Fashmom

Here we are in the throws of Spring 2010. So much to share. The biggest and most exciting news is that we’ve bought and moved into our first home!  Hence the disappearing act from the blog.  I’ve spent the past several months, planning and executing designs dreams from my collection of inspiration binders put together over the years.  I can’t tell you how nice it is to have a custom shade made!  Munchkin’s room is practically done and when you see the before and after photos you’ll see just how far we’ve come.

Looking to the hall from the crib corner

This will become the "pillow corner"

This will be the painted accent wall

I’m holding out for a Madeline Weinrib rug for her room. They are so beautiful, simple and colorful but not widely available so we’ll be taking a trip to ABC carpet when we’re “home” in NYC this summer.

I’m looking forward to sharing house pics and design ideas while continuing to share fashion news and inspiration for the whole family.

Enjoy the pics. Til next time.

My handier than expected husband installed this lovely white pine floor over the hunter green vinyl floor tiles. Oh the horror.

Dresser

Pink Ikea dresser with Foo dogs from Target (2 of our favorite shops!).  The fabric is a Kravet couture remnant. Hello Kitty speaks for herself.  She keeps us on schedule. The bunny head is a comb and brush set by Skip/Hop. The dark taupe accent wall raised some eyebrows as a color selection for a little girl’s room but I think it offsets the pink accents nicely and is not over the top girly. The remaining walls are painted Rice by Ralph Lauren, a  warm, soft ivory with a subtle pink cast. The ceiling and fan blades are painted with Glidden’s White Fur and the closet interior is painted Ralph Lauren Mission Wildflower. The Hanging flowers are tissue poms from Prosttothehost on etsy.com. The pillows and floor cushions are upholstered in Lee Jofa fabrics and the ribbon shade was made by a local craftswoman using a beautiful (and inexpensive) pink fretwork print from Joanne’s fabric. The books, dolls and accents have been purchased, gifted or handed down over the years.

View from the hall.

No Comments | In: Fashion, Hair, Kids, Travel, Uncategorized | tags: before and after, decorating, design inspiration, home, little girls room. | #

So, the warm weather has finally arrived and with it the desire to wear spring dresses.  Oh, how I love my spring dresses. Too bad they don’t love the playground.  This is going to be a summer for shorts in my world.

I remember an very proper woman once saying that shorts were possibly the least flattering and most unfeminine article of clothing a woman can wear.  I can see where she’s coming from but there are ways to make shorts look…well I don’t know if chic is the right word, but at least stylish.

The fact of the matter is when it’s 85 degrees and you are sitting in a sandbox,  shorts are probably the way to go.  I want shorts that are functional for a romp in the park but stylish enough to wear to a cafe for a snack afterward.  I’ve found a few that should get the job done. Remember it’s not just the shorts it’s how you wear them.  I realize that not all legs are created equal but I have to say often shorter length are more flattering than longer ones. I gave up trying to hide my spider veins a while ago.  Most people know what looks good on them.  Wait, I take that back, a lot of people actually don’t know what looks good on them or rather don’t recognize when something looks bad on them.  That’s a whole other topic.  Just remember a few rules of thumb.  Short shorts look best with tailored but fuller tops. Think tunic. Longer, fuller shorts are best paired with clean, fitted tops.

1 Comment | In: Fashion, Kids, Shopping, Uncategorized | tags: anthropologie, bananarepublic, gap, j crew, Kids, old navy, playground fashion, shorts. | #

Etsy, if you don’t already know, is a fantastic website for people to sell their handmade and vintage goods.  It’s a great, fun site to shop and your purchases support artists and craftspeople from around the world.  Some recent shops I’ve discovered are listed below. Click image to be directed to shop.

The cutest reversible sun bonnets that truly protect baby's face from the sun. These make great, practical and fashionable gifts for the babies in your life. Proprietress Nicole is lovely and she does custom orders.

Twigs Boutique features reversible pinafore tops and dresses. So cute. I'm into anything reversible for kids. It's like 2 for 1!

Wall decals give a fresh look to a blah wall without much effort.

Coco and Mathilde. What a doll!

How did my jewelry get here?

Super cool mobile

For the boys in your life

Non-toxic wood toys

Beautiful pottery

Chalkboard silhouette. Twist on a classic.

Decorative arts

Violetdelight makes handmade jewelry and gorgeous hairpieces. This is one of my favorites!

No Comments | In: Fashion, Hair, Kids, Shopping, Uncategorized | tags: artist, baby bonnet, etsy, hairband, handmade, pinafore. | #

I was both inspired and jealofied by my sisters travels to Paris with her husband, and two daughters ages 5 and 6 this Spring. So,  I did a little “please shop on my behalf” research into children’s shopping  so that she might pick up some trinkets for my daughter.  I was so excited by my findings that I decided to do a little post for any of you fashmoms traveling to Paris with the wee ones or perhaps just those of you traveling who may be in search of gifts.  There are so many great shops and links to assist you with your travels but I’m here to add a few suggestions.

Illustration by Soledad

My personal fantasy is to go on a shopping spree at Bonpoint for my daughter.  Granted I could do this on Madison Ave in NYC but so much more je ne sai quoi to do it in Paris.  These clothes are so gorgeous, like I would wear them fab. Simple, elegant, whimsical and beautifully tailored but sooo ridiculously expensive that buying them actually is a fantasy (think $100 for a pack of 7  cotton onsies with the days of the week embroidered in french).  It also seems wrong on a certain level to spend so much money on clothing that will last a year at most. But hey no judgments I would do it if I could.   The good news is that they have an outlet shop in Paris in the left bank where you will probably end up at some point on your trip anyway so please, check it out for me!!

Du Pareil Au Meme carries super cute children’s clothing at reasonable prices.

Bonton is another great place for clothes and gadgets and gifts.

This mushroom is a lamp!

Tumbleweed has whimsical handmade toys and curiosities. A truly unique shop.

WoWo has super cute stuff for boys and girls.

Marie Puce has sweet clothes for baby through teen

Delicious baby is a fabulous travel website with an abundance of information.

No Comments | In: Fashion, Kids, Shopping, Uncategorized | | #

Though it was just fashion week in NYC for the FALL 2009  I’m going to backtrack a little and talk about the Spring 2009 collections . Since most of us are not ordering our fall wardrobes from Bergdorf’s I’ll present spring trends and what we can actually buy and wear now (or soon at least, Spring is just around the corner).

As with any season, designer ready to wear (RTW) collections are the inspiration for what we will all be wearing.   Mom or not there are few women who will be wearing these actual outfits to soccer games, nightclubs, or Super Target.  I want to mention a few collections in particular that were standouts (good and bad).  I Hope this inspires you to have some fun when spring fever hits.

Let’s start with the bad, or should I say boring, uninspired,  or “really?”

Oh, Marc Jacobs. Darling of the fashion world. What are you doing?

Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton. Maybe he's just having an off season? Not feeling it.

"Please sir,can I have some more?" Wunderkid but not wonderful. This one gets a "really?"

Galliano gets a pass for showmanship. He presents art, not fashion in my opinion. A FINE line , I know.

Burberry Prorsum. This drab, hobo "chic" is not working for me.

Who did this to this poor girl? It was Etro. Quelle dommage.

D & G. No. That's all I have to say.

Balenciaga. Hello. Weekend outing from the mental institution. Is this chic?

O.K. Enough harshing. Now that that’s over let’s take a gander at some of the inspired, unique and artistic visions of some of the following designers.   Not all of the spring trends are apparent from these particular looks so you’ll just have to trust me on it.  When you hit the stores you’ll see for yourself.  Now enjoy the loveliness.

L'Wren Scott. I like her edge. It's in the details.

Alexander McQueen. Faux bois never looked so good.

McQueen does it again. A true artist and visionary. I will be first in line the the day his Go International line hits Target stores. Can't wait!!!

PHILLIP LIM 3.1. Soft, feminine

PHILLIP LIM 3.1. Easy. All about accessories.

LANVIN. Sleek, sophisticated and smart.

LANVIN. Animals prints just never go out of style.

CHLOE

CHLOE. Flirty and fun. Great modern silhouettes and colors. LOVE!

BARBARA BUI. Punk inspired with great prints and sexy silhouettes.

Chanel. Note the bib necklace. we'll talk about this later.

I just don't think it's possible to go wrong with Chanel. We love you Karl. There is no other smart ass so brilliant.

J. MENDEL. Don't worry, I can get you this look for less. Great isn't it?

J. Mendel. Simple fabulousity. Did I just make up a word?

MARNI

Marni. No signature prints but nice colors and layering here.

Ahh. There's the fab MARNI color and prints we love so.

A print-less color blocked MISSONI. It works.

MISSONI. Where are the zig zags? Who needs them with this number?

Ports 1961. We like red.

PORTS 1961. A little sheen goes a long way.

PORTS 1961.

Monique Lhuillier. Smashing.

Monique Lhuillier. We know her Couture is exquisite but RTW looks great too.

I could, and would go on forever. I never tire looking at what these designers have to bring to the table.  Like it or not these collections will influence what we will all be wearing. Check recent posts for where to buy guides, “looks for less” and spring trends.  A few dollars can go a longway.  Remember whatever is old is new again in fashion so you may already have key pieces from seasons past in storage!

No Comments | In: Fashion, Kids, Shopping, Uncategorized | | #

My hair goes down to my waist. It is natural, non-highlighted and very healthy did I mention it goes down to my waist?  “Why do I care ?” your ask. Well you may not but I’m sharing anyway.

I have had hair of every length and color through out my life but since getting pregnant back in July of 2008 I have done nothing with my hair other than let it grow into a Rupunzel like mane.  I’ve threatened

to cut it all off and to donate to locks of love but I find that the more it drives me crazy the more I can’t part with it. I feel like a teenage girl again who is afraid that I won’t be pretty anymore if I cut off all my hair.  My husband loves it, no surprise there. But I can’t help but think that I’m hiding under this mass of hair because I don’t know who I am anymore, so dramatic I know..  I used to be Fiona.  Just Fiona. but now I am Matt’s wife, and more importantly, Tullah’s mummy.  Every action and every decision I make affects not just me anymore and it’s a blessing and a burden at the same time. However choosing to look at magazines to get inspiration for a new look should not not feel like a guilty pleasure.  In fact the better I feel the better mommy and wife I’ll be.  Time to get the job done. Here are some great cuts I have found that are sure to make me feel cool.

P.S. my husband would divorce me if I Victoria Beckham’d my hair

No Comments | In: Hair, Kids | tags: Hair. | #