Deals for Moms Blog

Try it on Tuesday: Old Navy Style

I’ve got a little secret for you….I don’t actually go to the store to try on clothes on Tuesday.  I go before Tuesday so I have time to get the post ready and find the links online.  I try to go over the weekend without kids or Monday afternoon with only one kid since the others are in school. Welp, this week didn’t quite work out the way I wanted, so Monday night I ran over to Old Navy thirty minutes before the store closed and did the best I could. I’m sure the Old Navy employees wanted to kill me so I apologized over and over and tried to be extra friendly.

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Workout Tank

This is tricky to read backwards. It says “Does running late count as exercise?” I used to be so punctual but having kids has really changed that. Do you need this tank like I do?

Black Dress

Bow-Tie Wedges

I could get a lot of use out of this dress. Could easily be worn to a wedding or on a date night. I’d recommend you size down.

Tie-Front Blouse

Rockstar Jeggings

Slide Sandals

These pants are amazing! They are Rockstar Jeggings with built-in sculpt and I love them. They have an elastic waistband and make me feel skinny so I had to buy them. I also really like the top with the little tie.

Floral Dress

The little ruffle sleeve and floral print makes this dress extra feminine. I like that I could wear this to work or for a casual night out. I’m 5’4 and wearing a small. For you girls who are blessed with more height than me, it comes in tall!

Jumpsuit

Stepping majorly out of my comfort zone here. I saw so many cute jumpsuits on Old Navy’s website so I really want to try some on but unfortunately my store only had a few in stock in my size. I ended up trying this one.  It’s a really soft material and the tie belt gives it some shape but I’m not sold on my body in a jumpsuit yet.

Camo Jacket

And of course some camo! This was the only camo I could find in the women’s department. I was hoping they’d have these camo pants but they were sold out. I’m wearing a medium in this jacket but think a small would fit better.

Where should I go next week? Let me know!

Try it on Tuesday: JCPenney Style

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I had originally planned to do my Try It On Tuesday at the Loft but when I went in there, I wasn’t feeling their new clothes so I walked next door to JCPenney. Now, I know you might be thinking JCPenney Style, that’s an oxymoron and in the past I’d agree but JCPenney has stepped up their game a bit lately. However, their dressing rooms (at least at my particular store) were AWFUL! I was pretty much horrified at the condition they were in. Like if it were a hotel, I’d be taking my family elsewhere for the night. But I managed to fight through it and try on a few things.

JCPenney is currently having a big sale. Use promo code SAVE60 to save $$. Valid online only. Shipping is free if you spend over $99. I’d recommend just doing store pick-up if you can, which is free on every order.

Alright, here’s what I tried on —>

Off the Shoulder Dress (Choose from blue or white)

TALL Off the Shoulder Dress  (Choose from blue or white)

The material is super soft. In the blue one I’m wearing a small. This dress also comes in a tall size. I’m wearing a size small tall in the white one. It’s definitely longer and bigger overall. I’m 5’4″ for reference. Also, the white is NOT see through at all, which I really appreciate.

Wedge Shoes

These are cute and could go with just about anything. They’re also available in a rose gold color….Swoon!

Open Jacket

Love that this jacket could be easily dressed up or down (clearly I dressed it down here with my yoga pants). It’s soft and very comfortable. It has two little zippered pockets on each side, which makes it look more current. It comes in gray, black, oatmeal, and olive. I’m wearing a small.

Blush Pink Lace Dress

This is real life, people. I’m not a size zero. I need Spanx if I’m going to wear this dress and clearly I didn’t have any with me. This dress fits me but shows my post-baby belly (my baby is 3 years old – what are you gonna do – right, probably should do more planks). But for now I think Spanx would do the trick to smooth everything out and then it would be a great dress to wear to a wedding. I’d size up in this one. I’m wearing an 8.

Camo Jacket

Ending this post the same way I ended my first Try it on Tuesday – with camo! This might become a new tradition, at least for as long as camouflage stays a hot neutral. If you’re not into camo, this jacket also comes in a few solid colors. I’m wearing a medium.

Happy Tuesday and Happy Shopping!

 

 

 

Try it on Tuesday: Target Style

Welcome to Try it on Tuesday! During Try it on Tuesday, I go to a store, grab some cute clothes to try on, take awkward pictures, and then share them so you can see what the clothes look like on a real person.

This week I ventured to Target. I probably should have chosen a store with more forgiving dressing room mirrors and better lighting. Despite the less than ideal dressing room conditions, I still think Target is a great place for Try it on Tuesday because it saves you money. We all know it’s basically impossible to leave Target without spending $100+ so I went to the store and spent all my money on things I don’t need, while you get to shop online (a much more wallet-friendly option in my experience).

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, LittleBlueJeans receives a small commission.

Here’s what I tried on….

Olive Tie Front Shirt

I love this one. It’s flattering and super comfortable. I like that it’s longer in the back. I’m 5’4″ and wearing a small. If you’re much taller, it could get a little short in the front so high wasted pants would work well with it.

Side Button Denim Dress

Love this versatile dress. It’s got cute little details – buttons down the sides and a frayed bottom. It’s a nice lightweight denim. Not too hot for summer days. This runs big. I’m wearing an XS.

Birkenstock Dupes

Don’t let me forget about these crazy comfortable Birkenstock knockoffs.

Happy Camper Tank 

I think every camper needs a “happy camper” shirt. I will definitely be wearing this on camping trips this summer. I’m wearing a medium. It’s the type of tank that you’ll probably want to wear a black yoga or sports bra underneath because you’ll likely be able to see it at times.

Short Sleeve Dress

Ankle Strap Sandals

This dress is light and comfortable. Comes in a gingham or floral print. I’m wearing a small. The sandals are knockoffs of Steve Madden’s Vision sandal. The chunky heel makes them easy to walk in. Available in cognac or black.

Camo T-Shirt

Of course I couldn’t leave the store without trying on some camo. I’m wearing a medium.

Hope you enjoyed the first “Try it on Tuesday”. Let me know what your favorite look is.

Envelope Travel System

I grew up going on road trips with my family every summer. With four kids, my parents knew there would be lots of arguing and craziness as we drove across the country if they didn’t have a couple tricks rolled up their sleeves. The one that worked the best was a simple envelope system. It worked so well, I now use it with my own kids.

Here’s How it Works:

Before your road trip, go to the bank and withdraw $20 in one dollar bills for each of your kids. Put the money in personalized envelopes for each kid. This money becomes their travel allowance and can be used on treats or souvenirs once you arrive to your destination. Here’s the catch, if a kid argues, misbehaves, screams bloody murder, kicks your seat over and over, you get the point…Then you take out a dollar. It doesn’t take long for kids to catch on and to be on their best behavior. This system made our 18 hour drive to Florida (with three boys ages 3-7) almost perfect.

14 hour drive to Myrtle Beach, March 2017

Quick Recap:

Step 1: Go to the bank and ask for $20 in singles for every kid.

Step 2: Place the money in an envelope with each child’s name on it.

Step 3: Create buy-in by letting each kid decorate his envelope. Also, encourage the kids to dream about what they’ll spend their money on.

Step 4: As you drive, take out a dollar every time someone misbehaves.

Step 5: Arrive to your destination! Let kids spend their envelope money however they’d like.

Hope this helps make your next road trip a more pleasant experience!

18 hour drive to Orlando. Two fingers because we only stopped two times. March, 2018.

Dear Mom

It seems fitting that my first post in “Mom Life” would include a letter to my mom. After all, without her I wouldn’t even be here. Today also happens to be her 60th birthday. This is written specifically for my mom but if you’re a mom and need to hear this, then it’s for you too.

Dear Mom,

Thank you.

Thank you for giving me life. Thank you for carrying me for 44 long weeks. Thank you for pushing through until you delivered your 11 pound, 3 ounce, 24 inch daughter without even a Tylenol. Thank you for waking up with me in the middle of the night. Thank you for cleaning up after I got sick. Thank you for making dinner after dinner. Thank you for the napkin notes you put in my lunch each day. Thank you for always telling me I was beautiful on the outside and the inside. Thank you for holding me when I’d cry and didn’t even know why. Thank you for teaching me what qualities to look for in a husband. Thank you for showing me each day how to be a mom. Thank you for being my friend.

I could continue with a thousand more thank you’s. Moms are never thanked enough but I hope you have always felt loved enough. You are loved today and always!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Punta Cana

  

Punta Cana in  Dominican Republic is one of our favorite places to visit. Chris and I went there on our honeymoon in 2007 for the first time. We stayed at the Majestic Colonial and loved every second.

We returned to Punta Cana with our boys (just two of them at that time) in 2013. We stayed at the very family friendly, Ocean Blue & Sand Beach Resort. We went with family to celebrate my parents’ 35th anniversary.

     

The last time we were in Punta Cana (March 2017), I found a crazy good deal through Flipkey. We stayed at the Bavaro Princess All Suites Resort, Spa, and Casino. It was beautiful. So much wildlife and a great kids’ pool. We hope to return next February.