I love the idea of a plaid shirt for date night. The casual nature of plaid lends itself well to an overall effortless BLAH BLAH BLAH.
Really, I just like to be comfortable. You too? Good. Keep reading.
My first thought was to tuck the plaid into a high-waisted pencil skirt.
Soooo...I just hiked my standby black pencil skirt up near my...
I've often admitted to snobbish tendencies where denim is concerned. While I was pretty impressed last year with Gap's new denim line, 1969, it still doesn't hold a candle to the superior bum-styling of higher-end denim. (NOTE: I will concede that Gap's jeggings are all pretty fabulous, and my current favs).
But in my opinion, all moms should have at...
Reader Emily left this comment on our article, The Short Boot Dilemma:
Can we get a picture of short lace-ups with leggings? I own both and can't see them working together...
Since then, I've been looking for a cool outfit picture that not only shows the short lace-up boots paired with leggings...but one that is also mom-friendly. I think I...
One of the biggest problems with the post-partum pooch is that it sticks out farther than your boobs. Lovely. This plaid shirt, however, helps camouflage that sad fact by adding a few extra inches to 'the girls' via ruffles. Bring 'em on. Buying this shirt a size (or two) bigger, and layering it over a slippery shaper cami also does wonders.
Being a huge New Year's geek (seriously - it's my very favorite holiday), I always like to take some time at the start of a new year to reflect. Now that I'm a parent, it's both harder to find that time, but more important that I do. Ironic, no? My single biggest goal for 2011 is to be a more mindful parent. To be present, in the moment. To not be distracted by worry, or all the stuff that creeps into our lives. I can't believe how fast these three years have flown past...and already I can see the little boy my baby is becoming. I want to enjoy every moment I can, with both of my boys.
Sure, to many of us, plaid smells a lot like teen spirt, but plaid made a strong showing in 2010 and those tenacious tartans are here to stay a bit. How can hip moms play this trend without looking either too young, too old or too ahem. . . rustic? Our four part series on styling plaid for moms will feature plaid pairings from ANMJ contributors, starting with a cheery daytime look I’ve been sporting this holiday season.
(wearing: Vince Cashmere Ruffle Tunic, currently on sale at Neiman's Last Call, Joe's Jeans Skinny Cargos in black, Nine West TheLineUp bootie, my mom's prom purse, an old glittery necklace, and Stella & Dot's Glint Flower Earrings.)
I don't know if it's the state of my post-partum pooch, general exhaustion (no amount of makeup can hide my tired eyes in these pics), or a heightened sensitivity...
PC096231 I love this pic. Despite the fact that Pax was born 3 weeks ago, I hardly look post-partum at all! Happy day. Unfortunately, it's only a trick of the eye, due in large part to my husbands mad photography skills, the sweet cape/poncho thing I'm wearing, and the fact that I squeezed into a Bella Band per J's instructions: "put it on so tight you can barely breathe!"
Bella Band or no, this will be my default (aka wear everyday) post-partum outfit until I loose the pooch. Or at least until I lose most of the pooch. Or summer hits...whichever comes first.
We all know this: when it rains it pours. It wouldn't be a cliche if it weren't just so dang true. Indeed, it has been a bit of a deluge at my house. So I'm feeling like I just sort of want to keep my head down and sneak out of 2010 and into 2011 nice and slow, without. . . making. . . any. . . waves. I didn't realize my mood had permeated even my fashion sensibilities until I started clipping my picks for this post and I saw that everything was black, white and gray, hence my Christmas/Holiday 2010 wish list, a collection of drool-worthy if monochromatic gift ideas for mamas.
Readers, this post comes from our contributing author, Big B. He's has impeccable taste (whether he's talking about the hottest/sexiest boots for women or the most flattering pants for men), strong opinions on all things fashion-related, and he's also a devoted husband (of 10 years!!) and the dad of two adorable kiddos. If you missed his first Gift Guide...