The Beauty Mommy

Buying Time: The Cutest Nap Sets Ever

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Mommy) — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:30:00 +0000

Scintillating, isn't it? As a stall tactic this evening, when I should be organizing my house or finishing a column, I have decided to research the internet for portable napping sets for our upcoming flight to Paris. Just when I thought I'd exhausted all of the possible options, even more emerged to complicate matters. I am looking for a simple, but adorable, bedding set that can be used on the plane (so no nap mat - a blanket and pillow will suffice) and at the apartment. (I plan on having the girls warm up to these at home for a couple of nights first, so they feel like home). So here are my options. Please, help me choose so I can move on to more important questions, like which travel toys to bring or which luggage to pack. : )

Nap Set Options
1. Pretty Princess Valise Set, $52: I love that this comes with its own case, and I am obsessed with the fact that it's round and retro. So cute. It's a great way to keep the bedding clean, and the girls will love carrying it. It also comes with a sleep mask. I think I will get this print for Lola and Spring Fling for Eva.
link

2. Bellamy R&R Pillow and Blanket Set, $56: I love the pretty black and white damask print trimmed in pink, which will go beautifully in Lola's room. (I have been looking for a lighter, summertime alternative to her amazingly plush but too warm Little Giraffe blanket). The blanket folds and slips into a pocket in the pillowcase, which is a cute concept but might be annoying to do in reality. And there's no way to keep it clean. But I love that it does double duty and would work at home as well as on the road! link

3. 3. Betty Nap To Go, $42: Love the sweet vintage prints and simplicity of this design, which is composed of a soft fleece blanket and a pillow with case, that tie together into a bundle. It just bothers me that there is no case for it. How's it going to stay clean at the airport? link

Prepping for Paris

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Mommy) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 23:22:00 +0000

So it's official. After a couple of months of merely talking about it, we have decided to take the girls to Paris this summer! We will be gone for 3 weeks from the last week of July through the first half of August! We will be doing a home exchange with a lovely French family, so our accommodations will be really amazing: a spacious, sunny, beautifully decorated 3 bedroom apartment just a walk away from the Eiffel Tower, and across the street from a park with a carousel and a guignol. Now that it's all set, my feelings are a combination of terror and elation. Yeaaaaaa Paris. Waaaaaahhh long plane ride and jet lag and traveling with kids. You get the picture. The first thing I will do is consult my friend Dee, who recently returned from a trip to AUSTRALIA with her two adorable little people, Corbin and Amelia. And they are younger than my kids!
Anyway, to distract myself from an impending meltdown (my own), I've decided to do what I always do in situations of extreme stress. I shop. You see, you need lots and lots of stuff to travel with two itty-bitties! I had no idea how much stuff I actually needed until I started perusing all the travel shopping sites. Fortunately, they are always happy to lend a hand, and so I should have no problem outfitting myself and my family for l'aventure. So here's what I bought/want to buy/am considering:
1. Circo Jet kids suitcase: I was in Target, making my usual rounds (obsessed with the Liberty of London stuff - more on that in another blog) when I spotted t:he cutest little kids suitcases. They are pink and yellow with a cool, modern-ish Parisian motif on the front. And they were on sale for $19.99. Can't beat that. I grabbed two, and also got two adorable leather animal shaped luggage tags in pastel colors. Too bad there's no photo of it online.
2. DwellStudio Paper Dolls Weekender, travel cases and scribble pad: I am a huge fan of this cool, mod print, and I want it on absolutely everything. link
3. Plane Sheets airplane seat covers: So much better than covering them with a blanket or frantically wiping them down. I am hoping my babies sleep the whole time, and this will make me less skeeved out about the whole thing. link
4. Nap to Go in "Betty" and "Cupcake" Prints: An ingenious little bundle that holds a blanket and pillow. So cute, they might inspire a good's night sleep, on the plane...! link
5. Hush children's sleep mask for Dream Essentials: Sense a theme here? I like the unicorn and rainbow prints. link

Much Ado About (Next To) Nothing

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Mommy) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 01:09:00 +0000

Okay, all that fuss and stress over which bathing suits to buy for the cruise, for nothing. I never wore one. I had a cold, it was a little breezier and cooler than I expected, and it just never came up. So funny. Also, a little unsure, after trying it on, of the Tomas Maier suit, which I LOVED. Let's just say my post-nursing breasts are still a little bigger than I thought they were. And droopier. Let's leave it at that. : )

Rediscovering Forever 21

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Mommy) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 02:53:00 +0000

Yesterday we managed to make a trip to the Mall at Millenia with the girls. These trips are never productive - I mean, what can you hope to accomplish with two little people running around. Mostly we let them play and explore, and treated them to some ice cream. While daddy and the girls were all having their ice cream, I snuck off to the nearest store: Forever 21. As a confirmed impulse shopper, I am a sucker for a store with superlow prices on trendy, disposable stuff. Some of their tops and accessories are so spot-on. (Did you know that Diane von Furstenberg sued them for knocking one of her dresses off too well... Of course you can't beat the real thing?) Anyway, I just wandered in, thinking that most of the stuff would be too young and too chintz-y for me, but I was so surprised to find myself in the Twelve by Twelve section (the store is huge!) and I couldn't grab stuff fast enough. It was sort of Anthropologie-meets-Manoush, two of my obsessions, at rock bottom prices. Of course it's not the same quality, but for trendy, temporary wardrobe updates, you can't beat it. And this stuff looks better in real life than it does in these pictures! Of course there are a few misses (studded denim yoke skirt in blue and white, vintage floral pants, plaid ruffle dress), and many others that are inappropriate for anyone who isn't, say, Forever 21. I would have done much more damage (as much as you can do in a place filled with $20 tops) if I had more time, but as it was, I managed to snag four items:

Ruffle Sleeve Belted Sweater, $24: I bought this in two colors (the navy/gray and the khaki/peach), but if I had seen the third one, I would have bought that too! So cute, and the fabric feels quite nice for such a steal.
link

Military Tipped Sweater, $32: Crisp and classic, and again, the fabric is surprisingly nice!link

Lace Garden Tunic, $29: SOooo cute.I think I will wear this with my navy BCBG skinny stretch pants to make it a bit more age appropriate. I also think ultrafeminine items like this look cool when worn with something slightly masculine or roughed up, like a broken in pair of jeans. Maybe I will wear this with my "Rachel" jeans from William Rast. link

I also like:
Nylon Shirred Jacket, $39: Lightweight, silky and stylish - great to brighten up a rainy day. link

Ruffle Front Sweater, $32: Preppy, with a girly twist. link

Blossom Sleeve Cardigan, $29: Very reminiscent (right down to the color) of a Catherine Malandrino version that I have that cost more than 10 times as much. link

Chiffon Trim Sweater, $26: I think Coco herself would approve of this steal. link

Mesh Trim Sweater, $32: I can see Helmut Lang or someone similarly edgy designing a similar piece. link

Ruffle Trim Tee, $19: So cute with black leggings. link

Contrast Ribbon Sweater Dress, $29: Love the color combo. link

Chiffon Peplum Sweater Dress, $32: Understated and perfect for work. link

Belted Sweater Dress, $34: Timeless yet very of-the-moment. link

Contrast Peplum Cardigan: So chic. link

Bathing Suit Update: What I Bought

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Mommy) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 02:37:00 +0000

Okay, so like me to ask everyone's opinion on a thousand different suits and then go buy a couple that were never on the list. The bottom line is that I know what I like when I see it, and then I don't need to ask for feedback (even though I love and appreciate it!) because I just know. So after countless hours of browsing and hemming and hawing (hours when I should have been cleaning or writing or updating my girls' journals), I bought two bathing suits, neither of which are returnable, so I better like them on!

L Space Fringe One Piece: I wanted this in gold (so great with a tan) but it was sold out on Bluefly. Fortunately red is my best color, and I think this swimsuit ticks all the boxes. And I know Kevin will love it. Yes, it's low cut, but I no longer have cleavage, so I don't think it will be a problem!link

Tomas Maier: Usually this German designer (who designs for Bottega Veneta) is too minimilast for my tastes, but this suit, which is actually from 2009, is exactly what I was looking for. Beautiful color (bright yellow), some sex appeal but still sophisticated and offers some coverage. One of the advantages of no longer having breasts is that I can wear suits like this. And it's on sale. Woo-hoo! link

In the Pink

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Mommy) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 02:19:00 +0000

It's no secret. I love pink. I think it is sophisticated and very, very underrated. Fortunately, this season has given me many opportunities to see the world through rose-colored glasses. Still not convinced? Then this list of seven standout pink-hued items that I am eying for spring might just change your mind:

1. Alice & Olivia pink sequin minidress, $495: Pink. Sequins. Mini? Yes, and so chic. Check it out. You won't be disappointed. link

2. Miu Miu Bow Ballerina Flats: Miu Miu makes the best flats ever, and these are proof. These will bring life to a wardrobe of neutrals. link

3. Milly Watercolor Paisley Silk Blouse, $295: This blouse proves that pink can be incredibly chic. A standout piece. link

4. David Meister Two Tone Ruched Cocktail Dress, $500: Pink and purple? This would be my 3-year-old's dream dress, but it's surprisingly sophisticated and grown-up.link

5. Temperley London Faberge Evening Lattice Clutch, $1550: Finally, my favorite dress designer does a bag, and it doesn't disappoint. Inspired by a Faberge egg, this metal bag features a gold lattice design over fuchsia silk. I would pass this down to my sister. link

6. Donna Karan Collection Draped Dress,$2495: Nobody does draping like Donna, and this dress is an example of her genius with jersey. Comfortable and ridiculously flattering. link

7. J. Crew Merino Microsequin Cardigan, $99: A long pink sequined cardigan, done in typically laid-back J. Crew style. A stylish spring essential.

Help! I need a bathing suit!

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Mommy) — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 00:41:00 +0000

I know, I know... I said I was in a practical mood, but now my husband springs this cruise on me for my upcoming Big Birthday. (I'll finally be 25! I've done a lot in my young life... : )) The cruise is less than one month away, and we are setting sail for three nights and leaving the girls with my mom! Yikes. I have not yet wrapped my brain around the idea, but that doesn't mean that I can't start shopping for it. And so I am making the mental shift from the practical to the playful, and looking for a bathing suit. And just like last year, I need your help! You see - I am in limbo, floating somewhere between string-bikini-ville and Miraclesuit-land. I have, temporarily, at least, abandoned my Rosa Cha string bikinis. The stomach and the breasts are just not cooperating. If my stomach ever regains its skin tone, and the twins ever regain some of their former oomph, then I may be tempted to pull those bikinis out again, but for now, they will stay tucked away. But I am not yet ready for a swimdress (unless it's a supercute Juicy one) or a Miraclesuit. I cringe at the sight of practical maillots with splashy floral prints and not-so-subtle tummy cinching abilities. I don't want it to look like I have something to hide, even though, obviously, I do.
So not yet ready to fully embrace the one piece, and not ready to desert the bikini, I find myself stranded in a sea of monokinis and other, in-between options. And I need to decide. I have a blue/white gingham seersuckerish Juicy swimdress from last year, which despite its cuteness potential, is less than flattering because of the puckered fabric, and a glamorous one-shouldered white maillot with a beautiful print from Trina Turk, also from last year, and I need at least one or two other suits to round out the cruise wardrobe.

En Point Bikini: In a barely there shade of blush, with adorable ruffles, this offers the sexiness of a bikini with the coverage of a one-piece. My concerns? Flattery? Can I pull off a high waist when I am so short waisted? And I know it's going to make my butt look bigger, which is not a problem since I have no butt to begin with, but I want to make sure it won't be ridiculous. Still, I LOVE this suit.link

Bandeau One Piece: This is hot, but too hot? I like that it covers the problem zone of my tummy, and my post-nursing breasts might actually fit in that itty bitty top. And I think my husband would love it. But the real question is - can I pull it off?
link

Bendito Light Monokini: This is a wild one, and I don't think it's going to be a crowdpleaser, but I kind of like it. And I like that it can hide a multitude of sins wihtout looking too conspicuous. link

Aquaria Cut Out One Piece: I never thought I'd pick such wild options, but desperate situations... Again, don't think this will be a crowdpleaser, but it's definitely a headturner! Coincidentally, I look exactly like this model. Same belly button and everything. link

Patent Tie Maillot: Sleek and elegant, but a little boring? link

Hampton Maillot: Black and super-glamorous, and offers a little more coverage than some of the others. link

Emerald Halter Maillot: This also comes in chocolate brown, and it's a safe bet. But boring? link

24k Gold Maillot: Love the glamorous color, but can I pull it off...?
link

Cleopatra Bandeau One Piece: Very elegant, very sophisticated, but may not blow away my husband. :) link

Cut Out One Piece: If you're still with me, you will probably love this one. Chic and very flattering, but I was hoping for something a little cheekier? link

Deligny Bandeau One Piece: Very fashion forward and flattering, but is it hot enough?
link

Print Cut Out One Piece: I love the prints, but is it too funky... link

Harbour Side One Piece: Very vintage and glam, but I don't think I am hot enough to pull off this conservative look. link

Positif Negatif Red Maillot: So chic, so French... link

Very Sexy Ruffle Monokini: Love the color, love the ruffles. So hot. link

Vix Sequined Cut Out One Piece: Black and sparkly and fabulous. link

More Practical Pursuits

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Mommy) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:38:00 +0000

Now that I've started down my practical path, I can't seem to stop buying essentials, like beautiful dish towels and gorgeous serveware. Here are a few more of the necessities that are currently calling my name:

1. Three tiered black wire basket, $35.96: A glass bowl currently does the job of holding fresh fruit on my kitchen countertop. This is better suited for the purpose, and looks fabulous too! link

2. Maison Measuring Tape, $34: This tiny, vintage style measuring tape is so cute, I might forgive it if my waist size isn't quite as small as it used to be!link

3. Panda Pan: Pandas were my sorority mascot and I still have a fondness for them. This might tempt me to fry a couple of eggs for the girls in the early morning hours. link

4. Russian Doll Measuring Cups, $16: Finally - plastic measuring cups that are actually cute. These 6 cups nest for easy storage, just like those adorable Russian dolls. link

5. Squeeze Tomato Bottle, about $4.60: My girls put (organic, agave-nectar sweetened) ketchup on everything, and this squat little tomato will make it possible for them to serve themselves. link

Current Obsession: Elevating the Mundane

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Mommy) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 02:50:00 +0000

I seem to move from one shopping-related obsession to another, and while some of you may think I need help, in my opinion, the best therapy is to blog about it. Currently, I am obsessing about the pretty and the practical - items I can use every day that will make the most mundane tasks seem somehow a little more glamorous. And who couldn't use that?

1. Stunning scissors, $98: My whole list could probably come from this one website - they have the most beautiful home accessories ever. I love these Charles X scissors. They recall a time when even the most ordinary items benefitted from an amazing attention to detail. link

2. Retro Cellphone Handset, $65: I spend a lot of time talking on my cell phone during the day. This looks just like a vintage phone receiver, but you hook it up to your cell phone. Not only does it make it safer to speak on your cell phone, but you'll look much cuter doiong it! I want it in hot pink. link

3. Eiffel Tower Salt and Pepper Shakers, $28: Seeing these on the kitchen table is sure to brighten my mood, no matter how early the morning. And they will remind me of our upcoming summer trip to Paris. link

4. Milkmaid Butter Dish, $28: I am ashamed to confess how long I spend on Anthropologie's website eyeing kitchen accessories and adorable aprons. There are a dozen items I want for my kitchen, and this is one of the cutest. link

5. Castle Key Bottle Opener, $12: I was digging around in my utensil drawer for a bottle opener today, and all I found was a disappointing green plastic one from my husband's single days. This is way cuter. link

Update: What I Bought for Lola

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Mommy) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:43:00 +0000

Okay, it's 3 days before Lola's Sweetheart Ball with her daddy, and I have bought several dresses for her, and narrowed it down to two:

1. Luna Luna Pirouette Top and Tutu: Love this, but the tutu is still a tiny bit long, so I might save it for next year. The tutu I have is a deep purple color. link
2. Halabaloo Pink Rosette Dress: I can't find a picture of this dress anywhere, but it's a pink tulle dress, empire style, covered wtih pink rosettes. It's sleeveless.

Now I am trying to find accessories, which is very hard to do locally, and since I didn't plan ahead for this part, I am going to need to find shoes, a hair accessory or two, and a wrap or cardigan within driving distance, or possibly overnight shipping distance, if I can find something fabulous online. It's hard to pick accessories when you haven't decided on the dress. So I have two looks that I am trying to pull together:
Luna Luna Look: I think gold shoes or black shoes with the cream-beige of the top, and possibly a golden ribbon in her hair or gold hair accessory of some kind. Her gold shoes are too casual, so I think her Kid Express black patent leather mary janes will have to do unless I find something better.
Halabaloo Look: This dress is over the top, so I think I would like to do a simple pink ribbon as a headband in her hair, but how to attach it to her slippery locks. I've also bought two pairs of sparkly shoes, on impulse, at Target, of all places. I bought them in pink and white. Target isn't usually my first choice for dress shoes, but it is literally the only place I can buy them in this line. Hence, my obsession with online shopping. But they are pretty cute: link

What I Bought... So Far

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Mommy) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 02:38:00 +0000

Okay, thanks for the input. So far, I've had a couple of votes for the Biscotti dress, a couple for the Twinkle dress, and a couple for the purple dress, as well as one vote for the white and silver Halabaloo dress. I still haven't tried the Luna Luna outfit on Lola, but in the meantime, I didn't let that stop me from buying a couple of dresses for the girls for Easter, next Christmas, etc. I just now realized that all of these dresses are from Halabaloo. Here's what I bought so far:
1. Halabaloo Navy Tank Dress: Too cute for spring. I want Lola to wear this in Paris! link
2. Halabaloo Striped Bow Dress: This is for Eva for Easter. Now I need to find a site that carries the matching tank and skirt set in Lola's size. link
3. Halabaloo Circle Embroidery Bow Dress: Eva's Christmas dress... Great sale. link
4. Halabaloo Circle Embroidery Rosette Dress: And this is Lola's Christmas dress. link
5. Halabaloo Circle Embroidered Skirt and Matching Bow Sweater: Don't know why I bought this, but I couldn't resist! Here's a picture of the sweater: link
6. Halabaloo Fuchsia Silk Dress with Rose: Maybe for Christmas, Valentine's... Birthday. Who knows? I got it for Lola. link
7. Halabaloo Velvet Dress with Silk Roses in Fuchsia: And this one for Eva. Again, don't know for what yet, but I will invent an occasion. : )) The price is right! link

I'm Back, and Please Help Me PIck a Dress for Lola

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Mommy) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 02:55:00 +0000

I've never gone this long without blogging, so I plan on posting a lot of interesting things in the coming weeks to make up for my negligence. Not that I really have a great excuse, but in the last two months I have hosted Thanksgiving, Christmas, thrown a major Christmas party and my Eva's 2 year old birthday party, attended many parties, shopped, decorated and cooked for the holidays, then taken it all back down again, and filmed an episode of a new HGTV show called Battle on the Block, where my husband and I competed against two other teams of friends and neighbors. Whew!!! (More on this later...) And now I find myself two weeks before Lola's upcoming Sweetheart Ball, without a definite dress. Sweetheart Ball is an annual daddy/daughter dance fundraiser sponsored by the Junior League, of which I am a member. Anyway, I have already purchased a couple of options, neither of which I am convinced about:
1. The Luna Luna Piroutte Top and Tulle Skirt: Love this set, but Lola's skirt is a deep purple, and I am afraid it is too long. Tomorrow I will have her try it on:
link
2. Yellow Save the Queen Circus Dress: This is cotton, so I don't think it is formal enough. link
3. Right Bank Babies purple velvet tunic with green iridescent silk taffeta ruffled palazzo pants: Too funky? link

So I am still searching. A non-cheesy, non-flower-girly formal dress for a little girl that is classic but still fashion-y is really, really hard to find. Here's what I've come up with:
1. Halabaloo circles dress with flower: Love this dress. If I don't get it for the ball, it's going to be for Christmas. I think. link
2. I am currently obsessed with Halabaloo. Too bad it's so hard to find. I think this dress is so chic! link
3. Sweet Biscotti dress. link
4. Too boring? I'd choose a different color sash. link
5. Very sophisticated, but is it too much for a 3 year old? link
6. Love the color and the tiers, but I am worried it might look cheap because of the price. link
7. Pretty and youthful. link
8. Lola will feel like a princess in this, which is exactly the point. link

I'm Skinny Fat

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Mommy) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:50:00 +0000

A few years ago, I read an article about women who are "skinny fat." Even then I suspected this might apply to me. While I may appear to be skinny, and am even underweight, my body fat percentage is higher than it should be, something that was confirmed by my first visit with my nutritionist. Apparently, I am not the only one aware of this condition, because when I mentioned my surprisingly high body fat percentage to friends at dinner a few weeks ago, one of them said: "You're skinny fat." My thoughts exactly. Much as I hate to admit it, now that I am pushing 40, a diet that largely consists of bread, cheese and hot tea might not be cutting it any longer. Keeping a food journal is an eye opening experience - I eat much elss than I thought I did, and much less nutritiously. So, based on my food journal so far, here are my nutrition goals:
1. Eat more fruits and veggies, which should be easy because I love them!
2. Eat less cheese and bread, even whole grain bread.
3. Drink more water. My superfit sister swears it is the secret to the fountain of youth. Since she started drinking 12 glasses a day, she has beat the energy crisis that used to plague her. And who couldn't use more energy?

Back on Track (and a recipe)

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Mommy) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:24:00 +0000

After two weeks of dropping out of sight, I am back on my 90 days of Christmas program with nutritionist Pam Giese. I hope that I haven't disappointed some of you too much, but there has been way too much on my plate, including a father-in-law in the hospital and a trip to Cape Coral for a visit (he's better now, thank you), singlehandedly making dinner for 80 people for a meeting, planning a cocktail party for the Junior League, our annual Christmas party for 80-odd guests, and Eva's birthday party, as well as hosting Christmas and Thanksgiving. Add my writing (columns and magazine articles) and accompanying shoots on top of that, and raising two little girls who are constantly inventing new ways to challenge me, and I've been overwhelmed. But today I am starting fresh and trying to find some balance. I even ate pretty well today. Here's my food journal:

1 small serving of steel cut oatmeal made with skim milk, dried blueberries and honey
half a banana
1 beef hot dog with mustard and relish (it was either that or a funnel cake - we were at an art festival)
1 small handful (about 10 pieces) of Chex mix
6 oz of Buffalo sirloin steak, 1/4 cup of whole grain rice blend, and oven roasted kale (see recipes)

Dijon Sirloin
Buffalo steak is very lean. An 8 oz portion has only 3.7 grams of fat, and my husband thought he was eating beef. I marinaded the meat in this mixture for a few hours in the refrigerator, grilled it, and then finished it in the oven.
1/2 cup dijon mustard
3 tablespoons apple juice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon honey
3 - 8oz. Buffalo top sirloin steaks

Crispy Kale
This is the first time I have ever bought or made or even tasted kale, and I have been wanting to try this recipe for weeks. You roast the kale in the oven until it is really light and crispy and almost disappears in your mouth. It tastes like it's fried and sinful, but it's superhealthy for you!
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
6 cups of kale, washed, cut and trimmed of hard stems (I bought mine prewashed and cut)
Spread kale out on a baking sheet, and then drizzle olive oil and apple cider vinegar over the top and toss to coat. Roast at 350 on bottom rack for 10 minutes, stir, then roast again another few minutes (maybe 5) until it holds up and is no longer wilted, and is brownish but not burnt. Sprinkle with sea salt and serve right away!

My Beetlejuice "Haul" for Lola

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Mommy) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:58:00 +0000

A trip to the Neiman Marcus Last Call store at the Miromar outlets in Estero, Florida has become something of an annual pilgrimage for me. Last year, it was here that I first discovered Baby Sara clothes for Lola, Pedro Garcia gold glitter pumps for myself, and a beautiful love seat that now graces our master bedroom. So when I returned this year, expecting to once again stock up on Baby Sara clothes for Lola (don't worry - I'm shopping for next year), I was disappointed to find only a few items in baby sizes. Would I have nothing to buy? The horror! Fortunately, I quickly discovered rack after rack of delightful clothes from Beetlejuice London, a line that I have come across once or twice online, but never really got turned on to before. That has changed, my friends. I don't understand why this line isn't more popular, or easier to find, online, but I am glad I discovered it.
Here is what I bought, and what I paid:

Bohemian Rhapsody long Sleeve novelty dress with layers at hem, $39 (was $86)
Amazon Sun cropped fashion jacket with ruching in olive, $30 (was $66)
Bohemian Rhapsody fashion handkerchief skirt, $29 (was $64)
Bohemian Rhapsody purple velvet fashion pants wiht embroidery, $30 (was $66)
Amazon Sun sleeveless layered print dress with applique and embroidery, $39 (was $86)
Amazon Sun long sleeve beaded tee with print detail, $18 (was $40)
Bohemian Rhapsody green novelty knit top with applique/embroidery, $17 (was $37)
Bohemian Rhapsody long sleeved print fashion shirt with ruffles at placket, $18 ($40)
Amazon Sun fashion tee with ruching at hem, $17 (was $37)
Amazon Sun forest green (more like olive) embroidered fashion pant, $30 (was $66)
Bohemian Rhapsody teiered fashion dress in coral with velvet rose, $38 (was $84)
Amazon Sun coral long sleeve fashion knit dress with ruffles at neck, $38 (was $84)
Bohemian Rhapsody purple print yoke fashion knit long sleeve top, $16 (was $35)

Items from other brands that I picked up included:
Long sleeved knit layered look print dress from Tea, $30 (was $45)
Baby Lulu long sleeved knit dress with embroidered flower at velvet skirt, $34 (was $61)
Baby Lulu cropped cardigan in hot pink with red dots and red velvet bow, $42 (was $58)
Coco Bonbons long sleeved woven menswear style shirt with swirly buttons and pink/brown stripes, $18 (was $26)
Coco Bonbons long sleeved owl print knit tee with striped placket, $18 (was $24)
Coco Bonbons long sleeved woven button-front shirt in brow with white polka dots and various appliques, ribbon trim, etc, $18 (was $26)

That's it! In less than 15 minutes, I got a great head start on Lola's wardrobe for next year. Not that these are the first 4T items I've purchased, but they will make a nice addition to the growing stash buried at the foot of a hall closet.

Week 1 Update, and a couple of Recipes

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Mommy) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Okay, so week one is over and there's good and bad news to report. It was an unusually busy week, with hours spent working with a professional organizer to reorganize my house, redecorating our newly bought restaurant, and setting up photo shoots for future fashion articles. I was out 4 out of 5 weeknights this week, which makes eating well even more challenging. Here are the highs and lows of my first week back to being a healthier, better mommy:

Highs
Ordered sashimi (no rice), ginger chicken broth and seaweed salad at a sushi place.
Ordered smoked salmon and caprese salad at a steakhouse
Drank a little bit of water and very little Coke (which I usually drink only at restaurants anyway)
Made veggie tofu pad thai from scratch from a recipe in Clean Eating
Broke open my box of Ezekiel Golden Flax cereal
Ate generally healthy, well-thought out breakfasts
Order oatmeal instead of French toast when we went out for breakfast this morning
Got my one YOGA CLASS in this morning, at 9:15. Yeaaa...
Brought my oat bran pita bread to my mom's house so I wouldn't be tempted to eat the white pita bread that she has

Lows
A few sips of root beer float at a meeting.
A few bites of bananas foster for dessert last night, after a dinner of a handful of fried appetizers (apple/brie egg rolls and artichoke hearts stuffed with crabmeat)
No strength workouts at all. None.
Fell back on my favorite combo of pita bread and feta cheese a couple of times
Drank a couple of cokes
Still struggling on the protein: I don't like peanut butter, only like almond butter when used sparingly, and don't like lunch meat, except for prosciutto and salami and the rest of the unhealthy Italian kinds... Sigh. I do like eggs, and made a yummy and healthy frittatta for lunch a few weeks ago that I could try again.

Here are some of my favorite "clean" recipes:

Puffs and Pretzels Haystacks
THese are great when you need a chocolate fix, and they are super healthy!
Created by Kashi
Makes 3 dozen haystacks.
Ingredients
• 3 ½ cups Kashi® 7 Whole Grain Puffs cereal
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1 cup broken pretzel sticks (about ¾ inch pieces)
• ⅔ cup coarsely chopped almonds
• 12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ½ cup smooth natural almond butter
Directions
In a large mixing bowl, combine Kashi® 7 Whole Grain Puffs cereal, coconut, pretzel pieces and almonds. Set aside. Place chocolate chips in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 10-second intervals, stirring until melted. Add almond butter for the last 10 seconds then stir until smooth. Pour melted mixture over cereal mixture and stir until well coated. Drop by heaping tablespoonful onto waxed paper. Refrigerate until firm. Serve.

Spicy and Cheesy Egg and Tomato Frittata
This frittata is lightened up with egg whites and reduced fat cheese, but it still tastes yummy and slightly decadent. It's also really filling and packed with protein. It makes a fast and easy (and inexpensive) breakfast, lunch, or even dinner!
Courtesy of AllRecipes.com

10 egg whites
2 eggs
1 cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese, divided
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
Preheat the oven's broiler and set the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source. Prepare an oven-safe skillet with cooking spray and place over medium heat.
Whisk the egg whites, eggs, and 1/2 cup of the Cheddar cheese together in a bowl. Cook the egg mixture in the hot skillet until the bottom of the eggs turn opaque, about 1 minute. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook until the eggs are nearly set, 4 to 5 minutes more. Spread the diced tomatoes with chiles and the remaining cheese over the eggs.
Move the skillet to the oven and cook under the broiler until the eggs finish setting and the cheese is completely melted, 2 to 3 minutes. Allow the frittata to rest 5 minutes before slicing to serve.

Day 3 and Still No Workout : ((

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Mommy) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:32:00 +0000

October 14, 2009
I am really struggling today with sticking to my eating plan because there is so much going on. I am trying to reorganize the entire house with an organizational expert on top of writing my columns/articles, volunteering, and spending time with my two little girls, so it’s been overwhelming. I spent from 9-2 reorganizing my kitchen, and in that time I had a few sips of apple juice and a stick of string cheese. Here’s how the rest of the day went:

Breakfast: Meusli and half a fried egg, left over from the girls
About 4 oz of apple juice and a stick of string cheese
Half a piece of pita break with 3 “cracker” cuts of reduced fat cheddar
1 serving of Veggie Tofu Pad Thai (from a recipe in this month’s clean eating magazine)
2-3 cups of tea

No workouts yet. That means I need to get one in tomorrow and one on Friday, besides the yoga class Saturday morning. Yikes!

I need to plan better the night before for meals and snacks. After the meusli, which I have been making the night before, my day goes downhill. Check back tomorrow for more meal and snack ideas, and a recipe...

Food Journal: My First Two Days

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Mommy) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:32:00 +0000

October 12, 2009
Weight 100.2
Breakfast about ¾ cup of muesli (see recipe below)
1 bowl of udon noodles with shitake mushrooms, tofu and bok choy (220 calories, 1 gram of fat), 4 dumplings
A few sips of root beer float
A few tablespoons of pasta salad and baked beans
Banana
Stomach Puffiness Rating (SPR): About medium
Wiped out today… I needed that mid-morning snack and didn’t get it because of an all-morning appointment. My blood sugar dropped and I haven’t recovered. Tired and headachey.

October 13, 2009
Breakfast and midmorning snack: Muesli, (kept taking bites all morning long), 1 string cheese stick
Lunch: 2/3 6” subway roast chicken sandwich on 9 grain honey oat with veggies and vinegar, 6 oz water
4 mini organic graham cracker sticks and 1 organic cracker
Dinner: Spinach and arugula salad, a handful of sugar snap peas, and 1 taco with about ¼ cup lean ground beef, tomatoes, lettuce, salsa, 1 teaspoon of sour cream, and a sprinkling of reduced fat shredded Mexican cheese , 1 glass of skim milk
3 cups of tea
SPR: Medium
Woke up really tired, but perked up as the day went on. Feel fine now!

No exercise yet. : ((( Will try to find a way to squeeze it in tomorrow. I need two strength workouts this week and a yoga class Saturday morning... Wish me luck.

Muesli Recipe (approved by Pam, who said that this has everything I need in the morning)
1/2 cup of uncooked oatmeal
1/2 cup of vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup of apple or orange juice
1/2 cup of fruit (frozen berries work really well)
dash of vanilla.
Stir together and refrigerate, covered, overnight. In morning, top with a tablespoon of slivered almonds and serve. Tastes like dessert. So yummy!

The Metabolism of a 19 Year Old: My 90 Day Challenge Cont.

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Mommy) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:29:00 +0000

Sadly, that was the only good news Pam gave me yesterday. Here are my stats as I begin my journey:

Height 5'2 (sadly, my quarter inch doesn't count)
Weight: 100.4 (6-7 pounds more than I am used to)

Total % Body Fat: 26.4 (higher than the 22% recommended - yikes!)
Percentage of fat by body part:
Left arm: 28.2%
Right arm: 27%
Right leg: 30.9%
Left Leg: 32.5%
Trunk: 22.6 (surprising, since visually this is my biggest trouble spot)

Muscle Mass (lean body mass): 70 pounds
Muscle mass by body part:
Arms: 3 pounds each
Right leg: 12.2 pounds
Left Leg: 11.8 pounds
Trunk: 39.6 pounds
Physique (on a scale of 1-9, which assesses your physique based on the ratio of fat to muscle, with 1 being someone with a lot of fat and little muscle (hidden obese), and 9 being someone with a lot of muscle and very little fat (very muscular)): 4, which is classified as under exercised. No surprise there.

Basal Metabolic Rate (Number of calories I need at rest): 1038

Metabolic Age: 19 (age level my body is rated at according to my BMR)

Percentage of Total Body Water: 52.9%

Visceral Fat Rating: 3 (which is a great number, since 1-12 is a healthy range of fat to have around your abdomen/vital organs)

3.6 lbs.: Weight of my skeleton. This is lower than Pam would like it to be, so she advised that i get a bone density test the next time I have a blood workup.

So there it is. More than you probably ever thought you would know about my body. If you care to join me on my quest back, I plan to chronicle my progress and setbacks right here, and, at the end of 90 days, I will have a whole new set of numbers to share with you. And hopefully some before and after pictures as well. : )))

90 Days of Christmas Challenge: Getting my Body Back

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Mommy) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:24:00 +0000

Okay, I have always been really skinny. I have hovered in the 93-pound range my entire adult life, with almost no real fluctuation. And within weeks of giving birth to my two beautiful daughters, my weight was back down. But oddly, after my youngest turned one, I inexplicably gained a few pounds. These days, my weight hovers around 100. Not catastrophic, I know, but when you are only 5'2" and you have really small bones, it shows. My clothes fit differently, and I am not comfortable with the fact that my belly bulge has become noticeable enough for two friends to comment on it. I am not sure how much of this can be attributed to my Mirena birth control device, because my weight gain coincides with the time I had it put in. Or how much is due to my IBS. Or how much is due to the fact that 40 is right around the corner and my body is changing. All I know is that on some days, I look like I am 3-4 months pregnant, and other days (today is one of them) I'm almost normal.
Enter Pam Giese, a nutritionist and owner of Lifestyle Restoration who has developed a plan she calls the 90 Days of Christmas. Since the holidays are a tricky time for many people in terms of healthy eating and weight gain, she is challenging her clients to get on track now and head off any unnecessary weight gain. Tonight's appointment and assessment was really eye-opening, in both good and not-so-good ways. More on what I learned, and my new resolve, tomorrow, as I kick off my 90 days. Wish me luck!

200 Outfits, and Counting

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Mommy) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 23:34:00 +0000

Friday, I was organizing Lola's closet and I decided to count the number of outfits she had in her current size, 3T. I knew she had a lot, but I was sure that my guess of about 150 was a little on the high side. I was wrong.
She has 200 outfits. For a 365-day period. That means that she could, in theory, wear most of thes outfits twice. I know, however, that this is not going to happen. She'll wear some of them 5 times and others hardly at all. They'll fit wrong or be wrong for the occasion or not be at the top of my (or, more importantly, her) list of favorites. Sadly, I had so much left to buy. And since her 4T wardrobe (I've been shopping in advance) is multiplying, I need to ease up on that as well. Sigh. Fortunately, my 6 year old niece is still wearing some of her 4T outfits, and I predict Lola will be able to wear her 3T clothes for a couple of more years. They might get shorter, but Lola is so small-boned and thin that they won't get much tighter. So maybe that's an excuse for me to keep shopping... : ))

More Shopping for My Girls: The High and the Low

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Mommy) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:39:00 +0000

Lately, I've been shopping even more than usual. I know, scary. It's not that the economy has exactly turned around or anything, but I figure I should do my part to help retailers make their third quarter goals. : )))
Since, as I mentioned before, Lola already has heaps of clothes in her current size, most of my purchases have been for the next size up, and the size after that... I've also bought a thing or two for myself. Inspired by all those out there who like to reveal their "hauls" - admitting online what you just bought on a shopping trip - here's mine:
For Me:
Nicole Miller Black Patch Pants
Black Halo cocktail dress
2 jersey wrap dresses from one of my favorite boutiques - can't remember the label
Rafe clutch in silver leather with wood frame
2 pairs of Tracy Reese shoes: a high heeled loafer and a mary jane, both in metallics
1 pair of charcoal patent t-strap wedges from Goldenbleu
Twinkle by Wenlan short sleeve sweater
Catherine Malandrino short sleeve sweater with puckered sleeves in salmon
Velour leggings in black and gray, skirted leggings in "bark" and velour tunic in red from Victoria's Secret
Jeffrey Campbell patent t-straps in various hues of nude and blush

For My Girls:
9 pieces of clothing by Right Bank Babies from Hautelook
A huge number of adorable items from Target (and yes, I am a clothes snob - but these are too cute - got to love Target), including pink and brown leggings, a corduroy paisley print dress, a striped shirt with a floral applique, and an adorable orange corduroy skirt with big pink polka dots and matching tee and cardigan
3 dresses from Save the Queen Circus, one of my all time favorite lines, including one for Lola for Sweetheart Ball and one for Eva for her upcoming December birthday
Tons of hair accessories at The Children's Place and Gymboree
A red quilted skirt from Gymboree

Now that I look at this list, I am a little sobered. But I'm still not done shopping...

Shopping for Girls' Clothes

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Mommy) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:31:00 +0000

Lately, I've been obsessively buying clothes for my girls. Sure they're cute and look great in everything, but it's getting ridiculous. : ))) Lola has so many clothes in her current size that I am not shopping for the next couple of sizes. Even worse, I will often spot items that are hard to find or sold out, and then decide I absolutely must have those items. I've also developed a thing for boutique lines without really wide distribution, so that I have to hunt them down. Which is, of course, part of the fun.
Current Obsessions:
Eva & Oli: Based in Paris, this line makes ultra-hip kids sportswear that can double as dress-up wear. It's amazing. Yummy soft jersey pieces jazzed up with silver stars and lurex bows that are like your favorite sweats, but so much cuter.
Kico Kids: I've already blogged about my obsession with this genius knitwear line. I love their fabulously soft sweaters and chic separates.
Kit & Lili: Amazing colorful prints in gloriously soft cottons with great shapes and star style.

Brazilian Straightening Treatment: My Last Word

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Mommy) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 00:31:00 +0000

Brazilian Keratin Treatment: My last word
Since the Brazilian Keratin Straightening Treatment has been the most controversial and commented-on topic on my blog, I thought it deserved a little more attention. The Brazilian Keratin Treatment, or BKT, is one of the hottest hair treatments being performed today, leaving the Japanese Thermal Reconditioning Treatment of a few years ago behind. And it does have its advantages. It's milder than most straighteners, using Keratin, a protein that naturally straightens the hair and is one of the components of human hair, to straighten. And it works best on colored or chemically treated hair, something most straighteners cannot claim to be true. Like the Japanese straightening treatment, it's time consuming and expensive. My hair is very thick, very curly and quite long (it was halfway down my back when I had the treatment), and it took nearly 5 hours and $500. Was it worth it? Not for me. But I do seem to be the exception. I have to say I noticed almost NO DIFFERENCE in my hair. It may have been a little softer, but I could have received the same results from a home conditioning treatment. And the minor improvement in texture only lasted a couple of days. It did not straighten my hair or even relax my curl. To be honest, I was not told that it would straighten my hair by my stylist - simply that it would make the curls a little looser, eliminate frizz and minimize the need for hair products. Unfortunately none of this happened for my hair. I have often toyed with the idea of the thermal reconditioning, as many of my friends have done it and had great success with it, but I am not ready to go poker straight yet, so I thought this would be a good compromise. For me, it was a waste of time and money. That said - maybe I just wasn't the ideal candidate for it, although the pictures on the various websites show women with curlier hair than I have. Maybe the pictures show their hair after a blowout, and I do not blow my hair out on a regular basis. Living in Central Florida, the humidity makes this futile.

Anyway, the final word, in my opinion: Get a good consultation beforehand, and ask lots of questions about the kinds of results you should expect before investing in the procedure. And if it works for you, I'd love to know!

Mortified

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Mommy) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 01:14:00 +0000

Today, we were in Sam's Club (yes, my life is glamorous) with the two girls, when I stopped to talk to a very nice older woman who was commenting on how beautiful and sweet my two girls were. We started talking about people who commit crimes against children and how heinous they are, etc. when out of the blue Lola said: "I don't like her." Just like that. Now I've heard stories of kids embarassing their parents, and I've half laughed/half shuddered at them in the past, but this is the first time I have been completely humiliated by my own child. And worse: She kept repeating it, even though I kissed her and tried to muffle her voice with a hug. Nothing worked. The woman and I just stared at each other, dumbfounded. It was a very uncomfortable moment. Finally I told her that it was nice to meet her, excused myself and slinked away in horror. I scolded Lola so many times that my husband finally told me to lay off. I just needed her to get the severity of the situation. Horror!

Anybody have any similar stories of being mortified by their own precious offspring? Please share!