Zara big and small

Zara is now available online!  Structured basics for mom and unique frocks and  cardis for little ones.  

Girls dress $39

Girls Loom Dress $35

Boys Cardigan $45

Twisted Tube Dress $79

Missoni Lust List

Okay, folks.  Tomorrow is the day Missoni for Target launches in stores and online!  Get there EARLY because these things are going to fly!  

Here is my shopping list:

My focus (surprisingly) are the housewares.  Below are my pared down pics for fashion items.

Bell Bottoms

I have a distinct memory dating back to my childhood in the mid 1980's of watching a mariachi band play poolside at a Galveston hotel.  The men were all clad in exaggerated bell bottoms and I told my mother I would NEVER wear bell bottoms.  I was deep into jeans pegging that year and specialized in techniques for getting those bad boys as skinny as humanly possible.  

In the late 90's my Mom reminded me of this as I chose a pair of slightly flared jeans as my back to school denim purchase.  

I was instantly transported back to these risk taking mariachis when I first glimpsed my Angies.  

Citizens of Humanity Angie Super Flare jeans $228 Shopbop  or locally at Tootsies

I am completely smitten with these jeans.  They are perfection.  The mariachis were onto something.

Gilt-y!

I love a good sale, but seldom have the time to scour the brick & mortar stores for marked down merchandise.  Online retailer Gilt brings the deals to my desktop daily.  Whether it is a springy tunic for me or an adorable dress for my little girl, the prices are seriously sweet!  If you haven't joined up yet, here is an invite just for my readers!  Enjoy!

Tucker Tunic $305 $129

Karen Zambos dress $200 $89

Gap Wedges

I am not generally a fan of Gap's minuscule shoe offering - however, this yummy wedge turned my head today!  It is a perfect neutral iteration of this Spring's chunky wedge trend.  I tend to gravitate toward this silhouette whether it is on trend or not, I love the drama and comfort of a platform wedge.  Stilettos and spikes just don't work for me. 

Gap Suede Sandal $89

Snap up this wear-with-everything workhorse with an extra 20% off this weekend using promo code GAP2080.  What a deal!

Mommy Time

Last year's boom of white watches leaves me wondering what the next trend will be. I vote for unexpected metallics. Going beyond the traditional gold and silver yields an unexpected yet ultra-wearable piece of arm candy.

Michael Kors Rose Gold $250

Anne Klein Black Ceramic $395

Marc by Marc Jacobs Stainless Steel $200

Transitional Inspiration

The weather warmed up from below freezing last week to nearly 80 today!  Hurray!  I'm digging out my sandals and lightweight dresses.  This yummy, comfy, casual cool dress from MinkPink is on my short list this spring.  It looks so effortless and will be smashing with my clogs! 

MINKPINK Olsen Dress $115

J.Crew, who knew?

I've never been a J.Crew admirer.  I've walked in the store with friends only to be overwhelmed by pants with turtles embroidered on them (for adults?  really?!?).  But I must say that with the arrival of creative director, Jenna Lyons, I am kinda digging their new aesthetic. 

Kudos to the stylists for their 2011 lookbook.  The blue monochromatic chica with shorts and a sweathirt is my favorite!  I also love the sequin maxi skirt with chambray shirt and leather belt. 

Preppy is palatable with a little tounge-in-cheek irony.



via Refinery 29

Mom in Chief

Regardless of your feelings about our nation's President, you pretty much have to give props to Michelle Obama for being a role model as a mother, philanthropist and modern fashion icon.  This week she came under fire for her bold choice of a red Alexander McQueen gown for a State Dinner honoring China's President Hu Jintao.



The CFDA and some American designers are critisizing her for choosing a British designer for such a high profile event.  Michelle has worn her fair share of American designers during her reign as first lady, almost to the point of excluding European designers.

As a woman who has had wardrobe moments when nothing looks good, I say Michelle should wear whatever makes her feel confident.  Maybe her Oscar and Carolina just weren't working out that day.  Maybe that Vera Wang was making her bum look like a balloon.  Who knows what tiny tortures a woman endures when getting dressed for a high profile event!  The bottom line is: when all eyes are on you, you have to feel confident in what your are wearing.  Michelle owned that McQueen and made us all proud of our fashionable first lady.

WWW Style Circle

I just got accepted into Who What Wear's Style Circle!  Not exactly sure what to expect but they mentioned free swag, event invites and contributing to WWW content.  Color me flattered.

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 

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

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?

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

Rain, Rain....

Dallas is underwater and in honor of the flood we'll discuss rain boots today.  I was a teeny bit excited to bring out my boots for the first time this season-even if it was just to visit the pediatrician!  Rain boots may be something you don't wear often (depending on your geographic location) but when it does rain it is nice to have a go-to pair to pull out of the closet.  Stella got her first pair of rain boots last week and has worn them every day since then.

Check out my Mommy and Mini guide to the hottest rain boot trends this season:

Classic:

  

La Canadienne Pully Boot $160                                                     Lands End Kids Wellie $28

Trendy:

          

      Tommy Hilfiger Fall 2010                              L.L.  Bean Kids Duck Boots

Fun:

UO Printed Rainboots $48                                      Hatley Kids Boots $18

Enjoy your rainy days!

"Nursing" Wear

When I had baby #1 I thought that one needed special nursing wear.  There's a huge market out there of nursing bras, gowns and dresses.  What I discovered during my months of nursing and pumping is that most of these items are not necessary; which comes as good news since most of them are extremely unattractive. 

Allow me to demonstrate:

Actual Nursing Dress (blah)

Non-Nursing Dress that does the trick!

Nursing gown (ick)

Non-nursing - cute & comfy

She looks pretty excited about her nursing bra...

...but Any soft bra will work for nursing

Just slip these little babies in and go!

Voila!  No more nursing wear and milk-stained frocks!