One simply doesn’t go to the country club without dressing the part. Preppy fashion is all about looking classic, chic, and conservative.

Although it started in the 1800s, this style is still alive and well.

If you’re interested in leveling up your wardrobe, the preppy trendy is the way to go. Not only does it look professional, but it uses more durable and high-quality fabrics. These are designs that will last a lifetime.

Not sure where to start shopping first? Here are the top 11 best preppy brands for men’s, women’s, and children’s fashion.

1. Coach

Starting with a bang, the top luxury preppy brand is Coach. Known for its signature monogrammed handbags, this brand has much more to offer.

Its runway couture sometimes strays from the crisp, clean preppy staples. But, by using collars, buttons, and high-neck lines, it nods to this historic fashion trend.

Notable items: The Kitt Messenger Bag in Jacquared Signature or the Soft Trifold Wallet in Black.

2. Vineyard Vines

When you want classic basics on a budget, head to Vineyard Vines. You can find every pastel and printed polo under the sun in this yacht-club approved brand.

This preppy store has captured the collared hearts of Americans everywhere. They sell casual day clothes and nightwear, as well as accessories and kids’ apparel.

Notable items: The Men’s 8-inch Performance Breaker Shorts in Lobster Reef or the 17-inch Scallop Skort in Deep Bay.

3. Ralph Lauren

What started as a men’s tie fashion line in 1967 grew into a design empire. Ralph Lauren is a staple name in preppy fashion and mid-luxury range home goods.

The first full collection created was in honor of Lauren’s love of sports. He named it “Polo” which also coined the name of the infamous preppy collared casual tops.

Notable items: the Men’s Fair Isle Wool Sweater or the Women’s Glen Plaid Tweed Dress.

4. Kate Spade New York

Any woman who’s ever desired a designer handbag has heard of Kate Spade New York. This quirky yet sophisticated preppy brand is known for its classic handbags and garments.

If there’s a woman in your life with a birthday coming up, wow her with a Kate Spade gift. The jewelry is to die for, as are the matching blazer-cord sets. They even do customization and monogramming!

Notable items: the Taylor Large Diaper Bag in black or the Francois French Bulldog Earrings.

5. J. Crew

This store had its beginnings on the streets of Manhattan in the 1980s. Describing their garments as “classic with a twist”, J. Crew cornered the market of affordable, yet chic apparel.

Today, J. Crew is especially popular with college-aged consumers looking to stay sharp on campus. It’s also a popular brand for business wear and casual weekend clothes.

Notable items: the Girls’ Maxi Dress in Rugby Stripe or the Men’s 250 Skinny-fit Pant in Stretch Chino.

6. Lacoste

Few brands have such a memorable logo as Lacoste. Wear one of their polos with the green alligator and you get an immediate status boost.

That clout was hard-earned; it began in 1933 with tennis shirts designed by Rene Lacoste. The French designer wanted to make sportswear more fashionable. He basically created “athleisure”.

Notable items: the Men’s SPORT Print Breathable Stretch Jersey Golf Polo or the Men’s SPORT Mesh Panel Cotton Hat in red.

7. Tommy Hilfiger

Although this designer has been part of many controversies over the years, nothing can diminish the value of his classic garments. Tommy Hilfiger is an American-prep staple.

His signature red, blue, and white pieces became popular in the 1970s among the rich. Today, you can find TH garments in every department store and as well as many vintage consignment stores.

Notable items: the Women’s Flag LOGO V-Neck Sweater in sky captain blue or the Kids Reversible Hooded Jacket in black iris.

8. Brooks Brothers

This preppy brand is the oldest men’s clothier in the United States. Brooks Brothers is was a family-owned business founded in 1818.

While they design both men’s and women’s clothing today, they’re known for creating preppy staples for men. Customers rave about the dress shirts and classic tuxedos.

Notable items: the Regent Fit One-Button Navy Tuxedo or the Non-Iron Milano Fit Heathered Stripe Sport Shirt in ivy green.

9. Kent & Curwen

This British brand has taken the American fashion market by storm. Kent & Curwen, owned in part by David Beckham, brings English schoolboy prep to American ivy league kids.

One of their top sellers is their men’s messenger bags. Preppy students don’t need a tacky backpack when there are timeless bags from Kent & Curwen.

Notable items: the Canvas and Leather Messenger Bag in navy/black or the Cashmere Crewneck Sweater in red.

10. Country Club Prep

This brand is for anyone who values high-quality, well-made garments that never go out of style. Whether you’re hopping on the family yacht or heading to the derby, Country Club Prep has the perfect outfit for you.

These products range from derby dresses to men’s golf attire to home wear. You can get sophisticated handbags, dresses, and flasks all in the same place.

Notable items: the Piazza Jersey Corset Dress by Gretchen Scott Designs or the Cocktail Party Needlepoint Flask in Dark Navy by Smathers & Bronson.

11. L.L. Bean

The final preppy fashion brand on this list is an American classic. L.L. Bean was started in 1912 and only sold quality duck hunting boots. It grew to sell timeless outdoor attire for both genders.

Whether you’re going to the cottage in the Hamptons or on a hunting expedition, L.L. Bean has durable and affordable clothing for you.

Notable items: the Scotch Plaid Flannel Shirt in Lindsay or the women’s Sweater Fleece Full-Zip Jacket in evening blue.

Interested in Learning More About the Best Preppy Brands in America?

The preppy fashion trend is about wearing garments that can last forever. They’re durable and high-quality while never going out of style.

This style is perfect for the whole family. It especially makes your kiddos look clean and put-together. Start building your wardrobe by shopping at the best preppy brands in America.

To learn how to style different garments and tips for saving money on clothes, check out our shopping section!

Moms are modern-day superheroes. The love and care that they provide is an intrinsic part of the lives of many people around the world. And without them, there would not be any life, let’s not forget.

After years of receiving bland dressing gowns and patronizing ironing boards, moms are finally being treated to the gifts that they deserve for being part of our lives.

You shouldn’t have to wait until next year to reward your mother. If you want to learn about some of the best ideas for gifts for mom available on the market today, please continue reading this article.

1. Deep Cleaning Session

Keeping the house in tip-top shape can feel like a full-time occupation at times. Luckily though, it doesn’t have to be, because Amazon now offers its own in-house deep cleaning operation.

Take the burden off of your mom by booking in one of these deep cleans. As a professional service, Amazon’s cleaning team will be obligated to clean your property from head to toe.

After this is done, you can implement a proper rota system, meaning cleaning duties do not fall on any single person in the house again.

2. BathBomb Set

What could be more relaxing than a hot, candle-lit bathing session with the air filled with fragrance and essential oils? In winter times, it would be difficult to think of something better.

You can easily create this atmosphere using a set of bath bombs. These orb-like creations dissolve as you drop them into the bathwater, releasing a torrent of delightful suds and minerals for the skin.

Give your mother the gift of an evening off with a set of 12 bath bombs from LifeAround2Agengls.

The brand has released a new collection of bath bombs, and they offer free delivery if you live in the US. If your mom likes a certain fragrance, you can customize your next order to include her favorites.

3. Gaiam Yoga Mat Bag

It is estimated that more than 1 in 10 Americans now use yoga as a source of physical fitness and enlightenment. When you consider the number of over-50s taking part has tripled in the past four years, it is clear that the yoga won’t burst any time soon.

This means many mums are getting in on the action. This means a good quality bag to carry their yoga mat could be a perfectly thoughtful gift.

Gaiam’s yoga bag is perfect. Made of cargo material, it should last for years to come.

4. Create Some Citrus Extracts

This is a great gift for moms from those who only have a small budget to work with. All that is needed is a masonry jar or two, and a lemon and orange.

If your mom is a foodie, she would love to add some citrus to her pantry, as they combine so well with many different types of cooking.

You can find out how to make the extracts here.

5. A Personalized Photo Blanket

Imagine how loved your mom will feel curled up under a blanket that displays a loving moment between her and her children.

Luckily, you no longer need to imagine it, as it can be done by the nice folks over at The Memories Place – check it out!

With the ability to add text and even use multiple images, a personalized blanket could be the perfect little way to say ‘I love you’ to your mom, and cherish the memories you’ve had together with her.

6. Dafni Hair Brush

Not many would say that they could do without a high-quality hairbrush set. And this includes your mother too.

So surprise her with a high-quality ceramic hair straightening brush for your next payday. With strong bristles, this will make short work of straightening her hair every day.

7. Plush Robe

It’s time for mom to get rid of that ancient ragged bathrobe you’ve seen her wearing for as long as you can remember.

There are a number of premium bathrobes available on the market now which offer superior softness and comfort.

We recommend the robes here, and you can get 15% off of your first order.

8. Ember Temperature-Controlled Mug

This present is bound to be a crowd-pleaser. These revolutionary mugs work to actively keep the temperature of the liquid inside them nice and warm for the drinker.

You won’t have any more problems of reaching for a drink only to find that your coffee has gone cold. This is the epitome of the tech gift that you didn’t know was needed, only to find you cannot live without it within a week.

Ember produces these containers in all shapes and sizes, so feel free to have a good look to pick the perfect receptacle.

9. Flower Bouquet

Nothing says ‘I love you’ quite like a bouquet of fresh flowers. Surprise your mom with some over the next week, alongside a nice card describing one kind thing she has done for you, but you’ve never thanked her for.

A great way to win some additional brownie points would be to do a little bit of research and find her favorite variety. It is these little thoughtful acts that make all the difference.

10. A Personal Note

Sometimes the best gifts don’t have to be expensive. A personal touch can be invaluable to anyone, especial if it comes from a loving son or daughter.

So get out your old fountain pen, pull out some of that nice paper you’ve been saving for a special occasion, and write a note for your mother.

You could say anything to her. Talk about memories from times gone by, or thank her for an act of kindness she has done for you in the past.

Think of it as an opportunity to sing about an unsung hero.

Show Your Love With Gifts For Mom

Moms do so much for their children and partners, without ever receiving any true thanks or gratitude. Think of buying gifts for mom as a small repayment for the endless good things she has done for you over the years.

It really is the least you can do.

If you’ve liked the gift ideas in this article, be sure to check the links, as there are deals and promotions linked to each of them that you can benefit from.

Did you know that over 15 million Americans have an alcohol use disorder?

Whether you’re struggling with an addiction or you feel like you drink too often, learning how to cut back or quit entirely can revolutionize your health.

Do you want to know how you can conquer this bad habit? Keep reading for 7 ways to stop drinking.

[Read more…]

As a parent, you always want to give your kids the best—even when they start to get older and seem like they’re growing out of certain things. So, naturally, special occasions like birthdays become difficult because gift-giving just isn’t the same.

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As summer draws to a close it’s time to start thinking about the best holiday of the year–Halloween! When you have kids, Halloween is both a ton of fun and a major headache. Getting your kid to settle on a costume that you can both agree on is definitely one of those headaches.

[Read more…]

Have you recently inherited an old family heirloom from a parent or other loved one? Do you want to keep it in good condition so you can pass it on to your own children one day?

There are plenty of reports out saying that Millennial children don’t want their parents’ antiques. You never know what your kids might want when they get older, though.

[Read more…]

Teaching your child to garden is a useful tool in life. As food becomes more expensive, gardens can fulfill dietary needs. A garden provides healthy food as well. Your child can learn about life cycles and enjoy the fruits of their labor. Whether you have a garden or want to start one, here are a few tips.

[Read more…]

Short on cash? Even when working the 9 to 5 grind, saving money is difficult. With bills and a calendar full of plans, the monthly income is spent so quickly!

Luckily, today there are various side gigs to boost your income — many of them being as flexible as you’d like. You can set your schedule based on how much time you want to spend on your side job and can appreciate the extra cash.

Want to discover some of the best? Here are seven ways to make money on the side with a full-time job.

1. Rideshare Driver

Do you own a reliable vehicle? Know your way around town? If so, then being a part-time rideshare driver for a company like Lyft may be one of the best side jobs for you.

You’re able to work around your schedule and can use your car to earn extra cash. Turn something you do every day into a part-time job! The best part about it is that you can decide when to work and how many hours you put in.

While one week you may only have time to work a couple of hours, another you may have a free week where you can earn a fair bit of extra cash. It’s all up to you!

Here’s a top tip: Drive passengers around premium hour rates, such as nights, weekends, and during major events like concerts or football games to earn a higher amount of cash.

If you’re interested in becoming a rideshare driver, check out the Lyft driver requirements here.

2. Pet Sitter

Prefer pets to people? We don’t blame you.

One of the fun side jobs out there, pet sitting is the purr-fect way to make extra cash.

Not only do you get to play and look after cute animals, but you also get paid for it. It’s a win-win situation!

You could work at a doggy daycare or boarding facility, or for more flexibility, you can go self-employed. If you opt for the latter, one way to get started is to ask friends, family, and neighbors if their pets need looking after. It’s also a great way to gain pet sitting referrals.

Likewise, websites and apps like Wag make it easy to market your pet sitting services. Whether you’re thinking about dog-walking, grooming, or simply watching pets while their owners are away, you’re sure to have a ball with this side gig.

3. Freelancer

If you’ve got a set of skills, then putting them to use as a freelancer is one of the best side jobs that pay well.

Freelance jobs are varied, so whatever skills you have, it’s likely that there’s a market for them. And the best part about freelancing is that you can work around your schedule, putting in as much or as little effort as you’d like. Just make sure you stick to those deadlines!

Whether you possess top-notch writing skills or you’re a whizz at graphic design, there’s a saturated marketplace for freelancers. If your work is online, just make sure you have a kick-ass portfolio so you can display your work to gain clients.

Who knows, maybe you’ll even consider making freelancing a full-time job!

4. Rent Your Space

If you own property, the easiest way to earn extra cash is to rent it out through websites such as Airbnb.

Whether you have a spare room, garage, or storage space, someone out there will be happy to part with their cash in exchange for renting it out. If you’re heading on holiday, you can even rent out your whole place, which is likely to pay well.

It’s up to you on how much you’ll charge and how long you’ll rent your space for — meaning you can earn a little cash or a lot. And the best part is that apart from a bit of light cleaning and changing of bed sheets, you don’t need to do much at all.

5. Sell Your Stuff

Are you a hoarder? If you have a storage space full of unused furniture and a closet full of unworn clothes, shoes, and bags, it may be time to consider selling some of them. Not only can you earn cash, but you’ll also de-clutter your home and free up some space.

Use eBay to sell those items you’ve never used, and you’ll be surprised how much money you can earn from your cast-offs. After all, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!

6. Work at a Festival or Event

During the summer months especially, many one-off festivals or events hire casual staff. This can be on the bars, or stewarding, for example.

If you’re available weekends and weekday evenings, this is one of the best part-time jobs for you.

Many companies supply staff for a variety of different events, meaning you can sign up to several events depending on your schedule. As staff turnover is so high, most of these companies don’t mind if you’re select with the events and festivals you’d like to work.

Not only will you earn extra cash, but you’ll gain free entry to the event and may have some free time to explore and enjoy yourself.

7. Participate in Research Studies

Depending on where you live, you might be able to participate in paid research studies or focus groups. If you live near a hospital or university, your chances of finding such work are higher.

To find opportunities in your area, search Google for ‘research studies near me,’ or simply ask around in local hospitals or universities.

Ways to Make Money on the Side with a Full-Time Job

Whether it’s adding a part-time job, a weekend job, or a second job to your schedule, these seven ways to make money on the side with a full-time job will help you earn extra money. Before you know it, the extra cash will come rolling in!

Did you enjoy this article? For more ways to earn extra cash, feel free to browse our blog!

There are a variety of reasons why someone might fall behind on their bills. But it happens. People who find themselves in this situation need to seek out a solution. So, here are some tips on what to do if you can’t pay your bills.

Set Your Priorities

When you’re swimming in debt and can’t pay your bills, you need to really set your priorities. Of course, you should cut back on luxury and recreational items whenever possible. But there’s more to this than just eating out less and avoiding the purchase of fancy clothes.

Think about what things you absolutely need in order to live and work. Pay those things first so your home, transportation, and basic livelihood stay intact. Just about all other things can be put on the back burner for the time being.

Mentally Prepare Yourself

Being unable to pay your bills doesn’t feel good. This is something that drains your mental and emotional energy. Not knowing if you’re going to be able to make things work can really take a toll.

But you also need to prepare yourself for a potential barrage of calls from collectors. When your bills go to collections, you’ll no longer be dealing with your creditor directly, but whoever they sold the debt to for less than its original value. These people will employ all kinds of tactics to try to wear you down. It’s important you know your rights so you can protect yourself from harassment and undue stress.

Try to Get More Time to Pay

When you can’t pay your bills, it’s possible you can find ways to get more time on your side. There are a few ways to go about this. One option is to simply contact the companies where you owe money. This might be a utility, credit card provider, or your mortgage lender. Simply explaining your situation and coming up with a different plan can sometimes buy you time. However, lenders aren’t always going to go for that.

You can also try to perform a balance transfer in order to reduce the amount you owe on some of your credit card balances. This works by taking what you owe on high-interest cards and moving that balance to a different card with a low introductory rate. This can give you some leeway to pay down the debt without accumulating interest. It’s important to note that you’ll usually be charged a balance transfer fee when you do this.

Seek Out Help

It’s never a bad idea to look for help when you’re struggling to pay your bills. You can begin by talking to relatives or friends. It’s possible they can help you out in some way. Just make sure you don’t do anything that will strain your relationship when you take this route.

You should also consider debt relief to see if this option makes sense in your situation. There are lots of programs out there; the challenge is finding a legitimate one with a strong track record of helping consumers.

Some people find debt consolidation to be helpful in simplifying repayment. This involves taking out a loan to pay off all your outstanding balances. Then you’re only responsible for one payment a month rather than a handful or more.

Some debt relief agencies, like Freedom Debt Relief, offer qualified consumers the opportunity to combine settlement and consolidation. Enrollees are able to take out a consolidation loan through the Consolidation Plus program, then use it to fast-track the settlement process—in which negotiators contact creditors, trying to reach a lower settlement. After settlements have been reached, consumers are then responsible for paying back that loan in installments.

Make More Money or Sell Items

Generating more money is one of the best ways to improve your quality of life when you’re struggling to pay your bills. It’s a good idea to start at your current job to see if you can get a raise or take on more responsibilities. If that doesn’t end up being an option, you can generate more income to pay bills by taking on another side job.

Some people will also benefit from downsizing or selling some of their possessions. This can produce some immediate cash flow useful for paying bills.

No one wants to be in a situation where they can’t pay their bills. But this is something that can really happen to anyone. Implementing these ideas can help you get by in this tough situation.

What if your family vacation could finally be relaxing?

Many of us spend so much time and money trying to create the perfect family trip. And the result is that we’re too stressed to enjoy this “perfect” trip!

Fortunately, you can follow a few easy tips to remove all the stress and worry from family outings. Keep reading to discover exactly what these tips are!

1. Communication is Key

Some trips are ruined before they start. Why? Conflicting schedules.

That’s why it’s important to communicate trip plans to everyone, preferably far in advance. This lets the whole family make sure that their schedule is truly clear.

Scheduling software can also help out with this. Simple calendar and reminder apps on the smartphone can make sure there are no conflicts when the vacation day rolls around.

2. Doggie Daycare

We want our children to have a good time on these trips. But what about the other children?

It’s natural to stress and worry about your pets while you’re on vacation. And one good way to avoid that is to find your beloved dogs a nice doggy daycare.

These facilities don’t just watch your animals: they help the animals socialize and have fun. If you want to really treat your pooch during your next trip, you can view more info today.

3. The Earlier, the Better

The idea of an impulsive family vacation may sound good on paper. But the best family trips are typically planned out very far in advance.

If you can schedule a trip 9 months or more in advance, you won’t just avoid schedule conflicts. You’ll also save money!

Booking early is the key to getting the best rates for things like hotel rooms and airline tickets. And it gives you that much more time to schedule fun activities once you arrive at your destination.

And if that’s not enough, consider this: the sheer anticipation of a vacation can make you a happier person.

4. Backups Are BAE

One scary element of any trip is the paperwork. At any given point, you’ll be keeping up with documents like flight tickets, passports, and theme park reservations. And this is on top of standard items like your license.

Our advice is simple: make backups of all your important paperwork. This may include physical backups such as copies and digital backups saved to the cloud.

Knowing that every important document is just a click away can bring you some real peace of mind.

5. Mild Schedule

Sometimes, we create our own stress on a family trip. How? One word: overscheduling.

When you’re going to a special destination, there is a pressure to do as much as you can while you’re there. And this may lead to parents trying to fill in every spare minute with some activity or another.

Take it from us: trying to do too much means you have less time enjoying everything. And your family will likely resent constantly running from one place to the next, especially if they are tired.

Make a mild schedule that includes time for both relaxation and unexpected adventures (more on this in a minute).

6. Safety Over Cost

When you want a cheap family trip, you look for ways to save money. And that might include booking a cheaper hotel.

If you do this, though, be sure to check the hotel rating and user reviews. And try to check the area out on Google Maps ahead of time.

Your ultimate goal is a safe place to stay for your family. Don’t sacrifice safety just to save a few bucks!

7. Recovery Day

Ever hear the phrase “I need a vacation from my vacation?”

It’s easy to get stressed during a trip if you have to rush to work as soon as you get back. That’s why we recommend including a recovery day at the end of your trip.

Having a day to unpack and unwind can really help you decompress. And knowing you have a decompression day waiting for you can help make the actual trip less stressful!

8. Selective Sharing

Do you really want a stress-free family trip? Then let us be the first to tell you that using social media while on vacation adds a lot of unwanted stress.

First, it may make you worry about home security. Every post about your awesome vacation is basically advertising that no one is at home!

Second, it can be a distraction. Constantly replying to comments and messages during your expensive trip is an easy way to miss out and waste your money.

Finally, it causes added pressure to do things like taking a perfect selfie. You should spend this time having fun and not worrying about how you look to other people.

9. Open-Minded Adventures

Every good travel story has something in common. What is it? Cool adventures that were not planned in advance.

One of the reasons you should create light schedules is that it leaves room for the unexpected. You can take advantage of surprise concerts, soft openings for attractions, and even a local party or two.

If you go in with a full schedule or a closed mind, you may miss out on something really unforgettable for the whole family.

10. Ditch That Laptop

Here’s a vacation secret: you can’t really relax if you bring work with you.

It’s tempting to pack a laptop and try to be productive when you can. But this defeats the whole purpose of a vacation.

Think of it this way: you have the whole rest of the year to answer e-mails and work on major projects. But this is one of the only times during the year that you can take your mind off of work.

Ditch the laptop and let those e-mails pile up. Knowing that you won’t have to deal with it until later can help you truly enjoy the here and now, and it may even help with your health.

Perfect Family Trip: The Bottom Line

Now you know how to plan a family trip without worries or stress. But do you know how to make your next vacation the best one yet?

We help to make life easier and more engaging for parents across the world. Before you book your next trip, be sure to check out our holiday articles today!