Red Soled Momma - Page 54 of 58 - Long time fashion stylist and recent mom Red Soled Momma is a blog about my journey back to glamour after baby & all the wondrous things.

MOMMA LOVES… the union jack print – it not just for the royals!

Okay, yes, my husband is English and my grandmother is english, which makes my son more English than anything else – but I just happen to love the union jack print. For those unfamiliar with “union jack” it’s the British flag but also a long time symbol for everything from the punk movement to the monarchy and it is a print that transcends British pride and has become a part of our pop culture. No other flag has been used so often and in so many ways as the union jack. Countless artists, musicians, fashion designers and even furniture designers have used the british flag to represent everything from anarchy to just great aesthetic design. We can see it used in fashion at the highest end by designers such as Alexander Mcqueen as well as in less expensive labels and children’s lines. My darling Max has been wearing his union jack printed clothes from the moment he was born (of course he was born when the UK was hosting the Olympics so you can imagine the amount of onesies, pjs and various other union jack souvenirs we were gifted) but has continued to rock the design. I myself am obsessed with my Alexander Mcqueen spiked union jack clutch (which I have featured here in a past post) as well as my Zara tees emblazoned with the flag. Why not salute the birth place of the Rolling Stones and the Sex Pistols as well as Kates Moss and Middleton! So, here are some of my favorite union jack inspired items that will give you that effortlessly cool look whilst keeping that stiff upper lip!

First for us:

Givenchy union jack t-shirt $295

union jack clutch skull clasp Alexander mcqueen

Alexander Mcqueen union jack clutch $1695 available at www.netaporter.com
*** this comes in varying colors and textures – I have the black with silver spikes version of this

Nasty Gal sweater $78 available at www.nastygal.com

Union jack cashmere sweater Lucien Pellat Finet

Lucien Pellat Finet cashmere sweater $2290 available at www.farfetch.com

Converse sneakers $90 available at www.converse.com

Forever 21 tank $51.80 available at www.forever21.com

Alexander Mcqueen union jack scarf $636.16

Zara t-shirt $25.90 available at www.zara.com

Vanessa Bruno bag $334.80 available at www.farfetch.com

And for the little ones:

Converse shoes $19.99 available at www.converse.com

union jack london fashion sweatshirt forever 21

Forever 21 sweatshirt $17.80 available at www.forever21.com

Kapital K $28 available at www.shopkitson.com

Happiness sweatpants $68 available at www.shopkitson.com

Old Navy t-shirt $8.94 available at www.oldnavy.com

Zara sweatshirt $29.90 available at www.zara.com

Hunter wellies $95 available at www.zappos.com

Guess sweatshirt $46.50 available at www.macys.com

Rowdy Sprout t-shirt $42 available at www.ronrobinson.com

Zara t-shirt $16.90 available at www.zara.com

MOMMA NEEDS… a winter coat for us and them

Its that time of year again… Coat season! For some of you, its already below zero and snowing, while for others (such as myself in southern California) it getting into the 50′s at night and we too are freezing (thinner skin and all). So, unless you are in the southern hemisphere, its time to buy a winter coat for both you and your little ones! Buying a great winter coat is important on so many levels, first off – its something you will most likely put on everyday so it needs to be both functional (keep you warm) and beautiful (often its the only thing people are going to see). These 2 things don’t always go hand in hand – coats can often look frumpy, tired and conceal all the hard work you’ve put into choosing your nice outfits! So here it is – my favorite coats of the season for you and your little boys and girls… Please note that I do like to include some crazy expensive options, which may be affordable for a small handful of you, but more than anything they are meant to be inspirational. Seeing what the top fashion designers are doing just further illustrates how AMAZING the less expensive lines are at delivering high end designs at more affordable price points! So without further adieu…

First for us…

Givenchy Coat $4835 available at www.netaporter.com

Zara coat $239 available at www.zara.com

BCBG coat $468 available at www.bloomingdales.com

J Crew coat $398 available at www.netaporter.com

Burberry London coat $1595 available at www.netaporter.com

Free People coat $348 available at www.shopbop.com

Reiss coat $660 available at www.bloomingdales.com

Zara coat $189 available at www.zara.com

Marc New York coat $465 available at www.bloomingdales.com

Helmut Lang coat $836.50 available at www.shopbop.com

Belstaff coat $2295 available at www.netaporter.com

Asos coat $151.28 available at www.asos.com

Club Monaco coat $398 available at www.shopbop.com

H&M coat $49.95 available at www.hm.com

For out little ladies…

Zara coat $65.90 available at www.zara.com

American Widgeon coat $67.20 available at www.saksfifthavenue.com

Gap coat $49.95 available at www.gap.com

Cherokee coat $24.29 available at www.target.com

American Widgeon coat $98 available at www.shopkitson.com

Old Navy coat $28 available at www.oldnavy.com

J Crew coat $198 available at www.jcrew.com

and our little men…

Ralph Lauren coat $136.50 available at www.saksfifthavenue.com

H&M coat $49.95 available at www.hm.com

Gap coat $42.95 available at www.gap.com

Zara coat $45.90 available at www.zara.com

Old Navy coat $28 available at www.oldnavy.com

Zara coat $65.90 available at www.zara.com

H&M coat $29.95 available at www.hm.com

Jacadi coat $97.30 available at www.bloomingdales.com

MOMMA TIPS… the miracle that is baking soda

Baking soda must be a woman because she sure can multi-task! Sure, itts been a long time trusty ingredient for baking and has also occupied space in our fridge/freezer to keep everything fresh and deodorized but it is SO much more. Its delicate enough to clean our teeth yet effective enough to scour our pots and pans. It can deodorize and clean just about anything and on top of all of that its actually eco-friendly! But here are 2 ways that baking soda has helped me that I wanted to share with all of you.

First, my son kept on getting these heat rashes when he was quite young and I didn’t know what to do… His skin is so delicate and all baby soaps and moisturizers just seemed to make it worse. Then I heard a tips about baking soda. I would run him a warm bath and sprinkle in baking soda and let him soak in it. The heat rash quickly went away. Something inexpensive that we already have in our house and was able to take discomfort away from my precious boy – baking soda gets a gold star!

Secondly, I was on a photo shoot recently and I was styling an actress in very delicate fabrics – lace, silk, cashmere and (as tends to happen) the body makeup she was wearing got all over the clothes. By the suggestion of someone on set we mixed some water with baking soda and soaked the garments, hung them to dry and the stains disappeared! So, of course, now I keep a trusty box of arm and hammer in my stylist kit!

I know everyone already has a box (or 20) in their house but explore the many uses of it that you might not be aware of – replace your harsh household cleaners with baking soda – it not only helps protect the environment but its safe to use around your kids and it really works!

MATERNITY MONDAY… this week’s top picks for all you pregnant ladies!

Welcome to my second Maternity Monday where I chose my top picks of the week for the mom’s out there who are expecting. I can’t say enough just how hard it was getting dressed those 9 month of pregnancy… I struggled every day with my new body and figuring out whether to show it off or cover it up. Its a relief for me to see so many amazing options for pregnant ladies that don’t necessarily have to cost a fortune or change your personal style. So many designers now do maternity ranges. An extra style tip, buy great maternity tank tops from the gap or target (super soft and inexpensive)n and layer them under some of your normal (more flowy) tops… This gives you the extra belly coverage but still allows you to get mileage out of the wardrobe you already have! Here are some of my favorite maternity must haves…

Gap maternity tank $14.95 available at www.gap.com

Asos maternity dress $39.16 available at www.asos.com

Topshop maternity leggings $40 available at www.topshop.com

H & M maternity sweatshirt $39.95 available at www.hm.com

Asos maternity coat $124.59 available at www.asos.com

New Look top $32.02 available at www.asos.com

Topshop maternity skirt $44 available at www.topshop.com

Asos maternity jeans $53.39 available at www.asos.com

H&M maternity puffer jacket $59.95 available at www.hm.com

Hatch maternity dress $248 available at www.shopbop.com

New Look maternity top $23.12 available at www.asos.com

Little Mistress maternity dress $124.59 available at www.asos.com
*** great if you have a wedding to go to or a special event!

Asos maternity pants $39.16 available at www.asos.com

Asos maternity dress $44.50 available at www.asos.com

MOMMA PLEASE??? floral print dresses that make me wish I had a little girl

I love my little boy. I would not trade him for anything in the world – but I have to say when I first found out I was having a boy I felt a twinge of sadness… As a stylist, I always imagines shopping on the pink side of the store and all the cute little dresses I could put my little girl in and the fun we would have going shopping… Perhaps its best that I had a little boy (for my our wallet anyway). My husband is one of 5 boys and all the boys have boys so it was always going to be in my cards – that said, I am so in love with my baby boy and having so much fun with him and even enjoying the rough and tumble world of dressing my little man. Then it happens… I come across these little floral print dresses. So sweet and beautiful and charming and I know I’ll probably never get to buy them for my offspring. The truth is I’m not actually a girly girl anyway… I don’t wear floral prints much in my life, I’ve always been more Punky Brewster than pretty and prissy… but as a stylist I sure do appreciate the sweetness of little floral dresses… So, I pass on my top floral dress picks to the mom’s of all the sweet little girls out there and hope to see pictures… With the holidays fast approaching I know every little girl needs a holiday frock!!

Zara dress $35.90 available at www.zara.com

Peek dress $68 available at www.peekkids.com

floral print dress pretty princess J Crew

J Crew dress $88 available at www.jcrew.com

floral print dress pretty princess H&M $

H&M dress $12.95 available at www.hm.com

floral print dress pretty princess US Angels

US Angels dress $107 available at www.bloomingdales.com

floral print dress pretty princess oscar de la renta

Oscar de la Renta dress $206.50 available at www.saksfifthavenue.com

Peek dress $42.99 available at www.peekkids.com

Zara dress $39.90 available at www.zara.com

Dolce & Gabbana dress $990 available at www.saksfifthavenue.com

Zara dress $42.90 available at www.zara.com

Anavini dress and bloomers $78 available at www.saksfifthavenue.com

floral appliqué dress pretty princess Biscotti

Biscotti Girls’ dress $92 available at www.bloomingdales.com

Zara dress $42.90 available at www.zara.com

And for those girls who aren’t so girly… but still want to recognize the floral print with a bit of an edge… the infamous Dr. Martens boots… OBSESSED!

Dr Martens boots $78 available at www. shopkitson.com

MOMMA NEEDS… the sexy slouchy sweatpants

That’s right.. I said it. The sexy slouchy sweatpants, I’m not being ironic, they are amazing! Just in time for the weekend I wanted to feature this comfy yet stylish trend. Like a lot of you I find it incredibly difficult some mornings to get out of my sweatpants to start the day so the thought that I might not have to is mind blowing, revolutionary and a relief! They’re warm, soft and so darn comfortable. They’re sexy because they’re cut lower and fit slimmer. They’re gathered at the ankle but it streamlines the look so it can as easily be worn with converse for running errand as with heels for a girls lunch. Here are some of my top pics:

Zoe Karssen sweatpants $186.88 available at www.asos.com

Alexander Wang sweatpants $195 available at www.shopbop.com

H&M sweatpants $34.95 available at www.hm.com

Current/Elliott sweatpants $148 available at www.shopbop.com

Clu sweatpants $95 available at www.netaporter.com

LNA sweatpants $168.19 available at www.asos.com

Chinti and Parker sweatpants $545 available at www.netaporter.com ***special note – these are CASHMERE – absolute heaven!

Elizabeth & James sweatpants $295 available at www.netaporter.com

Sundry sweatpants $108 available at www.shopbop.com

Stella McCartney pants $595 available at www.netaporter.com

Zoe Karssen sweatpants $137 available at www.shopbop.com

MOMMA NEEDS…furniture without corners

So your beloved little one finally starts moving around, crawling, cruising, walking and it dawns on you… you live in a toddler death trap! There are sharp edges jutting out everywhere so you get to childproofing the house. Chic living space be gone is more like it. Its literally like living in a padded room which, while hideous, is better than living in a toddler death trap. So here I am, on the hunt, the hunt for furniture without corners. Curvy not edgy, rounded lines not straight ones and most important chic furniture that won’t injure my child. Here are some of my favorite contemporary furniture finds (special note – items from gilt.com and onekingslane.com are on special sales that are for a limited time but even if you miss the sale – keep checking these sites as things come back up for sale again)…

Z gallerie cuddle chair $899 available a www.zgallerie.com (love the thought of cuddling up with little one for story time)

Capellini armchair and poufs prices vary from $1656 to $555 available at www.fancy.com

wavy bookshelf by Julien Vidame $805 available at www.fancy.com

Z Gallerie end table $499 available at www.zgallerie.com (also there is a coffee tale version of this – both have storage which you can never get too much of)

Design Studios Cardiff tufted pouf $395 available at gilt.com ** perfect as a coffee table

Target tufted chaise settee $479.99 available at www.target.com (love some pop of color in an otherwise neutral room)

Target occasional table $99.09 available at www.target.com

Blue Lark pair of dining chairs $279 available at www.onekingslane.com

Concealed shelf $13 available at www.fancy.com

Le Beanock beanbag hammock $800 available at www.fancy.com

Z Gallerie Olivia sofa $1299 available at www.zgallerie.com

Hepburn storage ottoman $199 available at www.onekingslane.com

Clemence coffee table $489 available at www.onekingslane.com

Pottery Barn tufted chair $499 available at www.potterybarn.com

RUNWAY REINVENTED… bambi gets high fashion

Designers find inspiration from many places… The designer’s own archives, street style, movies, art and often their own childhoods. Givenchy designer, Ricardo Tisci, often uses graphic prints in his designs which sets the fashion world on fire and sends fashion editors and celebrities alike clamoring to get his latest “it” piece. His growling rotteweiler print tops sold out immediately when they came out years ago and inspired countless knock offs. Well, for his Fall/Winter collection he sent out a new print inspired from his youth – a bambi print fused with the image of a lady. Once again celebrities and the fashion elite went nuts over the look and it has already been photographed on countless celebrities and been featured in every magazine that could get their hands on it. Furthermore, Kim Kardashian instagrammed a picture of a miniature version of the top which Tisci (longtime friend and collaborator of Kanye West) sent for baby Noth. So, once again we have the age old circle of fashion of who inspires who… Perhaps our children might be more stylish than we are – setting trends before they even become trends… Here are the Givenchy pieces that have hit stores and some options for our little ones to keep up with the trend (before they start setting the next ones)…

Givench sweatshirt $1219.05

Givenchy sweatshirt $1375 WAS available at www.netaporter.com ***SOLD OUT

Givenchy bambi t-shirt $653.12

Givenchy clutch $2340 available at www.netaporter.com

H&M t-shirt $9.95 available at www.hm.com

Zara t-shirt $17.90 available at www.zara.com

And, while its not the bambi print, here is another Givenchy combination print top that actually IS still available to buy (for now) and a few other inspired ways for us to get the look…

Givenchy t-shirt $570 available at www.netaporter.com

Zara sweatshirt $59.90 available at www.zara.com

Zara sweatshirt $35.90 available at www.zara.com

MOMMA NEEDS… the perfect chambray or denim shirt

I have been a long time opponent to denim on denim. I also believe that, in fashion, “rules” are meant to be broken. I don’t buy into no white after labor day or not combing navy and black but for the longest time I could not get on board with the denim on denim look (sorry Jay Leno). Having said that, I have a confession, I now kind of love it… On multiple magazine shoots over the last few months I have styled denim or chambray tops with denim bottoms and furthermore, I have bought (and frequently been wearing) my own Bella Dahl chambray top!! I should note that Bella Dahl has transformed the look of denim tops – they are soft, tailored and incredibly chic! The biggest problem with denim shirts is when the fabric is stiff and the cut is boxy so look for well tailored tops with a softer texture (chambray is brilliant in this way but a lot of denim these days has been treated in such a way that it too feels super soft). Also, the key to wearing denim on denim is make sure the washes are different – so black or white jeans with a chambray or denim top is ideal… even a dark denim with a light chambray works. The difference in color tone is essential when styling the denim on denim look. I know its been quite fashionable to have denim on denim in the same color wash, as we have seen in magazines and even on the runway, but I believe that is one of those trends best kept in the pages of Vogue and not in our own wardrobes. That said, I find the combination of a denim shirt and jeans (with the essential color tone difference) is such an incredibly relaxed yet elegant look. Once again, its simple and comfortable to wear while running after your kids during the day but easily transformed into a chic and sexy look for evening with a change of shoes (and a bit of jewelry never hurts). So with out further ado, here are some of my favorite chambray and denim tops:

Bella Dahl shirt $128

H&M shirt $29.95 available at www.hm.com

AG shirt $182

Bella Dahl shirt $128

Blank NYC shirt $83 available at www.revolveclothing.com

Bella Dahl shirt $155

H&M shirt $34.95 available at www.hm.com

Burberry Brit shirt $295 available at www.netaporter.com

J Crew shirt $120 available at www.netaporter.com

Paige denim shirt $90

Rails shirt $118.40

MOMMA LOVES… the most fabulous shoes

This is for all my fellow shoe addicts out here. This isn’t about practical footwear – this is about fantasy, whimsy and imagination. These are the shoes that made me stop in my tracks and fall in love. These are not necessarily the shoes you buy, they’re the ones you dream about… and every now and then when you can’t stop dreaming they end up in your closet. That’s okay. I always say, its good to want things. Its not the worst thing in the world to find a pair of shoes inspiring, intoxicating and to occasionally make a guilty purchase. These are conversation starters… They are inspired, divine, expensive and far closer to art than just an accessory. These are the shoes that Carrie Bradshaw would be coveting this very moment. For your footwear fantasies…