This little piggy...wears cotton?

organic mitten side tie onesie $24.95

On a trip to Santa Barbara a couple of years ago, we stumbled upon this darling store called This Little Piggy. At the time I didn't have a baby, but I couldn't help but gush over all of the cute things! I was so happy to find that they have a GREAT website! The thing that sets them apart from other kids boutiques is that they have their own line of cotton basics in fun, whimsical prints. I noticed that they also added a line of Organic cottons, which are SUPER soft and cozy for new babies and toddlers alike. They also have some of my favorite brands: Coccoli, Angel Dear, Petit Bateau and Charlie Rocket...just to name a few. Here are some of my favorite Piggy Brand pieces:

piggy organic boxer pant $34.95 size 2-16

piggy organic ruffle boxer pant $24.95 size 0-24 months

piggy organic hooded romper $36.95 size 3-24 months

To splurge or not to splurge, volume 1

You know I pride myself on being a bargain shopper. I LUUUUVE a great deal. But, there are times when you just have to suck it up and pay a little bit more to get what you want. In times when we are all trying to be a bit more economical, you have to weigh out the pros and cons of what is REALLY important. So it brings me to my current topic...tee shirts. I know you are all thinking, what the heck?! Tee shirts? But seriously...we have a million choices when it comes to these cotton tops, but, what do you do when you find the perfect tee shirt, AND it costs $60?!!!!

A.Olsen wearing my favorite deep vnk tee by LNA

2 years ago I purchased a Navy blue LNA deep vneck tee shirt. It was a time when I didn't have a child, I was still working and I often made frivolous purchases like this. And, of course, it has become my absolute favorite tee. It has the perfect v-neck, it's got short sleeves that aren't too tight and not too long, and it's super long through the body and it never shrunk in length. It angers me though, why does this perfect tee have to be $60!

What I found is that even though this shirt is way over priced, I have worn it to death and then some. It has gotten 3 times the wear that my cheapies from Old Navy or Target and I probably spent the same amount on 5 shirts that were worn for one season.

verdict: Once you find something you love, even if it is a "splurge" it will probably be worth it in the end because you will actually GET what you paid for!

what is your favorite "frivolous-splurge"?

The best for less...Aden & Anais

The fabulous crew of in-the-know Mom's over at Stroller Traffic recently wrote about the amazing cotton Muslin swaddling blankets by Aden and Anais. They looked so scrumptious and soft, but they are $60!!!! So, you can imagine my excitement when I found them today....AT TARGET!!! Oh yes, ladies, Target does it again. They have a whole line of wonderful cotton muslin products by this amazing Australian based company.

The product that originally caught my eye was the "Burpy Bib". It's shaped so that you can use it as a burp cloth, but then there is a snap closure so you can use it as a bib. Ummm, why didn't I think of that?! $8.99

I mean, can you even handle this little lamb?! Uh...so cute! This is one of their swaddling blankets, they come in a 4 pack for $29.99. That sounds a lot better than 1 for $60, right?

Sleep bags are wonderful when it starts to get cool. I used them a lot when we were breaking our son of the swaddle-it kept him contained and warm at the same time! Also made of the same cotton muslin. $19.99

Forever 21? Or Forever 30 plus?

Ok, so I am turning 32 this year. It gets harder and harder to not feel somewhat awkward shopping in Forever 21. I find myself going middle of the week, at 10AM when they open, just so I don't have to fight a 13 year old for a place in line for the fitting rooms. It's hard to stay away though! The fashion is great, the prices are even better and I can always find something I love!

I think my friends over at F21 know there are others like me out there, because they have been gracious enough to add a contemporary line to their stores. Let me introduce to you Love 21.

The styles are more sophisticated, the hemlines are a tad longer, and the prices are about $5 more than their regular lines. Finally there is a whole line dedicated to the more mature customer who isn't wearing short-shorts or dresses (that I would wear as a tunic!). Here are just a handful of some of my favorite items. Truly, the whole line is great...I really had to narrow it down.

I have always loved a denim dress. This one is a knock-out. It has perfect ruffle detail, and I love a wrap! $24.80

This silk top with ruffle detail is a fabulous layering piece. I would pair this under some of my blazers for fall, or belt it with my skinny jeans for right now when it is still warm. It also comes in a great soft pink. $22.80

I LOVE a great printed blouse...if it is done right. I think they nailed it with this one. It reminds me of a blouse that DVF did a couple of years ago. It has a subtle enough print that you wouldn't tire of it, and I love the blouson styling with ruffles at the neck. $17.80 (yes, it is under $20!!!)

This pintucked button down tunic is a perfect item to transition into fall. It's light weight cotton that can be paired with white jeans right now, but then pair it with your dark jeans for fall. The simple styling and relaxed feel makes it a little Theory-esque, no? $19.80

This skirt has amazing waist detail that adds interest to this simple black skirt. I would pair it with a cobalt blue tank and statement necklace for fall. $17.80

you can get the entire collection online, but for store listings check here...only select F21 stores will be carrying this line. Happy shopping!

Nicole Richie at A Pea in the Pod!

Prego ladies! Nicole Richie's line for A Pea in the Pod launched today! I was kind of disappointed to only see a handful of items...unless there is more to come, I am not sure. I do love the maternity leggings, long cardigan and the dress she is wearing in the photo. It's very boho-chic, just like her!

ShopBop's Fall Fashion recap!

I am so excited about our guest contributor today, it's my great friend Mollie who is the buyer/manager for Bop (storefront for shopbop.com)! She is a mother, she works, and still manages to look FABULOUS all the time! I always go to her for the latest and greatest. She's sensible, stylish and the fact that she too is a mom makes her understanding of the importance of quality, value and great clothes for mom's on the go! O.K., so let's get down to it...here is her recap of must-haves for Fall 09!

Bop Has a new website, what are the best new features

My favorite new feature is the 'shop your style' section. You can find it pulling down on the 'shop by...' tab in the top right corner. There are 5 styles in which to classify yourself - Bohemian, Casual Chic, Classic, Edgy, and Girly. Now, if you're like me, I find things in a lot of these 'profiles.' But, I know that I will find the most for me under Casual Chic, and Classic. And then, to accessorize, I will check out the other profiles. It takes some time out of the process of milling through the thousands of things on the site! I could probably spend my entire workday just looking for the perfect outfit it's so expansive.

Secondly, I love the 'top sellers' section. If you're trying to figure out 'what's in,' which is a question I repeatedly get from a lot of my Mommy friends who don't have as much time for themselves as they used to (ahh..the days of sitting on your couch on a Saturday, wondering what to do, milling through a Lucky magazine while watching 'What not to Wear.' Those days are SO gone!), this is the place to go. It basically is everything that's selling quick and selling out on the site, which means, the items must be 'in' for the general population of people who shop on shopbop.com.

We are nearing the end of summer, transition is always a tough time...any suggestions for this?

I know Melanie could answer this question just as well as I could, maybe she can critique my answer. Leggings, leggings, leggings!!!

They are always a great transition piece to have in your closet as you trade in your shorts and skirts for cooler weather. you can do so much with leggings these days - wear them with a boyfriendy button down, a wide belt, and some great heels (or flats!), wear a slouchy long tee over them, possibly layering a menswear vest on top of that, and as you all kknow, you can put them under dresses if need be. That is just the tip of the iceberg. this fall, it's not just black leggings either. Velvet is making some adorable snakeskin print leggings that can go with a lot, and lace is also huge for fall in leggings. Look for lace leggings from both Velvet and LnA. Finally, latex leggings are still going strong. I know you're probably thinking you can't pull them off - but if I can, you can! I love mine!

http://www.shopbop.com/reina-leggings-velvet/vp/v=1/845524441848924.htm?folderID=2534374302026222&fm=browse-brand-shopbysize
What are the key pieces that everyone should have for Fall?

1. SOMETHING LEATHER:. Probably the most versatile is a leather jacket. Almost every designer I saw for fall 09 had a leather jacket. Mike & Chris is always a great go-to for an amazing leather jacket....I am LOVING this one, in the Pinot color. Love that it has a hood, the 70's pleating detail on the chest, and and the crop style.

http://www.shopbop.com/deon-leather-jacket-mike-chris/vp/v=1/845524441848884.htm?folderID=2534374302066271&fm=other-shopbysize

2. DISTRESSED JEANS: The higher-end you go, the more ripped up they get it seems. However, you can do this trend at any price point. My favorites onshopbop.com and in our store are from AG and JBrand. These two brands seem to do the distressed look well, and the fit is still impeccable. Designers are doing the distressing in a lot of fits; skinny, boyfriend, basic bootcut, etc, so anyone with any body shape should be able to find something! here are some fav skinnies of mine by AG with a little distressing...

http://www.shopbop.com/premiere-skinny-jeans-ag-adriano/vp/v=1/845524441844335.htm?folderID=2534374302064814&fm=other-shopbysize

3. BOYFRIEND PIECES: You don't have to have any 'one' piece to get this look. Just take a gander in your man's closet and see what you can come up with! I have stolen a blazer or two out of my hubby's and worn them with some distressed jeans and a girlie top, a couple of button down shirts and paired them with leggings, flats, and a belt (as you can see that's a look i love), and even a cute JT-like vest! However, if your man isn't parting with his clothes, Elizabeth and James does a great job with boyfriend

http://www.shopbop.com/elizabeth-blazer-james/vp/v=1/845524441848039.htm?folderID=2534374302082591&fm=browse-brand-viewall

4. BOOTIES:. Think what you may about this trend, but it's not going away. I love them in either black, or a nude tone, becasue both of those colors go with everything.

For those of you who have some cash to spend, here are some FAB ones, and for those who like the look for less like me, go for these!

5. ROMPERS AND JUMPSUITS: Maybe not for everyone, but a huge trend right now. If you pull down on the 'Clothes' tab, and click on rompers/jumpsuits, you'll find 4 pages worth of them! I saw a lot for fall, and they're continuing into resort. I know some of you think you may not be able to pull these off - but give them a chance. I AM OBSESSED with finding the perfect one for me. Which leads me to the next question.....

If you could pick just one item that you will for sure be purchasing for yourself, what would it be?

Tadaaaa!

http://www.shopbop.com/harem-jumpsuit-thayer/vp/v=1/845524441848813.htm?folderID=2534374302034081&fm=other-shopbysize

Any major trends in accessories?
I know this has been a 'must have' for a couple of seasons now, but I feel I must mention it as some of even my most stylish friends are still just now hopping on the bandwagon. Scarves. They instantly make whatever you're wearing a bit more fashionable and can dress up a plain white tank top in seconds. There are so many to choose from on shopbop....but here's a cool new one I like:
http://www.shopbop.com/studded-artiste-scarf-madewell/vp/v=1/845524441848969.htm?folderID=2534374302062834&fm=other-shopbysize

Secondly, necklaces that are either part of the shirt you're wearing, or ones that look like they might be part of the shirt you're wearing, a la anything Fiona Paxton on shopbop are huge. So dramatic, and provide an easy way to dress up an otherwise boring tank top or tee shirt. Notice a theme here? The recessionista-chic thing to do these days is to spend the $ on the denim and the accessories, and maybe chince a little on the tops and things that you can get at a cheaper price.

http://www.shopbop.com/connie-necklace-fiona-paxton/vp/v=1/845524441847197.htm?folderID=2534374302024617&fm=other-shopbysize

Back to school? Book Fair cool...

Ladies, I know you are all in the throws of preparing your tots for school to resume. You've made multiple trips to Target for supplies, you've braved the kids shoe department at Nordstrom, and you've spent hours labeling things from backpacks to pencil cases...but have you thought about what you will be wearing this fall? You have book fairs to run, classroom parties to throw and field trips to go on! Put away your tight workout clothes, definitely ditch your high heels and cleavage baring tops, it's time to invest in some chic attire, appropriate for school functions. (Use Gwyneth Paltrow as your inspiration!)

On days when you may be going to a teachers conference or a fundraiser meeting, you may want to step up your game with something other than jeans and a tee shirt. A blazer is the easiest piece to add to your outfit to make your look more polished. The oversized "boyfriend" blazer is a key trend this season. If you aren't ready to tackle the big shoulders oversized look, this is a great alternative by 7 For All Mankind. I love the longer length and 1 button closure. This looks fabulous with jeans, but if you are feeling more daring, you could pair it with leggings as well. $275 on shopbop.com

The boyfriend shirt...yes this 80's look is back. The oversized shirt is a must this season. I love it because it is very versatile and comfortable. James Perse makes phenomenal cotton pieces and this shirt won't disappoint. This would be perfect for days when you help in the classroom or working the book fair. I love it styled with white jeans and then pair it with dark skinny jeans, tall boots and a big belt for fall. $195 on shopbop.com

As you can see, the trend of long and oversized is continuing this season. This fall Leggings are not going away, and either are skinny jeans. This sweater is a perfect accompaniment to either of those bottoms. It's relaxed and cozy and the easiest throw on piece for when you are running out the door. This particular style is by one of my favorite knit makers...Vince. $295 on bloomingdales.com

I hope I am not boring you with my Jeffrey Campbell obsession, but, truly...his shoes are great! These flats are perfect for the mom on the go. They are black leather (also come in tan) with just the right amount of detail on the toe. Throw these on with your leggings and sweaters or your skinny jeans! $110 on shopbop.com

Check back tomorrow for a full Fall trend report via my great friend and fashionista Mollie- buyer and store manager of Bop (storefront for shopbop.com)!!!! It's going to be fabulous!