The Master Mom Blog

"You can have anything you want in life if you dress for it."

-Edith Head

My clients not only believe in that quote, they live it! In an attempt to really hammer home the point to my dear readers that Moms need to take care of themselves on the outside to feel like them on the inside, this week I'm gathering my four most popular "Mom-centric" blogs into one place for your reference. 

We have the blog that started it all, the week Max was born. I followed that one up 5 months later with a blog telling my readers what to buy when they were still in between sizes, and then one on what to do with all of the clothes that didn't fit. A year post-baby, I gave you my 7 Lessons Learned in My First Year as a Mom.

In other news, I was thrilled to learn this week that Washingtonian Magazine is adding a Mom-focused magazine to its arsenal, edited by none other than Kate Bennett, the most fashionable mom/fashion editor in DC. A lot of people in DC, men and women, seem to need a reminder every once in a while that not only is it OK to look good, but it's OK to look REALLY GOOD. It's even OK to look REALLY GOOD on an everyday basis, not just special occasions!

For your entertainment I'll finish this up with a true fashion stylist confession, and then a really cute picture of Max to distract you from my confession. Are you ready? "I too drop my child off at daycare in the morning in my pajamas." But! I add a really cute coat on top like a brightly colored trench or my studded green Army jacket to pick things up a level. Now that it is summer and a cute coat doesn't work when it is 95 degrees, I'll just have to make my husband drop him off so I don't have to get dressed that early.

Fashion Memories and Musings

This last week I had the pleasure of going to see The Tents at Bethesda Row Cinema with my most fashionable friend Rosa from Rosa Loves DC. The movie documents the birth of New York Fashion Week as most of the general public knows it, in tents at Bryant Park beginning in 1993. (The shows moved to Lincoln Center in 2010).

Ok now the rest of this post is going to make me sound REALLY OLD.

The movie made me nostalgic for the genuine, glory days of the fashion week of my early years, before it turned into one big marketing machine to be broadcast instantaneously across the internet. Can you believe that the only way one used to be able to see the shows "immediately" was to watch the TV screens outside the shows or read Women's Wear Daily THE NEXT DAY? Watching the movie, I was so taken back to 1994 I swear I could SMELL the tents. You would walk up the steps of the main tent, show your PAPER TICKET at the door, and then feel like you were entering a secret fashion club as you were nodded past the front door. The AIR was different and special in there. It was magical.

You never knew who you would see. Never mind Hollywood Celebrities, they weren't interested in Fashion Week yet.  The real thrills were to be had in spotting the Fashion Celebrities. The ultimate sighting was Anna Wintour, the Editor of Vogue. My point is, there was in inside world and an outside world. The greater public didn't know or care about our insular, weird fashion world with all of it's drama and personalities.

My one disappointment with The Tents is the lack of footage from those early days. The movie mentions, but doesn't show video, from the shows EVERYONE wanted to get into in those early seasons. Remember Todd Oldham, Anna Sui or Isaac Mizrahi before his uber documentary, Unzipped? I didn't think so. That was all pre-commercialization. The excitement and the energy of those shows, a few of which I was lucky enough to attend, is something I'll never forget. Every cell in my body was screaming, "This is where you FINALLY belong, in NYC with all of the other weird fashion people!" The clothes were interesting, Cindy Crawford and Shalom Harlow were on the runway, and all of downtown NY was in the audience.

The past few months, amongst a rash of new clients, as well as a chance to help my sister create an Intentional Wardrobe for her new job,  I have been reminded of why I went into personal styling as opposed to the glamour and excitement of the fashion magazines and shows. I love helping REAL PEOPLE! Besides, the shows just aren't the same any more. I hear Paris fashion week is still the real deal. Maybe I'll get the chance to go one day!

Would you Dare to Wear Punk on Fifth Avenue? The Met Ball 2013

On May 6th, celebrities, designers, politicians gathered for the 2013 Costume Institute Gala at the Met in New York. The event is known for attracting some of the most fashionable guests each year in beautiful, over-the-top outfits. This year at the Met Ball, party goers donned safety pins, leather, spiked hair, and fishnets to celebrate the opening of the new exhibit, “Punk: Chaos to Couture.” This exhibition showcases punk from its birth in the 1970s to its influence on today’s fashions. The guests this year decided to truly take a risk; some were more rewarding than others. Here are some of the outfits that I thought were able to honor the “punk” theme while still looking chic! Which outfit would you dare to wear?

Anna Wintour in Chanel. I'm not sure this is Punk but as the Editor of Vogue and Chair of the Ball, her outfit is very important!

Kirsten Dunst in Louis Vuitton

Hailee Steinfeld in Donna Karan decorated with safety pins

Cara Delevingne in a studded Burberry gown

Giovanna Battaglia in Dolce & Gabbana accessorized with safety pins and fishnet stockings

Sienna Miller in a studded Burberry leather jacket. Love the spiked barrette in her hair!

Christina Ricci in Vivienne Westwood, the designer who created the punk movement in the 70s.

Sarah Jessica Parker in Giles Deacon with a mohawk headdress designed by Philip Treacy. Underneath her gown, she wore Christian Louboutin thigh-high plaid boots!

Cameron Diaz in Stella McCartney with a gold studded belt

Anne Hathaway in a sheer vintage Valentino gown. By the way, I take offense to this gown being called vintage as I was in high school when it came out.

Nicki Minaj in Tommy Hilfiger

Jennifer Lawrence in an embroidered leather Miss Dior 1949 dress

Taylor Swift in J. Mendel

Beyoncé in a Givenchy gown with matching printed boots

And finally, the most talked about outfit of the night, Ricardo Tisci's "maternity" gown for Kim Kardashian. What do you think?

The Spring Update: Designer Fashion for Less

If you read my blog each week, you've probably noticed that I'm a sucker for a great hi-lo collaboration. This spring, we've seen some amazing new partnerships between designers and big name stores. While you can’t expect the same quality as the more expensive versions, the signature prints and designs are worth your time. Here are some of the hottest spring collaborations available online.

 

Duro Olowu for JC Penney offers a beautiful mix of color, texture, and pattern with an international spin. This collaboration is not only full of amazing clothes, but also kitchen sets, household items, and accessories.

Sleeveless Mixed Print Sundress, $40 

Abstract Leaf-Print T-Strap Platform Sandals, $50

Faux Horn Collar Necklace, $25

Print Sweater, $40

Umbrella, $25

Belted Leaf Print Trench Coat, $70

Derek Lam for Designation features amazing outfits for both work and play. Believe it or not, the entire line is available at Kohls!

Striped Drop-Waist Dress, $32.40

Pleated Crepe Crop Pants, $32.40

Solid Bomber Jacket, $42

Animal Georgette Maxi Dress, $52.80

Striped Sheath Dress, $42

Pieced Crop Pants, $32.40

As I posted on Facebook a few months ago, one of my favorite New York boutiques, Kirna Zabete, is now featured at Nine West! They've released a new line for summer filled with metallic accents and jeweled emellishments, but much of their collection from earlier this year is still available and on sale!

SunFishGirl, $49

Sandcastle, $79

Otay, $69.99

Alitra, $89.99

Prabal Gurung for Target is another collection filled with playful prints, colors and silhouettes. I love all of the flirty dresses for summer!

Drop Waist Dress in First Date Print, $12.24

Dress in Meet the Parents Print, $15.74

Lace-Front Blouse, $12.24

Colorblock Long-Sleeve Sweater, $10.48

Even your children can look fabulous for less with collaborations such as Diane von Furstenberg & Gap Kids. This is her second collaboration with Gap Kids, and you can still expect adorable wrap dresses and her signature bold prints. 

T-Shirt Dress, $40

Pleated Tank Dress, $70

Printed Two-Piece, $45

Skinny Cropped Jeans, $50

Shirtdress, $45

Wrap Dress, $50

Diaper Bag, $150

A Sneak Peek at Summer Festival Fashion

A fashion free-for-all? Now that’s a dream come true! During the month of April, the hottest fashionistas gather in Indio, California for Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, simply referred to as Coachella. Models, designers, celebrities, and concert-goers all use the festival as an opportunity to sport the boldest summer trends, making the fashion just as important as the music! Some of the outfits seen at Coachella may not be appropriate for life after the festival, with short shorts, fringed t-shirts, and flowered crowns all making appearances. However, amongst the daring fashions, there are summer trends seen here that can be worn every day. I’ve picked out some of my favorite looks from the two weekends. Now you tell me which of these trends you could see yourself wearing this summer!

The simple color palette of black and white has made a return this summer. The combination of these two colors can make any outfit appear super chic! Black and white vertical stripes are always flattering or you could keep it cool with a vintage black and white tee.

Diane Kruger

 

Printed Pants are a casual trend perfect for relaxing and dancing at Coachella. Wear these to any outdoor event this summer, whether that is a memorial day barbeque or a local concert in the park. I'm still looking for my perfect pair!

Sophia Bush

 

Adorable Mini Dresses make a statement almost every summer. At Coachella, concert-goers are seen in all types of dresses, from fitted and floral to loose and boho-chic. The mini is a shape that never goes out of style for those with good legs! In my next life I am going to have good legs and wear a mini dress every day...

 

For the ultimate bohemian vibe, look no further. A maxi dress is the Coachella must-have. Free-flowing and beautiful, this style of dress is totally comfortable and chic. Many concert-goers paired their maxi skirts with cropped tops or belted their dresses at the waist, creating a flattering hourglass effect. This is also a good look for those with better arms than legs...

The resurgence of denim is a trend that appears as though it came straight from the 90s. From overalls to dresses to jackets, the denim look is appropriate for almost any summertime event!

Kristen Dunst

Michelle Trachtenberg

Peekaboo cutouts may seem intimidating at first. While these dresses fit right in at festivals like Coachella, they may feel less natural when worn afterwards. The trick to pulling off cutouts is comfort and confidence. Ok ok, youth helps too! Show off the body part you’re most comfortable with, whether that be the waist, the back or the chest.

When in doubt, keep it light! There were dozens of ivory and white crochet and lace dresses at Coachella. The eyelet and the innocent color scream summer time. Long or short, with boots or with sandals, this dress will keep you looking cool and casual.

Danielle Snyder, Creative Director of Dannijo

Katy Perry