1. What’s in your closet? The first thing you need to do is conduct an honest assessment of your current wardrobe. Anything with holes and untreatable stains must go, along with any items that no longer fit (those in good shape can be donated). You should also consider tossing any pieces that date back to another era (as in, they’re more than a few years old) since these garments can definitely give your look a dated feel (not the cool retro look you thought you were achieving). Of course, you might have a few classic and timeless pieces, which you can certainly hang on to if they’re in decent shape and you they still fit. Once you’ve compiled a list of what you’re keeping you can see where you need to fill in some holes with your shopping trip.
2. Summer staples. There are a few items that every woman should have as a basic foundation for her summer style. For starters, you’re going to need some beach wear, including flattering-but-tasteful swimwear and casual tops and bottoms (hey, you don’t want to wear your nice stuff in the sand). And while you might think that an LBD is always appropriate, the truth is that a summer BBQ calls for something altogether lighter, such as a pretty, floral print in a bright, summer hue. You should also have a pair of walking shorts (read: knee length, straight-leg), which are the summer version of a trouser, as well as a few breezy blouses, a couple of structured, short-sleeve jackets, and some wedges and flat sandals that will see you through any summer social scenario.
3. Trending cuts and colors. The colors of the season are unfortunately of the Day-Glo variety, which may be flattering on your teenage daughter, but not so much on you (especially in pants). And the cuts aren’t much better, with loose crop tops dominating, often paired with eye-searing short shorts. However, if you’re a bit more sophisticated (and less teenaged), you can’t go wrong with classic cuts in a neutral palette, paired with a splash of color via accessories.
4. Your size and shape. The clothing you choose to purchase this summer (or any time of year) should flatter your shape and size. So try everything on and beware of thinking you can pull something off just because everyone else is. Try to be objective or at least bring an honest friend to the dressing room with you.
5. Coverage. Although most of us want to bare our skin and soak up some vitamin D when summer rolls around, coverage is the name of the game for anyone wishing to avoid sunburns, aging UV damage, and skin cancer down the line. But you can still beat the heat and stay covered up with the right fabrics (like linen). You might not necessarily want to bust out your tattoo fashion clothing from summers past (like your Ed Hardy hats and tees), but you can definitely find ways to get coverage without looking like a mummy all summer long.

Yet before you go out looking for some “throwback items”, we wanted to provide you with a list of five things that you should consider before making a vintage clothing or accessory purchase.

Research the eras that you like most. If you’re looking for an evening gown with a lot of intricate beading, then you might want a dress from the 20s. On the other hand, if you’d like a poodle skirt for an upcoming party, that speaks more to the 50s. Sometimes, just by knowing what kind of era you want or like most, it can make your search a lot easier.

Stay positive. Something else to remember about vintage clothes is that a lot of the items tend to run small. That doesn’t mean that you need to feel bad about your figure or size; it simply means that you need to be a bit more positive-minded and patient as you’re looking for what you want.

Be open to all kinds of options. One of the best things about vintage clothing is that you can find it in so many different places. Thrift stores, consignment shops, garage and estate sales and even your grandparents’ attics are ideal areas to search for vintage items. Also, don’t forget that there are many websites that sell vintage clothes and accessories too. Mod Cloth, Shop Ruche, Rusty Zipper, Unique Vintage and Shop Wasteland are just a few online favorites.

Know how to inspect things. Although we’re using the word “vintage” within this article, this still means that these items are used and so you have to thoroughly inspect them before making this kind purchase (the kind of purchase that you usually can’t return back to the store, by the way). Whether it’s a couple of vintage handbags, a vintage business suit or even a pair of vintage shoes, make sure that it still has the lining within it, that there aren’t noticeable holes or stains, that it doesn’t have a lot fading in the fabric and that the embellishments are still intact.

Try the items on. And perhaps the most important bit of advice that we can give you is make sure that you try the items on before you buy it. Vintage clothing (and even many accessories) have a way of looking really good on a hanger or mannequin but not quite as well once we put them on our own bodies. Although it takes a few more minutes to follow through with this step, it’s one that can end up saving you a lot of time and money in the long run. After all, the best vintage outfit is one that fits like it was made just for you. No matter what year it was actually designed in…or even who wore it before.

1. Sock monkey. Most of us had one of these funny-looking, old-timey stuffed animals as a kid, and thanks to the adage that everything old is new, there’s a whole new community of sock monkeys out there just waiting for a new generation of kids to take them home. Luckily, the gray-and-red standard has undergone something of a makeover so that you can now bring home a product in your child’s favorite colors. But if you want the traditional sock monkey that you recall from your own childhood, there’s no reason you can’t get one to place on your own pillow, as well, and for less than $20 in general, unless you opt for and oversized version.
2. Green Toys tractor. You may already be familiar with the Green Toys line if you’re into eco-friendly fare for your kids. The company, based in San Francisco, makes their toys from recycled products, and they’ve become well-known for their vehicular playthings, including a school bus and a dump truck. But thanks to clamoring consumers, this year has seen the addition of a bright orange tractor manufactured entirely from recycled plastic mined from milk jugs. Not only is it safe since there are no removable parts, but the price isn’t bad at just under twenty bucks. And the best part: it’s dishwasher safe.
3. Skyrocket Toys Quick Attach Microscope. This one probably isn’t suited for little kids, but any children of school age will appreciate the clip-on gadget companion that turns the average smartphone or tablet into a mobile microscope for a mere $14.99. All they have to do is affix it to the camera and they can see tiny objects in front of the lense on a much larger scale, amplified on the screen. No longer will crawling insects, couch lint, or the fine hairs on your face be a mystery to your child. Just be careful what you let them catalog – they can also send pictures and videos of what they find.
4. Fisher-Price Create ‘n Learn iPad Case. There are two major problems with letting your kids get a hold of your tablet. First, they are messy and you don’t want goopy PB&J or a sippy cup full of OJ all over your expensive mobile device. Second, you want to make sure that they are viewing appropriate content for their age. So it’s Fisher-Price to the rescue with an Otterbox (read: practically indestructible) case that you simply drop your iPad into in order to turn it into an interactive learning experience for your kids that offers fun lessons with letters, words, and eventually handwriting. At nearly $40 it’s a bit pricy for some parents, but consider it an insurance policy on your device.
5. Bead maze. There are dozens of products of this nature on the market, so you might spend anywhere from about $15-50 depending on the complexity of the model. But these toys, consisting of a wooden base and winding, coated-wire tracks dotted with beads, are the bee’s knees for toddlers, helping them to increase motor skills and spatial awareness. And small parts can’t come off, so there’s little danger of choking. You don’t need a review on Toybuzz website or another outlet to tell you that this type of toy is going to be a hit with the kids.

Leather jackets will probably never go out of style. They look good on just about anybody, and they’re durable enough to be functional as well as stylish. When most people think about men’s leather jackets, they imagine motorcycle jackets, but those are far from the only options available. For example, take military style jackets. These jackets are in a class all by themselves. There is a wide variety of styles to choose from, from casual to something that is almost elegant, and they seem to have a more authoritative appearance than your typical black motorcycle jacket. Like just about anything else these days, military style leather jackets of all styles and sizes can be purchased online fairly easily, and one of the best sites to do that is Landingzone.com. This division of Luxury Lane has several different kinds of military jackets available, from A2 and G1 flight jackets to stylish bomber jackets. They also have direct working relationships with some of the best brands and manufacturers of quality leather products, so they can keep their prices relatively low. Landingzone.com even accepts all unworn, unwashed or defective merchandise for full refunds. When it comes to buying quality military jackets, this really is one of the best and most straightforward sites out there. If you’re in the market for a new jacket that won’t break the bank, check out some of the leather jackets for men at landingzone.com.

leather jacket

You can find Elitemama’s review on the Jewelry Tarts HERE.

1. Become a member. Many large pet food and supply chains have a membership sign up where you can get a special card that will offer many discounts and bargains each time you have to restock. In addition, many of these items are already marked down, because you are buying them in bulk. Add another 20% discount or a buy-one-get-one-free option and eventually you will start to see huge savings.
2. Develop a close relationship with your local vet. If you have a new pet, chances are that you will be spending a lot of money to make sure they are all taken care in the first year of their life. These costs include immunizations, special formulas and even things like heartworm pills to prevent parasites. The closer you get with a vet, the more inclined he or she will be able to cut you a few deals here and there.
3. Make sure that you don’t let your pet out of your sights. The more you let your pet run off into the wilderness, the higher the chances for injury, worms, ticks and even matted fur. If you have an outdoor pet, make sure that they have plenty of room to run around, but don’t let them leave your supervision for too long. This can really cause the expenses to go through the roof, especially if your pet likes to get into trouble.
4. Shop online. Sites like PetSupplies allow you to save big just by shopping on their website. You can get discounts at up to 20% on things like dog toys, pet food and much more. In addition, shipping is inexpensive too and extremely fast. In some respects it is a lot more convenient to shop online opposed to hopping in the car and having to lug a cart around a big shop.
5. Lastly, give your pet a bath in your own home. Taking your dog or cat to a professional groomer can really start to add up. Not to mention that it might cause your pet unnecessary stress. Remember, cats aren’t particularly fond of water. If your pet doesn’t like taking a bath in the sink or bath, you can always get a dry shampoo that you can massage on and dry off with a towel – it’s easy and you don’t need water.

Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer vacations for most, and my kids are already itching to go on a summer vacation since school is out!  Since the cost of airfare is too expensive for most middle class families to fly a whole family to a vacation destination, many will take on the open-road driving to vacation spot.

So in order to make sure your vehicle is in tip-top shape for traveling, I encourage you all to take advantage of the Cooper Tire Spring Savings Event where consumers (like you and me) are eligible to receive up to an $80 Visa® prepaid card when one purchases a new set of four qualifying Cooper tires, which are available at participating dealers throughout the United States, Canada, the District of Columbia and even Puerto Rico.

Eligible products included in the Spring Savings Event are:

• CS4 Touring
• Discoverer CTS
• Cooper Zeon RS3-S and RS3-A
• Discoverer H/T
• Discoverer HTP (Available only at select USA retailers.)
• Discoverer LSX and LSX Plus (Available only at select USA retailers.)

Rebate is available May 1st, 2013 through June 30th, 2013.

Where are you headed to for your summer family vacation?

1. Dior: Cuffs

Dior’s 2013 runway trends have been all about chic, minimalistic styles with a pop of color. Cuffs seem to be the bracelet of choice, with plenty of slick gold designs featuring colorful jewels. You can rock this look on your own with a sleeveless sheath dress or a strapless top. Remember to keep it classy, but don’t be afraid to experiment with bold color schemes and textured jewels to fully capture the spirit of Dior’s cuff trend.

2. Chanel: Chunky Bracelets

As Coco Chanel’s famous quote goes, “A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.” Nothing could embody this idea better than the brand’s recent chunky bracelet trend, which manages to get avant garde while still maintaining a polished look. Want to get the look for less? Stack some affordable chunky adjustable bracelets for an eye-catching layering effect that maintains better comfort and stability than non-adjustable alternatives.

3. Moschino: Vintage

Not just for clothing, vintage accessories are also making a big comeback in 2013. Both Moschino and DSquared2 brought back these classic looks in their spring/summer runway sets. For a ’60s look, go for thick neon bangles and with a daisy print mini dress like Moschino. Or, take the lead of DSquared2 by going totally ’90s with layered pearls and gold chain bracelets.

4. Ferragamo: Charm Bracelets

Saving the biggest bracelet enthusiast for last, Ferragamo’s emphasized a subtler sparkle, but included bracelets as a staple accessory in nearly every outfit. These subtle additions featured either gold or silver chains with a hint of detail here and there. Fashionistas can easily mimic this look without the designer price tag by keeping it simple and classy with charm bracelets for an added touch of shine.

Naturally, most of the styles you see on the runway will be a little too bold for everyday life, but that doesn’t mean these trends aren’t still valuable for the fashion forward. These four favorite catwalk bracelets can make a cutting-edge addition to your spring and summer wardrobe, while the rest of the runway outfit might even offer some good ideas about how to style accessories at home. Just like these daring designers, don’t be afraid to go bold, be different and use your own artistic license when styling outfits this season.

Sometimes looking forward to those little indulgences like a cup of your favorite brand name coffee is what gets you through the day. Everyone enjoys a vice here and there, but it’s easy to let our spending start to spiral out of control when the occasional vice becomes a habit. Forming a bad habit can take as little as a few weeks- conventional wisdom says 21 days. Breaking a habit can be a completely different experience.

Once we get wired to expect the buzz from a caffeine jolt, nicotine break or other vice, it’s hard to change. Really hard. Something that can help with breaking a bad habit is finding an immediate replacement.The second key to breaking a bad habit is focussing your mind on the replacement habit. Instead of letting your mind drift off while doing your bad habit, have your mind center on the experience of your replacement habit. This will fully engage your senses and get you out of the bad habit rut.

If you’re used to ordering a frappuccino on your office’s mid-afternoon coffee run, try to replace it with a cup of tea you make at your desk. This healthful change can be accompanied by some relaxing quiet time alone to recharge your batteries in the middle of the day.

Think about the money you’re saving and the nice things you can do for yourself with it. Think about all the good effects skipping daily coffee drinks can bring: whiter teeth, better breath, steadier nerves, fewer calories, better energy. Unlike with commercial coffee drinks, you won’t crash in a few hours off of a combination of sugar and caffeine. You may even feel energized for longer due to the restful break where you allowed yourself to unwind and be present during a busy day.

Before long, your replacement habit will become the primary habit. You won’t miss your old vices any longer. The cost of your vices quiz created by the eBay Deals team can help you see how much you’re spending on your bad habit and give you motivation to change.

You’ll get a dollar amount at the end that shows you how much money is trickling out of your pocket when you let your bad habits control your spending. Once you’ve replaced your bad habit with a good one, you can use the money on a reward for being so virtuous.

I have been a member of Ebates.com* since the year 2000, the same year that I started sharing online deals and freebies at ShoppingBookmarks.com.  Ebates offers cash back on purchases from over one thousand online stores in the form of a monthly rebate “big fat check”.  And I’m proof that they do pay, as here is a photo of the check I received in the mail just today for $57.10.

I would’ve made the online purchases anyway whether or not I was getting cash back, so I consider this a rebate check a bonus that I use to splurge on myself!

My favorite stores that I shop at through Ebates.com are:

• goHastings
• JCPenney
• J.Crew
• J.Jill
• L.L.Bean
• Victoria’s Secret

Ebates.com also lists the current coupon codes available for the various stores listed, so there is no need to hunt down discount codes to see if you can save more.

Do you use Ebates?  If so, what’s your favorite store that offers cash back?  If not, sign up for free here!

*Disclosure: I am posting a referral link to Ebates and may yield a bonus if you join through our link.  All opinions are 100% my own.