November 2013 - Red Soled Momma

MOMMMA LOVES… mommy and me beauty – cosmetics to enjoy with your little ladies

I have a boy. A beautiful boy that I love beyond words, comprehension or reason. If I ever have another baby it will also be a boy. We joke that my husband has yy chromosomes because he is one of 5 boys and all the boys have boys. I love my little boy so much that I don’t mind that I’ll never get to shop on the pink side of the store (for one of my own anyway), I’ll never get to pass on all my fabulous shoes and bags, and I’ll never get to do all the fun beauty activities that my friends enjoy with their little girls. None of the manicures, make up training and skin care lessons I enjoyed with my mother. I mean, Max does like to play with my makeup… And by play I mean try to eat, smash and grab. That’s okay, I can live vicariously through all of you moms out there with little ladies. You guys can have all the fun and experiment with pink hair, sparkle polish and glitter under the guise of entertaining your daughters… This isn’t big girl beauty – its more Katy Perry beauty – but its fun, fabulous and will build the most amazing memories for you and your little one. So, I share with you the mommy and me beauty cosmetics that you can enjoy with your gorgeous girls.

Hair Chalk $25 – How fabulous is this! Fun, non permanent color for hair!

Philosophy shower gel and bubble bath $18

Anna Sui minnie mouse nail polish $16

Ice Cream Heads strawberry shampoo $12

Sephora collection makeup pallette $49.50
*** 130 different colors – perfect to glam you up for a night out or a playdate with you lovely lady.

Hair Do Pop Strips $10 – easy to snap in hair extensions in various colors

NCLA sparkle polish $16

Makeup Forever diamond powder glitter $25 (comes in various colors – you will find glitter everywhere forever)

Toysmith pink cupcake lipgloss $4.95

LAQA & CO nail polish pen $14

Shany 100pc hair feather kit $20

Violent Eyes glitter eye tattoos $9.99

Cupcakes and Cartwheels 60 hair bands $8.95

Makeup Forever strass $21 (these are rhinestone appliqué that can be applied anywhere on the face for a bedazzling effect)

Ciate chalkboard nails $25 **comes with matte chalkboard polish, chalk pens to draw and top coat

Blow Monkey nail dryer $10

Caboodles makeup case $21.29 **remember this from when we were kids! Its new and improved!

Tattley tattoo set $15

Kotur design your own clutch $595 *** now it may seem insane to spend this money on something you have to design yourself – but what a cute idea for the craft lovers our there!

MOMMA KNOWS… cool furniture your kids will love

You may not be a rockstar, but your kids think you are. Well, until they hit the teenage years and then even if you are a rockstar, you’re simply the most embarrassing people ever. During my internet browsing I’ve come across some insanely cool furniture to solidify your rockstar status. Part James Bond, part princess castle – a great talking point that’s both functional furnishing and make believe paradise. For some time we’ve had a miniature, yet full functioning motorcycle propped up against the wall in the living room, (see above), unquestionably a magnet for kids, it’s also dangerous and worrisome… So, with a little work, I turned it into an accent table, which still looks wonderful and very cool. The kids still love it, but most importantly, can’t get to it!! Anyway, in time for the holidays, here is insanely cool furniture that your kids will absolutely LOVE (You for).

Modern Sole Bookshelf $8350

Nimbl Designs mushroom ottomans $1075

Phone booth cabinet $234

Ing lounge chair $1210

Hidden Bookcase door $4400

Pink Acapulco chair $410

Restoration Hardware nautical lamp $425

Lamborghini desk $1500

Studio du Monde sofa/sleeper $284.99

Tchesassi Vilato dining table $6513

Thebes Banquette by Haute House $6850

Aqua End aquarium side table

Pottery Barn lamp $300

Restoration Harware blackhawk coffee table $1195

Up Chair $165.90

Happy Thanksgiving!

MOMMA KNOWS… gift guide for men in your life

Holiday time means time to figure out what everyone on your list wants but doesn’t know it yet. It’s a daunting task, especially for the men in our lives who tend to buy what they want, the very moment they discover it. So, I’ve compiled a gift guide for men that will not disappoint! Whether your man is a gamer, gadget head, sports fanatic, do it yourself-et or a renaissance there’s something here for everyone – from stocking stuffers to fantasy gifts and everything in between. Let’s face it, our guys are somewhat neglected from our shopping list for most of the year, so let’s make up for that here and now…

Anki Drive cars/track/app $199.95
*** my husband is going NUTS over this technology – ultimate gamer/gadget gift

MLB team toasters $26.77

Iphone case pocket knife $100

Pacman arcade machine $3500

Brookstone foot massager $229.99

Banksy print laptop decal $7

Pajama warmer $50

Tom Tom multi sport watch $249.99

Iphone 5C $99-$199 (array of colors)

Brookstone pocket projector $199

Garage vacuum $220

Rayban fold up aviators $199

Basketball hoop $169.99

Iphone wallet $40

Edge Star kegerator $479

Mulberry briefcase $1350

Jawbone jambox $299.95

Neiman Marcus cashmere hoody $279 and cashmere sweatpants $199

NFL Snack helmut $49.79

Remote control in door helicopter (set of 2) $100

3D systems 3D printer $2999
***that’s right – a 3D printer!! make you’re own anything with this crazy gadget!

LED slippers $40

Pioneer wireless DJ system $899

Sandro hooded peacoat

Iphone wallet & case that looks like a book

MOMMA NEEDS… cardigans – oversized for me, sweet and cozy for the little one.

When the air gets crisp and the days short, there’s nothing I love more than to throw on oversized cardigans. I’m not talking Santa Claus size, I’m talking longer and a little roomy – a boyfriend or grampa cardi but slimmer and more feminine. It’s equal parts comfy cozy as it is effortlessly chic. Fantastic for running around on errands, going out for an intimate dinner as well as cuddling up with your little one on the couch, these cardigans are not too sweet and not at all frumpy. They are the ultimate in cardigans. For our little ones who need extra layers in the colder weather – there is nothing cuter than a little cardigan. Be it chunky knit, fair isles printed, autumnal themed or just sweet and adorned – it keeps our boys and girls warm while looking insanely cute. Here are some of my top picks…

First for us:

Maje cardigan $515

Donna Karan cardigan $1995

Zara cardigan $79.90

New Look cardigan $32.02

Elizabeth and James cardigan $395

Zara cardigan $59.90

Chinti and Parker cardigan $430

H&M cardigan $34.95

Wildfox cardigan $532.16

Rick Owens cardigan $2035

Splendid cardigan $90

H&M cardigan $24.95

Zara wrap cardigan $59.90

Asos cardigan $44.50

Zara cardigan$79.90

Vero Moda cardigan $80.09

Asos cardigan $64.07

Asos waterfall cardigan $49.83

for our little ones…

Ralph Lauren cardigan $55.60

Gap peplum cardigan $29.95 (comes in other colors)

Kitestrongs cardigan $42

Zara cardigan $49.90

H&M cardigan $24.95

Ralph Lauren cardigan $28.68

Gap cardigan $39.95

H&M cardigan $24.95

Zara cardigan $29.90

Old Navy cardigan $14.50

J Crew cardigan $128

J Crew cashmere cardigan $145

Peek cardigan $27.79

Nordstroms baby cardigan $38

3 Pommes cardigan $39.20

Old Navy cardigan $22.94

Ralph Lauren cardigan $44.31

J Crew cardigan $78

Zara cardigan $45.90

MATERNITY MONDAY… non maternity clothes to wear through pregnancy & beyond

When my husband and I decided to start trying to have a baby, I stopped buying clothes. I stopped buying clothes because I kept thinking, well, I’m going to be pregnant – what’s the point of buying anything since I won’t be able to wear it? Well, it took ten months to get pregnant, then of course nine months of pregnancy before the nine (ahem, 12) months to get my pre-pregnancy body back. That’s almost three years without buying the very clothes I was coveting and when I could finally wear my old clothes again they were pretty much obsolete. What I did manage to find during this time were some NON maternity clothes that could see me through my pregnancy due to stretch and cut. I continued to wear them post pregnancy, when my body wasn’t back yet and still today, now that I’m back to my former shape! I’m not talking the Kim Kardashian approach to maternity – there’s not need to go high fashion and look, dare I say, a bit tragic…. I’m saying classic, yet comfortable.. The key is looking for fabric with stretch (anything jersey is generally perfect), ruched on the sides, empire waists, tops that are longer and fuller and don’t be afraid to wear a (formerly) mini dress with leggings underneath. It can be endlessly frustrating spending money on clothes you can only wear for a few months, then not again until (maybe) the next one… So, I wanted to share with you some non maternity clothes to wear through pregnancy and beyond, things I myself bought and still wear now!

Victoria’s Secret maxi dress $98

Clu dress $190

American Apparel high waisted leggings $30

Helmut Lang top $295

Vince top $206.50

Rachel Pally dress $251

Wildfox sweater $320.36

Vitoria’s Secret dress $59.50

Helmut Lang tops $140

Splendid skirt $88

James Perse dress $165

Helmut Lang top $115

Rachel Pally dress $242

MOMMA NEEDS… Fab fashion under 100 dollars

Happy weekend before Thanksgiving! Today I am grateful for all the amazing fashion under $100 that I get to share with you. With all the gift giving we have ahead of us, budgeting what we spend on ourselves is more important than ever – but that doesn’t have to mean sacrificing style! Here are just a few of the amazing finds I’ve seen this week…

Topshop dress $92

H&M necklace $34.95

Forever 21 scarf $9.80

Zara jacket $89.90

Zara top $69.90

H&M jacket $69.95

H&M tuxedo pants $59.95

H&M skirt $49.95

H&M blouse $39.95

TFNC dress $71.19

Asos peg pants $39.16

Pull & Bear sweater $55.38

H&M knit leggings $29.95

Topshop metal cuff $25

Zara dress $59.90

Zara bag $99.90

Asos dress $74.75

Zara shoes $49.90

H&M belt $17.95

River Island shoes $80.09

Zara pencil skirt $49.90

H&M dress $59.95

Asos coin necklace $44.50

River Island bag $35.60

Topshop jeans $76

MOMMA PLEASE??? cashmere for babies – j crew’s amazing luxe baby knits!

That’s right, I said it, cashmere for babies. Its CRAZY – they grow out of it SO quickly, they spit up on it, poop on it, basically destroy it – but it is SO insanely cute that I had to share these with you. J crew only recently started designing for babies and, WOW do they know what cute is. Here are a couple of the amazing cashmere items for our little ones that make me want to break my, no cashmere ’til you’re older, rule. For the baby who has everything, the J Crew cashmere collection…

J Crew sweater $145

J Crew sweater $145

J Crew sweater $145

J Crew sweater $145

J Crew one piece $178

J Crew one piece $178

J Crew leggings $98

J Crew baby blanket $198

MOMMA NEEDS… metallic accessories for the holiday season and beyond!

Gold, silver, bronze and fabulous! Metallic accessories are a huge trend in every market and a fantastic investment for not only the holiday seasons but beyond! Yes, metallic bags and shoes are great for cocktail parties and formal events but a lot of these gold and silver accessories can be dressed down for the office, dinner with friends or date night. Truth be told, some of these bags and shoes can be worn casually in the day even for a quick trip to the supermarket! They never go out of style because these metallic hues will always be the necessary neutral for all formal attire so you’ll get plenty of life out of them! Here are some of my top pics: