Tag / fashion

by Kelly Mattei

My Favorite Dupe Shoes

My favorite dupe shoes…

***I receive commission from Amazon on items purchased through my links.***

This summer, I found the cutest designer dupe chunky heel slides, and they are at a great price point on Amazon! I ended up ordering five colors, but they’re offered in seven colors, and I still might go back and purchase those other two colors! Y’all know that when I find something I like, I order it in every color, because it isn’t always easy to find something I like. I have worn them all summer, and I plan to continue to wear them into fall, because they look great and they’re comfortable. The work great with pants and even dresses! I have received compliments on them every time I have worn them. Get yours today. Run, don’t walk, to your computer and order through your Amazon Prime account! Right now, Prices start at $36.98. Yes! Under $40 for some great dupes! Purchase here.

by Kelly Mattei

Epic Deal on Colorful Rolling Tote Bag

Epic deal on colorful rolling tote bag!

Y’all, this awesome tote bag from Simply Southern has spinner wheels, comes in some beautiful colors, and is less expensive than some competitors’ rolling totes! And did I mention it’s collapsible? This makes a great gift for the college student, the team mom, or just about anyone! I keep one in my car, so when I arrive home with a bunch of stuff, I can wheel it all into the house with this tote! As of writing, the turquoise and silver are priced at $64.99…a great price on an awesome gift!

  • Simply Southern Collapsible & Colorful Rolling Tote Bag – Perfect Shopping Bag on Wheels for Women, Mothers, Families, Grandmas – Bag on Wheels for Easy Transportation. I really love the pink and turquoise versions of this bag, but I like the silver and black too! Purchase any of them or all of them here!

  • But wait! There are more colors! How about orange or red? Purchase here.

  • Or maybe someone on your list would prefer a floral??? Yes, a floral! It’s glorious! See it here.
  • There’s even a color they call Rainbow, but to me, it looks like a holographic pink. It’s beautiful! Purchase here.

They’re all great! You just have to decide which color to give which recipient!

HAPPY SHOPPING!

***Sponsored ad. We receive commissions for items purchased through our Amazon links.***

by Kelly Mattei

Gifts For Women (that includes Mom)

Gifts for women (that includes Mom)

Lots of people find the women in their lives are difficult to buy for at the holidays. You’re not the only one trying to come up with gift ideas for Mom or your wife or other friends/family members. In fact, I get texts from people every day asking for help, so I’m going to throw some ideas out there. Some of them might be repeats from previous posts, but there will be some new ones in here too:

  • UGG Women’s Classic Ultra Mini Boot When I want to really relax at home and have comfortable shoes on my feet, I reach for my Uggs. I have all kinds of them…tall, short, classic, slippers…but these Classic Ultra Minis are great for me around the house. My daughter loves these too. In fact they’re on her Christmas list this year! Maybe Santa will bring them. Most of the women on your list would love this gift. It’s available in more than 20 colors. Purchase here.

  • Warmies neck wraps, eye masks, and heated slippers. You had me at “heated slippers.” They’ll actually microwavable slippers. To me, that sounds so incredible that I ordered some to put under the tree for myself! And the neck warmer? That’s always welcome. It can also be used on aching legs or even an aching back. Unlike a heating pad, you can walk around with warmies, because you aren’t attached to the wall with an electrical cord. Purchase slippers for Mom here. Purchase a microwavable neck wrap for her here. And the eye masks (heat them for relaxation or freeze them to de-puff eyes) can be purchased here.
  • Laura Geller New York Beauty Products. It’s what Mom wants! Laura Geller New York has beauty products that are made for mom! They’re current. They’re gorgeous. And they’re good for her skin! Get her the LAURA GELLER NEW YORK Jelly Balm Moisturizing Tinted Lip Color – Cocoa-Motion – Hydrating Vitamin E – Semi-Shine Finish here. It’s moisturizes her lips every time she uses it! She’ll thank you! Or maybe you’d like to get her the LAURA GELLER NEW YORK Award-Winning Baked Balance-n-Brighten To Go Travel Size Color Correcting Powder Foundation. It helps her skin while it covers little imperfections and creates a glowing finish. Find the right shade from the ones offered…it’s color correcting, and it’s not difficult to find her shade. Purchase here.
  • Drybar The Single Shot Round Blow-Dryer Brush This is a great gift for Mom! I have one that I use regularly! It gives my hair lift and body, whether I start with wet, damp, or dry hair. I love mine, and your Mom will likely love it too! Purchase here.
  • Dry Divas Shower Cap. Sounds weird, I know, but in my opinion, these are the best shower caps going. I have several of them, some of which I have had for seven years! I like them, because I have a lot of hair, and they actually cover all my hair on the days I don’t want to wash it in the shower. I have never found a better one. Plus, they’re so cute! Purchase the leopard one here and get it in time for Christmas!
  • SWOMOG Women Zipper Up Robe I know people laugh about moms getting robes for Christmas, but I love a robe. Seriously, I do. I always have. Even when I was a little girl, I liked to have a good robe to wear around the house. This one, though, is what I consider more of a “get ready robe.” When I get out of the shower, I might bundle up in a heavy robe for a few minutes, but when it’s time to do my hair and makeup, I don’t like to wrestle with a heavy robe. I put on my “get ready robe” that’s a lightweight, zip-up robe. Get one for mom here.
  • Bible Verse Jar This is a great gift for anyone. My mother would have loved this. I have one, and I sent one to my daughter in college, thinking it might help her when she is stressed or sad. It’s color coded by situation. Great gift. Get it here.
  • Credit Card Holder Wallet for Women I have one of these and get compliments on it all the time. Even my college-age daughter’s friends give me compliments on this wallet. It’s the one thing in my life that is truly organized! It also protect against credit card scanning with RFID protection. It comes in several colors. Right now, I’m carrying the green one, and my daughter has it in red. Get one for mom or any woman on your list here.
  • Kenneth Jay Lane Jewelry. Y’all, I’m just going to tell the world: I love Kenneth Jay Lane Jewelry. It’s all fake, but wow, he does a great job of making fake look good! I wear different pieces all the time, and some of them are my favorites! Any woman on your list is likely to love a Kenneth Jay Lane piece! There are lots of different price points, so you’re likely to find something in your budget that will be perfect for the women on your list. See Kenneth Jay Lane at Amazon here. Make sure you scroll all through the Kenneth Jay Lane items, as there are some that start as low as $22. I have a friend who has asked Santa for some gold polished earrings ($55) you can see here. If gems are their thing, see some great earrings for $109 here. Personally, it wouldn’t hurt my feelings to find the resin and glass earrings listed here. There are so many lovely necklaces here.

Go find something for the women on your list!

HAPPY SHOPPING!

*Sponsored ad. We receive commission on items purchased through links.

by Kelly Mattei

Warmies for Everyone On Your List

Warmies for everyone on your list.

Surely you’ve seen the commercials on TV for Warmies, weighted microwavable plush animals for kids. But did you know Warmies makes products for the whole family? I didn’t until I started to order a Warmie plush for a child and saw an ad for their slippers and neck wraps! Wow! Stay with me to learn more:

  • Warmies slippers. Who knew Warmies makes slippers that are microwavable? I’m getting some for the people on my list right now…including me! I don’t have any yet, but the reviews are great. Put them in the microwave and slip your feet into warmth when you’re tired or cold. It sounds dreamy to me, and they come in different styles. My daughter will love them too, and I’m thinking every female I know needs a pair. These are fantastic gifts for the mom/wife/girlfriend who’s difficult to buy for, and at writing, Amazon has a 10% off coupon for some styles you can use! To see the different styles, click here. Santa will be bringing me the Cozy Leopard Slippers seen here. And my daughter will get the cute gray ones you can see here.
  • Warmies wraps. I’m guessing, if you didn’t know about the slippers, you didn’t know about the neck wraps. Again…one for every member of our family. They are microwavable, making them perfectly soothing for aching shoulders or even knees, hips, or back, and they are much safer than a heating pad. You can purchase them in animal shapes (dog, sloth, bunny) or in standard wraps. It appears not all styles will arrive by Christmas, so pay attention when ordering. See the selection at warmies on Amazon here.
  • Warmies Eye Mask. Does someone on your list need extra help relaxing? These Warmies eye masks are microwavable and lavender scented for extra relaxation. OR you can stick them in the freezer and use to revive tired eyes! At only $18.99, they make a thoughtful, inexpensive gift. Purchase here.
  • Warmies large handwarmer (hamster). Y’all, these handwarming hamsters are so cute! They are oversized Warmies you stick in the microwave, and then stick your hands in them for warming. They’re great for use at home, especially when kids come in from a cold day out or a snowy outing. Purchase here.
  • Warmies weighted plush animals. Of course, they sell the often-advertised Warmies weighted plush animals that are microwavable. Kids will love them, but my college-age daughter is getting one too. To see everything Warmies offers, click here. Click around the whole page to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list!

Happy Shopping!

***We receive commission on items purchased through our links.***

by Kelly Mattei

Hot Adidas Products

Hot Adidas Products.

***Sponsored Ad*** As an Amazon affiliate, I receive commission for items purchased through my links.

Adidas has some hot products and some deals on Amazon this holiday season…something for almost everyone on your list!

  • Adidas Samba. There’s a special deal on the black Samba, a shoe that has been very popular with teens for several years. Get the deal here. Or get the popular white Samba here.

  • Adidas Adicane Slide Sandal. This is a great slide for recovery after sports endeavors, but it’s also the perfect shower shoe for college students and athletes! Get ahead of the game and gift your athlete or future college student with these for a great price! Purchase here.

  • Adidas Men’s Park Street Sneaker. If you have a man on your holiday list who loves a good street sneaker, this Adidas model is stylish and comfortable. He will welcome this gift! It’s offered in several colors. My husband wants black. Purchase here.

  • Adidas Men’s Lite Racer Adapt 7.0 Sneaker. The perfect slip-on sneaker! This is another one my husband would love. Men are all about the slip-on sneakers these days. It’s stylish, comfortable, and priced right! And it slips on!! Get it here.

  • Adidas Alphabounce. Another great slide from Adidas. Some people prefer this style post-workout, and Adidas does this right! It makes a great gift! Get it here.

These are all great gift options from Adidas, a well-regarded brand! Happy Shopping!

by Kelly Mattei

Peplum Tops for Moms

Peplum tops for moms.

I was never a faithful fan of What Not to Wear when it was on. In fact, I likely only saw two or three episodes, but I learned something. I didn’t learn a lot, but I learned that defining your waist and a v-neck can make you look slimmer, but it’s not always easy to do. Lots of clothes are big and bulky, so any time I find a cute peplum-style top with a defined waist, I buy it…in every color! If you’d like to try the “defined waist,” here are some peplum tops I have found on Amazon that I love:

  • Peplum Tie-Front Top by Grace Karin. Y’all, I love this one so much that I purchased it in every color. It’s true. The bell sleeves conceal my upper arms, and the tie-front defines the waistline, while the peplum just skims the hips. Love it! And it’s only $29.99. Click here to purchase.
  • Buttondown Drawstring Peplum Blouse. This one is offered in multiple colors. It’s a buttondown/drawstring style that accentuates the waist while hanging loosely otherwise. I love the yellow, and it’s under $23. Click here.
  • Floral Wrap Style Blouse. I’m not normally a floral girl. When I was younger, I felt like they made me look like a little girl. I’m not young anymore, so I like florals better. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t have a closet full of them, but I like these blouses, and at $33.99, they’re priced right. I like them paired with white jeans or crisp denim, but they can be dressed up for dinners out. Click here.
  • Deep V Peplum Blouse. Yes, it’s a deep V, but it’s flattering. I love this one in green, but there are lots of colors offered. The sheer fabric is forgiving, and the wide sleeves camouflage upper arms. At $18.99, I couldn’t afford to pass it up! Click here to purchase.

These are just a few peplum-style tops I highly recommend for anyone who wants a little waist definition without having to go with skin tight tops. These styles encourage more movement with less tugging. In addition to these, Amazon offers lots more peplum-style tops. Check out more by clicking here.

Happy Shopping!

by Kelly Mattei

You Look Like You’re Going to a Disco

“You look like you’re going to a disco.”

When you’re getting ready to go to a Christmas party, the last thing you want to hear your husband say is, “You look like you’re going to a disco.” OK, so I guess it could be worse. It happened recently. I was dressed and ready to go, and my husband of 21 years made that statement.

What do you think I did? No, I didn’t get mad. I didn’t cry (as if!). I didn’t pout. I laughed till tears were rolling down my face! It was funny! I took another look in the mirror and realized he was right…I did look like I was going to a disco…and I laughed some more. I actually liked the look, but it wasn’t right for a Christmas party.

Honestly, I haven’t had the disco look many times in my life. I was a teenager and went to college in the 1980s…the heyday of Laura Ashley, Gunne Sax, and gigantic clothing. Seriously, when we should have been showing off our cute figures, we were hiding them underneath gigantic clothes. I’ve written about it before here. The era had a real influence on me, I suppose. No, I don’t wear Laura Ashley or Gunne Sax in the 21st century, but I still dress pretty conservatively. Of course, now, at 54, I don’t have the figure I had at 18, 21, or even 24. Now, people are really glad they don’t see more of my skin! So no, the disco look has never been a big part of my life.

But apparently, in 2021, when I was getting ready for a Christmas party, I dressed like I was going to a disco. Are there even discos anymore? I think the only “disco” I ever went to was in Acapulco, Mexico, in 1982. I was 14, and I was allowed in, so was it really a legit disco? The tour company we were with called it a “disco,” and it had flashing lights, music, and a dance floor, but I’m not sure it would qualify. I feel pretty sure I wore a blue dress…that’s about all I remember…that, and we watched the La Quebrada Cliff Divers from a balcony/patio on the back of the disco. The cliff divers in Acapulco were popular in the 1960s and 1970s; they were even featured regularly on sports television at the time. I was familiar with them before my trip to Acapulco, because my parents always had sports on TV at our house. Acapulco is not as safe as it was back then, but you can read more about the cliff divers here.

My disco ensemble for the Christmas party in 2021 was a cute black jumpsuit with a sparkly Christmas top underneath. Maybe it was the jumpsuit. Or maybe it was the sparkles. Whatever it was, my husband was right…I looked like I was going to a disco.

If you’re wondering, after I laughed till my stomach hurt at my husband’s assessment of my party ensemble, I changed. I decided to save my disco duds for a night out on the town…or maybe just a nice dinner out. I’ll be in California soon, so I will definitely have an opportunity to wear it there. No, not to a disco…to dinner. Anything goes in LA, so no one will care if I look like I’m going to a disco. Well, my daughter, who will be with me, might care, but she won’t have the final word.

Maybe I’ll play some Disco Duck by Rick Dees in the hotel room while I’m getting dressed. I learned last week that Rick Dees and I have a mutual friend! Who knew?! I bet he would appreciate my disco duds.

***To see a 1976 video of Rick Dees performing Disco Duck, click here.***

by Kelly Mattei

Compliments? From a Teenage Daughter?

Compliments? From a teenage daughter?

In March, I took my daughter and a couple of friends to Miami for Spring Break. They were juniors in high school, and they were thrilled to get to go somewhere fun after all the COVID vacation cancellations. I didn’t require them to spend lots of time with me, but I did require them to go to dinner with me. Other than that, they had free time in the resort and on the beach.

On the third night, we all got dressed for dinner. I got dressed in my room, and they all got dressed in the room they shared. When it was almost time to call for an Uber, I emerged from my room, dressed and ready to go. And it was then that I heard words from my daughter that I rarely hear, “Wow! You look so fashionable!” The dress I was wearing was a cute, leopard-print number with a v-neck and bell sleeves. I thought it was cute, but I was surprised to hear she thought so too!

Go ahead and laugh. If you’re a mom of a teenager, you know those fashion compliments are rare. No matter what we wear, it’s a “mom” outfit. Many times, I’ve worn something and asked her if I look OK. I remember one time in particular last summer when we were in California. I asked her, “Does this look OK?” We were about to leave for dinner. She looked at my dress and said, “Yes! You look so cute! I mean, I wouldn’t wear that dress, but it’s great for a mom!” I had to laugh out loud. And honestly, I took that compliment for what it was and ran with it. You know why? Because I am a mom. I am a 54-yr-old mom of a teenager, and I don’t think I’m supposed to dress like her. I’m supposed to wear clothes that are a little more “mature” than the clothes my 18-yr-old daughter wears. And trust me when I say America wants me to wear clothes that are more mature than the ones she wears!

We are going out to dinner with some friends tonight, and when my daughter got home from cheer practice, I met her at the door to remind her to run upstairs and get dressed quickly. But she stopped dead in her tracks and said, “You look so cute!” Again, I took it and ran with it. I’m wearing some very faded camouflage pants that I purchased at a thrift store for $10 years ago. And tonight I paired them with a cute black blouse and suede wedges. It’s comfortable, but most importantly, it get two thumbs up from the teenage daughter…a rare feat, indeed!

The funny thing is that I bought the pants, like I said, from a thrift store (Buffalo Exchange) several years ago for $10. The daughter was with me when I purchased them and said she could not believe I was going to wear pants that had touched someone else’s crotch. I explained that all the germs from the previous owner would wash right out, but I could tell she was still gagging a little. I’m sure she doesn’t recognize my pants as the thrift store pants. And I think I likely paid $25 for the shirt from Zara several years ago too. The shoes? Well, they are cute suede wedges I wear all the time…and they are, without a doubt, the most expensive part of the whole ensemble…but they aren’t terribly expensive. It always seems to work that way, though. I could wear an expensive designer piece, and the teenage daughter would likely say it looks like something an old woman would wear…which, at 54, I am likely an old woman in her eyes! But I put on a thrift store outfit, and she acts like I’m the most fashionable mom in town!

This weekend is her senior year high school homecoming. The kids will gather for pictures Saturday night somewhere, and the parents will stand around like paparazzi. I will need to make sure I wear something she approves that night. Ugh. It’s an occasion I’d love to get her stamp of approval, but since those are so few and far between, I will settle for just a “you look good for a mom.”

That still counts as a compliment, right?

by Kelly Mattei

My Favorite Things About Fall

This Sunday, September 23, is the first day of Fall! While I’d love to spend more days by the pool (and I will when it’s sunny and warm), I love Fall for lots of reasons. I know what you’re thinking, and no…pumpkin spice latte did not make the list. Some of my favorites are obvious, but maybe some…not so obvious:

  • Football season. No surprise. I love high school football. I love college football, especially SEC, and I love professional football. Football is my family’s bonding experience. In fact, Dish TV made a commercial based on my life. You can see it here. OK, so it’s not really based on my life, but it could be…and frankly, I should be the star of that commercial. They totally missed an opportunity. I could totally pull it off…southern accent and all! Feel free to contact DirecTV here and tell them to offer me a spot in their football package commercial, which could compete with the Dish one.IMG_6142
  • Fall wardrobe. Oh, I love boots, sweaters, jackets, camouflage (yes, camo), and everything else in a fall wardrobe. In the south, September is a little warm for the full-on Fall wardrobe, but we can wear pieces here and there. I can hardly wait till it’s cold enough for my favorite pieces. Fall clothes hide a multitude of sins. Am I still wearing my white jeans right now? Yes…totally disobeying all the rules…living on the edge. Being over 50 presents some fashion challenges, but one place to get some fall wardrobe ideas is Hello Fashion blog…see it here.
  • Fewer pedicures. I know most people love pedicures. I don’t. I don’t love to sit around with someone touching my feet. Nope. Not for me. I do it out of necessity. I simply can’t have the ugliest feet in town. Come October, though, it becomes more infrequent once it’s too cold for sandals. I know…the shame! I have spring/summer feet, and then I have fall/winter feet. For early fall, though, when I’m definitely still wearing open-toed shoes, I pick a nail polish color that works with my football team…Essie’s Forever Yummy is my favorite.

    ForeverYummy_PackShot_Enamel

    Forever Yummy

     

 

  • Bourbon. Football season means it’s Bourbon season. As soon as football season starts, I think of Bourbon. When I was in college, I would sneak Bourbon into football games to drink from those giant stadium souvenir cups. Back then, all the girls wore dresses and pantyhose to the games, so sometimes, to sneak Bourbon into the game, I could tape the bottle or flask to my inner thigh (inside the pantyhose) where no gate person would see it or find it. My mother would not have been proud. It stayed till I got into the game and went to the bathroom to move it to my handbag. (It’s possible I sounded a little like the little old lady church organist from Sixteen Candles when I walked…you remember…you could hear her liquor sloshing in her handbag when she walked out of the wedding. Listen at 1:33 in the clip here.) No, I don’t ever plan to run for public office. That being said…I don’t like to mess up a good Bourbon with a mixer either…give it to me on the rocks. For those of you who like cocktail recipes, Maker’s Mark has some good ones on their website…Snow Cap, Bourbon Butter Pecan Milkshake, Kentucky Mulled Cider, and a whole array of Highball cocktails. You can see them here.  Knob Creek Bourbon has great cocktails on their site too…click here.

Yes, there are lots more reasons to be happy about Fall, and these are just a few of my favorites. My very favorite thing about fall is celebrating our daughter’s birthday. This year she will be 15! It’s hard to believe. Her birthday in October is, indeed, a celebration. First, I was happy to get her out of my body. I was induced on a Friday, and she didn’t arrive till 10pm Sunday…it seemed like forever. (And then I sent my husband to the hospital cafeteria to get me some fried chicken and mac & cheese.) Her arrival into the world changed our lives. We discovered true joy! Don’t get me wrong…that first year was hard. I wasn’t sure I would survive it. I had the baby who wasn’t a sleeper (still isn’t), and once she could move around at all, she never sat still. She was a bundle of energy…still is. I love that she’s energetic and strong-willed. I love that she’s social and athletic. I love re-living all the fun of youth with her…and sharing life with her.

Happy Fall!

**Coming soon: my favorite skincare/healthcare products to help me get through Fall.**

 

 

 

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