3G2S Turned 7! Let's Celebrate with 'Gifts That Give!' from UNICEF Market!

Thank you to UNICEF Market for providing a gift code for us to shop and for providing an additional gift code for our giveaway prize.  All opinions expressed are my own.

This March, 3G2S turned 7!  Since I am now a part time blogger and have far less time to write, I have to make each post count.  That's why this blogoversary seems like the perfect opportunity to share the new sister site to Novica.com, UNICEF Market, with 3G2S readers.

As you may have noticed over the years, I have a soft spot for triple garnet silver jewelry.  I love wearing it to represent my three January babies.  That's why I absolutely fell in love with the Garnet and Sterling Silver 'Waterfall' Necklace I found on UNICEF Market.  This necklace was handcrafted by an artisan named Carmen Granados from the Andes in Peru and displays three round garnets in a graceful, yet modern design.

To make UNICEF Market jewelry even more special, each piece comes in a drawstring jewelry pouch and is accompanied by an artisan storycard, which allowed me to learn a little bit about the woman in Peru who created my necklace.  Every UNICEF Market purchase is packed with a postcard with a handwritten thank you.  In addition to all these special touches, you can feel good about giving artisan-made gifts because, not only are you supporting the artisan, but you are also helping UNICEF save and protect children in impoverished areas around the world.  Each product page gives you an example of how your purchase could benefit children.  For example, the purchase of this necklace may have provided 18 doses of measles vaccine to vulnerable children.

I have to admit, I love giving 'gifts that give' as much as I love receiving them.  While shopping for myself on UNICEF Market, I began looking for Mother's Day gift ideas for my mother, grandmother, and sister.  On the top of my list so far are the beautiful scarves and shawls, plus some of the ornate hand carved jewelry boxes.

Thinking of shopping UNICEF Market for your next gift purchase?  Each gift purchase comes with a free greeting card containing your gift message plus there is the option to upgrade to Premium Gift Boxes for jewelry purchases.  For each item, you can click on "Delivery Estimate" to find the cost of shipping (which is surprisingly affordable) and the approximate number of business days it will take the item to travel from its point of origin to your front door.

Learn more about the U.S. Fund for UNICEF and the UNICEF mission here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck in the drawing!

This giveaway is open to U.S residents only. 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.

4 Reasons Why I Love My Prescription Eyeglasses from GlassesShop.com!

Thank you to GlassesShop.com for providing sample prescription eyeglasses for us to base this review upon.  All opinions expressed are our own.

If you've seen me around the web this past week, then you may have noticed that I have a new profile photo.  That's because I wanted to show off my new glasses from GlassesShop.  I've owned many different pairs of prescription eyeglasses as an adult and these might be my favorite pair yet.  Here's why . . .

1.  I wanted dark-rimmed glasses, but didn't want the same old plain black frames.  I also could not see myself in some of the more ornate frames I've seen out there.  The Charlottesville frames in black really caught my eye because they were different, but subtle.  The text along the side is very on-trend since typography is currently so popular.

2.  These eyeglasses are incredibly light!  I have quite a strong prescription and it's been a very long time since I've worn glasses and have forgotten that they were on my face because they were so light and comfortable.

3.  These glasses look and fit great!  Two things helped me to make my decision about whether these frames were the right one ones for me:  trying on the glasses virtually and comparing the measurements of these frames to those of my old ones.  This is the first time I've worn non-metal glasses that did not constantly slide down over the bridge of my nose!

I should mention that I have uneven ears, so every pair of glasses I try sit crooked on my face.  Like with all other glasses, the ear pieces on these needed to be adjusted in order for the glasses to sit straight on my face.  I was able to do this myself by making small adjustments.

4.  The final price for these glasses upgraded with Ultra Thin lenses and anti-reflective, anti-scratch, and UV coating was $92.80!  That is an amazing price.  We usually go to our local BJ's Wholesale Club for our eye exams and to buy our prescription eyeglasses.  The final price for our glasses after upgrades is usually about twice that price.  GlassesShop also offers free shipping on orders over $49.

These Charlottesville eyeglass frames also come in blue and purple.  To browse their entire selection of frames, visit GlassesShop.com.  Before you shop, be sure to check for GlassesShop promo codes in order to get the best price possible!

Three Wardrobe Pieces That Make Dressing for Summer as Easy as One . . . Two . . . Jambu!

Thank you to Jambu Footwear for providing a Jambu Bare Feet Designs sample for us to base this shoe review upon.  All opinions expressed are my own.

As a busy work-at-home mom, it is extremely easy to fall into the trap of wearing the all too common "mom uniform" around here, which usually consists of a comfy hoodie and yoga pants.  During the warmer weather, that uniform transforms into a t-shirt and yoga capris.  In an effort to get myself out of that rut, I've identified three basic wardrobe pieces that help my look slightly less casual and a bit more stylish without giving up the comfort that I love . . .

1.  A boxy hip-length t-shirt!  I like to have these in all my favorite colors.  The shape is comfortable and hides figure flaws.  They are a little hard to find, however, so I always try to buy them if I happen to see them in stores or online.

2.  Patterned or solid colored denim capris!  Blue denim goes with everything, but printed denim or colored denim is just a tad less casual.  Go with rolled cuffs when you're dressing down and no-cuffs when you're not.  Almost all denim bottoms have a bit of stretch to them these days, so they are comfortable to wear all day long.

3.  A pair of comfortable cutout ballet flats!  Flat-heeled sandals usually add a casual touch to an outfit, but a pair of ballet flats does the opposite.  The cutout design on these Jambu Edge Bare Feet Flats not only adds style to the shoe, but also makes it more breathable during the warm weather.

When I first started trading in my heeled shoes and boots for low or no-heel footwear, I was shocked at how many pairs of flats were not as comfortable as I had expected.  The truth is that I am always barefoot at home.  I probably would be barefoot all the time if I wasn't concerned about cleanliness and injuries.  Jambu Bare Feet shoes are the next best thing to being barefoot.  The memory foam footbed combined with the flexible rubber outersole (which offers excellent traction, by the way) make my Edge flats to possibly be the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn. The tiny metal studs add a little bit of "edge" to these feminine flats, so the name of this shoe is very fitting.

Need more reasons to try Jambu footwear?  The sole on these shoes are made of partially recycled compressed rubber.  The box and the shoe bags these flats came in are made of 100% recycled materials and are designed to be reusable.  Jambu also offers vegan and water-ready styles.  Best of all, you can buy Jambu footwear for the whole family!

To learn more about these and other shoes from Jambu, visit www.jambu.com.  You can shop for Jambu at quality footwear retailers, such as Planet Shoes, Nordstrom, Zappos, Shoes.com, OnlineShoes.com, and Amazon.com.  Be careful, though . . . once you go Jambu, you'll never go back!

Celebrate Mother's Day with Mother-Daughter Spring Fashions from Lands' End!

Thank you to Lands' End for providing spring mother-daughter fashions for this Mother's Day fashion feature.  All opinions expressed are my own.

When our boys were little, I used to dress them alike and they also had fun father-son t-shirts they'd wear when they went out with my husband.  With my daughter, however, we never had identical clothing.  We've owned similar shoes, coordinating necklaces, and I did purchase a large monogrammed canvas tote from Lands' End and a smaller version of the same thing for my daughter.  Other than those few things, it seemed like our tastes never matched up enough to wear anything identical.  That's why I love these pieces we found from the Lands' End spring collection!

Yellow seems to be a prevalent color this season in fashion.  I'm seeing it everywhere and just had to include a bit of sunny yellow in both our outfits.  My 7 year old daughter is wearing the Lands' End Girls' Short Sleeve A-line Dress in Chesapeake Blue Washed Floral over the Knit Cropped Leggings in Yellow Cream paired with the Dark Chambray Dot Girls' Gatas A-line Shoes.  I am wearing the Short Sleeve Lightweight Supima Jersey Scoopneck Tunic in Lemon Shine with the Chesapeake Blue Floral Washed Floral Scarf.

The tunic I am wearing is super-soft and is cut to hide figure flaws.  It is generously sized and I think I could have ordered one size smaller.  I will definitely be ordering additional colors because they would be my go-to tops to pair with leggings or skinny jeans when I want to be stylish while I'm out and about, but comfortable at the same time.  The Washed Floral Scarf was soft and light, perfect for a spring day.  And, I'm not the only one who thought so . . .

The a-line dress was knee-length on my daughter, so she could have worn it with or without the leggings.  There are hidden side pockets along the seam, which my daughter just loved.  She doesn't own many dresses with pockets built in.  The polka dotted shoes add a bit of whimsy to the outfit by mixing patterns.  When I invited my daughter to try my scarf on as a wrap, she gleefully obliged and then spent an hour dancing around and twirling with it.

We will definitely be wearing these pieces on Mother's Day this year.  These turned out to be the perfect mother-daughter outfits because they coordinate, but still suit each of our personal tastes.  Now, do you think I'll have a fight on my hands as to who will be wearing the scarf that day?

You can shop for these and other Lands' End fashions for the whole family at www.landsend.com or in the Lands' End Shop inside your local Sears store.

How to Make Your Own No-Sew High-Low Hem Shirt from a Men's or Unisex T-Shirt

This post has been written in partnership with the Red Bubble Affiliate Program.  Thank you to Red Bubble for providing the Buffy t-shirt, created by an independent artist, for our DIY fashion project.  All opinions expressed are my own.

There are certain silhouettes in tops that I find to be particularly flattering on most body shapes.  The boxy high-low t-shirt is one of them.  It hides any flaws you may have around the middle and still provides coverage in the back for those of us who want to be more modest when wearing leggings or skinny jeans.  Even though the high-low hemline is something that is extremely popular at the moment, it seems to be difficult to find them in casual t-shirts.  I also have trouble finding women's t-shirts with a boxy hip-length cut.  There are so many cute t-shirts out there, but the girly fit is too form-fitting for my taste and the unisex t-shirts are too long.  I often forgo buying printed t-shirts I like because there does not seem to be a shirt style that's a good fit for me. That's why I decided to try making my own hip-length high-low t-shirt out of a unisex t-shirt.  Two birds . . . one stone!

Today's Project:  No-Sew High-Low Hem T-Shirt

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

Men's or Unisex T-Shirt (2 sizes up from your normal size)

scissors (sharp enough to cut through fabric easily)

pen, pencil, or chalk
tape measure or a hip-length shirt you already own

Before you begin, be sure to wash your t-shirt to get any shrinking out of the way.  My Red Bubble t-shirt does not recommend machine drying, but I needed to shrink mine, so I put it in the dryer inside out.  I am about 5'5" and purchased a unisex XXL.  The shirt hem hit just above my knees.  After machine washing in cold and tumble drying it, the t-shirt length was 3" to 4" shorter, which was perfect for this project.

Step 1.  With your shirt laying perfectly flat (front facing up), use scissors to make two tiny cuts on either side of the trim around the neckline.  Then insert your scissors into the opening you've made and cut around the neckline of the front of your t-shirt only as close to the trim as possible.

Step 2.  Flip your t-shirt over and lay it perfectly flat on your work space.  Then continue to cut around the band along the neckline on the back of the t-shirt until the entire band has been removed.

Step 3.  Make a tiny cut at the bottom seam of the left sleeve as close to the band as possible.  Then insert your scissors in the opening and remove the band starting at the front by cutting as close to the band as possible.  Then flip the shirt over to continue cutting to remove the entire band.  Then repeat this with the right sleeve.

Step 4.  Repeat Step 3 with the hem of the t-shirt.

Step 5.  With the front of the t-shirt facing out, fold your t-shirt in half vertically.  Be very careful to match up the shoulder seams, underarm seams, and hemline.

Step 6.  Fold a hip-length t-shirt that you already have in half vertically with the front facing out.  Then lay it on top of your project t-shirt and make a small mark on the bottom shirt to note the length of the shirt on top.  You can do this using a pen, pencil, or a thin piece of chalk.  If you don't own a hip-length t-shirt, then you can use a measuring tape to approximate and mark off how high up hip-length would be from the bottom hem.

Step 7.  Lay your project shirt flat with the design facing up.  Then draw a curved line connecting the mark you just made at the middle of the shirt to the bottom right corner of the shirt.  Do the same thing, connecting the center mark with the bottom left corner of the shirt, mirroring the first curved line you drew.

Step 8.  Using scissors, carefully cut along the arc you drew to create a curved hemline on the front of your shirt.

Step 9.  Lay your shirt so that the right side seam is flat on your work space.  Then carefully remove the sharp angle at the bottom of the seam so that the front hem transitions smoothly to the back hem.  Repeat this with the bottom of the left side seam.

Step 10.  Give all your raw edges (neckline, sleeves, and shirt hem) a few good stretches to create a more natural slightly rolled edge.

Now you're all done and should have a comfy and stylish new high-low hem t-shirt!  This was my first time doing this project, but I am pleased with how it turned out.  I will definitely be doing this again and am thrilled that, going forward, I can buy the printed t-shirts that I love without hesitation due to the shirt style.  If you give this easy DIY fashion project a try, let me know how it turns out!


You can find this Magic Box Advertisement t-shirt by independent artist, UtherPendragon, and other Buffy t-shirts at RedBubble.com.

Kohl's Executive plus 4 Fashion Bloggers Reveal the Must-Have Fashion Items for Spring 2014! #SpringAtKohls #MC

I participated in a campaign for Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Kohl’s. I received a gift card as a thank you for participating.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Whether spring has already sprung where you live or you're expecting yet another snowstorm, your mind is probably thinking about walking outside into the sunshine wearing your favorite sleeveless dress and peep-toe flats.  Before you start replenishing your spring wardrobe, find out what the prevalent trends are for the season by checking out the Kohl's Spring Fashion Google Hangout, where Kohl's Vice President of Trend, Sofia Wacksman, along with four popular fashion bloggers, reveal the must-have fashion items for Spring '14.

My three favorite spring fashion trends this year are the pink hues, rolled cuff denim, and feminine blouses.  Pink is one of my go-to colors for the warmer months and looks very flattering with most skintones, as well as most hair and eye coloring.  Although I have a few pairs of roll cuff denim already, I look forward to picking up one or two new pairs in fashion colors at Kohl's.  Lastly, relaxed feminine blouses are the perfect alternative to grabbing a t-shirt and hoodie for a slightly less casual look without sacrificing comfort.

For more fashion insights, watch the Kohl's Spring Fashion Google Hangout.  Also be sure to visit Kohl's on Facebook and these four savvy fashion blogs:

Looking Fly on a Dime

A Daily Dose of Toni

Thrifty and Chic Mom

Daily Curlz

2013 Holiday Fashion Gift Guide on 3G2S

Product samples of some of the items featured below were provided to facilitate this gift guide.  All opinions expressed are our own.

1.  Dollie & me Matching Outfits  ($25.00 - $50.00) - Designed for girls who wear sizes 2T thru size 12 and their 18" doll, Dollie & Me is a favorite brand to many young girls.  The matching outfits, usually sold in sets, are a unique way to increase the fun and to enhance the bond between a girl and her 18" doll.  This matching "My Three Roses" Baby Doll Dress with Leggings Set is just one example of the 120+ matching outfit sets currently being offered by Dollie & Me.  The outfit designs are fun-loving, stylish, and bold, but also built for comfort.  A Dollie & Me matching outfit set would be the perfect gift for a girl who is receiving a new or even her very first 18" doll this Holiday.  In addition to casual dresses and legging sets, Dollie & Me also offers matching special occasion and Holiday dresses, as well as matching pajamas.  All doll outfits fit most 18" dolls, including American Girl dolls.

You can learn more about Dollie & Me fashions by visiting www.dollieme.com.  This brand is also sold by select retailers, such as Zulily, Sears, and Kohl's.

2.  RUUM Moto Jackets for Boys and Girls  ($59.50 - $69.50) - Moto jackets and boots are one of the most prominent trends this fall for men, women, boys, and girls.  RUUM American Kid's Wear is on-trend as usual and is currently offering the Boy's Motorcycle Jacket for both toddlers and grade school age boys, the Toddler Girls LG Moto Jacket, and the Girl's Hooded Moto Jacket (not shown).  One of these faux leather jackets would make the perfect gift for a child who enjoys looking stylish just as much as he or she loves playing their favorite video game.

To learn more about these kids moto jackets, visit www.ruum.com.  Be sure to also read all about our RUUM store visit.

3. Mialisia Jewelry  ($12.00 - $78.00) - Mialisia is a new jewelry brand that launched in 2013.  What makes this patent-pending jewelry unique is that its entire line of necklaces is interchangeable.  You can take any one necklace and turn it into a completely different style necklace, a bracelet, a belt, or combine it with other necklaces to create a brand new statement.  The number of possibilities only end where the stylist within wants it to end.  To complete every look, Mialisia also offers coordinating earrings and rings.  This jewelry would be the perfect gift for the woman who loves to change her look often.  Since this will be the first Holiday season Mialisia Jewelry has been available, she will likely to be the first among her friends to wear it, thus reinforcing her trendsetter status.

You can learn more about Mialisia interchangeable jewelry by reading our review and by visiting ohmy.mialisia.com and www.ohmymia.com.

4.  Cole Haan City Chukka Boot for Girls  ($67.95) - Also available for walkers and toddlers, this City Chukka Boot for little girls by Cole Haan is available in size 12 to 24 months up to a girls size 2.  What little girl could resist a shoe with pink laces that glitters all over?  The style of the City Chukka Boot is sure to delight any young lady.  The non-slip soles and the quality of Cole Haan will please her parents as well.  These boots would be the perfect gift for a little fashionista who needs something special to wear during the Holidays and would also be just the thing to bring new life to any fall or winter outfits that have begun to get dull.

You can find the Cole Haan City Chukka Boot in Black Glitter or Navy Glitter at Nordstrom.com.

5.  Limited Edition Justice YOYO Retractable Bling Initial Lip Gloss  ($8.00 - $10.00) - YOYO Lip Gloss is offering a limited edition line of lip glosses at Justice that makes beauty crossover to fashion for tween girls.  In addition to the fun sparkling initials and designs, what makes these lip glosses unique is their retractable design.  Simply fasten the crystal adorned clip onto a belt, pocket, backpack, or handbag.  This allows the lip gloss to stay handy, but never be lost due to the retractable line that attaches the lip gloss to the yo yo clip.  This scented lip gloss is colorless, so it is perfect for a tween who is still too young for makeup.  In addition to initials, the YOYO lip gloss is also available in other fun designs, such as a peace symbol.  Scents include Bubble Gum, Cotton Candy, Grape, and more.  These limited edition lip glosses can be purchased at www.shopjustice.com and at your local Justice store.

To learn more about YOYO Lip Gloss, visit www.yoyolipgloss.com.

6.  Hand-woven Guatemalan Headband  ($25.00) - If you love to give gifts that give or know someone who loves to receive them, then this vibrantly colored hand-woven headband from the World Vision Catalog might be perfect for someone on your list.  Although sized for an adult, this soft cotton headband also works for a child.  The pleated style allows it to be worn as a narrow or a wide headband.  The proceeds from this tax deductible gift will be combined with others to fund programs around the world, such as child protection, clean water, and disaster response, just to name a few.

To learn more about this hand-woven headband and the causes behind the World Vision Gift Catalog, visit www.worldvision.org.

7.  Pinch Provisions Minimergency Kit  ($15.00) - This 3.5" x 2" x 2" zippered pouch hold 17 essentials to make you prepared for a wide array of emergencies.  Shown in Cherry Red with a Chinese Symbol zipper pull, this kit is one of 10 styles available in the Good Luck Minimergency Kit collection (because who couldn't use a little extra good luck?), just one of many collections of emergency kits available for women, men, girls, moms, teachers, and more.  This particular kit contains lip balm, hair spray, a wrapped tampon, clear nail polish, breath freshener, nail polish remover, pain reliever, an emery board, an adhesive bandage, earring backs, clear elastics, a safety pin, a sewing/mending kit, Shemergency® tape, stain remover, a deodorant towelette, and dental floss.  These kits would make unique and thoughtful gifts for a teacher, a co-worker, or stocking stuffers for family members.  Refills for the various kits are also available for purchase.

To learn more about this and the many other Minimergency Kits available, visit www.pinchprovisions.com.


More unique fashion gift ideas will be added to this Holiday Gift Guide through December.  Remember to check back often and to follow @_Karen on Twitter to keep up with what's new!

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)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck in the drawing!

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