Three Haute Mamas

Label Them Haute: Meet the Dolls Behind LabelDoll.com

Top o' the mornin' to you mamas, and a happy St. Patricks Day to you all.  Kimberly and I found the pot o' gold under the rainbow earlier in the week when we had a chance to interview the dolls behind the soon to launch pay to bid auction site, Label Doll.  

Locals, Kelsey Robert and Kerry Mathieu had a vision for a site that combined their love of fashion, shopping and an alternative to purchasing that made it accessible to everyone.  Pay to bid auction buying isn't a new concept, although it is for a strictly fashion site.   It's also what sets it apart from the gilts, the rue la la's, or the ideelis, out there.   The mamas and the dolls sat down and got the low down on exactly what is pay to bid auction buying,  how it can help to make designer labels affordable for everyone and more importantly, insider how-to's on how to make the most of your bids.   

 

 

Ok, so pay to bid auction, all new authentic women's products with the most awesome of in season designer names, and can be yours for next to nothing? Label Doll? Sounds like Label Deal to us.  Mamas, I mean, dolls, sign up now and you can get five free bids.  We heart free. 

Mascot Label Dog Ellie agrees.

Always wanted to be the trendsetter among the carpool crowd? Here's your chance.  Spread the word, and get ready to bid.  Label Doll will be launching this month and we're hoping to spread out this luck of the Irish, because mama wants a new pair of Louboutins.  Thanks Dolls! 

The weekend haute list: Shop, Read, Watch + Eat. Without pause.

I love this Arthur Elgort photo.  Lauren Hutton makes winter look so glamorous.  But when winter temps dip below the 30's, all I want to do is sit inside.  And look glamorous. 

The weekend haute list.  For those of you who don't leave the house:

~Check out new online retailer High Gloss Fashions, started by owner Tamara Riehle.  Offering the latest trends at an accessible price point ($5-$150), including BB Dakota and Motel Rocks.  She's generously offering our readers a 20%  discount on all items! Simply enter get20 at checkout to take advantage of this offer (code expires @ 11:59pm CST, Feb. 3rd)

~Speaking of dresses, Mennonite in a Little Black Dress by Rhoda Janzen was one of the funniest books I have read in a while.  Not exactly fashion related, but certainly a perfect cozy up on the couch, weekend read.  To quote Elizabeth Gilbert of Eat, Love, Pray " It is rare that I literally laugh out loud while I'm reading, but Rhoda Janzen's voice-singular, deadpan, sharp-witted and honest-stayed with me."

~Award season continues!  Sunday night don't forget to cast your votes for the SAG awards, as well as the Red Carpet best fashions awards on E! 

~And clearly you can't watch skinny people in fancy outfits without stuffing yourself silly.  One of my favorite-est recipe sites for great food that won't bust the belt, Skinny Taste offers up a lightened up version of Taco Dip. Muy Bueno!! 

photo courtesy of skinnytaste.com

Stay haute mamas! No really..it's freezing outside! 

Men, bloom where you are sent to shop, Bloomingdales fine jewelry

Men we all know holiday shopping is the last thing on your mind right now however, as Three Haute Mamas, it is our duty to send you gently towards the hautest deals out there, and guide you towards what all the hautest mamas want.  Well if it glitters, it's as good as gold, and sometimes it really is gold. 

Right now Bloomingdales is offering 50% off their fine jewelry collection.  Some of their fine pieces we'd suggest for your loved ones....

 

This sale won't last and neither will the comfort of your own bed if you forget Christmas (again) so hop to it men. xo the mamas

My Philosophy on bulk buying gifts

It's December 24rd, the kids are stepping onto the school bus for the last time before holiday break and you suddenly break into a sweat.  Oops.  Teacher gifts.  School secretary gift.  School nurse gift (I cannot possibly be the only mother who's children are frequent fliers into the school nurse office? Right? Please tell me that's not silence.).  

Or how about the office co-workers? There are 8 of them.  The mail lady? Teenage babysitters? Gym day care workers? 

Gulp. What's a mama to do? Learn from the mama who's been there too many times to count pro. 

My Philosophy on this problem is bulk gift buying.  It's not creative, it's not an original idea, but it gets the job done, and it's a heck of a time saver.  Generally I purchase 10-12 of the same gifts, wrap them up identically, and when trouble beckens, I turn to my pile of bulk gifts.  And if you are one of the aforementioned, this year is different.  I hand selected each gift individually, and yours especially. 

Philosophy-Love, love LOVE their products.  Until 11/30, you can get FREE SHIPPING, with NO MINIMUMS.  Did I get my point across, because let it be known, that deal is just too good to be true. If you shop through Ebates right now, you can get 7% cash back too!   They'll smell good, and you'll look good with all that extra cash hanging out of your purse.  

Peppermint bark holiday ornament-mint candy shampoo, shower gel + bubble bath-At only $6 you get three products already wrapped up in an adorable ornament.   Bulk buy mamas..bulk buy.

Candy Cane foaming bubble bath, lip shine and shower gel-At $12 still proof that you don't need to spend a mint to show you care.

The Gingerbread Girl foaming bubble bath + shower gel-$16-Having consumed no less than 37 of my mothers molasses cookies over Thanksgiving weekend, I'm thinking this bubble bath might be the answer to my prayers.  Utilitarian and calorie free.  May I suggest adding a personal touch?  Perhaps a giant homemade gingerbread man cookie, decorated by the kiddos, attached to the package for bonus-cuteness points?  Oops.  Did someone mention cookies? 

With Gratitude-shampoo, shower gel+bubble bath-not everyone celebrates the holidays, but how are you to know? To avoid any uncomfortable oops! Keep this on hand to show your gratitude in ways that don't shout "We love Santa Claus around here!".  $25

 

Boston locals, spoil those golfers in your life with Ahead golf apparel

Who doesn't know a golfer? Husband? Boyfriend? Brother? Boss? You? Mom? My entire family golfs.  Everyone that is..but me.  Bleh I say.  Send me directly to the 19th hole.  Fortunately I have a little connection that keeps well dressed on and off the course.  My family and friends have also benefitted, and everyone knows, if the hat or shirt doesn't sport the Ahead logo, don't you dare.  

Ask any golfer and they will recognize the Ahead logo.  Found in every major country club, golf shop and PGA/USGA event around the world, Ahead is a leader in golf apparel.  The brand is represented on tour exclusively by one of the worlds best golfers, Retief Goosen and on the ladies tour by Britney Lincicome. 

Blah blah right? Golf schmolf you say.  Ok. Maybe only I say that.  Well starting this Saturday, Ahead, located in New Bedford, MA is starting their annual warehouse sale.  This is a crazy, sick sale that people actually line up for.  Inventory is priced to move and priced rock bottom-make that below rock bottom. The holidays will be here before you know it.  I'm not sure about you, but the men in my life are the hardest people to buy for.  It's usually a toss up between, oh, golf shirt, orrrr,  golf shirt.  Lord knows I'd never purchase say a club, or golf balls-what do I know about either one of those things.  Now clothes..clothes I know.  

In this economy, no one wants to go overboard financially, yet no one wants to skimp on showing appreciation.  Support a local company, and spoil your loved ones rotten.  And ladies, there's something for you and your girlfriends too.  The Kate Lord line has something for everyone on your list, teachers, bus drivers, babysitters, hairstylists, you name it....and while they may shun your home made kitchen goodies, no one turns down  Ahead/Kate Lord goodies.  

Store hours begin Saturday, November 13, and run through Friday, December 24.  For a complete listing visit the Ahead website

 

Lanvin for H+M, haute for not a laute

photo by steven meisel

Die for Lanvin..Die when I see the prices tags.  For now I can quench my Lanvin thirst by visiting my local H+M who has collaborated with designer Alber Elbaz to create a line of haute items available November 20.  Mamas, like the Halloween candy sitting next to me, this won't last long.  Grab your holiday garb now and be loud and proud when someone asks who you're wearing

"Lanvin darling"

 

SEE THE LATEST VIDEO ABOUT THE H&M DESIGNER COLLABORATION.

 

 

Heels gone wild-Rollasoles rock the night away

I think we can all agree that by the end of a say, 5 hour wedding, no one really wants to be gittin' jiggy wit' it in our 4 inch Stuart Weitzmans any longer.  The alternative is pretty unhygenic (barefoot) not to mention fairly unsafe (broken glass anyone? Not that I have ever broken a glass at an event..nope.  Not me.).  Or who's gotten to a bar + realized those wedge heels sounded good but that ridiculously wet floot (I swear to god it was not me who spilled that drink) does nothing for high heels?  But what's a girl to do? 

Enter...... Rollasoles

 

 

 

Pure genius! Slip these teeny little girls in your purse and voila! Pop 'em on when the piggies start to hurt and there's even a little bag to wrap up your heels so you can stow them away safely while you pump up the jam.  No more wallflowers-you can dance the night away!

 

 

  

 and the best part is that they're available from target for 9.99! Now that's haute!

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. 

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

 

Fall won't make me sob with Hale Bob

Transitioning from loose flowy cotton fabrics, into a fall palette of more fitted wools can be quite a downer for this mama.  Muted can be bleh on my skin tone, so color me happy when I discovered the fall Hale Bob collection, and their 10% discount for new customers.  And the best part..loose flowy fabrics, and..color! 

 

this may not constitute color but we like we make our guests happy here at 3hm.  And I love it.