When you’ve been friends for thirty years, it doesn’t matter how hot it is…

…especially when there is shoe shopping involved.

Although when we were twelve, we might not have guessed that some would look like this…

…and even though she thinks I look like Joan Collins in my Pucci sun hat, I am never better than when we are together.

The beautiful and talented Rebecca Woolf of Girl's Gone Child

I have a secret. A dirty one. (*deep breath*) Imnotcrazyaboutreadingblogs. I know this seems grossly counter-intuitive since I freaking write one, but it has to be really unique-in-a-way-I-can’t-put-my-finger-on in order to draw me in and hold my attention. And then I found Girl’s Gone Child.

I felt immediately connected to not only Rebecca’s life experiences and parenting views, but above all else, to her voice. She is positively fearless and speaks with brutal honesty, making no apologies for who she is, her choices, views or shortcomings. I identify with her on a level of I’m-facing-this-thing-called-life-and-parenting-with-all-its-imperfections, and the fact that – get ready – she embraces them. Inspiring stuff. It could be because she’s roughly a decade younger (shut it) than I am, and reminds me to find lightness and beauty in all that happens, regardless of the shit storm it can often be – for that I am most grateful. Not to mention she has a kick-ass sense of non-mommy style for both herself and her kids…

LASM: Allow me to start by saying that I adore your blog -  you remind so much of my younger self (minus the kids), even though in my brain I like to pretend we’re the same age. Moving on. What fashion state-of-mind are you currently in?

RW: Quirky bohemian? Off-duty ballerina? California urbanite? Paris, Summer of ’69? High maintenance hippie? Etc, etc? I have a very late 60′s, early 70′s aesthetic as far as fashion goes. I was born a decade after my time, apparently. I love skinny jeans with fat tees, leggings paired with chunky tunics and slouchy boots. And hats. I love me some head-gear. My dream is to someday open a vintage hat store. Sigh.

LASM: Who or what do you find inspires your fashion sense?

Rebecca and her daughter, Fable.

Marysia Swim Demi Plie One Piece $176, Ballerina Top $97 and Bottom $98 (Squire Fox)

“Icons Marilyn Monroe and Brigitte Bardot famously posed in fuller-cut swimwear and came off sexier than any bikini-clad Sports Illustrated cover girl could. If you want to channel that retro style at the beach, try posing this summer in something from Marysia Swim.”

(Originally published on June 13th, 2010 by Max Padilla, Special to The Los Angeles Times. Click to read the full article.)

May your Mother’s Day be filled with the sounds of those you love…

Photo Courtesy of All Saints

Photo Courtesy of All Saints

It’s like Mad Max and Rick Owens had a baby. I want everything, including the amazing non-kids kids’ stuff. Check out a few of my faves, The ‘Wren’ Cardigan, The ‘Valeska’ Dress and The ‘Dayta’ Jacket. I’m in.

'Wear Your Heart On Your Back' Organic Cotton and Velvet Girls' Tee $28.95

'Groovy Guitars' Wet Bag $18-$25

'Stack It' Recycled Oxidized Sterling Silver and Pearl Rings $98

Jillybean Green makes my heart beat fast. It’s like all the kid stuff I scour the web for, loaded into one happy little spot. And it’s fun to say (you know you just said it). Created by an L.A. mom who adores both her kids and the environment, Jillybean offers alternatives to adopting a greener lifestyle, without having to compromise the ‘hip’ factor. Every manufacturer they work with creates products that are either organic, made with sustainable or recyclable  materials, employ fair trade practices, or are recyclable, reusable and or/non-toxic. They also support local artisans, designers and good old USA manufacturing – woo hoo!

What I love best about Jillybean Green (besides saying it, okay I’ll stop) is the stuff; babies, kids, gear, bath time…moms, JBG has it all! In addition to my picks above, one of my most fave parts of their site are the 100+ items in the Under $25 Finds section, perfect for gift giving and otherwise. (P.S. How cute is that ‘Heart On Your Back’ tee?!) If you happen to be in Los Angeles, Jillybean now has a store located inside the birthday party locale of choice (*drum roll*) The COOP, located at 11118 Ventura Blvd, in Studio City. But  you don’t have to hop a plane to reap the benefits of Jillybean, since they have been generous enough to team up with LASM to offer one lucky ready a $50 gift certificate! As always, entering is easy when you follow these simple steps:

1. If you haven’t already, become and LASM Facebook Fan or Twitter Follower.
2. Visit Jillybean Green and choose the item(s) you’d purchase with your gift certificate.
3. Leave a comment on this post, letting us know the answers to questions 1 and 2. That’s it!
4. Get additional entries by Tweeting this giveaway (using my new Tweet Meme button), or posting on your site with a link back to this post.

*All comments must be posted by the end of the giveaway on Wednesday, February 3rd, at 11:59 EST. The winner will be chosen by random.org, notified via e mail, and announced on L.A. Stylist Mom shortly thereafter. One entry per person, with a maximum of two additional entries for Tweeting and/or links back to this post. If winner fails to respond within three days of notification, a new winner will be selected. Open to U.S. and Canada residents ages 18 years or older.

(The $50 Gift Certificate was generously donated for this giveaway by Jillybean Green. There. I said it again.)

UGH. It’s my least favorite part of the the holiday season: The dreaded un-decorating and disposal of the Christmas tree – utterly depressing in all of its messiness. In Sweden? Not so much. You gotta love the Swedes; they never miss an opportunity to turn a situation into a celebration. Not only does their holiday season extend until January 13th, it goes out with a bang (or in this case a resounding thump), as they quite literally throw their trees out…the window! And then of course it all wraps up with dancing and singing and candy eating and…why have we not taken a page from this yet? Let’s top it off with some more shopping, shall we? Twist my arm…

Polarn O. Pyret (being Swedish and all) is planning to prolong your holiday festivities with yet another extraordinary mid-winter sale, complete with cozy savings of up to 70%, and free shipping on orders of $150 or more! This includes their modern and versatile Holiday Collection that I told you about (and still adore) in December. Be sure not to miss this opportunity to stock up on items for the new year, or even the one after that (being that I’m a notorious fan of buying ahead in larger sizes during amazing sales), and as those rockin’ Swedes would say…? God Jul!

(Post sponsored by Polarn O. Pyret)

Polarn O. Pyret Navy Party Dress $46.50

Polarn O. Pyret 'Happy Check' Button Down $39.50

Polarn O. Pyret 'Micro Star' Button Down $39.50

Polarn O. Pyret Swedish Apron Dress $53.50

It’s sunny in L.A – very sunny. ALL THE TIME. Before you say ‘Oh poor baby’ in that sarcastic tone, it really does makes it quite difficult to feel cozy around the holidays. On the flip side? 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Hi! This would be the sum total of daylight hours in Scandinavia during the Christmas season, which thankfully marks a festive and happy reprieve from days spent living in the dark. Beginning in the first week of December, you’d be hard pressed to find a window sill that isn’t bright with advent candles or tiny stars, sparking the lead off to a celebration that lasts well into the middle of January – I’m in.

Not only am I on board? So is my new fave kid’s clothing company, Polarn O. Pyret! They’re kicking off the season with a to-die-for Holiday Collection, including cozy Snowman and Winter Wonderland body suits for baby. Their toasty Organic Cotton Pajamas, are perfect for snuggling up in candlelit rooms with cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate, enthusiastically anticipating the Scandinavian tradition of St. Lucia Day. The festivities shift into high gear on Christmas Eve, when the tree is decorated with traditional ornaments made from straw, candy and gingerbread. *Sigh* A welcome respite from LA, I can almost feel the warm fire on my cheek as I watch the snow falling outside and…*STARTLING RECORD SCRATCH*

An unfortunate side effect to long days spent celebrating? They’re freaking long, and after scarfing down baked goods and chugging chocolate – not to mention the maniacal sugar aftermath that often ensues – your kid’s clothes can look pret-ty crappy. Those Swedes think of everything, everything I tell you since their lovely Holiday tops, blouses and dresses are not only loose fitting for comfortable all day wear? You can throw them in the wash. Yep. All of ‘em. Even that gorgeous velvet party dress.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get better, it does. In addition to their gift of no dry cleaning, Polarn O.Pyret is now offering a whopping 35% off of the entire Holiday Collection, in addition to the rest of the site (excluding Classic Stripes and sale items), now through December 12th; simply enter code HOLLYPOP at checkout! They’re also launching a special St. Lucia’s Eve celebration, with their ’12 Holly Days’ Advent Calendar, from December 12th – 24th. One window per day will be opened to reveal yet another gift – a specially selected item at 40% off! Be sure to check out polarnopyretusa.com, as well as their Facebook Fan page for details. In the meantime…? I’m moving to Sweden.

(Post sponsored by Polarn O. Pyret)

Funky Music Top (Child) in 'Greymelange' $26

Folklore Maternity Tunic $59.50

All Over Stripe Eco Leggings (Child) in 'Colonial Blue' $30

Wind Fleece Bunting in 'Poppy' $72.50

…for about sixty different reasons! Paramount amongst them, is that fact that not only are their clothes simple, modern, and comfy, 30% of every collection is designed around a UNI(sex) concept. Having not found out the sex of my children during either pregnancy (and having fielded the ridiculous and unending  question, ‘But how will you know how to decorate the nursery?!’ ), by the time of their arrival I was lousy with yellow, green, and white ensembles. Polarn’s newborn ECO collection is not only almost entirely designed with UNI in mind, it’s also made from 100% organic cotton and produced in a green manufacturing process.

Where have they been all your life? Unbeknownst to me, PO.P began in Stockholm in 1976, and has grown to over 100 stores across Sweden and Europe. It’s now available in the United States at polarnopyretusa.com, with retail locations to follow. Had I known about them prior to my first pregnancy, you better believe I would have scooped up their clean and classic signature stripe for not only my babies, but also for myself – that’s right – there’s maternity and nursing wear!

If you’re not already chomping at the bit? PO.P and L.A. Stylist Mom have teamed up to create a FREE SHIPPING code valid through midnight PST on Friday, November 13th; simply enter LAPOP at checkout. We’re also giving away a Wind Fleece Bunting for baby worth $72.50, in the size and color of your choice!* All you have to do to enter is visit polarnopyretusa.com, and leave a comment here letting us know which PO.P item is your fave – that’s it! Good luck, and happy shopping from LASM and PO.P…

All comments must be received by the end of the giveaway on Wednesday, November 18th, at 11:59 EST. The winner will be chosen at random, notified via e mail on Thursday, November 19th, and announced on L.A. Stylist Mom Friday, November 20th. Open to U.S. residents only.

*Size and color choice contingent upon availability.