Springtime baby and the swimsuit situation

So, you just had a baby. It may be your first, it might be your 2nd or even 3rd...bottom line, the last thing you want to think about is throwing on last season's bikini. We have all been through this before, and it's not a fun time. Trying on swimsuits post baby might be one of the worst things ever, especially in a department store fitting room with that TERRIBLE lighting.

Thankfully, one piece suits are chic, and there are so many silhouettes to choose from! Even if you don't believe it, there will be a style that is flattering and that will make you feel confident when you are running around after your little ones this summer. My best advice is to find some online, order a bunch and try them on at home. The lighting is WAY better, and truthfully it's always nice to have a 2nd opinion from a friend or husband.

Here are some of my favorites...

ok, did they have to put Adriana Lima in this suit? Geeeez...well, anyway, this DKNY suit has a really sexy silhouette that holds the "girls" in, and the ruching on the sides is always great for drawing the eye away from the tummy. I would do it in black for sure. On sale for $79!

My friend who just had a baby in February, brought this suit on a recent vacation. It is SO cute on. The plastic mannequin does not do it justice. It's actually a one piece, with tummy control! So no worrying about the top riding up. it is really flattering, and who doesn't love a good stripes? By Tommy Hilfiger on Zappos

This La Blanca one piece is a really gorgeous Melon color. I also love the bust line, for those of us who don't have much up top, it will give it the illusion that you do. Again, the ruched midriff is great and very flattering. 

This would probably be my pick, if I had to choose one. I absolutely love the color, and I prefer a strapless suit. There is also a tie-back detail, which makes it a bit more interesting. By Carmen Marc Valvo (he makes amazing swimsuits, I found a bunch online that were really pretty!)

Rosa Cha is a Brazilian designer known for her phenomenal swimwear. This one piece is a very stylish option. I love the one shoulder with lucite charm detail. They are not inexpensive, but the quality and style make it worth the investment. $225 on Nancy Meyer.

I just discovered this line of suits last night, and I fell in love with everything, especially this striped one piece. This suit by Kushcush is the perfect way to do Nautical this summer. How about that button detail on the neck? LOVE!

What do you think about one pieces? Any brands you love?

It's giveaway time!

Does your little girl like to raid your jewelry box? Well this is the giveaway for you!

Stella and Dot makes really fun, fashionable jewelry and recently they added a little girls line. When I first saw the pieces, I couldn't help but smile. I would have been begging my mom for these when I was little!

 All of the pieces are of high quality, and they are just sparkly and cute enough for your little one to love, but classic enough to wear for many years. The line is already gaining a following...and you might soon be seeing them on the likes of Suri Cruise, Stella McDermott (Tori's daughter), Apple Martin (Gwyneth's daughter) or one of Heidi Klum's beautiful children. So when Katy (stylist for Stella and Dot) came to me about doing a give away, I could not be more thrilled.

One lucky reader can win the fabulous Kristin Charm necklace. This necklace comes with 3 charms that can be interchanged. They are so cute and so sparkly and perfect for that little girl that has started her jewelry obsession early!

To enter, just comment on this post with your favorite item from Stella and Dot's website. A winner will be picked a week from today!

Stella and Dot also offers the opportunity to do a trunk show for your friends in the comforts of your own home. Katy Hinsdale, who is a rep in the Chicago area (but will also travel to Indiana/Wisconsin/Michigan-2 hours max) will come to your home and help you throw a fabulous jewelry party...and of course earn some free jewels for yourself! If you would rather do it online, there is also a virtual trunk show that makes it easy for everyone! You can contact Katy HERE if interested.

Good luck everyone!

Shannan and Amy, this one is for you...

When I found this jewelry designer, I could not help but think of the lovely ladies over at Merci Blah Blah, because they are always DECKED in the most amazing jewelry. What I loved about Elva Fields is her fantastic statement pieces. You could wear a bag and put on one of these beauties and still look good. Unfortunately, most of these pieces are sold out, but it is a site you probably want to check on often, you never know what she might whip up! Oh and thank you Katie Armour, a.k.a. The Neo Traditionalist...I discovered Elva Fields via her darling blog.

These are made from vintage pieces...

give me anything nautical and I am sold

or this sassy snake...

who can resist some sparkle?

if you are feeling a bit equestrian?

what an amazing medallion, with a touch of turqoise

And some non-vintage, but just as pretty...

Mini Prep

Even though I love up to date fashion, there is just something to be said about the all american look of Ralph Lauren. Their kid stuff is so cute, and so classic. If I had a little girl, she would probably be decked out in something like this. Oh and accessorized with Mel-Belles bows, of course!

Dress HERE

Swimsuit HERE

Eyelet Tank HERE

Big Pony Polo HERE

Sleeveless Polo HERE

Madras Short HERE

Could you die? I want these shoes!!! Ha! Leather Driving Shoe HERE

Why do you tease me?

Dear H&M,

you USED to be a favorite of mine. That is when I literally could walk to your store on my lunch break and get my quick fashion fix. I miss you....terribly. I have gone 3 years without an H&M in the city where I live. Please come to K.C. I promise we would take good care of you!!!! You are killing me with your summer collection, I love every last bit of it...

just insert my husband and I here...isn't the men's stuff cute too?

great dress/coverup

There's an App for that...

I might be up on fashion, but technology not so much. I like to wait until the newest technology works out the kinks before I purchase. When it came to the iphone, I was kind of apprehensive. Would I like the touch screen? Is the size and shape annoying? But all I can say is that I am in complete bliss now that I own this phone. It is like my own tiny personal computer.

Besides having Facebook, Twitter, and my email all right in the palm of my hand, I also have downloaded some pretty sweet applications. The ones that have been used the most are the apps geared towards children. I know there is a lot of debate around this subject; should our kids be playing with our cell phones? Well, I can say that we don't do it all the time, it's just good in a pinch if we need a moment of quiet time. I also am really impressed with some of the learning tools that they have available.

I have a few favorites that I thought I would share with you all, in case you want to download them too.

The most entertaining (even for me!) and probably the cutest are the interactive songs by Duck Duck Moose. So far we have downloaded Itsy Bitsy Spider and The Wheels on the bus. Both have someone singing (which is a bit nauseating) but you and your child can touch the screen to interact with the song. Like making the wheels move, or opening and closing the door on the bus. My son loves making the spider go up and down the spout, and having the little girl in the video splash in the puddle. The images are darling, and definitely a crowd pleaser.

We also love connect the dots by Touch Screen preschool games.com. Using a sequence of letters or numbers (they switch it up) you have to connect the dots and then it shows the image, which also includes sounds! It's very cool, and I can tell my son likes to figure out what the image is going to be.

Learning numbers, colors, and sounds is really fun with this app by Preschool Adventure. It has great vibrant images, and sounds that will definitely keep your little one engaged.

My personal favorite are the flash cards by itots.  They have flash cards for everything from numbers to colors, animals, things, and alphabet. My son absolutely loves the "things" category, in which when you tap the card, they say the name of the item and he repeats after them. As simple as it sounds, it is a great way to expand their vocabulary. You can also change it so that the sounds are spoken in french, spanish or english. It's genius!

Who knew a phone could be so functional...and fun?!

Francis...where have you been all my life?

It is rare to stumble across a clothing line that I not only have never heard of, but one that just blows me away. This weekend we happened to be shopping at Hall's Department store (if you are not from Kansas City, it is a wonderful upscale store owned by Hallmark). I happened to swing through the ladies department and I saw this rack of the most gorgeous, colorful clothing that I have seen in a long time! The line is called Francis.

Of course as soon as I got home, I hopped on my computer to do some research. The line is by famed designer Christian Francis Roth, whose iconic "Rothola" crayon dress won him the coveted "Perry Ellis award for new fashion" by the CFDA in 1990. He took a bit of a hiatus and is now back with this amazing line that you can't help but love!

The line is filled with fabulous dresses, perfect for weddings or showers or just a night out. I love their unique style and bold color palette. The silhouettes are modern, but totally wearable and chic.

We are so lucky to have this gem of a line right here in Kansas City!  Here are some of the styles that our Hall's will be carrying. And many thanks to Christian himself for responding to my email and sharing all of these images.

These would be lovely for an afternoon wedding, or a bridal shower...

A dress you could take from day to evening...

I do love a bold stripe...

Red and ruffles? This dress screams "MELANIE"! 

He had me at pink sequins...love it!

what do you think? Do you own any Francis?