MOMMA WANTS… the fendi monster eyes peekaboo bag

Fendi Monster Eyes Peekaboo bag

The Fendi Monster Eyes Peelaboo Bag $5700

I have been obsessed with the Fendi Monster Eyes Peekaboo Bag since I first laid eyes on it.  It’s beyond major.  It’s beyond expensive – hence it’s a want… And it’s good to want things I always say.  Lady like perfection on the outside – monster in the middle.  You will be your child’s hero AND the envy of all women with this bag.  The Peekaboo is one of Fendi’s latest “it” bags – don’t we all remember when Carrie Bradshaw made the Fendi baguette the ultimate “it” bag? Well, if Sex and the City were still around Carrie would be coveting the Monster Eyes version of it.  It is the most insanely amazing bag which every fashionista will be coveting.  Of course this bag does come in various colors and the peekaboo is often a contrasting colors, fabric and not monster eyes – and not all Peekaboos are AS expensive…  But for me, this is THE bag to know about.

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Fendi Monster Eyes Peekaboo Bag – lady on the outside…

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Fendi Monster Eyes Peekaboo bag – monster in the middle!

MOMMA LOVES… fashion under 100 dollars

Money can get super tight this time of year and the person we spend money on last is usually ourself… So, I wanted to do another one of my favorite fashion under 100 dollars.  Three outfits for six different occasions and every item in the look is under $100.  Just because you don’t want to spend a lot on style doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice it. I know, as a mom, I can’t spend on myself the way I once did.  I think more about what I choose to buy – how much wear I can get out of it and how flexible it is – so I thought I would style these looks together to show you what to buy and how to wear it…

From the Park to Brunch:

zara blouse under $100

Zara blouse $59.90

hm jeans under 100

H&M skinny jeans $19.95

Puffer under $100

Zara puffer jacket $99.90

hm boots under 100

H&M boots $69.95

forever 21 tote

Forever 21 tote $24.80

From desk to date:

hm jacket

H&M dinner jacket $34.95

top under $100

Asos top $45.37

zara trousers under 100

Zara printed pants $69.90

zara ankle boot under 100

Zara ankle boot $99.90

zara bag under 100

Zara bag $59.90

From dinner to party:

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Asos camisole $21.78

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New Look necklace $45.35

under $100

Asos sequin mini skirt $54.45

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Asos blazer $81.67

zara clutch bag under $100

Zara clutch $79.90

wolford tights

Wolford matte opaque tights $55
*** these are the ultimate tights – I am obsessed and ask for them for xmas every year – they are pricey but, honestly, THE BEST!

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Asos tights $14.52 (wanted to give another alternative for tights)

under $100

Asos platform shoes $99.82 (for the more daring shoe addicts)

zara sandal

Zara sandal $99.90 (still wild but a bit safer)

MOMMA WANTS – the little bright dress

As I have been saying – color illuminates.  Bring light to the party this year in an amazing little bright dress – its the other LBD and its sure to stand out in a crowd.  Every color in the rain bow (in every conceivable hue) is out there so chose your favorite and wow everyone in one of these incredible dresses.  The great thing is that you can wear color in winter (there are no rules saying you can’t) they’ll reflect color to your face giving you that summer glow and these dresses will be just as wearable come spring and summer when you’ll be rsvp’ing to all those weddings! A fantastic investment that will bring a smile to your face!  Don’t forget to click on the pictures if you see something you like – it will take you straight to where you can shop the look and oftentimes things come in various colors… Here are a few of my top picks:

alexander mcqueen dresss

Alexander Mcqueen dress $2385

issa red dress shop

Issa dress $462

zara trf red dress

Zara dress $59.90

naven red dress revolve

Naven dress $131

H&M fitted red dress

H&M dress $34.95

Stella Mccartney bright dress net

Stella McCartney dress $1865

bcbg orange dress

BCBG dress $190.12

asosorangeshiftdress

Asos dress $43.56

camilla and Marc dress

Camilla and Marc dress $147
*** click the picture and shop the look I styled with all the fixings!

AQ AQ dress aasos

AQAQ dress $344.83

jason wu yellow dress saks

Jason Wu dress $3680

asosyellowdress

Asos dress $52.63

whitetentdressasos

White Tent dress $101.63

topshop green dress

Topshop dress $92

dvf green dress saks

Diane Von Furstenberg dress $385

greenasosskaterdress

Asos dress $36.30

H&M green dress

H&M dress $49.95

zara trf dress

Zara dress $49.90

preen blue dress net

Preen by Thornton Bregazzi dress $1170

blackhalo dress saks

Black Halo dress $375

zara dress

Zara dress $89.90

nicole miller dress saks

Nicole Miller dress $420

michael kors dress net

Michael Kors dress $1595

Milly pink dress

Milly dress $350

nanette lepore dress shop

Nanette Lepore dress $368

roland mouret pink dress net

Roland Mouret dress $2215

issa dress net

Issa dress $486.50

alice and olivia dress

Alice and Olivia dress $220.80

herve leger purple dress net

Herve Leger dress $903

notte marchesa shop

Notte Marchesa dress $595

 

MOMMA NEEDS… rain gear for us and them

Well, with winter and fall often comes rain…  Here in Southern California we may not get the snow but around this time of year we get all the rain we been missing.  My son got to experience it for the first time about 2 weeks ago and the British boy in him was just obsessed with the puddles.  He was loving jumping and splashing in the puddles (which deeply upset me since he was in a nice new pair of sneakers) and then he took things up a notch and decided to just belly flop into the tiny pool of rain water.  Well, that was it, fun over – and I hauled him inside to get him out of his soaking wet clothes and decided it was time to invest in some rain gear.  His rain coat and wellies quickly arrived and I was so excited to see precipitation in the forecast and sure enough, down it came.  I am so thrilled to have bought appropriate attire for the him because he could not get enough! He didn’t mind that the boots were heavy and slowed him down – he waddled around having the time of his life… I put on my trusty Hunter wellies and joined him and we had the most amazing afternoon splashing about.  Now that I have his rain gear (and of course still have mine from years of London living) I can’t wait to do it again!  So, I wanted to share with you some of my top picks for the rain – chic for us and fun for them now you don’t have to stay in doors when its pouring.

hunter wellies

Hunter wellies $140 ***the ultimate rain boot – just ask any Brit! The ultimate in form and function!

burberry london trench

Burberry London trench coat $1895

target women's zebra wellies

Target wells $24.99

hm women's trench coat

H&M trench coat $59.95

marc by marc boots revolve

Marc by Marc Jacobs wells $139

zara parka

Zara parka $99.90

missoni umbrella

Missoni umbrella $94.35

guess trench bloomies

Guess trench coat $158

zara burgundy wellies

Zara wellies $79.90

hunter socks for wellies bloomies

Hunter welly socks $40 *** these are key for keeping you super warm in the colder weather…

burberry brit trench bloomies

Burberry Brit trench coat $1095

eric javitts rain hat neiman

Eric Javitts rain hat $185

burberry holloway boots nordstroms

Burberry rain boots $395

bcbg anarak bloomies

BCBG anarak $258

sloosh italy boots shop

Sloosh Italy boots $190

MICHAEL michael kors parka outnet

Michael by Michael Kors parka $140

chooka boots nord

Chooka boots $54.95

fleece boot liners target

Target fleece boot socks $12.99

marc by marc pvc umbrella

Marc by Marc Jacobs PVC umbrella $60

zara black trench

Zara trench coat $139

And for the little ones…

jojomaman bebe jacket look

Jojo Maman Bebe rain coat $60

hatley wellies diapers

Hatley wellies $33.99

zara boys trench

Zara trench $49.90

zara girls wellies

Zara wellies $49.90

zara bow wellies

Zara wellies $35.90

zara baby trench

Zara baby trench $59.90

hm baby rain pant

H&M rain pants $24.95

hm boots

H&M snow boots $29.95

hm rain jacket pants set

H&M rain jacket and pants set $49.95

hm kids jacket

H&M jacket $49.95

bogs wellies

Bogs wellies $78

zara boys wellies

Zara wellies $35.90

hatley coat

Hatley rain coat $69.99

mini rodini rain hat alexandalexa

Mini Rodini rain hat $28.50

hunter kids wellies

Hunter kids wellies $50

hm waterprood overall

H&M overall $59.95

hunter girls wellies bloomies

Hunter wellies $50

hartstrings jacket look

Hartstrings rain coat $54

target circo girls rain boots

Circo rain boots $22.99

western chief superman wellie nord

Western Chief wellies $39.95

gapbabysnowsuit

Gap baby snowsuit $65

hatley boots diapers

Hatley wellies $39.99

rain gear

Old Navy Parka $32

bogs rain boot

Bogs rain boots $48.95

old navy boys jacket

Old Navy jacket $32

MOMMA NEEDS… ankle boots for fall – for us and them!

One of the things I get asked all the time is:  “What boots do I need for fall?” I’ve already done my motorcycle boot post (which I love for their timeless style and comfort)  but I really wanted to do a post on my new favorite boot, the ankle boot!  My latest boot purchase is the Rag & Bone Newbury ankle boot.  The heel is high enough to give a polished look but low enough to allow me to comfortably run around town (and after my increasingly speedy toddler).  I love the look of them with skinny jeans and leggings but they can be just as cute with a little dress or skirt (with nice warm tights until the weather changes).  Anyway, I wanted to show a range of options in varying heel heights, silhouettes (Isabel Marant has of course ticked every boot need/want imaginable)and at various price point.  Of course, I couldn’t leave out our little ones, so there are some unbelievably adorable boots for them as well!

First for us:

ankle boots

Rag and Bone boots $495

Ankle boots isabel marant

Isabel Marant boots $650

Saint Laurent ankle boot

Saint Laurent boots $597

tory burch wedge boot net

Tory Burch wedge boot $197

zara black wedge ankle boot

Zara wedge boots $59.90

ankle boot with interior wedge

Zara boots with interior wedge $99.90

h&m fringed ankle boots

H&M boots $69.95

jean michel cazabat boots

Jean Michel Cazabal boots $237

Chloe boots

Chloe boots $1345

madison harding shoe bootie shop

Madison Harding boots $182

zara sheepskin ankle boot

Zara boots $139

michael michael kors boot net

Michael by Michael Kors boots $159

h&m platform boots

H&M platform boots $49.95

h&m ankle boots

H&M boots $49.95

rag and bone suede bootie shop

Rag and Bone boots $595

isabel marant wedge boots net

Isable Marant wedge boots $936

aldo wedge boots

Aldo wedge boots $140

aldo platform bootie

Aldo boots $100

Isabel Marant wedge biker

Isabel Marant hidden wedge boot $790

high heel ankle boot

Zara ankle boots $89.90

zara boot with metal heel

Zara boots $99.90

h&m boots

H&M boots $79.95

aldo ankle boot

Aldo boots $130

And for them…

minnetonka boots shopkitson kids

Minnetonka baby boots $40

dr martens patent boots shopkitson

Dr Martens $68

j crew kids pink booties

J Crew boots $88

zara boys ankle boot

Zara boots $49.90

zara girls ankleboot

Zara boots $39.90

minnetonka shearling booties jcrew

Minnetonka booties $33.95

zara desertboot boy

Zara boots $49.90

ash finged moccasins saks

Ash moccasins $160

jessica simpson kids diapers

Jessica Simpson boots $42

zara winter baby boot

Zara boots $39.90

jessica simpson kids boots diapers

Jessica Simpson boots $55

zara patent baby boot

Zara boots $35.90

stuartweitzman booties saks

Stuart Weitzaman boots $82

ralphlauren booties saks

Ralph Lauren booties $49

umi boots boys diapers

UMI boots $41.97

zara snake print bootie baby

Zara boots $35.90

baby frye boots saks

Frye booties $38

zara baby boot

Zara boots $39.90

MOMMA NEEDS… bright tops for us & our little ones

A photographer once told me that he found people always looked best in his photos when they wore bright tops.  People often stay with the safety of black, white, or neutral. In actual fact, bright colors bring light and color to faces, making them look healthier and happier.  I have to say, whilst my closet is largely filled with a neutral palette, every time I wear a pop of color, I get compliments. Bright colors are usually reserved for spring and summer, but it’s winter, when days are short and our skin is pale, we actually benefit the most from wearing color!  So, this is the first of a series of upcoming posts featuring a more colorful palette. Not only do bright colors illuminate our skin and look incredibly cute on our little ones, but they also help us keep an eye on each other in the park. Your little one will always know where you are in one of these tops and likewise, you’ll be able to keep close track of them too. When it comes to bright, here are my top top picks!

First for us:

jcrew neon top

J Crew top $348

amanda uprichard top revolve

Amanda Uprichard top $193

bright chunky sweater

Asos sweater $50.14

diane von furstenberg green top

Diane Von Furstenberg top $225

bright sweater

Asos sweater $67.63

karl lagerfeld neon sweatshirt

Karl Lagerfeld sweatshirt $102

aqua cashmere sweater

Aqua cashmere sweater $104.30

asospinktop

Asos top $45.37

naven top

Naven top $159

emma cook neon sweater

Emma Cook sweater $375

neon tank

H&M top $39.95

dvf purple top

Diane Von Furstenberg top $135

haute hippie pink top

Haute Hippie top $325

shae sweater revolve

Shae sweater $129

 neon top

Chalayan top $520

neon top

Shakuhachi top $124.60

for our little ladies:

splendid pink moto jacket

Splendid jacket $84

haute stuff yellow lace onesie

Haute stuff lace onesie $48

nununu dress

Nununu dress $50

bright sweater

Old Navy sweater $18

bright embellished sweatshirt

J Crew sweatshirt $65

hm girls sweater

H&M sweater $14.95

bright sweater

Old Navy sweater $16

bright baby cardigan

Zara cardigan $29.90

peplum baby bodysuit

Gap bodysuit $11.97

heart print sweater

J Crew sweater $59.50

sara kety onesie bloomies

Sara Kety onesie $20

For the little guys…

splendid orange henley

Splendid henley $58

green hoodie

H&M hoodie sweatshirt $9.95

neon splendid baby playsuit

Splendid playsuit $40.80

zara baby boy sweater

Zara sweater $16.90

nununu tee ronrobinson

Nununu t-shirt $42

Gap baby onesie

Gap onesie $12.95

peek kids thermal

Peek thermal top $18

gap boys neon shirt

Gap shirt $26.95

ralph lauren polo top

Ralph Lauren polo shirt $22.31

MOMMA KNOWS… stylist tips for shoes

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Pulling for a celebrity client means going to showrooms to select amazing shoes that might not always be the perfect fit… When that happens I rely on stylists’ tricks of the trade.

As a fashion stylist I travel with a kit.  Whether I’m on a photo shoot, or at a celebrities home prepping her for the red carpet, or backstage with a celebrity at a performance or award show, my kit comes with me.  It’s every stylist’s secret weapon for any fashion related crisis or issue that might arise.  Everything from nude thongs to safety pins to a leather hole puncher is found in my trusty kit. Today I wanted to share some stylist tips for those moments when you realise the shoes you bought, (and can’t return), are a little bit too big or small.  When stylists pull shoes for a celebrity, or model to wear, we may not get their exact size.  This works better for photo shoots when we can fudge things a bit with angles, or retouching after, but for red carpet and any kind of performance, it’s far more important to try to get the fit and feel right.  So, without further adieu, here are some of my tricks revealed!

The Problem – The shoe that’s too big.

Sometimes, you try on a shoe in the store and it fits. But, wearing the shoe for real, the heel height may force your foot to slide further down than expected and you can find yourself actually walking out of the shoe. This happened to me whilst racing to a show at London fashion week, of course, in front of a long line of photographers.  My brand new Louboutin pigalle’s were so darn high, I literally came right out of them, went flying, landed flat on my face, having left one of my shoes some ways behind. Its was humiliating and a lesson learned.

The solution:

Insoles.  There are insoles to help the full length of the foot, just the heel or even for strappy sandals. They not only help keep you in your shoes, but they also add extra cushion for comfort.  Here are some of my favorites:

Foot Petals Killer Kushionz Insole

Foor Petals Killer Kushionz insole $13.90

dr scholl's open toe insoles

Dr. Scholl’s open toe insoles $10.39

dr scholls high heel inserts

Dr Scholl’s high heel inserts $10.39

dr scholls heel liners

Dr. Scholl’s heel liners $7.35

ball of foot insert

Dr. Scholl’s ball of foot insert $8.39

Sometimes insoles alone just aren’t enough and you still find yourself coming out of your shoes (Especially true for narrow feet in super high heels).

Solution – cotton balls.  This only works with close toed shoes but as a stylist I put cotton balls in the front of the shoe to push the foot back and keep it in the shoe.  Simple and something you probably already have at home…

cotton balls

Swisspers cotton balls $275

For those ankle straps that are just a bit too loose – I use a leather hole puncher to custom size the straps to the ankle. Also comes in handy for belts!

hole puncher

C. S. Osborne leather hole puncher $15.97

Now, for shoes that are a bit too small…

Certainly the more challenging as comfort is compromised and it’s far harder to deal with.  First, you need to remember that leather stretches and sometimes you just need to wear them a bit to stretch them out.  In these cases – don’t try to wear them in on a day that you’ll be on your feet the whole time – that’s just torture… And prepare yourself for the discomfort.  As a stylist I use moleskin on the areas of the shoes that I know are going to rub the most and potentially cause blisters.  This will help protect your feet while you work in the shoes.

dr scholl's moleskin

Dr, Scholl’s mokeskin $2.85

dr scholls rub relief strips

Dr. Scholl’s rub relief strips $8.39

rub relief stick

Dr. Scholl’s rub relief stick $8.39

Another option is to try to stretch the leather… This doesn’t always work but it can.  There are sprays that will help give the leather a bit of stretch but, truthful, your best bet is taking your shoes to a shoe repair place or cobbler to see what can be done.  Certain fabric aren’t so easily stretched as others so I usually opt to leave it to the professionals…

amazon shoes stretch spray

Kiwi shoes stretch spray $6.40

shoe stretcher

Bravo-fit shoe stretcher $29.85

Finally, for the brand new shoes with the slick bottoms you’re afraid of falling in…  For my celebrity clients who are attending an award show, red carpet event or performing this is a very serious concern because (unless you’re Jennifer Lawrence who can fall with some humility, humor and in Dior) the thought of falling on stage, in front of a massive audience, is just as terrifying as it sounds. The easiest thing to do is to score the bottoms of your shoes.  Take a knife of pair of scissors and draw diagonal lines along the sole of the shoes with the blade criss crossing.  This gives you some traction to prevent a slip and slide.  You can also buy no slip petals that you can adhere to the soles of your shoes that provide the necessary traction.

no slip foot petals amazon

Foot Petals Sole Stopperz $7.15

Good luck – and next time, really take a stroll around the shoes department (or if you order on line – around your house) before you decide to keep a pair of shoes – getting the right fit is the key to whether you’ll actually wear the shoes!  But, for those amazing shoes you have to have that are on sale and the only size is a half size off – I hope my tips will help you get more wear and enjoyment out of them!

MATERNITY MONDAY… best maternity clothes of the week

Its that time of the week again, maternity monday, time for me to lend a helping style hand to all the expectant moms out there.  You may have noticed a brand called Hatch which I have featured on this page several times – but you should get to know it!  Their genius designs allow room for your bump to grow (its one size fits all) BUT while its meant to be maternity it is ALSO meant to be equally wearable when you’re NOT pregnant!  Seriously, maternity clothes that are chic, fabulous and you don’t have to pack up and store after baby – done and done! So, congratulations on your growing bump, and without further adieu, here are some fabulous options for dressing it!

isabella oliver maternity top

Isabella Oliver top $112.81

jbrand maternity jean

J Brand maternity legging jeans $176

isabella oliver peacoat asos

Isabella Oliver peacoat $463.79

juicy baby bag shop

Juicy Couture baby bag (washable vinyl includes bib, plastic wipes case & a changing pad) $248

Maternity Monday

Asos sweater $39.40

asos maternity pants

Asos maternity peg pants $39.16

hm maternity dress

H&M maternity dress $34.95

h&M lace blouse

H&M maternity top $17.95

topshop breton shirt

Topshop maternity top $40

Plush fleece lined laeggings

Plush fleece lined leggings $36

hatch top black shop

Hatch top $168

embellished maternity dress

Asos maternity dress $97.89

hatch top shop

Hatch top $168

new look maternity top asos

New Look top $17.78

maternitypegpants

Asos maternity peg pants $32.23

hm maternity parka

H&M maternity parka $39.95