American Express asked me how to share my online shopping mistake last week and now how I would spend $500 on must have’s for fall.  I think I found some great pieces that are missing from my wardrobe and would love to hear what you would add with some extra money this fall!  Don’t forget American Express is giving one of my readers $250 in merchandise and / or gift cards so you could have some additional money to spend!

My Five Must Haves for Fall

Jeans!

I want to start by saying that jeans are a must have for me every fall.  I don’t spend a lot of money on them either.  I am petite and curvy and I find that The Gap and Banana Republic both have jeans in petite sizes for well under $100.  I adore the Gap’s 1969 Curvy Jeans and for $69.95 they look awesome and leave room for some special pieces that may cost a little more.

Flirty Top

I am very basic on the bottom but I love a really pretty top.  I am cool with layering so I tend to choose short sleeve shirts and throw a very thin long sleeve on when it gets chilly or rock an awesome jacket.  This Trifecta Tee from Anthropologie totally works for my body shape and my style.  I love that it is loose and covers the top of my arms and will highlight my curves without being too sexy.  The embroidery is so pretty and the orange is my favorite color!  It is also perfect for fall.  Usually when I find a shirt I like this much I get it in more than one color.  In this case I adore both the orange and the blue and the shirt is just $58, a reasonable price at Anthropologie! Two shirts I will wear all the time for $116.  Wahoo!

The Little Black Skirt

I need a new one and this fits the bill.  As short as I am, I need petite sizes and you can put anything with a black pencil skirt.  The reviews on this baby are awesome and again, the Gap Pencil Skirt delivers for just $49.95.

Sassy Shoes

I am always in flats.  When I put n nice clothes I always wish I had a pair of comfortable casual shoes that would make my 5’2″ frame a little taller.  I found these Zara Zip Up Wedge Boots and think they would be perfect.  I love the grey brown color and the fact that they are a wedge and not a heel.  Also, for $99 I am not blowing a huge amount of money on a pair of shoes that for me will not be for every day.

The Bag

As some of you may know, I rarely carry a purse.  I am a really simple person accessory wise and the only make-up I wear is Clinique Black Honey on my lips and mascara (which I do not re-apply).  I usually have a little pouch thing that hikers use that fits my few credit cards, ID, phone, lip gloss and a tiny notebook.  When I am out with the kids all of their stuff goes into one bag and then I just throw in my little pouch.  The only issue is my camera.  I take it everywhere and I need something to keep from just lugging it around on my neck.  It would be great if I had a bag that was stylish, made for a camera and had room for the items from my pouch.  Well, I totally found it!  I think it may fit a diaper and small wipes case too!  Meet the Epiphanie Stella Bag!  This sassy bag has room and cushion for my cameras plus my little stuff and boy do I love it!  It is my priciest item at $164.99 but considering I do not send much at all on accessories like bags, I think this is a totally worthwhile investment for someone like me!

There you have it.  $500.79 for six great pieces that will totally take my style up a notch this fall.  I do a lot of shopping online and have a few personal tips for you to stay safe and make your dollar go as far as possible!

My Personal Online Shopping Tips

First, always shop at sites you trust and that have good ratings with the BBB.  Be wary of great deals on sites that look a little sketchy.

Check out the return policy.  I like to shop at sites that have an adequate return policy and will make returns as easy as possible.  For some stores, that means I can skip shipping back and take them to my local store for returns.  For other stores it means I can print off a shipping and returns label at home or it is included in the box.  Online shopping means you have not seen the item so it is best to be able to return it.  If you shop with an American Express you can be protected for up to 90 days after purchase even without a return policy.  How cool is that?

Don’t forget to google coupons!  The best thing about shopping online besides not dealing with the mall is getting a great deal.  I now there are lots of daily deal sites out there but I always just google the name of the store I am shopping at and coupon and I almost always find something.  It is common to find free shipping and 10 or 15% off but I have hit the jackpot sometimes with 30% off!

In addition to googling free coupons, you can also purchase coupons on sites like ebay.  There are tons for large merchants like Lowes, Home Depot, the Gap, Gymboree and more.  Check out the seller rating so you feel comfortable and then spend a couple bucks on a coupon that can save you a heck of a lot more!

I gave some other great tips last week when I shared my online shopping tips but I want to remind you to shop with a credit card online to protect yourself.  A debit card does not make it easy to get your cash back!  A card like American Express not only provides the standard purchase protection but an additional 90 days coverage for you to return an item…on them.  They also have a gajillion awesome things to buy as part of their Membership Rewards Program.   I have been a card holder for more than a decade and I use my American Express whenever possible.

Win a $250 Prize from American Express!

American Express is giving one lucky Mommy Words reader $250 in gift cards or merchandise or a combination of both!  Be sure to comment on this post with your biggest online shopping mistake and then check out all the extra entry options.  You can leave a comment here with your fall must have for an extra entry!  Good luck!

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by American Express and is compensated. The opinions expressed are my own.

More often than not, they both select a dazzling gown and parade around the house as princesses dripping with jewels and balancing in the fanciest shoes.  Sophia taught Miles how to walk in heels before he was 2, so now they are both pros.

I think they both looked fabulous, so we caught the moment with a terrible blackberry photo.  My son Cinderella is ready for the ball with Snow White.  I think he rocks.  They both do.

Just hours after the show I stumbled upon this post on Nerdy Apple Bottom.  Her son dressed as Daphne from Scooby Doo for Halloween and was judged by PARENTS at his pre-school.  It touched something in me when I thought of how much Miles loves to dress up.   I could picture the comments and the judgement and it made me nauseous.  Kids are kids and dress up is dress up and it is supposed to be fun to be something you are not.   I don’t care what he dresses up as so long as he is happy and being creative…with one exception.  We don’t allow private parts to show after one unfortunate fashion show choice.  Other than that…he can be a princess ’till the cows come home.

Since I read that post millions of others have read it and seen it on television and commented more than 35,000 times.  This momma hit a nerve because she posted about the incident at school and made it clear that a costume is a costume and does not say if your child is gay or straight and that if he or she is gay – it’s totally cool.  The only uncool thing is PARENTS looking down on children and judging them and making them uncomfortable and perpetuating homophobia to begin with. We are supposed to support children and their choices and for heaven’s sake people – this was a Halloween costume!

So I thought I would just post how cute my own Princesses are and let it be known to the world (why it should have to be told I have no idea) that it’s okay for kids to dress up as something that they are not in real life.  That’s the whole point, actually. 

Truth be told – this is a much better costume than the construction worker anyway.  As much as I love tools more than heels (you know this is true) I totally think the Princess costume is SO much cooler.

31 Week Belly

Now, a drumroll for the n.a.p. Comfy Blanket.  On Black Friday my mom needed a sweater vacuum thing to get the nubbies off and I suggested Brookstone.  In the entrance there is a huge pile of n.a.p. puppy dogs that Miles went CRAZY for.  He was hugging and licking and just really making it clear that he NEEDED this puppy. Well, you could get one free if you spent $75.  With my mom’s nubbie purchase plus a set of n.a.p. socks for my always freezing feet there was still a gap.  We needed to buy more!  I could just imagine the jealousy from the rest of my frigid body (we keep the heat between 62 and 65) when my belly saw my cozy feet so I succumbed and bought the blanket with sleeves.

n.a.p. Comfy Blanket (Brookstone)

This gal is wearing it backwards, in my opinion.  I am, at this moment, wearing it like a giant plush robe.  I am like a pregnant Yoda as it is big enough to have a sort of hood if you want.  That way my ears stay warm too!  The thing drags at least 5 feet past my tootsies and is big enough for my whole family to fit under.  I will also be able to breastfeed in it since I wear it all open like this.  I may never take this off.  When you picture me blogging you may picture me in this.  You may laugh – but damn am I COMFY.

As an aside, this chick is in her nap with her hair done in a fully decorated house writing her Christmas cards.  She really has her stuff together huh?  When you picture me, also imagine that my hair and nails and make up are done and that my house is sparkling clean and all my to-do’s completed.   Thank You.

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Items in this set

	Charles by Charles David ‘Dame’ Flat $55 – nordstrom.com
	Splendid Cotton blend tank $40 – net-a-porter.com
	Monsoon Accessorize – Nadine Jewelled Tweed Shoulder Bag $49 – monsoon.co.uk
	Knitted Shimmer Cardigan $41 – topshop.com
	Angel Cotton Skirt – FRENCH CONNECTION USA $98 – usa.frenchconnection.com
	Rock Chick Pendant $29 – topshop.com

If you are not a fan of the embellishment on the tank, you could wear any tank that falls away from the body.

SPLURGE on FREE BIRD

*Free Bird* by Katstopher

FREE BIRD on a BUDGET

So the shoes are the same as is the tank…every splurge outfit does not need to be made of all over the top pieces!

Free Bird on a budget by Katstopher

Peace, Joy and Love  Mommies!  Embrace the free spirit in you!

Items in the Save Set

	Giles & Brother Heart chain necklace $80 – net-a-porter.com
	Expandable Bangle Set $78 – saksfifthavenue.com
	Amber’s Wide Orange Boho Style Flower Bangle $47 – fantasyjewelrybox.com
	ANTIK BATIK Petrus Thong Sandals – Cream Shoes – 25Park.com $195 – 25park.com
	Bags & Wallets  - Shoes & Bags  - Anthropologie.com $168 – anthropologie.com
	Rivet Panel Vest $47 – topshop.com
	Harper Vintage Boyfriend Jean $67 – topshop.com

Items in the Splurge Set

	GIVENCHY – TEXTURED MEDIUM NIGHTINGALE TOP HANDLE $2,214 – luisaviaroma.com
	Isharya Coral-embellished ring $190 – net-a-porter.com
	TORY MINI CHAIN NECKLACE $125 – toryburch.com
	ANTIK BATIK Petrus Thong Sandals – Cream Shoes – 25Park.com $195 – 25park.com
	Rivet Panel Vest $47 – topshop.com
	G-Star Arc Jeans $209 – republic.co.uk
	Tory Burch SET OF BANGLES $125 – toryburch.com
	: :  T A R I N A   T A R A N T I N O  : :  Electric Butterfly Barrette $75 – tarinatarantino.com

Now, I would LOVE to spend my life in Alice Temperley’s gorgeous clothes.  (I mean my whole life, I LOVE them.)   You can check out some of her fab dresses here. Maybe I could mix in a couple of other Uber Chic designers for casual wear.  Maybe.  However, unless I hit the lottery this will remain in my dreams!

So, my little sister Katie is able to mix and match anything and always look funky and fabulous.  She can also look preppy and cute.  She can also look fabulously sexy.  She can usually do this for an insanely little amount of money.  So I asked her to help me out with some affordable outfits when I found a site through Chantelle at Fat Mum Slim called Polyvore.  It lets you make outfits (or really layouts of anything) from all over the web!  This is right up Katie’s alley so she will be giving us a weekly outfit.

Now remember, usually you will have one or more pieces that fit the basic look of the outfit in your wardrobe and just can get an idea of how to spice it up with her ideas!  She is going to try and keep the pieces pretty affordable.

This week she has a casual outfit that I am pumped for.  I think the top will make it through another 8 weeks or so of the hot weather here and my growing belly!

Adorable & Affordable by Katstopher featuring Arden B

Where to Get It!

• Dune Hobart Ball Detail Flat Sandals, Gold, Size 3/36 – $90 – johnlewis.com

• Rodeo Sunglasses – $12 – modcloth.com

• Colorblock Sharkbite Tank – Women’s Clothing and Apparel – Chic Dresses – $28 – ardenb.com

• Ladies Seminole watch – $246 – koodos.com (Okay on this one just pick any little gold bracelet or watch)

• Lori’s Shoes – The Sole of Chicago – Melie Bianco Zip Across Tote – Green – $88 – lorisshoes.com

• Open Line Leaf Earrings – $2.80 – forever21.com

• Bare Feet Shoes: Apparel Jeans – $34.99 barefeetshoes.com

Happy fashion ladies!  We hope you enjoy the fun ideas to spice up your Mommy threads!