By Michelle Thompson, nwaMotherlode fashion editor

My first choice that I just must share with you is a website that I am completely in love with. It is Ideeli.com and it features majorly discounted items from top designers. We are talking Michael Kors, Dolce & Gabbana, Betsey Johnson, and Tahari just to name a few.

These items are marked down usually 60% to 75%. I do recommend making sure that you check the Eligibility for Return on the item you wish to purchase. They even have children’s fashion on the site as well from time to time. I ordered my oldest daughter, Macy, a pair of leopard and cherry print rain boots that were off-the-charts cute.  So ENJOY!!!!!!!!

These shoes (below) are the perfect Girl’s Night Out shoe!!! In fact I just wore them out last Friday night with my favorite girls. They are BCBG and you can get them at Belk’s in Rogers for $89.99. I dream about these shoes I love them so much. They are platforms too, so they really are comfortable; not volunteer at your child’s school all day comfortable, but hang out with your friends at a fabulous restaurant comfortable. 

Okay, I know this favorite might be too much for some, but I do love this trend, and I think there are sooooo many options available for each and every body type. THE ROMPER!!!!!!!

Every summer I pick a specific clothing item, usually a sundress of a certain flattering style, and buy several of them. I call it my “uniform”, which as all of you moms know, things run the smoothest when you don’t have to over think every little decision, especially getting dressed in the morning. I pick these cute little numbers, which I call my uniforms, so I can optimize my summertime with the kiddos.

The most important thing to do when you pick an item and buy several of them is ACCESSORIZE!!! Change it up with fun, bold necklaces, scarves, bracelets or bohemian earrings. This year I think the Romper is my summer uniform pick. They are soooo cute on! My best friend, who is anti-romper, actually said that she would wear this cute cheetah print romper from Victoria’s Secret. The other romper from my fashion floor came from Target. Have fun with this one, and keep an open mind. 

This little trio from NY and Co. just screams, Spring is here!!!!  The bracelet is just gorgeous with all of it’s ornate detail, and the ring is just a globe of flowers and fun. The earrings are perfect petals to adorn your ears. Also, at NY and Co., the jewelry is Buy One get the second piece at 75% off. What a steal!!!!!!

I couldn’t resist adding these adorable leopard, twinkly-toed, high-tops for girls from Paris Blues. My daughter and I first saw them at Marshall’s in Tulsa, but they didn’t have her size. She was, of course, devastated (ha!), so I went on the hunt and found them at Sears.com for $19.99.  They have grosgrain ribbon shoelaces and leopard jewels on the toes…it just doesn’t get much cuter than that.  

Michelle Thompson is mom to two beautiful daughters, Macy and Brooklyn, and is nwaMotherlode’s new Fashion Mama editor. Look for new articles from Michelle on the last Friday of the month. To read more about this local fashionista/mom/marathon runner, click here. 

Welcome to our new nwaMotherlode Fashion Editor, Michelle Thompson! Here are some of her best picks for the New Year:

Top Ten Trends for 2010:

1. Flowy, fluid floral dresses and tops.
2. Tribal Influence: dresses (like this Mark dress from Avon at right), tops, shoes, bags, belts, and scarves  (Do this trend sparingly…don’t be tribal from head-to-toe.)
3. Neutrals: use of monochromatic nudes, in clothing and accessories.
4. Metal Studded Accessories:  belts, shoes, and purses:  This trend is everywhere I look.  I tend to see the most of gold studs on black leather, which will add a big punch to your wardrobe.  As with most trends, only wear one studded item at a time.  DONâ€�T OVERDO THIS TREND!!!!!!!  My favorite item for this trend is a black, gladiator style high-heel with gold studs (pictured at right, from Warren’s Shoes at the NWA Mall). GORGEOUS SHOE!!!!!
5. Ruffle Shoes, bags and tops: I love, and have always loved ruffles, and this year they are all over dressy shoes all the way to flats and yummy purses. Ruffles add such a feminine touch to your outfit so have flirty fun with this trend this Spring. (Like this ruffled beauty from Warren’s at right.)
6. Denim dresses and skirts.
7. Lingerie Trend:  You can wear this trend by adding a bit of lace or a bustier-inspired top or dress.  Don’t wear your favorite nightgown out of the house! (See an example at right from locally-owned Masons)
8. Saddle Leather:  This trend is everywhere in bags, purses and shoes.  Love this distressed, warm leather look.  It is really complimentary to many Spring styles. 
9. Tie/High waisted, pleated, tapered, cropped pant:  Quite a mouthful I realize, but it is the best way to describe this fun/new trend.  Paired with a basic white tee, fun jacket and sneakers or flats it is the perfect new ensemble for going into Spring.  Oh, and don’t forget the jewels to dress this look up. 
10. Jump Suits:  Not a trend for everyone, but when you do find the right one for your body type it will most likely become one of your favorite go-to pieces in your wardrobe. Stick to a basic black if you jump in to this trend, then you can accessorize to funk it up and make it you. Maude Boutique in Fayetteville has an entire armoire devoted just to jumpsuits this season. (And here’s a cute suit at right from Masons.) Go check them out, and see what style suits you best.  You will be surprised how cute they really can be with the right accessories. 

Comeback Pieces to Take Into the New Year:

1. Skinny Jeans:  These babies aren’t going anywhere this year.  Keep enjoying their versatility. 
2. Boyfriend Blazer:  Such a great go-to piece!
3. Boyfriend Cardigan:  Great belted over a dress or left open over a tank and boyfriend jeans.
4. The Boyfriend Jeans.
5. Leggings.
6. Biker Jacket.
7. Cowboy Boots: I added this one, because they really just don’t go out-of-style.  There are such cute styles around town, so have fun with it in Spring.  Just don’t cowgirl from head-to-toe. Unless, of course, you really are a cowgirl. In that case you have a free pass. 

Accessory Trends for 2010:

1. Big Bold Silver Jewelry: Cuffs and Thick Chain Necklaces (Check out Heidi Klum’s necklace on the cover of In Style this month.)
2. Fringe: This is mostly seen on purses. Not one of my favorite trends, but if you love it, do it sparingly on just one item of your outfit. 
3. Scarves: This is a continuing trend, but jazz it up with some fun tribal prints and bold bright colors.
4. Embellished Flats: There are numerous styles available in the shops around town.  Warren’s and Dillard’s had my favorites. I even spotted some cute ones on the 50% off rack at Warren’s. 
5. Adorned Cuffs: Check out Stelladot.com and Francesca’s at Pinnacle Promenade. 
6. Straw Bags and Shoes: This trend seems to come back every year, but in a subtle, new way.  I have seen some great pieces pairing black patent with gold accents with the straw. I love this trend because it just screams SUMMER IS HERE!!!!!!!!!!!
7. Oxford Shoes: Not my favorite trend, but could be cute with the knee-high sock trend with a cute skirt or a wide-legged pant. 
8. Smaller Bags: This is one trend I personally will have an extremely hard time accepting. As a mom of two beautiful young daughters, I live out of my purse, so my bag probably resembles carry-on luggage. However, our backs will thank us in the end. 
9. Tribal Jewelry:  There are great Indian-inspired pieces at Masons. Also, the Cortez Cuff on Stelladot.com..
10. Woven Sandal:  Love this trend, especially with the flowery dress trend. I am looking for the perfect pair right now. 
11. Platform  Heels:  They are everywhere this year. This is actually a great trend for your foot and back health.  The platform actually gives you the illusion of a higher heel without the actual incline.  Love these!!!!!!!
12. Snakeskin: Mostly seen on shoes and bags.

Michelle Thompson is mom to two beautiful daughters, Macy and Brooklyn, and is nwaMotherlode’s new Fashion Mama editor. Look for new articles from Michelle on the last Friday of the month. To read more about this local fashionista/mom/marathon runner, click here. 

Editor’s Note: OK, you fashion-minded mamas, we’ve got a new fashion editor we’d like you to meet. Her name is Michelle Thompson and she exudes fashion. We asked her to write a little about herself and you’ll see her first fashion post on Friday. It’s about 2010 trends, so be sure to tune in. From Michelle:

First and foremost, I am the full-time mom of two passionate, beautiful girls, Macy and Brooklyn, who make my life have more meaning than I ever knew possible. My husband, Chris, who always keeps me on my toes, is the love of my life. I praise God everyday for blessing me with this life that I share with these amazing people. 

Before my current life with my husband and girls, I grew up in a suburb of Tulsa, where I began my love affair with FASHION. My dear mom, who is now affectionately called “Nana�, realized my interest and signed me up for fashion/modeling classes where my love for all things fashion blossomed.

My family used to get a kick out of going shopping with me because I used to waltz into boutiques and completely redress their displays and mannequins. As an adult, now I realize I was probably really annoying to the manager of the store. One boutique in particular used to love (or put up with) my creative take on the displays and just let me do what I chose.

My room all through high school may have seemed to some a complete mess, but to me it was a design room, with outfits laid out (accessories and all) across my pink carpeted floor. During that time in my life, I would lie in bed at night and sketch outfit after shoulder-padded outfit while I should have been sleeping. I did also love working at several boutiques all through high school and college.

After high school, while following the normal college route, a friend suggested a fashion design school in Dallas. I was hooked; I knew that it was what I had to do. During my time there, I learned so much about textiles, design and merchandising, and I worked for several designers at the Dallas Market.

After Dallas, I came home to Tulsa, and met my husband Chris, who at the time was finishing his degree. I decided to go back to school and pursue my other love, which was writing; I earned a B.A. in English a few years later. Writing this column is such a dream for me because it brings both of my lifelong passions together.

During the last eight years as a full-time mom, I have kept my love for fashion fresh by having a small purse and accessories business and now I am a Stella & Dot stylist for fun.  I also love taking friends shopping and giving advice on the newest trend out, and the best places to shop around town. (I have curtailed redoing store displays, as of now.)

I love helping friends and family feel their best through fashion. I believe that when you feel good about the way you present yourself to the world, you have more confidence in every facet of your life. My goal is to find affordable fashions so that all moms can look and feel their best while running the busy lives we all lead.

In my spare time, I am an absolute health/fitness nut, and this last November I ran my first full marathon. To me fashion, fitness, and health really all work together to create the best life you can live. 

Michelle will write monthly (maybe more at times!) articles about fashion for us on the last Friday of the month. Welcome to nwaMotherlode, Michelle! 

Just a few more shopping days ’til Christmas, mamas! Why not make those last few gifts memorable — and local — for the special people who will receive them.

On Friday and Saturday, Ultra Studios (owned by designer Brooke Benham) at  118 W. South St. in Fayetteville will feature gifts from various local, independent designers at an exclusive Holiday Shopping Event. From gorgeous jewelry to yummy soaps to fashionable designs, check out some of the great handmade gifts you’ll have to choose from:

Ultra Studios Exclusive Holiday Shopping Event from Scribe Marketing on Vimeo.