Talk to the Hand

Are you a die-hard online shopper? If so, talk to the hand, the Invisible Hand, that is. Hee hee. In their words, this funky (and free) little desktop application provides 'a discreet notification when the product you're browsing (ie Frye Jane Boots) can be bought for a lower price elsewhere." Oh, and if that isn't enough, it also gives you a link to said location. While right now it does seem best suited for electronics and things of that nature, the list of over 55 retailers that it searches does include Overstock.com and Amazon, where I recently found a shiny new pair of all-time favorite, and nearly impossible to replace shoes.

I'm going to load it up and report back with more ...

My Favorite Formulas

I am a working woman with two little kids. I'm not going to get into the whole "working mom / stay at home mom" crapola because its just that - crap. I'm very lucky in that the 'working' part does not require me to do the whole business dress thing (at least not often) but I do have to leave my house / go to the office. And, whether I'm going to the office or to the park, I want to look pulled together and want to be able to pull it together in about 5 minutes flat. It doesn't always happen.

That said, the incredibly stylish and thoughtful Angie at youlookfab.com often provides inspiration and assistance. She does this for women in all sorts of roles, not just those that frequently involve wearing someone else's yogurt crust on your sweater. I recently stumbled across her "10 casual outfit formulas for the mom on the go" and think she breaks it down really well (and take note, yoga pants are not anywhere on the list). So if you're wondering what to do for fall, or feeling like you're in a rut, check out these ideas and try a few on for size. You might be pleasantly surprised.

*Apology - my previous Garanimals headline was inadvertantly borrowed from another blogger... it sounded cute for a reason, I just couldn't figure out why, and then I remembered. My bad.

'Tis Better to Give

If any of you are still in the throes ot back-to-school shopping, or thinking that this might be a good time to do a little fall shopping for yourself (or score a few end of the season deals for next year) now IS a good time to do it, thanks to Gap's annual "Give and Get" program. Starting tomorrow, the 26th and continuing through Sunday the 29th, you can get 30% off at all Gap and Gap-affiliated stores and websites, including my two favorites: Athleta and Piper Lime.com . AND this also includes Gap outlets, like our very own 518 outlet in Rotterdam. School shoes? End-of-season bathing suit deals at Athleta? Check. Check. Helping those less fortunate and doing good with your dough? Checkkity check check check.

Here's the cool part - for every purchase you make using the Give and Get coupon, Gap will donate 5% to charity. The coupon that I have (and am sharing )benefits the Global Fund, whose mission is to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria in developing countries. Seriously badass.

Here's the rub - use this link for the in-store coupon and e-mail me at upstateandpersonal@gmail.com if you need a copy of the coupon that can be used online.

Cosmetic Intervention

I now need two hands to count the number of people who, in the last month or so, have told me that I look tired. This is not a good thing. I think I'd rather hear someone tell me that I've pudged out a bit ... its probably easier to lose 5 lbs than it is for a working mother of two kids under 5 to look anything other than tired. So last week, I did the most logical thing I could think of: I hauled my tired self to the makeup counter (the kind and wonderfully talented Kyle at Circles to be exact) for a little cosmetic intervention.

Part of my issue is that because I am so pale, the skin under my eyes is nearly translucent, so I often look like I've taken two good pops square in the eyes. Undereye concealer is a dear dear friend of mine and after chatting with Kyle about what I thought I needed, she steered me to one I hadn't used before: Smashbox Camera Ready concealer stick. A good swipe under my peepers and one on my similarly translucent and purply eyelids and I was good to go.

I'm a big fan of leaving stuff like this to the pros. Not because I really think that boutique makeup is fundamentally better than drugstore brands, I don't (its not). Rather, this 10 minute trip saved me a fair amount of trial and error with products and colors that I can't open up, try on and wear around to see if they really work. And after all, wouldn't all that experimentation and possible returning make me even more tired? I rest my case.

Taste Test

Fall is just around the corner and with its arrival comes the chance to wear more clothing... layers, pants and jackets, oh my!!!! Summer is fine and all but for this pale chick who shuns the sun and has never been tan in her life, Fall is where its at. Wow, that's terrible grammar!

So, to get you excited for fall fashion and and the endless possibilities, here's a quick test compliments of SheFinds.com. In my opinion, jackets are a wardrobe essential and worth the investment (if they're well cut and interesting). That said, once in a while there's a great, affordable jacket available, that's worth far more than the selling price. Take a look at this little quiz .... can YOU tell which super cute fall jacket is Anthropologie and which is Old Navy (and thus, a fraction of the bloated Anthro. price?). I got it right but not without some serious studying and back and forth. How did you do?

Hot Mama

Its not every day that I see someone on the street in an outfit that I just love. Sure I see plenty of people that look good but its usually not because they're in something that I would love for me, but it happened this weekend. I was picking up lunch when I noticed a woman who was literally on her way home after just having a baby, as in wristbands still on, tiny baby in tow, the works. I'll be the first to admit that I looked like complete ass after giving birth... sort of like I'd just been through a war, and lost. Like a busted, bloated Odysseus stumbling home after G0d knows how long on the road. This woman, on the other hand, looked great, even sparkly, and it had nothing to do with her size or weight (she still looked very pregnant, swollen ankles, etc). Dressed in black leggings, tank with an adorable flowy, gauzy vest with a silk ruffle trim along the sides / bottom, I almost wanted to say something to her, and then thought better of it for fear of making her cry or think I was crazy.

Then today, while trying to squeeze in some school shopping after work for my kid, I stumbled upon her very cute cardigan / vest thing at H&M, in 3 fabulous colors, for $17.99. I nabbed it in a light dove gray and yes, I will pair it with with black leggings and tank, just like the lunch-getting, dazed, brand-spanking-new mom did. And I'll just hope that I look half as good in the outfit as she did.

**Note, I can't find an image of the actual H&M piece so the one above is just representative, but no where near as cute. Not even close.