One of the things on my agenda for tomorrow now (as kindly reminded to me by my dear sweet hubby) is to make an eye appointment! My poor current glasses are literally super glued together in several places; I love them, but it’s time for a new pair. My current pair was purchased at my (Jacksonville) eye doctor and the total cost (lenses and frames) was around $85 – lower end, no name plastic glasses with no frills (yeah, I go for the “emo sexy librarian” look). I want to spend less please, since obviously I cannot keep a pair of glasses together (well, my KID likes to break them!) … so, yeah …

Fox News (on there “Deal or Dud” section) featured a company called ZenniOptical.com (click here to watch the video of Zenni on Fox). The mom on the bit was ordering glasses online for two of her kids and; which happy with the prices, was only happy with one of the pairs of glasses ordered – for the older child. The younger child (around 3 years I would say) had issues with his glasses such as wrong fit and wrong pupil to pupil measurements (he was being wiggly as the mom was trying to take the measurements). So, while Zenni Optical is a great deal – be wary about purchasing from them for younger children. For older kids and adults Zenni Optical is an AWESOME DEAL. We’re talking glasses for as low as $8 (you will also find glasses for $15 and $29). Zenni cuts the cost by making their own frames and shipping them out to the consumer. I personally have not yet tried the company; but I actually plan on trying them out with my next pair of glasses.

I’m literally DROOLING over pregnancy fashion lately! I’ve got some favorites of course - but I’m no movie star; so I’m trying to duplicate the styles without the super high price tag.

Let’s take a few of my favorite baby-making celebrities; Angelina Jolie, Gwen Stefani, Tori Spelling and yes, even Britney Spears. They wore clothes (and are wearing clothes) that looked classy & cute, showed off their blooming bellies and still looked comfortable. Most of their outfits are duplicateable for way less than the “celeb” price tag.

(Image from Wire Image)

Angelina Jolie (will this woman ever need top wrinkle cream?!) - My absolute favorite dress she’s worn has got to be the beautiful Max Azria Atelier gown that she wore to Cannes. The cut was beautiful, the color was amazing and BOY did it look comfortable! Too bad the dress probably cost upwards of $10,000 and $50,000 (I dunno because of course I can’t find the dress online!). The dress has a “twin” though - The Laundry by Design Crinkled Chiffon Long Dress can be found at Bloomies for much less; (originally) $325.00 currently $227.50!!

(Image from People Magazine)

Gwen Stefani - Mrs. Rossdale rocked out her style as usual all the way through her pregnancy with son Kingston and is still rocking it while pregnant with her new edition (due this summer). A lot of the stuff she wears is not “maternity” clothing though, and just seems to be bigger sizes of shifty dresses and non-fitted shirts. She wore a beautiful off the shoulder shifty dress in leopard print to the Grammys in 2006 (I can’t find the information on it though) and looked very chic and comfy in a Mira pullover tunic in grey (find something similar at Old Navy!) on a day out in Beverly Hills. The tunic is priced at $128 which isn’t really that expensive when you think of “celebrity style” you know. You can find a black tube top (maternity) at Old Navy for $20 (but Old Navy is ALWAYS having sales!) It seems to be all about comfort with Gwen’s pregnancy style.

(Image from OK Magazine)

Tori Spelling - Tori went back and forth between fitted tummy-showing outfits and flowy, shifty dresses. One really nice shirt I noticed was the Chiarakruza’s Dallas Top (Denise Richards also wore this shirt). It looks great both during pregnancy and after baby. PLUS - it’s low cut enough where you could totally pop out one of the “twins” and nurse the baby! And at $88 it can fit into a “non-celebrity” budget. Another great dress (shown in photo above) looks super comfy! I have no idea what it is (designer-wise) but it’s “twin” the “Smocked Scoopneck Dress” - the can be found at BabyStyle for $78!

Britney Spears - My all time favorite baby shirt (in terms of “How Freakin’ Cute”) is the “I’ve Got the Golden Ticket” she wore to the “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” premier. I have zero clue where she bought it originally; but this one is super easy to duplicate. Go get yourself a maternity tank top from say, Motherhood (I know they have a dark teal) or a strappy cami from Old Navy and get some iron ons and make it! Super easy and super cheap.

Got any fashion duplicating tips to share? Please send them along!

I just moved to Virginia and already noticed the fashion differences between here and Florida. I feel like I am back in Spain again! The boots (over the jeans of course), the heels, the scarves and sweaters! It’s winter in the city baby! I picked up a paid of super cute Ugg-wannabe boots over at Wet Seal (pic to the left). I’ve never really lived in a place where I could wear such furry boots, lol. I’m a Florida girl you know! While checking out the Dec ‘07/Jan ‘08 People Style I saw a whole page devoted to “winter wear” for under $100 (my boots didn’t make the list). They are all super cute, just not $20! They also had cute sweaters pictured (I really want an Eskimo-type jacket with a furry hood!!) I loved the one I saw at American Eagle yesterday while I was shopping. HM also had a beautiful pea-coat style one which was only $69. The AE one made the list in People also - it’s $79.50. I gotta give kudos to the awesome Swedish style snow hats with the pom-poms attached! I tried several on in the store only to be laughed at by my husband. He doesn’t share the same hat love I do. My friend, Tascha tried on a couple cute hats also, and took “My Space” style pics … wonder if she’s posted them yet, lol.

One trend I don’t get is the slipper style booties. Can you wear them outside? Weird. Also, Ugg has has sheepskin flip flops. WTH?