Diane Von Furstenberg

One of my all time favorite designers (even though I don't own a single piece) is Diane Von Furstenberg.  Her classic wrap dress has made thousands of women look slim and beautiful for decades.  Rembember this post?  

Today Gap Kids has launched a special collection for our little divas and it is adorable.  

Gap Kids - $50

Wrap Dress for Girls - $65

Hope you pick up a little something for your little one! 

Happy Shopping.

Letting Go?

We all have those items of clothing in our wardrobes that we just can't seem to part with. I've even heard every excuse in the book when working with clients in their closets.

A few of my favorites excuses are: 

• I wore that on my first date with my boyfriend/husband.
• I just need to lose those last 10 pounds and then it will fit.
• My mother-in-law gave that to me and I feel bad getting rid of it.
• It might come back in style.
• I paid a lot of money for it way back when and can't bring myself to part with it.
• That piece is a "fill in the blank" designer I bought on clearance.

So how do you know what to keep and what to let go?

Photo Courtesy of http://keepaustinstylish.blogspot.com

TIP 1 

If it doesn't fit now and hasn't fit in several years.  LET IT GO.

Photo Courtesy of http://www.123rf.com

TIP 2 

If you spent a lot of money on a designer piece and it still looks good - it's okay to hang on to it.  Some pieces age well and will be considered vintage one day.

Chanel Jacket

TIP 3 

If you are hanging onto something for sentimental purposes, then take a picture and put it in a photo album.  Free up space in your closet for something you can actually wear.

Photo courtesy of http://www.clothingerr.com

TIP 4 

If you haven't worn an item in over two years, give it up and let someone else get some use out of it.  Sell, trade, or donate your oldies and treat yourself to something new.

Photo Courtesy of http://www.watchhowimetyourmotheronline.net

If you have a few older pieces that are in great condition, still stylish, and you can wear them without looking like an icon from another decade, then go for it! 

So what did I hang on to?

An old Gap jacket I bought on sale YEARS ago and couldn't bring myself to let it go.

Jacket - Gap (old - similar), Sequin and Lace Top (Loft)

I loved the floral details and a fitted jacket is a great staple.

Then I took a cue from fashion blogger, Jessica at What I Wore.  She mixed her leopard heels with a printed blouse.

Photo Courtesy of What I Wore

So I wore my leopard flats.

Shoes - Tory Burch (gift), Handbag (c/o Fossil), Jeans (Gap Outlet)

What piece of clothing are you hanging on to?

What To Wear Shopping

I'm sure you all have heard your mother at one point in your life tell you to never leave the house without lipstick or to always dress your best because you never know who you'll run into.  Well - as painful as it is to type, our mothers were right.

Photo courtesy of Photobucket

Getting dressed "up" is a challenge for most of us moms out there with young ones.  But it is very important to put your best foot forward when out shopping for new clothes.

Why? 

1. Self Confidence

I've said it before, when you look good - you feel good.  Going shopping in sweats, sneakers, and without make-up does not boost your self-esteem when standing in a dressing room trying on clothes.  More than likely you have sock wrinkles, pale legs, and "mom" hair which will be the ONLY thing you see.  Put on a little blush and mascara, a pair of jeans and a stripe tee.  It WILL make a difference.  Trust me.

Photo courtesy of the Huffington Post

2. Smarter choices

Now that you have on a little make-up - you'll see yourself in a whole new light.  This is a good thing since most of the lighting in dressing rooms are terrible.  With a healthy dose of self love you'll be able to make rational clothing purchases.  This saves you time AND money with smart decisions and less return trips to the mall.

Photo Courtesy of J. Crew

3. Better Help

Unfortunately it is true that you get better service when you look more pulled together.  Think about restaurant signs stating "No shoes, No shirts, No Service.  Well, the same goes with shopping.  You are more likely to get attention from a sales associate in a cute outfit - remember Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman?

Photo courtesy of Wanted Shoes Blog

What should you wear?

Go casual with a bright colored cotton crew neck layered over a stripe tee or printed blouse.  Wear your favorite pair of jeans and a comfortable flat shoe.

shopping by jmewbourne featuring dot jewelry

What did I wear?

I took a client to Green Hills Mall last week to finish up shopping for her spring wardrobe.

Belted Jacket (J.Crew - old), Jeans (Gap Outlet), Shoes (Nine-west - similar)

Added a little "pop" of color with an old Fossil Handbag (old - similar).

A view of my lower half.

You can certainly dismiss my advice and continue as you would, but I challenge you ONE time to step it up a notch and see if it makes a difference.

Happy Shopping! 

Where to? A Birthday Party!

This weekend we celebrated my daughter's 5th birthday.  It was a "Girl Only" party filled with ice cream, cupcakes, and candy filled treat bags.

As many of you with small children know, birthday parties are not for the light-hearted.  You'll spend a few hours listening to screaming kids hyped up on cake and ice cream, only to be sent home for you to deal with the aftermath of the sugar rush.  As you embrace the chaos to come, you can also look at your tea party or pirate party as an opportunity for YOU to play dress up.

Birthday parties are a great excuse to put a cute outfit on and strut your stuff so to speak.  Use these celebrations to bring out your inner fashionista.

So what can you wear?  Try a printed cardigan and some colored jeans.  Keep it casual with a versatile pair of flats like the new style from TOM's.  Keep the jewelry to a minimum since your statement piece is your sweater.

Birthday by jmewbourne featuring skinny leg jeans

So what did I wear?

To brighten things up for Spring , I wore a floral blouse and layered a few necklaces.

Top: J.Crew (old), Long Necklace: Stella & Dot, Cross Necklace: Gift

I kept the bottom half "winter friendly" with jeans and boots.

Jeans (Wal-mart - yes you read correctly), Boots (Nordstrom)

Happy Birthday to my favorite 5-Year old

I hope you enjoy your birthday celebrations and find something inspiring to wear in your closet.

Happy Shopping!

Peer Pressure

In my previous life, before children, I was fortunate to work in the fashion industry surrounded by brilliant merchants and talented designers.  I was privy to trends before the rest of the world and traveled to far away places all in the name of fashion.
I traded it all in for the glamorous life of a stay-at-home mom.

My Girls

Photo taken by Kristen Weigel Photography

I wouldn't switch places with my old self, but what I miss most of my former life is dressing up.  Not that I did all that much since I was able to wear jeans, but I could put on a skirt and heels, a full face of makeup, and blend in a sea of other fashionistas like myself.  Now I'm swimming in a sea of sweat pants and jeans, Target tee's and Loft sweaters.

Loft 

So boo hoo - poor me, right?  I know at the end of the day it doesn't matter what I wear or what outfit I put on, but I miss that part of my old life.  I miss the materialistic fashion industry that raised me from a wee twenty-two year old to a wise thirty-something year old.  I miss the heels and the pencil skirts, the dresses and the dress pants.  What does a stay-at-home do to find inner peace with a closet full of clothes and no place to go?


I started following several fashion bloggers about a year ago.  I was mesmerized that people take pictures of their outfits daily, post them on the Internet, and in some cases make money by doing so.  Retailers send them clothing to wear and fly them to fabulous cities to talk about their outfits.  How could I compete with this?  Where are they going in these pencil skirts and 5 inch $800 heels?  Does their vajay-jay show when they bend down?  Who can realistically wear leather pants or a sequin skirt?

http://atlantic-pacific.blogspot.com

I started really looking at these girls.  They are girls.  Twenty-somethings with no kids and all the time in the world.  I should help women like me find the perfect balance between fashion and mommy hood.  Taking pictures of myself brings about all kinds of mixed emotions, but if it is a way to help speak to other women/moms like me than why not?


So here's my solution.  I'm going to take pictures of me for YOU!  And, when I work with a client, I'll (with permission of course) post outfits I've created with them to help show you how to remix your wardrobe, what to wear to events, what to buy, etc...  That way you can see all body types, all price ranges, and several lifestyles of woman whether working outside of the home or full-time at the office.

My Mommy Outfit Yesterday

"SPARKLE"

Layer a little sequin tee over a white button down and add some color with a cardigan.

Top - J.Crew, Cardigan and Shirt - Loft

And of course - a great pair of jeans is a perfect staple in any woman's wardrobe.

Jeans - Gap

So here I am, giving in to peer pressure and blogging about my outfits.  I hope it will inspire you to take charge in your own closet and put your best foot forward even on those days when you just want to drop your kids off in your pj's.

Lacking a Jewelry Wardrobe?

Accessories are an afterthought for many women when getting dressed.  So many of you wear the same few pieces of jewelry everyday.  You take them off (or not) before bed and then put them back on when you get up in the morning and head out the door.
So why not try a fun new pair of earrings or a new necklace to spice things up?
To get you started, here are a few tips for building a jewelry wardrobe.


1. Try "Gold" Jewelry
I cannot tell you how many times I've heard, "I don't wear gold".  It's like the fear of the 80's is returning, planning to take you back to crazy town, and make you the mayor.  Gold is not a bad thing people.  It is actually quite pretty.  A simple gold earring is all you need to take a baby step in the right direction.

Stella & Dot - $44

Coin Drop Chandelier - $13

Target

Pave Hoops - $22

Cusp

2. Make a Statement
I've used this line before, but buying a bold piece can change a look instantly.  Try a fun necklace with a basic T-shirt and jeans.  You won't be disappointed.

Stella & Dot - $89

Kate Spade - $148

Piperlime

Cascade Necklace - $29

Urban Outfitters

Sequined Bib Necklace - $50

Zara

3. Layer your Bracelets and Necklaces.
Pull all of your jewels together and practice layering.  Layer anything and everything.  Mix cheap and expensive.  No one will notice the difference.  

Blair from atlantic-pacific

Stacked by theglitterguide

http://www.saucyglossie.com

4. Get Personal
Try a piece that reminds you of your husband, grandparents, parents, kids, or whatever gives you the warm fuzzies.  Wear it around your neck to keep them close to your heart or wear as a bracelet and see Tip #3.

Stella & Dot - $16-$49

Build your own - Charm Collection

Build Your Own - $18-$24

Fossil

5. Go Long

Try a pendant necklace.  They are really stylish and effortless when worn with shorts and a tank top in the summer.

Rebel Pendant - $79

Stella & Dot

Spring Pendant - $49.50

Banana Republic

Hive & Honey Pendant - $22

Piperlime

Colored Locket - $50

J. Crew

6.  Add Some Color

Tired of the same old silver and gold metals.  Add a little color to your jewels.  

Tribal Trend - $28

Cusp

Serenity - $49

Stella & Dot 

Enamel Flower - $60

Banana Republic

 Assorted Bangles from the Loft

Coming Soon! 

Enamel Link Necklace - $49.50 (on sale)

J. Crew

It is okay to switch things up.  You don't have to wear the ring or necklace that your husband gave you on your anniversary EVERY day.  You don't have to wear your kids birthstones EVERY day - I'm sure you will not forget about them if you wear another piece of jewelry.  Have fun with it and try something new today! 

Which tip will you start with?  Happy Shopping!