Girlymama - girly girl takes on motherhood mommy blog

September 17, 2010

fashion friday: more fall trends

1. Chunky knits: I love this trend! Especially for fall!! So comfy and cozy and they go perfect with jeans, jeggings, leggings, everything! Whatever your shape, whatever your style, you'll be set.

This one is from Anthropologie who just makes the most yummy sweaters. For a more budget-friendly option, try Old Navy, Target or even Kohls.

2. Tights are back and they are fabulous! They are a terrific way to transition your summer pieces into fall – and are almost universally flattering.

Even patterned tights are back! Loving the plaid. What a fun way to update a black pencil skirt.

3. Teal nails. This look is just everywhere suddenly and it looks so fabulous. My favorite is Teal Till We Drop from Opi's Swiss Collection.

4. Military-Inspired Looks: This is just everywhere right now – and its very doable. Instead of wearing a hoodie over your jeans and white tshirt, try a military inspired jacket instead in a jersey fabric. Just as comfy, but super trendy!

For more Fashion Friday, check out Big Mama (sharing a few new favorites), Musings of a Housewife (Preschool drop-off fashions!), Water Water Everywhere (updating on her fashion challenge), Busy Girl (what is in her makeup bag) … Did you post a Fashion Friday post? Leave me a note in the comments and I'll link to you!

September 15, 2010

laundry drama

Melissa 9 Comments

When we did the Rumpled to Runway fashion show, we got to check out the Electrolux Perfect Steam Washers and Dryers. They were very pretty – shiny, with lots of buttons and pretty colors… but what impressed me the most – besides the fact that they make ironing pretty much obsolete, which is AWESOME – is that they have the shortest wash-to-dry time. It takes just 36 minutes to wash AND dry your clothes. And BOY was I ready to go out and buy one this morning.

My washer and dryer takes approximately 90 minutes. (Mainly because I have to run my dryer about three times to get the clothes dry. We are the very pinnacle of green living over here in our house.) While this is fairly annoying to me and our electric bill, it is particularly traumatic for one family member. Once a week or so, I wash Colin's blankey. And we have to wait 90 drama-filled minutes to get it back.

This was taken just this morning, as he sat in front of the washer for 20 minutes crying while blankey "took a bath."

Then – oh, it gets worse – then he has to witness me taking blankey out of the washer and – oh the horror – putting the wet blankey in the dryer. He cannot understand why it needs to go into another machine. For an even longer time.

He decided to leave the laundry room after this and cry in the kitchen for another 20 minutes while I cleaned up from breakfast:

After about 20 minutes, he stopped crying. And followed me around the house asking, "Bay-bank done now? Bay-bank done now? Mama? Done? Bay-bank? Mama? Done now?" for the next 30 minutes.

I finally cracked and took the blanket out of the dryer while it was still damp because I JUSTCOULDN"TTAKEITANYMORE and gave it to him. A sweet reunion followed.

And all is right with the world again. Poor baby. Maybe we should get him a new washer and dryer for his birthday. He's probably be thrilled.

this is not a sponsored post. i just was dreaming of a new washer and dryer this morning...

September 14, 2010

10 things i learned by being in a fashion show

Melissa 5 Comments

Last week, I was in the Rumpled to Runway fashion show. It was an exciting/terrifying experience – super fun and amazing but I swear you can see my knees shaking during the show. But I learned a few things….

1. Do not be ashamed of your Spanx. Everyone wears Spanx. Everyone in that show was wearing Spanx. Kelly Ripa – who weighs all of 9 pounds – was wearing Spanx. Everyone can use a little shaping and smoothing! I've heard that those celebrities on the red carpet are often wearing at least two pairs of Spanx (Often one sewn to their bra, then a second layered over. Apparently celebrities never need to pee….)

2. I cannot wear false eyelashes. They tried. And I had to ask the makeup artist to take them off. I could NOT stand them. Maybe because its allergy season, maybe I was just having a sensitive day – but I guess I'm not glam enough!

3. Sleeping in a hotel room by yourself is a little slice of heaven. Especially a really nice hotel. After you've been camping in a tent for a few days.

4. Reading a disturbing novel about a psychotic murderer while being alone in a hotel is not the best idea when you have an overactive imagination.

5. Everyone gets nervous. Everyone who walked that runway was nervous. Even Kelly Ripa said that it doesn't get easier – that she still gets butterflies before she has to speak in front of people. Every single one of us was feeling a tad nauseous and shakey before she walked the runway with lights and cameras and people staring at her!

6. Mother Nature has a wicked sense of humor. Three of us started our periods the day we arrived to do the show. Where we had to wear all white. Not fun.

7. Its amazing what two hours of hair and makeup by professionals can do. Seriously. Between that and Photoshop its no wonder models make us feel inadequate.

8. My eyebrows are uneven. I've been looking at my face for several years now and I have never noticed this. But the makeup artist informed me that I needed to find a new waxer because my eyebrows are totally uneven and she would fix them. Then she spent FIVE MINUTES fixing my uneven eyebrows that I never knew were uneven.

9. Mix it up. The hairstylist parted my hair on the opposite side and I loved it! I've worn it that way ever since. What an easy, FREE way to mix up your look!

10. WORK IT. I don't care what you look like. If we can walk the runway and strut our stuff, so can you!

September 13, 2010

highlights

Melissa 8 Comments

1. Ellie scored a goal in her soccer game – which they won! We are so proud and she is walking on air!

2. We had Gracie's birthday party. She wanted a princess gymnastics party and she got one!!

3. The whole family went to the Union game, which was a blast. The kids loved it – and they won! BONUS!

4. We visited a new church on Sunday which we really liked. We're totally going back next week.

5. Spent Sunday afternoon hanging out with some amazing friends, who we haven't seen in forever. Heaven.

6. OH! And we got a pet!

Meet Violet. Our bunny.

September 10, 2010

fashion friday: a few fall trends

Melissa 8 Comments

This past week over on b*Stylish, we were discussing fall trends in detail. And it was FUN! The trends this fall are so fabulous and so easy to implement into your everyday wardrobe. By adding just a few inexpensive pieces, you'll be right in style!

1. Denim: This fall, its all about the classics. Trouser jeans (which EVERYONE should have in their closet) and flare jeans (which are looking more feminine and less hippie these days and are great for balancing out curves) are back in a big way. And one of this season's hottest trends is the jegging. I may or may not have three pairs. Ahem.
My favorite pair is from Miraclebody:

These jeans not only are made of cotton and spandex fibers to help give your backside a boost while shaping and slimming your thighs, but it has a hidden tummy control panel reduces belly bumps and flattens the tummy to give you ultimate control while keeping you comfy. They are fabulous.

2. Boots: Again, we're seeing classics like riding boots along with some new trends like ankle boots and lace up boots. Personally, I hated the ankle boot at first. But now… I think I may need to get something like this:

I love the gathering detail on the side. And these would be so cute with a skirt or dress and one of the season's other hot trends: tights!

3. Metallics: All over the place this season. And with metallics, for heavens sake, do not go out and go all 80s (not in a good way) with a super shiny puffy gold jacket. Stick to shoes:

and purses:

This beauty by Renee DuMarr is one of my more recent purchases and this baby is HUGE. I love it. I can fit everything I need for a day out with the three kidlets, snacks, diapers, the works. Its like a totally huge mom-bag disguised as an awesome purse. I get compliments on it every time I wear it and people are always asking me where I got it!

4. Jewel Tones: Just gorgeous. Go nuts with this one. I mean, can you really go wrong?

5. Long Skirts: Kiss the mini goodbye. And thanks the Good Lord while you're doing it! Longer skirts are all the rage this season, so enjoy! I love them…

so elegant, so ladylike…

LOVE!

I'll share some more fall trends next week! What are your favorite trends for fall that you've seen?

For more Fashion Friday, check out Big Mama (talking fall trends as well), Musings of a Housewife (all grey. Love!), Water Water Everywhere (jewelry. Drool!), Sunny Side of Life (shares her fav new designer. Loving this!), The Centsible Life (also fall fashions! And some great deals!) Twofer Mom (sharing about her treasured Jimmy Choos!) Did you post a Fashion Friday post? Leave me a note in the comments and I'll link to you!

September 9, 2010

back to my real life!

Melissa 6 Comments

After getting glammed up, pampered and walking the runway yesterday, its back to my real life. Cleaning the house, grocery shopping and working my way through the piles of laundry that are taking up my laundry room! (When I say "piles" I mean that between being gone for a few days and having gone camping all weekend, after doing three loads you still can't see the floor. Sigh.)

Speaking of camping…

DSC_0006-1

September 8, 2010

rumpled to runway!

Melissa 1 Comment

I had SUCH a fabulous time getting glammed up for the Rumpled to Runway fashion show!

I'll work on getting some pics together for you guys, but in case you missed it, here is the show on Kelly Confidential!

September 7, 2010

i love new york

Melissa 5 Comments

I love this city.

I would so move here!

I was walking around this afternoon in the city: Walking through Union Square, Spending an hour pouring through the treasure trove that is Filene’s Basement (where there were two racks of Anthropologie clothes! AND 7 for All Mankind jeans from under $100. GREAT restraint was shown.) Stopping at Starbucks for an afternoon recharge…. I love watching the people and seeing what they’re wearing.

Combined with several hours in the afternoon all by myself.

Heaven.

Tonight I’m heading out to dinner the Spotted Pig with my fellow fashion bloggers and I’m so looking forward to talking more with the amazing ladies I met this morning! The stylist approved my outfit and gave me some amazing accessories to wear. You should see the space – I can’t wait to share pictures! My clothes are spending the night there to get pressed and steamed to perfection for tomorrow’s show. This whole thing is so surreal and hard to believe that I’m going to be in an actual fashion show tomorrow. (ACK!) It will be aired live on September 8th at 1 pm on the Electrolux Facebook page and www.Kelly-Confidential.com, so make sure to RSVP!

September 6, 2010

a bit of an announcement…

Melissa 2 Comments

Some of you may have seen this already, but I've started a new blog.

A fashion blog.

Where I can talk about boots as much as I want to.

Its called b*Stylish. Go check it out!

And subscribe for a daily fashion fix!

And like my new facebook page too, while you're at it!

******

Speaking of fashion, I arrived in New York tonight for Rumpled to Runway and I am currently enjoying a lovely hotel room all to myself while my husband is unpacking from camping and tackling laundry.

On his birthday.

I married a saint. Truly.

September 3, 2010

fashion friday: rumpled to runway

Melissa 10 Comments

If you haven't heard, the Rumpled to Runway fashion event sponsored by Electrolux benefiting the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund is next Wednesday in New York City and I’m so excited to have been invited to strut my stuff on the runway to support this terrific cause!

Ten fashion bloggers were given the challenge to dress in white and accessorize with teal (the official color of Ovarian Cancer Awareness). We're meeting with stylists to really get our look perfect! Which is such a relief, because I can't decide what top to wear!

Here's what I have so far: I'm wearing my favorite boot-cut white jeans that I picked up at the LOFT outlet in the beginning of the summer that have proven to be one of my best purchases! I have worn them constantly all summer. My jewelry was made by RachelleD, a fabulous little shop I just discovered on etsy. Isn't her stuff adorable?

I have three tops I'm choosing between…

Option 1:

This cute embellished tank from Old Navy. I LOVE the neckline – it really showcases my necklace. And I think this cut is greta for me. I could even add a belt. Hummm… And it has ruffles. Its sold out on the website, so I can't link to it. Sorry!

Option 2:

This Raw-Edged Ruffled Tank is from Banana Republic. Its probably my least favorite. Actually, I'm pretty sure I don't like it. I love ruffles, but the placement of these is kind-of strange.

Option 3:

This is the High Tide Tee from Anthropologie. Very feminine and ruffley. (and Girly 😉 What do you think? This one is my husband's favorite, if that counts for anything!

What top has your vote?

If you’re interested in who else will be walking the runway, check out these fabulous bloggers…

Nichelle Pace from Style Mom
Lindsay Ferrier from The Stir & Café Mom
Dana Walsh from I’m Not Obsessed & Fit Celeb
Victoria Pericon from Savvy Mommy
Leah Furman from Mamaista
Bethany Winters from LA Stylist Mom
Erika Lehmann from Lifetime Moms & Chic Shopper Chick
Isabel Kallman from Alpha Mom
Corrin Foster, Blissfully Domestic
and ME:
Melissa Angert from Girly Mama & b*Stylish

The event will be aired live on September 8th at 1 pm on the Electrolux Facebook page and www.Kelly-Confidential.com, so make sure to RSVP!

Disclosure: My participation in the ‘Rumpled to Runway’ Campaign was sponsored by Electrolux who provided me with a $150 stipend to style my look as well as travel arrangements to and accommodations in New York to participate.