CURATED COLLECTIONS WITH eBAY

Last week, eBay introduced a new feature which allows user to browse through handpicked products, grouped together in “Collections” curated experts, celebrities, bloggers, and… me! Similar to a Pinterest board, curators can aggregate whatever item(s) they’re digging within a certain genre, and users can follow us, and of course, purchase an item they might see on one of our collections.

As a user myself, I’m on eBay all the time these days, scouring for just about everything (wedding related). But there are actually items that have nothing to do with "the big day" and are just things that I think are awesome or need... BPA free Containers for my son’s lunches, Chanel Flats (a girl can dream), golf must haves for the dudes (showing love for my man here), and even Legos for Lego-maniacs... Essentially, my collections are one big wish list!

What’s great is that you can take a theme, like Thanksgiving, and pull all the different items you might need or want like the gravy boat, table décor, table linens, even place cards. I’ve even created a collection dedicated to honeymoon travel (don’t even get me started about my wardrobe fantasies for said trip), in which I’ve rounded up all the gear that will help me travel abroad (if I could have added lots of champagne and a base tan, I would have).

It’s so easy to follow curators and their collections and even easier for you to create your own boards full of items that you love and are inspired by. You're going to have so much fun.  Join me and be sure to use #eBayCollection & #FollowItFindIt

My eBay Collections were curated as part of my collaboration with eBay. #AD

SO GOOD MOMS' NIGHT: IT'S PARTY TIME!

Even with my busy schedule, I can always find a reason to throw a party and hang with the girls. In honor of the Season finale of "Project Runway," Sugar and Charm's Eden Passante and I, invited some friends over for a "So Good Moms' Night and served up some delicious treats inspired by Yoplait Frozen Yogurt.  Watch to see what we serve and (most importantly) what we wear !


"Project Runway" airs Thursdays at 9/8c. Don't miss the season finale on October 17.

SO GOOD MOMS' NIGHT: WHAT TO WEAR

Confession: I've been taking a lot of "selfies" lately. Almost 98% of these selfies are just for me... a chance to see what I look like in my outfit... in my camera. (Cray cray, I know). The other 2% of my photos are texted to my fashion crush and style guru Robin Saperstein. Upon receiving my texts, Robin kindly indulges me with a "Yay," "NO," or "It's not my favorite," (which is code for, "you need my help.")  Well, in an effort to feel so good, Eden and I decided we'd shop her closet to find the cutest outfits for our Moms' Night for the Project Runway finale where we're serving up Yoplait Frozen Yogurt. This soooo beats taking my own photo and sucking it in for the camera. Check it out!

SO GOOD MOMS' NIGHT: WHAT TO SERVE

I'm in full party planning mode these days. Not just with the wedding, (oh, the wedding!) but with other fun stuff like the So Good Moms' Night I recently hosted with my girl Eden Passante of Sugar and Charm. We decided it would be so fun to get the girls together for a night of food and fashion to celebrate the season finale of Project Runway on Lifetime.  Channeling her own inner fashionista, the very talented Eden put together a little "Make it Work" station replete with the awesome new line of Yoplait Greek Frozen Yogurt, served in glass canning jars. The toppings we served were healthy and added to the  deliciousness of the yogurt. With the cute elements atop her counter, the yogurt was simply irresistible. Watch our first video for some entertaining inspiration!

FALL FASHION SHOPPING AT SEARS!

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and their client. #ThisisStyle #cbias

Don’t get me wrong, I love summer and I looooove the summer wardrobe options. But Fall…? Fall is … fall is romantic. Fall is fashion. Fall is an excuse to shop. (I made that one up). But honestly, every year, I flip through the “Must Have Fall Fashion” spreads in the magazines and flag virtually every page. “I muuust have that. I neeeed that. I can’t live withouuuuut that.” I usually allow myself one or two new items (fab boots are always on the list), but this year: Mama’s on a budget… ‘Cuz mama’s getting married!

Yes! I’m engaged! So exciting. But guess what? This means, it’s time to save for the big day… OR my dream honeymoon to Greece/Bora Bora/Italy/Maldives/St. Barths. (BTW, can you just IMAGINE the fabulous outfits for that trip?! Omg!)

But I digress…

There are so many fabulous looks and trends this season and I’m on a mission to rock a few without breaking the bank.  So when I was approached by Sears for this “shoppertunity,” I had to take it!  Some of the emerging trends for Fall are lace, lots of denim (of any kind! Acid washed, printed, floral, etc.), military inspired apparel, and clothing with some edge and details like studs. 

With Fall fashion fresh on my mind, aaaaand the many boards on Pinterest reminding me just how dreamy I could get with this wedding and honeymoon, I headed to my local Sears bright and early with my Venti Bold Drip in tow, to find some affordable and fabulous Fall Fashion. (For my entire experience, check  out my album on Google Plus!) 

I have to say, there were two things that I was really impressed immediately: 1) The jean selection was out of control. Neatly organized (and merchandized), there were piles and displays of every color, every size, every shape- ev.er.y.where.  It truly was a jean scene. 2) The customer service! When I saw a cute jean vest on a manequin and asked the sales woman where I could find it, she said they were out, and without missing a beat jumped up and got it down off the mannequin. Nice!

I had fun trying out a few different styles that were out of my normal fashion zone like flannel mixed with lace, or jeans with wild prints. Ultimately, I settled on a few fantastic looks that I know will carry me throughout the season.  On top of it, I got 4 completely new head to toe outfits (7 pieces of clothing) and I spent a total of $136.13 (Saved 22.04 with my Sears Rewards card, thank you very much!) Not bad right!?

Military Jacket, Kardashian Collection, $46.99 , Cream Tank with Gold Beads, Metaphor, $12.99, Skinny Jeans, Bongo, $14.99

Black Lace Tank, Bongo, $12.99, Skinny Jeans, Bongo (same as above), Bangles, $8.99 each

Two-Pocket Cream blouse, Metaphor, 19.99, Camo Skinny Denim, $19.99, Bangles, same as above

Denim “work shirt” with studs, True Freedom, $18.99, Camo Skinny Denim, Same as above.

Paired with booties, fun bags and cross body purses, I can dress all of these looks up, down and everything in between. I felt so cute and comfortable in everything and can see myself wearing these outfits to school functions, date nights, girls nights, and of course, wedding planning.

What’s on your fall fashion must-have list? I want to hear from you!

To get the latest on affordable fall fashion, follow searsStyle on Twitter and Facebook, and be sure to check my album on Google Plus to see all the photos from my shopping experience at Sears!

AFFORDABLE FASHION: BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING WITH SEARS!

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and their client. #ThisisStyle  for #backtoschool #cbias

Gulp. My son is going to be a kindergartener. A full-fledged kindergartener! This year, shopping for back to school apparel and items is more poignant and important than ever. Though my son spent last year in Transitional Kindergarten (thank goodness for “red shirting”), this year really counts as “The Year.” It’s go time, for reals, and there’s no turning back. (Sigh). But, lucky for me, I’ve teamed up with Collective Bias and SearsStyle to find the most affordable fashion for my son and even another child in need.

Like most 5-year old boys, my son is growing like a weed. It sees like every few weeks, he needs a new pair of shoes, a new pair of pants, new underpants and always, always, ALWAYS, new socks. (Honestly, when we moved to our new home, they should have told me that there was an evil sock monster that stole socks and made them smaller). Because he’s an active boy (let’s hope he masters the art of “sitting still” in Kindergarten!) I generally look for clothing that is comfortable and durable, but still has an edge and is stylish. Plus, we’re working really hard on encouraging independence…. From bathroom time to getting dressed, it’s important he can do a lot of things on his own. So clothing that he can easily get off and on, but that he feels proud of is equally important. Finally, to me, there is nothing cuter and more functional than a kid in jeans. Durable and easy to clean, I love putting J in jeans but because he grows so fast, it seems like I’m always in need of a pair for him. (My closet… that’s a different story. Can you say #obsessed?)

From the moment I got to Sears though, it was truly a “Jean Scene.” I loved their signage for this campaign and it was evident in the children’s apparel department that they had the denim selection to back up this campaign. There was so much to choose from!  I ended up getting my son two different pairs of Levis because the straight, relaxed fit is hard to find in those washes (My son’s not quite the “skinny jeans” kind of kid.) In an effort to teach him to read and do things on his own, I have labeled his drawers and on school days, I tell him what he needs (“It’s cold! You’ll need long sleeves and pants). He helped me put his clothes away and was quick to remind me how many things he’s outgrown and “are like, kind of baby.”

Trough out the children’s department, there were several “Tee Stop” displays. Almost every super hero imaginable was represented in the beautifully organized piles and mounds of screened tees. For $7.98, they’re really high quality and with graphics I know my son would love (and again, feel totally cool about . These things are talking points with his little buddies after all!) I picked out a cute Batman tee for him and an Iron Man tee to donate. The piece de resistance(s) were the tees for $9.98 that came with a toy. At 5, he’s not going to see “Man of Steel,” but he can certainly wear a Man of Steel tee! Great deal and he was super excited.

In addition to the jeans and tees, I found a few great items like khaki cargo pants with an elastic waist - perfect for hot, back to school months, (annnnnd for the child that never wants to go to the bathroom at school because he’s in a rush to go play with his friends), a striped tee (for “fancy” days”) and an adorable short-sleeve, plaid button down, that came with a coordinating tee shirt. It’s a 2 for the price of one look and it screams first day of school!

I loved seeing his enthusiasm over the super hero/character backpacks that comes with a lunch box. He instantly threw it over his shoulders to see what he’d look like rocking it on our walk to school. It’s big enough for carrying his favorite basketball and bright enough to locate in the cubby round up!

The best part, however, was talking about how there are so many children that don’t get brand new clothes or backpacks to go to school. In fact, his school partners with a school where many families live below the poverty line. Several times through the year, our school donates whatever is left in the lost and found as well a few book drives to help raise money for their school. But Jonah and I wanted to do something different- something special. We contacted the school and asked if we could give a new backpack and tee (a Spiderman Backpack and Iron Man tee to be specific!) to another little boy, just like Jonah, starting Kindergarten. “He’ll feel special because it’s new and he should feel good on his first day of school like me.”

Here’s to making back to school a success!

To get your affordable and style back to school gear, follow searsStyle on Twitter  and Facebook, and be sure to check out all the photos from my shopping experience on my Google Plus album!

PINTEREST MAKES ME PINE

Not so long ago, I whined about how Pinterest made me feel pathetic. I declared that the fashionistas, posing with their perfectly tilted heads, and baubled-out wrists made me feel ridiculously uncool and uncoordinated. I decided that the travel pins only made my wanderlust get worse and the reality of my current finances more clear. Finally, I determined that I’d never have time to be as crafty as I wish I could be and that, with my busy schedule, DIY projects were a distant dream.

Guess what? I’ve soooooo changed my tune.

That’s right. Pinterest is my new best friend and my newest full time obsession. Forget Facebook stalking. That’s so 2012.

These days, I’m all about stalking other people's visions, visuals, and very cool sh*t. From fabulous fashion and must have Spring/Summer style, to recipes that I’m sure I can find the time to make, and to inspiring DIY projects and parties that I’m trying to find an excuse to have, I cannot REPIN fast enough!

Here are some of the boards, ideas, and pinners that I’m pining for:

 Perfectly Styled

Who knew that the reality show OC would turn out designers with actual taste and fabulous style? Right now, I’m totally digging the boards from Lauren Conrad. I’m also, of course, obsessed with the boards from my girl Robin Saperstein, who has a knack for gorgeous accessories and keeps a close eye on fashion iconslike Olivia Palermo. 

Perfectly Fed

You know what, I’m discovering that the oven and me actually get along quite well and thanks to a few trusty recipes, I can move past my mostly-meatloaf-meals and try other delicious dishes. I’ve been making a ton of recipes from Skinny Taste... Her recipes are healthy and light and seriously easy.  I’m even going to try some of the mother’s day recipes from Martha Stewart Living.  Turns out, her ideas are not all that un-doable for every day moms. Well… they're aaaalmost undoable, because, um, I don’t have my own lavender or cucumber garden, BUT the new me is willing to give it a try... especially since Trader Joe's packages that sh*t up and gets it ready to go!

Perfectly Partied

Over the next few weeks and months, I’m going to be hosting a bunch various parties and events. I’ll be sharing details of these as I roll them out, but let me just say in the meantime, a) I’m now wishing I could be an event/wedding planner and b) my inner DIY/Craft Goddess-ness is chomping at the bit to come out and play. Pinners  like my darling friend Eden Passante of Sugar and Charm, inspire me daily. Also digging Young House Love, Savings Mania,  oh and, of course, the queen of DIY herself… Martha-I-can-do-everything-Stewart.

Basically, this season, as the self-acclaimed “not so queen of it all,” I'm challenging myself to wearing, making and DOING everything I love... Or at least trying to do all of that. Next time, we’ll discuss the travel boards. That requires a whole different story… and budget. 

Who are your favorite pinners and boards to follow?