Mommies With Style

Are you dreaming of sleek summer gams? Peach-fuzz-free pits? A shave-less bikini line? I know many of you are just starting to see the winter snow melt, but let me tell you why now is the perfect time to start dreaming of these things: the TRIA Hair Removal Laser System. You know about razors and waxing and depilatories and I’m guessing you’ve heard of laser hair removal at salons and spas.  But the beauty of TRIA Laser is that now you can bring laser hair removal to your living room.

I’ve been fascinated with these at-home laser hair removal systems since I got my legs professionally lasered about two years ago. It was expensive, it was definitely uncomfortable/borderline painful, but holy moley, it worked! Pre-lasering, I had to shave. Every. Single. Day. I just got back from a camp trip with my family a few weeks ago and went over a week sans-razor and sported shorts on the trip. I am a believer.  So when I heard that I might be able to get smooth results for less than salon prices, at my own convenience and in the comfort of my own home – I had to check it out.

Below I’ve answered some of the questions I had and hopefully some you’re thinking of too!

(more…)

Disney Family.com (formerly family.com) has added recently added a Self Section.  I recently attended the launch of this new section, which features beauty, diet & fitness, and relationships. It struck a chord with me, because with 2 children and a third one on the way, I don’t do much for myself anymore, beyond semi-regular haircuts. I haven’t gone clothes shopping in a while and I haven’t bought any new makeup (except my favorite lipstick, Paula Dorf’s Spunky, and my beloved Mac Studio Fix Powder) in years.  I’ll be going back to work in the fall and I’m going to need some help getting stylish!

(more…)

How stinking cute is my 13-year-old niece Abbie in her vlog showing off Mac’s Mineralize Skinfinish product.  She’s doing such a fabulous job on these videos and I can’t wait to bring you more!

Not to mention that I’m wondering how sad it is that my 13-year-old niece now knows more about make-up than I do?

Here’s the product she’s reviewing – you can get it on Amazon, in-store at Nordstrom or MAC as well as any other retailer that carries Mac.   The Mac Mineralize Skinfinish.

This post is one in a series of reviews by my nephew & niece, Sully and Abbie.

Thinking about having a baby?  Know someone who is expecting?  Already pregnant?  Whether you’re shopping for a gift or just for yourself.  Here is my list of the top 7 items that have kept me happy (and sane) these past 8 months of pregnancy. 

Number 1: Maternity Pillows 

I can’t imagine these past few months (and the next one) without my Select Comfort Maternity Pillow.  About the middle of my second trimester I began to wake up with a sore back and realized that I needed some extra support.  I tried sleeping with a throw pillow between my knees, propping an extra pillow under my head and building a pillow blockade to keep me from rolling over onto my back.  None of these seemed to do the trick.  It wasn’t until I received Select Comfort’s pillow that I began to sleep soundly again.  The pillow is really two pillows in one.  A pillow to support your back and one to rest your ever-expanding belly are connected by an adjustable velcro pad in the middle.  It folds in half and has little cloth handles for travel.  And believe me, this pillow has gone with me anytime I was planning to sleep away from home.  The pillow is currently on sale for $29.99 on Select Comfort’s website, but hurry – the sale ends at the end of January!

Number 2: Leggings

I can’t even begin to tell you how wonderful it is to be pregnant at a time when leggings are in fashion!  To me, they are the most comfortable thing to put on besides sweatpants, and I’m even able to dress them up to wear them to work.  The best part is that you don’t even have to buy maternity leggings – since they’re stretchy you just have to go up a size. 

Number 3: Organic Body Products 

Even before becoming pregnant I dabbled in natural and organic body products.  But from the moment my pregnancy test turned positive, I tossed all the old face wash, lotions and body wash and replaced them with products that I knew were safe for both me and my baby.  I figure that I’m exposed to so many chemicals and pollutants from everyday life, that the least I should do is try to reduce any additional contaminants I put in my body when I actually have control of it.  Sweetsation Therapy has a wonderful line of organic body products.  Two that I’ve been using throughout my pregnancy are the Aqua*Tica Organic Botanical Night Cream and Q*Lumiere Organic Day Creme with Cucumber and Co Q10.  Both of these pregnancy-safe skin treatments not only prevent wrinkles, but also treat skin discoloration that often occurs during pregnancy.  The ingredients list on both of these products is full of vegetables, flowers, herbs, and plant extracts.  They smell fresh and they’ve certainly done a fine job of replacing all the face lotions I used pre-pregnancy.  Sweetsation Therapy has a wide range of organic and natural products on their site for everyday use, pregnancy and even for babies.  Use coupon code Mommies with Style at checkout to receive 20% off of your purchase.

Number 4: Water Bottle

For someone who’s never really thirsty, the amount of water you need to drink while pregnant is staggering.  I quickly learned that if it wasn’t in front of me at all times, I was definitely not drinking enough.  Very early in my pregnancy I purchased a 750ml, BPA-free water bottle that has been filled with water and hasn’t left my side since.  It’s kind of like a baby bottle for pregnant women, though it’s certainly kept me from getting in trouble with my doctor!

Number 5: Layering Tees 

Pregnancy and layers just go hand in hand.  I could be overheating and sweating while my husband’s teeth are chattering in the car.  It’s the complete opposite of my life for the past 30 years, but it’s something I’ve learned how to overcome…it’s called layers.  It’s not very often these days that I leave the house (or my room for that matter) without at least one or two layers of clothing that I’m able to take off througout the day.  Between my tank tops and long cardigans, I’m usually wearing a long-sleeved tee.  One of my favorites is one I received from Love My Belly.  They are an online maternity clothing shop specializing in tees, though they also sell dresses, bottoms, and baby clothes.  My double-sleeve tee is a short sleeved black t-shirt with longer, patterned sleeves sewn into it.  It’s perfect with a pair of jeans or leggings to be casual or paired with a long skirt and short-sleeved cardigan for work.  And it’s extremely comfortable.  Place an order on the Love My Belly site with coupon code MWS20 and receive 20% off.

Number 6: Yoga DVD 

Now I have to be completely honest – I haven’t used my Pregnancy Yoga DVD much.  However, just the knowledge that I have it and that it’s ready for me whenever I have the motivation to actually use it keeps me feeling pretty good.  Pre-pregnancy I was all about working out and going to the gym.  Staying active and fit was pretty important.  There’s just something about being pregnant that takes that drive out of you, but that’s where a good yoga DVD can come into play.  I received a Yoga 4 Pregnancy DVD led by Brenda Strong of Desperate Houswives.  It’s a great workout for all three trimesters.  She even gives some great labor techniques that you can do with your partner.  The exercises aren’t too challenging and I’m sure they will certainly help during labor.  So if you’re expecting or may be in the near future, it’s definitely something to have on hand….just in case!  You can purchase the DVD for $24.95 from the Yoga 4 Fertility website.

Number 7: Accessories, Accessories, Accessories! 

I’ve always loved adding accessories to any outfit, though since I’ve been pregnant I’ve learned the value of doing so.  All it takes is a coordinating scarf, a chunky bracelet, or some big earrings to take the focus off of an ever-expanding baby bump.  Plus, with all the stretchy cotton pieces you’re likely to wear while pregnant, some fun accessories can help to make any outfit a little bit more exciting.  Twister Silver has some stunning jewelry that will liven up any outfit.  Despite the name, they have more than just silver and the styles range from delicate to showstoppers and from classy to bohemian.  Their prices are extremely reasonable and the pieces are definitely unique to anything you’d see in a department store.  I have a pair of their Glacier Earrings with a Victorian design and dangling Swarovski crystals.  They’re definitely stunning.  Check out all Twisted Silver has to offer on their site.  Their jewelry makes a wonderful gift for any woman, expecting or not!

Samples of some of the above products were provided for review on MWS.

The following is a post from guest writer, Shelly Gill. Shelly is an MFA student at Rosemont College, with a concentration in Poetry. She lives in suburban Philadelphia, with her husband, adored four year old and feisty cat.

Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel

Every woman wants to look beautiful but, of course, there are days when we feel “blah” due to endless carpools and sleepless nights. Fortunately we don’t have to give up our outward appearance because of our demanding lives. As the mother of an overly active 4-year old I juggle family, graduate school and part time career. I hardly find time to brush my teeth, let alone apply make-up. Here are some simple tricks I use to transform my dull complexion to glowing.

Here are the following items every mom should have in her make-up bag:

Moisturizer
Clinique offers a wide variety of non-irritating, fragrance free options for every skin type. My all-time favorite is Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel, which is oil free, so it won’t cause break-outs, while it softens skin and preps for make-up without feeling greasy or heavy. Check out Clinique for a free customized skin care consultation.

Concealer
Whether you were up all night with a sick child or simply indulged in too many glasses of Chardonnay, try dabbing a small amount of concealer next to the outer corner of the eyes and blend to look rested and refreshed

Foundation
Evens out the skin tone while absorbing oil.

Bronzer
A few quick sweeps of Expert Wear Stay-True Bronzer, by Maybelline, provides
a healthy summer glow in the midst of hot chocolate, sleds and snowball fights. Be sure to check out all the fade-free colors at Maybelline.

Mascara
Two thin coats to the upper and lower lashes is all it takes to accentuate eyes and avoid clumping

Lip Gloss
Apply Burts Bees lip simmers and gloss to avoid feeling dry. All of their products are 100% natural, no animal testing, and environmentally friendly, so you can feel good about wearing them. They nourish and moisturize the lips while adding a natural shine and glow.

These steps are quick, easy, and as we know, less time getting ready equals more time for endless adventure, while looking and feeling our best . . . what more can a busy mom ask for?

Looking for a few little gifts to fill her stocking?  Need something small for a friend?  Here are a few last minute ideas:

Keep mom on her feet with GRiPPiES products.  These adhesive grips are perfect for pregnant moms to prevent slipping.  I’m not always wearing shoes or slippers when I’m home.  With a house full of hardwood floors and the instability of a 7-month pregnant belly, adding GRiPPiES to a few pairs of my socks has really helped to keep me upright!  They offer two lines of products: iron on adhesives and peel + stick adhesives.  GRiPPiES can also be used for kids’ socks and tights.  Once applied, they are machine washable and dryer safe.  GRiPPiES retail for $5.99 and can be found at Target stores, Buy Buy Baby, or grippiesonline.com.

With all the stuff that travels with mom and baby, it’s difficult to stay organized and quickly find what you need.  The last thing you want to do is crawl around the backseat looking for a missing binky.  Bella Tunno’s best-selling Bella Binker keeps binkies close and clean and is simply designed to take up minimal space – no more life-size giraffe and teddy bear clips!  Bella Binkers are made from grosgrain ribbon with a simple silver clasp and velcro loop.  There are almost 100 stylish designs to choose from to make a child’s outfit funkier and a mom’s life easier.  They retail for $8 and can be found in more than 4,000 boutiques nationwide as well as online at bellatunno.com.

Help mom pamper herself for a good cause with Perfect As Is Lip Balm.  This ultra-moisturizing tinted lip balm is 75% organic, and all profits, after taxes, go to support women’s health advocacy and human rights issues.  The .25 oz tube has a fatter than normal packaging making it easy to find in a messy purse/diaper bag and simple to apply.  It smells and tastes delicious thanks to the rosebud oil and stevia it’s infused with.  It feels smooth and silky for hours after application and has a sheer pink tint to add a bit of color.  Perfect As Is Lip Balm retails for $7 and can be purchased at iamapeacekeeper.com or at select Parfumerie Douglas.

Give a naturally sweet mom some naturally sweet snacks.  Peeled Snacks are individually wrapped servings of dried fruit.  The snacks have no added sugar, oils, preservatives or other fillers and provide a full serving of fruit.  These organic snacks are a natural source of vitamins, minerals and fiber.  The small packages are quick and easy to throw into a diaper bag for a quick, healthy snack.  They’re not too sweet like many of the other dried fruits available today. You can buy them individually or in gift packs with cute gift boxes or, my favorite, the Cute-2-the-Core Gift Box which includes one of each flavor as well as an adorable onesie. Available flavors include apple, pineapple, apriocot, mango, banana, and cherry. Peeled Snacks can be purchased at Whole Foods, Amazon.com, Nordstrom, or at peeledsnacks.com.

Mom doesn’t have to change her shirt after a deodorant mishap. With just one wipe of a Skid Out sponge, deodorant, drips and drool simply disappear. This specially-textured sponge has no need for moisture and is not treated with any chemicals. It’s safe to use on almost all fabrics. Use it to remove toothpaste stains, baby drool, pet hair, deodorant skids, and makeup smudges. Best of all – it really works! This small round sponge is perfect to throw in your purse and keep in the bathroom where most of these mistakes happen. The sponges come in packages of two and retail for $4.95. They can be bought at Nordstrom stores or online at drugstore.com and garmentguard.com.

Samples of these products were provided for review on Mommies with Style.

For Him:
Does he like to run?  Consider getting him the Nike+iPod device.  I’ve been coveting one of these myself for so long that I did what any sane woman would do, I bought it for my running hubby and plan on borrowing it when I can.  (Good thing he never reads this blog, otherwise the cat would be out of the bag there!)

This product comes with a device from Nike that sticks to his running shoe.  It communicates with the runner’s iPod, giving them audio cues and taking down data along the lines of how fast and how far they are running.  He can sync up when he gets home and keep track of his running in a log on his computer.  Pretty neat.  I got it at my local Apple store.  You can find it at your local store or buy it at Apple online.  And be sure to check out which one you need – there’s one for $19 for newer iPhone and iTouch devices, some of the older ones will need the $29 version that comes with an add-on widget for the iPod.  $19 or $29 at the Apple Store.

For Her:
I became a big fan of e.l.f. Cosmetics last summer after attending a cocktail hour they hosted at BlogHer, a women’s blogging conference.  In short: their make-up is cheap and it’s awesome.  I’m no make-up expert but what I’ve tried, for the cost, is great product.  My favorite is the Mineral Booster, but I also use the Mineral Blush and several of the eyeshadows.  Guys – this is a great one for her stocking this year.  Troll the web for coupon codes because they often have sales, but even not, how can you argue with $3 eyeshadow and $1 lipsstick?  Right now they have a coupon code to receive a free mini-make up kit, use coupon code LOYAL to do so.

For the Kids:
So I got these Glow in the Dark Stars in-store at the mall for my kids for their stockings, and now see that they are 80% off on Amazon!  I’m too lazy to return them but you guys can take advantage.   They stick to the ceiling and I just know my kids will get a kick out of having these to look at.  They’re normally $19.99 marked down 80% to $3.99 on Amazon and ship for free.

I love this Christmas version GoFish from Alphabet Alley that you can buy on Mom4Life.  Use the special Mommies with Style link to get an automatic 8% off your order and then search on “Go Fish” and it will come up.  It’s $5.51 by the discount.  But hurry – you have to order by December 16th to ensure delivery for Christmas.