Fashion

Rockport Asked,”What Are You Powered By?” & You Answered!

September 22, 2014 by The Motherhood

What powers you each and every day? That’s what the Rockport brand is asking women across the nation, and the response has been amazing!

So many of you have shared that you’re powered by family, kids, friends, pets, some coffee–not to mention being #PoweredByHeels!

Reinforcing the fact that women shouldn’t have to choose between style and comfort, Rockport created the Total Motion collection, which offers an amazing combination of lightweight flexibility and stability so you can be comfortable on your feet all day long! Complete with ADIPRENE by adidas sport technology, each shoe in the collection conforms to the shape of your foot for a fit as unique as the woman wearing it.

We understand there’s rarely time to slow down, let along time to change your shoes throughout the day. So many of you showed us how you rock your Rockports, whether it’s grocery shopping, a walk at the park or shootin’ hoops with the kiddos! Check out a few of our favorite Rockport looks that illustrate how you’re #PoweredByHeels:

Jessica (The B Keeps Us Honest) wore her Total Motion Stretch Boots to chase her boys around the park, play with trains, conquer a doctor’s visit, prepare & serve dinner, and finally, a little shopping!

Meanwhile, Kristin (MomTrends) pushed her new Total Motion Seven to 7 Wedge Booties to the max, with a little morning hoop shootin’, followed by school drop off, chasing the little ones and then a late-night dinner date.

Looking so chic, Andrea (Glam Hungry Mom) wore her Total Motion Pointed Pump all day long while toting the kids around town. Honestly, running errands never looked so good!

Marion (Marionberry Style) squeezed in some putt-putt time with her little guy while sporting the new Total Motion Desert Boot. No need to change shoes to have a little fun in the sun!

And finally, one of our favorites from Jennae (Green and Gorgeous). She took a few laps around the grocery store in her Total Motion Desert Boot, followed by a few laps around the local park. After a day of trekking with the little one, Jennae proclaimed,

“Any heels that let me feel stylish and simultaneously show my feet lots of love get my uncontested vote.”

Check out the complete line of Rockport Total Motion shoes as you prep your closet for the fall season. Even better, follow Rockport and share your photo with tags #PoweredByHeels and #Sweeps or upload a photo to their gallery for your chance to win a pair of Total Motion Shoes each Friday, or the Grand Prize of a spa vacation in Miami!

How to Be Fashionable on a Budget

July 17, 2012 by The Motherhood

We all have that friend who shows up at a party looking like a million bucks. When we pull her aside to ask where she got her outfit, it turns out it came from everywhere–a shirt from Target, a designer skirt and shoes she got on sale at the mall, a bangle bracelet she picked up on vacation, all pulled together with an amazing belt she scored for a dollar at Goodwill. How does she do it? If I tried to pull all those elements together it would look like Goodwill threw up on me.

Fortunately, that fabulous friend came to The Motherhood yesterday to share her secrets, in the person of our talk host Melissa of All Things Chic and her guests Michelle of Everything’s Abuzz, Jodi of Blush Mamas, Kerri of Raising Three Savvy Ladies, Jyoti of Style Delights, April of Knocked Up Fabulous, and Alissa of Fun Finds for Families.

Fashion Find #1: Don’t Ignore the Fundamentals.

April stated, “I think the most important thing that women can do for themselves before shopping is to be very familiar with their body type…knowing what styles best flatter their features.” Just because something is in fashion doesn’t mean it will look good on you–Michelle says she tried the maxi dress look, but it just doesn’t work on her petite frame. And as Melissa noted, “If it doesn’t fit, you won’t wear it.”

Just as important as your body type is your undergarments. Deborah said, “I think that expensive and low-cost clothing can both look awful if your underthings aren’t appropriate. Get a professional fitting. ” Our panelists agreed wholeheartedly. After all, no painter tries to create a work of art without preparing the canvas first, right?

Fashion Find #2: Know When to Save, Know When to Splurge

Obviously, it’s easy to look great if you have unlimited funds. For the rest of us, we have to pick and choose our fashion investments. The consensus: spend more on classic items you’ll wear all the time like denim, coats, handbags and shoes, save on trendy items that will last only a season and on accessories you pick up to accent those classics. Jyoti says, “Clothing for the most part is my save item as the trends change season wise. A good carry all bag, riding boots and skincare/makeup is my splurge as these are timeless items and you use them most of the time.”

Fashion Find #3: Find Your Source for Deals

Everyone has a favorite place to look for their fashion bargains. Jodi notes, “Target and Kohl’s are a GREAT place to find trendy things to update your wardrobe staples! I also love shopping for jewelry at Old Navy and Forever 21!” Alissa, Melissa and Michelle also like TJ Maxx and Marshalls.

April says she’s found great stuff at thrift stores. Kerri says, “If I am lucky to get free time without children, I love to go to the mall and hit the sale racks. Right now, summer items are heavily discounted. I also find that sometimes the higher end stores have better items that are so deeply discounted that you make out better.”Jyoti also takes advantage of off-season sales and makes use of coupons and online codes. Many of the panelists have scored great deal at consignment stores, too, particularly ones that specialize in high-end merchandise.

Fashion Find #4: Use the power of the Internet (judiciously).

The Internet can be a great way to find deals on wardrobe staples and unique pieces alike. Jyoti finds that that e-stores and small boutiques sometimes have great trendy pieces for affordable prices and that many offer free shipping. Kerri pointed out that some of the sites charge outrageously high shipping, though, and April likes to actually be able to see and handle items before she buys them. Nearly everyone was enthusiastic about Etsy, though, as a way to find statement jewelry pieces and other trendy items, support small businesses, and get great prices. And eBay can be a great way, as Jodi notes, to find that “have to have” item you missed out on at the store. Often it will be discounted on eBay, even if it’s still new with tags. However, Melissa points out that you should be very sure of your size since returns may not be possible on an eBay purchase.

Fashion Find #5: Shop creatively.

Many stores offer deals in which you spend a certain amount and then receive a certain discount. You don’t have to load up your shopping bag with things you don’t need (and won’t wear) just to reach the target number. Deborah says she and a good friend pool their purchases to receive the discount. Bonus: shopping is more fun and you have a fashion consultant with you who will be more honest than any salesperson. And sometimes shopping doesn’t even mean spending: Michelle says a friend of hers hosts a “fashion swap” in which everybody brings five items to swap with others’ stuff. If you and your friends are different sizes, you could still do this with handbags, belts, jewelry and other accessories.

And the best accessory of all? The cash you’ll have left over after shopping with the experts’ tips–use it to enjoy a night out on the town in your fabulous new outfit.

Cancer Be Glammed: Surviving Cancer with Your Style Intact

May 22, 2012 by The Motherhood

Despite so many recent advances in treatment, no one ever wants to hear of a cancer diagnosis, for a friend, a family member, or oneself. And while the focus is necessarily on health, there’s so much more to who we are. Style, for one, and dignity—two things cancer can steal right along with health. Enter Lisa Lurie, CEO of Cancer Be Glammed and breast cancer survivor, whose site was born out of her own struggle to recover her health while maintaining her dignity and sense of style.

She’s put together in one place fashion solutions, lifestyle savers, post-op necessities and great gifts for cancer patients and survivors, and she joined us in The Motherhood to discuss her work. Lisa was joined by a panel of guests, including Kimberly of Pretty Pink Momma, Dawn of MommaKiss, Andrea of Lil Kid Things, Felicia of Go Graham Go, and Robyn of Robyn’s Online World.

What Not to Wear

Lisa shared some ideas for clothing to stock up on for the post-operative period. Favorite comfy t-shirts may no longer fit the bill following a mastectomy, as it may be difficult or forbidden to lift your arms over your head. Lisa says, “Button-down clothing or sleepwear is essential because it is easy to take on and off particularly if lymph node surgery is involved.” Also recommended are clothes that are soft, made from a fabric like cotton, without rough seams that might rub and irritate skin. Lisa offers, “My personal favorite following surgery is a great button down night shirt… It’s easy to take on and off and to wear. Find one in a great color. Floral is big this year!” Many options for post-op wear are available through Cancer Be Glammed.

How You Look Affects How You Feel

Just because comfort is king doesn’t mean good looks have to get kicked out of the palace. Women with and without cancer know that when you feel bad, looking better gives you a boost. Color is encouraged – Lisa says that warm, monochromatic colors enhance skin tone, especially during treatment.

Also, accessories are “a cancer girl’s best friend;” use them to draw focus away from areas you want to minimize and toward areas you want to highlight. Think gorgeous earrings, belts, shoes and jackets. And while it may be tempting to hide your body under clothes that are a little too big, Lisa cautions against it: clothes that just skim your body are more flattering and will help you look and feel better. For newly diagnosed women, she offers the downloadable style guide, “What the Doctor Didn’t Order” to help prepare them for the common, non-medical side effects of surgery and treatment. Bonus: it contains an easy to use shopping checklist!

Gifts that Keep on Glamming

Several talk participants were interested in learning about good gifts to support family, friends, and acquaintances with cancer. Gifts of comfortable and attractive clothing, like the nightshirt Lisa mentioned, can be great for people we’re close to. Coolibar, a brand that is available through Cancer Be Glammed, offers clothing for those who need stylish sun protection. Skin care products can also be a good option, but Lisa cautions to stick to products made for people going through treatment, such as Lindi Skin, also available through her site.

For people we may not have a close, personal relationship with, we may be uncomfortable buying intimate items like skin care products or clothes. It’s easy to seem to withdraw from someone when you don’t know what to do for them, especially when it’s not someone you know terribly well – you don’t want to intrude. But you also don’t want to disappear.

Good gifts for acquaintances, or anyone, include gift cards for favorite stores or restaurants, or even dropping off a meal (especially one that can be frozen and reheated as needed). Lisa said an e-reader was her favorite gift: “You can send it yourself or as a group gift from family and friends. It is a welcome distraction during treatment and “bed” rest, the font can be enlarged for chemo tired eyes, you can purchase gift cards for books and magazines and it fits in a purse or chemo bag!” If your friend already has an e-reader, gift cards for books are a welcome present.

Another option, especially for patients who may not have a lot of family nearby to help, is to set up a schedule of helpers, cleaners, drivers, cooks – whatever is needed. Talk participant Maureen recommended Lotsa Helping Hands, a website that makes coordinating the effort easier. Sometimes (as anyone who’s ever had a baby remembers), the practical support is the most needed, and the hardest to ask for.

Thinking Pink (Or Not)

The conversation turned to that ubiquitous breast cancer color, of course. Many of us think pink in our zeal to show support for loved ones with breast cancer, but it may not be the best idea. Dawn of MommaKiss had a friend whose breast cancer was diagnosed in October, and she hated the color pink because “everywhere she turned, there was the reminder that she had breast cancer.”

Lisa says, “The color pink means different things to women going through cancer. That’s why I say it’s so personal. I am more low key as a person (I know that’s hard to believe), so I respect everyone’s choices.” The bottom line: don’t bombard someone you love with pink, unless you know she loves it and finds it meaningful in a positive way. Dawn and other participants particularly liked that Cancer Be Glammed offers a variety of colors, not just a sea of pink.

I hope the day comes soon when no woman has to go through cancer. But until it does, thanks to Lisa and Cancer Be Glammed, the women who do will go through it with support – and with style.