Mama Threads

Found! Affordable Trench Coat

April showers bring May flowers, right?  Well, they frequently also bring drenched mommies.  Who has a hand for an umbrella when you are wrangling the kids?  Consider a trench coat for this spring.  They are in the pages of every fashion magazine and will make a nice change from the heavy coats of winter.  Check out this beautiful green one from Target! According to the reviews, the description says spot clean but that the actual jacket says machine washable.  Pair with this packable rain hat from Lands' End for a truly dry solution!

It's Spring! Add Some Color

I live in Brooklyn and usually feel an obligation to wear black. However, today the sun is shining, and I think a little color might be just what we all need in our lives!  Check out this floral tunic from Dana Buchman for Kohl's. The pattern is bright and crazy -- a little reminiscent of Pucci.  It's also a little floral which follows one of spring's big trends.  Also, it's on sale! This would go great with a pair of light, slim khakis which you probably already have in your closet.  Or pair the navy version with a pair of skinny jeans - they really do make you look taller and thinner.  

The Best Flip Flops in the Whole World

I love bare feet, but one can't really walk around the city without shoes on.  Flip flops are the next best thing.  My absolute favorite brand is Havaianas. They have extremely soft soles and yet are very durable. The straps are very flexible and never give my sensitive feet blisters after the initial break-in period.

Buying Tip: Check out Amazon.com for some great deals on a lot of different styles.  The widest selection can be found directly at the Havaianas website.

Wearing Tip: My feet always require a break-in period after the winter.  Avoid wearing them on a really long trek the first time out.

Spot the Trend: Spring Scarves

All winter long I have been wrapping all of us in scarves. Every morning as I bundle up the kids, I long for spring, warm weather and fewer layers.  Now it seems everyone is talking about scarves for spring.  I figure I can handle a little accessorizing for myself, if overall, we have less layers getting out the door.  I also think it could come in handy to camouflage those little spots when the baby hugs me with her messy hands after lunch.  

Shopping tip: Check out some of those stores you would consider "teen spots." They can be great places to find the latest trends for good prices.  Pair this t-shirt & scarf for a fun spring look.

Outfit of the Week: Flirty Spring Fun

Now that I have reached "a certain age," I am not really comfortable wearing shorts outside of my house, but summers can get really, really hot.  What's a mommy to do? Try a dress!  Jersey dresses are a comfortable, cool option for warm summer days. Why they were my favorite choice last year:Easy outfit: throw on a single item and you are dressed!

Jersey fabric: machine washable makes it easy to care for your clothes.
Stretch: this is key for moms; you want your clothes to move with you as your rush at top speed through your day. 

Bluefly.com is a terrific choice for finding great deals. They carry a line of dresses from Design History that are all very wearable for mommies and easy on the pocketbook.  This is my personal favorite.  I love the neckline that make it easy to accessorize and the ruching at the empire waist makes it forgiving to the figure. This necklace would be an easy way to dress it up for a night out.  

Get a Deal: The Boyfriend Blazer for Less

According to Vogue, everyone needs a Boyfriend Jacket.  This is one spring style that works great for mommies.  It's versatile enough to wear while running around with the kids but can also be dressed up to go out at night.  Vogue lists one from Gap.com for $98, but for a limited time, Newport News is offering their corduroy version for $25.  It comes in ten colors and is machine washable.  Throw it over a cotton t-shirt and a pair of jeans to wear to the playground as a spring jacket.  Or wear it over a cute top out to dinner with your SO for a rare night out.  This is so cheap you can maybe get a few colors!

Mommies Against Diaper Bags

When I was pregnant with my first child, I registered for a plain black Skip Hop diaper bag that would easily suit both myself and my husband.  Hah!  Of course, I was pretty much the only one carrying it.  A few months into being a parent, I realized that my diaper bag was going to be my purse for the next few years so I upgraded to a more stylish version for my birthday.  Now that I am a second time parent, I prefer to use a really big purse.  No bunnies or bears.  No pacifier pocket.  I just cram some wipes, diapers, and a changing pad into something a little more stylish.  I have just about worn out my latest bag and am looking around for my next option.  I recently discovered Etsy.com.  I found some amazing bags there and they were good deals! 

Check these out and support small designers:

Retro Handbag with Pockets - $55 + $6 shipping

Canvas Multipurpose Bag - $40 + $10.50 shipping

Hunting for Bargains

Going back to the beginning of civilization, moms are generally in charge of the hunting and gathering.  In other words, I buy pretty much everything we need to keep the household going: groceries, clothes, cleaning supplies, etc.  Now that the economy is tanking and the dollar just doesn't seem to go as far, I am constantly on the hunt for deals.   I also have a very limited time to shop so most of my shopping is done online.  How do I save both time and money?  I check out and subscribe to the bargain hunting websites.  I let them do the research and I can just click through to find good savings.

My favorites:

The Bargainist

Slick Deals

Ben's Bargains

Best Finds:

20% Off $100 at Banana Republic 

The Company Store's Amazing Clearance Sale

Hanes.com Top 10 under $10

Tip: Many of the bargains listed on these sites are for a limited time.  Be prepared to jump on any great deals you see!

No Iron: Making Life a Little Easier

I really, really hate to iron....BUT I love the look of button down shirts. There is just something crisp, clean and classic about them.  What's a busy mom to do?  Check out the no iron shirts from Lands' End. They come in multiple styles and patterns.  I bought two: one black and one white.  They both are in regular rotation in my wardrobe and can make a pair of jeans look pretty decent.  I thought this paisley three quarter sleeve version would be great for spring.

Outfit of the Week: Casual Shape

Today, I am launching my newest feature: Outfit of the Week!  Each Monday, visit Mama Threads to find a complete outfit that meets all our criteria: affordable, fashionable and mommy friendly.  I know one of the toughest things for me is finding the time to pull together an entirely new outfit and not spend a ton of cash.  I hope this weekly post will make your shopping just a little bit easier!

I recently came across another unusual source for deals on clothes: Newport News.  I was paging through a fashion magazine and noticed that some of the cutest, wearable clothes were from this website. One of my favorite features is this section that highlights their "As Seen" pieces from both television and magazines.  It's an easy way to check out some of their best pieces.  

Also, Newport News feature a line of clothes that will help with shape.  I joined a gym last month, but my post-baby body can definitely still use a little help. This top seemed like a perfect way to move into spring. It will elongate, slim and conceal! 

Tired of jeans but don't want to lose the easy factor?  Try Dockers.  I found these pants to be very comfortable with a little bit of stretch, easy care and a classic cut.  A lot of stores carry the brand but JCPenney's has them on sale right now.

 

Finally, finish off the look with a pair of ballet shoes.  This style is comfortable and perfect for the cool weather of spring.