Three Haute Mamas

Some more Contrary goodness

 

some more contrary goodness..... And remember, Maryann will ship anywhere in the US for FREE! We love free! And we also love that when you mention Three Haute Mamas..10% off! Contrary goodness is always reasonably priced (and this is coming from the bargain hunter of the 3 haute mamas!) so an additional 10% off is totally haute! 

-screw the hoodies mamas.  this ruffle-y, zip up jacket in the softest grey cotton by Mystree, is only $69! You can wear it over gym clothes, denim or to the office.  That's getting your moneys worth. 

 

-this black silk shorts-suit, Notice at $109.  For one haute mamas night out;)

 

-So you want to be comfortable, but still stylish.  Military jacket ($69 BB Dakota) over black leggings.  Problem solved.  

 

-So we don't get confused.  THIS is Kristen Stewart in the same BB Dakota Jack jacket, $69, a top seller at Contrary. 

 

 and this is Kate Lord in the jack jacket from BB Dakota.  I am not a vampire. Although my children call me scary sometimes. 

 

-Everyone needs a good dress.  Let's face it.  How often do you get called up to an event last minute and "Bleh..I have nothing to wear." So you trudge around the malls, boutiques, and come up with..na-da.  Be prepared! Shop early shop often is the Three Haute Mamas motto! 

-BB Dakota $79

 

-French Connection jersey knit dress, $118 
   

-Aryn K, $119

  

-and because like many of you, we too, are working mamas, our little tag along assistants..Fortunately Contrary boutique owner Maryann was a joy in helping us out, feeding our babies chocolates, and even chasing the the random escapee out out the door! 

 Contrary Boutique is located at 

92 North Street, Mattapoisett Ma

508-758-4800 email designmra@aol.com

Contrary to popular belief... Boutique owners are a girls best friend!!!!

Hello Haute Mamas,

Kate, Christina and I would like to educate you on the benefits of visiting a Haute Boutique!!! We are lucky to have our very own here in Mattapoisett. It is called Contrary Boutique! You know the saying it's a small world.... well to tell you that I almost fell over one day when I walked into Contrary and met the owner Maryann Kondracki for the first time. When I couldn't get over how familiar she looked we figured it out! She was a substitute teacher at my high school back in the day and I remember all the boys drooling when she showed up to sub! LOL!!!

-Kate here-want to talk small? The first house I bought in town? Maryann's old house.  After we sold that guess where we moved? Right next door to her.  Great minds think alike??? Or stalker?  

Maryann had it then and she hasn't lost a beat! Stylish and loaded with carisma she has made her mark as south coasts very own Rachel Zoe!! With her beautiful and very Haute Boutique, Contrary!!

Which leads me to the benefits of visiting a boutique such as Contrary. We have heard a lot of mom's say, I just don't know what looks good on me or what the style is or I just don't have time to shop. If you pop into a boutique all those questions would be answered for you in a snap. Boutique owners are there because they have a passion for fashion, they work hard and they looovvveee their customers!!! They can sometimes be great therapists as well!! Thanks Maryann!! After you get to know them, they begin to know you like you have been friends forever. They know your body, what looks good on you, what your price range is, favorite color, birthday, anniversary, how to steer your husband or significant other in the right direction! Hint! Hint!! They become your very own Stylist! Who by the way are not just for the rich and famous you know! They are also for us everyday gals that want to look haute!! Don't be afraid of the boutiques prices they have price ranges for everyone and my purchases have lasted years because the quality is so good. The pieces are unique and I feel fabulous when I wear them!! 

We asked Maryann to give us some insight into the new fall trends and also what goes on behind the scenes when she is shopping for her clients. Here is what she wrote for our Haute Mama readers.......

One of the most enjoyable benefits of owning my own boutique would definitely be the several buying trips I get to make to New York City. While there I sponge up all of the fantastic fashion from the runway, in the showroom and on the street. I especially enjoy the metamorphosis that occurs when couture is introduced one season and translated into ready to wear the next.

    When Kimberly asked me to talk about the current trends this season I realized that by now, you Haute Mama's know the low-down. In a nut-shell?.....military (down in the trenches combat style),pop prints (thank you Prada), lace, fringe (replacing ruffles),big chunky knits,shoe booties, the sheath dress, a vintage washed color palette and the resurgence of leather.

    I love high fashion but the retailer/businesswoman in me has the daunting challenge of presenting it to my clients in a realistic marketable manner. I take their needs,combined with their budget and lifestyle and build my inventory from there.

   With that always in mind, here are my "must have" recommendations for this season:

1. Cargo anything! Go for it! The newest look is the skinny but any cargo will do this season.This style has always been cool. Buy both a jacket and pants. You will not be sorry.

2. Chunky knit sweaters- oversized , long and great with skinnies.

 
 
 

3. Shoe booties. In last year and even stronger this season. Invest and wear it with a dress.

4. Anything lacey.

 

5. Structured hand bag. Lady-like is back.

6. Scarf- Invest in a good one with the right weight and hand and wear it constantly.

 

7. Structured sheath dress. We have Victoria Beckham to thank for this one. Look for one with a strong architectural shoulder.

 

8. Platform pumps. 

9. A pair of flat riding boots, which you will wear for the next twenty years!

10. A leather jacket. Moto or military influences and slightly cropped for over those dresses or with your cargo's.

Add some or all to your wardrobe and the taxi drivers in N.Y.C. will think you are a native and everyone in your neighborhood will be copying you in no time.

 Thanks Maryann!! We had such a fun time-your fall collections are as haute as you are! mamas-If you're interested in anything you see here, but don't live in the area, Maryann will ship anywhere in the US for FREE!  Mention Three Haute Mamas, and you can also receive 10% off your purchase!  She is located conveniently just off the highway in Mattapoisett, and also on Facebook.  Visit often for the best selection, as she constantly updating and receiving new shipments. 

Car pool style part deux

carpool fashions can be haute. totally haute. 

stella mccartney

 

bcbg

bird by juicy couture

 

line

 

 

 

for the reason we carpool.  chloe for children. 

 

 

Car pool mamas in the haute lane

Ok, mamas, truth be told we all love our yoga pants.  If there were a trial I'd be found guilty, I can't live without them, but there is a time and a place. Exactly,I will admit Kate after fighting the flu for two weeks I had to wear the yoga pants but I wore them with my converse one star sneakers to funk it up a bit and a fun scarf!! You can also wear a legging, super comfy with a chunky sweater!! XO Kimberly

 There are also other comfortable options to take you from dropping the kids off to volunteering to Stop and Shop to soccer games.  I promise.  Here's just one look that absolutely anyone can pull off. 

Find a basic white tee-Hanes, they come in 3 packs at Walmart, and they are perfect. 

~"boyfriend" jeans.  These are not to be confused with "mom" jeans.  These are a relaxed fit.  If you're up for it, then by all means, go for the skinnies.  Baby steps. I'm going to interject here Kate and make my case for the skinny jean.... as you all know I am the curvier of the three mamas ( Kimberly). It took me a while to wrap my head around the skinny jeans, I always thought a bootcut jean was more flattering on my body type but I must say I love my skinny jeans! I found that paired with the right top, something longer that hits me mid thigh makes this look work. My ballet flats, riding boots or my over the knee boots all look fabulous with these jeans. I recently bought a pair at Banana Republic when we did our styling event... they are sooo comfy! I even got my sister to buy a pair. She too thought she couldn't pull it off, we have muscular legs but it works! Its all in the head ladies and things that are fitted to our bodies makes us look thinner!!! I talked an older women about late 50's into a pair the other day at a store, she had on a really long top with it and thought these aren't so bad. I told her curves are in didn't you know!! We can make anything look fabulous!! She looked at me and laughed!! Ahhhh Love it!!

~The black blazer.  You can pick one up at Old Navy + spend a few more dollars to get it tailored to fit you at your local seamstress.  This will make all the difference in the worlddddd.  Yes!! I agree Kate retire the hoodie moms!! I see this disease running rampant at our children's sporting events.. BLAH!!! A blazer or the hot trend right now is the military inspired jacket!! Yummy!! Let's cure this hoodie disease once and for all!! 

~Flats.  Go big (Tory Burch anyone?) or go Target.  Doesn't matter.  If you like it, and it's comfortable, then run with it.  No pun intended.  

That's really all there is to it.  You can accesorize if you want.  Again.  Baby steps.  A scarf.  A hat is fun (I'm not talking baseball here, I mean a proper hat).  A funky necklace.  And doll it up if you're going out, some super chunky ankle boots or heels.  Who knows..you may be so comfortable you'll wear this outfit to yoga. 

haute car pool style by threehautemamas featuring a boyfriend blazer

There you.  Now this outfit isn't going to get you into any formal events, but it will get you from you the car pool lane to the nearby Starbucks in style.  Drive safe, drive haute mamas. 

This fall, I've fall-en in love with Gryphon

over

 

and over

 

and over, 

 

again

 

gryphon new york

  

Nail it this fall

"A dark nail color can make a casual outfit look dressier"

Bobbi Brown,makeup artist to, well, everyone

-elle magazine

what a great way to gussy up an outfit without spending a fortune! Everyone can afford a bottle of nail polish, so keep this in mind next time you have a big event, or even just a plain ole PTA meeting 

 

nars-purple rain

 

 

wicked-essie

opi-lincoln park after dark

 

Cover Girl-Plum Pudding

 

 

 3HM service announcement-Please remember to apply dark polish responsibly.  

Dark polishes are best left to short nails + drag queens.  

Funny that a pair of really nice shoes make us feel good in our heads - at the extreme opposite end of our bodies. ~Levende Waters

Hello Haute Mamas!

Tomorrow marks the first day of fall 2010! Yes Kate it has arrived put aaawwaaayy the flip flops! Lol!!! Its funny I have Kate desperately clinging on to summer and Christina calling me today saying that she is already planning on how to merchandise the stores for Holiday!! hahahaha!!! Then there is me..... today I rolled down my car window because I loved how the air smelled! It smelled like fall!

Which brings me to one of my fondest memories about fall fashion which takes me back to my elementary school days. Late summer my mom would take my sister and I to Thom McCan to pick out a new pair of school shoes. I can assure you my sister did not share in my enthusiasm ( however, flash forward to Sept. 2010 when she sported a rockin pair of Christian Louboutin heels to a family wedding! Huh? show off! lol!) Anyway, I remember on the ride home I kept peeking in the box at my new Hush Puppies! Navy blue mary jane's!  Now for the torturous weeks leading up to the first day of school  I would sneak in my room and open the box....... I remember the smell of the leather, trying them on and thinking would the first day of school ever get here! For me the purchase  of my new shoes marked the end of summer. Even at the age of 6 fall to me was new clothes, new shoes, fashion, fashion, fashion!! 

Another fall month that means a lot to me is October! October is Breast Cancer awareness month and if you are in the market for shoes a pair of new heels from QVC can help you save lives! Shop QVC presents "FFANY SHOES ON SALE" on Friday, October 15th, 7Pm EST shop QVC for this fabulous shoe from Fergie Footwear line and other famous brands-- ALL at HALF the manufacturer's suggested retail price. Net proceeds benefit breast cancer research and education. HOLLA!!!!!

 

Special PINK benefactors: Nine West Footwear Corporation & Brown Shoe Company. I had the pleasure of meeting the Director of Product Development for Brown Shoe Company Stephen Fallon on one of my girls nights out! He is a Boston Boy!! Who by the way is in Paris ( Sigh) and is sending us pictures to post on our blog!! So stay tuned!! 

What would compliment these fabulous Fergie Pink Stilleto's would be a pair of Ellie Jeans! The Ellie Fund is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that improves the health and welfare of women and families undergoing treatment for breast cancer in Massachusetts by providing support services free of charge including transportation to medical appointments, childcare, housekeeping, groceries, and nutritious meals. The Ellie Fund is also hosting a top secret event in October that I hope to be getting the details on in hopes that all our Haute Mamas will show their support!!!! So stay tuned for that as well! We want all our Mamas to live a long and happy Haute life!! We will be there when you need us and we will help find a cure!! 

Fall.....  Family, Friends, Fashion and Finding a Cure!

XO Kimberly

All your eye shadow needs under one roof, err, compact.

It's time for me to let you in on a little secret..I am a super duper makeup junkie.  Loves it! So when I saw this little compact by one of my favorites

 

had to share.  They've just released their Naked Palette-12 delicious neutral colors that will take you from the everyday to the "Wow! Where did that haute mama come from?".  Go office appropriate neutral during the day, and naughty, smokey eyes at night.  These are colors that work on everyone and they're all in one compact. 

 

Plus you get a double ended eye pencil + mini version of eye shadow primer! I know, it's always the bonus gifts that suck me in too. Like a fun night out, this too won't last, so get it fast. 

"With all this at your fingertips..you'll hardly need clothes at all."

sephora

 

Closing the gap on open toed shoes..the wedge boot makes it move into the closet

Call me a rebel but I am still wearing open toed shoes. And it's after Labor day.  You heard me right. Flip flops, open toed shoes, thong sandals call them what you want, I am just not a fan of the ballet flat. I'll do so. Begrudgingly. But until it's time to pull out the tall, flat boots, rebel. But what's a girl to do? Comfort dictates that one can't always run around in tall flat boots..But with three little ones, carpool, a giant puppy, I need more options (No. Sneakers do not fit into the equation.). 

I never really loved wedge heels in a close toed shoe but then I saw him

 his name is Bottega Venata. Love at first sight. 

You can't leave you're girlfriends behind for a boy...

 

 

Meet See by Chloe. We are BFF's. Sometimes her sister hangs with us. 

 

and sometimes when we want to have a really fun time we call in the Naughty Monkey

 

 

  

Moral of the story, ballet flats are perfect acceptable.  But try a wedge heel.  Especially with all the longer denim out there.  Gives the tush a boost, makes the leg look a thousand times longer (and leaner) and is a lot less intimidating than say...

 

I always say no to plastic bags, however, I always say yes to leather, suede..

A girl's gotta do what she can to save the earth.  No plastic bags! Now leather? Suede? This is fall afterall..

Kooba you must really want me to save the earth.  

Piperlime practically screams go green

 

This marni bag is a clear cut leader in the fight on global warming

 

had no idea Jessica Simpson was that concerned with saving the earth, but Ill run with it

Rebecca Minkoff,  & the lust crossbody.  Like putting on armor to fight global warming! 

Mamas..it is our duty to serve and protect Mama Earth.  So go green, say no to plastic and yes! to leather and suede!