Stuff Parents Need

Easing the chaos in the nest, one find at a time.

Some of My Picks for Cute Tops This Summer

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Have you had that moment that we all seem to get at the start of a new season where you stand in front of your closet and realize you have NOTHING to wear?! That happened to me last week, so I hit the thrift store. And of course, I mostly bought for Darah, but I did snag a cute and on trend top from Ann Taylor Loft for $3.50!

But thrift stores are so hit or miss, and you definitely can’t always find what you are looking for by shopping there. Believe it or not, I do also shop retail. I’m just very selective about where I do my shopping! As much as I love the prices at places like Forever 21, I don’t like feeling like all my parts are hanging out everywhere. At the risk of sounding old fashioned, why can’t I look nice without looking like I’m not wearing enough clothes? In fact, I think that once you are out of college, less is NOT more when it comes to clothes (unless you have genes like Beyonce Knowles. In which case we can’t be friends).

One store I love to shop at is DownEast Basics. It is a great place to shop for more modest clothing, all without feeling like you suddenly relegated yourself to the embarrassing section of the department store (you know what I’m talking about…).

Here are my suggestions for tops to consider this season!

1. Mirror, Mirror. This blouse makes me think of the beach, but not so much so that it can only be worn there! What a beautiful way to look effortlessly elegant. Pair with your favorite denim (or even some cute short) and some flats. Add some chunky jewelry and you are ready to roll.

2. Royal Ruffle. This takes the tank top to places it has never been before! I love how DownEast Basics took something that is the ultimate in casual and made it dressy! So cute!

3. For you real bargain hunters out there, may I suggest the Appliq-A-Ok top? I own it, and I adore it! And it is currently on sale for $12.99. I can tell you that you will be so glad you got this top if you purchase it! It goes with everything, and dresses up or down with ease!

So what about you? What are some of the styles you will be sporting this summer? Any top picks of your own to share with others? Any jewelry picks??? (I stink at picking out jewelry!)

Disclaimer: I am participating in a blogger campaign and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are strictly my own.

DownEast Basics for an Affordable Wardrobe Overhaul

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downeast basics gray top

On Memorial Day, we headed out to the Memphis Zoo to enjoy the beautiful weather and the super-cool animals. I really enjoyed getting ready for the zoo that morning because I had a fun new top to wear! Check out my Appliq-A-OK Tank from DownEast Basics. I think this is the perfect choice for any fashion-conscious lady who still has to live in the real world and can’t dress like the girls in Sex and the City. As a working mom, I love the fact that this top is going to be doing double-duty for me. It is comfortable and simple enough to wear when casually bopping around town and going to places like the zoo. But just throw a blazer over it and you are ready for business, literally! It can be a challenge to find pieces that can hold their own simultaneously at the ballpark and in the boardroom, but this shirt is definitely one of them. And the price is oh-so wallet friendly, retailing at just $22.99.

This is the second item in my closet from DownEast Basics, and it certainly won’t be the last. Their pieces are cut so that they fit but aren’t skin-tight. They are flattering, current, but not so trendy that they’ll be outdated by this time next year. I love that!

If you are unfamiliar with DownEast Basics, I really encourage you to take a look around. You’ll find so many items that are cute at a price that leaves room for all those things you have to buy for the baby! A few of my favorite pieces are the Santa Barbara halter swimsuit, and the cupid cardigan. So cute!

green skirt from downeast basics Win it!:
Ok, Stuff Parents Need readers, it just might be your lucky day! One of you is going to win THE ITEM OF YOUR CHOICE(!) from DownEast Basics’ New Arrivals collection! Swoon!The contest will run until June 15th at 7:59pm CST when a winner will be selected using Random.org. The winner will be emailed and will have 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is selected. Open to residents of the United States. Please be advised that the winner of this contest will not be eligible to win any other DownEast Basics giveaway on my site for 90 days.

Edit: This giveaway is CLOSED

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Disclosure: I received a complimentary product for review purposes. The opinions expressed in this post are strictly my own.