Ain't No Mom Jeans

Holiday Styling Tips For Moms: A Formula, if you will.

It's official.  The holidays (and therefore, party season) have officially kicked off!  I've always loved a good party.  In my pre-baby days, I'd wander through the stores stocking up, magpie-like, on anything shiny or sparkly or glizty.  I'd shop for a fabulous little dress (or two or three), killer heels, and leeetle, tiiiny, precious clutch purses.

Things are a bit different now.  Besides the fact that I'm exhausted after 10PM, and besides the fact that half my clothes don't fit (boobs/ribs/hips/butt are STILL bigger since pregnancy)....the real problem is time.  I just don't have any.   I don't have the time to shop, and I usually don't even have time to get ready for the big night out.  

I think this situation will sound familiar to most moms.  So when Molly and I talked about pulling together a series of pieces on Holiday Party Styling tips, we wanted to make sure these tips were easy to execute, comfortable, and could be dressed up or down, depending on the party.  I love a killer cocktail dress as much as the next Gossip Girl fan, but digging through my closet to find a strapless bra that still fits, or a dress that can zip over my expanded rib cage, all while drying my hair, prepping for the babysitter and digging out old tubes of lipstick makes me want to stab someone with an unworn stiletto. 

So.  All of our recommendations are based on the following formula:

Mom Street Style - November 2009 Mom

Girls, meet Evyan, our super stylish November Mom.   Not only does she have one of the coolest names I've ever heard, she is wearing an outfit that I could call, "How Moms Can Look Smokin' Hot in Leggings".  At the park, no less.  That's hardcore dedication to hotness.  

Confession - Evyan has said that she wasn't PLANNING to go the park that day....sure, sure.  

Evyan is wearing my new favorite legging look: the denim legging.  Don't confuse this with "Jeggings", which are leggings that are printed to look exactly like jeans (including fake pockets, etc).  The denim legging is a slightly thicker version of the legging, in fabric that looks slightly denim colored.  The denim color is perfect because, like actual denim, it matches everything.

Slipper Roundup: Winter’s Hottest (and warmest) Slippers for Moms

Crackling fire: check.  Hot cider and/or spiked eggnog: check.  Good book to curl up with: check.  Now, what’s keeping those tootsies cozy whilst you partake in all that wintery snow-day goodness?  It’s time to update your slipper wardrobe, girl.  You don’t want those little piggies getting caught out in the cold!  Here are the seasons’ hottest slipper picks.

Slipper Boots
Forget dainty ballet slippers and leave the Isotoners on the spin rack.  The boot obsession of the past season or two has overflowed into your boudoir.  Wear these cozy slipper boots with a short nighty and robe set (though please do keep it G-rated if the kiddos are around) or scrunched under flannel jams.  I am in LUV with Nordstrom’s Pompom Fleece Slouch Boot in Mocha - $24.00 this hot look can’t be beat and the low, low price tag is the cherry on top.  Smoke the peace pipe (unless you're still breastfeeding) in comfort and warmth in the moc-inspired Sabrina bootie in black suede by Lucky Brand - $58.95 or storm Aspen in style in the Ted Baker Polka in Stone - $65.00.

Mukluks and Chalet Socks
Why did mukluks and chalet socks EVER wane in popularity?  I’m sure I’ll be able to answer that question for you in a year or two when they’re so-over again, but for now, pair these new-again styles with an oversized sleep tee or tissue-thin sleep shirt.  I’m torn between pulling the trigger on the uber-literal classic, the Woolrich Chalet Sock in Dark Moss -$46.95 and Nordstrom’s updated Tasseled Mukluk in Wine - $24.00.  Old Navy’s Cable-knit Slipper Boots in Saucy Red - $19.50 are another budget-conscious option I’m a fan of.

Mocs
Another recent revival footwear trend, the moccasin, is back in the bedroom.  This look works best with a classic men’s pajama bottom and a simple cami or tee.  With luxurious shearling lining and contrast grosgrain ribbon detail, Cole Haan’s Bow Slipper in Lacquer Red - $128.00 makes a terrific gift slipper.  UGG’s Scalloped Moc in Deep Purple - $100.00 offers up the same comfort and styling with less fuss.  Try J.Crew’s Metallic Bow Shearling Mocs in Soft Graphite - $50.00 for a more conservative sensibility and enjoy the warmth and comfort of shearling at a lower price point.

Scuffs
UGG has given the common household scuff a decadent upgrade with the Pearle in Metallic Gold - $74.00 while Patricia Green’s Sadie scuff in chocolate - $76.00 qualifies as a hostess slipper: have the fam and close friends over for brunch and forget the shoes.  For an understated treat that’s just for you and your toes, indulge in the Arlotta Cashmere Slipper in Black - $80.00.

Enjoy your snow days in style and good lounging to you, ladies!

M.

Hot or Horrid? You decide! The Two Shoes My Husband Hated

When enlisting my hubby's help in finalizing the top ten best Winter Party Shoes For Moms, there were two pairs of shoes that I found completely fabulous and sexy and fashion forward.  But, to my surprise, not only did the love of my life not like them, he hated them.  With a passion that surprised me, coming from such a typically easy-going guy. 

Here's what transpired:

Shoe 1 - Elizabeth and James Lola Open Toe Ruffle Pumps

S says:  This shoe is crazy-sexy-hot.  Love the color, love the heel, love the ruffle detailing. Would wear these with patterned black tights and short-shorts.  Will love them all day, everyday.  Will star in my dreams tonight.

Mike says: Augh! [recoiling in horror] Baby, you need me.  Because it looks like this shoe threw up on itself.  You know when you watch a documentary on evolution?  And they show some species with an under-bite so big it can barely open its mouth?  And you watch, and you think, "man, that thing will never last"?  That's this shoe.  Something went wrong.  Something...just...went...wrong.  Survival of the fittest, Baby.  Don't bet on this one.

The Lola Open Toe Ruffle Pump retails at shopbop.com for $360.

Shoe 2 - Haute Dessert Heels

S says:  This shoe has sexy librarian written all over it.  But in a funkier way.  I'd wear these with black tights and a short little chiffon-y dress, like Sienna Miller's outfit here.  What's not to like?  These are completely drool-worthy!

Mike says: Oh, hell no.  Are you serious?  You are?  Listen, if Disney were making a movie about shoes, these shoes would be the star.  These little shoes would have a great, big 'ol heart and would be trying to make it on Broadway.   There would be a bunch of other little shoes all singing and tap-dancing and lyrics like, "when life gets you down just....SHIIIIIINE....."

The Haute Dessert Heels retails at Anthropologie for $328.

So you be the judge.  Hot shoes, or horrid?  Seriously - leave a comment.  Mike and I have an open bet on these two.

xo,

S

10 Pairs of Perfect Winter Party Shoes For Moms

As part of our Winter Shoe Essentials for Moms post, we stated that all moms must have in her closet one sexy, go-to shoe for all events formal, for all date-nights hot, and for all parties wild.  (And by wild, I mean any party that lasts past 10PM.)  This is the shoe that can both elevate jeans and a sweater to something eye-popping, as well as add a spark to your standby little black dress.

There are so many amazing pairs to choose from that I had trouble narrowing it down to just ten.  So I enlisted the help of my husband.  He has a good eye, and while he'll never be able to explain WHY something does or doesn't work, he can answer simply "Yes" or  "Nope" with surprisingly good insight.  Below are the ten shoes that we both find drool-worthy (although for different reasons). 

  

As most of you know by now, I tend to like my footwear all complicated and strappy.  So I'm completely in love with this whole crazy-ruffles-everywhere trend.  I think these pairs would all look amazing with opaque black tights and lots of leg.  Or peeking out from below cuffed boyfriend jeans and a sexy little top.  Or yes - with a fantastic party dress.  But that last idea seems obvious.  

Ballet Flats for Moms (Who Really Love Heels)

At five-foot-four-and-seven-eighths, and apparently lacking even one sensible bone in my body, you’d better believe that the word “flats,” pre-babes, was not even a word in my vocabulary, let alone a staple in my wardrobe.  I used to wear heels under any and all circumstances.  I flirted with the idea of wedge sneakers.  Rejecting that misbegotten notion, I settled on MBT trainers not for their benefit to my thighs, but for the added height.  I used to navigate Manhattan subways and walk several blocks to work every day in three-inch heels.  I took the subway instead of cabs in order to have more money to buy high heels.  It’s fair to say I was an addict. 

Alas, pregnancy quickly broke me of my habit.  About 6 months in, with loose joints, a quickly shifting center of gravity, swollen feet and early winter snowstorms, I realized my high heel habit was both a disservice and a danger to my unborn child.  I eased myself in with a low heeled boot essentials wardrobe:  two pairs of riding boots (one cognac, one black), and a pair of chocolate brown UGGS.  Now, two years and two babes later, I’m branching out.  Flats are fabulous, and necessary, as I learn to chase a toddler whilst baby-wearing my 2-month-old.

This season’s focus on detail, from metallic neutrals to ladylike ruffles and bows, hardware and serpentine textures, update the traditional ballet flat and provide interest, even for those of us who prefer the view from three inches up.  Here are my picks:

Bejeweled Ballet Flats
The trend in bejeweled footwear is a lovely, but expensive one.  My hands-down fav is the Oscar de la Renta Embroidered Flat in Bordeaux, but with two kiddos to save for, it would be beyond ridiculous for me to drop nearly $600 on a pair of shoes.  Next would be the Tory Burch Emily Embellished Ballet Flats in black, available for pre-order at Saks, but at nearly $300, it’s really just a lesser degree of insanity to think I might actually pay for this look when there are other viable options, like the Vince Camuto Richie Flat in Pewter - $97.95 or the Geox Donna Lola Flat in Black Patent - $129.95.  I’m also planning to keep my eyes peeled at the big box discount stores for similar finds.  Since this style is fairly flashy, I’m feeling them with simpler ensembles, like a black cardi over skinny or straight jeans—make sure they’re hemmed to show off the glitz.

Sturdy But Cute Winter Wedges For Moms

Every mom needs a pair of shoes that make her feel like she's THAT mom.  The one who, celebrity-like, just rolls out of bed, hair perfectly tousled, boobs perky, slips into her designer jeans and heels.  Then she, and her perfectly dressed little one, stroll down down the street, coffees in hand, looking mysterious behind their DIOR sunglasses.  You might need an over-active imagination to pull off this fantasy with just a sweet pair of shoes, but since my imaginative abilities have always blurred the line called reality, I'm all in.

For those of you who would like a more reality-based reason for these shoes....these are the shoes you pull on to both feel hot and be a mom.  For those outings with the whole fam when you won't be the only one chasing the little ones, or won't be the only one with the little one strapped to your chest (or back).  For those outings that call for a little more style than your usual trip to the park.  I reach for these shoes to go out to lunch or dinner, to BBQs, to parties with the kiddos in tow, or sometimes, out shopping.  You know - every couple of months I lose my mind and think that TODAY is the day the the little man would love to hit the boutiques.  (I bribe him with Starbucks steamers and can usually get about 30 min of shopping done.  ("More steamer!! More steamer!!")

The goal is to find shoes that strike the right balance of hot and practical.  Wedges are perfect for this, as are chunky stacked heels.  The height of the heel, the type of shoe are all about your own personal style.  A few favorites, to give you the right idea, are below. 

NOTE - For all pregnant fashionistas, this is your shoe.  I was determined to get through my entire pregnancy in stilettos...but at some point, your balance does become an issue.  Wedges or chunky heels are a safer bet.  And with shoes this fabulous, you won't care.

Ten Amazing Tall Flat Boots For Moms

If you recall, in my post Winter Shoe Essentials for Moms - A List of Must-Have Shoes, I listed tall, flat boots at the top.  As soon as the weather turns chilly, tall flat boots become my default choice.  I love them over tights, leggings and skinny jeans, or tucked under a pair of rolled and cuffed boyfriend or straight-leg jeans.  If sleek enough,they can also slide underneath your everyday jeans.

If you have a skinny jean phobia, these boots will help to balance your hips.  Seriously. 

When looking for the best tall flat boots for moms, I took a few things into consideration:

1.  Color - While I do show a few black boots, I usually gravitate to camel or distressed brown tones.  Camel boots look equally amazing with both brown and black based outfits, and having one pair that matches everything is very mom-friendly.  Ignore this advice if you only wear black.

2.  Fabric -- I love suede, but I eliminated all suede boots from my list of must-haves.  They get dirty too easily.  And moms do get dirty.

3. Price -- All boots below are under $300.  I have a few drool-worthy pairs over $300, so if you're interested, leave a comment.  For the most part, all boots were found at piperlime.com which offers both free shipping and free return shipping.

4. Style -- Overall, I think the most flattering tall boot is one that avoids the sharp taper at the ankle.  I hate when boots nip in too closely to the ankle, only to have to veer waaaay out to accommodate the calf.  Those types of tall boots make all calves look large.  I tried to look for tall boots that aren't too tight around the ankle, thus making all legs look good.  

Here are my favorites:

Winter Shoe Essentials For Moms - A List of Must-Have Shoes

"if a woman...never takes off her high-heeled shoes, how will she ever know how far she could walk or how fast she could run?"  

                            --Germaine Greer

While Germaine Greer was speaking figuratively, us moms can certainly take a literal translation of this quote.  High heels make it tough to be an engaged, involved mom.  I can't climb the jungle gym in my heels, I can't kick a satisfying amount of leaves in my heels, and baby-wearing?  Not for any length of time in heels.

Prior to having kids, I only wore heels, and consequently, was able to get by without hemming my jeans or revealing my true height.  But once the little man was born, most of my heels were set aside so I could find out, like Germaine Greer said, "how fast could she run".  (NOTE:  Just fast enough to keep my toddler from throwing himself into the street, but not fast enough to prevent him from launching off the back of the couch.)

The shoe thing has been one of the biggest fashion challenges I've faced since becoming a mom.  It's amazing how so many of my "go-to" outfits now look a bit off when paired with flat shoes.  Trying to figure out the whole stylish mum thing was an exercise in frustration....but was also the impetus to start this blog. 

At some point in the last two years, I finally bit the bullet and hemmed several pairs of jeans to be worn with flat shoes.  Based on feedback from some of our previous shoe posts, I know many of you are also struggling with this same cute-yet-flat shoe dilemma.  Can one actually be stylish (and warm) in flat shoes? 

Yes.  Absolutely.  Based on current trends, and the fact that winter has arrived, here are a list of mom-friendly shoes that I think every mom should have in her closet. 

Give Your Kids (and yourself) a Vacation from Their Toys – My Busy Bucket

It's three hours to takeoff.  You survey the mounds of gear and baggage surrounding . . . no, caving in around you.  You’ve packed diapers, sippy cups, favorite snacks, enough clothing for an army of toddlers, jackets, gloves and boots, the babe's lovey, her favorite blanket, a convertible car seat, the stroller, stuff to do on the airplane and a few of your personal effects, too.  You’re sure you meant to pack something really critical, but as your kiddo melts down and begs to be picked up . . . you can’t . . . quite. . . think. . . what. . . Your hubby yells from downstairs to find out what you’re doing: he’s showered, shaved, packed and ready—why aren’t you?  Oh yeah, and you’re going someplace fabulous.  Like Detroit.  In December. 

Do you really need to contend with packing (and lugging, and paying an additional checked luggage fee for) an extra duffle of toys your beloved son or daughter barely plays with anyway?  Well, no, actually, you don’t.  Two Colorado moms with child development and education backgrounds, Audrey Zardkoohi and Elizabeth Baumgarten, came up with the idea of My Busy Bucket, a toy rental company that ships boxes of high quality toys for kids ages 0-6 anywhere in the contiguous United States (except APO/FPO and P.O. boxes). 

Each Busy Bucket follows a theme (bugs, cooking, music, alphabet and counting, etc.), includes age-appropriate books, puzzles, activities and other toys worth at least $200.00 and arrives at your vacation destination via FedEx (monthly and bi-monthly plans are available, too).  All the toys arrive clean (sanitized with a non-toxic disinfectant) and ready to play with.  For $55.00, including shipping both ways, you and your kids have fun playing for up to three weeks, pop them back in the box and drop them off at a FedEx location on your way home (or pay an extra $5.00 to have the box picked up). 

Genius.    

M.