Three Haute Mamas

Monday haute round up-MO Boston, Rangers beat Yankees, + Shaq sits still

-Like spas? How about fancy schmancy hotels? Well the uber luxe Spa at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Boston is holding a "Spa for a Year" Raffle, with proceeds to benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. I'd let them paint my toe nails in the main lobby, one can only imagine the level of tranquility and beauty in the actual spa area.  Go here for the details, and do so soon, as the raffle is only open during the month of October.

 

-How 'bout them Rangers?  No really?! I'm not saying this as a Boston fan...Ok. Yes I am! Let's go TEXAS! What a great series, and I am so excited to the see Rangers make it into the World Series! And I'm so excited for all of you Texas gals who now have yet another reason to shop! I was raised in the North, but spent many years in the South, and let me tell you..stylewise, you southern girls bring it game day! And I'm sure Texas girls everywhere are thrilled to have yet another reason to shop this Monday! 

If I were a Texas girl, I'd be on my iPhone

Wearing this

 

ordering up these babies for sure! Sequins! Love it!

Game time? Time to hang up, and put the phone back into it's case 

Speaking of phones, Boston's newest resident Shaquille O'Neal sent out a cryptic tweet last week 

Seems he's not quite familiar with the local spots yet-Barbara translated into Harvard Square, where the real Shaq played statue for fans , taking photos, although remaining silent and still, for over an hour.

 The Celtics season opener is tomorrow night at the Garden versus the Miami Heat.  Hopefully the only one's sitting silent and remaining still tomorrow night, will be the team that rhymes with BEAT

Three Haute Groupies..We heart the The Varsity Girls!

My girls begged and begged to stay up late to watch some movie about some singing high schoolers.  I relented.  Three movies later, I still know all the words to Shapei's I'm Fabulous.  My friends are lying if they say they don't too. 

Then someone named Miley came along.  Please mommmm....download the Hannah CD.  But I thought you said her name was Miley? Mommmmm...just do it! Next thing every little girl I know is sporting Hannah Montana clothing and singing about getting the party started.  

Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, Jo-bro (I can say that right?), you name it, they call the next big stars as soon as they hear them.  Well the next big stars according to them and alloftheirfriends....

Boston's very own Varsity Girls.  Kim and I along with our daughters got the chance to hear them this weekend, and aside from being adorable and utterly sweet, their voices are beyond amazing.  

the four girls of The Varsity Girls offer a fusion of differing musical backgrounds and unique vocals, which blend in perfect harmony creating their signature sound--a mix between Pop, Rock and R&B. The members of The Varsity Girls consist of Simone Cardoso (15), Jillian Zucco (16), Kimber-lee Jacobsen (18) and Jillian Jensen (18).

Parents love them because their music sends a great message-about being youself  and warning about mistakes you'll regret later.  As a mom of three little girls, it's so important to find bands who represent such good morals.  Although quite frankly all my daughters care about is the fact their first big hit, Be You, (available on iTunes) is "so awesome Mommmmm". 

The girls have played all over (Fenway, Gillette, Hard Rock Cafe..), and were fortunate enough to play for a certain president you might know.. Barack Obama (squeal!)! Clearly this is a band on the rise, and you'll want to catch them while you can!  Lucky for us, we got to hear their amazing voices and watch them dance this past friday at a sold out PTA benefit concert. The auditorium was going crazy singing and dancing! The girls captured their fans that night with their great vocals and enthusiasm! And after the show they allowed their fans backstage for a picture and autographs! and yes mamas Kate and I are officially Groupies!!!

The Varsity Girls, the Junior Varsity Girls,i.e. our girls, Kim + Kate

 

 

While we find it hard to argue with the hundreds of screaming Varsity Girls fans we sat amongst, you yourself, may need a little prompting, so if you still don't beleive us, put this on your iPod and see if you don't dance around the house play this for your kids and ask them..

 

Varsity Girls gets our........

Xo Kate, Kimberly and Christina

For the time being they are available for additional fundraising opportunities for PTA/nonprofits.  Get 'em while they're hot (or haute!) by contacting BHP Sports + Entertainment at [email protected].  then Disney better listen up. 

 

Introducing the Bra Whisperer!!

Hello Mamas,

About two weeks ago Kate and I were invited to an Open House at a store in Dartmouth Massachusetts called Fabulous Foundations By Nancy. When we arrived we were very impressed with the store's decor. It had beautiful built in cabinetry (Custom built by Nancy's Husband! Awwww!!)  that housed bra's galore, matching undies and even some swimwear. In the center of the store was a beautiful chandelier, lots of comfortable places to sit and ample fitting rooms. 

We introduced ourselves to Nancy and immediately sensed she had found her passion in life. Nancy had a 13 year old niece who was very large busted with no option. After researching places she relized there was nothing in this area for women with this problem. She decided to open a store that sized bra's 28 up to an N cup.

The Bra Whisperer of the south coast was born! She had a women leave crying for joy one day because she had found in Nancy's store a 48 H Bra and matching panties!!! She discovered Beautiful Bra's from European Companies. Nancy explained to us that "European women are different than American women when it comes to undergarments." "Lingerie is very important to them, they believe in the fit. Unlike American women who will think nothing about spending $400 on a dress and then running through Walmart and grabbing a bra that doesn't fit right." 

Okay, by this point I couldn't wait to see what size I actually was and what it felt like to wear a Bra that fit right. So I took to the fitting rooms with one of Nancy's very knowledgeable sales associate. She measured me and brought me a few options. She showed me how to properly fill myself into a bra... lots of grabbing and pulling up!! hahaha!! But it works they were in the right place again!! Holla!!! When I had on my old Bra and I lifted my arms up I almost fell out of the bottom and when I sat down the underwire was hitting me almost around my waist! hahahaha!! Okay..... Are you ready......I went from a 36 C to a 34 E! HA! She explained that the band is 90% of the fit. 

Fabulous Foundations By Nancy carries Bra's by Le Mystere, Fantasie to name a few. She also carries Swimwear that fits teens and women with tiny backs and full busts as well as big backs and big busts. Bra's with air and gel, bridal bra's and nursing bra's. 

We really enjoyed our time with Nancy and her staff and so will you. We give her the Haute Mama seal of approval!!!

                                                                         Nancy's Motto......

                   The right bra puts you in the right place again!!  

 

Xo Kimberly, Kate and Christina

 

 

You're invited to a haute fall preview at Contrary, Mattapoisett

Don't miss out on Contrary's one night Fall preview party,  highlighting a store full of new merchandise.  (I had you at party didn't I?)

Thursday October 21, 5-9

92 North Street, Mattapoisett, MA

Refreshments, door prizes and an exclusive one night discount on all of Maryann's haute clothing and accessories! Maryann has exception, spot on taste, so be prepared to find something fabulous! Also, don't come alone, bring a friend and qualify for a special drawing.  If you've never been to Contrary, or if you're a first timer, now is the time.  

Holiday parties are fast approaching..don't be left standing in the closet saying

"I have nothing to wear!" 

For more on Contrary visit them on facebook or read up what the haute mamas had to say about them here + here

Have a haute Saturday mamas

artwork:poster pop, etsy, $15

Another wild weekend for the mamas...  As you know we've partnered with the ellie fund to promote their upcoming pink ribbon overdose happenind on 10/27 at the Hard Rock Cafe Boston, and if you haven't gotten your tickets already, do so fast, or enter to win here.  We have a crew going..are you? 

Have a haute weekend mamas

xo Kate, Kimberly + Christina

Haute Haunted home decorating by Carol for Chic Home & Antiques

Living next door to a decorator can be tricky.  On one hand, you're home will never live up to theirs, so you're forced to constantly meet them at the front door, and halt them less they think they can enter your temple of chaos.  On the other hand, it's a constant home magazine tour when you visit them, and a wealth of decorating knowledge at your fingertips.   Meet my neighbor.   Carol's a part time decorator/furniture restorer and proprieter of the uber fab Chic Home Antiques.  She is constantly decorating, re-decorating, re-storing, you name it.  She is also the nicest neighbor out there so sometimes...I let her in.  We've bragged about Carol before but I had to share her Halloween decor because not only is it chic, it's unique.  Carol was kind enough to share her decorating tips + photos so that you too can attain a haute haunted home.  

 

 

                                            Chic Home for Halloween.  

Halloween is one of my favorite times of year to decorate. You can still use those spooky decorations but in a way that is chic and not verging on the way of tackiness.   First impressions always last a life time so I always start with the front door entryway.  Making it creeping and just spooky enough for the little ones to still enjoy.  Hanging glittery black skeleton heads on the front door and dead branches with dried leaves and green moss placed in my cement urns give my entrance way a haunted appeal.  As you step inside I always have old glass vases filled with red,black and orange food coloring and old branches painted black as night covered with spider webs.  The round table is draped in an old white cloth with skeleton heads and spiders creeping about.  As you climb the stairs inside from the entryway cockroaches are waiting on the stairs.   Little black mice are scattered throughout  the more the better, where there is one there are  always more. Taking an old silver candelabra  covering it with spider webs, spiders and drooping old candles give the affect of a haunted kitchen.   Halloween doesn't always have to be black and orange.  Mix it up use silver and black instead, use white pumpkins instead of your typical orange.  Use things from the outside like dead branches, green moss and bittersweet.  Most of all have fun and remain Chic!- 

 

For more of Carols beautiful work please visit her eye candy of a site, or you can also visit her on facebook or twitter

Thanks Carol!

and we'd love for you to share your halloween home decor! 

and don't forget to enter to win our first giveaway-the $100 gift card to TJ Maxx! Think of the chic + spooky halloween decor you could buy!! 

Boston's Emerging Designers of today.... could be our Hautest designers of tomorrow!!

Hello Mamas,

Last thursday night during Boston's fashion week, I had the pleasure of attending a Rising Design fashion show held at Mobius in Boston. The style for the show was a throw back to the Parisian Couture Fashion shows of the past . When collections were shown in intimate settings like bistro's, there were no exploding volcanoes or massive angel wings and rock and roll bands. They were up close and personal so that the Parisians could get a close up view of the designer's innovative designs, fabric and  workmanship. On this night it was a small enough setting where there was a lot of networking, mingling and also opportunity to chat with the designers about their journey and what inspires them.

During my mingling I had the pleasure of meeting a Haute Mama Stylist and her beautiful 11 year old daughter Eliza. J. Sybylla Smith of Go To Design Studio. Sybylla has an amazing portfolio be sure to check out her beautiful website. What I noticed the most about her was the love and admiration that her daughter had for her. They seemed to be really enjoying each other. Sybylla it was a pleasure meeting you!

 below are some of my favorite outfits of the show ......   

 

Most of these designers have full time jobs maybe even families to care for so they design and sew at night while marketing themselves on the side. They do this because it is their passion. So mamas the moral of this post is that you can live like the rich and famous, there are local fashion shows to attend where you can get to know your local designers and then support them through your local boutiques. As you can see I am all about the word "Local"!! 

XO Kimberly  

A is for apple, and C is for See Cider hill farm for the best apple picking around

This past Sunday we drove an hour and half north to pick apples, pumpkins and even donuts(!).  We wouldn't make this trek for just any donuts apples, oh no, this was specifically for Cider Hill Farm apples. I can't say enough about this working 145 acre farm.  I'm consistantly amazed at how much Cider Hill Farm offers, and for the mere price of your purchases.  My children have yet to tire of their visits here, and mama has yet to tire of their top quality foods offered inside the food barn.  For a little glimpse inside the farm

 there's apple + peach picking this time of year and the selection is beyond words

 

the chicken house houses not only chickens but also rides for the little chicks;)

   

corn fields...as far as the eye can see.. this one turned into a maze! 

   

it's a hike up to the apple + peach fields, but if you get tired along the way do what this young hitch hiker did + flag down the hayride tractor! 

  

Pumpkins you're looking for? 

 

There are a few. 

   

Mums? Many more than you can ever imagine! 

 

 

and at the end of the day step into the farm store located in the old dairy barn and wait in line for the freshly made cider donuts, served hot.  Yes, I said wait in line, because it's often quite the wait, but oh so worth it.  Ask these happy customers

 

 

 there is nothing like locally grown food, and i have 17lbs of apples to prove it.  support your local farms and by all means visit cider hill farm in amesbury,massachusetts, open now until thanksgiving.  

 

Be tres chic, support your local boutiques!

 

 photo from contrary boutique, mattapoisett

A hundred years ago in a small town you may have heard of.. Miami. I was what is known as a wholesale manufacturers representative.  In plain English, I sold clothing lines on behalf of the designers to (mostly) boutiques and mass retailers/catalogues.  Working with boutiques throughout the Southeast was my dream come true.  Imagine visiting 3-4 beautiful boutiques a day, and not only helping them select their future collection, but also getting a taste of what else was out there. This is where I got my education in fashion. That one designer just might not work for everyone.  That fit is everything.  Everyone's body is different, but don't be shy-try it all on.  That the extras (gift wrapping, upcoming sales reminders, free tailoring, etc), the extras can make the slightly higher purchase price worth the sale.  And that there are amazing sales that rival the mass retailers. 

Some bonuses to shopping at a locally owned boutique: 

-I have never in all my life had a problem returning an item to a small boutique.  I have had too many too count at chain retailers.  

-Old Navy has never once invited me to an evening out of dinner, drinks and a night with my girlfriends.  

-Not one person at TJ Maxx knows my name (and they should..oh trust me..they should know it backwards, forwards, upside down..).  The local boutique owner knows my whole family. 

-The mass retailers have their pluses.  Clearly prices are one.  However I have hit many a great sale at a boutique that was on par with a discount chain, and received an ever higher quality item that I'm sure to enjoy for many more years than that $12 dress you got from Kohls-Tj-Loehmanns.  I also know that the boutique sales people will take the time to make sure the fit is correct, which is so key mamas! The 16 year old part timer at Ann Taylor?? Maybe not-so-much. 

-Lots of times I hear people say they're intimidated by walking into a boutique.  They get snarky looks, or maybe they're just ignored.  Well if you're getting snarky looks at any store, walk out.  Plain and simple.  If you feel you're being ignored, you're probaby just being given space.  Try asking for help.  If you receive a happy smile, then you've hit gold.  

-Also don't be afraid to ask where the sales racks are.  Or if there are any specials going on.  They don't run specials to keep them secret.  Maryann at Contrary runs a monthly contest, post a photo to facebook wearing your Contrary purchase, and you're automatically entered to win a $25 gift card.  That's a no brainer.  

So mamas, your mission should you choose to accept it, visit your local boutiques.  Check out the designers, and get to know the owners.  Don't feel as if you have to buy something everytime you walk in there.  Try a few things on, talk shop, and share your finds with your friends.  And then by all means, visit us on facebook and share your favorites with the other mamas. 

We've never turned down a road trip to shop!  

Boston's Fashion Week 2010.. Three Haute Mamas will be back stage lending a hand!!

Hello Mamas,

This week marks Boston's Fashion Week 2010. Unfortunately with kids and school and responsibilities we can't be running around boston enjoying all the fantastic shows and after parties! Sigh! However, we were recruited to help back stage at The Rising Designs Fashion Show tomorrow night! YAY!! 

 Rising Design, a cooperative of independent Boston fashion designers, presenting both fashion forward and vintage inspired designs for a unique one night only viewing. Shows are at 7pm and 9pm doors will open to the public 15 minutes before show time. They will be presenting in an intimate setting with 56 seats and standing room only for the public. Tickets are $10. The show is being held at Mobius, 725 Harrison Ave South Boston. If you have a passion for fashion and can get the night off come join us!!

When it comes to fashion, Boston has a very international flair. Our community is made up of  a lot of students and business people. It is a city that is not as in your face as other markets. That being said it is a smaller market very intellectual therefore, a great place to launch a product or line.  Having gone to school for fashion design I am extremely excited to be able to lend a hand to these up and coming designers back stage. Stay tuned for pictures!!!

Meanwhile enjoy some pictures from the fashion shows that have taken part so far in Boston's Fashion Week.
 

Photo courtesy of Jay Calderin BFW Founder 

Photo courtesy of JJ Miller

Fashion is all about happiness. It's fun. It's important. But it's not medicine. 
Donatella Versace 

Xo Kimberly