Last year, I lost track of the amount of money I spent on my daughter’s first Christmas. I didn’t set a budget. I didn’t write a list. Instead, I bought almost all of the must have items published in parenting magazines and posted on websites. Some of the toys are still in boxes and haven’t seen the light of day in my little one’s nursery! This year, I’m not going under to put gifts under the tree. But I still spent more on her than anyone else. I’ve ordered a kid’s kitchen and all the matching accessories, an activity cube that rivals the one in the pediatrician’s office, a princess pram to push her doll babies in when we walk in the park and several other things I know she doesn’t really need but mommy wants her to have. When she was first-born, I never would have thought of adding myself to my Christmas shopping list. I didn’t mind that my wardrobe wasn’t up-to-date. I lost a lot of weight due to breastfeeding and chasing around a very active little girl, so most of my clothes were two sizes too big. For a long time, I felt guilty purchasing presents for myself, especially since I could use that cash to fill her already overflowing closet or to pay for preschool next year. Now, I realize that it’s OK to treat myself from time to time. In fact, that makes me a better parent, because I am able to maintain my identity as a woman and not just a mom. Still, I won’t break the bank on myself. That’s why I’ve been looking for fabulous finds online. Recently, I received an email to check out the upscale women’s clothing company, Spiegel’s. I grew up getting the catalogues in the mail and would circle what I wanted. I figured the clothes were out of my reach, but when I logged onto the website, I found that most of the things I eyed were actually on sale. Here are Five Fabulous Finds Every Mom Should Add to Her Shopping List: 1. A Slimming Coat You probably have a puffer jacket in the back of your closet. It’s not the most appealing article of clothing to wear after having a baby, since you don’t want to wear clothes that make you feel bigger. Once my brother-in-law asked a co-worker when she was due, when she already had the baby! No one would dare utter those words to you in this botanical print by Shape fx. The Shape fx line makes the body I have look like the body I want. Don’t get me wrong, I am not embarrassed about my baby belly and stretch marks (a.k.a. my love marks or mama tattoos). However, I still like when someone compliments my clothing and love when they call me sexy! Originally $189, this cute coat is on sale for $94. 2. A Little Black Dress This ain’t yo mama’s black dress! This trendy, lacy mock neck dress has a flirty feel. You’ll surely stand out at this year’s Christmas party and may be mistaken for the company’s new intern. I love lace, but sometimes it comes across as something someone retired would wear. But this dress, on sale for $144, has a much more modern appeal. 3. A Gorgeous Necklace Hi my name and Heather and I am a costume jewelry addict. I rarely buy the real deal, because I’ve lost a countless number of diamond bracelets, amethyst earrings and gold necklaces. If I misplace a costume piece, I don’t lost sleep or stress out! But I doubt I lose track of this multi-chain knotted necklace. I can dress up jeans, make the my job’s dress code more daring or add sparkle to a girls’ night out outfit. 4. A Stylish Diaper Bag This isn’t really a diaper bag, but I would transform it into one! I never carried diaper bags with cartoon characters embroidered onto the front. For my baby shower, my mother bought me a designer one. This foldover tote has plenty of space and inner zipper and slip pockets. You can fit your baby’s diapers, wipes and rattles inside this bag and still have room for your cell phone, makeup and wallet. It’s a steal for $74. 5. A Chic Scarf Spiegel’s site has plenty of finds for under $30, including this chic scarf. It’s affordable enough to give one and get one for yourself. It comes in a satin or gauze fabric with a variety of pretty prints. You have to act fast, because the exclusive holiday scarf is offered for a limited time only. Hey DFTM members, what fabulous finds would you add to my list? What is the best deal in Spiegel’s sale section? 15 Responses Smart & Sassy Mom December 1, 2012 I love it! I’ll take all five please! 🙂 Reply Uneeka Jay December 1, 2012 Great article! Revising my list RIGHT NOW to put myself on it! LOL! Reply Aja December 1, 2012 Like them all, especially the coat! Reply Janeane Davis December 2, 2012 I don’t celebrate Christmas but give my family gifts all year long. You read right my family. I always forget myself and I have to start showing myself better friendship. I love the necklace, the little black dress and that diaper bag is cute enough for everyday! Reply GG December 2, 2012 Great post, Heather and a very very important topic. It’s so easy for us moms to lose ourselves -the things that make us the women we are – after we have kids. And I agree with Janeane, that diaper bag is definitely fab enough for every day! All of these are great pics. 🙂 xoxo Reply MELISASource December 2, 2012 I totally agree with this list!! It can be easy as Moms to leave ourselves off the Christmas shopping list. I make an effort to buy myself at least 1 gift every year. Thanks for sharing! Reply BossyGirl December 2, 2012 This is so awesome! I love Spiegel!! Woohoo!! Reply Djrelat7 December 2, 2012 I don’t need a diaper bag but I would rock that as my purse, its NICE! Reply newmom0608 December 2, 2012 It’s actually a purse…lol…I just said I would rock it as a diaper bag b/c I’m that fabulous (just kidding:) Reply Briana @ How's Married Life December 3, 2012 I would add some cute riding boots too! And maybe some matching ones for the little one. Reply Jordan December 3, 2012 I’m not a mom… but this gives me some ideas for my mama! Reply Christine December 3, 2012 I absolutely LOVE it! That slimming coat is to die for! I’m going to forward that picture and link to my hubby to add to my wish list 😉 Reply Chasing Joy December 6, 2012 Definately add your self to your shopping list. Happy mom’s make happy families 🙂 The necklace and scarf are great accessories. Reply DaintyLady December 10, 2012 Love, love, love the coat! Reply newmom0608 December 26, 2012 I know right! This is the first bubble coat that I’ve seen that is slimming. 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Uneeka Jay December 1, 2012 Great article! Revising my list RIGHT NOW to put myself on it! LOL! Reply
Janeane Davis December 2, 2012 I don’t celebrate Christmas but give my family gifts all year long. You read right my family. I always forget myself and I have to start showing myself better friendship. I love the necklace, the little black dress and that diaper bag is cute enough for everyday! Reply
GG December 2, 2012 Great post, Heather and a very very important topic. It’s so easy for us moms to lose ourselves -the things that make us the women we are – after we have kids. And I agree with Janeane, that diaper bag is definitely fab enough for every day! All of these are great pics. 🙂 xoxo Reply
MELISASource December 2, 2012 I totally agree with this list!! It can be easy as Moms to leave ourselves off the Christmas shopping list. I make an effort to buy myself at least 1 gift every year. Thanks for sharing! Reply
Djrelat7 December 2, 2012 I don’t need a diaper bag but I would rock that as my purse, its NICE! Reply
newmom0608 December 2, 2012 It’s actually a purse…lol…I just said I would rock it as a diaper bag b/c I’m that fabulous (just kidding:) Reply
Briana @ How's Married Life December 3, 2012 I would add some cute riding boots too! And maybe some matching ones for the little one. Reply
Christine December 3, 2012 I absolutely LOVE it! That slimming coat is to die for! I’m going to forward that picture and link to my hubby to add to my wish list 😉 Reply
Chasing Joy December 6, 2012 Definately add your self to your shopping list. Happy mom’s make happy families 🙂 The necklace and scarf are great accessories. Reply
newmom0608 December 26, 2012 I know right! This is the first bubble coat that I’ve seen that is slimming. Reply