For the first time in a long time, I’m looking forward to fall. Goodbye hot and humid summer and hello crisp weather and pretty autumn foliage.  Most of all, I’m eager to unpack and add some new pieces to my fall wardrobe.  
Here are 4 items that will spruce up every Hot Mama’s fall wardrobe:
 
1) Short riding boots: I recently picked up these calf-high boots from K-Mart and I love the length.  They fit perfectly with the season’s urban cowgirl trend.
 
2) Boyfriend jeans: This jean trend reminds me of junior high school when I used to cut holes in and write on …read more

Before the official start of Mercedes Benz-Fashion Week (today through September 17), I was invited to an exclusive blogger preview of Rachel Roy’s Rachel line for Macy’s.  As I sipped white wine and perused the racks of Roy’s Soho Pop-Up shop, many pretty things caught my eye.  Snakeskin booties. Studded handbags.  Vibrant patterns on tunics, t-shirts, and dresses. Faux leather leggings.  And a pair of “Peace” gold hoop earrings ($40) and a black wrap sweater ($99) I would love to add to my fall wardrobe.
 
 
 
 
The highlight of the evening, however, was when Ms. Roy walked in.  The designer is even more stunning …read more

I glean fashion trend inspiration from a variety of sources.  Although I probably should be, I’m not ashamed to say that I was hipped to the faux, cropped leather jacket trend watching a segment on “Access Hollywood” (or was it “Extra?”) featuring the youngest Kardashian girls, Kendall and Kylie, shopping at Forever 21. Even though they’re tweens, and I’m like way older, I still want to get in on the fall trend.
Here are a few jackets I found online; unfortunately many of you Hot Mamas have are a step ahead of me and some of the styles are already out …read more

I’ve been known to shop at the Big K from time to time.  And I’m happy to report that this is not the cheesy, blue-light special K-mart of yesteryear. With fashion-forward brands like Piper & Blue for tweens and teens; Attention for trendy women of all ages; and Jaclyn Smith for stylish women of a certain age, K-mart has something to spruce up every Hot Mama’s fall wardrobe. 
 
 
Here are a few fall fashion picks I found on K-mart’s website:
 
 
 

I’ve had my eye on Piper & Blue dress since it was full price ($19.99), and it’s so cute that I don’t care if …read more

Every Hot Mama should have a side hustle or two.  Mine are freelance writing and operating two stores on Etsy.com.  Technically, Etsy is for handcrafted wares, but they also allow vintage clothing sellers.  My vintage store, Tracy’s Pop & Shop Too, is a companion to my thread/string earring store, Tracy’s Pop & Shop.

 
I love to shop, particularly at consignment shops, flea markets, clothing swaps (if you haven’t gotten in on this free trend yet, ladies, what are you waiting for?), thrift stores, and fashion-forward discount retailers like H&M, Target, and Forever 21.  And I launched my Etsy stores a couple years …read more

If you’re not sure which type of dress best flatters your figure, allow me to introduce Shabby Apple, an online dress boutique that understands that most women aren’t built like supermodels.
The web retailer recently launched the interactive “Fit to Flatter” feature on its website and as an iPhone application, which educates women on which cuts, fabrics and styles they should wear, according to their body type.
 
 
“Fit to Flatter” asks questions such as “Where do you gain weight?” and “What are your best features?” and based on my answers apparently I’m “Pear” shaped — not a description I like but one that …read more

This is the perfect time to score major shopping bargains.  Most stores are marking down their summer  merchandise to make way for fall fashion stock. That’s great news for us.  This weekend I scooped up this pair of Dollhouse sandals that regularly retail for $40 for only $20 at Starwberry’s, a trendy discount mini-chain in New York City.
 
 
Although I’m still on the prowl for a pair of quality black studded gladiator sandals on sale, these funky, beaded brown sandals will do the trick for now.  Alas, if you want the same “Abiba” sandals, you’ll have to pay regular price.  I …read more

As I mentioned earlier, this season’s Fashion Week was a little lethargic.  The energy in the Tents was frenzied, but mainly due to disorganized check-ins and never-ending standing room lines.  There also seemed to be less stars present, and the only “celebrity” I saw up close was Tori Spelling.
Yet, the runway shows themselves are still like mini theatrical productions with blaring rock and hip-hop soundtracks starring sullen models, and are worthy to be praised.  This was my third trip to the Tents at Bryant Park, and each season at least one presentation gives me chills.  This time it was Tibi’s …read more

Maybe the anemic economy is to blame, but this Fall Fashion Week has been a more subdued affair.  The clothes, however, have still been dynamic.  And I thought I’d get an expert to weigh in.
Based on the shows she’d seen so far, here’s the Fall trend forecast from Jamie Thomas, Women’s Editor for StyleSight.com:

The Urban Warrior trend:  The Ohne Titel show featured clothing accented with chain mail and breast plates, and knits with crystals sewn on the front. Over the knee, lace-up boots in black and chocolate and booties with chains will also be hot for Fall. 
The Layered Look: Max …read more

While I was home nursing a cold, it looks like I missed some great Fall fashion at Bryant Park.  Charlotte Ronson (sister of DJ and Lindsay Lohan paramour Samantha Ronson) debuted her collection on Friday afternoon, and I’m feeling the Pat Benatar-esque rocker girl look (top photo) — the black, embellished cut-out top, black leather pants, and fly booties.
In the second photo, I’m loving the ’80s new wave vibe of the green/gray belted jumpsuit with wide shoulders and lace-up military style boots.  These will also be hot looks off the runway.

 
I also appreciate that most designers I’ve seen are making a concerted …read more