(ARA) - Keeping your children's clothing in good shape during the school year can leave any mom floundering. Besides sports and other after-school activities causing clothes to look dirty, you have to deal with growth spurts and your children just being kids, being a little tough on what they wear.

Here are some tips to stay on top of the clothing game and save a little money, so you can send your son or daughter off to school with pride:

* Buy in bulk - Kids tend to be very tough on clothes, so consider purchasing socks, underwear and other essentials in bulk so you don't have to take a trip to the store every time holes appear. Limit the items you do purchase, though - your children are probably growing like weeds, and you won't want clothes you've purchased to be outgrown before they're worn.

* Shop online - With all the activities on your calendars, you don't have time to coordinate a shopping trip to the mall or retail stores. Instead, shop for clothes online, and consider using coupon sites to save money on the clothing purchase or shipping of what you buy. If you work away from home, have your purchases shipped to your office, so you don't have to worry about the packages sitting outside your house.

* Keep the clothes clean - With a regular swirl through your washing machine using Cheer brightCLEAN laundry detergent, you'll be able to keep your children's clothes looking bright. Cheer brightCLEAN is not the most expensive detergent either, so it provides a great value.

"It may seem like a no-brainer, but switching to a wallet-friendly detergent, like Cheer brightCLEAN, will save you oodles of money," says Amy Clark, Cheer spokesperson and founder and creator of the MomAdvice.com, a community where she shares advice on parenting, money-saving ideas, recipes and solutions for work-at-home moms. Visit www.cheer.com/savings.html to find laundry detergent coupons as well.

When you use this alternative to bleach laundry detergent, you'll be able to easily remove dinginess from clothes, so both whites and colors are sparkling bright.

* Be creative with hand-me-downs - Your younger children probably dread their siblings passing on hand-me-downs, but you can creatively change that attitude. Patches, tie dye, buttons, scissors, fabric markers and basic sewing are all tools you can use to turn something "old" into a piece of fashion. Add a lacy ruffle to a skirt, cut jeans into shorts or turn a long-sleeved T-shirt into a tank top with buttons decorating the collar.

* Host a clothes swap - While your children might be tired of clothing they weren't able to wear out, there's a good chance one of their friends will find it "cool." Host a clothes swap with some friends, and let the kids try on and trade for new outfits they can enjoy.

With these tips, you don't have to let the busy school year and your children's clothes run you ragged. You can send them off each morning, sparkling bright.

It's a widely known fact that fashion magazines often recommend some ridiculous impractical styles. Example: A recent issue of Cosmo featured a piece on bold brows--"bold" meaning bushy, mismatched, and even painted white! As someone who is a proponent of well-manicured and, well, seemingly normal style, I could only shake my head in disbelief that such a well-renown publication would encourage such a bizarre look. Okay, okay, I know it looks fabulous on some leggy stick strutting on a runway (but then again, a burlap sack would look just at hot), but real people just don't pull off wacky the way that stunning Amazons can. However, if done right, stepping outside of one's comfort zone can result in a major confidence boost (not to mention major head turns). Here are three less-than-traditional trends worth testing out:

1) Faux Fur Vests

While not everyone agrees with me that Rachel Zoe is the guru of the styling/fashion world, she absolutely gets it right when it comes to these wearable wonders. Faux fur vests are affordable and can easily transform a basic outfit to a chic ensemble. I love seeing lighter varieties of this style thrown over dark black t-shirts or simple dresses. This fall fashion staple only looks hot--no sweating under the Alabama sun necessary because of the vest's light weight material. Check out Rachel Zoe's brand on QVC (http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.item.A93632.desc.Rachel-Zoe-Faux-Fur-Vest-with-Hook-Eye-Closure) featuring the animal-friendly accent. For just under $80, you can become a fashionista of Zoe's proportions (Starbucks cup and personal assistant not included).

2) Pocahontas-Style Fringe

I'm definitely not a nature lover. In fact, I have never been able to sing with all the voices of the mountain and I sure have no desire to paint with all the colors of the wind. Still, the Disney version of Pocahontas had it so right with her tan fringe frock that it's not even funny. Fringe is everywhere right now--from bags to shoes and vests to dresses. If you're a little wary of going full-fledged Earth mama, though, start by choosing a small accessory like a Native American-inspired tan or taupe suede purse (like the Minnetonka one shown in the picture). To avoid looking too John Denver, mix your Pocahontas appeal with some really current pieces like skinny jeans or leggings. As always, everything in moderation, so select only one fringe-tastic item per outfit. http://www.shoebuy.com/minnetonka-hobo-fringe-bag/363237/774662?cm_mmc=frooglelist-_-none-_-none-_-none

3) Flat Ankle Boots

Okay, so these are not for the faint of fashion heart. I first became interested in flat ankle boots after seeing the Eminem/Rihanna "Love the Way You Lie" video. My attention was grabbed entirely during the fiery mini-movie. Not because the song introduces domestic violence to the mainstream, not because I've had a crush on Marshall Mathers since middle school, and certainly not because Megan Fox is a good actress. Despite Fox's crappy fake crying, her look was fantastic. The cut-off shorts with the ankle boots stole the show. Now, this is not a practical look for most women. Megan Fox is all gams (and no talent), so this particular pairing worked well on her. However, you can create a more doable, everyday version of this smoking hot trend by matching flat ankle boots with curve-hugging skinny jeans or leggings (be sure to tuck the skinny jeans or leggings into the boots to maximize balance). If you weren't blessed with legs for days meant for super-tight pants, opt for a flouncy, mid-length skirt instead. The boots make for an unexpected, interesting contast to girlier pieces. Feeling bold? Go with ones that have buckles or buttons like these Journees on Overstock.com: http://www.overstock.com/Clothing-Shoes/Journee-Collection-Womens-Side-Buckle-Embellished-Ankle-Boots/4239597/product.html?rcmndsrc=2.

Change can be a good thing. With the seasons shifting, we can finally wear something other than tank tops and shorts. Play around with these and any other new pieces until you find a style that works with your body type and personality. Now, traipse on out of the box and enjoy feeling runway ready and red hot.