How to be a Chic Mom

Was at the park this past week with my little angels and actually had a few minutes to sit on the shady park bench and daydream while my kids built sand cities in the sandbox. Was happily planning out my final summer wardrobe acquisitions: adorable white linen cami, basic black bootcut jeans—which can take me through summer, into fall and right on through the end of winter. There is nothing quite like the perfect pair of black jeans, so versatile and so very necessary. Oops, where was I? Oh yes, summer wardrobe daydreaming. To continue: A fabulous pair of flats to pull the look together and a spiffy canvas tote. Oh, and must keep an eye out for a really unique necklace. Suddenly my pleasant reverie was interrupted by a pair of whiny, snarky voices at the other end of the bench:

"Oh my goodness," one of them said. "Just look at those two over there, playing in the mud. What on earth is their silly mother thinking? Those outfits will have to be thrown away, they are so unbelievably filthy!"

I looked around to see where these filthy mud-wrestling children were and realized that little Miss Snarky Pants was referring to my little darlings!

"I just don't understand some people," replied her equally snide friend. "How can they allow their children to get so dirty? Don't they realize how upsetting it is to other people, especially those of us who actually care how our children look, to see such disgusting behavior? I will never allow my little Amaryllis to play in the sand! Just the thought of her getting dirt on her little Burberry sundress makes me cringe." And at that, she actually shuddered.

I glanced back at my two little civil engineers, one (wearing a darling little lobster tee) cheerfully packing sand into a bucket, the other (in her pretty pink sundress) poking twigs into the top of a mound of sand, both just as happy as could be, completely engrossed in their creations (and not even remotely dirty mind you.) OK, so they had a little sand on them, but nothing a quick brush down wouldn't take care of. I bristled (as I usually do when someone has the audacity to criticize my little darlings) and turned to comment to the two Joan Crawford wannabe's. Then I noticed their teeny, tiny babies in their uber-chic prams (neither child more than a couple of months old) and thought to myself, "Just wait till little Amaryllis up-ends her bowl of spaghetti all over her Burberry sundress! That will definitely be a Kodak moment." And I calmly (and somewhat smugly) returned to my shopping reverie secure in the fact that no mother has ever succeeded in keeping her child out of the park sandbox.

So summertime is finally here and those long, lazy days stretch out in front of us. Make the most of the great weather and plan some fun mommy-and-me activities. And to help you stay stylish while doing so, we offer the following ideas on How to be a Chic Mom:

Playtime at the Park Chic:

Face it. You will most likely end up with Juicy Juice on your Juicy Couture so choose machine washables here. (That doesn't mean you are limited to basic jeans and tees however!)

• A great denim skirt with a little stretch—one that you can move around in—paired with a very girly peasant style top. (Remember, when wearing something that is fitted on the bottom, wear something looser on top. And vice versa.) And a cute pair of kicky sandals to finish.
• Here's the vice versa: a full cotton skirt paired with a fitted tank or tee. A chic pair of girly slides and a funky pendant necklace to complete the ensemble.
• Long bermuda style shorts, a lacy cami will keep you cool while looking very hot! Slip into a pair of rope sole skimmers and add a classy bracelet and you are golden!
• The good ole' jeans and top. But bump it up a level. Don a pair of fabulous figure flattering designer jeans, (straight leg or slightly bootcut styles are the most universally flattering) and instead of a basic tee, go with a festively printed cami or empire top. So much more chic! Finish the look with a chic pair of wedge slides.
• A roomy tote bag (isn't this pink patent adorable?) is a must, especially if you are still on diaper duty (as I am). I also like to pack my little one's swimsuits and a nifty little waterproof bag to put the wet suits in after their run through the sprinklerfest at our park.
• A sunhat is a big bonus whenever you are outdoors. (Gotta keep those wrinkles and freckles in check!) There are so many darling stylish ones to choose from; even a sassy little denim number that you call roll up and stuff in your bag.

Afternoon at the Beach Chic:

• It all starts with the perfect swimsuit. Personally, my bikini days are long gone, so I absolutely adore this gorgeous bandeau-style suit. Since I am no longer a nursing mother, I also no longer have mega-cleavage (and the girls are pointing a bit south these days as well), so a halter-style suit is not only flattering, but provides great support. For those of you who are still packing va-va-va-voom, opt for a flattering style which will keep the girls in check, provide proper support, and allow for freedom of movement.
• If you are one of the lucky few who has a trim torso sans stretch marks, by all means go with a two piece! This little number by FrenchFifty has great support as well as adequate coverage for the nether-regions.
• A comfy, breezy sundress or beach coverup is a must. This cotton voile sundress is ideal for tossing on over your suit at lunchtime. Don't forget a stylish pair of sunglasses!
• Flip flops or flat sandals that you can easily slip on and off. A beach trick that I learned as a teenage surfer chic: when you take your sandals off, turn them upside down so they will stay cool in the summer sun.
• The perfect beach tote. Make sure it is large enough for all of your beach must-haves: sunscreen, water bottles, beach towel, baby powder (sprinkle baby powder on the sandy extremities of your little one and the sand magically brushes right off!) and wet wipes for quick clean-ups.
• Sand Toy Tote. I adore this mesh tote, because I can fill it up with the kid's sand toys, and by the time I walk back to the car the sand has dried and fallen out of the little mesh holes; ergo, no messy sandy car!
• Sunscreen wipes. These are great for the little ones, especially for little faces and necks! Portable, easy to use and disposable to boot!

Lunch with the Girls Chic:

This usually goes one of two ways. Scenario One: Not a babysitter to be found, so you and your girlfriends end up at Chuck E. Cheese with the tots in tow. (In that case refer to the guidelines for Playtime at the Park above.) Scenario Two: You are all lucky enough to get babysitters and you can actually have an honest-to-goodness lunch with the girls. The perfect opportunity to don your most stylish summer frock and make the most of this lovely afternoon (it doesn't happen too often now does it?)

• A sassy sundress is always a good look for lunch. Be the envy of the ladies who lunch in this gorgeous linen sundress from MaxStudio. Just love the way it floats around my legs and makes me feel so girly. Wear it with a great pair of strappy sandals, a gorgeous necklace and a funky little handbag and you are good to go!
• A flirty, feminine skirt and silky top would also look fabulous. There is nothing like a great skirt to make you feel more like a hot mama and less like an exhausted mommy! Especially when worn with this beyond gorgeous stacked-heel sandal. A pair of fun earrings and a beyond-gorgeous handbag will complete the ensemble.
• If you just aren't in the skirt and dress mood, a lovely pair of tailored capris or stretch twill crops and a colorful empire top would fit the bill quite nicely indeed. The empire style is très flattering, can cover a multitude of sins, and there are so many darling styles available in all price ranges. Complete you stylish ensemble with a pair of sassy T-straps or sandals and a hot mama handbag.

Goodies for the Kiddies
(Must share some of the nifty little tidbits that I have discovered of late.)

• Ugly Dolls. They are so adorable! Especially for your little guy. In fact, my husband is the one who discovered these fabulous little furries, and he thought they were so great that he actually got a keychain for himself, to match the little critter that he got for our son. (So of course I snapped up a hot pink keychain to match the little scruffy that I got for my little princess!) So many varieties and so darn cute!
• This beyond adorable pirate apron! My son is soooo into pirates, and this is perfect for keeping his clothing clean while fingerpainting, creating with Play-Doh, helping make cookies, and even eating dinner. (Once his baby sister came along, he put the nix on bibs because "bibs are for babies and I a big boy!")
• I couldn't pass it up! The Confetti Celebration Tea Set. I know, I know, my little princess can barely hold a sippy cup, let alone a tea cup, but this will make an adorable keepsake gift, and the hatbox is beyond gorgeous!
• My little guy just loves this playtime tent. In fact, it's the only way I can get him to take a nap anymore!

Just Gotta Have It

• I am giving this Excuse Pad to all of my girlfriends who have kids in school. They will never again have to scrounge around in the car and send up sending their little darlings to school with a note written on a Burger King napkin!
• Just for me, the newest Versace signature perfume. So fresh and clean, it makes me think of warm summer nights on the beach. The perfect anytime scent.
• Momme Planner. The perfect way to stay organized and up-to-date on all of your family's (and your own) activities. A 9 x 12 desk pad with 60 tear-off sheets.

Well, dearest girls, this should keep you sassy, stylish and totally fabulous throughout the summer!

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Be sure to keep an eye out for our newest column, The Sassy Fashionista, debuting in July, full of great fashions, accessories, shoes and beauty products fit for celebrities and stars, but at prices for the real world.

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