Browsing Tag

NY Menswear Blogger

Getting Creative With LIFEWTR

Posted on April 12, 2018

All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I teamed up with LIFEWTR and 7-Eleven to help communicate their belief that inspiration is as essential to life as water! LIFEWTR partnered up with some amazing artists to turn each of their bottles into a canvas for new art. Their current series focuses on arts in education and features the artwork of 3 young artists. (You can learn more about their initiative to bring art back into the schools here.) After reading about these creative individuals and being reminded of just how important art education is in our childhood, I felt the need to experience something new and artistic with Nate. So, we decided to take a paint class together! I’m not sure why, but we’ve never taken Nate to an art class before, and after going to one, I can’t believe it was our first. He loved it! I think the fact that we had an instructor, there were other kids around, we got to do it together, and the fact that he had all the right equipment (easel, paint brushes, etc.) it made it feel more legit and cool to him…rather than just sitting down at the table with some paper and water colors. We both learned some new techniques and had a real fun time together. We’ll definitely be going back!

Nate was so into his painting class, he wanted to have another painting day at home once I got home from work. I always stop at 7-Eleven for a coffee on my way home, so while I was there I grabbed some snacks and these super vibrant LIFEWTR bottles that caught my attention. Nate loves when a water bottle has a sports top so he can squeeze it into his mouth, so I made sure to grab a few! At home it’s a little easier to get distracted, so we made sure we got him an easel, brushes, and canvas, to make it feel just like the class. We then took some of the skills we learned and used them at home to create some art for Mommy’s office. I love art and have always loved it, but to be honest, when it comes to drawing or anything related to art, I’m pretty pathetic (LOL). My wife on the other hand, as with everything else she does, is really good. I’m hoping Nate takes after her! It was fun to do this with Nate because Sarina (my wife) normally is the one working on all his art projects with him and teaching him, so it felt good to be the one guiding him this time around. She’s really good at teaching him and explaining things to him in ways that he understands and to keep him interested, and I really think she’s the one that is going to inspire him to be artistic. Back to painting! We know mommy loves her cactus, so we found a picture of one online and traced what we saw on the canvas. I thought for starters it would be easier to trace it, rather than freehand since I can’t draw and Nate, being the perfectionist he is, I could see getting frustrated with me (LOL). We then grabbed our brushes, filled up the paint containers, and pulled up the picture on our laptop. We started by painting the cactus green. It was actually Nate’s idea to use a smaller brush to outline it first, and then use a larger brush to fill in the inside. He definitely walked away from our painting class with some new knowledge! Once we let the green dry, we moved onto the pink flowers. Nate and I tend to goof around and get silly with each other a lot, and we had a little too much fun fooling around and bumped into the canvas and messed up one of the flowers. At first he was upset that it got messed up but quickly stood back and reassured me it still “looked cool” (do not tickle the painter while he is next to the canvas).

While we were waiting for our painting to dry to move onto the next steps, we took a LIFEWTR break. I was showing Nate the artistic labels and explaining to him that they were designed by students. As a 5 year old, you’re definitely not at an age where you’re too interested in art history or who or how something is created, but the fact that I told him they were students, actually grabbed his attention. He actually started asking me questions that I didn’t know the answers to, so we hopped on the LIFEWTR website to check our the artists’ stories. I think he was able to relate to them a little now that he’s a big boy and in school himself. I thought for sure he was going to like the bottle with the monsters the most but he was really into David Lee’s geometric design. He also liked that David was from LA (LOL). Overall, he agreed that these bottles were the coolest water bottles he’s ever seen!

We next grabbed our thin black marker and added thorns all over the cacti. Once we were done, Nate then gave it his final touch by signing his name at the bottom. He did learn that every artist always signs their artwork, so he did and presented his artwork to a very proud mommy…she loved it!

It was really great and refreshing to see Nate interested in something other than sports for a change. He actually wanted to keep going, so we grabbed the Scholastic/LIFEWTR pack and had some fun with their stencils. He refused to stop until he traced every single one!

This was such a fun project to work on and it made us break our normal routine and try something new together and I’m so happy Nate enjoyed it. Besides LIFEWTR keeping us refreshed and having super cool bottles that my 5 year old loves, they reminded us of the importance of “unleashing our creative potential”! You can find more LIFEWTR inspiration here.

In The Fast Lane (Program) With Uber

Posted on April 6, 2018

Everybody has the dream of becoming their own boss. Making your own hours and not having someone to answer to? What could be better than that! Uber (a ride request app) not only gives consumer’s a convenient service but it’s also giving people an opportunity to be their own boss and have a career (either part time or full time) that’s flexible with their schedule. I had the opportunity to meet one of Uber’s drivers and learn a little about him, how he became a New York City Uber driver and what it took for him to get there.

Tahir is from the good old Bronx, NY, and until recently was a computer consultant who actually lived in China for a year. Like many of us, including myself, he wasn’t happy with his job. He finally had enough and decided he wanted the benefits that Uber offered and the freedom of being his own boss, so he decided to become an Independent Uber driver. I don’t like to say he is just an Uber driver, because it makes it sound like he’s an employee of Uber, but in fact he is an Independent Contractor who works for himself. I was surprised to hear that he wasn’t nervous about making such a change in his life considering he has no background experience in driving and was leaving his career for it. I know I would have been completely scared. Luckily, it was everything he expected it to be. Now with that being said, he knew what he was signing up for and was ready to put in the work to meet his financial goals.

I was really surprised to learn that the requirements to become an Uber driver in New York City is a little different and requires some extra steps unlike most other US cities. In NYC every Uber driver and vehicle must have a Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) license and registration. Tahir explained that it does makes complete sense though, considering all of the yellow cabs there are in the city and the fact that it’s the law for them to have the same qualifications. Luckily, Uber helped Tahir and helps all of their NYC applicants through the process to make it as streamlined as possible, and even helps them save a little cash as well, with their Fast Lane program.

Tahir told me how he went to the NYC Uber driver support location, the Greenlight Hub, and they walked him through filling out the TLC application. He was able to sign up for all the licenses and courses while he was there so that when he left, all of the paperwork was complete and he knew everything that needed to be done going forward. Since he was ready to take the TLC course, he signed up right there while filling out his paperwork. Normally courses cost over $800 but through Uber’s Fast Lane Program, it only cost him $500. And that’s not the only cost. It also cost nearly $3000 for a TLC registration! In order to help drivers afford the registration cost and obtain a vehicle, Uber partners with local dealerships that have cars that are pre-registered with the TLC registration. Tahir was able to lease his car and pay weekly, instead of having to take out a loan and come up with the 3K. There are other options as well for getting a car, but for Tahir at that time, it’s what worked best for him. Additionally, for information on Rideshare Insurance & which companies offer it click here.

I can totally see how becoming an Uber driver was a good fit for Tahir. Just sitting and chatting with him, it felt like I’ve known him forever. He’s super personable, easy to talk to and understands the hustle needed to hitting his weekly numbers. Uber also gives incentives to their drivers to help them meet their goals. He also told me that he was taking courses to become a nurse and that being a driver allows him to be able to have the flexibility to take courses and still work full time. When I was going for my degree, I also worked full time. I think if Uber was around while I was in college, I definitely would have thought about driving while in school. Tahir told me how he plans on continuing driving even after he achieves his goal of becoming a nurse. He told me he has several friends that are nurses and still drive for Uber as well. If you’re looking for something full time or just some extra cash, it does seem perfect. There’s not too many jobs out there where you can make your own hours and work as little or as much as you want!

Thanks again Tahir for taking the time to meet with me. It was a pleasure getting to know a little about you and learning about another field that I knew nothing about. Uber is lucky to have a participant such as yourself! Start that Instagram account 🙂 and good luck with that nursing degree! (This post is written in partnership with Uber, however all thoughts and opinions are my own.)

Reviews Style

3 Looks With Timberland

Posted on March 1, 2018

Ever since the 90’s I’ve been a fan of Timberland. It all started with that classic yellow boot. From Wu-tang and all my other favorite rappers during that time, rocking that boot, to my entire group of friends, it was definitely a style that we all loved. Now, 20 years later, the classic yellow boot is still a staple for Timberland, and for me, a boot that gives me that nostalgic feeling. I have an entire closet of shoes, half of them being boots, and Timberland has definitely always been among my collection throughout the years. Aside from the classic, my taste has also expanded. I’ve added a few other styles and have also used their hiking boots for work quite a bit!

This season I teamed up with Timberland to show you how I styled 3 different shoe silhouettes and how to cuff your pants for each shoe!

The first style is the classic Men’s 6-Inch Premium Waterproof Boot. I think this is probably Timberland’s most iconic boot they make. I styled it with a fitted denim and went with a traditional cuff that sits right around the top or right above the boot. This is actually how I style most boots…this simple double cuff just seems to work and look the best because it allows your pants to sit right above the top of the boot. I wore a distressed black hoodie, topped with this plaid coat and some clear framed aviators. I personally like how the yellow Timberland boot looks with more of a street style. I also kept the laces untied and on the looser side to play up that grungier vibe. Even thought this is the look I went with this time around, I’ve also seen these boots styled in more of a casual way…still with fitted jeans, but with a flannel or puffer jacket and I think it looks great as well. No matter the look though, I suggest that traditional cuff that sits right at the top of the boot!

Next up…the Timberland Men’s 2-Eye Boat Shoe. I love wearing boat shoes! They are super comfortable and despite what one says, I am in favor of wearing them all year round. Typically, I’m a no-sock guy – even in the winter sometimes. (don’t judge me LOL) But, since this boat shoe does have more of a summer look to them, the way I made them winter-ready is to actually throw on some socks and show them off. This time I put on a pair of looser fitting jeans and went with a loose, somewhat sloppy, half cuff. Almost like I wasn’t sure I even wanted to cuff my pants, kind of cuff LOL. Every cuff doesn’t have to be a double cuff or even a perfect cuff. Hey, sometimes I throw in a 90’s tight-roll from time to time! These jeans have a slight crop to them already, so that added half inch cuff, was just what I needed to show off my boat-shoe, sock-look even more. I like how the Timberland boat shoes gives my look a casual, yet a tad dressier vibe. Timberland also has these shoes with a rugged sole, that is also a perfect option for winter if you’re not comfortable wearing the traditional boat shoe during this season. They are actually next on my wishlist!

For the last style and my wife’s favorite, I styled the Timberland FlyRoam Leather Sport Chukka Shoes. Sometimes the best way to choose the right pants that go with a taller shoe or boot is to just ditch the cuff altogether and go with a cropped pant! It gives off the same look as a cuff, but with a cleaner line…so I went cropped this time around. These chukka shoes look more like an athletic high-top sneaker than a traditional chukka shoe that you might think of when you hear the word chukka. (it actually made me google the word Chukka LOL) When I wear this style shoe, I don’t really like the way regular length pants look at the top of the shoe. The pant leg bunches up and it tends to start looking bulky, and sometimes when you add a cuff, you are just adding to that bulkiness. These navy cropped pants that I went with were the perfect length to again fall right above the shoe, just where I like it. I kept the rest of the outfit pretty simple and just did a combination of blues, with a neutral shirt. I wore a cream flannel, topped with a denim jacket, and threw on some shades. The color of the Timberland Chukka shoes looked really great with the blue denim.

I think it’s safe to same I tend to cuff my pants more than I don’t, no matter what style shoe or boot I’m wearing. Play with the cuff to see what works. Whether it’s a classic double cuff, a single thicker cuff, a half-way sloppy cuff, or 90’s tight-role, most of the time, my goal is to aim towards my pant leg sitting right at the top of the shoe or boot…or a few inches above, if you’re going for that cropped boat-shoe look like I did!

Check out my feature on the Timberland Blog!

Family Reviews

Morning Routines With Folgers®

Posted on February 28, 2018

This post has been sponsored by Folgers Coffee. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

As most of you know by now, besides blogging, my other full-time job is as a union electrician. My normal commute is about an hour each way and I have to be at the job site to start my day at 7 a.m. I do most of my blog writing, emails, and social media responses in bed late at night and usually end up staying up until about 11:30pm, right after I get in my last Friends rerun episode in LOL. I just can’t fall asleep without one! I don’t understand how anyone can even say they’re a morning person, but I definitely am not one – no matter what time I go to bed! Add that onto the fact that I don’t eat until about noon, due to the intermittent fasting diet that I’m on. So, you can see how I’d be irritable in the mornings LOL. One thing that really helps get me going in the morning and fulfill my morning food craving is a hot cup of coffee. I’ve never actually used a traditional coffee maker, so I make mine with the Folgers® K-Cup® Pods and my single serve coffee machine.

I don’t know how I ever survived without Folgers K-Cups and my single serve coffee machine system! I literally have the same routine every morning: get dressed, head downstairs, turn on my coffee machine and pop in one of my Folgers K-Cups, pack my lunch, start my car, pack up my tools, and by the time I’m done, my to-go cup of Folgers coffee is ready. I really look forward to my hot cup of coffee (while I listen to my sports radio) on the way down to work…it makes my commute that much more enjoyable.

I think it’s that familiar morning Folgers coffee scent and cozy taste that helps bring a comforting start to my morning. From my morning routine, to my wife’s mid-afternoon perk-up, to my son’s weekly chore, Folgers seems to be a part of all of our routines. Flavor wise, our favorites are the Morning Cafe and Classic Roast. From my morning routine, to my wife’s mid-afternoon pick-me-up, to my son’s weekly chore – Folgers seems to be a part of all of our routines.

Every Friday night is ShopRite night in my house. My family usually starts with an early pizza dinner, then we head to ShopRite for our grocery shopping! We actually make our shopping list in the order that the aisles are in. At our ShopRite, the Folgers K-Cups are in the 4th row, near the front of the store. Next time you’re at your local ShopRite, be sure to look out for a Folgers K-Cups $1 off digital coupon available with your ShopRite Price Plus® club card! I don’t know if it’s my age…but I’ve finally become a coupon guy LOL.

After we get home from ShopRite, it’s become my son’s job to put all of the Folgers K-Cups away in the drawer below. He takes this job very serious and makes sure to make all the little cups as neat as possible…sometimes he goes a little overboard and makes some sort of pattern. While we’re putting the rest of the groceries away, my wife and I are not allowed to look until he’s completely finished. But once we do, we have to make sure we “ooohh and ahhh”, about how good of a job he did. It’s the cutest thing and has now become a ritual.

Aside from my morning commute, some days I’ll come home from work and have a cup of coffee as well, while my son joins me with a cup of milk or hot cocoa in his own little mug. This is my time to get all of my school questions in for Nate, while we’re both relaxed on the couch, before he starts running up the walls and tuning me out LOL. It’s crazy to think I remember watching my dad sit back and relax after work, while drinking his coffee, and now here I am today, doing the same thing. I wonder if my son will one day be with his son thinking the same thing. Crazy to think that Folgers has actually been a part of family traditions since 1850! I mean, who hasn’t recited the famous “the best part of waking up…is Folgers in your cup”?!

Reviews Style

A Watch For Every Guy

Posted on December 1, 2017

Lets get ready for some gift giving! Armitron and I teamed up to show you (3) different watch options that are the perfect holiday gift. If you’re like me, you have a lot of people to shop for, and with Armitron’s price point, one of their watches is a hard to beat option. I mean who doesn’t like getting a new watch?! I actually think I’ve bought my mom a new watch every Christmas for the past 5 years and she looks forward to it every year! I picked (3) different watches and styled them 3 different ways to show you there’s a watch out there for everyone!

The first watch I styled is the Armitron Solar Stainless Steel Watch with a brown leather strap. I don’t work in an office, but I imagine if I did this is the kind of outfit I would like to wear. This watch has a classic style due to the chrome bezel and blue face, but the brown leather strap gives it a rugged masculine feel, and I tried to make my outfit jive with that vibe. I’m really into olive and tan tones and like how the mix of these colors looks layered with some denim. After all, it is the perfect time of year to layer up! I wore these dress boots that have a military vibe to them. Just like the watch, I think they help dress up the look but also help to toughen it up just a bit. One more call-out on the watch! For the tech guys out there, he will really dig the fact that this watch is solar powered…I know I do!

On to the next watch! The 2nd watch I styled is the Black IP Stainless Steel Analog Watch. Every guy likes wearing black. Especially a black leather coat! I went with a more streetstyle vibe for this watch. I just love how black watches look with black leather jackets! Whenever I’m having a hard time picking out an outfit I know I can just start with a black leather coat and a pair of denim jeans, and the rest will work itself out. Just like a leather jacket immediately elevates a look, a watch can have the exact same effect. And you can’t go wrong with a sleek black, masculine timepiece. I really like how the black of the striped shirt, the beanie, the jacket, and the watch all compliment each other!

Out of all the looks I shot I think I liked how this outfit coordinated with this watch the best. The vibrant red Digital Chronograph Sport Watch really popped and stood out. This watch is tough enough to take on your hikes, but stylish enough to just complete any sporty look. I styled this watch with a pair of black pants, a black turtleneck, and a black puffer cardigan. The large faced red watch gave my outfit a pop of color, and to bring out the red just a tad more, I rocked a matching red beanie. The hint of red in the laces of my alpine boots was just the right amount to give my bottom half that little bit of color it needed. I really dig this outdoorsy look! I can’t believe this watch only cost $30…it’s perfect for your sporty guy!

If you’re looking for an easy to pick holiday gift for someone, you can’t go wrong with a watch! Armitron has a great selection of watches for both men and women, and at the perfect price point where you’re not spending a ton, but don’t come off too cheap either! (LOL) Check them out!

Family Reviews Style

Defying my DNA With Rogaine #Sponsored

Posted on November 21, 2017

This post is sponsored by Rogaine, however all opinions are my own. It’s true you can’t change your DNA, but your DNA doesn’t define you. So why not work on it and try changing the things you can control. I lost my father when I was only 15. Just like my son is a lot like me, I am a lot like my father. Even though my father was amazing to me and was a great dad he had a lot of bad habits. Unfortunately, without even knowing I was following in his footsteps, after he passed away I found myself also following some of his bad habits. Now, being a dad, and with my son Nathan here, I want to make sure I’m around longer than my dad was, and to see that Nate doesn’t make the same mistakes I did. By staying healthy and active, I will defy my DNA. I have to be honest with you, it’s not always easy for me. I try to make it a lifestyle, but there’s probably 3 months out of the year where I end up not exercising and binge eating! I blame it on my sluggishness from allergies and the time of year, but I’m working on it! I try and work out about 5 days a week and involve Nathan in it as much as possible. Whether it be going for a jog, or now that Nathan plays sports, it’s a little easier, because we can go to the park and play soccer, basketball, or just run around and be silly. I think if my father hadn’t passed away when I was young, maybe I would’ve been more involved in sports and other activities in High School and would’ve had less time to make bad decisions. I actually have the same exact hair as my father, which makes sense, because I get most of my looks from him (sorry mom). Unfortunately, thinning hair is hereditary, and now that I’m getting older, even though I still have a lot of my hair, I’m definitely starting to notice it thinning. At first I was really bummed, not only because I don’t like the way I look with thinning hair, but it’s also a reminder that I’m getting older. I tried making myself feel better by telling myself that at least it didn’t happen until I was 37, unlike some of my friends who had to shave their head early on due to balding. But, it’s still getting to me lately. Luckily, there are products like Rogaine out there that can help. If we’re proactive and start making changes early on, we don’t have to just let baldness happen and we can use products like Rogaine to regain our confidence! When I look back on photos of myself from a year ago, I now do notice the thinning hair, but for whatever reason at that time, I didn’t really notice it then – or maybe I was in denial! I’m happy I can finally accept the reality and am in the process of working towards a better head of hair with Rogaine. Men or women, if you’re starting to notice some hair thinning…don’t wait….Be proactive about it!

Family Home Reviews

Homemade Pumpkin Pancakes & Savings With Flipp

Posted on November 11, 2017

This post is sponsored by Flipp, however all opinions are my own.

One of the best things about fall is pumpkin flavored goodies. Every year around this time we all get excited for yummy treats like pumpkin candy corn, pumpkin cider donuts, pumpkin cider, and one of my family favorites, pumpkin pancakes! I’ve partnered up with Flipp, a shopping app that makes it easy to search for deals and coupons by item, brand or retailer.

I wanted to show you my steps for making the perfect homemade pumpkin pancakes – beyond just the recipe. Every Saturday morning, I take on breakfast duties and these pancakes are a family favorite. These seasonal pancakes require a few ingredients that require a quick grocery trip – so I turn to Flipp to help plan ahead and stay organized.

One of my favorite features on the Flipp app is the Shopping List feature. I always have my phone on me, so having my grocery list right at my fingertips is convenient, and ensures I’ll never forget what I need. My wife, who also has the app, can add groceries to the exact same Shopping List, which is super helpful when we’re at the store together or making separate trips. This feature really works well for us, because now when it’s time for me to go shopping I don’t have to keep calling or texting her asking what’s on the list, and when we check off an item we can see those updates in real-time.

Flipp also makes it a lot easier to shop for everything on our grocery list and help us find the best deals and coupons. I was able to search for my specific supermarket, view the weekly circular and quickly find the available coupons for that location. And, just by clicking a button I was able to add them right to my (virtual) price plus card! Once I got to the supermarket I was able to choose the store location I was at and locate what aisle the products I needed were in. This is especially nice so I didn’t have to walk around aimlessly searching – when Nate’s with me, it’s best to be in and out as quickly as possible (LOL). Once all the shopping is complete, I can just hand the cashier my phone and they can scan it for access to my price plus card. It’s so nice not to have to carry around these cards anymore and have one central location for them to all be stored on the app.

My family tends to put all the grocery circulars directly in our recycling bin before they even make it in the house because we know we’ll never end up remembering to bring them to the store anyways. But, now with Flipp, I’m actually looking at digital flyers in advance and using coupons for the first time! I’m finally taking advantage of savings! Watch the video to check out our shopping experience with Flipp and my first stab at making homemade pumpkin pancakes! They were soooo yummy! For the ingredients and pumpkin pancakes recipe, which I found online, see below! To top them off I added a little bit of whipped cream and some cinnamon and sugar!

Share how much you saved using Flipp! It’s available to download for free on iOS and Android!

Produce
● 1 cup Pumpkin puree Refrigerated
● 2 Eggs

Condiments
● Butter
● Maple Syrup

Baking & Spices
●   2 1/2 cups All-purpose flour
●   1 tbsp Baking powder
●   1/2 tsp Baking soda
●   1/3 cup Granulated sugar
●   2 tsp Pumpkin pie spice blend
●   1/2 tsp Salt
●   2 tsp Vanilla extract, pure

Dairy
● 3 tbsp Butter, unsalted
● 2 cups Buttermilk

1.   To a large bowl, add the buttermilk. If using the vinegar plus milk option, let sit for about 10 minutes to allow the milk to turn to buttermilk.
2.   Add the pumpkin, eggs, butter, and vanilla and stir with a whisk to combine.
3.   In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt.
4.   Pour the dry ingredients over the wet and mix just until incorporated. Do not overmix.
5.   Let batter rest for about 5 minutes.
6.   Heat a non-stick griddle to 325 degrees or set large frying pan over medium heat. Melt a little butter on the cooking surface, spreading it evenly, if desired (if the surface is non-stick, you may not need to do this). Using a 1/3 cup measure (or, my pancake scooping weapon of choice, a trigger-handled ice cream scoop), pour the batter onto the griddle or into the frying pan. The pancakes are ready to flip when they look a little dry around the edges and start to form little bubbles, 1 to 2 minutes. Flip and cook on the other side until golden brown and completely cooked through, 1 to 2 more minutes.
7.   Serve topped with butter and maple syrup, if desired.

Style

Cords + Plaids

Posted on November 9, 2017

Just like denim, corduroy is timeless. It never seems to go out of style. I love that you can find corduroy’s in so many different styles, textures, and thicknesses. I partnered with Stitch’s Jeans to show you their Barfly Slim Corduroy Jeans in the Bone color. These are perfect for fall! The corduroy is a thin texture and makes for a very light pant. These are actually also the perfect corduroy to wear during summer. They are slim fitting but also have a flowy, light feel because of the thin material. And I love the color! I paired these pants with their Rustic Plaid Button Down. I love the rustic, vintage vibe and colors of this shirt. The quality is also really comfortable! In my opinion you can never have too many plaids in the closet – even if it’s just to tie around your waist to channel your inner 90’s! I threw on a navy jacket that I already owned and couldn’t resist wearing my straw hat to coordinate with the pant color and play-up those western vibes. In the wardrobe market for some cords? Check out Stitch’s Jeans for a wide array of colors!

Family Reviews Style

Old Navy Streetstyle With Nate

Posted on November 1, 2017

This fall weather has me wanting to pick out more and more comfy, casual pieces. One of the most classic pieces you can have in your wardrobe is a denim jacket. During fall and winter, a great way of keeping the denim jacket season going is by getting one with a cotton sherpa lining. A lot of times when you come across a sherpa lined denim they can feel bulky and even stiff, but Old Navy did it right and this denim has a more broken-in feeling that makes it really comfortable. I wanted to do something a little different than my other Old Navy looks and keep this one a little more grungy-street, so I layered the jacket with a black distressed pullover hoodie underneath. I’m in love with this hoodie. It’s also very comfortable and cozy. The distressed color is so on point and really looks good with any outfit. I’ve already worn it twice since we shot this look! I really like how hoodies look when layered with a denim jacket. I always tend to trend toward a skinny leg, or in this case a slim pant. The rust color, or trident maple as Old Navy calls it! looks great with the tops I chose. It’s almost that garage-worker kind of vibe that I dig, and I thought the look worked really well with Nate’s Jacket. Without really matching color or pieces this time around, Nate and I were trying to kind of match grungy styles. Nate loved the piece sign patch on his jacket, and I have to admit if they had this jacket in my size we probably would’ve been wearing matching jackets! He wore a pair of matching navy pants – also skinny fit. I really like how Old Navy pants fit on Nathan. He’s got his father’s skinny chicken legs, so it’s nice to find a good skinny jean that’s comfortable for him and that doesn’t have a wide leg. While shooting, we were lucky enough to make a new friend, Zeba-DeAngelo. (If I messed up his name, I apologize!) It was this beautiful white parrot with these bright blue eyes that was just the sweetest. Nate and I got a chance to have him climb on us both, see him do some tricks, and of course snap some pics for the gram!

Family Home Reviews Style

Soccer Season Begins With Flipp

Posted on September 26, 2017

This post is in partnership with Flipp. All views and opinions are my own.

With the warm weather coming to an end and the long days of sunshine slowly getting shorter, the end of summer can be a very depressing time of year. However, this September was VERY exciting (and emotional) for us, because our little boy started kindergarten! And by exciting, I mean for Nate…for me it’s more of just sadness. I’m excited for him, but it’s also just a reminder that he’s getting older and starting this new big boy chapter in his life. Lucky for me we had lots of back-to-school shopping to do to help cheer me up. I’m curious if I’m the only dad who actually enjoys this part of it! LOL

With most of Nate’s new clothes shopping complete, we just needed to pick up some equipment for his first year of actual soccer. Last year it was more practice drills with hands-on help from the parents, but this year he’s on a little team with real practices and real games! He’s very excited. It also means he’s going to need some official equipment. I recently teamed up with this amazing app, Flipp, to show you how I handled finding exactly what Nate wanted at the best prices. Talk about perfect timing! The app takes all of the circulars you receive at home (or don’t receive!) and brings them to one digital space. Think of all the time you can save by just opening up the app and finding all the deals from your favorite retailers right at your fingertips, and not having circular after circular scattered across your counter-top! Browse by retailer, by product category, or by discount offered…no matter which way you Flipp it, Flipp helps you find the best deal across multiple retailers. Whenever I’m in a store and find an item I usually try searching it online to see if I can find it cheaper, but now that I have Flipp, it can handle all of that for me!

You can even store all your reward cards in one place so you don’t have a wallet or keychain full of cards. Once you find the deals as well as any additional coupons you want, Flipp gives you the ability to just clip them right to your loyalty cards, or get money back via rebate. I must introduce this app to my mom and mother-in-law who are still carrying around reward card keychains from 1999! LOL

We used Flipp for our back-to-school soccer season shopping. Nate was able to pick out his cleats, shin guards, and a hat that he wanted for soccer and then I was able to go on the app and figure out where I could purchase them for the best prices. He’s officially all set for his first week of practice, and we saved at least $30 by using Flipp to find the best deals.

Apparently my son also thinks that when you just click an item in the app, it will magically be shipped to our home, (no $ needed) so he asked for us to download Flipp on his tablet as well so he can browse for soccer balls! LOL

Download the free Flipp app today for iOS or Android and let us know how you used it to help you save for back-to-school activities!

Older Posts

Newer Posts