When I introduced posts as part of a denim guide last week, I had so many ideas of what kinds of posts I wanted to do. I think I could post solely on denim for at least three weeks, but that would be a bit out of control! Besides showing you some of my favorite ways to wear jeans, I wanted to showcase some of my favorite denim brands. There are quite a few brands I want to share, but I had to start with 7 For All Mankind. My first pair of designer jeans was from them and so was my boyfriend’s (I have a bad influence sometimes). I could go on and on about 7 FAM jeans, but I want to keep these spotlights pretty straightforward and simple. So here is my 7 For All Mankind Fit + Review post…

7 FOR ALL MANKIND FIT + REVIEW

7 FOR ALL MANKIND FIT REVIEW | CUTS/WASHES

7FAM jeans come in a wide variety of cuts and washes. They might not have exactly what you’re looking for, but it’s a great place to start. The website also has a fit guide to help you figure out what cut works for you. (see more below)

7 FOR ALL MANKIND COST + SALE

Most of their jeans cost between $160 and $225. They do have much more exciting pairs of denim that sell for much more, but we’ll just deal with the basics. The price tag is high for me, so I really only buy them on sale. First, there are at least two Friends & Family 7 for all Mankind sale dates to keep in mind – October and in the spring. The sale gives you 30% off anything in the store. Second, a lot of major retailers like Nordstrom, Shopbop, and Macy’s sell 7FAM. I either buy them from random sale racks or score a discount when they have storewide sales. My best advice is to sign up for the newsletters for 7FAM and your favorite retailers. Then you won’t miss out.

7 FOR ALL MANKIND STYLES

Long before I bought my first pair of “7s,” I tried on a pair that felt so thin, I couldn’t imagine why anyone would buy them. A few years later I tried on another pair that were perfectly amazing. I bought them, wore them through, and bought the exact same pair again. So, be aware that their different styles really vary, you have to find what works for you. One thing to help you keep them straight is the pocket guide (above). In my experience the 7 and A pockets (bottom row) tend to be thinner and less form-fitting. The plain and signature pockets (top row), however, are sturdier and have a snugger fit (which I prefer).
Try 7FAM Today.

Hearthsong is known for their unique quality toys and I can’t think of a better fit for our Summer Fun for Kids event than this great company. When I asked if they wanted to participate, they offered to send me a pair of their Buddy Bumper Balls to review.

Of course I agreed – don’t they just look like fun?! And are they ever a perfect toy for the summer! HearthSong Buddy Bumper Balls are large translucent blue balls that fit kids ages 6 and up. When each of their six chambers is inflated with air, they let kids jump and bounce into each other for tons of fun.
The balls come deflated and you’ll need an air pump for inflating each one. Believe me, you do not want to attempt blowing these up by mouth. We had an air pump for our air mattresses and even with that, it still took a good 10-15 minutes to inflate each ball; yes, they’re pretty big! Each ball has six chambers for inflating.
Once the balls were inflated, the kids headed outside to try them out.
They were jumping and bouncing all over the place! Their laughter was so contagious, some of our neighbors even came out to see what the fun was about!
My kids discovered that they could do somersaults in their balls too. I’m not sure if this is actually recommended or not, but I think this was their favorite part.
Nathan and Emily had tons of fun jumping in the air, bouncing at each other, hiding in their balls, and even stopping for a quiet break to relax in their balls. They will both bring a book outside and curl up inside their balls to read. Of course popping out to say “Boo!” is fun too!
My only complaint is that the inflation valves open up easier than I’d like. After 15 minutes or so of jumping around, usually a couple of the valves have opened and we have to stop, close them, and sometimes re-inflate because some air has leaked out. Aside from that, the balls are actually sturdier than I thought; they’ve held up to a lot of jumping and rolling around. They’re made with a sturdy PVC material which is pretty strong because we’ve had no leaks so far.
Each Buddy Bumper Ball is $39.98 each or you can buy two for $69.97. It’s a little pricey in my opinion, but then again it’s hard to put a price on the hours of fun this has provided for my whole family. Even my little boys love the Buddy Bumper Balls because they think it’s funny to watch their bigger siblings jump around and “pop out.” Luke will even crawl into one and giggle and squeal because he thinks it’s so neat.
Visit HearthSong Now.

About Gordon’s Jewelers

Established on the principles of honesty and integrity, Gordon’s Jewelers® was founded in 1905 by Meyer M. Gordon. His store was the first general mercantile store in Houston, Texas, and watches and jewelry were only a small portion of the store’s inventory.

As Mr. Gordon expanded his chain, the business earned the reputation of being a dominant regional jeweler by catering to local fashion styles and trends within each individual market. Since then Gordon’s Jewelers has grown to approximately 300 stores in 35 states and Puerto Rico. Careful attention to customer preferences has made Gordon’s Jewelers a well-known brand, continuing the legacy of quality, value and customer service established by Mr. Gordon over 100 years ago. From engagement rings to fashionable fine jewelry in classic to contemporary styles, Gordon’s Jewelers offers customers the perfect jewelry and gift items for all occasions.

Gordon’s goal is to make each and every customer’s shopping experience fun and relaxing. Whether shopping alone or as a couple, we want you to feel comfortable as our staff answers all your product and service questions. Gordon’s also welcomes the opportunity to share diamond information that will help you in making comparisons when choosing the diamond of your dreams. In some locations we offer private viewing rooms, so if you are trying to keep your purchase a secret, you know we are on your side.

So, if you’re considering where to buy a diamond, consider building a long-term relationship with a jeweler you trust: Gordon’s Jewelers.