Stilettos and Diapers

Errands with a chill {A Fashion Post}

2012-02-13T08:26:00.003-05:00

Errands with 2 kids is challenging enough without adding in freezing cold, layers of clothing and winter coats. I hate wearing a coat only to be miserably hot in the store, but I don't have enough hands to carry it around.

Here is my solution. And yes, I'm STILL wearing leggings. I'm a complete addict.

Puffy vest, accessorized a smidge.

Paper tee, tweetable mittens.

Wedges = walkable height.

Outfit Deets:

Striped Tee: F21

Puffy Vest: Target

Belt: Target

Leggings: Old Navy

Boots: Target

Gloves: Target

Wow, can you tell Target is the only store that sells clothes that does't involve me getting on the interstate?

Valentine's Playgroup

2012-02-10T12:08:00.000-05:00

I used all my Valentine's ideas from Pinterest for this mornings holiday playgroup and I must say, it turned out fab.

{Rice Krispy Treat Pops} {Swirl Sugar Cookies}

{Heart shaped cinnamon buns}

{Heart shaped banana muffins}

I've been cooking up a storm around these parts with a surprise party last night and playgroup today. I hope I have enough energy for our actual Valentine's Day meal!

Here is the how to on the Krispy Pops!

Make regular rice crispy treats with just a couple drops of red food coloring in the marshmallow mix.

Hand shape into hearts while you push pop sticks into the bottom.

Melt white or pink candy melts and dip pops in. Add sprinkles while they are wet and stick into firm foam to dry.

I displayed the pops in mason jars on Valentine's fabric. Delish and cute decoration!

Happy Weekend Y'all!

I drank the kool-aid.

2012-02-08T13:26:00.000-05:00

Or maybe I should say the hubs did...

This early Valentine's Day gift has arrived!

Thanks hubs for falling in love with all things Mac!

On a very special day.

2012-02-06T10:28:00.001-05:00

Today, my sis, Casey is the big 3-0!

Destin, FL circa 2006

I could go on for days about how wonderful Casey is. Really. She is my go to for questions, advice and a listening ear.

And, apparently, I'm a total boob in almost all our pictures.

NYE 2011

She is an amazing wife that does it all and keeps her house running with incredible organization.

NYE 2011

She is a loving Mom to these 3 sweet kiddos and I have yet to figure out how she does it all.

Disney Cruise 2011

We will be running the Rock-N-Roll DC Half Marathon together next month and I'm pretty much positive I wouldn't be doing it if it weren't for her busting her butt and sending me her running stats. She's keeping me going!

I never thought while growing up (and driving my sisters insane being the family instigator) that my sisters would mean so much to me now. As I locked them out of my closet, I didn't think I would be calling them to borrow their clothes from across the country. (Or just straight up stealing things and shoving them in my suitcase)

I now know why my Mom always told us "be nice to your sisters; they'll be your best friends."

Because they certainly are.

Camilla, GA circa 2008

Thank you, Case, for being such an inspiration to me. I love you and wish you the very happiest Birthday ever!

3 Month Fabric Photo!

2012-02-03T12:26:00.001-05:00

As of February 1st, Callan is 3 months old! I just can't believe how fast time is flying by!

He is currently 15lbs and 26" long, wearing 3-6 and 6 month clothes.

He is smiling, laughing and grasping toys. He is drooling tons and I think teethies are making their way out! He is nursing every 4 hours during the day and goes 5-6 hours at night.

Sleeps best with loud noise, preferably 3.5 year old chatter and Disney Jr.

I am LOVING the rolls he is getting on his thighs and how that belly is really filling out the onesie!

Happy quarter Birthday my little man!

Fugly to Fab - DIY Wine bottles to Valentine's Decor

2012-02-02T10:13:00.000-05:00

Let's just say there is no lack of empty wine bottles around this house. What to do but craft something from them?!

I saw this pin that had no site attached to it. They used hot glue on glass to create designs...Fab idea! I put Love on one, OXOX on one and a heart on one for Valentines Day.

Then it was outside for painting. (And apparently I painted some of the patio, too...Sorry, Hubs.)

I did 4-5 coats of flat white spray paint to make sure it covered well but didn't drip. Each coat dried in about 10 minutes.

And voila!

I tied felt hearts to decorative sticks with Valentines ribbon.

My foyer table all Valentined out.

Happy LOVE Day!

Swing + Netflix = Shower

2012-02-01T09:51:00.001-05:00

Need some help finding time to wash your 5 day old mom hair? Let me show you how.

Put sleeping baby in the swing. (This is the swings permanent spot)

Setup the toddler with a laptop streaming a never seen Netflix movie.

And just like that, you have a ~~long~~ at least 20 minute peaceful shower.

You're welcome.

Feeling Nautical {A Fashion Post}

2012-01-31T12:28:00.001-05:00

I'm not sure whats gotten into January, but she sure isn't producing winter weather here. Today's high is 64 and tomorrow's will be 67. It totally feels like spring, so why not dress like it?

Yellow is my favorite color!

Because errand running with 2 kids leaves no room for stilettos.

Outfit Deets

Boyfriend Jeans - NY&Co

Striped Top - F21

Belt - F21

Flats - Macy's (Rocketdog)

$50 Visa Gift Card from Head & Shoulders {GIVEAWAY}

2012-01-30T13:21:00.000-05:00

Remember a while back when I did a review of Head & Shoulders shampoo and conditioner? Well, I've been using it ever since then with fab results. Then I got an email asking if I would like to review their new scent of dandruff shampoo. In my mind, it was kinda like the infomercials when they say BUT WAIT! Then the deal gets a bit sweeter.

I am already convinced of Head & Shoulders's ability to deliver virtually flake-free, beautiful hair, including the fact that it is gentle and pH balanced for everyday use even on color treated hair. But now, instead of a regular old dandruff shampoo smell, they go and give us:
Green Apple!

(I'm a big fan of any product smelling edible)

My hair has had a clean, fresh green apple scent that lasts all day. After I've been spit up on and been on my hands and knees scrubbing the floor, at least I can count on my hair to smell good at the end of the day.

And what better time of year to get some new shampoo? Like I posted in my last review, my scalp is crazy dry in the winter, but Head & Shoulders promises to ease three scalp and dandruff problems: dryness, itchiness, and sensitivity. With 84% of surveyed scalp issue sufferers concerned about these issues, Head & Shoulders has combined the effectiveness of their HydraZinc formula to alleviate these conditions leaving your hair beautifully flake free. I can tell you that these claims are true for me!

I went on a date night with the hubs for our 6th Anniversary back in December, and I wore a black top. Now, I do that very sparingly in the winter because honestly, I get flakies on my shoulders, and that is so.not.cute. Thankfully, I have been using the Head & Shoulders and it gives me confidence to wear black! (And navy and brown and all things dark and pretty.)

Head & Shoulders is teaming up with BlogHer to give one of you sweet readers a
$50 Visa Gift Card!

Want to win?

Tell me what your routine is for getting ready for a date night!
Leave me a comment to be entered for a chance to win!

Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.

This sweepstakes runs from 1/30 - 2/28.

Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.

You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

Be sure to visit the Promotions & Prizes page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers reviews and find more chances to win! And visit the Life Well Lived section on BlogHer.com for more great tips on looking your best.

I received product and compensation for my honest opinion on this product.

Its wine time...on a budget.

2012-01-27T00:00:00.000-05:00

Having lived very close to Napa for 3 years, we developed quite the taste for some good vino. Now that I'm a mom, wine has quite the place in my life. Nothing bad ever came of a glass ~~or 4~~ of wine immediately following a long, drawn out bath/bedtime.

If you know me at all, you'll know that I'm ~~cheap~~ frugal. My choice in alcohol is no exception. Now, I'm not going to buy gross wine just because its cheap. Will I finish a glass of wine that isn't that great? Absolutely. But I'm not going to buy it again.

Here are our top picks for budget friendly and delish wine:

Wente Cabernet Southern Hills $10.99

(We happened to live about 10 minutes from this vineyard in California!)

This is my current fave red. We're both a fan of big, full bodied reds like this one.

Cupcake Red Velvet $8.99
Another big red, but this one is a bit chocolaty.

Stone Cellar Cabernet $7.99 (1.5L)
This wine is always on our counter. Its our every night go-to. Its the cheapest on the list since its a double bottle.

Alamos Malbec $7.99
We pretty much only drink California wines, but started drinking this Argentine Malbec after it was suggested by Wine Spectator.

Cupcake Chardonnay $8.99

The first thing that made me pukey when I was pregnant was the smell of red wine. I only drank white right after Callan was born and this is my fave.

Sutter Home Moscato $4.99
This is a super sweet wine and also the first wine I liked. We went to the Sutter Home winery in Napa quite a bit to stock up on this back in the day. Now, I will mix half of this with half of a chardonnay. Its a watching Real Housewives with girlfriends kindof drink.

Have a hankerin for the bubbly?

Barefoot Muscato Spumante Champagne $8.99

Made from the same muscat grapes as the moscato wine, its sweet and makes perfect mimosas for Friday morning playgroup. I've got all my neighbors hooked!

All of the prices are what they are at my Wegmans. (Best grocery store ever!)

We try lots of different wines and do buy some fancier ones for special occasions, or to bring to parties. Thing is, I like these more than some of the expensive ones we've tasted!

I'm always open to having a new favorite. Tell me whats in your wine glass!

Air and Space fun!

2012-01-26T00:30:00.000-05:00

We recently took a little outing to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. A good time was had by all...even if it was forced.

The place is massive and has real, full size airplanes everywhere.

Coop kept chanting 3...2...1...BLASTOFF in the spaceship hanger!

It was Callan's first "field trip"

We are trying to take advantage of all of the touristy things to do in DC. I think this place would top most little boys favorite places list!

The one where I got all hopped up on pain killers.

2012-01-24T23:00:00.000-05:00

What do you get when you mix a Momma that rarely takes medicine with prescription ibuprofen, percocet and muscle relaxants?

One freakin hot mess, I tell ya.

We went to New York over the weekend to see hubs family and let his grandpa meet Callan. I woke up in the middle of our last night and my lower back went into full blown spasms. Apparently, I slept wrong or the mattress wasn't firm enough, but whatever it was wreaked some serious havoc on me.

I hobbled around rest areas, bent in half and looking like a 90 year old who had the best botox in all of life, but we made it home. And the pain came with me.

I do pain pretty well, I think, but this time was just too much. I figured since I could barely walk and I couldn't stand up straight, I really needed to go to the Doctor. She gave me prescriptions that I'm sure would make a druggie woozy. Told me to take it as prescribed or else and to not lift anything. (Oh, because that's easy with a 12 week old) She then told the hubs, "be careful, she's going to be loopy."

And, loopy I am.

So while I lay here moderately numb, surrounded by chocolate, salty snacks and prescription bottles, y'all say a prayer for the hubs. Pretty sure if he had any desire to be a stay at home Dad, its gone. Forever.

Copycat Chili's Salsa {RECIPE}

2012-01-20T00:30:00.000-05:00

I found this recipe while pinning...of course. I am a huge fan of Chili's salsa. And this? Well, its a darn good replica if you ask me.

The players.

Simple and easy ingredients.

Put everything in the blender and voila! Insta salsa.

Now, it was a bit frothy when I first finished it. After sitting in the fridge for about an hour, it reached perfection.

Recipe adapted from original

1 large can (29oz) whole tomatoes, drained

1 small can whole or sliced jalapeños (not pickled) less if you want less spice

1/2 of a small onion

1 tsp garlic salt

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp sugar

1 tsp lime juice

Just puree in the blender until smooth. You can see from the top picture how much it made. It ended up being about 4 cups of salsa, 2 of which we devoured on Mexican night.

You want to make this, ASAP. Just think of how impressed your friends will be at your Super Bowl party when you make your own salsa!

Fugly to Fab - DIY Winter Wreath

2012-01-19T00:30:00.001-05:00

This is the first of hopefully many Fugly to Fab posts. Anytime I take something fugly and make it fab, I'm going to tell you about it.

I hate when you take all the Christmas decorations down and you are left with a naked house. Most importantly around here, is my naked glass front door. I love the look of it from the outside, but man, I feel exposed.

I love the look of snow stuck in the trees and this wreath makes me think of just that.

What you may not expect, is what its made out of.

Thanks, USPS.

I looked for a square wreath form everywhere and couldn't find one. So I took a big old box and an exacto knife and made my own 4" wide form. It is 2 layers of cardboard thick for sturdiness. I used 2" indoor/outdoor ribbon to cover the whole thing.

The corners were a bit of a pain. I used duct tape in the back, but had to make sure it was all covered since you can see the back through my door. If you don't have a glass door, you could be much more generous with the duct tape. Hehe.

While wrapping your form, send your hubs and son into the "jungle" (woods beside our house) with a paper bag to get pine cones. Lightly spray with white spray paint. Some of the pine color should still be showing through.

The frame completely wrapped and ready to hot glue some pine cones on!

The original plan was to cover the whole thing with pine cones buuuuut...I was hosting bunco and I finished getting this many on about 1 hour before the party started. Then I decided I kinda liked it just like it is.

Disclaimer: You will need to secure this to the door if you only put cones on one side since it will be tilted. I put a few washers in between the ribbon on the side opposite the cones, but I think you could use those 3M sticky things that don't pull paint off.

Now should I keep adding cones and cover it, or leave it like it is?

Sweater + Leather {A fashion post}

2012-01-17T00:00:00.000-05:00

Layer, layer

The braid curl tutorial I saw on Pinterest, but can't seem to find now left me with 80's style crimp. But then hubs randomly told me how good I looked that morning.

So I rocked the 80's all day.

Black suede booties

This purse is old. Like I got it for a gift when I was 13, old. Amazing what you find when you start cleaning out your closet.

It's all in the details

One of the trends I am loving this winter is the blouse/sweater combo. A classic look modernized by sheer blouses and layering on the accessories.

Outfit Deets:

Sweater - Gap

Sheer Blouse - Target

Booties - Target

Leather Leggings - I must admit they are Miley Cyrus. And I'm not even that ashamed.

Scarf - Gift from the sweet, Natalie

Earrings - Maurices

Girl look at that body. I work out. {Week 1}

2012-01-16T09:47:00.000-05:00

Before you go thinking that I look like this in my undies,

Let me tell you that this song is simply a mantra. A theme song of sorts.

In just under 9 weeks, I will be lacing up my tenni-bops with some of my favorite girls (Casey, Rachel and Lindsey!) for this:

We will be running the 1/2 marathon together! (You nuts thought I was doing the full marathon? Sheesh!) I feel pretty crazy agreeing to do this especially since I registered while I was pregnant. I thought what better way to loose the baby weight than to have a set goal that I paid for. Which I think is a really strange concept, too. Actually paying to run on streets you could run on for free any old time.

Anyway, I will be updating you on my progress. Like if I follow a good run with shortbread cookies. Like I ~~did~~ thought about doing last week. Or how well my compression pants squeeze all that extra fat in. Or if I totally skipped a run to watch Real Housewives.

At the end of the day, I just want to wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle yeah, without everything, ya know, wiggling.

Christmas Recapped

2012-01-13T08:20:00.000-05:00

Lets just say better late than never, huh?

Christmas here was awesome with my 2 babies!

Almost all my shots of Coop are head down in gifts.

Except for when Daddy makes him make the Jets pose.

My little loves.

Crazy family games are a Christmas tradition.

Sweet Callan's first Christmas!

Cooper not only opened his gifts, but mine, too. (Whitman's Sampler is my ultimate fave)

In complete and utter disaster.

The In-Laws and all the grand babies.

Hubs and Coop playing Guitar Hero. I think Santa was thinking of the daddy when he bought Coop this present...

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a...

Happy Friday!!

Its my blogiversary!!

2012-01-10T00:30:00.000-05:00

3 years ago Stilettos and Diapers was born. I was a bored Mommy that thought I was the only one living across the country from my family and flailing through this thing called motherhood.

I've complained to you about everything from conference calls and being far away from my family to hotel living.

I've embarrassed myself telling you I don't know what shaving cream or detergent is.

I've taken y'all with me to Vegas, Georgia, NYC and Hawaii.

I've been able to document my life and the lives of my boys.

In these 3 years, I've made wonderful friends. Found lots of support and advice and discovered a whole new world of amazing and talented people.

This blog and the people met through it have become a huge part of my life. And I couldn't imagine it any other way.

Thank you for caring about what I have to say, giving me your advice and wisdom and most of all, for being completely amazing!

Love y'all!!!

Stripes + Leopard {A fashion post}

2012-01-09T09:34:00.000-05:00

I have learned the things that contribute to post-baby style.

Comfortable. (Duh)

Safe to walk in. (Stilettos + wiggly infant = danger)

Machine washable. (Thank you reflux)

And lastly, hide that mom roll!

This is about what I've been wearing for the past 9 weeks.

Comfort, comfort, comfort. Skinnies with lycra.

Leopard flats make any outfit cuter.

Add some sunnies to cover eye bags

And there you have it!

Outfit Deets

Skinnies: F21

Cardigan: Target

Tank: Old Navy

Flats: Target (Little girls section!)

Sunnies: Prada, gift.

Cuff: ???, gift

I'm off to try and redecorate my naked house. I can't for the life of me remember what decorations I had out before Christmas!

A guest fashion post. Complete with my sister.

2012-01-06T00:30:00.000-05:00

I'm posting my first post-baby fashion post over at my sister's blog today!

We took pictures together while we were out visiting last weekend because of course, we were matching. Almost.

Go check it out. And follow her because, well, she's my sister and I have to talk highly of her or my momma will get me. And because she really is fabulous and I love her!

Happy Friday, Y'all!

The holiday aftermath.

2012-01-05T00:30:00.000-05:00

When we were trying to get pregnant with Callan, we decided there would be no trying during the month of March. I didn't want the chaos of a Christmas baby, especially knowing I would be having a c-section. Little did I know that a November baby is just as difficult. Even one born on November 1st. Things around here have been complete chaos for the past 2 months.

Callan was born.

I turned 27.

Recovery from C-section.

We hosted 13 people for Thanksgiving weekend.

We had 2 days of only us in the house.

I threw a baby shower for my sis-in-law at my house.

We celebrated our 6th Anniversary.

Christmas shopping with a newborn and a 3 year old. Ahh!

We hosted 15 people for Christmas and the full week afterwards.

Went to my sister's house in Ohio for New Years.

January 3rd - I CRASHED

It was the first day I have come downstairs in my pajamas since Callan was born.

I feel like I haven't sat still in 2 months. I have 8 loads of clean laundry piled in my bedroom yet to be folded. The Christmas decorations are scattered everywhere waiting on the hubs to carry the storage boxes up from the basement. Every bed in my house is rocking dirty sheets from all the company.

And what am I doing?

Blogging, Pinning, downloading new iPad apps. Nursing. Watching Real Housewives. Nursing. Eating my weight in Christmas candy. Nursing. Snuggling with Cooper while streaming Netflix movies. (Humm. The majority of this is benefits of finally having internet.)

So I plan to keep doing these things and not feeling bad in the least. Because after all, I'm hosting neighborhood Bunco next Friday that I need to plan for and we are going to New York the next weekend. Oh, and I'm running a half marathon in March that I need to start training for.

Maybe I have sit still issues. Is there such a thing?

Thank you Santa.

2012-01-04T11:22:00.000-05:00

Santa baby hooked me up this Christmas.

If you can't tell from the ridiculous picture above, it's this beauty.

And my Santa baby even thought it all through and got me a new desk for it to live on.

But there was another fabulous gift that came for Christmas. After 3 service calls, no TV or phone for 3 days and a hole drilled through the back of our house,

WE FINALLY HAVE INTERNET!

It's like a whole new freakin world. And it only took 19 months to get it!

2 Month Fabric Photo

2012-01-03T10:35:00.000-05:00

How in the world has 2 months passed already?

Motherhood is:

2011-12-29T00:01:00.000-05:00

Rolling this all back onto the holder:

And still loving your kid afterwards.

Evening with Elnett Girls Night Out!

2011-12-28T13:01:00.000-05:00

I was contacted by the amazing people of L'Oreal to host an Evening with Elnett girl's night out. They sent me tons of hairspray to try and let me tell you, its awesome. Up until recently, it was only available in Europe, but often snuck into the US by stylist. It is an aerosol spray that honestly left my hair looking silky and without fly-aways.

I did share with my friends since they sent these gorgeous gift bags and all.

We started the night out eating yummy, girly treats.

Cranberry Brie Bites that I made 3 times over Christmas!

And Cranberry Mojitos. Delish.

We took a bit of time to touch up our hair and watch how-to videos provided by stylist, Johnny Lavoy. The awesome thing about these hairstyles are that they are easy, but gorgeous. Exactly what I need with 2 little men needing my attention.

Check out these looks that use Elnett hairspray before New Years! There is a Modern Chignon, a Audry Hepburn-Inspired French Twist/Updo, my fave, Defined Waves and also some Royal-Inspired Hair Looks.

We had a limo that picked us up to take us to the Shecky's Girl's Night Out event in DC.

We were greeted by the L'Oreal Elnett car. How cool is this?!

Naturally, it was a prop for a photo op.

L'Oreal had a salon set up where they we're giving updos using Elnett.

I need my hair to pouf up like that.

My fun neighbor girlfriends!

Shecky's sponsors hooked us up with fab swag bags.

Headed home after such a fun night!

It is a very rare day that I don't wash my hair. Since having Callan, I don't always dry and style it, but I always wash. I look like I fought with aliens when I wake up in the morning with all the cowlicks abound on my head. When I woke up the morning after our night out, my curls were still in tact. I looked so different, in fact, that the hubs said, "you're hair still looks good!" Know what that means? I'm an Elnett fan for life. If I can wake up and use the 30 minutes I usually spend on my hair with my boys, I'm sold!

The Evening with Elnett was sponsored by L'Oreal Elnett along with Mom Central. I was provided product to sample and giveaway along with compensation for party supplies.