Ain't No Mom Jeans

Thoughtful, Simple, Easy - My Gift Picks For Mother's Day

Since I do the majority of planning and gift buying in the family, Mother's Day sometimes feels....overwrought.  I'd rather skip the brunch crowds, skip the garden teas and just stick to something low-key.  Something easy.  Something...and this is the key...that doesn't require my involvement to plan.  

You know?  

Wake me up late with some coffee and a pastry, and maybe a little handmade something from the kids.  (I already gave Mike this box from Kiwi Crate to make it easy).  But I'm not gonna lie:  I do want a little token of appreciation from my husband.  It doesn't have to be big or expensive...just...thoughtful.

So here are my gift picks for Mother's Day...whether you are looking for a little token of appreciation for your own mum, or ideas to send to your hubs.

 

FIRST ROW:

1. Linen Beach Blanket, $48

I started using Aden+Anais linen swaddling wraps for the boy's towels, and I'll never go back to terry.  Linen absorbs water, drys quickly, and fits into a beach bag so much easier.  I'd love to add to a big 'ol family blanket for the beach. 

2. Hepcat Shades, $55 at Madewell

Did I mention that I was featured in Glam Canada's roundup of Moms?  So freaking cool.  Anyway, like I told them, high on my wish list are cool sunnies.  Madewell's Hepcat are my current favs - the apricot would look gorgeous with a tan, but paleface moi should go for the mint.

3. Linen Tote, $134 from Independent Reign on Etsy

I'm dying over this gorgeous bag.  Perfect color, perfect shape.

 

SECOND ROW:

4. Leaves Cuff, $65

Remember when reader Desiree commented that she styles her black maxi dress with wooden jewelry in the summer?  Yeah - this would be perfect. 

5. MoMA Sky Umbrella, $42

I know I've mentioned this before...but it's still my very favorite umbrella.  And I accidentally lost my last one...soooo....Mike?

6. Butterfly Kite, $17

I really love to fly kites, but I'm sick to death of flying the assortment of frogs/planes/crap that the boys like.  Mama wants a pretty kite.  I actually think this would be an amazingly perfect Mother's day - going to the beach to fly kites.  Into the Wind actually sells kites in assortments of three to save some money...and OOO!! This assortment has my butterfly, a jet, and a easy triangle flyer for the littlest one.  It's like it was made for us. 

 

THIRD ROW:

7. Stainless Steel Ice Cubes, $19

For all of you Sav Blanc drinkers.  [smirk]  The Easter Bunny snuck these little babies into my Easter Basket this year, and I LOVE them.  They make my happy on a nightly basis.  

8. Silicone Wine Glasses, $20

Sadly, these bad boys are out of stock.  But they will be back by the end of May (you can sign up to be notified), and I would be happy with an IOU for Mother's Day.  Because OMG picnic perfection, right???

9. Table in a Bag, $50

Mike and I bought this 13 years ago.  It is AWESOME.  It's awesome for picnics in the park, for backyard lounging, and even for entertaining city kids on a balcony.  Incidentally, after 13 years of use, we now need a new one. 

 

LAST ROW:

10.  Cami and Panty Set, $59

Gosh I love this sweet little set from Luvahuva.  So pretty.  (Organic cotton, too!)

11. Chocolate Croissants, Set of 15, $40

Have you ever tried these?  Williams-Sonoma overnight ships these to you, frozen.  You store them in your freezer, and when you are ready to eat, you put them on a baking sheet to let them rise overnight. In the morning, pop them in the oven and voila!  The best chocolate croissants I've had outside of Paris.  

12. Blooming Sound Smartphone Amplifier, $25

In order to play music - properly - in our house, it involves something like 24 different remotes and 2387497 button pushes and 9820985792348283 swears words emitted by me as I attempt to wield said remotes and push buttons.  So when Mike's not home, I usually just play music on my phone.  The boys and I currently rock out using a little lego speaker I got for free at a bank...but this gorgeous Bloom amplifier would KILL IT. 

 

Also, if you missed it, we have a no-clutter gift guide for every stage of motherhood.

Happy Mother's Day, Mamas!!

xoxo

S

And Mamas:  A huge, huge, HUGE thank you for all of your thoughts and comments on the MILF campaign.  I am blown away by your support, your words of wisdom, and your respectful commentary.  Words cannot express how honored I feel that women like you actually take the time to read this blog.  MWAH!

Vacation Withdrawal

Oh how looooong the week back from vacation can seem!  We had a dynamite trip to Dave’s home state of Michigan, and it’s hard to get back in the groove after having so much relaxation and entertainment wrapped up into 10 days—what with older cousins entertaining our kids non-stop, jumping off of boats into crystalline lakes, running down mind-blowingly huge sand dunes and having time with friends and family, not to mention fireworks and a ladies-night jaunt to see Magic Mike (awesome and not at all squicky sitting next to your MIL through that one!).

TGI Summer!

I love summer for so many reasons.  Sunshine.  Pool time.  Free time (theoretically).  Crazy sales. 

I say theoretically because we’re putting our house on the market and getting it ready with three babes ages four-and-under in tow has been. . . fun?  Interesting?  We couldn’t have done any of it without help from Mimi, so I must shout out a big thanks to her.  She’s more than a mom.  She’s a friend, too, and an amazing one at that.

We’re also packing up our brood for a 10-day holiday (Fun?  Definitely interesting.), S. is off on a road trip (thank goodness they’re taking a break from flying) to NYC, then Michigan (after “camping” with more mosquitoes than wild ponies > she emailed me from a hotel after, get this: Day. One.  I kid you not!  LMAO), and in the midst of all that, we’re trying not to short shift ANMJ readers, and we’re doing galleries for Mom.me—here are our one-piece swim suit picks, and stay tuned for our celeb mom backyard BBQ style gallery.  See?  Fun.  And interesting.

Predictably, I can talk about crazy sales at even greater length than major life events:

I think I may have found the holy grail of kids' water shoes, Mamas.  I’ve always sprung for the $50+ Keens in summers past—they have great arch support, are incredibly durable and I once heard a story about a kid who was wearing them when he got his foot stuck in the teeth of an escalator and came out with all ten toes in tact, but mamas, do they stink or what?  Like, in a way that won’t wash off the foot, not even with several rounds of hot soapy water . . . So I’ve been on the hunt, and I thought, at $15, Old Navy’s Trek Shoes are worth a shot, right?  After two weeks of non-stop wear, by both my walking boys, there is no insane foot stink, and they’ve been in and out of rivers, pools and splash parks almost non-stop.  They probably wont last through next year, so they’re definitely not as durable as pricier options, but now, mamas?  They’re 10 flippin’ bucks!  Done and done.

The blue is mostly sold out, but the other colors are great, too.  Check them out here, and if you have a little chick who’s a size 7, be sure to click through to their adorable pink version.

Oh, and take a look at Boden’s crazy-cute swimwear for kiddos if you’re spending more time (like us) in the water than you thought.  It’s all 25% off, but do be aware shipping takes a bit—about a week-and-a-half, so if you need extra stuff now, skip it.

Birthdays are always a bit difficult to swallow—mine’s next month <gulp>.  Um, where’s the time going?  And why do I now totally get what my great-grandmother told me the last time I saw her, shortly before she passed away?  “I still feel eighteen, then I look in the mirror. . .”  So.  I like to pick up a little treat for myself during the crazy summer sales.  I’ve been coveting the Frye Corby ankle boots since S. wrote them up in January, and now they are on crazy sale in limited sizes.  They’re reduced to $198 from $298 on the page, and Garnet Hill is taking an additional 30% off + free shipping once in the cart through July 2^nd.  Yaaay!  See?  I’m totally distracted from the march of time.  I feel better.  A little retail therapy can a good thing.  Sometimes.

Oh, and these stylin’ Gap sunnnies for the baby man?  $5?  Um, yeah.  Or how about the Glam sunglasses for the little ladies?

Is this the holiday weekend, or is next week the weekend?  Or is it both?  Such is the beauty of summer, Mamas.  Who knows, but we’ll check in again soon!

- M.

 

 

 

 

A Hauntingly Beautiful ABC Book (and Wall Prints)

Mamas, I know I said we'd be taking it easy for a while, but I just came across this and had to share.  It's something so jaw-droppingly stunning and unique and wow.  Just...wow.

Kim Krans (who happens to be my mom's BFF's daughter...follow me?) is an amazing artist.  She recently created an ABC book for kids.  Instead of primary colors and juvenile B is for BORING BALLS and S is for SNOOZEFEST SNAKE (or whatever)....Kim's book is filled with black and white illustrations that strike a perfect balance between sophistication and whimsy.  The result is hauntingly beautiful.  Each page is, quite literally, a work of art. 

Here are a few of my favorite prints from her book:

 

Each letter is available as a 12" X 16" print (pictured above) or collectively in Kim's book, aptly named ABC Dream.

ABC Dream can be purchased on Kim's website, The Wild Unknown, for $25.  I can't imagine a more perfect gift for a new mom, a budding artist, or a curious, inquisitive toddler on a rainy summer day.  (You can see more of the book in this charming video.)

And I'm dying for the LOVE set of prints ($120).  Awesome for a nursery, and cool enough for a living room.

xo,

S

ps.  Mamas, thank you SO much for all of the love and support regarding my recent travel woes.  Your comments seriously cracked me up.  Life is funny, no?

Mothers Day Giveaway | Erica Sara Designs Generation Necklace

UPDATE 5/10/11: Ashley Taylo, please email us--you're the winner of the Erica Sara Designs Generation Necklace.  Happy Mothers Day!

Happy almost-Mothers Day, Mamas! 

Erica Sara Designs, a NYC jewelry designer, has generously offered a giveaway for ANMJ readers: her stunning Generation Necklace, which is the most elegant twist I've seen on mom keepsake jewelry yet.  With clean lines and an understated design, the Generation Necklace is a beautiful, one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry you'll be proud to wear every day--on its own or layered with other pieces.  With the names of generations of your loved ones engraved on it in a concentric circle, this graceful disc takes on an almost talismanic quality, keeping those who are dear to you close to your heart. 

Be sure to check out Erica's other fetching designs, too.  I'm smitten with the Initial Tag Necklace (I love the idea of five tags all together--one for each of my boys, including my first baby, Obi-wan the dog!).  The Custom 3 Charm Necklace is perfect for Mothers Day, graduation, going off to college or just because--what a fab way to tell a special girl how amazing you think she is.  Or, every day is a marathon for a mama, but the Run Like A Girl Necklace acknowledges the commitment it takes to go the distance with a beautiful, wear-able piece of jewelry. 

Enter now to win an Erica Sara Designs Generation Necklace!
To enter to win a Generation Necklace, up to a $148 value, courtesy of Erica Sara Designs, "like" this post on the Ain’t No Mom Jeans FaceBook page and tell us why moms rock.  Entrants must be 18 or older and located in the US.  Winner will be chosen at random the evening of tomorrow, Wednesday, May 9th.

Full disclosure: this is not a paid or sponsored post.  Ain’t No Mom Jeans has a strict policy of editorial integrity—we do not endorse or recommend anything we don’t truly adore. 

 

Giveaway & Review | $100 of Seraphine Nursing and Maternity Wear

UPDATE 4/17/12: The $100 Seraphine Giveaway winner is Lori Farley.  Please end us an email with your contact info so we can get the code for you, Lori!

I think we can all agree that public nursing is a bit tricky at times.  For me, anyway, it usually involves some grappling and coaxing, and quite a bit of midriff baring.  Or worse.  Ugh.  Needless to say, I’m all for anything, absolutely anything, that makes the process of getting my three-month-old to latch on (while using my free hand to bribe my 2-year-old with snacks and stomping my foot to let my 4-year-old know I saw him swipe my iPhone to play Angry Birds—again).  I repeat: Anything.  And, I don’t even need it to look good.  I just need it to work. 

But that’s where Seraphine, a UK-based maternity and nursing wear company, far exceeded my expectations.  Their nursing-friendly designs are not only highly functional, they are beautifully constructed out of fabulous fabrics that have amazing drape.  And, they go from maternity to post-baby and nursing with ease, so we’re really excited to be able to offer ANMJ readers this giveaway!

S Gets Crafty For Easter (Prepare to Be Jealous)

Mamas, it's all about the children.  I sacrifice and I sacrifice and I sacrifice for the children.  Those precious, precious children.

As proof-positive of said sacrifice and of my worth as a mother (do they not go hand-in-hand?), I give you this, my latest ridonkulous creation my masterpiece:

 

I've titled it:  "Smug Mummy's Easter Basket."

Do you not see the calligraphied "R"?  The "R" for Raines?  Such that on our Easter morn I can don a pastel hairbow and inquire of my precious boy, "Raines?  Can you find the R?  Can you find the R, Raines?"  And lots of rejoicing will follow all of this natural learning - even on Easter morning, Mamas.  We learn.  

Do you not see the glass?  It's non-toxic, even when heated.  And the organic soil?  And the real, growing grass?  Plastic?  Pshaw!!  Never would I let those tiny, gentle hands touch something so base as plastic.  And on Easter?  Horror.

Go ahead.  You can Pin it.  I know you want to.  

But in all seriousness Mamas, I SO wanted to have real Easter grass for Easter this year.  But when I concocted this idea in my "big stwrong brain" (as R would say) it looked more like this:

 

Ahhhh....now I see!  I'm just missing a bow.

Timeless Shadow Portraits by The Silhouette Man

Bambi-long eyelashes.  Cherubic cheeks.  Unruly cowlicks, upturned button noses and double chins that are actually cute.  These are things I never ever ever want to forget about my sweet baby boys, but photos come, go, fade. . .  And painted portraits are out of the question (though hubs and I did commission a dog portrait of our first baby, Obi-wan, the Manhattan Mutt, years before our fur-less kiddos came along - lol.  I'll probably regret that I actually confessed to dog portraiture later, but anywho. . . )  Silhouette portraits of my three boys seemed just the thing. 

I've been completely taken with silhouettes since I was five, when my grandmother took me to a doll show and had my silhouette cut.  She brushed out my hair and clipped it in a barrette, smoothed down my shirt and talked to me while I sat as still as a five-year-old possibly could. I remember watching the artist's hand deftly snipping away at the black card stock out of the corner of my eye.  When I saw my likeness in black and white, complete with long eyelashes and little waves clipped back, it felt a bit like being Peter Pan separated from his shadow.  It was oddly, magically compelling to behold, even then. 

The Five Gorgeous Pajama Sets I Can't Stop Thinking About...

Mamas, this post is dedicated to my husband.  And by dedicated, I mean you-want-me-to-wear-sexier-pjs-then-get-out-your-wallet-this-will-cost-you-punk.  

The other night as I was getting ready for bed, Mike informed me that he was sick of my 'ol favorite bedtime standbys.  Not his words, of course.  His words were actually something like, "Babe.  Those?  Again?"  And my words were something along the lines of "Are you kidding me?  I am the mother of your children, I have had two c-sections - TWO - I am STILL nursing blahblahblah, rant rant rant etc etc etc." 

Besides, I thought they were cute.  Aren't they?

And once upon a time, he did like them.  But....well....that was four years ago.  And after four years of near-constant wash & wear you can barely see the hysterical "Believe in this" that was written across the bum of one particular pair.  (Still cracks me up though, four years later).  So I guess we've had a good run.  And I still think they are a post-partum lifesaver.

Anywho.  So he wants we want to find sexier pajamas.  But that's tricky, right?  I mean, we're looking for a daily upgrade...something that can actually be worn to bed on a regular basis.  Which means, if I'm being perfectly honest, that lace is out.  Anything itchy is out.  

My first thought, then, was to look for cute little boxers.  Something a little flirtier than my...uh...post-c-section-panties.  (Wow - how's that for a sexy name?) 

There are tons out there, but I'm loving Maison Scotch's take:

Sexy, without being cutesy.  (The rear view is hubby-approved.)

The problem?  They are currently on sale and will only cost him $19.  So let's keep looking, shall we?

 

Mom Street Style - Vera's Fav Nursing Cover

When I finally worked up the nerve to nurse my first babe in public (instead of running to the car or planning every outing around feedings), I was daunted to say the least.  And when I faced breastfeeding my second with an on-the-go 19-month-old, the prospect of boob exposure during the regular course of lunging after my toddler terrified me, as does trying to run after a two- and four-year-old going in opposite directions whilst nursing my third bub, so I can absolutely relate to Vera, this week’s fab street style mama.  Vera just had her fourth and was thrilled with the range of motion, not to mention the style, of the DRIA nursing cover S. reviewed last year.

Vera writes:

I just want to say thank you!! I bought the Dria cover after reading your review of it and I LOVE it.  Actually, I am trying really hard not to wear it every single day.  I just had my fourth baby, and despite nursing all my kids until about 18 months, I never used nursing covers - I just thought they were awkward and actually drew MORE attention to the fact that you were breastfeeding.  I had good luck just wearing a cami and a shirt and pulling my shirt up and was pretty discrete about it.  BUT, the Dria is soooo soft and comfy and hides my huge post-c-section pooch, and actually I'm finding that I like being able to nurse in public with it.  Having a very active 21 month old boy, there have been a couple of times that I've been at Starbucks or some place nursing the baby and he decides to do something crazy and I need to react quickly - not something I can do while having my boob hanging out!

Thanks! I'm attaching a pic of the one I got - I love it, even though my hubby is giving me weird looks every morning when I pull it out after trying on fifty other things first LOL!

- Vera C.

For those of you mamas not familiar with the DRIA nursing cover, check it out.  It is the most versatile and fashion-forward piece of nursing gear I have ever encountered, and I don’t think I’ll be shelving it even after I’m done nursing bub #3.  In any of the patterns, it’s a gorgeous, lightweight poncho that’ll kick up the volume on even the most boring outfit.  It covers everything, including you, your babe, the car seat or your stroller, it wads up into a tiny ball, washes well and dries fast and without wrinkles.

Vera, you look amazing in your slouchy boots and nursing poncho! Thanks for sending in your Street Style submission—keep ‘em comin’, Mamas!

- M.