DIY Painted Hex Nut Bracelet

I’ve been on a pink and yellow kick lately. I’ve made these bracelets in the past, they take a little bit of time to get the hang of braiding in the hex nuts, but with a little patience and practice, you can easily get it done in about 20 minutes. I put a springtime spin on it by painting the hex nuts-and I looovveee how it turned out!

xo, d
www.sophandlulu.com

I had most of this stuff around the house, so I only had to purchase the craft paint for $1.75 per bottle.

I painted the hex nuts using a foam brush and did about 3 thin coats, with about an hour of drying time in between coats.

Be sure to tape the ends of your twine to make it easier to string on the hex nuts. See a full tutorial for how to braid in the hex nuts here.  The key to making this bracelet is to take it slow, and always keep the hex nuts pointing up towards the top of your bracelet as shown in the below pictures.

Wrap it around your wrist a couple times…and you’ve got a trendy and fresh new bracelet!

Spring Things For Mom

.. sandals .. headwrap .. water bottle .. sunglasses .. nail polish ..

With spring weather finally showing it’s face where I live, I cannot tell you how excited I am to pack up our winter coats, hats and gloves! There is something so freeing about the beggining of this season and I am loving all things spring. While I have been doing some shopping for my little boys, I wanted to focus on Moms this week by sharing some of my favorite “spring things”! Sunglasses, sparkly shoes and colorful toes certainly have been cheering me up lately as I’ve been getting outside more with my boys. What are your favorite things for spring??

Visit my personal blog at comesincolours.blogspot.com!

-Gillian

MAMA STYLE / KITTY CATS + HATS

This shirt! Oh good heavens, this shirt. While I was on my five minute shopping spree with the Q dude in tow – running rampant around the Forever 21 is his new past time – that and flirting with the ladies. Boy oh boy is he quite the flirt! But this shirt, it was just calling my name.

It’s sneaky you see, if you add a little jacket it all but disappears to the unknowing eye. I wore it to a party with a cardi over it and no one knew it was a cat until the cardi was blown back by a gust of wind. (or something less dramatic I’m sure. More like, I shifted in my chair – but just go with it…) …

(more…)

Bright & Colorful Maternity Style

Recently I stumbled upon a blog, called Fancy Tree House. She is an online vintage shop owner and a mother of adorable baby girl, Goldie. I kept reading her past posts and fell in love with her maternity style. When I was pregnant, I tended toward wearing darker color, such as black, navy and grey since I thought those colors made me look skinnier. Coury did not hesitate to wear bright colorful colors and to mix and match colors like yellow & hot pink and red & orange! I was so inspired by her style, it made me want to be pregnant again.

Also check out  the nursery she put together for Goldie! So cute!

~ Chie  {find me elsewhere: blog, shop, facebook, etsy, twitter}

MAMA STYLE / STREET WEAR

INSPIRATION / STREET STYLE

While browsing my reader, at the butt crack of dawn, I ran across this image and fell in love.
Love. Love. LOVE.

△ △ △

What do you think?
Did I capture street style?

Top / H&M // Leggings / Express
Boots / The Jean Girl // Belt / Target
Earrings / Old Navy // Bangles / H&M

△ △ △

Quinn’s wearing//
Vest / Old Navy // Jacket / Old Navy
Pants / H&M

△ △ △

Hey! There’s a super cute kid in my photos.
Love you, Q dude.

xoxo

Are we connected?

Mini Piccolini’s Easy Pregnancy Style for Autumn

I struggled so much with what to wear while I was pregnant, but of course, now that I’m not any more, I keep seeing great, easy, comfortable but chic pregnancy clothes!

I love this pregnancy outfit with a dressed down maxi skirt and layers. I think Hillary Duff’s look is super cute and looks so comfy and practical.

Here’s how I would do it:

• The Ultimate Cardigan by Hatch Collection. A wrap/shawl-style cardigan is the best thing to have around with a newborn (PERFECT as a cover for nursing on the go!) so why not invest in a pretty one while you’re pregnant. This one by Hatch Collection is cashmere and it looks gorgeous.
• Foldover Maxi Skirt by Asos. I think you could dress this skirt up or down throughout your pregnancy and really get a ton of use out of it. It’s on sale too!
• Maternity Scoop Neck Vest by TopShop. Some of my best maternity buys while I was pregnant with Louis were from TopShop (here are some of the pieces I loved the most) and this tank looks like it has a great shape
• Diane von Furstenberg Zebra Ballet Flats. Flats are a (pregnant) girl’s best friend and these ones from DvF would be super cute with jeans too!
• Quilted Shopper by Zara. You’re going to be lugging around a huge diaper bag everywhere you go for a looong time, so enjoy some funner bags while you still can! This one is big enough to carry the essentials even if you have a toddler to take of while you’re pregers.
• Rhinestone Bangles by Isharya. Bangles are cute but not very practical with a newborn – wear them now!

For more pregnancy style ideas, click here. And check out my Pinterest board Pregnant in Style!

Click here to visit Mini Piccolini - all the best stuff for Moms, Babies, Kids & Families!

And visit us on Facebook and Pinterest as well!

Mini Piccolini: Stylish while Nursing

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – fashion is not my forté. I struggled while pregnant and only really managed to pull it together a little at the very end.

And in my opinion, nursing fashion is even more of a challenge than pregnancy style. Not only are you probably not the size and shape you were pre-pregnancy (nor are you a size and shape you would want to shop for since you’re not planning to stay that way), but you might have a sensitive c-section scar to consider, your boobs might be huge (or at least huger than usual) and you need quick and easy access to them at all times. There is also a lot of spit-up and other goo to contend with when you have a newborn attached to you at all hours.

And though it seemed impossible just a few months ago, the truth is that there is one stage of life where the clothes you can buy are actually uglier than maternity clothes. I have yet to see any nursing clothes that I would care to sport outside of the comfort of my own home.

Needless to say, I am struggling a little.

On Friday we went to some close friends’ for an “Aprés Nursery School” get-together. It was rough and rainy out and I got caught off guard by how late it was in the afternoon and how little I felt like getting myself all dolled up. But in the end I found the perfect alternative to sweats:

1. A Jumpsuit. Mine is a black jersey jumpsuit by Filippa K that I have had for a few years. There are a ton of fun jumpsuits available and if you can find a strapless version and wear it with a cardigan, it’s actually very convenient to nurse out of. Mine has straps that you can just tuck into the top if you want to go strapless. It’s soft and comfortable and it was easy enough to just pull down one side of the jumper to breastfeed.
2. A Shawl-style Cardigan. Nice and warm and cozy for a chilly day, it is also the perfect thing to wrap around your baby like a blanket or to cover yourself while nursing. I have a BCBG hand-me-down from my ver stylish sister that I am loving so much right now.
3. A Good Nursing Cover. If you’re not comfortable nursing completely out in the open, there are some great covers available. I love my Hooter Hider in Camden Lock (though I could do without the ruffles). It’s pretty, it’s convenient, I can see down to Baby really well, it’s not too heavy and it gives us some peace and quiet for nursing on-the-go.
4. A Good-Looking Diaper Bag. I love my Kate bag from MZ Wallace. It carries everything I need but doesn’t look too mommyish.
5. Flats. After whining for months (here) about not being allowed to wear heels, I find that I’m not exactly dying to don my 3-inch favorites. On Friday I opted for comfy J. Crew ballerinas. Even for shorties like me who really should wear heels 24/7, there are so many great ballerinas out there now.

See how I navigated maternity fashion here. And click here to follow my Pinterest board Mum Style.
Click here to visit Mini Piccolini - all the best stuff for Moms, Babies, Kids & Families!

Cute Maternity Sewing Patterns

When I was a pregnant, I had a hard time finding a cute and comfortable maternity clothes at local stores available around my place. Most of them were too shapeless for my test, making me look like I was wearing a big garbage bag. So I either wore regular non-maternity clothes and cinch the waist (or the skinniest part above the belly) using a sash or a belt, or made my own clothes. Megan Nielsen, an Australian clothing designer, offers several different maternity sewing patterns, so you can create your own maternity clothes! Her design is cute, and sure to flatter the maternity figure. I’ve used her wrapped maternity top sewing pattern, and modified into a dress. You can see my variation on my blog, here!

~ Chie  {find me elsewhere: blog, shop, facebook, etsy, twitter}

Trick on Wearing a Non-Maternity Skirt as a Maternity Dress

Hello all! Today I wanted to show you the trick I used when I was pregnant to wear non-maternity skirt as a maternity dress. This is the skirt I scored for $6 at a thrift shop. Although I was 34 week pregnant, and the skirt would obviously not fit, I found this bright orange skirt with yellow and teal tulip print so cute, and I had to grab it.

The skirt waist measures out as 66cm. My trick is to make a loop with an elastic band, and attach it to the skirt using safety pin. I threw on a cardigan to hide the opening part in the back. I felt like I’m wearing a moo moo with just that, so I added a belt under bust. Now I have a baby doll style dress:)

~ Chie  {find me elsewhere: blog, shop, facebook, etsy, twitter}

Mini Piccolini: Dressing a Baby Bump for Summer Receptions

I am now well into my third trimester with baby #2 and still struggling to find my fashion groove! On Friday I had two highly-anticipated packages arrive. One from J. Crew with three pair of Cece ballet flats and one from Hatch Collection with two dresses and a jumpsuit. Five of the six pieces have moved into my closet and I’m hoping they will save my summer from a pregnancy-fashion perspective!

I have two pairs of J. Crew Cece ballet flats from before and I always get compliments on them (especially the suede ones in “flame”). I have problems with SPD (symphysis pubic dysfunction) so I’m completely banned from high heels for the duration of my pregnancy and only get to wear anything other than proper running shoes for special occasions. I’m short so my (fairly extensive) shoe collection is mostly made up of really high heels so I needed a few pairs of flats to dress up some outfits for summer. I got the Cece ballet flats in sapphire suede, tawny sand leather, and gold brocade.

I couldn’t resist Hatch Collection’s gorgeous pieces, and I ended up ordering three of them, partly hoping that not all would work out as they are definitely not cheap. I’ll be keeping The Jumper in charcoal silk and The Slouch Dress in cobalt silk. I think (but it’s hard to be sure) that both of these will work even post-pregnancy (though definitely not while breastfeeding which is such a shame).

I have at least two events to attend this week and a couple next week and I am hoping that the Hatch pieces will work for all of these. This evening I’ll be wearing the slouch dress (to a very un-slouchy reception). The dress code is summer elegant but I’m not sure the weather will cooperate. I’ll probably pair it with a double-front blazer from 5th Avenue Shoe Repair, Jeffrey Campbell patent fleur de lis flats (or the new gold ballet flats to make things feel a little more summery), a chunky gold necklace made out of gold chains from my mother’s family or dangly gold earrings, and a Madonna for H&M black patent leather clutch.

And tomorrow I think I will debut the jumper at a less formal family reception. I’ll probably pair it with a cute little cream Club Monaco blazer with asymmetrical zipper and shoulder pads that I’ve had since right before Little A was born and maybe the new blue ballet flats. I’ll have Little A with me (what will he wear??) so I’ll be carrying my diaper bag…

Click here for more pregnancy style inspiration.

Click here to visit Mini Piccolini - all the best stuff for Moms, Babies, Kids & Families!

Summer Fashion Picks

1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11

I’ve found myself looking increasingly dull this spring. My drawers are full of summer pieces from 8 years ago! HA, I think it is time for some updating. We have hot, humid summers here in NJ so I am usually in tanks and gym shorts while running around with the kids. But I do like to look more put together when I am working or for lunch/dinner dates with hubby!

What are you wearing this summer? Or what pieces do you LOVE for spring/summer? Send links to 8-12 of your favorite pieces & we’ll feature your “Summer Picks!” If you are pregnant, I’d love to see your Maternity picks! Email your list to spearmintbaby@gmail.com & be sure to include a photo of yourself & your blog if you have one. (SUBJECT: Summer Fashion Picks)

For New Mamas & Babies: Christmas Gift Guide

Clockwise from top left: Pom Blankets, Organic Striped Booties, Eat Sleep Poop, Orfeo Bloom Rattle, IGLU Wooden Play Gym, Striped Bodysuit, lifefactory Bottles, Knit Rattle, Knit Pom Booties, Wooden Crochet Teether, Birth Print, Gizmine Humidifier, Donna Wilson Plush, Sakura Bloom Sling

www.withtwocats.com

$2.99 shirt!

Summer is back! It is 80 degrees today so I had to try out one of my new shirts. I bought 4 new shirts for our vacation in 2 weeks (how could I not when they were just $2.99 each??) I’m also wearing my new bracelets.

Harper, Rex & I are off for a day of running errands. John is in China & it is too depressing to sit home & watch football alone (especially when the Vikings are so BAD!)

Have a wonderful Sunday, shari

Fashion Jewelry

So, I’ve become somewhat Nordstrom Rack obsessed! I stopped over yesterday to get a few new tops for our upcoming family vacation to the Bahamas (16 days!!) and got a few new pieces of fashion jewelry. I bought these 2 bracelets for $14 each and a BIG chunky gold necklace for $35.

Are you into fashion jewelry? I never bring expensive jewelry on vacation…but now I have some fun new pieces just in case we dress up & go to the casino a few nights.

P.S. I also bought 3 new tops that were $2.99 each!! I’ll share pics of them when we are on vacation.

Vera Wang Lavender Lillian Flats

I’ve wanted a pair of Lillian flats forever and spotted a sale at Nordstrom last week. Unfortunately, the sale price was still way out of my price range!

So, I did a little searching on ebay and guess what…
I won the auction for these yesterday. & ONLY payed $39 (including the shipping!) I cannot believe this! I had originally wanted the sparkly navy ones, but I will take gold leather python print any day for $39! (original price = $220!)

Is anyone else wearing flats this fall? Flats are a MUST when I am running errands with the kids!

New Leather Pouch :)

Do you carry a large diaper bag or handbag? My favorite bag to carry with my toddlers is my Larch Bag. It is big enough for diapers & wipes, a tupperware container with snacks, and of course a lot of my own personal items.

The only problem with this bag is that lipglosses, perfumes, sunglasses, etc always end up somewhere at the bottom of the bag and I am always digging around forever trying to find what I need!

Problem is solved!…I found this adorable purple leather pouch by Rebecca Minkoff. I’d been looking forever for something that I would love and ended up purchasing this off of eBay. What did anyone do before eBay?

I ALWAYS have roll on perfumes in my handbag. They are easy to carry and can freshen you up in a jiffy after chasing your toddlers at the park! My favorite scent is pink grapfruit. You can find a lot of fun scents on Etsy.

& here is my cute new pouch peeking out of my Larch bag. I love the splash of purple next to the dark brown leather!

New Handbag

My handbag arrived last night & I LOVE it! I decided to buy a new fall accessory last week after doing some online shopping while at Starbucks.

If you register @ KateSpade.com they’ll send you a 15% off coupon for anything in the store. The Safari Evangeline was already marked down from $425 to $191 & with my 15% coupon it was only $173.71 including shipping & taxes!

I’m just sitting down now to have some breakfast & play with Rex. Mornings are so quiet with Harper back to preschool!

Where do you shop?

1. Kenneth Jay Lane Lapis Resin Dome Ring, 2. Kenneth Jay Lane Gold Pyramid Ring, 3. Gap Rib Shaw-Collar Sweater, 4. Tortoise Resin & Gold Bracelet , 5. Kate Spade Safari Evangeline Handbag, 6. Anthro Buckled Triad Booties, 7. Kate Spade Callaloo Samira Bag, 8. Tylie Malibu Gypsy Caravan Handbag

As a SAHM/Blogger I don’t get out much. Harper is almost 33 months and Rex 16 months. Our activities include a regular rotation of the park, the farm/nature center, the Gym, & starting Monday Harper will be back at preschool 3 days/week!

I RARELY go to the mall, & am so thankful (& addicted) to ONLINE SHOPPING…
I hardly ever purchase things, but can spend hours looking! Anyone else? I’m currently obsessed with Bluefly, Ebay, & the sale page @ Anthropologie.

Yesterday (while blogging from Starbucks) I picked out just a few things that I love for fall. I purchased one of these items…can you guess which one??
I’ll share it with you as soon as it arrives! (I cannot wait!!)

p.s. both of my new pairs of boots arrived yesterday. the black ones are low enough that you can actually run errands in them. super cute with jeans! the tan boots are a bit too high to wear while running around everyday but very cute as well. still waiting for my whiskey suede pumps to come!

Kenneth Jay Lane

Hearts & Lace: Mama & Baby

Mama: one, two

Baby: one, two

The Mall

How often do you go to the mall? Is it a LOT less than before you had babies?

I do most of my shopping online these days. I find it much more efficient and I can usually find everything I need. My favorite online stores include Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Free People, Anthropologie, and Forever 21. When I shop at Forever 21 I can usually get about 5-6 trendy pieces for the price of 1 at a department store. YES, it is my total guilty pleasure!! i just picked up this floral flutter sleeve t-shirt for $10.90. It looks super cute with long blue jeans and a pair of rafia wedges. I also recently bought this tank that I LOVE! You can see me in it HERE.

Whenever I feel like updating my wardrobe I put a of couple pieces in my current wardrobe up for sale on Ebay. I have sold over 3500 items on Ebay. Before I became a blogger and a mama, I sold clothing online as a business. Nowadays it is just for fun, but I do LOVE Ebay! Here is my profile.

A few more fun pieces that I spotted at Forever 21:

a really cute red dress…looks great with a brown belt.

although, I think I may like it better in NAVY!

colorful summer underwear, and beads.

lots of fun mini skirts. I love this one, and I hope I am never too old to wear a black and white polka dot skirt!

lightweight, stripe-y sweaters! the nautical look never seems to go out of style, does it? I also LOVE this top.

CONTEST – Shabby Apple Dresses

Attention all readers… In this Contest you have a chance to win a dress from Shabby Apple. You may choose from any of their beautiful dresses except for those from the skyscraper, manhattan, golden gate, aprons, silk road, & up and away lines.

Shabby Apple has a beautiful selection of women’s dresses, little girls dresses, and maternity dresses. You can also find a wonderful selection of white women’s dresses for summertime.

Shabby Apple is offering 10% off on all items for Spearmint Baby readers for the next 30 days. Use this code @ checkout: “spearmintbaby10off”

TO ENTER:
(leave a comment for each entry)

1. Become a follower of Spearmintbaby.com and post a comment about just one of your favorite dresses.

2. “Like” Shabby Apple on Facebook.

2. Follow Shabby Apple on Twitter.

3. Follow @spearmintblogs on Twitter.

* Contest will be open until Midnight EST on Wednesday, July 13th. Contest winner must have a US mailing address.

* The winner will be randomly selected (from random.org) and announced on Thursday, July 14th. All winners will now be announced only on FACEBOOK & Twitter! Please check there to see if you won, or leave your email address with comment so we can easily contact you. The winner will need to contact spearmintbaby@gmail.com within 4 days to provide name and shipping address.

Mellow Yellow: Mama & Baby

Mama: one, two

Baby: one, two

And don’t forget to enter to win $75 to Tea Collection – globally inspired clothing for babies, kids, and mamas alike!

http://www.withtwocats.com

Win a new dress on Spearmintdecor.com

Hi Mamas! Looking to update your summer wardrobe with a new dress? Stop by Spearmintdecor.com this week to win a new dress from Shabby Apple.

P.S. They also have AMAZING maternity dresses…coupon code on spearmintdecor.com.

Mama, what are you wearing?

1. Anne Taylor Loft Tie Waist Tank Dress $49.50, 2. Lands’ End Women’s Linen T-Shirt Dress $69.50, 3. Forever 21 Blushing Bangle Set $5.80, 4. Lands’ End Women’s Sailor Striped T-Shirt Dress $49.50, 5. SPLURGE: Diesel Stripe Logo T-Shirt Dress $79.40, 6. TOMS classic shoes $44, 7. SAVE: H&M T-shirt Dress $24.95

“H&M is one of my favorite places to find budget-friendly trends, and after browsing the store, I confirmed that stripes, mini florals, and maxi dresses and skirts were must-haves for the season.”

Kimchi Blue crepe jumper $69 or
Bar III wide leg jumper $59
American Apparel Sash $16
Forever 21 Dimpled Bangle Set $7.80
Forever 21 Disco Bangles $2.99
Total for outfit: $85-95

“This spring I’m wearing stripes, t-shirt dresses, maxi skirts, and jumpers.   Thanks for the opportunity to share!   I’m very passionate about being a fashionable mommy on a budget and I don’t think enough women talk about it!”

Amy
themombot.com

What are you wearing this spring? Or what pieces do you LOVE for spring/summer? Send links to 5-10 of your favorite pieces & we’ll feature your “Spring Picks!” If you are pregnant, we’d love to see your Maternity picks!  Email your list to spearmintbaby@gmail.com & be sure to include your blog for a link back. (SUBJECT: Spring/Summer Fashion Picks)

Mama, what are you wearing?

1. Perfect shirt in tangerine plaid $19.99, 2. Gingham mini $49.99, 3. Brown t-strap sandals $7.50, 4. Striped Brocade Yoke Top $15.80, 5. Whispering Magnolia Tunic $39.99, 6. Embroidered Floral Beatnik Top $19.80, 7. Scrunched Floral Tunic $49.99 , 8. Suspender Snapped Heels $99.95, 9. Chambray stripe skirt $29.99

I’ve wanted to start a Mama fashion segment on Spearmintbaby.com for some time now. I’ve put it off because I’ve been extremely UNFASHIONABLE for the past 2 years. Between 2 pregnancies and now a 1 yr old and 29 month old, there really is little time for fashion or makeup. My morning routine for the past few years has consisted of black sweatpants, sneakers, sweatshirts and ponytails! Can you relate?

Well, now that spring is here I’ve decided that I want to look prettier. I scheduled a mani/pedi for next week thanks to a lovely Mothers Day gift from my little sister. I’ve also been shopping (ONLINE!) These are a just a few new things you may see me wearing this spring.

What are you wearing this spring? Or what pieces do you LOVE for spring/summer? Send links to 5-10 of your favorite pieces & we’ll feature your “Spring Picks!” If you are pregnant, I’d love to see your Maternity picks!  Email your list to spearmintbaby@gmail.com & be sure to include your blog for a link back. (SUBJECT: Spring/Summer Fashion Picks)