Sweatshirts

So, this is not so much an object of my closet's affection, but I'm pretty impressed just the same.  I'm usually not much of a toothbrush snob.  I had a brush (haha, get it?) with an electronic one when I was in gradeschool, but that didn't last long before we through it away (the damn thing would turn on randomly in the middle of the night and wake everyone up .... possessed!)  So from that point on I've basically gone back and forth between the "newest and greatest" manual toothbrushes (it seems they come out with one every month, which times out perfect!) or whatever came in pink, or a buy-1-get-1 bonus, etc.... you get the picture.

I bought my first battery operated throw-away by accident a few months ago and really kind of liked it.  I didn't love it, mostly because I really like the little rubbery scrubber thing for your tongue on the back of the head like some toothbrushes do.  Anyway.

Most recently I purchased a Colgate 360 Sonic Power toothbrush 1.) I had a $1 coupon - score  and 2.) It came in a 2-pack for a better deal than just one.  Sold.  Colgate boats this toothbrush as "the first power toothbrush with a tongue and cheek cleaner" (I guess that's what the rubbery scrubber thing is actually called!)  You can check out the actual product page by clicking on the link above.

Advisory: I realize this is kind-of lame, but we all brush our teeth (err... hopefully), so I figure someone might actually find this review helpful/ mildly interesting!   I'm not suggesting this would be a stellar Valentine's Day gift or anything of the such, but I do love this toothbrush.  So, I will continue...

Upon using this brush for the first time, I noticed a big difference from the last battery operated/vibrating I had (different brand, can't remember).

1.) the vibrations, or the "sonic" power seemed much fast and stronger than my last one
2.) the bristles are soft and pliable, not hard and rough
3.) it seems easy to reach the very back teeth without too much of a fuss
4.) there is a rubbery handle to hold on to, which makes brushing easier, and
5.) there is a little tongue scrubber thingy on the back of the head of the brush - bonus!

So far, I've had the brush about a week and still loving it.  I cannot compare it to the more expensive non-disposible options (such as Sonicare which I would LOVE to try, but just don't have the funds!) but compared to the other battery operated versions I've tried, this one is the winner!  Happy brushing!

As some of you may already know (who read my other mommy-related blog) I am expecting our second baby August 1st!  And since I post many IRL pics of clothing, I figured I better go ahead and let the cat out of the bag before it becomes... shall we say, obvious!

I was 15 weeks on Sunday and surprisingly I'm still wearing most of my regular clothing (just with pants unbuttoned and fastened with a ponytail holder) ... which is much different than my experience with Connor since my butt and hips spread so quickly that by 6 weeks I HAD to wear maternity pants just to get them above my knees!  ahhh!

I mention that there {might} be a shift in topics only because it seems that fashion might not be on the top of my priority list for the next few months.  However, I've found that old habits die hard and even yesterday I was in the JC dressing room trying to figure out what (if any) of the new items I can size-up in and wear through early spring.

So, with that said, I have a feeling there won't be much of a change in the blog, but I'll be highlighting some of the more versatile pieces I find, as well as cute maternity gear!  Just as with the first time I was pregnant (3 years ago) it's difficult for me to find cute, non-tent-like maternity clothing in a decent price range. 

Example: Old Navy has some cute stuff for cheap, but the quality isn't ALWAYS great (althought I love their preggo swimwear)  A Pea in the Pod is pricey and doesn't have a store anywhere in my area.  LOFT is online only in my area and mostly has just work-looking-stuff.  Motherhood Maternity, Sears, JCPenney is cheap but BLAH!  etc....

During my previous pregnancy, I purchased most of my everyday and work clothing at Target from their Liz Lange line and from Old Navy.  Unfortunately, all the ON's in my area have phased out all their maternity sizes from the store, so now you have to buy AND return by mail. BUMMER!  So, this time around I anticipate focusing on Target.  As for the items where quality and fit is a bit more important (aka: jeans) I definitely threw down more dough (and it's totally worth it!)

So, for now I plan on staying my my regular clothing for as long as possible (meaning I can still shop JC, AT, LOFT, etc... for now!) and then trying to get as much use out of my old maternity clothes as I can!  Luckily, as far as JC goes, I can still focus on jewelry, shoes, handbags, etc.... plus, it will still be HOT in August after I have the baby, so I can wear some spring/summer stuff than, too!

My mom already had it in a Small Petite and I loved it but wanted it a bit longer to wear with tights/leggings. So, I ran to the store and had them find it for me in a regular Small.  I AM a bit peeved with their policy on shipping sale items ... they've gone the way of J.Crew (and others) where you have to pay shipping if they find an item for you that's on sale at another store (only $7.50 - which is WAY better than JC) but at least they WILL DO A SEARCH FOR AN ITEM THAT IS ON SALE (uhh emm - JCREW, are you listening?)   I know this is something that annoys many of you, as well!

On a side note, the nice SA's at my local JC do offer to do searches for me on sale stuff if I would like them to.  I've never had them do it, but I'm pretty sure it involves them personally calling around to other stores ... which would suck.... but I think it's nice of them to offer.  If you call on the red phone or the catalog, however, they will not "Find it For You" as advertised if the item is on sale.   Bummer!!

Oh Target, how I love thee.

As if Target needed anything more to draw me into it's tangled web of wonderfulness, most in our area now have a Starbucks.  Yea!  (just add another $4 to my standard Target bill)  And as I stopped by the Starbucks during my last trip to Target, I spotted these absolutely amazing,  wonderfully life-simplifying gadgets....

And my shopping trip got even better when I ran accross this beauty just before making it to the checkout (last minute crap is how $100 trips turn into $200 trips almost every time, right?) and I couldn't put it down.  I needed to put it down, but I couldn't.  Even at $39.99, I couldn't put it down (and I consider 40 bucks for Target glam a bit high).



Anyway, when I got up to the register, it rang up as $9.99 - so apparently it was on sale and just not marked!  Score!

I have been one of the biggest nay-sayers regarding JC's "sample" sales that take place in New York City since I left the very first one last January disappointed at the high-prices and crappy inventory after waking up early and standing in a freezing cold outside line....

And here's my experience THIS year...

Last week, on a random trip to the mall, I ran into the shoe clearance room at Von Maur.  I don't normally attempt this when I'm 'with-stroller', but there seemed to be a frenzy going on in there so I could, OF COURSE, not just walk by without checking it out!

I usually don't have much luck in the clearance rooms .... mostly because I have no patience and I get mad because I find something I want, but it's 2 sizes too big or small....

blah blah....

but on this day, I found some great deals!!  So exciting!

ZiGi NY - Reg. $150  Sale: $37