Take the quiz and see what you come up with…Mama is sure you’ll be just as dazzled as she is! Now the hardest part is picking which ones to start with…oh, and did Mama mention that the first pair is 25 percent off and Rachel Zoe is star stylist?!

Happy Shoe Shopping! XOXO

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What shoes are you craving for summer? Happy shopping! XOXO

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If you’re feeling up to it, try dressing up to go see the movie because along with the amazing music of the movie, the fashion is even better!

Enjoy! XOXO!

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For once, Mama actually learned a few things at the conference, instead of just mixing drinks from the mini bar and sleeping in until 8:45 a.m. as per the Wall Street Journal’s lovely article stated. Mama, for one, finds it impossible to sleep in after 6:30 a.m. and the mini bar at the Ritz Carlton was wiped clean (they must have read the article). Mama has

• At one panel, Mama was told “she’s writing the wrong crap.” They are so right and they’ve never even read or heard of Mama before. Mama has been sugar coating her words for awhile now and it’s time to get REAL. The REAL Mama is going to stand up like Slim Shady and start tackling real issues like how it’s so annoying that the hubs puts the TP roll on backwards every time and how Mama really doesn’t like the neon trend.
• Video. People want to see more videos and not just words. Well, Mama is here to serve you so Mama put together a snazzy little video for you of Mama’s weekend…it’s a start of many to come so Spielberg better watch out!
• Uninspired. So many times over the past few months, Mama has sat in this same spot writing and writing but never publishing the posts. Why? No-one really knows including Mama. However, Mama is (again!) redesigning the site to make it more…like Mama. No Mama ever really pushes a stroller in heels…does she?!
• Finding the funny in everyday life. So this is Mama’s new mission: Mama is here to help you find the fun, the fashionable, the beautiful and the funny in everyday life. You only live once so you might as well enjoy it (in style, of course)!

 Watch the short, short video and tell Mama what you think…will you join Mama on the journey to find the funny in everyday life? XOXO

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Yes?

Where are you?

At Mom 2.0.

Huh?

You know a blog conference where woman get swag, stay up too late and raid the mini bar!

Oh, yes! I did hear of those.

Which one are you?

The one in the corner looking like Anna Wintour with a scowl on my face but looking really stylish.

Really?

No, not at all! I’m the one with the lampshade on! 

(Not in a million years…). Mama is here…can you find me? XOXO

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1. Mama is more like Maggie Gyllenhall in Won’t Back Down than one originally thought. Having a safe, pleasant and respectful learning environment for Mama’s kids is number one and education – well, that actually is number two on Mama’s list because you can get an amazing education at some very top-rated public schools all around the U.S.. It’s amazing that we live in a world where children think it’s okay to talk disrespectfully to adults, bully their schoolmates that are different from them and that adults simply sit by and let it happen. Shocking but true. Don’t sit back and let it happen – time to start a Coup d’etat parents and let your voices be heard. Don’t let your family be a victim before you do something. It’s more of a shock and awe moment for Mama because this has been happening since the beginning of time but for some reason, it doesn’t affect you until it does. Oh, and check out the movie — highly recommend it.

2. Mama has finally found the perfect jeans and they are under $75. Perfect for Mamas that like a sexy jean without the whale tail, try Gap’s 1969 Stiletto Jean, $69.95. The waist is not so high that you’re channeling Jessica Simpson’s on-stage fashion disaster but not so low that your afraid to bend down and pick up that sippy cup and the slight flare at the bottom is flattering on every height. Seriously IN LOVE with these jeans!!

3. Mama’s new favorite hiding spot is in the bathroom with the iPad playing Candy Crush. Life has changed since Mama’s children found this game…ugh…now to get to level 55.

4. Navy looks good on everyone!! Mama is totally inspired by the new Great Gatsby movie coming out this summer so why not have  a dress that is reminiscent of the era as well, Pim + Larkin Gatsby Dropwaist Dress, $79, is just what you need for a casual or dressed up look.

5. Wrapping yourself in saran wrap is not as easy as it looks and you can lose inches doing it (more on that on Monday)…

6. The world wasn’t ready for an American Pope but we’re getting close…perhaps in the next 100 years. Although it was quite nice to watch another moment in history on the TV.

7. J.T. now rules the world with Jay Z and Bey coming in a close second. On another note, Bey’s new song…great way to get people talking about the album. Let my kids rock out to that song? Nope. Keep it clean Bey — you’re a Mama now.

8. Kids are still obsessed with poop, farts and anything resembling a toilet. Why? Who knows but Mama has learned to laugh with them.

9. It has been more Pinterest fails that successes these days. Plus, does anyone really want to see your pinned birthing video? NOT REALLY! Let’s stick to recipes, crafts and decorating ideas people.

10. Is it spring break time yet?

Happy Weekend Mamas!! XOXO

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Hubs: “Lily-girl’s school and craft projects are eating up the dining room table? Where am I supposed to eat?

Mama: “We could do it 1970s-style and bring in TV dinner trays?” (How retro, right?!)

Hubs: *SNIFF* *HUFF* (insert eye roll as well)

Mama: “Okay, let’s finally redo the guest room and make it into a craft/guest/office/homework room?”

Hubs: “That’s a lot going on in one room, don’t you think?”

Mama: “Don’t worry, Mama has Pinterest and Ikea to consult with us!”

Hubs: (insert suspicious raised eyebrows here)

Doesn’t it all come down to Pinterest these days anyways? Well, it’s all good in theory but when it comes to actually applying the ideas in real life it can be a tad overwhelming. As can Ikea on President’s weekend but we managed to make it through with no extras but the one thing we came for (at least this trip) and the hubs survived putting it all together (always a bonus). While the room is still in project-mode and not fully ready to be shown off here, Mama is so proud that we took the plunge to make our house more functional for our family. The kids love sitting in there doing crafts, homework and Mama has space to put all of those craft supplies and projects that are always popping up. Next up is paint and hanging the Plasma TV that Mama found at Costco.

How is this relevant to you and your home? Well, it just so happens that Celebrity Designer Dad Stephan Saint-Onge is presenting a FREE Life Improvement Seminar this Sunday, March 10 at 1 p.m. at IKEA San Diego (2149 Fenton Parkway, San Diego) to help you make your home more functional on a budget and with a little creativity. WHAT?! Sign-me-up! FREE design advice people and it’s a real live person instead of just a pinned picture!

Presented by Family Circle and Ikea, you’re sure to get the room advice you’ve always wanted but never wanted to pay a designer for.

Plus, they’re going to have some awesome FREE giveaways for attendees!! So come on down and get your free design advice and be inspired to make your kitchen or any extra space in your house that more functional this year. Believe Mama when she says it’s life-changing y’all!

Don’t believe Mama on how fabulous his advice is? Check out this video:

See you there! XOXO

*This is a sponsored post but all opinions and design are Mama’s. Mama really does like IKEA and Design Dad.

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*Heart melt* Mama’s little girl has fallen in love with Paris just like Mama did when she was little. In fact, in college Mama worked two jobs while going to school to save up money to do a summer abroad program in Paris. It was worth every cent and every Nutella crepe and chocolate croissant that Mama ate while there (a minute on the lips, a lifetime on the hips…which means it’s all still there…and shifted to the buttocks and belly in the meantime). It was a dream come true to go to Paris to sightsee, to take in the history, the art, the food (yes, even snails), the people, the language and the shopping!

While Mama was so broke while there that buying a street vendor brie cheese sandwich was a delicacy, Mama still walked into the Louis Vuitton and Chanel flagship stores on the Champs and just browsed. They probably were thinking “stupid American tourist with her XOXO bag doesn’t belong in here” but Mama was in one of the meccas of European fashion and was not going to pass up an opportunity to “dream-shop.”

Unfortunately, Mama hasn’t been back to Paris since but one day soon, it will happen and Mama plans on eating more than just brie cheese sandwiches and will walk into Hermes and buy a Birkin bag (not really but we’re dreaming here, aren’t we?!). But lucky for Mama, the love of everything Parisian has settled into American fashion this season as we see stripes, clean lines, scarves and tailored skimmer pants take center stage. It’s not just for Mamas either, the little girl styles with poodles and Effiel Towers are too cute to pass up (look for those tomorrow). Here’s a few of Mama’s Parisian must-haves for the season….Bon Voyage!

Happy Shopping Mamas! XOXO 

1. Wildfox ‘First Date’ Graphic Tee, $64, at nordstrom.com (Mama’s going to wear this to bed…hint, hint)

2. Ultra Skinny Printed Pants, $54.95, at gap.com

3. Perforated Ballet Flat, $22.94, at oldnavy.com

4. Pim + Larkin Dotty A-line Mini, $69, at piperlime.com

5. Stripe by N Bonjour Striped Pullover, $79, at piperlime.com

6. Macaron Pill Box, $9.95, at paper-source.com (what’s more Parisian than a Macaron?)

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Then this weekend Mama decided to catch-up on work and was browsing across some magazines and discovered the Parenting OC Magazine named Mama one of the 15 most inspirational blogs in the area. Mama is HONORED, of course, but then confused because lately Mama has been slacking a whole lot. So now Mama is here to again remind us to live a very stylish, organized and carefree life with screaming but well dressed children in tow.

So now that Valentine’s Day has come and gone, Mama is ready to move on from all the pink and red hearts and get ready for some sweet spring styles. White denim starts to make its way out of the closet, tall boots are swapped for flats, you wear a waterproof anorak instead of a snow parka and you start the search for the perfect bathing suit. Which in Mama’s shopping experience means that you are still searching for that perfect suit ten years later. Let’s wait on the bathing suits for now and just start with a few spring items that are perfectly perfect!

Happy Shopping Mamas! XOXO

1. Margherita Peasant Top, $68, at anthropologie.com.

2. Sam Edelman Serena Sandals, $140, at piperlime.com.

3. HIve & Honey Chevron Stripe Knit Maxi Dress, $69, at piperlime.com.

4. Vintage Twist Bracelet in Turquoise and Coral, $39, at stelladot.com.

5. Cafe Capri in Dot, $98, at jcrew.com.

6. Printed Canvas Tote, $39.50, at gap.com.

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But for the kids, celebrating holidays each month or however often they seem to pop up can be overwhelming. Sometimes Mama has to stop herself and think…“do they really need a gift or a prize to celebrate this holiday or is a big hug, kiss and homemade treat enough?” 

Of course that’s enough. But then it isn’t. In this day and age, kids have been led to believe that love is equated by the amount of gifts one receives. (Jaw drops to the floor…NOW). Yes, absolutely that is the truth and it is NOT how Mama wants her kids to think. Love is much more than iPads and video games and so much more than American Girl dolls and Elmo toys. Teaching the kids this lesson hasn’t been easy. In fact, it’s more like a work in progress because explaining to a four year-old that he doesn’t need every single car ever made is like telling them SpongeBob isn’t yellow.

In fact this Valentine’s Day, Mama has a couple of gifts for each of the kids but really it’s the time leading up to the holiday that Mama is most looking forward to. Making the Valentines and the treats together is much more fun than receiving a gift. It’s something you can’t buy and to Mama it equates to love.

So the question to you Mama’s on this Wonder(ful) Wednesday is…do you give gifts for the little holidays or just skip it in lieu of quality time together, hugs and snuggles? 

While the kids may get little trinkets of love like chocolate hearts or a new game, Mama is thinking of making it more of a Valentine’s Day month with each week doing a new activity as an act of love.

Think…

• LOVE thy neighbor — delivering treats to a neighbor or friend that may be going through a hard time. Just making a simple delivery, is sure to brighten their day and know that you care about them.
• LOVE thy family — send a homemade Valentine to a long lost family member that you may not talk to frequently (Facebook does NOT count)! Snail mail is the way to Mama’s heart so I’m sure others would appreciate a break on their in-box.
• LOVE thy home — this one could go two ways…pick a room to clean and declutter together or go outside and clean up trash at a park, the beach or someplace close to home that you visit frequently. Mama’s kids have a habit of saying…“but it’s not MY trash!” It drives Mama nuts because trash is trash. Pick it up and be a good friend to the earth because you love living here…unless you want me to send you to Mars…which can be arranged.
• LOVE yourself — this is where they can benefit from doing all of the above and showing that they’re capable citizens of love and random acts of kindness. Let them have a little treat to congratulate them on a job well done. They’ll feel great and you as a Mama will too.

Now you all know Mama better than that because shopping is like breathing around here so come back on Friday for some V-day shopping inspiration for you, the littles and maybe you’re man!

Happy Wednesday! XOXO 

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