Three Haute Mamas

Still TIME to Enter, Pregnancy Style + a Flash Back

Our spring "time" give away deadline has been extended-that's right, extra "time" to enter.  Just leave us a comment telling us how you tell time during your busy day.  For me, it's my trusty 

that's right Kim! The oven does in fact get used.

Sad, but true.  If only the mamas weren't exempt from the this most excellent give away! 

Speaking of mamas, I am loving this mama to be's pregnancy style!  

Please tell me she's at least wearing flip flops under that gown.  I don't think in my three pregnancies I ever looked that glamorous.  Even in week one.  But I loved dressing up my big belly, and I loved this post from last year, so like my first (and second) pregnancies, worth repeating.  Enjoy!

Rock That Belly

Oceanside yesterday I couldn't help but be in awe of a soon to be mama sporting a teeny tiny bikini while at least 8 months pregnant.  Totally haute, and when she left, a simple sarong wrap to complete the look. Now I don't live in a mecca of fashion, au contraire, 8 month pregnant mamas generally sport your basic maternity suits. This left me thinking I always I wasn't always in control of my belly or "the girls" when I was pregnant.  They kind of "snuck out", not in a bad way, and that was fine.  Think about it..pregnancy is the one time when your fanny is finally proportionately smaller than your waist.  The "girls" are full and cleavage abounds.  Your stomache is tight.  Maybe not six pack tight but all the same.  If you've never sported a bikini by all means, now may be the time to rock and roll with your big bad belly.  

Good day sunshines!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Waistband Meet My Waistline..... Kimberly's Spring Time Favorite High Waisted Flare Jeans

 

Hello Mamas,

 

I said to myself if there was one thing I would own for this spring/summer (who am I kidding) any hoot it would be a pair of high waisted flare jeans. As you can see I am a women of my word. Definitely a job hazard as a blogger and connoisseur of everything fashionable I researched and found me a pair. Wahllaa!

I love these jeans for many reasons, born in the 70's I was instantly drawn to them as I  remember my mom rockin a pair of these bad boys when I was a little girl. Second when I bend over to pick up after the kids my pants do not need to be adjusted if you know what I mean mamas. No grabbing at the belt loops and hoisting them up again! 

Now I will note I am a size 8-10 definitely a curvy Mama so I think these jeans can flatter many body types. 

 

I would like to personally thank J.Lo and Kim Kardashian for bringing back the bootie, junk in the trunk, gluteus maximus, baby got back whatever you would like to call it!!

My ten year old daughter Caroline was my photographer for this post. At this point I was acting goofy to really get her eyes rolling! By the way she enjoyed the shoot so much she asked for a $13,000 camera! anyway moving on........

Check out these high waisted flare jeans from Newport News $39! 

I will give you a warning you must style them correctly... I feel like a blousy top looks better with the high waisted jean if you are a curvy girl and need to create the illusion of a defined waist like I do.... example the photo heard around the world of Jessica Simpson

I don't think the jeans looked bad on her, it was the belt, tight top and bad bra! Poor Jessica, I still love the girl! 

Not to add insult to injury but I just love Vanessa Minnillo's outfit in this picture.  Again, so sorry Jessica all in the name of a good post. I still dream of the reality show Nick and Jessica Newlyweds once again..... sigh!

Xo Kimberly

Paparazzi Approved Red-Carpet Poses

 

Hello Mamas,

Six more days until Oscar Night and Kate, Christina and I will be walking the red carpet in Boston at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel to benefit The Ellie Fund. I was at the gym on the treadmill when I saw on tv that channel 5 will be live on the red carpet for the event! I almost fell off the back of the treadmill!!  Yikes! So much to do, learn.... prep, prep, prep!!!!!

I found this great instructional video on youtube by Loreal Paris Academy. Check it out Mamas. It is nice to know how to be red-carpet ready no matter what carpet life puts you on!

 Stay Haute!!

 XO Kimberly

 

 

 

What's your Signature Style? Spiegel Catalog wants you to take the quiz!

Hello Mamas,

Not to many years ago when I was a teen, hey, why the laughter? Okay, years ago when I was a teen this 10 lb catalog use to arrive at my house by the name of Spiegel. It was like my Vogue at the time, I would sit on the couch for as long as it took to pour over every fashion for the up coming season. I would bend back the pages of things I loved and always would find come Birthday and Christmas some of my favorite wish list items.  I was probably the only girl in my high school who wore spiegel but like you should know about me now, I have always had a passion for fashion.

Today I happen to go onto the Spiegel website and I was surprised at all the changes they have made to their online catalog. They have added an online magazine. On there they have added Signature Style category and you can take an online quiz to see what your personal style is, it is a lot of fun and I must say they have nailed me to a "T"! My results are below.......

To take the Signature Style quiz click here.  From there you get your results and then they direct you to some wardrobe picks based on your style. I must say bravo Speigel! Brilliant!! 

and if you are the man to take me out on the town click here!!!! giggle!! giggle!! 

Enjoy Mamas,

XO Kimberly

Wow, Kimberly's hit the nail on the head!  Color me tempted..of course I sped over and took "the test".  If there's no pass/fail, I'm on it.  My style, per Speigel:

 Hmm? Yes, on the travel. I do love a little exotic, and the animal prints is correct, I love them although I don't dress exclusively in them (and if you do, please stop reading and seek counseling). I am a bit organic, but the risk taker?  Very, very intesting!  

Xo Kate

 

 Christina's results were.......
To my late mother's credit I can say that one thing I have always done is try to exude confidence. Which I guess can be taken as perfectionism. Even when I am not feeling 100 percent confident or life is giving me lemons, I do always with Chanel on my feet, make lemonade!  

XO Christina

 

We would love to hear how Spiegel ranked your Signature Syle. Send us a comment on our blog or on facebook!! 

Happy Quiz taking Mamas!

Kimberly, Kate and Christina

 

 

 

 

Haute Mama Success Story: How weight loss strengthened this mama from the inside out

"When I was running, my kids couldn't see me getting out my aggression"

And Jen Farias ran.  A lot.  She ran off 35 pounds to be exact after her husband decided he didn't want to be married anymore, leaving her a single mom of two.  Sometimes we look at losing weight as a means to fit into a pair of jeans we covet, or a hope to look good at an event.  Jen took a different approach:

"I wasn't thinking about it "diet-wise" but more as a stress release, something that I could control when my life was spiraling out of it".  

Unfortunately, while tackling running she was neglecting her eating habits.  "I was wasting away, and within three months I went from 152 pounds to 117!  I'm 5'4'', and it really wasn't pretty-all skin, no muscle tone."  At that point, I started to incorporate weight training and making small changes into my diet.  The first step was becoming more conscious of what nutrients were entering her body.  An admitted sugar lover, she didn't completely eliminate it but simply looked for alternatives, like creating her sweet, yet healthy, home made granola.  "It still has that bit of chocolate I crave, but is oil free and sweetened with orange juice".  She also makes sure to include a "real" treat once or twice a week as well.  "If I want a piece of cake on a special occasion, I don't say no, but it's certainly not every day".  

This year she was blindsided with more stress when her son was diagnosed with kidney failure.  "Fortunately we came out of it ok, but for the rest of his life he will have severe dietary restrictions.  This meant a change as a family.  Out went the salt, all together.  Things we take for granted like packaged foods, no more."  

All of these diet and exercise changes had some unplanned side effects however.  "All of a sudden I would be working out, and people would be staring.  I was in the middle of a divorce, in a small town, and I could just imagine..well wouldn't you know, they started coming up to me and asking me what I was training for!  Then asking me-ME-for exercise tips!"  Jen started helping friends achieve their health goals, and is currently working towards her next goal-her fitness training certification! 

 

Next up:  Jen shares her top three get fit tips and her home made granola recipe.  

 

 

Add Personal Stylist to your list of important people.... say between Doctor and Hairstylist!!!

 Hello Mamas,

Last week Kate and I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with Christen Mitchell of Christen Mitchell Styling. Our mission was to learn about the benefits of hiring a personal stylist. Christen's mission was to sift through my closet and give me ideas on how to put certain outfits together. I am a busy mom of four and always on the go. I tend to always grab the same things to wear often forgetting what is in my closet. Christen gave me a closet consultation and it was a success! I have several photos of new ways to work my casual on the go pieces and a few suggestions on items I should purchase to maximize my wardrobe!!

Her input was invaluable to me even with my background in fashion and my love of shopping.  Where a stylist could benefit you is if you are like me not maximizing what you have in your wardrobe. Or if you do not have time to shop, have big events to attend and want that perfect look.  Or if you have the problem of roaming the malls for hours and finding nothing. Hiring a stylist is money well spent and is surprisingly affordable! 

........and now I give Christen the key pad!! 

 Good Afternoon Readers,

There are so many things in your closet that you don’t get nearly as much use 

out of as you could. You know there is that one blouse, that you only wear with 

that certain blazer and the same jeans and boots every time. Well that’s what I 

am here to help you with. I went over to Kim’s house the other day and we went 

through her closet so I could show her how to wear a few pieces that she wasn’t 

sure how to incorporate into her everyday look. 

I have only met Kim a handful of times, so I sent her a questionnaire prior to our 

appointment to get a feel for her style. Kim is an amazingly stylish mom, so she 

had some really great pieces in her closet to begin with. Currently, she gravitates 

towards a white button up, flare jeans, some fun jewelry and her boots. I didn’t 

want to change her style. Instead, I wanted to show her that the other items in 

her closet are just as easy to grab and throw on. Since she has four kids her 

style has to be effortless & comfortable, without sacrificing style. 

As an example of what we did, I took Kim’s military green skinny jeans that she 

doesn’t get much use out of and tried to work them into several different outfits 

to show her how versatile they can be.  Kim also has an abundance of different 

tops.  She wanted to learn how to incorporate them into her casual wardrobe so 

she’d feel comfortable wearing them any day no matter what she had going on. 

Below are outfits we created using her skinny jeans, bootcut denim and boots as a base. 

It’s as simple as understanding what you already own and how to use it.

 

If you feel like you have nothing to wear, but your closets are full, check out my 

website www.ChristenMitchellStyling.com for my list of packages and pricing. 

Also, feel free to email me at [email protected] with any 

questions.

Top from Gap, Skinny Cargo's from Contrary Boutique, boots Marshalls

Jacket Gap


Skinny jeans Banana Republic, Top Petite Pois by Vivianna G @ Contrary Boutique, Jacket TJMaxx


Bootcut jeans Paige Premium Denim Hidden Hills
Coat, scarf and shirt TJMaxx, Paige Premium Denim 





Top Boston Proper, Belt Marshalls

Jacket The Loft
Shrug from Contrary Boutique
Above: Jacket BCBG, Boots Victoria Secrets, lace top Forever 21.

Below Jacket from Forever 21, top from Marshalls, Jeans Paige Premium Hidden Hills




As you can see I am jean and jacket kind of girl. I love to buy fun tops...... my alter ego I can do in another post is my Girls Night Out Outfits!! I am a sucker for a stylish dress and heels. I'm in my late thirties so when I do go out with my girlfriends it is all about style and being a women!! 

These amazing services such as a personal stylist, dietician, trainer, dermatologists are all here to help us learn how to live a Haute life! Take advantage mamas in my opinion they are the key to the fountain of youth!  Love who you are!! 

XO Kimberly, Kate and Christina

 

Motivating Mamas

MOTIVATE–noun

1.

the act or an instance of motivating.

2.

the state or condition of being motivated.

3.

something that motivates; inducement; incentive.

Below are some woman that motivate not only on a personal level, but also wow-zers..how about those bodies?!?!  accomplishments!

Dara Torres made her 5th Olympic swim team in Bejing, winning three silver medals at the age of 40.  She was also a mom at the time.  40 is haute. 

Gabrielle Reese, Volleyball wonder, model, television personality, wife and mom to three.  And if you've ever wondered how she got those abs, a two minute video of her routine.  I was sweating just watching.

 

Serena and Venus Williams, by far, tennis stars and  fashionistas who also show a great example of sisterly love. And legs that go on forever. 

Mia Hamm, soccers sweetheart.  Generally when someone else marries someone you love-Nomar Garciaparra, sigh-there's a tinge of jealousy.  But she's just so darn sweet, I genuinely wish them nothing but the best.  Sigh. 

Chris Everett.  So I wanted to be her growing up.  We played tennis sun up to sun down with our little wooden raquets and nothing.  Nothing.  I'm Kate Lord, she's Chris Everett.  I've come to accept this, but what I cannot accept is the fact that she has not aged one bit.  Clearly she was using a better raquet.  

then

now (three kids later  no less)

Race car driver Danica Patrick.  Now I can assure you that I drive a lot.  I mean, constantly.  I look nothing like this in a swim suit.  Something to aspire to I suppose.  

Taking joy in living is a woman's best cosmetic.  ~Rosalind Russell

Looking Haute while Channeling your Inner Athlete.....

 Hello Mamas,

I have always been a firm believer in Fashion and Athletics! I once quit soccer because I didn't like the polyester shorts they wanted us to wear so I sashayed myself over to the field hockey field where they were sporting kilt style skirts! Lol!! The rest as they say was history!! I also remember throwing the discus in High School undefeated my senior year I might add ....ahem. I attribute that success to two things 1. It is not size but speed that makes the discus go far. 2. I would psyche out my opponents by glamming it up... full hair, makeup and outfit, bum Equipment Sweatshirt, banana clip in hair, spandex shorts, Good Vibrations by Marky Mark blaring on my cassette recorder. Clearly I wasn't going to be taken seriously as an Athlete until I stepped into the Discus circle! hahhahaa!! 

 

 

Dressing for a workout is the fun part. Channeling you inner Athlete...... a few $$$ at  Lululemon and Nike.  Exiting the gym looking this good after you just killed it in Spin class!! Priceless!! 

Stay Haute Mamas! 

 

XO Kimberly, Kate and Christina

 

C9 is just fine! Workout fashions from Target

News flash: the gyms are packed.  Packed. Even my teeny little gym is busting at the seams, not unlike my Paige jeans apres holiday season.  Mamas are done with the eggnog lattes and ready to lunge and squat into the New Year.  Monday we touched on lululemon, the holy grail of the fashionable gym set, but with a new year, comes the credit card statements from the old one.  For those of you who like to splurge on occasion, and spend judiciously the rest of the time, please head to your nearest Target and try out the C9 by Champion line.  

Please note, children of the 80's, who sported Champion sweatshirts (oversized with leggings please) as teens, this is not your high school Champion.  

The hair will get it's own post another day if your promise to realize there's just one person under that giant sweatshirt.  

Sleek, high tech material in sizes and fits for every body.  The selling point, however...the price.  I have purchased a few pieces of the C9 and I will vouch that it fits true to size, and washes well.  The shirts and jackets run long, which I love.  The sports bras are the bomb.  This is coming from someone who is a 34 cough-cough, whisper, b (hey if Kim's in confession mode today with her Weight Watchers....).  And my running tights are long enough! This never happens.  My pants are always flood waters (again. 80's reference.).  

This week Target is running a super duper sale on C9 so like those weights, hit it hard. 

Katydid jacket, normally $24.99, this week $20.  Have it, love it.  Hits longer on the hip than shown (translation, covers the butt.)

Seamless cami bra, $14.  Comfortable with a capital C.  Not a high impact bra if you're higher than say a B cup, but definitely a great yoga/pilates bra.  

Womens Plus Size Racer Back Running Tank in Ebony-Azure Blue-show off those haute shoulders you've been toning up. 

Cardio Tank in Katydid Pink 

Paired with the Ruched Yoga pant in Gray (gotta get your yoga pant fix on)

OR for those who are feeling a little haute..the fitted short tight.  

 

and after you're done saying OM, the yoga hoodie.  Namaste mamas. 

 

Ignite the light within........

Hello Mamas,

 Maybe it was Jennifer Hudson or just some forward thinking on my part as I've decided to take action to shed these Holiday pounds I have added. My goal is to feel fresh and renewed when spring comes. Wouldn't you know today the first day of my diet and I can't stop thinking about food!! DAMMIT!!!

There are so many diets out there and I have really given this post a lot of thought. This is my opinion and what has worked for me in the past. I really think that it is so important to find a diet that fits your lifestyle, personality and attitude about eating. 

For example, if you are a type A person, can really be diciplined and can give or take food then you may do well with.... Ummm all diets in general!! Lol!! I on the other hand love food. I'm italian remember! I associate food with socializing and happiness. Growing up at the Sunday dinner table with my family, two banquet tables of food and family it became our time to bond, share stories and enjoy what my grandmother made for us with love.  

Therefore, as of this moment the only diet for this Mama is Weight Watchers. I first joined Weight Watchers after my children were born. It is a great diet for new moms because it teaches you to make better choices and eat smaller portions. It was nine months of eating what I want, eating for two and with the twins it was.... What are you looking at I'm eating for three! LOL!!! That seems to be my biggest problem. Portion sizes are too big. I do enjoy exercising which has saved me from massive weight gain. I don't obsess about working out, I do it because I've always been athletic and it makes me feel healthy and good about myself. Kate works out everyday and Christina was born Vietnamese and Swedish... enough said! hahhaa!! I am once again the middle of the road Mama!!

I walked into Weight Watchers this morning and my good friend was standing in line! I called her name and we both bursted out laughing! She is italian like me... enough said!! hahahaha!! They handed me a booklet with my goal weight which is 9 pounds and my target goal according to weight watchers is 17 lbs. Ya I just posted that!!! 

According to Jennifer Hudson, myself and my girlfriend... we choose Weight Watchers because it's accessible and..... It works!! Stay tuned Mamas!!

 

XO Kimberly 

 

It's always been inside of you and now it's time to let it through! - firework by Katy perry