Ain't No Mom Jeans

Vacation Withdrawal

Oh how looooong the week back from vacation can seem!  We had a dynamite trip to Dave’s home state of Michigan, and it’s hard to get back in the groove after having so much relaxation and entertainment wrapped up into 10 days—what with older cousins entertaining our kids non-stop, jumping off of boats into crystalline lakes, running down mind-blowingly huge sand dunes and having time with friends and family, not to mention fireworks and a ladies-night jaunt to see Magic Mike (awesome and not at all squicky sitting next to your MIL through that one!).

TGI Summer!

I love summer for so many reasons.  Sunshine.  Pool time.  Free time (theoretically).  Crazy sales. 

I say theoretically because we’re putting our house on the market and getting it ready with three babes ages four-and-under in tow has been. . . fun?  Interesting?  We couldn’t have done any of it without help from Mimi, so I must shout out a big thanks to her.  She’s more than a mom.  She’s a friend, too, and an amazing one at that.

We’re also packing up our brood for a 10-day holiday (Fun?  Definitely interesting.), S. is off on a road trip (thank goodness they’re taking a break from flying) to NYC, then Michigan (after “camping” with more mosquitoes than wild ponies > she emailed me from a hotel after, get this: Day. One.  I kid you not!  LMAO), and in the midst of all that, we’re trying not to short shift ANMJ readers, and we’re doing galleries for Mom.me—here are our one-piece swim suit picks, and stay tuned for our celeb mom backyard BBQ style gallery.  See?  Fun.  And interesting.

Predictably, I can talk about crazy sales at even greater length than major life events:

I think I may have found the holy grail of kids' water shoes, Mamas.  I’ve always sprung for the $50+ Keens in summers past—they have great arch support, are incredibly durable and I once heard a story about a kid who was wearing them when he got his foot stuck in the teeth of an escalator and came out with all ten toes in tact, but mamas, do they stink or what?  Like, in a way that won’t wash off the foot, not even with several rounds of hot soapy water . . . So I’ve been on the hunt, and I thought, at $15, Old Navy’s Trek Shoes are worth a shot, right?  After two weeks of non-stop wear, by both my walking boys, there is no insane foot stink, and they’ve been in and out of rivers, pools and splash parks almost non-stop.  They probably wont last through next year, so they’re definitely not as durable as pricier options, but now, mamas?  They’re 10 flippin’ bucks!  Done and done.

The blue is mostly sold out, but the other colors are great, too.  Check them out here, and if you have a little chick who’s a size 7, be sure to click through to their adorable pink version.

Oh, and take a look at Boden’s crazy-cute swimwear for kiddos if you’re spending more time (like us) in the water than you thought.  It’s all 25% off, but do be aware shipping takes a bit—about a week-and-a-half, so if you need extra stuff now, skip it.

Birthdays are always a bit difficult to swallow—mine’s next month <gulp>.  Um, where’s the time going?  And why do I now totally get what my great-grandmother told me the last time I saw her, shortly before she passed away?  “I still feel eighteen, then I look in the mirror. . .”  So.  I like to pick up a little treat for myself during the crazy summer sales.  I’ve been coveting the Frye Corby ankle boots since S. wrote them up in January, and now they are on crazy sale in limited sizes.  They’re reduced to $198 from $298 on the page, and Garnet Hill is taking an additional 30% off + free shipping once in the cart through July 2^nd.  Yaaay!  See?  I’m totally distracted from the march of time.  I feel better.  A little retail therapy can a good thing.  Sometimes.

Oh, and these stylin’ Gap sunnnies for the baby man?  $5?  Um, yeah.  Or how about the Glam sunglasses for the little ladies?

Is this the holiday weekend, or is next week the weekend?  Or is it both?  Such is the beauty of summer, Mamas.  Who knows, but we’ll check in again soon!

- M.

 

 

 

 

Ten Tips For Flying Alone With Kids (Including What to Wear & Carry On)

Gang, I (mostly) stay at home while my husband works.  And we live far, far from family.  This may not be a forever arrangement (both the staying at home or living far from family...) so I'm taking advantage of it while I can.  So Raines and I?  We flew.  Lots. And now that Pax is here...we three fly.  Lots. 

In preparation for our first few flights, I did a ton of research online about flying with kids - what to bring, how to get through the gate, etc.  Most articles were a bit overwhelming and...scary, actually.  I felt as though I was embarking on a fool's mission.  Something only a cah-razy-person would attempt.

Thankfully, I am a crazy-person.

But honestly?  It's not that hard.  I mean YES - kids will poop, tears will flow, flights will be missed...but IT'S NOT THAT DIFFERENT FROM YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE.

My philosophy?  Focus on the fun.

Here are my favorite tips for flying with kids...especially flying solo with kids:

Reader Question | Spring Getaway With the Girls

Ahhhh. . . the sun. . . the surf. . . the sleeping in past 7:30 AM.  There's nothing like a spring getaway, Mamas, especially when you haven't been anywhere with your BFFs in 5+ years and you've spent much of that time being pregnant, recovering from pregnancy and coping with sleepless nights and the near-total dependence that defines early child-rearing.  We all need a vacay, chicks, so let's take a moment to live vicariously through ANMJ reader Susan, who wrote in with the following dilemma (which I'm sure we're all too familiar with):

Hi Mommas,
I love reading your blog and I was struck by your recent post about quality over quantity. I have a girls' getaway to Florida coming up and it's the first time I'm flying somewhere fun in over 5 years (and leaving my 4 and almost 2 year old for more than one night). I had just loaded up my Old Navy shopping cart with lots of cheapy items figuring I could pull some looks together, but luckily I read your post before hitting the order button. So can you help me? I'm going for two and a half days which will probably include pool time, kayaking, drinks, dinner, and who knows what. I would love to travel light and use this as an opportunity to start rebuilding my spring and summer wardrobe. I'm almost back to my pre-baby weight, but things sure don't look the way they used to! A swimsuit is of special concern, since my one piece and baggy tankinis seem matronly, but I don't know if I'm all out ready to sport a bikini yet.
Many thanks!

Susan, you so clearly deserve a spring break!  I've put together a capsule vacation wardrobe of items that are highly interchangeable, giving you tons of looks, but letting you pack light, which will go the distance both on vacay and when you come home.

 

Get Away Help by dynamama featuring a polka dot hat

 

Please first excuse me for including a $500 canvas bag as an accessory.  Handbags are my kryptonite.  I seriously cannot help myself.  Please ignore this specific bag and shop around a bit for something like it--something roomy, neutral, textured, and summery.  A bag like this (or maybe this very one, when it goes on sale) would be perfect with absolutely everything, spring through summer and probably into the early months of fall.  And I cannot imagine a time or place (maybe a zombie apocalypse a la "Walking Dead"?) when a bag like this would not be appropriate or in style.  It's perfect.  Except the price point.  I drool even as I digress.

Anywho, on to the quality.  Many women never go back to bikinis after babes, what with loose skin, stretch marks, mummy tummys and the like, and that's always been a symbolic (and kinda sad) turning point in many a mama's life.  But in yet another stroke of fabulous luck for the mommy set (first it's flats, then drapey tops, flippin' high rise jeans for tucking in muffin tops for Pete's sake, and now. . . drum roll, please. . . ), one-piece suits are back in style with a vengeance.  Meaning, not only will you be in fine company with one-piece-wearing college coeds on the beach, you will also have a lot more flattering, youthful suits to choose from.  I've chosen just two.  First, the Vince Camuto snakeskin, to show you how ca-razy hot a one-piece can be these days--throw the Athleta Ad Hoc skirt on over it and you're off to cocktails by the pool.  And second, a fab J.Crew suit with heavy ruching (to disguise a potential pooch and other such mom torso quandaries) provides nice coverage and support for kayaking with the chicks and playing at the pool with the kiddos this summer.

Next up is a fab boy shirt that has the potential to become your favorite go-to basic.  On vacation--and at home this spring!--wear it over a white tank to pop a neutral printed jean like these yummy 7 For All Mankind cropped skinnies.  With flat sandals and the shirt half-tucked or thrown over your shoulders, this ensemble is ready for travel day to and from cooler climes, or for a day of shopping/errands/casual Friday.  Throw it on over your suit as a preppy cover up on the beach, give your denim cutoffs a more polished feel, or wear it belted over the J.Crew engineer striped maxi with a straw fedora if you run into a hazy day--you'll still look resort-ready.

The 7 For All Mankind Ikat print crop jeans may look a little crazy, but the printed denim trend is so fun that I can't see it going anywhere soon.  Treat this pair like khakis, but also play with them.  Nordies has them styled with a French dot peasant blouse, or I'm thinking this gorgeous J.Crew Natasha in crinkled silk chiffon would be perfect for a more creative work environment, lunch with the girls, Mothers Day brunch and the like.  I love how they look with coral, tangerine, electric blue and neon yellow, too.

If you want to invest in a few fabulous, comfortable tees, Splendid is your best bet.  Splendidly soft, they wear well and keep their shape and color.  I usually don't pay full price for more basic Splendid items like tanks and basic tees, however--there's often a good stock of it at Nordstrom Rack (am I a Nordstrom fanatic?  Yes.  Yes, I think I am) and I never regret picking up a few pieces when I see it--but items like this Beach Blanket top usually do sell out.  You can easily dress this top down with cutoffs as shown, or up with white skinnies or a sherberty pencil skirt and wedges.

I am in love with the J.Crew column maxi.  I love the preppy navy stripe, which still somehow manages to be sophisticated and sexy, the blouson top is highly mom-friendly (perfect for nursing mamas!), a classic style like this will look current for at least a few years to come, and the length makes it perfect for chasing kiddos without flashing undies.  It will look equally fabulous in the cooler months of spring with a white oxford or the Indian voile boy shirt belted over it as it will stripped down to the minimum during the dog days of summer.

Perhaps you are shocked that I am writing up something from Athleta.  I am too.  It sure doesn't look like much on the hangar, but this Ad Hoc skirt is definitely going to be a summer staple for me.  And if I ever get to take a vacation, it will be wadded up and scrunched into a tiny corner of my bag.  The Tencel/Lyocell blend means it's super-duper soft and comfortable, breathable, fast-drying and won't wrinkle or smell.  The "ad hoc" part is this--it can be worn in a number of ways: as a long skirt, as a high-low skirt (turn the drawstring ruching to the front and pull), a short skirt (fold the ruched top band over) as a strapless dress and as a halter dress (super-sexy).  I'm sure there are other configurations I haven't thought of, but this is a seriously versatile and travel-friendly wardrobe item.  It looks just as good as a pool cover up as it does as a cocktail dress (add strappy sandals, some fab accessories and pull your beachy hair into a messy bun). At home, I bet you could even pull it out from under that pile of laundry that's been sitting there since last week and it would still look pretty hot.

To wrap it all up and keep your bag from busting, pack light on the shoes.  I love these braided "Friendship" Corso Como sandals and they'll pop with everything here.  I'd add a pair of TOMS or some lightweight sneaks and Havaianas or Reef flops for versatility since they pack flat, or a fab pair of sling back wedges would be great too, if you're planning to spend time off the resort in an actual city.

Susan, I truly hope this helps.  A capsule wardrobe like this can get you through not just two-and-a-half days, but with a few minor additions, a whole spring and summer.  Have a great time on your spring getaway with the girls!

- M.

 

 

 

 

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

Spring Bag Picks for Moms

Especially since having babies, I've become a bit of a handbag addict.  Bags are the one fashion splurge I've always known would fit over the past four years as I've been pregnant, postpartum, nursing, pregnant again (whilst nursing!), postpartum, nursing, and yes, pregnant AGAIN (!).  A truly fabulous bag can make any t-shirt-and-jeans with a three-days-without-a-wash 'do look amazing, and the right bag can replace esteem-usurping diaper bags if you're willing to give up a little storage space in the interest of personal style.

Reader Question - Vacation Style Tips for Postpartum & Nursing Moms

Reader Question:

We're traveling to Mexico in May with my in-laws and I'm already stressed about what to wear.  My post-2nd-kid body is not where I'm happy and the thought of a week on the beach with active kids 3-1/2 and 18 months when we go) is just killing me...its all going to be hanging out!  What should I start looking for?  Oh, and I'm still nursing, too!

ps- I need everything- swimwear, cover-ups, dresses, shorts (skirts/skorts?) tanks- the gambit.

Thanks!
Ann

 

Answer:

There are few things I've dreaded more than showing up at the beach or the pool after having my two beloved babies.  Love them as we do, they tend to wreak havoc on the bod, from the first 9 long months on through the first few years, while it's extremely difficult to fit regular workouts into super busy mom (or is that busy super mom?) schedules.  So Ann, please believe me when I say, I truly feel for you here, and I did double time looking for the best postpartum body flattering vacation items I could find.

I also paired everything here with only two, very flat pairs of shoes.  I'd love anything here with espadrilles, strappy sandals or cork wedges, but going easy on footwear, especially when going somewhere as laid back as a Mexican resort, is the easiest way to pack light for the rigours of traveling with two kids.  If you've already traveled with both your children, you know why this is so crucial, given the monumental task of transporting the belongings of four people (plus car seats) with only two adults to carry them.

Let's get down to the nitty gritty, because your well-deserved vacay is coming up fast:

Back to School: Best Toddler Backpacks

If my mom had said this to me ten years ago, or, I’m embarrassed to admit, maybe even 5, I totally would have rolled my eyes.  But life since having children has flown by at an alarmingly fast (and heart wrenching) clip.  It’s weird because my teens seemed to drag on and on in Grunge-induced adolescent angst.  My twenties were a blur: first job, first solo apartment, near-miss (and one hit) romances and more parties and bars than I can shake a stick at.  My early thirties just seemed like a slightly more mature and soberer extension of my twenties. 

Until there was Huck.  Then Lou.  And now I have purchased (gasp!) a backpack (!).  For my little son who is quickly growing into a big boy and is going off to his first day (sob) of early learner school next Tuesday.  With a backpack on his tiny back—the very same back that closed around the neural tube (which is the core of his fabulousness today) growing deep inside my belly a little over three years ago.  Ugh.  Truly, where does the time go, and other such mother-speak clichés.   

Given the significance I have attached to said knapsack, naturally I wanted it to be the best, so I trolled the Internets for the best of the best.  Here are my picks for the back-to-school season’s top-five preschooler backpacks. 

How to Pack for a Summer Post-Partum Road Trip (Or For Anyone Who Wants to Be Really, Really Comfortable While Traveling)

Reader Question:

Hello! I just had a baby 3 weeks ago. We are driving to Arizona June 30th to visit family. It will be a long road trip, with baby and my two other boys ages 6 & 8. My question is …..what do I wear?! I am severely postpartum and about a size 16/18 right now. My belly is still pretty flabby ( from my 8 year old? Haha) I want to be comfortable, but I refuse to  wear yoga pants or maternity gear! After following your site for awhile and agreeing with your style…I am hoping you can lend some advice!! I am usually very good at packing and putting together outfits, but this soon after baby has me mystified ;)
 
Shannon

Answer:

Wow, girl!!  A road trip, several weeks postpartum, with two boys and a baby!  Impressive.  Let's see if we can't figure out some insanely comfortable, yet stylish outfits for you to pack.

In-Line Double Stroller Review: Baby Jogger City Select vs. Phil&Teds Vibe

 As I may have mentioned before, I have a serious stroller affinity.  I walk a lot, more than I drive (in sunshine, rain and even knee-deep snow), and take my two wee ones, both well under three, with me everywhere I go.  So, I consider my stroller to be an alternate vehicle and it needs to function as such.  

Since reluctantly giving up my Micralite Toro early last year for a Phil&Teds Vibe ($809 with extra seat) in anticipation of our Little Lou, I’ve acquired three additional strollers to meet my various strolling needs.  These include an umbrella stroller, a higher-end umbrella stroller with recline and a Maclaren Twin Techno.  

The question is, though, why, after paying an arm and a leg for a Phil&Teds Vibe + doubles kit, the in-line stroller that’s touted as an all-around solution, did I purchase three other strollers where previously just one Micralite Toro did the job?  A good question indeed.  One my dear husband has oft asked, until he too fell for my latest and greatest stroller acquisition, the new Baby Jogger City Select ($660 with extra seat), which I now take everywhere I go. 

Mamas, it's sad but true.  Just 28 months into parenthood, I finally figured out what you may already know. When it comes to a stroller, for me at least, it’s all in the fold and that is Baby Jogger's speciality.