Formal Maternity From Isabella Oliver August 11, 2008

For those of you who are newly pregnant, VERY pregnant or recently un-pregnant and need a formal dress? This is it! The Wrap Dress from Isabella Oliver is chic and modern with a current and feminine Greek Goddess vibe. For more info check out my contributing editor piece (which is published every Monday) at Smarter Babies & Kids online.

Things In My Closet That I’ll Wear Forever June 3, 2008

I was doing a bit of spring (summer) cleaning, or at least trying to. I needed to get rid of a few things - okay, a lot of things. As I was digging through my closet, I took note of the items that I’ve worn for years, and hope to continue wearing as long as they’ll hold up. Here’s a mini inventory of some of the things that I love…

• The bezel set, diamond solitaire necklace that I had made out of my mother’s engagement ring from my father.
• A cream and tomato, color blocked linen Anne Klein dress that my mother wore in the 70’s. (It has seen me through countless showers and daytime weddings)
• A pair of vintage, black satin “Shoebiz for Henri Bendel” platform heels, with big red satin rosebuds on them.
• My grandmother’s gold charm bracelet that is PACKED with charms, marking many of the important events in her life; several are engraved with notes and dates from my grandfather.
• A silver leather, Valentino trench coat that I bought 20 years ago at C-Mart in Baltimore. Originally around two thousand dollars, I paid three hundred.
• A classic pair of diamond stud earrings.
• My beloved black, orange, and pink wide-brimmed Pucci sun hat. (Similar to the one pictured)
• A pair of Anne Klein Couture, black, peep toe sling backs. I got them for twenty bucks at a sample sale because one is a 7 and one is a 7.5 - I can wear either.
• A vintage Gucci interlocking G bag that I dug up at a thrift store for thirty-five bucks.
• Last but not least, a black chiffon, Alberta Ferretti trapeze dress that I’ve worn (as have several of my friends) to many of the weddings that were too dressy for the linen Anne Klein.

UPDATE on COMING SOON! LaStylistMom.com May 11, 2008

Because of your overwhelming support of and interest in my blog, I’m currently in the process of creating a website and forum. (STILL!) It’ll be similar to my blog, but in addition will have a real-time message board, and be more comprehensive and user friendly in the Q and A department. Although my original time line has been extended, hopefully it won’t be long now. Thanks as always, for your continued interest and support. See you there soon!

All the best,

LASM

Bathing Suit Epiphany May 9, 2008

Since I started this blog, I’ve been meaning to write about bathing suits. Bathing suit season is upon us, and I feel sick. I have finally shed my bed rest and baby weight, but when I turn around really quickly in the mirror to check out my ass? (You know the move, you know you do, you’ve done it) Baby weight or not, it still looks like someone threw a container of cottage cheese at my butt. Nice.

The epiphany is, that I have been avoiding writing about it because I can’t bring myself to face facts; 1) It is summer (one drawback to living in LA is that ’summer’ comes much more quickly) 2) I have to actually try on bathing suits and 3) I am putting it off all the while telling myself that I’m not. I wish that right now I could regale you with all sorts of witty tips about how to avoid bad, overhead fluorescents in the dressing room, and what cuts flatter which body type. I will - I promise. I jut need to get past my own neuroses first.

I can however, give you a starting point. When Z was a year old I took him to swim at the Y. I was in the locker room one day, and one of the other moms in the class had on the same bathing suit as me. (Much to my horror - not b/c I wanted to be the only one, but simply because she was a ‘mom’ wearing MY ‘cool’ bathing suit. A little denial on my part) Our eyes met and I said, “You gotta love Target!” to which she replied, “Target?!? I paid 125 bucks for this suit at Turtle Beach!” (I felt a teeny bit smug) Long story short, Target buys the same bathing suits as everybody else - including some high end places - and sticks their labels inside. This one happened to be Merona. It fit well, it was 20 bucks, and they had the same one at Turtle Beach for six times the price. You can’t beat that.

So you might want to start at Target. Let me know how it goes, because I’ll probably still be in the throes of ‘the quick mirror turn around’ with no plans to shop for suits any time soon…

LASM

Just For YouBeMoms! May 9, 2008

As you can see, I’ve changed the content of the original “Just For UB Moms Post,” and have modified it to now read “Just for YouBeMoms.” Enough said.

LASM

SUBSCRIBE TO LASM May 5, 2008

How to subscribe:

1. Go to LAStylistMom.wordpress.com homepage.

2. Scroll down to ‘Subscribe’ box on the right hand side.

3. Click on ‘Subscribe’ header. (Next to orange RSS feed icon)

4. In a separate pop-up box, it will give you the option to add it to your Boomarks/Toolbar and you’re good to go!

5. If you like it - tell your friends!

LASM

Weigh In: The Top Ten ‘Must Have’ items in any fashionable Mom’s closet May 4, 2008

This is my list of the no fail items that I think every woman should have in her closet. Since you might have some different things on your list, I’d love for you to weigh in. Let us know what your ‘Must Haves’ are! Looking forward to hearing from you…LASM

1. A flattering and timeless ‘Little Black Dress’ A lifesaver for those last minute dressy events.

2. A good pair of jeans. By good, I mean ones that fit well and can be worn to dinner or pre-school pick up.

3. A pair of black pants. Never underestimate the black pants. They’ll flatter you on a sexy date night as well as the times when you feel too fat too put anything on.

4. A nude colored bra and thong (and by ‘nude’ I mean the color of YOUR skin) These are invaluable pieces - the basis of looking good AFTER you’re dressed.

5. One versatile, good quality bag. Something of an investment, but a smart one. Get one that’s neutral and will work for day OR night. A classic style that isn’t going to be ‘over’ by next season (or the one after that…)

6. A great pair of black heels. Whether they’re pumps or strappy, they should work with your little black dress, jeans and black pants.

7. SPANX! Whatever your problem area may be, there is a SPANX style to fix it. Nothing makes an outfit look better and you’ll instantly feel five pounds thinner.

8. One great coat. I like a trench, but ideally as long as it’s year round, a neutral color, and can be worn with both dressy and casual outfits, you’re good to go.

9. Diamond or CZ studs. Timeless and pretty, they go with most anything from jeans to ball gowns.

10. A suit. An all-purpose closet staple, a suit that fits well will work in numerous situations. Wear it to the office or team it up w/ a sexy cami and heels for a night on the town.

HELP! (Ask LASM…) May 3, 2008

Please post your questions here and I’ll reply in a timely and fashionable manner. Thanks…LASM

LASM’s Top Ten Fashion “Don’ts” April 29, 2008

There are fashion mishaps too numerous to count, so I’ve just chosen the worst transgressions to share with you. Let’s hope you aren’t guilty of any of these - if so? We’ll fix it! Until then wear your SPANX…LASM

1. NEVER, under any circumstances, wear stockings with open-toed shoes.

2. Don’t wear ‘big girl’ undies with pants.

3. If there is anything in your wardrobe with a Disney character on it - throw it out.

4. Workout clothes are for working out. Period.

5. Unless you’re hiking, backpacks are for carrying books to school.

6. Leave the fleece at Old Navy.

7. If you think you’re overweight, don’t wear baggy clothes - they make you appear heavier.

8. If you think you’re overweight, don’t wear skintight clothes - they make you look like a sausage.

9. If trends don’t look good on you, don’t wear them just because they are trendy.

10. Don’t buy the number you think you should be - buy the size that fits you.

Who I was vs. Who I am… April 18, 2008

I gave birth to Z in March of 2004. He was everything that I had ever wanted, and I was complete - or was I? With the entrance of this new little life, I realized that slowly but surely, pieces of myself were slipping away (more like breaking off in almost undetectable, tiny shards) I began to notice things. Things like in addition to a newborn, it seemed the second thing to come along was an utter disregard for personal hygiene. A daily shower was now a HUGE feat topped off by a feeling of accomplishment. What…? It seemed that the things I once took for granted were now becoming luxuries. Things like fashion.

This came to my attention on a particularly low day when I realized that it had become almost second nature to wipe my hands on my clothing. I began to take a mental inventory of how many ‘cool’ cards I was left holding - not many. In fact, I would shortly be forty, I drove a Volvo, I listened to KCRW (touted as “music for aging hipsters”) and apparently now I wipe my hands on my shirt.

Before I became a mother, I had the job of my dreams. I was a fashion stylist. In short, I dressed people for commercials and CD covers. If you ask my father I’m sure he’ll still tell you that ‘She goes shopping for a living.’ People used to hire me and pay me good money, because they valued my eye and fashion sense. I was the go to girl for what was in, what looked good and what did not. (The most recent questions regarding what I thought, now centered around how best to coerce Z into burping and pooping)

When Z was 23 months old (that’s parent speak for ‘two’) I had an accident - a serious one. I was also just eight weeks pregnant with Z’s surprise, soon-to-be, younger sibling. I fell while walking, dropped Z on his head (he’s fine, thank God) and subsequently managed to shatter my left tibia and fibula vertically. I thought it was just one of those scenarios where I’d get a cute pink cast and spend a few weeks ’sipping Grand Marnier in the lodge.’ Instead I found myself in the midst of a surgery - awake - while a machine called a ‘reamer’ (aptly named) shoved a rod into my leg. Little did I know, I was embarking upon a two year ride that would profoundly change me and my family in ways that I could not begin to imagine.

One of which is why I’m here now. A year and a half in bed buys you some computer time, amongst other things. Since I was physically unable to shop for my boys (Z was joined through some act of God by his baby brother R) in the stores, I did it all online. One day prior to my accident, I had Googled ‘cool, hip, baby, clothes’ and up it came - UrbanBaby.com*. For those of you unfamiliar with ‘UB’ let’s just say it’s a fast moving and often hardcore parenting board that isn’t for the faint of heart. The threads run the gamut from ‘My husband is cheating on me,’ to ‘What is the best dress for a daytime wedding in June?’

I began to answer more frequently the threads on fashion. SO many questions on topics that I realized women really needed help with. Hose or no hose? What is the best cut dress for a pear shaped body? Where can I shop for fashionable clothes that won’t cost a fortune? What are the hottest jeans? I had the answers - most of the time. I realized that I had found a venue with which I could put my knowledge to use - all without having to leave the comfort (or in this case discomfort) of my bed. Here were a group of women not unlike myself, who since becoming mothers didn’t have the time, money or resources for fashion.

Z and R are a bit older now and I’m finding that I really enjoy helping my friends with their fashion dilemmas. I still pore over my enormous stack of monthly magazines so as to keep up with what’s currently happening in my former world. What I do possess is a keen eye, and a love for bargain shopping that doesn’t appear to be bargain shopping. I will be honest about what looks good and what does not. I know what to accent and what to camouflage. In short, I have found that I am in fact still a stylist, just for another demographic; one of which I have now become a part.

I hope that the knowledge that I am here to share is helpful, as I so truly enjoy doing it. I look forward to regaling you with topics such as ‘Life after maternity clothes’ and ‘alternatives to sweats at the park.’ I hope you’ll all join me in my quest to stamp out ‘Mom jeans’ once and for all, because I think we’ve all got a couple of ‘cool cards’ left…

LASM

*Since their ‘Format Upgrade’ (read: corporate sellout) I have made the switch from Urban Baby to YouBeMom.com, which feels much more like the UB of yore.