Cheap Thrills - Posh Mom Picks $12.50 and Under

Posted by Posh Mommy

I am a serious fan of Old Navy - Kids!   Every summer they come out with a fantastic summer offering.  I consider the store a go to spot to stock up on cute Summer basics on the cheap.   Their "Under the Sea" collection is absolutely adorable.  Who doesn't love an ocean theme when the warm weather hits.  The sherbet color story and sea life graphics make this collection a must have for your little one's Summer wardrobe.  A few of my favorite pieces from their current collection are below.

Cute, Cute, Cute - enough said.

Sea horse swimsuit - $12

Jelly shoes take me back - funny how every trend eventually comes full circle again.  Loving the glitter detail of these puppies.

Glitter Jelly Sandals - $8.50

We all know I can't resist the stripes and the whimsical starfish applique is the perfect embellishment!

Sea Creature Applique Top - On Sale for $6.00 

I am loving the yoke on this top, so sweet and such a fun sea shell print.

Flutter Sleeve Sea Shell Top - $12.50


I'd pair both of the tops below with these adorable denim bloomers.  The pockets are actually on the backside - front has a single ruffle.

Ruffled Denim Diaper Covers - $9.50

The Mommy Diaries

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I am going to try something new for this post.  I'm calling it the Mommy Diaries - which will be my personal observations on what I like to call the "Mommy Hood".  For me, the mommy hood is my little neighborhood of mommies.  These are of course, my own silly observations but I would love to hear from any of you on these topics.  I think it's fun to step back and take a look and even sometimes poke fun at our daily lives.  It can give us perspective or at least give us a good laugh.  Hope you enjoy the post as much as I did writing it.

Do you ever feel like your mommy community is a little like 90210?  Perhaps this is a strange comparison but when I think of this zip code it takes me back to the days of Brandon and Brenda Walsh on Beverly Hills 90210 - okay, I just totaly dated myself, right?  As a WAHM (work at home mom) I make it a point to schedule play dates, dance classes, swim lessons, and a variety of other extra curricular activities for my toddlers.  These lessons are not only for the personal enrichment of my children but also provide me with a social outlet.  I have been lucky to have met several moms that I now consider friends; however, as I was developing these relationships I definitely can see how being a "mommy" can also be somewhat of a social climb. Hence, the 90210 comparison - mommy's seem to be categorized into groupings not unlike the cliques we all were part of in high school but without all the nastiness.  We all know teenage girls are the queens of cattiness. I myself am pretty much middle of the road always have been. I get along with most people and have always tried to live by the credo, "don't judge a book by it's cover".  Cliche, yes - but throughout life, it has allowed me to mingle amongst several social groups.  My observations on the mommy hood pretty much have led me to the conclusion that moms can put into the groups listed below:

1.  Earth Moms - For lack of a better term these are the granola moms.  Their kids attend montessori schools, wear only organic and sustainable clothing, eat only organic foods (quite possible are vegetarians or vegans), and definitely they definitely only purchase handmade/wooden toys.

2. Posh Moms - Their kids are always dressed to the nines, children attend private schools (unless they live in high end neighborhoods with grade A schools), they push Bugaboos or Orbit strollers, and the mother's themselves are equally fashionable (heels for play dates are not uncommon).

3. Overachiever Moms - President of the PTA, Girl Scout Leader, Business Owner, her kids are enrolled in several extracurricular activities ranging from sports to second language studies to creative arts.  A total power player in that - her preschooler is honing her networking skills at the tender age of 4 - relationships are key, right?

4. Control Freak Moms - they dictate the play dates (where, when, and who), their kids stick to stringent schedules (meals, naps, and bedtime must fall at the same hour daily), meals must be planned for ahead of time and must contain all food groups -order for them is a parenting must!

5. Middle of the Road Moms - I'd say a majority of the mommy's I know fit into this category. Most display traits from all mommy groupings but to a lesser degree and seem to have a more laid back approach to parenting.

Don't get me wrong, this for some may be completely off base.  However, within my circle of friends this is what I have encountered.  All groups, have in fact been nothing but kind and approachable.  We are all bound by one common thread regardless of social groupings or status - that is our children.  Ultimately all mother's want what is best for their child and I truly believe we look to other mommy's for feedback, guidance, support - and most of all friendship. Knowing that our children will have a fuller, more enriched life if they are surrounded by people with varying social views.  

So, I ask - where do you fit in?  Hit me up, I'd love to hear your feedback. 

Out with the Old

Posted by Posh Mommy

In a perfect world, where I am not such a fashion schizophrenic my closet would look something like this!

Image: Container Store

Spring has sprung and for me, the change of seasons kick starts my Spring cleaning regime.  I like to start with my wardrobe - out with the old and in with the new!  Yesterday, I did a serious purge of my closet, I'd say about 1/3 of my wardrobe has been stripped and I am elated! I have read several articles about the best way to sort through one's closet; however, the process that works best for me goes something like this:

1. First I pull out all the garments I have worn in the last 6 months these I keep.  I of course make sure these garments are still on trend, in good repair, and fit properly.  

2. I then sort through the other items, keeping items that I feel are worth saving - like trends that I feel might carryover into next season.  I also tend to keep cocktail attire and high end shoes that are timeless in style.

3. Anything left over after these 2 sorts goes into 2 more piles.  Items to take for consignment and the balance to be donated.

Even after the purge, my closet could probably be edited down a tad bit more - but I will say I am happy with the progress I have made.  I was able to take about 30 items to my local consignment shop and hope to walk away with about $800 once the items are sold which will be a nice return on the money spent. This time around, I parted with quite a few high end items: Jimmy Choo, Moschino, and Tory Burch shoes - as well as several dresses purchase in Savvy at Nordstrom - these in addition to the regular fare (denim and cardigans).  

My closet post purge - not bad, hey?  What do you think?

 

Images: Posh Mommy

Now I can focus on items I want to add for Spring and Summer but we'll save that list for a future post.  Happy Friday Dear Readers - have a fabulous weekend.

More Spring Fashions

Posted by Posh Mommy

     

Last summer a friend of mine told me about Chase n' Sky a gorgeous little line she had read about in Coastal Home.  I then was able to track the line to a local boutique and was instantly enamored with the sweet styling and feminine details of the collection.  I also found out that the designer and her family had recently relocated to the Portland area which made the brand even more desirable as us Portlanders love to support locally owned businesses!  Definitely take a minute to visit their website  to view the rest of the collection.  Prices are not listed, but when I shopped the line at retail pricing was ranging from about $35.00 for tops and bottoms to $55.00 for a dress - which is a fantastic price point for a boutique line.  To locate a retailer near you click here.

All images: Chase n' Sky

Help - Shopping Rut!

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Believe it or not I am in a bit of a shopping rut - of sorts.  You see, I can always find things I want but in this economy I must also actually need the item.  Which, is a bit of a bummer especially for someone like me who is often an impulse shopper.  The turn in the economy has definitely forced me to evaluate each and every purchase.  Questions I often ask my self:

1. Can this item be worn day to night?  Flat sandals for day add heels and jewelry for evening.

2. Cost per use?  How often do I see myself using the item, will this off set the cost?

3. Variety?  Do I already own a similar item.

That said, currently I am on the hunt for a few summer dresses.  I am making a conscious effort to buy more quality items even if I buy less over a season.  For me, BCBG is a fantastic spot to find on trend items for a reasonable price.  Some of the items teeter right on the edge of my price tolerance but are worth the splurge.  They are offering a Spring promotion online- spend $300 get $100 off.  Use discount code SPRINGGIFT at checkout.

A few items I am considering:

Eyelet Trim Dress - $218

I love the color of this dress and don't have much color in my wardrobe.  The breezy shape makes this super functional and would be great for a lunchtime play date or a night out with my husband.

Floral Silk Chiffon Dress - $348

This is my favorite of the 4 dresses and the one my husband likes best!  The floral applique is absolutely gorgeous I love this shift style - as it never seems to go out of fashion.  With the discount it would only be $248 which makes this one all the more appealing.

Beaded Twill Shift Dress - $218

White is such a summer staple - clean and fresh after wearing dark colors all winter.  Again, loving the shift style and the beaded neckline add a touch of glamour.  However, although I do love white this would most likely be covered in sticky hand prints by mid day!

Nautical stripes are always perfect in my book - I am small on top so a striped bodice works for me and even gives the illusion of a slightly larger bust.  I am all for that.  The tiered skirt is super flirty and fun - and would hide those little paw prints.

Nautical Tiered Skirt Dress - $238

All images: BCBG

I know - I am slacking

Posted by Posh Mommy

Image: Sam's Club

I have been slacking - well, atleast on the blog and I do apologize.  To say things have been hectic is a bit of an understatement.  In fact, most days I feel as if my head is about to explode!Tthis constant juggling of work, family, volunteering, and household upkeep combined with the fact that my one year old is teething has got me teetering on the edge.  I often feel as if I have bitten off more than I can chew.  You see, I find it terribly hard to say no and I am a textbook Type A personality.  I like to be in control and often have trouble delegating - it's a trait I am most proud of and the trait I least like about myself.  Luckily, I seem to thrive off the pressure. I always have and somehow manage to get everything done. However, I am always looking for ways to streamline my process.  We all want more time - for ourselves and our families.  Tell me, what do you do to help you find balance between home life and career.  Hit me up, I would love to hear your feedback.

Warm Weather Fun

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Image: Flickr

All of Portland is buzzing right now, currently the sky may be gray but starting tomorrow Portland is about to be hit with a heat wave!  Temperatures here are going to hit a high of 75 degrees in the next 3 days and Portlanders are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the sun.  You see, when it's sunny in Portland the masses come out to play.  Everyone walks or bikes - the outdoor patios are crowded with festive diners, and the kids hit the numerous water attractions around town. I myself plan on taking my girls to their favorite summer attraction - Jamison Square.  For those not familiar with Portland, Jamison is what I like to refer to as our inner city oasis.  Located in the Pearl District, the central park is surrounded by lofts and high-rise condos, chic boutiques, and trendy eateries - a fantastic place to people watch.  However, the real attraction here is the water feature!  The park is bordered on one side by a stone wall which is comprised of a series of steps.  Every ten minutes water pours over the steps pooling in the center of the park.  The pool is about 6"-12" deep depending on where you are standing and perfect for little ones to take a dip.  I personally LOVE Jamison and have spent countless afternoons lounging by the fountain, soaking up the sun, and enjoying a lazy afternoon with my girls.  So tell me - do you have a favorite warm weather activity.  Shoot me a note - I would love to hear from you!

Image: Posh Mommy

Image: Flickr

Image: Posh Mommy

Matilda Jane

Posted by Posh Mommy

Hello lovelies - I am back.  Sorry for the delay in posting, life has been hectic with the family around but is now returning to a semi-state of normalcy.  I am dedicating my first post back to a gorgeous children's line - Matilda Jane.  A friend of mine tipped me off to this little gem, she is actually hosting a trunk show this month for the brand.  I can't wait and will definitely have to show some restraint when I arrive.  I am so loving the magpie look of this line, the mismatched prints are right on point - so fantastically clashing at times yet it all works perfectly.  Eclectic, cool, and beautiful to look at.  

So lady like - the robin's egg blue piping add just the right amount of pop to this jacket and who could resist those covered buttons.  I would pair this little number with denim jeans and mary janes for a perfect day out look.

Check out the cute little ruffles on those leggings!  Plus, the layered look is perfect for Portland weather.

Too cool for school!  My kids are always slightly disheveled with their untamed hair and rosy cheeks.  This outfit would be perfect for my little ones.  Love, love, love the empire waisted dress and those stripey bellbottoms are fab.  I will definitely be picking up this look for my girls.

The layering of fabrics on this jumper is absolutely gorgeous.  I love how they have layered the prints - the textures are so varied but coordinated through color.   So cute!

All images: Matilda Jane

You may be wondering where you can buy these items.  That's the catch - they are not available at retail.  You can only purchase these fabulous pieces through a Matilda Jane trunk show. Click here for more information.  Happy Shopping!

Posh Mommy Programming

Posted by Posh Mommy

Posh Mommy will be returning to regular posting tomorrow.  The family will be en-route back to the UK tomorrow evening.  The trip has been fun but I am thinking we will all be ready for a return back to normalcy.  Looking forward to getting back to my regular routine.  I am pooped for sure!  Hope you are all having a fantastic week.

Happy Easter!

Posted by Posh Mommy

Image: Martha Stewart

A quick note to wish all of you a very Happy Easter.  My husband and I are not particularly religious, so Easter in my household usually revolves around a home cooked brunch, Easter baskets, and Cadbury Eggs (sent over from the UK - my husband is English and swears the ones made in England taste the best!).  I am writing this post from my bed and will soon head downstairs to start the festivities.  As an added treat for my in-laws my husband booked all of us (7 adults and 4 kids) into the Great Wolf Lodge for the night.  Apparently the lodge is a huge water park located somewhere between Portland and Seattle.  The kids can't wait to splash around in the wave pool and hit the water slides.  I can't think of a better way to spend my Easter!

Stroller Heaven

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Uppa Baby Vista - $670

Image: Giggle

While in San Francisco, my girlfriend and I stopped in a Giggle shop.  Whenever I am in one of these stores, I love checking out the stroller section.  I will say I was a bit of a stroller snob when I had my first child.  At the time, the "it" stroller was the Bugaboo Frog - mine is red - and I still love and use it.  Since then, I have added a Bugaboo Bee in bright pink to my collection - you could say I am a Bugaboo fanatic.  However, when I saw Uppa Baby Vista I must admit my interest was sparked.  Similar in design to a Bugaboo Frog, the stroller can be configured in several ways and includes: a bassinet and toddler seat that can be front or rear facing.  In addition, car seat adaptors are offered for Chico, Graco, and Peg Perego car seats. However, this is where the Uppa is superior in function -a 2nd seat can be added to the stroller without adding additional width to the stroller, add the ride along board to the back and you expand to three.  This stroller would be perfect for my mommy friends who have 3+ children ages 4 as it gives the older children the option to ride without adding too much additional bulk. Check it out at Giggle - here.

Feeling Exposed

Posted by Posh Mommy

I have been following the exposed zipper trend for a while now.  I think Philip Lim's version is by far my most coveted example of the trend.  The Winding Zipper Dress shown below is to die for but at $895 a bit too steep for my budget. I just love the juxtaposition of the zippers against the black silk.  The zippers, even in their rough and unfinished state seem so organic and add structure to the simple silhouette.  Plus, aren't you just loving the sense of movement in this piece?  Philip Lim is a genius in my book. 

Image: E Luxury

Then as I was flipping through the glossy pages of the newest Nordstrom catalog, I came across these Steve Madden sandals and instantly fell in love.  What a fabulous and affordable translation of this trend.   I ordered them straight away!

Steve Madden "Soya" Sandal - $79.95

Image: Nordstrom

From Across the Pond

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Just a quick note: my in-laws are visiting from England for the next 2 weeks.  When I say in-laws, I mean mother, father, sister, and brother in-law.  As well as a niece, nephew, and my husband's cousin. So posting may be sporadic this week as the house is buzzing with excitement and we will be running around showing them everything that Portland has to offer.  Hope you are all having a fantastic week!  

Posh Mom Picks - Boden

Posted by Posh Mommy

Every year, a friend of mine hosts a Boden trunk show.  For any mommy's who are not familiar with Boden - it is a gorgeous line out of England carrying fashions for the whole family. Although the women's line is not really my style, I love the children's line.  The colors are bright and fun and extremely wearable for everyday.   I brought my 3 year old with me to the event (she loves to shop) and we spent a fun filled "mommy and me" morning browsing the racks!  Below is a sampling of what we walked away with.

I thought this T was so sweet, I adored the combination of different stripes and how cute is the little crocheted applique on the front.

Crochet Applique T-Shirt - $28

A great basic - my daughter loves stripes.  We bought this in red, but they also carry it in green and navy as well as solids.  Who can resist the nautical charms of a striped boat neck T?  I think we might need to grab this one in a few more colors.

Boat Neck T- $20

Perfect if your little one is on the slim side.  My daughter has no butt and constantly has a plumber bum.  These; however, are a great fit for her and are offered in an assortment of colors.

Slim Fit Jean - $36

I couldn't resist these flip flops.  Love them!

Floral Flip Flops - $20

A great little number for warm summer days - I really like the combination of the bright yellow on top and lavender floral.  Soft and pretty without being overly saccharine.

Pretty Hotchpotch Dress - $42

All images: Boden

I'm Back

Posted by Posh Mommy

I am back from a lovely weekend in beautiful SF!   The weather was fantastic- sunny and warm with just a hint of a breeze and as anyone who has ever lived in SF the city really comes alive on days like these. Here is a taste of what we did - in no particular order. 

Dinner at Pauline's Pizza.  Awesome, awesome pizza, the staff was fantastic, and so kid friendly which in the city is hard to find.  In addition, to the standard Italian Combo Pizza we also ordered Pauline's signature Pesto Pizza , nothing short of perfection.  Make it a destination for your next San Francisco trip.

Image: Yelp

Spent an afternoon lounging at the beach at Marina Green.  The fields around the beach were blooming with yellow flowers.  My daughter couldn't resist picking a fresh bouquet.

Image: Posh Mommy

A picnic lunch at Dolores Park - we grabbed our snacks from Bi-Rite market. A fantastic place to grab on the go grub.  I totaly recommend the fresh guacamole - Yum!

Image: Flickr

Shopping at San Francisco Center - I did most of my shopping in SF Center. With 2 kids in tow, it is the easiest to manage.  Plus it has everything I need - Nordstrom and Bloomingdales to Zara and H&M all housed in one contained space.  A mommy's dream.  

Image: Flickr

I picked up 2 pairs of metallic ballerina flats for my 3 year old at H&M.  She insists on dressing like a princess but thrashes her shoes which drives me crazy when I am buying shoes at Nordstrom.  These are perfect for a lady- and a steal at $9.99 a pair.  So cute with skinny jeans and sun dresses.

Image: Posh Mommy

I also picked up a few awesome T's at Aritzia.  Great fit, super soft, and at $20 a pop - I bought 3 colors.  The brand is called TNA and is apparently a private label for the store.  Perhaps a tad bit boring, yes but as I have previously mentioned I am somewhat of a T-shirt connoisseur and these were must haves.

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Image: Posh Mommy

Overall a fantastic trip, I truly enjoyed every minute.  But by the end of the weekend I was missing my hubby and although I would miss the California sunshine I was ready to head home. Upon arrival back in Portland, I was delighted to see the sun was shining!  Today - 72 degrees and sunny!  What a homecoming! 

I Left My Heart in San Francisco

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Palace of Fine Arts - Image: I Guide

Just a quick note - I am off with my girls to San Francisco tomorrow for a girl's weekend.  A much needed escape from this dreary weather. I can't wait to visit some of my old haunts, we plan on going to Golden Gate Park and the Palace of Fine Arts, doing some shopping, and hitting up Poncho Villa (for some reason you just can't get a decent burrito in Portland!). Currently in SF it is 65 degrees and sunny. I'll take that, thank you very much.  Due to the trip, I will not be posting again until Monday.  Enjoy the rest of your week.

What I Want - Right Now

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I am sitting at my kitchen counter right now, staring out at the crap (pardon my french) weather.  The rain is back, well actually it never quite left, and I am bummed, bummed, bummed.  My recent posts have been all about Spring but to be quite honest it hasn't quite hit here in Portland.  So in response to my rainy day blues, I am internet shopping. More like window shopping as I am not in the market to be buying anything quite yet.  However, if I had about $1000 to spend (and it wasn't raining) I would be wearing this outfit right now.

James Perse High V-Neck T - On Sale $25.90 (A real bargain!)

Image: Nordstrom

Loving the more casual styling and ruched sleeves on this blazer!

Kenna-T Boyfriend Blazer - $238

Image: Nordstrom

Current Eliott "The Boyfriend" Jean - $206 (Have been pining over these!)

Image: Nordstrom

These are breaking the bank but I am loving Loeffler Randall shoes right now, I wrote about the pink versions a few posts back.  However, I they would get so much more use in black.

Loeffler Randall "Flynn" Circular Ruffle Sandal - $450

Image: Singer 22