fashion

fall fashion alert: flares are back

Melissa 5 Comments

One of fall’s hottest denim look is the flare jean.

I am very excited about this.

If jeggings and skinny jeans are not your thing, rejoice! Flares are so flattering on just about anyone and make your legs look slimmer while balancing out curves. But you don’t have to worry about looking like one of Charlie’s Angels. (Not that looking like one of Charlie’s Angels would be bad… They’re hot!) There are some more subtle flares that you can feel comfortable pulling off even if you don’t have a boho look.

The Rachel Bellbottom by 7 for all Mankind is DIVINE. Perfect. Gorgeous. And they’re only on Piperlime. Guess what is on my wishlist for fall now?

Although Joe’s Jeans Visionaire Flare Jeans are fabulous. Perfect for casual everyday wear.

I love the look of the Skinny Mini Flare Jean from Old Navy. Although I’m not sure they’ll look good on someone over 25… they’re pretty low cut.

This Trouser Jean from Gap is amazing! LOVE that cut!

What do you think? Will you wear the flare?

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fashion friday: loft sale!

Melissa 4 Comments

Well, I spent most of the week potty training Colin. Which was NOT pretty.

But I did manage to sneak out on Monday to hit LOFT’s big buy one get one free top sale! You know I couldn’t resist THAT!

I picked up this Double Cascade Tee. I wore this to a lunch a Neimen Marcus yesterday – its so cute with my Stella and Dot Riviera Coin Necklace and white jeans. (Well, I didn’t wear t with white jeans because I went to get dressed and discovered my white jeans had something pink on the bum. Annoying.)

I also picked up this cute Ombre Tank, since it was on sale for $16 plus an additional 40% off and I don’t have anything ombre and I thought it would go well with my brown maxi skirt. (I’m also wearing it here with white jeans and a scarf over on my fashion blog this week!)

Then this Extended Shoulder Ruffle Tank caught my eye. (Marked down to $30 plus additional 40% off.) Since it has, you know, ruffles and all. Very cute! And it will transition really well into fall under a cardigan!

And finally, I picked up this Split Neck Self Ruffle Tee. I loved the stripes – it will look so cute with white jeans! (which I’m wearing here!)

What were your fashion finds this week?
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fashion friday

Melissa 4 Comments

Somehow its Friday again. Where does the time go? This past week has been a blur of catching up on work, swimming lessons, playdates, laundry, unpacking, 4th of Julying and learning how to take care of our new hermit crabs. Which is not as simple as one might think. Luckily, I’m pretty sure hermit crabs have been around since before the dinosaurs, so they’re probably pretty hardy creatures.

Anyway, all this to say I was too busy to come up with a theme, so we will just find some random pretty things to oooh and ahh over.

1. The Quantum Blouse from Anthropologie is gorgeous. It would look amazing with white jeans in summer, then transition really well to fall. I can’t decide if I like it in orange or neutral more. (Actually, I love the orange more, but I cannot wear orange. So I have to go with neutral.)
2. I saw this Athena Blouse at the beginning on the summer and thought it was adorable. And now its on sale!

3. You know I love Boden coats – their fabulous trench is on clearance with tons of sizes left!

4. I really like this Ombre Tank from Loft. (Also on sale! I’m all about sales today!)

5. I haven’t ventured into the color-blocking trend, but this dress from Old Navy is tempting me.

6. Yummy. How cute would this be with skinny jeans?

Happy browsing!!

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fashion friday: beach chic

Melissa 3 Comments

I’m laying on the beach today. I love the beach. My kids love the beach. My whole extended family loves the beach.

We’re beach folk, we are.

And, in honor of my vacation, we’re talking beach chic! I thought I’d share my favorite beach outfits. Not that I’m going to post pictures of myself in a bathing suit on the Interweb. {Pauses. Reconsiders. Remembers she has three kids and is now solidly in her thirties. Proceeds to roll on the floor laughing hysterically.}

Anyway, I have two standard beach outfits. Outfit one begins with my favorite black bathing suit…

Sidebar: I wrote a post last year about my magic bathing suit – basically, its 5 black separates from Gap that I bought on sale and clearance. Its fantastic. I can interchange them depending on where I’m going and how skinny I feel. I highly recommend this method of swimsuiting!

Anyway, its the black suit topped with this adorable tunic I bought from Athleta during a major clearance sale for like $10.

My other one is this really cute polka dot tankini…

Sidebar: Another tip. Repeat after me. “Mix up your necklines.” Notice that one of my tops is a halter top and the other is strapless. Well, it came with a removable little strap, but I lost it in true Melissa style. But mixing up your suits will lead to less severe tan lines. If you desperately love that one halter top swimsuit you invested in, then wear it 75% of the time. And buy a cheap-o one to wear occasionally. Trust me.

Anyway, I love this cute little suit I picked up at Target last year (mine is black, though). I usually pair this with my Little Travel Dress by Athleta (also bought during that super sale). The Athleta dresses are amazing – you can roll them up and stuff them in your beach bag all day and when you put it on, its wrinkle free. Perfect if you decide to go grab dinner after the beach! They are expensive, but watch the sales for a few months and you can pick one up on the cheap! They’re worth it! I promise!

Oh, okay. Here’s one bathing suit picture. Because I love you all so very much.

*smooch*

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fashion friday: weekend getaway wardrobe

Melissa 14 Comments

We’re heading out for a family vacation – but next week is our anniversary! Oh, I wish we could sneak in a little weekend getaway. Alas, we cannot this year. But I can dream… about the cute outfits I would wear! Here’s a total budget friendly weekend of clothes – all for just about $300 for everything – jewelry, purses, shoes – the works!!
Friday:
You’ll probably be traveling to get to your romantic getaway, so you want to keep it comfy, but still be nice if you want to go out sightseeing when you get there!

Open Front Cardigan $30 |Ruffled Chiffon Cami $15 | Denim Capris $27 | Lusa Studded Flip Flops $10 | Crossbody Bag $19 | Circle Chandelier Earrings $3.80
TOTAL = $104

Saturday:

Hit the pool. Hard!
Polka Dot Bikini Top $15.50 | Polka Dot Bikini Bottom $10 | Embroidered Gauze Swim Cover-Ups $26 | Flip Flop $3.50 | Floppy Hat $10.50
TOTAL = $65.50

Out for date night on Saturday night!

Ruffle-Tier Tie-Belt Dress $35 | Elliana Wedge Sandals $25 | Circle Chandelier Earrings (from Friday) | Textured Cuff Bracelet $6.80 | Matelass clutch $12.80
TOTAL = $79.90

Sunday

Brunch. Yum.

Peasant Top $32 |  Denim Capris (from Friday) | Crossbody Bag (from Friday) | Circle Chandelier Earrings (from Friday)
Total = $32

Don’t forget the jammies 😉

Crochet-Trim Gauze Chemises $20

TOTAL for the whole Shebang? $301.That’ll leave you enough left over to treat yourselves to a nice dinner, for sure 🙂

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fashion friday: 10 cute dresses under $25

Melissa 2 Comments

Its been an übercrazy week here in the Girlymama household, but I’m never too busy for some übercute dresses! I live in sundresses all summer – and at these amazing prices, I can indulge in a few more! Many of them are in extended sizes as well, so give them a try!

Crochet Knit Tank Dress $12.99 | Rugby Striped Knit Dress $16.99 | Solid Sweetheart Knit Dress $16.99 | Kimono Sleeve Dress $15 | Smocked Strapless Dress $19.99

Sleeveless Aqua Maxi Dress $24 | Women’s Jersey Tube Knot Dresses $24.95 | Sleeveless Ikat Print Strapless Maxi $24.95 | Bali Maxi Dress $24 | Jersey Cross Front Maxi Dress $24.99

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fashion friday: bathing suits when you’re tiny on top

Melissa 4 Comments

I recently had a friend beg me to do a post on bathing suits for small chested women. I’m one too, so I understand the challenges. But we should be thankful – we can actually pull off a lot of styles that our busty friends can’t. There are some great tricks to making the most of what you have!

First off, a few things to avoid:

cups that are not filled out? not flattering

no padding at all... not flattering!!

So lets talk about what IS flattering…

1. Halter tops: I highly recommend a halter top. You get good coverage and the deep v-neck really enhances what you have.

2. Ruffles and Ruching: Add volume where there is none.

Ruffled bandeau bikini top by Old Navy, Ruched banded bandeau tank by J Crew, Ruched swing tank top by J Crew, Isabella by MiracleSuit, Ruffled Wrapped Halter Suit by Anthropologie. Mossimo Tankini Top by Target

3. Patterns: Use patterns as your friend! Draw attention and create curves!

Sayulita Banded Halter Tankini by Athleta, Goa Halter Tankini by Athleta, Bold Stripe Halter Tankini by Athleta, Mossimo Polka Dot Tankini by Target

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fashion friday: summer dresses

Melissa 12 Comments

We skipped over spring and went straight to summer in Philly. (Help! I’m melting!) So I’ve been living in sundresses – my summer staple. So lets chat dresses.
I LOVE THE MAXIDRESS. Ironically, so does my daughter, Gracie. She now has like 4 and wears them constantly. I, on the other hand, only have two. One was adorable that I picked up on the Boden Warehouse sale and the first time I wore it, I spilled melted butter on it. Which is why YOU SHOULD ALWAYS WEAR AN APRON, MY FRIENDS. Get a cute one. You’ll thank me.

$99 on Zappos

This strapless maxi dress from Jessica Simpson is gorgeous. This could go from backyard barbeque to a wedding with just a change of accessories.

$47.99 from ModCloth

I’m in love with this one. The color. The ruffles. Must have this See The Sights Dress by ModCloth.

$76 by Shabby Apple

Okay. I KNOW its summer. but HOW cute is this dress!?!?! And those red shoes!

$138 at Lord and Taylor

This neckline is so sweet. The cut on this dress is gorgeous – I feel like the plaid would be very flattering.

$49.50 from LOFT

If I was going to wear tie dye, it would be with this dress. So cute!! (And it has a ruffle 😉

$24.99

I love this dress from Target – although I’d replace that fabric belt with a wide brown one. And add these wedge sandals.

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weekend getaway looks!

Melissa 8 Comments

Its Memorial Day! Break out those summer whites and head to the beach! (Well, I’m actually going camping. In the woods. In a TENT. What’s the opposite of glamorous?) What essentials do you need to pack?

Swimsuit and Coverup for the beach:

Bold Stripe Halter Tankini by Athleta, Bold Stripe Full Tide Reversible Bottom by Althleta, Gradient-Lens Sunglasses by Old Navy, Flip Flops by Old Navy, Beaded Cowboy Hat by Old Navy

Breezy Dress for dinner out:

Vertical Breeze Dress by ModCloth, Dee Earring in Turquoise by Kendra Scott, Audra Bracelet in Turquoise by Kendra Scott, Fantastik by Steve Madden

Casually Cool for sightseeing:

Linen Blend Tunic ($19.50), Perfect Khaki Shorts ($19.50), Beaded Flower Bracelet ($8.80), Layered Island Necklace ($5.50), Flower Sandal ($24)

What is your favorite?

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fashion friday: dressing kids on a budget

Melissa 16 Comments


Thank you Old Navy for sponsoring my post today about baby and toddler styles. Old Navy is giving you 30% off everything in their baby and toddler summer collection, plus get an additional 15% off in-store.

I don’t know about you, but my kids burn through clothes. They don’t wear them out (usually) but mainly they just grow so darn fast! And, as I’ve shared before here on Girlymama, Old Navy is one of my go-to stores for my kids. Old Navy Kids clothes are cute, stylish and very affordable.  I end up here every season buying staples like jeans, t-shirts, tights, and jackets for my kids. Their stuff this season is too cute!

Hand-me-downs: My girls are out of the toddler department at this point. (Hold me.) But lucky for me I have three nieces that still are and they are benefiting from all of the hand-me-downs from my girls! Don’t be shy about accepting hand-me-downs. This spring, my friend Kelly gave me two huge bags of clothes for my son that her little one had outgrown (tons of Old Navy shorts, khakis and tees). And it was awesome!  Now I have to buy that much less for him this spring!

Transition the seasons: Every little girl needs a tutu and that’s a fact. (My Gracie has approximately 6, but she’s extremely girly.) Pair your little one’s tutu with a cute tshirt or tank and flip flops in the summer, then transition it into fall and winter by adding tights and a cardigan. Now she can wear it twice as long! The same goes for little sundresses. My Gracie wears her sundresses in winter with a long sleeves tshirt underneath and tights or leggings.

oh, the sweetness. makes me want to twirl.

The same goes for my little guy’s beloved graphic tees. In cooler weather, I just layer a long-sleeved tshirt underneath and change the cargo shorts for jeans!

we're huge superhero fans over here!!!

And finally, Shop the Sales! When that clearance rack is an additional 30% off, stock up for the next season! Browse the next size or two up and tuck it away for later. When Christmas is over, buy NEXT year’s Christmas dress for a fraction of the price. Check out this fashion haul I did a month or so ago when I hit that Old Navy clearance rack hard!!

I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

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