Thursday, November 28, 2013

Cinch IT IN for Thanksgiving

Yang Li
Photo: Catwalking, Getty Images

The Biggest ...
accessory style tip for Thanksgiving and all those hardy holiday parties quickly approaching is to Cinch-it-in.

Classic leather belt. Michael Kors
Photo: Gianni Pucci, Indigitalimages.com

Today's selfie. I'm wearing a men's A&F leather
belt I wrapped & cinched tight around my waist.

It's not just about trimming your waist size down and covering up a bit of tummy. If you're an "A" body type like myself, you don't have a waist. The natural curve above the hips that men associate with a curvy figure just isn't there. So we (women like myself) have to create that illusion with a belt.

Wrap around belt. Alessandra Facchinetti
Photo: Davide Maestri, WWD

Donning a statement or over sized belt that cinches in your waist does the trick. Here are some of my favorite belts to accessorize and trim the fat out of your outfit.

Coin Belt. Dolce & Gabbana
Photo: Marcus Tondo, Indigitalimages.com

Celine's Pilgrim Buckle Belt
ImaxTree image

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Christmas Before Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is two days away but it's already Christmas!

Santa's standing on my corner table

I'm not giving Thanksgiving the shaft. We're planning our Thanksgiving menu as we speak, and it feels great to have the Christmas tree lit and decorated in the background.

I admit it's a first and I'm quite shocked at my boldness. It might not make sense but giving thanks is infusing me with a greater sense and joy for Christmas.

My kids 2nd'ed the motion by lighting up their own indoor playhouse and decorating it with a Christmas wreath. And yes, we are already playing the Christmas music at home, lol.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Flat Happy for Fall

Flats on the streets of Paris (Parish Fashion Week)

Every Fall, I teeter between acquiring a heeled shoe or the chic flat wear that I know will be more comfortable for all those pumpkin picking excursions and treks to the supermarket. Some year's I've been insane enough to go high even while lugging kids around but I decided for the more sane option this fall when I purchased my first pair of black equestrian boots.

If I've caught you before making your fall purchase let me tell you, Flat is where it's at!
My absolute favorite street style photog, Tommy Ton, snapped these pics for Paris fashion week and captured the Flat happy trend.

Flats have never been so chic.

All pictures shot by Tommy Ton

Sunday, August 25, 2013

You are What you Eat

Estilo Mum - Living it Green

Yummy Honey Dew growing in our raised planter

Summer, where did you go? It was a blur, but full of firsts.

My Cucumbers

Watermelons! We have about 6 at the moment

I got a taste of what it means to go Green, like grow your own produce green.

I went organic and started a little garden with my hubby. (see pics) Not to mention all the plants and moss I planted when I hit a planter's high and couldn't get myself to stop.

We already have fruit trees that produce figs, lemons, grapefruit, loquats, apples, and peaches.

I love the savings of not buying any of it and having fresh fruit at hand.

The next step was growing our own herbs & vegetables. We want to go completely organic and green in this area and off the supermarket grid. The biggest pro for me is the time it also saves me in the supermarket. I have two kids ages 5 and under. You do not want to go shopping with them!

Green Peppers

Purple Peppers
we also have yellow and red

If you've been thinking about it but think it might be too hard or overwhelming to start, it's not that bad.

Herbs freshly cut from our garden
Shown: thyme, basil, cilantro, marjoram (oregano herb), chives
Not pictured: parsley, german basil, mint

Find a space to place some raised beds for planting. Get some mulch and soil. Mix it and start planting. Afterwards, add some vegetable fertilizer and watch it grow!

Herb Garden in raised planter

To increase your rate of success, do it in the Spring or at the beginning of the Summer where your herbs & veggies will get 6 or more hours of sun, water twice a day and voila!

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Comic Con 2013 with Estilo Mum

Comic Con 2013. Outside Expo Center.
Look at those Shoes! Luv the pants.

Fantasy and imagination ran wild during Comic Con 2013. 180,000 people (including myself and two kids) visited this international event, which just wrapped up this past Sunday.

image inside Comic Con Expo Center

If you know nothing about Comic Con, think Halloween on steroids. Everyone is dressed up and styling their favorite animated character, sci-fi movie character or simply taking the opportunity to dress up.

I am a Japaname lover, so this Estilo Mum is partial to the anime style I saw the ladies sport for this event. So many wonderful costumes. These are some of the few I managed to capture.

These are images of people/characters I saw but didn't manage a pic.
Thankfully, someone else got the shot.

Super buff, Super Woman!
destructoid.com

X-Women, imgur.com
These ladies were at Emerald City Comic Con

Monday, June 17, 2013

Make Heads Turn This Summer w/o Hurting your Wallet

You know it, and I know it. We still love to make heads turn.
MOMS, you can look hot with Summer dresses that kill but don't hurt your wallet!

NICOLE MILLER

Angelina Wildflower Maxi

RENTAL $100 Retail $690

I received this HIT LIST, "Most Popular Dresses Right Now", in my email today. And I've got to say, $75 to rent a dress that I will look amazing in but don't have to commit to sounds pretty good.

If you're not quite at your goal weight; your pregnant, still working off that baby fat or in the middle of a weight loss program. This post is for you. Summer does not care. It is here and more than a few women are literally breaking into a sweat just thinking about the summer weddings, birthday parties, beach or pool side events they will have to attend.

That being said, every Estilo Mum out there wants to look fabulous!

Last year, I mentioned Rent the Runway (RTR), in a post I wrote about buying or renting an outfit for the holiday season. Well, the thought struck me again. If I'm going to a Summer wedding, event or even a vacation where I know I will be seen and possibly talked about for my choice of outfit, then I want to look damn good.

SHOSHANNA

Jennifer Maxi

RENTAL $100 Retail $495

What do I wear?

I love Maxi dresses and the Nicole Miller Wildflower dress above caught my eye right away. I thought, I want this dress, but I definitely will not pay $690 for it. But $75 (if you do the summer promo) for a wedding or even to take to the Caribbean on vacation this summer, I can do that. What about you?

TWELFTH STREET BY CYNTHIA VINCENT

Pastel Kaleidoscope Maxi

RENTAL $100 Retail $445

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Gearing up for the Summer

Busy Summer, means busy mom in a bathing suit

Mommy & Me swim classes last summer

Swim suits are all I can seem to think about. I can't make up my mind. So many wonderful options for every body type out there. Really, what is a girl to do/choose?

The Printed Bikini
I go gaga over tiger or leopard printed anything and this sexy bikini by Cia Maritima (Brazilian designer) is a must for me.

Cia Maritima bikini
Pregnant Courtney Kardashian

Cia Maritima

Lenny Niemeyer Lycra Cross Bikini

image: forgals.net

Sexy Fringe

It moves and shakes with you. What else can I say.

Green & Blue Tassel Bikini
lightinthebox.com ($23.99)

L Space swimwear

Vintage - 1950's Inspired

I am particularly fond of this look because it keeps the cleavage high, front and center with the bustier tops. The high waisted bottoms keeps fuller bottoms and not so flat tummies looking sexy and shapely. And you don't have to wear the little bikini to still have fun with a two piece.