Hello lovely people, I've got an amazing Mother's Day giveaway for you, thanks to my friends at New Balance! Because self-care is awesome and necessary, and also easier and more fun with a pal, YOU + a FRIEND can each win a pair of shoes from the newly launched, premium New Balance Grey collection ($195 value)! They're awesome for kicking around town in stylish comfort. I'm obsessed with the metallic accents!
To enter to win, enter via Instagram here! It only takes a few seconds! Good luck!
Happy Saturday everyone, I hope you're having a great week! I have some great reads and visuals to share for this week's edition of Hey Internet, Keep Being Awesome. Also, on this site, be sure to check out how the Red Sox are working to make Fenway more family-friendly, my thoughts on alcohol consumption, social media, and kids, a roundup of rad, neutral shoes, great stuff to do this weekend, and the ride that made me cry! See you back here on Monday!
- Michelle Obama's got the moves.
- The real roots of midlife crisis.
- Stupid things people ask you when you are pregnant over 40.
- Nothing beats that new baby jaguar smell.
- Transgender kids: 'Everyone was calling me Sebastian, but I knew I was a girl.'
- What happens when students boycott a standardized test?
- The double-standard of making the poor prove they're worthy of government benefits.
- Why I wear the exact same thing to work every day.
- Raising your successful 35-year-old.
- Sign this petition to ask President Obama to commit to giving 50% of global poverty-fighting aid to the world’s least developed countries.
Image credit: creamy mushroom tart via Pinterest
One of my favorite things about spring is shedding the cold weather layers -- and that goes for feet too. Over the last few weeks, while the weather has toyed with all of our emotions (what was up with the hail yesterday?!), I've been chomping at the bit to wear my spring shoes daily. So, for the next edition of Style on a Budget, I'm sharing a roundup of 8 neutral spring/summer shoes that will give you plenty of bang for your buck, both in and out of the office.
You might ask, Hey, it's spring! Why are you focusing on neutrals? Well, for one, most of us are, in fact, on a budget, and can't afford to have a closet full of colorful shoes that only go with a limited number of outfits. Second, as I shared in my green fashion picks post, I will never recommend you buy cheap (like, under $20) dress shoes...I've just had too many foot problems due to wearing cheaply constructed shoes! So, I encourage you to spend a bit more on a pair of shoes (though the picks in this roundup still range a pretty reasonable $35-$138) that will give you plenty of wears. Save your color pops and trends for inexpensive pieces such as scarves! Finally, as I was scouting these picks, I wanted to share options that would work both in and out of the office, so you can up those dollars per use. Do you sense a theme here? Here goes, in order of ascending heel height:
1. These two-toned d’Orsay flats are a steal, currently on sale for $35 at LOFT.
2. For a classic, ladylike look, try these Brin metallic captoe leather flats ($88, Ann Taylor).
3. Loafers are a great pick to pair with everything from suitwear to jeans. These Carole leather loafers ($88, Ann Taylor) have an awesome, subtle metallic heel to give you a little edge.
4. If you'd like a little elevation without the teeter totter factor, these Romy pumps ($64.99, Lands’ End) will give you a 1.25 inch lift.
5. Wedges are my absolute favorite these days when it comes to elevated comfort. And I just ordered these gold crackle demi-wedges (currently on sale for $68, J. Crew Factory). I bought these in suede last year and wore them all the time so I wanted to get another pair in gold.
6. OK, I know this is another pair of demi-wedges, but these cut-out wedge sandals ($79.50, LOFT) add a level of visual interest that I really love. I recently ordered these in black and they're perfect for riding clear of my bunions.
7. If you're in a less conservative office, height makes these espadrille wedges (currently on sale for $84.50, J. Crew Factory) office appropriate. And yes, they are wedges. And yes, I own these!
8. If you're good with true heels, I am completely and utterly swooning over these Leandra sandals ($138, Banana Republic). The styling is just so gorgeous.
Image credit: all images via linked sources above
Happy Saturday everyone, I hope you're enjoying this very welcome warm up! It has been so gratifying to see the persistent snow piles dwindling down! Anyway, it's been a fascinating week on the web this week, as you'll see from this week's Hey Internet, Keep Being Awesome -- enjoy! And also, you have until tomorrow to enter to win $500 for you + $500 for a friend via an Instagram giveaway I'm co-hosting with some lovely friends! Be sure to enter to win!
- A mom holds her kids accountable for their bad behavior via an amazing use of social media.
- The science of why you should spend your money on experiences not things.
- Four personal style lessons.
- Wonder Woman gets her own sneaker!
- You can play Pac-Mac inside Google Maps right now.
- Why kids are getting more agressive on the playground.
- There's a modern problem afflicting our friendships and it's time to talk about it.
- Getting girls excited about science.
- How to get kids interested in coding + 7 free resources that teach how to code.
- A 9-year-old's letter to Obama about putting a woman on U.S. currency -- and Obama's response.
- Why America's obsession with STEM education is dangerous.
Image credit: 9 plants you can totally neglect via Pinterest
Happy Saturday everyone, I hope you're having a good weekend so far, despite this wacky weather. If you haven't yet checked out the Weekend Roundup, be sure to do so since there are 25 event options to consider. And meanwhile, if you're looking to cozy up with some interesting reading, here's what caught my eye this week for Hey Internet, Keep Being Awesome. Have a great rest of the weekend and see you back here on Monday!
- The world’s best teacher lives in rural Maine and doesn’t care about test scores.
- How Tim Gunn spends his Sunday.
- 8 powerful questions we should ask ourselves immediately.
- How Ethiopia managed to supply water to 48 million people.
- Tom Hanks reenacts all of his films in 6.5 minutes.
- Corporate volunteers can be a burden for nonprofits.
- “Yoga pants are ruining women” and other style advice from Fran Lebowitz.
- I don’t care if my son goes to college.
- How to design an edible landscape.
- 17 modern myths that are making motherhood miserable.
Image credit: ultimate stain removal guide via Pinterest
Friends, I’m thrilled to partner with delightful children’s retailer Hanna Andersson today! Hanna Andersson pieces have always been among my favorites; they're adorable and colorful and also well made (read: they survive many, many launderings across multiple kids)! Hanna Andersson just opened a new store at MarketStreet Lynnfield (just 20 minutes north of Boston!) and today I’m sharing some of my favorite picks from their spring baby, boy, and girl collections.
FOR BABY:
1) These unisex little tankers are perfect for easy, breezy spring/summer dressing. 2) It really doesn’t get cuter than this smocked sundress. 3) Protect baby’s precious noggin with this swimmy sunhat. 4) I've always been a fan of two-piece tankinis for girls to make diaper change/bathroom visits easier. 5) Protect your little one’s skin in patriotic style with this rash guard top + star shorts combination. 6) These whale jammies are adorable and snuggly. 7) I always dress my girls in layers; this soft terry hoodie will be great for cool spring/summer evenings. 8) Reduce slips and slides with these adorable unisex slipper moccassins. 9) Have your little one wear her heart on her coverup.
FOR BOYS:
Boy clothing used to be boring, but no more! 1) Your little Star Wars fan will love these Chewbacca jammies. 2) These colorblock board shorts are so preppily awesome! 3) A cheerful jersey polo works well for school or nicer occasions. 4) Perfect for the fair haired, this ballcap is UPF 50+! 5) Avoid the burn with this cute rash guard top. 6) It’s easy to load up on cute tees such as this modern metallic dinosaur tee. 7) I love these all out cargos; the color hints of denim but is more interesting + includes a subtle geometric pattern. 8) This star hoodie is perfection.
FOR GIRLS:
Girls clothing is so chic these days! 1) Dresses are my absolute favorite for no-brainer dressing and this swiss dot dress would do well at school or special occasions. 2) I love the chic color and style of this ruffle tankini top + bottom. 3) Tame sweaty flyaways with this adorable reversible headband. 4). These striped espadrilles are so cheerful! 5 + 6) Tees and shorts rule when it comes to scaling playground structures; you can’t go wrong with this ice cream glitter art tee + these adorable dotted paper bag waist shorts. 7) This wavelets sundress is so simple and easy; your girl could wear it on its own or over a swimsuit. 8) I became obsessed with rompers (for myself!) last spring, and I’d totally take this summer-soft jersey romper in grownup size.
So adorable right? Welcome to Lynnfield, Hanna Andersson!
Image credits: product shots by Hanna Andersson; compilation images by Christine Koh
Disclosure: This post reflects a sponsored editorial partnership with Hanna Andersson. All opinions about product picks are, of course, my own!
One of my favorite things about working as a creative is the joy and pride I feel when fellow creatives come up with something super awesome. Such is the case with my designer friends Melanie Burk and Alma Loveland and their new baby, Woven Pear. When Woven Pear launched, I immediately ordered several pairs of narwahl socks (because, NARWAHLS!) and have since acquired several more pairs.
Melanie and Alma are incredibly talented graphic designers -- they offer beautiful digital downloadable products at Caravan Shoppe -- so it’s no surprise their sock designs are cheerful and stylish. And the sock quality is awesome -- super comfy and they have held up well with repeated laundering. Go on and support some independent women designers and treat your feet well with these lovely socks!
Image credits: Woven Pear
Oh this weather has my brain geared towards GREEN! The temperature conjures images of new growth, just yesterday I saw fake grass peeking out from under a melting snow pile, and St. Patrick's Day (Vi's due date) is coming! For the next installment of Style on a Budget, I want to inspire you to infuse a little color into your wardrobe. Vibrant color can be daunting (it used to be for me!) but these picks allow for a range of experimentation.
Note: as I mentioned when I started this column, Style on a Budget represents both awesome bargain finds and also higher price point items worth budgeting for. Below you’ll see a range of prices with accompanying explanations.
1. This green ombre scarf ($14.95 at Catalog Favorites) would make a light and airy spring pick.
2. Studs are one of my accessories workhorses and what more do I need to say about these crazy amazing lawn party snail studs ($48 at Kate Spade)?
3. I love a loose billowy top (paired with leggings or skinny jeans) and this deva printed henley ($108 at Anthropologie) is more of an investment but would give you extra mileage given that you can dress it up for work or down when you’re off the clock.
4. Want to take baby steps into the world of green? Try these glitter knit socks ($5.95 at H&M).
5. It’s definitely worth investing in neutral workhorse bags (I have a few Kate Spades that anchor my bag collection) but if you’d like to experiment with color, this faux leather crossbody bag ($24.94 at Old Navy) is a cute pick.
6. As many of you know, I’m a big fan of necklaces as an easy way to lift an outfit. This emerald green collar necklace ($13.90 at Shamelessly Sparkly) is crazy affordable.
7. When it comes to shoes, I will never, ever encourage you to buy cheap shoes. I’ve simply developed too many foot woes over the years from cheap shoes! Tieks are definitely an investment but they are worth it, and they are wondrous with color, such as these clover green Tieks ($175).
8. One of my favorites pairs of jeans is a pair of kelly green skinnies I bought at J. Crew a few years ago. Seriously, try a pair of brightly colored pants, such as these vibrant Tomkins skinny jeans (on sale for $64 at Ralph Lauren). They will make you instantly happy!
9. This striped jade skirt ($148 at Anthropologie) is definitely more of an investment piece and it’s just so stunning.
10. This flutter-sleeve top (on sale for $59.50 at J. Crew Factory) will look equally cute paired with a pencil skirt, trim pants, or a pair of your favorite jeans.
Image credits: all images sourced via links above
Happy Saturday everyone, I hope you're enjoying a lovely weekend. I'm starting to crawl out of the crazy that was the first sixth of this year (seriously, what was up, first sixth of the year??) and absorb things on the internet again (ironic, I know, given that I'm an internet publisher), so I want to get back to Hey Internet, Keep Being Awesome regularly. Enjoy this week's installment and see you back here on Monday!
- A tribute to one of my beloved college professors.
- Go on and back these cool dolls for boys.
- I was in tears over these hilarious stock photos with Vince Vaughn.
- Loving this cool educational partnership between Scholastic and my beloved ONE to help families to learn about energy poverty.
- Can family secrets make you sick?
- This post made me want to start reading with Laurel again.
- Worrying about stuff is a sign of intelligence
- An indie bands stands up to McDonald's no budget offer.
- Dirty little secrets of tidy families
- Have you ever thought about starting a capsule wardrobe? This is basically what I do (but didn’t realize there was a name for it!
Image credit: peanut butter millionaire shortbread bars via Pinterest