For those of you who remember the 80's (you know who you are), you might approach this recent trend with a little trepidation. But if you can get past all the associations with big hair, shoulder pads and jacket lapels bigger than, well, your hair, then you can truly embrace the sheer practicality and comfort of leggings.

Generally made of cotton with a little lycra, leggings are all the rage this fall and the perfect thing to wear when you're on the go. Pair them with a short dress, a cute top and short skirt, or a tunic (throw on a great belt!) and you've got a stylish outfit that will get you through the day with ease. They're wrinkle-proof, so you'll look great no matter what your day holds, and you'll be more comfortable than if you were wearing sweatpants. Less frumpy, too.

Nordstrom has several styles of leggings that will get your fall wardrobe off to a good start. Ranging in price from less than $20 to over $100, they have a good selection to choose from. Danskin is another good resource for leggings, although these are more along the lines of footless tights than actual pants, so make sure you pair these with something that gives you coverage in all the right places.


The best shoes to select when wearing leggings are simple ballet flats or funky platform sandals. Ankle boots are also a good choice.

With all the options leggings give, there's bound to be some place in your wardrobe where they'll fit in and give you an updated look. With all the ease and comfort they offer, why not show some leg?

Looking for a great new bag? These handcrafted bags from Pear Threads are adorable, as well as functional. Pear is the effort of twin sisters, who happen to be living on opposite sides of the globe. Their goal is to create inspired products that are functional, hence the lovely styles they create with such flair (check out the hand embroidery!) as well as internal pockets and a magnetic closure. And they're made to be very durable. My favorite is the Michelle (of course!).

The Dora Diaper bag is great option for those of you (soon to be me again, too!) who have kids still in nappies. It comes with lots of pockets and it's own little changing pad, so you can change your babe in style.

Pear Threads bags are the perfect for right now and will look equally wonderful going into fall. The Michelle, above, would look great paired with a gauzy tank, a crinkly skirt and a pair of strappy sandals now. Once the weather turns cooler, put it with a turtleneck sweater, some great jeans and a pair of brown leather boots. The cool combination of fabrics, along with the hand embroidery, make this one special bag.

I don't know what it is about this time of year, but I feel like fashion is at a standstill for a few brief moments, relaxing in the heat with the rest of us, eagerly waiting for the first chance to reveal what's coming out for fall. I remember growing up, "back to school" fashions were always the ones that got me really excited about going shopping. Well, fall is just around the corner. I am so ready, I have been dreaming of cooler weather and the opportunity to layer up some fabulous new jeans, a snuggly sweater and a great pair of boots.

As for the jeans, there are some wonderful new styles that you can get excited about right now. News on the forefront of denim this season is skinny is in . That doesn't mean body-type, mind you, but fit. This can be a challenging cut for some of us mamas to wear, so if a skinny "stove-pipe" leg isn't right for you, select something that is as fitted as you're comfortable with. Eliminating extra fabric in the leg gives you a sleeker, more flattering look than jeans with a baggy fit.

One line of denim I've found to be very forgiving for a woman's changing figure is Lee Jeans. I remember buying a few pairs of Lees a couple months after having my first child, and they were great! These jeans were cut for a women's figure, and allowed for a few extra pounds, give or take. Lee has some hot new styles this season, including some that sit at your natural waist (low riders aren't always good for moms who bend over a lot). So pick a few of your favorites and start planning your wardrobe for fall. It'll be here before you know it!

Yes, the dog days of summer are officially here. That time of year when fashion seems anything but appealing, and all you want to do is step inside a nice cool place or jump into the pool to cool off.

But this is a great time of year for accessories! First of all, so many things are on sale right now that you can pick things up for next to nothing. And a new pair of earrings or other lovely creation is sure to elevate your summer wardrobe of tank tops and shorts to new heights. Especially when they're as cute as these coral pink and aqua leaf earrings from india*romeo. These earrings are handcrafted by artisans from vintage beads and look great with anything from shorts and a t-shirt to a sexy dress for an evening out under the stars. Get 'em while they're hot! At this price, they won't last long!

I've always been a little bit "green", wanting to recycle when I can, buying organic food when possible, and repurposing things to come up with a whole new use for something. However, once I became a mom, my reasons for being green shifted a bit. Instead of just trying to save the planet one step at a time, my goal became to create the best possible environment for my daughter. I wanted do my part to ensure her future in a world without global warming, without spoiled waterways, without toxins in her system. Whew, what challenging work it can be.

When I grew up we took a lot of things for granted. Like the fact that whatever the FDA approved was safe for us and our kids to eat, use on our skin, etc. Now that I know what I know, I realize that there are many things on the market that, when consumed or used in excess, can actually cause health problems down the road, especially for children. Their fragile systems can get overloaded with things such as high fructose corn syrup and cause such lifelong problems as diabetes. Seeking out foods that don't contain this ever-present ingredient can be frustrating, but there are certainly alternatives. As there are alternatives to many things that are mainstream in our society.

Here are a couple of tips that make it easy to be a "green" mom. Just simple suggestions to help keep your life easy, and that will have an impact down the road.

1/ Buy as much of your food as possible from local sources such as farmers' markets, CSA's, etc. This helps to cut down on fuel spent to transport food to your grocery store shelves, and it's usually much fresher. Organic is best, as the pesticides used on conventional produce are not good to ingest or for the soil.

2/ Turn off the lights. When you leave a room, turn off the lights - and teach your children to do the same. This small gesture can add up to big savings and less kilowatt hours of electricity used.

3/ Recycle the water in the kiddie pool. After your kids are finished cooling off in the backyard, take the water from your plastic or inflatable pool and use it to water your plants. Get the kids involved. My daughter loves to fill up her watering can and help me water our blueberry bushes.

4/ Buy in Bulk. This does not mean stock up on multi-packs of snacks from Sam's Club, but buying things from the bulk bins in your natural foods store (Whole Foods, local co-op, etc.). This cuts down on excessive packaging (make sure you make notes of any cooking or other directions you might need) and creates less waste. Plus, you can get exactly what you need and you won't be left with an entire box of sesame seeds when all you need is 2 Tablespoons.

5/ Buy products that are environmentally friendly and biodegradable, such as laundry detergents, soaps and household cleaners. These not only are more gentle on the environment, but they are usually made from things that are not toxic to kids. So they're more gentle on their skin if they come in contact with them and won't pass on yucky chemicals. Seventh Generation has some great ones.

Good luck! With a little practice, you'll find your own ways of creating a better planet for your kids, and you'll be a great role model for them to follow.

A while back One Chic Mama did a post about hosting a clothing swap with your friends as a fun and inexpensive way to liven up your wardrobe. Looks like the idea has been growing, with clothing swaps now hosted in public places and being elevated to the level of an event.

According to an article in the New York Times, the clothing swap gained momentum in the last decade as a fun girl's night in; one woman would invite a dozen friends over to trade cast-offs, kvetch and drink. But now it has become a night out, moving to public spaces like bars and community centers, where anyone is welcome.

The people attending these fashion free-for-alls are not just the young starving artists, hipster students and fashionistas-on-a-budget who first made them popular, but women — and men — of all ages and income levels. Several women have seen them as a way to make a living and have begun charging admission, handing out gift bags sponsored by beauty companies and adding a boutique atmosphere to the barter culture. Throw in some hip tunes spun by a resident DJ, a few cool drinks and a group of shoppers (or rather, swappers) encouraged to take as much as they want from piles of variously organized (and unorganized) garments and you've got a swap. Swaps are even being geared specifically towards target groups such as mothers or gay men.

"It's the right idea at the right time," Wendy Tremayne, of Swap-O-Rama-Rama, said of the three Swap-O-Rama-Ramas she's held, two in New York, and one in San Mateo, Calif., which was part of a larger craft fair and drew 2,500 people. The Swap-O-Ramas are traditional clothing swaps with a do-it-yourself bent. Swappers are asked for a small donation. They select their items of clothing and then alter or redecorate it on site using sewing machines and the help of local seamstresses and costume desingers. The swaps have proved so popular that Ms. Tremayne has franchised the idea, allowing local organizers in Cambridge, Mass.; Durham, N.C.; Washington, D.C., and even Jerusalem to hold their own versions.

To find swaps in your area, try clothesswap.meetup.com.

Heard of bamboo sheets yet? You might want to look into this cool new material for bedding. Seems it's the latest craze for luxurious bedding, and it's eco-friendly too.

Sheets and pillowcases made from the fibers of bamboo plants are hitting the mainstream. Crafted from exotic fibers, these sheets are being marketed to eco-conscious consumers who are eager to believe that small, personal gestures like what our sheets are made of can help save our planet. Janet Partridge, spokesperson for Garnet Hill, said "I think everyone in their heart wants to do a little something to make the world a little bit better." Garnet Hill is a bedding and fashion catalog operation that began selling bamboo sheets this summer.

Bamboo sheets have the luxurious feel of very high thread count cotton sheets, and will keep you cool in summer and warm in winter. And they're even being sold at retailers like Target, so they're easy to get as well as affordable. At a time when cottons are treated with such huge amounts of pesticides, it's nice to have an alternative that's a little easier on the planet. Bamboo is a very renewable resource, able to grow many feet in one day, and it is biodegradable. Sleep in luxury AND save the planet? Sounds good to me.

Do your kids love cookies, but have food allergies? What do you do? Keep them from eating cookies for life? Hardly. Not when there are such tasty solutions around as Divvies. Now your kids can have their cookies and eat them too!

Divvies delicious treats will win your kids over. Prepared in a facility that never lets peanuts, tree nuts, milk or eggs through the gates, these cookies are perfect for those with allergies to nuts and dairy. And the taste is so good, your kids may wonder if they're eating something they really shouldn't. And Divvies just got healthier. After much research and test-baking, Divvies has finally found non-hydrogenated oils that make their cookies wonderfully delicious. So in addition to being allergen-free, now they are trans-fat free to boot. These are also great treats for you vegans out there.

In addition to great cookies, Divvies also serves up nut and dairy-free candies, party favors, gourmet popcorn and other yummy gifts that can be shipped nationwide. Place your order today!

You've done it! You've managed to make it through nine months of pregnant bliss, aches, pains, and raging hormones. You've produced a beautiful baby and can't wait to get out of the house with him to connect with other mommies and share your experience. But wait...what on earth will you wear? Your maternity clothes don't fit anymore, and you don't really want to wear them anyway. Your pre-pregnancy clothes are not anywhere near wrapping around your still swollen abdomen and the last thing you want to do is pull on frumpy old sweatpants. Why not give Liz Lange's 4th Trimester line a try?

The 4th trimester collection was conceived to fill the gap between giving birth and getting back to your old self. And because the old saying "nine months on, nine months off" is more true than not, it's a perfect time to give yourself a little boost. You've just achieved status as a mom, and you're proud of it. Why not dress in something that's going to help you look your best? And at a time when you're sleep-deprived and may not have time for a shower before dashing out the door, it helps to wear something that can boost your spirits.

This collection is designed to be slimming and sexy, with some easy nursing options. Comfy tanks, wrap tops and easy to wear pants with an underbelly waistband will keep you looking pulled together, even when that's the last thing you feel. What's important now is that you feel nurtured and comfortable, because you are doing so much nurturing yourself. So treat yourself to a few pieces of clothing for that special post-partum period. Through the many visitors, and the sleepless nights, they'll help keep you looking good. Spit up and all!

Tired of trying to commit your family's schedule to memory? Are you sure you can keep track of all those doctor's appointments, church outings, soccer games, meetings, not to mention vacations, hair appointments, or coaching sessions? If you're keeping it all in your head, you're bound to forget important details every once in a while. You just may show up for that soccer game at the wrong field, or at your doctor's office a day early. You need some help, and the Go Mom line of planning and organizing tools can give you just that.

Molly Gold,Go Mom creator and mother of three, realized that women spend twice as much time taking care of children and more hours doing household tasks than men. Moms are also the time managers, keeping track of everyone's daily schedule. The obvious result can be stress and anxiety when trying to manage it all in your head. By being organized, it can cut way down on stress levels, and even give you some designated free time (rather than fleeting moments between activities) to do things you really enjoy.

Molly had an aha! moment a few years ago. She realized that after spending about $500 on organizing tools for her family, she still didn't have what she needed to keep schedules straight. So she set about creating something that would address the priorities of mothering, integrating schedules of working or stay at home moms with the rest of the family. She created a planner that includes family-oriented supplements, such as carpool schedules, menu planners, medical summaries and coach's numbers.

Go Mom products began distribution in 2004 through Target stores nationwide, as well as Office Max, Office Depot, Staples, Borders, and Rite-Aid. They are set to come out with a new line of products this September that will be sold at Office Depot and Staples stores. In addition to planners and calendars, Molly will also begin a coaching service.

Now, what will you do with all that free time?

When Sally Hershberger Face Place came out with its Supreme Lip Kit this season, it created quite a sir. Customers rushed into Barney's New York and on the Sally Hershberger Face Place website and snatched up all the lip kits available. This created quite a long waiting list.

What's so special about this lip kit? It just so happens that Sally Hershberger Face Place is an expert in anti-aging skin care and is the first to develop and combine four amazing anti-aging lip treatment products into one innovative LIP KIT. When used together these four treatment products will provide both immediate results and long term benefits. Sounds good to me.

Fortuantely the company realized how badly women wanted (needed) this lip kit and stepped up production to meet the demand. This week, the $65 kit (which consists of Lip Refinisher to remove dry skin, Lip Line Denial to smooth fine lines, Supreme Lip Repair to moisturize and Lip Volumizer to create a bee-stung appearance) will once again be available at Barneys and C. O. Bigelow stores. Saved!

The kids just spilled their ice cream on the floor - again! It landed smack dab on your favorite rug and will be a bear to clean off. Wouldn't it be great if you could just take the rug outside and hose it off? Well, if it's a plastic floormat from Koko Co. you can!

I just love these two-toned, reversible plastic floormats. They come in brightly colored hues to liven up a room as well as graphic black and white prints that exude modern charm.
They're great to use at the beach, on the deck or across the kitchen floor and come in fun patterns and colors to add a whimiscal accent wherever you use them. Available in sizes ranging from 3 X 2 to 9 X 5, there's a size that's right for you. The smaller rugs would also be great as bathmats, in a mudroom or even as an oversized doormat. One of the larger ones would be perfect under an easel or play table to catch paint drips, or in a high traffic area to catch dirt before it moves from the shoes on to the carpet. They sure make cleaning up a breeze!

Who couldn't use a vacation? A little time away can leave us feeling refreshed, recharged and ready to get back into the groove of the day-to-day. And a getaway WITHOUT the kids? Well, that just may well leave you ready for anything!

More and more moms are taking time away from their families to recharge their batteries, and with good reason. While we love our husbands and kids tremendously, a little time away offers us moms great benefits. As life gets more and more hectic, it becomes increasingly important to connect with friends, and to stay in touch with ourselves as people, not just as parents. Time away can do just that. It gives us a chance to have a deep, meaningful conversation without being distracted to see what our toddler's into. Or just to share thoughts, ideas and laugh, without interruption. Studies show that time spent with friends can increase relaxation, improve coping abilities and even lower stress. Plus, you'll have fond memories (and pictures) to boot. A good getaway will also leave you wanting to do it on a regular basis, and will give you some "me" time to look forward to.

Many hotels and resorts have realized that this is a good idea, and are offering "Girlfriend Getaway" packages. The Independent Traveler has a few suggestions, including their "Deserve It Housewives" package in Napa Valley. This getaway sounds intriguing, offering spa services, champagne and breakfast in (twin) beds. Here are a few other ideas for girlfriend getaways.

I personally have my own girlfriend getaway planned this weekend with two ""mommy" friends. We had our first getaway in the mountains last year, and this time we'll head to the beach. We have no real agenda, just enjoy each other, eat good food and relax. What we do isn't as important as the fact that we're doing it, and just living in the moment. That's something we don't always get to do in day-to-day life, where we're thinking three steps just to make it through the day.

So whether it's a trip to the beach, hiking in the mountains, or a spa vacation, it will help you balance your life by just taking some time out for yourself and your gal pals. And if you can't make a weekend getaway, take some time out for an afternoon or evening get-together. Even a little time away can leave you feeling renewed, and time spent with friends is time well spent.

Who needs another purse? Certainly not me. At least, judging by the amount stacked up in my closet. Isn't there a better way to keep them organized so I can see them easily when I need to quickly match an outfit? Why yes, there is. The Simply Sarah Handbag Hanger from Hot Mama Beauty and Style is a stylish solution to the problem of storing handbags efficiently. It has 7 loops that can hold 2-4 bags (or scarves, or even necklaces) each. It's made of 100% cotton and has silver snaps with a grommet for easy hanging. And it comes in the cutest cotton prints! When your handbags are well organized, you can easily see what you have and quickly choose one before you dash out the door. And when you get a new outfit, you can immediately tell if you have a bag to match. What better way to justify buying that great new bag you've had your eye on? And your husband will be happy that your purses are no longer hogging the closet shelf, that they're neatly stored on this cute accessory. Who knows, he may even surprise you with a new bag!

Save 10% on your purchase of the Simply Sarah Handbag Hanger through July 28th.

L.A. "floral couture" boutique, House of Petals is hosting a week of eco-fashion beginning this weekend to mark the launch of their line of organic flowers. This event will feature collections from more than 15 designers, including such lovely, planet-smitten lines as Stewart + Brown, Velvet Leaf Clothing and Undesigned by Carol Young.

This will mark LA’s first eco-fashion week, and will feature an unprecedented offering of the most creative designers, all showcased in one beautiful boutique featuring casual to couture clothing and accessories.

If you're in town, go check it out! I will be miles from LA, but I fully support House of Petals efforts to show that eco-friendly fashion can be hip and stylish, and much more than just t-shirts and yoga wear. I love the looks of the Stewart + Brown line and think it has much to offer busy moms. Their great organic cotton double layer t-shirt has a certain appeal that elevates it to the level of fashion, yet it still feels like a t-shirt. The great new line, Velvet Leaf, combines a team of 2 sisters' fun spirit with a penchant for creating sustainable clothing and is nothing short of lovely!

Having been one of the first purveyor's of organic clothing in our area, I support it whenever I get the chance. As a manufacturer of (women's and now, children's) clothing, I know how challenging it can be to find eco-friendly goods that don't cost an arm and a leg, and that have an interesting appeal. Kudos to these designers for making it so easy (and beautiful) to be green!

The other day I was flipping through a local publication and came across some coupons for the local Aveda Institute. $15 for a haircut? From Aveda, with all their wonderful products? What gives? It turns out that the services would be performed by students of the Aveda Institute. And that price includes not only a haircut, but a Guest consultation with an aroma sensory journey, stress relieving experience, mini facial, shampoo, blow dry and makeup touch up. Aveda Institutes retail and utilize Aveda's plant-based products exclusively in all their educational and merchandising programs and activities. By incorporating Aveda services into all curriculums and clinics, Aveda Institutes develop specially trained, highly qualified graduates to supply the entire network of schools, spas, salons and stores.

The Institutes also offer manicures for $12, pedicures for $20, and their prices for facials are about half what they would be in a spa. Now that's a nice indulgence that doesn't break the bank. At these prices, you can afford to pay a sitter and treat yourself to lunch afterwards. So grab a friend (you can share the expense of the sitter) and find your nearest Aveda Institute for some much needed pampering.

Slipping into your favorite pair of flip flops may seem like the perfect thing to do this summer. Yet podiatrists are now telling us that when worn as the primary shoe, flip-flops are just as bad for our feet as wearing spike heeled stilettos in terms of causing long-term foot problems.

As flip-flops become more fashionable and affordable, more and more people are choosing them as their everyday shoes. They're fun, comfortable and easy to slip on. Yet when worn day in and day out, flip-flops fail to offer our feet the support they need, and the comfort they provide won't last long. When we wear closed toe shoes with good arch support, our feet become dependent on that. And then when we wear flip-flops, our feet have no support, causing the ligaments and tendons to work harder. After several summers of repeated wear, it can catch up with you.

The solution? Moderation. Flip-flops are great to wear by the pool, or for a few hours at a time. During the day when you have your shoes on and are doing a lot of walking, choose sandals that will give you some support. There are many great styles to choose from that have the same easy feeling flip-flops do, but they will be infinitely better for your feet.

Here are a few alternatives:
The Columbia-Altamont Thong:



Privo by Clarks - Petra Thong:



Adjustable Thong from Minnetonka:

Looking for a creative way to keep clutter off the floor and in it's proper place? Look no further than Anthropologie.com for a fun way to make organizing easy. These iron letter hooks with a vintage serif font are painted buff white. You can easily brush over a coat of another color paint, if you wish. They are great to spell out words in the hallway, the mud room, the bathroom, and of course the bedrooms. Try spelling "Dream", "Imagine" or "Love" for an inspirational message. Or "Wash", "Tidy" or "Clean" for a cute reminder to pick up. Initials are also a good choice, or a child's name in his or her bedroom.

These hooks are perfect for hanging jackets, hats, costumes, necklaces, tomrrow's outfit, towels, you name it! They're a nice, unexpected way to put some fun into the drudgery of keeping things neat.

Our sense of smell is one powerful sense. It can remind us of our mom's home cooking, our first boyfriend and even help us to relax. Next time you're in the shower, treat your senses to the intoxicating and spicy aroma of Janel Andre Bodycare Ginger Zest Body Scrub. Its irresistible scent will leave you feeling relaxed, yet invigorated. Four vegetable oils are blended with fine grain sea salt to produce a mild scrub made of purely natural ingredients that is gentle enough to be be used to exfoliate weekly. This scrub will leave your skin feeling smooth with a refreshed glow, and you'll emerge from the shower ready to tackle the world! Or maybe just the laundry.

Use code "onechicmama" under special instructions at checkout to receive a free gift with purchase.

You've been there. Had days when your toddler spilled chocolate milk all over the new rug after you've told her 20 times not to take the top off the sippy cup. And this is after she smeared blueberries into your new sofa while you thought she was watching Sesame Street. While she's defying your attempts to enroll her in cleaning up, the phone rings, the dog barks to be let out, and the UPS is at the door with a very important package (for you!). You think, "Calgon, take me away!"

Well there's something better than Calgon at lifting your spirits. The new Happy Pill Bath Bomb from Lush Cosmetics is the perfect ending to a long day, and will boost your spirits with it's luscious scent of orange and grapefruit.

When the family needs a good dose of happy, you can let them in on Lush's Happy Soap. It tones the skin and cheers the mind with it's yummy fragrance of orange and bergamot. The kids will love it! The orange lather will get them excited, and keep them in the tub a little longer. Unless, of course, you want to get them in bed early so you can have a turn...

Each is priced at $4.95 for a good, inexpensive way to brighten your day!

This week marks the unofficial start of beach season. With the 4th of July upon us and a day or two, or even a week off, it's a great time to pack up the family and head to the beach for some fun in the sun. Just make sure you come prepared! With all the talks about global warming, I have to say that after spending 4 days at the beach (but really only a couple of hours actually on the shore, exposed to the sun's rays) the rate at which my family has gotten a tan (luckily, no burns yet!) is really phenomenal! It's scary that after only an hour on the beach, using SPF 30, I seem to be getting as much sun as it typically would have taken 2 full days of sunbathing to achieve 10 years ago.

That increassed exposure takes a toll on your skin. Sure, a tan looks good. But our skin needs to be protected. Thankfully, we have products like Sunban from Bliss. Not only does it have an SPF of 30, but it also contains Smartsun technology that activates antioxidants when exposed to UV rays. And the featherweight formula of Sunban is complexion-compatible, so it won't go on feeling heavy or greasy. There's a formula made specifically to protect your body from the sun's rays too! So get out and enjoy the beach knowing your skin's protected.

Looking for a cute little sundress that will take you through your busy days and into busy evenings? Well look no further. Lula Kate has some of the cutest dresses in fun, summer prints. Her sleeveless v-neck Retro Cooper dress has a figure friendly fit and even has little garment straps to keep your bra straps hidden. She also has dresses with spaghetti straps for those of you who don't need to wear a bra. The dress is fully lined, and comes in some wonderful cotton prints, and even black or white cotton eyelet. Add a pair of sandals or Havianas flip flops and you're set to go!

To save 20% on your Lula Kate purchase enter code "3FABYEARS" at checkout.