Smart Money for Mommies

This is the time of year to feel strapped and stressed.  I came across a money saving article for parents of young children and thought the advice was timely and very helpful.  Take a look and breathe a sigh of relief from streesful overspending on the kids!

Parents - save $3,000 a year!

Have a Fashionable Holiday!

I'll be celebrating Christmas sans the internet.  Hope you have a great one!

Virtual Boutiques

I have been enjoying the new virtual boutiques on  Boutiques.com lately.  You can take a fashion quiz and they analyze your results to find items you'll like.  Click to see My boutique.  Several celebrities have boutiques as well that you can enjoy browsing.  My favorite feature of this site is the ability to let your mouse linger over an item and it will pop up several "visually similar" items for you to drool over. 

For example, I lingered over this $485 Rag and Bone boot

...and the super smart search engine suggested this $79 Dolce Vita alternative:

Why, thank you very much!

Fair Isle Frenzy

I have been scouring the internet for the perfect Fair Isle friend...here are some of my faves. 



Forever 21 $28

 

Paul and Jo $355

 

ASOS $66

 

Stella's even in on the Nordic trend with sweet little number!

Target $10

 

Christmas Cozy

Christmas morning/day with the kids should be all about comfort, but don't sacrafice the cute quotient!  (There will be pictures taken btw).  This on-trend slouchy sweater paired with uber comfy leggings will make Mommy look great whle making memories.  Top it off with fleecy mocs if you are staying in all day, or pull on these dressed down boots to go out and brave the elements. 

Levi's $90

Forever 21 $14

 

Urban Outfitters $68

 

 

Party Wear

French Connection $193

+

Urban Outfitters $48

 

=

Pregnant and still the coolest girl in the room 

Gucci...for kids?

Gucci celebrated the launch of their children's line yesterday in NYC.  The party featured mini cupcakes, champagne...(er juice) and ipads to play with. 

This picture from the party cracked me up.

Because someone had one too many sparkling virgin juice cups.

courtesy of New York Magazine

Plaid-itudes

A few of my favorites from our photo session with Delilah of Besitos Photography!

Stella and I had a ton of fun cheesing for the camera.  Pics with our boys to follow...

Toasty Toes

I am a total stocking stalker.  I have drawers full of stockings ranging from refined fishnet to wooly cable knit.  Yesterday I discovered a new cold weather stocking essential - fleece lined tights!  They look like regular black opaque tights but the inside is lined with soft, yummy, warm fleece!  I found mine at Target for only $10 but unfortunately they are not available on Target.com. 

I believe Plush created the concept, so here is a link to their fleece lined tights on sale at Singer22

It is pretty drafty at my workplace and I am so glad to be wearing these today!

Leather for All

During my firs pregnancy I splurged on a delicious L.A.M.B. leather jacket.  I wasn't even sure it would fit me after I had the baby, I just knew I had to have it!  I wore it weekly toward the end of my pregnancy, layered over dresses and legging/tunic combos.  It has been my go to piece ever since.  Now with a new baby, the leather deflects stains - I can wipe it clean with a baby wipe! 

This shot of Gisele rocking a serious bump and her leather captures the epitome of cool Momminess.

Twenty8Twelve $600

Forever 21 $28

A little inspiration

This little doll has me yearning for Burberry.  She is so simple and chic, and just a little bit shy.  Notice the bubble wand...what a perfect topper to a classic look.  I'm digging out my trench to wear today.



Photo via A cup of Joe

My Christmas List

All I want for Christmas by nerissav featuring a leather glove

Spanx

Spanx are a must have item for new moms wishing to reclaim their former shape.  (See my Get your body back post)
Today Spanx are on sale at the online discount site, Gilt.com



I recommend signing up for Gilt - they offer daily deals on delicious designer duds at severely deep discounts. 

Maternity Halloween

My personal favorite.  This could include mommy and daddy - what guy wouldn't want to wear shorts like those :)

I dream in plaid

This couples' engagement photos make me want to run away and live in the woods.  So dreamy.  This is the inspiration for my family photographs this year.  The lumberjack bohemian vibe really makes me happy this fall!





via green wedding shoes

Nursing, practically!

I love Joanna Goddard's blog, A Cup of Jo.  I am especially enjoying her posts from the perspective of a new, hip mom.  Here is one such post featuring new mommy must haves.  She's not kidding about the stud earrings, those little hands are fierce!  Enjoy!



























1. Not to sound like a broken record, but I am in love with Gap skinny jeans. They're flattering, not-too-expensive and perfect for new moms. (And if you don't believe me, take it from Jenny and Abbey, too!)




2. When carrying a baby around town, I've been surprised how tricky it is to juggle a regular diaper bag and balance it over one shoulder. So instead I've gotten hooked on backpacks. At first I figured that I'd look like a dorky seventh grader, but I love the backpacks from etsy shop LetsPlayAllDay. She even makes them in stripes and polka dots!



3. The Ergo is the comfiest baby carrier I've used, by far. It's easy to put on, and Toby can cuddle up against my chest as we walk around the city.



4. Ray-Bans somehow miraculously manage to make you feel cool even when you're covered in spit-up.



5. Stud earrings, like these stars, are pretty and can't be grabbed and pulled by little hands.



6. Boob nursing wear is, hands down, the best nursing wear I've found. The Swedish brand makes adorable, uber-flattering T-shirts, tank tops, dresses, and even hoodie sweatshirts with a subtle fold-over flap that you just lift up a little when you want to breastfeed. I wear these all around New York City and feel very comfortable and modest when feeding Toby, even as countless strangers walk right by us. It's surprisingly hard to find Boob designs in the U.S., but thankfully Due Maternity (and the Upper Breast Side, if you live in New York) carry some of their pieces. (Update: Erica let me know you can order from Stockholm Objects, too. Yay!)



7. With a baby in your arms (or in the Ergo), it's hard to bend over to tie your shoes. So slip-on shoes come in handy! French Bensimon sneakers are cute and comfy, and Minnetonka moccasins and striped espadrilles would work well, too.



8. Nursing bras can be hideously functional, but Elle Macpherson nursing bras are (surprise!) super sexy. When the lace at the top peeks out under your a V-neck tee, it looks like a flirty camisole.



9. These days, many people use their cell phones to check the time, but when I have Toby in my arms, it's not always easy to grab around for my phone. So I've started wearing a cheap Timex men's watch, which I really like.



10. Finally, as a nursing mom, your breasts might leak milk. (We were at brunch with friends a few months ago, and milk literally started dripping through my T-shirt onto the table. Awkward!) But if you tuck Lansinoh nursing pads into your bra, they absorb the milk and prevent leaking. Now I wear them night and day. (Bonus: They also make your boobs look bigger :)

Bag Envy

I am coveting the Proenza Schouler PS1 satchel...but at $1,995 it is a little bit out of my budget.

     


ASOS to the rescue!  Their interpretation of the structured satchel weighs in at an affordable $67!
                                   
                                              

Warehouse Buckle Satchel

I can't wait to pair this beauty with a long, ladylike skirt and clogs! 

maxi skirt by pigeontoed featuring chunky shoes

Cool Weather Coverings

There will come a time during your pregnancy when your coat will no longer button.  Be prepared for this chilly moment with a chic cold weather covering.  This selection highlights this season's top trends in outerwear, so feel confident that you will be both cozy and  on-trend!

Ethnic prints are best paired with simple underpinnings such as leggings and fitted tunics.

Ecote Wool Poncho $168


This draped shearling beauty will serve as a sweet frame for your burgeoning bump.


Victoria Secret Shearling Jacket $129

Coats with military details are a classic choice and this swing coat is a perfect interpretation for expectant moms.

Burberry swing coat $1,395

Leopard print is a surprisingly neutral choice for outerwear; this luxe version will become a perennial favorite in your wardrobe.

Sonia Sonia Rykiel $545

Stay warm!

Welcome to America!

One of my FAVORITE online retailers has finally decided to come to the USA! The Brit site ASOS features yummy designers such as Winter Kate, Twenty8Twelve, and Halston Heritage as well as bargain interpretations of the hottest trends!  With FREE shipping and returns to the U.S. there is no good reason not to indulge!



Winter Kate Tunic $556

Their maternity selections are some of the most fashion forward I've seen.  Take this maternity pencil skirt, for instance - super sleek!


ASOS Maternity Skirt $33

I adore their inventive assortment of affordable outerwear.  This one has my name on it!


Religion Wool Coat $126

Happy shopping!

Welcome back, Boots!

The semi "crisp" air that just rolled in to Dallas serves as an invitation to bring out the boots!  They've been so lonely, hiding away in a forlorn corner of my hall closet-now is their time to shine!

I think I am most looking forward to wearing my vintage Doc Martens.  I rediscovered them last winter covered in dust in the back of the closet.  They are a total retro throwback to 1996 and every time I wear them I get rave reviews.  They were worth hanging onto for 14 years!

Which boots are begging to get out of your closet and go out for a spin?

Nailed It!

A couple of nail-art inspiration pics from the spring runways.  I think this elegant "moon mani" would be pretty simple to pull off at home provided one has the proper tools...

I'll be adding this to my fall beauty shopping list:


Sally Hansen black nail art pen $7

and this:

OPI "Going nude, eh?" $9

P.S. I love the numbers scrawled on her ring finger, it's like a secret code!

photo via  Refinery29

Velvet

Velvet has seen its share of fashionable moments in the past (remember the 90's?)

And now it is back on trend for this fall.  For Moms (expectant and otherwise) who wish to adopt the trend, here are a few stylish suggestions. 

ASOS Maternity $84

Mix velvet into your wardrobe sparingly, wearing one piece at a time.  This cardi would be great for day over skinny jeans and a tank, or dressed up for evening over a LBD.

Alice + Olivia cardigan $198

These leggings are a comfy interpretation of the trend and are easy to mix in under dresses and tunics.

Velvet Leggings $38

Hair Envy

While I am completely smitten with Alexa Chung's recently released collection for Madewell ...

(hello, Margot Skirt)

...it is her hair style in the ads that has me mesmerized.  It seems so effortlessly 70's autumn glam, all tousled and perfect looking.  I'm still lacking a few inches of length to pull it off properly, but it is definitely my hair inspiration this season!