Jason Wu at Target this Spring!

Do you know why the Super Bowl starts at 3?  So you have plenty of time to shop the Jason Wu collection at Target!!  Available nation wide on February 5^th (yep- Super Bowl Sunday) each piece of Jason Wu’s collection of modern classics is available for $59.99 or less.  And if you haven’t seen them yet- they are amazing!  Check out a few of my favs:

This trench makes April Showers look appealing!

Cream dress with black petticoat- so Audrey!

Spring-tastic shoulder bag with a great Mod shape

 And subtle color blocking in red, white & blue

 











I might take my giant bump down to Target and buy my self some baby weight loss inspiration!

Fur Real

... or more accurately faux fur real.  I am so in love with the fur trend that comes out in fall- it makes me feel like Doris Day sipping cocoa next to a fireplace.

But, from a practical standpoint fur creates some challenges.  The first is ahem financial- not only can I not justify coat that costs as much as my mortgage, but I always run the risk of anything from a sucker to spit-up getting ground into what I'm wearing.  Then, there is the issue of proportion- a curvy girl in a fur piece can tend to look a little... Sasquatch-y.  Lastly, I hate looking like I rushed out and bought a trend, and while fur (real or faux) is timeless- many of the styles I'm drawn to smack of this weeks fashion mags.

So I've gathered a collection of my fav, mostly faux, fur pieces.  Reasonably priced (under $200), body skimming (to avoid "bulk") and each with a touch of retro.  Eat your heart out daycare moms!

Fur Real by substyle featuring a faux fur trim coat

Fur dress
$75 - modcloth.com

ONLY fur cardigan
£48 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Faux fur trim coat
$170 - topshop.com

Fake fur vest
$105 - warehouse.co.uk

Helene berman
$46 - theoutnet.com

Zara fur heel boots
$159 - zara.com

Star by Julien Macdonald teal bag
£39 - debenhams.com

Abercrombie Fitch knitted shawl
$98 - abercrombie.com

Lipsy Snowflake Fur Earmuffs - Lipsy
£10 - lipsy.co.uk

My new love...

I was at my Target the other day, and I saw something...

...could it be?  No... YES! Tucked away in the jewelry- doubtless hidden by someone who intended to come back for it was... my new Missoni scarf!

Here's the glamor shot

I love LOVE it for Fall, the warm neutrals with gold thread woven through are screaming Autumn and although today I am wearing it with a tank (we are enjoying an 85 degree Indian Summer day here on the West Coast) it is light enough to easily layer over a sweater when things cool off. 

Bonus- the infinity scarf design is  easy to wear.  I am forever trying to tie my scarf like a Parisian- do French women take classes in how to tie scarves?   



My weekly visit to Target paid off!  Word is there will be sporadic replenishment of the Missoni collection through out the month of October, so if you are kicking yourself for missing it- there is hope!

Statement jewelry at subtle prices

Handmade jewelry has a deliciously special feel to it, and finding a designer who hand-makes great jewelry at a reasonable price is the kind of secret you sort of want to share, and sort of don't.  But I will share- it's just the kind of girl I am!

Kris Nations is a Northern California jewelry designer and my go-to girl for unique gifts for the women in my life.  She designs great, easily wearable pieces ranging from simple to statement, most all pieces are available in gold or silver.  Affordable and from recycled metals too!  Here's a few pieces on my wish list:

 Arc Hoops

Blade Cuff

Blade Hoops

Dahlia Double Chain Necklace

 Geo Leaf Ring

Fall Classics

While working on an entry for a Romwe knitwear contest on Polyvore, I was reminded of how much I love capes.  Initially intimidating, they are surprising easy to wear, and timelessly elegant.  I wear one with jeans, and a great pair of boots.  To pull it all together carry a structured bag.  

 

How do you wear your fall staples?

Fall Classics by substyle featuring a coffee belt

Retro Simple Elasticated Blue Narrow Leg [NCSPJ0314] - $56.99 :
$29 - romwe.com

Gold umbrella
$130 - barneys.com

Coffee belt
$6.50 - romwe.com

Retro Canvas Montage Cream-coffee Briefcase [AB0838] - $68.99 :
$69 - romwe.com

Fitted Hat Vertical Balls Cream Cape [NCSOQ0159] - $39.99 :
$40 - romwe.com

Feminine Red Knit Snood [ASB0043] - $26.99 :
$27 - romwe.com

The Vatican Library Collection Wonderer Thinker Petite Angel Cameo...
$22 - 1928.com

Wishing for waifishness...

I'm a curvy girl (when I'm not pregnant).  Curvy in the right places I think, bust and hips... a little softer the thighs than I like... but curvy in a good way.  Still, sometimes I find myself wishing for waifishness.  One of those times is when I see a great bold necklace like this one from Kenneth Cole.  Something about ample decolletage call out for a longer necklace, something that nestles in the cleavage.  A big bold necklace like this always feels like it is competing for attention.  So here's how I'd rock this necklace, if I were built for it- love that aside from the necklace, nothings over $50.  Urban chic on a coupon clipper budget.

Anybody out there got an idea how to balance baubles and bosom?  ... I'm all ears!

 
How to wear a statement necklace- everything under $50 by substyle 

Cheap Monday top
€25 - weekday.com

Miss Selfridge skinny fit jeans
£25 - missselfridge.com

Riley tall slouch boots
$40 - payless.com

Club Monaco canvas handbag
$50 - shopbop.com

Kenneth Cole snake necklace
$65 - endless.com

Fashion's Night In

Maybe you are like me, and somewhere between a toddler and a full time job you realize that actually attending Fashion's Night Out is a lot of work.  If so, mix yourself a cocktail, put on your cutest jammies and join me in proclaiming "Fashions Night In"

For the first time Fashion's Night Out is taking to the cyber-verse with TONS of online specials and events.  Free shipping, give-a-ways and special deals galore.  Check the online event listings here. and meet me at the Amazon Clothing site (seriously, did you know about this?) for free shipping and styling ideas from Refinery29

 

"Shopping Incentives" from Diva Props... my curiosity is piqued, but who needs an incentive when you can get this beauty for $44

 And free shipping plus "mark down countdown"  (a shopping game?!?!) from Rue Sophie- the only place I know of to get bamboo sunglasses

Whether you are rocking the events, or rocking your laptop tonight, don't forget to pick up the official FNO shirt.  It's proof positive that you are the hip-est mom in the carpool line, but more importantly all proceeds go to the New York City AIDS Fund in the New York Community Trust.

...here comes the sun burst

Part of my desire to bust out of boring suburbia means buying more furniture from consignment and antique stores.  Honestly, it's more my taste anyhow.  But every once in a while I have to let that go and venture into a "big box store" (I mean Target, not WalMart, a girl has to have standards)

I  have to admit, with the rotating guest designers, and all Target is kinda living up to it's French name "Tar-jay".  One example is a gold sunburst mirror like this one for a cool $89.99

I am still obsessing over blue couches... imagine it with this amazing sofa at Danish Modern L.A.

...or these white leather chairs from Groovy Girls Etsy Store  (someone had the same idea with the sunburst)

Hi Groovy Girl, I noticed someone beat me to these, but have no fear... I'm sure I'll be buying from you in the near future...

Suburban Rebellion

I know the vast majority of people live in the suburbs.  I'm one of them.  This is entirely by choice- when my husband and I first moved in together he lived in the city and I lived in the suburbs.  We had a conversation about whether we were going to be hip urbanites, or quietly raise a family in my hometown.  We chose the suburbs.  It was a practical decision; they are quiet, safe, lots of parking, we even have an actual backyard... with a garden.  Honestly, I have exactly what I always wanted.  But secretly... I envy those hip urbanites.  Sure, their kids can't play outside, they schlep their groceries four blocks home, they live in flats the size of my garage... but you know what?  They never have "mom" haircuts, they don't drive mini-vans and they actually realize flea markets are cool.

This is my attempt to infuse a little ultra cool into my suburban mom life style.  This is my suburban rebellion.