Ain't No Mom Jeans

Mom Street Style | Naomi's Indie Mom Style

How’s an artsy mom supposed to translate the “indie” style of her twenties into a mom-uniform functional enough to keep up with the kiddos and worthy of her creative sensibilities?  Naomi got it spot on with mixed prints, a layered look and fab boots.  She writes:

Dear Molly and Shana, 

I've been wanting to thank you ladies for some time now. As a former theatre teacher and current stay-at-home mom of two boys, I've had a hard time switching up my "indie" 20-something style into a 30-something mom style (without looking like a bag lady or fashion victim!). Fashion magazines just confuse me and don't seem mom-friendly, so I googled "mom fashion blog" about a year and a half ago and found aintnomomjeans. I love your down-to-earth instructions and I've learned so much. I still shop at thrift stores and second-hand stores, but I do it more wisely and pair my findings with investment jeans (J-brand!) and great boots.  I wish you guys were around in my 20's. It feels great to leave the house looking good and it's a handy way to channel my creativity. I also find that I don't need to shop as much now that I've found my "mom uniform". 

I've shared your blog with so many women! You're providing a wonderful service to women. 

-Naomi 

We’re loving Naomi’s casual day look and her adorable mix of polka dots and stripe prints on top with her fab J Brand skinnies and flats.  This is a perfect day mom-uniform—by incorporating funky mixed prints in black and white, what otherwise would have been a traditional t-shirt and jeans outfit stands out and looks polished while staying comfortable and functional for a day at the pumpkin patch with her sweet baby boy.

Her rocker-chic date night ensemble hits the mark with a pop of color and pattern from a mustard knit scarf and super-current tribal print dress.  Again, the look is functional (Ms. Naomi definitely won’t freeze in her moto jacket, tights and rockin’ boots) put together, and reflects her indie vibe while staying on-trend and age appropriate.  LOVE.

Naomi, thanks for the kind words and for sending these fab pics.  Keep ‘em comin’, Mamas!  We adore featuring real moms, but we (ok, I) do so loathe stopping you on the street : )!

- M.

Shop Your Closet: Temporarily Shorten That Summer Maxi For Winter Snow Stomping

Reader Amber was one of our readers who tested out a pair of Hanes run-resistant stockings.  They tore as she pulled them on.  Needless to say, she wasn't impressed.  

I was impressed, however, with her outfit that accompanied her Hanes write-up.  In the pic above she's showing us the hole in her stockings, but what's actually going on here is the fact that she shortened one of her long summer maxi dresses - temporarily - for winter use.  Here's another pic:

Shop Your Closet: Go Leggy in the Winter With Layered Tights

Sunday was my birthday.  So on Thursday night, my dear friend Kirsten (aka Dr. Kiki) and I went out for drinks.  Kirsten and I have been friends since my days in D.C. and it's only by happy coincidence that she's living in Philly for a short time.  It was a much needed girl's night, Mamas.  A much needed girls night.  (And my Denver girls, I miss you so!!)

Girl's nights have been so scarce since our move from Denver (ahem - big sacrifice here, Mike...HUGE...)  so frankly, the boys were a tad confused as to what was actually happening.  Mom is going out?  Without us?  And without Dad??  But that is crazytown!!  WHY would she do this??? OMG WHAT IS HAPPENING?

So as I was about to leave, there were suddenly books to be read....pictures were drawn and discussed...

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

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

*******************

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

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:

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.  

Mom Street Style - Shannon's Budget Friendly Date Night Look

Mamas, I love a success story.  And helping moms feel hot?  Our definition of success!  Shannon was nice enough to send in this rockin' pic of herself after doing a bunch of Ain't No Mom Jeans reading.  Shannon wrote:

Hi there,
I absolutely LOVE Ain't No Mom Jeans! I Googled "cool mom style blog" about a month ago because I needed help getting out of my style rut with my extremely limited budget. I put together this outfit when my husband and I went out for a date night. I thought it was cute when I put it on, but when I saw the picture he took of me, I said, "Dang! I look hot!" And almost all of it was bought for 75% off at Target. I would've never identified my personal style as "punk librarian" if not for you guys. Thank you!

Shannon in Charlotte, NC

Dress - Target
Pleather jacket - Target
Tights - Target
Boots - Marshalls, from a few years ago
Earrings - Aldo 

I LOVE that Shannon went through our personal style exercise and came up with Punk Librarian.

Coolest. Style. Assessment. Ever.

Shannon, thank you SO much for writing in!!  You look totally hot.  And I love seeing what can be done on a budget - 75% off at Target?  Whoa - nice work!

xo,

S

 

Reader Question(s): A Gorgeous "Uniform" For All of Your Upcoming Weddings and Parties (Even Holiday Parties!)

Gang, we gotten several reader questions about upcoming parties and events.  Some of you will be attending outdoor weddings, some of are dreading the office holiday party, and one of you just wanted to know when it's OK to wear tall leather boots to a fancy event.

(photo credit: This gorgeous pic of my dear friends Josh & Amber was taken by Denver-based Laura Dombroski Photography.)

So.  Here's a Fall wedding formula, one that can easily take you through the whole holiday season (even the dreaded office party).

 

Mom Street Style - Kristen's Shorts 'n Polka Dotted Fall Pumpkin Patch Outfit

We try and keep up with our Mom Street Style submissions.  But sometimes we get behind.  And sometimes we get so behind that I've hung onto a pic for almost a year, just to make sure we're not showing Mom Street Style flip-flops in February.  

But I cracked up when Kristen's email hit our inbox a few days ago.  Shorts and flip-flops?  And it's almost November?  Clearly, despite my wanting very badly cold Fall weather (and hotcocoafuzzysweaters andboots) ...we're not the only ones feeling the heat.  Goodness, even in NY this past weekend (our fun little family train trip) it was downright hot during the day. 

Kristen wrote: 

Hi ladies! I'm a 30-yr-old full-time working mom of Wynn (15 months) and a huge fan of your blog!

I thought I might have made you proud during our trip to the pumpkin patch this weekend. I had a few challenges: I wanted my outfit to reflect the Fall season, but it's still 85* here. And of course, it had to be suitable for chasing a toddler around. Enter a flowy, forgiving blouse (Old Navy), crisp cuffed black shorts (bebe), and a toddler-friendly piece of jewelry -- a coral and gold cuff (local boutique). Add some stylish flip-flops (Tory Burch) and I was ready to chase Wynn through the petting zoo!

Thanks for always posting such great inspiration. I'm gonna read as long as you write!

Love,
Kristen

 

Kristen, you look ah-mazing.  We are so, so proud.  Yay, you!!  And MAN - Old Navy (of all places!!) has been killing it with their flowy tops this fall (I wrote about my favorite here). And let's all take a moment to sigh in bliss over shorts and flowy tops mom-i-forms.  Ahhhhh....

I know, I know - I'm a horribly predictable shorts-lover.  I can't help it.  Like Gaga, I was born this way.

And Kirsten, you were obviously born fabulous.  Thanks for writing in!

Ummm...BTW, Kristen is in FL, so I'm not sure if they ever get sweater-weather, but this outfit sure is reflective of the crazy Fall we've all been having.  For those of you who are actually experiencing a cooler Fall (or want to rock an outfit like this into winter), this outfit would look amazing with tights, boots, a chunky scarf and parka.  I'm thinking something like this...

 

Wintershorts by aintnomomjeans featuring motorcycle boots

 

 

And YES - I love black and navy together.  

xo,

S