Does this look like a "breeder?"

Park slope coined term "breeders" is driving me crazy. Am I a farm animal? Okay okay, looking around at the mommies in the hood I might call them that too. But as I have pointed out there are fabulous mommies out there who are proud of their mommy role as well as that of a glamorous selfish diva.

Here's the definition I found online: "Breeder" can be used as a derogatory term by childfree people of any sexual orientation to refer to parents who focus on their children and abandon their previous friends and lifestyle, or to women who give birth to many children. This term divides my neighborhood between those with and those with out. Those pregnant walk around overheated, with swollen ankles, men's tee shirts and sweatshorts. Oddly enough those who are "without" walk around the same way.

I recall however, what a different experience I had being pregnant for the first time in sunny Santa Monica...

I felt beautiful! I worked at a fabulous womens boutique part time and was admired by the coffee guy across the street, ogled over by the clientele at the store and my girlfriends were giddy at the sight of my belly in a bikini.

My husband and I went on a baby moon to the Parker Hotel in Palm Springs when I was 8 months pregnant. I basked in the dessert sun poolside in an Eres bikini, Doir shades and a good book. I was soon accosted by a group of gay guys marveling over my tanned belly. They had just left there 4months old home for the first time with grandma, and found comfort in a mommy to be.

I wore fitted cotton tanks dresses by Rick Owens, layers of splendid tees and leggings, seven maternity jeans and sky high marni heels. I still had time to do my hair and my complexion glowed. I went to prenatal yoga twice a week and a small prenatal work out group once a week. Come to think about it I was in better shape and more pulled together when I was pregnant than I am now!

Now that I have a two year old I do feel slightly less glamorous. I will try most days to be more put together than a barn yard horse, and I'll be wearing the animal print this year cause it's "in" not to be hunted by hipster singles.

Park Slope Fashion Don't

Don't wear your bathing suit around the City.

What’s with the women walking the streets of park slope in their bathing suit tops? The weather is amazing, beautiful sunny Saturday. But where the hell are all these people going in their bathing suits? They don’t have luggage with them, not a beach bag in site, but still they are sporting string tops underneath their tanks and street fair dresses.

Is it a fashion statement? Have they got some mysterious fabulous pool in Prospect Park that I am unaware of? Or are they stripping down at the playground sprinklers? Personally I find it a little ghetto to lay out in your bikini at the city park, but then again every girl needs to get her tan on. Perhaps I have some suggestions to get that tan AND keep your dignity.

Sit in your strapless dress at the coffee shop with a stack of your favorite beach reads and load up on iced coffee and croissants, channel your inner European ancestor.

Try a triangle top cami dress, take your tike to the playground and plant yourself on a sunny bench (they’ll be plenty of room most moms are in the shade).

Go Sporty Spice and grab a Stella McCartney for Adidas racer back tank, work out and work on your tan!

Fashion Risks

A quick Recap...

I was thrilled to catch a fab spread in the new InStyle magazine this month called "10 New Style Statements, Go ahead we dare you!"

The article focuses on stepping outside the fashion box. I love bending the rules of fashion to create my own look, to bring couture to everyday, or to make a trend more mommy friendly.

Here are a few of the Fall trends...

1. Go strapless for Day. I think that the idea of using an oversized clutch for day is an instant way to not just look glam but feel fancy all around. The feel of the bag in your grasp makes you walk with a little more attitude. It sounds crazy, but next time your strutting down the street with your PS1 purple pouchette you'll laugh as you notice the swagger.

2. Rock Socks with skirts. Although I've personally wimped out on this trend many times, I still have high hopes off pulling it off this Fall. The oxford shoe may help get me past the front door. J.Crew has brightly colored socks thin enough to layer under your fab pumps or booties.

3. Mismatch your prints. This is my favorite and yet can be the most challenging to accomplish without looking like a homeless person. I couldn't even find a good enough picture to demonstrate the idea! So go out on a limb and try florals with polka dots.

4. Do denim on denim, please use with caution. This is best accomplished by a skilled professional. Start by trying dark skinny jeans and a lighter colored chambray button down.

5. Untame your tresses. The bigger the better, luckily I have hair from the 80's.

alice and olivia feather skirt

6. Add edge to evening wear. Sequined blazer with jeans, sequined skirt with a chunky sweater and boots, sequined harem pants with a white tee shirt....get the picture? Go by something sequin and wear it with everything from your pj top to your converse sneakers. For an evening out, wear a gown topped with a leather motorcycle jacket. Why wait for another boring wedding to wear that fabulous long beaded skirt? Pair it with some gladiator sandals, a bright colored tee and top with a boyfriend blazer. It's also a great way to get to wear some of those dressier pieces in your closet everyday.

Retail Meltdown

this is the opposite of my day.

Shopping with your two year old is never fun. Let’s now add in annoyed and pushy sales people, mediocre merchandise and a total meltdown. Oh joy.

I don’t worry about dragging my son into stores here in Park Slope cause I am under the impression that they are expecting me to walk in with child. This place is best known for their stroller jams and pre-school arguments. Given the neighborhoods family focus, retailers are prepared for the occasional little person. Most of the boutiques have a pile of toys in the corner for tots to entertain themselves with, but that does mean that they will then want to USE them. They will want to take every piece out, chew on it, throw it, and scream bloody murder when you tear it from their tiny grasp.

After just five minutes in this particular store, the sales girls are both annoyed that my son and his little friend have taken out every toy they have, and trying to push boring merchandise on me. Then when I am forced to leave prematurely with a screaming child and empty handed; I get a nasty look. Listen, I worked retail, I get it. Every body wants to make a sale, and seeing the same moms who are “just looking” every day must get frustrating. But you are a clothing store in a hippie dippie, urban suburban, baby factory town.

Here are some suggestions; engage your clients, make it a fun experience, offer me a drink (doesn’t it look like I could use one?), pull out something other than a plain jane jean, turn up the music and play some old school Cindi Lauper (however, I am partial to Journey), look like you actually are happy you have a job, and please don’t push things on me…I get pushed around enough by my two year old.

FALLing for Eric on Seventh

Eric Shoes on Seventh

Sweedish Hasbeen Clog Boots

Bass Penny Loafers

Frye Moto Boots

Calling all Park Slope Shoppers...

I had the opportunity to speak with Eric of Eric Shoes on Seventh the other day. I figured that it was time to get out there and befriend some local retailers...especially those that might be able to help with the Fall Boot Dilemma.

I was thrilled to see the Fall merchandise pilling into the store as I walked through the doors. I almost beat down the sales girl in order to get the first look! Along the right side of the store, it was easy to see what this Fall had in store for me, the Men's Look has taken center stage.

One of my favorite looks is the oxford, manly yet sculpted for a more feminine physic. Eric has found the most amazing and surprising gem...a heeled oxford made from warn-in leather by none other than Timberland Boot Company. I know I may just loose my reputation by suggesting such a brand, but it is apparently a different division of Timberland, incorporating fabulous leather and quality work. He sold out of the lovely nude, but says he will be restocking in chocolate for Fall.

Following the Men's trend will be so much fun with a pair of Boemos slip on oxfords (made in Itlaly), they were light grey and yummy. I love the idea of these hubby inspired shoes with wooly tights and the most fabulous sequin mini, layered under a warm fur vest. Better yet, a lunch date at theFour Seasons sporting the Frye Moto Boots with a beaded dress and a big fat TSE sweater wrapped around me.

I then spotted a memento from my Catholic School days (surprised?)... a pair of Bass Penny Loafers! It may have to be my Fall calling card, I think that I am obsessed. I can't wait to put that shiny penny in and watch them crack and wear. Over the next couple years they'll only get better; worn with no socks, a borrowed men's shirt, diamond earrings and rolled up jeans in the summer. They will carry so well into Fall with tights and a plaid skirt, ahhh. Did I actually just speak highly of the seasons in the city?

I might not have to go all the way to Manhattan for some of my favorite high end designers. Eric Shoes carries, Rachel Comey's Shoe line (as sold at Bergdorfs), Cynthia Vincent's full line of sandals (now on sale!), and more. A top seller is their Les Trios Garcons Ballet Flats. Made in Italy the black patent pair was perfectly pristine, and half the price of Repettos. The owner Eric has been in the business forever, taking trips to Milan to see the upcoming trends and searching for the best quality products he can find. Eric claims that he is focused on comfort and quality, but Fabulouness must be next on his list.

PS: HUGE Summer Sale now at Eric's, and if you're not a Park Slopper then just call and they'd be happy to ship out your favorite pair.

Eric Shoes on Seventh

202 7th Ave.

Brooklyn, New York 11215

(718)396-4189