealing ~ it almost smelled like little kid play makeup {plastic-y?}.  They both made my lips feel silky smooth!

 L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Million Lashes mascara
I've mentioned before that drugstore mascaras and I don't mix.  I don't know if it's because I'm a contact-wearer or what, but I find them to flake, smudge, run, and not live up to expectations much more so than their pricier department store counterparts.  The only exception?  Voluminous Million Lashes mascara.  {I've tried regular Voluminous and Voluminous False Fiber Lashes ~ Voluminous Million Lashes is the way to go}.  It's only available in black, and it will give your lashes the most bang for your buck.





Tweezerman Folding iLashComb lash comb
My friend Kaydee is a professional makeup artist, and this is the lash comb she's been recommending to me for years.  This is a metal comb, which separates your lashes much more precisely than a plastic comb {whose teeth are thicker}.  It folds into itself, which helps protect the teeth, and it should last you forever {I've had maybe three in the past decade}.

Essie nail polish
This is one of my favorite nail polish lines, and is one of the two major lines you'll usually find in your nail salon {along with OPI}.  Essie polishes used to only be available for purchase at nail salons and pricey beauty boutiques, but I saw a whole Essie display at Walmart a few weeks ago!  They have an enormous range of colors, but their classic, classy light pinks like Mademoiselle {pictured} and Ballet Slippers are my favorite.  The search for the perfect wedding-day pink ends here!

 OPI nail polish
The other nail salon staple is the massive OPI line of products.  They have a dizzying array of colors, along with frequent seasonal or themed limited-edition lines, celebrity lines {Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj are two recent collaborators}, their new "Shattered" line of polishes {the black is pictured to the left ~ brush it over dried polish of your choice and it will "crackle" before your eyes, giving your nails a two-tone effect}, and their Nicole by OPI line {the Kardashian's Nicole by OPI collection is at Walmart now}.





Skincare

 Burt's Bees Aloe and Witch Hazel Hand Sanitzer
My FAVORITE hand sanitizer of all time.  Burt's Bee's is all about natural ingredients {they even carry the line at Whole Foods}, which I love.  The witch hazel kills germs while the aloe soothes your skin, so you don't wind up with super dry hands {or that pungent alcohol smell!} like you do with many alcohol-based sanitizers .  I don't always see this in stores, so I when I do come across it I buy several bottles at a time.  Love, love, love!

 Caress Beauty Bar body soap
I used body washes and shower gels almost exclusively in high school, college, and into my late twenties.  I liked the smell of some bar soaps, but I couldn't stand the 'squeaky', moisture-stripped feeling of my skin after.  Caress Beauty Bar offers both a yummy scent and moisturizing ingredients in bar form.  Problem solved!

Dove Beauty Bar  body soap
Same goes for Dove Beauty Bar soap, minus most of the fragrance.  As you know from the commercials, Dove bars contain 1/4 moisturizer, and they're great for sensitive skin.  I switch between using Dove and Caress in the shower.

 Jergen's Original Scent Dry Skin Moisturizer body lotion
Mmmm....smell that?  That's Jergen's yummy, clean Cherry Almond scented lotion ~ it smells as good as it has for decades.  I would probably use Jergen's Original Scent moisturizer for the scent of it alone, but luckily it's also a great, fairly lightweight body lotion.

Yes to Blueberries brightening facial towelettes cleansing cloths
I recently discovered these facial cleansing cloths {from parent company Yes to Carrots}, and I fell instantly in love.  With other brands' no-water-needed face cloths, I feel like a residue is often left behind on my skin.  With these, my makeup was removed in a few swipes and my skin felt truly clean.  The line is 99% natural and they offer products for anti-aging {Yes to Blueberries}, dry skin {Yes to Carrots}, sensitive skin {Yes to Cucumbers}, and acne-prone skin {Yes to Tomatoes} , so there is literally something for everyone.






Haircare

 TreSemme Fresh Start dry shampoo
I have tried several brands {who shall remain nameless} of dry shampoos, and though they work well, the higher end brands tend to be super pricey, especially considering how quickly you can go through this stuff.  So I was so excited when I came across TreSemme's version.  TreSemme promotes themselves as being just as good as salon brands without the hefty price tag.  While I don't always agree that they are just as good, I cannot say enough good things about this product!  I will never buy salon brand dry shampoo again ~ this TreSemme dry shampoo costs literally a few dollars, has lasted me months, and works just as well as the pricier brands.  The scent is a little strong, but for these kind of savings, who cares? 





And there you have it folks ~ a list of body, face, hair, and beauty products at great prices that also offer great results.  Not only do they all get this beauty junkie's seal of approval, they're all in my bathroom, on my vanity table, or in my bag as we speak.

Enjoy, beauty queens!

xoxo
Bean

{photo credits:  all photos are from cited companies} 

Cyber Monday Deals from Around the Web!

Every year I think I should give Black Friday doorbuster deals a shot, but I never actually do.  By the end of Thanksgiving day, sleep just sounds like a much more appealing option; plus I don't ever need to purchase those "big-ticket" items {a TV; a laptop; the craze "it" toy of the year} that Black Friday is really known for.  But, who doesn't love a bargain when they're holiday shopping?  Enter Cyber Monday!

Cyber Monday has been around for several years now ~ the modern world's alternative to standing in long lines at 3 a.m. with sleep-deprived {read: crazy} strangers who will cause you bodily harm in order to get the last Cabbage Patch Kid/Ninja Turtle/Power Ranger/Furby/Beanie Baby/etc.  From the comfort of your computer, today, you can enjoy Cyber Monday bargains.  {A lot of companies offer multi-day Cyber deals and/or free shipping ~ check the websites for details and fine print}.  Also, don't forget about sites like Groupon and RueLaLa, which are free to sign up for and offer different deals every day.

So here you go ~ a sampling of online deals available today...

COUPON CODE NEEDED

AllPosters.com  Enter code CYBERMON to receive 30% off your order

AmericanEagle.com   Enter code 49827101 to receive 25% off your order {also good at 77kids.com and Aerie.com}

Athleta.com  Enter code HUGECYBER at checkout to receive 30% off your order

BananaRepublic.com  Enter code HUGECYBER at checkout to receive 30% off your order

BarnesAndNoble.com  Enter code N7C7K8T at checkout to receive 30% ONE item

BeautyMint.com  Enter code BMFIRST20 to get $20 off your first order

ChildrensPlace.com Enter code CYBERMON at checkout to receive 30% off your order

Crate&Barrel.com  Enter code SAVE15 to receive 15% off your order

DesignherGals.com  Enter code CYBER2011 at checkout to receive 40% off all stationery

FamousFootwear.com  Enter code CYBER11 at checkout to receive 20% off your order {+ BOGO deals}

Gap.com  Enter code HUGECYBER at checkout to receive 30% off your order

Mixbook.com  Enter code CYBERSALE11 at checkout to receive up to 50% off your order
  
OldNavy.com  Enter code HUGECYBER at checkout to receive 30% off your order

Piperlime.com Enter code HUGECYBER at checkout to receive 20% off your order

shop344.com  Enter code CYBERMONDAY at checkout to receive 25% off your order {$75 or more}


NO CODE NEEDED

Amazon.com ~ Up to 67% off DVDs, plus rotating limited-supply deals throughout the day

BarnesAndNoble.com  ~ Various deals and discounts on books, movies, toys, and more

Express.com ~ 30% off the entire site

Godiva.com  ~ $5 "Web Buster" deals and 40% select gift items

JuicyCouture.com ~ 30% off the entire site

Petco.com~ 25% and up off the entire site

Ulta.com  ~ Various deals and discounts, free gifts with purchase deals, plus code for free shipping and $10 or $20 off your purchase {found on homepage}


xoxo
Bean

Selling on eBay ~ Worth the Effort?

I'm sure you've bought something on eBay at one point or another.  I myself have bought everything from hard-to-find movies to gently used designer clothes {like the Lily Pulitzer dress I wore for my friends' Lily-themed bridal shower ~ I got a genuine Lily for a bargain, wore it for the shower, and promptly consigned it and got a bit of cash back...Lily is not something I would wear on any other occasion} to concert tickets ~ lots and lots of concert tickets. 

A customer at one of my jobs told me a while ago that she sells stuff on eBay all the time and makes a pretty decent profit ~ not enough to survive on exclusively, per se, but definitely enough to supplement her income and pay for the kids' "extras".  So I went through my closet and pulled out items I never wear {and some I've actually never worn ~ tags still attached}, and combed my expansive DVD collection for exercise DVDs that never clicked for me.  I figured why not take some pictures, toss the items up on eBay and see what happens?  One girl's {never or barely used} trash can be another girl's treasure, right?  Easy peasy.  So why has that bag of "things to sell" been sitting on my closet floor for the past six months?

I think I'm nervous, although of what exactly, I'm not sure.  I finally started listing items this weekend, and it's a lot of work!  Way more work than I ever would have anticipated.  I took the pictures of my items a while ago, but there's still the issue of uploading them all {and looking at them thinking "maybe I should retake these"}, and then the process of writing up a listing for each individual item.  That process consists of selecting categories and details for each item from eBay's drop-down menus, plus writing up your own item description, deciding on the auction start prices and/or the 'Buy It Now" price, and determining shipping methods and costs.  You need to figure out a price that allows you to at least break even after shipping {if you received the item as a gift to begin with, that makes it easier to list low}, but you also need to stay competitive with other sellers listing the same or similar items.  After all that, of course, you have to wait for people to actually bid or buy it, and field some {sometimes stupid?} questions from potential buyers who probably didn't read the listing information to begin with.  It's like it's own little job.

My thought was that I'd clean out my closet, list items people might want to buy, make a teeny profit, and everybody wins!  But after my experience listing just a couple items, I'm wondering if it's even worth it.  I know some people have a lot of success selling products on eBay and seem to do it with relative ease, and maybe it gets easier as you go along. 

Do any of you sell items on eBay?  If so, what are your tips, tricks and advice? 

xoxo
Bean

{photo credit:  ebay.com}

Homemade Chocolate Doughnuts - So Yummy!

Well, isn't that pretty picture?

If you can believe it, these super-yummy beauties come from a mix!  They are baked, not fried, so you can feel better about treating yourself to one of these bad boys than to one of the deep-fried doughnut shop varieties.  And they are EASY!  {So easy ~ by the time the oven was preheated, I'd already whipped up the batter and spooned it into the doughnut pan!}

Stonewall Kitchen, a Williams-Sonoma-esque company based out of Maine, offers chocolate and cinnamon-sugar doughnut mixes, along with seasonal varieties like pumpkin in the fall and blueberry in the winter.  I first discovered Stonewall Kitchen a few years ago on a family trip to Maine.  They have several store locations throughout New England {and one in Maryland}, including a few "outlet" or "warehouse" stores where they sell overstock, irregular, and past-season items for a super-discounted rate.  {Note:  "past season" doesn't mean "expired" ~ right now, for example, they're probably selling perfectly useable and delicious summer flavors such as lemon and blueberry}.  When I spotted these baked-doughnut mixes on our trip in 2010, I knew I had to try them ~ I'd been wanting to make homemade doughnuts for a while.

Stonewall Kitchen marks their products as "all-natural", which I know can be a relative term.  However, when I glanced over the ingredient list on the box, it was surprisingly short and thoroughly pronounceable ~ no "hydromalydexatrosinate" type words here!

The Stonewall Kitchen mix includes two package of dry ingredients ~ one for the doughnuts and one for the frosting. And you don't need to add too much from your pantry either ~ an egg, oil, butter, and buttermilk {I used regular milk and lemon juice instead}.  You'll also need a doughnut pan {which you can buy just about anywhere you'd buy other pans}.

P.S. ~ you know those "irregular" items they sell at the warehouse stores?  Here's an example.  Under the directions, there is a misprint.  They printed "Whisk together egg, melted butter and buttermilk..." instead of "Whisk together egg, oil, and buttermilk".  There's absolutely nothing wrong with the product itself ~ just a simple misprint.  So they slap a sticker on the box and sell it to you for around half off!  Not a bad deal!

Stonewall does have a sale page, but I don't think it contains the "irregular" items like these.  I believe the website sales are more past-season products.  For the best bargains, get yourself to one of their outlet or warehouse store locations if you can {We hit up the Rochester, NH location}.  Their flagship store in York, ME is also beautiful and spacious, containing several rooms of jarred and packaged food and mixes, baking and cooking tools and accessories, candles and soaps, plus a cafe and a space for cooking classes.  They do have sales there as well, although you won't find the 'irregulars' there.  Definitely visit if you can ~ and if not, thank goodness for the internet!

In retrospect, a yellow plate makes a jarring background. :)  Oh well ~ check out those yummies!  Delish, and they've made a great afternoon snack for the hubby all week!

To purchase the chocolate doughnut mix, or to peruse everything Stonewall has to offer {hint: a LOT!}, click here.  I also found a two-pack of the mixes on Amazon that would save you a few bucks ~ click here to check out that deal.

xoxo
Bean

{photo credit:  top picture only, stonewallkitchen.com}

Baby Girl Ballet Baby Shower Gift

Even when I don't try to, I often wind up with a "themed" gift, especially for things like baby showers, bridal showers, and housewarming parties.  {One of my favorite housewarming gifts, which I've put together a few times ~ a "chocolate"-themed gift basket of things to use around the house.  I've included things like chocolate-scented candles, chocolate-based cookbooks, chocolate-scented bath gels, and of course kitcheny goodies like chocolate cake mix, chocolate frosting, chocolate chips, brownie mix, a canister of cocoa, etc}.  This weekend I attended a baby shower for my soon-to-be-niece, and although it didn't start out intentionally, I wound up with a decidedly "ballet" themed gift.

The item that got the ballet-ball rolling was the picture.  My sister-in-law {actually, both of my sisters-in-law...sister-in-laws?} were actively involved in ballet growing up ~ they took ballet lessons throughout their childhood and got to dance in Boston Ballet's The Nutcracker several times.  Knowing that ballet was special to my SIL, I decided to see what was out there online for ballet-esque pictures.  I wound up on All Posters.com searching the "ballet dancer" category of posters.  I wanted something that wasn't too little-girlish {so it can grow with her if she wants}, but I didn't want something too grown-up either.  When I found this picture for $14.99, I knew it would be perfect.  I opted out of having the website frame it for me {starting at $44.99?!}, and instead selected a frame and a mat {which matches her purple nursery} at Michael's for a grand total of $9.98!  The poster is a slightly unusual shape, so I had to do a little behind-the-frame nipping, tucking, and taping ~ but I think the final result looks great!

 Next I added two Angelina Ballerina books.  I still wasn't really going for a "theme" ~ I love the Angelina Ballerina series for little girls, and I am a big, big proponent of gifting kids books that they can grow with while they're still young enough to not think that books are a lame gift.  Also, my SIL has wanted to name a daughter Angelina for a long, long time {and not because of Angelina Jolie}, although I think her hubby isn't on board with that name.  In any event, into my Amazon shopping cart went two Angelina books.

Lastly, I perused Old Navy's baby girl selection {I think I focused on the sale section}.  Once I saw the dance-oriented clothing available, I knew I was heading into theme territory.  I snagged this 3-6 month long-sleeved onesie and this 24-month "tutu cute" t-shirt {1. I like to give new parents bigger-sized baby clothes, even though the teeny-tiny newborn clothes are irresistible ~ I figure they get enough of those; 2. The t-shirt was sold out in smaller sizes.}  At about $7 each, they were a great price and pulled my whole gift together.

All wrapped up in pink-and-green polka-dots, my shower gift was complete! Sorry for the lousy picture ~ I forgot to take one of the finished look until I was at the shower.  The gift bag on the left and cleaning bottle on the right weren't part of my gift. :)  {The large box is a Diaper Genie off of the gift registry}.  I tend to spend more on close friends and close family than I would on acquaintances or family who I'm not really close to, but I also love to get a great deal.

There are lots of ways to center your gift around a "theme" and still stay on budget.  The Children's Place has a great selection of high-quality baby clothes, and you can get unbelievable deals on sale items.  It's free to get on their mailing list to receive coupons, and if you combine their great sales with a 20% off coupon, you can get clothes for literally a few dollars a piece.  Barnes and Noble frequently emails coupons to their "members" {again, free to sign up}.  And always remember to price-check things like movies and books at Amazon ~ sometimes you can get brand-new items for much lower than suggested retail price.  Go in on a group gift if that helps with budgeting, or adapt one of these themes to fit your criteria:

• Grab the baby tub off of their registry {most mamas register for one}, and add some bath items that they may have also registered  for ~ towels, washcloths, baby shampoo, bath toys, etc.  You may even be able to find an itsy-bitsy baby bath robe {guaranteed to draw awww's from shower attendees} for a great price at Children's Place or Macy's.  The most fun part of this gift?  The tub itself serves as the "gift basket" ~ pile the other items inside {wrapped or not}, wrap gauzy white tulle around it {you can buy tulle at Michael's or most Walmarts}, and tie at the top with a pretty ribbon.

• Try a "feeding time" themed gift ~ stick close to the registry for this one, as Mom will probably feel strongly about the brands baby is exposed to.  Depending on her plans, those gifts could include a breast pump, Boppy and burp cloths, or bottles and formula.

• One gift-theme that is sure to get lots and lots of use ~ "potty time"!  Think Diaper Genie or diaper pail, diapers, wipes, changing pad covers, and Desitin or Vaseline.  Again, stick close to the registry if Mama-to-Be has registered for these items ~ she probably is particular about which diapers and wipes will be touching baby's behind.

• There are lots of bedtime items on baby registries.  Pick from sheets, crib bumpers, mobiles, pajamas and sleeping gowns, nightlights, and baby monitors.  If it's on the registry, a humidifier would also fit into this theme. To personalize the gift a little more and include something that isn't on the registry, you could add some classic bedtime books {Goodnight Moon, anyone?}.

Just remember to gift Mama some things off of her registry ~ it's designed to let us know what she wants and needs, and to help avoid duplicates of gifts.  We want to personalize the gifts, of course, but remember that your taste and Mom's taste may not be the same.  I did take a bit of a risk buying my SIL the framed picture ~ it wasn't something she registered for, of course.  I know from knowing her that it wouldn't bother her that I had chosen something to hang on her baby's wall.  Also, I didn't choose something I liked {although I like it}, but something that I knew would have meaning for her.  Lastly, I made sure it would match the colors she was decorating the nursery in {which I determined from her registry}.  I give her credit ~ I think I would want complete control over decorating and wouldn't want people selecting decor items that I may not like.  It's certainly not a risk I would take with just about anyone else I know ~ I just knew she would be okay with it.

Moms out there ~ what were the "best"/most useful shower gifts you received at your baby showers?

xoxo
Bean

Online Petco Savings {And Happy Birthday Niko!}

For those of you with furry family members {or feathered, finned, scaled, etc}, shop online at Petco.com for a 15% savings on your entire purchase this weekend ~ no coupon code needed!  {See their website for exclusions}.

At our house, we'll be celebrating our Yorkipoo Niko's sixth birthday on Sunday!  What a smart and well-behaved {most of the time} boy he is!  And so patient with Mom's picture-taking and puppy-dressing!  He actually likes wearing clothes ~ all I have to say is "Niko, let's get dressed!" and he runs over, sits at my feet and waits to don that days wardrobe selection.  Oh yes ~ I am that dog-owner! ;)  {In my defense, Niko was 2 months old and weighed about 3 pounds when we got him in January 2006.  He had no fat to keep him warm, so we had to snuggle him up in cozy sweatshirts!  Yeah, that's my defense...}

So Happy, Happy Birthday to my darling boy Niko!  Mama loves you!  {Perhaps a little too much}

Are your four-legged family members dressing up for Halloween this year?

xoxo
Bean

A Great Discount Shopping Site for the Whole Family

So by now we're all familiar with Groupon, right?  Groupon offers daily deals, via email and their website, and if a predetermined number of people want to buy the deal, they all get to purchase said deal at a fantastic price.  Do you use some of the other "daily deal" websites, though?  There are a ton of "invitation-only" sites that offer hugely discounted deals daily, like Groupon ~ but unlike Groupon, you aren't depending on a group of strangers to want to buy the same deal before you can purchase it too.  With these sites, if a deal is up, it's yours to purchase ~ and they offer anything from women's and men's clothing and accessories to travel packages around the world.  My favorite of these 'discount' sites is Rue La La.

Signing up for a Rue La La account is free, and once you sign up you have access to all their ever-changing deals and discounts.  Every deal has an expiration date {it's usually a few days}, and when you're signed in on the site you can preview what deals are on deck for the next few days {so you know when to sign back in and buy something fab, natch!}.  Rue La La sets up their deals in "boutiques" ~ for example, a Calvin Klein boutique or a Pottery Barn boutique {neither of which are listed right now ~ just an example}.  Instead of offering a particular style of pants, or a certain lamp or end table, for sale, there are a number of items in each boutique to choose from.  Their boutiques showcase big-name designers; as such, sometimes the deals are still a bit pricey.  A lot of times, though, they're absolute steals!  {Affordable Christmas shopping for the whole family, anyone?  I think yes!}

Want some examples of what Rue La La has to offer?  No problem!  Here we go...


Women
From top:  Gemma Grey Python silk top for $49.90 {reg $135}; Hype "Lyn" jade dot print silk blouse for $59.90 {reg $132}; Casadei heels {on left ~ Satin Peep-Toe Pump for $329.90, reg $850}

 Men
From top:  Briggs & Riley "Verb" expandable rolling case for $159.90 {reg $329}; Cullen Black wool-cashmere crewneck sweater for $69.90 {reg $175}; Peter Millar Alpine vest for $49.90 {reg $149.50}.

Living
From top: Canvas to Art custom sepia canvas for $49.90 - $119.90 {reg $74 - $205}; Company C "Fairfield" duvet and sham for $39.90 - $119.90 (reg $80 - $425}; Vera Wang "Love Knots" wine glass for $19.90 {reg $42.50}; Bartholomew Park Winery 3-bottle mixed set for $69.90 {reg $108}.

Travel
Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa 3-night or 7-night packages for one or two people for $1,799 - $8,949 {reg $2,785 - $12,230}

Kids
LittleMissMatched pink and purple mod trench for $39.90 {reg $72}; Pickles "Mac" 3-piece dinner set for $19.90 {reg $34.99}

Whew!  And those were just some of the deals available right this minute on Rue La La.  Remember, new deals pop up daily and they're only available for a limited time, so the merchandise may be completely different when you get a chance to look them up.  As you can see though, they have a wide range of products available, in a very wide price range. 

Interested in checking out Rue La La or signing up?  Click here!


Have fun browsing, girls!

xoxo
Bean

{photo credits:  all ruelala.com}

Trend Spotting: Slippers

What could be more convenient than those rare moments when fashion and comfort combine?  Not much, especially when it comes to footwear!  Lucky for all of us, and our aching feet, slippers have now gone mainstream.  You can fancy them up with skirts, dresses, and dressy shorts; or go casual-chic in a pair of skinnies {jeans, khakis, or even leather pants, a la Elizabeth Olsen} that hit at or just above the ankle.

You can check out Who What Wear {they pulled together the "Accessory Report" above}, but if you're not prepared to spend upwards of $100 {and up to $2195!} for a pair that they suggest, you may want to try the more wallet-friendly pairs I found, below.

 At Charlotte Russe, my favorite store for cheap, trendy shoes, you can get these velvet leopard-print flats for just $22.50!

 
I found this adorable multicolor Rocket Dog pair on sale at Macy's for $31.50.








And last but not least ~ DSW carries Crown Vintage's Sinful flat in both black and leopard-print for $39.95.







Have fun shoe shopping, dolls!

xoxo
Bean

{photo credits:  whowhatwear.com; charlotterusse.com; macys.com; dsw.com}

Limited Time Online Old Navy Discount!

Passing along an Old Navy online discount code ~ enter code ONAUTUMN at checkout to save 30% today {October 20}, 25% tomorrow and Saturday {October 21 and 22}, or 20% Sunday {October 23} on your entire purchase {excluding their "Everyday Steals" and licensed sports tees}.  Even though it's been hovering around 70 degrees today in southeastern Massachusetts, I just know my beloved fall sweater weather must be right around the corner ~ time to stock up!

xoxo
Bean

{photo credits:  oldnavy.com}

Footzyrolls -- A Portable, Rollable Shoe

I heard about Footzyrolls a few years ago and have given them as a gift several times.  What's a Footzyroll?  A rollable pair of flats {usually ballet style, although they do have flip flops too} that come with their own little pouch, and a bigger pouch that can fit a pair of "real" shoes.  The Footzyrolls and big pouch, folded up inside the smaller pouch, will fit inside most purses.  Throw them in your bag when you're headed out for a night on the town ~ a wedding, New Years Eve party, Girls Night Out, or even Halloween, perhaps?  When your feet start killing as the night goes on, slip on the Footzyrolls and slide your high heels into the big pouch, and you're good to go again!


From the Footzyrolls website:

Like so many women out there, Jenifer and Sarah strut in stilettos with heels of all sizes just because it is the latest “must have shoe,” but in reality, they don’t make it very far before feeling the pain. After years of angry boyfriends yelling at them for their early departures from all kinds of events (weddings, concerts, birthday parties and big sporting events) because their feet just can’t take it anymore, they knew a drastic change needed to be made. It is here where Footzyrolls, the rollable shoe, is born.

And, through October 31, 2011, enter the code SCREAM on their website to get 30% off the Black Sparkle Bow Footzyroll!  Click here to order.  Remember, the discount is on the black Sparkle Bow shoe only.

xoxo
Bean

Looking Pippa Perfect -- For Less!

 

In the months since she almost stole the show at her sister Kate's Royal Wedding in April, Pippa Middleton has become one of the most photographed Brits around, and has made nary a fashion misstep along the way.  Often snapped coming to and from work in London, Pippa sticks to structured, figure-friendly pieces that show off her enviable physique but could work for any body type.  For work, she favors body-skimming mini-dresses and flats.  At play, she often balances skinny jeans with loose, comfy shirts and blouses.  And this girl loves a blazer to top of her ensembles.

Loving Pippa's classic, tailored style?  For those of us on a commoner's budget, I've scoured the web to find fantastic Pippa-esque styles to fit every budget.

Begin your work day outfit with a body-skimming long-sleeve knit dress from H&M for $24.95...

...or with the Gap's polyester/wool blend sleeveless color-block mini for $69.95.

Slip into a pair of neutral flats, like Ciao Bella's gray suede Fairchild style, on sale for $39.50 at Piperlime {also available in black and purple}....









...or grab this light gray pair at Charlotte Russe, featuring jersey-knit fabric and a "mummy-wrapped" design on the toe ~ a steal at only $19.50!

Finish your look with a cropped Charlotte Russe blazer {an online exclusive} for $39.99....

 ...or H&M's longer version for $49.95.


















Searching for one of Pippa's more casual-chic looks?  Look no further than your local Old Navy store.  Snag their "The Sweetheart" skinny jeans for $29.50.  They come in three different washes and regular, petite, and tall lengths.  Pair with ON's $29.94 women's camp shirt {available in plaids and solids} for a look that's weekend-fabulous.

One last Pippa-perfect fashion find ~ both Pippa and her sister Duchess Catherine, as well as stylish mom Carole, having been spotted out and about in nude LK Bennett heels {see picture below}.  Nude heels go with everything and make legs look like they go on for miles by tricking the eye into seeing one long line in the same hue.  {Middleton-approved nude pantyhose optional...although you might want to skip that if you're stateside}.



Grab Steve Madden's nearly-identical "Bevv" style platform pump, currently on sale for $69.95.

See, you don't need the Middleton family's millions {or the Royal Family's budget} to look like a pulled-together fashion plate ~ everyday. :)

Happy shopping, Beauty Queens!

xoxo
Jillian

{photo credits:  all Pippa pictures -- people.com; clothing and shoe pictures from sites that are linked; Carole/Kate/Pippa picture -- usmagazine.com}