Today, we’re talking about clutches – a fabulous accessory that can accomplish your fashion experimentation goal.

When you’re used to carrying around a large handbag filled with items that meet the needs of your children, it can feel exhausting to carry around and less than stylish to say the least.

But what about those times when you actually get out for date night with your significant other or some fun with your girlfriends? Well ladies, it’s time to forgo the oversized bag and spruce up your outfit with a rockin’ clutch.

What Is a Clutch?

A clutch is  a small handbag that fits just the necessities for an evening out – identification, money, cellphone, lip gloss and small compact. There are larger clutches that fit more, so depending on the look you are going for or your needs, you can choose accordingly. Most clutches do not have straps, some come with handles.

Take a Fashion Risk with Your Clutch

So how do you choose a clutch that works for you? It depends on the outfit and personal style, but trust me when I tell you that accessories are a great way to take risks with fashion and try something new, so don’t play it safe my friends.

Not sure if you can pull of animal print? Pick up a clutch like the snakeskin bag pictured. Love the idea of the peacock feather trend we’ve seen a lot of lately? Pick up a cobalt wrap dress and pair it with the clutch we found.

Have a lot of solid prints in your closet? Add a pop of magenta or mustard yellow to your little black dress or chocolate brown maxi sundress with these clutches we found over at Polyvore.

Finally, a silver and black clutch are solid investment pieces, so don’t hesitate to pick both of these up. Consider them in a textured material for a little extra interest and you’ll go back to these pieces for years to come.

Fashion risks don’t have to be bold choices taken only with your clothing, start with your accessories and build into bigger pieces, or simply stick to the accessories – that’s ok, too.

Would you purchase any of these clutches? What accessories do you love to take fashion risks with?

Image: Polyvore

And they are simply fantastic.

I love the girly feel, the clean lines and the overall refined look. What I also love is they keep in mind all body types. You will find petite through plus size models on their sites, making all women feel welcome and beautiful while shopping, and I love that.

So why Modcloth? Well, let’s get real, when it comes to fashion in the last ten years, there has been a decline. Jeans, tees with flip-flops (complete with muffin tops and plumbers) and don’t even get me start with the words JUICY written across velour bums! It’s been a sad state of fashion affairs folks.

But in the last few years, things have started looking up again. I’m seeing variety, and I’m seeing refined looks coming back into trend – Modcloth being a site that taps into that, which I love.

It’s not to say I think we should be walking around looking like we are the stepford wives, but as mothers, being put together is a good thing. Taking care of ourselves and finding a sense of personal style is a good thing. It makes us feel more confident within ourselves which then permeates all that we do – plain and simple. Good enough reason to shop for me!

I get that we’re busy moms. I get that spending days in stretchy yoga pants makes sense when we’re chasing after toddlers, but why not spruce up your look a bit every once and a while when you head out on that lunch playdate with other moms? Why not feel great when you’re sitting at your desk at work?

I realize it’s not for everyone, and if this isn’t your cup of tea, then it’s not your cup of tea. But, personally, I know that I like to feel and look my best when I’m trying to work amongst my peers. I like to get my head in the game and part of that is presenting my self in away that makes me feel like I’m at my best. BUT, I also don’t dig the drab, traditional suit. So, Modcloth has me inspired with their new nine to five line.

Add in some of their flirty finds for this summer as seen in the main image and I am smitten with this company. Truly smitten. I want to throw away the jeans and tees (Yes, I own and wear them all too often. I didn’t say I had not fallen prey to the drab mom look.) in favor of a fun dress on occasion.

Sure, maybe it will only be for date night or a girls afternoon out when I’m not with my kids – I get the logistics of being mom and unloading a stroller out of the minivan, but I’m not dead and neither is my fashion sense. So, Modcloth may just be my new splurge, because splurges are allowed.

What are your favorite clothing sites to find unique fashions? 

Images: Modcloth & Polyvore

Apparently, “glamping” is when you go camping…but you don’t really “rough it.” You enjoy the great outdoors, but you have amenities….like the ability to call someone up to light your campfire for you.

Where can I sign up?

And who can teach me how to make my hair look this cute when I go?

Source

When I saw this episode, I thought, this looks like a fantastic idea for a girls weekend away or a way to appease the husband’s need to be one with nature and my need to have four solid walls between me and nature while I sleep.

So, with that in mind, I had to do some research to find out what is really out there in the way of Glamping resources – and would you know, there are websites dedicated just to the idea of glamping?

Exhibit A: GoGlamping.net

Their site is the:

leading luxury camping directory where you will find yurts, tipis, safari tents, airstream caravans and more

You might be asking yourself (I was) what is a yurt? Well folks…it is a tent. But one that is on a platform and much sturdier than a traditional tent – making it a glamping-worthy and one that I would be willing to sleep in.

Exhibit B: GlampingHub.com 

This is another site that offers searchable areas around the world and within the United States and Canada for camping that is a little less than traditional.

Now don’t get me wrong, these are not necessarily the four-seasons. You’re not roughing it, but these aren’t all posh either. It’s a nice compromise if you’re like me and you can’t hack it sleeping on the ground with nature. It might be a way to get out and be one with nature but still have the comforts of four walls between you and that nature.

What do you think about the idea of glamping? Would you take a trip with the girls or head out with your significant other? 

main photo credit: Bravo TV

So, here’s what I found for ME (yes, me, not my young lovelies) at Pottery Barn Kids. I’m telling you this in case you still have hints to drop for upcoming Mother’s Day. Or you’ve got to get your mother something from the grandchildren and G-Ma, as a woman and mom, might just love some jewelry!

I’m not usually a girly-girl. I don’t typically like frilly things. And I don’t wear much jewelry because, well, frankly, I don’t remember to adorn myself. But I like adorning myself.

A mom’s take on dog tags. The Silver Name & Date Tag Necklace is so very simple. I think this is my favorite.

The Gold Pearl Chain Charm Necklace. Who wouldn’t love a little footprint?

The Gold Scroll Birthstone necklace is the most frilly among these and while the scrolly script letter isn’t my taste exactly, I do very much like it paired with a birthstone. Plus the script letter seems so 1980s to me and as I understand it, that decade is back in!

And for simplicity’s sake, the Birthstone Bead Necklace is an understated mommy necklace. You don’t scream, HEY HERE ARE MY KIDS AND YES I WENT THROUGH HOURS OF PAIN. Just a simple pop of color, the birthstone is enough reminder.

And if you aren’t a necklace girl, then how about this lovely Silver Personalized Birthstone Bracelet. It’s a lot more simple and sophisticated than a charm bracelet but still has all the juicy memory markers attached.

I’m so angling for the dog tags or the bracelet! If you happen to know my husband and he asks you what I might like for Mother’s Day, please, feel free to say, “I know just the thing!”

photo credit: Pottery Barn Kids

I suppose adding my opinion to the mix won’t really matter here – it seems like people are appropriately up in arms about this diet, about the doctor who is promoting it and about the women who are on it.

Oh, and about the society we live in that might give rise to such behavior. I support any and everyone who thinks this goes way beyond drastic and thinks that it is a wildly bad idea.

As a recap, if you haven’t heard, the feeding tube diet involves an 800 calorie a day protein powder mixture that you carry in a purse over your shoulder and ingest via a feeding tube that is threaded through your nose down through esophagus and into your stomach.

Only, why is this the thing that seems unreasonable? Yes, it’s shocking, but what about everything that came before? As if injecting a known toxin into your face or sucking your own fat out of your ass surgically (only to have it re-injected into your lips) is not a shocker. As one commenter on Dave Berry’s column You May Now Remove the Bride’s Feeding Tube said, common sense is not so common.

Here’s my thing: as a mom to two young daughters, how do we stop this body issue epidemic? It’s not about the big bad media. It’s not even about the princess industrial complex and their hourglass figured, happily every after BS campaign.

It’s about being hungry. And no, not in a nutritional way. It’s about being hungry for love. Love of our inner selves just as we are.

I have a friend who recently told me that we fill ourselves when we are not fulfilled. She’s right, only I’d add that we yearn to escape so we medicate. Medicate with traditional meds but also with beer and banana nut muffins, endless tweets and sweets.

We are so connected right now we are disconnected.

Fragmented.

Trying to piece together the perfect parts of ourselves in an identity collage, ignoring the jagged lines and glue splotches that make us real, living people incapable of being perfect. What these doctors should be doing is treating the patient – the unhappy person – not the symptom of the cellulite or jiggly tummy.

If only these women on this diet could remember this: brides are beautiful on their wedding days because they cast off embers of happiness. Their happy fires are burning too bright to contain. Grooms, too. That’s beautiful. It’s all that love floating around in the air, all that possibility. Not the body. Not the dress.

So while my daughters have a long long long long time before considering being a bride, I think my work is now. They couldn’t be happier with their little bodies, and rightly so!, and I want to help keep it that way.

I caught myself asking my husband if a dress I had made me look fat the other night. I turned around to see two little eyes looking at me with such love. For a second I imagined her asking me if she looked fat in a dress and I was appalled at the thought.

What do we – as moms, parents, sisters, brothers, dads, best friends, daughters, sons – what do we have to do to nurture ourselves to feel fulfilled enough to not fill ourselves? To then diet all that unfulfillment off?

Take a walk in nature, read the paper, do yoga, breathe. What works to get in touch with yourself? For me, it’s music. Every time I listen to music I feel fine.

So that’s my take away from this whole feeding tube diet craze. What can I, my own little self in my own little world, do to combat this craziness? Learn to accept who I am: the shape of my body and the curls of my hair, my boney feet and knobby knees.

I am who I am.

That’s what I want my daughters to be armed with as they venture out into the unbalanced world out there. That’s what I want them to remember about me. That’s what I want them to remember about themselves.

photo credit: francisco_osorio

One such look we can all pull of is adding a pop of color which will always spruce up an otherwise drab look.

Yes moms…we are becoming a bit drab in our yoga pants. I, too, am guilty of this.

But, in addition to those yoga pants, how many of us walk around in a bland ol’ jeans and tee combo? How many of us throw on a solid sundress and flip-flops and nothing more? Add in the occasional event where we put on a standard little (bland) black dress – because it’s safe and comfortable – and voila! – boring.

But, what if we add some color? What if we spruce up that solid navy maxi dress with a vibrant coral beaded necklace? (see above)

What if we take that safe and otherwise drab little black dress and add some fuschia heels and an equally fantastic fuschia clutch?

Take a pair of bootcut jeans, white eyelet top with snakeskin camel pumps and and add a turquoise oversized beaded bracelet for your pop of color and you instantly elevate an otherwise simple outfit.

Not into the high-heel? Swap out the pumps in favor of a similar color flat and you’re good to go.

Fashion doesn’t have to be complicated, so pick up a few key timeless accessories to get you started – turquoise, coral, magenta, eggplant, mustard yellow, kelly green and other rich colors like it. All of these are the perfect pops of color to take your plain jane mom look to the next level.

All Images: Polyvore

This is unsat my friends.

I’m here to tell you it’s time to balance things out and invest in yourself a bit, too. Pick up a few key pieces that are timeless when the budget allows to pair with those trendy pieces that are less expensive to spruce up your look, because you’re worth it.

Above I have a few key investment pieces that should be in every busy mother’s wardrobe. Now, keep in mind that they may look slightly different depending on on your personal taste and season, but this is a general guideline.

1. A Quality Pair (or three) of Jeans

It took me a long time to spend money on a good pair of quality jeans that fit well. But then I realized that they were something that I wore nearly everyday for almost everything. When you wear something that often – dress it up or dressed down – it’s not a bad idea to invest money in a pair that makes you look and feel your best.

2. A Neutral Leather Handbag & Boots

A leather handbag in camel and black are great neutrals to have on hand. They go well with almost anything and can be staples in your closet for years. The same goes for boots – invest in quality leather and a timeless design and you will have a piece that you can use from season to season, year to year, making it less of a splurge and more of a smart purchase.

3. Black Blazer

A black blazer is a great addition to a variety of outfit combinations. It can dress up a jeans and tee ensemble in a flash or make a pencil skirt and blouse more board room ready. A great blazer is a fantastic long term investment piece that never goes out of style when you purchase a tailored cut.

4. Neutral Python Pumps

You may think that a python or animal textured pump is a bit trendy, but the truth is, when done in a solid neutral like camel or black, it is anything but. Animal prints are timeless in their own right. The texture is subtle when done in a solid color, like the one pictured, and it adds just enough interest to make an otherwise bland pump more fun. You can work this same concept with a small clutch or handbag and change it up with a black pump or handbag.

5. Little Black Dress

I know you’ve heard it before, but everyone needs a little black dress that they feel fantastic in. Spend a little bit of money getting a dress that makes you look and feel great, so when you have a last minute dinner or get together to attend, you can grab that dress and know you look great.

And don’t worry about repeating that same dress from event to event – just make sure to pick up a variety of trendy accessories – think necklaces, earrings, bangles, cocktail rings  and/or clutches – not all at once, pick one or two of these at a time or it will be accessory overkill. This is where you can spend a little less money to change up your look.

There are other investment pieces that you can add into your wardrobe, but the above are a great place to get started if you’ve neglected your wardrobe, as we all have from time to time in this mothering gig.

Which of the above pieces would you be willing to pick up for yourself? What are some other investment pieces you could recommend to a mother who’s let her style suffer for the sake of her child’s? 

Image: Polyvore

How about you join me? Let’s make Stacy and Clinton of What Not To Wear proud and start wearing adorable, easy, comfortable dresses. Get out of the jeans. AND the yoga pants. C’mon, you know you do it. You know you wear yoga pants as real pants. I know I do. And, no, I don’t work out enough to justify them either.

I know, I know, dresses are hard to find…they feel so (ahem) dressy…yada yada yada. But if you can find a good dress source, then choosing to wear something other than jeans and a tee would be super easy!

So in honor of founding this secret society of Dressy Mamas, I’ve found a few places that have adorable cotton dresses that look awesome and seem like they’d feel like wearing one big, long tee-shirt. Or nightgown. Only less muumuu-ish and more stylish.

J. Crew – Always a good source, and so ever-present. They are like the Starbucks of clothes stores. Here is what I just put in my shopping cart (!) as I was “researching.”

Strapless dresses usually aren’t my thing, but this one looks comfy and fitted enough to keep me all safely inside, if you know what I mean.

Drawstring striped cotton frock. I’ll wear this everywhere! Can’t wait till it comes.

This green tank top dress is the bees knees. It’s bright for me, but with a few well placed neutrals, I think it will look great.

Anthropologie – I love this store because it’s quirky yet smart, stylish in an effortless sort of way.

Be as bright as the sun in this yellow jersey dress. I have to admit, it’s a little bright for me, but I want to be comfortable wearing it.

Chevron prints are always good for visual interest. I was going to buy a chevron striped rug, but maybe a dress would be better….or maybe I’m going a little far with this whole thing?

And finally a large print that I think I’d actually love wearing. Again, probably with lots of neutrals to tone it down a bit.

Madewell – I think J.Crew bought them, but it seems like their selections are a bit less mass produced.

Another tank top dress. Is this too nightgown-y?

Polka dots make me smile. Could you wear a whole dress of them? Hmm.

And, you have to have a maxi-dress, so I hear. I’m pretty tall, so I’ve shied away from maxi dresses so far.

The thing is, I don’t understand why women don’t wear dresses all the time. What could be easier? Just slip it on over your head and voila! You look great. Of course, there is fit and silhouette to consider, not to mention cold arms and legs, but I think I’ve just talked myself into a dress. What about you?

Oh, and I’ve got to think up a “reason” why my “research” just cost me and my hubby a few hundred bucks of dresses. Got any ideas?!?

top image: J.Crew

Now, when I go shopping with her, she’ll come out of the dressing room and simply ask, mutton? With her British accent, it’s beyond endearing.

No mutton dresses lamb for me! Guess I’ll have to settle for dressing my two daughters in these adorable looks and remain a little more appropriate for a mother of 40. Wait, no, I don’t have 40 kids! I should say a 40 year old mother. But somehow that sounds worse. God, when did I turn 40?!?

Two Tie Surf Lily Dress

Kangin Stripe Playdress (by the way, wouldn’t you love to have a dress in your wardrobe you call your ‘play dress.’)

Sanur Floral Sporty Dress

Moon Orchid Trapeze Dress

A few of the dresses are made by Tea Collection, a wonderful line of clothing for kids. I warn you, though. Whatever you do, do NOT click through to Tea Collection’s girls or boys new arrivals page. Don’t do it. You will be quickly parted with your money.

It’s like they just reach into your wallet from the screen, pulling out your cash and depositing adorable clothes for your kids that will, I’m sure, quickly be outgrown. Urgh.

top image: Giggle.com

I’m headed to the mom conference in Miami in a few weeks and one of the evenings we will all be attending a dinner party on the beach, white attire requested. Now, I love love love the mental image of this. I can’t wait to go. Only, I don’t have anything to wear.

I was thinking white jeans and a T, but that could be boring. And while I own a *mostly* white T-shirt, I don’t have white jeans and I’m not certain I’m a girl who should own white jeans. See, I tend to spill things. Oh, and I have 2 toddlers. So there’s that.

But, I checked Wendy’s site out and lo and behold she has a white outfit on that looks just adorable. Don’t you think? I could do the polka dot shirt (by Madewell) and jeans (by Old Navy). Not too bad.

Where do you get your fashion inspiration from? Or, more importantly, what the heck would you wear to a white party?!? And, most importantly, are you going to Mom 2.0 and if so, come say hi! I don’t know anyone there yet.

photo credit: Wendy Nguyen

You know that part in a facial where the bright light comes out and your pores get uber-inspected? Well, as Michelle was doing this, she asked me about my skin care routine. I told her what I use – L’Occitane Immortelle Divine Cream, which I love by the way – and she told me about Safecosmetics.org.

Without going into the whole bit about how department store products are vastly inferior to those sold in spas, I gotta tell you about this website where you can look up the ‘hazards’ associated with your (yes, your) cosmetics. No matter what brand you use.

First off, I don’t necessarily buy the argument that department store products are worse than the specialists. Part of me just thinks it’s all about marketing and baloney.

Only I went to Safecosmetics.org and looked up L’Occitane Immortelle Divine Cream and gasp! it gets an overall hazard of 7 out of 10! I can’t even get into the ingredients and their ratings because A) I can’t pronounce or spell them and B) I’m overwhelmed. Toxic to reproductive organs…whaaaaaaaa?

Just do me this favor, girlfriend…go look up the stuff you slather yourself with and learn a little more about it. Don’t take my word for it.

Oh, and I also looked up Brazillian Blow out and other keratin hair straighteners and OMG! I know what’s been flying around the Internet about that, but OMG!

photo credit: teammarche

And also, if you’re not gasping yet, lemme throw the kicker out at ya. She doesn’t watch TV. So, that means the children don’t watch TV. They don’t have an iPad with apps, they don’t have computer games, they don’t even have headphones to plug into the airplane’s TV. I’m in awe of her spirit.

Unfortunately, she left before I could give her this neat Changi Travel Wallet from Tribe Bags. It’d be perfect for her. It’s the size of a folded up changing pad – slim and a little bigger than a wallet. Yet, don’t judge it’s effectiveness by size because this lil’ wallet could quickly become indispensable.

How many times have you said, ‘I’ll just stick these in a safe place’ only to never locate said ‘safe place’ again?!? I say it so much my younger daughter now puts her lovies in safe places – under her crib, under the book shelf, under the dirty clothes. It’d be comical if only it weren’t such a bright flashlight into my own obsessive behavior.

But back to the wallet. Imagine, a clutch purse only with as much function as style. I swear I’d wear this out at night dressed up. In fact, I think I will…forget waiting till I travel again this summer.

The purse/wallet has 4 compartments all labeled; such a nice touch for those of us who get off on labels. It just makes me feel organized, seeing labels. Old school, I know.

It’s like having a mini-file folder in your purse that holds passports, ticket stubs, receipts and other things. Great for business travel when you’ve got all those little slips of paper you’ll need to be reimbursed with when you return.

Plus, it has a spot for currencies, which isn’t a huge thing if you’re traveling around the United States, but believe me, it is immensely useful when it comes to the Euro or the British Pound.

Those are so much bigger than US dollars and, while it’s possible to stuff Euro in your dollar pocket in your regular wallet, they get all smushed and smashed. No way to treat money. Plus so unsightly. Like pulling out a dirty Kleenex wadded up bill.

One last note about all those pockets and zippered spots – these are exceedingly great for little hands that need to be busied. Of course, you’ll have to deal with papers, etc., flying around, but one thing small children love to do is sort, and this travel wallet delivers. Just an aside from one mom to another.

One reason I think the travel wallet is a good idea, aside from staying organized, is that it is so much more functional than a passport holder. Sure, those look good, but then what to do with everything else you invariably have to hold on to?

Also, and this is why I actually think I’d use this travel wallet a lot – there is a labeled pocket for boarding passes. That would allow me to not have to continually pat my back pocket or search my purse, asking my husband where oh where did I put our boarding passes?!? Think of the tension THAT ALONE would ease.

This musta been designed by an OCD woman! Love it.

So, if you’re off on a journey and excited to get you organized before you go – then check out Tribe Bags. You won’t be sorry!

Also, a big thanks to Tribe Bags for sending this my way – the next time I pack my bags, I’ll be giving you air kisses. And here I thought you were simply a bag company!

photo credit: Tribe Bags

Using a color wheel as a reference, she offers the following tips for Making Color Blocking Work

• Understand the color families first – these are the colors that sit next to each other on the color wheel. For example: red, orange and yellow sit together – so they are a family. Purple, pink and red are a color family as are the blue, turquoise and greenish color families.
• One approach to color blocking when choosing colors is to choose colors that are neighbors on the color wheel to put together. For example, pink and purple, yellow and green, navy blue and kelly green.
• Another approach is to go a bit bolder and choose colors that compliment each other like purple and red, orange and navy, or pink and orange.
• Keep most accessory elements neutral, like the nude heels above.
• Add a third color, through accessories, in a color across the color wheel. If you’re wearing blue and green you can pair it with an orange belt. Or, as seen in the outfit above, you have navy blue, a touch of turquoise from nearby on the color wheel with pink, which compliment each other, and gold from across the wheel.

With all this in mind, will you try the Color Blocking Trend this Spring? Have you already jumped in on this trend? What’s your favorite combination on the color wheel?

Source: Polyvore & color wheel