Jamie (from 77Kids) and me

What I LOVED about 77Kids was that the store was so KID-FRIENDLY. I wasn’t prepared for all the amazing activities and toys that were in the store. And believe me… entertaining 4 boys isn’t always easy! 77Kids did the trick…

My guys...

Drawing on the chalkboard...

Playing in the dressing room...

Peek-a-Boo through the dressing room window!

Loving the squishy chair!

The layout of 77Kids was awesome! It’s such a FUN place to be in and hang out in… the music, the lights, the decor and then (of course!) the clothing. It was just beyond cool…

Ready for WINTER!

GIRL Fabulousness...

DENIM WALL (my fave!)

Tees

BABY...

Beyond ADORABLE!

BOYS!!!

Wall of TEES!

I just loved the store. It was so much fun and it really got me into the spirit of the HOLIDAYS! Not to mention, there were some amazing sales there, too. *A HUGE thank you to the staff for making us all feel so welcome!!

I’m a lover of TJMaxx and Marshalls.  If you read my “Mom Fashion Report” you know just how much I love them both! I love to blog about TJMaxx and Marshalls because I think they’re such amazing shopping destination for moms.  The fact that you can walk in… find designer brands for yourself, children, husband and home at such amazingly low prices (up to 60% off!) is incredible.  It’s even easier for me to fuel my love for TJMaxx and Marshalls because I happen to live about 5 miles from 2 TJMaxx stores and about 10 miles from 3 Marshalls stores.  They are – without doubt – 2 destinations I frequent at least 3-4 times a month.  The key reason I shop TJMaxx and Marshalls so often is simple.  I know I will always be able to find brand names I know and love at prices I love.  I can’t believe I’m admitting this… but I don’t think I’ve ever left either store empty-handed!

With Back-to-School shopping in full swing… which I just can’t believe it’s time… TJMaxx and Marshalls are stocked and loaded with the latest trends for girls, boys and teens.  With over 10,000 pieces of new merchandise arriving weekly at TJMaxx and Marshalls, you can be certain your child will be able to find key pieces that fit his or her style perfectly.  There’s no need to overpay at the mall or in department stores, let your budget go further this Back-to-School season… and let me guide you as to what are some of the latest trends this season.

Back-to-School shopping!

Marshalls is such a “hot’ spot for teen girls because of their CUBE.  Talk about a fashion-haven!  I even love to scout out the CUBE on my visits.  This is Marshall in-store boutique and you will (literally) be able to find items from head-to-toe.   All the season’s hottest trends and styles are available here.  For a little fashion-talk, we’re seeing a lot of classic button-downs this season with some fun added details… and JEGGINGS!  These are huge this season!  And for teen boys – it’s all about the layers!

TJMaxx is wonderful for girls and boys.  You’ll be able to find everything here for them – clothing, backpacks, even school supplies!  For girls and boys this season denim is still in full fashion force, as is layering!  Girls will be styling in the jeggings, knit dresses, graphic tees over tunics and so much more!  Boys will be handsome as ever in their layered ensembles.  Be on the lookout for lots of nobby tees, which is one of my favorite items for my sons (all of them!).

The fashion trends and styles are so much fun this season… the girls are girly-girl and the boys are total-boys.

You cannot beat off-price retailers like TJMaxx and Marshalls for your Back-to-School shopping excursions!  Let’s enjoy this season – fashionably – together!

My sons love Appaman’s ape. It’s pretty plain and simple for them… they love the clothing because of the ape. They think that is cool. The ape’s association with Appaman is a really neat story. Appaman is inspired by, and named after, the childhood companion of founder and designer Harald Husum. While growing up in Norway, Husum befriended a corduroy ape named Appaman. Together they traveled the fields and fjords of their native land, sharing many fantastic adventures. Appaman reflects the whimsical spirit of those youthful times and celebrates the unbreakable bond between a boy and his ape. I love that about this brand… each of my sons have their own “Appaman” and it’s amazing to see what this childhood bond turned into!

There are so many things I love about Appaman for my boys… beyond the “cool” factor. The clothing fits well. The quality is superb. You can wash these clothes over and over and over (and over) again and never have to worry about shrinkage. And for me… with 4 boys, the clothing stands up to the “land of boys…”

We’re all about jumping (which gives me gray hair)…

We’re all about climbing trees (with Daddy’s help)…

We’re all about running and chasing…

And testing strength (oh, my!)…

It’s everyday wear for my boys… and I love that they can do anything and everything in the clothing that they want to do. Boys will be boys… and in their Appaman clothing, they can look cool doing it! The vibrance, the energy and the passion in Appaman is reflected through every garment.

‘Cuz… after all, once they’re dressed – they’re off and running…

*Appaman sent me clothing for the boys to try out.

thredUp is one of them. It’s genius for moms. With 4 sons, I can appreciate and will absolutely USE thredUP.

thredUP is where moms (and dads!) can exchange boxes of clothes that no longer fit their kids for stylish ones that will. Plain and simple. Say good-bye to trying to organize a clothing swap with your girlfriends. Say good-bye to the bags of clothes that you are “going to out online to sell.” Say good-bye to all the busy work. thredUP coordinates the swaps among a group of your closest friends or connect you with thousands of families nationwide. All the swaps are done online, they even offer scheduled home pick-up and delivery. Talk about making it uber-easy… they are!

With my 4 sons, I am constantly going through rotations of clothes. They outgrow things like weeds! It never ceases to amaze me. I started buying new stuff for my younger guys – Ben and Henry (even with 4 boys!) -because I didn’t want everything to be hand-me-downs from their older brothers. So right now, I have tons of clothing… with nobody to wear it. When I first heard of thredUP… I was just blown away by the practicality of it… and not only that, they make it easy for us to give the clothing away (and then receive stuff back!). It’s just amazing. Affordable. Practical. And fashionable. Doesn’t get much better than that!

Constantly buying clothing for your kids gets expensive. Did you know that kids grow out of a set of new clothes every 6 months? That by age 17, kids have outgrown over 1,300 items and parents have spent nearly $20,000 on their clothing? Quadruple that for me. Oh, man…

So literally – these are the easy steps:

Pick. Pay. Prepare and Send.

· Pick a box of gently used clothes you’d love to receive for your child.

· When someone picks your box, send it free of charge

So the only money out of your pocket is paying for shipping on the clothing chose to pick. They manage the quality control and review process and take care of all the details to make sure you get a quality exchange.

it’s an invitation-only site – use Mom Generations code for invite.

They have a Company BLOG.
They have a Kid’s BLOG.

There are some adorable options in watches at the GAP right now (and they’re affordable! $9.50!).

GIRLS – GAP’s Printed Sports Watch (with Velcro closure)

BOYS – GAP’s Active Watch