What I Wore {First Post-Baby Edition}

by Kate on May 23rd, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  Life, What I Wore

As I prepared this post I realized the last time I shared What I Wore I was 34 Weeks pregnant. The last month of my pregnancy I apparently wore nothing of note, unless you consider yoga pants and maternity t’s high style. And, just when I thought dressing couldn’t get more difficult, I actually delivered my baby and realized I had to dress my postpartum self. This presents many challenges: I don’t fit into my pre-baby clothes so I have a limited selection, I’m sick of maternity pants and breastfeeding-friendly tops can be less than cute.

The result? This is the first outfit that is post-worthy.

I am obsessed with The Shops at Target. This dress is from The Webster collection and I am tempted by just about everything available online. (There’s a lot more online than there was at our local store.) I wore the dress with Espadrilles from Target I bought last year so the outfit cost a grand total of $60.

Dress: The Webster at Target Sleeveless Jersey Dress
Shoes: Calypso St. Bart for Target Espadrille Wedge Sandal

Almost forgot to mention my white tank top peeking out. I wear a tank constantly while nursing. Constantly. And luckily the tank matches my pasty white legs. Score.

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Because I was dressed in something that I didn’t mind having photographed, I made the kids gather for a picture.

The boys are wearing one set of their matching clothes from Tea Collection. ::swoon::

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This post is happily linked with What I Wore Wednesday on The Pleated Poppy blog and the weekly Monday Mingle hosted by Momtrends, BonBon Rose Girls and Glamamom. 

What I Wore {34 Weeks}

by Kate on February 1st, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  Life, What I Wore

I only have one outfit to share from the last week. Luckily, it’s a fun one! I wore this get up over the weekend when my husband and I joined a bunch of friends to celebrate some birthdays. Good thing I felt fun and festive because I was what I will call the “super designated driver”. Who knew a Suburban full of 30-somethings could be so… entertaining?

Shirt & Jacket: Banana Republic
Denim: Citizens of Humanity
Boots: Via Spiga
Earrings: old, old, old school Express

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This post is happily linked with What I Wore Wednesday on The Pleated Poppy blog and the weekly Monday Mingle hosted by Momtrends, BonBon Rose Girls and Glamamom. 

Mom Style Q & A: Lauren Maslin of Encore Maternity

by Kate on January 31st, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  New Year New Mama

As part of the New Year, New Mama series, we are seeking out fashion insight some very stylish moms. We’re hoping the quick Q & A will give us all a little style inspiration to kick it up a notch in the new year.

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Lauren Maslin has spent the last 15 years of her career as a celebrity stylist working between New York and Los Angeles. Her latest endeavor is bringing high maternity fashion to pregnant women at a more affordable price with the brilliant Encore Maternity. An online maternity consignment shop, Encore was born out of Lauren’s frustration at not being able to find her pre-pregnacy style at a price that also allowed her to save and prepare for her son. The result is a glamourous website where expecting moms can shop for Diane Von Furstenberg, J Brand, Missoni and many other designers at a more affordable cost.

The Shopping Mama: How do you define your style?

Lauren Maslin: I would define my style as classic chic. I try to incorporate trends in small doses. For instance, when chartruce was a dominant fashion color, I would incorporate it in accessories like a scarf or a headband, rather than splurging on a handbag or pair of shoes. My wardrobe primarily contains basic colors that are spiced up with the latest accessories. When you open my closet, you will find a wardrobe from the finest designers that I have collected over the years. As a stylist, I had always shopped for my clients in high end consignment or vintage clothing stores. You can always collect pieces that will take you through the chicest occasions with a look of sophistication and style.

TSM: What’s your favorite thing in your closet right now?

LM: My favorite thing in my closet right now is my brown Christian Louboutin boots. They can be worn for most of the year with just about anything, be it a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, or a simple sweater dress. Best part is, I got them on ebay, brand new, for a crazy price!! To me, one of the biggest thrills is the ability to get high end designer goods from ebay or consignment shops.

TSM: If you could have any celebrity mom’s wardrobe, who would it be?

LM: Angelina Jolie. Whether she’s on the red carpet or trudging through Africa, she always maintains a chic sense of style. Who else can wear 5 inch heels or combat boots with a great sense of panache, and always look sensational.

TSM: We love inexpensive finds, but when it is worth splurging? What’s on your splurge wish list?

LM: I would have to say to splurge on a handbag. But it must be something that is timeless, like Chanel. You can’t go wrong with a black quilted bag with either a silver or gold chain. Trendy won’t stand the test of time. Good quality will last you a lifetime.

TSM: What’s one must have piece for this season or the spring?

LM: One must have for this upcoming season is a doctor bag. I’m sure many of us can dig in our mother’s closets and find one that we can bring to our local shoe repair and have refurbished, so you don’t have to spend the money on a new one!!!

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Keep up with Encore Maternity on Facebook.

Mama Apple: Maternity Dresses from Shabby Apple {Review}

by Kate on January 26th, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  For Mama, Pregnancy, Reviews

I’ve been a longtime admirer of Shabby Apple dresses. The fashion company is “by women, for women, and of women” with a focus on creating a modern take on a classic: the dress. Sounds simple enough, right? The idea is  ”to make women feel feminine and beautiful for what they wear, not what they bare. We offer flirty, stylish dresses a woman can wear just as comfortably in the office, at a family dinner, or on a date.” The modest styles of Shabby Apple have a vintage yet timeless look and we’re thrilled they have a collection designed for moms-to-be.

Shabby Apple Maternity Dresses

Finding a cute maternity dress is never easy. That’s why we’ve created an entire line of maternity dresses that will allow you to feel wonderful day or night. As a company founded and run by women, we understand first hand how difficult it can be to find maternity wear for that special occasion, or simply a dress that will make you feel stylish and wonderful. Our maternity dresses are perfect for a wide array of occasions. Whether you’re looking for a cute and trendy maternity dress with more of a casual feel to it, or more formal maternity wear, like an evening or cocktail dress, we think you’ll find one of our stylish maternity dresses will be perfect for the occasion, whatever it may be.

Shabby Apple Mama Apple Dress Review

The Two’s Company maternity dress from Shabby Apple is a comfortable easy-to-wear dress that can be dressed up for a night out or dressed down for every day wear. Made of soft cotton, the dress has a drop waist, puff sleeves and a kangaroo pocket. (Funny story about the pocket. The first time I wore the dress my daughter pointed to the pocket and asked, “Is that where the baby will go when its out of your belly?”) I particularly appreciated the placement of the detail around the drop waist. It’s a thicker material that falls in just the right place to camouflage unsightly pregnant panty lines or bulges. And, I really can’t overstate how comfortable the dress is. It’s a dream to wear.

In these photos, I wore the dress for a casual day with the family and paired it with leggings and flats.

Shabby Apple Maternity Dresses

The entire Mama Apple maternity dress collection from Shabby Apple is fun to admire. Don’t tell the baby in my belly, but I almost wish I was going to pregnant for longer so I could justify buying another dress! Here are a few of my other favorite dresses.

From right to left: Oh Baby, Neopolitan, Aprhodite, & Better than Sweets.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… I’m very pleased with the Two’s Company dress from Shabby Apple. It’s comfortable, stylish and is good quality. It balances femininity and function beautifully and is a joy to wear. You can shop with confidence because if you don’t like your dress, you can return it and Shabby Apple will ship you a new dress for free.

Or Not to Buy… If you’re not a dress mama, Shabby Apple isn’t for you.

Shop! The Two’s Company dress is $75. The Mama Apple collection ranges in price from $59 to $92. Right now you can save 20% off with the code NEWYEAR. Shabby Apple also has a beautiful selection of dresses for those of you without child, for kids and a fun collection of accessories.

Thanks to Shabby Apple for providing a sample.

What I Wore {33 Weeks}

by Kate on January 25th, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  Life, What I Wore

To those of you who kindly suggested in last week’s What I Wore post that my bump looked small, I proudly present to you Exhibits A, B and C which demonstrate my 8 months pregnant belly is in full effect.

Shirt: Dolman Tunic, Japanese Weekend from Fashion Forward Maternity
Jeans: Union Laurel Canyon, Paige Premium Denim from Fashion Forward Maternity
Bracelet: lia sophia

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This weekend we took full advantage of the Banana Republic military discount and I got a few things that I wore almost immediately.

Top: Ruched Tank, Target
Sweater: Shaker Stitch Sweater Jacket, Banana Republic

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I actually enjoyed this outfit all day – until I saw this photo. I tried the belt trick again – like at 29 Weeks – to define the bump rather than just wearing the Chambray shirt unbuttoned. The effect is totally lost from this angle. At least I’m hoping it looked better from the front.

Tee: 3/4 Ruched Tee, Motherhood Maternity
Shirt: Chambray Pintuck Shirt, Banana Republic
Jeans: Lilac Maternity
Belt: Banana Republic
Boots: Ellen Tracy

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This post is happily linked with What I Wore Wednesday on The Pleated Poppy blog and the weekly Monday Mingle hosted by Momtrends, BonBon Rose Girls and Glamamom. 

Fashion Forward Maternity: A Stylish Pregnancy for Less {Review & Giveaway}

by Kate on January 24th, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  Fashion & Beauty, Giveaways, Pregnancy

I made a decision early on in this pregnancy that I was going to try my hardest to be stylish. I didn’t want to fall into a yoga pants rut and I honestly feel better about myself and my growing bump when I feel good about how I look. It’s been a challenge to do so without breaking the bank but I’ve lot of fun finding new and fashionable ways to dress my bump. One of the coolest discoveries for an more affordable way to expand your maternity wardrobe is maternity clothing rental. Fashion Forward Maternity offers a wide range of stylish, designer maternity clothes – from casual wear to special occasion dresses.

About Fashion Forward Maternity

Based on the idea that all women should feel POWERFUL- BEAUTIFUL- COMFORTABLE- and STYLISH during pregnancy, and every day, Fashion Forward Maternity is an online boutique where savvy professional women can renthigh quality and designer maternity fashions at a fraction of the price of new to serve them during “all four trimesters.” We then “pass it forward” by donating all gently used clothes that can no longer be rented to women’s organizations around the country. Our unique model lets women choose the subscription level that allows them to maintain their style and fashion-sense during pregnancy and to keep their wardrobe fresh throughout all “four trimesters”.

  • The right fit throughout your pregnancy and nursing time.
  • Hundreds of styles and sizes to complete your look.
  • No wasted time and energy shopping in overpriced boutiques.

Fashion Forward Maternity has a great FAQ section that describes how the process works. It answered a lot of my immediate questions – definitely check it out!

Renting Maternity Clothes from Fashion Forward Maternity

I was curious to get some feedback from other expecting moms about the idea of renting maternity clothes so I asked the question on BabyCenter’s Momformation blog: Would you rent maternity clothes? The overwhelming response was “Yes.” And, it makes sense. Many moms turn to consignment shops or other sources to purchase maternity clothes at a discount. After all, you only need them for a finite period of time. It’s much harder to justify buying a new shirt for $90 when you’ll only wear it for a couple of months. But, $90 is the suggested retail price of this Oilan Boatneck Tunic I’ve been borrowing from Fashion Forward. (right) Rather than shelling out the big bucks, you can rent it for $12.50 a month.

But, let’s back up a minute. The experience of renting clothes from Fashion Forward is really pleasant and similar to typical online shopping. The website allows you to search for clothes by type and occasion. You have the option of joining a subscription program – which includes a monthly fee but the cost of each clothing item is less per month – or you can rent piece by piece. Whether using a subscription or not, one of the benefits of wearing clothes for only a month is that if you don’t love something, you return it and try something else. Or, as your belly grows or the seasons change you can get clothes that are better suited for your needs. The shipping is free and your package arrives nicely packed and with a free return shipping label.

Several of the pieces in my shipment still had tags on them and were brand new. Items that are not new are professionally cleaned and inspected before shipment. Here’s another outfit I’m borrowing: designer maternity denim by Union Laurel Canyon style Paige Premium Denim and a Japanese Weekend Stripe Dolman Tunic. The suggested retail price of this outfit is $267. Or you can borrow it for $25 (or $47 sans subscription) total a month. And, from experience now I know these pants are much better suited for early in pregnancy. I would have been disappointed if I ordered these online at this point in my pregnancy and paid a lot for them. I’ll enjoy them for a month but won’t be totally sad to send them back.

The final piece in my shipment hasn’t been photographed yet because, well, it’s just not that flattering! This Lined Dress in Mocha by Jules and Jim is another piece that would have looked better in the second trimester. And, again, I would have been bummed if I purchased this online. And, let’s face it, I do a lot of my shopping – for maternity clothes – and everything else online. It’s just not practical to try on everything before I buy it, but renting it is a much less risky option.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… Fashion Forward Maternity has a really great selection of fashionable, designer brand maternity clothes for every occasion. I think renting maternity clothes makes sense no matter what the circumstances as it’s a great way to stretch your budget and expand your wardrobe. It’s particularly cost-effective if you only plan on one pregnancy or (like me) know you’re in your last pregnancy. Moms-to-be who work outside the home will benefit the most from the ability to borrow professional clothes with the ability to mix up the wardrobe every month. Further, who wants to buy a pricey special occasion dress when you are only going to wear it once? Rent, my friends!

Or Not to Buy… You do have to send the clothes back and whether you buy a subscription program or not, the cost of renting pieces can add up. If you’re not going to spend money on designer duds and high-end clothing it might not be worth it to rent them.

Shop! Fashion Forward Maternity clothes start at $23.50 a month per piece. The subscription service costs $125 a month with a rental fee of $12.50 per piece. Right now, if you sign up for the Fashion Forward Maternity mailing list, you get $25 off your first order of $150 or more. 

Win Fashion Forward Maternity Style for A Month! Your choice 2 regular items or 1 special occasion item.

How to Enter: Visit Fashion Forward Maternity and leave a comment here with a designer piece that you’d love to wear.

Earn Extra Entries – valid only after completing the first required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.

Giveaway ends February 8. Open to US residents only.

Thanks to Fashion Forward Maternity for providing a sample experience and the giveaway prizes. As always, opinions are my own.

Mom Style Q & A: Danielle Medina from A Few of My Favorite Things

by Kate on January 24th, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  Fashion & Beauty, New Year New Mama

As part of the New Year, New Mama series, we are seeking out fashion insight some very stylish moms. We’re hoping the quick Q & A will give us all a little style inspiration to kick it up a notch in the new year.

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Danielle Medina is a TV producer by day, mom to twin girls and style hunter all the time. Her blog, A Few of My Favorite Things, is a great source for indie, handmade finds that will set your child, party and home apart. She recently re-located from NYC to Rhode Island and I’ve enjoyed watching her new home come together – it’s a great reflection of her personal style.

The Shopping Mama: How do you define your style?

Danielle Medina: I would define my style as elegantly eclectic because I like a little bit of everything – preppy, trendy, classic, bohemian…. You name it, I’ll wear it in some way, shape or form.

TSM: What’s your favorite thing in your closet right now?

DM: That’s so hard! I’m going to go with this striped blouse I just bought at Old Navy. Not only is it the perfect color and pattern (Pantone named tangerine the color of 2012 and stripes are so in for spring!) but it’s also totally versatile. I’m wearing it now with blazers, sweaters and boots, will pair it with lighter weight pants and wedges for the spring and then shorts and sandals this summer. Plus it was only $20. Can’t beat that!

TSM: Aaaaand, now I want to buy that shirt. I LOVE how you styled it with the jeans! If you could have any celebrity mom’s wardrobe, who would it be?

DM: Probably Nicole Richie’s. She always looks great, whether she’s dressed up or dressed down, and I love how she rocks accessories. Sunglasses, bags, jewelry – they always perfectly pull her outfits together.

TSM: We love inexpensive finds, but when it is worth splurging? What’s on your splurge wish list?

DM: Spend money on handbags because they make a statement and can take an outfit to the next level. And you can wear them all year long! I have bags in my closet that are 10+ years old and I still use, so even though they may seem like a splurge up front, you can really get your money’s worth in the long run.

TSM: What’s one must have piece for this season or the spring?

DM: Something bold and bright. Whether it’s kelly green jeans, an orange bag or a pink blazer, one colorful piece will breathe new life into any old outfit. Scared to sport a bright top? Start smaller with bracelets or a belt and work your way up. And if you only want to buy one bold piece this season, go with a pair of ballet flats in a color like yellow or pink. They’ll go with everything!

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Keep up with Danielle on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

What I Wore {32 Weeks}

by Kate on January 18th, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  Life, What I Wore

Happy Wednesday! Here’s a little glimpse into what I wore the past week. I can’t believe I’m only two months from my due date. At the same time, I can’t believe I have 8 more weeks of dressing this bump.

Dress: Two’s Company Dress Shabby Apple
Leggings: Max Studio
Shoes: Furla
Necklace: Simply You

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Shirt: Oilan 3/4 Sleeve Boatneck Tunic from Fashion Forward Maternity
Jeans: Paige Premium Denim Union Laurel Canyon from Fashion Forward Maternity

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This post is happily linked with What I Wore Wednesday on The Pleated Poppy blog and the weekly Monday Mingle hosted by Momtrends, BonBon Rose Girls and Glamamom. 

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