Fall Wish List

A friend and I got to go out and do a lot of shopping before the school year starts (we're both college professors) and were able to see what a lot of the fall trends are.  I have never been a "trend-follower" perse as I can't afford to spend a lot of money on clothes (especially for myself). In addition, I am on the larger size for women.  The size I wear is still in the misses section, but on the higher end and if possible, I need petite size clothing as well.

Things that I noticed that were "in" while shopping were:  belted tops (and dresses), zebra print, embellished and printed tunics, and fly-away cardigans.  I have attempted to take these trends and figure out how they can work for me and my body shape.  So here is my wish list (click on image to view website):

I did try on a couple of the "belted tops", however, the belt location was not all that flattering.  This sweater (www.bluefly.com) is cashmere (hence the heftier $88 price tag) but it has the belt effect with the cinch in around the waist and has a wrap style to help out the larger gals out there!

First off, if you don't know me, I'm definitely more of a shoe person.  These Kelly & Katie brand shoes I found at DSW for $30.  (Hopefully they won't stay on the shelf too long for me!)  These shoes are shockingly comfortable (for heels) and don't have too high of a heel.  (Anyone who cares to buy these for me, I wear an 8.5 :) )

One of the biggest prolems I had with tunics is that the generally look like paper bags on me as they don't give any defining shape.  However, this tunic gives you curves (and hides) in all the right places.  I found this one at Kohls for $25.

This is the only item on my "wish list" that is now on my "have it list."  I liked the idea of a cardigan that didn't have to button (don't have to worry about the "pulling" effect).  Luckily this cardigan has some shape to it as well as defines a waist-line for you.  This one I got at Kohls for $23.

Ok, so jeans aren't a new trend, but when are they really out of style?  So these are the jeans that I absolutely love.  This is the curvy style from New York and Company.  This style (non-skinny) give more room in the hip and thigh than I'm used to.  This pair sells for $50, but keep a look out for their deals!  Currently they have buy one pair get another pair for $10!

Do you have any must-have styles for fall?

Couponing deals leading to too much stuff?

As many other people, one of my goals is to save money when I can.  I watch ads, I cut some coupons, I watch for the lowest price that items seem to get to, go to mutliple stores, etc.  After watching the show, Extreme Couponing, I also started to buy two papers when I know there are great coupons in the paper.
The other day I went to one of my favorite stores, Target, to get some great deals.  Here is what I got:

• 2 jumbo boxes of Pampers Cruisers Diapers - Price $70; Savings:  $20 gift card with purchase, had $6 off in coupons and a coupon for another $5 gift card.  Actual cost:  $39.
• Gillete Pro Glide Razor - Price:  $9.87; Savings:  $4 coupon.  Actual cost:  $5.87
• Gillete Men's Body Wash (33% more free bottle) - Price:  $3.97; Savings:  $2 coupon.  Actual Cost:  $1.97.
• 2 - 52 load bottles of Tide - Price:  $24; Savings:  $4 in coupons plus a $10 gift card.  Actual cost:  $10.

Total Price:  $107.84
Total Actual Cost:  $56.84 (savings of $51 (47.3%))

Let's just say that I was pretty excited.  I know that the people on Exteme Couponing save a lot more than I do, but I only buy the things I will actually need/use and I don't spend a lot of time doing this. 

This was just one of my trips; lately I have been a couponing maniac.  Let's just say that I have over 400 size 3 diapers and 250 size 4 diapers for my Quinnie, 11 bottles of men's body wash, 5 cans of men's shaving cream, 6 large bottles of laundry detergent, and enough tampons to last a woman a year!  Thus, I think I can hold off on these items for awhile!

I really think that couponing can save us a lot of money as long as I'm smart about what I clip coupons for - I go through them when I first get them and give the rest away (or throw them away, I know).  The reason I do this is I don't want to buy something just because there is a coupon - I stick to things that I know I already use or need.  I don't mind trying a new brand of something if I get a good deal (depending on what we are talking about - I only buy Tide laundry detergent for example) but I am not going to just buy/try something that I don't already need/use.

Honesty about kids, part I

My daughter is now 14 months old (wow, today actually).  I love her so much and believe that she is doing well.  But here are some honest things about our struggles with her:

1. She *just* started drinking out of a sippy cup last week.  We started her with a sippy cup at 9 months and by that I simply mean introduced it - I didn't want to force her to drink out of it and she primarily just played with it; she would pick it up or knock it to the floor, but never put it to her mouth.  And even today, she still doesn't use it like a real sippy cup.  She still has to lie back a bit (we still let her use the bouncy seat) and she drinks the whole thing at once.  But for now, I'll call this progress.
2. She started eating table food at 13 months.  Started introducing it (putting it on the high chair) at about 11 months (she was having chewing issues with chunkier baby food so we had to delay this).  Again she would just play with it by picking it up and/or tossing it to the floor.  The only way we have gotten her to eat table food is by putting it in her mouth for her and when we do, she does great!  I don't have any clue how to get her to pick it up and feed herself as she will pick it up and play with it or cry at me to feed her more, but she won't pick it up and feed herself.  Suggestions?
3. She is still not crusing or walking.  She just started to fully pull herself up at the end of July and she does great at it.  She is finding her balance pretty well when we hold her hands to walk, but she is still not walking and you know what, I don't care!  She has continuously been "behind" on these milestones so why would I expect this one to be any different?

So there is some honest things that I have not wanted to admit as I constantly feel judged by the other parents around me.  When strangers don't know how old she is, this is generally ok as she may look about 11 months old right now so she doesn't appear to be far behind to those that don't know her age.  The problem is I do and I always feel like other parents are judging me.  I feel down when I see someone say that their child (who is 3 months younger) is taking their first steps already.  I am glad that they are celebrating their milestone about their child just don't judge me about celebrating my child's even if to you it seems like you just want to say "finally" or "it's about time."

My daughter is unique and will do things in her own time.  Parents need to stop being so judgmental about other people's children and their parenting choices! 

For a great book to help both the parents and child feel ok about being "behind", see the book "Ruby In Her Own Time"