Ain't No Mom Jeans

Friday Shopping: Final Week For TMRDNL

Mamas!  Tamar is closing her shop in one week, and everything has been marked down one final time.  If there was something you wanted (previously featured here, here or here) now's the time to shop.  I also wanted to show you a few warm-weather pieces from TMRDNL that I've been WAITING to wear.  So happy that the sun is finally starting to show it's face....

Confession: I Hate Thrifting. (But I'm Trying To Change My Ways)

I've walked into thrift stores only a few times in my life.  The whole setup isn't really my thing.  I hate digging through huge piles of stuff, I have a bloodhound's sense of smell (mold especially kills me), and I find itchy clothing depressing.  I don't care who made it in what decade, I'll take a new jersey knit over vintage polyester any day.   

I do own some vintage pieces, though.  I'm not totally immune to their charms.  All of mine were passed down from my mom.  I wore Mom's old Calvin Klein cut-offs all through high school and college, her sexy red maxi dress when I was pregnant (the only time my boobs were big enough to fill it out), and you may recall seeing her sparkly prom purse on the blog from time-to-time.  But here's the deal:  They were my mom's.  I didn't have to go scrounging through bins, worry about smells, or wonder about a stain.  They all came with stories - familiar stories, stories that are now part of my family lore.

But thrifting...it's intimidating and impersonal and smells bad.  Yet it's cheap.  SO cheap.  And it's better for the environment.   

As a tree-hugger who is not independently wealthy...yet (snort)....if I'm really serious about reducing my own personal environmental impact (and saving some cash along with those trees), I need to take another look at how, and what, I consume.  I'm all about CPW (cost per wear) and buying fewer, better quality items...so how can you go wrong with quality at $3.99? 

I'm assuming, of course, that quality can be found for $3.99.  Because Yentine said so, more or less.  And she's pretty much the thrifting expert in my little online world.  

So keeping Yentine's first tip in mind (HAVE A GOOD ATTITUDE, which may have been the root cause of my past failures)....I went thrifting.  At the Goodwill in my tiiiny hometown, population 25,000.  If you ever wanted to set a thrifting bar low, go to a small, isolated town with an overabundance of non-ironic Carhartt.  But unlike Philly, in my tiny hometown I can park without fear (the PPA is NO JOKE) and I have free babysitters (thanks, Mom!).  

My thrifting trip was....hunh.  Successful?  Keeping an open mind, I did end up trying stuff on, and even walked out with an item or two.  To prove I was there illustrate, I took pics.  

The New Spring Basics 101

A few weeks ago I was driving Raines to pre-school (he's 5).  He was sitting in his carseat, a grumpy look on his face.  "What's wrong, buddy?" I asked.  He sighed.  It was one of those dramatic, drawn-out sighs of the long-suffering.  "I jus' don't understand what is happening in this world, Mom" he said.  

Whoa.  I'm not...how to even...begin with that?   I waited, concerned, for him to continue.

"I mean...what the heck is going on with the Sun?  Where is it?  Will I always have to wear this jacket?"  [pause]   I'M NOT COMFORTABLE IN THIS JACKET MOM!!"

Exactly, kid. Sing it.

 

Ready to talk Spring, Mamas?  Us too.  Most of these picks (if not all) can be worn while chasing kiddos around a park, and some can be dressed up for date-night (or the office).  All can be paired with pieces you already own for a fresh, easy update.  These are the new Spring Basics...101.

 

 

A Maternity Workwear Capsule Wardrobe For Spring (and an ASOS Giveaway)

Maternity workwear.  Isn't that phrase just so...depressing?  Ugh.  It conjures up images of schlumpy, black, ill-fitting suits and those awful maternity button-down shirts.  (shudder)

We can do better, Mamas.  

I threw together a small Spring capsule wardrobe for working mamas-to-be.  And it's almost completely post-partum friendly, and much of it is pumping-friendly.  But best of all?  Maternity workwear (blaaaah) has come such a long way that not only would I happily(!!) wear any of these pieces NOT pregnant, but most are pretty. darn. affordable. 

 

Pair These Seven Pieces With Boring Basics To Nail That Pesky "Dressy-Casual" Look

Mamas, this article was inspired by a question I received from Martha.  She wrote:

I recently discovered your blog and I am loving the inspiration to step up my mom style a bit, and ideas for putting more personality into my basics. I'm realizing, though, that I have a weird gap in my wardrobe. I have plenty of casual mom clothes (jeans, basic tees and sweaters, comfy shoes). My work wardrobe for a casual but conservative engineering office is jeans, cords, or cotton pants, "boring sweaters", and flats or conservative boots. And I love the rare opportunity to rock a cute dress and strappy heels. But for some strange reason, even before I had kids, I've struggled with what to wear for a dressy-casual night out, like to a restaurant or parties with other "grown ups". 

It's true!  Dressing way up is easy: dress, shoes, clutch, done.  Wearing yoga pants is easy.  But nailing the dressy-casual vibe in an effortless way is tough.  It's easy to go overboard and end up with something that feels too fussy, too "done".  Or, on the other side (like at a business casual office) you end up wearing all solid-color basics.  Snore.  

In the past, I've done both.  Neither is fun, neither feel like "me".  But there are a few pieces that I find myself reaching for time-and-time again, whenever I'm in the dressy-casual zone, be it work or Play* related.  Keep reading to see both the list, and how I'm mixing up my own pieces.

(Play = Big Girl playtime and involves cocktails, play = kiddo play and involves dirt)

 

Stylemint Nicholls Blazer | Mango Lace Tee | Ann Taylor Floral Blouse | M Missoni Skirt | Topshop Check Trousers | Steve Madden Instantt Ankle Booties | Calvin Klein Pumps

 

 

Keep reading for a full explanation of the list, as well as some example pics of how I've been mixing pieces like these...

Holiday Style: Try A Monochrome Palette (Especially in White...)

There's something about white that just feels so...fancy.  And it's totally unexpected during the holiday season.  I've been feeling all chic snow-princess in my all-white ensembles against a a vast sea of little black dresses, sleek black coats, and dark denim.  It's fun.  

Reader Q | How to Style a Long, Knit Vest?

Reader Q:

Hello! I look forward to your posts everyday and have gotten some great ideas from you site. I am having an issue with a new piece in my wardrobe - can you tell me how to style a long sleeveless sweater vest/cardigan for work and play? Thanks!  

FYI - like this one... 

 

Answer:

Mamas, this question had me stumped.  I couldn't come up with anything inspired, or fresh, or even all that good.  Even worse, I don't own a vest like this (though I do own a few cozy vests), so I couldn't even play around, waiting for inspiration to strike. Granted, my head has been elsewhere (Fall trends last month, leggings and  Clark desert booties this month)...but regardless, on the vest front I was totally, completely lost.

But do you remember, a month or so back, when I was featured on Life in Mod?  Well.  The blogger behind it, Camille, is a gorgeous Mama, and one of those incredibly creative, DIY sorts.  I emailed her, asking for her take on this reader question.  Thankfully, she came up three fabulous options.

Fall Trend: Ankle Booties (And How To Wear Them)

Mamas!  The easiest way to give your old standbys a modern spin?  Yup - the ankle bootie.  These guys aren't new...in fact, two years ago, a very pregnant me wrote an article called The Short Boot Dilemma...where I tried to figure out how the heck to wear the various short boots that were popping up.

Well.  Two years later, I'm happy to say that I've figured it out.  Feel free to applaud.  Two years in the making, baby.  TWO.

Ok.  Here's what's working for me:

Reader Q | What To Wear To a Thomas-Themed Birthday Party? (For Both Mama and the Birthday Girl)

 Mamas, we're taking a short break from our Fall Trends series.  Instead, we'll be focusing this week on reader questions.  (The break may have something to do with the reader question pile up....or the fat lip Pax gave me on Thursday.  I'll never tell.)

Reader Question:

Hello amazing and amazing.. yes, I know your names are Shana and Molly, but since I stumbled upon (or leapt on) your blog about six months ago you guys have been amazing and amazing in my books.

So enough gushing ... trust me I am capable of way more when it comes to you guys but I've got a bit of a fashion dilemma. My little monkey, girl monkey mind you, is turning two in a few weeks. Her birthday will be Thomas themed and at an indoor playground. Thomas theme means no uber feminine stuff for mama or baby and indoor playground means play friendly clothes and no shoes so there goes my fall uniform of boots with leggings/jeans. So I don't want to look like I am trying too hard but I also don't want to look like I was on my way to the park and popped in here instead. I know our outfits are not the most important things about birthdays but pictures are forever RIGHT? If you could suggest outfits for us (yes us) then I'd be so grateful, I'd even fedex you some Thomas cookies ... all the way from Canada. Really.

If you guys don't have time for my silliness that's cool, but don't get too bummed when you don't get Thomas cookies in the mail :-) 

Just kidding, much love to you guys for hosting such an awesome blog,

Sarah

 

Answer:

Sarah, I LOVE that your daughter wants a train-themed birthday!!  As a fellow tomboy, I had so much fun picking out some adorable (yet rough-and-tumble) outfits for her.  Happy birthday to your little one!   Here are three outfits for both you and her....

 

Make a Wish...

Indoor playgrounds tend to be hot.  So you want to dress for the activity, but also look pretty for pictures.   Pair a flowing, feminine top with denim for an easy (yet gorgeous) look for you...and for your daughter?  I'm totally drooling over Zara's shorts for little girls.  So train-conductor-chic, no?  Best of all?  The tee says, "Make a Wish" which is perfect for a little birthday girl. 

Zara Glossy Top With Ribbon Waist, $50 | Zara Star Shirt, $10 |  Zara Ribbed Tights, $10 | Zara Bermuda Shorts With Braces, $30

 

Pardon Me, But Do YOU Chino? *

The ANMJ Mamas Take on the Land's End Chino Challenge

Do you chino?  That is, um, wear chinos?  I have some plain, flat front khaki pants.  Sometimes I put them on.  They're soft.  They're comfortable.  They allow range of motion and look more polished than jeans.  But something about them is just so blaaaaaaaaAHaaaaaAHaaaah that I promptly take them off.  I'd probably wear them as a stop-gap on crazy mornings rushing out the door to the office with three babes in tow.  If I worked in an office, but I don't, and I've been happier with my fancy pant/denim rotation, so back to the very back of my closet my chinos go.

But I do now.  Chino, that is.