Ain't No Mom Jeans

Help! A Reader Needs Emergency Styling Advice For Valentine's Day!

Reader Question:  

Hi Shana & Molly,

I have recently discovered your blog and I have been loving it ever since.  Each time I read a post it reminds me that it is possible to be a mom and at the same time, a person (I think you know what I mean here).   I am a mom to one 15 month old son, and his birth and first few months of life were pretty traumatizing to me, and by this I mean I was essentially a basket case in pajamas for 3 months.   Yes, I know this happens to everyone, but I took it....HARD.  I couldn't figure out how to be Enzo's mom, but still be myself.  I was not that embarrassed to admit I kind of wanted to return to work so I would have a reason to get up, blow dry my hair, and pull it together!  I didn't realize how much I loved my job and the feelings of accomplishment I had surrounding my professional work.  In any case, thanks for your blog, it is a great reminder that many moms experience the same challenges.  And your writing is hilarious!

My style challenge is my V-Day date with the hubs.  Let me preface this by saying....I. NEVER. SEE. MY HUSBAND.  I have a high stress job in HR for a luxury hotel company, and my husband works 2 jobs at all hours of the night and day to make ends meet.  Literally all hours.  The only time I see my husband, I am wearing a suit (work requires), or pajamas.  Not my top choices, people.  And I am pretty sure not his.  Especially if you see my pajamas.  Since our V-Day date (observed on the 12th due to aforementioned insane work schedules) is a much anticipated special night, I would really like to wow him.  Here is where the problem comes in.  We have decided to go bowling, and then out to dinner.  Bowling you say?  Believe it or not my husband and I have never been bowling together, even in 3 years of dating and another 3.5 years of marriage.  He's foreign, I'm an awful bowler, he works nights & weekends, you do the math. 

 

Now HOW, pray tell, does one dress for the romantic ambiance of Valentine's Day, bowling, and dinner out at a semi-decent restaurant with tablecloths - all wrapped up into one?  Any cute outfit I can muster in my mind (usually involving skinny jeans and boots) only transitions to utterly ghastly once I picture myself in those damn bowling shoes!  I want something that will be comfortable enough to bowl in, while still remaining sexy and date-nite-esque which I can confidently wear at a restaurant we can't afford.  I also thought about a sweater-dress (for some reason my husband really likes these, he bought me three for xmas), but still the problem with the bowling shoes/curvy hips is even more exaggerated with no jeans to hide the shoes and balance the hips.  My last resort is a post-bowl wardrobe change.  Any last minute pointers or suggestions? 

Katie

Answer:

Katie, thanks so much for your kind words and for writing in!  So glad you and hubs will be celebrating Valentine's together.  And bowling + unaffordable restaurant?  Totally a night to remember, LOL!  

I myself have been on many a bowling date-night.  Denver has that LA transplant Lucky Strike which is a bowling alley/nightclub and it IS a fun date night.  Like you, I am also a terrible, terrible bowler, and irrationally competitive when bowling, which leads me to Tip #1:  Drink.

But what to wear?  There are two options that immediately come to mind:

 

 

Option 1 - Hide the Shoes with Flares

Flares will help to hide those horrible bowling shoes.  But bring a few safety pins (or duct tape) so you can pin/tape up your hem.  When bowling is over, release the hem, bust out the sexy shoes and be on your way!

 

DateNight by aintnomomjeans featuring plunging neckline tops

 

That's the safe option.  But my favorite.....

Mom Street Style | Minor Details from Everyday Mom Style

Mom Street Style comes today from Meagan (aka "the  headless housewife" LOL--more on that later) at Everyday Mom Style.  Everyday Mom Style is a recent addition to the mom style blogging world and a great one at that.  In her endearing, plainspoken "About Me" section, Meagan writes:

"My wardrobe must be reasonably priced, comfortable and age appropriate. . . I’m just a 40 year old mother of two kids who wants to look and feel great. . .  I live in a suburb of Seattle, where style is pretty laid back. My clothes are not expensive, they come from Nordstroms, Anthropologie, J Crew, Target, TJ Maxx, Kohls, H & M."

Mom Street Style - Maternity Chic That's Easy on the Eyes and the Budget!

Mamas, meet Melissa, one of the most adorable (thrice!) pregnant mamas I've ever seen (excuse the image quality, we just couldn't work out a better shot, but it would have been a travesty not to share Melissa's perfect, easy, affordable style).  She writes:

Hi ladies,
 
Honestly, I can't believe I'm submitting a picture of myself...but alas, here it is.  This was a super simple and inexpensive outfit...and after having 2 kiddos with my 3rd baby just 5 weeks away, I'm desperate to get through these last 5 weeks and still manage to look put together.  I wore this outfit this past weekend with my hubby for our monthly 'date night'.  I got a lot of compliments on it so I thought maybe another pregnant lady could use a pick me up!!
 
Poncho and boots- Tarjay (Target to some people :))
Jeggings- Old Navy maternity
Bag- Old Navy

 

I love your blog and I am so thankful I found it...keep on keepin on!!!

- Melissa

Melissa's rocking a number of ANMJ's favs for moms--skinny jeans, tall boots, and a belly/postpartum pooch/nursing-friendly poncho, topping it all off with understated, spot-on accessories.  I love how her copper/gold cuff bracelet ties into the zippers on her fab riding boots, and the tassel on her bag keys in on the fringe trend, lending a toned-down Boho vibe.

Seriously, Melissa, if you look that good pregnant, you should just keep on have babies.  Thanks for sharing your rad mama style!

- M.

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.

Shop Your Closet: Make Boring Sweaters More Interesting By Rolling the Cuffs

You know the boring sweaters that we all have in our closets?  We first introduced the concept of boring sweaters here.  They are typically plain, have a nice fit, and overall are very...nice...at best.  Most are a little 'meh', perhaps.

One easy fix for boring sweaters is to simply layer them over a long-sleeve shirt...then roll the sleeves of the boring sweater back, exposing the shirt beneath.  

One of my clients, B, was gracious enough to let me use a picture of a boring sweater before-and-after:

We first tried pairing the boring sweater with boyfriend jeans (in her case they were boot-cuts that we rolled like boyfriend jeans) and cute boots.  Not bad.

We then added a white shirt and rolled back the cuff of the sweater.  Voila!  Not so boring anymore!  (I'd also add a scarf for bonus style points.) 

This is a great option for strangely patterned shirts, or work button-downs that you'd like to repurpose.  Not much is showing (primarily just the cuffs and collar), so you can get away with almost anything.

However, this look works equally well with a simple long-sleeve tee.  I especially like the look of layered stripes.  Boden has a perfect example:  

(photo credit:  Boden USA - promo pic for their Must Have Jumper)

B, thanks for being a good sport!

xo,

S

 

Mom Street Style - Julia’s Non-Maternity Wear

After three pregnancies spanning several years and all four seasons, I don’t even want to start thinking about what I’ve spent on items that fit for roughly three months a go.  As a new-mom-to-be in 2007, I was a total rookie, but ANMJ reader Julia, who’s glowingly prego with her first, is taking a more pragmatic (and fabulous!) approach to her maternity wardrobe. . .

Mom Street Style - Mandy's Fresh Take on Winter Boots

Mamas, meet reader Mandy.  Mandy is a mom of three kiddos and a fashion blogger herself.  Mandy writes:

I am a mother of three kids, 5, 3, and 3 months old! I gained a lot of weight during each pregnancy. 90 with my first, 70 with my second, and again 70 with my third. My blog is my way of staying fashionable while trying to get back into my old clothes!

Mandy, you look fantastic.  And this outfit (above) has to be one of my favorites.  I love the snow boots and furry jacket mixed in with the Spring-y stripes and blush-toned necklace.  It's a wintery look, certainly, but it has the optimistic feel of Spring.  Total perfection!

Check out the rest of Mandy's outfits over at Juggling Chic (love the name!!)

xo,

S

ps.  Congrats to Heather Williams, the winner of our Dansko giveaway!  

 

 

Congrats to Amy, the winner of our Ashley Ann Photography Snapshop Course!!

 Email us!!

Mom Street Style - Kate's Perfect Maternity Outfit For Touring Italy....With a Toddler in Tow

Mamas, after all of our joking last week about being shopping enablers, we received this little gem from reader Kate:

I saw today’s post referring to yourselves as shopping enablers and I just couldn’t resist sharing this photo of me and my screaming toddler in front of the Vatican on Christmas Day as evidence of your culpability! Please note that every single item on me was inspired by a post of yours: Plush fleece-lined leggings (absolutely love them), MIA Buckaroo boots (spotted in several of S’s posts - wore them for days trekking around the cobblestones of Rome with absolutely ZERO discomfort!), Michael Stars Calloway Cashmere hat (inspired by your hat suggestions) and over-sized Vero Moda sweater (for disguising my 4 1/2 month pregnancy bump)... so yeah, I think it’s safe to say that you have enabled the you-know-what out of me! And I have to thank you for it! Sometimes I can get a bit lazy with my wardrobe (think gym clothes all day long... hey- it means I'm one step closer to going to the actual gym... right??), but then I see your posts and it gets me back on the wagon. 

I hope you both have the happiest of holidays! And M-- congrats on Alexander. He is so handsome and you look stunning! 

- Kate from Stuttgart, Germany

 

Kate, you look stunning as well!  This is, in my opinion, one of the most perfect maternity outfits I've seen.  It's totally comfy, cute, and has this effortlessly fun vibe...while still be practical enough to chase toddlers in.  LOVE.

Thanks so much for sending the pic and for your very kind words!  Your note made my day...and made me laugh.  :)

xo,

S

 

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