I live in jeans. They are comfortable and they are great for covering up all the messes that are part of everyday life. My kids have taken after me and they’ve all discovered that wiping their hands on jeans is MUCH easier than looking for a hand towel.

The only negative thing about jeans is that it can be nearly impossible to find a great fit, especially for kids. I’m not growing any more (at least that’s the plan) but my kids outgrow clothes at a ridiculous speed so I have to constantly figure out what size actually fits them at the moment.

Levi’s is an old favorite and they’ve come out with a new line of jeans, called Denzien, offered exclusively at Target, that’s designed to give anyone a great fit . I doubted them. I’ve had bad luck with jeans and I have an 8 year old who could not possibly get any skinnier (I can nearly wrap my hands all the way around his waist).

Don’t get me wrong, I thought the IDEA of the perfect fit was great, but I didn’t think it could be done. So when I was offered the chance to try out of a pair of the new Denizen jeans from Levi, I ordered a size 7 skinny for my 8 year old. Why? Because I ALWAYS order a size 7 for my 8 year old. The few times I’ve bought a size 8, I can just about fit 2 of him in them and they are usually too long, despite the fact that my son is fairly tall. I just figured he was a size 7 kind of kid at the moment.

Not long after that, a pair of Denizen jeans for kids, size 7 skinny, showed up on my doorstep. The material was extremely soft denim while still feeling sturdy enough to hold up to my boys and it had a good stretch too it. The jeans had a nice weathered look which made them stylish and versatile enough to go with just about anything.

Then my son tried them on. The size 7 jeans did not fit my 8 year old. I was shocked, but extremely impressed because he’s never, ever, been able to fit into a size 8 pair of jeans, at least not without a belt and some serious rolling. Most of the time I have to buy a size 7 and know that he’s going to outgrow the length fairly soon or buy a size 8 and then he has to wear a belt or risk his pants falling down. I should have believed the hype because a size 8 skinny would have been perfect for him. A size 7 tall (which Denizen also makes) probably would have done as well.

We bought a pair of regular Levi jeans at Costco a few weeks earlier in the “skinny” style hoping they would fit and they were still huge so the Denizen jeans are definitely not cut the same as your standard Levi’s. I’ll be making a trip to Target next time my son outgrows his jeans. As it is, I have a pile of jeans I need to return to various stores because I had to buy a huge assortment of pants in order to find anything that fit.

As an experiment, I had my 6 year old who has a much larger build than his brother try on the jeans. He usually runs a size larger and can wear my 8 year old’s shirts so he’s about the size of an average 7 year old. The Denizen jeans fit him perfectly. The length was right and with a quick fix on the adjustable waistband that no kids jeans should be without the waist size was perfect as well.

The verdict? I should have believed them when they told me how great the fit was. Denizen jeans are great quality and I always love Target’s pricing. You can get a pair of kids jeans for under $20 at full price. 

Knowing how to dress after you emerge from the first few weeks of motherhood and reenter the world of the living can be tricky, you may have counted on wearing your old clothes but for most of us that isn’t going to happen for a few months.

I was counting on wearing my pre baby clothes after the baby was born and was devastated when nothing in my closet fit after my first son was born. So I went through and donated all my clothes and went on a shopping spree to create a whole new wardrobe. There were a few problems with this: it cost a fortune, I didn’t know how to camouflage my baby pouch, and a few months later I went back to my pre baby size and had to buy all new clothes again.

Here are some things I learned that helped me out immensely the second time around.

1. Headband

Invest in a couple fun headbands, this will be good in the delivery room when everyone wants to take pictures and to throw on your hair when you are running out the door in the morning.

2. Sparkly Stud Earrings

Get a pair of studs that sparkle and no one will notice that you didn’t have time to throw on makeup that day.

3. Blazer

A blazer instantly gives any outfit a polished look, a pair of jeans and a plain t-shirt look crisp and put together when you throw on a blazer.

4. Jeans

Don’t try to fit into your old jeans and create the muffin top; it will only make you look bigger. Go to Target and get a couple pairs of jeans to wear until you drop the rest of the baby weight. Another option is to use the bella band to wear the maternity jeans for the first few weeks after your baby is born.

5. Wide Belt

The best way to make yourself look skinnier is to define your waist. Add a wide belt to a tunic top or dress to define your waist.

6. Necklace

A statement necklace or scarf will draw attention up and away from your stomach.

7. Basic Tee

Don’t spend a lot of money buying new tops that will just end up covered in spit up, instead buy some basic tees that you can dress up with various accessories.

8. Tanks

Go out and buy some tank tops that you can wear under your clothes, they are great for sucking in your tummy and perfect for the breastfeeding mom so she isn’t baring all when lifting up her shirt to nurse.

Jessica Jones writes for several channels on SheKnows.com and mom to 2 adorable boys.

It’s that time of year: the weather is getting bitter cold and everyone is grabbing their hats, scarves and mittens. I have to say that nothing is cuter than a baby in a winter hat. In fact, buying winter accessories for my five month old is becoming a dangerous addiction.

If you are searching for the perfect winter hat for your tot, then you’ll love our list of this season’s most adorable winter hats for kids.

Lion Hat

Your baby’s hat will be the mane attraction with this knitted Lion Hat. With a precious lion face, appliquéd ears, and lots of fringe, this hat is perfect for both boys and girls.  Available: Baby Gap, $15

Glacier Fleece Hat

You can’t beat the price on this little stylish number. Perfect for those extra cold days, this hat features straps that close underneath the chin so it stays put. We also love the zany tassels.  Available: The Children’s Place, $5

Faux Fur Earlap Hat

Attention snowaholics! This comfy number is a must-have for those little munchkins that are planning to spend a lot of time outdoors this winter.  Trimmed with faux fur and microfleece lining, just pair the hat with khaki pants and a flannel shirt for the ultimate ski cabin look.  Available: Gymboree, $12

Hoot Hat

Children sometimes dread getting hand-knitted hats from relatives; hats they would never want to wear in a million years. Hoot Hats solves that problem with these delightful and way-too cute caps. Constructed from old sweaters, blankets and other knitted goods, these spunky hats will surely be a hit. Available: Etsy, $25

Ralph Lauren Striped Cotton Hat

For your budding fashionista, pick up the Ralph Lauren’s Striped Cotton Hat. This preppy fashion statement features a classic design and popcorn-knit earflaps.  We love the purple and grey combination, but the hat also comes in pink/white and black/white. Available: Ralph Lauren, $23

Handmade Batman Hat

Now your mini superhero can dress up beyond Halloween. This handmade hat is cozy enough for cold temperatures but stylish enough to sport your super powers all winter long. Though the price tag may be a bit on the expensive side, the cute factor is enormous. Available: Estella, $42

Skull Pom Pom Hat

This hat is ideal for that rock star-in-training. Mixing the softness of pom poms with the edginess of skull and crossbones, audiences will be cheering for more. There are three different colors to choose from: Turquoise/Black, Red/Black, Pink/Black.  Available: My Baby Rocks, $14

*Green Monster Hat pictured above purchased from The Children’s Place

Congratulations to Kristi C, the winner of the Eleven Shoes giveaway!

Eleven shoes are well loved by parents for their durability and functional styling. Eleven’s Fall/Winter 2009 collection brings back a few classic favorites that are perfect for holiday photos or parties. My kids have several pairs of Eleven shoes and they always get compliments on them whenever they wear them. The classic styling is timeless and makes Eleven shoes perfect for dressing up or dressing down during the holiday season.

Velcro Closures

The convenient Velcro closures on all Eleven shoes has always been one of my favorite features. Any parent who has ever wrestled with tight fitting children’s shoes or retied shoe laces 100 times will love the wide opening on Eleven shoes and the stylish Velcro closure that makes them so fast to put on. When you are already wrestling with kids, you definitely don’t need to be messing with difficult shoes.

Finn Shoes by Eleven

My 6 year old had the opportunity to try a pair of Finn shoes from Eleven. He is typically not a fan of solid color shoes, especially ones that don’t have any red at all on them, but even he was won over by the simple style of the Finn shoes. My son has worn his Finn shoes to dress up jeans and a t-shirt and with dress pants and a button up shirt and they add a wonderful touch to both looks.

These shoes are wonderful for holiday travel because they really can play double duty as dress shoes and casual shoes. The comfortable fit and durable suede makes this pair a favorite for kids and parents alike.

Great Kids Shoes for the Holidays

As the mother of all boys, I drool over pink things from time to time. Eleven has some fantastic shoe choices for little girls for the holiday season. The red accented chocolate suede Mary Jane Katinas would be a beautiful addition to nearly any holiday dress and the simple slip on styling gives you one less thing to worry about during the busy holiday season. If you want a dressy look that goes with just about anything, the Sylvie style with silver accent flowers would be perfect. Eleven shoes have no break in period so kids don’t have to suffer through holiday gatherings or events in stiff new shoes.

Holiday Deals from Eleven

Eleven has some fantastic deals going on right now, just in time for the holiday season. Most of their shoes are on sale for $40.00, which is a great deal when you consider how well these shoes stand up to kid abuse.

Enter to Win

Win your choice of Eleven Shoes (that are available in stock) This giveaway is open to the U.S.  and will end on December 11, 2009.

Enter the giveaway by commenting on this post about your favorite style of Eleven Shoes.

Please see our site’s Terms and Conditions for a complete list of our contest and giveaway rules.

In compliance with the new FTC Guild lines, please note that this is a sponsored post.  I was given a pair of Eleven shoes to test and review free of charge.  However, I was not paid for the review and the opinions are my own.

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When I received the invitation to the Nordstrom’s Bra Fitting Night, I was skeptical and thought I didn’t need a new bra and I definitely didn’t need to learn what size I wore because I always shopped the best brands. Not only was I wrong on my size but the quality of Nordstrom’s bras are amazing. With the Nordstrom’s bra I felt an immediate lift and support I didn’t have with my other bras. Also I loved the way it fit snug but not too tight. I purchased a bra and plan to purchase several more. I recommend Nordstrom’s for your next bra especially because you are fit by a specialist and it is FREE! Also, For every bra purchased Nordstrom’s donates to Breast Cancer Awareness!

Things I learned at the Nordstrom’s Bra Fitting Night

Bra Fit – The perfect fitting bra should fit you on the loosest hook of the band. When the spandex gets lose over time, or the straps start to slip off the shoulders, you can compensate by tightening to the next tightest hook. If you find a bra that fits at the tightest hook, then go down a band size (36 to 34) and up a cup size (B to C). (By the way, Nordstrom’s is the only place that I have ever seen that carries a 30! Halleluiah!) If your bra rises up in back or bows up on your back then you need a tighter band. To look proportional and supported, your breasts should be halfway between your shoulder and your elbow. Your new bra may feel tighter than you’re used to, but the right fit is the most important thing when it comes to keeping everything in the right place and looking our best!

Bra Size – Eight of ten women wear the wrong bra size! The biggest mistake women make in choosing a bra size – they get a bigger band than is needed. 90% of the support that your bra gives you is through the fit of the band!

Bra Wardrobe – It is best to have a minimum of 3 bras for these purposes: 1) One that is being worn 2) the 2nd to be washed 3) the 3rd one to rest– each bra should rest between wearing 24 hours.

Basic Color – Nude. One that is skin tone, or a pale nude color/ivory. The reasons is white bras take in the color of the shirts that you wear, and start to look dingy and old from the dark fabrics that rub up on them. Also, a nude color bra doesn’t shine through your clothes as easily, providing a white shadow under your clothing.

Additional Colors – The 3 colors that are suggested to begin a “Bra Wardrobe” with are 1) Nude 2) White and then 3) Dark colors (i.e. black)

Resting Time – Bras are made out of spandex and spandex takes a full 24 hours to rest between wearing to return to its original size and state. Not wearing the same bra daily will make the bra last much longer and you are getting a better return for your money!

Washing – For a bra to last longer 1) use a mild detergent/lingerie soap. 2) Some bras can be machine washed, be sure to put it inside a lingerie wash bag and wash in cold water on the delicate cycle without bleach. Never put bras in the dryer. Dry on a flat surface or hanging so it doesn’t create any drag lines in the bras contour. Typically bras need to be washed after every 2 wears, as the body oil damages the fabric.

Storing – When storing your bras at home, make sure to keep them in a place that the cups and form will not get damaged, like a flat surface of a drawer or a hook as long as there are no stretch lines or creases created when hanging. It is better to prevent the creases instead of trying to solve the problem. If your bra does get a crease, you can try to steam it out, although it may not remove it completely.

Traveling – When traveling, pad your bras with light weight underclothing in and around the cups to ensure that they will not get smashed or damaged by the shifting weight of your luggage.

For more information go to Nordstrom.com or go to your local Nordstrom’s for a free consultation and fitting

I treasure my sleep and the pleasure of feeling comfortable while doing so.  I like my pillow a certain way, prefer a specific set of sheets and also consider my night time attire before falling asleep each night.  This is why I am so excited about my latest addition to my night time routine.  I started wearing a loungewear set from Maggie’s Organics and I love them. I am wearing the Live, Laugh, Love loungewear set in with plum bottoms and cream top.  They are very comfortable, the color is vibrant and the cotton is so soft.  This surprised me when I read the information that I was wearing certified organic cotton.  I have been hearing about organic cotton for years but have never bought something because it was made with organic cotton.

The company’s concept is to provide a product that is made with certified organic cotton or wool with the type of quality that will make people remember Maggie’s Organics.  The product line includes shirts, loungewear, socks, tights, scarves and 2 adorable stuff animals.  They recently launched a new addition to the sock monkey family and it is a penguin.  The stuffed animals are made from mill scraps and irregular socks from Maggie’s Organic line.  They turn extras into a wonderful toy and the eyes are even embroidered so little ones of all ages can enjoy these friends.

Maggie’s Organics also cares about the people that supply them with products and   carefully choose partners that reside in countries where labor laws enforced.  They are also globally conscious and develop products around that philosophy and take it to heart.

Back to the loungewear that I have been wearing, it is so comfortable and I could where it around the house daily.  The prices are very reasonable and right now items are on sale at prices worth scoping out.  The set came tied up in a natural color cotton ribbon that made me feel like I just received a treat for myself – and I did.  I am new to companies that give back and care about their products and I find that Maggie’s Organics is a company that I can be proud to buy products from.