Three Haute Mamas

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 Christen@ChristenMitchellStyling.Com 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

 

Youth is for trying absolutely everything~Lauren Hutton

“Developing your very best personal style – and that includes figuring out what works for your body type – involves a lot of trial and error. Youth is for trying absolutely everything.”

Lauren Hutton, People Style Watch 7/12/2010

Finding your own personal style is a must.  Lauren Hutton is 68 and clearly in charge of her style.  I am in my thirties.  I'd love to say I know everything about what works and what doesn't, but after lounging around while Kimberly and stylist, Christen Mitchell tossed around outfit after outfit yesterday, even I wonder.  Experimenting in your youth with drugs is a bad thing.  Experimenting with your style? Now we're talking.  

Lauren has collaborated with J.Crew, who doesn't love the Crew, to share with us,   Lauren's basics, pieces  that every woman can work into her wardrobe no matter what her age. 

Do you have a style?  Why not?  Go out and try absolutely everything.  And stay tuned for our video blog on all the loveliness that came out of Kimberly's closet thanks to her beyond fabulous collections of clothing, and Christen's fabulous eye for detail.  

Losing weight the good old fashioned way-Closet Purging

Oops, I did it again.  Last week I purged.  Heaved it all.  Tossed the goodies.  

Yep.  That's five and half trash bags (lawn bags! EEK!) from my closets and dressers.  I'm no Carrie Bradshaw, but I do love shoes.  And purses.  Oh..and dresses..my weakness is a good dress.  But there is something I don't like and that is "stuff".  Stuff in my face, stuff I don't use, stuff that doesn't fit, stuff that fits and doesn't matter, it still looks horrid.  That "stuff".  I like organization the likes of a surgeon. So off I went, tossing and purging.  There was no holding back.  I think I actually saw shoes cowering.   I packed those bags to the gills, and tossed them right out to the curb to await pick up from a local non profit.  There was only one moment where I began to sweat, a top I remembered that I genuinely liked.  But what bag was it in? Was it worth searching through fiveandahalfbags for? It wasn't.  And a week later, I am happy to report all is well.  The off the shoulder, flash dance-esque tee is on the shelves of the nearest Big Brother, Big Sister facility ready for the next dancing diva to don.  

So with this new year upon us, dive in and tackle those closets.  Let go of the bads, the uglies and even some goods if you don't think you'll use them.  Out with the old, in with the new, yada yada.  Your closet should be efficient, organized and full of key pieces you actually wear.  Your closet is not a museum full of things to just look at.  Well, I'll admit..I do sneak in there a bit and gaze, but I wear my clothes, my shoes and my accessories.  Nothing is off limits, and if it is, off it goes.  

As one friend put it, " Well..you have to make room for that Spring wardrobe!".

Lucky Kimberly, has the fabulous Christen of Christen Mitchell Styling coming over to tackle her closet tomorrow, sans Hefty bags I assume.  Stay tuned for the video and follow up as we come out of the closet...Kimberly's closet! 

Keepin' it real, or my sick day outfit

For those of you who think we walk around all the time, dressed to the nines, accessorized to the hilt, and full on makeup and hair.  Well you'd be one hundred percent correct.  

Kiddingggggggggg.........God bless those of you who do.  Right now I've still got that lingering cold, and now..pink eye.  Icing on the cake.  However, the Patriots are destroying playing the Jets today, and I must leave the house, if only to cheer them on with close friends.  Very close friends.  Who don't give a rats butt that my hair's out to there, my Uggs are beyond filthy, and I didn't press my shirt.  Love those friends.  

Hat: Nineteen47  (I think my Patriots gear got tossed in the big closet cleanout of 2011.)

Tops, there are three (I am sick): tee H+M, White top Free People, Navy 3/4 sleeve sweater, Michael Kors

Jeans: Chip + Pepper rolled to display (very dirty but beloved) Uggs

Go Pats! 

 

 

Fake it til you make it Mamas.....

Hello Mamas,

Okay most of us are on our way to a slender physique but why not look as if you reached your goal sooner than you will! 

Here are a few tips from a great book titled How to Never Look Fate Again by Charla Krupp.

As soon as I saw this book I ran to the book store with my daughter to grab it. I thought our Mamas need to know about this!! This is such a fun and easy read. I loved it! When I first posted that I joined weight watchers I got a lot of comments that I didn't need to lose weight. My secret is that I am the queen like Charla Krupp on dressing 10 lbs lighter as well as holding my head high, shoulders back and standing tall!! Her book is spot on and when you shop as much as I do you begin to know what works on your body and what doesn't. I will try a bunch of dresses on ( I was born with patience for that) and I see what flatters my body and what doesn't.... no, YIKES, no,  oh goodness no, YES!!!! 

I am addicted to jackets! In Krupp's book she writes.... " Throw a black, tailored fitted jacket, open, over a white bright, or light colored V-neck tee. The dark angular cut of the jacket reduces body weight at the shoulders, while the contrasting V-neck creates the illusion of a long neck." 

If your petite : go for supple cowls, draped necklines, and v-neck sleeveless tops and dresses. Get rid of scrunch-down turtles and boxy crews that overwhelm smaller proportions and make you look shorter and wider.

If your size 14 and up.... play with dramatic necklines you can handle it. Portrait collar jackets with a rich retro look, deep square necklines, crisp white notch collar shirts, and wide strap beaded neck scoops are waiting for you. Another tip she gives is that if you are bigger than a size 32 jean you can wear men's jeans.  Bill Bartlett of E Street Denim in Highland Park, Illinois says " 7 For All Mankind's boot cut is a great choice because of all the stretch in it, it won't make you look like you are wearing men's jeans. "Hey, whatever it takes to look good! I'm all for it Mamas!! 

 Throughout her book I really enjoyed her example photos of High Fat Clothing Vs. Low Fat Clothing like shown above and below.

I learned from her that pocket placement is pretty much everything when it comes to jeans. " The right pair of jeans is like a bra for your bum.  No button flap pockets, bold white stitching or low pockets."  The No fat jean has " clean dark denim, straight leg, no logo's, tags, grommets, or decorated extras. Higher pockets lift you where you belong."

Okay I could go on and on and then this post will be a book. There are so many great facts in here, a lot I already knew and a lot I didn't!! This book is a must have for Mamas!!!  

 

 

Stay Haute!

XO Kimberly

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. 

 

New Years Snow Queen

Holiday joy continues for this mama! Bowling, Childrens museum, movie nights, trips to my hometown.  I'd just posted ice skating photos on Facebook when I got a wall post reminding me of a certain little blog commitment.  "I wondered where you'd gone"-Kimberly.  Oopsie. sorry Kim!!xoxohehe

Thanks for holding down the fort Kim, but even she knows, I can't help it.  I am a sucker for good holiday fun, and New Years Eve is no different.  Last year was the first year my girls were allowed to stay up and watch the ball drop in Times Square.  My neighbors joined us and we had a fabulous, yet low key time.  This year, I'll be shipping the girls off to the grandparents and heading out to a casual soiree myself, hence a little more formality is called for.  Just what the stylist ordered. 

I am in love with these Heritage fit satin trim pants from Talbots on major clearance right now.  And given the fact that I have eaten nearly every carb that's crossed my path, the wool/poly/lycra blend will hopefully help to hide that little glitch. 

Shine throughout the night in this gold sequin tank from  New York & Co. 

And Sam Edelman Simone ankle boots to protect those little footsies from all this snow! 

 

This is New Years eve after all mamas, so pile on every piece of gold, glass and glittery jewelry you own.  Think big, think Times Square big.  

 

The same holds true for hair and makeup.  The higher the hair, the closer to God.  And he didn't create false eyelashes for trannies and Mac makeup artists only mamas.  Branch out.  Try something new.  A new eyeshadow color, or even a sparkly hair accessory.  You always want to look good when meeting someone new for the first time, why should meeting a New Year be any different? 

 

 

 

Accessible Glamour

Hello Mamas,

In the coming new year when I post about fashion for my Mamas the question I will be asking myself will be ... Is this Accessible Glamour? Fashion that we moms can get our hands on!

With the theme of New Years I have pulled from two very accessible and affordable stores and their  websites Forever 21 and Lane Bryant.

Silk Origami Dress $19.80  Forever 21. This dress would be stunning with layered rhinestone chain necklaces! 

 

 

Textured Strapless Dress $ 32.80 Forever 21

 

V-Cut Woven Dress $27.80 Forever 21. You could create many looks with this dress, adding a jacket, loads of jewelry.  I recently watched on Styleboston tv stylist Joseph Gordon Cleveland of Contra layer a lace top under a sheath dress! Brilliant! 

 

Quilted Strapless Dress $27.80 Forever 21+ 

 
Ponte knit Python dress $ 34.99 Lane Bryant. Even though this is knit if you are attending a less formal party or event you could pair this with a cropped leather Jacket and a sequin-beaded clutch some rockin heels! 

 

This new year is all about finding our inner Hauteness! We don't need celebrity stylists calling major design houses to get it.... Accessible Glamour really is right at our finger tips!

XO Kimberly

 

On the 23rd day of the holiday Mr. UPS gave to me...William Rast for Target

I had exactly four minutes to blow through Target this morning, grabbing applesauce, Vitamin waters, Emergen-C's and other sick-ward ammenities when like a speeding railroad I came screeching to a halt...

no, not Justin Timberlake.  I'd be in some sort of coronary attack recovery right now.

William Rast for Target! Hand to God, by far my favorite designer for Target line yet.  It was the skinny jeans that caught my eye to begin with.  It's always the skinnies.

I'm a sucker for a super cute skinny, especially paired with a sassy top, and lo and behold..

Dear Santa, if I can't have Mr. JT himself, can I at least have the entire William Rast for Target line? Two days left..I'll be super nice. xo Kate