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It’s a happy day when one of the bestselling women’s shoe styles is a clog. Yes, a C-L-O-G. Who doesn’t love the “clip clop” sound and ease of putting them on? Just another reason to love the Swedes. I had a pair of tan leather clogs with tassels in the 80s and begged my mom for a pair of navy suede ones. Remember those? The bad part about wearing clogs was falling off them or taking a bad step and hurting your foot on the unforgiving wooden heel. Ouch!

Clogs
Clogs are back and cloppier than ever. Designer brands like Michael Kors, Stuart Weitzman, Tory Burch, Coach and Vera Wang are adding their spin on the updated version of this classic. And you will pay a pretty price for them…

Tory Burch – ‘Brayden’ Slingback Clog – $295 at Berdorf Goodman

Crossbody Bags
In addition to clogs, the crossbody purse is enjoying a bump in popularity. This bag usually features a long, adjustable strap so you can tote it across your body. This is a great idea to relieve your “bag” shoulder from constant wear & tear.  It’s also a super option for moms because you can have more freedom of movement. How many times has your shoulder bag flung around and almost popped your toddler in the head when you squat down?

Badgley Mischka – ‘ Mini’ Studded Flap Crossbody Bag – $119 at Nordstrom

Chains
Chunky chain jewelry is still a great accessory for fall. If you don’t like wearing a thick, layered chain necklace, you can opt for rings and bracelets with chain details like the bracelet pictured below.  How beautiful & fun is that?

Cara Accessories – Crystal Snap Leather Bracelet – $45 at Nordstrom

I’ve always been a fan of designer jeans. In fact, when I was in middle school I saved money to buy a pair of Guess jeans.  They were light blue with zippers at the ankles and I think they cost around $80. I loved them! As an adult, I still love designer jeans.  I don’t shop according to brands, but I tend to like the pricey ones. I wear jeans a lot – like a uniform – so it doesn’t bother to me to spend a bit on them. I’m also not willing to sacrifice style for price. If they don’t look good, I won’t wear them anyway. Now that would be a waste of money.

I almost fell off my chair when I read this article on Yahoo! Shine that says Women Spend an Average of $34 on Jeans.  How is that even possible? I’m lucky if I find a pair that fit well and look good for under $100. Most of my jeans probably cost $125 – $200, but I wear them until they fall apart. Aside from the price, the article says most women own seven pairs of jeans and only wear four of those pairs regularly.

I just blogged about five pairs of seriously bootylicious jeans over on Family Style (Babble.com). These jeans are flattering from every angle. I picked a range of prices, brands and styles. Take a look and let me know which ones you like! After all, ample butts are “in” for Summer 2010.

My friends will quickly confirm I am a ponytail fanatic. Yes, it’s true. Over the years, my hair has gotten longer and my days have become much more hectic. I no longer have time to wash, blow dry and straighten my hair. I don’t quite remember the days when I had lots of time for primping, but those days are over.

Ponytails aren’t a cop-out indicating laziness! They can look sleek, stylish and they are extremely EASY. I’ve read a bunch of articles about the trick to a perfect ponytail – heck, I even bought one of those silly items that’s supposed to give you added volume. I won’t say which one it was, but it’s completely insane and doesn’t work.

Anyway, hop over to Babble’s Family Style blog to read my article 4 Steps to a Perfect Ponytail. Enjoy!

If you love Project Runway like me, you’ll be excited to know Nina Garcia is coming out with a new book! The most recognized fashionista on television, who scrutinizes Project Runway contestants with brutal honestly and great one-liners, has announced Nina Garcia’s Look Book: What To Wear For Every Occasion, will be available on August 10, 2010. Oh, and she’s also the fashion director for Marie Claire. Like you didn’t know!

In the book, Nina Garcia answers the universal question all women at one point ask themselves when attending some of life’s most important events: “What should I wear?”  In her most practical—yet stylish as ever—project to date, Nina focuses her attention on what every woman needs to know when choosing what to wear to any life event—whether it be a job interview, a first date, or even a parent/teacher conference.  And let me tell you, lots of moms need help with this one.

The fun, flirty, illustrated guide features original four-color artwork by acclaimed artist Ruben Toledo, which compliments Nina’s trademark tone of voice. Whether you are already a fierce fashion diva or someone in need of  some couture advice, Nina’s book provides easy to understand, practical examples that will make you look and feel fabulous inside and out. Make a mental note in your stylish brain to get this book!!!

Is this is what happens when you buy a really good bra? Nobody knows for sure whether Sarah Palin got breast implants or not, but this photo has launched a slew of rumors. My first reaction is who cares! She is a self-proclaimed hockey mom with FIVE kids. She looks awesome, implants or not. And if she got small mounds of help in the form of saline or silicone, good for her. Chances are, this is just the bra talkin’…

For the women in the world who have never invested in a good bra, the haunting words of Bill Engvall come to mind, “Here’s your sign!” The truth about nice undergarments, be it a bra or shapewear, is they do amazing things. And by amazing, I mean A-MAZ-ING! There are millions of women trotting through life in ill-fitting bras and cheap underwear.  See what you’re missing? You could be hiding a total hottie under all of that sad fabric.

Need an example? This is the Wacoal Underwire Sports Bar. Notice how perky and round. (You can grab this comfortable slice of youth for $62 at Neiman Marcus.)  Throw this beauty under a simple white tee and you’ll go from flat to fabulous. Maybe the big secret looming behind Sarah Palin’s knock-out figure is just a solid fitting by a sweet lady with a measuring tape. No knives required.

Miley Cyrus is going through her bodysuit phase – just like Madonna, Britney, Beyonce, Gaga, Pink and Rihanna. Who really cares! I understand, she’s only 17 years old and maybe it’s not appropriate for a girl that age to dress so seductively. Plus, she’s a role model to a young generation of girls.

All of this in incredibly legit, but what people fail to realize is if you’re a superstar, you don’t have to wear pants. That’s pretty much the point. Pants are optional when you make a gazillion dollars. When female celebrities stop wearing pants, they are sending out a sign of success. As soon as you see MommyQ strutting around without pants, you’ll know I’ve made it big.

Is there more to debate here? Is Miley a teen dynamo who wants to shed her Disney-created, squeaky clean image? Of course. She wants the world to know she’s an independent tween.  It’s her party and she’ll cry if she wants to.  Is she making bad choices? Absolutely. Will the public forgive her? Minus the moms of impressionable young girls, uhm, yes. Until all of that happens, she’ll keep strutting her stuff in a form-fitting garment that covers the torso and not much more. Let’s talk about something just a tad more important now, okay?

I know we blog about items you must have as a mother. Things you need for survival in this crazy, kid-filled, hectic life.  There is only one thing I can guarantee as a mom. If you have dark circles under your eyes BEFORE the children arrive, you will have bigger, darker circles AFTER they show up.

This is maybe the cutest, coolest, most innovative product I’ve purchased in a while. It’s the ‘Confessions of a Concealaholic’ Kit from Benefit and it works. If you didn’t figure it out from the clever name, it’s a concealing & brightening kit You can find it online at Ulta for $36 and in many department stores.

My favorite item in this little kit is the Erase Paste. Like you, I’ve tried tons of concealers and none of them seem to work like this one does. Now you MUST understand that the biggest part about concealers like this is knowing how to apply them correctly. If you buy this at the Benefit counter, ask one of the gals to show your how to apply everything. No shame in that!

Here’s what comes in the kit:

- “That Gal” Brightening Face Primer
- Erase Paste (no. 2 medium) brightening camouflage for eyes and face
- Lemon Aid Color Correcting Eyelid Primer
- Eye Bright Instant Eye Brightener
- Concealer brushes
- Step-by-step lesson

I think this would be a great gift for an expecting mommy or new mommy. She may laugh at it when she opens the gift, but she’ll be putting it on in the a.m. And thanking you for it…

First of all, you’re welcome. I know, I know. You’ve been searching all over the planet for the perfect nude pumps, but you aren’t Victoria Beckham and we aren’t living in 2008 anymore – money is tight. Maybe you just can’t rationalize spending $600-$1500 for a pair of killer Louboutins like you once did.  Maybe you just like designer stuff, but you’re a bargain-hunter at heart. Read on my savvy, stylish friend!

This is the pair of shoes that will save your soul. Or at least put a big smile on your face for a day or so. These are the ‘Caryssa’ Pumps from Steve Madden and they come in black and BLUSH PATENT. Oh yes! You know, blush is the new black this year.

Anyway, it retails for only $89 at Nordstrom in lots of sizes. I can speak from experience, it’s a comfortable shoe. You will frown at it in the store because it looks ridiculously painful, but it isn’t. In fact, I’ve worn them for hours at a time and never had to take them off, defeated by 5″ stiletto pain.

What’s great about these shoes is they work with everything – dresses, jeans, skirts, pants – for any occasion. And they go with every color. They go a long way towards giving you a lean look and stretching your profile (and your legs) sky-high. Get ready to get lots of compliments too. My best friend threatened my life over these shoes. Awe, she loves me that much. And if you’re really sad about missing out on the Louboutins (the real deal will cost ya $735 – pictured below), go get a small jar of red Apple Barrel and paint yourself silly.