Category Archives: Fashion & Style

Schoola used children's clothing

I am #GivingStyle to my Daughter and Giving Art & Music Supplies to Schools by Shopping At Schoola

Fashion & Style, , ,

Schoola used children's clothing

School’s in full swing and a pleasant change from last year, Madelyn is picking out her own school outfits, a few days a week at least.  It’s a good thing I’m not a matchy-matchy kind of person or I’d come close to fainting every morning when she walks down stairs.   You would think she is pattern blind sometimes because she loves mixing polka-dots with stripes and stripes with a pattern.   She’s eight though and can pull off the funky look.   My favorite of her recent outfits is when she wore a shirt over a dress.  Unfortunately I didn’t get a photo but it was the dress above, which she got from Schoola, with a short, loose fitting blousy shirt.  She might have gotten the idea of layering a shirt over a dress from my sister because everyone knows I’m not brave enough to do that.  My wardrobe consists of black pants, black shirts, a few sweaters.. mostly black, a couple of dresses, and black shoes.  I’m super fashion savvy right?

While Madelyn’s not a shorts and t-shirt kind of girl, she dresses up for any occasion.  She also spends a lot of time outside.   Did you ever ride a bike in a dress?  Madelyn has mastered it!   She enjoys riding her bike, swinging, doing homework or art on the back patio, and lucky for me, she loves to water the potted plants.   A few days ago she and I were about to water the plants when a package from Schoola.com arrived.  You read about Schoola.com here a few weeks ago. Madelyn was super anxious to open the box so I let her go inside and open the box while I got the hose.   I wish I was there when she opened the box because I heard a squeal and a gasp and then nothing for 5 minutes.  I called in to her and she said “mom, don’t come in my room –  I have a surprise for you”.  Five minutes later she walked daintily down the stairs holding the tip of the skirt of her beautiful new Soprano dress in her right hand while gently dragging her left hand down the handrail.. just like I imagine she will do on prom night.. but she won’t actually get to leave the house that night. 😉  Of course I didn’t have the camera ready and you can’t redo moments like and she’s not a fan of posing for photographs so I’m sharing the photos I took of her watering the plants.

Schoola designer used children's clothes

Schoola.com offers parents an affordable way to dress their kids in stylish gently used clothes while donating to schools art and music programs.

40% of the proceeds raised from purchases made on Schoola.com goes to buying art supplies music instruments and supplies as well as new books for libraries at schools across the country.  Parents like you and I can donate our children’s gently-used clothing.  Learn how to donate clothing to Schoola here. 

Schoola makes it easy to find exactly the pieces you’re looking for with their sorting feature.  You can first sort by gender, then choose your child’s age range, then size, and even drill down to color, brand and price.   You’ll find clothes from The Gap, Zara, Old Navy, The Children’s Place, and even designer clothes like Madelyn’s Soprano dress.   Madelyn’s outfit (above) cost just $20.70 and $8.28 of that went to help schools art, music and pe program all around the country!  Schoola.com even has a great selection of items for high school kids!  I found an Old Navy sweater for just $5.98 and a Hanes fleece pullover, Sebastian’s favorite thing to wear these days, for just $2.98!

Go through your kids closets, figure out what they need, grab a cup of tea and head to Schoola.com to shop for clothes!

25% off Schoola.com through 10/12/14!

Get 25% off your Schoola.com purchase when you use promo code givingstyle through October 12, 2014!

The Giving Keys

The Giving Keys: Wearable. Sharable. Perfect Imperfection.

Fashion & Style, ,
The Giving Keys

Most hotels I visit use card keys to access guest rooms.   I’m happy to hear that there are still hotels that use real keys and Caitlin Crosby, after falling in love with her motel room key, decided to put the key on a chain.  Once she was home in Los Angeles, she asked a locksmith to engrave the word LOVE on it. On her next tour, Caitlin sold old keys with words like HOPE, FAITH, and STRENGTH engraved on them.  The project continued to grow, but wasn’t complete until Caitlin met Cera and Rob, a homeless couple she met on Hollywood Boulevard.

Eager to turn her hobby of making key necklaces into a charitable endeavor, Caitlin partnered with the homeless couple she met on Hollywood Boulevard to engrave inspirational words on keys and sell the jewelry pieces called The Giving Keys.   Since, she has created jobs for the homeless and supported shelters and transitional homes.   Now, the homeless couple that Caitlin originally partnered with is living in a transitional home, working, and taking college classes.  What progression!  Caitlin now employs fifteen people who are transitioning from homelessness to living in a homeless shelter.  It’s so wonderful to see people who might otherwise feel hopeless and sometimes useless, be part of something so beautiful.  Her necklaces are sold online, at Fred Segal and 40 stores around the country. Her employees have made around $40,000 from sales of about 8,000 keys.

You can get involved by purchasing a customized necklace online or at selected retail stores. Once you make a key with the word you want, it is Caitlin’s wish that you will give it away to someone who needs it.  Engraved HOPE? Give it to someone who needs hope.  It’s a new take on paying it forward and it’s impossibly easy and a gift that won’t be forgotten by any involved.  You can find stories of why people gave away their necklaces here.

www.thegivingkeys.com

@thegivingkeys

The Mommy Insider is not affiliated with Caitlin Crosby or The Giving Keys – we just like sharing great news!

5 Personalized Hand-Stamped Bracelets and Necklaces

Fashion & Style, Jewelry, Style Guide,

I have over a dozen pieces of personalized hand-stamped jewelry that I have collected over the years.  I had a necklace made with my son’s initials, when he was a baby, then another necklace with two birds with my husband and mine’s initials, and a bracelet with initial charms for both of my kids.  Some of the pieces have since gone missing because Madelyn thinks it’s fun to wear my jewelry and apparently doesn’t understand the importance of putting my stuff away after she borrows it.  I will probably find a necklace or two under her mattress one of these days.

Hand-stamped jewelry is a great keepsake for moms.  Just don’t let your young kids use it for dress-up. 😉 Many pieces can be customized with a child’s name, initials, birth date, and even a birthstone.   Celebrity moms, such as Nicole Richie, have been seen wearing hand-stamped jewelry with their child’s initial or name on it.

Here are three hand-stamped bracelets and three hand-stamped necklaces that I love

personalized hand stamped jewelry

 

1 – Lowercase Typewriter Initial Necklace / $64 at Boticca.com
This necklace is 16″ long and features two charms, each measuring 3/8″ wide.  14k gold-filled chain and charms.

2 – 2 Rectangle Name Tag Necklace / $114+ at Anna Bee Jewelry
This necklace is my favorite of the bunch not just because it was worn by Gwyneth Paltrow.. no.. because it is simple.  These pieces can be made with gold, silver, or mixed metals.  Each one-of-a-kind piece is handmade including the charms.

3 – sheena is – riveted or pyramid stud bangle / $59 at Three Sisters
This is my favorite hand stamped bracelet.. for now at least.  I love it!  You can choose from round rivets or pyramid studs.  I’d go with the pyramid studs. 🙂

4 – Silver Two Charm Necklace / $70 at Hip Mom Jewelry
This necklace features 2 sterling silver charms and can be accented by birthstones or freshwater pearls.

5 – Love Always Wrap Handstamped Bracelet / $23 on Etsy
While you can’t customize the phrase on this bracelet, what I love about this bracelet  is that the stamped piece is held together by leather.  You can choose 5 colors of leather.

Do you have a hand-stamped piece of jewelry with your child’s name on it? Where did you get it?

5 Patterned Sunglasses From $5 to $435 That Will Spice Up Your Summer Style

Fashion & Style, Style Guide, ,

I have worn the same two pairs of sunglasses for years; Tory Burch sunglasses and Versace sunglasses with a cute little gold ribbon on each side which is totally not my style usually but the ribbon is small and just cute!  I was really upset when I saw that my Tory Burch sunglasses had scratches on the lenses so I did what I do and started a search for sunglasses online.

During my search for sunglasses I was reminded that not all sunglasses are alike.  Sunglasses come in different styles, colors, and shapes.   From leopard print to brightly colored flowers to polka dots, and even camouflage, despite how small sunglasses are, they sure can pack a punch of pattern!  I might expect camouflage from a pair of sunglasses in the sporting section at Walmart but I was surprised to see Tory Burch offering a sleek pair of what looks like camouflage sunglasses (#2 below).   I’m not brave enough to wear anything  camouflage or better yet, camouflage just isn’t my thing.

Here are five patterned sunglasses that will spice up your summer wardrobe!

patterned designer sunglasses

1 – Bottega Veneta 195/S / $435 at Zappos.com

2 – Tory Burch TY7054 / $205 at Zappos.com

3 – Prada Sunglasses, PR 29PS / $310 at Macys.com

4 – Mossimo® Cateye Sunglasses – Tortoise / $16.99 at Target

5 – Tortoise Square Sunglasses / Ready for it? $5.80 at Forever21.  You read that right. 🙂

If you want to splurge on a pair of sunglasses I suggest you go to your local eyewear boutique and spend time trying several pairs on. Consider the nosebridge, color, fit, and shape when shopping for sunglasses.  While it might be fun to own a pair of leopard print or polka dot sunglasses, I think I’d rather spend money on a more basic looking pair that I feel comfortable wearing with any outfit and in any situation.   I’d rather pay a lot for a good pair of sunglasses I will wear for years than a little for a pair of sunglasses that will last a few months because they are flimsy.  Do you agree?   My daughter on the other hand… she’s all about the print!  It seems like leopard print sunglasses will always be trendy but what about aviators?  A post for another day I guess.

Do you wear sunglasses with a pattern or do you stick to plain, one color sunglasses?  Do you have a favorite brand of sunglasses?

 

 

 

 

Keep Your Feet Cool and Cute In These 5 Breathable Ballet Flats

Fashion & Style, Style Guide, , ,

Summer is quickly approaching and that means it’s time for sandals and flats.  I love ballet flats.  Ballet flats have been my go-to shoe for about three years and I don’t know how my feet survived 30-something years in something other than ballet flats or wedge sandals during the summer.  Actually, I do.  I wore either my black or tan pair of Earth mary janes for years and I still love them but they’re too hot to wear in the summer and maybe they are a little worn out.  Ballet flats come in a lot of styles and colors.  Some have bows, some are quilted and some are embellished with studs! I’ll show you some of my favorite embellished ballet flats another day. 🙂

Below are five pairs of breathable ballet flats.  These flats either have a breathable lining and/or insole.  You can feel confident that your feet won’t sweat in these shoes this summer.  I hate summer foot sweat which is why I also wear wedge sandals in the summer.

I’ve shown you ballet flats for little girls, now it’s time to show you breathable ballet flats for women.

Breathable ballet flats

1 – Hush Puppies Chaste Ballet – Hush Puppies are a tried and true shoe brand.  The breathable lining and a cushioned insole are sure to keep your feet comfy and cool this summer.

2 – Patagonia Maha Breathe – I love the Atoll Aqua color as shown above, but these flats are available in 6 colors in case you’re not fond of aqua shoes.

3 – J. Crew Quorra Ballet Flats – Look close and you’ll see Xs and Os on these sunwashed aqua ballet flats.  I think this color is really pretty but if aqua shoes don’t excite you you’ll be happy to know that these J. Crew ballet flats are available in four other colors.

4 – UGG Kellis Crystal – These flats don’t necessarily look breathable but from what I’ve read the breathable leather lining helps fight overheating feet and if these flats are true to the UGG brand they are very comfortable.

5 – Reebok ‘True Studio’ Ballet Flat – While these aren’t my favorite color, they look comfortable and definitely breathable.  These ballet flats are probably best for yoga or around the house.

Talk to us!

Do you have a favorite pair of ballet flats?  What do you look for when shopping for flats?  Do you consider breathability when shoe shopping or is style more important?