Investment in-schm-estment

sweater 12.97 || jeans 30 || tank 10 || scarf 12.50 || boots 19.97 || earrings 8.94 || leather tote 120

As a poor college student, I didn't have the luxury of "investing" in great quality clothing. But once I could afford better, I bought it. And bought. And bought. After all, good quality pieces are an investment that will last a lifetime, right?

But you know what the problem is with "investment" pieces? You cannot gain one ounce. You cannot have a baby, go back to work full-time, be sick every other week, and have no resistance against Parmesan Truffle-Oil French Fries. You cannot skip the gym (for 2 years) and eat ice cream for dinner. Because you know what happens to your "investment" pieces? They are still in great condition, but somehow 2 inches smaller than they used to be.

So here is my advice to you: be a teen mom. When you have babies at 17, your body jumps right back to a size 0, your boobs are still perky, and you don't have any money to spend on "investment" pieces to begin with, so you can start from scratch.

Ok, maybe that's not the best advice. At least you now can find affordable pieces and quality control is getting a little bit better than when I was in college. For example, the above look is completely from Old Navy and all on sale totaling under $100 (except the bag from BR). So maybe it only lasts a season....I think we can all say the same thing about our waistline.

*Total sarcasm. Not endorsing teen pregnancy.

Regal beagle

Isn't this the perfect weekend outfit - complete with a handsome, perfectly poised beagle! 

  

via

Almost anyone, any shape can wear a similar look. 

Pear shaped? The scarf around the neck draws attention up to your face and away from your hips.

Broad shouldered? Wear the scarf long to draw the eye vertically

Big chested? Lucky. (as said best in Napoleon Dynamite voice)

Here's a similar look with (almost) all items under $100:

(beagle not included)

Click the links to view or purchase:

sweater orig 378, now 129 || scarf 48 || hat 34 || jeans 27.99 || boot orig 129, now 99

Cozying up

Click on links to view or purchase:

sweater 187 ||  scarf 14.94 ||  corduroy 180 ||  hat 19.99 ||  boots 178 || mittens 40

I've been sick for about a month (fine, a week and a half, but it feels like at least 6 weeks), which is a real downer during my favorite time of the year. Now that it's December (When did that happen?! Oh yes, while I was sick...) and temps have dropped below 70, I'm ready to put on a cozy sweater and my favorite old cords and head out to Christmas tree lightings, enjoy all the holiday festivities, and snuggle by the fire at night. It's the Bean's second holiday season, but the first one he's old enough to enjoy, which makes it extra special for us.

What are your favorite things about the holidays? 

fireplace image via

Hats off

The truth behind today's look: my hair was beyond 'messy ponytail' and had entered into 'pre-dreadlock' state. So when I had to run a quick errand before having a chance to shower, I was left with no choice but to throw a hat over this mess. Unfortunately, I don't wear hats, even though I love them. This one, originally my grandfather's, is the only one I own. (In other news, my head is as large as my grandfather's.) 

Despite a few awkward stares (mostly from older men - did they own a hat like this?), I liked my new accessory. I think I may even branch out into more styles. A big floppy hat? Maybe a beanie? Or a fur trapper! Think of all the bad hair days this will save! And good-bye showers!

Do you wear hats? What's your favorite style?
And what do you do to hide bad hair days?

PS - do you like my new shoes? Major score for $14.99 at Target! They were the only pair left in the clearance rack - which I happened to be walking past on the way to check out (and not even looking at shoes), so it was meant to be. Happy shopping trip accomplished.

Sip and shine

Loving this look on Pinterest with the mix of mustard, sequins and jeans. It's the perfect outfit to take you from sipping a warm cup of coffee during the day to sipping a tall glass of wine at night. Who doesn't need a bit of sparkle in their day?

Source: via on Pinterest

Want this look? Here are similar pieces all under $100:

(you can't tell in the picture, but the cardigan has little sparkly crystals in the buttons)

Click on the links below to view or purchase:

cardigan 69.50  ||  tank 39.90  ||  jeans sale 16.99  ||  bangles sale 17.07  ||  coffee mugs 40

Be-jeweled

If I buy nothing else all season (which is so not a reality), I will buy a fun piece of jewelry. I may be wearing an old sweater and jeans, but my new bling will make me feel like I have a whole new look. So when JewelMint asked if I'd be be interested in reviewing their product, it took all of .2 seconds to say "yes please!"

If you haven't heard of JewelMint, it is a new jewelry club designed by Kate Bosworth and her stylist. Once you sign up and take their online style quiz, they send you a new piece of jewelry each month that matches your particular style. It's like a little birthday gift in your mailbox every month.

To be honest, not all of the jewelry was my particular aesthetic (which is the point of the style quiz - hellooo), but I did find a few pieces that I was dying for. It was hard to choose! The first piece I received - featured in this post - is the Midnight Soiree Ring with a green glass cabochon stone. I love the antique gold setting and the size of the ring on my small hand is all the jewelry I need. I'd wear it with a neutral cable-knit sweater and skinny jeans on the weekends, but love the mix of wine and green here. And a chunky knit and statement ring need a good shoe to anchor the look, so what's better than a harness boot?

Click the links to view or purchase above items:

1 cable knit sweater 49 (orig 69) ||  2 jeans 180 (other colors here for 44) ||  3 ring 29.99  || 4 boot 228

This ring is the new favorite in my accessory collection and definitely going into heavy rotation this fall. To find your new favorite JewelMint piece, click here, then share your thoughts in the comments below!

{Chic Finds} colored denim

If you don't want to spend $200 on a pair of colored denim this fall, you can find a rainbow of colors in the Nordstrom BP* department for only $42! They have red, blue, teal, yellow, fuchsia, plum, black and gray. Click here to see all the colors and purchase yours, and see my looks with colored jeans here here here and here.

How are you wearing colored denim this season?

*BP is the juniors department. Waist sizes range from 23'-30". 
*Link was incorrect before and has now been corrected to reflect juniors, not girls, sizing.

Black and white

Halloween and pumpkin-picking evoke black and white stripes from my closet. Here, a striped sweater layered over a boys' gingham shirt with white jeans and a suede ankle boot freshen up the look. Wear the shirt hem sticking out from the sweater, untucked, with sleeves rolled up for a casual look, or button up to the neck for prepster cool. 

Bonus: everything listed is under $100, half of it under $40!

  

Click on the links to view or purchase:

boys gingham shirt 29.95 //  stripe sweater 34.94  //  structured satchel 38.00  // ankle boot 79.90  //  glasses 58

We're all in agreement that it's ok to wear white after Labor Day, right? Don't argue with me. You can. Because I said so. (I'm practicing my mom voice.) If you don't already have white jeans, then find some great deals on designer jeans at 40-60% off regular prices: here-99.99, here-77.00, here-79.00, cropped here-77.00. Sizes are limited because they're on sale, so check each link and you may get lucky to find yours.

How are you wearing white this fall/winter?

World Series style

The only 2 times I've watched the World Series is 1) when the Red Sox won in 2007 and 2) when Zoey Deschanel sang the National Anthem on Sunday. (How cute is she?) Needless to say, I'm not a big fan of sports --- but I am a big fan of styling outfits. I'm also a big fan of colored jeans this fall and currently obsessing over Minnetonka boots.

This look combines both for a casual look to watch the Texas Rangers take on the St. Louis Cardinals. (I just had to Google the teams. See, I told you I don't watch sports!) Wearing the team colors is a more subtle way to show your team spirit, rather than wearing the official-World-Series-licensed-tees. (Not that you'd even consider it, I mean, as if!! <--"Clueless")

Click the product links below to view or purchase:

Crochet sweater 128  //  Skinny cords 181 //  low boots 45  //  fringe boots 68

I'm torn between the two boots: I really want the tall fringe boots, but I'm thinking the low non-fringe will go back with more things. Honestly, with those prices, I could buy both and definitely get my money's worth.

Which pair do you like?

Flattering flats

Since spraining my ankles earlier this week, I've been in riding boots and flats every day. Tomorrow I have a presentation for a group of women about the latest fall trends, which would normally call for my highest of heels. Not this time. So I've put together two inspiration looks with one classic sheath dress and two different flat shoes. One for the ladies who lunch (and listen to me talk about clothes) and one for weekend brunch.

Look 1:
A fur scarf is spot-on trend this season, but still a classic with a sheath.
Simple pearl earrings and one gold watch is all you need to accessorize.
Matching shoes and handbag fit this ladylike look.

sheath dress 188 || fur shawl 298 || ballet flats 139 ||  handbag || gold watch 250 || pearl earrings 100

Look 2:
A textured triangle scarf dresses down the sheath and gives a cozy vibe.
The belt buckle mirrors the print on the tote.
A wood bracelet and riding boots add to the natural, earthy feel of this look.

sheath dress 188 || tribal bag 25 || wood bangle 258 || leather belt 336 || woven scarf 38 || Gucci boots

And since I haven't asked in at least 5 days...could you spare a minute to vote for Mommy Chic? mwah!

By Best Mom Fashion Blog

{chic finds} F21 slip dress

If you're on a budget and looking for one piece to add to your wardrobe this fall, this is the dress for you. Only $15.50 at Forever 21, it's available in this season's must have color - wine - as well as mustard, cobalt, black, and rust. Here are two looks incorporating fall trends for under $150 each.

dress 15.50 || blouse 13.50 || belt 21.99 || bag 35.94 || boot 52 

  sweater 98 || desert wedge boot 36.94 || cuff 4.90

Look 1:
This season is all about ladylike fashion so after seasons of telling people to not worry about matching shoes, belts or handbags, this season you get full permission to be matchy-matchy. A sheer blouse in a similar hue with a red belt and structured handbag gives this dress a lady chic, color-blocked feel.
To wear the blouse with the dress and belt, twist or pin the ends so it looks like it's tucked into the belt and makes the dress act like a skirt. You can also skip the belt and tie the ends of the blouse in a knot. Obviously, ditch the belt that comes with the dress for either of these.

Look 2:
For a more casual fall look, pair the dress with a textured fisherman's sweater and desert wedge boot. A longer sweater with a long skirt evokes a easy 70's boho style that begs to be worn every weekend.

Other ways to wear it:  With a black or creme blazer, a cobalt sweater, a knotted v-neck white tee, a long chunky cardigan, a loose crochet sweater...if I get ambitious, I may actually take outfit pictures featuring one (or more) of these suggestions. But don't get your hopes up.

Wild Things

One of the classic pieces you will always have in your wardrobe is animal print. Consider animal another neutral. A leopard print pump can go back with any dress and add an unexpected twist to an outfit. And a zebra print top under a leopard cardigan or jacket is just as good as mixing stripes and dots. Yes, you read that correctly. You can mix your animal prints - if they can live in the wild together, they can live in your closet together.

 jacket 169 || jeans 180 || top 15.80 || cuff 13.72 || bootie 137.21 || clutch 564.30

Yes, there is a lot of wildlife in this outfit, but you don't go to fashion shows to see something boring.  (Ok, this is just a line from one of the fashion presentations I did earlier.)  The stripes will be toned down once you throw the jacket on and the snakeskin accessories add texture.  Wide leg jeans bring a 70's chic to the look, rather than skinny jeans that just make it more like Jersey Shore.  Or Peg Bundy - depending on how old you are, you can choose which reference you relate to. (It would be the latter for me. I've never watched a second of Jersey Shore.)

And b-t-dub...if you have a sec, put in a vote for me, won't you?  Thank you!

By Best Mom Fashion Blog

Red, red wine

The Row and DVF via style.com || Neiman Marcus September Book

I love it when designers are inspired by drinking.  From shoes to furs, they are giving us a little cabernet everywhere we turn.  (Side note: currently enjoying a glass of shiraz.)  To make it modern, consider wearing the color from head to toe.  This doesn't mean the exact same color (though, that's not a bad thing these days - see image above), but try mixing different shades of cab sav.  Maybe a bordeaux blouse with wide leg red pants.  Or a red-orange top with a merlot skirt.  A blouse-y cranberry tunic tucked into a maxi skirt or high waist pants to carry spring's boho chic into fall.  And structured handbags put back with any of these looks add polish.

sash-tie blouse 44.90  ||  maxi skirt 39.50  ||  chiffon tank 39.90  ||  lace sweater 17.80

wide leg pants 345  ||  handbag 375  ||  tunic blouse 178  ||  oxford pumps 110

ankle-strap pumps 275  ||  structured tote 348

Now, if there is one bordeaux item you must add into your wardrobe, it is shoes.  This color will be your new neutral and you will wear it forever with any and every color in your wardrobe.  There really isn't a color that it can't go back to. Really. If you find one in your closet, email me and I'll tell you you're wrong.  Find a bordeaux shoe now while they're so available in a range of styles and price points to fit your closet and your budget.

Questions about how to wear one of this season's trends or how to update a favorite piece in your wardrobe? Email me here.

Fall 2011 trends

The kids are back in school and September issues are arriving in the mail.  It must be fall.  I've been putting off writing a fall trends post because 1) it's still 107 degrees here and 2) I was still shopping fall product and deciding what my favorite trends are this season.  After visiting my favorite retailers this week and reading what the fashion industry has to say about it, here are my top pics for Fall 2011 trends:
 

I'll be adding looks throughout the season and sharing how to add a few trends to your current wardrobe to keep you updated this fall.  In the meantime, let me know if you have any questions on how to style a piece (new or old) or how to incorporate a trend into your closet or any other fashion advice needed.

digital image created by {mommy chic}. background image from gucci via style.com. fall trends list compiled from neiman marcus, saks fifth avenue, style.com and wwd.

Now & Later: Color Block Dress

This dress from Urban Outfitters is one of my favorites from the summer.  With one or two extra layers, it can easily transition into fall.  If your legs need more coverage on cool nights, add gray or black opaque tights, like these reversible ones.  The dress would also be great with a thin, double wrap belt - but avoid the urge to use a wide belt, or you may end up looking like Wonder Woman.  Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Which look do you like?

 

dress 59.00  ||  sweater 98.00  ||  oxford heels 98.00 ||  satchel 54.89  ||  blazer 118.92  || cuff 4.80  ||  clog wedges 295.00

At home: Crate & Barrel fall 2011

It's been a long time since I've been impressed with anything in the Crate & Barrel catalog, but this one has me craving it all.  I love the chevron rug , the mix of all the primitive elements, clean mid-century design, exaggerated textures, and an overall look that makes a home feel comfortable.

all images digitally scanned from Crate & Barrel fall catalog

Missoni for Target

I know everyone's talking about it, but I had to jump on the zigzagged bandwagon because

I WANT EVERYTHING.

I usually don't go crazy for the designer collaborations for Target because the last few purchases have a been a major fail.  I know it's Target, not Barney's, but even Forever 21 doesn't shrink or fade as much as Target clothing.  So I may pass on the shrinkables - but the scarves, blanket, cups and saucers, bags, laptop case, neckties (which I will use as a belt), baby onesie (I don't have a daughter, but in case I do) and the bike...ohhhh, the bike!  I don't care if it's 114 degrees for the 39th day in a row, I will ride that bike around til my thighs chafe off.  Can't wait to see the full 400+ piece collection in stores next month!

digital image created by {mommy chic}

images via

New Fall Hue: Mustard

This fall is a refreshing change from the darkness that's normally seen on the runways (or my closet).  Of course black is still the predominant, moody fall staple, but it's punctuated with pops of Klein blue, all shades of red, winter white, and jade.  One color you don't see very much is this golden-y mustard hue injected into a few designers' collections.  It's a tough color to wear, but with the right skin tone or styling, it's stunning.

Not the hue for you?  Try adding a subtle detail like a scarf, bracelet or clutch.  If mustard does not compliment your skin tone when worn against your face, you can wear it on the bottom as a pant or skirt with a color on top that better suits you. 

Or win a mustard scarf here!

images (L to R): Miu Miu | Proenza Schouler | JCrew | Akris | Lanvin | Jil Sander | The Row | Carvel
all images via

It's Britney, b*tch

Source: Pinterest*

This picture could have been me 12 years and 10 pounds ago.  Remember that time?  20-something, no real responsibilities, cocktails until the bar closed, Jack-in-the-Box Ultimate Cheeseburgers at 2am, workouts the next day, and not one calorie stuck to your midsection.  Unlike nowadays, when the calories not only stick, they hang on for dear life - as if your gut and thighs are the only place for fat cells to grow and multiply.  If only we could shift that weight into our post-breast-feeding boobs...

But that's not what this post is about...it's about my two favorite things: (no, not eating and drinking)  black and gold.  Aside from her almost-too-short-but-she-can-do-it-because-she's-young cream lace dress, she's working the black and gold accessories, which happen to balance the sweetness of cream and lace.  I've always liked this combination and the contrast of something feminine with something tough and masculine.  While you will not see me in a dress that's barely covering my Britney*, you may see me with one or more of the below accessories.  (Hint: I'll be in the Forever 21 $4.90 knock off version of the $75 House of Harlow necklace.)

 

1. House of Harlow $79 | 2. House of Harlow ring $65 | 3.Scotch Natural black tartan $14.99 | 

4. Emilio Pucci $995 | 5. Valentino studded wrap pump $895

*Top image is all over Pinterest, but no one is naming the original source.  If you know it, please share so I can credit appropriately.

*"Britney" - as in, the decade-old inappropriate picture of her stepping out of a car.  Only for Paris and Lohan to follow, but my lady parts are nicknamed after the original, athankyouverymuch.  

LOFT: {my} looks to love - 3

I've spent way over my gift card limit, so this is my last look from LOFT.....that is, until I actually get into the store and start shopping for reals.

I went through a phase of wearing so many pencil skirts that my friend had to stop me from buying any more.  Ever.  Then I got pregnant and my waistline didn't shrink down to pre-baby-pencil-skirt size as fast as I had wished.  (Notice I said "wish" because I didn't actually do anything about it.)  Now it's close enough on most unbloated days, so I'm back on the pencil skirt kick.  This one looks like a subtle animal print, which I would normally throw back with a white button up, but the chartreuse grosgrain trim down the back makes me want to put it back with navy.  And this navy top is a perfect change from a polished poplin.  I'm thinking it can be worn a size up to give more volume over a slim pencil skirt for work or with skinny white jeans on the weekend.

What do you think are the must-haves?  Anything from this post (or this one or this one) that I should buy right now, or wait until more fall arrives?

earrings, bracelet, skirt, blouse, belt