Ain't No Mom Jeans

Give Away | Shabby Apple's Gorgeous Lace Hollywood Hills Dress

*****UPDATE:  Giveaway Closed!  Congrats to Janice!!*****

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Mamas, I went on a date.  A real one.  Where a babysitter comes to the house, the kids are excited to see her, and Mike and I walk out the door without a backwards glance - OR the baby.  I'm in high heels and he's wearing a jacket.  Like adults.  Like real parents.  It was fabulous.

I had been dreaming of this date all week.  I had just received Shappy Apple's Hollywood Hills dress in the mail (OMGOMGOMG so gorgeous!!)....and promptly rushed out to buy some Spanx.

A side note:  My husband was oddly excited to hear I was going to wear Spanx.  All was revealed later, when I realized that all he heard was something that sounded vaguely like "spanking"....and was then horribly disappointed to realize that I meant these:

They rocked, BTW. And sooo comfortable.

Anyway, the night of the date was freezing.  Like 20 degrees, it's probably going to snow, freezing.  And no matter how cute an outfit, I don't really sacrifice comfort for style.  At least not in 20 degree weather.  But I also wasn't going to pass up on this dress.  So I got a little creative - swapped booties for stilettos, busted out a sparkly little belt....

(wearing: Shabby Apple Hollywood Hills dress c/o Shabby Apple, J.Crew sweater and belt, Hanes run-resistant sheer tights c/o Hanes, Nine West booties, vintage clutch)

Eclectic, I realize.  But I was warm, and felt like myself, which is really the important thing.  

But never fear, Mamas.  Two martinis in (two!  TWO!!) and I was shedding clothing like a crazy-woman.

The dress got its time to shine.

Here I am, waiting for a glass of champagne to wrap up the most perfect evening.  I'm sure my mother is dying over the fact that I'm revealing what I drank (how un-ladylike of me!!  scandalous!!) but I haven't been able to stomach more than a glass or two of white wine since getting pregnant with Raines.  Which means that I've been drinking only white wine for almost 5 YEARS NOW.  And suddenly, seemingly overnight, I can do martinis again. 

It was a big night, Mamas.  A big night indeed.  Martinis, high heels, a gorgeous lace dress and lipstick.  I haven't felt this glamorous in quite a long, long time.

So.  As our final giveaway in this Season of Giving, we've teamed up with the very fabulous folks at Shabby Apple to offer up a lace Hollywood Hills dress to one of our lucky readers.  

That would be one of you, Mamas.  

So if you are in need of a little glamour in your life, and want it in the form of a shockingly comfortable lace dress that feels both demure and wildly sexy....do any of the following and leave us a comment, telling us how you've entered:

1.  Like Shabby Apple on Facebook

2.  Share this post on Facebook 

Good luck, Mamas!!  I hope you are all enjoying this special (and crazy) time of the year.  Amazing that it's almost over.  I need to get going on the cookie baking.

(And guess who is having a baby, uh...Monday?  Talk about one heck of an amazing Christmas gift.  Lucky M.)

xoxo

S

The Best Santa Pic....EVER. (I Promise.)

We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming to bring you this little gem....

The picture below was posted on my old collage buddy's facebook wall.  It's of his friend's niece and nephew.  We're re-posting it here with permission.  My friend wrote:

This is a real picture of my buddy's niece and nephew years ago. I dare anyone to present a more amazingly perfect Santa/Christmas picture. Then entire experience of holidays stress, having toddlers and babies, indoor/outdoor environments requiring too many clothes changes, too many people, too much waiting, and all the constant work to make memories are all encapsulated in this gift of a split second. 
Spend some time looking at it, then go away, then look at it some more, then look at each kid individually for 10 whole seconds, only then quickly shift to Santa's face.

OMG.  Priceless.

I can't get over the baby.  And his sister making a break for it.  But the baby.  In his Christmas sweater.  Clearly screaming "F-THIIIIIIIIIIISSSSS" in baby-talk.  

And there are really no words for Santa's face.  No. Words.  (His eyes!!! OMG!  Look at his eyes!! LOLOL)

Happy Holidays, Mamas.

xo,

S

Watching | Kin Community Holiday Recipes on YouTube

You've got to love YouTube for viral videos of acrobatic cats, cute toddlers with British accents and cringe-worthy coverage of kids who are still breastfeeding. . . at 8, but being (well) over the age of 18, female and um, kind of busy with my actual life, I must admit that YouTube is not a frequent stop on my Internet browsing history.  Until now, that is, as I'm drooling over the holiday yummies offered up by one of YouTube's newly-launched original content channels, Kin Community, which debuted last week with brief, charmingly quirky videos geared towards grown-up women.  The new YouTube channel is rolling out series about food, fashion, parenting and personal stories over the next few months, beginning with Kin Eats and Kin Style, with new content added weekly (subscribe for updates!).

If I'm able to function after bringing forth a human life next week, for example, I'm planning to whip up the Christmas Morning Casserole by Jenny Park (spoonforkbacon.com) to feast on after the gift opening madness.  Who knows?  Perhaps the uber finicky boys wonder may wrap the year with a new breakfast fav (!).

And even though my family has understandably albeit shockingly low expectations of me for this year's Christmas dinner at my parent's house, I'm fantasizing about impressing them with Beth Le Manach's Brie & Fig Jam Crostini.  They could be just the ticket for a newly-delivered holiday mama.  Not only do they look mouth-wateringly delicious, but I love her tip: prepare a few on a platter (so guests know what to do) and leave the fixings out to be assembled to-order (read, little-to-no work for the new mama).  I can shop for everything but the bread now and show up Christmas Day looking like (ok, maybe just giving the faintest impression of) some kind of postpartum rockstar.  Luv it. 

In the New Year, I'll wow the relatives, friends and fellow board members alike with Dana Joy Altman's (realfoodrehab.com) retro Olive Stuffed Cheese Puffs. Um, olives? Cheese? Carbs? These may be my new breastfeeding staple, Mamas.  I'm going to pop them like crazy while I still have a nursing metabolism, and they'll be perfect for all the wine tasting I'll be doing after my pregnant prohibition.

Kin Community's style channel, Kin Style, is also bringing the goods.  Rebecca Wolf, everyone's favorite mom blogger (Girl's Gone Child), offers up simple yet crucial postpartum fashion advice ANMJ can definitely stand by: drapey on top, skinny on the bottom, accessorize, accessorize, accessorize. . .

Happy holidays, Mamas!

- M.

Cut the Crap: The Best Experience Gifts For All Stages of Motherhood

If you are concerned that your husband is flailing in the gift department, or if you are struggling to find a gift for your mom or your best friend who just had a baby, this is a short and sweet gift list that focuses on experiences.  Because at the end of the day, most of us have enough crap stuff, but never enough quality time.  Here's to celebrating life's simple pleasures!

 

Tree Lightings, Holiday Parades and Other Freezing Events: Ideas for Styling Your Puffer

Gang, I have such a love-hate relationship with puffers.  I love them because I hate being cold...but...well, then I look like this:

(wearing: Calvin Klein puffer, Current/Elliott skinnies, Frye Buckled Carmen boots, J.Crew mittens and hat)

This is my old Calvin Klein puffer coat, bought at Macy's on super sale several years ago.  I mean...OK.  It's not horrible.  Just a little, ever so slightly, NOM NOM NOM.  Like it's eating me. (And wow - that hat looks a bit like a condom...sigh.)

I tend to buy winter-wear in desperation, the night before an event, and this, dear mamas, never ends well (*cough *condom-hat *cough).

Little Pax, on the other hand, is very clear about his feelings regarding this puffer jacket:  When I put it on, he cries.

Which is funny, because his older brother once mistook a puffer jacket for a lion.  And looking at this picture, I understand their confusion. (Can you imagine the scene if I put up the hood?  Madness.)

So when the nice folks over at Lands' End asked if they could send me one of their puffer jackets gratis....of course I said yes. And we've talked about these puffers before - I do think they are cute. Each puffer comes with this completely radical and novel feature:  a waist.  Genius!!  (Seriously Gang - how did I not get this memo the first time around?)

But....you know.  You can dress a puffer up, but can you really take it out? 

And I really wanted to take it out.  Knowing that we were about the venture into the City of Brotherly Love for a tree lighting...which probably meant that wine and pizza and a cozy little restaurant were in our near future...I wanted to look cute.  And be warm.  So here's my puffer compromise:

Mom Street Style - Grace's White Maternity Denim Before and After Baby

Ooooo....Mamas, I love this:

 

This is Grace, from Camp Patton.  Grace writes:

My name is Grace and I'm here to tell you that it's okay to wear your last pair of ill-fitting (albeit still fitting!) maternity pants for the last several and consecutive joyful days of your pregnancy. I'm also here to tell you that it's okay to wear your last pair of ill-fitting (albeit still fitting) maternity pants home from the hospital and for those first several and consecutive joyful days of your new baby's life. 

I did...(and maybe still am). And...it's okay. 

Ummmm....it's more than OK!  Personally, I think that if the maternity denim still fits (and mine did for a loooong time)...then wear it.  (I actually wore a pair of maternity trousers to work..uh...two days ago.)

Also, can we talk about white denim in December?  As most of you know, I find rules in general annoying, especially so if they are "fashion rules".  Snore.  So obviously, I support wearing white...whenever you feel like it.  But what I hadn't realized (until seeing Grace's photos) is how amazingly festive white is - so perfect for the holiday season, no?  Grace could easily wear either look to a holiday get-together.  Or throw on a sparkly sweater and wear white pants to a cocktail party?  It would be so unexpected and such a fresh change from black.

Grace is wearing:  (Pregnant photo - Gap Maternity shirt via the Goodwill, Gap maternity pants, Banana Republic belt, Target shoes....Postpartum  photo - Gap Maternity pants, Target shirt, Michael Kors sweater via Goodwill, Target shoes....on baby Sebastian - pumpkin hat knit by a very talented friend and an outfit from Goodwill.)

Ok - but here's the fun part:  Grace submitted these pics to us...but what she doesn't know is that we were already planning to feature her on Mom Street Style!  A few months ago, reader Jenny alerted us to Grace's fabulous blog, and had these kind words to say:

I wanted to direct your attention to a fab mom blogger named Grace who blogs at Camp Patton and does these a-mazing little 'Before and After' series on her Goodwill transformations.  I think she uses magic or something but her 'after' shots are glam enough to make you weak in the knees.  Also, she is currently 8 months preggo and still a heck of a lot more pulled together than I can manage for weddings, corporate events, etc.  

So go check out Grace's blog.  I think you'll love it.  (I know we do!!)

Thanks to both Grace and Jenny!!

xo,

S

 

Give Away | Stella & Dot Earrings

UPDATE: 12/14/11 10:49 MST - Congratulations to the winner of the Stella & Dot earring giveaway, Allison King Nagel!

Oh Mamas!  Bling is one of my very favorite things, especially during the holiday season.  And free bling is even better!  Which is why we teamed up with Ain't No Mom Jeans BFF and Stella & Dot stylist Becky McBride to bring you the next in our Season of Giveaways line up.  And for this giveaway, you choose which of three gorgeous earrings you'd like to snap up!

If you haven't hopped on the Stella & Dot bandwagon yet, do give it a looksie.  This company's boutique-style, one-of-a-kind jewelry collections are designed by top New York designers and never fail to wow.  And, when you buy from Stella & Dot, you're supporting a company that provides flexible work-from-home careers for women (contact Beck of you're interested in becoming a stylist).

Three Earrings to Choose From!
I am really feeling the fab Petra Fringe Earring pictured above for holiday soirees and date night alike.  I love the hard edge of the dangling chain paired with the vintage-inspired CZ chandelier drops.  I've been coveting the Petra bracelet companion piece (not part of the giveaway) for some time, too. 

 

 

 

 

The delicately patterned and lightweight Chantilly Lace Chandelier Earrings (pictured right), were inspired by a piece of vintage lace.  Dipped in 14K gold vermeil, they're a sure-fire recipe for Boho glam this season, either dressed up with a bare neck and a chignon or down with a t-shirt and messy ponytail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do not under-estimate the gorgeousness of Stella & Dot's sophisticated and simple Sun Disc Earrings.  These hammered silver hoops are a go-to for S., who fields comments on them every time she wears them.  In spite of having been with her when she chose them and having seen them at least 10 times, I myself always feel compelled to ask again where she got them and if they're Stella & Dot.

 

 

 

 

Enter Now to Win Stella & Dot Earrings!
To enter to win one pair of Stella & Dot earrings of your choice mentioned here, up to a $59 value, courtesy of Becky McBride, independent Stella & Dot stylist, “like” this post on the Ain’t No Mom Jeans FaceBook page and let us know which earrings you'd choose and where you'll wear them in the comments below.  Entrants must be 18 or older and located in the US or Canada.  One winner will be chosen at random on Wednesday night, December 14th.

Good luck, Mamas and happy holidays!

- M.

 

 

 

 

Festive Holiday Styling for Lazy Mamas: Four Day-to-Night Outfit Ideas

Cookie swaps, champagne brunches, dinner parties, gift exchanges, kid's pageants and a myriad of other festive occasions.  Sound familiar?  The kind of occasions where you want to look festive and fun...but a cocktail dress would be overkill.  And your definition of "festive" doesn't include this:

 

Although, to be honest, I would totally rock this one with teeny, tiny tuxedo shorts and lace tights:

 

In an ironic way?  Funny, right?  HA HA...ha?

Ok.

My point: There are a few styling tricks that I turn to all Holiday season long when I want to look "festive".  Really, I should've named this post, "Captain Obvious' Tips For Festivus Style"...cause there is nothing earth-shattering here.  But if you are busy (yes), tired (oh, yes) and prone to faking illness *cough* instead of venturing outside when the temperature dips (hi have we met?), then here are a few ideas for getting your holiday grove on.

Reader Question: Red Cocktail Dress, Styled 5 Different Ways

Reader Question:

I have been thinking about the company Christmas Party my husband's work throws each year.  The dress code is semi formal AND family friendly (read-bring the toddler and baby along for some Santa time).  How in the world does a mom pull off semi-formal mom-style?

The other obstacles- a tight budget and a mindful husband. When I told him I had started looking at dresses  and outfit ideas he asked me, "What's wrong with the one you wore last year?" Um, I wore it last year.  And it is red.  It is my only semi-formal occasion-worthy article of clothing.

I'm sure I can convince him that a new dress is a good idea, especially if I get something like a LBD that I can change the look of with accessories.  But if I can't afford a new dress, what can I do to change up the one I already have?  I wore a black cropped cardigan with it last year since it was December and I had a brand new baby bump growing.

This is me in the dress.  It hits just above the knees and is not so tight it reveals pooch, but is fitted for a flattering shape.  Hopefully it gives you something to work with.  Did I mention I love the color?

Any ideas?

Thanks a bunch!

Ashley

Answer:

Ashley - What a cute family pic!  I love that the little one has such a scowl on his face - so cute!!  

Your question was the one that inspired our Holiday Cocktail Dresses for Moms roundup.  There are some ah-mazing dresses to choose from this season.  BUT...in the event that you decide to get a little creative with your existing wardrobe, here's a bit of inspiration.

One note:  In the upcoming collages, I purposely picked a dress that I found a bit....boring.  I'm trying to show that even a plain dress can look gorgeous with the right accessories.  

Your Own Personal School of Rock: Which Instruments are Best For Young Kids, and How To Keep the Family Jamming

Mamas, I'm so excited, I barely know where to begin.

Some background: I was lucky enough, while living in Denver, to have found (and attended) the Music Train's music classes for kids. R and I had tried out several other music classes (Music Together, etc), but had never found ones that we loved. R, for example, draws a line at "shaking his sillies out" (even at age 2) and I could only handle so many renditions of "wheels on the bus" before wanting to throw myself under the bus.

Enter Anya Jane and the Music Train.

From the first class, we both knew we had found something special. Anya brings a certain magic to all of her classes: each class starts with two loud blasts of a train whistle, then BAM!! Hold on, baby, it's a wild ride. She and her guitar bring an energy (and, honestly, a cool factor) to music classes that is simply unparalleled in the world of kid's music classes. Each of her music sessions are themed (we're talking serious music genres like rock, jazz 'n blues, latin, irish folk, etc.) and she uses a mix of regular adult songs that also appeal to kids (thank you for that, Anya)...as well as kid's classics, re-done. I no longer daydream about playing in traffic when listening to her rendition of Wheels On the Bus done to a rock beat and (I think?) electric guitar.

If that wasn't enough, the first and third Saturday of each month Anya holds a Family Concert Series.  Think family-friendly dance parties with live, local bands whose music appeals to all ages. And it's good music. The kind you'd want to listen to, even without the kiddos.

If it's not clear by now, I have a total crush on Anya Jane. The chick rocks. And is amazing with kids, and music. Soooo....you can imagine my excitement. Because Anya has written for us music-loving, rock-star wannabe mamas....THE primer on introducing your kiddos to music. Not only does she identify which instruments are best for each age...but she gives tips on how to introduce each one, and how to keep the whole family jammin'.

The Tiger Mom can have her Suzuki...for pre-school and under, we're sticking with Anya Jane.

And here she is...