Archive for the ‘Fashion and Shopping’ Category

Glasses USA Eyeglasses Review & Discounts

12-30-2011 ** Categories: Fashion and Shopping, Health and Beauty / Tags:

GlassesUSA.com review GlassesUSA.com review GlassesUSA.com review

I know firsthand that when you’re on a tight budget, contacts or new prescription glasses can easily be pushed to the bottom of your necessities list. It’s easy to make do with that old pair of beater glasses, even if they are an older prescription or just plain ugly. Buying glasses from your doctor’s office can be super expensive and the selection is often small and outdated. Luckily, GlassesUSA.com offers affordable eyewear with just a click. Glasses USA understands that seeing properly shouldn’t be a luxury.

I received a pair of eyeglasses to review and I am very happy with them! The site offered many options to choose from and even has a “Try on” feature that allows you to see how each pair will look on your face, helping you buy glasses online with confidence. The virtual try-on was very helpful and is ultimately how I based my decision of which frames to select. I love that this pair has just enough vintage flair to keep me looking stylish no matter what I’m wearing. For just $10 extra you can add on a protective lens coating, and they offer prescription sunglasses as well. Typing in my prescription and checking out was a breeze and standard delivery was very quick.

Along with high quality frames and lenses, Glasses USA offers a 110% lowest price guarantee and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. They also have a refer-a-friend program which allows you to earn $30 for each referral’s first purchase, and they offer exclusive discounts via Facebook and Twitter.

Current specials: Take 30% off any pair of eyeglasses and get free US shipping with the code Holiday11. You can also get 10% off of any order using the code Blog10. Happy shopping!

Thrift shops and charities to avoid this season (and year-round)

12-19-2011 ** Categories: Fashion and Shopping, Lifestyle and Money, Local - Portlandia / Tags:

If you are local to Portland, you may have seen this post on Portland Rescue Mission last year. My first car was actually purchased through Portland Rescue Mission and it shocked and saddened me to read that they discriminate against gay people.

Today I came across this post, which bummed me out even more. As you know, I used to LOVE Salvation Army. Despite the giant cross on the wall, I liked to shop there. We attended a new store’s grand opening recently. I’ve found great stuff there. But le sigh, I am not going to be shopping there anymore.

The Salvation Army has a history of active discrimination against gays and lesbians. While you might think you’re helping the hungry and homeless by Thumbnail image for Why you shouldn’t give to the Salvation Armydropping a few dollars in the bright red buckets, not everyone can share in the donations. Many LGBT people are rejected by the evangelical church charity because they’re “sexually impure.”

The organization also has a record of actively lobbying governments worldwide for anti-gay policies – including an attempt to make consensual gay sex illegal. (Yes, you’re paying lobbyists with those donations.)

Read the full thing here.

Whether you are an avid thrifter like me or have thrown some change to their bell-ringers, please don’t support this awful ‘charity’. Despite raising prices, Goodwill does not discriminate. Value Village has no mention of religion on their website and are generally my favorite chain thrift store. Deseret Industries is affiliated with the LDS church but I haven’t found any mention of discrimination. If you have information that I have left out or more stores to suggest, please leave it in the comments!

Online shopping sites with holiday shipping

12-01-2011 ** Categories: Baby, Fashion and Shopping / Tags: ,

Otera Scarves at MyHabit

I love online discount sites and scour through emails of new sales daily, but the downside to those sites is typically the shipping. If you are planning to do your holiday shopping online, sites like Beyond the Rack and MyHabit are perfect for steeply discounted brand name gifts, but shop now. Most of these sites now have shipping dates noted per item – Zulily marks items that are guaranteed to arrive by Christmas with a snowflake – but time is running out on these great deals.

Smart Gear Balance Bikes on Zulily

This Smart Balance Bike is currently for sale on Zulily for $49.99, originally $90. (I can’t wait to get Sebastian one of these!)

Paramour Chapel Candle on Gilt

Right now Gilt Groupe is rocking out Kate Spade and William Rast among other brands. Their collection of vintage home items includes beautiful candles & framed old maps that would make great gifts.

Billion Dollar Babes is now offering blowout deals via section – Shop Kids, Home, Denim, and more.

This is not a paid post but I do receive a small amount of store credit with these sites if you make a purchase using my link – So get shopping! :)

Harijuku Mini now in Target Stores

11-15-2011 ** Categories: Baby, Fashion and Shopping / Tags:

Harijuku Mini signage

Gwen Stefani’s brand new infant and toddler line, Harijuku Mini, hit Target stores on the 13th and will available online shortly. We headed out Sunday morning to check out the items in person and were impressed with the collection! Unfortunately, the store we visited hadn’t received as many little boy as girl items.  The items they did carry were wicked cute, however, and I managed to snap a few photos with my dying camera.

Harijuku Mini onesie

Harijuku Mini tutus

Harijuku Mini dresses

Harijuku Mini jackets

Sebastian trying on a Harijuku Mini blazer

Last pic is Bas trying on a basic blazer from the collection, $20.

Overall I think the line is really cute and the prices are great for it being a Gwen collab. I would have liked to see more boy stuff but the lack may have just been the store I visited. We have one pair of Japanese-style monkey pants but they just barely fit and I’d love these panda ones (below).

Harijuku Mini Monkey Pants

You can check out photos from the Harijuku Mini launch, which includes her own boys, Kingston and Zuma, modeling the clothes. Go boy moms!