Ain't No Mom Jeans

10% Strider PREbike Coupon Code Benefits WeeCycle

WeeCycle.  Weduce.  Weuse.  No, this post isn’t about the new trend in green baby babble.  I’m talking about WeeCycle, our hands-down fav chartiy, founded by two of Ain’t No Mom Jeans’ bffs  (they freaked when they found out Colorado has one of the fastest-growing rates of childhood poverty in the nation).  WeeCycle’s mission is to distribute new and gently used baby gear--bouncers, swings, car seats, cribs, highchairs, the things that really add up--to families in need, and now when you use the WeeCycle Strider PREbike coupon code, Strider Sports will donate 10% of your purchase price back to WeeCycle and give you free ground shipping to boot.

Mom Street Style - March 2010 Mom

I was impressed with Melissa's outfit (pictured at left) for several reasons.  Beginning with the fact that it takes a fairly brave women to wear dangley earrings and a silky top with a kiddo as young as her son.  Or a very experienced mom.  Melissa also has an older son, so I actually think she's both. 

Melissa is wearing a striped long-sleeve tee and silk-cotton ruffle front button down from LOFT.   Her jeans are Diesels, her earrings (and gorgeous cocktail ring pictured at the bottom of the post) are from Stella & Dot. 

Let's discuss:

Baby Gifts: Nambe Baby Rattle/Teether

For some kids, teething is no biggie.  “I never noticed my babies getting teeth,” many a mama has told me, as I melted her with my laser-like glare.  For others, teething is a personality-altering event of head-spinning, Exorcist-esque proportions.  That would be my children.

That’s when you need to call in the big guns.  Tylenol.  Ibuprophin.  Hyland’s Teething tablets--if you do that kind of thing, that is--and you’d better believe I do. . .  But when you’re in between alternating doses and the apple of your eye still resembles The Scream,  you need a serious teether and I do declare I’ve discovered the holy grail.

  

What Target Does Best: Spring / Summer Picks

I have such a love-hate relationship with Target.  I even went so far as to call Target "mom crack" in a previous post.  But, eventually, I'm drawn back in.  Usually after issuing some ultimatum. 

To M:  "I am NEVER going to buy clothes at Target again!  I'm serious - it's my New Year's Resolution." 

Ultimatums usually get me in trouble.  Like my "I will never co-sleep" ultimatum, or my "My kid will NOT be a picky eater" ultimatum. (Yeah, right.)  The list goes on, really.

So true to form, despite my "resolution" this year, I have just returned - VICTORIOUS - from Target, loaded with all kinds of insanely cheap-yet-adorable clothing.  Sigh.  I'm back in love.  For now. 

The Liberty of London for Target Collection helped woo me back in, but it wasn't the only source of temptation under those fluorescent lights.  A perfect romper (thanks to M's post I have a full-on romper addiction), look-alike Hunter Rainboots, and a perfect tiny cross-body bag -- all under $20!!! -- sold me. 

Here are my favorite picks for Spring / Summer:

Reader Question: Help, I'm Pregnant and Going to Disney World, I Need Cute Comfy Shoes!

Reader Question

Hi there!  Love your blog!

I am going on a trip to Disney World in late May (God help me) with my husband's family. Our 2.5 year old will be along for the trip, and I will be about six months pregnant.

I am trying to find comfortable, breathable shoes to wear for this trip, that are also cute and stylish. My feet are wide to begin with, so pregnancy swelling+Disney crowds+heat and humidity will probably turn them into Fred Flintstone feet.

I'd appreciate any suggestions you can come up with. I'm feeling desperate.

Shani

PS: This trip was not my idea.

Worth A Closer Look: Ann Taylor Loft's Spring Line

On the fairly rare occasions I've wandered into Ann Taylor Loft (usually suckered in by a big sale), I've often left feeling underwhelmed.  The clothes were never horrible...just "eh".   Once in a while I'll pick up a necklace or something...but overall, I saw Ann Taylor Loft as a place to be bored.  Nice basics, nothing exciting, nice prices, nice sales, but nothing worth a trip.  Yawn.

So I was very confused, the other day, when I happened to glance over at the Ann Taylor Loft window displays.  For a moment I thought I was looking in J. Crew's windows.  But no - it was good 'ol ATL.  But this time...the clothes were cuter, somehow.  A bit...dare I say it?  Trendy?  (UPDATE:  Ann Taylor Loft, in addition to their new look, is updating their name to just LOFT.)

I suspect that the same re-invigoration that happened to Ann Taylor is also filtering down to the sister, LOFT.  In any case, there are certainly lots to love in LOFT's new Spring line.  But beware - not all of the kinks have been worked out yet, and there were several items that fell short.

Reader Question: How To Minimize a Large Chest Without Showing Cleavage

Reader Question

Hi,

I am short, 5' 2" and have a large chest.  DD when not nursing and even larger right now as I am breastfeeding.  I don't feel comfortable, nor do I want to, show any cleavage.  My problem is since I am short and large chested I feel like I look rather stocky in my shirts.  Do you have any good suggestions for flattering short, well endowed women and still staying covered up?  I would love any suggestions.

Thanks so much!

Charee

Answer

This is a tough one!  Neither S. nor I are large chested, so we can’t for the life of us fathom why anyone would want to cover up the girls. We love the girls.  And one only gets to show them off for so many years in one’s lifetime. . .   but I guess this all goes back to people with curly hair wanting it straight, statuesque gals feeling awkward whilst their petite pals kill themselves on heels, and, in general, the grass being greener on the other side. 

So.  Here’s what we think: even though you don’t want to show cleavage, the basic rules of minimizing a large bosom are still the best advice here.  With some experimentation and a lot of trying-on, you can stick to these guidelines and maintain your modesty.  Here are the basics:

1.) Most flattering styles: wide v-necks, wide scoop-necks and wrap styles with cap sleeves, 3/4 sleeves and long sleeves.  And, most importantly, as you’re on the petite side, everything should hit you right at your hip bone (i.e., skip the tunics all-together, shop petites where ever you can and hem or bunch your tops up a little if you need to).    

2.) Least flattering styles: turtlenecks and round/crew necks (these increase the amount of fabric covering a voluminous bosom and make it look even larger).

3.) Most flattering fabrics: stick to thin knits and solids or small prints.  Add visual interest with accessories like stunning earrings (drawing attention to your face), hot shoes and handbags.    

4.) Least flattering fabrics: skip large prints (especially horizontal stripes--I note this because there are so many out there right now and they are not your friend), bulky fabrics, embellishments on or around the chest (including pockets), chunky necklaces and heavy knits. 

5.) Make sure you have really terrific underpinnings.  For all nursing mothers, but especially very large-chested ones, you really need nursing bras that fit well while lifting and separating.  Lifting and separating makes all the difference between a flattering fit and the dreaded uni-boob.

Layering
One of my favorite options for nursing moms in general is layering cardigans, shirts and jackets over camis, tanks and tees--these styles provide the coverage and accessibility you need to nurse on the fly--and are also a great option for large-chested moms to minimize. 

Try an open cardi like the Frenchi Ribbed Back Open Cardigan ($39).  I love it in this oatmeal color option with a cream or ivory scoop-neck tank.  Notice how the cardigan hits at the hip bone and creates a visual hourglass, cinching the waist in.  Avoid high/crew neck cardigans and stick to deep v styles instead.  Wear with your favorite jeans or plain front pants or a short twirly skirt and sandals.

One of this year’s hottest trends is the boyfriend jacket/blazer, but the oversized slouchiness will look frumpy on a petite, large-chested woman, so try something trimmer, like Old Navy’s Cotton Twill One Button Blazer ($39.50) over something like Old Navy’s Ruched V-Neck Tee ($10).  Wear the jacket open or button that single button to cinch in the waist even further.  Pair it with boyfriend jeans and sandals and you’ve got a stunning but easy mom uniform.  

A more casual but similar effect can be achieved with a classic button front shirt, like Gap’s Stretch Fitted Shirts ($44).  Please note the lack of pockets.  No pockets, please!  Wear a modest scoop neck cami that’s closer to your skin tone underneath and leave open a few buttons at the top to give the illusion of showing more skin than you are.  Wear a shirt like this untucked over skinny/straight/ankle jeans and flats with delicate layered necklaces or a knotted, washed out printed scarf. 

  

Deep V and Wrap-Style Tops

Deep v-neck and wrap style tops are fabulous for large-chested moms because they actually draw a lot of attention to the face while separating the bust line, and they often show a lot less cleavage than one might think.  If you do find they’re still too low-cut for you, either just safety pin the neckline closed a bit higher or pair with lighter color and tone-on-tone tanks and camis to give the effect without an actual show.  

Check out Anthropologie’s Hourglass Surplice Top in grey ($48).  While it does have detailing, it’s not on the actual bust, so I feel pretty confident this should treat a large chest well.  Wear a whisper-thin heather gray or off white cami underneath for added coverage or layer a black cardi over it for those weather-that-could-do-anything spring days.  I would (and probably will!) wear this with anything from boyfriend shorts to skirts to jeans and dress pants.

A more structured wrap option is Banana Republic’s Petite Short Sleeve Wrap shirt ($59.50).  This top can easily be dressed up or down with jeans or plain front dress pants.

A third is Banana’s Petite Gathered Drape Knit Top, which has a wide, but high v-neck.  You’ll have to try this one on to see, because this type of detailing could end up adding volume, but I think the draping and gathering is simple enough that it will lift, separate and fall away from the belly, all very flattering for a new mom.

  

What about you, cyber Mamas?  Do you have more tips for staying modest while minimizing a large bosom?  

Thanks for writing in Charee, hope we were able to help!

- M

  

 

Winter / Spring Mom Uniform Idea: Boyfriend Jeans + Sweatshirt + Girly Accessories

 Yesterday we showed a mom-uniform outfit idea based on a blousey dress (courtesy of reader Amy), and today we have another mom-uniform outfit idea coming in from our reader Esther!  (Esther, BTW, is the insanely talented children's clothing designer Chinny Chin Chin that we profiled last year.)

Esther, typically addicted to a large black parka at this time of year, was inspired to swap it out after reading one of our End of Winter Outfit Ideas.  I'm so glad she did.

I'm head over heels in love with Esther's outfit.  By now most of you know my long-standing love affair with destroyed boyfriend jeans (really, there is nothing more comfortable)...and Esther manages to up the comfort level even further by pairing hers with a comfy sweater and Ugg-like boots.  A gorgeous scarf, a cool spring jacket and movie-star shades completes this drop-dead cool look.

NOTE for other Ugg boot wearers:  Notice that Esther has rolled her jeans to hit at the top of the Ugg boots, instead of attempting to stuff all of that fabric into the boots.  Perfect.

Esther is pregnant, and I love that this look can work for both pregnant and not-pregnant moms.  Esther's "pregnancy denim" is actually Converse jeans from Target.  (Esther - would you leave a comment telling us about the rest of your fabulous outift?)

So...inspired by Esther, I came up with another version of her mom-uniform idea.  But since I'm optimistically thinking Spring, I put together a slighty warmer-weather version:

Items in this set:
Women's sweaters - merino - Merino boyfriend sweatshirt - J.Crew, $70
Gap Petite Military anorak, $70
Gap Petite Destructed easy straight jeans (light wash), $70
Women's shoes - ballets - Patterned classic ballet flats - J.Crew, $120

Forever21.com - New Arrivals - Accessories, $13

I'm loving the drape and ease of J. Crew's Merino Wool Sweatshirt, but any thin, drapey sweatshirt would work.  (FYI:  These kinds of sweatshirts are also amazing with tiny little skirts or shorts for date night - just add high heels).  I just bought an army green jacket like the one above (which is actually on sale for $44, BTW) and I find that I'm wearing it everywhere.  There's a lot of casual boyishness going on in these outfits, which makes them the perfect foil for girly accessories.  Add a pretty scarf, like Esther, and once the weather is warmer, swap out your Uggs for pretty printed flats.  I'm also into ribbon-tied bib necklaces for moms.  Not only do they look very, very cool with a simple sweatshirt, but the kiddos can pull on these things all day with minimal risk.  With Spring and it's widely ranging temperatures, having a pretty little something layered under the scarf ensures you're always lookin' good.

xo,

S

Winter / Spring Mom Uniform Idea: Dress + Leggings + Rainboots + Warm Accessories

One of my very favorite things about blogging?  Hearing from our fabulous readers.  And one of our readers sent in a pic so gorgeous, I knew I had to post it!!

Girls, meet Amy.  Amy is (obviously) pregnant, and rocking a very cool version of a daily mom uniform. 

Amy says she's been trying to "stretch the wardrobe I already have through these months of maternity madness--an infusion of scarves, cute shoes (that are actually flat), blousy dresses, and a few extra pieces that will work from now all the way through postpartum and nursing". 

She's right.  Cozy dresses, accessorized with an array of tights, scarves and flat shoes are one of the easiest and most stylish ways to get dressed in the morning.  And so flattering for new moms. 

When describing her outfit, Amy says:

"It's pretty much my uniform these days with all of this snow--drapey cashmere dress, cute tights, snow boots, and a big scarf.  I love this outfit because I can carry all of the stuff in my purse to make it a "nonsnow" outfit--a pair of ballet flats and a light silk scarf.  I seriously wear some manifestation of this getup at least 3 or 4 times a week.  And...none of it is maternity!"

This mom uniform works for both pregnant, new moms, and experienced moms alike.  For a non-pregnant version of this look, see our post on Gwenth Paltrow's Daily Mom Uniform. (Amy, you're in great company, style-wise!!)

For moms chasing a toddler around, swap out the tights for leggings - they'll give you a bit more coverage.

Amy is wearing a cashmere blend dress from Banana Republic, funky purple tights from J. Crew, Nordstrom's cashmere scarf and armwarmers (I love these things!!), and J. Crew Galoshes.

Galoshes (or rain boots) are a really great way to start transitioning winter outfits into Spring, and would probably be my first choice for rocking this mom uniform now!

Here's what I came up with, using Amy as inspiration:

  

I'm loving American Apparel's Chambray Henley Shirt Dress, $62.  It's completely on trend, and would look equally amazing this summer with a pair of nude platforms for date night as it does all cozied up here.  Wear this dress with a pair of black tights (Gap's are shown here), and some fabulous rainboots.  I can't stop thinking about Hunter's Original Gloss in Violet, $115 at Zappos.com.

To make this look winter-friendly, add in some fun armwarmers (I'm showing Michael Kors, on sale at Nordstroms for $29) and a gorgeous wool scarf.  I tend to wear lots of solid color clothing, so I like to add in a bit of pattern with a scarf.  The 100% Merino wool Gray Floral Scarf pictured above is a more interesting twist on the standard gray scarf, and can be found at SFMoma online for $65.

If things are still really chilly in your neck of the woods, you can further cozy this outfit up by adding thick wool socks over the tights (showing above the top of the rainboot), a long-sleeve layer under the chambray dress (let the sleeves peek out from underneath the chambray's rolled sleeves), and throwing the whole look on with a warm parka. 

Ugh.  I hate that I'm still talking about parkas....but March is often Denver's snowiest month.

Amy, thanks so much for sending in this gorgeous pick -- we just LOVED it.  And congrats on the new baby!  I remember well the "grandama-sized panties" you mentioned in your email...here in Denver the nurses referred to them as "sexy panties".  snort.  And as awful as they are....I LOVED them.  "soooooooo comfortable....aaaahhhh."  Disposable or no, I washed and wore mine more than I'd like to admit. 

xo,

S

Pic is courtesy of Jennifer Wilson of jennifer/brooks photography.  Offices in Washington, DC and Seattle.

  


 
 

Rainy/Sick Day Activities: Water Cups

The easiest thing to do with a sick, fussy toddler, of course, is to pop him on the couch and let him veg out in front of the TV.  That's what I feel like doing when I've been barfing my brains out.  But when my two-year-old, who never saw an operational television until he was over a year old, started talking about the Wonder Pets like they were friends of his a couple of weeks ago, I realized it was [way past] time to put the breaks on the boob tube consumption.

This winter has been brutal.  With two kiddos, our sick days have doubled and it seems like one virus just snowballs into another.  In the past six weeks, we've had a crazy stomach flu, a cough & cold and now another cough & cold and each bug takes 7-10 days to work its way through the entire family. We're perennially tired, head-achey, generally achey and snotty.  So. . . our normally active lifestyle of play dates, playground outings, walks, music class, museums and running errands, has ground to a halt and we're all going bonkers with cabin fever.  

What to do with a tiny, sick little guy who can't go anywhere or do anything we usually do?  Well, in our case, water always does the trick, but we can't spend half of every day in the bath and the wood floors in my kitchen are going to warp from the time we spend at the sink filled up with water, boats and cups with Huck on his stepladder.            

Maybe you already do some version of this, but here's a stupidly easy, cheap and fun activity that keeps my little man happily engaged for 20 minutes or more.  It's great fine motor practice and is about a thousand times more water-wise than filling a bath or sink. We call it Water Cups.

Here's what you need:

- A cookie/jellyroll pan 
- Two shatterproof cups, different sizes, one filled with warm water
- A silicone potholder (optional, prevents slipping)

If your kid is anywhere near as obsessed with water and pouring as mine is, she'll love this activity, and so will you.  Strap him in his booster or high chair at the table while you check email or empty the dishwasher and let her have at it.  I put a silicone potholder on the table to prevent the cookie sheet, which keeps at least some of the water from slopping all over the table, from slipping and fill one of the cups with warm water.  Occasionally I pour the water from the cookie sheet back into one of the cups. 

  

Do you have some fun, cheap and easy activities to keep your tykes from going bonkers on sick or rainy days?  Email us your ideas and pics and we may feature them on our blog.

Happy cold & flu season, Mamas!  Spring is just around the corner.

- M