The Westchester

With Mother's day less than a month away, it is time to start thinking about those special women in your life that you would like to shower with gifts to show appreciation for everything they are as a mom or mom-to-be. I am blessed to have an amazing mom who I talk to everyday and has been there for me whenever I've needed advice on how to handle "mom situations." Then there's one of my sisters who is pregnant with her 2nd baby... She is an amazing mother and radiates happiness when you are around her. It is so hard to figure out the perfect gifts to give to those people you LOVE!

Below are some gift ideas all under $100 that are all at The Westchester! They are all items that I would give as gifts and feel like most moms would be very excited about receiveing.... Check them out below. 

1. Nike Dual Fusion Run Sneaker $80 2. Pave Bangle  $38 3. J. Crew Linen Scarf $50 4. Apple Ipod Shuffle $49 5. Sephora Brush Set $60 6. Gisele Shortie Pajamas $100 7. UGG Ansley Slippers $100 8. Dolce Vita Dania Sandal $40 9. Tory Burch Double Wrap Bracelet $95 10. Kendra Scott Rayne Necklace $78

May 9th 5-8pm

Calling all Moms! You are invited for a night out with The Westchester to participate in an evening filled with pampering, refreshments, entertainment, and fashion and beauty services. Focused on rewarding and recognizing mothers, National Mom's Night Out is an opportunity for mothers to treat themselves to a night of pampering shopping and prize giveaways from stores and other community organizations. Focusing on bringing together today's moms, Mom's Night Out will include in-store events, special offerings and prize drawings.

I am really looking forward to this night. It's a great excuse to get a blow dry, throw on something Carrie Bradshaw-ish (I've been wanting to wear this ridiculously fun skirt and since my husband isn't around I can finally get away with it without him making fun of me!) grab some dinner with friends and do some shopping without having to carry snacks in a diaper bag, wipe any boogers or rush home for nap time :) 

I'm especially excited to check out the excitement at Nordstroms, Steve Madden, Madewell, Urban Outfitters & Anthropologie.

So what do you say? Let's all meet up, do a little shopping and get a little "me" time!

xo,

Maritza

It's pretty funny that I am Mexican and completely forgot that this weekend is Cinco de Mayo.  In case you didn't know, people in Mexico do not celebrate Cinco de Mayo! Most people think it is Mexico's Independence day but in actuality it is the 1862 victory over France at the battle of Puebla. It's a minor holiday there but we Americans have made our own crazy fun holiday here. Any excuse to hang out with friends, make some margaritas and celebrate sounds good to me!

We are planning on going to a friends house for a BBQ on Sunday with the kids. My number 1 priority in choosing an outfit for hanging with my kids is comfort.  Both of the dresses below are just that and adorable. I saw the Anthropologie dress below about a month ago and fell in love with it! It's a dress you can wear all summer for BBQ's, running around with the kids and/or even as a cover up for the beach. I especially love the embroidery details. Then I found the American Eagle maxi dress and was so excited about the bright yellow color and the fact that it is SO affordable!

You really can't go wrong with either one of these. Since we are only 4 days away from the big celebration, make sure you head down to the Westchester Mall and grab either one in the next few days, you'll look just the part for this Mexican American-made Holiday.

xo,

Maritza

1. Anthropologie Smocked Malee Dress $148 // 2. Sam Edelman Gable Gladiator Sandal $100 // 3. Cara Link Bracelets $24 each // 4. American Eagle Corset Maxi Dress $50 // 5. American Eagle Bangle Set $19.50 // 6. American Eagle Huarache Sandal $30

I love working out. It is a necessity for me in order to be able to have enough energy to work, keep up with the kids and have a smile on my face for my hubby at the end of the day. And since summer is around the corner AND we have a vacation to Italy coming up, I am desperate to get into shape.

Do I workout every day? Nope. But there are weeks when you will think I do because you will see me in workout clothes everyday! Yes, I admit, I am that mom sometimes :). How much easier is it to throw on something super comfy and to aim to do some type of exercise like going for a walk, making that kickboxing class or maybe even doing some squats while you're on the phone. Sometimes I even believe i worked out because i was in those clothes all day! Lol.

The one thing that I did decide once i kept finding myself wearing my workout gear was at the very least, I had to look put together. There are so many choices out there for you to pick from so there is no reason why you can't  look stylish and be comfy while you are running around doing errands.

One of my favorite pieces I wear are my Nike sneakers. I have been a devoted Nike running shoe lover for many years and they never disappoint with comfort and color selections. At this moment I am running a pair of neon pink kicks that I love! My favorite thing about them is they actually make your legs look tan! 

Here's what my workout wardrobe consists of:

Basic tanks and tees, an assortment of capri length pants and running shorts, sport bras, lightweight sweaters or sweat shirts, basic socks and cool head bands to keep my hair away from (hopefully) my sweaty face.

There's such a great selection of stores at The Westchester where you can find an assortment of different items to pull together for your own workout "look". Check out a few of the items I picked as my favorites... Now go and get your sweat on!

1. Zella Half Zip Running Top $58 // 2. Asics Headbands $18 // 3. Nike Dash Running Shorts $28 // 4. Under Armour Socks $12 // 5. Nike Air Max Running Shoe $80 // 6. Nike Running Capris $54 // 7. Nike Flow Tank Top $28 // 8. AERIE Racerback Bra $25 // 

1. Karma Debi Jacket $100 // 2. Adidas by Stella McCartney Tank $90 // 3. Sports Bra $46 // 4. Under Armour Capris $65 // 5. Thorlo Socks $15 // 6. Nike Shoe $110 //

1. Nike Tennis Dress $72 // 2. Nike Running Visor $20 // 3. Braided Headband $12 // 4. Tennis Tank Top $58 // 5. Tennis Skirt $46 // 6. Nike Tennis Shoe $115 // 7. American Apparel Duffle Bag $18 // 8. Champion Sports Bra $22 // 9. Asics Socks $10 // 10. Nike Court Shoe $80

Growing up in my family was chaotic. There were 5 kids all going in different directions at all times. My parents were saints and I don't know how they managed to raise all of us with so much love and patience. I appreciated everything they did but especially how hard my father worked in order to provide us with everything we needed. We weren't the family to take fancy European vacations, we usually did little 3 day trips to Palm Springs or camping in Yosemite but we were never without and my father always taught us the importance of hard work. Another great quality he is being a fantastic listener. There are 4 girls in my family so you can just imagine how much all of us always had to say! :) Dad was always incredible at making you feel like you were the only person in the room and everything that you had to say was worth paying attention to. So, thank you Dad. You've taught me so much, especially how to love and work hard and I only wish I could spend more time with you. One day.

This year will be my husband's 5th Father's Day. I don't remember how it started but we now have a tradition in our home of decorating the kitchen with balloons and placing all the gifts and cards out the counter so that when Dad wakes up we can all scream out "Happy Father's Day!" An omelet is then served with a cup of coffee which he tries to enjoy but the girls are usually attacking him with hugs and kisses and begging him to open his gifts. Such special morning and I hope that we continue it forever. I couldn't ask for a better partner and father to my kids. 

So now it's crunch time! Father's day is this Sunday and if you are like me, I always end up waiting until the last moment to buy something for my husband and father. I find men so hard to buy for!  I was telling my husband I needed to come up with some ideas and he was sweet enough to shoot me over his favorites. So you should be confident is choosing any of the below since they were chosen from a pretty cool dude.

I hope that you are able to show your father, step-father, husband etc how much you love and appreciate them. Even if you skip the gift, just take a moment to stop and tell them how you feel about them, I am it would mean the world to him.

Happy Father's day! xx

iphone case // hoodie // ipad mini // gopro // sunglasses // sneakers

* www.milkshopny.com 

Had so much fun at The Westchester kicking off the Simon Fashion Now Tour!   Seeing all of the spring trends showcased certainly inspired me to hit the stores so I could add some of the looks to my closet!  

When you think of spring you think of flowers!  And floral fashions were certainly front and center on the runway.  Depending on your personal style you can choose  from bold oversized modern prints, to more traditional feminine patterns, to floral accents and embellishments.   Here are a few of my favorite floral looks from the runway.

Head to Toe Floral

 Make a statement in the office with this blue floral collage pant suit from Ann Taylor.  Love its versatility -- you can wear as a suit or as separates.  


Sophisticated Floral

A touch of floral detail on a classic white dress creates a more simplified and chic look while still being on trend.


Mix Print Floral

For the more adventuresome fashionistas, mixing patterns creates a fashion forward edgy look for spring.

Looking forward to seeing and sharing more great fashion as Simon Fashion Now continues this weekend at King of Prussia!  For details on Simon Fashion Now click here.

Photos by Nicole Taylor Photography.

I'll never forget shopping with my mom for my high school graduation. We had been at the mall for a while trying to find the perfect dress for my special day and I wasn't seeing anything that I really liked. Then my mom told me to look in BeBe. I was shocked because that was always out of our price range but thought maybe I could find something not too expensive. Unfortunately, I have a knack for always falling in love with pretty nice things!  There it was... this gorgeous, body hugging, strapless white dress. I tried it on and felt like it was made for me. Only thing was, it was more than what I thought my mom would spend. When she saw me in it she could tell I really liked it but when she checked the tag, I could tell it wasn't going to happen. Nothing needed to be said. I walked out of the dressing room without it, hoping that there would be something else I loved just as much.

But just as Ii was walking away, my mom called my name and with a huge smile told me I could get it. Honestly, I will never forget that day. It is one of my favorites!

That dress has been worn by all of my sisters too, so Mom, you definitely got your money's worth!

I love white dresses for graduation! It reminds me of a fresh new start, summer, bronzed skin and being warm.

I hope that some of the dresses below will give you ideas on what to wear for those of you looking for a graduation dress or a white dress for you brides to be to wear pre-wedding celebration!

xo,

Maritza

1. Theory Celia Dress // 2. American Eagle Corset Eyelet Dress // 3. American Apparel Tie Back Dress // 4. Free People Rocco Dress // 5. Ivy & Blu Crisscut Back Cutout Dress

Urban Outiftters Finds // 

Lately I keep catching myself going for little jackets, blazers or just adding an extra layer because it still is pretty chilly out. To be honest, I love that it isn't super hot yet, the dry crisp air reminds me of home. In a way, it almost feels like fall except everything is green instead of yellow, orange and red. I am taking advantage of the coolness becasue I know that in a few weeks I will be sweating as soon as I walk out the door and those little jackets will be retired for a while. 

I went into Urban Outfitters yesterday and was so excited about all the fun items I found. They have such an eclectic selection and I ended up scoring not only items for myelf but for the hubby as well. He was pretty excited. My favorite find was the MinkPink Kimono. It is the perfect item to throw on over a little white tank and cut-off shorts or jeans. It is so simple and light and adds just enough funk to your look. All of the items below can be found in store, but if you can't make it down you can also order everything online.

Enjoy!

1. Tropical Moto Jacket $69 // 2. Denim Utility Vest $79 // 3. Denim Moto Vest $69 // 4. Silky Banded Kimono Jacket $59 // 5. Babe Blazer $69 // 6. New Dawn Kimono Jacket $99