Posts filed under 'fashion'
My god. I feel like a new woman. Now that I have a bra that actually fits. As you moms out there know, things change after having kids, from a rib cage that has permanently expanded, to cleavage that’s not so, well, perky. Yeah, I needed a little help.
Enter the two gals at Macy‘s in Madison, WI, who are trained fitters. Libby was my saving grace. Her first knowing comment was, your bra — the well-worn thing I walked into the store in — doesn’t fit. She measured me, then ran out to the floor to pick out a few sizes and styles and quite discreetly and quickly helped me try them on. I was a little self-conscious about that, but you know, I figure she’s seen it all. And probably then some.
I kid you not, the first two bras I tried on were perfect. Perfect! That has never happened, so I didn’t care that they were nearly $60 each. Usually bra shopping ends in a fit of curses, both at the fact that nothing seems to fit just right, and that, ugh, the lighting and mirrors in fitting rooms are so very unkind and lead to instant depression (I didn’t know I had all that cellulite there! Perhaps that’s how they sell all those fancy creams at the beauty counter… “We know what you saw in the mirror… here, try this!”).
Now I feel pert and perky and just right. No digging wires. My back instantly feels better. Lovely. And the fitting was free. Extra lovely.
My best free advice: Don’t wait until things settle in, i.e., you lose a little more baby weight. If you’re done nursing, get a bra that fits — NOW! Buy another properly fitting bra down the road if you plan to shed a few pounds (the fitter told me even 5 pounds could change the fit of a bra). Keep an eye on fitting events at your local department or underthings store. Often, they are for a cause (Wacoal, DKNY Underwear and Donna Karan Intimates teamed up for Fit for the Cure recent fitting events donated $2 for each woman fitted to breast cancer organizations). Or, you may get a special discount or offer: I bought 4 Wacoal bras, and have a 5th coming FREE.
Here are a few more tips I picked up from my fitter:
- You should have 3 bras: 1 for in the drawer, 1 for in the wash, 1 to wear. More, of course, are a bonus.
- Bras last about a year, depending on how many you have, and how you care for them (delicate or hand-wash and line dry are best).
- Don’t wear a bra 2 days in a row — it needs a day to recover it’s shape.
- Forget about white or nude colors. They show up super-bright under white t-shirts. Go for beige/skin tone. And of course, everyone needs a good black bra.
— Mama Kate
October 31st, 2008
Huge sale at GagaGoods that has brought you wonderful, mom-made and mom-approved designs by Madison mom Kathryn Adler. This wonderful company that donates 5% of your purchases to a children’s charity is full of wonderful gifts and items that you and your kids will love. This companies goodies were noted in Life & Style Weeklyas having the perfect tee for Suri Cruise when she was born—the Fairy Princess Snuggly. Info below:
What’s the deal? 50% off EVERYTHINGon GagaGoods.com!
Here’s your chance to snap up some great HALF PRICE gifts for the holidays — or any day! We have a lot of fun games by eeBoo, cute puzzles by Crocodile Creek and Mudpuppy, plush items by Rich Frog, board books by Simon & Schuster and Chronicle, and more. There’s a few fun Mom gifts left too, like notepads, stationery, books, and a couple mugs by Our Name Is Mud.
Don’t forget about our wonderful Gaga Goods clothing line too! Our onesies, tees and bibs are made in the USA from super soft 100% combed cotton and celebrate the new arrival, big brother or sister, birthday kid, and more. Our sizes range from 0-6 and are a great deal starting at just $7!
Why are we doing this? After five years of love and energy focused on GagaGoods.com, I’m ready to move on to new horizons. That means EVERYTHING must go! Please help me clear my storage shelves — and score a great deal for yourself! If anyone is interested in taking over as the new Chief Smile Spreader, let me know that too. I can forward you a business prospectus.
How long do you have? Even though summer is over, our coupon code: summersmiles will still give you 50% off EVERYTHING on our website while supplies last. Any orders totalling over $40 after discount will also receive a free set of Nifty Gifty Notecards too! But remember, when the goods are gone, they’re gone, baby!
October 28th, 2008
“I’m obsessed,” said Natalie Bass the first time I asked her how she finds the awesome fabrics and combinations for OrangyPorangy, her line of metro, retro and cool “fine ladywear.” Bass’s skirts in particular are arty, graphic, sometimes even sweet, but never boring — and as a mom on the run with little time for wardrobe/styling, I don’t want to be the latter if I can help it.
“I look for bold, graphic designs that catch the eye, but are not too busy. I love contrast, which is why I pick a lot of black and white prints. They also go with everything,” says Bass. She unearths her ever-changing array of fabrics everywhere, from antiques and thrift shops to e-bay for vintage patterns, and wholesalers for designer prints. “I look for what I like and what I would wear. My clothing designs are very simple; I let the fabric do most of the work. It makes having style easy. You can pair one of my bold, graphic skirts with a very simple top and a fun pair of shoes — everyone has those in their closet.”
“Most of the prints I pick also tend to have a vintage or retro feel. I love fashion from the ’60s; styles were so simple, yet so bold,” Bass adds. Currently she’s got two skirt lines — Poly, made of reclaimed fabrics “for your wearing pleasure,” and Opal, two-tiered with various fabrics — and Jane dresses, “simple, but never plain.” Frankly, I’d buy her stuff just for the cleverness with which she describes it all.
OrangyPorangy skirts flatter all body types. Really. “I have found that the A-line is a miracle of nature,” says Bass. “It looks good on everyone. It’s really comfortable, too.” While she doesn’t do commissions — wedding dresses, for example — she does do custom work, including making special sizes or lengths. She’s also considering making kids’ skirts.
I love that thanks to the cut and the fabulous prints Bass has chosen, I can wear strappy sandals one day with my skirt, and chunky shoes the next. And, of course, black; Bass tries to craft her skirts so they coordinate with that wardrobe staple.
You can find her skirts at OrangyPorangy.com (hey! free shipping all August long!) and around the country in a few hip boutiques. If you live in Madison, WI, on Farmers’ Market Saturdays you can visit her tent at the top of State Street and try them on for yourself. I dare you to walk away with just one.
The tagline on her fashions is reclaimed, recycled, really cute. And, truly, OrangyPorangy’s skirts make me feel terribly flirty in a modern, no-girlish-”frills” sort of way. Hmmm. I think I’ve found a new obsession, too.
Mama Kate
August 7th, 2008
Modern Tots has the fashionably mod kids chair you have been looking for and it is called the Cubino Chair. It’s hip’s answer to the puffy character driven seating that is available at most kids stores…
This little chair can add pizazz to any one of your rooms while affording your child some pint-sized seating accommodations.
Completely removable and washable seat covers—need I say more?
Mama Jen
August 3rd, 2008
I like my jewelry to be bold, especially since I usually wear only one piece at a time. And, while it needs to have presence, it’s got to be less than gargantuan, i.e., not so chunky that it fills the entire short/little space between my shoulders and ears.
Enter Stubborn. Artist Melissa Stiles’ pieces are eye-stoppers (and, apparently, people-stoppers — I can’t wear my orange Olicook without being plied with inquiries). Stiles handcrafts her earrings, bracelets, cufflinks, rings and necklaces from stainless steel, aluminum and silver and fills them with opaque resins in hip colors (brown, red, orange, citrine, graphite, even turquoise, blue and pink).
Stiles’ pieces are simple statements. To me they’re perfect modern minimalist objects: They don’t overwhelm, but they demand notice. I like the contrast, too: a bold piece suspended on a delicate wire, the industrial shine of silver partnered with earthy texture and tones of the resins.
Stiles started out as an architect and then became enamored with metal smithing. Now she’s in Portland, Oregon — that hotbed of creativity — and is “no longer an architect, but still stubborn and still making jewelry.” That’s bold, too.
Mama Kate
July 14th, 2008
I was so happy to find the website notshowing.com …my husband and I are adopting a baby and there just seems to be a lack of adoption specific items for gifts, clothing etc…
I adore the t-shirts that say “Expecting from….” or “Adopting…Bump not required.” These shirts would be a cute way of saying that our family is growing. Such a fabulous idea!!
Mama Jen
June 23rd, 2008
Look at these amazingly cute, cute, CUTE bath capes! I absolutely love the idea…functional, imagination inspiring and fashionable!
These 100% terry cloth bath capes drape over your shivering little superhero and button in front so your little one can run around hands-free and warm!!! These would solve a big problem in our house—chattering teeth because our daughter’s towel—even though it has a hood— falls off, or is flailing wide open while she is destracted with some fun task her hands have gotten her into. A button would fix that in a heartbeat!
This Chicago based company that hand makes these capes, will emblazon a bath cape for your child and ship the item out two weeks or less from the time of order.
Mama Jen
June 11th, 2008
Kice Kice is a clothing boutique for kids with a big conscience. The gorgeous, artfully designed clothing is 100% certified organic and sweatshop free.
Kice Kice is created by twin sisters in Southern California who both have art backgrounds—it shows in their clean, modern, whimsical designs. The clothes all are comfortable which leaves lots of flexibility for play. I don’t know about how it goes in your house, but my daughter insists on “cozy clothes” which is her definition for soft cotton clothing with elastic…I agree!
Mama Jen
June 3rd, 2008
Up the chicness of any outfit with the artful, playful bangles, necklaces and earrings from New York designer Alexis Bittar. I adore the lucite jewelry, and apparently, I am not alone…his work is consistently mentioned, in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle and countless other fashion oriented magazines.
The lucite is nice and strong too, so the bangles will hold up to the usual toddler tugging … Mama Jen
May 29th, 2008
Luca Bleu is having a crib bedding sale for girl’s! Check out the beautiful designs available for all those spring chicks that are ready to hatch!! Enter promo BED20 to receive 20% off of your purchase. Yea!
Mama Jen
May 14th, 2008
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My god. I feel like a new woman. Now that I have a bra that actually fits. As you moms out there know, things change after having kids, from a rib cage that has permanently expanded, to cleavage that’s not so, well, perky. Yeah, I needed a little help.
