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Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

Joe Fresh

The Monday Covet List

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Another Monday, another Covet List!

(A little background: Since I’ve decided that coveting is infinitely more agreeable than reckless spending, I was thrilled to be approached by Nadia Carriere of Child Mode to participate in the Monday Covet List. Together with some of my favorite fashion and style bloggers, Nicole Feliciano of Mom Trends, Vera Sweeney of Lady and the Blog and Audrey McClelland of Mom Generations, we’ll share 3-4 covet-worthy products that we are currently lusting over.)

Of course, I’ve realized that coming up with a covet list is way too easy because I tend to covet things all the time. This week, I’ve got the following gorgeous pieces on my mind (and perhaps favourited on my browser)…

This week I’m paying homage to one of my favourite Canadian purveyors of frugal fashion: Joe Fresh. The Loblaw Company apparel line, Canada’s biggest clothing brand, launched online shopping at the beginning of this month to eager consumers. And while I’ve never found it particularly difficult to find Joe Fresh clothing – living in close proximity to Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstore and the Joe Fresh stand-alone store at Heartland Shopping Centre – I do find it frustrating to sift through clothing to find a particular look or size, especially since each boutique is organized differently. And since I always spend more than $50 at Joe Fresh, I’m loving the fact that the clothing can be sent straight to my door at no extra cost.

HOT TIP: Check the SALE section frequently online. Right now you can grab long-sleeved tees (in 12 colours!) on clearance for just $4.94, and tank tops are a steal at just $3.94 each.

This week, I’ve got my eye on the following items –

Pictured, top to bottom: Ruffle Silk Shirt, $49; Long Puffer Jacket, $89; Wide Stripe Cardigan, $19.

Joe Fresh: HOT Clearance on Now!

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Every smart mama knows to purchase clothing for their growing children out of season, in the hopes of scoring a sweet deal on threads that will have a short lifespan.

Last night, while attempting to keep my sanity during a grocery run at Loblaws (+ two whiny kids and one hungry husband), I decided that I simply must take 2 minutes to see if there was something that caught my eye in the toddler clearance rack at Joe Fresh. Well, hubby allotted exactly two minutes (you know that glazed-over look they get in their eyes when you peruse through a sale rack? yeah, that look) so I quickly rummaged to see if there was anything I could grab Ryder for next summer, when he’d be a size up.

In just under two minutes I was able to extract the following finds: a few cute tees for around the house, a pair of fleece shorts, and a sweet pair of plaid shorts that cost less than three apples!

I’m curious if the stand-alone Joe Fresh store has similar bangin’ deals – imagine the non-damage I could do with a better selection and without three dudes breathing down my neck? Will definitely have to place a call in this morning!

Pop by the Joe Fresh store at your local Loblaws or Real Canadian Superstore to score some fabulous clearance deals that will have your kids dressed for less.

Oh You Pretty Things

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I am not too embarrassed to admit that I pretty much drop everything when this Joe Fresh commercial comes on the air. Hubba hubba.

Yikes. They didn’t make geeks like that when I went to school. Just sayin’.

Joe Fresh Opening Day Haul

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As Mother Nature decided to toy with us last night (hopefully for the last time), I wasn’t able to make the pre-launch of Mississauga’s Joe Fresh at Heartland Town Centre. No matter, I bundled up the kiddos and made my way over this morning, where I was beyond excited to take in all the Joe had to offer (minus the grocery cart, of course).

(I’ll have to let you know here that I was so terribly excited to actually be in a Joe Fresh stand-alone that I completely forgot to take pictures inside. Of course, running after Ryder as he tore around the store was also a slight distraction. Above is a photo I borrowed from Joe Fresh’s Facebook; but check out pictures of my haul below.)

Now today only, every one can score 20% off (almost) everything – I say “almost” because their daily deal, Womens Boot Cut Jeans and Mens Classic Fit Jeans, were just $10 (!) and thus excluded from the promo. But really, who’s going to argue for a further discount on $10 jeans??? Such a sweet deal!

My first impression of the store is that it is very well laid out. Ladies in front, mens in the middle and kids/ babies at the back. Plus, cosmetics are conveniently nestled close to the checkout – no doubt so that associates can keep on eye on them, too. The store is very bright, clean and uncluttered – exactly the way I like it. Helpful associates were at every turn ready to help, and did an awesome job of keeping the store immaculate and the lines moving (approx. 3-4 minute wait for a change room; less than a minute wait to check out).

Selection for ladies is jaw-dropping compared to their grocery store alternative; I don’t know if this is just a Jedi mind trick since the clothing is spread out so well, or if there there really is that much more stock and selection. I flew through menswear (sorry hubby) to the back, where I found items for baby and toddler similar to those I’ve seen at Loblaws and Superstore. BUT, at 20% off, I felt compelled to load up my cart (um, stroller – no baskets/bags were offered during the shopping experience, making it slightly difficult to hold on to everything, especially cosmetics). Since I’m still on track to shed 10 pounds before summer, I took a pass on clothes for myself and instead grabbed a few to-die-for threads for Ryder – but wasn’t loving the babies wear much, so sadly, Reid went home empty handed.

I also made a very necessary stop to the cosmetics counter and grabbed a variety of Joe Fresh nail polishes – since they’ve inspired a cult-like following (and are 3 for $10!), many shades were already sold out just half an hour into opening day.

Here’s my haul:

Nail Polish, from Left to Right:
FIG, STORM, ESPRESSO, GUNMETAL, PRUNE AND PAPAYA

Top:
BASE/TOP COAT, PETAL (which was my FREE gift with purchase – today only!)

I also grabbed BLOOM – a bright pink peony – but I forgot to include it in the photo above. Oops. For those who are interested, it is said FIG is a dupe of OPI’s Parlez Vous OPI, STORM is a dupe of OPI’s Metro Chic, and GUNMETAL is a dupe of Chanel’s Steel. A dupe for under $4? Yes please.

I had the pleasure of chatting with Edwin, Joe Fresh’s Cosmetics Coordinator, and we had a great conversation about the best way to apply Joe Fresh nail polish:

1. Always apply a clear base coat first.
2. Apply one or two coats of nail polish – MAX – these colours are not meant to be piled on like other brands; they’ll get goopy and chip easily. The only exception would be shimmer shades like Gunmetal, where you may have to work to get the coverage you’re looking for.
3. Apply a top coat to finish.

Now for the affordable & stylish toddler clothes:

The entire haul pictured above cost just $46 before taxes. The shorts were the most expensive at $14 each ($11.20 after discount), but the quality was above average and I just loved the matching belts.

Of course, with all the pretty summer clothes on display, I just HAD to grab something for myself, so I settled on this ultra-girly floral appliqué top in coral – just $16 ($12.80 after discount). The tee is available in a variety of colours – I had a hard time choosing.

To top it all off, I took my purchases home in a cute reusable tote – a thoughtful finishing touch!

Overall, the store size and selection met my expectations; the staff’s availability, helpfulness and friendliness exceeded them. Of slight concern is the absence of shopping bags/hand buggies to help haul around your merchandise, but its an easy fix and I’m hoping the store takes note.

For those who live in the Greater Toronto Area, make a trip out to Heartland and visit Joe Fresh – it’s pretty darn fabulous.