June 2014 - Page 2 of 3 - Red Soled Momma

MOMMA LOVES… the little white dress

The little white dress – perfect for all your summer events and non events… Although, perhaps the cocktail dresses aren’t the most appropriate for wedding guests or cleaning the bbq.

The little black dress’s seasonal sister, the little white dress is always one of my favorite looks. Pristine and pretty, the little white dress always looks fresh and fabulous in the summer. As I have stated before, unless you are the bride (or have been requested by the bride) the one hard and fast fashion rule never to be broken is not to wear white to weddings, but otherwise you’re good to go! Nothing feels and looks better than a little white dress for running around town, a summer cocktail party or a relaxed poolside bbq. For the precious little ladies out there – white is a perfectly serene look (and actually a lot easier to clean than you might think – whether you feel comfortable using bleach, oxy clean or just using the sun’s natural bleaching powers to get the stains out and make whites their whitest). Check out one of my summer time must haves: the little white dress – the perfect go-to look for all your summer time events (again, weddings excluded).

First the little white fess for us:

Alice + Olivia dress $440

Club Monaco dress $229

Line & Dot dress $121

Asos dress $41.92

Diane von Furstenberg dress $445

Bailey 44 dress $240

Free People dress $168

Forever 21 dress $29.80

Victoria Beckham dress $2350

Zimmerman dress $360

Rebecca Minkoff dress $298

Topshop dress $52

Nicholas dress $650

Rebecca Taylor dress $350

Parker dress $286

Sundry dress $132

Asos dress $53.35

Herve Leger dress $1014

Dolce Vita dress $275

Asos Premium dress $114.32

Topshop dress $76

for our littlest ones:

Ralph Lauren dress and bloomers $75

Tucker + Tate dress and bloomers $32

First Impressions dress $24.25

Luli & Me dress $56

DKNY dress $36.40

Cherokee dress $18

Kissy Kissy dress and bloomers $98

J Crew dress $59.50

Ralph Lauren dress and bloomers $35

Chaps dress $17

And some white dresses for our slightly bigger mini-me’s:

Lili Gaufrette dress $77

Ralph Lauren dress $48.65

Pippa and julie dress $25.98

Stella McCartney Kids dress $86.80

Laura Ashley dress $42

Burts Bees Baby dress $18.95

Milly Minis dress $131

Hartstrings dress $49

Gap little white dress $34.95

Cater’s dress $21.99

MATERNITY MONDAY… great pregnancy clothes for comfort & style

Having a baby means loaning your body out temporarily and it means time for pregnancy clothes to dress that growing belly. Maternity style can seem daunting but finding the right pregnancy clothes to keep your both comfortable (at one of the least comfortable times of your life) and looking your best are not only a nice thought but a necessity. The truth is, you cannot fit into your regular clothes – you need new things to accommodate the bump and give you a bit of an aesthetic lift. Check out some of my favorite pregnancy clothes that will get you through the 9 months and make you wish they made them in regular sizes!

Mamalicious maternity dress $57.16

New Look maternity top $28.56

Topshop maternity skirt $40

Topshop maternity dress $56

Topshop maternity blazer $96

Asos maternity tank $26.68

Topshop maternity skirt $76

Asos maternity dress $72.41

Fillyboo maternity top $85.74

Topshop maternity jeans $80

Asos maternity dress $85.74

Topshop maternity top $72

Topshop maternity overalls $76

Fillyboo maternity maxi dress $114.32

New Look maternity top $28.56

Isabella Oliver maternity jeans $188.63

Hatch dress $288

Hatch maternity shirt $248

Hatch maternity pants $218

Asos maternity dress $76.22

MOMMA NEEDS… more storage solutions to hide the toys!

So happy that he had a great birthday… but now it’s time to find storage for all the mess (aka toys) – loving his new Little Tikes tire toy box – will be perfect as his nursery becomes a race car themed bedroom..

So, my son just turned 2 last week and it’s amazing how much he’s managed to accumulate in that short span of time that has meant an immediate need for us to find more storage solutions. Great toy boxes for him that are both cute and functional for his room but also more storage for our living space that can hide his latest acquisitions while also serving our needs and personal (adult) taste. More storage doesn’t have to mean big ugly boxes or plastic bins – there are so many incredibly fun and surprisingly elegant options that are more furniture and room accents than functional eye sores… Check out some more storage solutions for our little one’s room and some chic options for our big people rooms!

First more storage for our space:

MacKenzie Childs storage bench $1975

Land of Nod coffee/play table - more storage

Land of Nod coffee/play table $499

Pottery Barn ludlow trunk side table $499

Threshold storage ottoman $89.99

West Elm storage bed $1498

West Elm storage coffee table $549

Murano chest $759

custom upholstered storage bench $265

Arden lockers $599

En Provence coffee table $1699

Mollie trunk $499 (seems to defeat the purpose but imagine all the stuffed animals, trucks or legos in this box and it turns messy toys in to contained cool)

Hepburn storage ottoman $199

Turner coffee table $139.98

Gemma trunk $2229

And more storage solutions for our little one’s rooms:

Teamson storage bench $118

Pottery Barn storage bins $19.99 – $47

Land of Nod storage brownstone bookcase $599

Elephant shaped storage $58.99

storage beanbag $149

Land of Nod storage bins $36

Lego storage blocks (stackable) $29.99

Levels of Discovery princess storage bench $199.95

Little Tikes tire toy box $59.99

Delta Children’s book and toy storage $34.99

3 sprouts storage bins $24.99 each

Tot Tutors storage bins $59.99

Cars toy box $69.99

Step 2 lift and roll toy box (can go room to room with them) $41.99

Disney princess storage wardrobe $31.99

Batman storage bench $164.99

Guidecraft princess toy box $197.99

MOMMA LOVES… mini skirts

Max and I having a water duck vs water elephant battle – gotta love mini skirts for some relaxed summer fun.

They’ve been a love affair of mine since I was a little girl – mini skirts. Ever since I can remember I’ve gravitated towards them, perhaps because I’m tall (I’m 5’9″ now but was 5’8″ by the time I was 12) so that any skirt I put on ended up being pretty mini. I am notoriously not a rule breaker – never missed class or got in trouble – but I sure did get some dress code infractions due to my adoration for the micro mini. Still, to this day I have a large selection of mini skirts in my wardrobe – they may not be as short as they once were but I’ve always loved the mod vibe that they give off. Mini skirts can be great for winter paired with thick tights and perfect for a sexy yet relaxed summer look. The key to wearing them is to balance them with something more voluminous on top to keep the overall look chic and elegant. Whether worn with flat sandals for day or a cool chunky helm wedge of (for an ultra sexy look) sky high heels for evening mini skirts allow you to show of those legs – or however much leg you feel comfortable showing. Check out some of my favorite mini skirts that I just can’t get enough of!

Helmut Lang skirt $425

ALC skirt $295

Bec and Bridge skirt $165

Asos skirt $38.11

10 Crosby Derek Lam skirt $395

Parker skirt $330

Needle and Thread mini skirt $175

Asos skirt $41.92

Elizabeth and James skirt $265

BCBG skirt $158

Splendid skirt $98

Forever 21 mini skirt $15.80

Rag and Bone skirt $395

Rebecca Minkoff skirt $228

Club Monaco skirt $139.50

Asos skirt $66.69

Thakoon skirt $390

Helmut Lang skirt $159

Maje leather mini skirt $136

Joa skirt $58

And some mini skirts for our little ones (since all skirts are mini on them!)

Mini Boden skirt $54

Gap skirt $26.95

Peek skirt $38

Milly Minis skirt $77.98

J Crew skirt $55

Little Giraffe skirt $26

Billie Blush skirt $89

Ralph Lauren skirt $29.50

Gap skirt $15

Peek skirt $28.98

Cherokee skirt $14

Lili Gaufrette skirt $66

MOMMA LOVES… jelly shoes – they’re baaaaaaaccckkkk

Jelly shoes are perfect for all your summer outings – chic enough for brunch yet water resistant for the beach – I am loving my Asos and Max has goes everywhere in his Old Navy rubber shoes!

When I was in high school jelly shoes were HUGE and for many years I’ve looked back at pictures of myself wearing those clunky clear things and cringed… Well, they are back and they are chicer than ever!! Hard to believe that jelly shoes could be so stunning, but they are and the practicality of them is the added bonus. I remember having a friend and her 2 year old son over to hang out by the pool – I was admiring her gorgeous new sandals which she had taken off to sit next to me with her feet in the pool and the next thing we knew her little angle had grabbed them and thrown them into the deep end. So much for her gorgeous sandals. Well, jelly shoes are water proof so PERFECT for all your summer outings. They are also perfect for our little ones (I’m going to include various water proof shoes as well) because I, for one, have a little guy that wants to play at his water table, jump in the pool, run into the garden and, while bare feet are great, sometimes the stone around the pool is hot hot hot and not good for his delicate toots. Its time for jelly shoes everyone – throw aside your side eye to these 90′s come back and check out some of the amazing variations on these practical and fabulous footwear for us and our little ones!

First for us:

Sophia Webster sandals $295

Givenchy jelly sandals $171.50

Kate Spade sandals $78

Asos sandals $22.86

Valentino sandals $295

Melissa Shoes jelly platform $150

Jack Rogers jelly sandal $68

Fendi pvc sandal $666

Ralph Lauren sandals $136.50

Rebecca Minkoff jelly sandals $68.60

Sophia Webster sandals $280

Marc by Marc Jacobs jelly ballet flats $96.60

Juju sandals $28.58

Christian Louboutin pvc sandals $865

Stuart Weitzman sandals $198

Michael Michael Kors jelly sandal $49

Valentino jelly sandals $295

Salvatore Ferragamo jelly sandals $195

Hunter Boot jellies $59

And jelly shoes for our little ones:

Mini Melissa shoes $59.95

Igor Footwear jelly sandals $23.95

Native shoes $31.95

Gap jelly sandals $12.95

Old Navy jelly sandals $13

Old Navy shoes $12

Mini Melissa shoes $55

First Impressions jelly sandals $14.98

Gap shoes $15

MOMMA NEEDS… a light summer blouse

My son just turned 2 so I turned to my perfect Free People summer blouse for his birthday bbq!

The perfect summer blouse pairs easily with jeans, short and skirts. Its lightweight and simple yet pretty. The summer blouse is easy and uncomplicated so it works perfectly for a relaxed day look but is feminine enough to work for evening. Its that favorite go-to top when you don’t know what to wear and it is absolutely essential for summer. In the hot weather you can’t hide your look under layers of blazers, coats, sweaters and scarves – your look is simplified and so, a beautiful summer blouse is so important to complete your effortlessly stylish look. Remember, nothing fussy or uncomfortable – its all about comfort, ease with a bit of something extra special. Check out some of my favorite tops and choose your go-to perfect summer blouse!

Isabel Marant blouse $798

Joie blouse $208

Free People top $108

Asos top $68.59

Ramy Brooks top $365

Elizabeth and James top $265

Club Monaco top $179.50

Forever 21 top $19.80

Alice + Olivia top $330

Milly top $250

Velvet top $148

Splendid top $98

ALC blouse $395

Maje blouse $249

Free People top $128

Forever 21 bejeweled top $22.80

Alice by Temperley blouse $475

Equipment blouse $198

Ella Moss blouse $138

Greylin blouse $92

MATERNITY MONDAY… fabulous diaper bags for mom’s to be!

You’re pregnant, life is about to change dramatically, nothing seems clears except that all expectant moms are going to need fabulous diaper bags before too long! You will have a whole new haul to carry around, diapers, changes of clothes, wipes, pacifiers, lovies, blankets, bottles and so much more, so it’s essential to find a carry-all that not only fits everything, but you also absolutely love! Fabulous diaper bags are practical, (usually durable and water resistant), have all the pockets you need, a changing pad, whilst also ticking all your aesthetic boxes as well. You may not feel like carrying a bag as well as your little one’s so make sure you love this bag enough to service your needs as well as theirs. Check out some of my favorite fabulous diaper bags – they are truly a must have for all expectant moms so be discerning and have fun choosing yours!

Kate Spade baby bag $428

Marc by Marc Jacobs diaper bag $298

Skip Hop diaper bag $57.99

Gucci diaper bag $1350

Rebecca Minkoff baby bag $345

Born Free Diane von Furstenberg diaper bag $155

Tory Burch baby bag $350

Juicy Couture diaper bag $185.99

Baby Essentials diaper bag $24.99

Prada diaper bag $1290

Kate Spade baby bag $418

Storksak diaper bag $132

Barneys leather diaper bag $778

Marc by Marc Jacobs diaper bag $348

The Bumble Collection diaper tote $85.49

Burberry leather diaper bag $1595

Coach diaper bag $298

Ju Ju Be diaper bag $165

Storksak leather diaper bag $345

Tim & Leslie diaper bag $164.99

JJ Cole diaper bag $69.99

MOMMA LOVES… summer sales – great steals & deals!

Time to shop ’til we drop!! Summer sales are here!!

Its that time of year again – the great summer sales are here and it’s time to get the things you’ve been hankering after for a fraction of the price! We all want to look great without breaking the bank, but we also can’t help but want things that are out of our budget, so summer price cuts are worth the wait! The key to shopping the summer sales is to make sure you’re not buying something because the price is right – you have to love it or it’s not worth spending the money. If it’s not available in your size – take it as a sign that it’s not meant to be – squeezing yourself in a pair of shoes that are too small will never make you happy (no matter how much you love those shoes). PS – click any of the pics and get shopping at the amazing sales that are on right now!! Be smart, be practical and have fun searching these summer sales for the bargains you’ll be bragging about for years to come!

Shoes:

Michael Kors sandals was $325 – now $227.50

Rag & Bone boots was $495 – now $346.50

Nicholas Kirkwood sandals were $795 – now $397.50

Jimmy Choo sandals were $925 now $647.50

Manolo Blahnik sandals was $695 now $486.50

Kate Spade wedges was $258 now $154.80

Giuseppe Zanotti sandals was $650 now $390

Joie sandals were $125 now $83

Bags:

Chloe bag was $1395 now $976.50

Rebecca Minkoff bag was $345 now $241.50

Stella McCartney bag was $1235 now $827

Kate Spade bag was $398 now $266.66

Joie bag was $368 now $257.60

Marc Jacobs bag was $1395 now $976.50

Rebecca Minkoff bag was $495 now $396

Diane von Furstenberg bag was $350 now $210

Clothes:

Lovers and Friends moto jacket was $218 now $109

Rebecca Taylor dress was $595 now $397

Hudson jeans was $205 now $143.50

Iro sweatshirt was $390 now $89

Rag & Bone blazer was $550 now $329

Diane von Furstenberg dress was $398 now $199

ALC top was $265 now $99

Otte skirt was $315 now $49

Helmut Lang jacket was $795 now $359

Milly dress was $450 now $270

Cool Change pants was $165 now $89

Maje top was $220 now $131.98

Joie blazer was $278 now $199

Diane von Furstenberg dress was $325 now $227.50

MOMMA NEEDS… chic shorts for the warm weather

Chic shorts for the summer months are a must have – they’re nice enough for an evening out in heels or a playdate in flats… oh and comfortable too!

I love my Alice + Olivia shorts and Max is a big fan of his Zara… perfect for every occasion.

If summer means swimsuits and the great outdoors, it also means its time for some new chic shorts! Chic shorts give you a casual feel with the flexibility of looking more pulled together and polished. Jeans are great, but too hot for the summer, skirts of fabulous but not always so easy for chasing your little ones around, so great shorts that look super elegant, yet give you the flexibility and lightness you need are a wardrobe must. The great thing about shorts is they’re actually really versatile – perhaps not office appropriate, but very easy to dress up with some heels and a great blouse for evening or down with some sandals and a casual tee. Wearability and versatility is so key when building your wardrobe – making sure the items your buy can, not only, get plenty of wear but also that you can love and feel great and stylish in. Its time to let your legs breath and time to check out some incredibly chic shorts that you (and your little ones) will be living in all summer!

First for us:

Diane von Furstenberg shorts $285

Alive + Olivia shorts $187

Club Monaco shorts $89.50

Asos shorts $22.86

Vince shorts $245

Theory shorts $195

Free People culottes $78

Forever 21 chino shorts $13.80

Milly shorts $225

Alice + Olivia shorts $154

Club Monaco shorts $98.50

Asos shorts $38.11

ALC bermuda shorts $365

Joie shorts $198

J Crew shorts $85

Topshop shorts $64

Rebecca Taylor shorts $250

Nanette Lepore shorts $198

Ella Moss shorts $118

Endless Rose shorts $54

And some chic shorts for our littlest ones:

Chloe chambray bubble shorts $78.40

Paul Smith Jr. shorts $63.70

Ralph Lauren shorts $25

Andy & Evan shorts $23.10

Old Navy shorts $8

Old Navy shorts $10.99

Tartine et Chocolate shorts $58

Bitz Kids shorts $27

Peek shorts $18

Peek shorts $24

Gap shorts $14.95

First Impressions shorts $15.99

And for our slightly bigger ones:

Ralph Lauren shorts $45

Ralph Lauren shorts $55

Flowers by Zoe shorts $26

Peek shorts $29.50

Gap shorts $19.95

Gap shorts $29.95

J Crew shorts $49.50

Mini Boden shorts $30

Mini Boden shorts $34

Old Navy shorts $9

Old Navy shorts $16

MOMMA LOVES… summer accessories (to pop your look)

We love our summer accessories – not only are they cute!

Sometimes they can actually be functional too!

With the warmer weather we lose our layers – jackets, coats, sweaters all go into storage and outfits get simpler, so its up to summer accessories to give your look a bit of a pop. I’m not talking about bags and shoes – I do plenty of those posts, I’m talking about the less talked about scarves, hats, sunglasses and the like, which can truly make an outfit. A simple pair of shorts and t-shirt can go from bland to super stylish with the right hat and jewels. Summer accessories are light and actually very functional (hats and sunglasses help provide protection from the sun) but they are also incredibly fun and fabulous. Stylists have long known it’s in these accessories that an outfit can go from ordinary to extraordinary so, although they are often overlooked, they can be the cornerstone of a great look. Check out some of my favorite summer accessories for both us and our little ones that can transform even your most basic pieces into a super stylish look.

First some great summer accessories for us: