Ain't No Mom Jeans

Holiday Style: Sex Up a Day Dress

I told Mike (hubs) the title of this article.  His eyes lit up and he was all, "do something sexy, Babe!"  So I did this:

 

Sigh.  Why didn't I just do a pouty duckface? (bangs head on desk) This blog is humbling.  Like a beginning ballet class for adults.

Anyway...let's chat about sexing up a day dress!!  All you need (besides the dress) is a random assortment of:

1.  Something glittery or shiny (necklaces, bracelets, etc.)

2.  Something furry

3.  Sexy tights

4.  High Heels

5.  A belt

6.  A little party clutch 

7.  Big-girl makeup (lipstick, smokey eyes, whatever)

Pick and choose two or three (or four) from the list above, and BAM.  It's party-time.  

This (admittedly haphazard) approach works shockingly well with a wide variety of day dresses.  Wanna see?  Here's how we're taking a few day dresses into our night-time rotation....

Day:  

  J.Crew tunic - similar at Gap, J.Crew striped tissue turtleneck, leggings, Dolce Vita Java booties now on sale for $75!

Night 1:  

J.Crew tunic - similar at Gap, J.Crew skinny belt, Plush fleece-lined tights (so warm!), Nina glitter pumps now on sale for $55, arm party of Stella and Dot 1 and 2, as well as this and this similar bracelets from LOFT, vintage bag - similar at Target!

Night 2:

J.Crew tunic - similar at Gap, Wolford tights - similar, Nine West Booties - similar, Etsy earrings, vintage bag - or check out this gorgeousness, Lindsay Bloom cocktail ring

 

 

Ready for another example?  Next up is that James Perse sweatshirt dress that we first talked about here.  Yes...a sweatshirt dress.   Totally my speed.

*A note about the bubble necklace below.  There are a ton of low-cost iterations (including ebay, where I purchased mine)...but these pieces are everywhere - it's now an over-saturated market.  Expect to walk into any holiday party and see several.  I'm now on the hunt for a new statement necklace.  Anyone else interested in my finds?

 

Day:

James Perse Sweatshirt dress, boyfriend cardigan c/o Goddis Knits, Plush fleece-lined tights, Gray Desert boots c/o Clarks, Gap men's scarf

Night 1:

 James Perse Sweatshirt dress, J.Crew glitter bag (similar) and bubble necklace (here's a cheaper version for $29), Plush fleece-lined tights, Nine West Booties - similar, Lindsay Bloom gold bangles, discontinued Stella and Dot earrings - here's similar

Night 2: 

James Perse Sweatshirt dress, Wolford tights - similar, vintage bag - or check out this gorgeousness, Nine West Booties - similar, Etsy earrings

 

Lastly, I asked Camille from Life in Modification to weigh in.  To see how she'd take a day dress into night.  Cam went a vintage-y / understated route, and the resulting look is quite pretty.  It's amazing to see how a faux-fur collar adds so much sophistication and romance - very Grace Kelly, no?  Love the midi length, also.

Day: 

 

eShakti dress (fyi, it was customizable), AE cardi, Hush Puppies moto boots - similar, Target tights 

 

Night:

eShakti dress, Old Navy coat - similar, Target tights, Steve Madden pumps - similar

Thanks, Cam!  Ok Mamas - thoughts?  You like?

xo,

S

 

 

 

 

Fall Trend: The Denim Jacket (And 3 New Ways Mamas Can Rock It)

Mamas, the denim jacket (which is, arguably, a classic and therefore always cool)...is having a moment so big, it feels like a new trend.  I'm sure you've seen it paired with statement pants (red skinnies or printed denim, perhaps?), and we've covered to death the denim-jacket-over-casual-dress-and-boots combo (here and here and here - and it's still good, BTW)...but I'd like to highlight the three new ways I'm loving my denim jacket.

The Three Fall Transition Outfits I Can't Stop Wearing

We had a fabulous Labor Day weekend.  Saturday, we went to the shore (natch) and on Sunday?  It rained.  I mean the heavens opened and it poured.  Great, big, fat, sopping-wet raindrops.  And we loved it.  We splashed in puddles (Pax rolled in them) and then we all came inside for hot chocolate and pancakes.  A perfect way to welcome September.

Raines starts pre-school week after next, and already my mind is turning to cool nights, crunching leaves and that slightly smokey smell of Fall air.  Ooooo....so excited.

However, the temps are staying firmly in the 80's over here.  With cah-razy humidity.  So here's what I've been wearing to satisfy my Fall cravings, without drowning in sweat.  

Swap Cut-Offs For Cold-Weather Shorts, Add Booties

You know I love my cut-offs.  But on days when I'm really craving Fall, I swap 'em out for something more substantial.  Personally, I love faux-leather (mine were $15 from Forever 21), but a cool tweed short would also work.  Add ankle boots for a perfect early-Fall pairing.

My boys have suddenly turned crazytown.  They never, EVER, stop.

(wearing: tee from Anthropologie, faux-leather shorts from Forever 21, Clarks booties - similar here, fringe bag from Piperlime - similar here)

 

Giveaway: An Effortlessly Cool Bauble from A Common Thread

Mamas, allow me to introduce my new favorite jewelry designer, Stefanie from A Common Thread.  Stefanie is based in Brooklyn, and makes all of jewelry by hand.  Her ascetic is one part minimalist, one part vintage, and one part sofreakingcool.

I've been wearing her Peter Pan Collar Necklace everywhere - to work, date night, even out with the kiddos (it won't break).

 

Even better?  She's shockingly affordable.  M's first response after perusing her shop? "She should start charging more!  I LOVE."  My necklace (and most others) can be had for $40.  Seriously, Mamas.  Gorgeous little baubles like these...all $40 or under:

Clockwise from top left:

Onyx Triangle Necklace | Delicate Silk Necklace in Red | Brass Bar Necklace | Silver Bird Bracelet | Whistle Statement Necklace | Crochet Rope Necklace with Metal Fringe

Check out her shop.  Everything is fabulous.

Stefanie is offering our readers a giveaway!  A $40 credit to her shop!  Which would pretty much get you...almost anything.  Or a couple-a-somethin'.  

To enter, leave a comment on our Facebook page (or below, if you must...) telling us which of Stefanie's baubles you'd most like to win!

xo,

S

**UPDATE:  The giveaway is now closed! Congrats to our winner, Maggie K-M!!**

Mom-Drobe Inspiration: Long, Linen Pants (For Hiding Veins and Stretch Marks While Staying Cool)

Now you know I love my shorts.  Especially my denim cut-offs (and here's how I styled them last summer).  However, I realize that not all of you are shorts devotees.  And from time-to-time we receive comments or emails asking for warm-weather options that cover up post-baby stretch marks or varicose veins.  Maxi skirts are one good option, but another?  Super comfy linen pants. 

Linen pants often feel like sweatpants (and get softer after each washing - use the delicate cycle, lay flat to dry), but unlike sweatpants they have great drape and are very breathable.

And drape is good for your bum. (I'll just leave the "breathable" comment alone...)

Even better, I found a couple great pics from Shopbop and Calypso to use as inspiration...

Linen Pants + Cropped Top

I'm loving this look from Shopbop.  The model is wearing Juicy Couture linen pants and a Vince sweater (now sold out).

I love the cropped, boxy sweater layered over the soft linen pant - so comfy chic.  Perfect for a cooler summer night, strolling the beach.

Ok - using this pic as inspiration, we can re-create this look (linen pant + cropped top) a couple of different ways.  Cropped oversized sweaters work (short or long sleeve), as do cropped swingy tanks for hot weather.  Just layer your cropped tops over another tank.  Please.

Here's what I came up with:

Reader Question: No More Jeans or Leggings! Any Other Mom Uniform Ideas?

Reader Question:

What are your suggestions for moms other than wearing jeans or legging daily? Thanks!

Cindy

Answer:

Oooo...Cindy.  You are pushing me out of my comfort zone.  As you may have guessed, I'm a big jeans/leggings girl.  But never fear, there are so many great options out there that I could drone on at length.  In fact, one could argue that this entire website is built around the concept of helping moms find their own daily uniform.  Let me highlight three easy options that are readily available now: the chino, the cargo, and the linen drawstring pant.

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:

Fall Denim Part 3 of 4 - Destroyed Jeans

I am too old to dress like a teenager.  I have been for several years now.  It started when I hit age 27.  I realized that certain styles no longer looked quite...right.  Despite the fact that I’ve never really looked my age, after I hit 27 I no longer wanted to look teenager-y.  Young is OK, illegal is not.  This is an important point to make, because I’ve often heard fashion experts say that ripped or destroyed denim should be left to the younger set.  I disagree.  How you wear this kind of denim makes all of the difference in the world.  And this fall, destroyed denim is back in a big way.   I love this look for moms -- done correctly, it manages to give you a slightly edgy look, like “Yes I am a Rock Star, now watch out before I run you over with my Bugaboo”.