Mama Style

So, we have this little Holiday Party next week for the Department of Surgery.  The invitation states "Festive Attire".  I'm not sure what that means, but I'm having fun looking for a dress.  These hospital parties are the adult version of prom, so it's fun to get all gussied up once a year.  The party we normally love to attend (at the hotel where we were married) is being held while we're out of town - I was so bummed.  But considering I'm going to be on a beach with a beverage in hand, I'm sure I'll get over it real quick ;-)

Here are few of my favorites (they're all from Nordstroms...sorry for no links, kids are napping and I have about 30 seconds to pound this out).

When I saw this dress thanks to one of my favorite bad influences in blogland, I knew I needed to try it on.  I ordered it from Nordy's and took advantage of their free shipping.  It fits great - very flattering - and I can maintain my dignity up top if you KWIM.  The only problem is, I worry it may look a little Atlantic City Tartlet in person?  Maybe it's the satin?  With jewelry, I feel like it could get too over the top, fast.

 So then I saw this online...and I love me a one-shoulder dress.  I think it looks a little more conservative and classy, but haven't tried it on yet:

Wouldn't need a necklace!  But maybe a bracelet & some earrings...

 I'm not 100% set on red, and came across these pretties too:

I thought this one was festive.  However, the husband hates lace.  Like, HATES it.  So this one may be out, because let's be honest, I want to look good for him.

Right now I'm leaning toward #2 if it fits decent.  And then there's the whole shoes/jewelry part.  And hair.  And makeup.  OMG I'm 17 again.  The last two actually remind me of my Senior Prom dress, ha!

So heeellllp - what do you like?

MoJo Holiday 2013

MoJo Holiday 2013 by nursetmj featuring a crown hat

So I came up with *what I thought* were the most adorable outfits ever for Morgan & Joey to wear for their Christmas pics that were scheduled for tomorrow.  I even paid for expedited shipping.  You know what that got me?  No delivery until FRIDAY.  Womp womp.  (PS: I'm still trying to decide on Morgan's outfit, hence the two options)

In case anyone was wondering, I'm raising a VERY strong-willed toddler these days.  Yeah, I need to buy and read that book.  Anyway, I'm crossing my fingers and pleading/bargaining/bribing her to wear one of these ensembles for the pictures.  She always picks out her own outfits these days, from head to toe.  And mostly, I'm OK with it.  Wanna wear the birdie shirt for the 3rd day in a row (if it's clean!)  I figure, let her be who she wants to be.  I don't need to force her into wearing what I WANT just yet ;-)  Or maybe I'm finally realizing that my days of getting to dress up my little girl are over.  It's so unfair!

I shall save my strength for more important battles.  Like the back-to-back time outs for hitting her brother.  Of which there were 3 before 8:30am today.  I always make her say "I'm sorry I hit you Joey" and hug him when she's released from time out.

Some Beauty Talk & Help Wanted

Hi, my name is Tammy and I have an addiction to beauty products.

But I have to share my latest finds because they are truly amazing.

First up:  I found THE ONE.  My perfect foundation.  It happened like this:  I wandered into Ulta to look and redeem all my points I'd racked up.  I told the girl what I was looking for (Gina, we're BFF now) and she basically told me not to waste another minute in their store, get my butt down to Saks, find the Estee Lauder counter and ask for Tracy.  So I did.  And I was introduced to my skin's soulmate:  Double Wear Foundation.

It's the perfect full-coverage I'm looking for, but doesn't look makeup-ey.  It lasts all day and all night.  I'm in love.  So now that Tracy is basically my new BFF, she taught me how to apply it with a foundation brush and then she turned me on to a bunch of other goodies, including the Aerin Lauder line (I've always loved her!) for Lauder.  If you're a gloss fanatic, definitely check out their lip lacquer.  I needed another nude lip gloss like I need another hole in my head, but hey....what are you gonna do?

Next - I'm obsessed with skincare and my skin gets super dry in the winter.  I'd been reading a lot of buzz about Tarte's Marajuca oil for your face.  At first I was skeptical - I get a little oily as the day goes on as it is, why would I put oil on my face?  But it has made SUCH a difference in the hydration of my skin!  Ulta has a mini-version in a kit that you could try before you commit to the big bottle.

I found a new mascara that I'm loving too.  For like $6.  After letting some other bloggers do all the legwork (I'm lazy like that), I finally tracked down this (3 stores later):

I got my hair foiled on Wednesday and chickened out on the cut.  Actually, the kids were with me and they needed naps BAD, so we ran out of time.  So I scheduled it for next week.  I'm ready for the Mom Bob.  I just have to gather some pictures to take with me.  I'm thinking along the lines of something like these:

Oddly enough, the first 2 pics are ones I pinned last year - so they must still be in style and my fickle self is happy I still like them.  I want it long enough that I can still curl it, like the bottom photo.  If the mood strikes, and the kids allow it, and the stars align.  You know how that goes.

Everyone and their girlfriend are wearing leather pants these days.  I'm not convinced I'm edgy or cool enough to pull them off.  But I'm digging the look.

I'm getting pictures of the kids taken next week - one of the moms of Morgan's classmates does photography and she does an amazing job. I basically begged her to squeeze us in since I'm such a slacker and I told her I'd sooner poke my own eyes out than subject myself to the torture that is Portrait Innovations.  NEVER. AGAIN.  (Dramatic much?)

So this is where I need HELP.  Kids outfits.  We are going to be outside & it will only last a few minutes, so the photographer suggested sweaters/layers.  I'm NOT good at coordinating outfits.  Help! Help!  I'm thinking creams/reds/blacks.  Any suggestions are welcome.  And if you want to just go ahead put a Polyvore board together for me, I'd love you forever. Haha.

This is our Christmas photo from last year.  I expect nothing more than zero cooperation that will need photoshop intervention again.  It's all about expectations people.

Taken in my house with my 1/4 decorated tree.  Just keepin' it real.

The week before last week

Clearly a catch-up post.

We took the kids to a birthday party at Jump & Jacks and they were CRAZY.  Not in a good way either.  I think they were hungry?

Once they were fed, they mellowed out and had a great time.  Of course it was time to leave then.

Sunday morning, the Hubs and I met up with some of his partners and their wives for brunch at Orchids.  They have an amazing brunch buffet and I enjoyed Mimosas to forget about the birthday party from the day before.

 This kid is so funny lately and I just love dressing him like a little old man.  He is saying everything lately.  My favorites are "I NUUU!" for "I love you" and his kisses.  Oh lordy, his kisses.  He'll just come up to me, lean in, and purse his lips and go "MmmmmmmmmmmMUAH!"  He plays hard and loves hard ;-)  Given his history, I might have to start wearing a helmet.  But he makes my Mama heart melt.  Oh, and for "Clarabelle" (the cow from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse) he calls her "Carabooo".  So stinkin cute.

 I spent lots of time both at the library and at home doing this:

 I whipped up this meal that my husband said (and I'm quoting his words verbatim here) was "The best chicken to ever cross my lips".  It. Was. Stellar.

Baked Chicken Scampi from my Wildtree freezer meals workshop.

We spent some time outdoors, soaking up the last few warm-ish fall days.

And that about sums it up!