Ain't No Mom Jeans

Mom Street Style: Gwen's Babywearing, Spring Transition Outfit (And Upcoming Giveaway Info...)

Readers, I ran into Gwen at the Denver Botanic Gardens.  It was one of those "warm? cold? now warm again?  Nope - there's the wind!!" kind of days.

Gwen looked adorable and perfectly dressed for the weather in her soft gray and stripes.

Here's what I'm loving:

1.  When in doubt, go striped.  I'm always amazed at how much stripes can lighten up a whole outfit -- even under an Ergo!

2.  Lighten up!  Swap out your dark-wash denim for a lighter wash, or gray.  The whole outfit will feel more Spring-like.

3. Monochrome bottom - keeping your footwear and legs in the same color family (or same tone) visually lengthens legs. 

Gwen's top is the maritime J.Crew hoodie I've been coveting for a while, her skinny cargos are from Brass Plum (Nordstroms) and her boots are the infamous Ugg Cardys.

Now, about that giveaway...

Working In A Workout

 Picture deets: Me. My dogs. My baby. Working in a workout. Not stylish (points for a colorful scarf maybe?) but we were working it!

Remember when I was so excited to start working out again and shared my ideas for a play list? Sounds good, doesn't it? And S wrote about ways to squeeze a workout in during naptime (should that exist in your world). And then S so graciously helped kit you out for your new gym/exercise experience. You look great. Did you go directly to the gym and return on a regular basis? Do you do a workout DVD as a matter of routine? No, me neither.

The Key To Cool Layering (Hint: Think Three)

Spring fever has hit pretty hard.  But despite our collective longing, Mother Nature rarely responds.  And if you are in Marquette, MI?  Hello, snow. 

Even if you are dealing with snowdrifts, the easiest way to deal with a bit of Spring fever is to infuse a little dose of Spring into your outfits.  We've talked already about gorgeous trench coats, and bright pops of denim...but one way to feel Spring-y and stay warm is by layering.

Layering, however, is not throwing a cardi on over your t-shirt.  Well, technically, it is...but a cooler way of layering is to follow the rule of three:  Wear three tops*.

*tops - a loose definition.  Tops can be dresses, vests, actual tops or even a big fun scarf.  Two tops and a scarf is kind-of cheating in this layering game.  But will still look great.

The rule of three keeps you a bit warmer, and...even better?  It makes any outfit just. so. cool.  It requires a bit more thought, however.  At least for me.  But the end result is effortless style.  Look at your fav fashion mags or bloggers - some of the coolest looks follow the rule of three. 

Wanna see?  I found some really great inspiration, and came up with a few tips to keep in mind:

My Favorite Umbrella. And Some Other Very, Very Cool Ones...

My search is over.  Ten years ago (I kid you not - ten!!!) I saw someone walking down the street with this umbrella. 

It was love at first sight. (the 'brella, not the boy)

Unfortunately, I was never able to catch up to them to find out where they got such a fabulous umbrella.  Until now.  {sigh of bliss}

One of the (many) blogs that I follow recently posted about this umbrella.  I would love to give a shout-out and say thank you...but I couldn't find the article again, or remember who originally posted it.  (If it was you, let me know!)

Mom Street Style: Viani's Sophisticated Babywearing Outfits

  For some reason, when babywearing is the order of the day, I tend to reach for my denim.  I almost always go casual (as evidenced by my own mom-style babywearing uniform).

Not so for reader Viani, who was nice enough to send in these pics of her so-very-sophisticated babywearing mom-style. 

Viani is wearing  a maternity dress by Nest (LOVE that she is still getting use out of cute maternity duds), an FCUK long cardigan, puma boots & leggings from nordstrom.  Fab sunnies by Kate Spade.  So. Crazy. Cool.

First of all, why NOT wear maternity clothes??  To be honest, half of my maternity wardrobe doesn't look anything like maternity...we spend so much money on this stuff, let's wear it! 

And secondly, Viani's dress and cardi are both long and sleek, so they would be perfect for layering under her Balboa carrier without worrying about hemlines creeping north.  (A concern voiced by Lane in her article on babywearing style).

Lucky for us, Viani also sent in another outfit, one that she wears in chillier weather.  Voila:

Beauty Products: My Cruelty-Free Picks

If you're like me, your medicine cabinet is filled with some long-time favorite cosmetic standbys as well as a rotating crew of new products. I generally base my picks on trusted peer reviews or amazing packaging/marketing (what can I say? I'm a sucker for a pretty label) and I keep my beauty routine as simple as possible. Before I had V, I would say I was a minimalist. Now I'm happy if I get some moisturizer and mascara on before I leave the house. If I leave the house. *snort*

Aside from packaging, price and scent (or lack of) my bottom line when shopping for beauty products is animal testing. I'm not going to toss a bunch of red paint all over you, but I would like to at least mention that not only is animal testing for cosmetics totally unnecessary from a consumer safety standpoint, in the internet/information age it is easy to find and afford products that avoid such cruelty. There is little if anything that could convince me that such practices should even exist. As a consumer, a woman, and a mother I feel happy inside when I am able to spend my money on items that not only make me feel pretty outside but also align with my personal ethics.

If you want to make the ethics of animal cruelty a priority or even just a factor when choosing your beauty products, please remember that as always, labels can be misleading. Some lines may label themselves as cruelty-free, while their parent companies are not. Additionally, not all companies who are cruelty-free have it written on all of their packaging. Find current lists of companies that do and do not test on animals here.

As a long time vegetarian, it's only consistent that I would emphasize cruelty-free beauty. My guess is that whether or not you enjoy a hamburger, you would be appalled by the routine harm done to animals that most of us would consider pets in the name of 'beauty.' This post isn't meant as a lecture, it's just simply as a public service announcement. In salons, department stores and drugstores you can easily access products (at all price points) and support companies that do not engage in unneccessary and unimaginable practices.

The following are my current beauty staples. On the days when I DO leave the house, this is what makes me made up! Do you have any cruelty free brands or products that you swear by and want to share?

Spring Momiform Inspiration: Two Takes on the Trench

  I know I've harped on this before, but a great jacket can make an outfit. While I've been partial to my hunter green anorak of late, let's not forget about the iconic trench.

There are two points to keep in mind when rockin' the trench.  The first is to not over-think it, and the second?  To realize that the belt should never be belted at the waist via the buckle.  Instead:

1.  Tie the belt around your waist, ignoring the fact that it has a belt buckle (example below)

and

2.  Tie the belt behind you so you can wear the trench open, but the silhouette stays sleek.

And the not-over-thinking thing?  All that means is that you should throw your trench on over anything and everything.  Don't worry about matching.  It goes. with. everything.  Even destroyed boyfriend jeans and hubby beater tanks.  (Heck, especially destroyed boyfriend jeans and hubby beater tanks.)

Reader Question: Cool Watches For Moms (Under $300)

A while back, reader Meg asked for some watch suggestions.  She was looking for something "cute, versatile, stylish, well-made without being $500, and fairly indestructible for all of the times I scrape my arm along the brick wall of my garage, pulling a toddler out of our car".

Um.  I think we can do "fairly indestructible".  But the best policy?  Keep it affordable.

I've always liked watches, but in the past, I've used them as accessories only.  Nothing functional. (I know my friends are snorting at this statement...I have "issues" with being on time.)  But now...with a toddler (and nursing baby) in tow...a watch is helpful.  Especially when I'm trying to hold the baby, keep one eye on the running toddler and one eye on the time.  Rummaging around in my diaper bag for my iPhone isn't always ideal.  And unlike denim, I am not a watch snob.  So if you are looking for the best watches out there...this post isn't for you.  But if you want some cool watches that won't break the bank, read on.

40% Off J.Crew Factory This Weekend! Here's What We're Coveting...

From now until Sunday, J.Crew Factory has 40% off all merchandise.  Aaaannnd...it just so happens that I was in a J.Crew Factory store last week, doing a marathon try-on session.  (And there's plenty for post-partum and nursing moms to be excited about.)

Here's what I'm loving:

This dolman striped top has a crazy-flattering fit.  While you can't nurse in it, the top will hide a slight pooch.  I love the mix of stripes with that gorgeous zebra print jacket and pop of color.  A light-wash jean feels perfect for Spring.  And you know how I feel about nude shoes.

Factory1 by aintnomomjeans featuring j crew jeans

 

 

Next outfit: 

What Moms Wear: Tysie's Take on Transition Outfits (Two of Them!!)

I LOVE reader Tysie's translation of the J.Crew military jacket + maxi dress look we featured here.

Notice that she pulled a summery dress into rotation with dark tights, tall boots, and a military-inspired shirt. 

Notice also that she used a cool leather belt in place of the usual fabric tie.

Notice also how crazy-adorable her daughter Lilah is.  Holy Moly.  If I could only look that cool in fur boots....

Aaaand..lucky us...Tysie sent in another pic!  Shorts!

Yeeeeessssss.