Clothing Archives - Embracing Beauty

5 Work Out Clothes for Women

April 8, 2016 by Ashley 1 Comment

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of NYFifth Apparel for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

I don’t know about you but I dread working out. It’s not so much the excising that bothers me but the getting ready to go part. I never know what to wear! My sweatpants have seen better days. I happen to be in the minority of women in the US who choose not to wear leggings so that knocks out 99% of the pants on the market. Sigh. Enough excuses, I’ve set off to find 5 attractive work out clothes for women who want to feel confident in what they’re wearing and comfortable too. Here are my favorite choices from this morning’s internet scrolling. 🙂

1. NYFifth.com is a supplier for activewear and headwear and I have been surprised by their affordable prices! It’s been a while since I’ve bought work out clothes but many of the pieces I found were under $20. They have hundreds of name brands…and they also do screen printing and embroidery! I am loving these shorts from Champion. Navy, tagless, 5 inch inseam, and they are only $9.31 (as low as $8.46 if you buy several).

2. NYFifth Apparel also has this Sport-Tek Dry Mesh Shirt that would be great for working out and staying cool. It looks good enough to just wear for a play date at the park.

3. My holey socks had to go and these cheery socks from Under Armour might even make working out fun…maybe. I love the tight band that goes around the middle of the foot. I think all socks should be made with that. It’s so comforting. 🙂 These are $14.00 from Amazon.

4. This Raglan Tee looks comfy enough to wear on a hike or watch the big game in. This comes in a wide variety of colors and sizes and prices begin at $9.70 on Amazon.

5. If you’re like me and hate working out when it’s cold out, here is a beautiful hoodie that will eliminate that excuse. It’s colorful, cute, and will keep you warm while you warm up! It also comes in many sizes and colors. Prices start at $14.55 on Amazon.

What about you? What are your favorite work out clothes or accessories?

Filed Under: Body, Fashion Tagged With: Clothing, Exercise

National Polka Dot Day Ideas

January 22, 2016 by Ashley Leave a Comment

This post contains affiliate links.

National Polka Dot Day

Today is National Polka Dot Day! Disney’s famous and fabulous Minnie Mouse has sported polka dots for years and now you can too! Here are my favorite polka dot clothes, party supplies, accessories, and home supplies. I hope you love them as much as I do. Happy National Polka Dot Day!!

Women’s Polka Dot Chiffon Top $6.87 + Free Shipping

Polka Dot Dress $37.99 + Free Shipping

Polka Dot Shirt $14.99 + Free Shipping

Vintage Polka Dot Dress $31.99 + Free Shipping

Ruffled Polka Dot Shirt

Ruffled Polka Dot Shirt $23.99 + Free Shipping

Polka Dot Hoodie $27.80 + Free Shipping

Minnie Mouse Tote Bag (also available in black) $19.99 + Free Shipping

Minnie Mouse Polka Dot Suitcase $84.99 + Free Shipping

Polka Dot Cat Eye Sunglasses $9.99 + Free Shipping

Polka Dot Fabric Button Earrings $7.50 + $2.50 Shipping

Gold Polka Dot Art Print $18.00 + Free Shipping

iPhone 6s Polka Dot Case $7.85 + Free Shipping

Polka Dot Balloons $2.34 + Free Shipping

Polka Dot Party Hats $2.29 + Free Shipping

Polka Dot Table Cover $3.19 + Free Shipping

Polka Dot Dinner Plates $2.29 + Free Shipping

Polka Dot Measuring Cup Set $13.33 + Free Shipping

Last but not least, the classic children’s book, Rootie Kazooti, who features Polka Dotty. We love this book!

Filed Under: Fashion Tagged With: Clothing, Fashion

Disney’s Planes: Fire and Rescue Collection at Kohl’s #MagicAtPlay

June 24, 2014 by Ashley 1 Comment

I participated in an Influencer Activation Program on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Kohl’s. I received a promotional item to facilitate my review. #MagicAtPlay

Can I see a raise of hands for all the moms and dads out there who are excited to see Disney’s new Planes movie? Does anyone have kids who are excited? While the movie isn’t released until next month, July 18th to be exact, you can get exclusive Disney apparel from Jumping Beans now available at Kohl’s. You can shop in-store and online for some great little outfits for summer! For those who like to plan ahead, you could even grab some great deals on Planes long sleeve tees, pants, and hoodies for back-to-school.

Isn’t this shirt just adorable?

Especially with these cute shorts!

Check out the rest of the Kohl’s Planes: Fire and Rescue Collection today.

See more of the collection on my Little Boy Style Pinterest board (or see my Little Girl Style Pinterest board for Minnie Mouse clothing exclusively at Kohl’s).

Filed Under: Fashion Tagged With: Clothing, kids, Kohls, Mom Central

Jockey Skimmies® Slipshort Giveaway Ends 6/20/14

June 9, 2014 by Ashley 21 Comments

Disclosure: I participated in this program on behalf of Jockey and The Motherhood. All opinions are my own.

As a busy stay-at-home mom, I’m constantly trying to revamp my wardrobe into a fashionable and comfortable style. Pajama pants are comfy around the house but I want to wear something all day that would be acceptable running errands in. My dressier shirts and capris are more appropriate for wearing in public but they aren’t near as comfortable. Lately I’ve found a good alternative in maxi skirts and dresses. They’re crazy comfortable, cool, and they give me a “put together” look without much effort.

The downside to wearing these lovely skirts is that my legs tend to rub together a bit and that gets uncomfortable real quick. I have the perfect solution!! Jockey Skimmies® slipshorts, are the new “must-have” fashion secret for women. Slipshorts are a fabulous combination of a soft and stretchy slip in the shape of shorts. It’s very comfortable, yoga-pants comfortable. Not only do they make skirts comfortable to wear in summer but they also help smooth down unwanted bumps and bulges.

Skimmies® are NOT shapewear but they are something that is much better! They’re not constricting, bulky, or hard to put on/take off. They’re lightweight, breathable, come in a variety of fun colors, they smooth your shape, and you can even wear them in place of panties if you’d like. Rachel Zoe, celebrity stylist, is the spokesperson for Jockey Skimmies® slipshorts and was quoted as saying, “Comfort should always be glamorous, and glamour should always be comfortable.” I agree with her!

Jockey Skimmies® come in three great styles:

– Regular length
– Short length for shorter dresses
– Moisture-wicking for more active days

Just a few other great things about Jockey Skimmies

– They make sliding out of a restaurant’s booth a breeze. Your legs won’t stick this summer!
– Immodesty woes are gone! You can wear a shorter dress without fear of the wind and no matter the length you chose you won’t have to worry about irritating panty lines.
– Eliminates irritation from thighs rubbing together. Women of all shapes and sizes get this and it can be down right bothersome. Now you can wear your summer dresses all day with confidence and comfort!
– Perfect for wearing (in the color nude) under white shorts, capris, or shirts! I love white shorts in the summer but it’s difficult to find a pair that are thick enough to not reveal every detail of what’s underneath them. Skimmies® provide an extra barrier of protection!
– A smoother silhouette!
– They stay put all day without rolling down or up. You won’t even remember you’re wearing them!

My Jockey Skimmies® slipshorts are my new wardrobe secret. Well, they’re not a secret to many because I’ve told just about every woman I know about them. I truly love them and think that every woman should own a pair, or two, or ten!

Would you like to win a pair of Skimmies®? How about $5,000? I thought so. Here’s how:

Jockey and Rachel Zoe want you to Seize the Day in Skimmies® with 25 fun and glamorous daily challenges, May 27-June 20. Expand your comfort zone: Enter Here. Good luck!

This contest ends 6/20/14 at 11:59 PM EST.

Today’s challenge is to complete this phrase and write it in a piece of paper – “With Skimmies® I’m free to…” Here’s my entry:

You can also check out Skimmies® in the “Workflow” section of the upcoming August/September issue of Working Mother Magazine.

Here’s another chance for one Embracing Beauty reader to win an assortment pack of Skimmies® ($50 value):

This giveaway ends 6/17/14 at 1pm EST. If you have any questions about it please feel free to contact me. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Fashion Tagged With: Clothing, Fashion, Jockey, Reviews

Jockey Skimmies® Review #SkimmiesPromo

May 27, 2014 by Ashley 135 Comments

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Jockey Skimmies® through their partnership with POPSUGAR Select. While I was compensated to write a post about Jockey Skimmies®, all opinions are my own.

It was the Saturday before Easter and my kids were in bed and my husband was downstairs watching TV. I quietly sneak out a package that I bought myself. A package that I hoped would leave me looking like a million bucks for Easter morning. Out of this box I pull what’s known as shape wear but is more accurately called as a torture device. I spent a great deal of time pulling and tugging, pausing to catch my breath and reread the packaging to make sure I bought the correct size and then pulling and yanking some more. I finally got it on and I liked how it made my post-baby belly look but I hated the unflattering bulges it created. That night I vowed to never wear shape wear again and I found a new appreciation for my curves! My Easter morning attire left me feeling a little self-conscious but I was thankful to be able to breathe deeply and sit comfortably so I made my peace with it.

A few weeks later PopSugar and Jockey contacted me about reviewing their Jockey® Skimmies® slipshorts. Slipshorts are a fabulous combination of soft and stretchy slip in the shape of shorts. It’s very comfortable. Think yoga-pants-on-a-Saturday comfy. These comfy undergarments help smooth down unwanted bumps and bulges but they are not constricting like shapewear. I repeat, these are NOT shapewear – they are something much better!

Let’s review, they are comfortable and they smooth your shape to give you a lovelier silhouette.

As if that isn’t enough, here’s a list of other things these tiny woven wonders can do:

– Make sliding out of a restaurant’s booth a breeze. Your legs won’t stick this summer!
– Immodesty woes are gone! Bend over, cross your legs, let the wind blow where it may because you, my friend, are covered. Wear a skirt to the playground and go down the slide if you want. Embrace the freedom!
– Eliminates irritation from thighs rubbing together. Women of all shapes and sizes get this and it can be down right bothersome. Now you can wear your summer dresses all day with confidence and comfort!
– Smoothes down panty lines for a more modest appearance OR you could wear them in place of your panties should you choose.
– Perfect for wearing (in the color nude) under white shorts! I love white shorts in the summer but it’s difficult to find a pair that are thick enough to not reveal every detail of what’s beneath them. These will provide an extra barrier of protection and a smoother silhouette to boot!
– They stay put all day without rolling down or up. You won’t even remember you’re wearing them!

Before trying these I was happy with my lace waisted short skirt but now I don’t think I’ll ever wear it again. I want a pair of Skimmies® in every color! Why not have a smoother silhouette every time I wear a skirt or dress? I’m not sacrificing comfort and I’m gaining an extra bit of modesty.

I’m a fan and I hope you’ll give them a try and love them as much as I do!

You can view Jockey’s #SkimmiesPromo video here.

Would you like to win a pair of Skimmies®? How about $5,000? I thought so. Here’s how:

Jockey and Rachel Zoe want you to Seize the Day in Skimmies® with 25 fun and glamorous daily challenges, May 27-June 20. Expand your comfort zone: Enter Here. Good luck!

This contest begins 5/27/14 at 08:00 AM EST and ends 6/20/14 at 11:59 PM EST.

Filed Under: Fashion, Giveaways Tagged With: Clothing, Fashion, Jockey, POPSUGAR, Reviews

Cute OshKosh B’gosh Holiday Styles

November 25, 2013 by Ashley 12 Comments

Disclosure: I am participated in an Influencer Program on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for OshKosh B’gosh. I received a gift card to facilitate my shopping trip and to thank me for participating.

I don’t know about you but I love to see kiddos in cute clothes. It makes me happy! Another thing that makes me happy though is having money in my bank account so how do I find adorable clothes at an affordable price?

Here’s my checklist to save on kid’s clothes:

I know which stores have styles that I like, that fit my daughter well, and {this is important} are made well.
I learn the coupon policies of these stores and sign up to be on their coupon mailing and email list.
I shop sales, I gravitate towards the clearance rack, and I use coupons to save on the newest styles.
Also, if I shop online I shop through Ebates to earn cash back {OshKosh B’gosh will earn you 3% back!}.

My husband and little one went shopping with me to OshKosh B’gosh and to my surprise they had a lot of fun. My husband enjoyed trying out their measuring tape although I couldn’t believe how big my girl is getting! He also kept a running total for me of the items I was holding, taking into account the different discounts throughout the store. He’s a math guy so this was fun for him. Go figure!

While I didn’t snag any overalls this visit {because we already have some} I was a bit jealous of the price – 50% off!! I almost bought another pair just because it was such a great sale but I held back.

The staff was very friendly but not the kind that follow you around and bug you to pieces {I avoid those type of stores like the plague!}. I was kicking myself for forgetting my 25% off coupon at home but our lovely cashier went above and beyond and gave me the discount anyway since I’m a preferred customer. See, it pays to be signed up for coupons even if you forget them!!

Here’s my little sweetie sporting her brand new sparkly shoes and sweet rose shirt.

This outfit cracks me up – I think it makes her look so mature! This was a summer dress on clearance {around $10 I believe} and I paired it with a sale priced cardigan, red beaded necklace {which she’s carrying in the picture}, glittery gold tights, a blue hair bow, and sparkly red shoes. I think this will be a great outfit for the holidays!

Forgive me for going a little overboard here but she was having such a good time drawing inside her box that I took several pictures and I just couldn’t decide on one. Check out this fleece jacket though – $7 – unbelievable, right? There were many different styles to choose from but I loved this polka dot one.

All in all, we had a wonderful shopping trip to OshKosh and walked away with some gorgeous pieces! We scored all that you see above plus a skirt, shirt, bracelet, and dress that’s not pictured, for only $106. I’ll have to post more pictures later but my two year old could only be cooperative for so many outfits at a time.

For those wondering, my husband predicted a higher total than we owed but that was before he knew the cashier would give us a coupon for additional savings. I won’t do the math to figure it out but I assume he was spot on!

Did I get you in the mood to shop? Well, don’t leave home or shop online without this 25% off your purchase of $30+ {Fine print, Not valid on doorbuster specials, amazing values, and clearance items. Expires 12/31/13.}

For the latest updates follow OshKosh B’gosh on Facebook.

Filed Under: Fashion, Life Lately Tagged With: Clothing, Mom Central, OshKosh

Uncomplicated Style with J.Jill #JJillInspiredStyle

November 12, 2013 by Ashley 25 Comments

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post, I received a gift card to make a purchase and I’m also being compensated for my time. As always, all opinions are completely my own.

I’ve never been a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl. I don’t own tennis shoes. Or yoga pants. I like to dress up but I still want to be comfortable. As my shape has changed after having my sweet darling girl, my go-to comfort clothes isn’t a form fitting cashmere sweater anymore but a looser fitting sweater. I want comfortable pieces that even thought they may not be form flattering are still cute and stylish.

Are you like me and have a closet full of clothes but nothing to wear? J.Jill‘s mission is to help you uncomplicate your wardrobe. Doesn’t the sound of that just sound soothing? Picture a closet without crazy trends but a closet full of classic and versatile styles that will still be attractive for years to come. That’s a closet that I desire!

J.Jill’s new Pure Jill collection is absolutely gorgeous. It has muted, earthy shades in comforting fabrics. Recently, I was able to be part of a conference call with J.Jill’s senior designer and a few other bloggers. J.Jill’s senior designer, Barbara Pattin, said of her new line, “We were really trying to create something beautiful, universal, simple and luxurious.” I think that sums it up perfectly. Beautiful, universal, simple, and luxurious.

Here is a little set inspired by the J.Jill shirt I bought. I call it Casual Christmas Collection. It’s casual, classy, and comfy. What more could you ask for?

I’ll be honest, as soon as most of you go to J.Jill’s site you’re going experience a little sticker shock so I’ll give you a heads up. They ain’t cheap. This is a store where I would like to own five or six quality, lasting, wardrobe building pieces that I would supplement with my regular clearance rack bargains.

However, I have to say that J.Jill does have some fabulous bargains of their own! I did just buy a $99 shirt there but also a $9.99 shirt! Plus, I have a J.Jill coupon code for you to save 30% off a single full-priced item. Just use the coupon code JJSTYLE at checkout before 11/24/14 to receive your discount. If you have your eye on a few goodies be sure and check back on Black Friday because a little birdie told me that everything will be 25% off that day. No coupon codes, no one item on sale, no secret handshake. Simply uncomplicated service.

I’m very pleased to have been introduced to J.Jill recently and I hope that you’ll enjoy their site {or brick and mortar store} too!

How would you describe your style?

Filed Under: Deals, Fashion Tagged With: Clothing, Deals, Fashion, J.Jill, The Motherhood

Cost-Cutting Tips for Customizing T Shirts

June 5, 2013 by Ashley Leave a Comment

T shirts a common item wore by people around the globe. It is one of the most popular garments because it can be worn with almost anything such as jeans, lowers, skirts, shorts, etc. T shirts are also readily available in the market whether it is a market in the US or in central Asia. There are many different kinds of t shirts available too. Branded t shirts are one of the most expensive kind of t shirts whereas; ordinary t shirts available in the market can be highly affordable. I saw a sale yesterday where plain t shirts were only $2.50.

Customized t shirts replicate a person’s personality which is why cheap customized t shirts may not be easily available. A person will have to purchase a solid color t shirt and customized it himself in order to save money. If you’re looking for an inexpensive method t shirt customizing, follow these steps:

Buy affordable t shirt material

T shirts of every material are available in the open market. A very fine material would burden the wallet whereas a cheaper one will keep the budget within range. If a person searches properly, he or she will be able to find ample kinds of t shirt materials they would like. The first step towards customized t shirts for a cheaper value is to find the most suitable material for a t shirt. The most favorable type of material is 100% cotton which is also very affordable as compared to silk shirts or nylon shirts. 100% cotton shirts are also very easy to customize and comfortable to wear. Majority of the customized t shirts available in the market at branded stores are cotton since the consumer demand is high for this material. You’ll also want to take note if the material is preshrunk or not.

Self customization as compared to buying customized t shirts

A person can walk into a store and purchase his favorite customized t shirt. However, this t shirt will cost him double the amount of customizing a t shirt personally. Self customization means that a person engages himself into putting together a theme for the t shirt. This method is affordable and leaves a person with the t shirt just the way they want it as compared to buying a branded ready made t shirt. The first step would be for the person can choose the basic color of the t shirt. The second step would be to select the design of the t shirt and what image or text you wants displayed on it. Self customization can save you a lot of money!

Approaching an independent t shirt printer

Once an individual has the shirt theme finalized, he or she can approach an independent t shirt printing person or company which can produce the final product. Having a t shirt printed by an independent printer allows a person to obtain a cheaper costing t shirt. T shirt printers are readily available in the market and cost a small amount to print a design or an image on the t shirt. They operate a cloth printer which transmits the image or design onto the t shirt with non-erasable ink. These independent printers can be found in shopping malls or t shirt markets where they also help a person customized t shirts for a low price. Cheap customized t shirts help people with low budgets to enjoy a little personalized clothing.

This post was written by Jordon, who loves to assist people in making their life trendy through his informative articles, which he regularly submits in directories and other sites such as Thetshirtman.

Filed Under: Tips Tagged With: Clothes, Clothing, Tips

The Rising Popularity of Gowns for Rent

April 6, 2013 by Ashley 2 Comments

Most people like to be elegantly dressed on their wedding day but the cost of wedding gowns are such that many couples opt to get a beautiful gown for rent rather than actually purchasing it. If you are looking for a budget wedding renting a gown can save a lot of extra expenses on your wedding. The cost effectiveness is certainly the reason for the rising popularity of gowns for rent. However one need to look at the pros and cons or leasing a wedding gown.

Without a question, the number one cause to consider leasing a marriage dress is the cost. It will definitely be a more reasonable choice than buying a similar gown. For some brides, the idea of spending additional cash for a dress to be used one time is just too hard to stomach. Renting a gown could furthermore be a good option for a bride who likes to wear two gowns for her marriage instead of just one. This is a very common practice among the couples in Asia, where brides may wear customary attire for their wedding ceremony and then swap to a white American style marriage dress for the greeting or for pictures.

Some brides also like the idea of renting a bridal gown for a destination marriage so they do not have to deal with inconvenience of carrying large number of dresses on a plane. This is particularly popular amidst Vegas brides. All they have to do is load their bridal jewelry sets and grab their fiancé on their way to the plane. In detail, there are even some locations which offer one halt shopping: tuxedo rental, wedding gown rental, and marriage venue all rolled into one.

Although the rising popularity of gowns for rent is a growing phenomenon couples need to look at the other aspect. Rental dress mostly comes in standard sizes so there is much the likelihood that may not fit you well. Some rental services offers modifications but with additional charges. You may have to settle on a dress that is alright, rather than having the experience of wearing your dream wedding gown.

Not every bride will be joyous with that. One of the few other things that a couple considers before renting a gown is the condition of the wedding dress. It will not be emblem new when it comes to you, so there is always the possibility that it may not be flawless. Furthermore there is always a thought in your in brain that you must return the wedding gown in the condition in which you had received it. If somebody spills a glass of red wine on your gown, you will end up paying extra amount.

Don’t overlook the sentimental facets of marriage gowns either. For many brides, their marriage gowns, bridal jewelry sets and veils become cherished mementos from their weddings; would it make you miserable not to have your bridal gown to someday pass down to your female child? The rising popularity of gowns for rent can be a very practical reason for most but, obviously it is not a good idea for every bride.

Filed Under: Tips Tagged With: Clothes, Clothing

3 Money Wasting Wardrobe Items I Refuse to Buy!

March 7, 2013 by Ashley 7 Comments

Let’s be honest. Nobody likes to throw their money out the window during the best of times. With the uncertain economy that we have now it’s even more important to pinch every penny and stretch every dollar. I’m going to share with you three clothing items that I think waste your hard earned money.

I’m not a fashion expert, however, I am someone that likes to look nice when I’m out of the house interacting with others. Sweatpants and hoodies won’t always do! {Check out our How to Wear a Hoodie article}

Here are three of my biggest historical money wasters:

Cheap shoes.

Any of these I’ve ever purchased have lost their comfort way faster than I found acceptable. I use to think that rotating through them to transfer my discomfort was a smart idea. Yes, I never got blisters that way but my feet were constantly uncomfortable. It might have been a sore heel one day and then a cramped toe the next. It wasn’t worth it! When I met my husband I found someone who spends as much money as me on his wardrobe but he has a significantly smaller selection. While I’m not ready to minimize as much as he has, I have learned from him. I’ve found that investing in two good pair of comfortable shoes a year, shoes that will last, is worth more to me than 30 pair that I can’t wear two consecutive days.

White bras.

Ugggh, how I hate these! They easily stain under shirts of a different color, they aren’t discreet under a white shirt, and well, I just don’t think they are very exciting. I like fun colors but if I’m wearing something light in color or a white shirt, I’ll go with a flesh tone bra that can’t be detected. Avoiding white bras saves me from being immodest, spending my Saturdays trying to get unwanted dye out of them, and I get to add a little bit of color to my day.

Way too cheap T-shirts.

I’ve fallen into this trap multiple times! Never, ever, ever, ever buy a shirt that is under $5 at a non-sale price. I’ve bought shirts for $1 that have lasted me 10 years (and counting!) but they were originally $30. Every shirt I’ve bought for $5 and under has made it’s way to the trash can within a few weeks. They don’t even hold up well enough to donate! Don’t get me wrong, thirty dollar T-shirts aren’t in my budget either but that’s why I know where the clearance racks are at my favorite stores and what day of the week they mark new items down. The fading, stretching, pilling, and loosening of seams isn’t worth it to me to buy the cheap shirts.

There you have it. Those are my top three money wasting wardrobe purchases that I refuse to buy any longer. Do you have any other items you would like to add to the list? I would love for you to share! We’re all trying to save money during these tough economic times and I would love to hear what ideas you have for shopping and saving!