Back by Popular Demand!

I am back!  Who doesn't love a "job" where you can take a six month vacay?  But I have heard the cries of my faithful readers asking for guidance on the latest Spring trends, and I have decided that it is time to break the blog silence.

The sun is shining today in Chicago, and they are expecting temps to reach near 50 degrees next week. So it is time to start thinking Spring!  I can honestly say I am so sick of my heavy winter clothes, even the ones I haven't worn.  Boots, yuck!  I need sandals!  I need tank tops!  I may even break down and buy a new swimsuit this year…

As is my usual practice, I will break the Spring trends post into several posts over the next couple weeks as I get my groove back on and visit my favorite Chicago area suburban stores.

Trend 1:  Floral

It has been big for awhile both in spring and fall, and it is back with a vengeance, according to my sources.

If you are not into prints, which I haven't been until lately, you must find a floral top or even pant for spring.  It is hot!!!!

Check out these floral leggings from Payton Rose (Northbrook, IL):

and...for those not so daring, these are a more subtle black and white floral from Alice B. (Buffalo Grove, IL).

Trend 2:  Romantic White Lace

Also, another returning trend.   Check out this cute top from Alice B.:

And while we are on the subject of white…

Cute white top from Payton Rose:

I am seeing lots of white tops, which are great because they go with everything.

Trend 3:  A Little Boho

The boho trend is big too, from suedes to fringes and peasant blouses.

Top above from Payton Rose.

Also, along with the boho trend is tassels…they are popping up everywhere:

They can be dressy or funky:

(Above Alice B.

Below Payton Rose)

Trend 4:  A Leather Jacket

Not really a new trend, but I am anxious to wear something lighter than a North Face down coat:

Payton Rose had these two great jackets:

The first is such a soft material, and the second is a muted pink…so pretty!

Trend 5:  A Little Gingham

This is big, and I loved these Hue leggings I found at Alice B.  Check them out styled two different ways.  Possibly a future purchase?

I think that's enough for now.  I promise to blog more often than twice a year and be a part of your life again.  Thanks for sticking with me!

Fall is Here and So are the Trends

Fall is a great time for fashion in the Chicago area.  You can transition your summer pieces over to fall with a light jacket.  I love fall jackets: leather, denim, knit, sweatshirt material, a little sherpa, a little faux fur.  And fall weather is cool enough for a sweater, yet usually warm enough that you don't have to cover up that sweater with a coat.  Plus, the down parkas are still way back in our closets, and it's too bad they cannot stay there.

Yesterday, I took Tory for a walk and saw some beautiful fall color.  The leaves are just starting to change, and I saw lots of reds and yellows.  Fall colors are the best.  Who needs the pinks and mint greens of spring, when you have the fall neutrals?  This year, I am crushing big on burgundy and maroon colors.  The magazines have told me that other big colors are sky blue and shades of green.

For today's post, I am featuring five huge fall trends that I have seen all over.  Since I am a slave to fashion trends, I think that I have embraced them all.  Drop me a comment either on this blog (below the post) or on Facebook and let me know what trends you are into for fall 2014.

The first trend I am loving for its comfort and versatility is the slip-on sneaker.

I purchased mine above at Nordstrom, and they are by Steve Madden.  But everyone is making these from Vince to Tory Burch, Sam Edelman and Michael Kors.  I chose a classic navy color with quilting, but you can even get calf hair slip on sneakers too.  This is a great trend for moms on the go.

Speaking of quilting, that is big again too.  I have seen lots of cute quilted sweatshirts, handbags and shoes.  Check out this great quilted dress from Loft.

You know, I am going to mention the pleather trend, which is back again for fall 2014.  Cute sweatshirt alert below:

This sweatshirt by MinkPink is from Rock N Rags in Highland Park, IL, one of my favorite new boutiques for unique trendy fashion.

As far as sweaters go, thick chunky sweaters are also a big trend.

The sweater above is from Alice B. in Buffalo Grove, IL and is a patterned sweater with fringe (also big trends).

Also in vogue, zippers on the side of sweaters.  Below is a cute sweater from Evereve (although not a chunky one) with the zipper detail.

The final trend for today, which I have mentioned before, is plaid.  Plaid is everywhere.  I found this cute plaid with a sherpa lining at Rock N Rags and also the one on the left by Dex as well.

 

This is just the tip of the iceberg.  Hopefully tomorrow I can carve out some more time to blog again about fall trends.  Until then, Happy First Day of Fall!

Get Ready for Fall at Alice B.

As I have been trying to get back in the swing of blogging, I have also been making my usual rounds of my favorite stores.  As you know, Alice B. in Buffalo Grove, Illinois is one of them.  It is a store where I always find something, even when I don't need anything.  But, if you are in need of sprucing up your wardrobe a bit with the latest trends, stop in at Alice B.  Here is just a sampling of what you will find there:

Great sweaters:  The chunky sweater is back for fall 2014!  I am seeing these thick, thick sweaters everywhere and in lots of neutral blacks and grays:

I especially liked the flower pattern on this sweater above.  It is a good way to bring a little floral into fall.

This sweater below had a great purple plum color and would look great with leggings or skinny jeans:

Then there was this crop sweater in blue hues, which also looks great with a pleather and faux fur vest. Yes, the fauxs from 2013 are back!  If you did not hop on this trend last year, get with it!

I have seen lots of jackets that are to be worn as part of your outfit, not just for outerwear.  I loved this belted jacket by Jack at Alice B.  It is under $100, and it has all your neutral colors.  Wear it with everything!

I am seeing a lot of gray denim too.  This sweater below is super cute too!

For those of us that like comfy and easy too, this sweatshirt/knit combo top (as I like to call it) is awesome!

Then check out this comfortable sweatshirt.  Love it!

Here is a great example below of how a scarf dresses up leggings and a top.  So easy!

Yes, I know that I have ended every sentence above with an exclamation point.  That is definitely not a technique I learned in law school, but rather, learned from texting my 11 year old daughter all the time.

Okay, so one more reason to end with an exclamation point…check out the great offer below!

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In order to receive discount, you must print this ad and bring into Alice B.

Best Dressed Moms Blog Readers

Receive 10% Off Any $10 minimum purchase (before sales tax) at

Alice B.

127 McHenry Road

Buffalo Grove, IL  60089

(224) 676-0351

Must present coupon to receive the 10% discount

Offer expires 9/30/14

Time for a post and time to get to Alice B. (for a sale!)

Ha!  I did it!  I got 15 minutes of "me" time when I am not in the car driving my kids to hour-long camps, last minute playdates or cleaning the kitchen up from the endless snacking that goes on in my house.  So here goes a quick blog post and a heads up that there is a big one day sale at Alice B. in Buffalo Grove, Illinois tomorrow (Saturday).  I have blogged about Alice B. a number of times because it is one of my favorite stores.  If you are local, I hope that you have checked them out, but if you haven't yet, do it tomorrow because there is a sale, and there will be good deals to be had.

I popped into Alice B. earlier this week just to see their latest merchandise.  Here are photos of what's new at Alice B.

If you are in need of tank tops for summer, these two below are simply adorable:

This top below is cute on its own, but with the necklace and bag, it makes a great ensemble for going out to lunch or a casual dinner.

I mentioned in my last post that blue is my color of the moment.  This top below is vibrant and multi-seasonal.  Think spring, summer and fall.  I think I have heard that blue, especially the cobalt color, is going to be big again for fall.   More on that in a later post…

  

Here is another put together ensemble that I loved.  The top is very unique, and check out the beautiful necklace in the second close up photo.

Jumpsuits are very in.  I wore one to my blog launch party last year, and I am just waiting for another occasion to wear it.  I love the classic black.  This jumpsuit below with a tie waist is so pretty:

Alice B. also has a great selection of scarves.  With this cool weather we have been having, scarves are the perfect accessory.

Another great accessory…the handbag.  Fringe handbags are everywhere this summer:

And here is just a preview of one of the cute pieces Alice B. has already gotten in for fall.  I am loving the faux suede shoulders and buttons on the side.  I am going to put this top on my list of must haves for fall.

It's About Time for a New Post

I am not even going to bother to come up with excuses for not posting this week.  I will just dive right into a post about one of my fave stores--Alice B. in Buffalo Grove, Illinois.

I was there last week and saw some really cute fashion so here goes it:

You know me and my love for handbags.  This one was so cute to add some color to any outfit:

I loved the material of this bag pictured above.   The material is a sort of lucite plastic material, like a hard shell.   It is a big trend this season.

Another great piece at Alice B. is this white tank by T Party.  I had seen a short- sleeved version in the spring, but was never able to find my size.  I am thinking this would be great with any kind of printed jean or legging and any colored denim you may have.

I love this tank below.  Can you say great piece now and for transitioning to fall (sorry, I said that dreaded word, but fall will be back, like it or not).

This top below was so tempting.  It is very unique in that the back criss-crosses with fringe.  It is perfect with white denim, just as it is displayed in Alice B.'s window.

I just saw on Facebook that more cute clothes have just arrived at Alice B. So if you are local, that is one stop you should make this weekend.

Happy 1st Birthday Alice B.!

Since I often blog about the great fashion I find at Alice B. in Buffalo Grove, IL, I find it most appropriate to wish them congratulations on their 1st Birthday at their current location.  Last Friday, I popped into Alice B. for their birthday sale, and the store was quite crowded.  There were cupcakes, treats, and long lines for the dressing rooms!

Here is a mere sampling of some of the great fashion they had.  A lot of the items were going fast as customers grabbed items left and right.

 When the rush had settled down a bit, I was able to snag these shots of some adorable fashion:

I always have a good time shopping at Alice B.  You should stop by and check them out.  They get new merchandise in all the time.  Their cute jewelry and accessories are great for teacher gifts and Mother's Day gifts too.