Splurge vs. Steal: Camo Pants

Posted in Beauty & Fashion by Jennifer | Stick Girl JAM

I’m really late to this party (what’s new, right? I also just bought my first pair of TOMS…) which is probably why I lucked out and scored these broken-in straight khaki camo pants from Gap for like $18 using a promo code. They’re super comfortable, casual and on sale right now for half the price of these ones from Loft (that’s without using a promo code). The Loft pair are darker but the fit looks great and they’ve got fabulous reviews. The real splurge is this super skinny pair by True Religion. Probably not worth it, but if you’re an avid True Religion wearer, by all means.

Gap | Loft | True Religion

Other amazing sale styles include this camo cargo pair from Ralph Lauren, these amazing white camo pants by Sanctuary – so summery! – and similar to these True Religion ones (still on sale but way pricier), and lastly these adorable pink camo pants (sounds tacky but they look quite fun) by Joe’s Jeans for the little ladies (or the lucky ones that can squeeze into them).

Are you tardy to the camo party with me or so over it already that I should be ashamed of myself?

5May2014

What I’m Reading: An Interview with Sophia Amoruso

Posted in Beauty & Fashion, Inspiration by Jennifer | Stick Girl JAM

Need some motivation on this fine Monday? Check out this interview with the founder (and “chief troublemaker”) of Nasty Gal Vintage, Sophia Amoruso. This quote really caught my attention:

My dad said at dinner the other night something that I really loved — he said, ‘Hope is not a strategy,’ which is so true. The best things happen with not only hope, but ingenuity, self-awareness, and a lot of elbow grease. That’s when the real magic happens.

Her book #GIRLBOSS comes out tomorrow. Looks like a fun read!

Have you read anything inspiring lately?

20Mar2014

Where to Buy Baby Clothes

Posted in Beauty & Fashion, Family & Motherhood by Jennifer | Stick Girl JAM

I fell in love with this Jesus Saves, Bro shirt from Riley Clay Designs on Etsy (found via @modernminiresale and promptly ordered one for Declan in 12-18 months which he won’t be able to wear for a long while but I just can’t get over how cute he’s going to look waddling around in it learning to walk…I digress…) and came to learn that she sometimes sells goof up shirts like the one pictured below (@shoprileyclay on Instagram). Like I care that there’s a tiny white ink mark on the sleeve? Honey, that thing is gonna be covered in spit up in no time! Givvidame! Also, her “Embrace Messy Hair” shirt for little ladies is adorable for moms who are just keepin’ it real. Another one on my list to buy? This Man Cub shirt and the Cali Cub tee, but I’m hoping to score them second hand because they’re pricey. Oh boy am I in trouble if Mumbles is reading all this….

Ain’t Nobody Got Time for That Tee via Riley Clay Designs @shoprileyclay on Instagram

It’s probably not a surprise that I went crazy on the after Christmas sales at BabyGap.com (puhlease, I don’t leave the house anymore. Remember this disaster?) and JC Penney. JC Penney??? Yes: JC Penney. That Joe Fresh line has too much good stuff, I tell ya! With the exception of the top gray sweater (H&M) and the white and blue pullover (from an Instagram shop), everything in the photo below is Joe Fresh. That red & black buffalo check coat? $12. For realsies.

Other favorite brands to shop for baby are Peek, Prefresh, Sovereign Code (all available at Nordy’s), H&M and Zara — those gosh darn leggings are just toooo good! The J.Crew baby line is growing slowly but it’s still too expensive.

Where are your favorite places to shop for the bambinos? Find more of my favorite little man styles on Pinterest.

P.S. What are your thoughts on Freshly Picked moccasins? I know, I know. They’re totally adorable and chic. But, come on! They’re $60! I want this pair but I just can’t knowing Declan will only be in them for like 15 minutes and then he’ll grow out of them. I’ll probably cave and get him a pair for Christmas this year. What do you think? Have ’em? Love ’em?

3Mar2014

Instagram Shops for Baby Clothes (& How it All Works)

Posted in Beauty & Fashion, Family & Motherhood by Jennifer | Stick Girl JAM

stickgirljam instagram shopping for baby clothes.jpg

My haul from @whatoliverwears on Instagram

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve probably seen that sometimes I go a little crazy buying clothes for Declan. Aaaand if you read my post about Poshmark perhaps you’ve noticed that I like finding ways to shop without having to actually go shopping (more on my weekend mall shopping disaster later this week)…so now, I introduce to you: Instagram shops! Mamas out there are cleverly selling their gently used baby and toddler clothes (and sometimes stuff still in tags that they forgot about or didn’t fit!). Genius. Plus, it makes couch shopping so easy, because — let’s be real — you’re checking Instagram like every hour anyway, right?

Here are a few of my favorite Instagram shops for baby clothes:
@crewscloset
@modernminiresale‘s son Decker is so stylish.
@whatsaxonwore
@shopwrightbros will start posting once she gets to 300 followers.
@shopdaniluke
@brooklyn_lighthouse
@thepopkid
@olliepopshop puts together the cutest outfit ensembles that you can buy as a bundle. Gotta be real quick, though!
@whatoliverwears
@wornbybryson
@littlepeppermarket
@shoplittlerose
@littleboysblue
@herrincloset

If you’re looking for more shops to follow (because clearly I’m more interested in boy items and maybe you aren’t), you’ll notice that mamas on Instagram know to help others is to help themselves and they often cross-promote each other’s shops by re-gramming swoon-worthy outfits and such (a “share for share,” if you will). So, it makes it easy to find more shops to follow if you’re looking to go overboard like me.

Sound fun and want to get started? It’s easy peasy. Just get set up through PayPal and be the first to comment on an item with your PayPal email address to win. Let me be the first to warn you, though, sometimes the competition is fierce. Like crazy fierce. So start doing thumb exercises. I’m tellin’ ya, quick fingers is the key! Here are some other tips for Instagram shopping:

Take note of the size of the item and price, and whether or not it includes shipping.
Most sellers will give you a discount if you bundle multiple items into one order and sometimes will take off $1 or more if you share their post on your feed, alerting your followers to their sale (they’ll announce this if they do).
While some items go very quickly – like, less than one second after it’s posted – other items don’t sell as quickly. In these cases, it’s totally appropriate to make an offer to a seller. Leave your email address and your offer and see what they say. Just don’t be a jerk about it.
Be a backup! If you see that someone has already beat you to an item, you can still leave your email address as a backup in case the other buyer falls through. You never know!
If you have a questions about an item, leave your email address first and then the question in a separate comment since it will likely take you longer to type it out. The seller should honor you as the winner and answer your question later on after they’re done posting. If you decide to pass on the item, let the seller know promptly so it can go to the backup.
When a shop seller gives warning that they’ll be posting soon, take a minute to type out your PayPal email address and copy it so when something you want pops up in your feed (refresh refresh refresh!), you can simply press paste to claim your victory.

Do you have any favorite Instagram shops?

12Dec2013

Plum Pretty Sugar Goodness

Posted in Beauty & Fashion by Jennifer | Stick Girl JAM

A few weeks before Declan was born, I received the most gorgeous floral print robe from the lovely team at Plum Pretty Sugar as a gift to wear in the hospital. What a surprise! I can’t think of a better gift to give an expecting mom to make her feel beautiful while walking the halls of the hospital trying to get that baby out. I should know since I was doing laps in that place like it was a Nascar race. Did I mention 27 hours of labor?!

Paired with a set of soft socks (the kind with non-slip bottoms would be best) or slippers, it would make for such a thoughtful baby shower gift – something for mom amidst all the baby gear and onesies or as a Welcome Home gift with one of their PJ sets to make her comfortable and feel pretty (instead of the haven’t-showered-in-three-days mess she’s likely to be after the little one arrives). I’ve been wearing my robe around the house way more often than I thought I would. No one tells you how often your boobs will be out after you have a baby if you’re breast feeding. I mean, it’s kind of assumed, I know, but it was still a bit comical to me in our new home, hoping we don’t have nosy neighbors. Normal tops and shirts, especially in those first days, are such an annoyance because you’re constantly having to take them off, pull them down, and move them out of the way so baby can get in there and get some food. All the time. The robe is perfect for covering up modestly, beautifully and quickly when you have friends and family stopping by to meet the babe. Or, in my case, contractors working around your house. With that same convenience in mind, the PJ set cleverly comes with a button-down top to make nursing easy.

The robe they sent was impressively packaged making it such a delight to open. I plan to give a few as gifts myself to the special mamas-to-be in my life and if you’ve got a lovely lady on your shopping list this season, be sure to take advantage of the promotions they’ve got going on. This week the gals at Plum Pretty Sugar are making life easy (especially for those of us running out of time to order and get those gifts wrapped!) with free priority shipping. Use code HOLIDAYSHIPPING at checkout to have your shipping refunded, valid Dec. 9-15. They’ll have another delightful offer for you next week so do connect with them on Facebook or Instagram, or visit the Plum Pretty Sugar website for robes, loungewear and accessories in stunning, color-rich prints. They even have robes for little ladies! Too much good stuff.

Plum Pretty Sugar sent the beautiful kimono robe as a maternity gift. All thoughts and opinions are my own.