Hot Mama: Stylish Summer Looks

If you’re reading this, of course you know that Erika is cute, stylish, and most importantly-a mom. I met her for coffee recently, and her whole look testified to these three things. This girl has got it down to a science…she manages to be comfortable enough to chase after her daughter, put together enough to roam the streets of NYC, and right on trend. Inspired by her fabulous style, I’ve put together a few summer outfits that would work for a hot mama like her-complete with accesories that work with all three looks. Which of these looks would you try?

tunic, jeans, tank, shorts, blouse, jeans
sunnies, polish, sandals

Note from the Erika: I had NO idea she was planning to write this – but thanks so much Kat! xo

Simple Sundresses Make Summer Style Simple

Just when I got used to pulling on my sweaters with leggings and boots, the humidity and heat have attacked me here in Louisiana.  The summer is so sticky and yucky, that the just thought of creating a “pulled together” ensemble makes me tired.  My favorite “cheat” for the summer is to wear simple sundresses with some rockin’ accessories.

So, I thought I would do a quick post showing you some ways that you can look smokin’ when the temperatures are soarin’.

I love the pale yellow and mauve colors here, and you’ll noticed I chose a flower theme to carry throughout the look.

A simple look for running errands around town or for an evening BBQ with friends.  This look allows you to very simply incorporate the floral trend that, like it or not, has taken over stores and wardrobes everywhere…without looking like a curtain.

This gray lace dress is the perfect thing to wear to a summer wedding, and if it’s outdoors, trying pairing it with flats like the ones above, instead of heels.  Who wants to sink with every step that they take!  The dress and accessories will more than make up for your lack of stilettos!

Nankeen – Art You Can Wear! {Giveaway CLOSED}

I going to have to clean out one of the closets in my house.  We have a huge closet in the hallway that is supposed to serve as a “linen” closet.  And it does, I suppose.  It holds the plethora of air matresses, quilts, comforters, blankets, and lace tablecloths (gifts, never used.  I’m waiting until I’m at least 85) that we NEVER use.  Really, I could have one extra set of sheets for each bed and then a couple of quilts for company, and STILL only take up the top shelf.  I mean, I probably wouldn’t NEED to clean it out if I didn’t need room to store all of my bags.  Not that all of my posts on handbags, purses, and totes (oh my!) didn’t clue you in… but I’m slightly obsessed.  It’s reached the point where I’m running out of room to put them all.

It’s not often that I can purchase a product that I love and also support the arts at the same time.  Scratching your head yet?  Nankeen creates stylish bags, pillows, ties, cosmetic bags, and other accessories that are created from 100% cotton and indigo dye using a technique that dates back to the Song Dynasty over three-thousand years ago.  It is literally an ancient art form turned into modern design.  The white sections that you see on the bag are created by pushing a paste made of soya bean flour and slaked lime through a handmade stencil.  Once the paste dries, the fabric is dipped into indigo until the desired color is acheived.  Once the fabric is dry, the paste is scraped off to reveal the white designs.  The fabric is then washed and ironed before it is used to create the bags and other products that you see here.

I was able to review the Lily Tote, which I absolutely fell in love with.  It is sturdy but roomy, and I love the bright pink interior.  The jumbo knot serves as a hook to close the top, but still leave it open enough for things to stick out of it, should that need arise.  For instance, on a recent flight home, my bag was 11 pounds over the limit.  I had filled my Lily Tote with my laptop, a sweater, some books and a magazine, but then I was forced to put additional inventory in it.  So I walked through the airport in a sweater with two coats on top, holding my Lily Tote that now had bright pink ballet flats, jeans, and a hairdryer (in addition to the aforementioned items) sticking out of the sides.  Thank goodness for that knot closure!

Win it! The folks over at Nankeen have graciously offered to give away a tote bag of the winners choice to a very lucky CSC reader (a $130 value)!  To enter to win, leave a comment below with which tote you would choose if you were to win!  Something more than “I wanna win the Lily Tote” is necessary, effort is appreciated.  After your initial comment, every other (pertinent) comment left on this site on other posts from now through April 18th will count as an extra entry each.  You don’t need to come back to this post and tell me you commented on another post, I can stalk track you via your email/IP address.   As usual, extra entries are also available for stumbling Chic Shopper Chick (leave your stumble name), subscribing to my site, listening to the Feel Good Fashion radio show on Friday nights at 9pm EST/8pm CST, following me on Twitter, and blogging about this giveaway with a link back here.  That’s it, so good luck!

BONUS!!! BONUS!!! BONUS!!! BONUS!!! Tomorrow night on Feel Good Fashion we will also be giving away a Nankeen Cosmetic Bag.  The winner MUST be listening live to our show at 9pm EST (8pm CST).  Even if you don’t win the bag on the show tomorrow night, listening to our show will qualify you for an extra entry for the bag.  Make sure if you listen to come back and leave a comment so that I can verify that you were there!

US entries only, winner will be chosen via random.org at the end of the contest. Winners are posted here, please leave a valid email address or blog address if you’d like to be contacted should you win. Winner has 72 hours to claim their prize. This contest ends at 11:59 pm CST on April 18th, 2009.

Chic Style On A Shoestring Budget With Old Navy

When I was packing for Disney World, I realized that all of my summer clothes, mainly my shorts, didn’t fit.  They were all 2 sizes too big.  Granted, I’m not one to complain about losing weight, but I did realize that if I didn’t wanna look like a bum that I was going to have to look for some new clothes that were great for summer but fit my budget.  (Or, lack of a budget.)  I ran in Old Navy with about 10 minutes of time to spare, and hit the summer jackpot!  Check out some of my fab finds!

I love this simple cross-front jersey dress – great by itself, or with a cardigan to dress it up.  I bought it in this color (my signature pink!) and I’m planning to wear it with a white or light pink tank top underneath it and some simple flip flops.  Then I can dress it up with a fun necklace or some chunky bracelets.  Oh, and PS?  It’s only $14.99!

I also fell in love with this sweet little lined sundress with the diagonal stripes – I love the cut and the pattern is adorable.  At 5’8″ I have longer legs, so it’s a tad shorter than my comfort level, but I think I can learn to get over it.  Or, I’ll pull an old trick from my days in Catholic School — wear a pair of shorts underneath.  I know it’s a major fashion no-no, but if you won’t tell, I won’t either. I’ll confess to one of my major fashion pitfalls – I bought this dress in a pattern and a solid (purple).  I loved the cut that much. This dress runs from $15-$20, depending on color.

The last sweet little find that I scooped up were these floral cut-out babydoll tanks.  They are lightweight, cool, and trendy.  I may or may not have grabbed this in two colors too, and um, one of them MIGHT be pink.  Jeez, I’m bad.  Please, someone stop me!  Oh yeah, each of these are $14.99, on sale from $19.99.  Sa-weet!

I have to say, I’m really impressed with Old Navy’s merchandise right now.  Apparently I’m not the only one — the entire shopping mall was practically deserted, except for Old Navy, where women were literally lunging for the last dress in their size.  (That may or may not also be something I’m guilty of.  Ahem.)  If you haven’t been by there lately, check it out.  Happy Shopping!