Hello all of my Fall Fashionistas,

It’s time to put away the sunglasses and break out the school supplies because with September just around the corner, back-to-school shopping is in full swing. To some, going back to school brings jitters, but with a little planning, you can make going back to school simple and stress-free. Wearing something new can help your child feel more at ease and you don’t have to spend a lot to get a lot. If you’re a fashion forward parent, you can get your kids up to speed with clothes that are both comfy and current. Wanting to know the latest trends for the fall season, I enlisted the help of Savvy Shopper Miss Olivia for her keen sense of tween style and headed down to the Children’s Place.



After taking one look around the store, it was obvious the 80’s are back with a vengeance. Younger girls are going crazy over leggings, graphic tees and striped threads. You wore them in the 80s and now they are back as the perfect way to mix lazy-gal fashion with that fun retro look. Mix-and-match clothing is at the top of the list this season and as Olivia points out, this skirt ($14.50) can easily be paired with a jacket ($34.50) and leggings ($10.50) to turn an old summer style into a new fall one.

Since the majority of your child's time will be spent in casual clothes, they need to be durable enough to handle a variety of tough situations. Denim is always in style because you can dress it up with flats ($19.50), or pair it with pink faux-Ugg boots ($26.50) like the one’s Olivia spotted from across the store and were undoubtedly her favorite find of the day. She also found this great jean jacket ($24.99) and wide leg pant ($16.50) in deep blue for 25% off.  Pair with “My Perfect Look” graphic tee (2 for $15) for a great way to show off your own unique personality and style.  

In addition to denim, wool fabrics like tweed and flannel ($16.50) will be a big hit as we move into fall. Olivia found this cute sweater dress in pink which is perfect for keeping warm on cooler days



Back-to-school shopping can get expensive, but it doesn’t have to be if you know where to go. With Labor Day sales coming up, this is a great time to get all of your back-to-school fashion needs at discount prices. Woodburn Company Stores offers other great tween fashion stores such as Aeropostale, Gap Generation, PacSun and Zumiez. For your other little ones, check out Carter’s, Gymboree and OshKosh B’Gosh and turn back-to-school shopping into one-stop shopping.

Hello, all of my Savvy Sun Goddesses!

Attention all women who love style… and the outdoors! After a damp and cool spring, the sun is finally here, and to most of us vitamin D-lacking Oregonians, this means spending more time outdoors soaking up the rays. Whether you are working in the garden, hiking the trails, or walking around your favorite outlet mall, keeping your feet cool and comfortable in the summer heat is a must. If you’re the outdoorsy type, you know that walking long hours outside requires shoes that are both functional and comfortable. Although those strappy sandals of yours might be cute, your feet deserve shoes suitable for all your outdoor activities. We know deep down there is a little bit of the wild in all of us, which is why I know you will love Merrell and their versatile selection of outdoor footwear.

All of Merrell’s shoes include built-in arch support, designed to bring the sole closer to your foot, as well as patented Air Cushion soles that make you feel like you’re walking on air (trust me, it’s heaven). For the seasoned outdoor pro, Merrell offers a broad range of climbing, running and hiking boots, such as the multi-purpose Siron Sync that features unique lacing for ultimate comfort.

When you’re off the trail, Merrell carries stylish adventure sandals, comfy moccasins and hi-tech water-sport shoes that are slip resistant, light weight and super cute (my favorite are the stylish top-sider look-alikes below). You can ditch your clingy cotton tops as well, because Merrell carries items like the quick-dry, breathable shirt with built-in bra featured below, designed to reflect moisture off your skin and keep you feeling as dry and comfy as your feet.

Merrell carries women’s shoe sizes 5-11, including half sizes, with prices ranging from $40-$160. My favorite part is that these shoes are designed to be worn in all types of weather, so when the rainy months of Oregon return, these shoes will STILL be keeping my feet cool and dry (but let’s not get too ahead of ourselves!) Stop in today to receive 20-70% off and check out the newest addition to the Woodburn Company Stores!

Good morning, Deal Finders,

The scene: Portland airport. Me, hustling from the Delta check-in counter, through security, hopping on one foot as I tear off another shoe and throw it in the tub. Laptop’s out, shampoo into plastic baggies, and carry-on items on the scanner as I try not to tie up the 50 people behind me. All of a sudden, a thought crosses my mind: I am wearing a wool shirt. I should be itchy, sweating and entirely uncomfortable during the dash to catch my flight. Yet I am cool, comfortable, and look incredibly stylish on a sunny Oregon day. I am wearing Icebreaker’s 100% merino wool, ¾ length sleeve, V-neck tee.

48 hours ago I was a skeptic. There is no way that wool clothing could be comfortable and breathable, let alone be something that a person could do an airport-workout in! That was until I had the chance to sit down with Icebreaker’s regional manager, John, and store manager, Kevin, while they were setting up their newest store and talk about why Icebreaker is such an amazing product.

Yes, since Icebreaker makes wool products, they have a number of great items that will keep you warm in an Oregon winter (or fall and spring for that matter) but the coolest part about Icebreaker to is its functionality outside of keeping a girl warm. Kevin and John were telling me that one of the things people don’t know about Icebreaker is that their merino wool is actually a “super duper fabric” that not only felt soft but was also breathable and odor resistant, making it perfect fabric for our active Northwest lifestyles. Even in the summer. They carry shirts, sweaters, hoodies, socks, running tights, and yes, even underwear! I had doubt written all over my face until Kevin handed me a gorgeous blue tee and black cami and told me that I wouldn’t believe him until I tried it. And believe me, I put these items to the test. As John put it, "once you go wool, you never go back!"

Not only did my Icebreaker keep me cool and dry in the airport hustle. But here I am, 24 hours after my flight to Orlando on the hot, humid patio in the very same blue wool shirt. The airline has lost my luggage. Still cool, still dry and surprisingly fresh. After laying the garment out last night, it was ready to wear, zero odor, and wrinkle free this morning. WOW!

One thing the guys talked about was the difference between the synthetic fibers that are blended into almost all of our clothes, and the all-natural fabric that makes up Icebreaker's clothing. This fabric won’t pill, is super tough, and is machine washable!  Kevin told me you can “wear the heck out of it” and really put it to the test on his 6-month hike through the Appalachian Mountains in his Icebreaker. After 180 days with a heavy pack on his back, he finally started to see signs of wear to his t-shirt. The last shirt I bought lasted 3 washes before I was using it to clean my mini-blinds.

Another reason I’m raving about Icebreaker is because they are an innovatively sustainable company. All merino sheep that contribute to Icebreaker’s line live the high life on small farms in New Zealand. One sheep will produce about 5 garments. You can even find out where your Icebreaker came from by tracking its Baacode; Yes, say it out loud, "Baaaaaaacode!" Each garment has its own individual code that you can enter at Icbreaker.com. Your Baacode will lead you back to the New Zealand farms that the wool in your garment came from and even watch video of the farmers themselves.

Icebreaker has been making a name for itself worldwide for 15 years and is now staking its claim in the Americas. They are currently opening their 3^rd North American store at Woodburn Company Stores in Woodburn, Oregon on May 21^st . The best part about lucky store number 3 is that it will be an outlet and will be carrying product directly from their retail stores, a few seasons back, but at prices 25-50% off. Icebreaker makes baselayer, underwear, tees, tights, sweaters and jackets for men, women and children. So whether you’re looking for a comfortable tee to hike in, baselayer for Mt. Hood this winter, or some new running gear, you can find high quality, all natural clothing from a sustainable company at Icebreaker.

I just can’t say enough about why I love this product, but you’ll have to trust me when I tell you to visit Kevin at their Woodburn location to try it out for yourselves…at a discount, of course. Happy Shopping!

Hi, Ladies,

This weekend, I found myself not thinking about April showers, but baby showers. For the past week I have been contemplating a good gift to give the modern-day baby. Luckily, my girlfriend passed on the news about a new trendy, yet practical, infant shoe collection named Robeez.

I don’t know if it was the mini-high tops or Mary-Janes that sealed the deal, but there was something about the comfortable vibe they gave off that made me wish they carried Robeez in my size. I went ahead and picked up a pair for the shower, as well as a pair for the neighbor’s kid because I couldn’t help myself. Unlike other soft soled baby booties, Robeez has elastic bands to help keep them on your kid’s feet without having to deal with problematic socks. Not to mention, they are machine washable, which makes them even more appealing.

Stride Rite carries over 50 different styles for ages zero to six months, as well as slipper inspired styles for ages three to four years. Perfect for today’s eco-conscious consumer, Robeez are made from earth-friendly materials such as organic cotton canvas leathers and water tolerable inks—and they’re affordable! Robeez are selling for as cheap as $28 to $36 a pair, and the best part is that Stride Rite at WCS is offering several different Robeez styles for just $19.99!

Do you have a baby shower coming up? Find Robeez and other wonderful shoes at Stride Rite’s May Day Sale starting May 4 through the 17^th. Enjoy saving 25%-50% off regular prices of selected styles, as well as some specialty marked items priced as low at $9.99. Hope to see you there!