Monday, March 7, 2011

FREE OLD NAVY JEANS?! WHAT?!!! :)


I belong to Crowdtap, an online review panel that answers questions, joins in discussions and sometimes, like me, get to sample new products and share the review and great news with all of my friends!  I wrote this last night and wanted to share it!

Me & My Three Sisters got our free sample Old Navy ankle jeans today - plus I had to make a few other purchases while there! ;) I was so excited to be chosen as one of the participants in this sample share. After I received the coupons in the mail yesterday, I could hardly sleep last night knowing the next day me and my three sisters, Melissa, Mindy & Miranda were going shopping for our free ankle jeans!!!

PARTY TIME: I told my sisters the good news yesterday at my sister Miranda’s 27th birthday party. She had come home from out of town for the party so it was a double party with a birthday and the celebration of free jeans from Old Navy in our near future! We made plans to go shopping together this afternoon! The local Old Navy is about a 45 minute drive from my house so my sisters and I made a day of this exciting event! We ate lunch and headed off for our adventure at the mall!

A BIT OF CONFUSION: I came prepared and was glad I printed off the page you sent out about the dates on the backs of the coupons being a typo because they were a bit hesitant about us using the coupons. The store manager had never heard of Crowdtap and it was the first she had seen/heard of the coupons/samples so I tried to fill her in as best I could. I also explained that this was the first sample share so there were a few glitches being ironed out. We also discussed the possibility of Crowdtap informing the Old Navy stores about who they are and events/promotions like this in the future. So on behalf of the Moscow, Idaho Old Navy store I am forwarding that request to you. Another thing I should mention is there was some confusion among the associates as to what exactly the “ankle jeans” were. At the suggestion of the associate, Megan, which is my name, she said to pick a few different styles and that we would ring them up and hopefully one of our selections would work.  They were very nice about it and as it all turned out, there were no problems when they rang up the items and we all got great new jeans and had a wonderful shopping trip. I am so excited to share the photos and write the review on these jeans! It was an awesome day!!!! 

The Style & Function: I tried on the Rockstar Crop, the Diva Relaxed Skinny and the Diva Super Skinny Cuff in both the Tipai wash and the Mekong wash. I really liked all the styles and had a hard time making a decision on just one! I ended up choosing the the Diva Super Skinny Cuff in Tipai which is a medium blue wash with slight worn detailing throughout which I absolutely LOVE! I like the weathering kind of detailing so they look like they have been well loved, which they will be, while still having the hip and modern cut and fit. I tried the jeans on with a girly floral print top (the ruffled gauze top in the purple floral print) and a white cardigan. I will attach the photo.  

I ended up buying the entire outfit (shoes purchased separately) because I loved the mix of the femininity of the floral blouse paired with the edginess of the worn look of the Super Skinny Cuff Diva jeans. I am going to be able to wear these with my tall zip up boots right now since there is still snow on the ground, as well as with my wedges, flats and sandals for spring and summer. They are very versatile which for me is really important. I am a mother of two and have to make a dollar stretch. I need my wardrobe to be not only affordable, but also be filled with items that I can mix and match for all four seasons. So although these pants are probably geared more for spring/summer, you will be finding me wearing them all throughout the year. I am blessed to work from home so I will be able to wear them at home, running errands, going to church (because our church is casual) and just hanging out with family and friends. 

The Fit: I can wear both size 12 & 14 in Old Navy pants but with these I had to go with the size 14. I would probably recommend that if you go back and forth between sizes to try on the larger of the sizes first – the rise is lower on this style and the ankles fit close to the body and might be tight on some ladies legs. I am comfortable with that style though. I like the way these pants hug my body. I have larger hips and thighs and I feel like these jeans do not accentuate that but rather slenderize and lengthen my legs making me look taller and leaner which every lady can appreciate! The quality as usual from Old Navy is top notch while still able to keep the price affordable! I also like that they are comfortable so I will still be able to chase my two sons – Levi 2 and Wyatt 1 - who are both very active and keep this mommy “on-the-go!” 

My Friends:  My sisters who were the recipients of my three friend coupons were very excited and happy with the entire experience as well. Melissa, chose The Rockstar Crop in the black wash. She was a little disappointed to have to go up a size from her regular number to get the right fit but she was happy with a dark jean to dress up or dress down. She was a bit hesitant when I told her we were getting “ankle jeans” but she ended up really liking them.  Mindy, 37, chose The Diva Relaxed Skinny jeans in the Miwok wash (lighter blue). She liked the way the jeans fit and especially liked the worn spot and wash detailing. She has a 14 year old daughter and is looking forward to being the hip “Soccer Mom”!  My sister Miranda is 27 and a slender 5’10”. She ended up purchasing The Diva Super Skinny Cuff in the dark wash. She was very excited about the free jeans! 

Conclusion: My sisters and I recommend trying on several sizes and styles in these jeans to find the right fit and look for you! I think they would be great for a variety of ages, body shapes and walks of life with the various cuts, colors and styles available. These jeans are perfect for my life and lifestyle! Overall, I am VERY SATISFIED & EXCITED with my jeans!  I will be telling all of my friends about these new jeans – and Crowdtap!!! I really enjoyed writing this review. And a HUGE THANK YOU for the opportunity and wonderful experience of being a part of the first Crowdtap sample share! I hope to be a part of future samplings. Thanks!

To become a part of Crowdtap, visit:
 http://crowdtap.com/invitations/4d545a0e137bb00c63000273

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Irish Name, Irish Twins, Irish Temper

I guess it is fitting that a girl with an Irish name, would have Irish twins and an Irish temper!

Isaac is out of town working on his car's brakes at my parent's shop (about 45 minutes away) and he called and asked me to stop by a car supply store to pick up some brake fluid. I said sure and took the boys in with me. Levi took off running up and down and around the isles. I was trying to ask the guy behind the counter for help and as I was running after my son, he was asking me what kind I needed - I said it was for a Subaru Impreza - he asked what year the car was, etc, etc. I DON'T KNOW! Then Levi ran back into the employee only area while I was trying to call Isaac but since he was at my parent's shop, I got my mom instead. Poor mom. I got a little snippy and ended up hanging up on her - not on purpose, but because I was toting Wyatt on my hip, trying to talk on the phone, and trying to chase after my two year old in my high heeled boots! I knew I should have worn sneakers! Plus I have a new phone on top of it and tried to answer a call from back from Isaac and accidentally hung up on him as well! Aaaaaaaa!


I purchased what I hope is the right brake fluid, (while a dad from our church held onto Levi - he and his son walked through the store door at the perfect time!) threw the kids in the van, well I didn't literally throw them in but you know what I mean. While I was buckling Wyatt in his car seat, Levi crawled into the driver's seat while at the same time stepping in my fresh cup of Starbucks Caramel Macchiato! He was screaming because it was hot while it spilled EVERYWHERE -which reminds me I need to go clean up that sticky mess, ugh! I had only had two sips!!!!!  What should have been an easy stop when I was out running errands with the boys, quickly spiraled out of control and left me in, well instead of tears, a fit of anger! But I wanted to cry!

 
I HATE crying! When I was a young girl, I would cry at the drop of a hat - disappointing a teacher or coach, or getting a reprimand from my parents and I would burst out into tears. But now that I have "matured" and become an "adult" I have turned my girly tears into madness! I don't yell or scream but I just feel this frustration bubbling to the surface and by that point, you better just run the other way or else face the red hot birth mark that lights up my forehead and you know the volcano is about to erupt!! I am typically slow to anger and it doesn't happen often but it's typically my husband that gets the brunt of it. I kinda remember, not screaming, but talking VERY LOUDLY when I finally got ahold of him. I wanted him to know how much trouble he had caused me.

I called back to apologize to my husband after I had cooled down - the same as my spilt coffee - and after I had purchased another coffee, but I didn't get a hold of him. I was thinking of that verse, "In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry"...Ephesians 4:26  I think I didn't do so well this time but thank the Lord he forgives and with His help we can do better next time!

Now I am left wondering and hoping that I got the right brake fluid! I think I remember saying that it BETTER be the right kind cuz I WASN"T GOING BACK! :) Guess I'll find out when I go out there later for my sister & mom's birthday party once the boys wake up from their nap. Now I better go clean up the van...