Ain't No Mom Jeans

Mom Street Style: Katie and Batman Rock The Playground

 

Mama's there's so much to love about Katie, I don't even know where to begin.  Those sunnies?  Her backpack?  BATMAN???

 

And let's not forget those shoes. 

We ran into Katie at Clark Park.  She was there trying to run Batman before his nap.  We were doing the same with Superman.  As one would suspect, the superheros sized each other up, then decided to join forces.

But I think Pax was jealous of Batman's mask.  Which I get - I was dying for Katie's sunnies.  Which, it turns out, are a kid's pair from H&M.  Genius!

Katie is wearing a combo of thrift/Old Navy (love that), her scarf is handmade by an Etsy seller I couldn't find (this one has a similar vibe), and her backpack?  It was a gift, so she doesn't know!  I KNOW!  Luckily, the shopping enabler thinks that this backpack is a dead ringer and that this one is pretty close. 

And once I start referring to myself in third person it means it's time for bed.  Katie, it was a pleasure meeting you! Thank you for being such a good sport!

xo,

S

Mom Street Style: Holly's Year of Fabulous Rocks My World

Are you guys ready for this???? I mean seriously, Mamas, I hope you have a few extra minutes (or an hour) because Holly, above, has the BEST idea for a mom fashion blog. 

Holly's blog is called My Year of Fabulous, and has the following mission statement: 

To look my best every single day for a year or die trying.  I will completely embody twelve looks, one look per month, in my quest to find a style that works for me.  In the process, I hope to rid myself of total fashion intimidation and break free of a life long clothing rut.

She's currently on her boho month, but has tried rocker, mod, and Euro chic.  Isn't that a great idea?  But here's the best part:  This chick is funny.  Check out her blog banner:

Oh Holly.  That is, indeed, fabulous.

In addition to her fashion experiments (with titles like Bohemian Poncho or Oversized Dinner Napkin?  You Decide!) she also throws down some really sage advice on how to achieve the Bohemian look:

...all you have to do is channel the ultimate icon for Bohemian style Stevie Nicks.  Let Stevie be the poet in your shopping heart and if you can’t picture yourself in something on stage, tambourine in hand, belting out “Landslide” – it’s not Bohemian and it’s not for you.

Holly is craft-impaired (we have this in common) and was recently confused by a Starbucks barista as being her son's older sister, rather than his mom.  (We do NOT have this in common.)  But she's not letting it go to her head.  She realizes that "the Starbucks counter is deceptively wide.  Instead of the standard two feet, Starbucks employees are actually taking your order from space, hence, the fuzzy visibility."

And, BTW, her style is real, practical, genuine, thrifty, and TONS of fun.  One of my new favorite blogs.

Holly, thanks SO much for writing in!!  I'm now a huge fan.

xoxo,

S

Mom Street Style: Kristen's Perfect Seven For Post-Partum

Mamas!  These quick little peeks into reader's closets are quickly becoming one of my favs.  Here's Kristen's....

 

Hi Shana, thank you for ANMJ! It makes me smile.

I think I may have emailed before, but I could be completely making that up. I'm tired! [NOTE FROM S:  Sing it, Sister.]

I'm a mom of 16-month-old twin girls. I work full-time but in a blessedly casual office. I gained 80 pounds through IVF hormones and then bed rest. Only have 10 to go, but still have the dreaded pooch.

 

Mom Street Style: Susannah Glammed Up Her Momiform

Readers, meet Susannah.  She wrote:

Hi Shana - Just wanted to say thank you for the Glam Up Your Momiform post.  I am due to move from Sydney Australia to Hong Kong in about 4 days with my husband and two children… and so almost all of my clothes are on a big boat in the middle of the ocean.  But a last minute surprise farewell at a moderately hip japanese restaurant necessitated that I find something to wear (that wasn't a t-shirt and shorts).  I had read your blog that morning and managed to find jeans, shirt, necklace and pumps.  It wasn't colourful and festive like your outfit - but it did the trick!  

Thanks so much - your blog is really incredibly helpful for those of us who have ZERO interest in clothes shopping but like looking somewhat up-to-date.  I have told countless friends and they have all gleaned something from reading your articles: better jeans, how to wear ankle boots and nursing friendly fashion.

Susannah 

Whoa, girl.  You look seriously amazing.  And the nuetral pallette really, really works.  I'm starting a round of the slow clap right now.  Mamas, feel free to join in:  clap.....clap....CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP

Susannah, thank you so much for taking the time to snap a pic and sending it on.  I love seeing how our styling tips get translated...and serve as a fresh dose of inspiration for all of us.

Mwah!

S

Reader Q | How to Style a Lace Top For Work

Reader Question:

First, let me say that I love your blog! I read it religiously. So much so that my husband no longer asks where I get new ideas from. Thank you for helping me feel kid-friendly, mom appropriate and sexy all at the same time.

Here's my question...I'm looking for some ideas for work appropriate layering of a lace shirt. I am an attorney and need office appropriate wear, but get bored with the same old dark suit getup.
If I can at least make the tops under the jacket interesting, I feel like I win. On non-court days, I have a little more freedom in what is appropriate. I'm 100% on board with the layering a turtleneck.  I tried a t-shirt today.

(wearing:  GORGEOUS lace tee is Lauren Conrad for Kohl's)  

Is there anything else? Would a button down work?

-Suzanne

Answer:

Suzanne - Thanks for writing in!  You obviously read the article (linked above) where I recommended a lace top.  If you recall, I claimed that it was oh-so-easy to style and soooo very versatile and...well.  I see that you are calling me out.  (Nicely, of course.)  Challenge accepted!!  It's time to put my styling where my big ol' mouth is, and attempt to style one up for the office.  Not just any office....but one of the most conservative of work environments. 

(I came up with six possibilities.)

Mom Street Style: Annika's Perfect 10 for Late Winter / Early Spring

Remember this?  Where we get to peek into a reader's closet and see her top ten most-worn, hardest-working pieces?  Here's Annika's...

Hello!

Can I just say I love you guys...a LOT?  I can't tell you the inspiration that you have been to me since I had my baby girl, Mia, 17 months ago.  My clothing challenge is two fold: 1) Being a SAHM, and 2) Being a native Southern Californian trying to survive looooong, cold Seattle winters.  All I want to do most days is curl up with a cup of tea in the warmest sweats I can find!  There is a reason flannels and coffee have been so popular here...

 

Mom Street Style: Yay for Puffer Vests in Pregnancy and Post-Partum!

Goodness.  Could Grace get any cuter?

 

After our recent article on puffer vests, Grace wrote:

I was SO excited to see your post on puffers following your post on maternity coats because vests have been a wardrobe staple/workhorse for me all winter. I had my third baby on December 30th and didn't want to buy a maternity coat (so I didn't) but lived in a slew of vests (some puffy and some faux furry) that I found on eBay (all for less than $10!). Hopefully I'm not the only pregnant lady that looks pregnant around the lovely handles (which is why I was so convinced I was having a GIRL .... not the case!) but a vest really helps that situation out so very nicely.

Um.  Wow.  Pregnancy induced love-handles?  Yeah.  I knew them well.  You make a really, really good point, Grace.  

NYFW Recap: Nina Skarra, and My (Short-Lived) Stint as a Street Style Photographer

Do you remember my friend Brent, of Urban Fieldnotes?  He managed to score tickets with a plus one to a NYFW show.  Aaaand guess who he asked to be his plus one?

I obsessively starting planning My Outfit.

But there was a catch:  Brent is a street style photographer, not a fashion blogger.  So his plan was to attend the show, but then spend the rest of the day outside doing his street style photog thing.  And since I was tagging along for the day...."Shana, dress warm" said Brent.  "It's going to be 30 degrees, and after the first four hours of being outside, you'll really get cold."

oh.  Wait - four what? 

 

And that's the story of how I ended up at my first NYFW in a puffer coat. I did, however, wear a pretty dress underneath (as well as three layers of tights & leggings).  I felt...you know, cute and comfortable, if not photo ready.  

I think "photo ready" is over-rated anyway.  From what I could tell, it involved way too much bare leg for 30 degree weather (says the mom).

Mom Street Style: Frances and Her Hair Piece (it's awesome...I promise)

Frances, without the hair piece

Mamas!  Meet the adorable Frances, mama of the two cutie-pies above!  She emailed me a few weeks ago with a genius/crazy hair idea that I had to share.  Check it out:

Mom Street Style: Casey's 10 Perfect Pieces For Late Winter / Early Spring

Mamas!  For Mom Street Style this week we have something a little different.  New mom Casey is sharing not only a pic, but her top ten favorite pieces of clothing.  We're talking about her most-used, hardest working, ten favorite pieces.  So without further ado...here's Casey.

Hi!  I’m a new mom, enjoying life staying home several days a week with my son in Northwest Philadelphia. I’m a former kindergarten teacher and elementary administrator, now working part-time as an instructional coach in a turnaround school in North Philly.  I'm also dabbling in some writing and figuring out what’s next!

I swore to myself that I wouldn’t give into the temptation of wearing yoga pants every day as a new mom, but I’m not gonna lie; since the birth of my son I’ve definitely rocked my Lululemons more than I'd care to admit.  That said, I’ve been relatively successful in avoiding the mommy uniform, especially after I grew accustomed to my new life and body.  

The changes I’ve encountered since becoming a mom have included not only a new chunky little sack of cute named Oliver, but also a transition from a full time job to a part-time gig and some undesirable (though totally worth it) changes to my figure.  As a result, my wardrobe has morphed into a collection of comfy, easy, versatile clothes that cover my new mom pooch and still maintain a sense of style and fun.  By mining my existing closet and purchasing a few new pieces, I’ve come up with a rotation of several items that I can mix and match.  My outfits must be suitable for walking to the farmer’s market with my little guy, going to my part-time job at an elementary school, or walking to a local restaurant for a family dinner.  

Though I certainly wear more than just these 10 pieces (and add my own flair with accessories - especially long circle scarves, which do wonders in camouflaging the belly), I have whittled down my list to just my 10 most crucial pieces for the late winter/early spring.