A NIGHT OF INDULGING!

Talk about a night of fun!!!  Well that's what this mama got to enjoy a couple of weeks ago for an event called "Indulge" at The Mills at Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

 I got a fabulous invitation by the stylish and adorable Corine from Complicated Mama to join her and Sheila from Pieces of a Mom to a "Moms Night Out" filled with shopping, drinks and food.  I was in heaven!!!

The Mills at Jersey Gardens was recently taken over by Simon (who happens to own beautiful malls all over the country) and got a face lift that is worth checking out!  The Mills at Jersey Gardens is New Jersey's largest outlet mall with more than 200 stores, including some of my favorites like Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Neiman Marcus Last Call and Century 21 to name a few!

This was my first time meeting Corine and Sheila, and the three of us hit it off and became instant shopping buddies, running all over The Mills at Jersey Gardens to see what great stores were there.  We were all wowed by the incredible deals, and endless supply of gorgeous stuff, and we were in and out of dressing rooms all night.  It was so much fun trying on sunglasses, shoes and handbags (and getting to do it without the kiddos in tow was even better)!!!

I left with some great pieces like this Rebecca Minkoff tote, Chloe sunglasses, Steve Madden sneakers for me and Penguin sneakers for my hubby...all for way under what you would pay in retail stores!  

The Mills at Jersey Gardens is an absolute shopper's paradise!  Remember you only pay 3.5% sales tax...so what are you waiting for?  Check out The Mills at Jersey Gardens today...chances are, I'll probably run into you there!! ;-)

FASHION FRIDAY: CAMO

When camouflage came back in style this fall, I wasn't 100% sure I wanted to get on board with it- I don't think it's a style that looks good on everyone- me included!  But, when I saw this vest at Forever 21, I completely changed my mind.  I love the non-traditional black and white color of it, plus it is heavy and warm and of a really good quality.  I often layer it under my winter coat when I walk the dog on cold days and it really helps to keep me toasty!  Here, I put it over a dress that I bought when I traveled to Iceland (read more about that here) and thought that the bag and necklace really helped pull it all together.  By the way, when we took these pictures it was starting to snow (hence the white stuff in my hair- it's not dandruff- lol! :-)

Vest: Forever 21

Dress: RYK Boutique in Iceland (read about it here)

Leggings: LOFT

Boots: UGG (old similar here)

Bag: GAP (old similar here)

Earrings: Stella & Dot

Necklace: Stella & Dot

FAUX FUR AND REAL GOOD CYBER MONDAY DEALS

I rarely dress in neutral and brown tones, and instead usually always gravitate toward black or bright colors.  But, here I tried something out of my comfort zone to see how it worked.  I figured a blouse with jeans needed a little extra pop...and this faux fur vest was the answer.  It's warm and cozy, yet chic...perfect piece to have in your closet for fall!

Top: Old Navy (similar here)

Vest: Nordstrom (similar here)

Jeans: LOFT

Shoes: Coach (similar here)

Bag: Longchamp (similar here)

Sunglasses: Marc Jacobs (similar here)

Necklace: Sira & Mara (on sale!)

Bracelets: Stella & Dot 1, 2

Ring: Stella & Dot

HERE ARE SOME AMAZING CYBER MONDAY DEALS! HAPPY ONLINE SHOPPING!

Ann Taylor: 50% off everything with code SHOP50
Anthropologie: Free shipping on all orders
Asos:30% off everything with code GIMMEMORE
Banana Republic:40% off with code CYBER
Gap: 40% off with code CYBER
JCrew: 30% off and free shipping with code MONDAY
JCrew Factory: 50% off everything and free shipping with code GOSHOP
LOFT: 50% off everything with code CYBER50
Nordstrom: up to 33% off select merchandise 
Piperlime:30% off with code CYBER

FASHION FRIDAY: BLACK FRIDAY PATTERN MIXING

Happy Black Friday!  I'm not brave enough with two kids to want to head out to the stores to shop today.  Instead, I'm doing a little online shopping and hosting Thanksgiving at my house, and this is what I'm wearing.  I decided to do a little pattern mixing!  I think when pattern mixing is done right it can look so cool!  To be completely honest, I have definitely had a few "oops that didn't work" moments with mixing, but I think this one worked out okay.  By the way, I'm wearing quite a lot of Stella & Dot jewels!  Stella & Dot is having a great Black Friday sale which runs through Sunday...tons of beautiful stuff already on sale is an additional 25% off!  Shop my link here and remember to also come check out my stuff at the Asbury Park Winter Fresh Pop Up Show tomorrow!

Turtleneck: H&M (similar here)

Jacket: South Moon Under (similar here and here)

Pants: Old Navy

Shoes: Coach (similar here)

Bag: DVF

Necklaces: Stella & Dot 1, 2, 3

Bracelet: Stella & Dot (on sale here!)

TRAVEL INSPIRED JEWELRY

I love to buy local jewelry when I jet set to different locations. It's fun to have something that you don't often see at home and it's a great way to remember where you've been. Well, I just heard about a jewelry designer named Vanessa Arizaga who shares the same passion I do for jet setting and jewelry, but takes it a step further by designing necklaces and bracelets with pieces that she buys when she travels around the world. Vanessa Arizaga will find different and interesting charms on her travels (from Peru to Mexico) and will then weave them with colorful threads and chains to create her one-of-a-kind jewelry line. Her prices range from $55 to $395. Happy shopping!

FASHION FRIDAY: FALLING FOR THE FANNY

Back in the day, fanny packs were all the rage. I'll even break down and admit that I sported a few at one time myself. Then there was a phase where you wouldn't be caught dead with a fanny pack on. Now, like all things do, the fanny has come full circle and is acceptable to wear again thanks to better styles and the fact that high end brands even carry them.

I told you that I am getting ready to jet set somewhere cold soon, where we'll be doing a little bit of hiking. My friend is coming with us and told me that she bought a fanny the other day to hold her camera, sunglasses and other stuff when we hike...and that peaked my interest again in the fanny bag. I did a little bit of shopping around and I want to share with you what I found. I haven't bought anything yet...so I was hoping you could tell me which one you think I should get. Or, maybe I'm just getting old and so my tastes are changing...so if you think that it's horrendously ugly and not worth the purchase...feel free to let me know that too! :-)

1- Shiny Denim Fanny Pack from American Apparel: Price $17
2- Patagonia Hip Pack from Zappos: Price $46 3- Belt Bag by Gucci (I had to throw this in there...I've been wanting one forever!): Price $525

4- LeSportSac Double Zip Belt Bag: Price $54 5- The North Face Sport Hiker Waist Pack at EMS: Price $69

FASHION FRIDAY: VERSATILE VESTS

Fall is the perfect time to wear a vest...and I absolutely love that. Vests are great to throw on and wear as your only outerwear, or they are also great to layer underneath your coat. I am getting ready to jet set to a cold destination pretty soon and so I have been shopping around for the appropriate things to pack. Here are some of the vests that I have my eye on...

The Gap has this great Puffer Vest for only $59.50. It comes in black, off white, brown, navy, or my favorite one...fushia! It has pockets and a detachable hood as well.

If you want to splurge a bit more, JCrew has this Sherpa Puffer Vest for $118. It comes in brown, sage, grey, navy, ivory, and peach. The reasons why I really like this vest (even though it's more expensive) are that it's goosedown filled so it's really warm, it's also lined with fleece which makes it warmer and comfy, and lastly because it hits low at the hip. This vest does not have a hood.For something a little different, but still cute, Forever 21 has this Toggle Fleece Vest for $27.80. It only comes in this dary grey and cream color, but it's lined with fleece so it's comfortable and will help keep you warm.

RED BANK IS A "MONEY" FIND

What used to be a port where steamboats would bring commuters to and from Manhattan in the 1800's is now a place that is still attracting Manhattanites hundreds of years later...Red Bank, New Jersey! Now much more easily accessible (NJ Transit or about an hour car ride from the Lincoln Tunnel), Red Bank is definitely worth jet setting to and checking out. Located on the Navesink River there is a "Bohemian" and quiet town feeling here...but, don't think that means there isn't much going on in this town. Red Bank has many parks, restaurants, boutiques, antique shops, designer clothing and home stores...and there's even a Tiffany&Co! The town is very easy to navigate on foot. The main area where things are located are on Monmouth, Broad and Front Streets. My family and I decided to check out the town of Red Bank on Sunday (the same day as a wonderful Street Fair was happening), and were really happy with what we discovered:

We had lunch at Buona Sera- an Italian restaurant on Maple Avenue with delicious antipastos, pastas, and entrees.

Then we checked out three great clothing stores: Rok and Lola- a women's and men's clothing store on Broad Street with the same flair as clothing stores in NYC's Soho. They have great leggings, jeans, tunics, t-shirts, fun handbags, and even a vintage section. Another great find was I C Gold Boutique on Front Street- a store after my own heart! It has trendy clothing and accessories for the young woman "who finds fashion as her treasure"...that's me for sure! They have a lot of great tops by some of the designers the stars in L.A. are wearing.
And 4B- a store so beautiful I thought I had been transplanted to L.A.'s Robertson Boulevard and forgot I was in Jersey! And for good reason...the owner, Mimi James, is originally from California and opened this boutique to aim towards the shopper who appreciates the great fashion cities of New York and L.A. She has truly AWESOME dresses, jewelry, accessories and clothing. I got two gorgeous necklaces from this store...and can't wait to go back for more great stuff! Red Bank has so much to offer! There is another event happening this coming Sunday 09-20-09 called TASTE OF RED BANK. From 12-4p.m. you can taste great dishes from 30 Red Bank restaurants and food businesses...advance tickets are $25 for adults ($30 day of the event) & $10 for children. If you decide to check it out...we might just see you there!

{photos: RedBank.com, Rok and Lola, I C Gold Boutique, 4B}