Menswear for Women

I thought I'd do a fun post today on menswear that us ladies can get a little use out of! Now - considering the man in my life is 6'2" and I'm 5' - I have to be a little creative when dispensing this kind of fashion advice.

Sometimes the easiest thing to do is raid your man's closet...

So what are some things to "borrow?"

Here are my top 3 recommendations:

1. T-shirts. Talk about the perfect sleepwear. You have built in nightgowns/sleep-shirts without having to go out and buy any. I was at Target last week, and there were sleep-shirts on sale for $9, honestly... it was like wearing one of my husband's tees. It was just as long. It was just as big and comfy. And it was just as soft. My husband has an affinity for Hanes white tees... his tees (sorry, sweetie!) are now moonlighting as my tees to sleep in.

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2. Button-downs... there are 2 things you can use his button-downs - beach cover-ups and maternity wear. Last summer I did this and it was perfect, I grabbed some of Matt's light blue button-downs, not his super dressy ones... but a couple that he had in there for more causal occasions, and used them as beach cover-ups on the beach. They were awesome! Not to mention... they can save you some money. Maternity wise, borrowing your man's shirt is a great option. Even though it won't fit to your exact form, it's still comfy to toss on, un-buttoned and wear out and about. Hey... it's in the closet, so why not use it - right?



3. Undies... I'm sure you're thinking - WHAT!? But wait, think Carrie Bradshaw.



She did something in one episode that was classic. She wore men's briefs to bed. It was absolutely Sex and the City fashion-fabulousness... but I thought it was very clever of Patricia Field to do that. This one may be a little more a stab in the dark, but you it's a fun one! ;)

Getting Gorgeous Events

How many Flower Shows... Home Shows... Boat Shows... Bridal Shows... Baby Expos and Business Expos have you been to or heard of? Living in the smallest state - Rhode Island - there is always something going on in Providence. I can imagine it's the same in most cities across the country.

BUT... what about fashion and beauty for moms? And I'm not just talking a quick "Girl's Night Out"... I'm talking - meet the brands, try products, learn about particular products and leave with some pretty cool fashion/beauty info (and SWAG!).

Now... that's what I'm talking about.

Armed with one of my best friend's, Vera Sweeney - we're bringing fashion and beauty events to MOMS through Getting Gorgeous Events.



Getting Gorgeous Events are about all fashion, beauty and style for the everyday Mom. We want to give moms an opportunity to relax, be pampered and (well...) get gorgeous. It’s not something us moms (Vera and I have 6 kids between the 2 of us!) get the chance to do very often. We want to bring a little fun and fashion and beauty to moms!

Getting Gorgeous Events will launch with on Friday, August 6th in the heart of New York City. Three-Hundred and Fifty mom, fashion and beauty bloggers will be invited to the launch of Getting Gorgeous. Women will have the opportunity to try out new products and get ready for their NYC weekend. Sponsors will have the opportunity to host product displays, demonstrations, supply on-site stylists, and mingle with other women bloggers.

We will be updating as we go as to some fun details - I'm excited to let you know about one of our sponsors - Miraclebody!



I'm a HUGE fan... anything that flatters you and is denim is beyond incredible. (Oh, and makes you look 10 pounds lighter!) We feel so lucky to have Miraclebody on-board for our first event... and they will be having the-one-and-only Robert Verdi there fitting bloggers and giving away jeans! It doesn't get any better than that!

We are going to be taking Getting Gorgeous on the road throughout 2011! We're beyond excited and would love your support!

If you're interested in an invite to the NYC event on August 6th, email me - Audrey [at] MomGenerations [dot] com.

4 Must Have Looks for this Summer as seen in Europe

I'm VERY lucky at Totsy to have an amazing (I mean, AMAZING!) Marketing Assistant, Jenn. She's wonderful and full of great ideas. Jenn recently had the incredible opportunity to go to Europe for a month long trip with her college. The experience was priceless! Jenn had a wonderful time and got to see so many sights in Europe. Jenn is going to be blogging some of her experiences from her European trip... and of course, they'll be mostly about FASHION! Here is one of Jenn's first posts...

4 Must Have Looks for this Summer as seen in Europe:

We all know Europe’s trends are more advanced than here in the U.S. We’d like to say that we’re adventurous but in most cases Europeans did it first (that’s how we know it’ll stick!) I must say I was hesitant to believe this at first too but if fashion school had taught me anything (which it had) going to Europe sure made me a believer! Having just returned from my extravagant trip to London, Paris and Florence I saw hundreds of people walking the streets in outfits I thought were meant for going out in or runway shows but no, this is how they dressed every day! To make it easier for us to wear in the States I will give you the basics…but please be adventurous!

1. Trousers - Top Shop Twill Tapered Trousers $70.00

Now I know what you may be thinking but give them a try. They are supposed to be baggy around your hips and slowly get tighter towards your ankles. On the hanger they do not look that appealing but try them on! Me in Paris with my Trousers from Zara

2. Playsuits

Or in the States we like to refer to them as a romper. Dress them up or down! They are comfy and so stylish for the hot summer days.

Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent CoutureCandy $275

3. Summer Lace

I always see a lot of lace trends popping up through the winter months, but in London and Paris, everywhere I looked there was lace!

Here are some summer suggestions:

Woman in Florence at the Pitti Trade Show with White Lace Tank (cute outfit altogether!)

Express Lace Shark Bite Dolman Tee $39.50

Top Shop Lace Flapper Front Vest $65.00

Awake Lace-Overlay Necklace-Detail Tank $79.00

4. Boots or HIGH Heels (no in-between):

Either women were wearing super high heels or flat oxford or combat boots. You can decide which bodes well with your feet! ;-)

Men can wear them, too! Man walking the streets outside of Pitti

Urban Outfitters Chelsea Crew Classic Oxford Flat $58.00

Jessica Simpson Collection Junie $89.00 MEW! As Seen on Jessica!

Free People Trench Boot $298.00

Lands' End Slim and Husky Line

One of my girlfriend's lives and breathes for Lands' End Slim and Husky Styles for her sons. Her sons are on the slim side and it's incredibly difficult for her to find clothing that fit them well. She recommended I look at this line to share on Mom Generations - I have to say, I think it's phenomenal!



Not all kids are created the same... I love that Lands' End embraces this notion and has created clothing for every child... every. single. child.

This is the beauty in Lands' End sizes...

patemm ROUND Diaper Changing Pads

I remember when I first heard of patemm diaper changing pads. It was in the ladies room on the 2nd floor of Nordstrom at the Providence Place Mall. I was pregnant with Benjamin. There was a lady breastfeeding in there, and I was trying to wrangle 2 little boys into the bathroom to change them. As I laid out my square diaper changing pad, Alexander kept rolling to the side and kept touching his little bum-bum on the floor. It was grossing me out. I was trying to lay wet wipes on the floor next to him so if he did it again, he would be wet wiped "sanitized." The woman breastfeeding casually asked me if I had heard of the patemm diaper changing pads, and I hadn't. I just remember her saying to me, "you need one." And that was it. That was how my love affair with patemm began.



I don't think it would surprise anyone to hear that the amazing patemm, a round diaper changing pad, was invented by a mom (the amazing Grace Welch!). I'm not kidding when I say this... Grace made diaper changing EASY. She did... she truly revolutionized the process. The roundness - what's so incredible is that you can place your baby in any direction. You don't have to worry (like I had to with my Alex) about wiggly and squirmy babies! There's no worrying. They stay in the "zone." Plus (as you'll see in my video) there's the inside pockets to store everything!

Let's talk the fashion side of things... because, after all... even though these are 100% functional for moms, they are also 100% fashionable, too! The collections are amazing - they're stylish, chic and beautiful. They're the perfect practical (and essential) accessory for your diaper bag. Check out some of these gorgeous colors they are available in -





The convenience and ease is remarkable... I want to show you how fast I can fold-up and go with my patemm...



I can't say enough. If you're pregnant, you need one. If you have kids, you need one. If you know someone who is pregnant - this is the perfect gift!

And if you are a mom... and a patemm lover already... you know exactly what I mean when I say, "you need one."

*Plus - there's an organic collection!

Strollin' with my Maclaren Techno XLR

There are some essentials you need as a mom. A stroller is one of them.

After having 4 children... I can say, I know a thing or two about strollers. I think with strollers it comes down to one thing for me - can it grow with my child (stand the test of time)? If it's going to do stand up to the test of time that means it's high-quality, easy-to-use and absolutely (positively) convenient for me to lug/push/stroll around.

Maclaren's Techno XLR is my main "man" stroller. I have been using this stroller for some time now and I absolutely love it. It works for my family of 4 boys. Even though it's "Henry's" stroller, everyone has been in it and used it. It's funny because it's my William (he's 5 years old) who wants to be in it the most. As a mom, you have to love a stroller that fits your 2, 3, 4 and 5 year old sons in it perfectly. I don't have to adjust the seat. I don't have to fix anything. Not to mention, the seat is like a lounge chair because it's quilted - talk about sitting down and not wanting to get up (so I kind of get where William is coming from)!



I know I mentioned (for me) that the most important feature is growing with your child... what is so cool about the Techno XLR is that truly does grow with your child. It comes with a car sear adapter, so you can use this as your buggy stroller system. From birth till your child is going into kindergarten (or approximately 55 lbs), this will stay in your family. Plus, the fashion side of me loves loves loves the reversible seat liners. These have been my saving grace with Henry... they're machine washable! They attach as easily as they detach. If Henry gets anything on it, all I have to do is take it off, pop it in the wash and then we're good to go! I can change up the look of my stroller instantly with the different options they have available. It's that easy.



But enough what me writing... let me SHOW you my Techno XLR in action!

Celebrity Mom Style: Sarah Michelle Gellar

I've always been a fan of Sarah Michelle Gellar. She's so cute. She's an amazing actress. She seems like a wonderful and supportive wife. And now she's a mom to a beautiful little baby girl, Charlotte. I saw this photo of her and her mother taken a month ago... look at how fabulous she looks. What I like even more about Sarah is the fact she's 5 feet. I love that about her... probably because I am, too! It's not easy to dress when you're short, you need to make sure clothing fits you well. I thought she look stunning in this laid-back leggings look.

How can you get her look?

More Gap...

2010 Summer Travel Destinations - Where are you heading?

It's officially summer!

Pool club is open. Beach is packed. School is out (for most kids!).

It's summer travel time for my family. Now - with 4 kids... we don't want to be traveling too far and for too long. We're all about the car because it's easier for us to transport the boys in our car rather than a plane or train. In a car, they're confined. We can come and go as we please. We can stop 100 times if we have to (potty breaks). We are the masters of our trip.

My husband and I sat down this past weekend to "map" out some summer travel destinations. There are definitely some places we want to "hit" this summer... with our youngest being 2 years old, we're finally at that stage where it's possible and doable to be out and about with 4 boys and not chasing a baby.

Here's our short checklist of places to travel to this summer:

1. Cape Cod
2. Sesame Place - Langhorne, PA
3. Pittsburgh (my in-laws live there)
4. North Conway, NH
5. Martha's Vineyard

My husband wants to camp with the boys, but I'm thinking they're a little too young. What do you think? At 5, 4, 3 and 2?

Happy Father's Day!

I hope you're celebrating and/or remembering the men in your life who have made a wonderful difference!

Happy Father's Day!

Summertime Reading with Barefoot Books

I'll never forget one of my close girlfriends asking if I had ever heard of Barefoot Books when I was pregnant with my William. Here I was trying to make a beautiful library for my baby-to-be and I hadn't even heard of one of the most amazing places to get some phenomenal books for my collection. She introduced me to Barefoot Books that day... and I have been one of their biggest fans ever since!

My mother was an English and Reading teacher for 30 years... she used to read to my sister and brothers and me every single night when we were children. We would be so excited to get "lost" in a story... it's been that way my whole life - books have become friends. I wanted to pass that gift on to my children because books are such a fantastic way to be able to see the world in a whole new way. It's all about imagination and creativity... the greatest gifts kids can experience.

Having 4 little boys now... and if you know my children, you know exactly what I mean... they love a good book. In this digital age, seeing my sons truly love to sit on the couch or front lawn or in bed and get "lost" like I used to as a child, it warms my heart. For me, it's time with my sons where nothing else in the world matters - and I love that.

I was so excited when Barefoot Books sent us 2 new books to read - Up, Up, Up, with singalong CD and The Story Tree with storytime CD, along with a Kids' Garden Activity set. We devoured the books immediately!

Up, Up, Up! (with singalong CD) by Susan Reed and illustrated by Rachel Oldfield was such a perfect book to read with the boys.



This book brings 3 friends around the planet in a hot air balloon. They see clouds, rivers, swimming creatures, birds, the moon... my sons were very intrigued by the book. It allowed us to talk about where they would want to go in a hot air balloon. Each of my sons gave a different answer - William wants to go to the moon. Alexander wants to go to Disney. Benjamin wants to see Star Wars. Henry wants to go where his brothers go!

The Story Tree (with storytime CD) narrated by Hugh Lupton and illustrated by Sophie Fatus was a book that my 2 older sons loved.



This book is filled with tales that the boys loved, all meant to be read aloud and all written so that my guys perfectly understood them. I will say, as a parent, I loved the follow-along CD. It was great to listen and capture the moments together while we listened along. The boys' favorite tale - The Three Billy Goats Gruff - we have probably read and listened to 50 times already!

But... perhaps the favorite item in the Barefoot Books box that came - Kids' Garden by Whitney Cohen, Life Lab Science Program and illustrated by Roberta Arenson. Kids' Garden is 40 indoor and outdoor activities and games that you can do with your children.



My sons literally jumped right in! There are 5-categories of activities: Exploring the Garden, Planting and Growing, Fun with Plants, Discovering Creatures and Creating Garden Art. My sons absolutely (positively) loved the Discovering Creatures category (as did my husband, too!). Our first activity was A Snail's Pace... armed with buckets, we went off into our yard to find some creatures. The goal of this activity was to see what creatures are the fastest. Like bees to honey... my sons found 4 worms under a rock. As the activity card called for, they put the worms in their bucket and then drew a circle in some dirt. They placed the worms in the circle and sat and watched which worm was the fastest to leave the circle! Alexander's won (which wasn't taken too well by his brothers, so we did the challenge 2 more times!)... which turned into a race of the brothers across the yard. And the best part... it's only $19.99! All this fun at such an amazing price.

We've done about 15 activities from the 40 cards... they are the most fun, engaging and delightful activities to do. I thoroughly enjoyed watching my sons have a blast, all while learning... such a beautiful combination.

Barefoot Books - you're one in a million!

Giveaway: Madame Alexander "Wendy Loves Karate" Doll

Madame Alexander is a premier doll destination. My nieces collect Madame Alexander dolls... I love seeing their beautiful (and full!) collection. Well... we're giving away a Madame Alexander Doll - Wendy Loves Karate!
This Madame Alexander Freckled Faced Wendy Is Dressed in her oh-so-cute White Karate Outfit, with her name on front and a Headband. She is ready to learn all her belt levels. She comes with 6 different colored Karate Belts.

I love this Doll because it shows some pretty amazing girl power!

Leave a comment on our blog to win Wendy! I'll pick a winner on Friday at 5PM (EST).

Silly Bandz... The "New" Accessory for KIDS

When I was a kid, it was all about making friendship bracelets. I would buy lots of yarn and sit with my girlfriends and just braid these really cool and colorful bracelets. I'll never forget my friend Tara having about 30 on her wrist... that to me was the epitome of COOL.

Well... fast forward 25 years... they're now called SILLY BANDZ.

My sons introduced me to these little "creatures" about 4 weeks ago. Every time I turn around, I see a child's arm covered in them!

Silly Bandz are actually pretty genius... rubber bracelets in different shapes... to name a few:









Kids are collecting them. Kids are trading them. It's a phenomenon! I honestly can't find them anywhere around here - they're all sold out... !

I just wish I had thought to invent these! :)

Appaman Clothing for Kids

Appaman has always been one of my favorite Kids brands. Their clothing is fashionably-urban and just COOL. It's nearly impossible for me to describe Appaman without mentioning the coolness, it's got that "it" factor that make kids look (and feel) oh-so-fabulous. There's a youthful glow and energy among the clothing - the colors, the designs, the fabrics... it's perfection. If you've got children between the ages of 6 months and 8 years old... check Appaman out!

My sons love Appaman's ape. It's pretty plain and simple for them... they love the clothing because of the ape. They think that is cool. The ape's association with Appaman is a really neat story. Appaman is inspired by, and named after, the childhood companion of founder and designer Harald Husum. While growing up in Norway, Husum befriended a corduroy ape named Appaman. Together they traveled the fields and fjords of their native land, sharing many fantastic adventures. Appaman reflects the whimsical spirit of those youthful times and celebrates the unbreakable bond between a boy and his ape. I love that about this brand... each of my sons have their own "Appaman" and it's amazing to see what this childhood bond turned into!

There are so many things I love about Appaman for my boys... beyond the "cool" factor. The clothing fits well. The quality is superb. You can wash these clothes over and over and over (and over) again and never have to worry about shrinkage. And for me... with 4 boys, the clothing stands up to the "land of boys..."



We're all about jumping (which gives me gray hair)...





We're all about climbing trees (with Daddy's help)...



We're all about running and chasing...


And testing strength (oh, my!)...


It's everyday wear for my boys... and I love that they can do anything and everything in the clothing that they want to do. Boys will be boys... and in their Appaman clothing, they can look cool doing it! ;) The vibrance, the energy and the passion in Appaman is reflected through every garment.

'Cuz... after all, once they're dressed - they're off and running...



*Appaman sent me clothing for the boys to try out.

Stride Rite for Kids

Stride Rite for Kids.

I have been a fan of Stride Rite since my son William was born in September of 2004. It was a brand I trusted for my son... and have continued to trust for all my sons. Actually -- all of my sons walked their first steps in actual shoes in Stride Rite footwear. That's pretty incredible. Stride Rite has the most fashionable footwear for kids, the selections are perfection. Stride Rite has always been an innovator in using the latest technology to design shoes that lead to a lifetime of healthy walking for kids. As a mom, it's something that warms your heart.

Moms are all about summer footwear right now -- sandals and sneakers for the summer months. We most certainly are getting into the summer mode in our house. I was beyond excited when Stride Rite sent the boys some sandals and sneakers to try out. Being the brand I trust for my boys, it was wonderful to see the boys get excited about their individual shoes. The boys broke their shoes in for the past few weeks... and had a BLAST doing (running, jumping, walking, hiking, skipping, chasing and playing) so.



Shoes for the BOYS:

William:


SuperBall V A/C are perfect for William. The SuperBall heel provides maximum energy return on impact. If you have boys, they'll love these!


Sperry Top-Sider Boys Submersible Sandal are adorable! I love the wrapped toe and water-friendly, quick drying in and out of water play.

Alexander:


TT Gavin sneakers are great for Alexander. They're flexible and cushiony for his little feet.


Rocco's are so CUTE! They're water-proof... if you know Alex, you know this is needed!

Benjamin:


Rex and my Benjamin! They're washable! For me... I love that!


TT Ty are the coolest sandals in the world! This is fabulous a sneaker and sandal in one, creating a shoe with lots of comfort and breathability. The deep flex grooves and a cushioned heel make them nice and flexible for him!

Henry:


SRT Gavin's are edible! So cute and precious! The SRT Gavin features Sensory Response Technology and moisture-wicking lining. They're lightweight and ultra-flexible materials make it easy for Henry to play.


SRT Tucker's are Henry's FAVORITE! I absolutely love love love them for him! They feature Stride Rite Sensory Response Technology (SRT) with innovative sensory pods designed to help Henry walk better.

*Stride Rite sent me shoes to review for the boys.