fashion

fashion friday: spring dresses

Melissa 2 Comments

I don't know about you, but I have several events coming up this summer that are going to require a cute dress. Dang it. Guess I need to go shopping! (Its rough being me sometimes 😉 And yes, I do realize that its ironic that I'm writing  about spring dresses while buried under YET MORE snow. Lets just close our eyes and imagine being warm.

1. 'Precious Petal' cotton dress from Mod Cloth. So cute for under $50. Seen in the current issue of People's Style Watch!

2. 'Manhatten Maven' dress from Mod Cloth. Great for highlighting your arms and legs and hiding everything else — while not looking like a circus tent. A difficult feat indeed.

3. As I mentioned last week, I am completely in love with this solid embossed beach dress from J Crew. And the strapless version (solid embossed Lorelei dress) is just as gorgeous. The soft dove color is too gorgeous for words.

4. I just love the bold, mod pattern in the Blooms Print Dress from LOFT. (and its on sale for $70!)

I'm sorry. I interrupt this post to announce that Old Navy is selling jumpsuits. Jumpsuits. JUMP. SUITS. OMG – so is White House Black Market! Is this a joke?!?!? Please tell me this is a joke….

5. This Ruffle-Front Faux Wrap dress by Merona at Target is so cute! Love the color… and the price.

6. Oh. Be still my heart. Chiffon Ruffle Front Dress in vintage plum at LOFT. Oh, and its on sale!!! If only it was in my size!!

7. This Embroidered Dot Ruffled Sheath Dress from Ann Taylor is so classic… but so trendy. I'm a huge fan of 'little black dresses' that aren't black! 

8. Of course, you can never go wrong with black (says the girl with approximately 25 black sweaters). The Rushing Ruffles Dress from Anthropologie is a gorgeously feminine version of the little black dress! Love it!

9. For a more formal wedding, this JAX Split Neck Pointe Knit Dress from Nordstroms is perfect. Not too fancy, a modern print, and a flattering cut for almost every body.

10. I love the back of this Silk Halter Dress from Banana Republic. So pretty!

What events are you shopping for a dress for this summer? Weddings? BlogHer? Spill it!

Click on over to Big Mama and Musings of a Housewife for more fun fashion posts!

fashion friday: spring is in the air… (well, in my head anyway)

Melissa 1 Comment

Its been the craziest week here! It took two days just to get through the huge pile of laundry… and there are still suitcases all over. Plus we've all gotten sick since we got back. And what's the best cure for all that?? SHOPPING!! So here are a couple things I've run across this week…

  1. Fabric Flower Belt from LOFT
    oh, oh so so CUTE with boyfriend jeans!
  2. Solid embossed beach dress
    I. Am. In. LOVE. For real. This is one of the most gorgeously classic dresses ever! And the colors! *swoon*

  3. Twist Neck Pullover
    This would be perfect for spring 'in-between' weather.

  4. Perfect Khakis in pastels
    I have never owned a pair of khakis in pastels… but that my need to change soon. How summer-y rolled up with some flip-flops!!

  5. Ribbon Placket Trim Cardigan
    So versatile – could go casual with capris or boyfriend jeans and flip-flops or dressed up with a skirt or trouser jeans. The ballet pink is adorable.

fashion friday: getting ready for disney

Melissa

Well, I don't have a theme today. What can I say… I need more coffee this week. But here's just a few things to share!

1. Well, its supposed to RAIN while we're at Disney next week. BOO!!! So now I"m doing a serious re-design of the clothing plan. I may need to get this for me. Because I'm sorry, I REFUSE to wear a poncho.

6219-557483-d 2. I bought these shoes for Disney. They arrived two weeks ago and I have barely taken them off. These are the most comfy shoes I've ever worn!
Really!! I still love my pumas, though, and I'll bring those too. We just got these for Ellie and she loves them. Sneakers are a must for the kiddos at Disney!!

3. How much will Colin love this Cars shirt for our trip??  Gracie got a princess one and Ellie's has Lady and the Tramp. Disney store's graphic tees are only 3 for $20 — doubt we'll find those prices in the parks! (Oh my word, I LOVE this mechanics shirt for Colin! Wish I has seen it sooner!)

4. For me, I'm still completely hemming and hawing about what to wear! Such a big decision, I know. Poor me! 🙂 The only thing I've decided on for sure is shoes (my privos and my pumas) and wearing my favorite jeans every day. With the weather, we're going to be layering up a storm. (Ha ha! Storm! Get it?) I'm probably end up in tshirts under sweaters under a raincoat!

5.I almost bought this today at Target. Isn't it cute? And LOOK AT THIS DRESS!! Too cute! I wish we had an excuse to wear a cute dress at Disney – I have the cutest dress that I snagged at LOFT in the fall for only $9.99 (REALLY!) and I've been dying to wear it! Can I just say "cute" again? CUTE!

That is all. Go shopping now – if you're not buried in snow, that is!

looking cute and comfy at disney

Melissa 10 Comments

Well, we decided to go to the Disney Social Media Moms Conference. Now comes the big question:

WHAT DO I WEAR??

A conference at Disney comes with a unique problem: you must wear comfy shoes.  Which can put a serious damper on cute outfit planning.  But we can push past this, Ladies. Let us begin.

Pl747292-01viv01 1.  SHOES: You don’t have to limit yourself to your chunky ol’ workout shoes! I’m definitely bringing  my suede Puma sneakers which were one of my best fashion investments because they are at least 6 years old and still awesome (They look a little like this). I adore my Uggs, but they are not for 70 degree weather. So I’m seriously eying these little beauties.
Aren’t these cute? I could even wear them with everything from skinny jeans to leggings or yoga pants. (Please tell me you know better than to wear huge workout shoes with skinny jeans? Please?) Plus, it looks like there are a few times when we’re not in the parks that we can still sneak on our awesome shoes 😉

 

On696874-07vliv01 2. LAYERS: Layering is key at Disney – for you and your kiddos. Its a little chilly in the morning, but by afternoon it gets quite toasty when you’re waiting in the sun for Dumbo. Just remember that whatever you take off, you have to then carry. So leave the bulk at home. This is the perfect time to pull out a cute cardigan, sweater wrap or hoodie sweater.
I love this belted boyfriend cardigan – would look terrific with a ruffled t-shirt and skinny jeans. I’m bringing my go-to sweater this winter, the runched cardigan from LOFT. I have two and I wear them all the time.
For days in the parks with the fam, I’m all about sporting just a cute t-shirt and jeans with my Pumas.

Sidebar: I cannot begin to tell you how much these rompers disturb me. Sometimes researching fashion posts is scary.

 

3. DENIM: The no brainer at Disney: wear jeans, jeans and more jeans! I’m a little bit in love with these Dark Wash Boyfriend jeans from LOFT. Talk about something comfy to wear around Disney!  And my year-long premium denim search ended with LOFT’s Modern Boot Cut Jean and the Modern Skinny Jean. (They are fabulous – and right now buy one, get one 50% off! Use code SAVE50.) For a cheaper option, hit up Old Navy or Target. The Diva Skinny Jean is very nice as is the Sweetheart Boot Cut.

4. CUTE & COMFY: A T-Shirt can be so much more than just a t-shirt, girls. Old Navy has these cute Jersey Cardigans and I love this Surplice V-Neck Top. Just the tiniest details, like ruching or ruffles can turn an ordinary t-shirt into something cute.
For the conferency-part, the cuteness possibilities expand! There are zillions of cute, lightweight sweaters to choose from. Tunics are also super comfy with jeans or leggings and are great for traveling or sitting in an air conditioned meeting room.

Sidebar: Old Navy has adorable vintage graphic tees with Mickey and Minnie! Only $10.50! And I’m buying this Smocked Flutter-Sleeved Top – its a great color and its on sale for $10! Sometimes researching fashion parts is dangerous on the wallet.

*****

fashion fix: casual holiday looks **GIVEAWAY**

Melissa 163 Comments

**The giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to comment number #134 – Lynn – who said "I would buy a new outfit for work – I just started a new job!" Congrats on the job, Lynn, and congrats on the win!**

Well, all my formal holiday parties are done at this point. (Philly bloggers, remember that cute little black dress I was wearing
at the Holiday Party? LOFT! On sale! $10!) We've discussed 'festive attire' at length here on Girlymama. And now let's focus on those fun, more casual  parties and gatherings with friends and family we all have coming up.

So what are my favorite casual outfits for the holidays?

235180_8594_altI wear this sweater all the time with a ruffled white shirt and my Modern Skinny Jeans! Love it! (And its on sale for only $20 – less than half price!)

235456_4324_alt Sweater dresses might sound a tad formal, but I wear them all the time with leggings and flat boots – its super comfy, but still looks terrific!

 178218_4236_B1_alt And you can never go wrong when you dress up denim and a sweater with a cute scarf or necklace!

237544_9193_alt How cozy does this sweater
look? Now  maybe some of you really do roll out of bed and open
presents, but I prefer to look semi-decent in all those Christmas
morning pictures. Can you just see yourself opening presents on
Christmas in this cozy sweater over a cami and yoga pants? (Or what about this to-die-for sweater coat? Drool!!)

This would be perfect for my friend's annual Christmas party! It has one of my very favorite casual party outfits I've seen!Image009 I just love the dressed up denim look this season. And I LOVE LOFT's new premium denim line. Their Modern Skinny Jeans
look fabulous – they have a great cut and have just a touch of spandex
to keep their shape. I just picked up the Midnight Wash Modern Boot Cut
Jeans (on sale for $30) and these are going to be a staple in my
closet for years. They're a great color, great cut and look fantastic,
if I do say so myself. Speaking of staples, I also wear this sweater and this top all the time. And I always recommend ruffles to dress up your casual look. You know how I love my ruffles. (And the ruffle scarf! Swoon!)

You may have noticed that all of these fashions are from LOFT. Did you hear that Ann Taylor Loft is now officially LOFT? And they have a fabulous new website? And they've started offering seasonal shopping
parties hosted by their in-store
personal stylists who can give you one-on-one styling attention??? (For
free! Really!)

And to celebrate these big changes, the generous and stylish folks at LOFT are offering Girlymama readers a chance to a $100 LOFT gift card!!! Here's how to enter: 

1. Contest ends at midnight on Thursday, December 18. (Card will be mailed Friday, so you can use it for holiday shopping!)
2. Entry #1: Leave a comment saying what you would buy with your LOFT gift card!
3. Entry #2: Leave a SEPARATE comment telling me that
you voted for Girlymama in the LOFT Blog War challenge on Facebook as you favorite place to  get your fashion fix!
4. Entry #3: 
Leave another comment telling me in what way you promoted Girlymama in
the LOFT Blog War challenge (i.e., posting about it on your blog or Facebook, Tweeting about it, emailing  friends, and/or subscribe to my feed by email or in a reader).
5. Winner will be selected by Random.org, announced back here on this post, and notified via email

Good luck, my little fashionistas! Make Girlymama proud!