love it: ribbon and chain link necklace

Fell in love with this gorgeous necklace - and it's only $26!!  The degrade shades of red/pink/orange or varying hues of blue - all remind me of sunny days ahead.  There is just something about a statement necklace that I will always adore; maybe it's the fact they they make being stylish look easy.  Throw it on with a t-shirt and jeans - then swing your hair up into a bun and = tah dah!  Amazing.

love it: pin pick - energy bites

Pinterest, oh Pinterest.  My new favorite time-suck.  I've spent a lot of hours "pinning" this, that and all in-between.  For those of you who have no idea what I am talking about, Pinterest is basically a visual bookmarking site where you create your own "boards" and then store your favorite ideas on them - recipes, fashion, decorating tips, weddings, babies, DIYs - make a board for anything you want!

Well, I decided it was time to make this habit valuable and actually use/do/make some of the fun things on my boards.  So, my first "pin pick" is: no-bake energy bites via Smashed Peas and Carrots blog!  As you've probably gathered over the years, I never talk about food and simply, am not a cook.  However, I am talented at mixing, which is why I pinned this recipe.  Such an easy snack to make, I actually made my second batch this weekend.  I take two to work each day and eat one around 10 and one around 2...just at those times when I need a pick me up.  They are extremely satisfying, on the healthy side and super easy; but fair warning, the flaxseed will definitely regulate you...if you know what I mean :)

Need an invite to Pinterest?  Let me know!  For those already pinning away, find me - I put my Pinterest link on the side of my blog.

love it: two-way stripes

J. Crew Contrast Stripe Tee

Madewell Striped Transmission Tee

Happy Monday!  With lots of snow and chilly, chilly temps here in Chicago, I spent a lot of my weekend trying out some things from Pinterest (more on that later) and browsing online with our new iPad (my brother-in-law gets us the best gifts; I'm officially obsessed)...

So, what's better than a striped tee?  A two-striped tee!  Absolutely loving this twist on a classic.  I just can't help but think of Spring when stripes are in my sight.  We are only a few months away, right?  Both options come in an array of colors and are under $50; they will most definitely be a staple in your closet for spring and summer.

love it: ebates

If you shop online and you like getting random checks in the mail (which should be all of you), read this!  Ebates is my #1, numero uno, first and best online shopping tip.  It works exactly the same as Lucky Mag Rewards, that I wrote about back in 2009, but has a larger selection of sites to pull from.  All you have to do is:  Sign up here -- and just by creating an account you can get a $10 Target gift card by spending $25 on ANY website.

So, in review -  while shopping, add things to your cart like normal.  But, before you check out, go back to Ebates and see if where you are shopping is on there.  If so, just click through the link on Ebates and it will register cash back on your purchase.  There is no catch; it's simply cash back for shopping on your normal ol' sites.  I use it all the time for Diapers/Soap.com, Gap, Nordstrom, Groupon...pretty much every site is on here.  Since I did all of my Christmas shopping online, I currently have $50+ in my Ebates account and a check is on the way in February.  Whoo hoo!

love it: my mobile life

My mobile life forever changed after I FINALLY got an iPhone this past weekend!  I could rattle on and on about how I love my new white beauty with her super fast keyboard, crisp picture-taking abilities, and most of all Siri, who reminds me to do everything I forget.  But basically, since being mobile is everything nowadays, I am just really glad she (yes, it's a she) is in my life.  Now most importantly, I need to dress her!  Been scoping the web for the best case out there...if you have any recommendations please let me know, but here are my top choices thus far:

Yellow Chevron ZigZag, PencilShavingsStudio on Etsy: $40

Kate Spade Le Pavilion: $40

J.Crew Leopard Print Case: $25

Jonathan Adler Diamond Green Multi: $28

eLago Coral Blue case: $11

love it: bow rings

Yep, I'm writing about bows again.  Maybe I should turn this into The Bow Blog?  Hmm... Anyway, while online shopping for holiday gifts I ran across these super fun Kate Spade bow rings I just had to show you.  Available in silver and gold for $79 - I think they are just darling.

If you want to bling it up a bit more, the ring also comes in pave - both large ($148) and mini ($58) bows:

p.s. Sign up for Kate Spade's mailing list at the bottom of their home page and get 15% off your next purchase - girls, the rings would only be $67 post discount.  Do it!

love it: dogeared earrings

These earrings have been on my wishlist for a while but I've waited and waited to post about them until a coupon code arose, because you know I can't shop online without one :)  And it's happened - Dogeared's friends & family sale is here!  


I heart all of the styles in the "always beautiful" collection.  Each pair, a dainty twist on a simple hoop; available in gold-dipped, silver and rose gold.  They are perfect for fancy or casual wear.  Now if I could only decide which ones to buy!!  (I'm leading toward the moroccan style at the top).  Through November 20th, they will run you around $50, which includes the 20% off with code FAMILY2011.


p.s. If you buy something during the sale, search the site for their birthday cupcakes.  Add one to your cart, enter code BIRTHDAY2011 and get a free limited edition tote.

love it: f&f sales

Remember when you actually had to know a person that worked at a store to get the coveted "friends & family" discounts?  Well times they have a changed, and right now there are loads of amazing Friends & Family discounts - all available for you.  Happy weekend shopping!

GAP 

40% off in-store 

30% off online with code GAPFRIENDS

November 10-13

GIGGLE

20% off online (code FF11) and in-store

November 11-14

LOFT

40% off online (code FBFRIENDS) and in-store

November 9-13

YUMI KIM

30% off online with code FAMILY30

November 7-21

love it: happy halloween

---- Dear Mommy's blog readers ---

Thank you for voting in the poll last month and picking my first ever Halloween costume.  I love being a lion and could wear this thing all day...it's so cuddly and warm!  Hope you have a roaring good Halloween!!

love it: bow belts

Love the simplicity this Prada bow belt could add to an outfit - but I would never, in a million years, drop $300+ on a belt.  Never, ever, ever.  However, thanks to Gap, we can get a similar look for under $30!  I'm thinking these would be so cute over a cardigan, coupled with jeans and flats:

Metal Bow Belt

Skinny Bow Belt

Leather Bow Belt