Ain't No Mom Jeans

Shop Your Closet: A Styling Trick To Keep His Eyes on Your...Uh...Face?

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I've been thinking about some sexy styling tips for moms.  You know - short skirts, high heels, the usual.  But when I asked Mike what he thought was sexy, he immediately replied, "You know that necklace you have...?"

Strange, right?  But I knew immediately which one he was talking about.  Because whenever I wear it, he really can't tear his eyes away.  It's not that my husband has some strange neck fetish, or that there is anything super-special about this particular necklace....the secret lies in its length.

This necklace is long - roughly 20", and provides a subtle little flash of bling...riiiight there.  Right where his eyes want to go anyway.

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: Wear Your Guy's Tie

A huge trend lately has been menswear on women.  Not just trouser pants and button-down shirts, but serious menswear - think three-piece suits, oxford shoes, fedoras.  It's surprisingly sexy on women.  So when I came across this shot, I fell in love:

(photo credit:  Justin Chung for GQ's Like The Boys with Georgia Fowler)

But...the bow-tie.  Mike is totally NOT a bow-tie kinda guy.  And I have doubts that a bow-tie simply draped over my shoulders would last long with the two little nutcases I run around with everyday.  But the vibe is great.  Really relaxed and sexy.  So then I thought...why not a actual tie?

So I stole one of Mike's.  And I kinda love it.

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.

 

 

 

 

Giveaway | Naomi Gray signature twisted birthstone necklace

UPDATE: 11/23/11 10:10 PM MST | Congratulations to Ain't No Mom Jeans reader Michelle Mossey, tonight's winner of the Naomi Gray signature twisted birthstone mini ring necklace giveaway!  Winner was chosen at random by a number (31) generated from random.org.

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Hey mamas!  We thought we’d kick off the holiday season with another giveaway! 

This week, we teamed up with Naomi Gray to bring one lucky reader a fab, customizable birthstone necklace.  Inspired by the month you were born, Naomi Gray signature twisted birthstone mini ring necklaces are sure to be a unique and symbolic treasure. Each twisted miniature ring charm is a personal expression that represents you or the people who are important in your life. 

Here are the deets on the bling: the winner will receive an 18” chain and may choose either sterling silver or gold vermeil (gold-plated sterling silver) and one birthstone charm (additional charms can be purchased at cost).

Here's how to enter to win the Naomi Gray giveaway, up to a $75 value, compliments of Naomi Gray: just “like” this post on the Ain’t No Mom Jeans Facebook page and leave a comment below letting us know.  Entrants must be 18 or older and located in the US or Canada.  Winner will be chosen at random on Wednesday night, November 23rd.

Good luck, Mamas!

- M.

Librarian Style For Moms

Gang, remember Amy of BiblioMOMia?  Last time she wrote for us, she schooled us in Southern Gal Style.  But she's also an academic working on her PhD in literature.  (SO freakin' cool!!)  So when we recieved Shannon's Mom Street Style submission and read that Shannon defined her style as "punk librarian"...well.  I knew BiblioMOMia would get a kick out of it.  And, if we were lucky, be inspired.

And she was.  And we are.  So here's Amy....

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I might have spit out my coffee when I read “punk librarian.”  So cool!  And, I must say, Shannon totally rocked the edgy nerd vibe in her mix of floral and leather, especially with those amazing purple tights.  The floral dress is definitely something a librarian might wear, but she makes the whole outfit more interesting with the moto jacket and tough boots - yet keeps a quirky feel with the bright tights.  But her email made me start thinking - what is librarian style?  Why do I love it so much?  And how can it work not just in my professional life but in my life as a mom too? 

Like “secretary” with its pumps and pencil skirts, “librarian” has definitely evolved into a style inspiration.  Somehow, even adding one or two of these elements makes the whole outfit feel just a bit more bookish - a bit buttoned-up, a bit feminine, a lot intellectual.   Try adding one of these things to your style arsenal!  A little goes a long way, so don’t wear too many of these at once - you’ll look like you’re wearing a costume instead of a cool outfit.  

Librarian Style Elements

• Floral prints.  Sweet and old-fashioned and feminine, floral prints always remind me of dusty books (in a good way).
• Textured fabrics (lace, tweed, leather, velvet).  Very Victorian, and very librarian.  And, most of the time, very soft!
• Librarian shoes (t-straps, oxfords, loafers, granny boots).  If it looks like a teacher might have worn it in 1915, it’s a librarian shoe.  Luckily, there are tons of these styles out right now, to fit every taste and budget.
• High bun.  Have you ever tossed your hair high on your head (and maybe used a pencil to keep it there)?  I dare you to do it and not feel like a librarian!  It’s an easy and flattering hair style for pretty much every face shape, too.
• Glasses.  Ummmm...obviously.  Any kind of glasses, from tiny wire rims to chunky black frames.  Even better if you put them on the tip of your nose and peer over them.
• Structured jackets.  Wool blazer.  Velvet jacket.  Tweed vest.  All of those jackets are definitely librarian-ish.  A flattering and structured jacket is totally feminine, too.
• Funky legwear.  I don’t know why I associate patterned tights and great leggings with librarians - maybe because all of my library science friends in school had great tights?  Either way, they’re often a great way to add some funky and whimsical style to an otherwise classic outfit.

There are a million ways to incorporate librarian style into outfits you’re probably already wearing, and things you probably already own.  A little goes a long way!  Shannon mentioned “punk librarian” as her style aesthetic - it’s amazing what happens when you add floral and leather to the same outfit.  However, it’s just as easy to add some bookish flair to jeans and tees. Here are my favorite options, with some outfit ideas.

 

Giveaway | Win a Pair of .5 Carat Moissanite Stud Earrings!

UPDATE: 11/16/11 9:58 PM MST | Congratulations to Ain't No Mom Jeans reader Marty Hayes Owen, winner of the .5 carat Moissanite stud earrings!  Winner was chosen at random by a number generated from random.org.

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There’s not a much prettier or more classic earring than a simple diamond stud in this humble mama’s opinion.  But have you seen the price tag on those babies lately?!  We’re talkin’ $1,000 - $1,500 retail for a nice pair of .5-carat studs with good color and clarity.  Ugh.  That’s a chunk out of most any mama’s budget.  Enter Moissanite. . .

Scary Style – Mom & Baby Halloween Costumes You’ll Wear Again

Wahahahahah. . . in the spirit of the season, we thought we’d jump on board with the Rookie Moms Halloween Carnival.  The Moms challenged other bloggers to come up with costume ideas that would re-use items they already own or make use of items that could easily be re-purposed.  It just so happens that last year, I dressed the entire fam in a coordinating ensemble of mainly re-used clothing items to fit a last-minute western theme.  It all started with young Huck wanting to wear his cowboy dress-up costume, and while the prospect of three cowboys and a saloon (read brothel) mom was more to Hub’s taste, I thought we should push the theme a little further, because a.) Trampy Halloween costumes are sad enough, but on a mom. . . even worse, and b.) As a second child myself, I wanted to carve a unique, non-sidekick Halloween persona for Little Lou (and he wound up stealing the show!). 

Reader Question - How to Add Flare to Basics and Still Pack Light

Reader Question:

My husband and I are going to Italy in October for a week (my 40th bday) and I'd like some thoughts on how to give my uniform/basics/classics a slightly more sophisticated flare (and still pack pretty lightly). Any ideas (um, I'm always open to making a few good purchases)? 

- Jodi