Find On-Trend Back-to-School Fashions, Sizes for Tweens, a Way to Help Local Kids & More at OshKosh! #OshKoshFirstDay

This post was written as part of a sponsored campaign for The Motherhood and their client OshKosh B'gosh, featuring back-to-school fashions for boys and girls.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Like with all my other shopping, I start my back-to-school shopping early.  I usually have 90% of the school supplies purchased from the lists sent home on the last day of school by mid-summer.  I also pick up clothing in the next size up throughout the year if I find something that's stylish for a great price.  I take a quick inventory 3 to 4 weeks before school resumes to see what's missing from my 3 children's fall wardrobes.  Then I make it my mission to fill in those gaps before school begins.

Now that my children are 7, 7, and 10, shopping isn't as easy as it used to be.  My children seemed to have developed stronger opinions about what styles and colors they want to wear.  Luckily for me, OshKosh.com had more than enough on-trend and age-appropriate children's fashions to please me, my two 2nd graders, and my 5th grader.  In fact, when I asked each of them to pick out one outfit each, they tried to convince me that they couldn't narrow it down, so I would just have to purchase 3 or 4 outfits . . . each.  Their efforts were commendable, but I stood my ground . . .

Layered OshKosh Original Graphic Tees + OshKosh Classic Denim:

Our 10 year old son lives in graphic tees and jeans.  Like with many boys, comfort is almost more important than style for him.  With the selection of clothes for tweens at OshKosh in sizes up to a 12, our son can have both.  Here he is in the Glow-in-the-Dark Space Tee layered on top of an OshKosh Originals Graphic Tee paired with the Mellow Medium Wash OshKosh Straight Jeans.  OshKosh is name synonymous with quality, especially in denim.  This is important to me, especially when it comes to clothing for my oldest son.  Nearly everything I purchase for him will get passed down to his younger brother, so it needs to last.

When it comes to clothing, our 7 year old daughter wants it all.  She demands style, comfort, functionality, and . . . sparkle!  Her clothes need to be cute, girly, but also playground-friendly.

Bold Graphic Tee + "Awesome" Neon Hoodie + OshKosh Jeggings:

Our daughter wanted glitter and she found it!  She fell in love immediately with this bold floral text-free OshKosh Originals sugar glitter graphic tee.  When she saw the Girl Power Hoodie with the glittery text in neon coral that coordinated with the graphic tee so well, she just had to have that too.  We both very much liked the inspirational, yet fun messages on these OshKosh yoga-inspired hoodies. Our daughter loves the look of denim, but prefers the comfort of leggings.  It was no surprise to me when she opted for the Shoreline Blue OshKosh Jeggings.  Finally, she always likes to finish off her outfits with a coordinating hair accessory or some type of jewelry (or both).  She ended up putting one of the bows from the 3-Pack Sparkle Bow Pony Holders in her hair and used the other two for bracelets!  Smart, huh?

Our 7 year old son is extremely easy going when it comes to his clothes.  As long as it's comfortable and fits, he's good with it.  That being said, when he is asked to choose his own clothes, he definitely has his own style.  In fact, his picks for his outfit from OshKosh were right in line with the top back-to-school trends for boys this season . . .

The first item our son chose was a pair of Camo 5-Pocket Pull-On Cargo Pants.  How did he know camouflage is a major trend this season?  His whole outfit revolved around these must-have pants.  Something else we're seeing a lot of is dino-themed graphic tees.  Well, our little man happened to pick the OshKosh Originals Dinosaur Hunter Graphic Tee to go with his camo bottoms.  His next pick truly surprised me.  I predicted that our little boy would have opted for a hoodie to go with his outfit, but he chose the Fleece Letter Jacket.  Our son loves this soft comfy jacket so much that he puts it on first thing when he gets up in the morning, even if it's 75 degrees outside!

Will your children be trendsetters this year at school?  Well, there are more ways than one to lead by example.  Your children could participate in the B'gosh Jeanius Campaign to help give local children a 'Leg Up!' this back-to-school season . . .

How can your family get involved?  Simply make a donation in the form of a pair of OshKosh blue jeans or a cash donation of $1, $3, $5, or $10 at your local OshKosh store.  Denim donations will be given to children in need in yours or a nearby community via K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers.  Cash donations will go to local schools in need who are signed up with DonorsChoose.org.  When your child tells his or her friends how they gave back to their community, maybe they'll inspire someone else to do the same!  Encourage your child to be a trendsetter this year!

Will you be heading to OshKosh to do some back-to-school shopping?  Be sure to print this OshKosh coupon to save 25% off your purchase of $40 or more through 9/13/14.  Shopping online?  You can save with OshKosh promo code SAVEON40 at OshKosh.com.

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Checkout the cool #OshKoshFirstDay back-to-school ideas below . . . 

Follow Karen Coutu's board Back-to-School with Oshkosh & More! on Pinterest.

Sofia the First & Jake and the Neverland Pirates Fans Can Go Back to School in Style with Kohl's! #MagicAtPlay #MC

I participated in an Ambassador campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Kohl's. I received promotional items and product samples as a thank you for participating.

I know in some parts of the country, school may have already started.  Thank goodness my children still have a few weeks of summer vacation left.  This means I have a few more weeks to get everything they need for the first day back.  So far I've gotten them new backpacks, all the school supplies from their classroom lists, some supplies to donate to each classroom from the teachers' wishlists, and some fall clothes.  It never fails.  The long-sleeved clothes I purchased for my children at the end of winter and beginning of spring because they've outgrown their fall clothes do not fit them once fall rolls around.  After doing this for years, I've learned to not waste my money on clothing my children won't wear.  That is why the Disney Jumping Beans children's clothing line is so wonderful.  It combines your children's favorite Disney movies and Disney Junior characters with styles your children will love!

The latest Disney Jumping Beans line hit Kohl's stores this week right in time for back-to-school.  It features Jake and the Neverland Pirates and Sofia the First . . . two of our twins' favorite Disney Junior shows when they were in preschool and kindergarten.  I received these pieces to preview prior to the Jake & Sofia Collection entering the stores . . .

Jake and the Neverland Pirates Thermal Raglan Tee with Striped Fleece Pants and the Sofia the First Tiered Dress

As with all the other Disney Jumping Beans pieces we own, these delivered the same kid-approved styles and attention to details.  The Jake and the Neverland Pirates outfit has fun stitched on patches and embellishments (and boy does it look comfy!).  The Sofia the First dress is everything a little girl would want.  It has a tulle overlay on the skirt and such pretty 3-dimensional embellishments, including a gemstone-like necklace.  Just add a pair of bike shorts or leggings to make this adorable dress playground-friendly!

Currently, the Jake and the Neverland Pirates pieces are only available in toddler sizes (2T to 4T), but the Sofia the First clothing is available in both toddler and girls sizes (2T to 7).  Be sure to checkout the Disney Jumping Beans Jake & Sofia Collection at your local Kohl's store or online.  Which outfit would your little one love to wear on his or her first day back?

Get the Look for Less: Affordable Holiday Gift Ideas for Your Preppy Guy! #ThisIsStyle #shop #cbias

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This fall fashion shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and their client. #ThisisStyle #cbias.  All opinions expressed are my own.

I have always thought that men are far more difficult to shop for than women.  This is especially true for someone like my preppy husband, who is extremely particular.  If you ever think about buying him a polo shirt, make sure it has more than 3 buttons on the placket, no banded sleeves, and no tipping on the collar.  When I was presented with the chance to do some Holiday shopping for my husband, I was happy to do it.  You know how much I love shopping, but I also love a challenge!  Let's face it.  Finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list is a sport.  My challenge was to shop for fall fashion items to gift to my picky preppy husband.

The key to finding the perfect gift for someone is knowing their tastes.  Even if you have never chatted about fashion with that person, you can still get to know their style by simply paying attention to, not only what they wear, but to what they are paying attention to on TV, in magazines, in stores, and so forth.

Some of the biggest 2013 fashion trends are plaid and moto jackets.  Unfortunately, my husband is not a fan of either, but he just loves colorblock sweaters, pullovers, and outerwear.  Luckily for me, colorblock is still big for men this season!

Because my husband dresses for work during the week, he likes to be casual on the weekends.  This is the perfect weekend look for 'The Prep' in your life.

Get the look for less at Sears . . .

• NordicTrack Men's Two Tone Microfleece Pullover Jacket
• NordicTrack Men's Long-Sleeve Fitness Shirt
• Covington Men's Knit Touchscreen Gloves
• Dockers Men's Tussock Casual Lace-up Ankle Boot

Complete the look with his favorite pair of classic jeans.  Not only does the outfit look stylish, but both the NordicTrack pieces feature the NT Dri moisture wicking, so they are perfect for my husband, who tends to get warm easily.  The knit long-sleeve shirt also has built-in SPF 30 protection, which makes it perfect for transitioning into springtime.

My husband is not only preppy, he is also very tech-oriented.  Any free minutes he has is used to consume media, so for the colder months, the knit touchscreen gloves are a must!  These particular gloves retail for only $10, so you can afford to buy a pair for every man in your life.

For special occasions, my husband likes to avoid wearing a shirt and tie.  The casual Holiday look below would be perfect for him.  It's preppy, stylish, and comfortable!

Get the look for less at Sears . . .

• Arrow Men's Cheststripe V-Neck Shirt
• Covington Men's Wide Stripe Knit Beanie
• Covington Men's Knit Touchscreen Gloves
• Dockers Men's Castaway Casual Boat Shoe

Complete the look with your preppy guy's favorite pair of flat-front or pleated khakis.  What I love about this cheststripe knit is that it has a faux crew neck layering tee built-in.  As I had mentioned before, my husband tends to warm easily, so he prefers not to wear layers while indoors.  This top gives the smart look of a layering tee under the v-neck without the extra layer!  I might just have to go back and buy this top in a few more colors for him.

To learn more about my Holiday picks for 'The Prep' in your life, checkout my Preppy Guy Gift Guide!  For more great gift ideas, browse the #ThisIsStyle Pinterest board.

Follow SoFabConnect's board ThisisStyle on Pinterest.

Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway: Get Fresh Holiday Looks for Girls and Boys at RUUM American Kid's Wear ($25 GC)

Thank you to RUUM American Kid's Wear for inviting me to visit my local store and for providing a gift card for me and one reader to shop for Holiday kids fashions.  All opinions expressed are my own.

One of my favorite places to shop for my children is RUUM American Kid's Wear.  The clothes are always on-trend, cute but not cutesie, well-made, and reasonably priced.  With sizes spanning from newborn all the way up to a boys and girls 14, RUUM will have all your children looking stylish for the Holidays in no time!

Whether you are looking for something preppy or skater style for your boys, RUUM has you covered.  For girls, you will find everything from preppy to girly to edgy styles and everything in between.

Although RUUM had a few cute accessories for boys, like fedoras and sunglasses, the girls' accessories stole the show.  Our daughter was in love with the girl's infinity scarf I found for her.

Sparkle is the dominant trend for the girls this Holiday.  You'll see it in nearly everything, including dresses, skirts, scarves, handbags, headbands, footwear, and more.

Bracelets, hair accessories, and belts from RUUM make fun, but practical stocking stuffers

My favorite Holiday look for girls is pairing a sparkling tulle skirt with a denim shirt or moto jacket.  Then finish the look with sparkling flats or combat boots, depending on your little girl's personal style.

Layering is the theme for the Holidays when it comes to boys' fashion.  A crew neck tee under a button down woven topped with a sweater, corduroy, or dressy vest creates a finished look paired with jeans or khakis.

For a casual look, layer a vest with a long-sleeved knit or top it with a plaid woven instead.

Even though my children love the clothes at RUUM, they only agree to stick around while I browse because of the unique shopping experience RUUM offers.  There is actually a bar full of candy by the registers, but my children did not even notice it because they were too mesmerized by the interactive touchscreen displays in the middle of the store.

One of the displays takes your photograph and puts it on the screen.  Then your child can decorate it and have a copy printed out.  Just pick up the photo at the register when you checkout.

The other display allows you to scan any RUUM merchandise price tag to show the item styled into an outfit up on the screen.  Then, using the built-in camera, you can add your face to the outfit to see what the outfit would look like on you.

Both these displays are extremely entertaining and make a wonderful diversion for children (um . . . and spouses) while you shop.

Checkout my favorite RUUM items on our 2013 Holiday Fashion Gift Guide!  To shop online or to find a RUUM American Kid's Wear store near you, visit www.RUUM.com.  You can also find RUUM on Facebook, Twiter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

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***Please Note: We cannot guarantee that the prize will be delivered by 12/24/13.*** This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. A random drawing will be held shortly after the contest closing. The winner will be announced here and will be contacted via email. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be drawn.

Add Hardware to Your Wardrobe Without the Commitment with Mialisia Interchangeable Jewelry! (#MialisiaJewelry)

Thank you to Trisha Haas, Founding Mialisia Independent Designer, for providing complimentary Mialisia Jewelry samples to facilitate this style post and for providing the prize pack for our Holiday giveaway.  All opinions expressed are my own.

If you recall, I first introduced Mialisia Jewelry to 3G2S readers in our 2013 Holiday Fashion Gift Guide.  I was sent 3 Mialisia interchangeable necklaces to see how many different looks I could come up with.  Since I firmly believe that every outfit is better with a little hardware, I happily accepted the challenge.

One of my biggest revelations during this fashion experiment is that I realized I don't mind pearls so much after all.  Although elegant and classic, the word "conservative" also comes to mind when I think of pearls.  My experience with Mialisia jewelry has changed my point of view.  Pearls can actually be a little edgy when combined with the right hardware!

Lush multi-strand necklace layered with a knotted Sorrento necklace

What makes Mialisia pieces unique is that they each come with removable hooks that allow you to link multiple necklaces together, wrap and secure them around your wrist, wear them as belts, and just about anything else you can image.

Sorrento necklace wrapped on the wrist

If you have ever been tempted to buy a handbag adorned with chains, but was hesitant to make the purchase because you worried about your ever-changing tastes, then here is an easy way to add some hardware to your look without the commitment.  If you have a bag with a removable shoulder strap, simply remove the shoulder strap and attach a Mialisia necklace in its place using the included hooks.

Lush necklace on Melie Bianco handbag

Are you getting bored with wearing scarves the same way each time?  You can get this look by wrapping a Mialisia necklace spaced evenly around your scarf and fastening the ends together behind your neck.

Sorrento pearl necklace wrapped around a scarf

It's hard to wear bracelets during long-sleeve weather, so why not put the hardware somewhere else?  If you love wearing boots like I do, then I highly recommend trying a Mialisia necklace wrapped around your booted ankle!

Boot wrapped with Lush necklace

Yes, you can hook two necklaces together to make one layered necklace, but how about threading one necklace through another to create a new look?

Lush necklace wrapped around the wrist & Sorrento necklace threaded through Julie Tuesday necklace

To view all current Mialisia necklaces along with the coordinating earrings and rings, visit ohmy.mialisia.com.  This interchangeable jewelry line is new for 2013 and is only available online or through a Mialisia independent representative.  If you love jewelry, would like to work from home, and are interested in direct sales, be sure to visit www.ohmymia.com.

Our Mialisia Prize Pack . . . 

Times Square disc necklace & Long Island Necklace (ARV $80)

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US residents 18+ only, winner has 48 hours to respond via email to winning notification. Notification will come from momdot@live.com.

The FitFlop Leather Crush Boot from Sole Provisions is Style & Ultimate Comfort Rolled Into One

Thank you to Sole Provisions for providing a complimentary FitFlop boot sample to base this review upon.  All opinions expressed are my own.

You may have heard rumors recently about my turning forty.  Well, it's true.  Although I mostly faced my recent birthday graciously, I was suddenly more aware of the aches in my lower back and knees.  Those pains weren't new.  I had already mostly given up on wearing any shoes with heels higher than 2-inches.  These aches were just evidence that I was no long a 30-something mom.

When I first heard of the brand FitFlop, I was skeptical.  Then I went to the Sole Provisions retail site and found myself to be pleasantly surprised that FitFlop not only offers much more than just thong-style sandals, they make clogs, sneakers, and boots!  Did I ever mention that I am a boot-addict?

What FitFlop is known for is their MICROWOBBLEBOARD midsole.  This technology allows their footwear to distribute the pressure underfoot.  The soles also do an excellent job of absorbing the shock from walking, so there is less stress on the legs and joints.  I was thrilled to be able to try out a pair of the FitFlop Leather Crush Boots and I knew just the place to take them for a test run . . . at the annual Renaissance Faire.

Aside from sitting down to eat lunch and to watch a few shows, my family and I spent the rest of the time from 10am to about 5:30pm walking around.  There were lots of shops to browse through, lines to wait in, and fun costumes to see.

I must say that my feet did not feel tired at all and it was not until the last hour that we spent at the Renaissance Faire that my legs started to feel slightly tired.  These boots were lightweight and extremely comfortable to wear.  The Crush Boot was the first pair of shoes I've tried that rivaled the comfort and support of sneakers.  If I had a choice, I would choose a stylish pair of leather wedge-heeled boots over sneakers any day!

I should mention that the boots came with a little warning on the tag that said the special midsole could potentially increase the activity of certain muscles when walking.  It also advised that I wear them for a short time at first and then slowly increase the length of time.  When we got home from the Renaissance Faire, my legs were barely tired at all.  The next morning, however, my legs felt like I had run a marathon.  So, that is something you should keep in mind with your first pair of FitFlop footwear.

Visit SoleProvisions.com to view the full selection of FitFlop shoes.  The Crush Boot is available in versatile colors in both leather and suede uppers.  Which one is your favorite?

The Perfect Fall Outfit For the Modern Confident Fun-Loving Girl!

This post has been written as part of an affiliate campaign for Zulily.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Our 6-1/2 year old daughter feels just as comfortable in a tutu as she does in combat boots.  It really depends on her mood.  What I would consider to be the perfect outfit for her is something that is girly, sporty, and edgy all at once.  I usually am right on target when I shop for her as far as clothing and footwear goes, but it's a 50/50 chance I will choose the wrong thing when it comes to jewelry and hair accessories.  She would need to accessorize this outfit herself and she wouldn't have it any other way.


The perfect fall outfit for my 1st grader . . . 

1.  Inkbone Lemon 'Smart Girls Rule' Tee - Girls - $9.99 (Originally $18)

2.  Utilitarian Cargo Pants - Toddler & Girls - $37.99 (Originally $72)

3.  Blue Fireplace Zip-Up Hoodie - Girls - $49.99 (Originally $96)

4.  Carrini Brown Buckle Boot - $19.99 (Originally $50)

5.  Trish Scully Child Coral Eyelet Ruffle Tote - $25.99 (Originally $44)

Zulily also offers tons of cute clothing and footwear for boys too!  I really should write more about boys' fashions for my two sons, but it is just too much fun shopping for my daughter.