Posts Tagged ‘Fashion’

By Shannon Henrici, Special Guest, My Baby Clothes Boutique

The baby bump is hotter than ever these days. Over the past few years, there’s been a growing trend among celebrities and everyday women to flaunt their little bump with fashion picks that accentuate their new curves. Fitted tees and bikinis are the norm, while shapeless frocks have been left in the garbage with the dirty diapers. However, a new trend is giving expectant mothers yet another option – loving and hiding the baby bump.

Many celebrities have managed to keep their bumps under wraps, but still look amazing. Isla Fisher, has been hiding her second pregnancy from the press with stylish but flowy dresses and tops. In May, Alicia Keyes announced her pregnancy wearing an amazing fluffy flowery strapless dress. How do they do it?

If you love your baby bump but want to be discreet, here are some of the secrets. Look through your closet to see what stylish pieces can easily transition to maternity wear. Loose-fitting dresses, baby doll tops, or anything with an empire waist are great as a transitional top. The new asymmetrical, bubble tops, and long tunics are made for baby bumps. One favorite of all pregnant moms is leggings, comfort stretch waist bands, topped with a long flowing shirt are very flattering. Maxi dresses are a must and a fashion staple for before and after pregnancy. As your bump grows, you will have to break down and buy those maternity pants. I guarantee you will love the comfort of the bump snuggling fits. Topped with flowy shirts, you will still look as beautiful as before.

While maternity stores now offer a great selection of trendy styles, don’t feel like you have to limit yourself to their selection. You can still find great clothes at your usual shopping destinations, though you may have to pass on those skinny jeans or that tight little black dress.

Below are some faves of those pregnancy fashionistas:

These styles can be found at Nordstroms -

For those on a budget- here are some adorable (affordable) outfits too:

Chadwick’s of Boston and Belks-

This article brought to you by Shannon Henrici. She writes for My Baby Clothes Boutique. They specialize in the most fashionable baby headbands, baby hats and so much more.

By Julia, Editor-in-Chief, Work, Wife, Mom…Life! (@julialadewski)

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED TOMORROW (7/11)! THANKS FOR PLAYING!***

If you know a little bit about me, you know I looooove handmade stuff. I have a thing for all things crafty and sewing. I marvel at those who can make handmade clothing like it’s bought from a store… only better.

When I found Shannon’s blog, I was instantly drawn to her new Etsy shop called Moonlight Knitting.  She makes fabulously cute dresses.  I’m a bit envious, can you tell?

Shannon has graciously offered up this adorable 3T dress to one of YOU!

AND, when you find something absolutely adorable to buy for yourself, she is offering 20% off to Our Mommyhood readers! Just be sure to mention “Our Mommyhood” in the comment section of your order to receive your discount!  (Thanks Shannon!)

*************************************************************

To enter this giveaway from Moonlight Knitting:

- Follow Our Mommyhood (blog) in some way, and tell us how you do. (Google, RSS, etc)

-Follow Our Mommyhood on Twitter, and leave us your Twitter handle.

-Visit Moonlight Knitting and let us know what other item from her shop you love.

-Tweet about this giveaway, including @OurMommyhood in your tweet. (For your convenience, just copy and paste!)

Adorable toddler dress giveaway from @OurMommyhood http://bit.ly/cQYQfs

This giveaway will remain open until Saturday, July 10th at 1 pm EST.

*Please leave a comment for each entry

**This giveaway is open to US residents only.

***This is the exact dress you will be receiving. It is a size 3.

By Toni, Contributor, Hemp and High Heels (@ToniSue)

Ask any random group of 100 women what their number one New Year’s Resolution is, and I am willing to bet that at the top of that list “Lose Weight”. I would know, it was mine for many years.

After reaching a personal (non-pregnant) high of 195 pounds on my 30th birthday, I was fat, bloated, and miserable. Embarrassed with my reflection, and disgusted with myself – I vowed I wouldn’t start another birthday feeling this way. I began dieting and exercising, and within two months I had lost twenty pounds.

I kept at it, and eventually, I managed to lose a total of sixty pounds through hard work and determination. I feel so much better than I ever have about myself. With every pound lost, a gained a new found self respect.

What I didn’t find was the small fortune I would require to clothe my now smaller self in. Here’s what no one ever tells you. When you are actively dieting and shedding pounds – it costs a LOT of money to replace your wardrobe. In my case, I was having to replace my entire wardrobe every season there for a little over a year and a half.

At first, to celebrate my new-found smaller self – I took myself on a rewarding clothes shopping spree at a high-end fashion boutique. I spent more money on clothes for myself in that one trip, than I have in several years combined.

Guess how long they fit? Exactly two weeks. Then, my butt shrank.

Reality check – when losing weight it isn’t always the smartest choice to buy your clothes at the more “name brand” stores. In fact, “Roll Back” store might be your best friend while you are in between sizes.

Let me give you an example. If you go shopping in mid-spring, you can buy a wardrobe that will last you until early fall (depending on where you live). At the place with “Smiley faces” I recently bought and entirely new Spring/ Summer/ Early Fall wardrobe for $100. I know that for some people $100 is a lot to spend on oneself, especially for us mother’s on a budget. However, I had no summer clothes that fit, so $100 is a bargain for a whole new wardrobe if you ask me.

Wanna know what all I got? I got four sun dresses, two pairs of shorts, three tees, five tank tops, and a pair of capris. For a single Benjamin. That’s twelve brand new pieces of clothing – you can’t beat that with a stick. And no, they are not ugly, tacky things. “That” store has BCBG, L.E.I., O.P. and several other designers now. It has come a long way from muu muus and camo.

My two cents is that when you are working hard at slimming down, save your pennies for when you cross the finish line. I took a year off, but am back on the weight loss express with a twenty pound goal in mind. When I reach it, you can bet that my budget is going to be more than $100 – though I doubt I’ll get a better deal than I have at the “discount chain” store.

By Shannon

Would you like to be a guest blogger for Our Mommyhood? Click here to contact us!

How Do You Define Fashion, When It Comes To Your Little Ones?

I have been contemplating this subject a lot lately.  I started a new job working for an online baby clothes boutique, in which I assist in finding “fashionable” baby clothes.  What does that mean?  Who determines it?  What is the best style for my little girl?

 I have to admit, before having a little girl, I never consider this term “fashionable”.  By my definition, style is a statement of personality.  For example, I am very active with animals, horses, and chasing a toddler.  Therefore, I need fashion that is comfortable, but I love to have something that says “Hey!  Just because I am a mom, doesn’t mean I can’t dress in fun clothes too!”  I love bling or attention getters, like a flower in my hair, rhinestones on my clothes, or fun graffiti print Converse shoes.  My staple supply of jeans, consists of rhinestones for dressy occasions and appliqués for everyday wear.  Clothes make a creative expression.   Seeing as how my little girl is only 19 months, she and I both are still trying to figure out her personal statement.

 For fun, take a look around and note all the different styles of clothing.  Gender, occupation, self confidence, age, culture, sense of creativity, and financial status are all factors that play into a person’s sense of style.   In defining baby’s fashions, there is another factor that I find interesting. 

During my research, I took a walk through my daughter’s closet.  The extreme diversity of styles was amazing.  I categorize them into the following:

      1.      Purchases from Mom and Dad

      2.      Gifts from her Peruvian Grandparents

      3.      Gifts from her American Grandparents

      4.      Gifts from friends and relatives

Now, I am sure you are wondering why I categorized these.  The reason is that all of these categories have a very distinctive style that factored into my little girl’s style. 

1. Mom and Dad – basics, knits, and everyday wear
2. Peruvian Grandparents – bold colors, hand knit ponchos, and cultural favorites
3. American Grandparents -  hand smocked outfits, sweet pastel dresses, and ruffle bottomed diaper covers
4. Friends and relatives – shirts with funny sayings, clothes that expressed mom’s/dad’s hobbies, and animal themed cute outfits

I have a great time experimenting to see what she likes and what expresses who she is best.  I love to look around at other children, to see what they are saying with their clothes.  Some of my favorite observations are:

Grocery store – Moms holding the hands of little girls wearing fairy costumes. 

Mall – Moms walking around carrying little girls wearing tutus, rain boots, and wings.

Home Depot – Dad with little boy wearing an Anakin Skywalker costume, not on Halloween

Park – Little boy running around in his t-shirt, tie, and favorite pair of camouflage rain boots

or newsboy hats, just like Grandpa or Dad.  My nephew refuses to wear pants (even in the winter), because his Dad wears shorts all of the time.  Little girls trying on mom’s shoes, donning jewelry, and carrying purses.  One day, I put my little girl’s bathing suit bottoms on my head.  When I gave her the bathing suit, she tried to do the same.  She thought that she was supposed to wear them on her head, just like mommy. 

So, as a parent how do we define our little one’s sense of style?  What role do we play in defining their styles?  Allowing them to choose their own clothes is a big part in building their confidence.  If their socks don’t match, they want to wear rain boots or their favorite costume EVERYDAY, SO WHAT!!!  Who says that isn’t fashion?  If society says shoes that look like bedroom slippers are fashionable, then I think your little one can wear their pajamas to the movies.  Isn’t fashion about our personal statement to the world about who we are? 

Being a mom of a little girl, I work hard to help find the right styles for her.  I can’t wait until she can add her input as well.  I know when you are in a hurry and your little one wants to wear their favorite superhero outfit, it is very hard to remain patient while they throw themselves on the ground in a temper-tantrum.  Remember this!  They are only trying to express their fashion independence.  You should feel proud that your little one loves something so much they don’t want to take it off.  When was the last time you bought someone a gift that they loved this much?  Who cares what others have to say.  The most important thing to your little one is seeing them as the most beautiful child in the world!

 Where do you buy your little one’s clothes?  What factors affect how you dress your little one?  What are some of your little one’s favorite outfits?

 Shannon is a writer for My Baby Clothes Boutique.  They specialize in a variety of fashionable clothes in every unique baby’s style.

By Working Mommy

Summer is just around the corner, and hopefully you’ve all been working on getting your body bathing suit ready!! What, you haven’t?? That is quite alright (I haven’t either)! If you’re in the market for a new bathing suit, though, then you’ve come to the right place. Below are some great suggestions for Summer 2010 – ready or not!

One-Piece

When I think VS – I don’t think of a tankini bathing suit…but this is a (semi) family show… so I made an exception (just this once)! Mama is allowed to be sexy too… I know, I know… I said the “S” word! It is true, though… don’t sell yourself short, ladies! My favorite thing about the VS two-piece suits is that you purchase each piece separately. That is good for someone like me with a size 8 ba-donk-a-donk and a size 6 chest!!
Victoria’s Secret – $44.50 (top – regular & long available); $28.50 (scoop bottom shown – other styles available)

Cover-Up

This cute white hoodie comes with orange or blue stripes.The great thing about this piece is that it can be worn on the beach – as a cover-up with that new bathing suit you bought (above) – or as a light jacket with a tank top and jeans.
GAP – $39.50

Comfort

[/caption]

What was that, you say?? You were invited to a Miami-inspired par-tay and you don’t have an outfit?! Okay…don’t panic!!! I SAID DON’T PANIC!! This outfit is PERFECT for such a party…or if you’re just hanging out with the family on the weekend. While it is pictured as off-the-shoulder, it can be worn on-the-shoulder as well! You’ll be asking for a drink with an umbrella and a pool boy to fan you wearing this great outfit!
Venus Swimwear – $25 (top); $33 (bottom)

Are you a one-piece, tankini, bikini, or cover up type of girl?

 

Think life has handed you some lessons? Just wait until you hear what Working Mommy has to say! You can read her personal blog over at Lessons Learned!