“Spring has sprung….the grass is ris….I wonder where the bare shoulders is…”    Ahhhh…spring and summer.  My most fave time for fashion.  Good bye drab, Sicilian widow black, unflattering-unless-you-have-no-boobs chunky sweaters, clunky UGG boots (leave those to the kids) and trying to layer so you don’t have to wear a coat.   Let’s go bare, or barely bare, or at least somewhat bare with the shoulders, legs and colors of this gorgeous season.
 
This is one of my newest, and faves.   Yes, I have a soft spot for Free People.  They are flattering, feminine and flowing.  They make my heart skip a beat, and so did this top.   I love sleeves, and bell sleeves are one of my most adored.  I feel like Guinevere on a date with King Arthur when I wear them.   This We the Free top is available in some eye popping colors: Camel, Fiesta Orange, Purple Crystal, Black and Seafoam.   The Camel is darker than what appears on the website, and the Purple Crystal, which I have is gorgeous, but tends to be sheer. If you have any muffin top at all, I suggest something like a Spanx bodysuit. You can move the straps down on that or consider the "Boostie-Yay!" bodysuit. That's a bit more expensive, but you can use it over and over for other ensembles during the bare it all season.
 
Another hit with me, always, is BLANK NYC.  They will usually have an internet promo if you Google, which is why I tend to buy them online, unless I’m in a moment of total shopping lust, and I see them in a store which does happen, unfortunately.
 
They are on my list of best fitting jeans with a relatively normal price point.
I always buy jeans with stretch, because I am curvy, and I love the fit.  If you channel Kate Moss with no hips or butt, you are fortunate enough not to be forced into an arranged marriage with spandex.   I cannot say the same.  BLANK goes from lots of stretch to some, depending on the jean, so always look at the description and content of stretch material.  2% or more will usually give you a nice fit.
 
The “girlfriend” jean which is a “Hips Don’t Lie” version of the ever popular “boyfriend” jean but with a higher, more fitted hip and straighter leg was a winner.   I sprung for two pair..one just distressed, and the embroidered shown here.
 
On the website it's listed as a Crop Boyfriend, which is a misnomer, it’s called the Girlfriend Crop. The distressed pair is out of stock but the embroidered pairs are up for grabs! Get 'em while they're hot (and super chic)!
 
I paired them with a hip choker and open toe booties. (More to come on Accessories That Rock).

More to come, or less to come if you love this new season of feminine fashion ritual.  I can’t wait until it’s warm enough for my gladiators.
 
…..just for fun…every time I think of my gladiators…I think of this…

Since I just finished a jaunt to see my son, Devin, in Florence, I thought I would chat about something that weighs heavily on my mind every time I pack my suitcase..the airport outfit.
 
What I wear to my destination is now becoming as important as what I’m wearing at my destination.  And, deplaning, just like the perfect exit in a movie, is an extremely crucial point in your fashion life.
 
My daughter, Valentina and I had a recent teen-mom pow wow on this very heated topic, and she pointed me to Instagram, twitter, Pinterest and a few other crucial sites to explain how one should dress in case you are spotted by paparazzi exiting LAX, or arriving in Heathrow.  You need major, major shades and don the most proper items for the cover of People, in case you make it…that’s her dream. lol
 
Present society has turned into a very casual group.  What used to be considered trashy, rude and excessively casual attire to board a plane has now become the norm, with a modern twist.   I can remember traveling with my parents as a kid.  My dad would always sport a jacket and tie, and my mother in something flowing and comfortable, but elegant.   I always thought it important to be impeccable at the commencement  of one’s journey, even on a two hour trip to Florida, but today, pardon the pun, this has all been downgraded.
 
In keeping with the times, I no longer wear heels to the airport…that’s right, you heard me, heels.   Since sneakers and “sweats” have become casually cool and acceptable, I have succumbed to the pressure without retaliation, and given in to the concept that travelers should be smart, but comfortably chic.  I will admit, though it does break my heart, it works.
 
At present, I own two pairs of sneakers which I bought for Disney, both Steve Madden: the Emma (mine were silver..no longer available here...) and the  Bryanne, Anyone over the age of 12 who does not wear a pair of slip on sneakers or flats when traveling is, well, not aware of the famous TSA Tango,  airplane lavatories decorated in eau d’pee pee,  or Hulk feet syndrome during flight.   Maybe not for boobs, but here, flatter is better.   You can keep it funky if that’s your thing, by sporting a more hip sneaker like mine, but whatever it is, keep it simple to take on and off.   Keep in mind,too,  that when you are traveling with kids, pushing a stroller, and playing pied piper through the sea of airport gates,  you have to be on  your game.  Your honeymoon trip was a long time ago.
 
Sweats are so modern today and can be dressed to the nines with fun accessories.  On the outbound, I wore a grey flannel jogger from Free People,
coupled with a Free People Bright Lights choker top.
 
I wear a lot of fitted pants, leathers, jeans, especially during the winter, but flying in them would feel like a full body cast in traction,  making for a miserable flight, no matter how long. I topped it off with a BLANK NYC floral vegan leather jacket ... and voila’ comfort and cutie pie all at once. 
 
For me, the key to the airport outfit is chic comfort.   If you sport any accessories, you may want to stash them in your carry on until after security, as most will make the metal detector scream, and you will be the “bitch” the irritated travelers behind you “bitch” about for holding up the line.  Whatever you can wear to streamline the grueling process of going through security, do it.
 
On the return, I wore a cut out sleeve sweatshirt from Philanthropy (LINK) and same brand sweats, with a cami underneath.
 
It doesn’t matter what your fashion avatar is, keep it neat, simple and good to go…
 
HIP MOM HINT:  Always google coupon codes before you buy online.  Blank NYC usually has one if you surf around.