REMEMBERING THAT TIME....

Last Feb. D.R. invited Nia and I to the T.B. show.  The entire show was fab.  Here are a few great moments.....

Besos,

Mel

Fall Fashion 2015

Lots of folks have been asking about my favorite go to jeans and clogs.  I am happy to let you in on a little secret.  My favorite clogs are Lottas.  I just love them and they are perfect in all seasons.  I wear them with tights to dress them up, but mainly I love to wear clogs with jeans.  When your short you want height where you can get it and clogs are a fabulous solution.  They are comfy, good looking, and give me a lift.  

I have been loving wearing my black Lottas with my new overalls from Madewell, a gift from the Rev. I have also been loving my jeans from Madewell.  I think they make some of the best cuts for ladies who are short.  I love all their fabulous options, and they never fail to go on sale.  

I love my LOTTAS!!!!

Besos,

Mel

MOUSE HOUSE

A few weeks ago I took Sophia for the first time to ABC Carpet.  For some reason I had never taken her, even though I had been to the children's floor a million times.  Each time I enter I am so inspired, and she was too.  So, when we returned home, we had so many fun ideas running though our heads.  We focused on her doll house and reinvented her sweet doll space to a bright and more imaginative space.  I think the space turned out just right for S and her tiny mice she LOVES to play with. 

BEFORE

We decided to neutralize the look of the house.  The bones of the doll house are great, we just needed to update the look and highlight the fabulous furniture the house came with, not to mention other fun little pieces we have collected over the years.  

We began to paint the house pencil gray, neon pink, white, and turquoise.  

As we neutralized the look, Sophia added her own personal touch to the house. The space is coming together and the mice seem very happy. 

Mil Besos,

Mel

KICKSTARTER: FASHION GIVES BACK

We are pleased to share with you my dear friend Marissa Perry's creative company Dsenyo. This is the type of work we all dream of.  She has created a place for women to be employed, support communities in Africa, and much more…….

If your inspired by DSENYO support them via KICKSTARTER

Style with Purpose: Snare Wire Jewelry

This is my friend's social enterprise that works with fair trade artisans and anti-poaching nonprofits in Zambia, Africa.

Dsenyo is a fair trade and ethical fashion company that is working to launch a new line of Snare Wire Jewelry (http://kck.st/1ACa95R).  It all started when they discovered a group of artisans in Zambia doing something ingenious!  Poaching is at an all time high in Africa, including in the South Luangwa Valley of Zambia where these women live.  Local non-profits are doing some incredible anti-poaching work to help arrest poachers, rehabilitate injured animals and disassemble deadly snare wire traps before animals are caught in them.  When the traps are disassembled, artisans are up-cycling the wire into beautiful, fair trade jewelry.  

Dsenyo has teamed up with these artisans and the anti-poaching nonprofits in Zambia.  They are crowd funding a campaign to launch the new Snare Wire TWIST jewelry collection which will help raise funds for continued anti-poaching efforts and create much needed jobs for women and artisans in the community who hand-craft the jewelry.

Watch the video here: http://kck.st/1ACa95R

Dsenyo takes their commitment to social impact seriously and conducts a study with their partner artisans ever year.  You can see that their work is really making a lasting difference in the lives of these women and their families.

What is snare wire?  It's random pieces of wire that is collected and stollen by poachers who turn it into animal traps.  These snare wire traps are indiscriminate so everything from lion, baby elephants, zebra, giraffe and more get caught in them.  On top of the fair trade wages paid to artisans, Dsenyo donates $5 from the sale of each piece of jewelry to non-profits who work to combat the poaching crisis.

Here's an amazing safari experience they are offering as part of the fund-raising efforts 

http://kck.st/1ACa95R

Shorty Shorts

Shorty shorts are back.  I do think with the right Swedish Hasbeens, or Vans shorty shorts are the way to go this summer. I have some great cuts and prices on my favorite looks at Madewell, Zara, Gap, and Joe Fresh. 

Here are some photos to get you going….

Traveling con Niños: San Diego

The Rev. and I are on the West Coast for a week or so, taking in the rays and having some family time. When traveling with Ninos, I always prefer to travel JetBlue. The seats, accommodations, and service is just lovely. I don't know about you, but when I am traveling with little ones, the experience can be a bit overwhelming. 

via Life Magazine (Shirley McClain)

My solution to keep the stress level to a minimum is to always pack light, have the Ninos in charge of their own luggage, and have plenty of snacks loaded with protein. The kids are always excited to travel, so at times their energy level can be off the charts, at least for me anyway. 

The Roof Top Garden: Gramercy Park

A few months back I told you all we have begun planting on our roof top. My expectations were low. I thought it would be a great project for the Ninos, and who knows-- maybe we will grow something successfully. 

To my surprise, we have actually grown food we enjoy eating. We have a variety of green beans, lettuce, tomatoes, and the list goes on…. Check it out, we are quite proud of our roof-top garden. Not bad for beginners…

Nautical Fun

After such a long, hard winter, we arrived home to find spring has nearly turned into summer around here.  It has been hot and sunny, and I'm loving every minute of it.  By the end of the winter, I was so tired of every single sweater that I own, I was nearly ready to throw them all away and move to Florida (you think I'm kidding).  But thankfully warmer weather arrived just in time to revive us, and now I'm in full-on summer mode.

I think that's why I'm loving this season's hint of nautical that I'm seeing everywhere.  Stripes, navy with gold buttons, crisp white and bright red-- the whole thing is a happy reminder of sandy beaches and boat rides.  Obviously this is one of those trends that works better mixed with less thematic pieces-- you don't want to look like you're dressed as Popeye for a costume party:)  But subtle nods to the maritime look can be fun and fresh-- and finally summery.

Boden

Etsy

Nautical rope shell

Ann Taylor

These socks are so fresh and cute, I don't even care if they're men's.

Banana Republic

J Crew Factory

Macy's

J Crew Factory

J Crew Facory

And this door knocker!! I would buy a beach house JUST to buy this gorgeous piece of gold awesomeness.

Shelter

xo

Liza

If the shoe fits……

Two weeks ago, I shared with you all my favorite sandals for the summer. Well, they have all arrived and I can tell you each pick is a winner. Let me share with you which shoes scored the highest in my book and where you can pick them up. 

salt waters & lottas

Summer Sandal

Hello Sunshine!!! 
If you're from the Northeast or have friends in the area, I am sure you have heard more then your fair share of weather grumblings. Thankfully, I am here to tell you today, we have FINALLY turned a corner. Los Smiths are tucking away the winter wardrobe and I have ordered the family sandals for the summer.   
You want in on our summer footwear and who has the best deals?

via pinterest

HERE WE GO…

The Streets of Paris

Indulge me one last time. Remember my trip to Paris? Well, I was thumbing through few more shots and I thought you all might want to see what caught my eye in the streets of Paris. 

 MORE

A Quick Trip to Paris……

Well, I am off to Paris for the weekend. Doesn't that sound so glamorous?!!! My dear friend Jane is treating me to a weekend away. I am so excited and hope to find some fabulous vintage finds at "the Fleas," Paris' most famous flea market. Jane is due to have a baby in May and so this morning she asked me what she should wear??? Since Jane is pregnant she will need outfits and shoes that are comfortable, yet chic enough to carry us through the streets of Paris.

As soon as Jane asked I knew to turn to my Pinterest boards. I have pinned so many comfy, yet chic outfits that would due the trick. 

via Style Caffeinated

MIL BESOS,

MEL

We Heart MODCLOTH

Hello! 

A few weeks ago ModCloth asked Liza and me to share some of our favorite items from their fabulous line. L & I jumped at the chance and I have been dreaming up a night out in ModCloth's fabulous Tango Dress. If you are looking for some beautiful pieces to wear for a night out, ModCloth has just the right piece for you. 

If you love shoes as much as Liza and I do, you will find endless choices. It was no easy task choosing ONE pair of shoes along with accessories. What I love most about the accessories that they offer, there are so many modern art-deco designs. Art-Deco jewlery works so well because they are pieces that have a vintage feel, without the sense your too old fashioned. I always want to avoid creating a look that feels more costume and less me. When I approach clothing or accessories I want the pieces that are timeless and unique.

Just when I was about done happily wondering through ModCloth's website, I received an invitation to a black tie event at The Piere, here in NYC. Lucky for me, ModCloth has some beautiful dresses that might just do the trick.......

Ringing in the New Year

I don't know about you, but I have been enjoying all the wonderful post Christmas sales. Anthropology is having mega sales on such beautiful items. There is no excuse to have the perfect dress to wear on New Years. My mom selected just the right thing for me to ring in 2014.

DIY Costumes

For the past month Sophia has been saying she wanted to be a Mariachi for Halloween. We are originally from Arizona, so I thought no problem-- I am sure my family will be able to track down an authentic costume. To my mother's disappointment, the quest for the perfect Mariachi costume led us to ordering an expensive costume from Mexico City.  After a few shipping complications we went back to the drawing board. 

My mother and I then came up with a chic Mariachi outvia via Zara kids. I love the look and I am pleased she can wear it in the coming year.