Starting to feel like you can’t be fashionable and be a quarantine mom? Feel like every day is laundry day, and you’re still always out of options? There’s an easy way to fix it — treating yourself to the ultimate #momlife capsule wardrobe.

What is a capsule wardrobe?

You’ve probably seen capsule wardrobes all over YouTube, Pinterest, or Instagram. Capsule wardrobes have been all the rage for several years, even though the term was first used in the 1970s by London Boutique owner Susie Faux. Shoppers, designers, fashion outlets, and yes, even moms have swung the pendulum more toward minimalism and intentional buying in the last decade. The idea is to buy a limited number of high quality pieces that won’t wear out easily and won’t go out of style. The idea is to buy for your size, your style, and your body right now, so that things don’t hide in your closet. Don’t you wish you could do the same thing for your kids?

Imagine how great it might feel to declutter your wardrobe, pack up all those aspirational clothes, and have a fresh start in your closet of about 12 pieces that get some work done. More logical laundry, an easier time picking out outfits…I can see it now and it is a beautiful sight.

Pants

Ideally, your capsule wardrobe only needs one or two pairs of pants. We all know that #momlife is all about the leggings but don’t forget about joggers too. A good pair will be soft, durable, and have elastic in the right places. Joggers are fine for a grocery store trip or just a quick iced coffee run. Add in a favorite pair of jeans and the pants in your capsule wardrobe are covered!

Skirts & dresses

Putting on your favorite skirt or dress can really change your whole mood. A simple cotton or skirt, no matter the length, can be a great versatile addition to your capsule wardrobe. And a simple dress, like a sweet retro 90s slipdress that can be layered over or under anything? Yes, please!

Tops

Tops are where you get the most versatility out of your capsule wardrobe. Basic camisoles come highly recommended, especially in black or white. A button up, for those Zoom calls where you have to look the professional part, is essential too. The most fun part of a proper #momlife capsule wardrobe, though? Yes, it’s the t-shirts. Are you really a millennial mom if you don’t have several hilarious t-shirts? Pick out one, two, or even three t-shirts that let your personality shine. If you always wear your favorite mom shirt to your favorite take-out place? Then it becomes a signature.

Loungewear

The most important clothes you wear these days are around the house. So why not be exceptionally comfortable? Loungewear is so often forgotten when putting together a capsule wardrobe, but great clothes that you can also nap in should never be overlooked. Sure, no one new will see your sweet maxed out relaxin’ clothes unless you post selfies, but don’t you want to relax while looking and feeling great? Investing in some loungewear is a decision you won’t regret.

Still not sold on the capsule wardrobe concept? Check out these moms who are killing the game with their capsule wardrobes here and here. You’ve been homeschooling and working and basically being super mom, so you deserve to treat yourself. Happy shopping!

As the years pass, most people begin to feel a bit self-conscious about how they look. Sometimes it is because they have put on a bit of extra weight or that the aging process has led to a bit of sagging.

When that happens, there is no reason to worry. Modern shapewear like the type that is sold by retailers like Simply Be, can save the day. Provided you buy the right type, look after it and wear it properly you will be pleasantly surprised by how much of a difference it can make to the way you look. But, if you have never bought shapewear there are a few things you need to be aware of and take into account.

Check your size

The first tip is to measure yourself before you shop for shapewear. This video shows you how. Always use a tape measure, never simply use your bra or dress size. The sizing of these garments varies greatly, so you cannot rely on using them as a guide.

Buy the right size

This next tip seems obvious, but you will be surprised by how many people do not follow this advice. You need to buy the right size shapewear. Too big and it won’t provide any support at all. If it is too tight, all that will happen is that your bulges will be redistributed and spill out over the top and out of the sides. This looks truly awful, far worse than if you were not wearing shapewear at all.

Buy for your body type

Look at yourself in the mirror and work out which areas need additional smoothing and support. This will help you to work out which garments will help you the most.

Choose the right level of compression

Shapewear offers several different levels of compression and support. If you are just looking for a smoothing effect go for light support garments. Spandex and garments with built-in control panels provide a little support as well as smoothing out minor bulges.

Firm compression garments are good for contouring. They reshape the figure as well as provide support. But, they do not really pull you in. For that, you want maximum compression garments or corsets. However, you do need to be careful with how you wear these. They are really only designed to be worn occasionally. If you wear them all day, every day, your organs can end up gradually being displaced. That can lead to breathing and digestion issues.

Try it on properly

When you get your shapewear home, try it on under a range of garments. Take a critical look at yourself in the mirror, if you can, from all angles. This is the best way to be sure that the items you have chosen are actually the right ones for you. If they do not look or feel right do not be afraid to return them. Bear in mind that you are unlikely to be able to return shaping panties because of hygiene concerns. So, pay special attention to sizing when buying those.

More fashion inspiration

Hopefully, you found this article interesting and would like to read more of my fashion related articles. You can do that by clicking here.

If you have some old, plain clothes that you don’t really wear but don’t want to throw away either, then here’s an idea for you! You can try using embroidery to help make your clothes more fashionable and make you want to wear them all the time. Embroidery is a versatile technique that can be used to spice up a clothing item and give it new life.

Embroidery has made a huge comeback into style and has been a steady trend for a while now. So find some items that could use a little something extra and enjoy being creative with embroidery!

Starting Out

You can begin by choosing a machine to start embroidery, or try a more simple method with an embroidery hoop and needle. Embroidery machines can digitize a design and embroidery it onto your clothing much quicker than if you do it by hand. There are many embroidery machines suitable for beginners so it won’t be too difficult for you to get the hang of it. If you’d prefer to try your hand at embroidery the old fashioned way, then stop by your nearest craft store and get the supplies you need.

With either method, you should practice on some scrap material before starting on your clothing. But don’t worry if you do make a mistake in your design, a stray stitch can easily be unpicked or covered up.

Patterns and Patches

There are endless amounts of free patterns you can find online. From a simple, red rose to intricate patterns and even emoji designs. You can start with the simple designs and maybe try embroider a simple flower onto a plain T-shirt. The simplest design can have a massive impact on the way a clothing items looks, just by adding a lovely little detail. Floral designs are very trendy right now and can turn a plain old item of clothing into an elegant, stylish piece that will turn heads.

You can even buy embroidered patches to sew or iron on to your clothes if you’d prefer not to do all the work yourself. Patches can have many meanings or symbolize specific places or things. Try adding them on a denim jacket for a very fashionable look.

Another idea is to embroider words onto your garments. You can make them more personal with your initials, or embroider a simple saying that you like. This can help you create more unique items of clothing and people will be sure to ask you where you bought them from!

Colour

It’s important think about what colour embroidery thread you should use on specific clothing items. Consider what colours will complement the colour of the fabric, and if you want your design to really stand out or if you want it to be more subtle. Using complementary colours is a great idea if you want your designs to be more eye-catching, and contrasting colours will definitely stand out more than similar shades.

Embellishments

Embellishments, like beads and sequins, can be used to make your embroidery really pop. Adding a little sparkle can really draw the eye to the design and make people notice the details of your clothes. If you’re embroidering a pattern, all you need to do is slip a small bead or sequin onto the thread every now and then to create an amazing effect. Embellishments could also be used in the centre of flower designs.

Textures

Embroidery can also help to link together different pieces of your outfit. You can layer an embroidered denim jacket over just about anything, whether it be a light, summer dress, or leggings and a T-shirt. Plat around with different clothing textures that will make your embroidery really stand out.

There are so many different types of stitches you can try out that will result in different textures within your embroidered design or pattern. From spaced out, simple lines to heavily layered patterns that add volume to your design, there are so many techniques to experiment with.

Accessories

Your clothes aren’t the only things you can jazz up with embroidery. Accessories can help turn a boring outfit into a cute ensemble. Try embroidering some bright colours onto a scarf, or add some intricate patterns to your clutch bag and turn it into more of a statement piece. Embroidery can be used to make pretty much anything more fashionable, so be creative and have some fun with it!

A Chance to Win

It is a well-established notion that our priorities change when we become a parent. Whether it is about putting our previously set-in-stone social engagements on hold or us putting a stop on luxury purchases, the small changes that become part of our personalities seem to be very profound when we take a moment to have a good look at ourselves.

However, being a parent does not mean that we should keep ourselves from enjoying those luxuries that we deem too self-centric after having a child. In fact, psychologists suggest that in order to be a better parent, we should take care of ourselves the same way we take care of our kids. While that is often not possible during this day and age of amounting expenses, sometimes, certain opportunities come along that make the idea of treating ourselves all the more real – thanks to popular luxury goods vendors such as My Gift Stop.

Apart from providing brand name products on unbelievably discounted prices, the gift shop runs promotions from time to time out of the idea of making its customers feel valued. One such offer that is currently on the table is its month-wide contest where a lucky participant could win $300. There are no hidden rules and you do not have to make a purchase to be in the running. Just enter the contest here and by September 4, 2018, you can find yourself to be $300 richer – or with a surefire 10% discount coupon to use on the store.

And while you wait on collecting that dough, you can benefit from some of the luxury products that are already on discount from the platform. While My Gift Stop is known for its reputation as being a reliable stop for last minute gifts for loved ones, for once, you can go ahead and treat yourself instead with the following picks (with more offers available on the website).

Guess SG634207CLD – Logo Cloud Faux Leather Cooper Satchel

A design that makes a statement without you having to say a word, the Guess SG634207CLD Logo Cloud is an elegant yet highly functional handbag for the mother who knows how to accessorize.

With ample space to keep all the essentials to take care of your kids – since we have all been the provider of emergency crayons – you can make sure to attend your next social gathering in style.

The best part is that it’s available at a reduced price of $69.99 instead of its usual $128, which makes it a bargain to fetch.

Movado 3600322 – Bold Gold Dial Diamond Watch

With a brand as timeless as Movado, you can be sure that this product could stay with you for ages even with a house full of kids.

The beautiful watch comes with a yellow gold plated stainless steel case and a diamond accented bezel. The dial is in line with Movado’s signature statement and it also comes packed with essential features such as scratch resistance and the ability to be waterproof.

At a reduced price of $372.05 instead of its usual $1,095, you will be saving $722.95. At such a discount, nabbing this watch seems like a no brainer.

Oakley OO9166-03 – Underspin Groupie Sunglasses

Oakley’s brand is synonymous with both luxury and comfort, which is exactly what a parent would need when it comes to sunglasses.

These sunglasses, in particular, go with almost any face shape and would keep you from squinting in the sunlight while you wait in the car for your kid to come out of the school or from their friend’s house. That, in summary, means that you could carpool in style without giving your eyes too much trouble.

With My Gift Stop’s reduced price, this chic pair is available at $87.01 instead of its standard $180. It means a more than 50% discount of $92.99; which translates to the idea that most of us won’t be waiting before getting it off the digital shelf.

My Gift Stop Also Gives Back to Society

The popular gift shop does not only deal in brand watches, shoes, sunglasses and many other items for men and women but also believes in giving back to society. 5% of every sale is donated to Direct Relief, a nonprofit that provides health services to those who are in need of them.

With deals that make one do a double take due to how good they are and with the company’s heart being in the right place, My Gift Stop sure sets itself apart as one of those vendors that you should try at least once for your shopping experience.

Considering your bridal shoe early in the decision-making process is vital. It is important to consider heel height, style, comfort will set up your dress in knowing how it will fall and look to complete the style. As Jessica, a designer from JJsHouse puts it: “In this modern age, the term – no pain, no gain – shouldn’t exist as there are plenty of options this year that can be comfy and classy.”

Block Heels

If you’ll be spending much time on your feet during your wedding day, then block heels are the way to go. Perfect for those that want a bit of heel but want to be comfortable and don’t want to sink into the grass. The block heel is simple and stylish and works great with most dresses. Laced, floral, jeweled or any other type of dress will fit perfectly with this style of shoe.

Fresh Color Twist

A new fun trend is popping some color into your white wedding by adding a colorful, playful heel. Don’t be afraid, go bold with your wedding shoes! While a fancy black lace might be the subtle, accenting heel you’re looking for, other exciting options could be a crazy pop of orange or red, or why not one of your wedding colors?

Subtle Nudes

Choosing the right color is crucial for any bride to be, but it is not always the easiest decision to make. This is where nude comes in. The color nude is becoming increasingly popular among wedding goers due to its versatility, look and compatibility. Combining comfort and elegance into a nude shoe creates a classy style ideal for any bride. This popular 2018 shoe is very trendy and a must have this year.

Iced out with Diamonds
Why not match your sparkling new piece of jewelry (you know which one we’re talking about) and a bit of glam to your feet. Let a new pair of diamond sparkling heels carry you down the aisle. The addition of sequins or jewels will complete your princess, sheer, or sexy look letting you shine bright like a diamond on your big day.

Happily Leather After

It’s no secret that leather shoes are incredibly comfortable, but they’re also incredibly lovely to look at! Choosing the right leather shoe will allow your foot to breathe while simultaneously molding to the shape of your foot, and obviously, will look great. Leather is becoming a popular trend in 2018 and it would be a shame if you missed it. Leather shoes are ones that will not only last throughout your wedding but will be wearable again and again from thereafter due to their flexibility and style. These wedding shoes offer a range of stylish as well as comfortable options for the bride.

Regardless of which wedding shoe trend you choose this year, you are guaranteed to have the wedding of your dreams and look incredible throughout. Remember, when it comes to shoes, you don’t need to feel bad to look good. You can find comfortable shoes that will stand out and keep you standing all day.