Tips | Momma Go Round

Holiday Party Attire

December 14, 2011 By Nina @ Momma Go Round 12 Comments

For some reason, dressing for holiday parties always gives me massive anxiety.

Will I be over dressed?

Will I be under dressed?

Is this “holiday” enough?

This year, we have a few holiday parties to go to, yet each requires a very different outfit. I will certainly not be wearing the same outfit to the office holiday bowling party as I will be to our church Christmas party, or even our family Christmas party. While I’m notorious for sticking the the “festive yet safe all black“, I’m determined to branch out, move beyond the standby black or predictable green and red.

To help me, and you, accomplishment, I present my Holiday Party Attire Equation!

1 part bling + 1 part color + 1 part functionality = The Perfect Holiday Party Outfit!

Bling: Brilliant Peacock bracelet from Momma Go Round

Color/Bling: Sequined Skirt from Nordstrom (8 years old, have no idea other details about it)

Functional: Tights via Target, Comfortable Heels via Jessica Simpson

What does this all equal?

The perfect holiday party outfit!

I was planning on wearing this to our church Christmas party, but we are triple booked for that night and won’t be able to make it At least I got to show it off somewhere!

I’ll be using the same equation to come up with outfits for our family party and hubby’s work bowling party….functional items will definitely be required for both!

What are you wearing this holiday season? Show off your favorite party outfits and watch my Facebook page. You may just see your outfit featured! Please be sure to include the Blogging Around the Christmas Tree button to your post!

Filed Under: Outfits, Style, Tips

It’s All About The Hair

September 22, 2011 By Nina @ Momma Go Round 14 Comments

There is nothing amazing, remarkable, or surprising about this outfit.

It was Mommy and Me preschool day, so I had to go with something suitable. Good thing….it was fingerpaint day. Though my OCD child who hates getting his hands dirty didn’t touch it.

The real highlight of the outfit was the hair! I found this amazing video tutorial a few weeks ago on Pintrest, and have been dying to try it ever since!

I did it the night before, and let me tell you, I was Hotty Mc Hottypants to go to bed with. But we have to be out the door early for preschool… it takes drastic measures to make it there on time.

Even though I was certainly a sight to behold at night, the curls were amazing the next day! Let me tell you, my hair DOES.NOT.HOLD.A.CURL.PERIOD. But with this method, it does! These pictures weren’t taken until 6:00, after a day of preschool, laundry, errands, and car washing, and they still looked great!

Shirt: Old Navy, Jeans: Banana Republic, Scarf: Charlotte Russe, Flats: Guess, Fabric Bracelet: Made by me, tutorial to follow, Metal Bracelets: Nordstrom/Downtown

Sometimes, it’s not the outfit that makes the outfit

Filed Under: Outfits, Style, Tips

A Master Class in Thrifting {with 5 Days…5 Ways}

September 20, 2011 By Nina @ Momma Go Round 7 Comments

Boy do I have a treat for you guys today!

While I’m a self admitted “cheap” shopper, thrifting has never been my thing. I’ve only tried a few times, and almost everytime I’ve walked out with nothing. I’m just not fabulous at finding the diamonds in the rough, or seeing how I could change something to make it spectacular.

Meet Abbie.

Now she is a thrifting master! The amazing pieces she finds, the ridiculously tiny amount she spends, and the incredible style she has….I’m jealous guys.

So sit back, relax, and prepare to be schooled in the art of thrifting.

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Hi there, folks! I’m so excited that Nina is having me by for a visit to chat with you stylin’ chickies about thrifty fashion.

My name is Abbie from Five days…5 ways and Secondhand or Bare Bottom. Yes, that’s right. I run not one but two blogs. Because being a mama to three children under 6, teaching fitness classes, trying to keep my house reasonably clean, knocking out a few DIY projects now and then, and spending time with my amazing husband doesn’t keep me busy enough.

Uh huh.

Here’s a quick peak at some of the things that I’ve been up to at Five days…5 ways, my primary blog where I write about a different theme for each day of the week (Move-it Monday—fitness, Try-it Tuesday—tutorials, Wardrobe Wednesday—fashion, 5 Things Thursday—a list with pics of 5 items on my mind, and Feature Friday— what/whomever I want to feature that day):

When I’m not crafting or cooking or DIYing something-or-other, I love putting together fun and funky ensembles for next to no money.

Honestly, if you had told me even six months ago that I would write a style blog, I probably would have a) asked, “What’s a style blog?” and b) said, “Yeah, right!” once you explained it to me.

Don’t get me wrong. I love style. And I think that I’m at least competent at combining various pieces for a cohesive look, but blogging about it had never occurred to me until I started posting some of my low-dollar, high-style looks on my Wardrobe Wednesday segment at 5D5W.

You see, I buy almost all of my clothes at Goodwill. And by “almost all,” I mean probably 95% of my closet (click to view my master closet transformation). I’ve always been thrifty, even before I became obsessed with thrifting, but I never thought much of it until my readers started responding with, “I can’t BELIEVE you found that at Goodwill!” or, “I can’t BELIEVE you only paid $10 for that outfit, shoes and accessories included” (no, I didn’t leave out a zero; ten smackeroos!).

And it was then that I realized that I really could dress myself from the top of my head down to my toes in 100% thrifted fashion and look great doing it.

And Secondhand or Bare Bottom was born.

Top: Forever 21/Goodwill ($3), Skirt: Goodwill ($4), Belt: GW ($1), Shoes: Kenneth Cole for Tribeca ($3), Bag: GW ($3) Jewelry: Goodwill ($3), Rubber band: c/o I-forgot-that-was-on-my-wrist

TOTAL: $17

I call that ruffly purse my “Bugs Bunny” bag, since I could probably load it up with a brick, Bugs-style, and whack you upside the head with it, and you wouldn’t complain. It’s that cute.

Top: At Last/Goodwill ($3), Jeans: Abercrombie/GW ($5), Shoes: Calico/GW ($3), Belt: GW ($1), Purse: Vintage Saddle River/GW ($4), Earrings: GW ($2), Bracelet: Gift from the hubs

TOTAL: $18

Anthro shoes, a vintage quilted leather purse, and more ruffles. *LOVE*

Sparkly tank: Old Navy/Goodwill ($3), Ruffled shirt: Ann Taylor Loft/GW ($3), Jeans: Miss Me/GW ($5), Shoes: Target/clothes-swap ($0), Earrings: GW ($2), Belt: GW ($1), Purse: GW ($3), Bracelet (which reads, “Boo loves Alby”): made by moi

TOTAL: $17

More ruffles (a theme, perhaps?), designer jeans, and killer accessories. Did I mention I got every bit of this at Goodwill?

How about one more?

Dress: Goodwill ($5), Tank: GW ($2), Belt: GW ($1), Necklace: GW ($1), Earrings: Gifted, Shoes: Gifted

TOTAL: $9

Seriously, apparently I’ve never met a ruffle I didn’t like.

So, have I convinced you that you too can look fabulous without ever setting foot in a retail store?

I hope so. But if you’re a thrifting novice and you feel lost about where to even start, let me recommend a guest-post I did for The Pleated Poppy’s popular What I Wore Wednesday segment where I shared some of my most helpful thrifting tips.

It will at least point you in the right direction.

And because my motto is, “If you can’t tell the difference, you shouldn’t have to pay for it,” I’ve also started a series at Five day…5 ways called Thrifted or Grifted, where you try to guess which between two outfit is 100% thrifted and which is 100% retail, and then you vote. It’s loads of fun!

I hope you’ll stop by and say hi at either/both of my blogs, and I’d love to hear any thrifty shopping tips you have to share.

Thanks so much for reading along with me today and again to Nina for hosting me. What a gal!

Oh, and I’m dying to know…what’s the best fashion deal, thrifting or otherwise, you’ve ever scored?

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So, who else is dying to make Abbie go thrifting with them? I only hope I can find half the amazing deals that she does!

Thank you so much Abbie!

Filed Under: Guest Fashionistas, Style, Tips

Transistion Keys

September 7, 2011 By Nina @ Momma Go Round 7 Comments

Are your gears turning about all those summer pieces you want to hang on to through Fall yet?

GOOD!

I’m right there with ya girls. This will be the first year that I’m working on creating a transitional wardrobe, so I’m fumbling through it too.

In my fumbling, I’ve created my own little checklist of key must have pieces to help transition a Summer piece into a Fall staple.

Boots

Let’s face it, I have a love/hate relationship with boots. Basically I love them, they hate my calves. Short and pudgy does not exactly make it easy to find boots that fit over my calves, yet don’t go half way up my thighs. I’m determined to find the perfect pair this year. Skirts, dresses, leggings, skinny jeans….bring ‘em on!

Scarves

Warm and cozy, scarves can easily add dimension, color, and/or pattern to any outfit. Layer over a thin summer blouse, add to a dress or skirt and your ready for crisper weather. Besides, who isn’t dying over Lindsey’s amazing ruffled scarf?

Jewel Tones

Super hot this Fall, jewel tone anything is a great way to update a Summer piece. I can’t wait to add my new jewel purple cardigan over this dress to make a great new look

Colored Tights

Jumping off the fashion cliff here ladies! It’s time to embrace the color! I’ve never been a tights girl period, let alone colored. But all those summer skirts will have new life with colored tights

So, whattya think? Are you ready to rock these looks, or are you looking to other pieces to help transition your wardrobe?

Filed Under: Style, Tips

Well What Do I Do With This Now??? {Summer to Fall Fashion Week}

August 30, 2011 By Nina @ Momma Go Round 4 Comments

Fall….aaaaahhhh. Just the name makes me all giddy.

Sweaters. Boots. Pants. Temperatures that only have 2 digits. Glorious!

One slight problemo. What do I do with all the awesome summer clothes I’ve collected this year?

I’ve never really had this issue. Frankly, I never really gave a hoot what I looked like during the summer. My goal was to simply survive the heat with as little thigh chub rub as possible. I was pretty darn happy to chuck anything that resembled summer wear into the back of my closet and pray that summer would come more slowly next year.

No more my friends! It’s time we take our summer wardrobe and bring it into fall. That’s why next week is…

A few fabulous ladies will be helping all of us transition our summer staples into great fall fashions! Love, Ramsey, The Hotness Your Momma Warned You About, The House of Shoes, Sunday Crossbow, and Peace, Love & Applesauce will be here. I may get a little too excited everyday to read these ladies awesome posts, and I can’t wait to share them with you!

All this fall fashion fun starts Monday with a special edition of Real Momma, Real Style

***The PSA Essentials custom peel and stick stamp giveaway ends tomorrow! Don’t miss out!***

Filed Under: Features, Fun, Style, Tips

Wavy Hair {The Tutorial}

July 7, 2011 By Nina @ Momma Go Round 12 Comments

So I have to admit, I was kinda shocked and giddy all at the same time when I got my first request for a hair tutorial. I was totally baffled by the second request, and had to pinch myself at the third.

You see, my hair hasn’t always been like this. For the first 12 years of my life, I had relatively thick (thin, but a lot of it) hair that was an awesome light brown. I didn’t appreciate how easy it was.

Then puberty hit….and so did dead, lifeless, mousey brown flat hair. And so my love affair with the salon began.

Fast forward to Spring of 2009 and POOF, baby makes hair wavy. Ok…..sweet!

Now what the heck do I do with it?

So for your viewing pleasure, a tutorial, two years in the making, on how to get sorta wavy hair, well, wavy.

Start with damp, towel dried hair. I do not brush mine after towel drying it. Don’t go too crazy so it’s not all knotted up, just a little messy.

Since bangs are a must for my Frankenstein forehead, I blow dry those bad boys first.

I have recently found, and LOVE, Pantene Curl Defining Mousse. Cheap, effective, and did I mention cheap?

I use about three handfuls this size. One for the back, and one for each side. Depending on the length/thickness of your hair, you may need more or less.

A diffuser is a MUST! My blowdryer is some cheapo Target Conair something or another. It doesn’t have to be fancy, it just has to have a diffuser.

Set your blowdryer to HIGH HEAT, but LOW/MEDIUM POWER. You want the heat to set the wave quickly, but too much air will make you look like a frizzy poodle….but I wouldn’t know anything about that

Get in there and get busy with your hair! Don’t be afraid to make it poof out in weird directions or whatever. I’ve found the messier I go, the more wave I get.

Blowdry each messy section for a 15-20 seconds without moving the blowdryer around. You want to set the wave.

Get dressed, finish your makeup, and SHOW IT OFF!

The best part, at least for me, is my second day hair looks the same as the first when done this way! A little dry shampoo on the bangs, an upside down hairspray, and it’s good as new!

Filed Under: Style, Tips

THE.BEST.PERIOD.

June 7, 2011 By Nina @ Momma Go Round 11 Comments

I’ll be honest, I don’t have the first clue when it comes to what I’m actually supposed to do with makeup.

My makeup training came from the backstage dressing room of the theater at Pepperdine during dance recitals and Nutcracker performances.

I was 8.

By now, I’ve got stage makeup down to a science. From Nina to Mimi in 5 minutes flat!

source

When it comes to everyday makeup, I just go with what I think looks good. Applied correctly or not.

All I know is that I have found the best mascara ever. Period.

source

For years I have shelled out way too much good money on mascara that just flaked all over my saggy baggy eyes. Hey MAC/Smashbox/Stila/Lorac…..YOU STINK!

Not only does this magic tube make my already long eyelashes look longer, it gives them definition. It looks like I have a million little lashes jumping out at you. I have never, ever, noticed mascara actually making that much of a difference until now. Sweet!

Hot momma comin’ through

*Maybelline doen’t have a clue who I am and has not contacted me in any way. I just really love this mascara and thought I would share!*

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Filed Under: Style, Tips

Making It Mine

June 5, 2011 By Nina @ Momma Go Round 11 Comments

Remember THIS hat?

Well it’s actually this hat.

Forever 21 Hat

The gigantic investment of $4 into this hat made it fabulous enough all on it’s own. But when I put it on with my blue dress outfit, it just felt like it was missing something.

I tried the flower pin from this necklace…FAIL.

Then I remembered my stash of white jersey left over from making this shirt eons ago.

Measured around the hat. Cut a 1.5 inch thick strip. Glued it together and covered with a loop. FINETO!

The best part is, the jersey is stretchy so it slips on and off super easy! I’m going to make more bands so I can change up the look of this hat to go with any outfit

Or I may wear it repeatedly just like this

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Filed Under: Style, Tips

{Not So} Super Shopping Secret

June 3, 2011 By Nina @ Momma Go Round 13 Comments

Besides “which kind of Old Navy jeans do you wear?” (sweetheart, but thinking of defecting), the single most common question I get asked is “where do you find all your clothes? I have a tiny budget too!”

Well we all know I’m the poster child for Old Navy, so that’s no secret. But the trick to making your budget really stretch is the clearance section!

Take today’s clearance section steal for example. Originally $19.99 marked down to $13.98 on clearance for $4.98. SWEET! I’ve been eyeballin’ these bad boys for weeks.

Or these Tarjay jewels for just $4.98 as well. Stinker LMM got them in yellow, but I’ll settle for white

Shirt dress for $9.98

Floral dress for $12

The key to clearance shopping is GOING OFTEN. Stalk your favorite stores to the point of just under creepy. Cori stalks Loft, I’m a creeper at ON and Target. More times than not, you will leave with nothing but the knowledge of what is to come in the next markdown.

Like today….tons of cute cardigans on “clearance” at Tarjay. $13.98 is not clearance for a sweater for me, but now I know. Time to stalk. So over the next few weeks when I need to pop in for diapers or to replace the new sippy cup that LJ will chew a hole through, I’ll swing by and see if they’ve come down anymore. If they have, score! If not, check again next time.

You WILL miss deals, but that’s ok. If it’s something you absolutely can’t live without, grab it. If not, wait it out. Saving $5-10 bucks may not seem like a big deal, but if it means your clothes wardrobe goes twice as far…

Wanna know another secret?

Crowdtap. If you aren’t signed up yet…RUN.

See that pretty little box on my sidebar? Click there to join the only site that connects customers with the brands the love. Again, poster child for ON here, I’ve been hooked up with jeans, accessories, and a dress all for FREE! Just take some pictures, give them your opinion, and that’s it!

Like my fav student tour guide ever said, “Cheap is good, but free is better!”

Filed Under: Style, Tips

The Modern Momma’s Guide to Fashion {Part III}

May 13, 2011 By Nina @ Momma Go Round 7 Comments

***Thanks to Blogger’s AWESOME random shut down for the past two days, we’re only 3 or 4 posts behind on Fashion Week. So instead of overwhelming you (and me) by trying to cram them all in…I’m extending fashion week into next week! Here’s just one of the posts that was supposed to go up yesterday…enjoy!***

Can I just say that I am SO EXCITED!!! I’ve gotten emails from quite a few of you saying you’ve tried new things or have added some of the key pieces to your “to-get” list! YEAH! I can’t wait to see your looks on this weekend’s New Style Link Up!

So without further ado, I present Part III of The Modern Momma’s Guide to Fashion!

11. Skinny Jeans

Gap Legging Jeans

BEFORE you start yelling at the screen, “girl, you are out of your mind if you think this behind is getting into anything named skinny or legging!”….hear me out.

Never, ever, in a bajillion years did I think I would wear them either….but now they are some of my favorite jeans. The stretch holds you in while showing off your curves. It takes ~~some~~ a lot of time to try on a bunch to find the right pair, but when you do…magic!

12. Belts

Another key wardrobe piece I avoided like the plague, and now wonder what the heck was wrong with me??? Nothing gives an instant slimming effect like a belt. Wrapped around a cardigan, tunic, flowy dress…beautiful!

The key for those of us with a bit more shape is to wear the belt at your natural waist. On most shapes, your natural waist is much higher than where you where your pants and is often your skinniest point. Perfect for highlighting!

13. Embellished Tees/Tanks

Winner’s Circle Tee from Anthropologie

Ruffles, sequins, beading, rosettes, ribbon, lace, whatever. Tees and tanks with some embellishment are a great transitional piece. They can be worn on their own or with a cardigan for a casual look. Layer under a blazer or dress for a more dressed up look. The best part is, these are easy to make on your own! Check out my tutorials for some of my favorites.

14. Fun Flats

Without a doubt, a momma’s can’t live without. Running around everyday is not exactly conducive to wearing your cutest wedges or awesome black heels. But instead of wearing your running shoes or the same converse you’ve had since high school, grab some fun flats. They are a great way to bring some color or pattern into your outfit.

15. Maxi Dress

I, I’m Nina, I’m 5’2″, and I’m a maxi-aholic.

It can be so hard to rock skirts and dresses as a momma without risking too much exposure. Maxi dresses solve that! Light and airy for spring/summer, easily layered with a cardigan, blazer, or jacket, an all-in-one outfit for the busy momma.

There you have it! My top 15 must-haves for the modern momma. I can’t wait to share with you how to mix and match these staples to create an awesome momma wardrobe!

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Filed Under: Style, Tips