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.

RLS Update!

This week I thought I would let you know what exciting things we have been working on here at Real Life Style. I'm almost done catching up after taking 2 weeks off for a Thailand adventure. Didn't you wonder why I was strangely silent during the Oscars? For the record, my favorite outfit was Jessica Chastain in Giorgio Armani.

This spring I will start giving a new Personal Style Workshop, beginning with my fave Cleveland Park Moms & Babies group. The babies will be staying home for this one. I designed the workshop after I met a pediatrician/mother of two-year old twins on an airplane who told me that she didn't have time to have personal style. That broke my little fashion/mommy heart! So if you or your friends need help finding your personal style, contact me! 

Last week I gave a presentation on Aging Gracefully with Style for a fabulous group of women in support of the Brandeis National Committee. Women over 50 have specific fashion needs and questions which I was thrilled to address. Thanks again for having me ladies! 

Exciting news for those of you who are having trouble getting onto my schedule in DC or New York. Real Life Style is expanding by taking on two new fabulous stylists, one in each city! But don't worry if you don't live in NYC or DC, we all travel! I will be officially introducing these wonderful women to you in the next few weeks. I will also be freshening up my website, which has been pretty neglected since I had my son 14 months ago. He has just started walking which means I have neglected it long enough! 

Looking forward to sharing more spring fashion with you soon!

 

My Favorite Fall Bags

This post is brought to you by special request from one of my favorite readers. Feel free to send in your own requests!

This fall, I have seen--and fallen in love with--bags that seem to have their own identities. These totes, clutches, backpacks, and shoulder bags have real personalities... talk about statement pieces! These are some of my favorites:

One important trend this season is bright colors. This purple suede highlights the jewel tone trend and makes a modern classic even more modern.

Proenza Schouler PS1 Large suede satchel $1,995

Structured bags are functional, but they also create crisp, stylized lines. 

Reed Krakoff Boxer leather tote $1,290

A variation of the structured bag is the doctor's bag. This doctor's bag is highly styled, but has more of a casual feel than other structured bags. 

Chloe Aurore leather duffle bag $1,895

Structured bags like to go out at night, too. This box clutch lends a rock-and-roll element to this lady like bag with its brass knuckles. The built in skull and gem rings are like instant accessories!

Alexander McQueen Knuckle Swarovski crystal box clutch $2,195

One staple shape of this season is the shoulder bag. It hangs calmly next to you, like a trusty sidekick. 

J.Crew Edie purse $238

Backpacks can have personalities, too. The patent leather detailing takes this large backpack from lazy to lovely. 

Pierre Hardy Patent leather-trimmed suede backpack $1,650

Leather brings a little sass and flare to what could be a dull duffle bag. 

Victoria Beckham Oversized textured-leather duffle bag $3,495

This season, pattern mash-ups are a-plenty, so go with a patterned tote and don't worry about "matching" your outfit.

Totem Salvaged Leather-trimmed cotton tote $300

For a modern pattern, try stripes in a bold color. 

Marni Printed vinyl and leather tote $290

And then there are animal prints and envelope bags... there are always animal prints no matter how much I wish they would finally go away!

J.Crew Collection invitation clutch in printed calf hair $448

Plaids are one of the biggest patterns this season. The black and yellow wool fabric brings a punk-plaid down a notch and makes it cozy. 

Newbark Snake-stamped leather and plaid felt weekend bag $1,600

Lace is always a good choice, even for day. This pattern is both demure and provocative. 

Dolce & Gabbana Miss Sicily macrame and lace-applique tote $2,425

The ultimate in patterns? Pop art. This Lichtenstein-like bag is loud, and I want to listen. P.S. The Lichtenstein exhibit is coming to The National Gallery! I saw it at The Art Institute of Chicago and will be attending the show again in DC.

3.1 Phillip Lim The Break-Up PVC and leather shoulder bag $695

Patterns aside, a bag can take on a life of its own through exciting or rich colors. Oxblood/Burgundy is the color of the season. This is the bag trend I'll be sporting this season!

Chloe Paraty Medium leather shoulder bag $1,895

Pales are gentle and give your entire outfit a subdued, pleasant quality and an extra dose of sophistication. 

Cole Haan Linley Rounded A Line Hobo $328

Finally, metallics and iridescent colors make bags pop and your outfit shine. 

The Cambridge Satchel Company Metallic satchel $205

What Fall Bag are you going to buy? I hope my choices have given you some inspiration!

Not Your Father's Custom Clothing (Happy Birthday, Dad!)

If you have a husband, boyfriend, father, or brother who could use some help in the sartorial department, you need to know about Alton Lane. Scroll to the bottom of this post for a special discount offer!

Just as a custom suit does not fit like any other suit, a visit to Alton Lane's bespoke atelier is not like most shopping experiences. One, you peruse the fabric and style choices at a fully stocked bar, and two, you get completely naked during the process. But more on that later...

My husband woke up one morning last week and had such a GIRL MOMENT, I almost had to laugh. Except that he was freaking out. Why do women freak out in the morning? Because THEY HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR. Between weight fluctuation, a delayed trip to the dry cleaner, and just plain old wear and tear on the suits he had been wearing, he really and truly had NOTHING TO WEAR. Of course, as a fashion stylist who lives to relieve others of these painful moments, I was devastated that this had happened on my watch. A plan was hatched to rebuild his wardrobe. Unlike my female clients, however, instant gratification would not be his. As long as we were going to rebuild his wardrobe, we decided to do it right and GO CUSTOM. Enter Alton Lane, both a fabulous value and a fabulous experience, even for the man who hates to shop.

A friend told us about Alton Lane (see it featured here in my Father's Day Gift Guide) after he had his wedding suit made there. He couldn't stop raving about the transparent pricing, process, and style of his new suit. After attending his wedding, I was hooked on the idea of bespoke tailoring for the modern man. With locations in New York and DC, as well as a virtual service, no man need be without a proper fitting suit!

Step 1: Choose fabric and cut for your suit. Prices start at $525 for a 2-piece suit.

Step 2: Pick super cool lining, piping and even contrast buttonhole stitching if you want. We chose pink piping with light blue lining for a navy suit.

Step 3: Body scan- naked! Good for figuring out overall body shape.

Step 4: Put on an Alton Lane shirt and pants in your approximate off-the-rack sizes while they take 12 measurements by hand.

Step 5: Suit arrives at your doorstep within 4-6 weeks. About 70% of clients need no alterations the first time around. For those that do, Alton Lane provides a list of tailors and reimburses you 120% of the tailoring cost, up to $100. Notes are then added to your account so your next suit is perfect.

Stay tuned for details of the final results!

Discount Alert!!! Does a man in your life need to experience proper fitting clothes? Real Life Style is lucky enough to have discount cards available for our readers. Book an appointment or order your suit online before July 30th, 2012 and you'll receive a $50 discount off your first suit! Want one? Post the details of your man's sartorial stress on my Facebook Page!

Do you have Seasonal Confusion Disorder (SCD)?

What is Seasonal Confusion Disorder you ask? Allow me to explain... Growing up in Chicago and then living my adult life in New York City, two cities with very clear weather seasons, I never thought much about not wearing summer clothes in November or February. Then I started spending time in Washington, DC...Now I know that it can be 60 degrees here in February, or 70 degrees in March, as it is today. This is no excuse for what I saw a girl wearing on March 1st, light cotton white pants and gold Jack Rogers sandals. We may not all subscribe to the "No White Before Memorial Day" rule anymore, but seriously, Jack Rogers sandals? This is what you wear in Palm Beach in the winter, not DC on the first day of March.

Which brings me to the question I have been asking since I arrived in DC, why does this city have so much more SCD than others? I have a theory. DC is a city of "visitors," people who come from other places. A lot of those other places are south and west of here where seasons are not as defined as they are up north and in the midwest. If you've grown up in California, you might only own summer shoes, work pumps and a pair of Uggs. When the weekend rolls around and it is warm out, you grab the summer shoes like you are still in Orange County. Conversely, you could be from a city with a colder climate, think winter in DC is a joke (Snowmaggedon not included), and so you pull out your linen pants when it is 65 degrees in February. This is where we find out if my husband reads my blog. Yes, Michael, I am throwing you under the bus here!

Another theory is that I'm wrong, this IS the south and one CAN wear Jack Rogers sandals on March 1st.

Thoughts, dear reader?

I'm here to offer a compromise. Chic, transitional outfits that are perfectly appropriate year round, which is the type of wardrobe I design for my DC clients. Add a scarf or a jacket when it is a little cooler and you're good to go.

Transitional Outfit 1

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Transitional Outfit 3

Transitional Outfit 4

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Transitional Outfit 6