Cyber Santa

Last Christmas
Mego Prego with Rocking Rudolph on My Baby Bump

Let's face it.  I LOOOOOVE Christmas.  I'm also a SAHM of two.  The older of which has apraxia and an intense therapy schedule.  I volunteer.  I work from home  write/edit/consult/blog/empire build while children nap/watch tv.  I cook.  I clean.  I feed.  I chauffeur.  I referee.  Etcetera. Ad Nauseum.  I don't have the luxury of going Christmas Shopping.  With no family nearby, shopping would require a sitter, which only adds to the already astronomical bill.  (I have to buy 22 presents this year!)  I certainly can't bring the beasties with me.  What am I going to do?  Let my 3.5 year old watch me buy him toys only to wrap them and say they're from Santa?  Not. Going. To.  Fly.

Thankfully Al Gore created the internet so that we can all shop from the comfort of our own homes.  This year might be the first time I do ALL of my shopping online.

I finished shopping for my boys on Monday.  With Cyber Monday sales, and ebates offering double cash back, I saved a ton and didn't pay for shipping!  Thank you Amazon!

I'd love to say I'm the girl who bakes everyone treats from scratch and gives them as gifts on plates that I hand-painted and then gift-wrapped in home-made wrapping paper and gift tags. I am not that girl.  Not.  Even.  Close.  Thanks to etsy, I can give handmade gifts that I don't actually have to make with my hands.  (I have craft anxiety, but that's another story for another day).

From Talk Crafty to Me - Get all the details here.

How do you do your holiday shopping?  Are you a Black Friday Warrior?  A Cyber Santa like myself?  A Christmas Eve Mall Dasher?  A Crafter/Baker/Pinterester?  Please share you holiday shopping secrets!

xoxo

Jenny

Shabby Apple

A few weeks ago, I stumbled upon Shabby Apple, an online dress boutique selling women’s dresses, casual dresses, skirts, and women’s apparel.  I love the vintage and feminine feel of the clothes on this site and as I researched more about the company I started to like Shabby Apple even more.

They credit themselves as providing "a return to what dresses were always meant to be — a one-piece outfit. No need to add anything...no tank tops, no cardigans, nothing (except accessories, of course!)."
Their modest fashions strive to make women feel feminine and beautiful for "what they wear, not what they bare." (Love that!)  Not only can their flirty, stylish dresses be worn comfortably anywhere, but they also donate a certain percentage of their net proceeds to charitable causes serving women and children.  Couture with a conscience; how cool is that?

If the principles behind the company aren't enough to make you want to shop with them, their merchandise will.  Here are some of the Shabby Apple pieces I am loving right now:

Walk the Plank Dress $88

Bandersnatch Skirt $72

Pina Colada Dress $96

Joy Ride Dress on sale for $58

Heart of Me Dress $109

Blue Eyes Dress $96

FYI:  Shabby Apple offers free shipping on orders over $100 and fast and free returns!  I'm always hesitant to order clothes online without being able to try them on, but the free returns let me shop worry-free.  Now I just need to figure out what I want to buy....  

What do you think I should get?

Online Shopping and Prego Love from Rachel Zoe

This Black Friday, the bump and I decided to shop from home.  I just don't have the energy or the patience to deal with crowds today.  There are great online sales going on and I'm actually making money shopping online with ebates!  They are offering double cash back for Black Friday and giving a $10 gift card to new all members!  You can sign up here: yes, please!  I'm loving that  I earned 10% cash back with Barnes and Noble and 40% cash back for my 2012 Entertainment Book (what can I say, I love my coupons).  I've probably made about $50 so far Christmas shopping with ebates.  Love it!

Also love today's Zoe Report:

Haute Mama
Hatch Collection Maternity Clothing
Hallelujah—all hands in the air for the biggest shopping day of the year! Since many of you are out stampeding to score a few fabulous buys, we are spotlighting a special something for the fashionable gals among you who are opting out of the fine frenzy, due to a movement restricting bun in the oven. That’s right, if you’re preggo—or know someone who is—this one’s for you. Introducing Hatch Collection’s Maternity Clothing, a miscellany of modern, versatile and comfortable wardrobe essentials to be worn both during and after pregnancy. Ranging from a sleekbutton-down top to a dapper dinner party dress and day-to-nightdrawstring pants, this line has it all. Did we mention each piece comes in a variety of coveted colors? Applause! Shop the Hatch Collection now for yourself or another mod mama and $5 of your order will be donated to Every Mother Counts, a campaign whose mission is to increase education and support for maternal and child health. If that isn’t reason enough to shop ‘til you pop, we don’t know what is! Availability: Hatch Collection Maternity Clothing ($98-$348). For additional information, visit Hatchcollection.com

It's about time someone starting making cute maternity clothes! I refuse to buy anything else (less than 8 weeks to go! wooo hooo!) But this collection is a glimmer of hope for all you newly pregos and pregos-to-be. Happy Shopping!

Speaking of shopping: did you brave the crowds? Was it worth it? Did you get trampled or doused with pepper spray?  Score any fabulous deals? Tell, tell, tell in the comment box below!

The Great Boot Debate

I know... I know:  I'm the worst blogger ever.  It's been awhile, but I'm sure you understand how life can get in the way of your plans.  In the words of Flo, "happens to me all the time!"

I am in desperate need of WATERPROOF snow boots.  After four Rochester winters with cute shoes (and cold, wet feet) - I have decided to buck up for some FUNCTIONAL and WATERPROOF snow boots.

I am baffled by the lack of waterproof snow boots available in Rochester stores.  Come on people, don't you know where we live?   It snows every day all winter!  After finding nothing I liked at the stores, I began some intense online shopping.  I have narrowed it down to three pairs and need your help deciding.

Option 1

The North Face "Millennial" Boot
www.zappos.com
$130.00

Option 2

Pajar "Gianna" Boot
www.nordstrom.com
$194.95

Option 3

Sorel "Joan of Arctic" Boot
www.nordstrom.com
$139.95

I'm thinking I might buy all three, try them on, and send two back.  Since both Zappos and Nordstrom have free shipping both ways, I have nothing to loose.  What do you think?

In the spirit of election season, I'd like to take a vote and determine the reader favorite, so please comment below with your selection.  And if you know about a fabulous boot that I have left out, by all means, place your "write in" in the comment box.

Thanks for your help and make it snappy.  I'm in a time crunch:  the snow will be here before we know it!

Saving Money Shopping Online

If you read my blog and follow me on Facebook and Twitter, then you know I have a weakness for online shopping.  Thankfully (for the sake of my marriage) I mostly "window shop" but I am also a sucker for a good deal.

I love coupons and deal sites.  I might get a lot of e-mails, but I also get a lot of great deals on stuff.  I almost never pay full price for anything.  I recently discovered ebates:  cash back for shopping online?  Yes please!  I love Groupon, TeamSave, livingsocial, and Roc'n Deals for local stuff.  Mamapedia helps me out with mama related items; Zulily is great for kiddy bargains.  I use Heartsy to help combat my etsy addiction. And then there is Gilt, HauteLook, The Outnet, ideeli, shoedazzle, Rue lala, for my inner label whore.   Most of these sites offer rewards for referrals - so I get TONS of stuff for free!  Got to love that!

My most recent fashion and money-saving favorite is Shop It To Me!  If you feel you are too busy to spend hours searching the Web to find out who carries the merchandise you love, or better yet—who has it on sale then Shop It To Me is for you!  It's a free online personal shopper that saves you money by finding all the sales and special offers for you, saving money and time... now we are talking!   I love it!

What about you?  Do you have a favorite deal site you'd like to share?  Leave it in the comment box with your referral code!   I know we'd all love to check it out!

Haute Look

Just discovered HauteLook a Web site that does 48-hour sale events with the world's top fashion, accessories, beauty, kids and home brands. We are not talking chump change either ladies, HauteLook offers discounts of 50 to 75 percent off!

Here is just one example of the fabulous deals on this site.  How would you like this Adrienne Vittadini hobo bag for  $112?  It retails for $448... that's 75% off!!!!

Last Call by Neiman Marcus the same bag on sale for  $338!
I think I like HauteLook's price better.  How about you?

Since the sales only run for two days and quantities are limited, you need to act fast, which unfortunately may result in impulse buying.  However with these prices who really cares?  You could probably buy this bag, wear it a few times, and resell it on ebay for more than you originally paid for it!  (I just checked and saw one listed for $360!)

I know its only Tuesday, but finding this site might just end up being the highlight of my week.  I'll keep you posted.